Joining the line-up of the 2025 Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo is the Historic Flag-Wavers of the Contrade of Cori, an artistic team exercising the ancient art of waving and throwing flags. Eye-catching outfits, sonorous rhythms, and spectacular flag throws will recall the atmosphere of Medieval Italy on Red Square.
In 1976, a group of young enthusiasts dreaming of reviving the medieval art of flag waving founded the group of flagwavers. Taking the cue from the original sixteenth century documents describing these folklore traditions they put together a series of performances in a bid to elaborate and promote the cultural message of the ancient Gens Corana or Citizens of Cori.
“The show that the Historic Flag-Wavers of the Contrade of Cori will present in Moscow in 2025 will consist of skillfully and quickly twirling, throwing, and rotating the flags following precise patterns and choreography, accompanied by drums, often played in a martial manner, creating a sustained rhythm that underscores the flag-wavers' movements. The trumpets, emitting clarion calls and high-pitched sounds, add a touch of solemnity, recalling the atmosphere of Renaissance courts and transporting the audience to an atmosphere of distant and unknown times”, — noted Giancarlo Corbi Artistic director.
The flag-waving team is an assembly of trumpeters, drummers and flagwavers, with a herald in the lead. The ‘art of handling the banner’ is the centerpiece of this dynamic and fascinating spectacle. Seen now as a joyful and playful display, the action initially had a pure military connotation. The flagwavers preceded the troops and coordinated them through precise movements of the flag, with each movement being a codified military signal easily deciphered by the fellow soldiers and unknown to the foe.
Today the graceful and elegant art of twirling, throwing, and rotating the flags is a living tradition which is forwarded and spread world-wide. One of the most renowned and popular artistic teams of Italy, the Flagwavers of Cori possess a unique performing style. Through skilful art and virtuous techniques combined with the dynamic acrobatic patterns they create an amazing show that defies the laws of physics. With remarkable success, the group regularly performs both at home and overseas, participating in a wide range of artistic events encompassing carnivals, cultural and military music festivals, as well as big athletic occasions.
As many as 44 countries across Europe, South and Central America, Asia and Africa have witnessed the virtuosity and talent of the Flagwavers of Cori. They dazzled Moscow audiences in 2011 and 2014 participating in the Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo. They also took part in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. In the Vatican they performed for Pope John Paul II.
The Seventeenth Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival will unfold on Moscow’s Red Square between August 22 and 31, 2025. Over 1500 artists from all over the world will come together in the Russian capital to celebrate their shared passion for music. This year the Spasskaya Tower Military Tattoo pays tribute to the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War Victory and all those who served. Some of the best military and law enforcement artists from Russia and abroad will hit the cobblestones of Red Square. The Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival enjoys the unwavering organisational and/or financial support of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture of Russia as well as the Moscow Government Department of Culture.
