They were feared by all of Europe, yet admired. Who are they - barbarians from the north or a finely organized society with laws, traditions, and a passion for exploration? Historian Artyom Fuganov and geographer Dmitry Martyanov will discuss the Vikings without stereotypes - with facts, maps, sagas, and a scientific approach. Their image still sends shivers down the spine: rugged men with axes, sailing in longships towards storms and foreign shores. Many novels have been written about the Vikings, and numerous films have been made, but how can one distinguish fiction from historical truth? In a lecture at the "Okhta-8" library, historian Artyom Fuganov and geographer Dmitry Martyanov will suggest stepping beyond familiar clichés and understanding who the Vikings really were. The lecturers will not only outline the milestones of Scandinavian expansion but also show how their daily life, society, and laws were structured. You will learn who the berserkers were and why they were so feared, how the ancient equivalent of parliament - the Thing - worked, and what freedom of speech has to do with it. Why did the fjord dwellers, living in harsh conditions, venture thousands of kilometers from their homeland and end up on the shores of France, North Africa, and even Byzantium? How did their routes develop and what did they leave behind? Based on maps, sagas, chronicles, and ethnographic studies, the participants of the lecture will trace the path of these pioneers - not only military but also commercial and exploratory. The focus will be not only on the past - but also on how the legacy of the Vikings influenced European culture and what traces it has left in modernity. The format of the event will suit those interested in history, geography, culture, and those who enjoy looking at the past from an unexpected angle. Whether you are a novice or an expert - the conversation will be engaging. All entertainment in St. Petersburg is gathered on our website.