We report for 2025!

The publication contains 1,000 songs recorded during 96 expeditions undertaken by the project team during six years. The folklorist and  ethnic performer Svitlana Bulanova is the author and curator of the collection.

The foreword to the book was written and the folk songs   were transcribed into musical notation by Lyudmila Yefremova, a ukrainian folklorist, ethnomusicologist, leading researcher at the  M. T. Rylsky Institute of Art Studies, Folklore and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and Doctor of Arts.

 

“Baba Yelka” took part in a discussion at the National Museum of Ukrainian History about the Holocaust

Svitlana Lystyuk, head of the Ethno laboratory, took part in a discussion on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, organized by the National Museum of Ukrainian History in World War II.  Svitlana had the important mission of telling the story of the village of Izrailevka in the Kirovohrad region and recounting the testimonies of local residents about the mass murder of the Jewish population in the summer of 1942.

 

February

“Baba Yelka” has launched a creative project for families of soldiers and veterans

The NGO “Baba Yelka” has launched a new project, “Baba Yelka Creative Workshop”, to work with the families of active military personnel, veterans, and fallen heroes to overcome Russian propaganda, combat inferiority complexes, spread traditional Ukrainian culture, and strengthen our own psychological resilience.

The project was supported by the ZMIN Fondation and the NGO Spilna Diya. The author and curator of the project is Svitlana Lystyuk, head of the Ethnolaboratory.

 

A video about traditional pysanka in Kropyvnytskyi region was released

This video is one of many methodological materials about traditional local crafts that “Baba Yelka” has collected for the “patriotic box” to help teachers diversify the patriotic education of schoolchildren and preschoolers.

The team filmed a master class on painting the “Half Apple” pysanka, which was conducted for 8-year-old Sviatoslav, a student at the “Scientific” Lyceum, by renowned pysanka artist Iryna Mykhalevych.

 

Education based on local traditions. “Baba Yelka” presented the results of a survey

Throughout February, “Baba Yelka” conducted a survey among parents of children of different ages to find out their opinion on the relevance of patriotic education in kindergartens and schools. The Google survey was posted on the Facebook page of the Kropyvnytskyi Parents' Council NGO and distributed among educators, teachers, and acquaintances who have young children. A total of 494 people participated in the survey. 

The main conclusion: Patriotic education should not be limited to general Ukrainian values. It should be based on local culture, because only through understanding their homeland children can feel a true sense of belonging to the Ukrainian nation.

 

March 

 

Analysis of a survey among kindergarten teachers and directors

“Baba Yelka” conducted a survey among kindergarten teachers and directors in the Kropyvnytskyi community to assess the situation with national and patriotic education of children. The survey showed a high level of support for patriotic education among teachers and highlighted problems that can be solved through methodological support, the creation of accessible materials, and community involvement.

 

The second edition of the album with embroidery patterns "Shirts of Kropyvnytskyi Region" was published

The collection of embroidery patterns includes information about 11 authentic shirts from the collection of the “Baba Yelka” Ethnolaboratory, collected by our team during eight years of expeditions to villages in Kropyvnytskyi region. The author and curator of the project is Svitlana Lystyuk. The author of the patterns is Daria Halko. The designer of the publication is Natalka Andriyanova.

   

 

“Baba Yelka” presents a set of postcards featuring traditional Easter eggs from Kropyvnytskyi region

Together with craftswoman, Iryna Mykhalevych, from Oleksandriya, we presented a unique set of postcards dedicated to traditional Easter eggs from Kropyvnytskyi region. It is based on reproduced ornaments from the collection of late 19th-century ethnographer Volodymyr Yastrebov. The author of the idea and curator of the project is Inna Danylchenko.

   

 

Ukrainian TV channel shows how “Baba Yelka” recreates traditional clothing from the Kropyvnytskyi region

Well-known Ukrainian TV reporter Kostyantyn Hrubych traveled 300 km to share with viewers of the 1+1 TV channel how “Baba Yelka” recreates and modernises authentic clothing worn in Kropyvnytskyi region at the beginning of the last century. Today, March 22, one of our organization's activities was featured on the morning broadcast of the United News national telemarathon.

