Over centuries Vologda was a link between medieval Europe and Old Russia, a unique ‘door’ to Europe and a centre of international integration and trade. Traditions of medieval Hansa that is considered to be an original model for the modern single European market, resulted in the Hanseatic League of the Modern Age. It was established in 1980 and now includes over 192 cities and towns from European and Russian states.
It is expected that representatives of such Russian cities and towns - members of the Union of Russian Hanseatic cities as Belozersk, Veliky Novgorod, Veliky Ustyug, Vologda, Ivangorod, Kaliningrad, Kingisepp, Porkhov, Pskov, Smolensk, Torzhok, Tikhvin, Totma will get together in Vologda to share their traditions with each other and discuss possible cooperation in economy and culture.
The program of Hanseatic Days will include official meetings of representatives of Hansa member cities and towns, craftspeople and musicians. Medieval atmosphere of the festival will be created in the streets of Vologda City to show the diversity of traditions, culture and history.