Print text“Havorn I Austerveg” — Vikings on the East Way
Norwegian-Russian expedition under the UNESCO flag
Austerveg is the ancient east Viking sea-route from Norway through the Baltic Sea and along Russian rivers to Istanbul. Havorn is the exact 50 foots length replica of the Viking ship. Havorn was built in Oslo using the drawings of the Gokstad ship (900 A.D.) and is putting out to sea today.
Participants of the expedition
The crew of the ship is represented by members of the “Viken” Association (research of the ancient coastal cultures and nations), “Nature and the Youth” organization from Norway and ecological Swedish organizations which co-operate with them. The second participant of the expedition is the Russian ship Nevo which was built in the Middle Age ships style. The equipment was also made according to the archaeological finds. Nevo will take archaeologists on board who among other things will advise about future film about the expedition and ancient cultural heritage.
During the voyage the practical potential of the two ancient ships will be comparing. And the answer to the question if the sea ships with the keel (like Havorn) could go along the rivers will be given.
Two ships, Norwegian and Soviet, will sail through the seas and the rivers board by board restoring old friendship of the two countries. The journey will begin on the home land of Norwegians and will over on the home land of Russians.
The route of the expedition
The voyage will be organized in two years. The first stage will take place in 1991, the second — in 1992. The expedition will visit many ancient cities of Scandinavia and Russia such as Skiringssal, Birka, Novgorod, Kiev, Istanbul and others.
Skiringssal — one the most important trade centers of ancient Norway.
Birka — the biggest trade center of Sweden in 800-900 A.D.
Novgorod — the trade center and the capital of the Nordic Gardarike.
Kiev — the trade center and the capital in the Great Sweted.
Istanbul — ancient city where the Warangians served as emperor guard.
In addition in Ukraine the expedition will visit the Higher National School which was founded there by Norwegians not long ago.
The goals of the expedition
The history of the cultures tells us that Scandinavia and Russia had trade and cultural connections at all times. It would be great to restore these contacts. The goals of the expedition are following:
- History of the cultures.
It is possible to get a lot of knowledge about culture and history of two countries acquainting with people, their way of life and traditions during the voyage. This kind of contacts already started during the preparation for the expedition. - International exchange and co-operation.
The expedition will make its own contribution on co-operation between East and West Europe. Even the sailing depends much from the crew cooperation, mutual aid and knowledge and experience exchange. - Environmental protection.
The expedition lets to remember the time when people do not deplete the natural resources. Havorn will attract the attention of people to the ecological problems especially to the sea and its pollution problem. The crew-members will meet with the local people and ecological organizations and movements in the camp places. The discussions about pollution problems and environmental protection as well as ecological information exchange are planned. The exhibition of the environmentally conscious technologies and pollution metering equipment will travel on board. The independent ecological movement “Green Help” from Kiev will be provided with air monitors. Such co-operation will help to found the strong independent ecological movement in the East Europe which is one of the main goals of the expedition.
