Hanza Kaunas 2011

European knights will fight the spears on the bank of the Nemunas river

About 100 knights from various countries of Europe, six armored warriors included, will show their might, on the arena close to Daugirdas amphitheatre, on the bank of the Nemunas river.

During the International Hanseatic days in Kaunas for the first time in Lithuania a tournament of warriors will be held. A woman - European champion Caroline Egemalm will participate in it as well as a multiplex champion of Europe Klass Lundberg consented his participation in the competition.

Glittering shells, wind flattered flags, noisy audience and a herald who will announce a winner of the tournament...

There was no more impressive show in the great Duchy of Lithuania and in all Medieval Europe as the warriors' contest. Brave men would come together to try their power, earn respect and attract ladies.

Organizers of the International Hanseatic days in Kaunas on the 19-22 of May plan the fight of knights ,doughboys also riders, still unseen in Lithuania.

Military clubs of Middle Ages from Germany, Belorussia, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Sweden, France, Italy, Latvia intend to send to Kaunas contest their best participants.

Armored men will have an unexpected challenge , as Caroline Egemalm from Sweden- champion of Europe among women agreed to participate in knights' tournament.

„It is mostly presumable that from the hand of that woman not one man will fall down from the saddle", - comments company " Hanza Kaunas 2011" director Darius Rumšas with a smile.

Three participants from Sweden and Poland will come to the riders' contest.

The horses prepared for the event will be taken from Poland.

Lithuanians don't have riders' duels experience still, that's why they will participate only in demonstrative contest.

The main task for organizers now is to equip appropriately riders' tournament arena.

The heads of the public department of Kaunas municipality have undertaken the task of bringing about 200 cubic metres of sand to the Nemunas bank . The sand will be dusted in the territory of 50 m length and 20 m width on a special sheet.

Public utilities staff will set a special ring-fence , gates for horses' entrance and exit and a tribune for heads and judges of the event.

The arena will witness the fights of doughboys and riders as well as traditional pig race so much liked by children.

After the closure of the Hanseatic days public utilities have intention to equip the beach close to the confluence, there they will use the same sand which was utilized by riders. They plan is also to make benches and cabins for change there.

In the nearest future Municipality has promised to light the amphitheatre and other places at the confluence, take order of surroundings, basketball courts, toilets.

Director D.Rumšas while expecting plenty of foreign guests is worried about a number of deserted and neglected buildings in the old town.

„It would be nice that owners or assigned people from municipality could cover these buildings with special nets, as it is usual abroad. The old town has to be freed from nasty writings and drawings on the walls"- asks for assistance the organizer of the event.