Master’s Photo Art Project “Manifestations of the Sacred Zaporizhzhia”

Abstract

The author’s idea of the master’s photography project was to recreate the unique atmosphere, sacred and historical spirit of Khortytsia Island, where the symbol of the Ukrainian Cossacks, the Zaporizhzhia Sich, was located. For every nation, its history is essential, and Khortytsia has been preserving the heritage of our people for many centuries. At all times, the island has been attractive not only for its beauty but also for its sacred meaning. Nowadays, Khortytsia is not often depicted in cinematic works. Therefore, the relevance of the work is due to the need to draw the cinematographic community’s attention to the historical and sacred heritage of this Cossack Island. The representation of Khortytsia does not always reflect the historical and cultural aspects of this sacred place. Often films portray the island as a beautiful natural area without paying due attention to its cultural and historical significance for the Ukrainian people. Audiovisual works can treat Khortytsia only as a landscape for filming, without resorting to a detailed study of the cultural heritage. The cinematography does not always succeed in accurately conveying the character and appearance of the island’s sanctity, which can cause misconceptions among viewers. The project aims to reflect the mystery, mysticism, and spirituality of these places through the language of photography. The photographs demonstrate different historical periods, starting from the Bronze Age (Braharnya sanctuary), the Cossack period (a series of Zaporizhian Sich images), and up to the present day, showing the evolution of humanity and its impact on the world. The photo art project “Manifestations of Sacred Zaporizhzhia” is an informative, emotional, and visually exciting journey into the past that will inspire viewers to a deeper understanding of Ukrainian culture. The aim of the project is to reveal the depth of sacred Zaporizhzhia through photography, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in its mysteries, spirituality, and history, to see the diversity of this region and its impact on the cultural heritage of Ukraine.