Dutchmen re-enacting Napoleonic carriage ride to Russia arriving in Lithuania

After crossing the Belorussian-Lithuanian border, the carriages will arrive at the Gate of Dawn in down-town Vilnius at a little after noon. They will be welcomed by a crowd of Lithuanians dressed in historic costumes, which will escort the cortege to the Town Hall Square. An exhibition "Napoleon and Lithuania" will be opened in the Town Hall to mark the 200-year anniversary of the Napoleonic feat through Lithuania, the municipality said.

On Saturday, the participants will proceed to Lithuania's second-largest city Kaunas. According to a press release circulated by Kaunas municipality, welcoming of the guests will provide a perfect opportunity to present a festival of living history scheduled for 22-24 June to mark the anniversary.

The purpose of the re-enactment goes beyond marking the 200-year anniversary of Napoleon's trip to Russia. During the ride, the participants are collecting charity for children who were victims of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe.

The route of the trip covers more than 2,000 kilometers through the Netherlands, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and France.

French Emperor Napoleon and his army marched across Lithuania in 1812 – en route to attack Russia and during withdrawal after being defeated by Russian forces.