Rhythms of Ukraine

Rhythms of Ukraine unites the captivating sound of the bandura with Ukrainian song, choral music and the energy and colour of traditional dance. At the heart of the performance are children and young people from London’s Ukrainian community, including 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 remain connected to their heritage while sharing the richness of Ukrainian culture with British audiences.

The musical programme is led by acclaimed bandura player Iryna Rodionova, Director of the Bandura Music Academy London and founder and artistic director of the Nova Capella ensemble at the Kyiv Glière Academy of Music. A prize-winner at national and international competitions, Iryna previously taught at the Glière Music College in Kyiv and has performed extensively as a soloist and ensemble musician.

Since moving to the UK in 2022, she has performed at numerous cultural and charitable events and was part of Songs for Ukraine, the choir initiated by the Royal Opera House in 2023. She subsequently founded a Ukrainian Children’s Choir and Bandura Ensemble and established the Bandura Music Academy London, introducing a new generation and new audiences to Ukraine’s distinctive musical traditions. Joining Iryna is young musician Mykhailo Rodionov, performing a repertoire that brings together traditional and contemporary Ukrainian songs.

At the centre of their music is the extraordinary bandura – a Ukrainian instrument with 65 strings that combines qualities of the lute and harp. Its shimmering, expressive sound has accompanied Ukrainian songs and storytelling for centuries. Historically associated with travelling musicians known as kobzars, the bandura became deeply connected with the preservation of Ukrainian history, language and cultural identity. Today, it remains one of the most recognisable musical symbols of Ukraine.

The programme also features talented young singer Veronika and the Union of Ukrainian Youth Choir, bringing the power of Ukrainian song and young voices to the stage. Their performances add another dimension to the celebration, reflecting the importance of music in bringing generations together, strengthening community and keeping Ukrainian language and culture alive.

The dance programme introduces The Spirit of Ukraine, a London-based children’s dance group led by Artistic Director Inesa Semianiv.

Established in 2025, the group brings together Ukrainian children who were forced to flee the war and are now building new lives in the UK. Through vibrant choreography, traditional influences, music and colourful costumes, the young dancers celebrate the diversity and vitality of Ukrainian culture while creating a strong sense of community and belonging.

The group also performs at cultural and charitable events, using dance not only to introduce British audiences to Ukrainian traditions but also to help raise funds in support of people and communities affected by the continuing war in Ukraine.

Together, the bandura players, singers, choir and dancers offer an uplifting celebration of a culture carried across borders and passed from one generation to the next. It is a story of heritage and belonging, but also of young people finding friendship, confidence and connection through the traditions of their homeland.

From the delicate resonance of the bandura and the power of Ukrainian voices to the energy of traditional dance, Rhythms of Ukraine invites Bloomsbury Festival audiences to experience a culture that is both deeply rooted in history and vibrantly alive today – a celebration of music, community, heritage and resilience.