This post first appeared on Russia Insider
Editor's note: It is hard to convey to Western readers how emotionally powerful Victory Day is in Russia. It celebrates the central national narrative of the Russian State, and is BY FAR the most popular secular holiday of the year. The only one to match it in importance is Easter, the main religious holiday.
Put aside historical arguments around WW2 for a day, and get a taste of how Russians mark, what is for them, a quasi-religious memory.
The massive, awe-inspiring military parade, the bemedalled grandfatherly veterans, and in recent years, the marching of millions of Russians across the country with portraits of their ancestors who fought in the war (The Immortal Regiment), is truly stupendous. If you ever have a chance to be in Russia on May 9, don't miss the opportunity. Russians are the world champs in pageantry, and May 9 is when they pull out all the stops. It is a heart stopping, tear-jerking spectacle - all day long.
RI is publishing selected articles today from our archives about WW2 as Russia takes the day off to remember this extraordinary historical event.
Originally published in May of 2015.
This song is huge fun and a great favorite throughout Russia, and many people are able to sing it in its entirety. This flashmob is a delight to watch. Lyrics below.
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Sing along!
Lyrics
Как-то летом, на рассвете, Припев × 2: Раскудрявый клён зелёный – лист резной. Я влюблённый и смущённый пред тобой. Клён зелёный, да клён кудрявый, Да раскудрявый, резной. А смуглянка-молдаванка Припев × 2: Раскудрявый клён зелёный – лист резной. Здесь у клёна мы расстанемся с тобой. Клён зелёный, да клён кудрявый, Да раскудрявый, резной. И смуглянка-молдаванка Припев × 2: Раскудрявый клён зелёный – лист резной. Здравствуй, парень, мой хороший, мой родной! Клён зелёный, да клён кудрявый, Да раскудрявый, резной. |
Kak-to letom, na rassvete Chorus x2: Raskudriavy klion zelyony, list reznoy, Ia vliublenny i smushchenny pred toboy Klen zelyony, da klen kudriavy, Da raskudriavy, reznoy! A smuglianka-moldavanka Chorus x2: Raskudriavy klion zelyony, list reznoy, Zdies u kliona mij rastanemcya s toboy, Klen zelyony, da klen kudriavy, Da raskudriavy, reznoy! I smuglianka-moldavanka Chorus x2: Raskudriavy klion zelyony, list reznoy, Zdrastvuy, paren, moi khoroshi, moi rodnoy! Klen zelyony, da klen kudriavy, Da raskudriavy, reznoy! |
Once upon a summer dawn, Chorus × 2: The green maple is bushy, and its leaves carved. I'm in love and stand embarrassed before you. The maple’s green, and it is bushy, Yes, all bushy and carved. But the dark Moldavian girl Chorus × 2: The green maple is bushy, and its leaves carved. Here, by the tree, we will part company. The maple’s green, and it is bushy, Yes, all bushy and carved. So the dark Moldavian girl Chorus × 2: The green maple is bushy, and its leaves carved. Hello young man, my good fellow, dear to me. The maple’s green, and it is bushy, Yes, all bushy and carved. |
Yaroslav Sumishevsky (from "People's Mahora" / "Народный Махор" ) organized a flash mob at an electronics store.
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