 

“Baba Yelka” has published a "Collection of Children's Songs from Kirovohrad Region"

A collection of 28 children's songs was published in a small, user-friendly format. Svitlana Bulanova, curator of the song section of the NGO “Baba Yelka” and editor of the collection, selected songs that could be useful for parents, educators, and teachers in kindergartens and schools.

 

April

We began work on creating a set of stamps for the “Baba Yelka” chest

We analyzed the collection of authentic textiles, ceramics, and wooden products that we managed to collect during our expeditions. Based on them, we chose visual images for future stamps that are understandable and familiar to children – images of plants, animals, geometric ornaments, etc.

The embroiderer, founder of the Budyak Kucheryavy Creative Workshop, Kostyantyn Danylchenko, designer Natalka Andriyanova, and 3D modeling master Artem Parkhomenko joined in the creation of the stamps set.

 

Books published by “Baba Yelka” travel the world

The book "Delicious Kropyvnytskyy Region", published by “Baba Yelka”, has become one of the textbooks that teach young Ukrainians in the Netherlands about our cultural identity. Thus, "Delicious Kropyvnytskyy Region", was presented in The Hague at an exhibition of books from Ukrainian school libraries in the Netherlands.

 

“Baba Yelka” presented the ninth episode of a documentary series about expeditions in the Kirovohrad region

The ninth episode of the documentary series “Baba Yelka” is about the elders of Oleksandro-Mariіvka and Novyi Starodub in the Petrivska community.

 

The book "Delicious Kropyvnytskyy Region" was nominated for a regional award

Co-founder of the “Baba Yelka” ethno project Inna Tilnova (Danylchenko) was nominated for the 2025 Volodymyr Yastreba Regional Local History Award for her book "Delicious Kropyvnytskyy Region" (in the Promotion of the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of the region, development of museum affairs category).

 

Svitlana Lystyuk shared her experience of building a professional reputation with students

Head of the Ethnolaboratory Svitlana Lystyuk visited the Robert Elworty Economic and Technological Institute, where she told students about building a personal professional reputation and developing communication links for a public organization. They discussed the “Baba Yelka” team and the Ethnolaboratory as a place of strength for Kropyvnytskyi and the Kropyvnytskyi region.

 

“Baba Yelka” presented the 10th episode of a documentary series dedicated to the Holovanivsk community

In the new, tenth episode of the documentary series, the creative team spoke with the elders of two villages in the Holovanivsk community – Troyanka and Zhuravlynka.

 

“Baba Yelka” has developed puzzles for children featuring Kropyvnytskyi's symbol – the Theater of Coryphaei

As part of the “Baba Yelka” Box project, the ethnographic project team presented a new development – children's puzzles featuring the Theater of the Coryphaei building, which is considered one of the most recognizable symbols of Kropyvnytskyi. The image on the puzzles is based on a photograph by local photographer Oleksii Kaprytsia, known for his street reports.

 

May

Svitlana Bulanova talked about “Baba Yelka” on the Community House YouTube channel

A unique conversation took place on the Community House YouTube channel between two researchers who preserve and reinterpret Ukrainian traditions. They are Maksym Trubnikov, an honored teacher of Ukraine from Odesa, an art teacher, leader of the "Druze Muzyko" band and reconstructor of the kobzar-lyre tradition, and Svitlana Bulanova from Kropyvnytskyi, co-founder of the folklore and ethnographic project Baba Yelka and founder of the ethno-band YELKA.

 

Inna Tilnova, chair of the NGO “Baba Yelka”, won the Yastrebov Regional Local History Award

On May 6, a meeting of the competition commission for the Volodymyr Yastrebov Regional Local History Award was held in Kropyvnytskyi.

In the Promotion of the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of the region, development of museum affairs category, the award was given to Inna Tilnova (Danylchenko), co-founder of the NGO “Baba Yelka”, for her book "Delicious Kropyvnytskyy Region".

 

Master class in stamping: “Baba Yelka” has created a tutorial video for school boxes

The traditional art of stamping will become accessible to students in the Kropyvnytskyi community thanks to a new video lesson created by the team behind the “Baba Yelka” ethnographic project. The recording will be part of cultural and educational boxes that will be distributed in educational institutions throughout the city.

Filming took place at the Ethnolaboratory. The master class was conducted by Kostyantyn Danylchenko, a woodcarver and founder of the Budyak Kucheryavy creative workshop. He was assisted by 11-year-old Varvara Andrushchenko, a student at the Central Lyceum, who already had experience participating in similar events.

