Holidays are coming…

Dear friends,

Thank your for your support and happy upcoming holidays!

We have a wish for 2010 – Let`s make our online communities even more popular and introduce Estonian singing and dancing tradition to the rest of the world! Help to spread our Twitter (@tobreatheasone), Facebook (www.facebook.com/songcelebration) and blog links.

Thank you again and may your holidays be unforgettable!

Kind regards from Estonian Song and Dance Celebration online team.

Video: Maarja – Täna sajab lund (Today is snowing).

Video of 1933 Song Celebration in Tallinn

90 000 spectators, 16 500 singers. Amazing video. This was the first Estonian Song Celebration that was broadcasted in radio.

One of the oldest choirs in Estonia – Tartu Academic Male choir

Image via Wikipedia

In 1912 in Tartu, Juhan Simm (1885- 1959) who studied in the University of Tartu, founded a university male choir (now Tartu Academic Male Choir). Almost hundred years old, this choir is still rocks the world with positive energy and wonderful songs.

Juhan was a student and differently from many other fellow students, for whom humming together with fraternity brothers was the end of musical aspirations, his desire was to make beautiful choral music. As a future mathematician, he understood the combination of factors needed to get a combination of pleasant harmony and united singing. Despite the opposition of many students and student associations, a male choir was established in the beginning of 1912 with sufficient number of singers from several student organizations. Success came fast – a complicated repertoire was performed in the first concert some months later… From this point on, a lack of singers was never a problem.

Conductor Simm eventually run out of energy, which he needed to devote to Vanemuise orchestra and conducting several choirs. Therefore, in 1924 a professional singing pedagogue Leenart Neuman took over the conducting of the choir with its almost 100 members.

Which songs do the singers of TAM love to perform? It seems that when singing the softer side of otherwise tough men is revealed. Men love to sing about the sea, storm, pirates and gunmen, but at the same time they are dissatisfied when songs about fatherland and mother tongue are not included in the repertoire. And although not all men have passed philosophy courses at the university, they can nevertheless perform music tackling the eternal themes in Golden Beach, A Song Unsung, and The Singer’s Winter Solitude in an inspiring manner… The songs which are loved throughout times speak about home and fatherland, looking for and finding, love, children, fathers, mothers and ancestors. [Source of the  text: http://tam.eu/en/?cat=24&target=]

Listen/watch them perform “Koit” by Tõnis Mägi.

First Topless Choir in Estonia and in the World

In the beginning of November, a new choir that features only topless singers was established in Estonia.

The idea behind new topless choir is to get people more interested in choir singing, explains Peep Kollo, 26 years old choir singer from Vox Populi choir. Women and men are expected to join the new topless choir, but so far mostly men have applied. “We will not perform unless we have more women than men,” so Kollo.

Although new choir will definitely get lots of attention because of the facade, the idea is to make great choir music. Or, as it states on its website:Topless choir is new mixed choir that will rock the world’s choir circuits.

As expected, the organizers of the new topless choir are men. According to official website, they are not nudists, body showers nor perverts, but regular people.

Tallinn 2011 – stories of the seashore

As you probably already know Tallinn is the European Capital of Culture in 2011. Which means that in 406 days Tallinn begins the largest storytelling event in its history. Writers, musicians, artists and actors will tell, paint, sing and act tales inspired by the sea, speaking of Estonia and its people. The stories will be short and long, modern and ancient, exciting and tragic; most importantly, they will all be genuinely Estonian-like.

The main theme of Tallinn 2011, “Stories of the Seashore”, encapsulates Estonian history and Tallinn’s physical location next to the sea, which explains Estonia’s rich cultural diversity, contacts and conflicts. The larger theme is also organized into three smaller parts:

1) Stories of singing together;
2) Stories of the living old city;
3) Stories of dreams and surprises.

„Stories of singing together“ describe how we are all changing the world – through democracy, citizenship, community, freedom and traditions. In truth, the song and dance festivals are our biggest stories of all – we are a people of song and dance; we have the ability to come together and unified we are victorious, and we cannot forget that it is through singing that we won our freedom. In addition to the Song and Dance Festivals, music events include the Birgitta Festival and the youth subculture project, AfroReggae.

