Tyr - 'Valkyrja' (2013)

Tyr

'Valkyrja'

Metal Blade Recs.

2013

What is Tyr - propably everbody who likes folk metal (or even metal in general) knows. This faroese band is quite long on a scene, and 'Valkyrja' is their (let me just count...) album number seven.
I was very dissapointed by the previous longplay'The Lay of Thrym'. It had continued the more heavy-metal course that was initiated on 'By the Light of the Northern Star', but at the same time it was totally mediocre. Boredom, in one word, potentiated by the fact that Tyr plays music in very similar style on every album. So I was kinda sceptical about the new release, but happily the guys decided to record this time something with a soul. I have also a feeling that it's even more purely heavy-metal than 'By the Light...' and 'The Lay...'. Maybe it's just my imagination, but listen for example to such 'Blood of Heroes' or 'Into the Sky' - isn't it obviously inspired by Iron Maiden and other NWoBHM masters? Mostly the tracks have quite a big power - they are melodic, catchy and pugnacious so that the head after some time automatically starts to bang. Maybe the music is not very aggressive, it's calmer than two last longplays, but it has defenitely a soul.
There are also two tracks that should remind you older albums - 'Grindavísan' and 'Fánar Burtur Brandaljóð'. Sung in the national tongue of Faroe Islands, inspired by the folk music of that region. Well, as always it sounds good - those are one of my favourite songs. To be honest I prefered Tyr playing that more folk-oriented music, but I understand that they had to put some new elements into their music. So let's say that it's quite OK for me. There is also one novelty here - 'The Lay of Our Love', with guest vocals by Liv Kristine. To be honest it's just a tearful ballad, played completely in rock way. It's good that the guys at last tried to compose something different, but it doesn't make a bigger impression on me. It's not bad though, and one such song on the whole album is a nice ornament.
So as you can see - the whole album could be written in one sentence. 'Tyr recorded music in the same style again - and this time it's good". Some of the old fans will propably gruble that Tyr stands in the same point, bringing them more or less the same music as on 'By the Light...'. Others will say that this is good, just not very revolutionery. And of course there are younger/new fans, who will be very excited because everything that they need to be happy are vikings and pugnacious music. In which category you are - you'll decide. Personally for me the album is really OK, but I am not sure if it is solid enough to defend itself in the future. Time will tell.

Rate: 7+/10

Check out a video-clip for the track 'Blood of Heroes':

Tracklist:

1. Blood of Heroes

2. Mare of My Night

3. Hel Hath No Fury

4. The Lay of Our Love

5. Nation

6. Another Fallen Brother

7. Grindavísan 

8. Into The Sky

9. Fánar Burtur Brandaljóð 

10. Lady of the Slain

11. Valkyrja

12. Where Eagles Dare (Iron Maiden cover)

13. Cemetery Gates (Pantera cover)

Total time: 59:35

'Vikings' series - short review

On 3rd of March 2013 canadian History channel premiered their new series - Vikings. The show was quite succesful, not only in States and Canada, but also in Europe (including Poland). I can't say - I've been also waiting for it, like many people interested in Viking Age. Well, I must say that in many ways I am disappointed, but there are aslo things that I admire very much. But let's start this revie from the very beginning.

First of all - the plot. For those who had never heard of Vikings, here you have an abbreviation from Wiki:

The series is inspired by the tales of the raiding, trading, and exploring Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia. It follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lodbrok and his crew and family, as notably laid down in the 13th century sagas Ragnars saga Loðbrókar and Ragnarssona þáttr, as well as in Saxo Grammaticus's 12th century work Gesta Danorum. [...] The first season portrays Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) as a young Viking warrior who longs to discover civilizations across the seas. With his friend, the gifted craftsman Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård), he builds a new generation of faster longships and challenges the local ruler, Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), a man of little vision, to allow raids into unexplored North East England. He is supported by his brother Rollo (Clive Standen), who secretly covets Ragnar's wife, the shieldmaiden Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick). Ragnar succeeds in carrying out the first Viking raids into the English kingdom of Northumbria, returning with rich loot and the monk Athelstan (George Blagden) as a slave. This not only earns him the enmity of King Aelle (Ivan Kaye), but triggers a series of increasingly violent confrontations at home with the autocratic Earl, ending with Ragnar killing and succeeding him. Ragnar pledges fealty to King Horik (Donal Logue) and represents him in negotiations about a land dispute with Earl Borg from Götaland (Thorbjørn Harr), in the course of which he is seduced by the princess Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland).

