International Association of Tattoo Organizers (IATO)
The International Association of Tattoo Organizers - IATO – is a community of military tattoos of highest level, aiming to sustain and help its’ members. To enter this association, the festival should be a non – commercial event of high cultural level and importance existing for not less than 3 years. Among the members of the IATO there are the most famous and spectacular festivals, such as: the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Berlin Military Music Festival, the Netherlands Military Tattoo, the Norwegian Military Tattoo (NMT), the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the Swedish Military Tattoo and so on.
Thereby, being a part of the IATO – is both a kind of a quality mark for a festival, and a huge responsibility.
The initiative of including the Festival “Spasskaya Tower” to the IATO belongs to Norway. In the beginning of the year 2010 an official invitation was sent to the Russian Festival to the regular session of the IATO in Oslo. It’s then that the Festival “Spasskaya Tower” was presented for the first time to the international IATO “colleagues”.
The Russian project was rapresented by the Deputy Head-Executive Secretary of the Direction Vladimir Doronkin. “The main purpose of this visit was not only presenting the Russian Festival and demonstrating its’ serious bases and quality level, but also inviting the most important IATO members to Moscow, to the “Spasskaya Tower” in September 2010, so as they could assist the show and give us their professional appreciations, so as our Festival could become the part of the international Military Tattoo movement” – said the Director of the Festival S. Smirnov. “And I think we have reached our goal” – he added.
The Festival “Spasskaya Tower – 2010” was assisted by the heads of the Edinburgh, Bremen, Basel, Netherlands, Norwegian and other festivals. The Russian show was highly appreciated as for its’ musical and artistic part, as well as for its’ organization. In the autumn of 2010 Russia became the full member of the IATO.
The Direction of the “Spasskaya Tower” is convinced that it will be a worthy member of the movement of the military tattoos’ movement, contributing with the best Russian musical traditions, its’ own ideas, experience and passion.
Official members of the International Association of Tattoo Organizers (IATO)
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Web: www.edintattoo.co.uk
Established 1950, annually
Annual admittance is approximately 217 000
International television show (since 1968) rates today approximately 100 millions viewers, and are the most famous Tattoo in the world.
Charitable purposes for service- and civil organizations
The outdoor show is based on Military music and drills blended with other art-expressions and entertainment, this year from four continents.
New arenas will be in place for the show in 2011.
Basel Tattoo
Web: www.baseltattoo.ch
Established 2005, annually
Annual admittance, 86 000
DVD-production
The outdoor show is based on Military music and drills blended with other art-expressions and entertainment.
The Basel Tattoo are now independent on finances.
The Swedish Military Tattoo
Established 1986, biennial
Is presented indoors – in the arena Globen in Stockholm.
Has had financial difficulties, being a part of the Swedish Armed Forces’ budget, and was cancelled in 2008 and 2010. Are looking forward to possibilities for the Tattoo in 2012.
The Berlin Military Music Festival
Email: musikfest@dbwv.de
Established 1995, annually
Like Sweden, there are troubles funding the event, being dependent on Military budgets. Has their 16th anniversary this year with participants from 10 nations.
Three-hour show, first-class military music bands from all over the world present a diverse mix of international music - from symphonic masterpieces to marches to pop and rock music. Uniformed musicians combine their musical talents with an impressive marching choreography. In addition, various non-musical performances of international quality shape the program with more than 800 participants.
The NATO Music Festival (NATO Musikfest Mönchengladbach/Kaiserslautern)
Web: www.airn.nato.int/nmf/NMFDEU/ (Кайзерслаутерн, сайт только на немецком языке)
Established 1960, biennial (1965 in Kaiserslautern)
Mönchengladbach: Outdoor festival at the Borussia Mönchengladbach football-stadium. Has a strong focus on “the good cause”, donating. During the day leading up to the show, the family festival "SICHER-MITEINANDER" (Safe Together) will offer games, fun and action matching the theme of "Safety".
Kremlin Military Tattoo (Spasskaya Bashnya)
Web: www.kremlin-military-tattoo.ru
General Director Sergey Smirnov
Established 2006 as Shows of State Honour Guards units on Poklonnaya Hill, annually
The Tattoo has developed very fast from a one day show into an International Military Music Festival. The festival is non-commercial and has charity focus during the 5-day long duration.
International Military Music Event Hamina Tattoo
Web: www.haminatattoo.com
Established 1990, biennial
The main shows are held in the old Fortress Town of Hamina. A spectacular canopy in the Hamina Bastion gives this Tattoo a very original venue for this kind of event. The 8-day long festival is presented by the very town of Hamina, supported by the Finnish Defence Forces.
Musikschau der Nationen®
Web: www.volksbund-bremen.de
Established 1965 as “Militärmusikschau”, annually.
The show is held indoors, in the Bremer Stadthalle (congress hall). Since 1965 the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e. V. - a charitable organisation acting on behalf of the Federal Government - has been organising this popular event. The Musikschau der Nationen® is a Marching show in which, throughout four days, orchestras, singers and dance groups convey a colourful musical picture of countries.
The Netherlands Military Tattoo
Web: www.nationaletaptoe.nl
Established 1954 as “Tattoo Delft”, annually
This outdoor event was held in Delft 1954-1974, in Breda 1976-2004. In 2005, indoors in ‘s Hertogenbosch and indoors in Rotterdam since 2006. Currently there are challenges financially because of expenditure cuts by the Ministry of Defence.
