The Sixteenth Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo brings together peoples and continents. Artists and musicians from across the globe tell their beautiful stories paying homage to the glory of their countries and valiant attitude of the people.
The Central Band of the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of Russia narrated their own tale as well. This year, the ensemble chose music pieces composed exclusively by Russian authors. Musicians stepped onto the cobblestones of Red Square to the majestic sounds of Sergey Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite and then staged an open-ground or platz concert, dazzling the audiences with precise regroupings and diagonal patterns.
The sounds of patriotic songs telling everyone that no matter who the enemy was, he would never step on the Russian soil, engulfed Red Square referring to the current situation.
The scene changed in a split of a second, as a group of girl dancers dressed in Russian traditional attire delicately stepped onto Red Square. Resembling gorgeous white swans, they performed to the song I Love You, Russia. Closer to the end the male dancers dressed in military uniform joined them. The whole dance was meant to show that the Russian army was always ready to defend their homeland.
“Our goal is to support the country and all the people who are engaged in combat against the enemy”, told Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Kolovanov, Conductor of the Band. He further stated that the chosen repertoire exemplified the strength and splendor of Russia. “The Spasskaya Tower Festival is a big event and this time it is being held amid an unprecedentedly challenging setting. However the ideas of this great celebration are always relevant”, said the band leader.
This year the Spasskaya Tower Festival welcomes back the Great Military Band of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela. The ensemble saw light in 2019 and military history-wise it is a fairly young artistic team. Nevertheless, the team is made up of carefully selected and outstandingly talented musicians representing both the Venezuelan military and law enforcement. Considering the Spasskaya Tower Festival's large scale and international significance, Venezuelan national leader President Nicolas Maduro sanctioned the ensemble’s participation. He was confident that the ensemble’s participation would enhance bilateral strategic relations, foster cultural bonds, and strengthen military engagements framed in the signed Russian-Venezuelan agreements.
With a vibrant burst of energy and color, the Great Military Band of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela dazzled the crowd with a gasp-inducing display. Our Venezuelan guests showcased an array of distinctive music genres, rhythms, and melodies, distinguishing the cultural and historical heritage of Venezuela. Colorful outfits, vivid vibes and the invariably cheerful mood of the musicians resonated in the souls of the Russians.
“We’d like to express gratitude to the Festival’s organizers. We are enjoying Moscow very much. The city is very beautiful, and it reflects the country’s past. Being selected to participate in this year’s tattoo is an honor. We have been working on the show for almost four months, picking out tunes, casting artists and musicians and practicing a lot. The audiences in Moscow are highly demanding, and we are doing our best not to disappoint them”, said Divisional General Gabriel Antonio Santeliz Sánchez, Head of the Venezuelan Delegation.
The night also featured performances by the President’s Band of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant’s Office accompanied by the Honor Guard Unit of the Presidential Regiment, the Central Military Band of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Admiralty Band of the Leningrad Naval Base, the 23d Military Band of Leningrad Military District, the Combined Band of the EMERCOM of Russia accompanied by the Honor Guard Unit, the 21st Military Band of the Moscow Military District, the Military Band of the First Air Defense and Missile Defense Army and others.
The Suvorov Cadet Band of the Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov Moscow Military Music College together with the Drumming Band of the All-Girls Boarding School of the Russian Ministry of Defense as usual staged a breathtaking performance winning over the stands.
The Spasskaya Tower Festival foreign participants from Belarus, Guinea, Egypt, China, Thailand, Turkey and South Africa also showcased their amazing stories.
A compelling medley of the world renowned classics was performed by the tatoo’s combined band which, as a long-standing tradition, was led by Major General Timofey Mayakin, Music Director of the Festival and Chief Military Conductor of Russia. To the sounds of standing ovations and emotionally evoking Farewell of Slavianka musicians and artists left the square, calling it a day.
Scale, audience and impact wise, the Spasskaya Tower Festival has no par, every year being recognized as the most prominent international cultural event in Russia, as well as being ranked among the world’s best top three military tattoos. It’s being carried out following the Order of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, under the aegis of the Public Council headed by Mr. Alexander Zhukov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and enjoying the long-standing support of the Russian MoD, MFA and Moscow’s Department of Culture.
This year’s Festival is being carried out with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.
Tickets for the Tattoo are available via the Festival official website (www.spasstower.ru) and the Festival’s ticket office on Manezhnaya Square near the 1812 War Museum. The ticket office is open daily, from 12 am to 9 pm.
ORGANIZERS URGE YOU AGAINST BUYING E-TICKETS SECOND-HAND OR FROM THIRD PARTIES. PLEASE, BE CAREFUL!