Source: Wikipedia

 

The fact that screenwriter created his characters bases on many different sources is really great. Anybody who is at least a bit interested in the subject should be pleased with it. From the other side somebody who is a total layman will be also enjoy the characters - each of them have their very own personalities.
The firsts episodes (to the one when Earl's killed by Ragnar) are really great. Vikings sailing across the unknown sea, raiding english lands - all of those things makes good impression. History of Ragnar draws very quickly, and there are no signs of boredom. I am especially pleased with battle scenes - in my opinion they are done perfectly. Not only because of great acting - I mean also historical facts. There are no objections from my side here.
Right after a plot this is a great advantage of this series - it shows the real life of a norseman. Although There are some small mistakes (some og the haircuts are older than from VIII century, thing should be done in the sacred place, and not jarl's house, spitting into the bowl taken from XIII Warrior etc.), generally speaking the whole, let say, 'material' side of Vikings is damn good.
However, I have a big problem with what is presented here as 'viking' spirituality. The basic problem is that creators of this show were looking on pagan tradition through the eyes of modern (so for many - christian) man. Examples are sadly numerous, so let talk about some of them:

- Floki, after the baptism of Rollo, is upset by it and call him a traitor of the gods - Scandnavians were at that time politeists. That means that they were worshipping many gods. Maybe later, when christianity was seen as a danger for their freedom, they would react like Floki. Yet at the beginning they couldn't understand the fact that there can be only one god, who is expecting to worship him as the only one. In fact, there are written sources (carolingian) which says that viking warriors seen baptism as a kind of agreement between them and their christian overlord (when they were being hired by carolingian kings for service). They were figuratebily hailing the god of their suzerains - and that's it.

- the episode in Uppsala temple - everything here is just a fantasy of the screenwriter. From the appearance of the priests, through the whole event to the most important - meaning of the whole sacrifice. First of all - Uppsala was never any placy of pilgrimage. Secondly - their descriptions in christian chronicles seems to be very exagerrated comparing to archeological findings. I even won't recall the fact that there are no evidances of any sacrifices. The 'temple' could be just a bigger jarl's halla (although for sure there existed a certain cult of some kind, but smaller).
What also really makes me angry is when all the characters treats myths as some real dogmas. You won't believe it, but myth is something different than a dogma. Everybody could interpret it in his own way - or even not believe in it at all! So people who are sacrifising themself for good of all other people in Midgard (like one of main heroes in the movie) is just a bullcrap

- sex scenes - for example when Ragnar wants to have a threesome with a priest and Lagertha. Partly I have written an article about it (here). Having sex outside marriage was seen as one of the biggest crimes on society - so none of the self-respecting vikings would do that. This concerns also Rangar's adultery.

 

Last episodes are disappointing - not also because of mentioned mistakes, but also in my opinion the action severely slows down. It is not as dynamic as in the beginning, and in some ways it's a bit boring. I know that there are no chances in 'repairing' the spirituality of the characters. But I hope that the plot will focus on sailing, raiding, exloring and other activities that seems to be much more interesting than taking part in fictional rituals or boring scandinavian politics ;)

Interview - Ereb Altor - Forging a sound with elements of both black and epic metal

Read a review of "Fire Meets Ice" here. 
Ereb Altor is hailing from Gavle, Sweden. It was founded in 2003 and plays Viking metal highly influenced by a legendary Bathory. Yet this is not their only inspiration, and Ereb Altor's music clearly shows that the band has their own identity. Interested? If yes, read what Mats (Vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards) have to say about his fascinations (both musical and other ones), music and some cultural issues. Fans of epicness in music - this can be something for you!

