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Lirnyky were similar to and belonged to the same guilds as the better known bandura players known as kobzars.

However, the lirnyk played the lira, a kind of crank-driven hurdy-gurdy, while the kobzars played the lute-like banduras.

Lirnyky were usually blind or had some major disability. They were active in all areas of Ukraine from (at least) the 17th century on.

The tradition was discontinued in Eastern/Central Ukraine in the mid-1930s, some lirnyky were seen in the regions of Western Ukraine until the 1970s and even the 1980s.

Today, the repertoire of the instrument is mostly performed by educated, sighted performers.

Notable performers of the lira include Mykhailo Khai, Vadim (Yarema) Shevchuk, and Volodymyr Kushpet.