Ukrainian Band DakhaBrakha Awarded France’s Highest Cultural Honor
The renowned Ukrainian ethno-chaos band DakhaBrakha has been named Chevaliers of the Order of Arts and Letters, France’s highest award in the field of culture.
The honor was presented on May 31 during a special concert in Kyiv by French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière, The Gaze reports, citing NV Ukraine.
Band members Marko Halanevych, Iryna Kovalenko, Olena Tsybulska, and Nina Garenetska were recognized for their outstanding contribution to Ukrainian art and identity — both at home and abroad, particularly in France, where DakhaBrakha enjoys a devoted following.
“This award acknowledges not only the preservation and promotion of Ukrainian cultural heritage, but also DakhaBrakha’s concrete role in the Ukrainian resistance,” said Ambassador Veyssière during the ceremony.
The French embassy noted that all proceeds from the concert would be donated to support the Ukrainian military.
Established in 1957, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) is one of France’s most prestigious ministerial honors. It celebrates individuals who have “distinguished themselves through their creations in the artistic or literary domain or by the contribution they have made to the influence of the arts and literature in France and the world.”
DakhaBrakha now joins an elite list of global cultural icons to receive the award, including David Bowie, Ray Bradbury, Umberto Eco, Leonardo DiCaprio, and fellow Ukrainian cultural trailblazer Vlad Troitskyi, founder of the Dakh Theater and creator of DakhaBrakha.
Read more on The Gaze: Recognition of Ukrainian Cultural Leaders: France Awards Three Women the Order of Arts and Letters