THE NAME OF HOPE BABKINA IS INextricably linked to the RUSSIAN NATIONAL SONG. HOPE GEORGIEVNA IS THE FOUNDER AND THE CHAINLESS HEAD OF WIDELY FAMOUS IN RUSSIA AND OUTSIDE OF THE RUSSIAN SONG ENSEMBLE, ESTABLISHED IN 1974. HOPE OF BABKINA'S TENDER TO PRESERVE THE HISTORICAL ROOTS OF RUSSIAN NATIONAL CULTURE, IN PARTICULAR, PEOPLE SONGED TRADITIONS, HAS BEEN TRACKED THROUGHOUT ITS CREATIVE WAY.
In the very center of Moscow, next to the noisy Garden Ring, the windows of the cozy Khomutovsky Dead End, the Russian Song Theater is located. The place where the building is located can rightfully be considered one of the most theatrical in the Russian capital, and even went down in the history of world theater. The building of the "Russian Song" is located next to the place on which stood the house of the merchant Sergei Alekseev, father of Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky. In this house, Stanislavsky staged his first amateur performances, all theatrical youth from the time of his youth gathered here. The former cinema, handed over to Nadezhda Georgievna Babkina in 2000, found a new bright life in the caring hands of the founder of the Russian Song and her friendly team. In almost all rooms on the walls are paintings and photographs.
Theater visitors find themselves in a kind of house-museum of the ensemble "Russian Song" and People's Artist of Russia Nadezhda Babkina ...
However, outside the walls of the theater, Nadezhda Georgievna temporarily ceases to be a strict leader, and a real Russian beauty appears before her interlocutor - smart, charming, attractive and surprisingly warm. Our own, almost dear ... We were lucky to meet and talk with Nadezhda Babkina in Dubai.
Nadezhda Georgievna, you flew to Dubai to rest. How did you manage to find time in your busy schedule?
The beginning of January is a short period of time when, after all the New Year’s entries, you can relax a bit. It was originally planned that I would fly to Miami, and then the plans changed, and I flew to Dubai. Alone, no one accompanied me. Itself, quietly, calmly, without retinue. Because from the closest people you sometimes need to rest. And now I am very well. I have such a magnificent view from the window - an endless sea view! May I ask you a question too? Which of the Russian singers and musicians have been here before, and how often do Russian folk groups perform here in Dubai?
There were many representatives of pop culture in Dubai, since pop concerts are held here for every major holiday. If we talk about folk music, then, by and large, there hasn’t been a single one yet, if we talk about a full-fledged concert.
Then why do you need an interview with me? If the people who live here are not interested in Russian culture and national identity, then talking to me does not make sense. It was not for nothing that I asked who was already here. And I'm sorry that a certain “pop” level has formed here.
A conversation with me will lead you in a completely different direction. I do not live upstairs. My life is full of content. And accordingly, all my views and actions are also full of meaning. It just so happened. And you have a glossy magazine, and I understand the audience that reads it, and what it is interested in ...
I will try not to mind you, but try to understand why you think that those who live in the United Arab Emirates will not be able to appreciate folk art?
The point here is not in a specific country and not even in what is demanded by the market today. It’s just that the whole world is furious! The respect and respect of parents has ceased to be a value, and yet the subtle world and the Lord are not so far from us. Endless profligacy from the stage leads to the fact that men no longer respond to normal women, like to the wives and mothers of their children. Vulgarity conquers the world! And the worst thing is that no one is trying to think about where it all leads. Around us are solid "minorities." And every woman in the world wants a real man next to her. This is a completely different flair: He and She. What God created. People stopped communicating, holding each other's hands. Do you understand? They ceased to look in the eyes of their loved ones, lost the living energy of life. But I’m not even talking about this ... That, with which our conversation began, is the national identity of people, an understanding of their roots, traditions, ancestors. What you did not invent, but what has been before you for thousands of years. And this is exactly what I have been doing for 35 years of my life.
Nadezhda Georgievna, then we need to talk about a general decline in morals, and not only abroad, but also in our homeland?
