Valenki (song)

"Valenki" is a Russian-language traditional song.

Lidia Ruslanova singing on the steps of the Reichstag

It is commonly known as a Russian folk song^[1] and is strongly associated with Russian folk singer Lidia Ruslanova, who presented her version with a new melody during World War II. She sang it at every concert, including on the steps of the Reichstag on 2 May 1945.^[2][3]

The earlier version belonged to the genre of Russian "gypsy dance song"^[2] and was thought to originate "somewhere in gypsy camps".^[4] Among the performers had been Nina Dulkevich [ru],^[2] gypsy singer Nastya Polyakova,^[2] and "Queen of Russian Romance" Izabella Yurieva.^[5] In fact, Nastya Polyakova is credited as the author on her 1913 gramophone record.^[4]