Żniwa

Żniwa (meaning “harvest”) is a married duo of multi-instrumentalists, Lidia “Skjere” Ulatowska and Paweł “Raido” Ulatowski, originating from Poland. Together, they create a unique musical world rooted in neo-Celtic, Slavic, and Nordic pagan folk. Their performances awaken primal instincts, invite the audience to dance, and, at times, lead listeners into a state of deep nostalgia and reflection.

Since 2017, the duo has been living, creating, and performing together, steadily building their presence both in Poland and internationally. They have toured across Europe, appearing in countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, and France. Over the years, Żniwa has performed at numerous music festivals, historical reenactments, and fantasy conventions, including renowned events such as Pyrkon, Cernunnos Pagan Fest, and Bitva Libušín. Each performance is not merely a concert, but an immersive journey into a world shaped by myth, nature, and ancient traditions.

Both in studio recordings and live shows, audiences can expect a rich blend of original compositions inspired by ancient legends and traditional melodies, alongside carefully selected historical pieces dating back centuries. The music of Żniwa is deeply rooted in European folklore, with a particular emphasis on Slavic mythology and spiritual heritage. While the duo occasionally performs traditional European folk repertoire or selected covers, their original songs are written exclusively in Polish. This choice not only highlights the beauty and depth of the language, but also allows it to become an integral, almost instrumental part of the musical expression.

Skjere and Raido perform exclusively on authentic acoustic instruments, creating a sound that feels equally at home on large amplified festival stages as it does in intimate, purely acoustic settings—even deep within a forest. Their instrumentation is diverse and unconstrained by regional boundaries. It includes romantic lute, Irish bouzouki, five-string violin, tagelharpa, bowed lute, a wide array of flutes, saxonette, octave viola, Celtic harp, didgeridoo, cajón, log drum, various percussion instruments, piano, clarinet, and, above all, their two voices.

Through their music, Żniwa weaves together echoes of folk traditions from across Europe and beyond, capturing, above all, the living spirit of pagan music.