About 3,700 people, 350 horses and up to 50 artillery guns will be used in the reconstruction of the Battle of Borodino, ITAR-TASS reports. More than 3,000 Russian and foreign volunteers will help reconstruct the Battle of Borodino on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Russia’s victory over Napoleon in the war of 1812.
 
“We expect 700 participants from France, Poland, Belgium, Scotland and other countries,” Deputy Culture Minister Andrei Busygin told ITAR-TASS, adding that up to 400 horses will be used for the purpose.
 
“Foreign volunteers will bring their own weapons and all the necessary equipment. Ours will provide their clubs will everything they need,” the official said.
 
The historical reconstruction is supposed to be the greatest one throughout the history of conducting the event. Russian and foreign volunteers will play the roles of French and Russian soldiers. For the first time in the history of reconstruction, members of brass orchestras and male choruses will have an opportunity to take part in it. They will be located near the place of the performance and will accompany the unfolding battle with the music to make the event more real. All the orchestras and choruses will be grouped according to the colour and located on different sides of the battlefield. According to the scenario, each of the orchestras and choruses will play the music of “its own troops”.
 
At the end of the battle, the joined orchestra and chorus will execute a programme of historical musical compositions. In conclusion, the famous overture “1812” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky will be played.
 
About 800 events are scheduled to take place in Moscow to mark the 200th anniversary of the Russian army’s victory in the war of 1812. Apart from the reconstruction of the Battle of Borodino, which will involve historical clubs from different countries, a concert will be held at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre on December 25.
 
The Battle of Borodino was the biggest battle in the war of 1812, during which Napoleon’s army lost more than 50,000 troops (about 30,000 according to French statistics), and the Russia army over 44,000.

Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service