Every year since the end of World War II Norway has sent a Christmas tree to the UK, which is put on display in Trafalgar Square during December, but Birmingham will get something even better this year as the Norwegians will send their official Air Force Band to represent them at the Birmingham International Tattoo early in the new year. The band participates in parades and ceremonies across Norway and performs for Norwegian royalty and the government on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Air Force and this is their first visit to Birmingham.
The Norwegian Air Force Band, known as Luftforsvarets musikkorps, will fly in to take part in the 2024 Birmingham International Tattoo, a type of military tournament, where they will join over 1,000 performers for a three-hour spectacle that will be one of the first events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. As well as the band from Norway, a band from Austria plus our own Band of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and the Scottish pipes and drums, and over 100 standard bearers, will parade each day. The massed bands will be joined by exciting displays including tri-services field gun racing, dog display teams and many other performers culminating in a spectacular grand finale.
Producer Norman Rogerson MBE said “Through the Birmingham International Tattoo each year we recognise those heroes who currently serve, or the veterans who have served, in our Armed Forces. The 2024 Tattoo will be one of the first events to commemorate the heroes of the D-Day landings in the 80th anniversary year and we are grateful that the Norwegians can join us in this special year.”
A parade unlike any other, the 2024 Birmingham International Tattoo is an ideal opportunity to experience three hours of pomp, pageantry and spectacle. Whether you prefer the massed marching bands, the skirl of the pipes and drums, the fast-paced action of the field gun or the flyball dog races, or the pomp and pageantry of the massed standard bearers, there is something for all the family at the 2024 Birmingham International Tattoo on Saturday 10th February 2024 at 6pm and Sunday 11th February 2024 at 2pm at Resorts World Arena, Birmingham. More information is available at www.bhamtattoo.com.