Tattoo tradition returns with global acts and local stars

CTV News

3 days ago

The Scotiabank Centre in Halifax was full of energy and excitement Wednesday, as hundreds of students and fans got an early look at this year's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
'It's a family show,' said managing director Scott Long in an interview with CTV Atlantic's Katie Kelly. 'People were brought up around this show, whether their parents took them, or their grandparents took them, and that carries on through generations. We even have volunteers whose parents volunteer and their parents volunteer and so on. It's a family tradition; it's a Nova Scotian tradition.'
The 2025 edition features nearly 700 performers from Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands, Norway, and across Canada. But this year, organizers say there's also a strong spotlight on local talent.
'The Tattoo is a local event,' said Long. 'We want to support our community and make sure our artists have a chance to perform in front of a big audience on a big stage.'
Among them is Emma Stevens, a singer-songwriter from Eskasoni First Nation, N.S. Stevens is performing an original song honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
'Music is a good way to bring everybody together and understand what's going on,' said Stevens. 'It's amazing and I'm very grateful to be here and to be doing this.'
Also making her Tattoo debut is Paula Braiden, a six-time world champion drum major from Northern Ireland, who leads The Force, a high-impact precision display team. This is her first time in Canada.
'We have travelled quite a lot and performed in many tattoos, but this one was quite special,' said Braiden.
Returning to the Tattoo after nearly two decades is the Band of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee - the military police band for the Netherlands- who are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.
'It's a beautiful tattoo with nice music and a great atmosphere,' Captain Ido Kempenaar said. 'We're very pleased to be here.'
The theme of this year's Tattoo is 'Flourish.'
'Which is all about when we're protected and we feel safe, we have better communities in the role that our armed forces and first responders and police play in that,' said Long.
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo officially opens Friday night and runs through to Canada Day. 'Tickets are on sale, there's good seats available, kids are free with the purchase of any adult receiving a ticket,' said Long.