Today, on the last day of Summer, the cobblestones of Red Square welcomed the daytime show of the Seventeenth Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival, presenting the crowds an odyssey of awe-inspiring performances. The international cast of the 2025 tattoo’s run features as many as three ensembles from Africa, including the Ethiopian National Defence Force Marching Band. Though situated in a far away continent, Ethiopia is closer to Russia than it might initially appear. Admiration for the great poet Alexander Pushkin, who took pride in his Ethiopian heritage, and for beautiful music, just to name a few.
Making its debut on the cobblestones of Red Square, the Ethiopian National Defence Force Marching Band has arrived in Moscow to showcase Ethiopia's long history and rich cultural heritage. Dressed in bright red parade uniform, the artists hit the cobblestones to the vibrant marching sounds setting the mood for the whole show. An upbeat summer day full of good emotions was set in motion by a fiery medley of folk tunes. The crowds enthusiastically welcomed the Ethiopian artists who were beaming with smiles and endless energy.
‘We spent a lot of time and effort preparing for the Festival, carefully selecting the costumes and repertoire. We did our best to showcase the rich Ethiopian culture at the Spasskaya Tower Festival, regarded as one of the most significant international venues’ said Major General Endalkachew Weldekidan Dega, Head of the Training Department of the Ethiopian Armed Forces. ‘Our ensemble stands out for fusing the world tradition of military orchestral music with our own national heritage. We are happy to be here today and introduce you to our art’.
The daytime show of the seventeenth Festival run also featured a number of surprises, including the brilliant performance of the Virtuosi Children Wind Band. Representing the Radost Children and Youth Center for Cultural and Music Education and the First Moscow Cadet Corps, the young artists staged a true open-ground or platz concert showing both complicated regroupings and elements of theatrical show. They have proved that a wind ensemble is able to perform anything, from patriotic marches to animated movie scores, and received their well-deserved standing ovations.
Mr Rostislav Kostomarov, the ensemble’s head, highly appreciated the performance of the young talents, highlighting that for a children band it was pretty good. “Our band is deservedly regarded as one of the finest in Russia. Since the team’s inception, the kids have been preparing for this performance, and this has definitely been one of the most important shows in their lives yet. We are all very happy”, said Mr Kostomarov.
The exceptionally hot summer weather did not intimidate the fans of the Spasskaya Tower Festival. The crowds cheerfully greeted all the participants singing and dancing along. The stands remained packed till the very end when the great combined band of the Festival pounded the cobblestones to perform a thundering medley, with Major General Timofey Mayakin, Music Director of the Spasskaya Tower Tattoo, taking the helm.
The Seventeenth Spasskaya Tower Festival is unfolding on the cobblestones of 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.
