- When the voice of your culture is heard, it exists | Daga Gregorowicz on exploring pagan and pre-Christian roots in Ukraine and Poland

Female empowerment from Ukraine and Poland

- We are ambassadors of the Ukrainian and Polish culture, says Daga Gregorowicz.

The band mixes jazz, electronics and traditional songs – especially old techniques in their vocals.

- Our singing is blending women stories, wishing stories and wedding stories. The voice of our culture is supposed to be broken and erased from the map, but we believe it exists! Says Daga with a lot of pathos in her voice.

Exploring culture from before the 10th century

Daga explains that the wishing songs is an ancient tradition, dating back to pre-christian times:

- People were walking from one house to the other, singing their best wishes. What can you wish? That you have good crops, that you will find your love, that people will be good and healthy! Imagine what you need during the concert!

The vinok is a symbol of tradition

The flower crowns worn by Daga and Dana in the image are traditional accessory for weddings and festivals. The headpiece is called a vinok in Ukrainian.

Vinok has been worn for centuries by girls and young women to symbolize purity and fertility – today they are a symbol of the resurgence of traditional culture in Ukraine. Vinok became increasingly popular after the Orange Revolution in 2004. During the rise of national awareness – people fell in love with their roots again, fell in love with tradition.

DAGADANA is performing on the 4th of november during Oslo World at Cosmopolite. 

More information about the concert here.