A fascinating music project from Lviv, Ukraine, Kurbasy’s folk-based multimedia performances vibrate in tight vocal harmonies, resonant lyrics, distinctive instrumentation, and dreamlike visual imagery. These cultural diplomats explore Ukraine’s rich trove of folk songs, lullabies, and legends to conjure contemporary connections to bygone times

Affirmation in a time of violence and resistance: Kurbasy channels contemporary connections to an archaic past with its time bending Songs of the Ukrainian Forest.

The 14-song cycle draws on the repertoires of the Eastern, Central and Western Regions of Ukraine. The language varies according to the origin of the songs, for example those of the border regions with Poland are in Lemsky dialect, a mixture of Ukrainian and Polish. The lyrics tell stories of boys and girls, stories of love, joy, but also of war. “We want to affirm our loud and clear freedom, our love for our country and for our people,” said Maria. “We want to show our independence and strength,” Natalia adds.