Some songs survive wars, borders and time — simply because someone keeps singing them.
Two years ago Culbaba Theatre began with a small group of people gathering to share those songs — the ones carried in memory, learned from grandparents, or rediscovered in forgotten archives.
Two years later, that small circle has grown into a semi-professional ethnographic ensemble dedicated to reviving and sharing authentic Ukrainian folk traditions with audiences across the South East of England.
In this short time Culbaba has taken part in 42 cultural events and performances, bringing Ukrainian music to audiences from Hastings and Bexhill to Eastbourne, Brighton and London.
Our voices have been heard on the stages of The De La Warr Pavilion, White Rock Theatre and Winter Garden Eastbourne Theatre, at beloved community celebrations such as Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green, Sanctuary Festival and Hastings and Rother Interfaith Forum, and in collaboration with London Mozart Players.
Our work has also been featured by BBC East Sussex, and regularly covered in Bexhill Observer, Hastings Observer, Hastings Independent and Bexhill News - Community Newspaper.
Behind those performances stand over 480 hours of rehearsals, countless evenings of learning songs, teaching dances, arranging music and preparing costumes.
Today Culbaba’s repertoire includes more than 60 Ukrainian songs, many preserved in archives and more than a century old — wedding songs, carols and shchedrivky, spring haiivky, Kupala songs and traditional circle dances.
These are not stage inventions.They are songs that once lived in villages and family gatherings — the way Ukraine sounded before culture was simplified for official stages.
Over these two years thousands of people across East Sussex and beyond have heard those voices.None of this would exist without the people who sing, help, support, listen and believe in what we do.
A dandelion seed is small.So is Culbaba Theatre.
But once the wind carries it, it travels far — and wherever it lands, it begins to take root.
Two years ago Culbaba was just an idea.Today it is growing.And the journey continues.
Culbaba in numbers (2024–2026)
- 42 cultural events and performances
- 5 cities — Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Brighton, London
- 3 major theatres — De La Warr Pavilion, White Rock Theatre, Winter Garden Theatre
- 60+ traditional Ukrainian songs in repertoire
- 480+ hours of rehearsals