Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Listen to Julian Kytasty's "Про Правду (Song of Truth)'" from his album 'Songs of Truth: Music and Song from the Kobzar Tradition of Ukraine.' About the song, Kytasty writes:
"This song is at the very heart of the kobzar tradition. It likely originated in the late 17th century, a time of widespread turmoil and social upheaval in Ukraine, but its message is universal and as fresh as the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper in any country on the planet. I first encountered this song in Munich on a photocopy of a manuscript by Zinovii Shtokalko of the Ostap Veresai version. I immediately hand-copied it into my notebook. A few years later, after learning to play a kobzars’ka (old-style) bandura made for me by my friend Ken Bloom, I added it to my repertoire, recorded it on my first LP ('Julian Kytasty: Ukrainian Bandurist,' Yevshan Records, 1986), and have performed it ever since. The version on this recording draws on both the transcription of Ostap Veresai (who was arrested by the tsar’s police for singing it at the marketplace in Pryluky on his way home after performing for the tsar’s family in St. Petersburg), and on the performance of Heorhiy Tkachenko (1898–1993)."
Purchase/Stream:
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/julian-kytasty/songs-of-truth
Bandcamp: juliankytasty.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-truth-music-and-song-from-the-kobzar-tradition-of-ukraine
All other platforms: orcd.co/julian-kytasty-songs-of-truth
Julian Kytasty is celebrated around the world as a master of the bandura. This plucked-string instrument has become a symbol of Ukraine through its association with the deep tradition of the kobzari. On Songs of Truth: Music and Song from the Kobzar Tradition of Ukraine, he brings expressive clarity and vibrancy to this centuries-old repertoire of these blind bards through skillfully retold historical epics, timeless philosophical songs, biting satire, and joyful dance tunes.
Julian Kytasty: soundcommunities.org/archives/songs-of-truth/index.html
Facebook: facebook.com/julian.kytasty
Instagram: instagram.com/juliankytasty/?hl=en
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/smithsonianfolkwaysrecordings
Twitter: twitter.com/Folkways
Instagram: instagram.com/smithsonianfolkways
Support our work! Become a Friend of Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/friends-of-folkways
The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.
Listen to Julian Kytasty's "Про Правду (Song of Truth)'" from his album 'Songs of Truth: Music and Song from the Kobzar Tradition of Ukraine.' About the song, Kytasty writes:
"This song is at the very heart of the kobzar tradition. It likely originated in the late 17th century, a time of widespread turmoil and social upheaval in Ukraine, but its message is universal and as fresh as the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper in any country on the planet. I first encountered this song in Munich on a photocopy of a manuscript by Zinovii Shtokalko of the Ostap Veresai version. I immediately hand-copied it into my notebook. A few years later, after learning to play a kobzars’ka (old-style) bandura made for me by my friend Ken Bloom, I added it to my repertoire, recorded it on my first LP ('Julian Kytasty: Ukrainian Bandurist,' Yevshan Records, 1986), and have performed it ever since. The version on this recording draws on both the transcription of Ostap Veresai (who was arrested by the tsar’s police for singing it at the marketplace in Pryluky on his way home after performing for the tsar’s family in St. Petersburg), and on the performance of Heorhiy Tkachenko (1898–1993)."
Purchase/Stream:
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/julian-kytasty/songs-of-truth
Bandcamp: juliankytasty.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-truth-music-and-song-from-the-kobzar-tradition-of-ukraine
All other platforms: orcd.co/julian-kytasty-songs-of-truth
Julian Kytasty is celebrated around the world as a master of the bandura. This plucked-string instrument has become a symbol of Ukraine through its association with the deep tradition of the kobzari. On Songs of Truth: Music and Song from the Kobzar Tradition of Ukraine, he brings expressive clarity and vibrancy to this centuries-old repertoire of these blind bards through skillfully retold historical epics, timeless philosophical songs, biting satire, and joyful dance tunes.
Julian Kytasty: soundcommunities.org/archives/songs-of-truth/index.html
Facebook: facebook.com/julian.kytasty
Instagram: instagram.com/juliankytasty/?hl=en
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/smithsonianfolkwaysrecordings
Twitter: twitter.com/Folkways
Instagram: instagram.com/smithsonianfolkways
Support our work! Become a Friend of Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/friends-of-folkways
The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.
