600 years ago, Lutsk became the site of an event that had the potential to reshape the political map of the continent.

In January 1429, the most influential rulers of Central and Eastern Europe arrived at Lutsk Castle — it seemed as though history itself was being written here. But was it really as grand as the textbooks suggest, and who actually came to Volyn?

Historian and head of the Museum of the History of the Lutsk Brotherhood (a branch of the Volyn Regional Museum), Olena Biriulina, speaks about the truths and myths of the Lutsk Congress, the diplomatic games, the struggle against the Ottoman Empire, and the unexpected idea of Vytautas’ coronation.

Olena has studied this historical event for many years, so the journalists of the Lutsk and Volyn news website Konkurent decided to ask her about the facts and the fabrications (and, as it turned out, there were many).

– Tell us, what exactly was this event in Lutsk in 1429? Is it correct to call it a congress of monarchs?

– For four weeks in January 1429, Lutsk hosted a diplomatic meeting of several rulers of Central and Eastern Europe, where interstate issues were discussed. The name “Lutsk Congress of Monarchs” became established in the 19th century and is now widely used. In the original correspondence of the rulers — preserved in Latin and Old German — the terms “meeting,” “personal meeting with envoys” were used.

The range of issues raised at the congress, as well as the subsequent course of related events, has been reconstructed by historians using the rulers’ correspondence, diplomatic acts, and also chronicles — though these must be treated critically.

– What were the main reasons and preconditions for convening this congress of monarchs? Why was Lutsk chosen as the venue?

– The meeting in Lutsk was initiated by Sigismund of Luxembourg, a prominent European statesman. He was King of Hungary, Bohemia, and Germany, and later, in 1433, was crowned by the Pope as Holy Roman Emperor.

King Sigismund faced complex military and political tasks in defending Christian Europe. At the time, two major problems loomed large: in Central Europe, the militarization of the Hussite movement, and in the South, the creeping, hybrid expansion of the Ottoman Empire.

Seeking allies, Sigismund turned to Eastern Europe. Among the key rulers were Władysław Jagiełło, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and his cousin Vytautas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, noted for his diplomatic skill. The two were bound by a personal union: Vytautas held the Grand Duchy for life under Jagiełło’s authority.

In autumn 1428, it was agreed that Sigismund would meet with Jagiełło and Vytautas. Vytautas insisted the venue be within his domain — in Lutsk Castle, his most prepared residence. The date was set for January 6, 1429.

– Which rulers took part in the congress? Which states were represented and what were their aims?

– Three main rulers participated: Kings Sigismund and Jagiełło, and Duke Vytautas, who, though technically not a king, wielded power comparable to that of a monarch.

In addition to these, the Teutonic Order was also invited. Each side was accompanied by diplomatic delegations. Chronicler Jan Długosz reports that Jagiełło’s delegation included Poland’s highest officials. Sigismund arrived with Queen Barbara and a large retinue of nobles, generals, and officials representing Hungary, Bohemia, Croatia, Montenegro, and the Holy Roman Empire.

As the host, Vytautas was supported by Lithuanian-Ruthenian nobles and boyars. Lutsk Castle was carefully prepared under the supervision of Yursha, a knight from Volyn.

For locals, it was a spectacle — seeing “all of Europe” in their city. Merchants, too, hoped to profit: sources record the arrival of Silesian traders seeking access to Sigismund.

– What were the key issues discussed? Were any agreements reached?

– Since Sigismund organized the meeting, the focus was on the problems of his realms. He managed to defuse the “Hussite question” temporarily by distracting potential contenders for the Bohemian crown (Jagiełło and Vytautas). Some believe he sought time to prepare peace talks with the Hussites instead of crusades.

The main issue, however, was the Ottoman threat. Sigismund had fought many campaigns against the Turks but suffered setbacks, such as losing the fortress of Golubac in 1428. With Bosnia and much of Serbia falling to the Ottomans, Hungary stood at risk. Sigismund badly needed allies.

At Lutsk, heated debates centered on this threat. Sigismund demanded Poland honor the 1412 treaty obliging Moldavia to help against Turkish invasions. When this failed, he demanded control over Moldavian lands, especially the strategic Kiliya fortress.

The Polish delegation rejected most of his demands. Then Sigismund made a surprising move — proposing the coronation of Vytautas as King of Lithuania. This would make Vytautas independent from Jagiełło and a new partner for Sigismund.

Vytautas agreed. Sigismund left to prepare the coronation — legal acts and royal crowns. However, papal opposition, political resistance, and delays meant the coronation never happened. Vytautas died in October 1430 before it could take place.

– What popular myths about the congress exist, and what was the reality?

– A common myth is that many more rulers were present — such as the King of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, Muscovite princes, Tatar khans, or papal legates. These names were added later by chroniclers like Maciej Stryjkowski in the 16th century. In truth, the guest list was much smaller.

Another exaggeration is about the scale of the event. Accounts of thousands of guests eating whole oxen and barrels of wine actually refer to the later 1430 Vilnius coronation festivities, not Lutsk.

In Lutsk, the focus was serious diplomacy — tense talks about Europe’s future. It was not the first diplomatic summit in Europe, but it was among the boldest, with ideas of a broad Christian alliance against external threats — ideas still relevant today.

– As a local, how do you see the 600th anniversary? What can Lutsk gain from it?

– It was a rare moment when Europe’s most powerful ruler sought help from Lithuania and Rus’-Ukraine. For Lutsk, it is a point of pride that the talks took place here, in “Lutsk of Rus’.” One envoy even called Lutsk the “most noble city” (nobilissima civitas) of Vytautas’ realm.

Commemorating the congress means promoting Lutsk as a historic center of diplomacy and security in Europe. Our natural partner in this is Vilnius, where the coronation was supposed to take place.

I wish my native Lutsk to gain infrastructure, confidence, and readiness to host international summits again — just as it did in 1429, when it was the finest city of the realm.