Kobzaring the World

Aside from training and making at home, or touring in Ukraine and abroad, we've decided to give the world a chance to come to us as a guest, and to present what we do in a summer music festival format. This year we'll conduct the seventh kobzar festival, "Drevo Rodu Kobzarskoho". Aside from traditional kobzaring, we include other related musical genres and traditions, such as early music and folk music including that of other nations. We also include non-musical genres such as visual arts, theater, ceramics, traditional dance and clothing, etc. We call this "the kobzar tradition in context". The festival is alternative to the big "stage show" summer festivals. Most music and dance at the festival is without microphones and even without stages. We don't even use the modern "time-schedule" of performances. Often it's unclear who we actually invite to the festival, and who comes on their own accord. We try to eliminate the barrier between performer, and listener, to acheive an "all-inclusive" atmosphere where everyone participates together. The festival is free of any charge, and even offers free meals, from groceries usually grown on our personal farm. The festival is annual, usually taking place around July 23-25. We've tried to create the best "kobzar experience" possible, in the heart of the kobzar-cradle of the Poltava region village.