Buranovskie Babushki say 'we are ordinary grannies'

Buranovskie Babushki, the singing grannies that will represent Russia in Eurovision 2012, have put their village Buranovo, in the Central Russian Republic of Udmurtia, on the map, according to esctoday. com.

Also, by performing their entry Party for everybody in Baku next May, the ladies are giving Russian folk music big boost.

"Any granny has to be able to sing, dance, smile and have fun", Galina Koneva, a singer from Buranovskie Babushki, told Russia Today. "We`re no stars, we`re just ordinary grannies".
Buranovskie Babushki, by being chosen to represent Russia in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, will present a completely different image of the country to Europe: a group of six grannies wearing traditional costumes and birch bark shoes. That is exactly what their fans like, claiming this unmistakably ethnic feel represents the real Russia. Indeed, in this country, folk songs and dances, with their colourful costumes, fiery moves and heartfelt lyrics, have never fallen out of fashion.

"These songs come from our ancestors. They`ve always been a huge part of village life, of our roots", Zhanna Rusakova, artistic director of Slavyane Folk Band, told RT. "That`s how people expressed themselves. It`s all about our traditions that represent something for every generation. Russia is not Russia without its folk songs".

Buranovskie Babushki will therefore break a long lasting trend of young and fresh artists representing Russia with modern pop songs. They will sing the folk song Party for everybody in English and Udmurtian in the first semifinal on May 22nd, at spot number 14 .


/esctoday. com/