Surprise: Song Festival!
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.
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.
The sheep that greeted us in Tallinn foretold of the enchanting day we would have!
Children processed hand in hand, singing with great enthusiasm!
Several laughed and ran to catch up with the rest of the procession!
We walked miles with the procession to the Song Festival Grounds!
Estonians proudly cheered on the parade/procession from their second-story homes.
Bears on bikes waved to us!
Police posed with dancing vending machines that passed out free cans of cold Coca-Cola!
My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard!
When we could see the Baltic Sea, we knew we were getting closer to the Song Festival Grounds!
Getting closer!
The Tallinn Song Stage is in sight!
Arriving on the grounds, we joined the crowd and jubilation!
The children continued holding hands on the Song Festival Grounds.
So much joy!
On the northern side of the song stage, the 138-foot high fire tower used during the Estonian Song Festivals, remained ignited!
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!
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
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
