Estonian Song Festival

LadyNova · July 5, 2014 at 7:10 PM

I hope this isn't too off topic here, but it's one of the biggest events that happen here and I love sharing it.

Over 20 000 singers (and the 100 000+ spectators who tend to sing along), this is the biggest choral music event in the world. But to Estonians is much more - it's a symbol of nationality and freedom to us. And in ways a weapon.
Sadly I couldn't go see it live this year (it's an indescribable experience to be in the middle of it).

http://otse.err.ee/etv/
You can see it in the above link - it'll start any minute now and last for at least two hours.

Edit: It's started!

walkinslow · July 5, 2014 at 7:42 PM

Wow, I've never heard of this, but it sure looks (sounds!) interesting. Thanks!

LadyNova · July 5, 2014 at 9:50 PM

You're welcome! I'm always glad to introduce it to new people.

Btw, a heads up - you don't want to miss the next five songs, they're the most epic ones today.

walkinslow · July 5, 2014 at 9:56 PM

I'm all ears. I only wish I spoke the language.

LadyNova · July 5, 2014 at 10:00 PM

I'm all tears.
If you want I can translate some songs

LadyNova · July 6, 2014 at 1:01 PM

Sorry for the double post, but the second concert just started.

walkinslow · July 6, 2014 at 1:33 PM

Thanks. I had no idea there would be a second concert.

Is there a programme somewhere that lists the performers and the songs? I was clicking around the website, but couldn't find anything because I don't understand Estonian. I does sound a bit like Swedish, but the language is in fact completely different...

LadyNova · July 6, 2014 at 1:58 PM

Here's one in English - http://2014.laulupidu.ee/en/schedule-of…ng-celebration/

Swedish? That's a bit too much to the west, we're related to the Sweden's neighbours the Finns actually.

walkinslow · July 6, 2014 at 2:36 PM

Great, just what I was looking for!
No, I know about the geography and that you're more closely related to the Finns. It's just that the sound of the language reminded me of Swedish - pitch, tone, vowel quality, that kind of stuff, not actual words.

LadyNova · July 6, 2014 at 3:02 PM

Could be. The Swedish didn't own us for very long, but they were our most like overlords, so it wouldn't be surprising if we took something over from them.

walkinslow · July 6, 2014 at 9:04 PM

Wow, that was really remarkable, what a great festival! That stage was fantastic, I've never heard a choir of 20.000 singers before (well, outside a football stadium ). And I really liked the costumes and the atmosphere and the music of course. Ha, and the mini cameo of Arvo Pärt, one of my favourite composers. Thanks again for posting this, I'll be tuning in again in 5 years' time.

LadyNova · July 6, 2014 at 10:25 PM

Who knows maybe next time you can experience it live. That stage was built specifically for the festival, it's called the Arch of Song. And Arvo's segment was my favourite. You probably didn't understand what he said, so a rough translation - a real song is sung from the soul and voice is just an instrument to make it heardable.
Also, something you probably didn't guess, but that second to last song is pretty much the most important song in Estonian history ever.

Shelybear · July 7, 2014 at 2:54 PM

I would like to enjoy it but it seems that I can't connect to it from here.

LadyNova · July 7, 2014 at 11:14 PM

It's over already, but you can listen to all songs separately here - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=…FU5tCglSj_bOxY3

walkinslow · July 7, 2014 at 11:23 PM

Brilliant! Thanks for that link! Although I'm afraid this may not help Shely since youtube is blocked in China...

LadyNova · July 7, 2014 at 11:32 PM

There's also this page -http://kultuur.err.ee/l/laulu-_ja_ta…antsupeo_videod
This one uses a different video host. Though I can't guarantee it's availability in China.

Shelybear · July 8, 2014 at 6:21 AM

Thanks for that link.
You're right walkinslow... Youtube is blocked in China but I certainly can 'detour' to it using some techniques (sometimes luck does count) I was just too lazy to use it to connect to their original site.

Anyway, the second link works very well! Thank you LadyNova.
That page is filled with language which I can't recognise. xD

P.S. I'm always unsatisfied with can't connect to Google, especially when I'm doing essays. Hopefully it won't last long.

EDIT: Loaded the video successfully. That reminds me of 'Die Berliner Philharmoniker in der Waldbühne', which I really want to experience personally.

truelinor · July 12, 2014 at 5:46 AM

Wow, that is really cool, LadyNova! I was duly impressed - although I couldn't understand a single word, I still liked seeing all those people and their flowers and outfits. Very neat!

Estonian Song Festival

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