The Ukrainian program was featured at Slovakia’s largest festival — Pohoda Festival. This was reported on Facebook by the Ukrainian Institute.
This year, Ukraine was represented by the band ONUKA, whose performance was supported by the Ukrainian Institute. In addition, thousands gathered at the main stage to watch the performance of the band dakhabrakha. On another stage, the energetic Hudaki Village Band performed, and on the final day of the festival, DJ Dariya Kolomiyets closed the stage.
During the festival, a discussion titled ‘Ukraine as Inspiration’ also took place, featuring speakers Iryna Lobanok, music program manager at the Ukrainian Institute; Maryana Mokrynska, COO of the All-Ukrainian Association of Music Events; Nataliya Buzovetska, director of the House of Culture in Borodyanka; and Dariya Kolomiyets, cultural activist, music producer, and DJ. The speakers talked about the importance of culture during wartime, the need for consistent support from international partners, and both the challenges and strengths of Ukraine’s music scene.
Pohoda is the largest festival in Slovakia, gathering 30,000 visitors and more than 160 performers from around the world. Since 2014, the festival has been actively supporting Ukraine and promoting Ukrainian culture through the inclusion of Ukrainian artists, the implementation of special projects in Slovakia, and the organization of charity fundraisers to support Ukraine.
“I was on the Europa stage during ONUKA’s performance — it was incredible to see a full hall of people enjoying wonderful Ukrainian music. I sincerely appreciate your approach and am glad that we were able to present such powerful names of the Ukrainian music scene as ONUKA and DakhaBrakha. I admire your fight for the values of humanity, as well as how your artistic community responds to the situation in Ukraine. My greatest wish is to welcome you in peaceful times, when all of Ukraine is liberated and free. The whole world must do everything possible to make this happen as soon as possible,” said Michal Kaščák, founder of Pohoda Festival.