Penza, 17 August 2015. PenzaNews. Reconstruction of the battle of the Napoleon-time was presented in Penza as a part of the military-historical festival “Field of Mars,” dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Russia's victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 and foreign campaigns of 1813-1815 years.

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The event, which took place on Sunday, August 16, gathered military history clubs from Moscow, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Saratov and Penza, who represented the Lithuanian lancers, 1st and 21st chasseurs, Saratov infantry, Moscow grenadier regiment of the Russian Army, the 7th light, and the 33rd and 18th regiments of the line of the French army.

Opening the event, Alexander Elatontsev, acting head of department of internal policy and mass communications of the Penza region, noted that the festival is a significant event for the region.

“When we were planning the event, we thought that it is necessary to honor the memory of our compatriots who laid down their lives in the war of 1812 and foreign campaigns. But we could not imagine that so many people would come to feel the Russian history,” he said.

Alexander Elatontsev added that the festival is prepared and held under the auspices of the Russian military-historical society.

“Today, we have the first festival, which we entitled “Field of Mars.” Most likely, it will be a traditional one. Judging by the interest shown by the Penza residents and the people from other cities, it wil be so,” he stressed.

Then there was a prayer service in memory of the dead “In the name of Faith, Tsar and Fatherland,” which was attended by members of the military-historical clubs, as well as the visitors of the festival.

After this, the re-enactment of a real battle, which involved infantry, cavalry and artillery bagan. The performance lasted about half an hour. The visitors watched horse and artillery attacks, gun battle and the redoubt storming.

The performance was commented and accompanied with music.

The re-enactment was followed by ensembles “Miryane” and “Kozachiya zastava,” which performed old Russian and Cossack songs.

In addition, the festival presented interactive sites, furnished with the objects of folk life, the food court and crafts fair. Anyone could take a picture with a member of the performance or fire an old musket.