The festival “Plovdiv – Ancient and Eternal: History, Ethnology, Culture and Art” will welcome nearly 200 returnees from Bulgaria, England, France, Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Hungary from June 16 to 18. The Forum will be opened on June 16 with a procession from the Roman Forum to the Roman Stadium. A special program will kick off the stage at the Roman Stadium from 7 p.m.
The program includes performances by the “Freya” group, Era Ballet, students from the National High School for Stage and Screen Arts, representatives of Ancient Thrace and gladiators from the Ludus Luperc(k)alis, Ludus Traex(trax), Ludus Usus Nigrus, reconstruction schools combat of medieval warriors from home and abroad, WMCF Knights for historical medieval combat with distinctive weapons and armor from the late 14th century.
In the next two festival days, “Lauta” Park will become the arena of our ancient ancestors from Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Participants will recreate life in these periods in all aspects – food, drink, crafts, music, dance, archery, horse riding, battles, ethnology and culture.
The festival “Plovdiv – ancient and eternal: history, ethnology, culture and art” is organized by the association for historical reconstructions “Filipopol” with the financial support of the Municipality of Plovdiv as part of the Cultural Calendar for 2023.
Partners of the festival are “List” Institute – Sofia, the Hungarian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, National High School for Stage and Screen Arts, “Vasil Levski” Sports School – Plovdiv, Era Ballet.
P R O G R A M A
JUNE 16
18–18.30, Central Square
Meeting of the participants of the Forum of Philippopolis
6-7 p.m. Roman Stadium
Freya group recital
6:30 p.m.–7 p.m., Central Post Office-Rome Stadium
Defile of the participants
7 p.m., Roman Stadium
Official opening program of the festival “Plovdiv – ancient and eternal: history, ethnology, culture and art” with the participation of students from NGSEI, Era Ballet, battles between gladiators from the schools: Ludus Lupercalis, Ludus Traex, Ludus Tomitanus and fighters from Ancient Thrace , reenactor fight “Combat reenactment” with the participation of groups from the country and abroad, Bohurt triathlon according to the rules of WMCF Knights – Barrage for hire
JUNE 17
Lauta Park
10.30 a.m. – Official opening
ANTIQUITY CAMP – open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., presentations of antique crafts, life and culture, antique archery, weapon handling; Fashion of the Ancient World with Audience Participation; Antika Winery – the wine of the old world; Battle of Romans and Barbarians; Military oath, those defeated in battle enter the Roman army; Antique Slave Market; Ancient rituals
EARLY MIDDLE AGES CAMP – open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., demonstrations of early medieval crafts – blacksmithing, quilting, leatherwork, jewelry and clothing accessories; Early medieval food and its preparation outdoors, lifestyle and culture of the Bulgarians of that era; Equestrian demonstrations and horse archery; Presentation of the Early Middle Ages, clothing and armaments, military skills and the formation of armies; Demonstration of medieval combat practices on land and on horseback – archery and fighting skills with sword, whip and spear; Medieval School for Young Warriors – training youth and children in archery, spear handling, shield and sword
LATE MIDDLE AGES CAMP” – open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., demonstrations of crafts from the Late Middle Ages, life and culture of Bulgarians, Romans, Latins and knights in our lands; Presentation of late medieval clothing and weaponry, military skills and formation; Medieval cuisine and medicine – demonstrations and presentations; Historical presentation “Tsar Kaloyan and the Knights of the Duchy of Philippopolis” – continuation;
7–8 p.m.– Musical performance by the group “Freya” – medieval Scandinavian music and medieval songs and dances.
JUNE 18
Lauta Park
10 a.m. – Open-air museum, living history, exploring the medieval camps, craft workshops and stalls; Presentation of the armies during the different eras, combat practices; Soldiers’ clothing, armament and equipment; Medieval School for Young Warriors training youth and children in archery, spear, shield and sword; Ancient and medieval games and amusements for young and old; Presentation of dances and music traditional to the historical periods
2 p.m. – Closing the festival.
During both days of the festival, guests will have the opportunity to observe participant demonstrations, combat practices, jewelry and jewelry making, coinage, woodworking and food preparation. They will be able to mint a coin, shoot a bow, try on the weapons and equipment of the troops and take pictures with them, get on a horse, see the life and traditions of our ancestors and get acquainted with our rich cultural and historical inheritance.
