A Discussion on Cossack Crosses and Their Future Was Held in Odessa

On October 7, an open discussion was held in Odesa about stone crosses, which are part of the history and culture of southern Ukraine. The discussion focused on where they come from, where they can be found, and how to preserve these monuments.

A photojournalist from Intenta attended the event.

The meeting was organized on the eve of the international conference “Stone Necropolises: A Roadmap for Restoring Identity.” Local historians, historians, archaeologists, and educators were invited to participate in the discussion.

They also discussed the Cossack crosses that have been preserved in Odesa and the surrounding region. Participants discussed their shape, materials, connection to the catacombs, and the possibility of creating museums and digital archives.

One of the participants was Yulia Frolova —a candidate of architectural sciences, a restoration architect, and the research coordinator for a project studying the Cossack crosses of Odesa.

According to her, the team spent several years researching the Fialny Cemetery. Experts photographed and scanned the crosses, documented their condition, and clarified the inscriptions and dates.

“We want historians, architects, archaeologists, local historians, and local experts to come together around these crosses,” Frolova said.

The results of this work have been compiled into the album “Crosses of Odessa.” It includes photographs of the monuments, descriptions, and transcriptions of the inscriptions. 3D models have also been created for some of the crosses, which can be viewed by scanning a QR code.

“The 3D model allows you to see details that aren’t always visible during a regular inspection of the cross,” the researcher noted.

In addition, the team created a digital map on which the studied crosses will be marked. They plan to update it with new photographs, data, and 3D models.

Odessa local historian Dmytro Zhdanov, Oksana Hrytsyuta, head of the exhibition department at the Odessa Archaeological Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and educator Yuriy Fratsenyuk also joined the discussion.

The organizers note that they aim to bring together historians, archaeologists, architects, restorers, and local historians to better study and preserve the stone crosses.

The project “Cross-Sectoral Platform for the Study of Cossack Crosses in Odesa” is being implemented by the NGO “Pixelated Realities” in partnership with Talent S.A., with support from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.

Ірина Глухова