The Western Dvina River has been a significant part of the history of Polotsk region as its ancient transport artery. The extensive network of waterways up to the beginning of the XX century was the most convenient transport system in the territory of modern Belarus. The Western Dvina played a huge role in the economic life of the region and the country as an economic and cultural link between different countries and continents.

Polotsk will turn into a medieval city from August 30 to September 1, 2019. These days the International Festival “On the way from the Vikings to the Greeks” will be held in Polotsk within the framework of the international technical assistance project ENI-LLB-1-108 “Promoting preservation, availability and development of intangible culture and local history heritage improving sustainable culture tourism competitiveness in Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus”, which is implemented within the European Neighbourhood Instrument Cross-border Cooperation Programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus 2014-2020. As centuries ago, guests from different countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus) will gather in the city above the Dvina. Residents and guests of the city can enjoy a huge variety of goods in the craft community, performances of street actors, workshops. At the medieval fashion show you will learn about the features of medieval clothing and who was its trendsetter. The waters of the Western Dvina will become the scene of battles of medieval ships – Drakkars. The 3D-light show “Ancient Polotsk” will tell how the city has changed throughout the history.

A separate part of the international festival “On the way from the Vikings to the Greeks” will be a culinary contest. Participants will prepare and present dishes that reflect a certain region, a certain social class. What was prepared and how, what dishes were traditional centuries ago – you will learn and try all during a culinary contest.

The youngest guests of the holiday can spend their time at an interactive playground where they will get acquainted with medieval games and fun, the ancient board games, toys and attractions. The workshops “How to make medieval dolls” are also prepared for children.