In this exclusive interview, hosted by SULÉY ERA special contributor, entrepreneur, and fashion expert Olga Szwed, Volya opens up about the making of “Where the Year Begins,” the stories behind her rare folk costume collection, and the inspiration that drives her cinematic and musical work. She reflects on the cultural and historical significance of these garments, which have been showcased at prominent events including Metropolitan Fashion Week in Los Angeles and Compassion with Fashion: Rise With Ukraine during Vyshyvanka Day on May 19, 2022. 

VOLYA - Where the Year Begins

Volya Dzemka gives us a glimpse into VOLYA’s performance at NW Folklife Festival 2025 in Seattle, scheduled on May 23rd — an event that promises to be both a celebration of tradition and a look toward the future of Slavic folk arts.

Olga
Volya, on May 20th, you have announced the release of the brand new album called “Where the Year Begins,” featuring hurdi-gurdi and violin Instrumentation of traditional vocal numbers. This is a really exciting event and I know you've been working so hard on this. Tell us more about the release.

Volya
Yes, about the release. So just a note, the group VOLYA is not named because of me, but because in that we've seen “volya” means freedom. So it's kind of a playful word play. And again, I was not even the one who suggested naming the group like that; my girls, who sing with me they decided that that would be a very fitting name to name our group “Freedom.” And I was kind of opposed to it. And they told me if you can come up with something better, we'll accept it. And I couldn't. So, we are “Freedom.”

For quite some time, unfortunately, we had to take a break from recording and researching our Belarusian folk songs. But about a year ago, I acquired new voices, new girls, and we kind of received this second chance in life. We did work hard for the whole entire year, and we did learn and record a new album. As Olga said, it will be released on May 20th, and because we are specializing in ancient Belarusian folk songs, it's going to be filled with ancient Belarusian folk songs.

And this particular album, we do feature Belarusian hurdi-gurdi, which my friend, the renowned artist Siarhei Douhushau helped us record for the tracks. And then, of course, we're going to have Violin, which is played by our very long-time member, Raisa.  

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Siarhei Douhushau with hurdi-gurdi | Photo courtesy of Volya Dzemka 

And also, one of the features of this album is that we are performing not only songs, but we filled it with dances. So if you want to have a Belarusian dancing party, that's the album for you.

Olga
That's amazing, and that sounds like so much fun. I can't wait to see it and to hear all the beautiful musicians and voices. Tell us where we can find this album after it's released?

Volya
The link for the digital download will be on our website, which is volya.weebly.com, and the release link, of course, is on the main landing page. You won't miss it. Click on it, and it will take you to the distribution website.

And after the 20th, it's also going to be available on all streaming platforms. So it's on Spotify, on YouTube, on Apple Music, pretty much everywhere. 

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Folk Group VOLYA at the recording studio | Photo courtesy of Volya Dzemka 

Olga
Well, it’s so exciting. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart to you and your entire team on this upcoming release. Your Slavic Folk costume collection is truly unique, too. I personally witnessed and participated in multiple events with you. You presented it at many charity and fashion events, such as Compassion with Fashion - Rise with Ukraine, Metropolitan Fashion Week in Los Angeles, where we travelled together as well, supporting the humanitarian efforts of You Are the ANGEL, and other non–profit organizations. 

The collection will be showcased at the North America Fashion Week this coming June 1st at Hyatt Regency, Lake Washington, in Renton. 

I heard that you gave some of those dresses special names, and tell us a little more about them, and what are the stories behind these rare, authentic costumes? 

Volya
So, for the costumes, I did not start my collection on purpose. That was kind of a spinoff from our musical endeavors, because I really wanted to showcase not only the songs, but also the textile, because it's very intrigued, it's all handmade, it's all hand sewn, it's all hand embroidered, and I'm really fascinated with historical fashion, as you can guess. 

So I started collecting costumes for us to perform during our concerts. And then that kind of, I found one of the shirts, the Belarusian shirt that was sold on eBay, unfortunately, was labeled as a Russian dress. However, I know that it was not. I contacted the seller, and he confirmed that, yes, it was from Vetka region, it was from his grandma. So we acquired that one, which was the first shirt that we've ever bought. And then it kind of started from there, I could not go past those just absolutely fascinating fashion pieces. 

MFW - LA 2022, Photo credit: Sergioartg Sergio

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• Metropolitan Fashion Week - Los Angeles, 2022 Metropolitan Fashion Week - Los Angeles, 2022
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• MFW - LA 2022, Photo credit: Sergioartg Sergio MFW - LA 2022, Photo credit: Sergioartg Sergio
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And then, unfortunately, when the war started with Ukraine, I really, really, really wanted to help. And by then, because sometimes I would acquire Belarusian costumes from the borderline regions of Ukraine and Belarus, I at that point had two full costumes, one Kyiv costume and one Chernihiv costume that were just stored on the back of my wardrobe.

And then I saw the Compassion with Fashion, they did the charity event on the Vyshyvanka Day, and I contacted them and told them, hey, girls, I do have really cool, not just modern Vishavankas, but pieces that come from late 19th century, early 20th century, and then they're the real deal. 