International Tattoo Heerlen (Internationale Taptoe Heerlen)
Web: www.taptoeheerlen.nl
Established 1996 as minor music festival, annually
15 years ago the International Heerlen Tattoo began as a minor music festival.
The increasing participation of military and other professional bands, the Tattoo became more and more significant.
Virginia International Tattoo
Web: www.vafest.org
Producer and Director J. Scott Jackson
Established 1997, anually
The Virginia Int Tattoo is an exhibition of marching bands, massed pipes and drums, drill teams, gymnasts, Scottish dancers, choirs and more. Each year a cast of over 800 artists from several countries creates an unforgettable spectacle under one roof for four breathtaking performances. The Virginia Int Tattoo is the largest show of its kind in the United States.
Wonju Tattoo International
Web: www.wonjutattoo.com
Established 2000 as “World Peace Fanfare” at Chiak Gymnasium, biennial – annually from 2006.
The only Tattoo-event in Asia. “World Peace Fanfare” in 2000 and 2002 were renamed “Wonju Tattoo International” in 2004. The Tattoo Stadium were in place from 2006. The Tattoo are facing challenges in participating units from abroad with long travel-distances for quality military bands. However, they have strong, local support from the city and has succeeded in establishing the Ministry of National Defense as hosts.
Québec City International Festival of Military Bands
Web: www.fimmq.com
Established 1999, annually
The chief instigator of the Festival, Jacques Du Sault, had been developing his project for ten years, and as a natural first step enlisted the support of the Canadian Armed Forces. The original group, formed under the leadership of Mr Du Salut in 1998, was joined by several enthusiatic military members. The military were able to offer expertise in the form of the unique professional capabilities of the Director of the Band of the Royal 22e Régiment. He became the Festival’s Artistic Director, and focused on demonstrating the artistic contribution made by military bands to the cultural life of the city. Since November 2001, LtC Yvan Lachance has been the Chairman and Executive Officer of the festival. As a fortress city, Québec City is the perfect site for holding this kind of event.
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
Web: www.nstattoo.ca
CEO and Executive Producer Ann Montague
Established 1979, annually
The Tattoo is presented by the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Society with support from the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Corporate Community. The Tattoo was granted Royal status in 2006 by Her Majesty the Queen in occasion of her 80th birthday.
Herning Indoor Tattoo (Danish Military Tattoo)
Web: www.herningindoortattoo.dk
Established 2004, annually (no show since 2007)
After the last tattoo in Denmark in 1998, a new group of enthusiastic people managed to set up Herning Indoor Tattoo in collaboration with the Herning Exhibition Centre and Herning Tourist and Congress Office. Financial struggle and low interest and support from the Danish defence have so far made it impossible to continue after the 2007 event.
Norwegian Military Tattoo (NMT)
Web: www.normiltattoo.no
Chief Executive and Producer Col Christer Johannesen
Established 1994, biennial
Norwegian Military Tattoo was first set up in the Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games speed skating arena “The Viking ship”, and from 1996 to this year’s show – the “tailor-made” arena Oslo Spektrum has been the venue. Around 1000 artists from around the world present a 3 hour show, visited by 20 000 people and broadcasted on national television capturing more than 1 000 000 viewers. The Tattoo is owned by the National Chief of defense, and is showcasing high-class military music and drill, military traditions and culture as well as excellent international artists of music and dance.
Canadian International Military Tattoo (бывший Hamilton International Tattoo)
Web: www.canadianmilitarytattoo.ca
Established 1992 as Greater Hamilton Tattoo, anually
In 1992, to celebrate the 125th birthday of Canada, the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth presented The Greater Hamilton Tattoo. The featured acts were The Musical Ride of the RCMP and Spirit of the Nation, a national group of young Canadian performers formed for the Canada 125 celebrations.
In 1999, with the changes in local government and the dissolution of Hamilton-Wentworth Region, the Tattoo was in danger of being lost. A group of tattoo volunteers carried on the production and changed the name to The Hamilton International Tattoo. And again in 2006 – reflecting the non-profit Tattoo organization’s mandate to represent the culture and military tradition of Canada as a whole - the named changed to Canadian International Military Tattoo.
Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo
Web: www.windsortattoo.com
Established 2008, annually
The non-profit event, The Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo is a celebration of the capabilities of today’s forces through music and action. It has a packed programme of international and British military acts, massed pipes and drums, modern military re-enactments and a fantastic finale.
Luxembourg International Military Tattoo
Web: www.militarytattoo.lu
Established 2007, annually
The Luxembourg International Military Tattoo (LIMT) is a music festival with march formations and dancing. Participants are military and police bands as well as civil bands from Luxembourg and abroad, performing their very own show. Around 500 artists are contributing to a 2 ½ hours event.
South African Tattoo
Web: www.satattoo.co.za
Executive Producer Simon Carter
Established 2008, annually
The tradition of “taptoe” in South Africa dates back to the 17th Century and Dutch rule in the Cape. A drummer mounted the Leerdam Bastion of the Castle of Good Hope every evening and beat out the summons to return to barracks. The corporal of the guard was reputed to station himself at the Lion Gate with a cane to mete out encouragement to latecomers.
The South African Tattoo aims to be a proud part of South Africa, showcasing our traditions and cultures.