02/20/2026
35-year-old Isamar Fernandez is a Venezuelan cellist from the
Los Iankovers band , which popularizes Ukrainian music in Latin America and Europe and trolls Russians in chat roulette with our patriotic songs. “Our Father Bandera”, “Oh, Red Viburnum in the Meadow” and “Ukraine Will Win” have driven more than one Russian military man to hysterics. The band has repeatedly performed Ukrainian folklore and classical works on European stages, and has also visited Ukraine.
In an interview with OBOZ.UA, the musician admitted that a family tragedy made Ukraine a very important country for her, how she reacts to the Russian language, and what she feels when communicating with our enemies. Isamar also told which Ukrainian artists she considers her idols, why she is not offended by the judges of the “Voice of the Country” contest, and what she misses most about her native Venezuela.
– Isamar, when we talked to you last spring after the Los Iankovers concert in Lisbon, you knew a little Ukrainian, and now I’m interviewing you in Ukrainian! How long did it take you to learn it? What was the hardest thing for you?
– I have been studying Ukrainian for about two years. The most difficult thing for me is cases. I listen to a lot of Ukrainian songs every day, read books for children and poetry. I also practice the language with Yanko (the leader of Los Iankovers. – Ed.).
– “I am not of Ukrainian origin, but I have a Ukrainian heart” – this is how you describe yourself. Please tell me when and how you felt that Ukraine became so close to you?
– Probably back when Ukraine was going through difficult times on the Maidan. It reminds me of Venezuela, which was also fighting for its freedom. When the full-scale invasion began, a tragedy occurred: my cousin, who was in Ukraine with a group of friends, was killed in a missile strike. After his death, my Italian friends went to fight and also died in battle.
It was incredibly difficult for me, and since then Ukraine has become my home country. In addition, it was very valuable for Venezuelans that many Ukrainians supported Venezuela at one time.
– What is your attitude towards the Russian language in Ukraine?
– I understand that Ukraine and Russia had a common history, but still, when I was in Ukraine, I didn’t feel very comfortable because many Ukrainians spoke Russian.
It’s still difficult for me to speak Ukrainian myself, because I’m Venezuelan and I don’t have your roots, but I believe that it’s important for Ukrainians to learn their native language. After all, the Ukrainian nation and the Ukrainian language are something that is extremely significant.
– On TikTok, your band often posts fragments of chat conversations with representatives of different countries. It is especially interesting to watch Russians and their reaction to Ukrainian songs performed by you. Why do you do this? Do you believe that it is possible to change their views?
– I think it is extremely difficult to change their views, because Russians often simply do not want to think for themselves. But I like to watch their reaction. In addition, in this way we also popularize Ukraine in the world.
– Can you recall any of the most vivid conversations? Were there any Russians who wanted to continue communicating?
– I didn’t participate in the chat roulette with Russian women, which probably got the most views, but I saw the video and their reaction to the song “Our Father – Bandera ” ( smiles ). I like to trigger Russians.
To be honest, we don’t really like to communicate with them, and most often they just disconnect. But there have been cases when there have even been half-hour discussions that haven’t been published yet. There are Russians who try to prove something to us; they often ask if we even understand what we’re singing about. They hint that we support something “wrong,” that we don’t quite understand the situation, and they try to “enlighten” us. This also happens.
– You perform all over the world. Where have you been most warmly welcomed?
– A very difficult question… Of course, in Ukraine, but also in the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal.
– On the day of the death of singer Stepan Giga, you recorded a video message expressing condolences to his family and calling him your idol. The video where you perform his iconic song ” This Dream” on the cello has garnered over half a million views. Why Giga? What impressed you about him?
– I really like Stepan Giga, because he always sang in Ukrainian. I admire his music and energy. I dreamed of meeting him in person, but since it is impossible now, I really want to perform his works.
– And which other Ukrainian performers do you admire?
– Without a doubt, it’s Nina Matvienko – I sing her song “The Power of the Bird” (“The Magic Violin”). I also like Pavlo Zibrov.
– I saw you recite Taras Shevchenko’s poems. Who introduces you to the works of Ukrainian classics and how do you choose poetry?
– I choose it myself. I really like Ukrainian poetry: I have read a lot of works by Taras Shevchenko and Lesya Ukrainka. And Yanko helps me a lot with pronunciation when I am preparing to recite them.
– Last year you toured Ukraine for the first time as part of the Los Iankovers band. What impressed you the most? How do you like our people? What delicious food did you eat?
– Ukraine is a second home for me, I am very happy when we go here. I like the Ukrainian people very much. I read in the comments on my social networks how many Ukrainians supported Venezuela, and for me it was very important.
As for Ukrainian cuisine, I even like kholodets a little (smiles) , but most of all I love banosh, deruny, buckwheat, borscht, pampushki, and lard.
– What was your favorite memory of participating in the project “Voice of the Country 13″?
– It was an incredible chance and invaluable experience, but now it is much more important for me to popularize Ukrainian music around the world.
– Do you hold any grudges against the judges who didn’t choose you? I read a comment from your manager Nina Karnaukh (known as the blogger “Nina-Ukraine”) that many moments from your performance didn’t make it to the air. For example, the band members prepared a surprise for each of the coaches by performing fragments of their songs: flutist Daniel played “Stefania” by Kalush Orchestra, guitarist Nikolas – “My Thoughts, Thoughts” by Artem Pivovarov, soloist Yanko – “I Love You, But Not Quite” by Nadia Dorofeeva, and you performed “Cranes” by Yulia Sanina. The judges called the choice of song for the competition inappropriate, saying it was “superficial folklore” and they should have chosen a different repertoire…
– No, everything is fine ( smiles ). We were not chosen by the judges to continue participating in this competition, but the most important thing is that the people chose us. Now we have many concerts in Ukraine and can help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
– In an interview with OBOZ.UA, Yanko said that in Colombia the concept of a nation in its original sense has actually disappeared. 95% of the population speaks Spanish, and they only know a few words of the indigenous language of Quechua. Is the situation the same in Venezuela?
– Yes, in Venezuela the picture is similar: Spanish dominates, and the majority of the people do not know the indigenous languages. Although there is a nuance – in the north of the country there is an ethnic group that has preserved its own language.
In general, as in Colombia, there are many indigenous dialects, but to hear them, you have to go directly to the regions where the speakers live. These languages are not heard in the daily lives of most Venezuelans.
– Isamar, due to certain circumstances you are currently living in Colombia. What did you appreciate most about your home country? What do you miss most?
– For my hometown. It is small, but incredibly cozy. I miss my parents, my whole family and friends – although many of them also left Venezuela. I really miss our orchestra and, of course, the taste of my native Venezuelan cuisine.
Also read on OBOZ.UA an interview with Nigerian Onah Uzoma Assumpta , who became a network star: about her love for Ukraine, her trident tattoo, and the woman who wishes her dead.
And also on OBOZ.UA there is an interview with Japanese Kotaro Hisada, who learned Ukrainian and conquered the Internet with Ivasyuk’s song: “It was surprising that in Bucha, after all the horror, they spoke Russian. “
Isamar is beautiful, both inside as well as outside. And she has a warm, magical smile.
They are wonderfully talented and a great addition to the welcoming culture of Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!!