Benjamin Clementine, DakhaBrakha, ONUKA & Jamala to Perform at Vyrii — Ukraine’s New Ethnic-Electronic Event

On August 9–10, Kyiv will host Vyrii — the first Ukrainian open-air festival combining ethnic-electronic music, performative art, and visual storytelling. The event aims to present contemporary Ukrainian culture through a unique fusion of sound, movement, and imagery. For two days, an inclusive performance pavilion, KYT, will be transformed into a mystical space where ancient traditions meet digital expression.

How was Vyrii created?

Vyrii was conceived during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The idea for the event first emerged in 2021, rooted in Aliona Gudkova’s deep appreciation for Ukrainian ethnic aesthetics and heritage. As the festival’s founder, she was determined to avoid stereotypical or primitive representations of national culture — instead focusing on a modern, evolving identity that resonates with European artistic trends.

“I believe that now, more than ever, Ukrainians need this creative immersion into rituals and our cultural roots. And I truly hope we’ll be able to create an unforgettable immersive experience for both local and international visitors,” says Aliona.

A fusion of music and theatre

One of Vyrii’s core elements is a large-scale theatrical performance, created exclusively for the festival by acclaimed Ukrainian theatre director Ivan Uryvskyi. This continuous performance will unfold across both days of the event, blurring the lines between stage and audience.

At the heart of this performance is an installation in the form of a traditional Ukrainian village, built in KYT — an inclusive performance pavilion. Thanks to the unique stage design, visitors will be able to step inside the performance — interact with the actors and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of an authentic Ukrainian rural setting.

“The most important thing for me is to convey both freedom and roots,” says Ivan Uryvskyi, director of Vyrii’s theatrical experience. “The core narrative takes place in a parallel world, where people live in real time, grounded in Ukrainian traditions. It’s a life that exists alongside ours — genuine, unfiltered, and filled with meaning.”

Visual storytelling at the heart of the experience

Beyond music and performance, visual direction plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere of Vyrii. That is why the dress code is mandatory for everyone.  The festival’s immersive atmosphere is further shaped by visual director and costume artist Lesia Patoka. As Vyrii’s art director, she is responsible for all costumes — for both performers and crew — as well as the broader visual language and spatial design of the event.

Together with her team, Patoka creates visual narratives that show how culture comes alive here and now — through the contemporary bodies, materials, aesthetics, and emotional experience.

“Vyrii is a world we build from scratch through costumes and attributes — a space of concentrated beauty that invites immersion. The project’s mission — to bring traditions into the present — has become our main driving force,” says Lesia Patoka, art director of Vyrii.

What awaits Vyrii’s guests?

The festival brings together Ukrainian and international artists working at the intersection of genres and forms:

• Behjamin Clementine — headliner of an event that is known for his own unique style in music
• Dakhabrakha — Ukrainian pioneers of ethno-experimental sound
• Jamala × Aniel Arin — a special collaboration from deep house to high-energy techno
• Onuka — electro-folk band blending electronics, contemporary pop, and traditional folk instruments.
• Holly North (Germany), Serge Jazzmate, SMAILOV, Si Process, and many more

The program spans three simultaneous stages — electronic, live, and performative — offering a dynamic and genre-blending experience. Guests will also enjoy a curated food court at KYT pavilion, designed as a space to relax, connect, and recharge.