| www.euronews.com In the new season of Russian Life, we look at the most amazing aspects of the world's largest country. We begin our journey in the south of European Russia, where today - as in the past - Russian Cossacks live. A Cossack detachment patrols the streets of Pyatigorsk, a spa resort town which is famous for its mineral water spring. In many parts of Russia, Cossack ethnic and cultural identity is growing stronger. Vladimir Ponomaryov, the Pyatigorsk Cossacks' commander, known as an Ataman, explained: "In the words of our great novelist Leo Tolstoy, Cossacks are the ones who created Russia. They have always served as an outpost, expanding and maintaining Russia's borders. First and foremost, they are warriors. People cheer when they see Cossacks: 'Look, Cossacks are riding, everything's all right'." |
