On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Lesya Ukrayinka's birth (1871 - 1913), the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America (UBC) commemorated this unique Ukrainian poetess with a series of concert with new music written to her timeless words.

O FANTASY! (from the cycle Seven Strings)
music by Oleh Mahlay
words by Lesya Ukrayinka
Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America
Oleh Mahlay - conductor
Vasyl' Maluzynsky - soloist

ФАНТАЗІЄ! ( із поеми Сім струм)
музика Олега Махлая
слова Лесі Українки
Українська Капеля Бандуристів Північної Америки ім. Тараса Шевченка
Олег Махлай - диригент
Василь Малюжинський - соліст

www.bandura.org


ORIGINS – EARLY 20TH CENTURY
The history of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America (UBC) can be traced directly to the 12th Archeological Congress in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in 1902. Hnat Khotkevych, a prominent writer, ethnographer, and composer, first presented the question of forming a professional orchestra of bandurists at that historic gathering. He provided stimulus for a renewed interest and remarkable growth in the bandura's popularity at the beginning of the 20th century, and amateur bandura ensembles rapidly formed throughout the country.
The first professional bandurist chorus was formed in Kyiv in 1918 during the height of the country's struggle for independence following World War One. Under the direction of bandura virtuoso Vasyl Yemetz, the first chorus was named the “Kobzar Choir” («Кобзарський хор») and first performed in Ukraine’s capital on November 2, 1918 at the Bergone Theater (the current Lesia Ukrayinka Theater). In 1925, another bandura ensemble formed in Poltava, Ukraine in under the direction of Volodymyr Kabachok, and under the tutelage of Khotkevych.

TODAY
In 2018, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus celebrated its 100th anniversary with concert tours of the United States, Canada, and Ukraine. The multimedia performances highlighted the turbulent and triumphant history of the ensemble, from its roots in early 20th century Ukraine, through the crucible of Soviet and Nazi occupation, immigration to North America, and to the continuing mission of the ensemble in the 21st century. The historic tour of Ukraine included Divine Liturgies in Kyiv and Lviv, outreach programs at various institutions, and concerts in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Berestechko, Rivne, Lutsk, and Lviv. Recent concert projects included a Lesya Ukrayinka program ("Seven Strings"), A Bandurist Christmas, Centennial of Shchedryk at Carnegie Hall, and the current "Ukraine Lives" tour (Все буде Україна).

AWARDS
As a tribute to its role in preserving and perpetuating the legacy of Ukrainian music, the Chorus was selected by Ukraine's Council of Ministers as the recipient of the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian State Prize (державна шевченківська премія), the highest award that can be bestowed for excellence in the contribution to the arts. This award was personally presented by Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk in 1992. That same year, long-time administrator Petro Honcharenko and bandurist Petro Kytasty received the award of Honored Artists of Ukraine (заслужені артисти України). In 2008, Hryhory Kytasty was posthumously awarded the Hero of Ukraine award from the Ukrainian government (Герой України).
More recently the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America received the prestigious Michigan Heritage Award (2022) for teaching, preserving, presenting, and growing its traditional art form. In 2021, Anatoli Murha, long-serving President of the UBC, received the Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine award (заслужений працівник культури України); and Oleh Mahlay, the artistic director and conductor of the UBC, received the Honored Artist of the Ukrainian Arts award (заслужений діяч мистецтв України). These latter awards were presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Washington, D.C., ceremony.