The Exhibition Complex 'Ataman' is a sample of Kuban Cossack culture, known for its diversity, beauty, and generosity. It is the largest open-air museum of its kind, transporting visitors back hundreds of years to experience the spirit of Cossack life, its unyielding will, and freedom.

The location of the complex was chosen deliberately. The former Turkish fortress 'Taman' was situated on lands that Russia reclaimed from the Ottoman Empire and which Catherine II gifted to the Zaporozhian Cossacks, the future Kuban Cossacks, for their participation in the Russo-Turkish wars.

This land holds historical significance. Two hundred years ago, the first Black Sea Cossacks landed on the shores of the Taman Bay of the Black Sea, at the foot of Mount Lysaya. Here, the first Orthodox church was built, marking the beginning of Kuban's history. This is why it was decided to recreate a Cossack stanitsa on Lysaya Mountain in the stanitsa of Taman in the Temryuk district of Krasnodar Krai.

The ethnographic complex was established in August 2009 by the decree of the head of the Krasnodar Krai administration. The museum covers an area of over 60 hectares. Just as in ancient times, Cossacks built huts together, and it was decided to collectively construct an ethnic stanitsa. In three months, they revived not only the way of life of Kuban Cossacks of the 19th-20th centuries but also the life of all villages in southern Russia. They started by building earth shelters, then mud huts, with economic buildings around them. Such homesteads existed until the 1960s.

The uniqueness of 'Ataman' lies in the opportunity to immerse oneself in the past and see authentic Cossack life by participating in household activities: plowing, mowing grass, and threshing with flails. The infrastructure of the complex represents a system of historical-ethnographic, archaeological, and natural attractions.

It has become a tradition to hold festivals at 'Ataman', attracting representatives from all districts of Krasnodar Krai. The first festival, held in 2009, was dedicated to the landing of Cossacks on the Taman Peninsula on October 25, 1792, and was called 'Legends of Taman'. It has become an annual and the most significant event of the season. In 2012, the festival merged with 'World of the Caucasus', which has been held since 1996 at the initiative of conductor Valery Gergiev. Fifteen of the best ensembles from southern Russia and the republics of the North Caucasus performed at the festival. The program 'Play, Accordion!' and the ensemble of Anastasia Zavalokina also participated. The unification of the peoples of the North Caucasus and Kuban made the festival not only a celebration of art but also an important socio-political event.

Guests of the stanitsa saw unique regalia and relics of the Kuban Cossack army, as well as a theatrical performance featuring the Kuban Cossack Choir, dedicated to the 220th anniversary of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin. There were parades of drummers, a procession of a combined brass band, a 'Flag Parade', and at the racetrack, Cossacks demonstrated their horsemanship. In honor of the holiday, races were held for the prize of the ataman of the Kuban Cossack army, the head of the Temryuk district, and the atamans of the departments of the KKV. The Cossacks' demonstrations at the racetrack invariably attract great interest. Annual races for the governor's cup are also held.

'Ataman' has repeatedly served as a filming location for documentary and historical films, as well as entertaining and educational programs. Stories about the complex have aired on programs such as 'I Want to Know' with Mikhail Shirvindt, as well as in the news of federal and regional TV channels, including Channel 1, Russia 1, Russia Culture, RTG, Channel 9, and GTRK Kuban.