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Balalaika 70 years ban in the U S A

Balalaika 70 years ban in the U S A

“Flying balalaika brothers” group. Balalaika 70 years ban in the U S A

Balalaika 70 years ban in the U S A. On the second October 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama extended the ban on the sale of balalaika in the U.S. until 2020. Background goes back to the pre-war time, when the then head of the administration in Washington, Franklin Roosevelt signed a secret decree banning the balalaika in the country for 10 years. It happened in 1940 and since then has regularly renewed the decree. Since 2000, the decree of Clinton extended ban to Alaska. Balalaika – one of the tools that have become, along with an accordion, a symbol of the Russian people.Balalaika 70 years ban in the U S A
The earliest known reference to the Balalaika is in 1688 in a book speaking of a people called Skomorokhi. According to Russian history, these were minstrels who traveled around the country and performed at weddings, fairs and other events.

Tsarevich Alexei and balalaika

Tsarevich Alexei and balalaika

Preserved rare photo of Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, made aboard the imperial yacht “Standart” in the summer of 1907, in which the crown prince, surrounded by three cadets playing the balalaika. This is the only known case of heir to the Russian throne, who not only learned, but also loved to play the national instrument.

Meanwhile, the reason for the ban was formally the fact that balalaika had been banned in Czarist Russia by the Orthodox Church and the state for “allowing to mock authority.” However, to play the balalaika in the USA is not completely prohibited. All you need – a special license. Besides, not allowed bulk sale of this instrument, and industrial manufacturing. That’s why the book by J. Flynn, “How to make a balalaika”, released in 1984, gained a fantastic popularity with 9 editions. For ordinary Americans who want to enjoy the sounds of the balalaika, no other way but to make it with hands. To buy a balalaika in the store will not be possible for at least another ten years.

Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments named after Andreev V.V.

Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments named after Andreev V.V.

V.V. Andreev founded the orchestra, gradually introduced new methods of playing the balalaika, allowing to expand and enrich the repertoire. Andreev had great success with the St. Petersburg audience. In 1887, the first time he performs as a soloist in a concert piano accompaniment, making thus an instrument balalaika concert stage. In 1888, Vladimir Andreev publishes guide “School for balalaika”.

Balalaika, a Russian folk instrument with three strings and a triangular body, played like a banjo. It has a long neck with frets on the fingerboard. The belly is flat and the back is made from several flat pieces of wood, each meeting at an angle. The tuning is usually to the E, E, and A above middle C. In the 19th century a full family was created, with sizes down to double bass, and balalaika orchestras became popular in Russia and elsewhere.

Balalaika 70 years ban in the U S A

Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov (center) playing the balalaika

Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov (center) playing the balalaika

Touring Poster Russian balalaika Tour de Balalaika

Touring Poster Tour de Balalaika

Franz Riss Skomorokhs in a village

Franz Riss Skomorokhs in a village

Poster of touring, the folk group 'Skomorokhi' (1969-2010)

Poster of touring, the folk group ‘Skomorokhi’ (1969-2010)

American pianist Harvey Lavan "Van" Cliburn, Jr learning to play balalaika

American pianist Harvey Lavan “Van” Cliburn, Jr learning to play balalaika

Stokovsky world famous conductor

Stokovsky world famous conductor

Balalaika virtuoso Sergey Vashchenko, Vladimir Kaliazine and Russian folk duo KALINKA

Sergey Vashchenko, Vladimir Kaliazine and Russian folk duo KALINKA

Bass-balalaika and Russian folk dancer Valentina Kvasova

Bass-balalaika and Russian folk dancer Valentina Kvasova

Children's Ensemble of song and dance named after Loktev

Children’s Ensemble of song and dance named after Loktev

Every day - Friday. Balalaika concert in Tokio, Japan

Every day – Friday. Concert in Tokio, Japan

Leonid Bruk with contrabass balalaika, Alex Siniavski - balalaika, and Mikhail Smirnov - guitar. Kings Plaza Macys, Brooklyn, New York City

Leonid Bruk with contrabass balalaika, Alex Siniavski – balalaika, and Mikhail Smirnov – guitar. Kings Plaza Macys, Brooklyn, New York City

New York based balalaika contrabass player Leonid Bruk

New York based balalaika contrabass player Leonid Bruk

Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra

Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra

Russian music balalaika ensemble from San Francisco, California 'San Francisco Balalaika Ensemble'

California ‘San Francisco Balalaika Ensemble’

The Russian music band 'Flying Balalaika Brothers' represents Russian folk music, crossover to bluegrass and many other international acoustic styles

Flying Balalaika Brothers’ represents Russian folk music, crossover to bluegrass and many other international acoustic styles

Balalaika – in cartoon

Bear with balalaika, cartoon

Candace holding balalaika

Candace holding balalaika

Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky Balalaika Player

Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky Balalaika Player

Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky. Boy with Balalaika

Painting by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky. Boy with Balalaika

painted balalaika

Black Balalaika

painted balalaika

Examples of painted balalaika

Painting on balalaika, artist Igor Mirgorod

Tea drinking, painted instrument, artist Igor Mirgorod

Painting on balalaika, artist Igor Mirgorod

Troika, artist Igor Mirgorod

Painting on balalaika, artist Igor Mirgorod

Dancing bear. Painting on balalaika, artist Igor Mirgorod

Russian Father Frost with balalaika

Father Frost with balalaika

Russian gift souvenir balalaika

Beautifully painted instrument

Russian gift souvenir balalaika

Gift souvenir

Russian gift souvenir balalaika

Traditionally, Samovars and balalaika – Russian souvenirs

President Putin playing the balalaika

President Putin playing the balalaika

sources:
americanews.ru/en/h49/16940.html
barynya.com
artnow.ru/ru/gallery/8/5131.html