Master Plan of Hansa Days

Master Plan of preparation for and carrying out of the XXIX Hanseatic Days
(approved by the Federal Organizing Committee on the preparation for and carrying out of the 1150th Novgorod the Great anniversary on July 28th, 2006)

«Expanding borders...»

Introduction

In 2009, for the first time ever, Russia will host the international forum “Hanseatic Days of the New Times”, which will be held in Novgorod the Great as part of the city’s 1150th anniversary. The event is to attract attention to an important chapter in the history of international relations of both the medieval Russia and modern-day Russia – a partnership of Novgorod and the Hansa. The word “Hansa” is of the Flemish-Gothic origin. It previously meant “association”. The first Hansa, traced back to Flanders, to 1200, was a Brugge-based association of 14 cities engaged in wholesale trade with England.

In 1229, German merchants acting on behalf of the German port cities, signed a commercial treaty with the Prince of Smolensk. It was the first entry of “the society of German merchants” into the Russian scene. Diplomacy masters and trustworthy partners, Germans had trading courts and enjoyed a wide range of rights and privileges in many countries and cities. In Novgorod German merchants founded a closed representative office and used it as the headquarters for trade across the vast Novgorod land stretching from the Baltic to the Ural.

The underlying principle of the medieval Hansa declared the ultimacy of joint trade for the purpose of larger profit generation and respect to multifarious interests of every city member of the trading alliance. In 1260, Lübeck became the venue for the first general congress of the Hansa members (around 90 cities). Since the burgomasters and senators of Lübeck, the main city of the League, were considered the most able to conduct commercial affairs, the city was also elected the Chairman of the congress (today, Lübeck is a city where the headquarters of the Hanseatic League of the New Times are based).

The medieval Hanseatic League had no permanent organization, i.e., no common armed forces, no navy and even no common finances. What it had was common interests of the members, willing to make profit and take advantage of the membership, and it was enough for the Hansa to become and remain the most influential sea power for quite a long time. The neighboring states benefited from cooperation with the German coastal cities. For them, relations with the Hansa were an essential and integral part of the overseas trade and politics.

The Middle Age was the time of active cooperation between Novgorod and the Hansa cities. In the 10th century Novgorod established close relations with island Gotland, the center of the Baltic trade for several centuries. In the early 12th century the Gothic court and St. Olaf’s Church were opened in the city, followed by the foundation of the German court and St. Peter’s church in the late 12th century. Over time, Hanseatic merchants became sole owners of both courts making them a single Hanseatic Kontore. The center of the Kontore was the German court, referred to as St. Peter’s Court in the sources.

In the best times the overall number of merchants simultaneously present in Novgorod was around 150-200 people. Hanseatic merchants in Novgorod bought furs, famous all over medieval Europe, exported wax, honey and other goods from the city. Novgorod, in its turn, imported Western European textiles, salt, nonferrous metals and other wares, including herring and wine supplied by Hanseatic merchants.

The medieval alliance of German cities making up the core of the Hansa broke up after 270 years of the bright blossom. The League at that time could no longer cope with the drastic changes in the environment of states and their economic relations.

The Hanseatic League of the New Times, which currently comprises 160 cities from 15 European countries, began its history just 26 year ago. The birth of the idea to reestablish the Hansa occurred in 1980, in Zwolle. Then it was first suggested to apply Hanseatic ideas, traditions and positive past experience of cooperation for development of relations today. That is, cultural and economic relations between municipalities of the League member cities.

International Hanseatic Days are held annually in one of the Hansa cities. Official delegations and cultural groups come to the forum in order to present traditions, the culture, the history and the modern portrait of their cities to the fellowship, to discuss key issues dealing with the city structure and agencies, and to participate in the discussion of problems specific to certain Hanseatic cities.

The schedule of the Hanseatic Days is predefined up until 2030. Herewith, Novgorod the Great is the only Russian city considered eligible to receive delegations from more than 100 European cities and to become a host city for the XXIX Hanseatic Days in 2009.

The forthcoming event is a unique opportunity to decently represent Russia in one of the most significant European associations of the present day.

The format of the Hanseatic Days and the status of the event call for the government leaders of the host state to be present at the opening ceremony (in 2004, the Hanseatic Days in Turku were opened by the President of Finland Tarja Halonen, in 2005 in Tartu — by the President of Estonia Arnold Ruutel and in 2006 in Osnabryuk – by the Chairman of the Federal Council Peter Harry Karstensen). In Novgorod the Great the representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Governor of Novgorod Oblast are supposed to participate in the ceremonies too. According to the generally accepted practice, the government authorities provide organizational and financial assistance to the city which takes up the torch of the Hanseatic Days.

The great responsibility for organizing the event coupled with its European status makes the city ask for support from the Government of the Russian Federation, which, inter alia, shall give the forum a national status.

