This Friday, August 22, Russia commemorated two significant events: the Day of the National Flag and the start of the Seventeenth Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival. Twenty-five artistic teams from Russia, Asia, Africa and Europe gathered on Moscow Red Square, including some of the world’s finest presidential orchestras from Russia and Burkina Faso.
The Seventeenth Spasskaya Tower Military Tattoo began as the Spasskaya Tower chimes struck eight o’clock.
First across the cobblestones, as is tradition every year, the President’s Band of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant’s Office accompanied by the Honor Guard Unit of the Presidential Regiment filled the hallowed stage of Moscow’s Red Square. One of the tattoo’s most iconic participants, the President’s Band was established on August 8, 1918. Today the ensemble continues its glorious endeavors under the lead of Colonel Evgeny Nikitin. As the leading military ensemble that performs at official state ceremonies and events with the participation of high-ranking officials, heads of states, governments and diplomatic delegations, the President’s Band comprises a wind, symphonic and jazz teams and possess a broad repertoire with a huge variety of compositions, from classical and folk to rock and pop.
As per Evgeny Nikitin, the ensemble has been meticulously selecting music pieces to align with this year’s leading theme. “In a year dedicated to honouring the heroes, we have curated a program that exclusively includes patriotic compositions”, emphasized Colonel Nikitin. “The Honor Guard Unit of the Presidential Regiment and the President’s Band are both representations of the country’s sovereignty and statehood. So, we are aware that we are the ones setting the mood for the entire evening”, he said.
“The Triumph of Winners” march, written in the times of the Russian Empire between the 19th and 20th centuries, kicked off the big night. “We pound the cobblestones to the “Triumph of Winners”, a classical composition that is exceedingly popular among military bands”, told Colonel Nikitin. Furthermore, he disclosed that this march was performed on Red Square on June 24, 1945 to commemorate the Victory Parade.
The show also included several excerpts from the iconic Battle for Moscow movie, featuring the Overture and To the Victory by Alexandra Pakhmutova. “We have the privilege to know the famous composer, and we requested her permission to incorporate these pieces in our performance”, shared the conductor. He added that the music sketch also featured Matvey Blanter’s waltz In the Frontline Forest and Mark Fradkin’s song Road to Berlin.
The accompanying drill team provided additional visual highlights, offering impressive performances with synchronized movements and disciplined precision. “Every year the Honor Guard of the Presidential Regiment wows the crowds with some new impressive elements. This year’s twist is the star. This element was prepared for the 2025 Spasskaya Tower Festival to reflect its leading theme”, highlighted Evgeny Nikitin.
Making their tattoo debut, the Presidential Orchestra of Burkina Faso is one of the most remarkable participants of the 2025 run. At the helm of the Presidential Orchestra is Squadron Commander Captain Aime Cesaire Ouedraogo, a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, who he is therefore intimately familiar with what Russian audiences find appealing. Not surprisingly, the guests from the far-away Burkina Faso prepared a heartfelt surprise to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. To standing ovations in Red Square, musicians performed Alexandrov’s The Sacred War, an iconic symbol of the people's heroic fight to bring an end to the savage war.
The show went on, and Moscow's Red Square was filled with the bright colors of Africa. The musicians wore Burkinabe flag-inspired clothes, with the green, yellow, and red colors representing the nations' spiritual unity and boundless energy. Bringing a slice of Burkinabe history to Moscow, the ensemble displayed their national symbol of hospitality, a bowl crafted from kalebas fruit. Honoring the military heritage and culture of their country, the artists showcased an authentic music sketch full of traditional artforms, and distinctive rendition of folk melodies.
On the opening night the Spasskaya Tower Festival welcomed the heroes of the special military operations, Chairman of the Moscow Duma Alexey Shaposhnikov, Lieutenant Colonel Almas Ibragimov, Head of the Military Band Department of the Kazakhstan Armed Forces, Chief Military Conductor, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Russia Aristide Rapougdondba Ludovic Tapsoba and Minister of Culture of Burkina Faso Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouedraogo.
In 2025, the Spasskaya Tower Festival will unfold on Moscow’s Red Square between August 22 and 31. The tattoo’s overwhelming production enjoys the unwavering organizational and/or financial support of the Russian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, and Moscow Government Department of Culture.
Tickets for the Seventeenth Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo are available for sale on the Festival official website (spasstower.ru), with prices starting from 1600 Rub.
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