Why was the Soviet anthem readopted in Russia with modified lyrics? Learn!
The Russian national anthem, often referred to as "State Anthem of the Russian Federation," has an interesting history and some notable facts. Here are a few:
Soviet Anthem Roots: The current Russian national anthem is based on the melody of the Soviet anthem, which was composed by Alexander Alexandrov in 1938. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia adopted new lyrics for the anthem, but the melody remained the same.
Lyric Changes: The lyrics of the anthem have undergone changes along with the political shifts in Russia. The original Soviet lyrics praised the Soviet Union, while the current lyrics, written by Sergey Mikhalkov, focus on the greatness of Russia and its history.
Instrumental Period: Between 2001 and 2009, Russia used an instrumental version of the anthem without any lyrics. This decision was made to avoid association with the Soviet past, but the lyrics were reintroduced in 2009 with some modifications.
Adopted and Readopted: The current version of the Russian national anthem was officially adopted on December 30, 2000. However, it is interesting to note that this was not the first time the melody was chosen; it had previously served as the anthem of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) from 1944 to 1990.
Musical Heritage: The anthem's melody, composed by Alexander Alexandrov, is a significant piece of Russian musical heritage. The composer was also responsible for creating the Alexandrov Ensemble, a renowned military choir that has performed the anthem on numerous occasions.
The Russian national anthem has a rich history, and its music has deep connections to the Soviet era and the country's cultural and political identity.