And after that, I talked to my girls, and I kind of relocated part of the funding that we received for our cultural research towards collecting Ukrainian costumes. And again, because I was collecting and researching values in costumes, it was a really easy transition into starting to do the research with Ukrainian costumes. By now, I think we have about, I would say, 35 full Ukrainian costumes, starting from the headdresses, which are sometimes very beautiful, flowery headdresses, and all the way down to the shoes. Because the devil is in the details.

Photo credit: Alina Hallaq

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I do not name the costumes. Kind of, we do, but we do name them after the region they come from. So let's say if the particular pieces are coming from the Kyiv region, that costume is going to be called Kyiv costume, and if it's red, it's going to be called Kyiv Red, just so I know what it is and how it's going to be shown in the runway or how it's going to be shown in the exhibition. 

Going back to names, we do name our mannequin, and her name is Marusya, don't even ask.

Olga
That's incredible, and Volya, your costumes are so spectacular. The collection is so impressive, very large. There's so much history, like some of the costumes, right, like hundreds plus years old. You have to have special handling, very delicate. I witnessed how you were dressing your models on the runway behind the stage with you, which takes so much time, because they have a lot of pieces. It's like a puzzle that needs to be put together. And you have all this knowledge, you have all this impressive information, and just years of years of research that is just incredible to witness. I'm personally from Belarus, and I don't even know the fraction of it, and I'm kind of shame on it, but I'm just declaring it here because there is certain things that I do know, but the amount of history and love for your ancestors, for your country, for your culture, for your history is just beyond the words. 

And we will make sure to include some clips from impressive fashion shows. Your collection was absolutely stunning, you wrecked the runway, and people were blown away by your work and years of collecting them. So I just want to applaud you and just tell you that I am so proud of knowing you, working with you, and contributing to the community, and fundraising funds for the non-profit together. It's my honor, and it's been really great to work with you together.  

Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka

• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka Ethnic Costumes Collection - Belarus, Photos credit: Volya Dzemka
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Olga
For The Songs Of Old Europe, let's kind of switch the gears here because of ancient Belarusian folk songs, your documentary that premiered in April of 2016. And I was there as well, witnessing it and watching it. It's a very impressive documentary. What inspired you to produce and direct this film? And just share with us some insights behind the production. 

Volya
So my documentary, "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." Because, again, I fell in love with Belarusian folk songs when I was quite young, and they really stand alone, kind of by themselves, because they are considered to be the oldest unaltered folk songs on the territory of the whole entire Europe. Back there, those older than us are only African chants. 

And this is just fascinating. The songs are so old, they are really unusual to the modern listeners, to the modern ear. And this is actually what draws me to them. And some of the same musical lovers, we don't have the super huge audience for that, because again, they're just they're unusual. The technique is unusual. The rhythm is not constant. Sometimes it changes. So for quite a few years, for quite some time, I was thinking, how can I share my knowledge and my passion and tell the world about such unique songs. 

"The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."

• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs."
• Volya Dzemka producing "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image Volya Dzemka producing "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image
• Volya Dzemka producing "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image Volya Dzemka producing "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image
• Volya Dzemka producing "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image Volya Dzemka producing "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image
• Volya Dzemka producing "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image Volya Dzemka producing "The Songs of old Europe: Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs." - Still image
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And that's on one hand and on another hand we still in Belarus for now there are fewer of them are still alive but when I was recording the documentary the carriers of traditions, the seniors were still alive and they were singing those songs that they learned from let's say their grandmas and their grandmas learned them from their grandmas. So this is kind of like a thousand-year-old generational chain, and because of that, I'm at some point just got, you know, like a sparkle in my head that what is the media that everybody loves, of course, it's a film. So I went back to Belarus on an ethnographic journey. It was absolutely packed. I was working for 20 hours per day. I went to the very remote villages where the Babushkas, or old ladies who are singing those songs, still live, and I recorded them. 

And of course, after that, it took years, unfortunately, to finalize, produce, and release the documentary. But again, I hope you can watch it and you can share my passion. And the movie is released. It is available on DVD if you still have DVDs, but I have literally few of the DVDs left. It's also available on Amazon for streaming in English, and it is available on YouTube for viewing, but in Belarusian. So there are many sources where you can find it.

And again, the documentary itself, you can go to the Volya.weebly.com, scroll down, and it's going to be right there. It's a big picture. You won't miss it. Click on it, and then it will take you to all the possible ways you can watch it. 

Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon

• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
• Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon Ethnic Costumes Collection - Ukraine, Photos credit: Katerina Zon
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Olga
Thank you for sharing, and you know what? I'm just realizing that I don't think I own a copy, so I definitely would love to take one of those copies that you still have, just because I think all your hard work is paying off.

