- Mariya Viktorivna Burmaka
- Date of birth – June 16, 1970
- Place of birth – Kharkiv (Ukraine)
- Language – Ukrainian, English
- Activity – singer, songwriter, musician, presenter, public activist
- Genre – poporka
Becoming an artist
Mariya Burmaka is a Ukrainian singer, songwriter, musician, radio and TV presenter, philanthropist, People's Artist of Ukraine. The future star was born in Kharkiv into an intelligent family. Her father was a professor at Kharkiv National University, and her mother was a teacher. The family was respectful of culture, science and art, so the love of music and creativity accompanied the girl from childhood. It was her parents who were the first to notice her daughter's passion and support her first musical steps.
Growing up in an environment where knowledge and creative self-expression were valued, Maria showed a penchant for singing from a young age. While still at school, she actively participated in concerts, festivals, and music competitions. She performed both modern compositions and folk songs. This repertoire formed an inner sense of national identity - a theme that would later become a pervasive theme in Maria's work. And frequent appearances on stage helped her to control herself during performances in front of a large audience.
After graduating from school, the girl entered Kharkiv University, choosing the Faculty of Philology. It was during her student years that she showed bright charisma and author's talent. She began to write her own songs - sincere, with deep meaning, and at the same time insightful. Those that would later bring the artist nationwide recognition and wide popularity among fans of good music.
Creative path
Mariya Burmaka's professional creative path began during her student years. Her first successes (victory at the "Oberig" festival in Lutsk in 1989 and second prize at the "Chervonaya Ruta") opened the door to wider recognition. Soon, the "Kobza" company released a debut cassette with the young singer's songs called "Oh, don't bloom, spring...".
In June 1990, the singer won the title of laureate of the All-Ukrainian "Dzvin" festival in Kaniv. In the fall of 1991, Burmaka recorded her first CD on the Canadian label "Evshan". The album was called "Maria" and was designed in the new age style. During the same period, the singer moved to Kyiv. The new compositions quickly attracted the attention of listeners. After a successful discographic debut, Maria's songs confidently took top positions in the charts on radio "Promin" and brought the singer real popularity.
In the 90s, Maria Burmaka combined creative activity with work on television. As part of cooperation with television producers, she hosted author's programs on the channels "STB" and "UT-1". At the end of the decade, the artist's popularity went beyond Ukraine. The singer gained the favor of Polish fans. The compositions "Who am I?" and "Sun, sky, rain" became real hits and expanded the circle of Maria Burmaka's loyal fans. It was also planned to release a collection of songs in Polish, but the idea never came to fruition.
2005 became especially active in the international dimension. The singer presented several English-language versions of her compositions and performed at charity concerts in North America. In addition to music, the Ukrainian star also shared her experience at Columbia University. The opinion leader and active public figure gave a series of lectures at the professors' club. In the same year, Burmaka took part in the Verkhovyna festival in the USA and the Polish ethnic holiday Lemkivska Vatra.
Style and creative development of the performer
The style of Maria Burmaka's work can be described as a poetic rebuke with a deep civic and lyrical content. The artist's work combines original songs with elements of rock, folk and pop. The deep emotionality of the texts is often enhanced by philosophical overtones. The songs of the talented author are tangible with love for Ukraine, pain for losses, the desire for freedom and respect for Ukrainian culture. No loud and pretentious slogans - only an emphasis on sincerity and authenticity.
Mariya Burmaka often takes to the stage with solo live performances - only with a guitar, creating a special atmosphere of chamber sincerity. At the same time, the star's repertoire also includes full-fledged concert versions of songs accompanied by a musical group. The sound of the compositions is characterized by melodiousness and sound diversity. During different periods, Maria Burmaka's work was defined as intellectual pop, female rock or modern bardic lyrics. However, in all genre definitions, the main thing remained unchanged: the artist still remains one of the most expressive figures of Ukrainian author's song of the 1990s-2000s.
Social activity
Mariya Burmaka is known for her active civic position. She is keen to get involved in social initiatives and charity projects, supporting both volunteer and cultural events. In 2013, the singer stood shoulder to shoulder with the participants of Euromaidan, performing on the main stage of the Revolution of Dignity. In addition, tohelped organize the transportation of wounded Ukrainians for treatment in Poland.
In 2014, Burmaka actively performed in front-line cities as part of the “Let’s Support Ourselves” tour. All funds raised during the concerts were donated to the needs of volunteer battalions. In the same year, the star gave a charity solo concert in Paris. In Chicago, the artist took part in the Ukrainian festival in support of the “Heroes’ Assistance Fund”.
In 2015, the singer held a series of charity concerts abroad. First in the UK, then in the USA and Canada. Maria Burmaka also joined the “This is How Memory Works” campaign, recording the song “Return to Me, My Memory,” in memory of Danylo Didik and all those who fell for Ukraine’s independence.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Maria continues to help the country. In 2022, together with Taras Chubai, during a tour in the USA, she managed to raise $100,000 in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Currently, the artist continues to perform charity performances - both for the Ukrainian military and for refugees abroad.
Famous hits:
- “Love me”;
- “Snow in Paradise”;
- “Don’t be afraid to live”;
- “Not because of”;
- “With the sun, the sky, the rain”;
- “Victory”;
- “Ukraine, my heart”;
- “I myself” and many others.
Awards and distinctions:
- People's Artist of Ukraine (2009);
- Order of Princess Olga, 3rd degree (2007);
- place in the TOP-100 most influential women of Ukraine according to the magazine “Focus” 2014;
- diplomas and festival awards, in particular - "Oberig", "Chervona Ruta".
Interesting facts about the artist:
- in 2008 she was a member of the jury of the literary competition "BBC Book of the Year";
- in 2010, in collaboration with Peter Yarrow, she recorded the joint album Do not Laugh at Me;
- has the academic title of Candidate of Philological Sciences.