„Stories of the living old city“ will tell the story of Tallinn as a city where time has never stopped. Every morning, the people – Estonians, Russians, Germans, Finns, ect. – gather here to write a new page in our city’s history. This can be witnessed in the Old Town’s drama festival, Tallinn Teater Treff, which unite representatives of world cultures and will breathe life into the heart of Tallinn’s culture. The „Stories of the living old city“ will also feature interpretive dance with architecture in „Open Spaces Living Art“ and „Tallinn’s Marathon.“

„Stories of Dreams and Surprises“ will speak of a city and country where the internet has been declared a “human right” and which saw what the media named the world’s first Cyberwar. Together we dream of bringing the sea to the city, and we will do just this on Tallinn’s Maritime Days. Also in store is the audiovisual Plektrum Festival and the Student’s Modern Art Trianual Eksperimenta!

You can find more information about Tallinn 2011 here: http://www.tallinn2011.ee/?id=91

The Woman of the Year in Estonia is Aet Maatee

Federation of Business and Professional Women in Estonia (BPW Estonia) selected Aet Maatee as the Woman of the Year in Estonia. Aet Maatee is the manager of Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation and organized the 2009 Estonian Song and Dance Celebration “To Breathe as One”.

The Non-profit Making Association BPW Estonia (EENA) has been founded in 1992 with the purpose of encouraging business and professional women and women as leaders to cooperate with each other, change ideas and opinions and to carry out joint programmes together with keeping alive the tradition of club activities. BPW Estonia was admitted into the International Federation in 1993. There are 9 clubs within BPW Estonia with more than 150 members totally.

BPW Estonia and its individual members together with the other associations of women were the ones who launched the discussion concerning the wages for mothers in order to ensure the equality between men and women. A number of members of BPW Estonia have also taken an active part in the projects started by the Round Table of Estonian Women in order to protect the rights of women in labour matters and in cases of domestic violence.

Carol singing and Christmas markets in Tallinn

Today first proper snow came down in Tallinn. This means that winter holidays are not far away and soon we can hear carol singing in Old Town Christmas market. This year two major markets are open for public.

Traditional Christmas market in the Old Town
Time: November 29, 2009 – January 7, 2010
Location: Town Hall Square
Web page: www.christmas.ee

Look forward to seasonal joy in Tallinn as the Christmas Market, with its Old World charm, hits town. This holiday season, as always, the market is bound to get the city into festive mood. Visitors can browse through and buy wares by skilled artisans in 64 merchant stalls surrounding the enormous Christmas tree. Sellers offer traditional and original gifts including felted wool hats and slippers, buckwheat pillows, wooden bowls, wickerwork, elaborate quilts, ceramic and glassware, little sea-grass animals, homemade candles, and wreaths and other decorations.
If you tire from the buzz of shopping, you can relax and enjoy a glass of mulled wine, hot soup and the occasional gingerbread biscuit. You can also try Estonian traditional holiday food: pork, sauerkraut, black pudding. There will be live music on the market stage and the chance to meet Father Christmas. Watch the Christmas program every Thursday and Friday from 5pm to 7pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 2pm.

Rotermann Christmas Market
Time: November 28 – December 23
Location: Rotermann quarter (behind the Coca-Cola Plaza Cinema and Post Office)
Web page: www.rotermannikeskus.ee

The secret is out! There’s a new market opening this Christmas for shopaholics everywhere. The historic Rotermann quarter is a just a stone’s throw away from the Old Town. The port offers a great shopping experience and a place to relax at a cafe or maybe a sweet shop. The quarter was the old industrial centre of the city and is known for its pleasing, modern, industrial architecture. The Christmas market will display the wares of up to 20 Estonian design and handicraft craftsmen until December 23, tucked away from the wintry weather.

Third place from “Let the Peoples Sing” competition

On Sunday, 18 October 2009, Norway hosted the finals of the “Let the Peoples Sing” Euroradio Choral Competition where Estonian Girls’ Choir of the Old Town Music House got third place in youth choir category.

”Let the Peoples Sing” is an international choral competition for amateur choirs (and radio stations) organized by the EBU. Today the competition is held every other year. Today the final is a major event with around ten choirs participating live or via satellite. The atmosphere of the final is intense and the musical level very high. The winners of the different categories are announced during the broadcast. It has developed into a very exciting radio programme. The final is offered as a three-hour live concert to EBU Members.

