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

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

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.

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.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

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. 

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.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

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