Kovtun, an ethnic Ukrainian singer, folklorist, and cultural activist, received the prestigious Taproot Fellowship from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA), in partnership with the Mellon Foundation.
This was report Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA).
"Becoming a laureate of the most powerful and prestigious scholarship in the United States for traditional artists is not just an event. It is an incredible honor and deep recognition. It is recognition of Ukrainian culture, the power of our voice, and the depth of folklore," wrote Kovtun.
The Taproot Fellowship is awarded to outstanding traditional artists in the United States and supports cultural heritage bearers who preserve, research, and transmit artistic traditions in the modern world. Inna became the first Ukrainian woman to receive this award.
Kovtun is a renowned Ukrainian folk singer, musicologist, folklore expert, artistic director, teacher, social activist, and author of over 1,000 authentic folk songs. She has collaborated with the ensembles Rozhanytsia, Kalyna, the EDK ethno-project, and the Astarta band. She has also conducted expeditions, concerts, and master classes in Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and Canada.
After the start of the full-scale war, Inna moved to the United States with her daughter. In Portland, she founded the Ukrainian theater I Love Ukraine, directs the children's ensemble Singing Dawn/Blue and Yellow, works as a music teacher, and is part of the Oregon Folklife Network. She is also actively involved in mental health support as the health and wellness director at the nonprofit organization D.A.W.N.
"Being a Taproot artist means being part of a larger movement dedicated to preserving our cultural heritage and reminding the world of the richness and beauty of Ukrainian traditions, especially at this critical time," Kovtun emphasized.
Receiving this scholarship was an important milestone in Inna's career, as it recognized Ukrainian culture at the national level in the United States. Her work in the United States has become a symbol of Ukrainian cultural resilience. When speaking to government officials, students, and communities, she conveys the message that the Ukrainian spirit remains unbreakable and the song remains alive, even in times of war.
Author: Danylo Pievchev