How it goes
The traditions of guard breeding in Russia are many centuries old. The ceremony began during the reign of Grand Duke Ivan III, even before the red brick Kremlin was built. In the 18th century, the first Cavalry Guard squadron was formed, and the raising of the guards in our usual form was carried out during the coronation of Catherine I.
The current performance combines the most spectacular elements of military rituals and shows the continuity of the country's military traditions. The ceremony became a center of attraction for thousands of tourists from different countries. Many, by the way, come to the performance on Cathedral Square more than once and even warn their neighbors on the viewing platform when there will be a loud volley, and when the horse columns will go like a “carousel”.
The performance consists of a classical part: the reconstruction of military personnel, as well as cavalry in different styles - “mill”, “candle”, “eight”, “horse carousel”, as well as drill techniques with weapons. The modern part of the program was supplemented in 2021 with new elements “labyrinth”, “stream” and “clock”. Among the new products there will also be a program with weapons - the foot regiment of the Presidential Regiment performs 20 elements at a fast pace without pauses.
Photo: Vladimir Velengurin
On guard!
The final rehearsal was held on April 12, World Aviation and Cosmonautics Day. A coincidence, but a symbolic one. New elements appeared in the ceremony on the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square, in particular, infantrymen from the Special Guard Company showed a mesmerizing “reverse”.
A show of flying rifles is perhaps an appropriate image. In everyday life, the term “reverse” usually evokes associations with aviation. It’s difficult to describe “reverse” in your own words. In the Presidential Regiment they announce it with military precision: “When forming a “square” figure, the military personnel, being in six columns of six people, sequentially throw up the weapon, rotating it one and a half turns, first counterclockwise, then clockwise.”
The foot guard consists of 36 soldiers armed with Simonov self-loading carbines, plus 8 people in the banner group. Three quarters of the guard consists of military personnel of the autumn conscription.
Last year, the changing of the guards ceremony in the Kremlin was completed in mid-October. This means that 70% of the soldiers who will surprise you tomorrow with their bearing and techniques with weapons were still on their way to Moscow at the end of the 2017 season. And some were civilians.
By the way, here are the regions of conscription: Volgograd, Yekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Kaluga, Kaliningrad, Moscow and the Moscow region, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saratov, Ulyanovsk and Yaroslavl. In total there are 17 regions of the country.
In less than six months, the regiment turned ordinary guys into real soldiers.
However, as officers say, the most complex special drill techniques with weapons are performed by contract soldiers.
The situation is different in the cavalry. A military horse begins to serve fully at about the age of 3-5 years, and is demobilized at 16-20 years. So that horses do not have to regularly get used to new riders over the years of service (the horse is a highly intelligent animal, gets very used to people and has a hard time withstanding separation), most riders serve under a contract. The squadrons are stationed in Alabino, near Moscow.
12 riders of the Cavalry Honorary Escort perform on Cathedral Square on horses of the Oryol, Russian riding and Trakehner breeds. The types of equestrian formation loved by spectators will remain in the new season: “horse carousel”, “eight”, “mill”, “candle” and “chain”. Techniques with edged weapons will also be shown.
For several years now, the favorite of reporters has been the officer of the Cavalry Honorary Escort, Irina Mamaeva. In the past, Irina is an instructor at the Kremlin Riding School; she trained for three years before riding her horse Portzai on Cathedral Square in 2021. We'll see her again tomorrow. Instructor Mamaeva, like all the other riders, is armed with a cavalry saber of the 1881 model. A real military weapon, they were forged in Zlatoust according to historical standards. Long and heavy. And they are the same for both the tall cavalryman and the graceful horsewoman.
Among all the surprises and innovations, there are ceremonies (“reverse” and other techniques) and islands of stability. The time of the ceremony has not changed since the first divorce in 2004 - 12.00. The meeting place cannot be changed either: Cathedral Square of the Kremlin.
Deployment of foot guards
It all starts with construction. Drummers play the ancient signal “Under the Standards.” The Russian flag is brought into the square.
