Yana Klindukhava (Vocals) ‘’My husband Aliaksandr had been passionate about poetry for a long time, and after our move to Poland, he started writing more and more about his homeland—his feelings, memories, and our culture. One day, while reading his poems, a melody came to my mind that would fit the text perfectly. I had been passionate about music for a long time, although I had no formal education in this field—I am self-taught. This is how our first composition, Polymia, was born. We liked what we had created, and we decided to continue making music.
Introspective, emotional, faithful to one’s homeland combining folk with haunting ambience. the self-titled debut contains all off these things imbued with a sense of melancholy, beauty, tradition and mystery. The essence that is Cishynia Ŭspaminaŭ
‘’We chose this name because we felt it perfectly reflected both the meaning of our lyrics and the style of most of our compositions. Overall, our music can be classified as ambient folk—a genre of soothing, thought-provoking pieces.
The combination of traditional folk such as Kupalinka amongst your more modern ambient creations?
‘’The fusion of traditional folk and modern ambient is a relatively new genre, but it gained popularity thanks to artists like Wardruna, Runahild, and Heilung, who have been a great inspiration to us. Their Nordic motifs became well-known to a wide audience, but among Slavs, such performers are much rarer—especially among Belarusians, who can be counted on one hand.
‘’We saw this as an opportunity to be heard—not just as individuals, but as a voice for our entire people. To prove that our culture is just as rich as any other, to spark curiosity, and to share the way we live. In a way, it’s a fundamental desire of any patriot. After all, folk music—even without lyrics—is the voice of a nation, conveying its culture better than words or photographs ever could.
‘’In this sense, the fusion of traditional music and modern ambient is a combination of the people’s voice and our own personal perception.
Its strong connection to nature? And the power of your homeland?
‘’Both nature and culture have a profound influence on our music. Nature is something people have started to neglect—urban life has surrounded us, and between work and studies, many forget the simple joy of resting in the forest, mountains, or by the sea. I used to take the beauty of nature for granted myself, not really paying attention.
‘’When I first discovered folk music, it felt like stepping into another world—or rather, this very world suddenly revealed itself in new colours. The first folk band I heard was Heilung, and I vividly remember that day. It was like a spark ignited in my mind, an explosion of energy, and I immediately started sketching the image that formed in my head. That’s the professional bias of a graphic designer—I tend to see music rather than just hear it.
‘’Over time, I delved deeper into this world. Another track that left a deep impression on me was Njardar’s Vogn by Eliwagar. One spring, Aliaksandr and I were driving to the mountains, and I played this song. I felt as if I were endlessly falling into a field of spring flowers, embraced by them. That was the feeling that truly inspired me—I wanted to create music that could influence people’s minds in a positive way, to make them feel the same euphoria that I do. And when that happens, even the simplest forest, mountains, and lakes turn into something magical.
‘’As for our homeland, our culture undoubtedly fuels our creativity. No matter what happens in our country now, our history, people, and national spirit remain. We already have many ideas inspired by Belarusian legends and myths. I’m especially fascinated by the culture of Polesia. My mother is from there, and I spent a lot of time there as a child. It’s a place frozen in time—until the mid-20th century, there was hardly any communication in the region due to the vast swamps. People would go half a year without being able to travel from one town to another! This isolation helped preserve the local language, traditions, and rituals.
‘We will definitely incorporate this into our next album. But no spoilers! :)
The importance of history within your music?
‘’History also plays a crucial role. Paganism existed in Belarus for a very long time—the last official pagan shrine was abolished only in the early 20th century. However, in the Polesia region, many rituals and ceremonies have been preserved to this day. The influence of different cultures and beliefs has shaped our historical heritage.
‘’So why not use this as a source of inspiration?
And the longing to return to a memory or a beautiful dream?
‘’Perhaps memories themselves are the perfect dream. The human brain is wired in such a way that nostalgia makes us remember events as more vivid and fascinating than they actually were. Countless moments blend into something warm and familiar—something that can be woven into art.
The ability to create such beauty? is it a subconscious creation?
‘’I believe that each of us is capable of creating something beautiful if we put in enough effort. As I mentioned earlier, I have a design-oriented way of thinking. That’s why, when it comes to ambient elements, I take charge of the music—it’s essentially the same design process, just not visual but musical.
‘’Aliaksandr is always responsible for the rhythm section, and he also writes the lyrics. Our minds work in different directions, and by combining our skills, we create something truly special.
Your voice as an instrument and its melodies? Does tradition inspire you in many ways including your lyrical poetry?
‘’Honestly, I’m not sure which tradition my singing style belongs to. I never studied it formally, so after immersing myself in both Scandinavian and Slavic music, what came out was something in between. I don’t overthink it—what matters most is that it sounds good.
‘’As for the lyrics, the influence of traditional Belarusian music in our work is undeniable. But I believe it’s not necessary to focus on creating a composition that is “authentic” from a strictly traditional standpoint. What truly matters is focusing on the internal—because that is what’s real.
Is it up to the listener to interpret the music and emotions?
‘’Everyone undoubtedly sees something different in music. In my opinion, that’s what defines good music—it doesn’t hit you over the head but instead makes you think. And that’s a great thing—it helps the imagination grow.
The personal struggle to overcome? There feels like a strong sense of hope?
‘’Speaking of our move, it was quite difficult for us—just as it is for everyone. We had to rebuild our lives from scratch, learn a new language, find jobs, and meet new people. I love Poland and the Polish people, but no matter what, home is home—it cannot be replaced.
‘’I don’t know what the future holds—whether we’ll stay here for a long time or not—but one thing is certain: we plan to spend our old age back home.
‘’I hope that for Belarusian emigrants, our music serves as a form of therapy. That they listen and realize, I’m not alone—someone understands me, someone feels the same way I do. And if our music has helped even one person, I am incredibly happy.
Is your music something that could be defined as how much you put yourself and emotions into?
‘’Well, that’s exactly why neo-folk is called neo-folk—traditional melodies merge with the modern experiences of people, creating something beautiful. So, I’d say both perspectives are correct—our music is pure emotion, framed within the genre.
‘’If we tried to do everything that came to mind, from black metal to synthwave, we’d probably just lose ourselves in the process. Though, to be fair, Myrkur manages to pull it off quite well! :)
Final thoughts?
‘’One must not forget about beauty, even in difficult times. It’s important to notice the little things and appreciate them—they are both a source of support and a path to healing.
Top 6 albums of all time?
An incredibly difficult question!
Runaljod – Yggdrasil by Wardruna
Within the Realm of a Dying Sun by Dead Can Dance
Aégis by Theatre of Tragedy
Regő Rejtem by The Moon and the Nightspirit
I Vølven's Vev by Eliwagar
Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy
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