When they ask me when it was easier - in the days of the Soviet Union or now, I always answer: "In the days of the USSR." No, I do not deny the present, and in the Soviet Union I was independent, which I still am. However, today I depend on, say, political ambitions in the country. Every artist in our country depends on it, including myself. And since I have a permanent unit called the Russian Song National Theater, then, of course, I am very dependent on changes in politics. For example, today I and my team are not in demand, because they are not commercial, or, in new words, “not format”. The format is determined by the one who has a "button" in his hands. One man. And "not format" is defined by all the others.
It’s rather strange to hear this, because the Russian people always sang for any reason ... Please tell me, is there such a thing as a “feast” song in our country?
With all due respect to the modern stage and what young singers and singers are doing on it, none of their songs can be called "feast". But my songs will be sung endlessly. You take and sing any folk song from our repertoire. Therefore, a direct association with me is "Nadezhda Babkina - the face of Russia." I collect, restore and sing folk songs for more than three decades. And this is very important to those who understand. But the trouble is that today a generation has grown up that does not understand how important this is. They do not reason. They do not care about the future of their own children, their own prospects.
You know, as soon as the powerful entry of the Internet into our lives began, they began to write to me from different cities of the country about one content: "Nadia, we are not asking for your money. What should we do? Tell me? It’s impossible to watch television, it’s all about sex? How can we educate your daughters, so that they grow up to be good wives and mothers? Are you closer to the bosses there, tell them that it bothers us! " This, of course, is an indicator of a huge degree of trust in me. Naive people! Who am I going to say? I am considered strong and omnipotent. Yes, I am active, strong, promoting sound ideas. But I also have great difficulties!
No, I’m not saying that they don’t respect me. With this, everything is fine. There are many people who respect me and what I do. There are people who trust and support me. My team, although it has a state status, but this is my author's project. 35 years ago, I created it and all the years I have been using this genre story. And the material on which we form our repertoire is the lyrics from the expeditions, but alas, it is "not a format." It is extremely rare that some unique works restored by us can be heard from the screen and only if I just chat with someone. Acapellal singing, without musical accompaniment, is not accepted by modern television in general. I myself have been professionally approaching my business all my life and I believe that any industry rests solely on professionals. I perceive unprofessional singing only in company and at the table, when I can watch how people simply sing and enjoy it. Then I like how people have a soul rest. And I applaud them. But if it goes on stage - no! Today, culture is generally leveled to the level of entertainment. In my understanding, the word "culture" is, first of all, upbringing, education, self-awareness, scientific discoveries, art, research, medicine, the health of any person, including spiritual health.
Today everyone is concerned about the search for a national idea in Russia. What do you think about that?
The national idea of our country is, first of all, our multinational culture. The state is judged by its culture. Therefore, the national idea of Russia lies on the surface. We need to unite the whole diversity of national cultures, which will give us unity, integration into cultural consciousness and understanding of each other. We have long been living in a single cultural, as well as economic and political space.
I created the national project "Songs of Russia", which was supported by both Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and the party "United Russia". With this project, we with the ensemble "Russian Song" voyage to the regions of Russia during the year, usually managing to go round 16-18 different subjects of the Federation. We are in distant villages and villages where the clubs are completely dilapidated. And when people find out that Nadezhda Babkina is coming to them, they wash these clubs to shine, all people dress up, grandmothers put on clean handkerchiefs. Halls with 300-500 seats are usually full of spectators, there are not enough chairs for everyone .... And you know what kindness is there? There is a different spirit! There the price of life is different! It smells of respect and love, no matter what. They do not live richly, but they are rich in soul. These are completely different people. Here it is, our culture with you! Our national idea!
Now everyone is abandoned. And this must be fought. At all levels. I try to do my job honestly. I like when people around me gather. And even if they are few in comparison with the global scale, there will certainly be more such people, since good always attracts good.
It is known that the Russian Song Theater is much more than just a folklore ensemble. What is its structure today?
