Let Me Play You The Song of My People

I wish I knew the story behind this picture. It went viral in Russia a little over a year ago, but it may be much older than that.

Russia makes sense as a point of origin, though. When it's that cold and snowy in Moscow, a harpist will both stay warm and draw attention by busking in a bear suit. And to own both a harp and a perfect bear suit, you have to get out and work every day. At least that's the story from the shallow reaches of my imagination. Can you come up with a better one?  -via Arbroath