Valenki (song)

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"Valenki" is a Russian-language traditional song.

It is commonly known as a Russian folk song[1] and is strongly associated with Russian folk singer Lidia Ruslanova, who presented her version with a new melody during World War II. She sang it at every concert, including on the steps of the Reichstag on 2 May 1945.[2][3]

The earlier version belonged to the genre of Russian "gypsy dance song"[2] and was thought to originate "somewhere in gypsy camps".[4] Among the performers had been Nina Dulkevich [ru],[2] gypsy singer Nastya Polyakova,[2] and "Queen of Russian Romance" Izabella Yurieva.[5] In fact, Nastya Polyakova is credited as the author on her 1913 gramophone record.[4]

• Lidia Ruslanova singing "Valenki" on the Soviet variety show Little Blue Light, 9 May 1965 on YouTube