The national anthem is one of the main and most recognizable official symbols of the Russian Federation, as well as the flag and the state emblem. The anthem is traditionally performed during various official ceremonies (inauguration of the President, meetings of the State Duma, etc.), as well as on public holidays and important events – for example, during the Victory Parade which takes place on Red Square on each May 9. According to the procedure established in Russia, all those present have to stand up to the sounds of the anthem, and men have to take off their hats.
From 1833 to 1917, the anthem of Russia was God Save the Tsar. In February 1917 it was canceled. The Provisional Government chose the French Marseillaise as the new anthem, as it was one of the most famous songs about freedom in the 19th and 20th centuries. In October 1917, the Bolsheviks came to power and made the Communist Party anthem, The Internationale, the new national anthem of the country.
On the night of January 1, 1944, citizens of the Soviet Union heard an updated national anthem on the radio. It was written by composer and choirmaster Alexander Alexandrov on the basis of his Anthem of the Bolshevik Party song.
On June 12, 1990, the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the RSFSR entered into force, and a few months later the Supreme Council approved the Patriotic Song composed by Glinka in 1833 as the new national anthem.
In December 1991, the USSR collapsed. At that time, Glinka’s song remained the anthem of Russia. The anthem was performed without words.
Later, a competition began for the best new text of the anthem, open to absolutely all citizens of Russia. A specially established commission reviewed over 6,000 poems, of which only 20 finalists were selected. However, none of the verses submitted became the official anthem: the Parliament was never able to come to a consensus as to which of them was the best.
As a result, the issue of the new anthem was temporarily suspended. A decision was taken only in 2000, when the federal constitutional law On the State Anthem of the Russian Federation approved the musical edition of the anthem to the music of Alexander Alexandrov. The text of the authorship of Sergei Mikhalkov was approved by a presidential decree.
From 1833 to 1917, the anthem of Russia was God Save the Tsar. In February 1917 it was canceled. The Provisional Government chose the French Marseillaise as the new anthem, as it was one of the most famous songs about freedom in the 19th and 20th centuries. In October 1917, the Bolsheviks came to power and made the Communist Party anthem, The Internationale, the new national anthem of the country.
On the night of January 1, 1944, citizens of the Soviet Union heard an updated national anthem on the radio. It was written by composer and choirmaster Alexander Alexandrov on the basis of his Anthem of the Bolshevik Party song.
On June 12, 1990, the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the RSFSR entered into force, and a few months later the Supreme Council approved the Patriotic Song composed by Glinka in 1833 as the new national anthem.
In December 1991, the USSR collapsed. At that time, Glinka’s song remained the anthem of Russia. The anthem was performed without words.
Later, a competition began for the best new text of the anthem, open to absolutely all citizens of Russia. A specially established commission reviewed over 6,000 poems, of which only 20 finalists were selected. However, none of the verses submitted became the official anthem: the Parliament was never able to come to a consensus as to which of them was the best.
As a result, the issue of the new anthem was temporarily suspended. A decision was taken only in 2000, when the federal constitutional law On the State Anthem of the Russian Federation approved the musical edition of the anthem to the music of Alexander Alexandrov. The text of the authorship of Sergei Mikhalkov was approved by a presidential decree.
