The National Academic Folk Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus named after I.Zhinovich is the oldest musical group in Belarus. It was established in 1930. Outstanding musicians Dmitry Andreevich Zakhar and Iosif Iosifovich Zhinovich were at the forefront of the orchestra's formation and creative endeavors.

The National Academic Folk Orchestra of Belarus named after I.Zhinovich has laid the foundation for the development of professional musical performance on folk instruments in our country. His story is inextricably linked with the revival of Belarusian hammered dulcimer, which is rightfully called the instrumental voice of Belarus. The orchestra’s repertoire features over two thousand compositions. These encompass arrangements of Belarusian folk songs and dances, original compositions by Belarusian composers, Russian and international classics, music by contemporary composers, and popular music. Famous singers performed with the orchestra – People’s Artists of the USSR A.Eisen, A.Vedernikov, B.Minzhilkiev, A.Solovyanenko, V.Noreika, T.Nizhnikova, Z.Babiy, B.Shtokolov, S. Danilyuk, I. ogacheva, V.Piavko, A.Solovyanenko, Z.Sotkilava, I.Kobzon and other stars of opera and pop art.

In 1975–2021, the orchestra was led by Mikhail Antonovich Kozinets (1938–2021), an outstanding musician and conductor, laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Belarus and the prize “For Spiritual Rebirth”, professor, a recipient of the Order of Friendship of Peoples and the Order of Francis Skaryna, People’s Artist of Belarus.

Since 2023, Alexander Evgenievich Kremko, Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus, Recipient of the Order of Honor, has been the chief conductor of the orchestra.

Among the orchestra’s bright programs in recent years are original concerts by composers Igor Luchenok, Eduard Khanok, Evgeny Glebov, Arno Babajanyan, Alexandra Pakhmutova, Alexander Zatsepin, a concert dedicated to the 95th anniversary of film director Eldar Ryazanov, the 100th anniversary of Belarusian cinema, the concert project “Parallels of Creativity” by orchestra soloists Igor Zadorozhny and Anastasia Rachitskaya, as part of which features classics of Soviet pop songs from the repertoire of Muslim Magomayev and Anna German, Valery Obodzinsky and Valentina Tolkunova, Eduard Khil and Lydmila Senchina. The annual series of concerts “Cinema Music” and “Orchestra Show” together with the Symphony Orchestra of the National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus arouses constant public interest.

A special chapter in the activities of the National Academic Folk Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus named after I.Zhinovich is the preservation and promotion of the artistic legacy of Vladimir Mulyavin, the legendary founder of the “Pesnyary” Vocal-Instrumental Ensemble. The orchestra’s repertoire includes dozens of compositions from the “Pesnyary” ensemble's repertoire. The orchestra has revived V.G.Mulyavin’s original large-scale programs, among which are the rock opera “Song of Fate” and the rock poem “Huslar” based on the works of Yanka Kupala, as well as the song cycles “Vianok” set to the poems of Maxim Bogdanovich and “Through the Entire War” set to the verses of frontline poets. Since 2009, the orchestra has annually hosted the now traditional “Vladimir Mulyavin Birthday Concert”, which invariably draws packed houses.

The orchestra also remains committed to promoting instrumental artistry. Brilliant solo performances by musicians from the hammered dulcimer, accordion, brass, and percussion sections, along with guest soloists, draw large audiences to the “Constellation of Talents” and “Cimbalom Virtuosos” projects. The orchestra delights its fans with diverse original programs that showcase various genres of instrumental, vocal, and popular music.

The orchestra has given thousands of concerts in Belarus and abroad: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Karelia, the Far East, Siberia, the Urals, Central Asia, the Baltic Republics, Ukraine, Kazakhstan. Tours have also been successful in foreign countries – Canada, Turkey, India, Germany, Romania, China, Poland.

The orchestra’s current members include laureates of national and international competitions, Honored Artists of the Republic of Belarus, and holders of the Francis Skaryna Medal. For their high performing skills, the orchestra was awarded the honorary title of “academic” (1987), and later the title of “national” (2003).

Olga Brilon’s monograph “The Orchestra of your Country”, published in 2025 for the 95th anniversary of the orchestra, is devoted to the history of the orchestra.

The artistic and administrative staff of the orchestra:

Director – Boris Livshits

The chief conductor – Alexander Kremko, Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus.

The conductor – Alexander Vysotsky.

Musicologist – Olga Brilon, the holder of the Francis Skaryna Medal.

Soloists: Igor Zadorozhny, the holder of the Francis Skaryna Medal, Anastasia Rachitskaya, Natalia Braclovskaya, Alexander Zhurovich.

Official site nafo.by