The demonstration performance begins after the striking of the chimes on the Spasskaya Tower. The special guard company of the Presidential Regiment is the first to enter the center. They show elements of rebuilding, military techniques with weapons. The orchestra changes the music according to the number the military is performing.
Photo: Vladimir Velengurin
Putin inspected the Presidential Regiment on Cathedral Square of the Kremlin
From the Red Porch on the Kremlin's Cathedral Square, the head of state watched the solemn march of boxes of foot and horse soldiers. The military band performed several marches during the review. This symbolic ceremony was organized instead of the traditional Victory Parade on Red Square, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On May 7, the Presidential Regiment celebrated its professional holiday - Unit Day. The Presidential Regiment is an elite military unit that ensures the security of top officials of the state and Kremlin values. His official birthday is April 8, 1936. On this day, an order was signed for the garrison of the Moscow Kremlin, according to which the Special Purpose Battalion was reorganized into the Special Purpose Regiment of the Office of the Commandant of the Moscow Kremlin.
However, the formation of the regiment began in December 1918, when, by decision of the Council of People's Commissars, machine gun courses were involved in the protection of the Moscow Kremlin, which in February 1921 were transformed into the First School of Red Commanders named after the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. In 1929, a training battalion was created at the School, which was later transformed into a battalion for training reserve platoon commanders. In October 1935, powers to protect the Moscow Kremlin were transferred to the Special Purpose Battalion.
Since then, the regiment has changed its name several times, but its tasks have remained the same. With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, military units of the Kremlin commandant’s office were entrusted with the task of protecting and defending the Kremlin, where the State Defense Committee and the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command were located. From June 25, 1941, the regiment switched to a regime of enhanced security and defense of the Kremlin; round-the-clock duty of combat crews was established on the wall. During the war, four groups of snipers from the regiment were sent to the front, who destroyed 1.2 thousand enemy soldiers and officers. Kremlin casualties amounted to 97 people. Three ceremonial battalions of the regiment took part in the historical Victory Parade on Red Square on June 24, 1945.
For the last 15 years, the Presidential Regiment has been holding spectacular ceremonies for changing foot and horse guards in the warmer months. The ceremony was recreated taking into account centuries-old military traditions, combining the most beautiful elements of military rituals, including a demonstration of drill techniques with weapons, a performance by a mounted guard and musical accompaniment of the Presidential Orchestra. Three quarters of the ceremony participants were conscripts. Anyone can see the changing of the guards by purchasing a ticket to the Moscow Kremlin. However, this year the Federal Security Service postponed the opening of the season by a month and a half.
Rearrangement of mounted guards
Immediately after the Presidential Regiment, an Honorary Cavalry Escort enters the square. One of the most beloved stages of the ceremony, the “horse carousel,” begins.
Photo: Vladimir Velengurin
At the end of the escort defile, the guard on duty gives the command: “Guard, Attention!”, and after the end of the orchestra’s playing, another command: “To the places of duty, step by step - MARCH.” This is the signal for the end of the ceremony - the military leaves the square in orderly columns.
Participants
Elements of drill training and part of the program with weapons are demonstrated by a special guard company of the Presidential Regiment of the Service of the Commandant of the Moscow Kremlin of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. More than half of the 2021 Foot Guard members were 2021 recruits. The Presidential Regiment includes young men from 26 regions of the country. The new season of the ceremony on Cathedral Square will be the debut for soldiers who were called up for service in 2019.
The part of the program in which the audience is shown a performance with horses is prepared by the Cavalry Honorary Escort of the Presidential Regiment. The Presidential Orchestra of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant's Service is responsible for the musical accompaniment of the show.
Photo: Vladimir Velengurin
Moscow. Two ceremonies for changing the foot and horse guards of the presidential regiment will take place next Saturday
“On June 30 at 12:00 on Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin and at 16:00 on Red Square, guard changing ceremonies will be held.”