You can watch the whole competition here: http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/550182

Choir music month at Klassikaraadio

For those of you who live abroad and don`t speak Estonian, I collected few links from Klassikaraadio music archive But first few words about the radio channel.

Klassikaraadio’s present schedule features cultural programs and news as well as a wide spectrum of quality musics. Starting in 1995, Klassikaraadio’s daily program initially consisted of six hours of classical music. In late 1998 Klassikaraadio began broadcasting round the clock. Since going online the same year, Klassikaraadio audience has become international and several regular shows have attracted fans from all over the world.

Funny Klassikaraadio promotional clip:

This month Klassikaraadio is dedicated to choir music and every day you have a chance to hear a new choir from different parts of Estonia. You don`t have to listen to it in real time, because Klassikaraadio has huge music archive and also podcast to download to your handheld devices. Just follow the link below and start listening.

Link to choir month music archive is here: http://klassikaraadio.err.ee/kuularhiiv?saade=831&kid=224

Also take a look at the massive archive of other programs: http://klassikaraadio.err.ee/kuularhiiv?lang=_eng

Unesco TV: The Baltic Song and Dance Celebrations

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) uploaded a video to their YouTube channel about Baltic singing and dancing heritage. Take a look.

World`s first punk song celebration was held in Estonia

Estonian Punk Song Festival took place last year in Estonia, where popular punk songs were performed by professional choirs. The festival was opened by Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Total 71 choirs with 1700 singers took part of the event. The Punk Song Festival idea is from the art director of Rakvere Theater Üllar Saaremäe who is also the director of the punk song festival. The head choirmaster of the festival was Hirvo Surva who is very well known conductor in Estonia.

Take a look at the pictures and video from the punk song festival.

Photo gallery: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=punklaulupidu&ss=2&z=e

Video: Anarchy in the UK (performed at the Estonian first punk song festival).

Winners of Estonian Song and Dance Celebration photo competition

The operating company of Tallinn Song Festival Grounds organized a competition to find best picture from the 2009 Estonian Song and Dance Celebration. This year`s winner was photographer Priit Teng and his foto “Seismograph”. Here`s the gallery of top 50 pictures from the event.

First place: Priit Teng

Second Place: Kain Kalju

Third place: Varmo Ernits

Pictures are taken from http://fotokonkurss.lauluvaljak.ee/

Next big event – Estonian Youth Song and Dance Celebration in 2011

11th Youth Song and Dance Celebration will be held in 2011 in Tallinn. In 2011 Tallinn is the European Capital of Culture, so expect the three days celebration to be as popular as this year’s Song and Dance Celebration To Breathe as One.

In relation to Tallinn being European Capital of Culture, the Youth Song and Dance Celebration will be held in 2011, not in 2012 as planned earlier. 11th Youth Song and Dance Celebrations name is Under the Ground Sleeps Fire. The organizers of the celebration explain the name as follows: “All people living on this Land feel in their hearts its warmness – there’s no place like your own Land. Invisible Fire makes the children of this Land to sing and dance. And when the joy of dancing and singing rises to the sky then the bowels of the Land will open and the Fire will flame up among us. This is the most joyful celebration. This is the 2011 Youth Song and Dance Celebration. Joy will be born from Land.”

Artistic director of the Song and Dance Cebration is Raul Talmar, Song Celebrations artistic director is Veronika Portsmuth and Dance celebrations artistic director is Märt Agu. In 2011, when Tallinn is European Capital of Culture, there will take place a number of different cultural events from what Youth Song and Dance Celebration is the most important event.

Video: reception and gala dinner in Oandu watermill

I think we have already mentioned that within the framework of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration, a merchant originating from Estonia, Margus Reinsalu, and the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a reception to world famous Estonians. Among ca 100 guests, there were such well-known names as a supermodel Carmen Kass, a professional footballer Mart Poom, the President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the biggest investor of Hotmail and Skype Steve Jürvetson, a world-famous architect Tõnu Altosaar and many others.

 

Take a look at the video overview from the event.

Important names in Estonian culture: journalist Priit Vesilind

Priit Vesilind was born in Tallinn, Estonia, on January 4, 1943, and emigrated to the United States when he was six years old. He has a bachelor of arts degree in English from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and a master’s in photography from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications.

