Rada of the General foremen of the Ukrainian Registered Cossacks (URC) has made the decision about holding of Bolshaya Rada in Kharkov. This event, for the first time in history of Ukraine, will be held in January 18-19, 2010 in Slobozhanshina, and it has an international character. URC delegations from all areas of Ukraine, the Crimea, Kiev and Sevastopol will take part in this event. The delegations from the Central Cossack army of the Russian Federation (Moscow), Kuban Cossack armies (Krasnodar), Tersky Cossack armies (Stavropol), Registered Cossacks of Belgorod and Estonia have confirmed participation in Bolshaya Rada.

The Research Cossack Center named after hetman Mazepa informs that above 120 atamans - heads of the Cossack organizations of Ukraine, Russia and Estonia, also atamans of the Cossack organizations from the Kharkov Region will take part in this event.

There is also planned a participation of the main inspector of the Main Security Board and defensive policy of the Secretary of the President of Ukraine URC major general Alexander Pochtarev, leaders of the Kharkov Regional State Administration and the Kharkov Regional Council.

There is planned within the program of Bolshaya Rada the Liturgy, baptism ceremony, meeting with atamans of the Cossack organizations of Ukraine, Russia and Estonia, Cossacks’ rewarding.

Agenda points: report of URC Hetman Anatoliy Shevchenko, work summing-up of the Ukrainian Registered Cossacks for 2009 and work plan for 2010, and also Cossacks’ participation in the local governments elections.

As the adviser of the governor from the Kharkov Region URC general Nikolay Mazepa has noted, Cossacks played a key role in formation of independence of Ukraine throughout centuries. "And the Cossacks’ role in strengthening and development of Ukraine is especially important today. Cossack organizations of the country have made hundreds of good works. Especially I wish to say about protection of a public order during Ukrainian feasts and mass events. We hope that the President, the government and local authorities will support the initiatives of the Cossacks directed on revival of historical, patriotic, military and cultural traditions of the Ukrainian Cossacks".

Organizers: Joint Staff of the Ukrainian Registered Cossacks, Research Cossack Center named of hetman Mazepa, Rada of Ukrainian Cossacks headed by the Kharkov Regional State Administration, by support of the Kharkov Regional State Administration and the Kharkov Regional Council.