Cosplay, K-pop, films and games on one side, and a historical fencing and reconstruction club on the other: at first glance FANCON did not look like our kind of festival. In practice we fitted the format very well. On 7–8 June 2025 Atira Ruthenia had its own stand at FANCON, Ukraine's pop-culture festival, held at the International Exhibition Centre in Kyiv.
What we brought
FANCON presented our stand as a journey to the late Middle Ages, the time of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Ruthenia:
- historical fencing demonstrations with longsword, sabre, dusack and spear;
- open training and masterclasses, where visitors could try medieval fencing under the guidance of the club's instructors;
- an exhibition of the equipment and everyday life of 14th–15th-century warriors: reconstructed armour, weapons, clothing, tableware and crafts;
- conversations about medieval culture and everyday life in the Ukrainian lands.
Why a pop-culture festival
Many people who come to FANCON for games, films or cosplay have never seen historical fencing or a reconstructed 14th-century kit up close. A festival like this lets us reach them where they already are, and show that real history can be as engaging as fiction.
Photos: our Instagram post · FANCON's announcement of our stand
Want historical fencing demonstrations at your festival? Book us.