Legacy of the Revolution
From the early days of Soviet power, the anthem that resounded through the streets was Internationale. Its text, penned by Eugene Potier, emerged from the 1871 Paris Commune experience. Arkady Kots translated the verses into Russian, while the music was composed by Belgian Pierre Degeyter.
Before the revolution, this song served as a rallying cry for radical socialists, including the Bolsheviks. After 1917, its symbolism naturally aligned with the state. Internationale carried a solemn tone, suited for large-scale choral performances that marked the public life of the early USSR. The Soviet Union presented itself as the pioneer of the world communist movement and the first link in a global chain of revolutions. In that sense, the anthem, with its text equally resonant for workers in Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Spain, contributed effectively to the state image.
Work on a new anthem began in the first half of 1942, during the Great Patriotic War, inspired by a note from Central Committee member Alexander Shcherbakov to Joseph Stalin. A competition gathered composers and poets, with a sizable prize offered—a substantial 100,000 rubles for the winner.
Anthem of the new era
The call drew 170 composers and 42 poets. Among the participants were Dmitry Shostakovich, Aram Khachaturian, Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitry Kabalevsky, Reinhold Gliere, Yuri Shaporin, Tikhon Khrennikov, Isaac Dunaevsky, and Matvei Blanter. These figures were widely known both in the USSR and abroad. Riga’s Oscar Strok contributed an unusual melody, almost a dance tune, for an anthem entry.
In response, one composer explained that the aim was to avoid mere imitation of foreign anthems. The work should be solemn and majestic, reflecting the text and the nation’s heroic identity.
During the war years, a surge of hymn-like music appeared, with Holy War as a notable example. Its lyrics by Vasily Lebedev-Kumach and music by Alexander Alexandrov resonated through military units and city epics, celebrating the Red Army and its campaigns.
Yet the leadership sought more. Klim Voroshilov and Shcherbakov insisted the new text emphasize the victory of the working class, the strength of workers, and international friendship, while remaining broadly accessible and lasting for decades. The text should avoid direct references to ongoing battles and imminent victory.
Many poets faced the constraint, with some producing lines that seemed odd in retrospect. Olga Berggolts, for instance, offered a satirical turn that parodied grand revolutionary phrases. Konstantin Simonov’s lines sometimes embodied a more aggressive tone, which some viewed as incongruent with the desired unity and popular reach.
After careful evaluation, the existing Bolshevik-era melody, composed by Alexandrov in 1938, was chosen. Sergei Mikhalkov, with El-Registan, contributed the lyrics, which Stalin helped refine.
According to accounts, Stalin urged lines that celebrated a united, free people and the will of the people. There was also a sense that Lenin should be referenced, yet without elevating any individual figure above the collective will. The aim was a clear, inclusive message suitable for the nation’s mood and future bearings.
On December 14, 1943, the Politburo approved the final version, followed by formal approval from the Council of People’s Commissars on December 22.
Why did Stalin need a new anthem?
At first glance, rushing to replace a wartime anthem amid fierce battles seems abrupt. Yet discussions around the decision reveal practical and ideological motives. The wartime population and military often chanted the Internationale as a symbol of resistance in besieged cities and occupied territories. Officially, the shift aimed to reflect changing conditions, presenting a national banner that could outlive the immediate conflict.
Historically, many national anthems celebrate independence or revolutionary beginnings. The Soviet transition paralleled this tradition: a new anthem would mark the post-storm era and align with broader international diplomacy. The shift mirrored a broader policy evolution, moving from international slogans to a focus on national unity and shared purpose.
Critics and observers note that poetry and music are deeply subjective. The new anthem earned attention for its artistic value and emotional reach, though some questioned how well it captured the full breadth of Soviet life. Historians point to two intertwined factors for the timing: wartime alliance-building, and a domestic shift toward a more unified, nationally oriented ideology. Over time, iconography and history were reshaped to emphasize a resilient, united nation.
Iconography also reinterpreted historical figures to fit contemporary messaging. Leaders from Russia’s past were recast as embodiments of national strength, while the text of the anthem reinforced a sense of enduring unity. The anthem’s legacy evolved as political climates shifted and new generations engaged with a familiar but transformed symbol.
The melody endured, yet the text underwent revisions across different eras, reflecting changing leadership and political priorities. The lasting tune, paired with revised words, became a symbol that transcended specific eras while remaining tied to the country’s evolving identity.
The evolution of the anthem thus stands as a reflection of broader state narratives. It shows how art and policy intertwine to shape collective memory, even as listeners and readers bring their own histories to the tune. The modern versions echo the same musical backbone, while the verses have undergone careful adaptation to fit new national stories and aspirations.