Kant (from Latincantus - singing) is a type of song which was widespread in Central and Eastern Europe during the 16-18th centuries and had roots in the religious singing tradition, although similar songs with secular contents are also known. Popular during the Baroque era, in the 17th century it spread to Ukraine as a result of Polish influence, and was included into the repertoire of lirnyks and students of the Kyiv Mohyla Academy. From Ukraine kant songs reached the Tsardom of Russia, where they were known from the second half of the 17th century.[1][2]
Songs known as vivat kant (Ukrainian: віватний кант) emerged from panegyric poetry and were performed by students of Kyiv Academy to greet important visitors, including hetmanBohdan Khmelnytsky or Russian monarchs, becoming the base for the development of part song by composers such as Mykola Dyletsky.[3]