, reports the Center for Press and Public Relations of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.
The ceremony of changing the guards of the presidential regiment has not been held on Red Square for several years. On Tuesday, a rehearsal for this spectacular event took place on Red Square, as a result of which it was decided to change the guards at the Kremlin walls this Saturday.
According to the FSO, on the eve of the changing of the guards, on Friday, June 29, from 1 to 2 p.m., the presidential orchestra will perform at the grotto in the Alexander Garden.
The changing of the guards was regularly held on Red Square until 2011, then it was moved to the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square. On Red Square this event is held only on special occasions.
The performance combines the most striking, spectacular elements of Russian military ceremonies, including a demonstration of drill techniques with weapons and elements of a “horse carousel”.
This is an open ceremony, everyone can watch it. This spectacular event took place for the first time in April 2005.
The ceremony was prepared by a group that included employees of the protocol of the President of the Russian Federation, the Heraldic Council, the Federal Security Service and the Kremlin commandant. The developers of the ceremony took into account many traditions of the Russian army and studied military regulations, starting with the first Russian “Military Article” of Peter the Great’s times.
Similar rituals already existed during the time of Ivan III, and the tradition was observed until 1917. Then the ceremony was replaced by another - the changing of the guard of honor at the mausoleum of Vladimir Lenin.
All details of the ceremony of changing the guards are carefully rehearsed: at noon, to the sound of the chimes and the sounds of a march from the Arsenal to Cathedral Square, the Special Guard Company of the Presidential Regiment emerges.
Then there is the removal of the Russian national flag, a demonstration of drill techniques with weapons and a “horse carousel” performed by riders of the Honorary Cavalry Escort.
The military uniform of the guards is modeled after the dress uniform of the Life Guards regiments, which was created at the beginning of the last century by decree of Nicholas II to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the victory in the War of 1812. 44 foot soldiers and 12 riders on black and bay horses take part in the deployment of the presidential guard. Everything is accompanied by the musical accompaniment of the Presidential Orchestra, which performs marches and ancient signals.
Since 2009, several new figures have been added to the ceremony, including the “circle” and carbine drills, which have a “domino effect.” In addition, servicemen of the special guard company began to perform all the figures facing the audience, on all four sides of the square.
Where to look
There is no need to pay extra to attend the ceremony of changing the mounted and foot guards in Moscow in 2021 - just buy a single ticket to visit the architectural ensemble of Cathedral Square. Of course, don’t forget that the ceremony is held only on Saturdays.
With this ticket you can also visit:
- Assumption, Archangel, Annunciation Cathedrals;
- Church of the Deposition of the Robe;
- Patriarchal Chambers with the Church of the Twelve Apostles;
- Exhibition “Treasures and Antiquities of the Moscow Kremlin”;
The cost of a single ticket is 700 rubles. There are discounts for students and pensioners - they need to pay 350 rubles for entry. A ticket for a visit with an audio tour will cost 1,000 rubles. Tickets can be purchased online on the museum's website.
Children under 16 years of age, veterans, Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of Russia, disabled people of the first group, conscript soldiers and museum workers visit the architectural complex for free.
When can you watch the changing of the guards in the Kremlin in 2019?
The deployment of mounted and foot guards in the Kremlin is carried out according to a specific schedule approved by the government. It is compiled and updated annually. The changing of the guard can be observed from April to October. It is held weekly on Saturdays. The ceremony starts at 12:00 Moscow time.
Anyone can visit the guard service. There are no restrictions in this regard. To do this, at a certain time and day you should visit the Kremlin Cathedral Square. It is worth taking care of purchasing tickets on its territory in advance, since there are usually impressive queues at the box office. And in order to get the best seats for viewing, you should already be at the divorce venue 1 hour before the start. The visit is included in the price of a single ticket to explore the rest of the cathedral square.
It is worth noting that the changing of guards is influenced by the weather. It is better not to go to it in bad weather, as the ceremony may be cancelled. This also applies to days when it is hot. The optimal air temperature for changing the guard is 25C.
