On 29 August, in the working settlement Zolotaryovka of Penza district, the XV All‑Russian historical‑cultural festival "Zolotaryovskoye gorodische – crossing of civilizations" was held. The event, timed to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, was supported by the Russian Military‑Historical Society and attracted thousands of visitors.
The festival occupied several sites. The central immersive cluster "Crossing of civilizations" near the House of Culture recreated four ethnic locations of the medieval Volga region – Volga Bulgaria, medieval Rus, ancient Mordva and the Polovts – and offered master‑classes in fabric embroidery, calligraphy, amulet weaving and jewelry making.
An "Alley of Masters “Delo Ruk”" exhibition‑fair displayed decorative‑applied art, alongside a shooting range and zones for folk games. Governor Oleg Melnichenkо, speaking at the opening, noted the 15‑year anniversary, the origin of the festival idea, and announced that decisions at the level of the Russian Government have been taken to launch a historic‑natural museum‑reserve “Zolotaryovskoye gorodische” from next year.
After the opening ceremony, a tournament of early medieval shield‑sword battles was held, followed by performances of regional folklore ensembles, a modern sword‑fight tournament for youth, and the concert “Living traditions”. The program concluded with an awards ceremony.
The food court offered an interactive tasting of “Brotherly porridge” prepared according to medieval recipes. In the House of Culture, the “Portal of Time” block presented the exhibition “Antiquities of the Beresteisk land” from Brest, Belarus, interactive excursions, tours of the Zolotaryovskoye gorodische museum and a screening of the documentary “Volga Bulgaria. From the depths of centuries” by Boris Kulomzin, produced with the support of the History of the Fatherland Fund.
