The return of tradition

The first part of this book highlights little-known pages in the history of kobzar and bandur - two outwardly similar, but essentially different and original phenomena of Ukrainian culture, which played a significant role in the national formation of the Ukrainian people. The emphasis is on the 1920s and 1930s, when the Soviet regime, eradicating Ukrainian national identity, took systematic measures to physically destroy traditional blind folk singers - kobzars, lyre players and lyricists. At the same time, the occupation authorities, through persecution and blackmail, forced sighted bandur players to serve the communist system with their creativity.

The second part of the book is devoted to the historical, socio-cultural, socio-political prerequisites for the modern revival of the heritage of traditional Ukrainian singers and performances on kobzar instruments.

The publication is aimed at a wide range of teachers and students of educational institutions, scientists, researchers, art, literature and source scholars, ethnologists, historians, museum workers, musicians, folk culture enthusiasts, as well as fans of traditional kobzar performance.