In addition to the guard of honor inside the Kremlin, you can watch the guard change at the Eternal Flame. The post appeared here in 1997 by order of Boris Yeltsin. They are on duty from 8:00 to 20:00. The changing of the guard occurs once every hour. At this time, under the admiring glances of guests and residents of the capital, three servicemen of the presidential regiment strike a step.
The first ceremony of changing the foot and horse guards took place in the Kremlin
On April 14, on Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin, the first this year ceremony of changing the foot and horse guards of the Presidential Regiment of the Commandant Service of the Moscow Kremlin of the Federal Security Service of Russia took place. The event was attended by residents and guests of the capital, including numerous foreign tourists and representatives of the military attache of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France.
The changing of the foot and horse guards in the Moscow Kremlin is a bright and spectacular ceremony that linked together different historical eras of the valiant Russian army, demonstrating the deep historical continuity of the military traditions of our Power.
The modern ceremony of changing the foot and horse guards of the Presidential Regiment was approved in the fall of 2004. The new ceremony was recreated taking into account centuries-old military traditions and combined the most beautiful elements of military rituals, including a demonstration of drill techniques with weapons, a “horse carousel” and musical accompaniment of a brass band.
The ceremonial divorce is attended by units of the Commandant's Service of the Moscow Kremlin of the Federal Protective Service of the Russian Federation, permanent participants of the International Military Music Festival "Spasskaya Tower": Special Guard Company, Cavalry Honor Escort of the Presidential Regiment and the Presidential Orchestra.
The program for the divorce ceremony in 2021 retains the basic elements that have become traditional. The classical part of the performance is based on dynamic formations of military personnel in various formation options and their performance of special techniques with weapons. An important role is played by coherence and clarity in the implementation of all elements of the program.
This year, a new element called “reverse” appeared in the performance program of the Special Guard Company soldiers. When forming a “square” formation, military personnel, standing in six columns of six people each, sequentially, column by column, throw up the weapon, rotating it one and a half turns, first counterclockwise, then clockwise. The addition of a new special weapon move combined with the “domino” visual effect made the “reverse” a prominent element of the program.
The constant calling card of the Kremlin remains the marching step. Three-quarters of the foot guard consists of military personnel of the autumn conscription, undergoing military service in the Special Guard Company. The foot guard and banner group include military personnel called up from 17 regions of the country (Volgograd, Yekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Kaluga, Kaliningrad, Moscow and the Moscow region, Novosibirsk, N. Novgorod, Penza, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saratov, Ulyanovsk and Yaroslavl). The most complex special drill techniques with weapons are performed by military personnel serving under contract.
Military personnel of the Cavalry Honor Escort perform such complex and beautiful types of equestrian formation as “horse carousel”, “eight”, “mill”, “candle” and “chain”, and also demonstrate techniques with standard edged weapons.
Musical accompaniment for the ceremony is provided by the Presidential Orchestra of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant's Service. This season, for the first time, the Presidential Orchestra performs a new Ceremonial Counter March during the performance of the banner group. The march was written by the conductor of the Presidential Orchestra, Honored Artist of Russia, Colonel E. Yu. Nikitin specifically on the occasion of two anniversaries: the 100th anniversary of the commandant’s office of the Moscow Kremlin and the 80th anniversary of the Presidential Orchestra of the Service of the Commandant of the Moscow Kremlin FSO of Russia.
In recent years, the separation of foot and horse guards has become one of the “calling cards” of the Moscow Kremlin. It is natural that thousands of spectators gather at Cathedral Square to see this fascinating action. It is not for nothing that for many years now it has been the Presidential Regiment and the Presidential Orchestra that have been opening the evening performances of the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival, which this year will be held on Red Square from August 24 to September 2.
Ceremonial divorce is held seasonally: during the warm season on Saturdays at 12:00 on Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin.
You can see it by purchasing a ticket to visit the territory of the Moscow Kremlin State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve.
