DONI is a musical group formed by Ukrainian sisters Liliia and Nadiia, who use traditional folk songs to preserve their cultural heritage, connect displaced Ukrainians to their homeland, and introduce Canadian audiences to historical Ukrainian music.
Driven from Ukraine by the war, the sisters began performing at local community events in Canada before officially establishing DONI. Liliia, who has a long musical background, noticed Nadiia’s talent when she was younger and encouraged her to sing in two-part harmony. After performing increasingly together, they debuted under the name DONI at a Ukrainian festival in Toronto.
Unlike many contemporary groups, DONI focuses primarily on reviving older, lesser-known traditional folk songs. They source their repertoire from childhood teachings by their mother, social media, and extensive research by Liliia on YouTube channels featuring traditional folk performances by older Ukrainian women. The sisters believe that preserving existing musical heritage is just as critical as creating new music.
Their recent performance on September 27 at a Georgian restaurant in Edmonton, Twist & Taste—organized alongside I Love Music Canada, ARWILD Music, and musician Emigrant—demonstrated the deep emotional resonance of their work. Audience members shared that the familiar melodies evoked powerful memories of family gatherings, childhood, and home. Furthermore, the music has engaged Canadians of Ukrainian descent, inspiring some to research their ancestral roots.
Looking ahead, DONI plans to continue performing at cultural gatherings and festivals across Canada, as well as professionally recording traditional songs for digital music platforms. While they are not currently writing original material, they remain open to it in the future. For the sisters, the most rewarding aspect of their project is the emotional connection and preservation of cultural identity fostered through their music.
