Traditional folk songs in the repertoires of Mezen choirs

This study focuses on the singing practices of village communities, which were the object of the author’s field observations during expeditions to the Mezen River and its tributaries in the Arkhangelsk region from 2007 through the 2010s. The research was conducted through participant observation, which led to the identification of two distinct types of singing practices in this area: public and private. The primary goal of this research was to explore the unique characteristics of these practices, with findings partially presented in this article. It highlights the role of traditional song folklore within the repertoires of rural choirs. By examining singing as a communal activity, this approach offers a fresh perspective on the subject. In Russian philological folkloristics, the analysis typically focuses on song texts, leaving the practical aspects of singing relatively unexplored. Given the anthropological shift in the humanities, this study is particularly relevant. The findings suggest that the continued presence of traditional song folklore in the repertoires of rural choirs, even a century after the decline of the peasant class, underscores its enduring significance for both local residents and the authorities supporting these folk groups.