Putin decrees new words for Russian national anthem

The melody will be that of the former Soviet national anthem, which has not been played on official occasions for a decade. The words are by Sergei Mikhalkov, 87, the same poet who wrote the lyrics of the Soviet national song composed for dictator Joseph Stalin back in 1943.

Putin reinstated the melody by decree on Wednesday over the protests of liberal politicians who say this glorifies the Soviet past and tramples the memory of millions of victims of Stalinist terror. Kept secret until Friday, the new lyrics begin: "Russia, our sacred, powerful state, Russia, our beloved land. Mighty will and great glory Are yours forever." Opinion polls show a majority of Russians want to go back to the familiar music they grew up with, rather than stick with a tune called the Patriotic Song that was composed by Mikhail Glinka.

Over the past decade it was played on official occasions and when Russian competitors won sports events, but there were no words to it. For a decade, Russian leaders have been debating which parts of the Soviet heritage and which parts of the czarist heritage to use as symbols of the new Russia. A pre-revolutionary double-headed eagle has been retained as the country's arms.

The national flag is a white, blue and red tricolour, but the armed forces have a separate banner, the red flag.

(dpa)