Today, the Moscow State Musical Theater of Folklore "Russian Song" includes several groups and performers: ensembles "Russian Song", "Russian Song XXI Century", "Slavs", Evgeny Gor, show-ballet "Living Planet", ballet " Russian Seasons ", a children's studio" Heritage ".
You can’t imagine what a joy it is to study with children! Children from 3 to 14 years old go to our studio, professional teachers work with them. In my children's studio, no child is denied. I will never tell parents that their child cannot sing, or dance, or draw. And parents do not need to be rich and famous in order to give their children to work with me. If a child comes to us, he plunges into a feeling of kindness and love, in the atmosphere of a family. It is very important for a person to feel from early childhood that he is not alone. I have kids, and older guys. All of them warm me up, no matter how bad my mood I come to the theater ...
Nadezhda Georgievna, are you a happy person?
Yes, absolutely! I really have everything. There is a house and a son, my son also has a house and a son, and I have a grandson. They love me, I'm fine, and I'm fine. I am engaged in creative and social activities. I work in the country and for the country that I adore! My grandfathers and great-grandfathers were born in this country. I am a hereditary Cossack, and I will serve Russia faithfully all my life! For me, this is the most important thing! Despite my very tough character. After all, you will not spoil me! I'm generally very strict at work. I need results, and they should always be perfect.
So you are a perfectionist?
Yes, this is my credo. If I do something, I always see the end result that I want to achieve. Then I go on stage with it. And no one is an obstacle for me. I work with the social sphere, so I consider it my duty to ask questions to our ministers: "We have low-income families with many children. So someone should deal with them? Are these our people! Does this mean that the state needs these people to take care of?" Sometimes I get answers, more often - no. And I continue to do what I can and can.
It seems that Nadezhda Babkina is not just your name, is this a real Russian brand?
My life has developed so much that I have never dealt only with myself. I planned to be a singer since childhood. Moreover, the singer is a one-person student. When I touched at the university (and I have three higher educations) with polyphony, I realized that this is my element. Today Nadezhda Babkina is a polyphony. This is my self-realization. I “sing” at once for many voices, receiving from this inexpressible happiness and strength. This is my defense and protection from everything in the world. Therefore, I feel confident, and everything else does not bother me. Besides me, no one does it better than me today!
And yet, what do you see as your main task?
Save the Russian folk song, and therefore Russian culture. I have a very high bar, so I am very demanding of myself and my performers. The ninth generation of artists is already working in my team. But I'm still the same. I will never release anything raw or vulgar on stage. Yes, I love it when it’s “on the edge of a knife”, but you need to clearly feel this line. I’m not a hypocrite, and I can also fool around, and have a hangover, and dance, and I can send far. I’ll wrap it up such times, directly “lace and openwork”, that mine go and write down for me ... However, today I have grown stronger in my belief that I am doing everything right, therefore I am grateful to all those people who need me. Every time I go on tour, all our performances, regardless of the audience, are perceived with a bang! Not once in 35 years did we have a disastrous performance, and never will be. You are a hereditary Cossack.
Who helped you make your way in life?
I was born and raised in a village, and for me the rural way of life is the norm. From childhood, I was taught to respect people, so I still feel ashamed if I did not say hello to a person. In the village, everyone sees you. And we had strict teachers, they didn’t give anyone a descent. Who helped? Yes, especially no one! I am an independent person since childhood, my parents trusted me in raising my younger brother. As a result, I became a People’s Artist of Russia, and my brother became a General. Village children, and we didn’t have any blat ... What artist? Of course, everyone laughed at first. But life turned out that way, you can’t shift it in another way. And so I came up with this whole story, and pulled it onto the stage, into the hall, to the audience.
We even build the program of our performances in a special way in order to feel the power of the auditorium. Usually, my collective comes out first and starts singing, but I'm not, and then I appear in the hall, shaking hands with each spectator. And this power of handshakes gives a powerful energy exchange. Someone rushes to hug. People begin to surge in unimaginable happiness. And this is good! When I go up to the stage from the audience, then all the spectators are already mine. I don’t have to offer them anything else.
