Songs based on Marina Tsvetaeva’s poems performed at Tsvetaeva bonfires: Semiotic levels of perception

Abstract

The perception of songs based on Marina Tsvetaeva’s poems is the focus of the article. The theoretical frame is the semiotics of popular music proposed by T. Turino. As he declares, singing can act as a sign of identity, functioning as an iconic (according to Ch. Peirce) sign. This connection is the least mediated and often has the strongest emotional impact. The Tsvetaeva songs refer to gender identity and to a special type of culture. The song can act as an index sign, referring to personal experience, to the biography of the author, or to the history of the country. The song helps the Tsvetaeva bonfire to be realized as an event for preserving historical and cultural memory. The song also can be interpreted by the recipient, endowing it with personal meanings. The text “I would like to live with you in a small town…” can be linked with a specific place of performance, reinforcing a sense of belonging. The material for the study includes observations at the Tsvetaeva bonfires, as well as interviews with listeners and performers of songs based on Marina Tsvetaeva’s poems. Analysis of these materials demonstrates that musical interpretations of her poetry not only transmit cultural codes but also generate new meanings, revitalizing the poet’s legacy in a contemporary context. The study highlights how these songs serve as a bridge between personal emotion and collective memory, reinforcing Tsvetaeva’s enduring cultural significance.