Russkie Uzory Ensemble of Krasny Zilim Village – Cufflinks of Siltamak: Russian Songs from Bashkortostan (Antonovka, 2025)
The vocal ensemble Russkie Uzory Ensemble, also affectionately known as “The Grandmas of Zilim,” is based in Krasny Zilim, a village in Bashkortostan’s Arkhangelsky district, located 100 kilometers from the regional capital, Ufa. This settlement, established in the 1750s by migrants from Simbirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, and Tambov provinces, has a rich history tied to the copper smelting industry. The local dialect reflects linguistic patterns of the Penza region, adding a distinctive character to the area’s cultural identity.
Originally named Russki Zilim (“Russian Zilim”) after the nearby Zilim River, the village was renamed Krasny Zilim (“Red Zilim”) in 1929. The ensemble’s name, Russkie Uzory, meaning “Russian Patterns,” evokes the intricate beauty of traditional motifs in their performances.
The ensemble’s 2025 release, Cufflinks of Siltamak: Russian Songs from Bashkortostan, highlights regional folk traditions. For instance, the title song, “Siltamak Cufflinks,” is as a wedding tune rooted in local traditions. The name “Siltamak” is a folkloric reference to the city of Sterlitamak. This album was recorded on July 19, 2023, at the House of Culture in Krasny Zilim, capturing the authenticity and intimacy of the group.
Ensemble members: Tamara Zvereva, Ekaterina Barysheva, Lyubov Potapenko, Valentina Barysheva, Antonina Kozhevnikova, Valentina Shvetsova (leader), Ekaterina Shvetsova, Nadezhda Shvetsova, Elena Marakhotina.
Cufflinks of Siltamak: Russian Songs from Bashkortostan
Author: Tyler Bennet
