Rendering 13: 'Commemorating Vladimir Vysotsky - Russia's best-loved bard poet'

The article ‘Commemorating Vladimir Vysotsky – Russia’s best-loved bard poet’ was published by Benjamin Hutter in Russia Beyond the Headlines on January 24. It reports about the Russian artist the late Vladimir Vysotsky, as today more than 30 years since his death in 1980, he continues to draw crowds in Moscow. That year Vysotsky would have been his 75th birthday.

   Speaking of commemoration of his birthday at tribute concert at Crocus City Hall, it’s necessary to note that Vladimir Vysotsky made an appearance, speaking on a huge screen that dominated the Hall; he told about his childhood memories. It’s an open secret that the man had a voice of a real drunkard (as parents’ friends used to say), that was a difficult task for his imitators.

   Moreover, Vladimir Vysotsky was not only actor, but an author and singer of his songs, poet, the author of the prose works; however, his songs were never officially permitted in the Soviet Union; he was only recognized officially as an actor (he was an actor at the Taganka Theatre; performed in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, and in the film “The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed”). Analyzing such a situation, it’s necessary to note that despite of that that fact everyone knew when and where his next concert would take place.

   Giving appraisal of his work, it’s necessary to mention that Vysotsky’s songs are like an embodiment of life, as they are like a whole drama: a piece of theatre that can be read, again and again; and each time you find new emotions, a new meaning. So generations grew up on his songs. However, it must be mentioned that Vladimir Vysotsky was the first Russian rocker, though his attitude and his deep, intellectual lyrics.

   The article concludes by saying that Vysotsky’s legacy is so profound that some see him as untouchable in terms of the heights he reached. The greying heads of those who were the singer’s contemporaries can be counted on the fingers of one hand among his fans. This jubilee was attended by thousands of Muscovites, offering Vysotsky that which he desired above all else during his lifetime – immortality. So I think you will agreee with me that it is possible to write books about him, and after that not everything will be said, as Vladimir Vysotsky is the most bright and outstanding personality of art music, cinema and the theatre of our history. He performed Hamlet and repeated his life: both of them died young and misunderstood. However, such people cannot be forgotten!