Picnic

Soviet and Russian rock band formed in 1978 in Leningrad by students of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, Aleksei Dobychin and Yevgeny Voloshchuk. Initially named "Orion," the group was soon renamed "Picnic." In 1981, Edmund Shklyarsky joined the band, becoming its leader and primary songwriter. With Shklyarsky's arrival, the band's style evolved to incorporate elements of Russian rock, art rock, gothic rock, progressive rock, and other genres. In 1982, they recorded their debut album "Dym" ("Smoke"), and in 1986, the album "Ieroglif" ("Hieroglyph") brought them widespread recognition. In 2000, the song "Fioletovo-chyorny" ("Purple-Black") became a hit and was included in the album "Egyptian." The band is known for its theatrical concerts and use of unusual musical instruments. Over the years, Picnic has released numerous albums and continues to perform actively, remaining a significant presence on the Russian rock scene.