In ancient ukrainian language of Carpathian mountaineers - bai (бай) means talk, incantation, feast
The project implies the research of hutsul phenomenon as exquisite culture formed by centuries. Researching hutsul drama, music and ritual, the project group creates the possibility for realization the deep world view hidden in folk art and realizes traditional principles of organization of Holiday as accomplishment of culture.
To create a possibility
for traditional knowledge to take part in the creation of
contemporary cultural space where
tradition is not the material to be used
but the way of living
 
To heal the broken continuity of tradition, the gap between “traditional” and “contemporary”
by creation of cultural BRIDGE –
live dialogue between different ideologies
different social environments
different generations
Let us look at the bearers of tradition. We can see the professionalism and mastery of hutzul musician consist in the following: „in what way he plays” that he can capture, unite the space so that nobody is indifferent, and those who are sensitive even enter the action singing or dancing. So, this is the ability to change the reality, to make the holyday, the feast.
But besides this ability the person of tradition has the higher-order responsibility. It consists in making clear the essence of utterance. Traditional culture exists as the transmission of essence.

Hutsul band «BAI»
is realized since 2003 in Art centre “Maisternia pisni” (Lviv)
within the frame of the project “Bai. Hutsul mystery”.

Artistic realization of the project is Hutsul band “BAI” – the research and music group for which the musical tradition of Hutsul people is the main object of research and artistic source.
The band unites musicians from Lviv and Hutsul villages Verkhovyna, Zamagora, Bystrets:
Kostyuk Ostap (wooden flutes - floyara, telynka, bagpipe, jew's-harp, wooden horn - trembita), Kostyuk Olena(accordion, jew's-harp), Strynadyuk Vasyl (violin), Hensetsky Volodmyr (dulcimer, trumpet, trembita), Haradzhuk Vasyl (bayan - kind of accordion), Laskuriychuk Vasyl (drum), Vatulchak Volodymyr (vocal, dance).
Masterly performing of ancient music, deep sounding of  ancient instruments, ritual action and singing, workshop of archaic hutsul dance – in the meeting with the live mystery of mountains.

Idea and direction - Ostap Kostyuk