Yehor Movchan (1898–1968) was one of the most famous Ukrainian kobzars of the 20th century, a blind singer who preserved and carried to posterity the ancient tradition of the kobzar art. Having lost his sight in childhood, he learned singing and playing the bandura from old folk masters.
Movchan masterfully performed dumy, historical, lyrical, and humorous songs, and psalmy, accompanying himself on the bandura. He was a living link joining the ancient oral tradition of the kobzar-lirnyks with the 20th century — despite the fact that this tradition suffered cruel repression under the totalitarian regime. His recordings are an invaluable source for researchers of Ukrainian musical culture. The figure of Yehor Movchan symbolises the unbreakable spirit of the kobzars and the continuity of Ukrainian song memory.
