The Stones Started to Speak in Old Ladoga

     …This small unpresentable pendant constantly attracts attention of the visitors of our exhibition hall because an authentic ancient Scandinavian inscription preserved on the plate made from acescent copper contains a runic spell: “ Thor posses the anger runes of Ace. Odin will execute it in the sake of Dug. Velva, take me”. It’s difficult to say who was Dug lost in the mists of time but his strong belief in the Scandinavian deities merely captivates. The runic verses are the ancient pre-Christian writings that were widespread in central Sweden, on the island Gottland. At least exactly there the biggest series of runic stones were found.

     What do the ancient runes narrate, what kind of messages do they convey through the centuries? The scholars still argue about it. Some of them insist that the stones show the ancient heathen believes resorted to the host of mystique creatures and spirits. Others are sure that the runes glorify certain people who lived in the remote past and had gained fame. Some kind of stone PR for succession!

     May be it was for this purpose when the stones were exhibited at Things, at the national meetings of the ancient Scandinavian troops participated by the crowds of people.

     There’s an opinion that the runic stones served as the religious cult objects that’s why they were mounted at heathen sacred places where the prayers were said and the sacrifices were made. At least it was a reality in the IX-X centuries before the Scandinavians were Christianized. However even later some sort of religious syncretism took place when the same tribe that had given a tribute to the new Christian God in order to be absolutely sure turned then to their old heathen shrines.

     Perhaps because of this so many mysteries are related to the runic stones. There’s one of them: One of the stones in the city Upsala was cut in the XI century by the artificer called Epir. It’s a proven fact. At the same time a priest with the odd name Upir Lihoy (Ghoul Varmint) created one version of an ancient Russian chronicle. Some specialists are disposed to consider that these two names belong to the same person. Is it rue or not and could that person combine so different ideologies? History has not yet given an answer. How can the history open all its mysteries if some part of the runic inscriptions have not yet been read?

     The runic stones are a part of the treasures of the ancient Scandinavian history. The descendents of the Vikings do not hide them. The magnificent Swedish collection consisting of several dozens exhibits had circled the Baltic countries, moved to Tver and Karelia, and spent a week in St. Petersburg on the beach of Peter and Paul Fortress. From August 7 till August 31 the stones will be shown in the conservation area “Old Ladoga”. This joint cooperation between the Consulate General of Sweden in St. Petersburg, the conservation area “Old Ladoga”, the Museum of history and The Swedish Institute of Stockholm made this journey of the runic stones possible. The exhibition bears an intriguing name “The Vikings in the East”. However this time they have come with peace and desire to tell about themselves something that still remains a mystery…



               “Volhovskie Ogni”, 2003 August 5