This weekend, on February. 26 and 27, it is planned to say goodbye to winter in an original way near Kyiv. In Ancient Kyiv in the Principality of Kyivan Rus («Kyivan Rus Park»), there will be a farewell to winter according to ancient traditions, and the horse program will be the highlight of the action. The guests are awaited by medieval amusements, rituals, round dances and master-classes, tasty dishes from fire and horseback riding… And all of this in a real, live medieval city!
Since olden times a large farewell to winter has been organized in Ukraine. Since pre-Christian times, our ancestors have known: if you are tired of a gloomy winter and want spring sunshine, you need to arrange noisy festivities to scare winter and make it go away, and spring will soon wake up after the winter sleep.
On February, 26 and 27, the inhabitants of the Principality invite to the traditional «Farewell to winter» festivities, in order to remember the traditions of our ancestors together, kick away the winter, call for spring and have fun from the heart in the atmosphere of the living Middle Ages. And ancient Slavic amusements and rituals will fill the program with a special coloring.
The inhabitants of the Principality will open for the guests the gates to a real medieval city – Ancient Kyiv, where you can see monumental wooden defensive structures (about 300 meters long), Mickle`s Gate (21 meters high), the estates of Kyiv residents of the Хth-ХIIth centuries, the princely terems and tribunes, the watchtowers, and also the reconstructed functioning wooden temple of Kyiv of the Хth century. The unique expositions with siege weapons, the reconstructed battle boat of the Хth century, and even the medieval torture room are waiting for the visitors.
On February, 26 and 27, the guests will enjoy an interesting entertaining program dedicated to ancient Slavic traditions and rituals. The inhabitants of Ancient Kyiv will invite both adults and children to take part in merry and cognitive competitions, fiery Slavic round dances.
The visitors will see the unique «live» collection of horses of rare ancient breeds, collected from the farthest corners of the world in the Princely stable. The experienced horse breeders will tell you a lot of interesting things about the history of breeding and the characteristics of the breeds. The guests will be amazed by the grace and skill of these beautiful horses. At the open master-classes on training and horse care, the experienced horse breeders will share with the visitors the secret of how to make these smart and noble animals become true friends for their owners.
Everyone will be able to approach the horses, palm them, arrange a bright photo session and even ride on horseback or in a carriage. You can take carrots, beets with you and treat the horses with the permission of the stable administration.
The horse-trick performances, during which the courageous riders will amaze the visitors with the masterly possession of medieval weapons, will give unforgettable emotions.
In Ancient Kyiv, traditional Ukrainian ancient horse martial arts are being revived: trick riding and horseback archery. Everyone can master the ancient martial art of horseback archery by enrolling in the «Prince Volodymyr» school of horseback archery. It is very simple to become its student: you need to contact the organizers in Ancient Kyiv or call (050) 385-06-14 and (050) 385-20-35. So from the first lesson, you will begin to comprehend the art of controlling a horse and accurate bow shooting. Join the fighting traditions of our ancestors!
In Ancient Kyiv, everyone will feel like a real resident of the medieval city. Here you can walk along the medieval streets, holding your breath from the masterpieces of medieval architecture, visit the medieval shop and choose an original handmade souvenir for memory. In the medieval shooting range – learn how to accurately shoot a bow, at the mint – how to mint coins after the ancient technology, in the Princely costume room you can put on the costumes of the Kyivan Rus times. By visiting the healer-soothsayer, you can learn about the secrets of the past and the future and taste herbal drinks after ancient recipes.
The fans of extreme will enjoy the «Zmiy Gorynych» high-speed slide and the «Politaylo» rope descent.
You can warm up and taste delicious dishes and drinks prepared by princely cooks on an open fire in the warm cozy Princely tavern.
If you wish to prolongate your romantic journey to the Middle Ages for one more day, you can stay for the night in comfortable rooms (by previous booking).
Ancient Kyiv opens at 10:00. The program will begin at 13:30.
The program may change.
Visiting Ancient Kyiv takes place in compliance with the requirements of the quarantine regime.
Ancient Kyiv is located in a 45-minutes` drive from modern Kyiv – Kyiv region, Obukhiv district, vill. Zastugna (near the vill. Kopachiv).
You can get by your own car or by public transport. The schedule of route taxis check on the «Obukhivtrans» website or on the «Kyivan Rus Park» website in the «Contacts» section.
The best way by your own car is through the city of Obukhiv.
The ticket price: a full adult ticket – 230 Uah. (a promotional price instead of 250 Uah.), for pensioners and students – 150 Uah., for schoolchildren – 100 Uah., for preschool children – for free.
Details on the website www.parkkyivrus.com
The Interfax subscribers can save money with the “openbusiness-20” promo code for a 20%-discount for a full price adult ticket to the Principality of Kyivan Rus:
– by previous order by tel.: +38 044 461-99-37, +38 050 385-20-35
– or at the cash desk at the entrance to the «Kyivan Rus Park».
