Russian Schools Ban Foreign Songs for Graduation Waltz Under Language Law

Graduates are being prohibited from performing their traditional waltz to foreign songs. Students from a school in the Ryazan region chose Sting's "Shape of My Heart” back in January for their dance. They paid a choreographer (5,000 rubles per person ($66), 50,000 in total ($660)) and spent several months preparing. However, the school administration shut down the idea and banned the track. Despite tears and disappointment, the song was replaced with the composition "Last Waltz” from the "Lillies of the Valley". The students continued rehearsals — now in a more "patriotic” tone.