One of the most wonderful aspects of the Estonian Song and Dance Festival is to see expats return to the homeland to take part in the celebrations. Some of these people are second and third generation Estonians and the festival is just as important to them as their forebears.
The Estonian Song and Dance Festival started yesterday and what an amazing weekend it is going to be. It's truly wonderful see the Estonian national costume (rahvariided) worn with such pride. The beautiful colours and patterns reveal the different regions where Estonians come from.
This weekend will be a time of great celebration, unity and national pride for Estonians. People from all around the world have made their way back to the homeland to take part in the festival. It will be a weekend we will never forget!
The 11th Estonian Song Festival was held in 1938. It was the last song festival before World War II and the Soviet occupation. This festival was notable as it was the first time Gustav Ernesaks conducted the choirs and his music was performed.
I was in England last week and as I was reading the London Times I was pleased to find Tallinn featured in the travel section. As much as I love to see Estonia advertised as a travel destination, I am often disappointed when the Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Cathedral is used to represent the city. This landmark is neither Estonian nor that old. The building was completed in 1900 and was scheduled to be demolished in 1929 after Estonia became independent. That plan was cancelled but there are discussions about its demolition or relocation again today.
So this poses the question, what image would be best used to represent Tallinn in travel articles?
Tallinn is a beautiful old medieval city that dates back to the 13th century. It's a former Hanseatic Port, and it was a significant one at that, with stunning gothic architecture that still exists today. Tallinn is a city rich in history and many of its buildings and structures have been carefully preserved for future generations to enjoy.
When I think of Tallinn, I think of medieval towers with their red tiled roofs, the Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats) and the beautiful old buildings of the Old Town. If there were an image that encapsulates it all, it would have to be a cityscape view, where the towers and old buildings, church spires and view of the sea can all be seen. (I have yet to find the perfect photo).
On this day in 1910. the VII Estonian Song Festival began in Tallinn. The event took place over three days from 25th –27th June 1910. For the first time, a party was held without a dedication to an imperial anniversary. The party procession started from the seashore near Russalka, then moved on to Kadriorg. From there governor Korostovetsi gave a greeting to the tsar and the imperial anthem was sung. The procession then continued to the party square at the end of today's Laulupeo street. 10,100 singers took part in the Song Festival that year.
The ceremonial flame for the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Festival "Iseoma" (Kinship) was lit in the park by the Estonian National Museum in Tartu on June 15 and is now on its way across the country. The torch, with its legendary flame, brings the spirit of the festival closer to everyone it passes during its journey to Tallinn. The torch will reach Tallinn on July 2 and the festival will take place from July 3-6. It's a celebration not to be missed!
