Cossacks warriors from the past danced and fought at the Combative Hopak Festival in Pirogovo, Ukraine on Oct. 3.
Cossacks were a formidable military force in the 16th century. They were considered the protectors of the Ukrainian people.
At the “Virtuous Cossacks in 2009” festival, modern-day Ukrainians reproduced scenes from centuries ago when young Cossacks and their mentors once demonstrated their physical strength, agility, and skills at using different weapons through a traditional Ukrainian dance called the “Hopak.”
Hundreds of years ago, the Hopak was used by Cossacks as a training exercise as well as a means of showcasing their warrior skills.
