The ensemble congratulated the military personnel on the 55th anniversary of the formation of special motorized military units of the National Guard of the Russian Federation

Special military units of the National Guard of the Russian Federation are celebrating their 55th anniversary this week. A solemn meeting and a festive concert dedicated to this significant event were held on September 30, 2021, at the Cultural Center of the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the City of Moscow.

Among those present were generals and officers of the Russian Federation National Guard, combatants, and internal service veterans.

The festive event began with the introduction of the State Flag of the Russian Federation and the battle flag of the 55th Division of the National Guard of the Russian Federation.

The Commander of the Central District of the National Guard of the Russian Federation addressed the audience with a welcoming speechColonel-General Alexander Popov. In his address, he particularly noted the merits of the personnel of the 55th Division of the National Guard of the Russian Federation, who took a direct part in eliminating the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, resolving interethnic conflicts in Central Asia and Transcaucasia, in counter-terrorist operations in the North Caucasus, and in ensuring law and order during international sports and cultural events.

"Today, the unit's personnel are guarding public order and public safety in the city of Moscow, demonstrating high professionalism, dedication, courage, and bravery in extreme situations," Colonel General Alexander Popov emphasized in his speech.

By order of the Commander of the Central District of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, for special merits, reasonable initiative, diligence, and distinction in service, demonstrated in the performance of service and combat missions, and in connection with the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the formation of special military units of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, a number of military personnel were awarded the "For Distinction in Service" II degree breast insignia, honorary certificates, and valuable gifts.

The Chief of the Public Order Protection Department of the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, Major General Viktor Podkolzin, and the First Deputy Head of the Department of Regional Security and Anti-Corruption of the City of Moscow, Vasily Oleynik, addressed the audience with words of greeting.

The Chairman of the Moscow City Duma Alexey Shaposhnikov warmly congratulated the personnel of the 55th Division of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation on the anniversary and presented a number of military personnel with letters of commendation for their outstanding achievements in maintaining public order in the city of Moscow.

On this significant day, the military personnel were congratulated by the Academic 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.

At the beginning of the festive concert, the choir performed the song "Workers of War" (music by Evgeny Shiryaev, lyrics by Ilya Reznik).

The concert program featured popular songs from the Great Patriotic War, including "The Artillerymen's March" (T. Khrennikov, V. Gusev) and "The Frontline Driver's Song" (B. Mokrousov, B. Laskin).

A medley of songs from Leonid Utyosov's repertoire, arranged by the Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Mazanov, was performed by the ensemble's soloists: the Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev, the Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Alexander Vdovenko, Pavel Pushkin, and Mikhail Zarayev.

G. Seleznev's song "You Know, I Want to Live" was very heartfelt, dedicated to the memory of all military personnel who gave their lives in the line of duty (soloist – Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev).

The song "We Serve the Motherland" (music by N. Smirnov and S. Kardaev, lyrics by N. Smirnov), performed by thechoir and soloists of the ensemble Evgeny Yakhin and Alexey Kholyavko, did not leave anyone indifferent.

The audience was delighted by the dance group's performance of the choreographic composition "Golden Khokhloma" (directed by the Honored Artist of Russia Petr Kovalev), as well as the original rendition of the popular song "I'll Take You to the Tundra" (music by M. Fradkin, lyrics by M. Plyatskovsky, performed by the Honored Cultural Workers of the Republic of Buryatia Ruslan Samozhapov and Norpol Tsydenov).

The renowned military band once again demonstrated its mastery of not only military, frontline, and folk songs, but also global pop hits such as "Get Lucky" by the French duo "Daft Punk".

The concert ended with the patriotic song "Glorify" from Mikhail Glinka's opera "Ivan Susanin", performed by the choir, orchestra, and soloists of theAcademic Ensemble of Songs and Dances 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

The concert was hosted by Honored Artist of Russia, Colonel Igor Shustikov.

The grateful audience gave the performers a long and loud round of applause.