The ensemble took part in the gala concert at the Irina Viner Palace

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a special holiday for all Russians. On this day, we pay tribute to the heroes who have always stood up for our Motherland, honor the veterans of the Great Patriotic War, and express our deep gratitude to the participants of the special military operation (SVO).

This year, together with all progressive humanity, we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. In order to immortalize this historic event of global significance, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin dated January 16, 2025, No. 28, 2025 has been declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland.

On this solemn day, February 23, 2025, a gala concert of Russian pop stars featuring the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team was held at the Irina Viner Palace in Luzhniki.

Throughout the evening, accompanied by the orchestra and choir of the Academic Order of Merit in Culture and the Arts of the Ensemble of Song and Dance of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, led by the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, People's Artist of Russia, Major General Viktor Eliseev, both songs from the war years and works by contemporary composers inspired by military and patriotic themes were performed.

Many years of creative friendship connect the Ensemble with the famous singer and composer, Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan, the author of the project "Immortal Songs of the Great Country" Alexander Kogan. In today's concert, the popular vocalist performed songs that are beloved by Russians: "You are my hope" (A. Pakhmutova, N. Dobronravov), "Cranes" (Ya. Frenkel, R. Gamzatov), "It's time to go on the road"(V. Solovyov-Sedoy, S. Fogelson), "Random Waltz" (M. Fradkin, E. Dolmatovsky), " Song of the frontline shofera "(B. Mokrousov, B. Laskin and N. Labkovsky), "May Waltz" (I. Luchenok, M. Yasen), "The Fourth Day of the War" (V. Tretyakov), "Pre-war Waltz" (P. Aedonitsky, F. Laube), "Song of a Soldier" (V. Migulya, M. AgAshina), "Hot Snow" (A. Pakhmutova, M. Lviv)," Song of war correspondents "(M. Blanter, K. Simonov)," Take your greatcoat, let's go home " (B. Okudzhava, V. Levashov).

A bright highlight of the concert program was the song “Officers’ Wives” (V. Slepak), which was performed with great emotion by the family duo of People’s Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva and the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Ensemble, People’s Artist of Russia Viktor Eliseev. The emotional audience did not want to let the artists leave the stage.

The concert was also attended by popular performers and choirs: Dmitry Sibirtsev, Viktor Sporyshev, Daria Zykova, the Russian Format Men's Choir, the Sretensky Monastery Choir, and others.

The musical numbers were made especially touching by the performances of young gymnasts, students of the Honored Coach of Russia, Hero of Labor of Russia Irina Viner.

According to a long-established tradition, the concert ended with the performance of the solemn Victory Day march (D. Tukhmanov, V. Kharitonov) – together with Alexander Kogan and the artists of the choir of the Rosgvardiya Song and Dance Ensemble, all those gathered today in the hall of the Irina Viner Palace sang it standing up.