Estonia - Estonian Song Festival

Estonian Song Festival, also known as the Estonian Song Celebration (Eesti Üldlaulupidu). The massive choral event is one of the largest in the world and is a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. 

Sent by Carmen who lives near Talinn, Estonia.

Both a repository and a showcase for the region’s tradition of performing folk art, this cultural expression culminates in large-scale festivals every fifth year in Estonia and Latvia and every fourth year in Lithuania.These grand events, held over several days, assemble as many as 40,000 singers and dancers. For the most part, the participants belong to amateur choirs and dance groups.Their repertories reflect the wide range of musical traditions in the Baltic States, from the most ancient folk songs to contemporary compositions. Directed by professional choir conductors, bandleaders and dance instructors, many singers and dancers practise throughout the year in community centres and local cultural institutions.

Choirs and musical ensembles first became institutionalized in Estonia during the eighteenth century. Subsequently, choir singing spread throughout rural and urban areas, spurred by the growing popularity of choral music, singing societies and song festivals in Western Europe (read more).