1.Hailsa! First of all I would like to know how people in the undeground reacted on your last opus "Fire Meets Ice"? Did you receive some negative opinions?
The reactions have been great, better than after our previous albums. Great reactions when it comes to mails from fans and also great reactions from the media, both underground and bigger magazines.

2.We can listen to "Fire Meets Ice" a year after releasing of your previous album, that's kinda fast! Moreover, the material seems to be different than "Gastrike" - it's less black metal, even if there are some black metal influences in your music. Why did you decide to return to this more viking metal style?
Both "Gastrike" and Fire Meets Ice was written at the same time musically. I chose the more harsh songs for "Gastrike" because of the lyrical approach on that album.
I think "Fire Meets Ice" unites the history of Ereb Altor, forging a sound with elements of both black and the epic. It was a challenge to make an album with all these elements but I believe we succeeded.

3. The material is also highly touched by an almighty spirit of Bathory. I know that questions like this one are present in every interview with you, but do you imagine the world without Quorthon'smusic? And how do you think he would comment "Fire Meets Ice" if he was still alive?
Yes, it’s true that he had a great impact on my world of music. It’s impossible for me to imagine how it would be without it.
Quorthon would probably not comment the album at all, or say something weird as he did in most of the interviews.

4. Do you think that this is important to keep the spirit of oldschool viking metal alive, if we are around this subject? How do you personally rate the present scene - it's strong, weak or simply mediocre?
To be honest I don’t listen that much to the viking metalscene, mostly because I can’t recognize it. It doesn’t sound the way at all as it did when I grew up with "Hammerheart" and "Twilight of the Gods".
To me the old school Viking metal is glourious and let’s stick with that.

5. I suppose that Bathory had also started your fascination with norse mythology and history in general. How important are those topics for you? And here's my favourite question to scandinavian bands, hehe: what do you think about those who are worshipping norse gods nowadays? This makes sense in our high-tech societies or not in your opinion?
I am interested in mythology and supernatural things in general. Not only Norse mythology and legends from Scandinavia. But since we have a nordic touch in the music and we are from Sweden I think it suits us very well to deal with such topics.
I think everyone is entitled to worship any religion as long as no one is forcing others to follow their belief. But to me it’s more about inheritance and history, to understand how things were from where we come from.

6. Your lyrics are also inspired by a fantasy literature. You even named your band after a fantasy roleplaying game. It was in your youth, but do you still have an interest in such kind of stuff? Can you name some of your favourite authors?
I grew up playing fantasy games and I grew up with reading Lord of the Rings but I wouldn’t say I am a big consumer of fantasy litterature nowadays. I mostly read historic litterature and books about folklore. I also read regular books about murders and so on but no fantasy. And there isn’tmuch inspiration from fantasy in my lyrics either though it was supposed to be from the beginning but I changed the direction and focused on our inheritance and dark stories from the north instead.

7. In some moments, and especially in "The deceiver shall repent" I hear an echeos of some more traditional music, even if I wouldn't describe it as folk. Some more epic moments remind me a heavier soundtrack to some movie. So what would you say if some director had called to you and proposed to compose music to his new, upcoming epic movie about vikings? Agree or not and why?
Perhaps you are right… I thought the album needed some traditional elements to fulfill the dynamics.
Of course I would say yes, it would be a challenge! I’ve never done such a thing and I belive it would be a good experience.

8. Ha, speaking of movies, I like your lyric-video to "Nifelheim". Can you tell me who's the creator of it? And do you have any plans to record a real videoclip in the future?
It’s done by Luigith Web design (www.luigiht.com).
We have discussed to record a real video many times and I hope we will soon!

9. Modern pop-culture seems to be full of vikings, norse mythology and cliches bounded with them. Why in your opinion we can observe such an excitement about your ancestors' culture? Sadly, too many times a topic is treated very superficially...
The pop-culture touches everything sooner or later but only for a short period of time so it was inevitable that it would come across Norse mythology at some point. Trends come and go and most of the time the research is not the best.

