Arhai is a folk and electronic music project founded by composer and vocalist Jovana Backovic in 1999. It takes its name from a Greek root meaning “beginning”, “ancient” or “principle”, and the project presents traditional and medieval music in a contemporary setting.

The project starts as an acoustic ensemble before later developing into a collaboration between Backovic and UK folk guitarist and Bulgarian tambura player Adrian Lever. Arhai combines electronic music with folk influences from the UK and the Balkans, and uses traditional and medieval instruments alongside ethereal vocals. Lever also plays medieval dulcimer, which is part of the project’s sound.

Arhai’s first release is Mysterion, issued on the Serbian label PGP. It is made in collaboration with eight musicians and includes both original compositions and arrangements of traditional songs from the region. The release uses a range of instrumental and vocal combinations while remaining rooted in the individual approach of the composers and performers.

The group performs with technologically mediated live presentation and visual elements. It performs for several years before disbanding in 2008, after which the project continues as an ongoing collaboration between Backovic and Lever.