This past weekend was of utmost importance to Estonians around the world, but especially in the country proper. So honored and privileged to be here for this monumental occasion that only happens once every five years. If you are just joining me, I am with The Sweetheart for eight weeks serving as furlough replacements in the country of Estonia, city of Tallinn. You can see my other posts about the Faith Journey here, here,  here, here, and here!

This weekend, choirs from around this small country gathered together to sing traditional Estonian songs, as many as 25,000 voices on stage…at the same time.

[Tweet “The Estonian harmony is amazing, but their patriotism surpasses even their voices.”]

Known as “The Singing Nation”, it describes them well as they have united together in their struggle for independence back before 1918 and also during the Soviet occupation, which lasted from 1941-1991. In reality, this country, more than 1,000 years old, has only been free a total of about 43 years for its entire existence!

Estonians came together in 1988 and started the “Singing Revolution”. An innumerable group gathered on the Song Festival Grounds not just to sing their patriotic songs as they had done for over 100 years. This time they were political. They were demanding freedom; freedom without violence. Nightly, peaceful singing demonstrations continued in the country, paving the way for their independence.

In September, 1988, 300,000+ people participated in “The Song of Estonia”, beginning to see their independence from the Soviet Union as a reality.

In August of 1989, The “Baltic Way” was organized with a human chain of over 600 km reaching from Tallinn, Estonia through the country of Latvia, all the way to Vilnius, Lithuania. These three countries make up the Baltic States. Nearly TWO MILLION people participated!

It is said that the Estonians sang their way to freedom, not one shot was fired!

According to the Estonia.eu website, the 1860’s marked the beginning of a period of National Awakening for the Estonians, who had been a province of the Russian Empire. German upper class landlords ruled the Estonian lower class, or peasants. The very first Song Festival was held in the city of Tartu, June, 1869. There were 51 male choirs, five brass bands encompassing 845 singers and musicians!

Following the success of the initial festival, six more were held from 1879-1910, encouraging the nation’s cultural and economic awakening and growth. They then began to be held every five years during Estonians first independence. The festivals were “interrupted” during WWII but started back up again in 1947.

They have been consistently held every five years since 1950, except for 1969 when they celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the Song Festival.

When I first came to Tallinn in 2010, we watched the movie, The Singing Revolution, detailing how the Estonians literally sang their way to freedom. Emotional does not begin to describe this film! But I have always been intrigued that the Song Festival has taken place all of these decades when they were still under Soviet occupation! They have only been a free people since 1991.

Regardless of the political situation at the time, the singing continued. The Soviet regime attempted to use it to their advantage. They made sure the festivals coincided with “red holidays” and propagandist songs had to be sung if they wanted to sing their national Estonian songs.

That did not deter them. They sang on.

Free for over twenty years now, the Estonians still beam with pride in their tiny dot on the map in Northern Europe. They are a quiet, humble people but their love for country still shines and keeps them a unified nation.

Driving the streets of Tallinn today we were so happy to experience the love for country in these people as they walked literally miles to either be a spectator in the crowd of 100,000 plus, or a participant in a combined choir close to 25,000. There were many in period costume, young, old and any age in between. It was breathtaking.

Yesterday was the parade that always takes place before the singing. Everyone that sings in the choirs, and participates in the concerts or dance, walks in the parade! You think it will never end! The Sweetheart took pictures for almost two hours and they were still coming strong.

Here is a most wonderful panoramic shot of the song grounds with audio from the 2009 festival! And are two beautiful videos of part of this year’s show. The first is the children’s choir…amazing.  Take a minute…you won’t believe the number of voices in that choir! Be blessed and encouraged as you see a country proud of their existence, their heritage and their right to remain independent. May we learn something about unity from them in America.

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