Migration Matters: Eastern European & Slavic Folk Night

As part of the festival’s ‘In Resilience’ strand curated by guest curator, Marta Marsicka, the festival celebrates Eastern European and Slavic culture through two sensational acts.

Karolina Węgrzyn

As a folk singer, accordion and hammered dulcimer musician from Poland, my music is rooted in the rich tradition of my native villages. I am deeply influenced by the songs of the older generations, which I have had the privilege of collecting and recording through my interactions with elderly village citizens.

My performances are an homage to the past, as I sing in an archaic style and play traditional instruments such as the accordion and hammered dulcimer. My goal is to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of my people, and to bring the beauty of these songs to new audiences. I believe that music has the power to connect us across generations and cultures, and I am honored to be a part of this living tradition.

MUHA

MUHA’s musicians come from different walks of life and each one of them combines their expertise to create a truly unique sound. The band formed in 2004 when singer/ songwriter Iryna Muha met guitarist Dmitry Fedotov. Together with Louise Clements on bass/kathak vocals and Nikki Mckenzie percussion. MUHA offers a new tradition in contemporary Eastern European music, influenced by the multicultural society in the UK. Combining the melodic beauty of Eastern European folklore, North Indian Kathak rhythms, Cuban beats and original lyrics they mesmerise with a musical feast rooted in the Slavonic tradition but cultured from the world.