The Blacksmith Festival takes place annually in August. This year it will be held on August 9-10. It will be held as part of the Summer of Russian North project initiated by Acting Governor Georgy Filimonov.
The festival is a meeting place for professionals as well as the general public where people of all ages and all walks of life have a good time. Every year blacksmiths from all over Russia come to Ustyuzhna to demonstrate their skills and choose the best master.
In the 15th-16th centuries Ustyuzhna was one of the first metallurgical centres of Rus, and many skilled craftspeople were hard at work casting cannons and cannon-bells.
Music, dancing and sports activities are part of the event as well as blacksmithing, nail-making and metal casting. Visitors of the festival will be able to enjoy live concerts, dancing and admire the skillful hands of the craftsmen creating works of art.