The Hephaestus blacksmithing festival was held in Irkutsk

The international blacksmithing festival Hephaestus was held in Irkutsk, and for the first time received this status, bringing together more than 60 masters from Russia and abroad. On Lenin Street, blacksmithing equipment was set up, and participants included famous blacksmiths from France, Sweden, Ulaanbaatar and Russian cities. Of special interest are the festival guests, including Leonid and Maria Arkhangelsky, whose works are even in the Louvre collection.

The festival was organized by the administration of Irkutsk, the Irkutsk regional branch of the Interregional Public Organization “Union of Blacksmiths of Russia,” and LLC “EliteMetal-Design,” with the support of a number of Irkutsk enterprises.
The festival took place at the venue at 14-b Lenina St. On the eve of the event, 12 sets of blacksmithing equipment and a hydraulic hammer were installed here. The venue was decorated with works by the festival participants.
Deputy Mayor, Chairman of the Committee on Urban Planning Policy of the Irkutsk administration Evgeny Devochkin welcomed the people of Irkutsk and the festival guests: “This year, the ‘Hephaestus’ festival has for the first time acquired international status. And Irkutsk has become the second city after Moscow to host festivals of this level. I think this is no coincidence. Blacksmithing is one of the oldest and most respected crafts, and where else, if not here, in the ancient city on the shore of Lake Baikal, should we once again remind everyone of this unique art.”
This year, the best blacksmiths from Moscow, Ulyanovsk, St. Petersburg, Yaroslavl, Kirov, Krasnoyarsk, Yakutsk, and cities of the Irkutsk region took part in “Hephaestus.” Foreign guests from France, Sweden, and Ulaanbaatar came to the capital of Eastern Siberia. In total, more than 60 people. As the organizers note, the lineup of participants turned out to be very impressive. Famous blacksmiths and weapons makers Leonid and Maria Arkhangelsky came to Irkutsk. Maria is one of the world leaders in forging bulat steel, and her works are in the collection of the Louvre. Taking part in the festival are the famous artist-blacksmith from France Pierre Dupont, as well as the French blacksmith Olivier Denoua. From Sweden, blacksmith Michael Williamson came to take part in “Hephaestus.”