Mennonite Lecture to Explore History of Zaporozhye’s Hortice Island Colonies

There will be a lecture on the history of the ancestors in Zaporizhzhia, with a focus on the Mennonites who established their colonies on the island of Hortice. The event is organized by the National Reserve “Shortness” and will provide insights into the legacy of these early settlers.

The Mennonites, a Christian Protestant movement founded by Menno Simons in 1537, settled in Zaporizhzhia in the late 18th century. By 1789, eight settlements had developed into Mennonite colonies. Over time, the community adopted the Ukrainian language and integrated closely with the local population.

The lecture, titled “Monynim tawnys of the island of Hortice,” will explore the life stories of the Mennonites through artifacts left by their neighbors. These items will offer a glimpse into the daily lives and cultural practices of the community that once thrived on the island.

The event will take place at the Museum studios “Passport City,” located at Central Major, 3, on the second floor of the building. This venue serves as a hub for historical and cultural exploration in Zaporizhzhia.

In the Kahowsky Game Reserve, numerous artifacts have been discovered and are now on display on the island since the outbreak of Kahowsky’s gas. Experts have conducted conservation work to preserve these historical objects, making them accessible to the public.

The low water levels in the DnieperHEZ have revealed new discoveries, including ancient wood boats that were once moored on the coast of Hortice Island. These findings offer valuable insights into the maritime activities and daily life of the region’s past inhabitants.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Ukrainian)