Within the framework of preparation to the 29th International Hanseatic days the Youth Hansa Historical Expedition to Veliky Novgorod was organized from the 1st till the 10th of July 2008.

11 youths from the Hanseatic cities of Russia and Europe took part in the project. They were from Kaliningrad, Pskov, Tihvin, Gdansk (Poland), Lippstadt and Perleberg (Germany).

Project was organized by the Youth Affairs department of Veliky Novgorod city Administration and local Youth Hansa coordination group «Youth Hansa – Veliky Novgorod». The aim of expedition was to develop youth contacts within the hanseatic union, and introduction to the history, culture, and traditions of Veliky Novgorod as the host of the 29th International Hanseatic Days.

During the expedition many excursions and meetings with Novgorod historians were organized as well as workshops on traditional arts and crafts such as birch bark weaving, pottery, traditional instruments, costumes, toys.

4 days of the expedition participants spent at the archeological excavations in Novgorod Kremlin near The Archbishop's (Faceted) Chamber and at the Troitsky excavation.

Participants were able to check their knowledge about the city playing a role search game «Kremlin Treasury». Teams ruled by their Grand Dukes had to answer the questions about the most important events of Veliky Novgorod history, make a birch bark scroll, and do their best in such traditional Russian games as Stilts, Russian Skittles, Kalechina-malechina and others.

On the 6th of July celebration of traditional «Summer night» (St. John`s day) was organized at the Ilmen Lake. Celebration included many folk games, music, dances, and fire show.

Besides many leisure and sports activities were organized for the participants. They took part in billiards, bowling, carting, beach volleyball, extreme rally, discos, and jam session with Novgorod music bands. The last evening was spent on the ship.

At the end participants created a Chronicle with all their impressions about the city and the project, pictures and comments. This chronicle will be exhibited at the Hanseatic Days in Veliky Novgorod, 2009.

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