This master plan has been developed pursuant to Decree No. 84 of the President of the Russian Federation “On the 1150th anniversary of Novgorod the Great foundation”, issued February 8, 2006, and in accordance with Ordinance No. 373 of the Administration of Novgorod Oblast “On the team of and the Organizing committee on the preparation for and carrying out of the 1150th Novgorod the Great anniversary”, dated October 17, 2005. The purpose of the master plan is to provide for a range of preparatory activities and events in the run-up to the international forum “The XXIX Hanseatic Days of the New Times”.

1. Objectives

The ultimate goal of the international forum «the XXIX Hanseatic Days of the New Times” is to strengthen the unity of Russia and Novgorod the Great with European countries. In order to achieve this goal the following primary tasks shall be completed:

1. to present Novgorod the Great as a modern Russian city with the Hanseatic history;
2. to make Novgorodians and the city’s guests aware of the traditions observed in the medieval and present-day Hansa;
3. to promote the positive image of Novgorod the Great by presenting it as a city with rich growth potential and all the necessary resources for development of international relations in the fields of economy, culture and tourism.

For Novgorod the Great the forthcoming events are a unique chance to become aware of its significance as a city with the Hanseatic history, and moreover, to open up opportunities for all-embracing and mutually beneficial cooperation with modern European cities. For European cities, in turn, it is a chance to get an insight into modern-day Russia, to find new resources, ideas and partners and to open up opportunities for joint successful work in the fields of economy, politics and culture. That’s why the motto “……expanding borders” has been chosen to accompany the progress of the XXIX Hanseatic Days in Novgorod the Great.

2. Key lines of activities to be taken in the scope of preparation for and carrying out of the international “the XXIX Hanseatic Days of the New Times”. The XXIX International Hanseatic Days will be held as part of the 1150th Novgorod the Great anniversary from June 18 to 21, 2009 in Novgorod the Great. In order to complete the tasks required by the Master plan and achieve the ultimate goal, it is deemed necessary to carry out a range of the following activities:

• to involve enterprises, profit and non-profit organizations, public associations and citizens of Novgorod the Great and the Oblast to participate in the preparation for and carrying out of the Hanseatic Days;
• to make a list of prospective guests and participants and to invite official delegations of the League member cities and the subjects of the Russian Federation;
• to provide for the publicity of the Hanseatic Days in the media, inter alia, by creating a separate page in the Internet-site dedicated to the 1150th anniversary of Novgorod the Great;
• to design symbols of the Hanseatic Days in Novgorod the Great and to provide for production of art works and souvenirs;
• to set up an international press-center and to stage an advertising informative campaign, with printed products, films, thematic TV and radio programs created, published or broadcasted in the local and national media; with informative materials published in tourist guides, periodicals and scientific publications;
• to hold a traditional annual Hansa Day;
• to prepare and conduct a presentation of Novgorod the Great and Russia during celebration of the 28th international Hanseatic Days in Salzwedel (Germany).
• to make arrangements for the operations of the international Hanseatic commission in 2008, in Novgorod the Great;
• to develop a program for celebration of the Hanseatic Days;
• to decide on the venues for solemn occasions and formal events of the Hanseatic Days;
• to submit the celebration program to the Presidium and the Hanseatic commission of the Hanseatic League of the New Times for negotiation and approval;
• to hold an international economic forum with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation as participants;
• to hold a series of meetings and round tables focused on the issues of international cooperation of municipalities in the fields of economy and culture;
• to provide for public theatrical performances, folk open-air celebrations and fairs with creative and artistic companies, culture and art masters involved;
• to open an international Hanseatic art exhibition (the project called “the Art of the Hansa”) and an exhibition of children’s creative works;
• to open medieval trade and exhibition markets;
• to organize a program “Young Hansa” in the scope of the International Youth Hanseatic Festival.

The preparations for and celebration of the XXIX Hanseatic Days are to be financed from the federal, regional and municipal budgets as well as extrabudgetary sources.

Summary

For the first time ever, in 2009, Russia will host the Hanseatic days in Novgorod — the only such event to take place in Russia in the nearest decades (host cities for the Hanseatic days are predefined up until 2030). For Novgorod the Great, the forthcoming event is a unique opportunity to decently represent Russia in one of the most significant European associations of the present day.

The Hanseatic League of the New Times offers its members broad opportunities to establish international connections. The event will enable every Hanseatic city not only to introduce itself, but also to participate in the discussion and problem-solving related to the issues of the city’s culture, economy and tourism.

Success in “the XXIX International Hanseatic Days” means that more investors will come to the city and Novgorod Oblast. Furthermore, it means that the city and Russia as a whole will make strides in advancement of their tourism and international relations.