VIKINGS are descending on York, in readiness for the city’s week-long Jorvik Viking Festival.
The celebration of the city’s Scandinavian heritage begins tomorrow (Saturday, February 15), when visitors can visit Coppergate in the city, where a Viking camp will be based all week.
At the camp visitors can hear about Norse myths and legends, Viking cures for illness and gather other insights into the Norse way of life.
There will also be sword combat sessions for younger visitors at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall - for which booking is advisable - and Viking sagas at York Guildhall.
On Tuesday, February 18, the Jorvik Viking Centre, built around the remains of a genuine Viking street, will be illuminated by candlelight and populated by living Viking warriors and civilians.
A host of other events and activities, from candlelit storytelling and archaeology lectures to animation workshops, will take place throughout the week.
On Saturday, February 22 about 300 Viking warriors will gather in Dean’s Park, adjacent to York Minster, for a march through the city’s streets from 1.30pm and then head to the Eye of York at 6.56pm for a dramatic finale with live battle action involving sound and light effects and pyrotechnics.
For details of the festival’s events, many of which are free of charge, visit; www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk
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