SLAVALACHIA
Slavalachia is an alliance of folk musicians and creators from Belarus, Ukraine, and the Appalachian region of the United States. This alliance, which began in Athens, Ohio in 2019, reached its full form in January 2020 in Lviv, Ukraine. Members are forging a new uncharted territory regarding the preservation, popularization, and experimentation of traditional music. The goal is to empower people to be proud of their cultures while at the same time experimenting with their traditions to revitalize them.
2019
2020
2021
2022
and Slavalachia is born
Nadzeya Ilkevich organized a concert of Siarzhuk Douhushau in Athens, Ohio, with a support from Fulbright Student Association, in March, 2019. His performance motivated local musicians from the Hill Spirits band to jam with him for about 7 hours next day. Brother Hill: "The evening was spent feasting, drinking, singing, shouting, and growing to learn of each other's traditions for the first time."
Chapter 1. Which side are you on?
American participants for the first time visited Belarus and Ukraine, with a support of CreateCulture Inc. All the musicians presented their music at the live shows in Belarus and Ukraine, and all learned many beautiful songs from their regions. Despite COVID-19 pandemic and the revolution in Belarus, Slavalachia came together with a new rendition of the historic Appalachian protest song "Which side are you on?" in support of the fight against authoritarian regimes in Belarus and the world over.
Chapter 2. The Album creation
After 20 months apart they managed to reunite in Ukraine in August 2021. In spite of limits in time and funds, the Slavalachians arranged their first album, written in the Carpathian mountains and recorded in Ternopil. The alliance managed to perform at the biggest festival of Ukraine "ZAHIDFEST" and to organize their own Slavalachia Fest in Lviv. It was unknown then to the band and to the wider world that Ukraine was on the brink of all-out war with Russia- a war that would make such an alliance more poignant and important than ever.
Chapter 3. STOP THE WAR IN UKRAINE and Album release
At the beginning of the year, Slavalachia released their first single ZHE from the upcoming album. ZHE is a traditional Hutsul Christmas song that has been performed during Velyka Kolida time. russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, and our alliance dedicated all actions towards Ukraine. Slavalachia released another single Zakuvala Zozulyna to honor Ukrainian Warriors who bravely fought for the freedom, their land, their nation, but left on a battlefield. Слава Україні! Героям слава!
The album released at the beginning of April 2022.
SLAVALACHIANS
Siarzhuk Douhushau / Belarus
singer, musician, multi-instrumentalist, ethnographer
Brother Hill / USA, Ohio
singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist
Benya Stewart / USA, Ohio
folk musician, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter
Marichka Chichkova / Ukraine
singer, ethnographer, cultural manager, producer


Marta Bodnar / Ukraine
singer, musician, cultural manager
Sviat Halas / Ukraine
bass player, songwriter
Arthur Temchenko / Ukraine
musician, drummer


Nadzeya Ilkevich/ Belarus
producer, project manager


Bart Kuraga / Belarus
documentary director, video producer
Quintin Schomaker / USA
videographer, video producer, Samantha Ravioli n'douche
Lesik Omodada / Ukraine
sound producer


Wioletta Nikitik/ Belarus-USA
supporter, assistant manager


PERFORMANCES
1
Dzyga Art Centre - Lviv, Ukraine - January 2020
Slavalachia joint performance with Siarzhuk Douhushau, Torban and Brother Hill
2
America House - Kyiv, Ukraine - August 2021
Online performance from Carpathian Mountains
3
ZAHIDFEST 2021 - Ukraine - August 2021
Performance at the biggest festival in Western Ukraine
4
Nyzhniy Zal - Lviv Puppet Theatre - Lviv, Ukraine - September 2021
Slavalachia Fest - Three days festival of Belarusian, Ukrainian and Appalachian cultures.
GALLERY
PARTNERS
CONTACT US
Please, for all booking, press inquiries or documentary production questions/requests
contact our manager Nadzeya Ilkevich
through our official email: slavalachia@gmail.com


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© Slavalachia 2019-2022. All rights reserved