Balalaika Day is an international holiday of folk musicians

On June 23, the whole world celebrates the day of the balalaika or folk musicians Although many consider this instrument to be originally Russian, celebrations in its honor are held all over the world The fact that it is not recognized at the official level does not interfere with celebrating Balalaika Day, but even despite this, populist musicians celebrate this celebration with a special scope characteristic of the Russian people In the international and state register of holidays there is no mention of Balalaika Day However, amateurs and professionals of folk art celebrate this day on June 23 every year since 2008 The idea of ​​holding a musical festival dedicated to folk art belongs to the president of the Russian club of “folk musicians” Dmitry Belinsky (Honored Artist of the Russian Federation) The organization of the celebration was timed to coincide with two anniversary moments associated with the balalaika: 1) 320 years since the first documentary mention of this instrument in Russia 2) 125 years since the first director of the folk art ensemble, Vasily Andreev, mastered playing the balalaika The second name of the holiday is International Day of Populist Musicians This celebration is celebrated by all talented people involved in folklore, as well as ordinary lovers of beautiful and catchy music The wonderful holiday of balalaika is celebrated not only in Russia, but also in Latin America, the USA, Australia, some European countries, as well as in the former Soviet states In many cities of our homeland, competitions and folk art festivals are held, and free lessons on playing the balalaika are given in music schools Since 2010, in honor of the International Day of Folk Music, the “Nuggets” festival has been organized, in which talented people not only from Russia, but also from all over the world (Kazakhstan, Brazil, Belarus, Ukraine, etc) take part 1 Historically, the balalaika is not a Russian instrument The “mother” of the balalaika is considered to be the doira, the national instrument of the peoples of Central Asia 2 For the first time, a certain prototype of the balalaika is mentioned in Arabic sources (beginning of the 10th century) The famous poet of that time, Ibn Fatslan, described the funeral of a certain nobleman, where he spoke in detail about the list of objects buried with the “rich man”, among them was the thing “eine Laute”, very reminiscent of a modern balalaika 3 This instrument came to Russia in the 19th century, along with buffoons (pipe players or guslars) However, many rulers of Rus' opposed the introduction of the balalaika into use Tsar Alexander Mikhailovich placed the “three-string” under a ban, which ended simultaneously with the death of the tsar But the balalaika became firmly rooted in life in Rus' only in the second half of the 19th century 4 Previously, the name of the three-stringed instrument was “balabaika” from the word “to joke” 5 Balalaikas should not be stored in a damp or overly sanctified place, all this can lead to drying out of the wood and a deterioration in its musical properties Despite the fact that International Folk Musicians Day was not included in the Russian register of holidays, this does not deprive it of its popularity This celebration provides an opportunity to show people the diversity and beauty of folk art We hope that someday this holiday will be appreciated and a special day will be set aside for it in the calendar