The famous song Beloved Irkutsk, the middle of the Earth, to verses by Mark Sergeev, has been officially approved as the anthem of Irkutsk. The city Duma made the decision, and on June 4 the anthem will be performed at the city anniversary by the Governor s Symphony Orchestra, choir, and Bolshoi Theater soloist Roman Muravitsky. The article explains how the long discussed idea finally became official and why Irkutsk residents consider this song their folk anthem.
The well-known song “Beloved Irkutsk - the Middle of the Earth” to the verses of the Irkutsk poet Mark Sergeev has been recognized. The anthem of Irkutsk will be performed already at the city’s anniversary on June 4.Such a decision was made today by the City Duma. The anthem was performed by the Governor’s Symphony Orchestra of the Irkutsk Philharmonic, the chamber choir of the Governor’s Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Elena Boyarkina, and soloist of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, Honored Artist of Russia Roman Muravitsky. The author of the special arrangement is Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR Ilmar Lapinsh.
“No changes have been made to the city’s symbols since 1996, despite the fact that the possibility of approving Irkutsk’s own anthem has been discussed repeatedly. Now this decision has been made. It is significant that this was done on the eve of Irkutsk’s anniversary. The song ‘Beloved Irkutsk — the Middle of the Earth’ has long since become the folk anthem of Irkutsk residents. Today we have legalized it,” said Irkutsk Duma Chairwoman Irina Yezhova.
By decision of the Duma, the text of the anthem and its musical version have been approved, the Irkutsk mayor’s office press service reports.