Zithers are string instruments which lack a neck, unlike lutes and harps. The strings run across one end of the sound board to other. Zither traditions have existed across Europe and Asia with archeological excavations revealing instruments dating back to 1000 years ago and more. Such as the lyre of Dzhetsayar Kazakhstan, dated to the fourth century AD, which shows strong parallels with current day west Siberian zithers, or west European examples such as the Anglo Saxon Sutton Hoo lyre from England dated to the seventh century AD. The popularity of zithers decreased significantly in Europe during the Middle Ages. In northeastern Europe zither traditions have been kept alive amongst the Balts, Russians and Uralic peoples.
Kanklės, Kokles, Gusli/Гусли, Kannel, Kantele
A continuum spread across the Baltic states Finland and adjacent regions of Russia. Played by the Lithuanians, Latvians, Russians, Estonians, Finns, Karelians, Vepsians, Izhorians, Votians and Ludians. The names are as follows: kanklės in Lithuanian, kokles in Latvian, gusli/гусли in Russian, kannel in Estonian and kantele in Finnish, Karelian, Veps, Izhorian, Votian and Ludian.
1: 19th century, Lithuania, region of Žemaitija
2: 19th century, Lithuania, region of Aukštaitija
3: 19th century, Lithuania, region of Aukštaitija
4: 19th century, Latvia, region of Kurzeme
5: 19th century, Latvia, region of Latgale
6: 19th century, Russian, Russia, Pskov region, Dokatovo district, village of Klimovo
7: Early 20th century, Estonian/Seto, Estonia, region of Setumaa, village of Tepia
8: Early 20th century, Vepsian, Russia, Leningrad region, Tikhvin/Tihvinä district
9: 19th century, Russia, Izhorian, Leningrad region, Kingiseppsky district, village of Logi/Loankylä
10: Kantele, 19th century, Finland, Rovaniemi (finna.fi 2026)
11: Kantele, 19th century, Finland, region of South Savo, village of Juva (finna.fi 2026)
12: Kantele, 19th century, Finland, region of North Savo, village of Leppävirta (finna.fi 2026)
13: Kantele, 19th century, Russia, Karelia, village of Korpiselkä (finna.fi 2026)
14: Kanklės player Jonas Staniulis. Vilemai village, Zapyškis parish, Kauanas region, Lithuania, photograph taken 1938 by Balys Buračas (ltmkm.lt 2026)
15: Lithuanian kanklės player Petras Zorys, Lithuania, Telšiai region, Navarėnai district, village of Badaukiai
16: Seto kannel player Hilipi Ankki aka "Väinämöinen”, Region of Setumaa, Estonia and Russia, photo taken 1912-1914 by Väisänen, A. O.