PROSTIR - Alternative Bandura Experience, founded by Maksym Mahlay in 2024, is an innovative project aimed at popularizing and advancing the unique Poltava bandura technique and playing style. The mission is to foster a vibrant community centered around the rich tradition of Poltava bandura music, providing a platform for enthusiasts to discover techniques, share knowledge, and inspire one another. Through rediscovering the connection that bandura has to both classical music and folk music, the bandura players will gain unique approaches to playing the instrument.

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Taking place in Dibrova Camp every June, the event invites individuals aged 18 and above to join for lessons, presentations, concerts, and improvisation/jam sessions, with topics and repertoire ranging from early classical music to folk song arrangements. Lectures cover early music from both a classical and folk perspective. At the conclusion of the seminar, a showcase concert is held to showcase the advancements the players achieved.

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PROSTIR is active on social media (links provided below). Through promoting exclusively Poltava bandura content, the channels have been able to share performers' talent, as well as early music research, acculumating tens of thousands of views. Performance and informational videos cover works and topics from the Renaissance era to the 20th century. As of October 2024, a collaboration has featured Poltava bandura players from Vinnytsia, Ukraine, featuring Maryna Zalizniak's private studio.

 

Stay tuned!

The soon-to-be Young Artists Program will select up to three kids under the age of 18 (who are interested in Poltava bandura) that will be mentored both in performance and pedagogy.

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Sincerely,

Poltava Advisory Board

Maksym Mahlay, founder and artistic director​

Tania Smyk, co-founder and on-site administrator

Iryna Voloshyna, administrator and outreach director

Alina Kuzma, board member

Ivan Dusanowskyj, board member

Julian Kytasty, board member

Victor Mishalow, board member

Andrij Birko, board member