On 12 August, in honour of the 200th anniversary of the victory in the First Great Patriotic War of 1812, mounted Cossacks departed Moscow to ride to Paris. Their route shall follow the route of the Russian Army’s march in the years 1812-14 through six countries… Russia, Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, Germany, and France. The march is dedicated to the memory of all the Russian soldiers who fell in battle during the Patriotic War.
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The mounted Cossack march from Moscow to Paris is a cultural/historical re-enactment event, lacking ulterior political or commercial motives, funded by private donations.
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The group riding to Paris consists of 23 Don Cossacks… descendants of the soldiers who made a similar march some 200 years ago.
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To complete the whole route from Moscow to Paris, the Cossacks shall ride horses of a special Don variety bred specifically for long journeys.
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In the cities that are on the route to Paris, the Cossacks will present historical and cultural workshops, do re-enactments, and give concerts. Besides the mounted Cossack group, members of the Russian Army Aleksandrov Song and Dance Ensemble and the trick riding team of the Kremlin riding school are also coming along. Here, the Cossacks are paying their respects at the Poklonnaya Gora 2nd Great Patriotic War memorial before leaving Moscow.
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The mounted Cossack march shall finish in Fontainebleau, where they’ll hold a special event to mark the 200th year anniversary.
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A special charity auction will take place after the finish of the mounted march in Fontainebleau, at which the Don horses that passed the entire route from Moscow to Paris will be sold. All funds raised will go for the preservation of this unique Don horse breed.
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12 August 2012
Voice of Russia World Service
Voices from Russia 
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