Can we continue to surf on Soviet nostalgia since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and call ourselves Russkaja?
This is the thorny question posed by a popular group created in Vienna 17 years ago and caught up in the war.
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Artists facing the war in Ukraine
In the small town of Kapfenberg, 150 km southwest of Vienna, where the band of friends, six guys and a girl, gave a concert at the end of April, the atmosphere was festive.
Ska punk, Balkan turbo folk, texts in Russian or English and logo in the shape of a red gray star: the group, made up of several nationalities, is the image of Viennese cosmopolitanism, a joyful mix of cultures.
Russkaja, a regular on ORF public television, has displayed a popular style of music since the 1990s, from Vienna to Belgrade via Prague and Bucharest.
But Georgi Makazaria, a singer from Moscow who came to Austria as a teenager just after the fall of the wall, confides the doubts that have gripped his training since the start of the offensive.
“
We were worried about the extent to which we could represent something Russian
” in the current context, the 48-year-old artist explained to AFP, behind his big graying beard, before going on stage.
"
It's obvious that some lyrics of songs that sounded like celebratory suddenly changed meaning
," he says.
"
It sticks in my throat to sing 'the Russians are here'
," he cites as an example.
Exit, therefore, certain expressions replaced by a firm condemnation of a "
senseless
" conflict for this group which has always celebrated "
peace and love
", the title of one of its six albums.
"
Hello, Moskva, let's stop this 'fucking' war
", now intones Georgy Makazaria, also known for having participated in the Austrian version of "Dancing with the stars".
"Very difficult"
"
What is happening now is a disaster
," says the interpreter to the public, in front of a large Ukrainian flag.
By his side, the Ukrainian bassist Dimitrij Miller, who has accompanied him since the beginning of the adventure, says he has trouble finding the energy to "
entertain the public
" when "
his cousin has just joined the front line
" .
"
For me, it's very hard to ensure the atmosphere on stage while my loved ones are in combat
," he admits.
Especially since the signs of hostilities have multiplied.
Russkaya, who was on a US tour in March shortly after Vladimir Putin launched the assault, remembers a spectator's middle finger and back turned one evening in the
On social networks, some Internet users are indignant that a group glorifying Russian culture is still being allowed to play, while the conflict has caused massive deprogramming of Russian personalities and cultural events in Western countries.
Read alsoThe anger and shame of Russian artists continue to rise in the face of the war in Ukraine
Confused, the members, whose friendship did not explode in flight, thought for a time of finding a less frankly identifiable name, before saying to themselves that they had to assume.
In the crowd in leather jackets, beer in hand, Markus Heil “
does not see where the problem is
”.
“
It would be completely off the mark to boycott
” artists exporting Russian culture, this enthusiastic fan told AFP.
The vast majority of music lovers abound.
"
Whether you're from Ukraine or Russia, music brings you together
," said Daniel Mayerhofer, a 38-year-old tattoo artist who demanded a dedication on his right buttock.
“
Do we still have the right to be happy?
Is there still room for joy?
I think so
,” concludes Georgi Makazaria.
“
We have to find a way to express that even if it is difficult for us, I say it frankly
”.