The bandura, Ukraine’s national instrument, stands as a powerful symbol of Ukrainian identity and cultural heritage. Its origins can be traced back to the 6th century, with early references in Greek chronicles describing a lute-like instrument played by warriors in camps and on battlefields.
Between the 15th and 18th centuries, blind traveling musicians known as kobzars roamed through Ukrainian towns and villages. They played the bandura while singing epic tales of the Kozaks (Ukrainian warriors), folk ballads, and religious psalms. These kobzars often played a significant role in preserving Ukraine’s oral traditions and fostering a sense of national identity during periods of foreign domination.
Historically, the bandura was a smaller, simpler instrument with fewer strings, but it evolved significantly over time. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it developed into a fully chromatic concert instrument, with modern banduras featuring as many as 65 strings and covering five octaves. Advanced mechanisms, such as switches or levers, allow players to change tonalities, adding versatility to the instrument.
The bandura’s sound is unique, blending the tonal qualities of the harp and harpsichord. Its strings are plucked with the fingertips, creating a resonant and expressive voice well-suited for both solo performances and ensemble work. In traditional Ukrainian music, the bandura often accompanies vocals, but it is equally capable of performing complex instrumental compositions.
Today, the bandura is celebrated as a symbol of resilience and artistry. It is taught in Ukrainian music schools and conservatories, where students learn to master its intricate techniques. Beyond Ukraine, the bandura has gained international recognition, with musicians using it to explore both traditional and contemporary repertoires, ensuring its legacy continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
A song – the spirit of Ukrainian nation – the inexhaustible source of tradition and inspiration, the basis on which the Bandura, one of Ukraine’s most beautiful, musical instruments originated. Many centuries have already passed, yet the Bandura remains pure and irreplaceable.
The Bandura dates back to the 6-th century on Ukrainian territory. It was first mentioned in a Greek chronicle describing a lute-like instrument, which was played by the warriors in the camps and on the battlefields.
Originally, it was used for the accompaniment of epic folk ballads and occasional folk dances. Between the 15th and 18th centuries traveling musicians, called Kobzars, entertained in towns and villages of Ukraine, singing about the exploits of the Kozaks (Ukrainian warriors).
Over the years, the Bandura acquired more strings and become a fully chromatic concert instrument with switches to change tonalities. The modern concert bandura has 65 strings and is chromatically tuned through 5 octaves. The strings are plucked with the fingertips, resulting in a sound similar to that of a harp, guitar and harpsichord combined.
Today the Bandura is taught as a solo and ensemble instrument in music schools and conservatories in Ukraine. Since Ukraine regained its independence in 1991, the revival of folk traditions with epic ballads is in progress and the Bandura has regained its prominent place as a Ukrainian national instrument.