May 25, 2020

Self-Isolation Hymn


Self-Isolation Hymn
Galkin has really revved up his creative abilities. Screen shot Galkin via Instagram

Russian comedian Maxim Galkin is at it again. The husband of the famous singer Alla Pugacheva took on a new project during quarantine: writing a song about the difficulties of quarantine. But simply writing and singing a song wasn’t enough for this comedy lion: he also dressed up in a Batman suit and sung the song while posing near a statue of an undressed Batman.

The video, posted to Galkin’s Instagram account, is labeled “Self-Isolation Hymn.” In the song, Galkin parodies some of the difficulties of staying at home: “A cake, dumplings, also potatoes - and then the sofa cracked beneath me.” Galkin’s wife, Alla Pugacheva, also has a cameo in the video. She appears on a balcony in black gloves, reaching out towards her husband but unable to reach him.

In just a few hours, the video had over 400,000 views. In the commentary, many people commented on the comedian’s amazing singing voice.

You Might Also Like

Maxim Galkin, entertainer

Maxim Galkin, entertainer

Impressionists have long been popular in Russia. But for a long time now, “top-level” impressions have been, well, less than challenging. It didn’t take a superior comic to parody the Southern accent and sing-song intonation of Mikhail Gorbachev, even less so the slurring baritone of Boris Yeltsin.
100 Young Russians to Watch
  • May 01, 2002

100 Young Russians to Watch

With this, our ninth installment, we bring to a close our year-and-a-half-long series “One Hundred Young Russians To Watch in the New Century.”
Young Russians We Have Been Watching
  • March 01, 2005

Young Russians We Have Been Watching

Four years ago, we profiled 100 Young Russians to Watch in the New Century. We felt it was about time to check back and see how some of them are doing.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955