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This week we are looking at Russia’s national anthem.
The "State Anthem of the Russian Federation" is the
national anthem of Russia. It uses the same melody as the "State Anthem of
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics", composed by Alexander
Alexandrov, and new lyrics by Sergey Mikhalkov, who had collaborated with
Gabriel El-Registan on the original anthem.
In 1944, that earliest version replaced " The
Internationale" as a new, more Soviet-centric and Russia-centric Soviet
anthem. The same melody, but without any lyrics, was used after 1956. A second
version of the lyrics was written by Mikhalkov in 1970 and adopted in 1977,
placing less emphasis on WWII and more on the victory of communism, and
without mentioning Joseph Stalin by name.
Glinka's anthem was replaced soon after Yeltsin's successor, Vladimir
Putin, first took office on 7 May 2000. The federal legislature established and
approved the music of the national anthem of the Soviet Union, with newly
written lyrics, in December 2000, and it became the second anthem used by
Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The government sponsored a contest to find lyrics, eventually
settling upon a new composition by Mikhalkov; according to the government, the
lyrics were selected to evoke and eulogize the history and traditions of
Russia. Yeltsin criticized Putin for supporting the reintroduction of the
Soviet-era national anthem even though opinion polls showed that many Russians favoured
this decision.
Public perception of the anthem is positive among Russians. A
2009 poll showed that 56% of respondents felt proud when hearing the national
anthem, and that 25% liked it.
Below are then lyrics in English.
Russia is our sacred state,
Russia is our beloved country.
A mighty will, great glory -
Your dignity for all time!
Be glorified, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Ancestor-given wisdom of the people!
Be glorified, country! We are proud of you!
From the southern seas to the polar edge
Our forests and fields are spread out.
You are the only one in the world! You are the only one -
the native land so kept by God!
Be glorified, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Ancestor-given wisdom of the people!
Be glorified, country! We are proud of you!
A wide scope for dreams and for life
The coming years open to us.
We are given strength by our fidelity to the Fatherland.
So it was, so it is and it will always be so!
Be glorified, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Ancestor-given wisdom of the people!
Be glorified, country! We are proud of you!
It sounds nice Jo-Anne.
ReplyDeleteYeah it did sound ok
DeleteInteresting words. I did like the tune, Jo-Anne. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSame here
DeleteI don't think I've ever heard of a national anthem with a chorus.
ReplyDeleteThey have sure changed theirs up quite often.
Yeah they have changed it more then most countries
DeleteWhat a thoughtful reflection on the Russian anthem’s deep history and enduring significance. It’s fascinating how a melody can carry so much meaning through time, tying past and present together in one voice. I appreciate how you highlighted the pride many Russians feel when hearing it—it reminds me how powerful tradition can be in shaping identity.
ReplyDeleteNew post: www.melodyjacob.com
Yes tradition can play a big part in shaping who someone is.
DeleteThis is actually really nice!
ReplyDeleteYes I think so too
DeleteI actually have always liked this.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard it till I did the post
DeleteThe changing of national anthem must be quite unsettling! Just shows the transformation that the country has gone through.
ReplyDeleteYes that it does
Delete