The Red Star Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble was created in 1978 in Moscow, mostly to raise the cultural level and maintain the battle-readiness of the strategic rocket forces and other elements of the Red Army. A Russian proverb says "A fairy tale is a lie, but a song tells the truth." Fairy tales have become rare in present-day Russia, but folk tunes still form an integral part of daily life. Accompanied by the balalaika and the bayan (a large button-key accordion), these songs tell of love and loss, of sadness and solace, of brave deeds and everyday problems. Humor and dance can be found here, as well as melancholic longing and heroic pathos. Some favorites of the 18 songs: "Regimental Polka," "Kalinka," "Volga Boat Song," "The Swallow," "The Brave Don Cossacks," "Wait For Your Soldier," "Ochi Chornye-Dark Eyes," "In The Sunny Meadow," "The Cliff," and "On The March." All accompanied. "Kalinka" beautifully captures the brash power and deep emotions of the Red Star Red Army Chorus.