From Austerlitz to Waterloo and back

The largest napoleonic re-enactment event is going to be held in Belgium, starting on the 18th june 2015, the anniversary day of the famous battle of Waterloo; the event is the last of the Bicentenaries of the napoleonic wars. There are also 217 re-enactors, memebers of the Central European Napoleonic Society (C.E.N.S.), registered for the event, coming in french uniforms from the Czech republic, and there are others in austrian uniforms too. The russian units were not accepted by the organizers, who say there will be about 4200 infantrymen and cannoneers. From this number the members of the C.E.N.S. represent, together with about 150 re-enactors from C.E.N.S.-Poland, nearly 10%, and 300 cavalrymen (at Austerlitz 2005 ten years ago there was about 3500 re-enactors). The main points of program of Waterloo 2015 will be two battle re-enactments that will follow a scenario showing all major phases of the historical battle, starting with the skirmish in front of Hougoumont, the repulsed main french attack of the 1st corps, desperate french cavalry attacks against the british infantry squares, arrival of the prussian army and Napoleon’s defeat. The interesting point of Waterloo 2015 is that it’s total budget (approx 10 million euros, see here) would allow us to organize about 140 yearly editions of the Austerlitz commemorative events, the traditional and prestigious winter re-enactments with about 1000 participants. The last cent would be spent, in today’s prices, on sunday 30th november 2155. The Austerlitz 2015 event will conclude this season of napoleonic re-enactment too.