The song first appeared in the 1971 stop-motion short , produced by Soyuzmultfilm . It is performed by Crocodile Gena , a gentle soul who works as a crocodile in a zoo by day and plays the accordion for pedestrians by night.
The character of Cheburashka and Gena remains a symbol of kindness and innocence in a complicated world. Where to Listen Ya Iqrayu Ne Garmoshki Yukle
"Ah, I play the accordion in front of the pedestrians... what a pity that a birthday only comes once a year!" The song first appeared in the 1971 stop-motion