Slobozhanshchyna is a vast eastern region of Ukraine that includes present-day Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, as well as parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Its name derives from the word sloboda, an Old Slavic term meaning “free settlement.” Beginning in the 16th century, Ukrainians from other regions migrated here in search of free land and personal freedom. This area was a frontier land of warriors, where life revolved around five major Slobozhan Cossack regiments responsible for defending the territory. As a result, alongside agriculture, crafts related to military needs and trade flourished: the production of saltpeter for gunpowder, tar making, and mosiazhnytstvo — the artistic working of brass. This dual nature — both warrior and household farmer — is clearly reflected in the region’s architecture. Houses were predominantly log-built. A distinctive “southern” feature is the presence of galleries — covered verandas or canopies supported by wooden pillars, often surrounding the house to provide shade. These architectural elements created a characteristic sense of warmth and coziness that defined everyday life in Slobozhanshchyna.