Imagine all this incredible information just to pass on to our generations, to our children, and the children of our children. The amount of work that you've done and the history and research are just beyond measure. And our kids were born in the US, right? But their roots are still in Europe. And I think it's just such incredible work that they could also learn where their parents and grandparents came from. So I definitely would love to own a copy of it. So, thank you for sharing all those details. And I appreciate again everything you've done for Belarusian culture and history

Well, another super exciting announcement on May 23rd, right? Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle Center. Tell us a little more about it, what sets this program aside from your previous performances, and especially in the light of your latest album release, and just kind of tell people who are from Seattle, Washington, or surrounding areas, or who are traveling on May 23rd which is just around the corner how they can find the information about this upcoming event.

Volya
So, Northwest Folklife Festival - we love this one because it's local, it's huge. It's one of the largest folk festivals in the United States. I think a couple of years ago, around 300,000 people went through it. It lasts four days, and we are one of the opening acts. We do perform on Friday, that's going to be May 23rd. We are going to be, our entire program is going to consist of the songs from the newest release, so absolutely new songs that you have not heard yet.

I think just because we're an opening act, we've been given a slot for almost an hour. And in order for us to make it interesting, we will incorporate dances into our program. So if you come, please come, support Belarusian culture, you will be able not only to hear the ancient Belarusian songs live, which is really a rare occasion, because we do sing loudly. And normally, when you listen to us in the earphones, I don't think it's healthy to listen at the levels that we are actually performing. But we're also pulling together the Belarusian community. They're all right now learning dances too, to help us during our performance. So it would be quite a happening at the Folklife Festival.

DranikFest - August, 2023

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Olga
That sounds like fun. So it's going to be a Belarusian flash mob?

Volya
Yeah, Belarusian flash mob, like we are giving out Belarusian costumes, the spare ones that I have. And by now, I'm kind of pushing everybody to own a Belarusian costume because that's my, actually, my dream that every Belarusian girl, with the guys, it's much easier. You got a Belarusian shirt, you're set, but with girls, oh my goodness, it's just so, so many elements to the proper Belarusian costume, but at least a shirt. 

So everybody owns it. And sometimes I've been asked, Why do you collect or Why are you so invested in folk fashion My answer is just because these pieces literally come from the land they were sewn in, they come from the linen that was sewn into that land, into where it was grown. It was collected by Belarusian women or Ukrainian women. It was created; it kind of grew out of that particular region or that particular village. 

Olga
And very original. 

Volya
Yes, and again, the embroidery of each particular village differs. So you can pretty much wear your identity on you. And let's say we do have a huge Swedish community here in Seattle, and at the festivals or at the farmer’s market, when you see a woman wearing a Swedish costume, you can tell that it is a Swedish lady from like a mile away. And that's what I would like Belarusians to do also, that everybody can see a mile away that we're Belarusians, and that's what I hope is going to happen on May 23rd.

Olga
You made me want to own a Belarusian costume.

Volya
I know, right?

Olga
Thank you for all your excitement and enthusiasm and the love for your country, the love for your culture. And you keep spreading it, and it unfolds 10 times and comes back to you with a lot of rewarding events like that, and look at you, you're like just back to back, fully scheduled, fully booked, and I am very proud of you. And it was an honor to interview you today. Thank you for sharing your love and passion for Belarusian culture.

ABOUT Volya Dzemka

Volya Dzemka, the group’s lead singer, is a native Belarusian. She was born and raised in the capital city of Minsk, but spent a fair amount of time in her childhood living in a village in Southwestern Belarus with her grandparents. It was in this village that she heard Belarusian folk songs for the first time, and eventually fell in love with them.

Volya studied Chemistry in Belarusian State University, but changed field of study, and got her Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Film Making and Cinematography at the Art Institute of Seattle. Over the years Volya has performed in several folk groups, with VOLYA being her latest project.

Volya is a producer and director of an award-winning documentary 
"The Songs of Old Europe – Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs".

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ABOUT VOLYA

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Folk Group VOLYA | Photo: Nadezhda Zavitaeva

The Folk Group VOLYA is an independent arts organization which collects, preserves, researches, and popularizes the rich folk cultures of Belarus and Ukraine.  Founded in 2009, the Folk Group VOLYA is run by Volya Dzemka, a Belarusian-American ethnographer, preservationist, and award-winning filmmaker based in Seattle, WA. All members of the group have deep connections to Belarus and its culture. They are constantly participating, performing and supporting groups, bands, musical and cultural projects that are taking place in the Pacific Northwest region (WA, OR and Vancouver B.C.).

Belarusian folk songs are known to be the oldest, unaltered songs on territory of Europe. Song types and themes include: spring and summer cycle songs, wedding and natal songs, love songs, laments, battle songs, and ancient mythology. Most if not all of these songs are out of everyday use.

Belarusian folk costumes. Folk Group VOLYA and Volya Dzemka own one of the largest private collections of authentic Belarusian folk costumes in the world, outside of Belarus. Belarusian traditional clothing is a part of VOLYA's larger Ethnic Costumes Collection, which consists of both, Belarusian and Ukrainian authentic attire of late 19th-early 20th centuries.

 

Folk Group VOLYA:

Volya Dzemka

Darinka Shapovalova

Raisa Asriyants

Katia Badaeva

Galina Kalyuzhyna

Vika Hewitt

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