Sergey Babenko, head of the club of historical reconstruction "Vargentorn" in GU "Viciebsk" Cultural Center, is known not only in the city over the Dvina, but also far beyond.
Reconstruction of material culture – not only one of his many hobbies: this year he became one of the initiators of celebrating the Day of Viciebsk talents of Magdeburg law. Our correspondent met with Sergei and asked him a few questions.
Sergey, when you rekonstruktorstvom carried away, and what it is for you today?
Reconstruction interested in a schoolboy. The newspaper "transitional age" read an article about Minsk Knight Club "Northern Temple Order", which was engaged in the reconstruction period of the 13th century. Later, when I came to study in Viciebsk, was the celebration of the Millennium Drutsk. At the same time, he met a girl who had similar interests – and away we go ... By the way, our club reconstruction – the only one in the country, which has a national team title. Today rekonstruktorstvo became my life, but in addition have many other hobbies.
Obviously reconstructor should be fairly knowledgeable person, know the history. What else?
In fact, for historical reenactment activities or archival information needed to a small extent. Rekonstruktor can be and do not versed in the history of the world, but to be very experienced in the field of material culture. It all depends on what goal in front of you puts a specialist. If a long time doing any one era, then, of course, like it or not you will get acquainted with the historical realities of this period, which are well studied and described. But above all, you are learning the material culture of the then, as it is in most cases remains a mystery to the general public. We have to carefully study the specialized scientific literature, telling about the archaeological finds: the pieces, fragments of cloth, shards of the time.
For example, if we take the 17th century, ie the then tailor the book, there are descriptions of costumes, with this period of work is much easier. However, if you study the early Middle Ages, there are only studies of archaeologists, which produce special works on the subject. According to the found pieces of fabric can already be concluded, as it kroilas.
But to make a thing, not enough to have knowledge of archeological or technological nature, you need to be proficient in the practical craft skills...
The point here is this: your hands are trained. There we have the division of labor, as a man with all kinds of crafts to engage seriously cannot. It will be the amateur level. Although this kind of attitude took place five years ago, but now the level of reconstruction in the country has grown so much that doing badly – is mauvais ton. Personally, I have experience in various areas reenactment: do a tree, sometimes working with metal, but the most expert in leather goods. As for the blacksmith, we have an expert who did blacksmithing as a profession. He is constantly learning, growing, professionally cultivators and is a highly respected person in our community.
How important to your business components such as the artistry and the abilities that are given to man by nature?
Without this it is impossible. Some data must be natural. I, for example, at one time a member of the Youth Theatre, took part in his productions and was his first composition. Apparently, it somehow has promoted well. Among the relatives and family of artists were not, but they were artists. Shoe business engaged grandfather, but no one gave her skill, and it was forgotten. Santa this craft is no longer engaged. And then who knows. Maybe there really is a kind of genetic memory, and something passed down through the generations. This is generally a huge problem of Belarusian artists, because, unlike Western Europe, there were almost no continuity of generations in craftsmanship. For example, in Italy, the family run factory, which today four or five hundred years. There is a family of Italian shoemaking, which for five hundred years, has the exclusive right to sew shoes for popes. There exists a lot of branches of the craft activity in which the demand for such services.
How are your current views and approaches to the reconstruction of those that were at the beginning of the activities?
In the beginning, we tried to just have fun and grow to greater consistency of our products authentic originals. Opportunities and information in 2005 was significantly less, and our products looked a little too far from the ideal of an exact match to the original. Today, the real culture reenactors mostly grown enormously. Previously, sometimes too hot, reenactment level of perfectionism and a corresponding relationship to the people who were engaged in this business, off scale. Now this has become less come to understand that everyone has the right to have his attitude, his views on the same thing.
In addition, we have developed such a minimum level of quality of our work, below which it is impossible to sink. While other clubs have raised the quality level of professional excellence. I do not accept this approach, we have that there reconstruction to, something you do, get dressed and cool to hang out, and the rest is nonsense. After all, with such an attitude the quality of products will be very low with regard to the historic match.
Say a few words about your project "Viciebsk banner".
"Viciebsk banner" – is now the main direction in the activity of our club. But at the same time it is an interclub project that attempts to display the material culture is of Viciebsk. Although we take the basis of materials common to the Commonwealth, as there was no such thing as "Viciebsk-dress," or some kind of "specificity Viciebsk". However, primarily we are working with the local archaeological material. There are many things those days: fragments of shoes, jewelry items. We actively cooperate with the Viciebsk local history museum and archives, studying documents, the same will or property inventory, where it was stated that some of the things had a gentleman of Viciebsk. Then we begin to study shoemaking, tailor books that explains how to look outfits, which were at that time CROI. We have to use them, and they are absolutely suitable. Zupan – it is here that in Vilnius, which in Warsaw was about the same, but it could be five finishes. And then you have choose himself. Assist portraits Viciebsk governor, who survived. The information is – not very much, but there is, and we are studying it a little, it was to bind to Viciebsk.
While still studying at the university I was engaged in this period. This time is interesting because it really in Belarus 17th century had not properly reconstructed. No it was not engaged, even in the scientific research of material culture have huge blind spots. Only unless there is a mass in Babrujsk club "Gonfalon Babrujsk povet", but, in my opinion, in their efforts entertaining part dominates part of the material accuracy. For example, a temporary mismatch outfits made them may have spread from fifty to one hundred years. And in the 17th century, it is unacceptable, as the fashion then there were significant changes within, say, 20 years. That wore in the 20s or 40s, in the 50s or 60s is not worn. To mix these styles and features – is mauvais ton. Though they say, "We do see."
And finally say a few words about the future plans.
Most global plan – to expand the work of the team for the benefit of our city. To this was not some one-off events related to a particular festival, and that we work on a regular basis.
S. Horki
