Internationally acclaimed Ukrainian pianist, musicologist, and cultural scholar Taras Filenko will visit Nairobi from 15 to 20 February as part of a cultural initiative aimed at strengthening artistic exchange and cultural dialogue between Ukraine and Kenya through music and education.
Dr. Filenko is a concert pianist, ethnomusicologist, and researcher of Ukrainian musical heritage. His artistic and academic work focuses on the preservation and international presentation of Ukrainian music, as well as on comparative studies between Ukrainian and African musical traditions.
He has performed, lectured, and taught across Europe, North America, and Asia, combining performance practice with historical and cultural research.
From 16 to 19 February, Nairobi audiences will have a unique opportunity to engage with Ukrainian musical heritage while exploring meaningful connections between Ukrainian and African musical traditions through concerts,lectures, and educational outreach activities.
Academic Lectures and Masterclasses
As part of the programme, Dr Filenko will conduct lectures and masterclasses at leading Kenyan academic institutions.
Strathmore University – 16 February, 17:30
Lecture and discussion for choral musicians, focusing on:
- Choral balance and ensemble sound
- Intonation and vocal precision
- Techniques for achieving and sustaining high notes
- Practical approaches to improving ensemble performance
(In preparation for participation in the Interkultur Kalamata Festival,
Greece).
Kenyatta University – 18 February, 10:00
Lectures and masterclasses covering:
- Ethnomusicology and comparative musical traditions of Ukraine and Africa
- Piano masterclasses for classical, jazz, and improvisation students
- Interdisciplinary perspectives on music, history, and cultural identity
- Dr. Filenko’s background in historical musicology enables interdepartmental dialogue, including engagement with scholars and students in history and cultural studies.
Professional and Youth Engagement
- 17 February, 11:00 — Workshop with children and young musicians at
Ghetto Classics.
- 17 February, 14:00 — Piano masterclass at the Conservatory, bringing together young musicians and professional performers
- 19 February, 11:00 — Discussion and exchange with young creative professionals at Creative Garage
- 19 February, 14:30 — Meeting with pupils and masterclass at Saint Mary’s School
Concert Programme
- 17 February, 17:00 — Concert at Village Market, featuring works by Ukrainian composers
- 18 February, 18:00 — Main event at Kenya National Theatre, featuring Dr. Taras Filenko together with Kenyan artists representing diverse musical and performance traditions.
The concert will also involve students and faculty of the Conservatory, highlighting collaboration between professional artists and music educators.
The programme will feature Kenyan singer and traditional instrumentalist Muhonja, a vocalist and performer whose work is rooted in African traditional music and contemporary performance practices. She is known for her expressive vocal style and for incorporating traditional African instruments into her performances, creating a dialogue between musical heritage and modern artistic expression.
Also performing is Kenyan violinist Ken Mwiti, a classically trained musician with over 15 years of performance experience. A member of the Enkare String Trio, he has performed with orchestras in Kenya, Tanzania, Europe, and the United Kingdom, and is the co-founder and Music Director of Chamber Music Kenya, a platform supporting sustainable careers for classical musicians.
The programme will further include Kenyan dancer Brian Otieno Oloo, a dancer, choreographer, and cultural practitioner whose work explores identity, community, and social issues through movement. Based in Kisumu, he draws on African traditional and contemporary dance practices and is the founder of Aduwa Fiesta of Dance and the Dancing Feet Collective, initiatives promoting inclusivity, artistic experimentation, and access to dance.
The audience can also expect a special collaborative performance symbolising the intersection of diplomacy and the arts, underscoring the role of cultural exchange in fostering international dialogue.
- 19 February, 18:30 — Organ music concert at St. Austin’s Parish, featuring sacred works by Ukrainian and international composers
Open and Inclusive Cultural Exchange
All events within the project are free of charge and open to the public. The programme seeks to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and professional exchange between Ukrainian and Kenyan artists, educators, and audiences through the universal language of music.
