Over the span of sixteen years the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival has been awarding a unique opportunity to enjoy extra quality music performed by some of the best homegrown and foreign artists. Unfolding on Moscow’s Red Square, this magnificent celebration of music and light is a means to discover the world’s cultures diversity as well as to preserve Russia’s national history, artistic heritage, and its most relevant traditions.
According to Mr Sergey Khlebnikov, Artistic Director of the Spasskaya Tower Tattoo and member of its Public Council, when back in 2007 he and his great friend and prominent Russian artist Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov were launching the Festival, they wanted to prove the world that Russia was capable of holding such an upscale military music event. And now it has been sixteen years of proud history, featuring a plethora of amazing show episodes from Russia and across the world, as well as myriads of fans both at home and abroad.
“I would like to express gratitude to the Government of Moscow and our Mayor for their long-standing support. It’s a little known fact, but Mayor Sobyanin, the then-head of the Presidential Executive Office, was the first to support the idea of holding such an upscale military music event on Red Square, and since then we have been feeling his unwavering support”, noted Mr Khlebnikov.
The Spasskaya Tower Tattoo aims at arousing interest not just in wind, classical and military music, but also in Russia’s glorious history and milestone events. Tribute to the Defenders of the Motherland reads the leading maxim of the 2024 Festival run, and every year a lot of children and teens come to the stands to watch the shows and learn more about these fundamental values.
“We always draw parallels between traditions and history, and try to embody both when developing each Festival concept. Our motto reads, reviving traditions, preserving history. When it comes to the younger generation, the communication needs to be delicate. I am against speculating on such genuinely important things as the Motherland, Russia and Russian people. I believe that the dialogue should be mild and delicate, devoid of loud exclamations. Russian song-writer Yuriy Vizbor once observed that music ought not to be judgemental, but rather emotionally evocative. Similarly, the affection for the Motherland is considerably more delicate than a mere verbal expression. Therefore, we try to invoke it through beautiful and thoughtful music, vivid artistic moments and dynamic dancing sequences”, highlighted Mr Khlebnikov.
He also pointed out that Moscow’s Red Square has become a meeting hub for a variety of international artists, whether they are old friends or brand-new, the Festival is always excited to get to know them. So, this time Moscow is welcoming participants from Belarus, Venezuela, Guinea, Egypt, China, Thailand, Turkey and South Africa.
The Egyptian Military Symphonic Band has been a long-standing guest of the Spasskaya Tower Festival, with its first performance taking place in 2017. It is their fourth time performing in Moscow, but the Egyptian musicians still get a standing ovation when they walk out onto the cobblestones in their white and gold Pharaohs attire. But the crowds go wild when the group starts playing some of the most Russian songs ever, such as Kalinka and Smuglyanka.
But the stands are also happy to listen to Egyptian authentic tunes, such as the Mubarak march or hymn that pays tribute to the Goddess Isis. Regarding regroupings, the musicians of the band create a pattern that embodies their country’s name, “Egypt”, and the Eye of Horus symbol. The band leaves the square performing Katuysha, and with the crowds singing.
Making their Tattoo debut on Red Square is the Combined Police Band of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The band’s conductor Vladislav Pakhomov said that the ensemble started preparing for the Festival in early spring. They picked up the repertoire, rehearsed a lot and even developed and made special chevrons.
Representing Moscow police, the band decided to go for a repertoire encompassing songs about Russia’s capital and their service. Modern and popular hits made the stands both moved and moving.
The Admiralty Band of the Leningrad Naval Base and the 23d Military Band of Leningrad Military District are also among the 2024 run debutants. All the way from Saint Petersburg, they narrate a tale about their brave, still charming city on the Neva river.
The night also featured performances by some of the best Russian military and law enforcement agencies. Performing a plethora of compositions ranging from the folklore tunes and popular hits to the beloved war-years songs, they won the audience's standing ovations. Thus, the crowds witnessed 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 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 cobblestones of Red Square also welcomed the Suvorov Cadet Band of the Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov Moscow Military Music School, together with the Girl Drummers Band of the All-Girls Boarding School of the Russian Ministry of Defense. These talented youngsters are always winning the crowds and have become the Spasskaya Tower Festival all-time favorites.
As per Festival tradition, a compelling medley of the world renowned classics was performed by the tatoo’s combined band which, with Major General Timofey Mayakin, Music Director of the Festival and Chief Military Conductor of Russia, on its helm. To the sounds of standing ovations and emotionally evoking Farewell of Slavianka musicians and artists left the square, calling it a day.
The Spasskaya Tower Festival is 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.
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