Mary C. Nasser
  • About
  • Art
  • Resume
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Stencils

Friday Favorite: A Million Voices

9/23/2011

21 Comments

 
The Singing Revolution


Surprise: Song Festival!

Estonia
Photo courtesy of http://www.laulupidu.ee
When Dan and I set foot in Tallinn, Estonia, we had no idea of the magic we would experience that day! The experience was so powerful and dreamlike; it is challenging to put into words for a blog post. We would encounter both thrill and delight when we came across the 11th Youth Song and Dance Celebration quite by accident! 

The tradition of song festivals dates back to the 19th century. From that day on the tradition has expanded into several smaller celebrations that culminate into one monumental song celebration that takes place once every four years. Actually the 11th Youth Song and Dance Celebration was not supposed to happen this summer, but due to the fact that Tallinn is the cultural capital of Europe in 2011, Tallinn wanted to share this amazing piece of Estonian culture with as many visitors as possible.

Picture
The sheep that greeted us in Tallinn foretold of the enchanting day we would have!
Picture
Children processed hand in hand, singing with great enthusiasm!
Picture
Several laughed and ran to catch up with the rest of the procession!
Picture
We walked miles with the procession to the Song Festival Grounds!
Picture
Estonians proudly cheered on the parade/procession from their second-story homes.
Picture
Bears on bikes waved to us!
Picture
Police posed with dancing vending machines that passed out free cans of cold Coca-Cola!
Picture
My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard!
Picture
When we could see the Baltic Sea, we knew we were getting closer to the Song Festival Grounds!
Picture
Getting closer!
Picture
The Tallinn Song Stage is in sight!
Picture
Arriving on the grounds, we joined the crowd and jubilation!
Picture
The children continued holding hands on the Song Festival Grounds.
Picture
So much joy!
Picture
On the northern side of the song stage, the 138-foot high fire tower used during the Estonian Song Festivals, remained ignited!
Picture
Dan and I could hardly believe we experienced both the morning procession and the afternoon Song Celebration! The woman who took our photo here was born and raised in Tallinn. She told us that most people in Tallinn grow up singing, but that these children practiced twice a week for 2 years to perform on this day!
Picture
More than 30,000 participants performing to an audience of 100,000! This was our view!
I would encourage everyone to watch The Singing Revolution!
The Singing Revolution documents how, between 1986 and 1991, Estonians courageously and peacefully demanded that the Soviets recognize their country’s right to statehood and self-government. The revolutionary songs they created anchored Estonia’s struggle for freedom, which was ultimately accomplished in 1991 without the loss of a single life. Singing fueled the non-violent revolution that defeated a very violent occupation.

The Singing Revolution is being played on Public Broadcasting Stations across the U.S. this weekend!
Click here to see dates/times in your area! I’ve watched it twice already! The trailer is posted below.

TGIF!
Mary
21 Comments
ann's art @ studiohyde link
9/22/2011 11:15:09 pm

It must have been wonderful to come across this, what a lovely addition to your holiday. I'm so glad you shared it with us.

Reply
Mary C. Nasser link
9/22/2011 11:24:14 pm

Thank you, Ann. It really was one of the most wonderful days I've ever experienced! So magical and unexpected!
I felt pure happiness.

~Mary

Reply
Kathryn Dyche Dechairo link
9/22/2011 11:26:15 pm

Wow, what a priviledge it must have been to experience that.

Reply
Trina (Trina's Clay Creations) link
9/22/2011 11:32:50 pm

Oh Mary thank you so much for sharing, how wonderful that you experienced all of it! Makes for an even more memorable vacation!

Reply
LostLemonade link
9/23/2011 12:16:34 am

What a wonderful experience and event!

Reply
Alessandra @ Tribal Times link
9/23/2011 12:47:21 am

That was amazing!!

Reply
Lisa Cousineau link
9/23/2011 02:43:03 am

That must have been simply amazing! My mom was born in Tallinn Estonia 73 years ago. When she was very young the Soviets drove them out with only the clothes on their back. I don't think she's ever been back. Very sad, but nice to see that the country is once again a peaceful haven and full of laughter and song.

Reply
MegansBeadedDesigns link
9/23/2011 02:53:12 am

This is AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story and incredible pictures!!!

Reply
Connie link
9/23/2011 02:55:48 am

What a fantastic introduction to Tallinn! So much positive energy! Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Angela link
9/23/2011 06:19:22 am

STUNNING! I'm so glad you shared this with us!!
Angela

Reply
Mary C. Nasser link
9/23/2011 06:28:58 am

Thank you so much for the positive and energetic comments.

I know it was a longer than usual post for me :) but wanted to include all the photos above. So again, thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

And Lisa, that is so amazing that your mom was born in Tallinn, Estonia, 73 years ago. So sorry she had to go through such a horrific experience of being driven out, having only the clothes on her back. But I can assure you that from my travel experience, I have never experienced such a proud country that was such a peaceful haven, full of laughter, joy, and song! Everyone from Tallinn was so very kind to us. But it is imperative to know the past so that it is never repeated.

All the best,
Mary

Reply
Annette G link
9/23/2011 12:23:35 pm

Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures of joy. Annette x

Reply
Traci Lehman link
9/23/2011 05:51:31 pm

How wonderful! That morning must have been so amazing. I have never heard about this before and I simply LOVE the girls and women's dresses...the colors. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Leovi link
9/23/2011 09:43:43 pm

Lovely, I like them all, pretty colors.

Reply
geckostone
9/24/2011 03:05:19 am

Wow thank you for sharing all these wonderful photos! What an amazingly beautiful experience to have been there in person!And by accident! That really proves everything happens for a reason!Deb

Reply
Corrine link
9/24/2011 03:40:58 am

What a special trip, those costumes make me swoon. xox Corrine

Reply
Valerie-Jael link
9/24/2011 05:13:26 am

Looks like you had a wonderful time music, singing and laughter are international. Valerie

Reply
Mary Hysong; Hysong Designs link
9/24/2011 05:57:17 am

I'm sure that was an amazing day; thank you for sharing it with all of us. Thank you for stopping by my place and commenting on my Italian Sunflowers, Happy PPF!

Reply
giggles link
9/25/2011 07:39:31 am

What a powerful post! You were so fortunate to experience this! I'm teary thinking about it! Thanks for sharing. I hope I see it on public television in Canada!

Hugs Giggles

Reply
Eeli link
10/14/2011 04:17:04 am

You have taken so great photos from Tallinn! It is for me like coming home again after living in Denmark soon over 10 Years! I hope You had a good time in Estonia and Denmark!
With the best,
Eeli

Reply
Anu link
6/4/2012 07:16:53 pm

Hi! I'm so happy that you mentioned your post about Estonia in my blog! It was really heart warming to read about your memories and look the beautiful photos you had taken. The Song Festival has its very special place in Estonians hearts and I'm so glad that this day has left some sweet memories also to you. You were so lucky to visit Tallinn on that day! :)

Greetings from Estonia!
Anu

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About Me
    I love creating mixed-media art layered with maps, stencils, and hues of blue! This blog is a place for me to share my work and what inspires me. Read more here.
    Picture

    My StencilGirl Stencil Designs:

    Map Stencils

    Published in:

    Picture
    Picture
    StencilGirl by Mary Beth Shaw
    Featuring issue #2
    Spark and Inspire
©2010-2022 Mary C. Nasser