Разноцветные ленты

Raznotsvetnye lenty (Multicolored Ribbons) serves as a metaphorical exploration of an eternal, perhaps spiritual, quest. On the surface, it is a romantic ballad about a man traveling the world to find a gift for his beloved. However, the imagery suggests a deeper philosophical layer typical of Edmund Shklyarsky's writing.

The "wind" that drives the narrator represents fate or an inner restlessness that prevents him from settling down. The "multicolored ribbons" function as a symbol of joy, festivity, and a connection to the ideal world—a sharp contrast to the "empty sunrises" (bleak reality) he encounters. The act of braiding these ribbons into hair is an intimate gesture of care, binding, and beautification.

Shklyarsky himself has drawn parallels between this song and the character of Peer Gynt from Henrik Ibsen's play. Like Peer Gynt, the song's protagonist is a wanderer who travels the world, often distracted or lost, yet ultimately driven by the memory of a waiting beloved (Solveig). The "ribbons" can also be linked to the European tradition of the Maypole (May Tree), which is decorated with colorful ribbons, symbolizing the arrival of spring, life, and renewal. Thus, the hero is searching for the essence of life and spring in a world that often feels barren.

The song's narrative centers on a restless wanderer who is perpetually driven across the world by the wind. The protagonist describes the sensation of the wind whistling behind his shoulders, acting as an irresistible force that pushes him forward on an endless journey. His primary motivation, however, is not the travel itself but a specific, delicate mission: he is searching for "multicolored ribbons" to braid into the hair of his beloved.

As he traverses various landscapes, he encounters "empty sunrises" and experiences a profound sense of dissatisfaction. Everything he finds on his path is described as "not that"—the world fails to offer what he truly desires. Despite the futility he often faces, he continues his search, pleading with the sun to shine brightly and guide his way. The lyrics convey a cycle of constant motion and longing, where the simple, colorful tokens of love remain elusive, yet the protagonist remains dedicated to finding them to adorn his beloved's braids.

The song was written by the band's permanent leader, Edmund Shklyarsky. It was released as part of the album В руках великана (In the Giant's Hands), which came out on September 1, 2019. The track premiered slightly earlier, on August 31, 2019.

In interviews surrounding the album's release, Shklyarsky explained the imagery behind the song. He mentioned that while writing, he envisioned a connection to the "Maypole" tradition—a festive tree decorated with ribbons found in various European cultures. Furthermore, he explicitly cited Ibsen's play Peer Gynt as a thematic inspiration, viewing the song's protagonist as a figure similar to Peer, who wanders the globe while his beloved waits for his return. The song became a staple of the tour supporting the album and was well-received by fans for its melodic, acoustic-driven sound which recalled the band's earlier, more folk-influenced works.

The song utilizes a consistent rhyme scheme, generally following an ABAB pattern in the verses. The rhymes alternate between feminine (stress on the penultimate syllable, e.g., sve-tu / len-ty - note: this is a slant rhyme or assonance) and masculine (stress on the final syllable, e.g., svis-tit / za-ples-ti).

Rhythmically, the song has a driving, mid-tempo beat that emulates the feeling of walking or traveling. The meter is consistent, likely an iambic or amphibrachic tetrameter, which creates a rolling, wave-like cadence suitable for a song about wind and wandering. The steady rhythm of the acoustic guitar underpins the lyrics, ensuring the song maintains a sense of forward momentum throughout.

Musically, the song stands out for its transparency and lightness, contrasting with the heavier, more electronic tracks often found on Piknik's modern albums. The arrangement is built around a ringing acoustic guitar playing arpeggios, which creates a sense of movement and road travel. This is complemented by atmospheric keyboards that provide a mystical "halo" around the melody.

Lyrically, Shklyarsky employs repetition (anaphora) effectively, particularly with the phrase "I am looking for..." and "The wind again...". This structural repetition mimics the cyclical nature of the wanderer's journey. The vocal delivery is characteristic of Shklyarsky: a calm, detached, yet deeply expressive baritone that adds a layer of stoicism to the romantic longing.

"Raznotsvetnye lenty" was one of the key singles from the 2019 album In the Giant's Hands. It received significant airplay on Russian rock radio stations, particularly Nashe Radio, where it featured in the "Chartova Dyuzhina" chart. The song was quickly embraced by the band's fanbase as a return to the more lyrical and acoustic style of their classic 80s and 90s ballads. It has since become a regular number in their concert setlists, often accompanied by specific video art or stage antics involving the "shamanic" characters Piknik is famous for.

The lyrics rely on a few potent symbols:

• The Wind: Represents the force of destiny, restlessness, and the passage of time. It "drives" the hero, implying a lack of total control over his own life path.
• Multicolored Ribbons: These represent the Ideal—fragments of beauty, joy, or spiritual truth that the hero seeks to bring back from his journey. They are the tangible manifestation of his love and devotion.
• Empty Sunrises: A metaphor for disillusionment. A sunrise usually symbolizes hope and new beginnings, but here they are "empty," suggesting that without the "ribbons" (the essential goal), a new day brings no fulfillment.
• Braiding Hair: A symbol of intimacy, order, and care. It represents the desire to care for the beloved and to bring order and beauty to her existence using the gifts found during the journey.

The central recurring motif is the phrase: "Я ищу разноцветные ленты" (I am looking for multicolored ribbons). This line is repeated as a mantra, emphasizing the singular focus of the protagonist's life. Another recurring element is the "wind", which appears at the start to set the scene of involuntary movement. The repetition of "Everything is wrong" (Всё не то) serves as a counter-motif, highlighting the conflict between the seeker's high standards and the disappointing reality he traverses.