Ermak is a famous Cossack chieftain, historical conqueror of Siberia for the Russian state, his name is glorified in works of art, monuments have been erected in many cities of Russia, including in the Altai Territory, in the cityZmeinogorsk... Cities and villages, sports complexes and sports teams, streets and squares, rivers and wharves, steamships and icebreakers, hotels, etc. are named in honor of Yermak.

The events of the annual holiday "Descendants of Ermak" are held at the monument. Here the procession from the Church of the Transfiguration of Zmeinogorsk ends and the ceremony of making up the Cossacks is performed. The event brings together Cossacks of different ages and different territories of the Altai Territory.

The Cossacks in Altai have deep roots. Altai Territory began as a land of mining and processing of ores, stone cutting. To protect factories, mines, workers at the beginning of the 18th century, the defensive Kolyvano-Kuznetsk line was created. It stretched from modern Novokuznetsk to Ust-Kamenogorsk. There were fortresses, redoubts, lighthouses where the Cossacks served. At present, the Altai Cossacks are united in the Altai Cossack Society, which includes 24 city, village and farm Cossack societies. A tourist route has been developed in the region"Cossack Horseshoe of Altai", telling about the history, life of the Cossacks, acquainting tourists with customs and holidays.