Today, August 26, Moscow’s Red Square welcomed the pre-premier of the Fourteenth Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival organized especially for Media representatives and socially vulnerable categories of people (with 500 seats assigned to different social organisations as well as cadet educational institutions and veteran associations).
This evening the Festival stands also welcomed foreign embassies officials and representatives.
Due to the difficult epidemiological situation all 2021 Spasskaya Tower Festival events will be carried out in the COVID free format.
“This year we have to follow several restrictions, including the 50% venue capacity limit. Thus, we may welcome three thousand guests at maximum”, highlighted Mr Sergey Smirnov, Head of the Spasskaya Tower Festival Directorate and member of the Festival’s Public Council. It’s important to note that admission to the stands is carried by QR codes only (usage of protective masks is also necessary).
The leading theme of this year’s tattoo reads ‘Time, Music and Peace’, three best cures for both mind and soul. With the world being held hostage by the COVID-19 pandemics, we have had to keep our heads high, stay positive and resume appreciating such basic stuff as personal health and security, safety of our family and friends as well as freedom of travel and movement.
Despite the new reality we all have to live in, this year the cobblestones of Moscow’s Red Square will witness participants from Belarus, Greece, Mexico, Qatar and, of course, Russia.
Foreign guests are represented by the Exemplary Band and Honor Guard of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, the Army Band of the Hellenic Army Supreme Military Support Command "Theseus" together with the Historic Parades Platoon of the Hellenic General Staff from Greece and Military Band of the Ministry of Defense of Mexico. As many as three bands arrived in Russia from Qatar, featuring the Qatar Police Band, the Qatar Military Music Band and the Qatar Military Parades Platoon.
Among Russian participants there are both debutants of the Festival, featuring the Combined Band of the Russian Airborne Forces and the Cadet Band of the Military Institute (of Military Conductors,MoD), as well as audiences all-time favourites - the President’s Band, the Central Military Band of the Russian MoD, the Military Band and Honor Guard of the 154 Preobrazhensky Regiment, the Central Band of the Border Guard Service, bands representing Russia’s National Guard Forces, and of course, the Suvorov Cadet Band together with the students of the All-Girls Boarding School (MoD).
Tonight the cobblestones of Red Square were hit by 1200 military musicians who staged a high-end defile full of powerful marches, tender waltzes and vibrant contemporary pieces. Audiences also saw picturesque national dances as well as strong honor guard units performing intricate arm drill patterns.
Besides, this year’s Festival preview was crowned by the performance of gorgeous Tamara Gverdtsiteli, Honored Artist of Russia and Georgia. Accompanied by the Central Military Band of the Russian MoD under the lead of Colonel Sergey Durygin, head of the ensemble and Honored Artist of Russia, our amazing guest performed two songs that left no one untouched.
Tamara Gverdtsiteli has been part of the Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo since 2015, becoming the Festival’s loyal friend. This year you may enjoy her performances every day till September 3.
As a matter of the Festival’s long-established pattern, the night ended with the Festival participants’ Combined Band performing the medley of popular songs from all over the world, followed by the iconic Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and Agapkin’s Farewell of Slavianka. Major General Timofey Mayakin, Head of the Military Band Service of the Russian Armed Forces-Chief Military Conductor and Music Director of the Festival, was on the helm of the Combined Band, as usual. And to finish even stronger, the sky over Red Square was coloured by the breathtaking fireworks.
As soon as tomorrow everyone will have a chance to become part of this wonderful celebration of music that will last till September 5 on Moscow’s Red Square.
