• Historical Re-enactment
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• What is it?
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• Re-enactment Groups
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• Events and Festivals
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• Gallery
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• Agenda

Introduction to Historical Re-enactment

Accurate reconstruction of events, episodes or equipment from a former historical period dates back to Classical Rome. The Romans themselves staged recreations of famous battles within the Colisseum. Also, the Praetorian Guard of several roman emperors used to dress in the ancient "republican" fashion despite the ongoing changes in fashion along the years. More recent in time are the well-known Beefeaters, 35 guards who have been looking after prisoners at the Tower of London and safeguarding the British crown jewels since 1485. Beefeaters continue to dress like in the Tudor period (15th-17th centuries). Similarly, 100 soldiers of the Swiss Guard in Renaissance dresses and lances have been guarding the Vatican since 1506.

 

However, historical reenactment goes beyond folklore and pursuits practical historical interest. In reenactment, thousands of voluntary actors enthusiastically devote their leisure time recreating dresses, tools, music, jewels, pottery, weaponry, etc. from former historical periods in order to act out and commit to memory historical events, battles or daily life episodes which took place in the past.