GOOD RECEPTION FOR SRPSKA MINISTRY OF INTERIOR’S POLICE ORCHESTRA

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 29 /SRNA/ – The Police Orchestra of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior is participating in the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival in Moscow, which has brought together more than 30 military and police orchestras from around the world.

The head of the Police Orchestra Jelena Atlagić told SRNA that in addition to performing at the main event held every evening in Red Square, they also had the opportunity to march in a parade through the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy Park and held an independent concert in Bauman Garden. "The Russian audience received the Police Orchestra very warmly and truly amazed us with their reception and the affection they show toward our people, country, and music," Atlagić emphasized. Given that the theme of this year's festival is the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism, she noted that the Police Orchestra of the Srpsla MoI selected appropriate marches for the performance. "The first was the `March of the Kozara Partisans` as a tribute to the people of the Krajina region who fought against fascism, followed by the `March on the Drina,` the most famous Serb military march. Besides the warm welcome we feel in Moscow, we are also impressed by the Russian military bands and their musicianship," she added. Atlagić stressed that the invitation to Russia is proof that the Police Orchestra is developing into a serious ensemble with skilled musicians and a quality repertoire. "Conductor Dušan Pokrajčić and I had an official meeting on Wednesday, August 27, with Major General Timofey Mayakin, head of the Band Service of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, and with the festival director, Sergey Smirnov. We are grateful to the organisers for the invitation, especially to the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, who made our participation possible," said Atlagić. The Police Orchestra of the Srpska MoI has been in Moscow since August 18, while the grand finale of the festival will be held on August 31. In addition to military bands from the Russian Federation, orchestras from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, the United Arab Emirates, Burkina Faso, and Italy are also participating in the festival.