Recently, a Ukrainian-Polish festival took place in Kyiv. The Zaspiv National Female Bandore Band, Prosvita People’s House, Lviv Polytechnic, under the direction of Khrystyna Zalutska took part in the festival. We interviewed the artistic director of the band, and asked her what awards they have won, what was the most difficult part of this competition and what makes their ensemble special.
According to Khrystyna Zalutska, the Zaspiv National Female Bandore Band won the grand prize in the nomination «Vocal and instrumental genre – folk», and the prize for the preservation of the vocal and instrumental music of Ukraine. The artistic director of the band also received a certificate for her contribution to the development of culture and art. As for the difficulties in the competition, according to Khrystyna Zalutska, the pieces they prepared for the performance were quite difficult. One of them is «Chy my shche ziidemosia znovu» (Will we get together again) to the words of Taras Shevchenko.
– Teams from all over Ukraine took part in the competition. There were different categories: soloists, ensembles, circus performances, etc. Also there were exhibitions of paintings. We got into the category where there were 350 bands that played and sang very beautifully. It was not easy, because we had to perform two works very well, but we did it and won the grand prize, – emphasized Khrystyna Zalutska.
By the way, the Zaspiv National Female Bandore Band is the only ensemble in Ukraine that plays the Lvivianka banduras. We have a factory in Lviv that produces white Lviviankas. The designer and inventor of banduras is Vasyl Herasymenko, a Professor at the Lviv Conservatory.
It was interesting to hear about the band’s plans for the future, which are quite optimistic. One of the band members said: «The next Grand Prix!» According to the ensemble, the band will take part in an international Christmas festival, which will be held in Kyiv. Also they are rehearsing for the Shevchenko concert which is taking place soon. And then they will look for new opportunities to show what they are working so hard on.
