Don Cossacks✨

✨ The origins of the Don Cossacks continue to spark debate among historians. Some believe that the Cossacks descended from Russian fugitives and craftsmen, while others suggest they originated from Tatars, Khazars, or Slavs who had inhabited these lands since the 8th century. Archaeological finds, including an ancient boat discovered in 1955, date back to the 11th–13th centuries, confirming the presence of settlements and Cossack way of life on the Don River during the Middle Ages.

🖤 The history of the Don Cossacks is a story of struggle for the southern borders of the Russian state. They defended the frontiers from raids by Tatar khanates and the Ottoman Empire. The first Cossack settlements appeared in the 15th–16th centuries, serving to guard borders and combat enemies. Along the southern frontiers, “line fortifications” and Cossack towns and fortresses were established, acting as strongholds of Russian expansion.

🖤 Cossack communities were ethnically diverse, including Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Poles, and representatives of local peoples. Their culture and way of life reflected these mixed origins. By the 16th century, Don Cossacks served as a frontier force, fighting raids and protecting Russian lands.

🖤The earliest mentions of Cossack towns date back to the mid-16th century. Scholarly debates about their exact locations—whether on the Lower or Upper Don—continue. However, one thing is clear: by the late 1540s and early 1550s, Cossacks had seized strategic positions, threatening the Turkish-controlled Azov.

🖤 January 3, 1570, marks a key date in Cossack history. On this day, Tsar Ivan the Terrible signed a decree recognizing their service and promising wages for guarding the imperial borders. This became the beginning of their official recognition as a military estate and the formation of the All-Don Army.

🖤The history of the Don Cossacks is not only a tale of military valor but also a vivid expression of independence and unity among people who defended their land and created a unique culture amid ongoing military conflicts and struggles for Russia’s southern borders.

🖤The theme of Cossacks is vividly depicted in Mikhail Sholokhov’s novel *And Quiet Flows the Don*.

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Summary of the Exciting Events of September 2025

✨ From September 15 to 21, Barnaul in Altai hosted the Youth Theatre Season. The program featured musicals and dramatic performances aimed at a young audience, performed based on both classical and contemporary works. This year, theater companies from Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Nizhnevartovsk, Chelyabinsk, Lysva, and other Russian cities participated in the festival. The Valery Zolotukhin Festival takes place once every two years. 🎆

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🎆 From September 19 to 21, the third and largest edition of New Star Weekend took place. 🎆

The festival was held at the Rosa Khutor resort and featured the Russian BMX Cup, skateboarding competitions, and uphill racing along the Alpine Highway — an 8 km course with an elevation gain of nearly 600 meters. These activities, along with many others such as yoga, paddleboarding excursions, and more, formed the core of the event's sports program.

The musical component of the festival spanned four days, with performances on five stages—special venues incorporating contemporary art. A total of 75 musicians took part, including Элджей (Eljey), ANIKV, Thomas Mraz, Tesla Boy, and BIICLA.

One of the festival's key highlights was the pedestrian Party Hike, starting at an elevation of 1100 meters and culminating with a concert at 1600 meters featuring Zoloto, in collaboration with Kuruchbro. The hike ended with a memorable musical performance, adding a unique touch to the event.

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