Dear TSR Friends,
2009 is the year of Laulupidu, the every-five-year song festival in Estonia where 30,000 people gather on stage and sing in perfect harmony. It was the 2004 festival that was filmed for "The Singing Revolution". It is truly an experience to have in one's lifetime and impossible to fully describe in an email. This year's festival dates are July 3-5.
If this piques your interest and you're considering attending this year's festival, here is a way you can also help us distribute the film...
Astellaria Travel Agency is hosting two tours of Estonia that include attendance at the song festival. Miss it this year, and you have to wait until 2014! "The Estonishing Song Festival Tour of Estonia" runs from June 27-July 6, and "The Singing Revolution Tour of Estonia" runs from July 2-9. They're also offering an option to customize your own tour.
If you register, there is a question asking how you heard about the tour. Please check the box that says "E-mail from "The Singing Revolution" filmmakers", and Astellaria will make a donation to the film's distribution efforts. This could make a difference to our efforts in sharing this story with an even great audience. So if you wish to register for either of these tours, please check that box!
We are hoping to be at the 2009 Laulupidu ourselves, and Astellaria is organizing a Singing Revolution optional session where we will share behind the scenes stories on the making of the film, together with some of the participants in the Singing Revolution who appear in the film.
Please go to Astellaria's website to learn more about the tour: www.song-festival.astellaria.ee. You can also visit the official website of the song festival to learn more about this amazing cultural event - and the cornerstone of a nation's freedom: http://www.laulupidu.ee/eng.
Thank you, and hope to see you in Tallinn in July!
Comments (5)
I teach a college course in vocal music. Is there a way to obtain some of the music to be performed and to participate in some way?
Posted by marilyn Curtis | February 25, 2009 2:45 AM
Posted on February 25, 2009 02:45
As a music lover, this film is an amazing tool to learn about this historical event. When I think of music, I think about the joy it brings. Now to learn that it changed a way of life for thousands of people, for a whole country is truly inspiring. This films let us know that music is a force to be reckon with, not just entertainment.
Posted by Diane Rowe | February 27, 2009 9:21 PM
Posted on February 27, 2009 21:21
Hi Marilyn:
I don't know the details on the organization of the festivals, but the participants are choirs that have all been invited to sing. There are usually several international guest choirs that come for the festival as well. Although many people sing along from the audience for many of the songs, I don't think there's really an option for individuals to participate as a performer (that I'm aware of).
Rehearsals have been in the works for about a year at this point, but you could try contacting the festival organizers through their website if you wanted to see about bringing a choir over: http://www.laulupidu.ee/eng.
As for sheet music, I've ordered online from a place in Estonia called the Estonian Music Store:
http://www.estonianmusic.com/index.php?page=18
They carry the Song Festival music books. I'm not sure if they would be selling the 2009 programs yet, but you could give them a try.
Hope this information is helpful.
maureen
Posted by Maureen Castle Tusty | February 27, 2009 10:15 PM
Posted on February 27, 2009 22:15
There are some clips in YouTube from our Song festivals. I post some of them:
2008 Night Song Festival:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3BSN0P8-no
2007 Young Choirs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-fsTAnmNIY
2004 XXIV Song Festival 'Mu isamaa on minu arm' (Land of my Fathers, Land that I Love# with the statue of Gustav Ernesaks in the beginning of the clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v#08nf7hk4iBo
I Hope you will like them :-).
PS! The XXV Song and Dance Festival will be held 2-5th July 2009. It is possible to watch it trough real time on-line web pages from Estonian National television:
http://www.etv.ee/otse/?mis#etvotse
#When it is 5PM in Estonia, it will be 10AM in NYC#
Posted by Mattias | June 4, 2009 7:25 PM
Posted on June 4, 2009 19:25
Jim & I will again be filming at this year's Song Festival, creating a new documentary specifically on the history, political influence and MUSIC of this dramatic festival. And Americans think Woodstock was big? just wait!.....
Posted by Maureen Tusty | June 4, 2009 9:49 PM
Posted on June 4, 2009 21:49