A warm welcome to Eksjö International Tattoo 2026! It will be a fantastic performance featuring an impressive lineup of professional musicians from near and far! Below are the participating orchestras from around the world.

 

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Home Guard Band of Eksjö and Home Guard Band of Ystad

The Home Guard Band of Eksjö and the Home Guard Band of Ystad will perform a joint display. Sweden currently has 25 Home Guard bands. Their main task is to perform music at various military ceremonies, but also perform concerts to entertain. The Eksjö band is a regular feature at our tattoos and sometimes in collaboration with colleagues from other home guard bands, like 2026.

 

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Swedish Army Band

The Swedish Army Band is the largest orchestra within the Swedish Armed Forces and the largest professional military band in the Nordic region. Its size and musical range allow the band to handle a large number of engagements. In total, over 200 performances are held each year and can be regularly seen in marching through Stockholm during the Changing of the Guard parades. Internationally, the Swedish Army Band has performed at tattoos and music festivals in Finland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, France, and Switzerland.

 

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The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pipes, Drums and Dancers  

The first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) band was formed in 1998 as part of the police force’s 125th anniversary and to perform at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Musicians who
participated went on to form their own bands in their hometowns across the country. Now, similar bands exist in several places, with identical uniforms and similar repertoires, making it easy to
“borrow” musicians from each other. The RCMP has performed at most major tattoos worldwide and is a classic pipe band. The dance group was formed in 2008 as a complement to the band. It consists of well-trained and experienced dancers who, like the band, have toured and performed at many tattoos and festivals.

 

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French Artillery Band

 

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U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band

The US Navy’s Europe and Africa Band are stationed in Naples, where NATO has its headquarters for southern Europe. The Music Association’s area of ​​responsibility extends over 105 countries. They perform in various formations, ranging from full music choirs of 45 people to small ensembles. Various types of music are offered, everything from marching music, classical music, jazz to rock and pop. The music corps was very early in contacting us to become the first American band to come to Sweden after our entry into NATO.

 

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Shape internationella orkester (Shape International Band NATO)

The SHAPE International Band is stationed at the NATO headquarters in Belgium. The band consists of musicians from several countries and led by those from the United States. They perform at various concerts and events in Belgium and across NATO countries and their allies. At the tattoo they will provide our stage band at the rear of the arena in front of the church. A new addition to our tattoo in 2026. Hopefully they will be joined by a group of Lindy Hop dancers who will take to the arena and charm the audience in fitting with the big band music.

 

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Jordanian Armed Forces Band, the Royal Circassian Honour Guard and the Royal Jordanian Honor Guard Silent Drill Team

The Jordanian Armed Forces Band, along with the Royal Circassian Honour Guard and the Royal Jordanian Honour Guard Silent Drill Team is a large unit of more than 500 musicians capable of forming numerous different ensembles, marching bands and concert orchestras. They perform at state visits, national ceremonies, and at multiple international tattoos and music festivals. In Eksjö they will bring a 50 piece wind band, a 14 soldier drill team, and a parade contingent of about 10 soldiers from the Royal Circassian Honour Guard. This will undoubtedly be an exotic and extraordinary feature of the tattoo, our first visitors from the Middle East.

 

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Honoured Academic Orchestra of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Central Military Band of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Honoured Academic Orchestra of the Armed Forces of Ukraine) is a large ensemble with 50 musicians. It consists of professional musicians of the highest international caliber. Since the start of the war in 2022, the band has served at the front in smaller ensembles, performing at ceremonies such as military funerals and also for entertainment. It is worth noting that before the war, Ukraine had just 10 military bands; now there are over 50. Military music is needed—even in wartime and we are privileged to welcome them to Eksjö in July 2026.

 

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Compare

The compare of 2026 is Karin Li Körsbärsdal, born and raised in Katrineholm. Growing up she played the cello, sang in choirs and took part in everything that was produced in the city! After studies at the School of Theatre in Malmö, Karin is now a professional actor. She has been seen in roles at the Swedish first theatre Dramaten and at the city theatres in Stockholm and Helsingborg. 

During recent years, Karin has played in theatre productions including “Machbeth”, ”A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and ”The Process”. 

Karin sends her best regards and tells us that she is looking forward to be a part of Eksjö International Tattoo. Karin is humble and greatful for the confidence to guide the audience through the four tattoo shows.