The Fabled Music of the Bandura: A Performance by Julian Kytasty

Virtuoso musician, Julian Kytasty, performs songs on the bandura—a traditional Ukrainian folk instrument with similarities to the lute and the zither—and speaks to the history and lore of the instrument, including its relationship to Ukrainian folk traditions and culture. This performance was held in the Vernick Auditorium at the Museum of International Folk Art on January 12, 2025. Julian Kytasty was born in Detroit, Michigan into a family of Ukrainian refugees who came to the United States after World War II. He is a third generation bandurist, first learning the instrument from his father and grandfather. In 1980, he moved to New York to become the artistic director of the New York School of Bandura. Since then his multifaceted work as a performer, recording artist, composer, teacher, and ensemble leader has redefined the possibilities of his instrument. He has been a guest lecturer at many universities including Yale, Harvard, Wesleyan, and the University of California. In September 2021, President Zelensky awarded Julian the title Honored Artist of Ukraine in a ceremony in New York City. Exhibition information: https://www.internationalfolkart.org/... To make a donation to help support this important exhibition and its related programming, please visit: https://www.museumfoundation.org/give... Amidst Cries from the Rubble and its related programming is made possible through generous funding from the International Folk Art Foundation, Friends of Folk Art, and donors to the Museum of New Mexico Exhibition Development Fund, including Mark Naylor and Dale Gunn, Gwenn and Eivind Djupedal, Rosalind Doherty, Barbara Forslund, and David Vogel and Larry Fulton, in addition to the Gale Family Foundation and TOKo Santa Fe.