The Sixteenth Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo is where tradition and modernity meet. All the artists who step onto Red Square pay tribute to both their cultural heritage and contemporary times.
The Combined Band of the Emergencies Ministry of Russia appeared on the cobblestones dressed in historical uniforms of firefighters to the stern and valiant sounds of the March of the Arctic. Reflecting thousands of rays from powerful searchlights, the musicians’ golden helmets and epaulets literally glowed in the darkness.
The ensemble put on an open-ground or platz concert featuring different regrouping patterns, including the well-known ‘Z’ sign. Hence, the musicians decided to pay homage to all the military personnel and all those taking part in the special military operation.
On Red Square, the band’s musicians were joined by the members of the Honor Guard of the State Fire Training Service Academy of the Russian Emergencies Ministry. To enter the team, you’ll need to meet some pretty strict requirements, like being in perfect shape, and over 1.8 meters tall, as well as having a strong sense of responsibility.
To the song of the popular Russian band Kino and the crowds’ standing ovations the honor guard showed their phenomenal arm drilling and regrouping skills. The military men wowed the audiences with their remarkable precision and unmatched coordination. One of the most challenging regrouping patterns is the fan, when unit members line up and successively raise the carabines.
“We are already familiar with the Spasskaya Tower Festival, but it’s the first time we are pounding the cobblestones on our own. This year the tattoo honors all the people who defend our country, and we would like to support everyone out there in this challenging moment. The song by the Kino band wasn’t a random choice. Throughout the year we have performed in hospitals, and our brave soldiers always asked to play it”, explained Colonel Vladislav Rybenko, Head of the Band Service and Chief Conductor of the Russian Emergencies Ministry.
Then the stage is engulfed by the intimidating sounds of the Ottoman war marches. Men dressed in colorful historic outfits and holding up big banners appeared on Red Square. It’s the Inegol Mehter Historic Military Band that have traveled all the way from Turkey to showcase the ancient mehteran or Turkish military music tradition.
“Our team is based on the historic mehter band, being a music ensemble that first saw light in the times of the Ottoman Empire. The band’s primary task was to perform martial tunes during military campaigns, support the army’s morale and instill awe in adversaries. Nowadays it’s part of the Turkish national heritage that we value a lot. Thus, we try to preserve and carry this tradition on”, told Mr Mehmet Semiz, the conductor of the military historic band. “We are very honored to be part of the Spasskaya Tower Festival. We have performed on stage at various venues in France, Germany, and Switzerland. However, I consider the Spasskaya Tower Military Tattoo far more interesting and relevant”, he added.
Forming the core of the group, the Turkish prominent janissaries pounded the cobblestones dressed in traditional red and green vests and trousers. The gold ribbons on the musicians headpieces symbolized the officers’ senior rank.
The musicians were joined by the dancers of the Masters Kilic-Kalkan Dance Group. The name of the team is translated as the masters of sword and shield dancing that involves sword and shield waving movements. The dance is believed to have originated among the Ottoman soldiers during the conquest of the ancient Byzantine city of Bursa. The dancers' outfits are historically accurate and have retained the original design since their creation in 1326. Holding genuine shields and swords, the artists exhibited a variety of battlefield patterns. A manifestation of bravery and courage, the dance however is not about war. Its choreography focuses on brotherhood and harmony reminding the audiences that we should be having fun, not fighting.
The Spasskaya Tower Festival foreign participants from Belarus, Venezuela, Guinea, Egypt, China, Thailand, Turkey and South Africa also narrated their amazing stories.
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 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 that upholds the most creative and relevant artistic and cultural projects.
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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