Practice
The HEMA school
Longsword, spear and dusack — as a martial art and a research discipline, not a combat sport.
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Atira Ruthenia — Historical Reenactment and HEMA
History is not only studied. It is lived.
Longsword, spear and dusack in the training hall; armour, camps and festivals in the field. The medieval Ruthenian world, studied from the sources and tested in practice.
Chapter I — Discover
From the past, through research and reenactment, to experience
We are not a fantasy troupe and not a costume company. Atira Ruthenia stands at the intersection of history, research, martial culture, craftsmanship and community. Everything we present in public begins in written sources, archaeological reports and museum collections.
ResearchReenactmentHEMALiving HistoryEducation
Reenactment
The workshop
Every garment, buckle, seam and rivet is argued from evidence. Where the evidence runs out, we say so.
Into the workshop →"Imperare sibi maximum imperium est."
To master yourself is the greatest victory.
What we do
Four strands of our work
Historical European Martial Arts
Longsword, spear and dusack, studied from period fight books and sources.
Crafts & Reenactment
Metal, leather, wood and textiles — objects argued from finds and manuscript evidence.
Research & Education
Primary sources, archaeology and museum collections, published back to the community.
Living History
Camps, cooking, everyday material culture and experimental archaeology in the field.
Follow us
From the hall, the camp and the festival
Our news
News and notes from the community
announcement
A new hall and a new fee structure for the Kyiv branch
Since 9 October 2026, longsword training in Kyiv takes place at the NAU climbing centre. From November, the membership fee and HEMA training plans are paid separately.
report
Medieval Fencing Among the Cosplayers: Atira Ruthenia at FANCON 2025
On 7–8 June 2025 our stand at FANCON, Ukraine's pop-culture festival, brought historical fencing and the material culture of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Ruthenia to a new audience.
report
Atira Ruthenia at Tolkien Day: the Real Middle Ages Behind Middle-earth
At Tolkien Day 2025 in Kyiv we brought open duels, medieval arms and armour and the history that also inspired Tolkien's world.
Collaborations
Documented events and professional exchanges
Real collaboration stories with museums, festivals, educational institutions and HEMA communities — with the relationship explained and public evidence where available.
FAQ
Questions we are asked most
Voices
“The team showed exceptional historical accuracy in everything they did, from their daily camp activities to their reconstruction of a late 14th-century Ruthenian noble household. Their workshops were consistently full and engaging… Atira Ruthenia is a welcome and valuable partner for any event that brings history to life.”
Austėja LuchtanaitėFestival Project HeadState Cultural Reserve of Kernavė — Days of Live Archaeology, July 2026“The participation of the representatives and reenactors of Atira Ruthenia was a significant contribution to this cultural and educational event… Thanks to your professional work in historical reconstruction, festival visitors were able not only to learn about historical eras, but also to feel their atmosphere through the recreation of the culture, everyday life and traditions of past centuries. (Translated from Ukrainian)”
Oleksandr AlforovChairpersonUkrainian Institute of National Memory — Festival at the Museum of Kyiv History“Atira Ruthenia's work is grounded in a research-based approach. It combines practical reconstruction, cooperation with museums and educational outreach… Over the years of cooperation, Atira Ruthenia has proven to be a responsible and professional partner.”
Yarema IvantsivHead of the NGONGO “Chorna Galych” — Cooperation since 2014 · TuStan! and Kernavė“We at Dublin HEMA love hosting fellow fencer from abroad whenever fate brings them to Ireland. When Bohdan was over we were able to train together, exchange training/drill ideas, and of course, spar a little. It was an absolute pleasure to have him there, as an ambassador of Atira Ruthenia, as our first visitor from Ukraine, and hopefully not the last!”
SeifLongsword Coach & Committee SecretaryDublin HEMA Club — Training exchange, Dublin, June 2026“Atira Ruthenia brings together historical reenactment, research, historical fencing and educational activities, helping people of different ages discover and better understand Ukraine's history and cultural heritage. The team takes a responsible, professional approach to organising events… and engages effectively with communities and audiences.”
Bilohorodka AdministrationLocal authority · Kyiv Region, Ukraine“Their team combines strong historical knowledge with careful attention to authenticity, while presenting the past in a way that is engaging and accessible to a broad audience… They create a living historical experience that visitors and participants genuinely remember.”
Anga TravelDirectorBook us
Bring History to Your Audience
Castles, heritage sites & festivals
Talks, photo zones, masterclasses, medieval dancing, craft workshops and HEMA combat displays, shaped to your site.
Book usEducation
Classroom visits on medieval life, weapons and warfare, clothing and society, Ruthenia and Europe, and hands-on living history.
Education programmesAncient roots. Living history.
Join the club — training, workshop, camps and research in Kyiv, with the Ireland branch now forming.