Our Ukrainian artist INGRET joined a creative residency in Cardiff, where she collaborated with outstanding Welsh songwriters, composers, and artists, exploring identity, language, and resilience through music.

? During the residency, INGRET took part in songwriting sessions with:
✨ Jessika Kay — ethereal R&B songwriter and rising voice from Cardiff
✨ Elina Lee — songwriter and facilitator blending cinematic textures and synth-wave
✨ Mari Mathias — composer inspired by Welsh mythology and traditional folk heritage
✨ Matt Attard — prolific composer with international credits including collaborations connected to BTS and Jin

INGRET also recorded two acoustic tracks for Trochi – Immersed Sessions with BBC Horizons, creating special live session content as part of the exchange.

The residency culminated in a live showcase performance at the student-led Immersed Festival, where INGRET presented her music to a new international audience, alongside numerous interviews and industry meetings.

“I really enjoyed working with Welsh artists and colleagues — the level of talent, flexibility, and professionalism was truly inspiring. The creative standards were incredibly high, and every session felt both productive and exciting. It was also my first time in Wales and in the UK in general, and honestly, it felt like a little cultural shock — like stepping into places I had only seen before in movies.

What makes me happiest is that this experience didn’t end with the festival. I’m still in touch with many of the amazing people I met in Cardiff, and we continue working together with producer Matt Attard. It feels like this was not just a project, but the beginning of a long-lasting creative connection.” — INGRET

This project builds on our growing collaboration with Welsh partners and proves once again how music creates real bridges between cultures, communities, and future opportunities.

Huge thanks to everyone involved — artists, partners, mentors, and audiences — for making this exchange meaningful and alive.

INGRET is an alternative Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and musician working across dream pop, folk, and jazz, performing in both Ukrainian and English. Known for her Nordic visual aesthetic and energetic temperament, she first gained national recognition through X-Factor and The Voice of the Country, where she reached the superfinal and placed second. She has also participated in Ukraine’s national Eurovision selection and is currently building her solo career while actively engaging in charitable initiatives.

This project builds on a successful pilot collaboration between Music Export Ukraine and Horizons / Gorwelion as part of the European Talent Exchange ‘Excite’ in 2025 and aims to establish long-term cultural links between Wales and Ukraine, supporting underrepresented voices and creating new opportunities for young artists to collaborate internationally.