US Chorus Sings Russian Songs To Commemorate Victory Over Nazi Germany
Muhammad Irfan Published May 09, 2020 | 02:00 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th May, 2020) The famous Schiller Institute chorus in New York City will participate in an online Immortal Regiment action on Saturday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany by rendering Russian songs, the chorus founder and co-director Diane Sare told Sputnik ahead of celebration.
Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 - the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany by Soviet forces in 1945. The festivities traditionally include a military parade on Moscow's Red Square.
The first Immortal Regiment, a Russian tradition that commemorates the millions of people who died fighting against Nazi Germany during the Second World War, gathered in 2012 in the Russian city of Tomsk, and the tradition has since spread to over 80 countries, including the United States.
This year, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the postponement of the annual military parade and other festivities in central Moscow due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Russian community in the US and its American friends decided to organize the Immortal Regiment on May 9 using social networks and other online platforms.
IMPORTANCE OF IMMORTAL REGIMENT
The Immortal Regiment is an important demonstration of people's memory and respect to those who sacrificed their lives to the Victory, Sare said.
"I am really glad that someone decided to do this. It is very dangerous to forget history," she added.
The chorus participated in this ceremony since its beginning in New York at the 70th anniversary in 2015. Singers wanted to strengthen ties between the US and Russia.
"We really wanted to start doing something to pull our nations together. When we talked about it, I found out there were many people in the chorus whose fathers or grandfathers fought in the war, who really liked the idea of doing something to commemorate these people," Sare said.
Diane's relatives did not fight in World War II, as she grew up in a pacifist family.
"Ironically, my father ended up in Vietnam, and my sister ended up in Iraq, but this is another story already," she acknowledged.
Sare noted that she likes the idea of the Immortal Regiment because it is a celebration of happiness, not sadness.
"If you make a major sacrifice or even give your life than it should be something for the good. We have been singing the Russian Anthem, American Anthem, having pictures with veterans, and it was great," she added.
This year, large gatherings in New York City are banned due to the coronavirus pandemic, but organizers decided to launch the Immortal Regiment online.
"I am eager to see it," Sare said.
The Schiller Institute Chorus plans to sing the famous Russian song "Katyusha" - of course, in the Russian language.
"Some of us just learned the words for 'Katyusha,' so we will participate in the Immortal Regiment this year with that song," Sare added.
The upcoming celebration will be specifically important because this is one of the last chances to express their gratitude for veterans, Diane noted.
"This is probably the last major anniversary of that war that these people will still be alive [for]," she said. "Many people do have fathers, grandfathers, uncles who fought in World War II and want to commemorate the partnership that defeated Hitler."
RUSSIAN ANTHEM IN MEMORY OF ALEKSANDROV ENSEMBLE
The Schiller Institute Chorus began referring to Russian music in December 2016, when 64 musicians of the world famous Alexandrov Ensemble died as a result of the Tu-154 plane crash near the Russian resort city of Sochi.
The Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army named after A.V. Aleksandrov, Russia's biggest military and folk music ensemble, was two times awarded with the Order of the Red Banner, the first Soviet military decoration. The choir was founded by Gen. Maj. Aleksandr Aleksandrov, a prominent Soviet artist and composer. From 1946 to 1987, the ensemble was headed by his son, Gen. Maj. Boris Aleksandrov.
"This news just really broke my heart," Sare said. "I was talking to some of my friends with the chorus, and we decided to lay a wreath at the Russian Consulate in New York. Then we learned the Russian National Anthem."
The chorus has rendered the Russian Anthem for the first time along with the ceremonial unit of the New York Police Department. It has happened at the annual ceremony in honor of the Alexandrov Ensemble at the Tear Drop Memorial dedicated to the victims of terrorism in the state of New Jersey.
"Now we sing the Russian Anthem every year," Sare said.
SHOWCASING AMERICANS' RESPECT FOR RUSSIANS
This April, the chorus has recorded another Russian song "Tri tankista' (Three Tank Crewmen), which has been blowing up the Russian American social networks.
"That was our intent - to show that we love Russians," Sare said.
She expressed confidence that most Americans love other nations and want to keep good relations with them.
"The Schiller Institute is named after Friedrich Schiller because it was Schiller's belief that the way to reach people and make them better is through beauty and arts," Sare recalled. "Our chorus really wants to do that. We want to create a society, which is committed to justice and certain high regards for the dignity of humanity."
When starting to learn the new song, the American singers did not realize its length.
"We sat down and found out that it is seven verses," the co-director laughed.
"There are a couple of members of our chorus who have studied Russian, [and] we found a wonderful video from a movie of a little boy singing it," Sare said.
That boy had a wonderful clear pronunciation, so the chorus used the video as a model to practice, she added.
Everyday American audiences are accepting Russian songs very warmly, Sare noted.
"People really want peace, they are just regular humans who want to express friendship to others. And they do not consider singing Russian songs as something unusual," she concluded.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
More Stories From World
-
China committed to supporting Zimbabwe's innovation-driven development
2 minutes ago -
Myanmar to hold 59th gems emporium next month
32 minutes ago -
Digital economy contributes 8.4 pct to Philippine economy in 2023
32 minutes ago -
China committed to supporting Zimbabwe's innovation-driven development
32 minutes ago -
Starfish control program improving health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef: report
32 minutes ago -
Pakistan calls for addressing development changes at a key UN meeting
42 minutes ago
-
Advanced 5G base station launched in Mt. Qomolangma
42 minutes ago -
Cambodia on right track to achieving malaria-free goal by 2025: PM
42 minutes ago -
Endrick sparks Palmeiras comeback in Copa Libertadores
42 minutes ago -
Hyundai Motor's operating profit falls 2.3 pct in Q1
42 minutes ago -
The Myanmar 'water brothers' salvaging shipwrecks on the tide
52 minutes ago -
Togo's legislative elections: What is at stake?
1 hour ago