Polynushka

Polynushka is an international formation devoted to old rural Russian vocal traditions, which is unique for Western Europe. We travel to Russian villages to meet Russian Babushki - the tradition bearers, to learn their songs and to document their way of life. We search music archives around the world for old Russian recordings. Our mission, insofar as this is possible in an urban context, is to continue this musical tradition and make it known to a wider audience. We break the "Lenin-Vodka-Samovar" cliches in order to share the beauty and depth of Russian village songs with others.

We sing songs from various regions of Russia, Belorussia and the Ukraine. We wear beautiful traditional costumes, which were reconstructed from originals. In the concerts we also tell stories about our songs and the traditions and show visuals from our field research. The audience is invited to join us in singing and dancing to gain first hand experience in Eastern European traditional music.

* Special themed performances by ensemble Polynushka:

* Russian Christmas: Svyatki, fortune-telling, carols and masquerades, spiritual verses,

Christmas plays

* Shrovetide with dancer and acrobat Christina Wintz as Maslenica

* Life cycle and calender cycle: Russian women in nature and tradition

* Rite of Spring: reaching to the netherworld

* Russian wedding

* Russian Party with Polynushka and the best Eastern European DJs

* Singing for and with kids

* Workshops and lectures