The Ensemble’s tour of the cities in the Volga region has begun.

In late August – early September 2026, the Volga region is in for a real celebration of art – a major tour by the Academic Order “For Merit in Culture and Art” Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, under the direction of the artistic director and chief conductor, People’s Artist of Russia, Hero of Labour of Russia, Major General Viktor Eliseev

This tour is dedicated by the renowned military musical ensemble to two significant anniversaries: the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation and the 215th anniversary of the creation of the prototype of the modern law enforcement troops.

The first concert of the tour took place on August 28, 2026, in Uglich – an old city on the right bank of the Volga. Uglich is famous for its careful preservation of its deep, dramatic history, its magnificent Volga landscapes, and the special charm of a provincial Russian city with its quiet streets, ancient churches, and unhurried pace of life.

Audiences of different generations came to the Palace of Culture of the Uglich Municipal District to attend the meeting with the Ensemble’s art. Among them were veterans of combat operations, family members of military personnel, long‑time residents of the city, and young residents of Uglich. The honorary guest of the event was the Head of the Uglich Municipal District Ilya Vladimirovich Filitsov.

The concert program featured songs from the war years, as well as works by Soviet and contemporary composers dedicated to the heroic deeds of the military generations and the glorious history of Russia. The audience received with deep feeling the opening song "We serve the Motherland" (music by S. Kardaeva, sl. N. Smirnova, soloists-Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania Evgeny Yakhin and Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko), songs: "Flag of my State" (music and sl. D. Maidanova soloists – Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Evgeny Yakhin and Roman Nepomnyashchikh), "Smuglyanka" (music by A. Novikova, sl. Ya. Shvedova, soloist-Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Grigory Yakovlev), "I was Born in the Soviet Union" (music by O. Gazmanova, soloists – Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Grigory Yakovlev). People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva, Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev, Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko, Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko, Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Danila Korenev and othersDenis Tumanov), Fantasy on the themes of songs by the group "Lyube" performed by the Balalaika quartet (consisting of: laureates of international competitions Kirill Lavrushkin, Ivan Pivovarov, Rifat Akchurin and the head of the quartet Ivan Stepanov), as well as vocal and choreographic compositions: "Home with Victory" (staged by the Honored Artist of Russia A. Safronov, arranged by A.Zarkova, soloist-People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva), " When We were at war "(music by V. Stolyarova, music by D. Samoylova, soloist-Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Igor Safonov), "Guards of Music" (music by A. Melnikov, production by Honored Artist of Russia Ivan Zhelnov, soloist - Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania Artem Melnikov) and "Soul open" (music and music by Ya. Dronova, soloist-Anton Baibakov).

Following a long‑standing tradition, the concert programme included folk songs — the Russian folk song “Down the Mother Volga” (arranged by V. Belyaev, soloist — Alexander Starodubrovsky) and a medley based on themes from Belarusian songs (composed by Gleb Kardasevich; soloists — Honoured Artist of the Kabardino‑Balkarian Republic Alexander Kokhov, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Grigory Yakovlev, Viktor Lezhnin, Konstantin Kuzmin, Alexey Bosykh), as well as the song “Where are you running, my dear path?” (music by E.Rodygin, lyrics by A. Prishelts, performed by a balalaika quartet, soloist – People’s Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva), which features Russian and Ural folk tunes, and the old romance “The bell rings monotonously” (music by A. Gurilyov, lyrics by I. Makarov, arrangement by A. Rosenblat, soloist – Honored Artist of the Kabardino‑Balkarian Republic Alexander Kokhov), the creators of which drew on the traditions of Russian folk song.

The ensemble’s choir performed the 19th‑century German composer Heinrich Pfitzner’s song “The Lake Sleeps” a cappella — in the early 20th century, it was so popular in Russia that many people even believed it to be a Russian folk song.

The audience was filled with a great deal of positive emotion when they heard the performance of a medley based on songs from Leonid Utyosov’s repertoire (composed by Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Mazanov; soloists — People’s Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva, Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev, Honored Artists of the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania Pavel Pushkin and Mikhail Zaraev, Mikhail Mamonov, and the Ensemble’s quartet: Honored Artist of Russia Sergey Bazylko, Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania Mark Novikov, Nikolai Alifanov, and Vitaly Lansky). They also enjoyed humorous songs: "The Boys Went on a spree" (music by A. Kasiev, soloists-Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev and Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko), "I'll take you to the tundra" (music by M. Fradkin, music by M. Plyatskovsky, soloists-Honored Artist of the Republic of Buryatia Norpol Tsydenov and Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Alexander Buzganov) and the sparkling "Gypsy Fantasy" (composition and arrangement by I. Golubev, I. Kadomtsev, choreography by Artur Bogdanov, soloists-People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva, Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev, Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Grigory Yakovlev).

The concert concluded with the chorus “Glory” from Mikhail Glinka’s opera “A Life for the Tsar” (“Ivan Susanin”) — a monumental work that vividly embodies the image of the great victorious Russian people.

The concert was hosted by an Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, an Honored Artist of Russia, an Honorary Employee of the National Guard of Russia, Colonel Igor Shustikov.

After the concert, the head of the Uglich Municipal District Ilya Filitsov warmly thanked the ensemble’s performers for their magnificent performance. He emphasized that this concert was not only a bright event in the cultural life of Uglich, but also a “connecting thread” between generations, a sincere sign of gratitude to those who stand guard over the peace and tranquility of our homeland.

In his response, the artistic director and chief conductor of the Ensemble, People’s Artist of Russia Viktor Eliseev, on behalf of the entire team, thanked the residents of Uglich for the warm welcome and wished them success in their work and all the best.