Today’s A Journey
through Aesthetic Realms
will be presented
in Russian,
with subtitles in Arabic,
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Japanese, Korean,
Persian, Portuguese,
Russian, Thai
and Spanish.
Welcome,
wonderful viewers
to A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms.
Today we are glad
to introduce
the Russian folk dance
and song group, Gorenka.
It is an award-winning
state arts company
that preserves, shares,
and celebrates the unique
Russian cultural heritage.
The roots of Russian
folk music date back
to pre-Christian times
with various Slavic tribes
that resided within
the first ever Russian state,
a milestone that occurred
in the 10th century.
The music was
as diverse as
the peoples themselves.
Songs and dances were
part of rituals
and everyday life
in the villages.
There were seasonal songs,
such as the songs
of farewell to the winter
and greeting the spring,
wedding songs,
lyrical songs and
working songs.
Later with
increasing urbanization,
the most talented dancers
and singers
made performing
their profession,
displaying their talents
at markets, squares
and celebrations.
These musical treasures
of collective memories,
along with chronicles
and travelers’ diaries,
have helped researchers
to better understand life
in ancient Russia.
They also inspire
many modern musicians
and performers
living in busy cities
to immerse themselves
in the natural and
carefree world of folk art.
Gorenka was created
in November 1977
by Valentin
and Olga Pahomov.
Steadfast dedication
and fine talent have
brought the company
great success.
The dance team
has performed more than
2,000 times, participating
in numerous contests,
festivals, and
cultural exhibitions
on regional, national
and international levels.
In 2007,
Valentin Pahomov,
the art director of Gorenka,
was honored with
the Russian Federation
Government Award
“Russian Soul.”
All the group members
are professional artists.
They are vocal and
choreography graduates.
We have been rehearsing
for a long time,
and we perform
on Russian stages and
also go on tours abroad.
Today we feature
highlights of performances
by Gorenka
at the Bucheon World
Intangible Cultural
Heritage Expo which
was held in South Korea.
Their opening song is
entitled “Oh, Curly Head,
My Curly Head.”
Oh, curly head,
my curly head
Curly hair
Curly hair
Wide beard
Curly hair
Wide beard
Wide beard
Don’t you walk
in my garden
Don’t you walk
in my garden
Don’t you leave a trace
Don’t you make a path
Don’t you give a reason
for rumors
Don’t you make a path
Don’t you give a reason
for rumors
If the rumors start
No one will come
to marry me
The beauty and grace
of cranes have made them
highly revered birds
in numerous cultures.
Some believe
that the flight of a crane
symbolizes spiritual
and physical rebirth.
In the Caucasus,
there is a belief
that perished soldiers
turn into cranes.
When the poem
“The Cranes”
by the famous
Avar language poet
Rasul Gamzatov from
the Republic of Dagestan
was translated into Russian
and set to music
by Yan Frenkel in 1968,
it became a timeless
classic, a touching prayer
for all the victims
of unstable times.
Since its release,
many memorials in Russia
have featured
the lyrics of this poem
and images of cranes.
Furthermore, October 22
is designated as a day
for “Celebration
of White Cranes.”
Rasul Gamzatov created
this day as a day of
poetry and remembrance
and to strengthen
the bonds between
the diverse cultures
and peoples of Russia.
Please enjoy
this moving piece
performed by Gorenka.
Sometimes I dream
that fallen hero soldiers,
Forever lost in fields
of old campaigns,
Were never buried
under mournful alders,
But turned to mystic
snowy crying cranes.
So they are flying
ever since those ages.
They call for us
and maybe that is why
Their voices are so full
of burning sadness,
And we keep silence
as we look into the sky.
The tired flock soars up
toward the clouds.
I see a tiny break
in their line:
Someone should exit
noisy human crowds.
I realize: one day
that lot should be mine.
One day the flock shall
raise me to the clouds
And I will fly with others
– don’t cry!
And from the skies above
I will be sending
My voice for those
I loved and left on Earth.
Sometimes I dream
that fallen hero soldiers,
Forever lost in fields
of old campaigns,
Were never buried
under mournful alders,
But turned to mystic
snowy crying cranes.
