The second concert within the framework of the Festival named in honor of Arno Babajanyan was performed in Armenia

The Russian-Armenian Interstate Military Music Festival «Nothing Matters More than Serving Your Country» named in honor of the well-known Soviet composer Arno Babajanyan is being held for the first time ever in Armenia. Russia is represented by the Central Military Orchestra of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, which participates regularly in the International Military Music Festival «Spasskaya Tower».

Yesterday, on September 19, the second concert of the Festival was performed in the Vardan Ajemian State Drama Theatre in Gyumri not only for the Armenian visitors, but also for the military men serving at the Russian 102nd Military Base. The bandsmen performed over 30 musical compositions, including «Nothing Matters More for a Soldier than Serving His Country» and «Ferris Wheel». The performance was ended with the songs «I’m Saying Thank You» and «Nocturne». «Ballet Suite» composed by Arno Babajanyan in 1972 was performed at the Festival for the first time ever in Armenia.

Before the concert started, the Russian Consul General in Gyumri Alexander Kopnin, Governor of the Shirak Province Artur Khachatryan, Chief of the Military Bands' Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation — the chief bandmaster, Colonel Timofey Mayakin, Chief of the Military Bands' Service — the chief bandmaster of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, Colonel Armen Pogosyan, and Chief of the Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Colonel Sergey Durygin took part in ceremonial wreath laying to the Honor Hill — a memorial to the Russian soldiers killed in the battles for the fortress of Kars in 1855 and 1878.

Today, on September 20, the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet in Yerevan will host the Festival’s final gala concert.