Divka
An Ontario duo born in October 2024: Alina Kuzma (bandura and voice) and Zoë Santo (viola) revive ancient Ukrainian folk songs and women's musical traditions from around the world — village polyphony, mythology, humour and a touch of revenge.
Biography
Two trained ethnomusicologists, one esoteric Ukrainian harp and one viola: Divka was born in October 2024 when Alina Kuzma — lead voice and bandura, Ukraine's national instrument — met violist Zoë Santo. Together they unearth ancient Ukrainian folk songs and musical traditions carried by women around the world.
Their repertoire moves through village polyphony, mythological tales and “femme power” stories, with humour and a deliberate touch of revenge. Their first single, “Harbuz” (October 2024), tells of the Ukrainian custom of refusing a marriage proposal by handing the suitor a pumpkin.
By the fall of 2024 the duo was already touring Senegal. Then came the Toronto Bandura Festival, the Aga Khan Museum and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, before the release of their debut album, folk fatale, on April 2, 2026, and a summer 2026 launch tour across Ontario and Western Canada.
Stages and milestones
2026 — folk fatale album launch — Tranzac Club, Toronto, and Ontario — Western Canada tour · 2026 — National Arts Centre — Ottawa (with GANNA) · 2025 — Toronto Bandura Festival — Toronto · 2024 — Tour of Senegal
Upcoming dates
- Tuesday November 17, 2026 — Vitrine officielle — Mundial Montréal 2026 (soirée d'ouverture) · La Sala Rossa, Montréal (Canada) — Official page ↗
Public dates — collected from the artist's official channels on November 9, 2026.
Discography
2026 — folk fatale (debut album) · 2025 — Kailailiri (single) · 2024 — Harbuz (single)
Calendar
- Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 10:00 p.m. — Mundial Montréal (16th edition) — official opening-night showcase — La Sala Rossa, Montreal
Show formats
- Duo — bandura, viola and two voices
- Repertoire: traditional Ukrainian songs and women's musical traditions from around the world, in concert and festival settings
On video — their Mundial Montréal 2026 showcase
The official presentation video of Divka for Mundial Montréal 2026: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 · 10:00 p.m. · La Sala Rossa, Montreal. Video © Mundial Montréal — provided to Festival TV in the festival's official media kit.