Presidential Library takes part in Spasskaya Tower Festival for the first time

The 11th International Military Music Festival Spasskaya Tower is opening today, on August 24 in Moscow and will run until September 2, 2018. The motto of the event is “Reviving traditions, preserving history”. The festival, which is held annually under the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, brings together the best military musical and creative ensembles and honor guard units of heads of the state.

The Presidential Library and Spasskaya Tower Festival have concluded an agreement on cooperation which involves wide-ranging exchange of information resources.  

The Presidential Library has provided unique documents on foundation of Moscow, construction of the Kremlin and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior for festival organizers. Among them are old books: "The picturesque holy Kremlin of Moscow, presenting the history of the Moscow Kremlin from the beginning of its foundation to present day" (1863); "The Moscow Kremlin, holy places and sights: the historical description of cathedrals, churches and monasteries" (1910); "The Kremlin in Moscow: essays and pictures of the past and present" (1883); the Resolution of the Council of Ministers "On allocation of funds for the repair and restoration of the Great Assumption Cathedral and Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the city of Moscow" (1912) and others.

As part of Spasskaya Tower Festival the Presidential Library is holding a quiz aimed at children and their parents, whose themes are not limited to the history of the Kremlin, the Tsar Cannon, and main Kremlin cathedrals. The questions prepared by specialists of the Presidential Library are not that easy. For example, what is common between the Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg? What are the counterparts of Russian and English sayings? Quiz winners will be presented with a reprint of Murzilka (1937) and children will enjoy ice cream at Baskinrobbins.     

In Red Square the Presidential Library displays the nine-meter tapestry of Uzor factory, which portrays the historical panorama of Moscow.

Military-patriotic films produced by the Presidential Library are shown as part of the event. Underway is the multimedia exhibition focused on the materials of the library's electronic collections: books and essays, archival documents, maps, plans and technical drawings of the city of Moscow; anthems, marches and other works that give an insight into ​​the traditions of wartime songs; materials on the history of the Russian Empire regiments. Of particular value to the festival’s organizers is the electronic collection with printed music and texts of military songs, anthems, marshes from the Patriotic War of 1812 to the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945: “Tribute to the greatness of Russia, lyrical songs in commemoration of victories of the past war and the return of our army to homeland” (1816), “War-time and folk songs of 1812–1815”  (1877) etc.

The Presidential Library’s collection also feature scores of military marches, approved by Nicholas II. The collection book which features marches is an unpublished music album consisting of 252 sheets of printed music with notes and corrections of authors. The best of the works of this genre were chosen personally by Emperor Nicholas II to be sent to regiments and were called to raise morale of the Russian army. The scores include works by Franz von Blon, Julius Lehnhardt, and the famous march of Johann Heinrich Walch of 1914 "Entry into Paris", glorifying the victory over Napoleon.

The Presidential Library portal currently features the collection "Moscow. Pages of History", which provides access to studies, essays, sketches and memoirs, statistical, topographical and legal materials. They reflect particular aspects of life of Moscow from ancient times to the beginning of the last century. The collection also includes digitized photochromic postcards of late 19th century with famous views of Moscow.

This year the Presidential Library is going to hold video lectures which will be presented at the next Spasskaya Tower festivals – in commemoration of 200th anniversary of construction of the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Red Square in Moscow and video lecture series "Melodies of Our Victories".

Spasskaya Tower Festival is part of the International Association of Organizers of Military Festivals. During the decade-long history of the festival it has been attended by 150 ensembles from 50 countries of the world from four continents.