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After I retired from working as a tram driver, I decided to join the Center for Folk Culture. It used to be called the Lenin Palace of Culture, but they've pretty much thrown his name off everything now.The center sends me out to play at festivals like this one. I don't get paid for it; I do it because I want to. Once last week some young women tried to give me some money, but I refused it. Why would I want to take their money? Then it would be like I'm playing because I'm obligated to, not because I want to.
I love playing the accordion. It's the joy of my soul. It just makes me so happy when I play, because I play for people, to give them something they can enjoy.
I never took any lessons, and can't read a single note. I just listen to a song, and then start playing it myself. I guess I know just about all the Russian songs ever written, and some from Bulgaria, Poland, Byelarus. I don't know any American songs, but that's only because I've never really heard any. To me it doesn't matter where the song is from, the main thing is if it's good music. Happy music.
Everyone loves the good Russian songs. When I play Katyusha or Moscow Nights, even the Chinese and Koreans like it.
