- Title: Viking sword returned to Ukraine from Estonia
- Date: 12th May 2016
- Summary: TALLINN, ESTONIA (MAY 12, 2016) (REUTERS) PEOPLE LOOKING AT VIKING SWORD VIKING SWORD IN BOX SWORD HANDOVER CEREMONY AT UKRAINIAN CULTURE CENTRE IN TALLINN VARIOUS OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM ESTONIAN AND UKRAINIAN MINISTRIES OF CULTURE SIGNING HANDOVER AGREEMENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM ESTONIAN AND UKRAINIAN MINISTRIES OF CULTURE EXCHANGING AGREEMENT PEOPLE APPLAUDING REPRESENTATIVE FROM ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF CULTURE HANDING OVER SWORD TO UKRAINIAN REPRESENTATIVE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD SPECIALIST AT ESTONIAN BORDERGUARD AND CUSTOMS BOARD, ALEKSANDER MIKSJUK, SAYING: "Due to the competence of customs officers on the border, they were able to see straight away in this sword something more and establish its historical value." PEOPLE LOOKING AT SWORD SWORD HANDLE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ARCHAEOLOGIST, MAKSIM LEVADA, SAYING: "For Ukraine this sword is very important, because it is a new finding, new information about a very important and interesting historical period, about which we have only few facts. And each such finding brings us additional information. We have established that the sword comes from western Ukraine, from Valinya. And it is not the first finding linked with Vikings in this region. We know already that there was a Viking centre which most feasibly controlled the trade routes between the Baltic region and the Black Sea." ESTONIAN HISTORIAN INVESTIGATING SWORD SWORD HISTORIAN LOOKING AT SWORD (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO ESTONIA, VIKTOR KRYZHANIVSKY, SAYING: "The sword is a weapon. The weapon that is passed over to us in time when it is needed in order to fight for our sovereignty, our inseparability and so that Ukraine would stay reliable and a safe partner for other European countries. It is very symbolic that this weapon that was not used for a long time, but in it there are sacred elements, that bring new strength to our armed forces in Ukraine's fight for its sovereignty and independence." HANDOVER CEREMONY IN PROGRESS KRYZHANIVSKY GIVING GRATITUDE SIGNS TO ESTONIAN OFFICIALS PEOPLE WATCHING REPRESENTATIVE OF ESTONIAN BORDERGUARD AND CUSTOM ADMINISTRATION RECEIVING GIFT UKRAINIAN AND ESTONIAN FLAG
- Embargoed: 27th May 2016 12:35
- Keywords: sword culture history presentation Vikings
- Location: TALLINN, ESTONIA
- City: TALLINN, ESTONIA
- Country: Estonia
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0014HI5A2H
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A Viking sword seized by Estonian border guards was presented to Ukrainian cultural representatives on Thursday (May 12) at a ceremony in Tallinn.
The artefact was discovered as contraband in December 2015 when customs officials were carrying out truck searches on the border of Russia and Estonia. Hidden in various fabrics in the driver's cabin they found the sword, which was intended to travel further into Europe.
"Due to the competence of customs officers on the border, they were able to see straight away in this sword something more and establish its historical value," Customs administration head specialist Aleksander Miksjuk said.
As the sword was brought in from Russia, officials initially intended to send it back there, but soon the true country of origin was clarified as Ukraine. Ukrainian historians were already aware about the loss of such sword.
According to analysis carried out by Estonian experts it was clarified that the sword is almost 1000 years old and its price at auction could reach up to 17 000 euros.
Ukrainian historians say the sword was owned by Viking tribes and in historical recognition its price is invaluable.
"For Ukraine this sword is very important, because it is a new finding, new information about a very important and interesting historical period, about which we have only few facts. And each such finding brings us additional information. We have established that the sword comes from western Ukraine, from Valinya. And it is not the first finding linked with Vikings in this region. We know already that there was a Viking centre which most feasibly controlled the trade routes between the Baltic region and the Black Sea," archaeologist and representative of Ukrainian Ministry of Culture Maksim Levada said.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Estonia said the sword's return to his country at the time carries a deeply symbolical meaning.
"The sword is a weapon. The weapon that is passed over to us in time when it is needed in order to fight for our sovereignty, our inseparability and so that Ukraine would stay reliable and a safe partner for other European countries. It is very symbolic that this weapon that was not used for a long time, but in it there are sacred elements, that bring new strength to our armed forces in Ukraine's fight for its sovereignty and independence," ambassador Viktor Kryzhanivsky said.
On Friday (May 13) the delegation of Ukrainian Ministry of Culture will bring the sword back to Kiev. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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