Making its Spasskaya Tower Tattoo Debut Performance is the Republic of Srpska Police Orchestra

Joining the line-up of the 2025 Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival is the Police Orchestra of the Ministry of Interior of Republic of Srpska (part of Bosnia and Herzegovina). The ensemble will hit the iconic cobblestones of Moscow’s Red Square to show off some of their authentic folk tunes, dazzling parade uniform, and their most sincere emotions. The musicians will be making their debut appearance at the Spasskaya Tower Military Tattoo, and are determined to steal the hearts of the Moscow audiences.

The Police Orchestra of the Ministry of Interior was established in late 2017, and just a month later, on January 9, the band made its stage debut to mark the Republic of Srpska National Day. Following such a high-profile national event, it was evident that the ensemble’s unprecedented professionalism lends a tone of an unparalleled creativity to any solemn ceremonial event, with the musicians’ parade uniform being a remarkable add-on.

Since the very beginning the group has been seeking to break free from the established strictly protocol-based instrumental patterns and trying something new. Their concert schedule is intense, with performances taking place in various concert venues. As an assembly of upscale professional musicians, the band has mastered a plethora of genres, encompassing traditional marches and folk urban tunes, patriotic songs and popular hits, including movie scores.

Nevertheless, the ensemble never stands still, continuously progressing, embracing new music trends and taking on increasingly challenging concert programs. The band’s performance in honor of the patron saint of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of Interior, Archangel Michael, is without a doubt the highlight of their concert activity. The show takes place every year on November 21 in the beautiful concert hall of the Banski Dvor Cultural Center in Banja Luka.

The Police Orchestra achievement record lists successful performances onstage of several prestigious international wind bands festivals, featuring the International Wind Orchestra Festival «Caribrod» in Dimitrovgrad, the May Choral Festivities in Bijeljina, the International Wind Orchestra Festival in Novi Sad and Kikinda, and the International Festival «Mokranjčevi Dani» in Negotin. Musicians have also participated in the Saint Sava Ball in Vienna, a very significant event for the Serbian community abroad, and toured all major cities in the Republic of Srpska. Moreover they proudly highlight their collaboration with the police orchestras of Serbia and Slovenia.

At the helm of the ensemble today is Jelena Atlagić, with Maestro Dušan Pokrajčić as its conductor.

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.