The National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine (NAOFI) was founded in 1969. The first concert was held on April 12, 1970, at the National Opera of Ukraine. By the Decree of the President of Ukraine of 17.04.1997, the orchestra was granted the status of “National”.
The basis of the orchestra’s concert programs is folk instrumental music from all regions of Ukraine. The concerts often feature original ensembles: pipers, troyisty musicians, bandura players, drymbars, and cuckoo players.
Masterfully orchestrated works of Ukrainian and world classics by D. Bortnyansky, A. Wedel, S. Hulak-Artemovsky, M. Lysenko, M. Glinka, M. Leontovych, A. Dvorak, J. Brahms, and works by contemporary composers.
The orchestra has toured all over the country and abroad, and participated in many art festivals and celebrations. Its performances inspire respect for the national art of Ukraine, its history and culture.
The original sound flavor and unique timbres of national instruments (there are about 40 of them in the orchestra – bandura, cymbals, kobza, violins, bassola, lyre, telynky, zozulka, sviril, goat’s bass, trumpet, Cossack trumpet, bugay, floyara, Poltava horn, duda, drymba, rubel and kachka, tambourine, birch bark, etc.) make the orchestra unique in the world.
The orchestra employs graduates of Ukrainian music universities. Among them are People’s Artist of Ukraine G. Agratina, Honored Artists of Ukraine I. Goncharova, V. Ovcharchyn, Y. Yatsenko, T. Stolyar, and A. Voichuk. 
With great enthusiasm and love, the orchestra popularizes folk songs. The orchestra’s history is closely linked to the work of outstanding Ukrainian singers. A. Solovyanenko, D. Hnatiuk, E. Miroshnychenko, M. Kondratyuk, M. Stefiuk, O. Basystyuk, V. Pivovarov, L. Zabilyasta, S. Rotaru, N. Matvienko, R. Kyrychenko, O. Hurets, M. Shopsha, V. Hryshko, V. Stepova, O. Vasylenko, F.Mustafayev, N. Shestak, V. Pavlyk, O. Tyshchenko, Nastya Kamenskykh, I. Shynkaruk, the Karamazov Brothers, XS, Talita-Kum, and the younger generation of soloists of the National Opera and Pop, as well as well-known instrumentalists.
Many films have been made about the ensemble, and its works have been recorded on records, cassettes and CDs. The bright originality, the originality of the performance style based on the traditions of folk music, provide the band with a worthy success and recognition. The purity of intonation, ensemble harmony, brightness of tones and virtuosity have made it possible to raise the orchestra’s performance skills to the world professional level.
Today, the National Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine is a leading artistic collective in Ukraine.
The orchestra is led by Taras Shevchenko National Prize winner, People’s Artist of Ukraine, Professor Viktor Hutsal.