Liberation Day Concert: Ensemble Uzory from Ukraine at the Luther Museum Amsterdam

Ensemble Uzory

Ukrainian folk music ensemble Uzory has been a welcome guest in the Netherlands for years. It is loved for its catchy melodies and high musicality. The popular ensemble often tours in the Netherlands during the Advent, Christmas, and Easter seasons. This year, it has been invited to the Netherlands on May 4 and 5, National Remembrance Day and Liberation Day.

The fact that Uzory, who is currently experiencing the brutality of the war in his hometown of Mykolayiv, wants to perform for us in Amsterdam on Liberation Day makes this concert on 5 May extra meaningful.

The repertoire includes Ukrainian folk music traditional, classical and popular music from all over the world.

The members of Uzory received their musical training at the conservatories of Kyiv and Odesa. They come from the southern city of Mykolayiv, which has been in the middle of the war zone since the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022. Unfortunately, Mykolayiv has recently found itself on the immediate frontline of the war and is being heavily bombed. It is, therefore, extra special that they have now (as of December 2023) received permission from the Ukrainian authorities to leave the country for this concert tour.

Instruments

They play typical Ukrainian instruments, such as the domra, balalaika, bajan (button accordion), flute, and various percussion instruments.

Uzory is praised for the virtuoso level of the performances and the high musical standard. In addition to Ukrainian folk music, the ensemble also has classical music, jazz, tango and popular melodies worldwide.