Published: 15 September, 2007, 22:43
Edited: 15 September, 2007, 22:43
On the third day of the 'Zorya' military tattoo in Moscow, bands from around the world have marched from Triumfulnaya Square in the very centre of the capital to the City Mayor's Office where they held a concert. Thousands of spectators braved the Moscow
This is the first time the four-day Kremlin festival has been held in Moscow and it brings together 47 army bands from Russia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the UK and Australia.
Around 1,000 participants are taking part in the display. Almost half the bands are homegrown – including Cossack dancers from Kuban and the President's Cavalry Escort.
The festival took inspiration from the world famous Edinburgh's Military Tattoo, and was billed as an opportunity both to celebrate Russia's pre-revolutionary military traditions and to forge new international ties.
The hosts of Kremlin Zorya say the festival is history in the making. But they say proof of its long-term success will be assured only if it becomes a regular fixture on the calendar.
The event’s chief executive, Vitaly Mironov, believes the Moscow tattoo has every chance of achieving that.
“The British are so proud of their tradition, so are we. We have almost everything to create the same great show in Moscow,” he said.