Rhythms of Ukraine

Presented at Holborn Library as part of the Bloomsbury Festival, Rhythms of Ukraine unites the captivating sound of the bandura with Ukrainian song and the energy and colour of traditional dance.

At the heart of the performance are children and young people from London’s Ukrainian community - both those whose families have long made the UK their home and those who arrived following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Through music, song and dance, they stay connected to their heritage while sharing the richness of Ukrainian culture with British audiences.

Bandura – Iryna & Mykhailo Rodionov

Acclaimed bandura player Iryna Rodionova, Director of Bandura Music Academy London, performs alongside young musician Mykhailo Rodionov, bringing together traditional and contemporary Ukrainian music. With 65 strings and qualities of both the lute and harp, the bandura has accompanied Ukrainian song and storytelling for centuries and remains a powerful symbol of the country’s cultural identity.

Soprano – Veronika Barylo

Young coloratura soprano Veronika Barylo, currently studying at…