Last parade of year for Kremlin guards

Published 18 October, 2008, 15:10

Moscow's last traditional military parade of the year has been held in the Kremlin's Cathedral Square. Drawing hundreds of spectators, the infantry and cavalry guard ceremony is held in the centre of Russia’s capital every Saturday from April to November.

A perfectly polished drill, the 20 minute long ceremony, which dates back to pre-revolutionary times, takes months of intense training so that the 50 infantry and cavalry soldiers move as one.

The Kremlin Guard’s parade is one of Russia’s most striking military displays. Uniforms inspired by the Imperial Guard and a 19th century march are part of the tribute to Russia's great military tradition.

Aleksey Troshin, the President’s Regiment Deputy Commander, says: “This is what our country is very proud of. These events prove Russia's renaissance. It promotes patriotism and respect to the motherland.”

Similar performances used to take place in Tsarist Russia. The tradition was only revived four years ago. Since then more than a half a million tourists have seen the parade.

The Kremlin Guard is a unique military regiment whose job is to ensure the security of the highest state officials and guarding the Kremlin and its treasures.

 

 

discuss it