12th Estonian Youth Song & Dance Celebration

Over 30,000 singers sing together as one choir on the stage and almost the same number of spectators listen. 10,000 dance together at Kalev Stadium. The celebration is organised many years in advance and thousands of paid and volunteer employees take part in pulling the whole together at the end.

Aet Maatee has managed the Estonian Youth Song & Dance Celebration since 2003.

The Estonian song festival tradition was added to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list in 2013. What has kept the tradition alive?

“The song festival is a way for people to express themselves and their emotions. Music is an especially powerful tool for this”.

The youngest performers are 7-10 years old. For many children, it’s their first time in Tallinn, as they come from the islands and other more remote counties. The songs and dances are practiced for a long time beforehand. All the choirs and orchestras perform together for the final concert. It’s truly a sight to behold.

XII Youth Song & Dance Celebration

30 June – 2 July at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds and Kalev Stadium

www.laulupidu.ee

tickets: piletilevi.ee

Click on the address to see the location.

TEXT ARJA KORHONEN, PHOTOS JAANUS REE

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