Nina Rucińska

In „real life”

I was born in 1984. Currently I study social-cultural animation on the faculty of education at University of Warsaw and if everything goes well it will all be over after master thesis defense in september 2009 ;)

Some may be surprised with the fact that I am a licensed dental technician ;) Nevertheless I do not work In the trade as I chose craftsmanship to be my main focus. Even this thought alone gives me more satisfaction ;)

Re-enactment

I could even dare to say Re-enactment with a past as it is now over 10 years Since I have taken interest In medieval Europe. And ever since it has been a big part of my life first as a hobby an then professionally.

I am involved with several groups and projects:

• Hufiec Kasztelanii Czerskiej - my first Re-enactment group with headquarters In Czersk Castle (near the place I live). It focused in 14/15 century re-enactment.
• Rota Pana Kacpra – a group that focuses on Re-enacting a late 15th century medieval infantry unit.
• Grupa Jaźwiec – a group I have formed – you can read more about it here.

Cafts/jewellry

My second passion is jewelry. Not necessarily medieval but also modern. The thing I take particular interest in are combinations of various kind of metals covered in oxides or patterned with different colors and all that in minimalistic design ;)

As for crafts I mainly focus on re-enactment of small dress accessories but also other household goods and items of everyday use. Photos of my works can be found in my shop.

I spend a lot of time expanding my knowledge in the subject by reading many archeological texts, browsing through iconography and viewing original finds in museums. I have been doing medieval bronze reconstruction since 2004 with much progress (I hope).

Konrad Olesiewicz

In „real life”

I was born in 1982. With much success I have defended my bachelors and then masters thesis from IT at Polish-Japanese Institute of Computer Technologies and later got another diploma in the field of management from a joint program of University of Warsaw and University of Illinois.

When it comes to the daily routine I work in a company I have co-founded. To cut the long story short we make computer games – Casual games to be exact but when it comes to Poland this type of gaming in not so popular. Yet ;)

Re-eanctment

When it comes to re-enactment similarly to Nina it has been my hobby for over 11 years now. I do not mean to brag but I was the one who first interested her in this stuff ;) But when it comes to me it was not medieval Europe from the start. At first my main focus were Irish Celts from La Tene period. More specifically our inspiration were events that were described in the Tain Bo Culaigne cycle which depicted the adventures of warriors of the Red Branch.

Currently my main interest is 15th century medieval Europe and first big medieval cities, merchants and universities in particular.

I am (or was) also involved In several groups and projects:

• Hufiec Kasztelanii Czerskiej - 14th/15th century re-enactment.
• Rota Pana Kacpra – I am a black powder gunman In a late 15th medieval infantry unit.
• Bractwo Czerwonej Gałęzi – project started In 1998 focusing In La Tene period Celts Re-enactment. But life is life and project is suspended...
• Grupa Jaźwiec – I took part In forming the group but because of lack of time I now mainly act as a webmaster for the group ;)