YEVHEN STANKOVYCH is one of the central figures of contemporary Ukrainian music. A prolific composer, he has, since 1966, authored 6 symphonies, operas When the Fern Blooms and Rustici, 6 ballets, a large number of works in the oratorical, vocal and instrumental chamber genres, as well as incidental music to six music theatre plays and over 100 films. Born 19 September 1942 in the city of Svaliava, Stankovych studied at the music institute of Uzhorod. He began his university studies at Lviv Conservatory and, following his first year, transferred to the Kyiv Conservatory where he studied under Boris Liatoshynsky, and later under Myroslav Skoryk.

Stankovych is the recipient of several major awards. His Chamber Symphony № 3 was selected by UNESCO’s World Tribune as one of 10 best works of 1985. He has been recognised with several awards in Ukraine, including the country’s highest award for artistic creativity, the Taras Shevchenko State Award. He is Academician of National Academy of Art, chair of the Faculty of Composition at the National Music Academy in Kyiv, and a member of Taras Shevchenko National Award Committee. He is a former Chairman of the Composers’ Union of Ukraine, People's Artist of Ukraine, and Hero of Ukraine.