Hope, you were the first to speak with the band. Before that, all the performers of the Russian song were alone on the stage: Lidia Ruslanova, Lyudmila Zykina ...
Yes, I was the first to bring the whole Russian folk group to the stage, and the first to go down to the audience to the audience. For communication. Incidentally, I was the first to leave the stage with Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin when he was our President. I felt that he had fun at my concert, and went to him ... The next time I didn’t allow myself that. Still, he is the first person of the country!
A smile always plays on your face, you light and lead. Are you never tired?
I feel great folk love, and I answer people the same. Love me, not by paper, but in fact. I know it. Therefore, I do not have the word "tired." I never say that "I feel bad" or "I can’t." This is just out of the question. I cannot fail others. I am a workaholic and therefore eat myself as a meal if I let anyone down.If the plane is late, then instead of an hour and a half concert I can work for 2.5 hours, and people say, incredibly, everything went as if it were 30 minutes. So I express my gratitude that they were waiting for me. Thank! This is my position.
Are there any projects you have refused? And why?
Yes, it did. I can't stand being invited to cover something. I just see when there is no necessary level, scale, and the organizers are trying to hide behind my face or name.
Are there any bands in Russia today that can be called competitors of your Russian Song?
All the teams that are being created today and are similar to what Babkina is doing are, for the most part, counted on commercial success. I don’t trust anyone. But when there is a team on an ongoing basis, and every day works tirelessly, this is the result! Applause - these are the deserved results of our work.
On our 35th anniversary, we created an amazing program based on the wheel .... The "Wheel of Life" is spinning by people. Today you are below, and tomorrow above. That was my idea. I come up with an idea for each project, I'm not interested in whistling with alternating numbers. I need a prologue, then a climax so that everything is uplifted, and in the end - a general peace and shouts of “Bravo”! Such a show is remembered forever! And it’s so sad that our festival doesn’t take the whole television, and doesn’t show it as it is on its air, but chases it at concerts the same for years - sad, fun, sad, fun again ... Why? But because, all the money! Because it was Babkina who came up with it, why do they need me when they themselves want to earn money?
Nadezhda Georgievna, today you have also become a co-host of the Fashion Sentence program. How do you breathe in this company? Do you draw something for yourself from the recommendations of your colleagues?
I really like this program. Firstly, I am called upon to protect women on it. After all, no one has ever accustomed us to aesthetics, to beauty. Nobody told us that a beautiful image helps to achieve success in life. And no one is to blame. The whole country was building socialism. A successful person is always harmonious, therefore he is successful in every sense - both in the profession and in his personal life. In my opinion, this program is not about clothes or fashion, it is about the psychology of people, therefore, it identifies many questions and gives answers to them. Therefore, I consider it an excellent positive impulse for everyone: both for men and for women. This is a beauty treatment.
I myself have come in handy many of the tips that I apply in my everyday wardrobe. On the stage, I have wonderful costumes created by the authors-artists, and in everyday life, fashion tips from professionals like Evelina and Alexander help a lot. It’s difficult to work in the program, people come difficult with their problems. Even before the transfer, I have to talk with them a lot, convince, calm them down. Of course, it is exhausting. But I can’t do it any other way! For a person to believe me, I need to be honest to the end.
At first, I was very afraid, because both Alexander Vasiliev and Evelina are hyper-professionals in their field, and which TV presenter is from me? But I told them right away, you say, excuse me, but I’ll get used to it, somehow I’ll adapt to you. For me, this is also a science. Of course, the Fashionable Sentence brings something new to my life in the spirit of the times.
In conclusion, we again returned to the issue of rest. When is time left for him?
After filming on Channel One, I arrive home at half past one in the night, falling off my feet, and at half past seven already on my feet again. Then I have to be silent for 24 hours, not to see anyone, go to the pool or just lie on the couch in order to quickly recover and go to the team. I also have Russian Song! And I owe everything around now. But how glad I am that I have such a job, such a family, such friends. I do not wish myself any other fate!
Thank you for the conversation, Nadezhda Georgievna. Hope to see you soon.
