Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, took part in the events dedicated to the Feast of Holy Protection of Virgin Mary and the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks in Mamaeva Sloboda open air museum. M. Tomenko underscored the essential role of the Ukrainian Cossacks in the history of Ukraine.
"In the soviet times, and, unfortunately, in the recent years, a mass media campaign on discrediting Ukrainian Cossacks has been launched", M. Tomenko admitted. Thus, he claimed that cossacks were described as anarchic warriors obsessed with drinking and eating. "However, people should remember noble, heroic and patriotic deeds of Ukrainian cossacks that fail to be promoted", M. Tomenko emphasised.
M. Tomenko also mentioned the connection between the Christian tradition and the Cossacks, "since Europe was protected from the subordination to the Ottoman Empireby the cossacks´ courage and heroism." "As it is known, the monuments to the Ukrainian Cossacks may be found not only in Ukrainian, but also in other European cities, such as Vienna", M. Tomenko stated. "Thus, we should return a fair and true image of Ukrainian Cossacks to the young generation", he added.