In her hands, the bandura is not just a traditional instrument. It is memory, resistance, and hope. She grew up surrounded by Ukrainian music and fell in love with the sound of the bandura as a child — an instrument whose history reaches back to the time of the Cossacks. Today, she blends folklore with jazz and contemporary elements, giving an old tradition a new, personal voice. After the Russian invasion, her role changed. A musician became a witness. She performs for soldiers on the front lines, tours abroad, and openly speaks about what her country is going through.
Maryna Krut was a finalist in Ukraine’s national Eurovision selection and gained wider recognition through her participation in X Factor and The Voice of Ukraine. In 2023, her song “Kolyskova (Lullaby)” was one of the most powerful moments of the national final. She has also performed at the renowned American studio KEXP, which regularly features distinctive artists from around the world, opening her music to a broader international audience. On stage, she does not follow a fixed setlist — she looks into people’s eyes and plays what feels necessary in that moment. She does not just want to perform; she wants to tell the story of her country.