The Sixteenth Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival gathers together participants from all over the globe. This time as many as two military music bands representing Africa have arrived in Russia to showcase their rich cultural heritage and own long history. Moreover, the South African Air Force Band and the Amazons of Guinea have been making their debut on Moscow’s Red Square, wowing the audiences with colorful displays masterfully combining folklore and contemporary tunes.
The Amazons of Guinea is the first all-woman music band of the National Gendarmerie. It was formed back in 1961 by Keita Fodeba. Guinea’s former Minister for Defense and Security promoted a new mindset and the idea of giving Guinean women an opportunity for self-realization no matter the path they choose. Therefore, the African ladies immediately became the symbol of African women liberation.
Serjant Mariam Kamara is currently in charge of the band. Originally, the band’s musical instrument arsenal included mandolini, kongs, violins, cellos and a double bass. “The balafon was once played at the royal court by griots - musicians-storytellers. The instrument is made from dried pumpkin fruits and wood. Its sounds are very unusual, but we call them the sound of peace and tranquility”, shared Fatoumata Suma, the band’s member. Later, in 1965, the ensemble decided to undertake several changes and integrate electric guitars, saxophones as well as pipes and a jazz drum kit.
Their concert activities span all over the African continent. In 1979, the Amazons of Guinea staged their debut performance in Europe, scoring tremendous success at the Horizon-79 Festival in West Вerlin. Since then they have been touring all around Europe and Africa, and even traveled as far as Cuba in 2013.
Proud and independent, the Amazons of Guinea are not trying to impress the audience. However, when they stepped onto the cobblestones, they immediately captivated the stands’ attention. While on stage the Amazons seemed to be having a lively conversation with the audiences as if they were good buddies who had gathered to enjoy themselves. All smiles and pure happiness, the African ladies narrated the stories of their native country, everyday live and the National Gendarmerie. The musicians were joined by dancers wearing traditional costumes, the colors and patterns of which represent the four different regions and a plethora of ethnicities of Guinea.
The gorgeous Amazons of Guinea have always honored their heritage by paying homage to their ancestors, and showcasing the story of the Dahomey Kingdom, an ancient powerful West African state with 280 years of history. “The renowned Dahomey Amazons was the only female regiment in the continent’s history who safeguarded the King and his family. And our ensemble also narrates about their life, traditions and history”, said Mussa Diabate, member of the Guinean delegation. All the ensemble’s members are very happy to take part in the Spasskaya Tower Festival. According to the Amazons of Guinea, their task is to promote the friendship between Guinea and Russia that has done a lot for Conakry.
Then the floor was taken by the South African Air Force Band musicians all dressed in bright blue uniforms that matched one of the colors of the South African national flag. As they pounded the cobblestones of Red Square, they displayed dazzling musical talents as well as flawless unity and coordination when regrouping. Major Sipho Stephen Ndlovu is currently in charge of the ensemble. Though always passionate about music, his favorite music genre is jazz. Therefore, in 2006 he started the South African Air Force entertainment or jazz band. So, it’s not surprising that the South African show program in Moscow has a lot of catchy jazz songs that make ya wanna move.
Known as the Rainbow Nation, South Africa encompasses a wide range of official languages (as many as twelve), skin tones and confessions. Moscow was able to witness all this splendor translated through the dancers’ outfits. The stands saw intricate beaded necklaces and bracelets, colorful printed and embroidered skirts and aprons, as well as tunics imitating animal skins.
Throughout its seventy years history the ensemble has been pursuing the objective of boosting the spirits and camaraderie among the South African military personnel, as well as covering state-related and official occasions at different levels.
The 2024 Spasskaya Tower Festival welcomes eleven foreign ensembles representing eight countries, featuring Belarus, Venezuela, Guinea, Egypt, China, Thailand, Turkey and South Africa.
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, 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.
Making their Tattoo debut beneath the Kremlin walls, there were the Admiralty Band of the Leningrad Naval Base, the 23d Military Band of the Leningrad Military District, the Combined Police Band of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Military Band of the First Air Defense and Missile Defense Army is also among this Festival run debutants. With Major Pavel Zyabletsev and Captain Kirill Zharkov currently in charge of the ensemble, musicians presented their unique artistic and musical skills. The ensemble has an impressive achievements record, with the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games and welcoming back to Earth ceremony of Yuriy Gagarin standing out.
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.
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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