10. OK, back to your music. "Fire Meets Ice" has a strong relish of doom metal, and I know that in the past it was even stronger. Because of that diversity of your musical fascinations, your own music is more diverse itself, and thanks to that more interesting. Am I right, haha? But while listenning to your albums, do you have sometimes thoughts like "Damn, that riff sounds too much like Bathory"? Or the opposite - "Shit, Candlemasshad stolen our riff!".
I’m actually not focusing that much on riffs, I focus on a song entirety. Working with atmospheres.
Even if you still look at one single riff and it might be sounding a lot like for instance Candlemass you can make the music sound different still, working with song harmonies, keyboards, basslines etcetera.

11. By the way, don't you think that closed-minded musicians are a problem for many genres in a modern metal music? I am not saying of course about being desperetaly original at all costs, but about an own identy.
It’s important to have an own identity and I think we have. But trying to be too original often complicate things too much and the most important thing, making good music, can be lost.

12.  You released your new album via Cyclone Empire. Are you happy with it? And why did you left Napalm Records - you weren't pleased with them? As far as I know, your second band Isole is still in Napalm, can you explain it?
Yes, we are very happy co-operating with Cyclone Empire, it was a good and natural step for us. We wanted a label that believe in our music and a label that are dedicated to us. Napalm Records have a lot of bands and a lot of them are much more famous than Ereb Altor so I think we will benefit with a smaller label that put more effort in the band.
Yes, Isole is still in Napalm Records.

13. Speaking of Isole - what's going on in this camp? Do you have any plans of releasing some new material?
We are recording a new album right now. But I want [propably Mats wanted to write "won't" - Vlad.] be giving you any details.

14. OK, now's time for a few short questions not bounded with your band. What is your favourite:
- beer
I don’t like regular lagers that much… I’m more of a Guinness guy.

- band (besideBathory ;])
Opeth

-hockey team?
Don’t like any hockey teams at all… I like soccer… Liverpool!

15. And at the end, please tell us about Ereb Altor's future plans.
In March next year we will go on a European tour with Borknagar, Månegarm and Shade Empire. We will do a release of some new material in one way or another, perhaps a 7” vinyl.
We also have some festivals booked and we are focusing on getting more festivals with ourbooking agency ”Doomed Events”

16. All right, that's everything I wanted to ask. Thank you very much for your time! The last word is traditionally yours.
All Hails to Quorthon !
See you in Valhalla !

---
A lyric-video for "Nifelheim" on Youtube: (click!)

Photos: band's archieve.
Interview by Vladyka 2013. Please do not copy this interview without HA'Z permission. Respect the copyrights!

Pagan society - part II - social layers

King (a ruler)
The position of the ruler (king, jarl, konung, knjaz, vladyka etc.) was very different. It depends of time and concrete tribe(s). There were even societies where there was no ruler (like for example the confederation of slavic Lutici tribes). In the contrast there were also very powerful kings, who ruled vast lands (e.g. russian Kjaz). So I will focus here only on those smaller, local chieftains - as in pagan reality it was more natural to have such rulers than some great kings.
Depends on times, once ruler was more powerful and once common gathering was the mightest power center. The only thing is known for sure  - there was never pure democracy in such societies. The thing was a tool in the hands of an elite (including chieftain). The free people could only accept or reject proposals of nobles. Of course people could influence noblemen to take care of some things, but still the noble ones were those who presented the case on the thing.
In ancient times the king was someone who represented tribe in the outside. That means that he had to be as perfect as possible - because in some way if the king had flaws also society had them. The most rigorous were celtic people. In those societies if the king was hurted in the battle he automatically looses his title. It was a kind of magic, as king was also becoming an half-god after his death. He was worshipped as a hero - a personification of tribe's might.
OK, but let's say that you live in a pagan society and you desire to be a king? First of all, you have to be chosen by a thing or in a divination. The latter way is more charachteristic for celtic tribes, were the layer of druids had been very influencial in politics. But both methods had a common goal - to choose somebody who is a give warrior. The main function of rulers was to lead an army to the battles. The rest of the power was supposed to be in the hands of the thing. And that's why the personal skills of the king were important. If he wanted to be powerful - he had to gain a favor of his army. Because army was constructed from free people - the same free people who were voting on common and local gatherings.
OK, you're a king now. You have won many battles, and you have a big authority amongs people. What's our next step? Of course you want to convince people that your son should take a reign after you. Because after a death of one king the new one was always chosen by a thing. But if you change it, your dynasty can gradually gain more and more power. Eventually a thing could become only an representative gathering - without any real power. It was not easy though, because the dynasty had to be not only skilled warriors, but also they were supposed to be in good relationships with the noblemen. It was difficult especially when those both social layers were divided by fighting for their own buisness and rights.