 

“Baba Yelka” shared its experience with the Cultural Heritage Protection Network

At the invitation of the Cultural Heritage Protection Network, the NGO “Baba Yelka” shared its experiences of ups and downs with museum workers and cultural and public sector figures from different parts of Ukraine. Svitlana Lystyuk, head of the Ethno laboratory, revealed a secret that interests everyone (especially after the closure of a well-known American agency), how “Baba Yelka” works, where it gets its resources and money.

We would like to remind you that we have been working for many years, are working now, and will continue to work regardless of the availability of stable funding or local or foreign support. Because the strength of “Baba Yelka” lies in the people who have come together as a team to make dreams come true and preserve their roots.

 

“Baba Yelka” and Fayno Marker have published a collection of lullabies from the Kirovohrad region entitled “Babini Ryubuli“

The collection takes its name from a unique lullaby recorded in the village of Zavturove by Danyyilla Dromashko. The book includes 18 authentic lullabies collected in villages in the Kirovohrad region. It is illustrated with embroidery patterns by Maria Kucherenko, Baba Yelka's daughter. The collection was compiled by Svitlana Bulanova. The scientific research and musical transcription were done by Lyudmila Yefremova.

 

The Ethnolaboratory held an exhibition dedicated to Embroidered Shirt Day

On Embroidered Shirt Day, the Ethnolaboratory held a special exhibition dedicated to Ukrainian embroidered shirts. Throughout the day, Svitlana Lystyuk, Svitlana Bulanova, and Inna Tilnova conducted tours, shared stories, and maintained an atmosphere of open and lively dialogue with visitors.

In addition to the exhibition, photo zones, and inspiring conversations, we had another important goal, to help those who are defending Ukraine today. Visitors willingly joined in fundraising for the Sara Connor unit, led by Mykola Kudria. We managed to raise 6,744 hryvnia.

 

“Baba Yelka” recorded a singing master class for children

The “Baba Yelka” team filmed a new educational video lesson on traditional singing. It features the best examples of children's folklore from the Kirovohrad region: lullabies, nursery rhymes, songs from the calendar cycle, spring songs, carols, and New Year's songs. The video will be part of cultural and educational kits that will be distributed to kindergartens and schools in the Kropyvnytskyi community.

It was recorded at the Ethnolaboratory with the participation of the project's co-founder and song curator Svitlana Bulanova. Svitlana was joined in the filming by her granddaughter Melanka and Sviatoslav Danylchenko, a student at the Naukovy Lyceum.

 

“Baba Yelka” summed up the results of the Creative Workshop

At the beginning of the year, with the help of the ZMIN Foundation and the NGO Spilna Dіya, the Ethnolaboratory opened a Creative Workshop, which involved the families of military personnel, veterans, National Guard members, prisoners of war, and fallen heroes of the war with Russia. From February to May, educational lectures and excursions were held, as well as workshops on stamping and waxing, traditional dances, and singing. Photo sessions were also organized in replicas of authentic costumes sewn by our team based on original samples.

Despite the difficult situation and constant anxiety, more than 200 participants visited the Creative Workshop. The project was managed by Svitlana Lystyuk, head of the Ethnolaboratory.

 

June

"Babyni Rybuli" went public: 200 copies were sent to the maternity hospital

Every baby in Kropyvnytskyi deserves to fall asleep to their mother’s melodic lullaby, which conveys her love, the code of the nation, and the strength of spirit of our ancestors. That is why a week ago, 200 copies of the collection of lullabies from our region, "Babynі Rybuli", were personally delivered to the Kropyvnytskyi city maternity hospital by the co-founders of the “Baba Yelka” ethno project, Inna Tilnova and Svitlana Bulanova, to be given to mothers and fathers when they were discharged.

 

For two days, Kropyvnytskyi was the center of the search for solutions for communities sustainability

On June 6 and 7, an important event took place in Kropyvnytskyi as part of the International Renaissance Foundation's Sustainability Laboratory program, which brought together representatives of the public sector, government, and culture from various regions of Ukraine. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to strengthen community sustainability in the difficult conditions in which Ukraine currently finds itself.

