Khortytsia, Ukraine Island Stories

A tiny island in the middle of the mighty Dnieper River

with a big role in Ukrainian history.

For centuries, Khortytsia has provided spiritual sanctuary

and helped define Ukrainian identity.

After all, this is the birthplace of the national icon,

the Zaporozhian Cossack.

In Ukraine, when you want a little boy to stop crying,

you tell him, "Be a Cossack."

It is an old expression and it's all about being a warrior.

In the 15th century, men came here in search of freedom,

democratic self-rule and independence.

They trained, they fought, they defended their faith

and became the stuff of legends.

Here, being a Ukrainian Cossack is something to be proud of

and to show off to visitors.

-TRANSLATION:

-Zaporozhian Cossacks were very brave,

decisive and courageous people.

Our main task is not just to act but to live like Cossacks.

We are trying to find the essence of what Cossacks had and to transfer

them into our modern life,

so we work a lot with schoolchildren.

In our times, the war has kindled the spirit of patriotism in society,

so it seems to me the Cossacks will have a lot of work to do now.

The waters around the island are brimming

with remnants of its history.

This man is one of many archaeologists,

painstakingly restoring these treasures.

The ship was found right next to Khortytsia.

It was built in 1737 and it is based on a Cossack design.

Forcibly sunk at the end of the Russian-Turkish War,

the boat is now part of Ukraine's unique past.

It's not just Khortytsia's history that makes this place so special.

On the other side of the island, in the stillness of the trees,

there's something else that draws people here.

With the touch of a flame, pagans start their ancient ritual.

Orthodox Christianity dominates the country,

but at the island's ancient standing stones,

it is nature that is worshipped in 1000-year-old Slavic tradition.

-TRANSLATION:

-For us, to be a pagan is to respect our land,

our culture and to develop the future of our nation.

Khortytsia is a sacred island for us.

The first time I got on this island, I got lost in the forest.

Suddenly, I felt that my legs were growing into the ground.

I became part of the Earth.

Contemporary politics of the country have had an impact on people here.

With both ancient traditions

and modern history, preserving the island is seen as crucial

in defining national identity and forging the country's future.