Nobility and free people
To see what a difference was between ordinary free people and the nobility we need to study the roots of those division. At the beginning the elite was built up from people who were brave enough. The people who were a good leaders or tradesmen eventually got big assets, and what's important a land. Many between peasents ("ordinary" free people) also had a land, or even servants - yet their property or status hadn't been big enough to count in the society. So as we can see those two layers were very unstable - if you was good enough and had some luck, you could become one of those mighties ones. It may be strange for people who associate only knights with the military, but we must remember that in fact every free man was supposed to fight in defence of his land. Moreover - because noblemen were expected to give much harder effort during a war sometimes it was more profitable to be an "ordinary" freeman! (e.g. in the times of Charlemagne, in purely frankish areas, when the nobility had to serve in wars for many years unlike the rest of the society).
About mentioned luck - pagan people (and people in general, even very long time after a "baptism" of a tribe) believed that if you are wealthy and you are good in the battle - than the gods are on your side. That's why very often "lower" situated people were agreeing with ideas presented on the things with no objection - because they believed that talented elite, who are supported by gods will make best decision for the whole society.
Nobility, beside their obedience in society, had also another privileges bounded with a law. E.g. they were taking bigger compensation for killed relatives, grievances etc. Usually they were taking two or three times more "money" (or wealther) than a usual person. Later it changed - the christian kings, who wanted to protect their officials or gain a hearing from the nobility where raising these amounts. Also during a trial their vote was two or three times more important than a voice of "regular" men.
With noble blood were bounded also noble duties. The most important was to defend a tribe, but not only. Keeping a peace in society and such things were also important. If a noble men failed, than he was the only person who got punished. Also if he broke a law, he was paying more - because he was expected to be more ideal than other free people. The nobility was expected to be an example and inspiracy for the other tribesmen - and not a tool of tyranny in the hand of the king, like it became often in the christian times.

 

Slaves

Here I make it short - a slaves weren't treated like a human beings according to law. If you read any agreement between two persons about inventory etc. you will see that very often a slave costed less than a cow - because cow is more useful. Even if icelandic family sagas present us that enslaved people weren't very often treated badly, in fact they had no rights. When you become a slave you loose everything - including your kin. And a man without a kin was nobody - because no one would take his side in a trial, no one would give you a shelter etc. Doing this was highly comdemned by ancient societies. The master of such slave could kill him, rape him/her or make him hurt without any consequences. The only situation when somebody was supposed to pay for a slave's death was when he killed someone's enslaved person. It was treated similar to killing a horse or a cow.

In the eyes of people from that times when somebody gave a slave personal freedom - than in some way he was creating him a human again, and becoming some kind of father for him. 

In germanic societies there was also a layer of lits, but I will write about it after an article devoted to women. Also there will be article about the priests - as they were something more special than other free people.

Learn more:

Karol Modzelewski - Barbaric Europe ("Barbarzyńska Europa")

Icelandic family sagas, (like Laxdoeala) codex of germano-roman rulers (like longobard Liutprand, Charlemagne and others)

Unfortunetely other books you have to find for yourself - as most of the literature about this subject I've learnt from mentioned book and some articles on the internet written only in polish. Yet those two sites should be helpful:

Icelandic Saga Database
Intenet Archive

Written by Vladyka in the year 2013.

