The Central Military Band Is Successfully Touring in Armenia

June 29 in Armenia started the second International Festival “Russia — Armenia, a Bridge of Friendship” under the slogan “To Serve the Homeland” named after Arno Babajanyan.

The Festival is being held with the support of the Ministries of Defense of the Russian Federation and Armenia on the initiative of the International Foundation in memory of the composer.

In Armenia Russia is being represented by the Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (the Central Military District), the leading artistic group of the Russian Armed Forces and one of the most known bands in the world as well as the permanent participant and hallmark of the International Military Music Festival “Spasskaya Tower”.

June 29, Russian musicians performed in the Sports and Cultural Center of Gumry for the servicemen of the Russian base and the city residents. The music marathon continued the following day, June 30, in the city of Dilijan.

July 1, the Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation along with the bands of the General Staff, Emergencies Ministry and police forces of the Armenia Republic marched along the streets of Erevan within the Parade of the band participants of the Festival. Then the Russian servicemen laid wreaths and flowers at the eternal flame of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex dedicated to the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The leading singer of the Central Military Band Natalia Manulik sang for all the attendants the music composition “Vocaliz” by Arno Babajanyan.

“Russia and Armenia are united by the bonds of the long-lasting friendship. Our grandfathers and great grandfathers fought back to back with the Fascist invaders during the Great Patriotic War. We have a lot to remember, we have many to be proud of thus we with great pleasure for the second time are taking part in this Festival. Such events do not only promote military music culture but more importantly serve to promote interstate cooperation and peace initiatives between military institutions of the two countries”, noted the Head of the Military Band Service of the Russian Armed Forces — leading military conductor Colonel Timofey Mayakin.

The Festival is going to be adjourned July 4 with great gala concert of the Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in Erevan on Republic Square. Leading singers from Russia and Armenia will sing well-known and popular compositions created by the legendary Soviet composer Peoples Artist of the USSR Arno Babajanyan.