Preserving Ukrainian Culture through Song in NYC
Ukrainian Village Voices (photo courtesy of Razom for Ukraine, AJ Stetson)
As the world watches the escalating war in Ukraine, a culturally diverse New York group of folk singers, which includes Ukrainian-Americans, continues its mission to preserve Ukrainian culture through song.
Ukrainian Village Voices is a singing collective based on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The group attracts many members and listeners across cultures with a polyphonic singing style, rooted in values of community and inclusivity.
I spoke with cofounder and managing director Laryssa Czebiniak and musical director Asia Mieleszko about their mission to preserve this music form, which has been passed down through generations, and why it is especially important that they do so now. The album highlights beautiful, powerful, funny, and hopeful songs from Ukraine’s vibrant villages.
Ukrainian Village Voices has partnered with Jalopy Records to sell their latest album in support of Ukraine. All proceeds will be donated to organizations providing on-the-ground, humanitarian assistance to refugees at the Polish-Ukrainian border.
