0:00:21 > 0:00:24A tiny island in the middle of the mighty Dnieper River
0:00:24 > 0:00:28with a big role in Ukrainian history.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31For centuries, Khortytsia has provided spiritual sanctuary
0:00:31 > 0:00:35and helped define Ukrainian identity.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39After all, this is the birthplace of the national icon,
0:00:39 > 0:00:42the Zaporozhian Cossack.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49In Ukraine, when you want a little boy to stop crying,
0:00:49 > 0:00:52you tell him, "Be a Cossack."
0:00:52 > 0:00:56It is an old expression and it's all about being a warrior.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03In the 15th century, men came here in search of freedom,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06democratic self-rule and independence.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11They trained, they fought, they defended their faith
0:01:11 > 0:01:14and became the stuff of legends.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Here, being a Ukrainian Cossack is something to be proud of
0:01:20 > 0:01:22and to show off to visitors.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- TRANSLATION:- Zaporozhian Cossacks were very brave,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41decisive and courageous people.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Our main task is not just to act but to live like Cossacks.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49We are trying to find the essence of what Cossacks had and to transfer
0:01:49 > 0:01:51them into our modern life,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53so we work a lot with schoolchildren.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00In our times, the war has kindled the spirit of patriotism in society,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04so it seems to me the Cossacks will have a lot of work to do now.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12The waters around the island are brimming
0:02:12 > 0:02:14with remnants of its history.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19This man is one of many archaeologists,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22painstakingly restoring these treasures.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26The ship was found right next to Khortytsia.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31It was built in 1737 and it is based on a Cossack design.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Forcibly sunk at the end of the Russian-Turkish War,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41the boat is now part of Ukraine's unique past.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53It's not just Khortytsia's history that makes this place so special.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57On the other side of the island, in the stillness of the trees,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00there's something else that draws people here.
0:03:02 > 0:03:08With the touch of a flame, pagans start their ancient ritual.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Orthodox Christianity dominates the country,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13but at the island's ancient standing stones,
0:03:13 > 0:03:18it is nature that is worshipped in 1000-year-old Slavic tradition.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- TRANSLATION:- For us, to be a pagan is to respect our land,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28our culture and to develop the future of our nation.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Khortytsia is a sacred island for us.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36The first time I got on this island, I got lost in the forest.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Suddenly, I felt that my legs were growing into the ground.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41I became part of the Earth.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Contemporary politics of the country have had an impact on people here.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55With both ancient traditions
0:03:55 > 0:04:00and modern history, preserving the island is seen as crucial
0:04:00 > 0:04:05in defining national identity and forging the country's future.