Ivan Kuchuhura Kucherenko

Ivan Iovych Kuchuhura-Kucherenko (Ukrainian: Іван Іович Кучугура-Кучеренко) (July 7, 1878 – November 24, 1937) was a Ukrainian minstrel (kobzar) and one of the most influential kobzars of the early 20th century. For his artistry he was awarded the title "People's artist of Ukraine" in 1919 and later "People's Artist of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic" in 1926.

Ivan Kucherenko (or as he later became known, Kuchuhura-Kucherenko) was born on July 7, 1878 in the village of Murafa of Bohodukhiv Uyezd in the Kharkov Governorate of the Russian Empire. At the age of 3, he became fully blind in his left eye and had some damage in his right eye. At the age of 8, he lost his father and became an orphan.

The young Kucherenko had exceptional musical talent which directed him to the lifestyle of a kobzar. He was apprenticed to the kobzar Pavlo Hashchenko and began to perform as a kobzar at the turn of the 20th century.

In 1902, Kucherenko participated in the 12th Archeological Conference held in Kharkiv where he was the youngest participant - at age 24.

The performance at the conference was organized by Hnat Khotkevych who noticed that the kobzar was exceptionally gifted artistically, and during the preparation of the concert, spent a considerable amount of time with him. This association with Khotkevych left a significant impression on Kucherenko as he was able to learn much from Khotkevych. Khotkevych wrote in his memoirs:

I did not teach him my performances specifically, but he listened to my performance, and as a talented individual, independently copied me.

In 1906, Kucherenko was performing at the market in Yekaterinoslav (now Dnipropetrovsk) and was heard by the renowned historian Dmytro Yavornytsky. Kucherenko's high artism left a deep impression on Yavornytsky. Yavornytsky wrote:

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