What is "bylina"

n. traditional East Slavic oral epic narrative poem

Bylina or Starina (; pl. Byliny; also ; pl. Stariny) is a traditional East Slavic oral epic narrative poem. Byliny songs are loosely based on historical fact, greatly embellished with fantasy or hyperbole to create their songs. The word Bylina is derived from the past tense of the verb “to be” (Russian: быть byt') and implies “something that was.” The term most likely originated with scholars of Russian folklore; in 1839, Sakharov, a Russian folklorist, published an anthology of Russian folklore, a section of which he titled “Byliny of the Russian People,” causing the popularization of the term. Later scholars believe that Sakharov misunderstood the word bylina in the opening of Igor’ Tale as “an ancient poem.” The folk singers of byliny called these songs stariny (Russian: старины) or starinki (Russian: старинки) meaning “stories of old” (from Russian: старь star').

Bylina is an airline based in Bykovo Airport, Russia. It was established in 2003 and is a Russian executive private and business charter operator.

Bylina is a type of East Slavic epic narrative poem.

Bylina may also refer to:

• Bylina (airline)
• Bylina, Pomeranian Voivodeship (north Poland)