The National Anthem of the Russian Federation (Russian: Государственный гимн Российской Федерации, "Gosudarstvenny Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii") is the national anthem of Russia. The song is an adaptation of the anthem of the Soviet Union that was used from 1944 until 1990, with music originally composed by Alexander Alexandrov. The lyrics were revised for the anthem of the Russian Federation by Sergey Mikhalkov, who also wrote lyrics for versions of the Soviet anthem in 1943 and 1977. In 1990, Russia needed a new anthem to distance itself from the Soviet past. Although "God Save The Tsar!" was used before the overthrow of the Tsar in 1917, President of the Russian SFSR, Boris Yeltsin, decided to select the song "Patrioticheskaya pesnya" by Mikhail Glinka. Composed without words and discovered after Glinka's death, the anthem, without lyrics, was decreed official in 1993. Due to the lack of lyrics, the anthem was not popular. In addition, it did not inspire some Russian athletes during international competitions. A few contests were then sponsored by the government to include lyrics in the anthem, however none were adopted. Because of this, President Vladimir Putin decided that Alexandrov's music was to be restored, and that new lyrics should be written for it. The anthem was created and adopted in late 2000, and became the second anthem used by Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The public perception of the anthem is mixed amongst Russians. To some, the anthem is a reminder of the best days of Russia and honors the past sacrifices. The Russian government contends that the anthem is a symbol of unity of the people and respects the past. To others, the anthem reminds them of the acts of violence that occurred under the rule of Joseph Stalin. In a 2009 poll, about half of the respondents felt proud when hearing the anthem. Russia National Anthem Lyrics Gimn Rossiiskoi Federatsii (National Anthem of Russian Federation) Latin Transliteration Rossia - sviashennaia nasha derzhava, Rossia - lubimaia nasha strana! Moguchaia volia, velikaia slava - Tvoio dostoianie na vse vremena! CHORUS: Slavsia, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoe, Bratskikh narodov soiuz vekovoi, Predkami dannaia mudrost' narodnaia! Slavsia, strana! My gordimsia toboi! Ot yuzhykh morei do poliarnogo kraia Raskinulis nashi lesa i polia. Odna ty na svete! Odna ty takaia - Khranimaia Bogom rodnaia zemlia! CHORUS Shirokii prostor dlia mechty i dlia zhizni Griadushie nam otkryvaiut goda. Nam silu daiot nasha vernost otchizne. Tak bylo, tak est' i tak budet vsegda! CHORUS Music: Alexandr Alexandrov (1934) Lyrics: Sergei Mikhalkov (2000) ENGLISH Translation: Russia is our sacred state, Russia is our beloved land. The powerful strength and the great glory Are your properties for all the time. CHORUS: Long live our Fatherland, land of the free, The eternal union of brothers nations, Given by ancestors the people's wiseness! Long live our land! We are proud of you!

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