26th Estonian Song Celebration

The Estonian Song Festival (Laulupidu) is a national tradition that began in 1869.  In recent years the Festival has been held every 5 years at the Song Festival Grounds in Tallinn, Estonia, lately incorporating a dance festival.  The 26th Laulupidu took place earlier this month (July 4-6).  At peak moments there were up to 30,000 singers performing under the shell of the concrete stage -- with 100,000 in the audience in the  outdoor amphitheater.  This is what it looks like when choral music is central to the culture of an entire country.

You can view a 6-hour video of the Saturday, July 5 festivities at this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ox72IFFxF4.  Personally, I haven't viewed the whole thing, but sampling it is still very impressive.

- Dick Frantzreb