Song and Dance Celebration Torch to Arrive in Tallinn

Text Stewart Johnson
Photo Jaanus Ree

Since 1869 in Tartu, the Song and Dance Celebration has been the crowning event of Estonian culture, history, and identity. Taking place roughly every five years, the event has achieved international fame and acclaim. This year, the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration, as it is officially known in English, will bear the title of “Iseoma”, or “Kinship”. And it all starts with a torch.

The Song and Dance Celebration itself will be held from 3–6 July, but the torch carrying the flame that will light the official flame at the Song Festival Grounds will ceremoniously arrive a day earlier, on 2 July. Since 15 June, this torch has been slowly making its way through every city and county of Estonia.

At noon, the torch will arrive at Noblessner Harbour, where Ivo Linna and the Kalamaja mixed choir will perform. At 13:30 there will be a dance performance on Kalma Square as the flame makes its way across the city, and at 15:00 a band called Rüüt will perform on Town Hall Square. Later in the evening, there will be a concert and picnic available for all in Tuvi Park. Attendees can enjoy a performance by the Tallinn Police Orchestra.

The first dance performance will begin the next day in the evening, and the official parade, or “rongkäik”, will take place on 5 July in downtown Tallinn. This event lasts several hours, and features choirs and bands and dancers from every corner of Estonia. Most parades celebrate military prowess, or religion, but this parade celebrates just being Estonian. It is truly an event to behold.

Immediately after the parade will be the first of two concerts over the two final days of the Song and Dance Celebration. The schedule is available in English here, and Baltic Guide will of course provide more information in the coming days.

To learn more about this and similar topics
Choir Concert Dance Events in Tallinn Song and Dance Celebration