Viking legends and Kyivan Rus: new insights for Junior Diplomatic Academy students
September 9, 2025
Participants of the Junior Diplomatic Academy from the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth, currently at a camp in Sweden, explored Norrtälje — one of the most scenic towns in the Roslagen region.
What impressed the young diplomats most was a drakkar-shaped fountain adorned with portraits of the Rurik dynasty — Oleh and Ihor. According to local legend, it is from the name of the Roslagen region that Kyivan Rus got its name.
The young Kyiv residents not only experienced the charm of a medieval town — with its wooden houses and narrow streets — but also truly felt the warmth and hospitality of the locals, along with the town’s distinctive character and rich history.
The children were especially amused by the name of one of the wooden houses in the small square — Ryssladan, which translates as “Russian shed”...
They were also deeply touched by how warmly people responded — everyone they met during the tour smiled and greeted them when they noticed the Ukrainian flags.