Fever Ray - "Fever Ray" (2009)

Fever Ray

"Fever Ray"

Rabid Recs.

2009

Okay, once again I will write here something about music from the outside of metal world. But this time I must also admit that I am not a specialist in this genre, hehe. I am talking about Fever Ray - the solo side-project of Karin from The Knife. And as long as I am not a fan of mentioned band (duo, or whatever) I became a big fan of this project.
And how looks the creativeness of Fever Ray? Well, it's an electronic music - but not very heavy, I would say that's quite easy in listenning and quite melancholic. Some songs are more sad (like the first "If I Had a Heart" or "Concrete Walls") while some are more optimistic (like e.g. "Seven"). But I'd say that every is more or less melancholic, and maybe even a bit decadent. The music is not very complicated, but it has such an unique atmosphere that it draws you in 'till the first song... Well, maybe it's not unique in 100%, because it's of course influenced by Karin's main band, but her solo stuff is much better and contains more emotions - that's count for me more than some weird, meaningless tunes. Fever Ray successfully writes songs that outwardly have no power, no outstanding melodies or anything like that - but they are easy to remember even after a first listenning. Maybe it's because of a great voice of Karin, maybe because of characteristic calm tunes of each song but still - the feeling of loneliness is so overwhelming that I am sure I will listen to this album very often.
So to write it straight - the music is very good. Maybe it's not revolutionery or something like that but it has it's own soul. Defenitely something that I can recommend with all my heart.

Rate: 9/10
Vladyka

P.S
And by the way - the single "If I Had a Heart" was a theme song for "Vikings" series. You can count that I will write my review of this show very soon.

Clip for "If I Had a Heart":

Tracklist:

1. If I Had a Heart

2. When I Grow Up

3. Dry and Dusty

4. Seven

5. Triangle Walks

6. Concrete Walls

7. Now's The Only Time I Know

8. I'm Not Done

9. Keep The Streets Empty For Me

10. Coconut

Icelandic sagas and secrets of the runes

 

As you already know, from time to time I try to write here on Heathen Altar articles about european history, traditions, mythologies etc. Today I will use something which is not written by me, but what you should find interesting. Here are some links to the useful sites - take a look:

Icelandic Saga Database - if you can't find some icelandic saga in physical copy, here you have it online.

Runes, alphabet of mystery - a great site containing information about meaning of the runes, their history etc. as well as some sagas and source texts.

Runy - something for polish-speaking users. It's not as good as the upper site, but it can turn out that it's also useful.

Graveland - "Thunderbolts of the Gods" (2013)

Graveland

"Thunderbolts of the Gods"

No Colours Recs.

2013

Graveland is a well-known amongst fans of pagan metal polish project founded by Rob Darken in 1991 in Wrocław. "Thunderbolts..." is a 13th album of this veteran. 

One thing is certain - Rob decided to use all of his experience to create another good opus. For some time Rob was creating much slower albums, full of epic war hymns. Yet lately he is dropping it and returns to more extreme areas. The album is full of tempo-changes - from slow parts with usage of acoustic guitars and choir samples to fast, furious atacks. That positively influences a diversity of the music, so it is a good idea. Yet everybody who is following the band will discover here nothing new. Graveland is simply following the path that it has chosen many years ago - and so it brings us another portion of characteristic epic pagan metal sound. The music is not very complicated and a bit raw - the riffs thanks to the production are a bit noisy, yet tunes are highly memorable. There are more epic tracks ("Wolf of the North") and more agaressive moments (opening "Possessed by Steel"). And as I see it - it is better, more dynamic than last recordings. It simply kicks ass. I was affraid that "Thunderbolts..." will be just "another" position in Darken's discography, well producted but a bit emotionless. Yet this time I listen to something authentic, full of rage and passion!

Oh, and about a production. It's the same as last Graveland's releases, but that's a good thing because I simply love it. Organic, yet genuinely highlighting the epicness of the music (especially great parts of choirs). No critical notes here.

