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The Ukrainian-Estonian Svjata Vatra (“Holy Fire”) band plays folk music based on traditional songs, nostalgic children’s games and Baltic melodies, with a fresh punk attitude.

BAND

Ruslan Trochynskyi – Vocal, trombone, scythe.

Juhan Suits ( Juss ) – Estonian bagpipes, wooden horn, whistle, vocal,  jew’s harp.

Oliver Kilk – Acoustic guitar

Ats Tani  – Bass guitar

Karl-Heinrich Arro – Drums, Percussion.

Alo  Jaanivald – Sound engineering.

Terje Trochynskyi – Manager.

SVJATA VATRA BIOGRAPHY 

Prepare for a blast of Cossack Viking folk rock by Svjata Vatra, led by trombonist Ruslan Trochynskyi.

The Ukrainian-Estonian ensemble, Svjata Vatra which translates to “Holy Fire,” in English, plays folk music based on traditional songs, nostalgic children’s games and Baltic melodies, with a fresh punk attitude. On stage, the band evokes an ancient and irresistible pagan rite using bagpipes, a jew’s harp, a scythe, and husky lead vocals—all blown into the 21st century by a shimmering trombone.

Since 2006, the band has been making people dance and breaking down walls by demonstrating the shared musical roots of 21 European countries, as well as Canada and the USA. From performing on Viking ships to shows at well-know festivals like the Colours of Ostrava, FelSziget, Positivus, Urkult, London International Festival of Exploratory Music, and the Kaustinen and Viljandi Folk Festivals – Svjata Vatra are gaining momentum. Now, they’re and ready to take their fiery folk further out into the world.

They’ve gained critical acclaim along the way. “Kalyna” was awarded the “Best folk song in Estonia in 2009”. “Pane mind põlema” (Light my Fire) was used on the soundtrack of the US TV series “Seal Team” in 2017. The band are also alumni of several showcase festivals, including Budapest Ritmo 2016 (the showcase festival from WOMEX partners Hangveto), Tallinn Music Week (6 times), Eurosonic, and the 2018 Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, USA. They’ve proven time and again that they can get any audience in a festive mood.

In March 2020, the band released a new CD “World, You are Changing,” in English. In the production of the album take part three generations of musicians, to pointing out the importance of the wisdom of grandparents that transfers to children and grandchildren.

Svjata vatra Presents
documentary film "Püha Tuli"

In 2010 Svjata Vatra produced a musical documentary film called “Püha Tuli” (“Holy Fire”). It portrays the band’s musical expedition to the Carpathians and conveys their ambition to integrate art in all aspects of life, also showing their impact on both the Estonian and Ukranian folk and music communities. 

(52 min) Trailer and more info

Screening highlights: Estonian National TV, Worldfilm Festival in Estonia, Globaltica Poland, Kino Molodost Festival in Kyiv, Ukraine, Kino Oktjabr in Helsinki, Finland, Estonian Cultural Festival in Paris, France.

 

Workshop & Education 

Svjata Vatra also runs workshops like the “Estonian-Ukrainian traditional music similarities and differences”, introducing traditional music instruments, songs, dances and customs. The workshops are suitable for children and adults, and can be held as a special programme for festivals, other events, and schools. They have been held in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Finland, Poland, Germany, Belgium and Canada.

 

 

Trailer about film:  

booking worldwide:

(except UK, Austria, Switzerland )

Terje Trochynskyi
svjatavatra@gmail.com
+37256680575