On the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, Russian anti-war songs can serve as proof of something that today’s Kremlin rulers would probably condemn as „extremist“: that in Russia, too, there are people who detest war.
In Russia, too, there is a strong tradition of anti-militarist thinking and poetry. In music, this is reflected in folk and art songs as well as in the singer-songwriter scene, in rock music and not least in guitar poetry.
Zemfira: Don’t Shoot!
No, don’t shoot!
I am just a timid whisper,
a faint, almost faded sigh.
No, don’t look at me!
My scars are none of your business,
Avert your pitiful eyes from me,
they do me harm.
But please don’t be silent
in this eloquent silence
that buries me beneath it!
No, don’t be silent!
No, don’t shoot!
Don’t you see the love in this room,
this exposed love that you break apart
with your thoughtless hands?
No, don’t ask me any questions!
I’m afraid of losing my grip.
And your hands won’t be able to hold
me and my burdening answers.
But please don’t be silent
in this eloquent silence
that buries me beneath it!
No, don’t be silent!
Земфира (Zemfira): Не стреляйте (Nye strelyaitye
Bild: Bulat Okudshawa
Planet Literature 
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