Participants also saw how “Baba Yelka” works in practice: during an excursion to the ethno laboratory and master classes at the Nadiya hamlet, they immersed themselves in the traditional culture of our region, learning folk dances and songs.

 

"Delicious Kropyvnytskyy Region" at the Familia Garden restaurant: a collaboration that revives culinary heritage

A special event took place at the Familia Garden restaurant: the “Baba  Yelka” ethno project team presented dishes from the "Delicious  Kropyvnytskyy Region" book, during a wine evening, where they were  paired with wines from Australia and the USA. The dishes were   presented by Inna Tilnova, editor of the publication book "Delicious Kropyvnytskyy Region".

 

“Baba Yelka” filmed a video lesson on dancing for educational institutions in Kropyvnytskyi

The “Baba Yelka” project team has completed work on a video lesson dedicated to traditional dances of the Kirovohrad region. This material will be included in "Baba Yelka's Boxes". The master class was filmed in partnership with the Krok Alternative School.

The video tutorial was prepared by Svitlana Bulanova, co-founder of the NGO “Baba Yelka”, Nataliya Kovalchuk, head of the traditional dance school, and a teacher at Krok. The filming was done by videographer Oleksiy Kaprytsia.

 

“Baba Yelka” presented authentic products at the “Made in Ukraine” exhibition in Kropyvnytskyi

The Art Museum hosted an exhibition and sale of goods from local producers, “Made in Ukraine: the soul of the nation in every creation,” dedicated to Ukraine's Constitution Day. Baba Yelka's location attracted perhaps the largest number of visitors, as the brand presented a diverse range of cultural products.

The exhibition became a meeting place for people who appreciate Ukrainian culture, support traditions, and do not forget about charity. Some of the proceeds, including those from “Baba Yelka”, were donated to Krop:Hub volunteers for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

         

July

7 Years of “Baba Yelka”: The Journey from an Idea to a Powerful Educational Movement

On July 13, 2018, the story of the “Baba Yelka” ethno-project began with a trip to the first folklore and ethnographic expedition to the village of Rozsokhuvatka, then still in the Malovyskivsky district, in the Kirovohrad region. The agent who opened the door to the world of local authenticity was Maria Kucherenko, the daughter of the very “Baba Yelka” who became the symbol of our project. Thus began a journey that grew into a large-scale cultural movement, known today not only in Ukraine but also beyond its borders.

The impetus for the project was the crisis in the preservation and promotion of traditional culture in the region. Official institutions often reduced it to sharo-varshchyna — a primitive, simplified image of folk heritage. “Baba Yelka” was born out of this pain and desire for change. Over the course of seven years, the project has grown into a powerful educational and research platform. 

 

 “Baba Yelka” develops games about traditional Ukrainian life

The “Baba Yelka” project is working on the creation of two board games: “What's in the House?” and “Find a Pair.” The games will be part of the “Baba Yelka Box”, which aims to support the national and cultural education of children. Like all other materials for the box, the games “What's in the House?” and “Find a Pair” are based on materials collected by the “Baba Yelka” team during years of expeditions to villages in the Kirovohrad region. The concept of the games was developed by Svitlana Lystyuk, PhD, head of the Ethno laboratory.

 

The YELKA  band presents a new song based on wedding rituals from the Kirovohrad region

                                                                      

The ethnic band “Yelka” (soloist Svitlana Bulanova and musician Maksym Velychko) released the song and music video Paradise Birds.

Work on the song lasted a year. The composition is based on folk recordings from an expedition to the village of Verbluzhka. These are two songs (a wedding song and a korovaina song) sung by Stepanida Meleshchuk, born in 1927. The filming of the video was entrusted to Igor Tkachuk and his team, who approached the task very creatively and professionally. Filming lasted 12 hours.

 

August

Dishes from “Delicious Kropyvnytskyi Region” can now be tasted at the “1708” restaurant, supporting the army

The 1708 restaurant in Kropyvnytskyi hosted a tasting of three traditional dishes from our region, based on recipes from the book “Delicious Kropyvnytskyi Region,” published several years ago by the Baba Yelka ethnographic project team. From now on, they have appeared on the menu of this establishment not only for its Ukrainization and diversification, but also for charitable purposes. 30 hryvnias from each order of these three dishes will be transferred to the needs of the special forces - the regiment named after Sviatoslav the Brave.