Vesilind family had lived under Nazi rule in Estonia in the early part of World War II, then fled to Poland with baby Priit and his older brother, Arne, to escape the Soviet onslaught. They ended up in the U.S.-occupied part of Germany, living in one room of a German apartment house for four years, waiting for a chance to resettle somewhere (Source).

He served on active duty as a lieutenant in the United States Navy, and he is the recipient of the Third Order of the White Cross from the government of Estonia for his professional contributions to Estonian independence.

 

Vesilind started in journalism as a sports reporter and outdoor editor for the Atlanta Journal and has worked for the Syracuse Herald as well as the Providence Journal as writer, editor, and photographer.

He joined the staff of National Geographic in 1973 as a writer of photographic legends and rose to become Senior Writer and Senior Assistant Editor for Adventure and Expeditions. He has written close to 40 articles for National Geographic and photographed one. He saw assignments in Greenland, the aboriginal lands in Australia, the Himalayan foothills of Nepal and in a 4.5-mile descent into a Pacific trench in a Russian submersible in search of a sunken Japanese submarine. He wrote about Zulus in Kenya, Inuit in Alaska, Tahitian boatmen, Amazonian tribes.

Video: Interview with Priit Vesilind. Don`t know the channel.

And he had an opportunity to retrace his own life cycle, slipping behind the Iron curtain to write about his native Estonia under Soviet control and covering that world’s escape to freedom as the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.

Now a freelance writer, Vesilind lives with his wife in Manassas, Virginia. In 2004, Estonian President Arnold Rüütel presented Vesilind with the Order of the White Star, Third Class. (Source of the article).

 

Related information about Priit Vesilind:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07270/820720-57.stm – Interview in Pittsburgh Gazette.

http://www.wesmanpr.com/press/lostgold.html – Press release on his new book “The Lost Gold of The Republic”.

Important names in Estonian culture: conductor Neeme Järvi

Neeme Järvi is Chief Conductor of the Residentie Orkest (The Hague), Conductor Laureate and Artistic Advisor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Emeritus of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor Emeritus of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, First Principal Guest Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

During his long and highly successful career, Neeme Järvi has conducted many of the world’s most prominent orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw, Philharmonia, Czech Philharmonic, Zürich Tonhalle and BBC Symphony Orchestras, the Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the major orchestras of Scandinavia and the symphony orchestras of Sydney and Melbourne in Australia. In the US he has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Boston Symphony and Philhadelphia Orchestras. His operatic engagements have included the Metropolitan Opera, the Téatro Colon in Buenos Aires, the Opéra de Paris (Bastille) and San Francisco Opera.

Maestro Järvi has amassed a distinguished recording repertoire that includes more than 400 discs on the Deutsche Grammophon, Chandos, BIS, Orfeo, EMI and BMG labels, as well as on the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s independent label. In addition to a number of operas, he has recorded complete symphony cycles of Wilhelm Stenhammar and Hugo Alfvén; Niels Gade and Carl Nielsen, Sibelius, Brahms and Franz Schmidt, Martinů and Dvořák, Estonian composers Arvo Pärt and Eduard Tubin; Glazunov, Prokofiev and Shostakovich and many others. Neeme Järvi and Göteborg Symfoniker (GSO) were awarded a Swedish Grammy for their recording of Aurora, Music from the Far North, and this reflects the high standard to which the orchestra were raised under his direction.

Many international accolades and awards have been bestowed upon Neeme Järvi. In Estonia these include an honorary doctorate from the Music Academy of Estonia in Tallinn, and the Order of the National Coat of Arms from the President of the Republic of Estonia, Mr. Lennart Meri. The mayor of Tallinn presented Maestro Järvi with the city’s first-ever ceremonial sash and coat of arms insignia, and he has been named one of the “Estonians of the Century”. He is also the honorary member of Estonian Theatre and Music Museum’s council board. Neeme Järvi holds an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Detroit’s Wayne State University, as well as honorary degrees from the University of Aberdeen, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and the University of Michigan; and Commander of the North Star Order from King Karl Gustav XVI of Sweden.

Järvi and his wife Liilia have three children, the conductors Paavo Järvi and Kristjan Järvi, and flutist Maarika Järvi. After their emigration to America, the Järvi family settled initially in Rumson, New Jersey. He and his wife now make their home in New York City

Source:  http://www.neemejarvi.ee/bioeng.html

In this video: Neeme Järvi conducts Gustav Mahler Symphony .

