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By Michelle Holder
On Thursday, September 14th, the band Balaklava Blues performed for RUMHS students.
Before playing music, they began by telling their story, which began with a revolution.

Mark Marczyk met his wife, Marichka, during the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine which
occurred in 2014 and is often cited as the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War that continues
today. When the revolution turned to war, both Mark and Marichka volunteered on the front,
often working in freezing temperatures to build barricades. But their music was their best
weapon for supporting the cause.

Encouraged to leave the front lines, they returned to Canada, and have been fighting ever since
to keep the music and heritage of Ukraine alive.

Their performances include not only traditional Ukrainian music, but also a fusion of Ukrainian
folk songs with the more modern and familiar sounds of EDM, trap, and dubstep. Along with
their other bandmember Oskar Lambarri, the RUMHS students got to hear a variety of
traditional songs from different regions of the country.

The students were captivated by their stories and their songs, which included acapella singing
and a Jewish marriage song. “It was like nothing I’ve ever been around,” said one student.
“Their voices were so strong.” Another student commented, “I liked how the songs inspire them
spiritually. It was a way of seeing how in other countries music is also a way of living.”

The group is dedicated to continuing to help Ukraine through their music and with fundraising
efforts. As Marczyk said at the end of the performance, the songs “build a landscape– a new
home.” To find out more, check out their website https://www.balaklavablues.ca/.