Viking from Belarus

Vikings left a noticeable mark in Belarus’ history. The Varangians (or Varyags) gave Principality of Polack it’s most prominent ruling dynasty started by Rahvalod.

“However, we cannot consider the Vikings a separate nation,” says ‘modern’ Viking Vital Kalbasin. “During the early Middle Ages any person from northern countries, who was on the same ship with the Northmen could be called a Viking.”

We met a real Viking in Minsk in… subway. A strong young man with two braids in his beard. Vital Kalbasin calls himself a Belarusian Viking with honor.

“Belarusian culture is considered to be the part of Baltic culture . Baltic culture took much from Scandinavian culture and vice versa.

“It is clear from our myths, tales, in the very our history. The myths on werewolf came from the Scandinavia. The Grand Duke Usiaslau Charadziej is said to be one of them.”

Vital is a member of one of the most famous historical reenactment clubs called True Varing (‘True Squad’ in Swedish), which is focused on the early Middle Ages. However, being a Viking today means not only to be interested in history. It is a whole philosophy and lifestyle.

Myths and Dreams

“I’ve always wanted to take a picture of a Viking in its horned helmet…”

“To tell the truth, they never had such helmets. A man with a thick beard wearing a horned helmet is just a myth. Still, it became popular somehow. There hasn’t been found a single grave of a Viking buried together with such helmet. Furthermore, it is so uncomfortable to fight in it!”

Vital’s story is a thrilling one. He graduated from a university and worked as a lawyer. He wore a white shirt, he had an office… However, he was dreaming of another trade. He was dreaming of a real, fascinating ‘man’ job: about being a blacksmith.

And he managed to do this. Today his work is art smithery.

“I made my dream true and started doing what I like. Our society for some reason thinks ill of manual labor. But it’s a real trade. I get satisfaction from it can endlessly master my skills as one can’t become a good blacksmith in a moment. Smithery is the same art as literature or music. ”

The Vikings were worldwide-known blacksmiths. They also were great craftsmen and merchants who brought their masterpieces to foreign lands.

Ethnic Religion of an Granny from South Belarus.

Vital showed me his little treasure: a Thor’s hummer necklace and a bracelet. Thor was believed to protect people from evil giants that lived in Northern Europe.

Belarusian myths mention them, too.

“You know, these are not just toys.” Vital glanced at his bracelet. “They are parts of my world. Some people still keep to so-called traditional religion. It is based on old beliefs and customs. Many countries that adopted Christianity did not neglect their ancient ancestors’ views and traditions. The ethnic traditions of Belarusians and Scandinavians had been shaping for centuries and they are very similar. For example, all European nations celebrated winter solstice, it was the most prominent holiday. Now we’re celebrating Catholic Christmas on this very day.”

“What is traditional religion to you?”

“Coming back to my roots, to the centuries-long experience. And sometimes this experience tells us about such simple things as the unity of a person and nature, with the Universe. Your body, your spirit, you yourself is an integral part of the Universe. The karmic laws work perfectly. Yogis and Hindus know it. These truths were known by our ancestors, but forgotten by present generations.

My granny was born in Palessie, a part of Belarus famous for its traditions. Maybe, I have all this as a her heritage.

With Pork Fat and Battle Axe

Vikings were those who went off raiding. Today’s Vikings are not an exception. Imagine a group of people in Viking’s apparel going to frosty December’s forest and living there for several days just as the Vikings did in the Middle Ages.

“We try to take only indispensable. Those things that could have been taken by the real Vikings. We leave all the gadgets. Food is also Viking-style: dried meat, fish, vegetables, pork fat. We always keep to ancient rites, hold battles. The reenactors from Russia, Ukraine, and Poland come to participate in our events. We also travel a lot. Every of us is a historian.”

“So, today people are not born the Vikings, they become the Vikings? ”

“Sure. Being a Viking is romantic. One can feel a spirit of road and adventures. But what more does a real Viking need? A woman! Belarusian women’s beauty is world-known. Many Vikings settled down in Belarus because of this. Furthermore, Belarusians are close to Scandinavians in spirit. That’s why we’re such a good friends.”

Vital dreams about his own smithy and about visiting Sweden, his second homeland. We hope his hope to become true soon. Even the Belarusian word ‘vandravać’ originated from a Swedish verb ‘vandra.’ Nothing happens without a reason.

***

In the end we asked a real Viking who made his long way from Sweden to Belarus and perfectly learnt Belarusian language on his way. He is the most known Swede in our country, the Swedish ambassador to Belarus Stefan Ericsson.

“While living in Belarus I understood that our people are very much alike. We had some scientifically proved common points in history, but long ago. However, I learned that people still remember those ancient times during my trips!

“What our character and mentality is concerned, I would agree on that we have many common features. It may be so because of similar geographic position and climate or because the contacts between Belarus and Sweden could have influenced the development of these features. In any case, The route from the Varangians to the Greeks is still existing in Belarus.”

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