For three days, the Western European Knights’ Tournament, held near the walls of Mir Castle, will turn back time. Registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the castle was originally built in the 16th century, with additions and reconstructions added until the present day. The rules and customs of the medieval tournament will be followed by thousands of participants — from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and elsewhere.
Visitors will be able to enter the age of knights’ tournaments, witnessing recreations of actual battles and enjoying a festive atmosphere, with music and dance. The event will culminate with a grand theatrical performance of a medieval battle, involving up to a thousand warriors bearing field and arm artillery and displaying siege and engineering techniques.
The entertainment programme is to include various contests and master classes, alongside a crafts fair, amusements and a big concert featuring Belarusian folk bands Stary Olsa and Testamentum Terrae, as well as other musical groups. A fire show and medieval dancing is also planned.
