Axes clash in Lismore Viking festival

AXES will fly, shields will splinter and warriors will roar as more than 200 Vikings descend on Lismore showgrounds next month.

The Viking Village Solstice, one of the biggest events of its kind in the country, returns on June 21 and 22 with two days of battle reenactments, archery, crafts and feasting.

Hosted by local medieval club Rognvald’s Lith, the festival recreates life in Scandinavia between 900 and 1100AD, with full armour, helmets and an arena built for combat.

Rognvald’s Lith president Jim Hammond formed the Lismore group in 2003 and launched the biennial event a decade later.

They get together fortnightly to train and teach people how to use weapons while dressed in full historical kit.

“I was part of a Viking club at Katoomba and I started one at Lismore after we moved here in 2003,” Mr Hammond said.

“People are fanatical about it, you make the costumes and the weapons, it’s like our own version of Fight Club once you get hooked.

“We try to make everything as historically accurate as possible, too. We’re the biggest Viking group in the country with about 100 active members.”

The Lismore group pays tribute to the Varangians, Nordic conquerors, traders and settlers who travelled through what is now Istanbul and were sought after as bodyguards to the Byzantine Emperor.

“They were in the service of the emperor for quite a few years before making their way home with their wealth and fortune,” Mr Hammond said.

“As reenactors we can pick holes in the TV shows, it’s mainly the costumes and helmets they get wrong.

“We love to be able to teach people more about what we’ve learnt and showcase everything we can possibly put on show.”

The event runs from 10am on both days. Entry is $5, with children under 12 free.