"Kalinka" (Russian: Калинка) is a Russian song written in 1860 by the composer and folklorist Ivan Larionov and first performed in Saratov as part of a theatrical entertainment that he had composed.[1] Soon it was added to the repertory of a folk choral group.
The refrain of the song refers to the kalinka, which is the snowball tree (Viburnum opulus). It has a speedy tempo and light-hearted lyrics. The main refrain (Kalinka, Kalinka ...) increases in tempo each time it is sung. One of the best-known singers of this song was Evgeny Belyaev (1926–1994).
