MOSCOW, August 6. /TASS/. French singer Mireille Mathieu will take part in the Spasskaya Tower international military tattoo, which will run from August 24 to September 2, for the 10th time, said Lieutenant General Sergei Khlebnikov, Moscow Kremlin’s Commandant and member of the festival’s Public Council, on Thursday.

"Mireille Mathieu will come. We met and discussed the program ahead of the World Cup. Those who wish to hear and see Mireille Mathieu should come to Red Square on August 31 and September 1 and 2," Khlebnikov told journalists, specifying that the French star, who was recognized as the festival’s "mascot," will perform in four shows - on September 2 Mathieu will take part in the afternoon and evening programs.

The 11th Spasskaya Tower festival will run from August 24 to September 2 on Red Square. Military music bands from the United Kingdom, Monaco, the Netherlands, Oman, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Myanmar, as well as the International Celtic Massed Pipes and Drums and the International Irish Dance Team, will come to Moscow this year. More than 20 teams in total will perform in central Moscow, including such Russian orchestras as the President’s Band of the Service of Moscow Kremlin’s Commandant of the Russian Federal Guard Service, the Central Military Band of the Russian Defense Ministry, the Exemplary Band of the Honor Guard and others.

The Spasskaya Tower program

Spasskaya Tower will be devoted to the Officers’ Ball, which will be reflected in the performances. "We asked the management to carry out a poll on the audience’s expectations in 2018. People would like to listen to music by the classical composers Strauss, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. We decided to support the audience’s choice, and there will be a lot of dancing," Khlebnikov said.

The festival will traditionally feature riding arena performances and an adventure playground. Children’s and youth teams will perform in the program "Spasskaya Tower for Children." An afternoon performance will take place on the final day of the festival. It will resemble the evening show, except for fireworks.

"Though the Spasskaya Tower festival is military by definition - a military tattoo - it is in fact one of the most peaceful events," said Alexander Kibovsky, head of the Moscow Culture Department. The organization of the festival highlights that various armies across the world, including the Russian army, have rich creative traditions, he said.

A lot of distinguished guests are expected to attend the military tattoo, including Princess Stephanie of Monaco and ambassadors of the states participating in the festival.

The international military tattoo Spasskaya Tower was first held in the fall of 2007. The tattoo program features military, classical, folk and pop music, military orchestras marching, dancing shows, arms display and laser and pyrotechnic effects. More than 150 bands from 50 countries have taken part in the event in its 10-year history.