Incredible panorama photos from Estonian Song and Dance Celebration

Estonian company EDC Systems took many 360 panorama photos during Estonian Song and Dance Celebration. Take a look:

http://www.360pano.eu/dance_song_celebrations/?lang=1

Song festival DVD-s from Apollo internet bookstore

Great news for fans living outside Estonia. We had minor problems with international orders, but now it`s solved. International customers can order Estonian Song and Dance Celebration DVD-s from Apollo internet bookstore. You can pay by credit card and shipping takes usually 5 days.

Song festival first day: http://www.apollo.ee/product.php/0991910

Song festival second day: http://www.apollo.ee/product.php/0991927

Top 3 Song and Dance Celebration Videos

Here`s the popularity chart made by internet users Looks like festive parade video beats other competitors.

    

 

 

 

Great documentary about Estonians and singing

After I showed “The Singing Revolution” to my foreign friends, they understood why Estonians love to sing and dance and why this is so important to us. And fellow Estonians, I recommend it to you as well!

First occupied by the Soviets in 1939, then by the Nazis, and then by the Soviets again, Estonia lived through decades of terror. By the end of World War II, more than one-quarter of the population had been deported to Siberia, been executed, or had fled the country. Music sustained the Estonian people during those years, and was such a crucial part of their struggle for freedom that their successful bid for independence is known as the Singing Revolution. The Singing Revolution is the first film to tell this historically vital tale.

More information about “The Singing Revolution” documentary: www.singingrevolution.com

“To Breathe as One” – what does it mean?

Maybe you have wondered why Estonian Song and Dance Celebration in 2009 was named “To Breathe as One”. I`ll try to explain with the help of Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation who came to this name at first place.

“It is not a coincidence that in the Estonian language the word’s “soul” and “breathing” come from the same stem. One word developed from the other, because breathing and soul are connected. Even so closely connected that if you breathe in the same rhythm with someone, with a little luck it is possible to see his soul. The same magic works when tens and thousands breathe as one. They look for the right place in a hurry, gasping for breath. They hold their breath in anticipation. They rejoice from their heart and soul. This is when the souls of one nation meet. It is breathtakingly beautiful. By breathing as one, history can be changed. The vibrations of the soul create a resonance that has broken iron and brought down political regimes. But it is not the only aim of breathing as one. This celebration unites us with those who sang and danced before us, as well as with our contemporaries whose soul may go unnoticed in the everyday rat race. When people breathe as one, it does not matter whether you face the audience of the performers of whether you are somewhere else instead. When you breathe with others as one, your soul is there.

It is time for a nation to breathe as one again.”

I hope this helped to solve “the riddle”

Source of the article: http://www.laulupidu.ee/eng/celebration_in_2009/

YouTube: “Ta lendab mesipuu poole” // Estonian Song Celebration

Once you have heard this song, you want hear it more and more..

“Ta lendab mesipuu poole” (He flew towards beehive) is a poem by Juhan Liiv and composition by Miina Härma and Peep Sarapik. Juhan Liiv (30 April 18641 December 1913) is one of Estonia’s most famous poets.

YouTube: “Tuljak” // Estonian Song Celebration

Tuljak has been played since 1934 in every dance celebration (also song celebration). People have compared “Tuljak with “Mu isamaa on minu arm,” because both of the tunes are very important to Estonians and in Estonian history. Music M. Härma, lyrics K. F. Karlson. One of our favourites!

 

YouTube: “Mu isamaa on minu arm” // Estonian Song Celebration

One of the most important songs for Estonians. First composition by Aleksander Kunileid, lyrics Lydia Koidula. This song was first set to music 1869 at the first Estonian Song Celebration. Second composition which is more know for public was done by Gustav Ernesaks in 1944.

“Mu isamaa on minu arm” (My Country is My Love) became the unofficial anthem during the Soviet occupation when her father’s (Johann Voldemar Jannsen) “Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm” (My Country is My Pride and Joy), the anthem of the Estonian Republic in 1921-1940 was forbidden. Koidulas song always finished every festival, with or without permission. The tradition persists to this day.