After these brief messages,
we will continue
our presentation of
memorable performances
by the Russian folk dance
and song group Gorenka.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
Welcome back to
A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms
featuring the
enchanting performances
by the Russian
folk dance and
song company Gorenka
at the Bucheon World
Intangible Cultural
Heritage Expo
in South Korea.
Gorenka is based
in Khabarovsk,
the administrative center
of the Far Eastern
Federal District of Russia,
located some
30 kilometers from China.
Being a place with a history
of international flavor,
Khabarovsk is
the sister-city
of Harbin, China,
Niigata, Japan, and
Bucheon, South Korea.
On many occasions,
performers from
Khabarovsk, including
the dance group Gorenka,
have attended
cultural events in these
neighboring countries
to share the beauty
of Russian art.
In every culture,
many songs are dedicated
to love and romance.
It’s one of the most
common and wonderful
human experiences
but at the same time
it is full of challenges.
To express
one’s intimate feelings,
even a brave hero needs
to gather all his courage.
Please enjoy
this Kazak song entitled
“Under the Wide Window.”
Under the high window
Under the wide window
A snow white cherry tree
blooms
Past this cherry tree,
past this house
A brave Kazak is walking
for the first time
Past this cherry tree,
past this house
A brave Kazak is walking
for the first time
He would
look at the window
He would glance
through the window
Nothing can be seen
behind the cherry tree
He would
walk back frowning
And comes back
to the cherry tree
He would
walk back frowning
And comes back
to the cherry tree
Hear me my sweetheart,
Hear me my love
And open your window wide
Don’t you see,
or don’t you notice
That I am waiting for you
for so long
Don’t you see,
or don’t you notice
That I am waiting for you
for so long
Under the high window
Under the wide window
A snow white cherry tree
blooms
Past this cherry tree,
past this house
A brave Kazak is walking
for the third time
Past this cherry tree,
past this house
A brave Kazak is walking
for the hundredth time
Past this cherry tree,
right into this house
A brave Kazak is going to
make a marriage offer
Gorenka’s performances
feature an array of
favorite Russian songs.
Some are sad and others
are funny tales of love
accompanied by
rhythmic dances.
The music ranges
from old folk songs to
more recent popular tunes,
all played with
traditional instruments
such as the accordion
and balalaika, a Russian
stringed instrument
of the lute family.
Gorenka presents
a vibrant program
that dazzles and delights
the audience.
Listening to
the happy sounds
and enjoying the festive
atmosphere created by
colorful costumes
and the enthusiastic
and friendly smiles
of the performers,
one almost wishes
to join in the lighthearted
and joyful celebration
of life on the stage.
A Russian proverb states:
“When lovers quarrel,
it’s only for fun!”
For a couple having
true love for each other,
all misunderstandings
are quickly resolved.
Please enjoy an excerpt
of the humorous piece
“Oh! You were not home!”
Yesterday you came
for a visit
And didn’t find me home
Didn’t find me
and got angry
Why be quick
with your temper?
“Oh! You were not home!
Oh! You were not
waiting for me!”
Don’t you come for nothing
Give me notice
before you visit.
“Oh! You were not home!
Oh! You were not
waiting for me!”
Don’t you come for nothing
Give me notice
before you visit.
Instead of asking questions
It’s better
to kiss your girl
You don’t hug me
and don’t spoil me
O why are you
being jealous?
“Oh! You were not home!
Oh! You were not
waiting for me!”
Don’t you come for nothing
Give me notice
before you visit.
“Oh! You were not home!
Oh! You were not
waiting for me!”
Don’t you come for nothing
Give me notice
before you visit.
Gorenka touches
the audience with
their boisterous spirit
and inviting warmth.
Their uplifting performances
are truly remarkable,
rich in energy and vitality,
and leave lasting
beautiful memories.
We sincerely thank
the company for
coloring our world with
their songs and dances.
Happy viewers,
we are glad you joined us
on A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms
to discover some of
the magnificent cultural
heritage of Russia.
Vegetarianism:
The Noble Way of Living
is next,
after Noteworthy News.
May your life be full
of joy and high spirits.
For more information
about Gorenka, please
contact art director
Valentin Pahomov at