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XXVI Estonian Song Celebration in 2014XIX Estonian Song Festival in Tallinn, 1980Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves speaking at the XXVI Estonian Song Festival in 2014
Almost every Festival features famous Estonian songs "Ta lendab mesipuu poole", the unofficial national anthem "Mu isamaa on minu arm" and the national anthem "Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm".
History
The tradition of the song festival was born along with Estonian national awakening. The first national song festival was held in Tartu in the summer of 1869.[2] One of the organisers of the first song festival was Johann Voldemar Jannsen. In the first three festivals only men's choirs and brass orchestras participated. 822 singers and 56 brass players participated in the first festival. Starting with the fourth festival, mixed choirs were also participating. Starting with the sixth festival in 1896, the festival tradition moved to Tallinn.
Starting from 1947, the Soviet authorities forced foreign songs into the repertoire. Every event was to include the State Anthem of the Estonian SSR, The Internationale, and the State Anthem of the Soviet Union.[2] Because of the inclusion of children's and boys' choirs the total number of participants rose to 25,000 – 30,000 people. The Dance and Gymnastic Festival of the First Estonian Games started in 1934 became predecessors of later National Dance Festivals accompanying the song festival.[4]
In 2019, the number of visitors to the song festival reached its maximum. Nearly 60,000 tickets were sold from the pre-sale for the XXVII song festival "Minu arm"("My love") concert, and together with the 35,000 singers and musicians participating, a situation had been reached where the pre-sale of tickets was suspended by the decision of the organizers for the safety and security of people.
Song Festival Museum in Tartu
XXVIII Song Celebrations: ‘Kinship’
The XXVIII Song Celebrations unite Estonians from diverse backgrounds, blending their talents into a vibrant tapestry of music and dance. Singers and dancers from every corner of the country converge, weaving a symphony of a million notes, steps, and hearts.
The 2025 festivities spotlight Estonia's language and dialects, embracing regional diversity and honoring cultural heritage. Under the artistic direction of Heli Jürgenson, the celebrations promise a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation. Helena Mariana Reimann leads choreography for the XXI Dance Celebrations, while Helin Pihlap guides the Folk Music Celebrations, ensuring a harmonious celebration of Estonian culture.
As Estonia prepares for this significant event, it sets the stage for an unforgettable experience—a tribute to the past, celebration of the present, and embrace of the future of Estonian identity through song, dance, and community.
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