                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September

The Baba Yelka team took part in the Black Sea Steppe festival in Odesa

On September 5 to 7, Odessa hosted the large-scale Black Sea Steppe festival, dedicated to promoting traditional culture, folk art, music, and dance.

The program included representatives of the “Baba Yelka” project. Svitlana Bulanova and Nataliia Kovalchuk held a master class in singing and dancing in Shevchenko Park at the Karapet location, and also worked at the local fair. The final stage of the festival featured the More Musik Fest, where the ethno-band YELKA performed their program on the rock stage.

 

The results of the project “Baba Yelka's Box” were presented in Kropyvnytskyi

The project involved the creation of methodological materials on local history and culture entitled “Baba Yelka's Box,” which will be used in the city's educational institutions. The project received support from the International Renaissance Foundation, the Bread for the World agency, the Spilna Dія NGO, and the Kropyvnytskyi City Council's Department of Education. 

The following people worked on the box: Inna Danylchenko, chair of the NGO “Baba Yelka” Inna Danilchenko, head of the Ethnolaboratory Svitlana Lystyuk, ethnomusician Svitlana Bulanova, choreographer Natalka Kovalchuk, master of traditional Ukrainian embroidery Kostyantyn Danylchenko, pysanka artist Iryna Mykhalivich, photographer and videographer Oleksiy Kaprytsia.

 

“Baba Yelka” received the Awakener award

A forum of civil society organizations, Civil Pulse: Elements of Unity, was held in Kropyvnytskyi on the occasion of Civil Society Week. During the forum, the team of the public organization “Baba Yelka” received the Great Awakener award, which was established by the Public Council at the Kirovohrad Regional State Administration in 2025. The award is presented to volunteers and public activists for their selfless work for the benefit of Ukraine.

November

Svitlana Bulanova received the Spiritual Treasure of Kirovohrad Region award

Svitlana Bulanova, co-founder of the Baba Yelka ethnocultural project, was awarded the Kirovohrad Region Spiritual Treasure regional prize.

Svitlana received this honorary award: a diploma, a badge, and a statuette of a Scythian eagle for her significant contribution to the preservation, promotion, and study of the region's intangible cultural heritage.

The award was presented during the celebrations for the Day of Cultural Workers and Folk Art Masters at the Mark Kropyvnytskyi Regional Theater.

 

 

 

New project: “Hundred Expeditions of Baba Yelka. The Ethnographic Face of Kropyvnytskyi Region”

On November 3, at the Ethnolaboratory, the NGO team presented the idea of a new large-scale project: Hundred Expeditions of Baba Yelka. The Ethnographic Face of Kropyvnytskyi Region.

Our team has long dreamed of systematizing the unique records made during expeditions to villages in the Kirovohrad region and creating a full-fledged publication based on them. The project is not only related to the publication of the book, but will also have two other directions: new expeditions to villages in the region and educational activities at the Baba Yelka Ethnolaboratory.  

The team will work on the book for a year. During this time, we plan to systematize ethnographic information from four districts of the region and more than 130 villages. Of these, 100 will be included in the publication.

 

The dish recorded during the “Baba Yelka” expedition was prepared on 1+1 TV channel

During a live broadcast of Breakfast with 1+1 program, Svitlana Lystyuk discussed the “Baba Yelka” team's expedition to the Ustyniw community and shared a recipe for bobianiki. This dish was traditionally prepared in Volhynia. It was brought there by migrants who were encouraged to go and work on collective farms in Kirovohrad during the Soviet era. The recipes traveled with the people and were recorded and recreated by “Baba Yelka”.

 

December

“Secrets of Strength in Cultural Institutions”: “Baba Yelka” Joins the Cultural Dialogue

On December 2, the Central Ukrainian Regional Museum of Local History became the venue for an important cultural dialogue entitled “Secrets of Strength in Cultural Institutions” The event brought together experts and representatives of cultural institutions to exchange experiences and identify common development strategies.

The main goal of the event was to share experiences in building sustainable communities around cultural institutions in communities.

Inna Danуchenko (head of the NGO “Baba Yelka”) and Svitlana Lystyuk (head of the Ethnolaboratory and head of the NGO “Spilna Diya”) shared their experience and in-depth knowledge with participants and online viewers.

 

 Baba Yelka and Fainomarket have published a calendar for 2026