Workshop for awareness raising among young people of historical events in Vidin and Calafat in 1877-1878 and preparation of a historical reconstruction from that period
Local Employers Association for Small and Middle Enterprises Calafat organized on the 30th -31th of March 2019, a Workshop within the project “Remember the war, appreciate the liberty” financed under the Interreg V-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme.
This event took place in the meeting hall of Cultural House Calafat, and was addressed to young people/young students, to interested local stakeholders and to the project beneficiaries.
Team members present at the meeting from Lead Beneficiary, Agency for Regional Development and Business Center (ARDBC) Vidin was Mr. Eftim Stefanov – Chairman and Mrs. Petya Voyceva .
From Beneficiary 2, Local Employers Association for Small and Middle Enterprises Calafat meeting was attended by Mr. Ionel Dumitrescu- President, Mr. Alin Dumbrăvea – Project coordinator and Mrs. Marilena Baciu -accountant.
Lecturer of the workshop was the President of the Soldiery Tradition Association “Bucharest" – Emil Boboescu. Expert in Historical Reconstructions and collector of old weapons – Ligian Tudoriu . The Soldiery Tradition Association “Bucharest" is an association with cultural and educational field of activity, which aims to preserve the historical memory and patriotism and also has a remarkable experience in organizing historical reenactments. The interpreter for the event was Mrs. Borislav Mitrashkov.
The agenda of the meeting was as follows:
First day: 30.03.2019
- Opening of the meeting. Introduction of the participants.
- Presentation of the project “Remember the war, appreciate the liberty”.
- Presentation " Politic situation in the cross-border region of Vidin-Calafat in the period 1877-1878
- Presentation of “Romanian Army in Independence War”
- Presentation “Battle of PLEVNA” and Grivita redute
- Technical elements regarding infantry troops and the siege of Belogradchik and Vidin
- Questions and Answers session//Discussions.
Under point one of the Agenda, Mr. Alin Dumbravea, Project coordinator of Local Employers Association for Small and Middle Enterprises Calafat had the welcome speech.
After the welcome speech, Mr. Alin Dumbravea introduced the representatives of Lead Beneficiary to participants and to the other participants at the event. At this point of the meeting each representative of project beneficiaries presented their role in the project.
Under point two of the Agenda, Mr. Alin Dumbrăvea, made a presentation of the project, including objectives, goals, target groups in cross-border area, project expected results, and also, a description of the project’s activities in the Romanian and Bulgarian side.
Also, he outlined the importance of developing this kind of project in cross-border area, which has the aim to create and promote a representative tourist product for the cross-border area Calafat – Vidin by bringing to life the athmosphere of 1877-1878 Independence War battles and inauguration of an event, “Calafat and Vidin in 1877-1878 period”, with cross-border resonance. Another major challenge is the implication of young pupils in the reconstruction of this battle through the military trainings, putting them in direct contact with a military outfit and military everyday life for the corresponding historical epoch.
Mrs. Petya Voyceva highlighting the impact of this project in cross-border area, through epochal and historical atmosphere created through original items or uniforms and gear manufactured including edged weapons and fire arms replicas, congruent with the original historical items, for the period commemorated.
The event continued with the presentation of the lecturer, Mrs. Emil Bobescu representatives of Soldiery Tradition Association, which has a short description of the activity of Soldiery Tradition Association and also for all the projects where they was involved, developed with theme “Reenactment”.
In order to introduce the students in the historical atmosphere the presentation continuing with explanations regarding the politic situation in the period of the 1877-1878, the Romanian position regarding the International situation of Independence War.
After the coffee break Mr. Emil Boboescu continued with the presentation of the Romanian Army in that period, highlighting the structures of the army, the role for each of them in the Independence War and also the number of soldiers and equipments involved. The students/participants were involved in the change of ideas, they have questions sessions regarding some aspects of the international political situation and also how much the actually army organization keep the old structure presented above.
After the lunch break the presentation continued with the stories related to the big battle of Plevna and the conquering the redoubt Grivitsa. The lecturer explained the military operations starting with the enforced Danube in the night of 14/26 June in Dobrogea region and in the nights of 15/27 June in Sistov and continuing with the presentation of artillery strategy.
The presentation continued with information on the works and elements of the infantry troops with the emphasis on the genital works of the PLEVNA redoubt 20 Oct./1 New. – 28 New./10 Dec. 1877 is the Plevna encirclement period, the only reliable solution for conquest. Then there were presented information on the number of combatants, how they were placed on the battle field and the adopted battle strategy. During the entire presentation period, the children were attentive, interactive and involved in the presentation.
The final part of the presentation was related to the freedom of town Vidin by the Romanian troups and the battle of Belogradchik where the Romanian infantry had an important role.
Second day: 31.03.2019
- Presentation “Historical restoration – preparation, organization, species, meaning"
- Presentation of authentic uniforms from that period
- Presentation of authentic FLAG’s used in Independence war
- Presentation of authentic weapons
5.Test for participants to assess the level of utilization of the information provided
The event start with a brief remembrance of the information’s related in the first day and after that the Lecturer continued with the topics related to the presentations of the reenactment of battle elements. There have been highlighted aspects related to the stages of the redoubt attack, troop advancement, and also safety features with regard to pyrotechnics.
After the coffee break the workshop continued with the outfit presentation and item specific of the war period, uniforms representatives for the Romanian army. Also were provided information related to the military degrees and also about the old and actual decorations.
After the lunch break were mad presentation for the Romanian flag used in the Independence War, was highlighted the importance of the historical items in the battle field.
The children were introduced into the war atmosphere through the military equipment, guns, sabres and bayonets, the children took direct contact with the historical items. Also the lecturer have given information related to the used canons in the Independence War, explained the importance of these in the gaining of Independence war.
The event has continued with a short break, after that the children sustained the test for verifying knowledge about the Independence War. The children’s have been supervised by the project team, along the all period.
In the ending of the event there were free discussions between participants.
