Bands have been heard playing ‘Kalinka’ and ‘Katyusha’ at the tournament in Qatar
The sound of Russian folk songs at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar is more evidence that the country’s culture cannot be “canceled” despite the best efforts of some forces to do so, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
A FIFA and UEFA ban imposed on Russia in February deprived its men’s national team of attempting to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Nonetheless, several-thousand Russian fans have made the trip to Qatar to take in the action at the tournament.
Local bands which whip up the atmosphere for fans at stadiums have also been heard playing the Russian songs ‘Kalinka’ and ‘Katyusha’.
Presidential spokesman Peskov was asked by reporters in Moscow on Friday if the presence of the songs proved that Russia was still “participating” at the tournament.
“Russia isn’t at the World Cup. Let’s call a spade a spade,” replied Peskov, according to TASS.
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