Description of the attraction
The first song festival in Estonia was held in 1869. The festival was attended by 878 singers and musicians. The first song festival became very significant in the national awakening of Estonians and established the custom of the subsequent holding of such events. As a result, the tradition of holding this holiday every 5 years was born, which was interrupted during the Second World War, but resumed again in 1947.
The first general song festival held on the song field took place in 1928 on a specially equipped stage. The modern stage was built in 1960 according to the project developed by the architect Alar Kotlin. The largest joint choir performing on this stage at the same time consisted of 24,500 singers.
Estonians often call themselves "the singing people". Singing in the history of the country proved to be one of the ways of national identity that united Estonians both at the beginning of the 20th century and during the Soviet occupation. More than 300,000 people gathered on the field for the song festival in 1988. Estonians gathered not only to listen to national songs, but also to express their political demands. At this event, Estonians for the first time loudly demanded the restoration of Estonian independence.
And today, every five years, thousands of Estonians gather here to participate or be spectators at the song festival. This holiday is a huge open-air concert. Usually, the number of participants in the festival reaches 25,000 - 30,000 people, usually 18,000 singers are on the stage at the same time. At the same time, the singing of such a huge number of performers will not leave anyone indifferent.
However, not all Estonian choirs can attend this festival. Its popularity is such that groups compete among themselves for the right to participate in the song festival. The repertoire of the event is being carefully worked out. Only the best choirs are allowed on this holiday. The singing field can accommodate over 100,000 spectators.
On the same weekend as the song festival, a dance festival is also held in Estonia, which is a holistic performance with a specific plot. A huge number of dancers in national costumes dance across the field, forming colorful patterns. Usually, these two holidays are united by a joint festive procession, which takes place from the center of Tallinn to the Song Festival Grounds. In November 2003, UNESCO recognized the tradition of song and dance festivals as spiritual and oral heritage.
The successful location of the singing field on the hillside, in close proximity to the sea, allows spectators, especially those sitting in the upper rows, to enjoy not only concerts, but also the beautiful seascape. The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds hosts not only traditional singing and dance festivals, but also various festivals and rock concerts. Next to the stage there is a 54-meter high lighthouse. There is an observation deck in the upper part of the tower, from where a wonderful view of the city and the bay opens.
