- Title: RUSSIA: Russians re-enact 1812 victory over Napoleon
- Date: 3rd September 2012
- Summary: BORODINO, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 2, 2012) (REUTERS) PEOPLE ON HORSEBACK RIDING BY MEN STANDING AROUND CANNON MEN IN COSTUME AT CANNON MAN ON HORSEBACK PORTRAYING NAPOLEON I PEOPLE IN CROWD WATCHING VARIOUS OF ENACTORS MARCHING AND RIDING ON BATTLEFIELD SOLDIERS MARCHING BY FRENCH SOLDIERS NEAR WOODS RUSSIAN SOLDIERS PRAYING RUSSIAN SOLDIERS MARCHING VARIOUS OF ACTOR ON HORSEBACK PORTRAYING FIELD MARSHAL MIKHAIL KUTUZOV RALLYING THE TROOPS SOLDIERS SHOOTING GUNS SOLDIERS MARCHING RUSSIAN IMPERIAL FLAGS RUSSIAN SOLDIERS MARCHING FRENCH SOLDIERS IN THE FOREST SOLDIERS IN LINE VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS IN FIREFIGHT VARIOUS OF RUSSIAN SOLDIERS ADVANCING SOLDIERS ROLLING A CANNON SOLDIERS SHOOTING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ON HORSEBACK RIDING BY SOLDIERS BUNCHED UP, PEOPLE ON HORSEBACK RIDING AROUND THEM FIREFIGHT IN PROGRESS MEN RIDING ON HORSEBACK WITH SWORDS DRAWN FIREFIGHT SOLDIERS FIRING CANNON VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS ON FIELD MEN ON HORSEBACK RUSSIAN SOLDIERS FRENCH SOLDIERS LINING UP RUSSIANS FIRING ON FRENCH VARIOUS OF BATTLE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 18th September 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Russian Federation
- City:
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Conflict,History
- Reuters ID: LVA5I78O8OWC28EP8OYI18267SOI
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Russian actors on Sunday (September 2) carried out a colourful re-enactment of the bloodiest single-day battle in Napoleon I's 1812 invasion of Russia, with nearly two hours of explosions, galloping horses and authentic costumes.
The hours-long spectacle took place in a picturesque forest clearing just outside the town of Borodino - a place also commemorated as a scene of fighting during the ultimately successful defense of Moscow against the German army in 1941.
Hundreds of actors took part in the "battle", but historians estimate that two centuries before some 250,000 soldiers were involved in the actual conflict, with 70,000 casualties between the two sides.
Although the French are considered to have won the battle, it has come to be seen nearly two centuries later as a Russian victory in all but name -- a success that is celebrated with a battle re-enactment around the September 7 anniversary every year.
The human cost of victory proved too great for the French. Napoleon was soon on the retreat, pursued by a strengthened and bloodthirsty Russian army all the way to the border.
Napoleon's own description of the battle only serves to fuel Russian patriotism and enthusiasm for the event:
"Of the fifty battles I have fought, the most terrible was that before Moscow. The French showed themselves to be worthy victors, and the Russians can rightly call themselves invincible," he wrote. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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