Nina Matvienko is one of the most revered Ukrainian singers, whose pure, piercing voice became an embodiment of the soul of Ukrainian folk song. Born in the Zhytomyr region into a large peasant family, she absorbed the authentic singing tradition from childhood.
For over half a century Matvienko preserved and elevated Ukrainian folk song — from ancient ritual chants to the gems of the lyrical and spiritual heritage — performing first with the Veryovka Choir and then solo. Her voice sounded in film, and her image became a symbol of national authenticity. Matvienko was not only a singer but also a spiritual authority and an ardent patriot. Her art is a living thread connecting modern Ukraine with the ancient, inexhaustible wellspring of folk song.
