History and culture: The Northern Choir celebrated its 100th anniversary on the stage of the Kremlin.

      The 100th anniversary of the State Academic Northern Russian Folk Choir was celebrated with great pomp at the State Kremlin Palace. The concert "Song of the Russian North" became a bright event, held with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, and brought together talented artists, outstanding performers, and renowned ensembles on stage.

      The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, congratulated the choir's team and veterans. His official greeting was read from the stage by the governor of the Arkhangelsk region, Alexander Tsybulsky. In his letter, Vladimir Vladimirovich noted that the Northern Russian Folk Choir has gone through a significant and impressive creative journey: "I see this as a great merit of the leaders of the ensemble, conductors, and artists who have made a significant contribution to the development of remarkable traditions of enlightenment, national musical and choral art." Putin also emphasized the professionalism of the ensemble and their dedication to high artistic ideals and values. The governor additionally noted: "This is a unique gem of the Russian North: in its creativity, the choir not only reveals the beauty of the northern nature but also unites people, ensures a connection between generations, and helps to truly appreciate one's roots."

      In honor of the anniversary, the Northern Choir was awarded the Badge of Honor for merits before the Arkhangelsk region. The award was presented to the director of the institution, Natalia Asadchik. The ensemble was also gifted a rare record from 1953 featuring the performance of "The Holiday in Kholmogory" — a historical rarity highlighting the choir's contribution to the cultural heritage of the region.

      "The centenary of the Northern Russian Folk Choir is a significant event not only for the Arkhangelsk region but for the entire country," admitted Natalia Asadchik. "Our ensemble represents the culture of the Russian North on the largest stages in Russia and beyond, and it is important for us that this tradition lives on and develops. The anniversary is an opportunity not only to summarize but also to show that folk culture remains alive, in demand, and unifying." The artistic director of the choir, Svetlana Ignatieva, added: "For us, this anniversary is not just a date, but a reflection on a long journey. The Northern Choir has always been and remains a guardian of the authentic folk tradition: we carefully preserve the northern sound and intonation while simultaneously finding ways for this music to sound modern. Performing on the stage of the Kremlin Palace in the year of the choir's centenary is an opportunity to present the culture of the Russian North to a wide audience and convey its depth, beauty, and vibrant sound."

      During this festive evening, well-known performers and ensembles took the stage, including: SHAMAN, BEARWOLF, Miravi, Prokhor Shalyapin, the State Academic Ensemble of Folk Dance named after Igor Moiseyev, Alexey Petrukhin, Sergey Voytenko, Valeria Chaika, the Gnesins' Russian Folk Choir, Chapayev, the children's pop choir "Pride," and others. The concert was hosted by Vladimir Berezin and Ksenia Alferova.

      Singer SHAMAN noted that he had previously collaborated with the Northern Russian Folk Choir — in 2022 he performed the song "Let's Stand Up," and he was glad that this experience continued. This time, in the Kremlin, he performed the patriotic ballad "My Russia," which he wrote himself, alongside the choir. The singer emphasized that the choir's centenary is a significant event: "This is a collective with a powerful history that confidently moves forward like an icebreaker and continues to do its work." He also added that folk music remains an important foundation for modern performers: "I have dedicated many years to studying folk creativity and believe that this is truly our roots and our foundation, which is why I often turn to folk sound in my work."

      Prokhor Shalyapin noted that during his studies at the Gnesin Academy, his teacher was Nina Meshko — the artistic director of the State Academic Northern Russian Folk Choir, who led the ensemble from 1960 until her death. "For me, it is especially important that I was able to touch the history of this legendary ensemble," the artist emphasized.

      The celebration of the ensemble's anniversary on the main stage of the country is not only recognition of the choir's long-standing success but also an important cultural event that helps preserve and popularize the rich heritage of northern folk songs and traditions. The concert featured not only beloved and well-known compositions but also works from the new album of the Northern Choir "Songs of the Northern Dvina," which became the winner of a special selection of musical and visual content for children and youth organized by the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. This award confirms the high quality and significance of the project in promoting Russia's cultural heritage among the younger generation. Each song from the new album is characterized by its own character and sound. Folk melodies received authorial arrangements from contemporary Moscow composers and musicians, preserving the uniqueness of northern singing, while the skillful combination of authentic sound with modern rhythms gave the songs freshness and relevance.

      In the anniversary year, the Northern Choir plans a tour across Russian cities, during which a performance will take place on April 12 at the BKZ "Oktyabrsky" in St. Petersburg. The culmination of the anniversary year will be a grand concert in December at the Arkhangelsk Drama Theater named after M.V. Lomonosov. This tour and the final shows will allow an even wider audience to touch the richness and beauty of northern folklore and become part of the celebration of the legendary ensemble's anniversary.