Lyrics:

My Country is My Love,
to whom I´ve given My Heart.
To You I sing, my greatest happiness,
My flowering Estonia!
Your pain boils in My Heart,
Your Pride and Joy makes my happy,
My Country, My Country!

My Country is My Love,
I shall never leave Her,
even if I must die hundred deaths
because of Her!
Does the foreign envy slander,
You still live in my Heart,
My Country, My Country!

My Country is My Love,
and I want to rest,
to lay down into Your Arms,
My sacred Estonia!
Your Birds will sing Sleep to Me,
flowers will bloom from My Ashes,
My Country, My Country!

Brief historical overview of Estonian Song Celebrations

The nationwide Song Celebration tradition began with the first Song Celebration in Tartu, June 18- 20, 1869. This was mostly due to the growing hobby of singing and wind-instrument playing in the first half of the 18th century (in Kanepi, Põlva, Laiuse, Torma, Põltsamaa and in other places of Estonia). Common singing days were held- choirs gathered to sing in Anseküla (1863), in Jõhvi (1865), in Uulu (1867) etc. In the 19th century, Estonia was a province of a Russian Empire where German upper class landlords ruled the Estonian lower class- the peasants.

1860 marks the beginning of the period of the National Awakening. A singing society led by Johann Voldemar Jannsen started and carried through the nationwide idea of Song Celebration. 51 male choirs and brass bands with 845 singers/musicians gathered in Tartu. Only two songs of Estonian origin were in the festival program at that time, “Mu isamaa on minu arm” and “Sind surmani”, music written by Aleksander Kunileid, lyrics by Lydia Koidula- but the greater meaning they obtained. The first Song Celebration was both a musical and political event, where the foundations to the further national awakening program were laid out. So it could be said that the Estonians’ sense of belonging and dreaming of a better future are closely connected from the beginning with the All- Estonian Song Celebrations. The term “the singing nation” expresses well the Estonians’ identity that has united the nation in their struggle for their national independence till 1918 and during the period of the Soviet Occupation (1941- 1991).

 

During 1879- 1910 six Song Celebrations were held that played an important part in the nation’s cultural and economical awakening and growth. In the independent Estonian Republic the Song Celebrations were held in every five years (1923- 1938). After World War II, the Song Celebration tradition began again in 1947. Since 1950 General Song Celebration were held in every five years again. 1969 was an exception though when 100th anniversary of the Song Celebration was celebrated. The last XXIII Song Celebration was held in Tallinn, July 3-4, 1999.

The foreign authorities have tried to use the Song Celebrations in their own interests. During the reign of the Russian czar the Estonians were forced to hold Song Celebrations in order to thank the czar, and the Soviet regime always tied the Song Celebration to the “red holidays”. Foreign songs had to be sung in order to preserve the chance to sing Estonian songs. A good example is “Mu isamaa on minu arm”, music by Gustav Ernesaks, lyrics by Lydia Koidula, that during the occupation years became an unofficial anthem for the Estonians, and which, performed by joined choirs to the standing audience, ended every Song Celebration. The singers, musicians, conductors and composers with Gustav Ernesaks at the head, became, in a way, the “representatives” of the nation embodying Estonia’s best attempts.

In 1988, with the Song Celebration as a role model, began the so called “singing revolution” when hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the Tallinn Song Celebration Grounds to make political demands and sing patriarchal songs. Concerning the Song Celebrations there are two beliefs in the Estonian conscience. The first one says that in 1869 a nameless country folk sang themselves to a European nation and the other, the latter, confirms that Estonians sang themselves their independence. The I, II, IV and V Song Celebrations took place in Tartu, the rest in Tallinn. The present Song Celebration Grounds beheld the first festival (IX Song Celebration) in 1928, on a specially erected stage. The present stage was built in 1960, when the XV Song Celebration took place. The biggest joined choir that has ever sang on that stage was 24.500 people (during the Song Celebration Anniversary in 1969). The joined choir usually comprises of 18.000 people, the whole Song Celebration team of 25.000- 30.000 people.

As the tradition of the Song Celebration has developed, the types of different choirs have become more numerous and the number of participants- singers/musicians has grown as well. There are always more performers than actually fits the stage. Only the best choirs get the chance to perform at a Song Celebration.

Source: http://www.laulupidu.ee/eng/history/song_celebrations/