Official Website of the Republic of Belarus
News
Belarus Events Calendar
Belarus’ Top Tourist Sites
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belarus
Belarusian sanatoria and health resorts
Souvenirs from Belarus
| Home | News | Photo | Napoleon's Crossing of the Berezina: reenactment 204 years on

Napoleon's Army Crossing Berezina River: Historical Reenactment at Brili Field

Napoleon's Army Crossing Berezina River: Historical Reenactment at Brili Field
27 Nov 2016

A spectacular military and historical reenactment of the crossing of the Berezina River by Napoleon's Army was arranged at the field near the village of Brili on 27 November to commemorate the events that decided the outcome of the Patriotic War of 1812. Exactly 204 years ago, the retreating French army was surrounded near the Belarusian villages of Studyonka and Brili and suffered a crushing defeat. It is no coincidence that since then the word ‘berezina’ in French has become synonymous with shattered hopes and a symbol of one of the greatest shocks in the history of the country. 

Intense fighting of cavalry and infantry, artillery shelling...  Viewers of the Berezina 2016 reenactment in Borisov District saw a meticulously restored fragment of the battle of 1812 between the Russian and French troops which lasted four days. This time, the reenactment involved about 300 representatives of 49 war history clubs from Belarus, Russia, Poland, France and Belgium.  

The history festival to mark the 204th anniversary of the Battle of Berezina and the Battle of Brili Field opened with a solemn ceremony to lay flowers at the memorials commemorating the Russian and French soldiers. Besides, the spectators had an opportunity to visit the museum house of Ivan Kolodeyev, renowned industrialist, art patron, and historian who studied the War of 1812, to see other landmarks, take part in workshops, buy handcrafted souvenirs, and immerse themselves into the atmosphere of the events that happened two centuries ago.

Enjoy photos from the reenactment of the historic battles in our gallery.

Napoleon's Crossing of the Berezina: reenactment 204 years on
Napoleon's Crossing of the Berezina: reenactment 204 years on
Napoleon's Crossing of the Berezina: reenactment 204 years on
Napoleon's Crossing of the Berezina: reenactment 204 years on
Napoleon's Crossing of the Berezina: reenactment 204 years on
1 2 3 4 5      next