Among a few interesting things, noteworthy to mention about ‘Russky Dom’, a Russia’s ‘mission house’ in Vancouver (which was in essence the country’s ‘flag post’ heralding the next Winter Olympics in Sochi), there were the impromptu concerts and performances given by a number of folk dancers and musicians. For example, we had an exquisite pleasure to watch a delightful performance by Dmitry Kalinin’, a well know Russian ‘balalaika master’.
Balalaika is a ‘profoundly Russian’ instrument, since long ago symbolizing the country’s character.
With easily recognizable triangular body, high-pitched trembling sound of its three strings, balalaika has been a soul, a focal point at any social gathering in many country-side communities across Russia. Sure enough, it is a ‘country-side’ instrument, rather than ‘urban’ one.
In this piece of performance you can hear a covering of the famous Russian folk song called ‘Valenki’. By the way, ‘Valenki’ is another outstanding element from an array of stereotypes about Russia’s ‘folksy culture’. ‘Valenki’ itself is a pair of woolen boots, a popular item of footwear widely used all across the country during winter.
If you have a look into the song’s lyrics, you would read a funny story of ‘romancing in the winter country’. ‘Kolya-Nikolai’, one of the song’s character, is a young villager, one of a ‘hot guy’, who loves to socialize with lots of girls, give some gifts to them. And one particular girl, (who tells the story herself singing the song) is quite unhappy about it, for her ‘Valeki’ badly need some mending, - because of that she can not go out at night in her poor boots and be around Kolya, - as it’s too cold. Desperate, but determined, loving Kolya so much, she would exert enough courage and toughness to jump out into the cold and run to her beloved Kolya bare-feet 
Behind an ease with which Dmitri plays the balalaika you could certainly recognize a great talent. His virtuosic performance conveys a great deal of emotion to the audience .
And the audience was truly appreciative..
He was even being interrupted during performance with a request to sign an autograph
Dmitri was rocking while performing some modern musical pieces. Interestingly, the balalaika has been already introduced to the world of ‘blue grass music’ here, in North America, and it doesn’t seem it sounds ‘totally foreign’ in this world.
That’s what I’ve heard from my favorite CKUA-radio in Calgary - and obviously, the terrific string sound of the instrument in hands of artists like Dmitri has helped to accomplish this ‘Mission Impossible’
Glad to share this beauty with you,
Clash
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