There is nothing more to write - and the thing is simple: if you like last releases of this band, you will certainly admire "Thunderbolts...". It is not original at all, yet it is a good portion of epic tunes in the characteristic style of almighty Graveland.

Rate: 8/10

Vladyka

Here you can watch a trailer of the upcoming videoclip:

Tracklist:

1. Possessed by Steel

2. Thunderbolts of the Gods

3. Chamber of Wicked Tears

4. Wolf of the North

5. Red Polaris

6. When Hammer Shines (outro)

Report: XIX Festival of Slavs and Vikings in Wolin (Poland 2013)

It's a 19th edition of polish restorer's festival in a small town of Wolin (near Baltic sea and a german border). Yet it was my first visit there. It took place on 26-28 July. I decided to check by myself how looks the biggest polish event of that type, bounded with history of early middle ages.

When I reached the goal and got off the train I started my trip around the town. The first thing that came to my eyes were hundred of people dreesed up in historical costumes. This place for three days litteraly lives with the atmosphere of this event! In a flyer that I've received while I was waiting in line to get a ticket, organizers boast that in this year Wolin was visited by 1500 participants from 24 countries. That makes a big impression, even though in the final battle partcipated "only" around 400 warriors.

On the road to historical castle I passed by many stalls, offering gadgets bounded with history (like t-shirts, books) and some historical jewelry. Everythink was looking very good. Wolin is a small, yet very charming place. There was always something to do - there are a musem, some monuments and a beach near the town. And of course a stalls with a great polish bear (hehe). The festival was divided from Wolin by a river Dziwna, so you could simply buy a bear and observe it from a harbor. It was a good idea, because on the river there were sailing a true slavic boats, created by archeologist and based on historical sources. There was even an possibility of sailing on it by yourself! Also for a whole day there were playing folk bands from several countries (like e.g. Percival (Poland), Birka Boys (Sweden) and Lutaś (Belarus)). 

After spending some time in the town we decided to visit a castle. A tickets are really cheap - it costs 8 zlotys, so about 2 euros. In offer we got a possibilty to see a reconstruction of Jomsborg. It makes a really big impression, and not only beacuse of it's size (which is really huge) but also of an architeture. It's hard to desribe emotions when you are walking among all those buildings (there are 27 historical cottages, 4 gates with ramparts and a harbor!). You can really imagine how looked the life of all those people, who had to defend themselves against aggression of christian rulers. (Wolin was in that times one of the biggest cities in Europe, and it stay independent and pagan 'till around XII century). 

In castle the number of stalls was even bigger. Beside equipment for warriors and restorers, there was also numerous goods for "regular" visitors like beautiful jewelry and food (of course traditional). You could also taste a cup of mead, and learn something about a history of that place. The people from many countries (but mainly from Poland) were walking around with a very good mood, even if a weather was extremely hot. 

When me and my companion got bored, there was still many things to do. Every hour there were a staging, showing a reality of living in such a place like Jomsborg.There were e.g. staging showing the slave's market, return of warriors from a victorious battle to the temple and such.

But the most important thing took place on 16.00 p.m. - a great battle of slavs and vikings. Like I said, there were 400 warriors from several countries. The battle of Wolin is a bit different than other events like this - because there is no plan of fighting! Nothing is directed here, there are simply two teams who fights untill one of sides defeat all of their's enemies. It is an amazing experience, to see all those people exchanging blows into each other in a cloud of dust. Everybody's screaming, you can hear groans of those who got a hit and fell down. Great example of how people were resolving their conflicts in the past ;]

The rest of a day we spend on the harbour. On the next day we visited a beach (not very big, but quite nice), drank some beers, buy some stuff as souvenirs and returned to home. 

Festival on Wolin is a truly great experience, even if it's propably more fun for people who are participating in staging or battles. Yet still if you can afford a trip to this place, I fully recommend you to simply do it. It really doesn't matter if you are a lover of history or not - this is a place where everybody will get wonderful memories. And learn something about beautiful region of Western Pomerania. 

More of my photos, presenting the battle: