Hamina to host Int´l Military Music Fest

The biennial international military music event will fill the streets of Hamina with military music from July 29 to August 3, said Finnish Defence Forces in a press release on Monday.

The Hamina Tattoo, which has become a tradition, is organized by the city of Hamina and the main partner is the Finnish Defence Forces.

The Hamina Tattoo is one of the most important Tattoo events in the world.

“The Tattoo, organized by the city of Hamina, is a major public event that has enabled the military music sector of the Finnish Defence Forces to reach a large and broad-based audience. The Hamina Tattoo and military music in general play an important role in maintaining and increasing interest in the Finnish Defence Forces and in strengthening the will to defend the country,” Chief Conductor Timo Kotilainen said.

Kotilainen puts internationalization at the heart of the visibility of Finnish military music and stresses the importance of cultural exchange.

“The popularity of the event and its internationalization have supported the recognition of Finnish military traditions and military music. It is of course important that we not only export Finnish music to the world, but also bring influences from other countries to ourselves. This year, all the performers are our allies,” the Chief Conductor added.

The 2024 Hamina Tattoo will feature bands from the United States, Belgium, France, Sweden and Norway.

The Finnish military bands will include the Guards Band, the Lapland Military Band and the Conscript Band.

Tattoo week is full of music and events, and will feature the Air Force Band and the Finnish Defence Forces' Conscript Band's string section, among others.

In addition to military music, the event will also provide an opportunity to learn more about the Finnish Defence Forces in the event area in front of the Reserve Officers' School, where the Army Academy has organized an equipment demonstration.

The Hamina Tattoo will also be seen and heard in our capital on July 29 at 12 noon.

The performances will be held at the Mini Tattoo event at Senate Square.

The event is free of charge.