Korobeyniki (A short Story)

 

Korobeyniki (Folk musicians and Dancers) visited Canada in the summer of 1998, after I traveled to Khabarovsk in the Russian Far east to record their first CD. I arrived in Russia in spring 1997 to meet them and what a time I was in for, apart from the actual recording sessions that is. I spent much of the time socializing with their friends and families but one time in particular I will never forget…

 

They had decided to have a picnic in my honor. If you can image three cars balancing everything from tables, chairs, blankets on the trunk lid and the inside filled with excited faces. The weather tried to be a factor as it did not want to co-operate with our wish for sunny skies, and though it didn’t seem to have any effect on their determination to have a great day impressed me no end.  Out through lovely tree lines country roads we drove, stopping at Costa’s little farm cottage on the way, until finally arriving at the Amur River, a fast flowing torrent abundant with salmon they said. The soft river banks were of pebbles so walking was a challenge even without the heady effects of vodka, a condition that I would soon experience first hand without shame.

---

 

After setting up camp the rain, the tables and chairs were optimistically placed on high ground, leaving slippery slops to be navigated, well, slippery slops and vodka, you do the math…     Anyway, the downpour commenced with the filling up of the salad bowl, to the brim, so you can see it right?, the veggies are now floating and everyone is laughing with no care for the bizarre scene, just happy people and very drunk people, including myself. Not being a drinker the episode I found myself part of had creped up on my like a friend with a wet towel, my intoxication was a total surprise to me and I was falling all over the place, much to the delight of my fun loving hosts. Costa, who plays the Balalaika Bass pictured above, had been in his little rowing boat all night apparently, trying to catch one of these abundant fish. He had just caught one as we arrived, it went straight into a pot of boiling water along with anything else they could find, evolving into the best soup I've ever tasted. This story goes on for a long time but for the sake of decency and fair play I'll end it here and get back to the groups Canadian activities...

 

When they arrived here on the Island they all stayed at my place in the Cowichan Valley. Korobeyniki had been invited to Victoria by the City to open their new "Festival in the Square" on the city hall grounds. They were the hit of the summer and we will not soon forget their incredible music & dance. The local residents of Victoria and communities up island were extremely hospitable to these visiting minstrel's, and hosted many activities such as barbeques, garden parties, fishing trips, sight seeing, summer festivals and private house parties. Perhaps you caught them on the Causeway at the Inner Harbor? They just loved performing to the crowds that gathered, their name “Korobeyniki” means “Tinker’s” in Russian so I think they were in their element there on the waterfront…

 

On the day of their departure I drove them all to Seattle airport where they caught their flight back to Khabarovsk. As we waited for the plane to come we all sat around the terminal and reminisced on their wonderful time in Canada, there were many tears and some of them really didn't want to leave us, they made me promise that I would always remember them and think of them, how could I forget...

Listen to their music.  Kalinka     Kamrinskaya

The Russian Connection

---