ESTO is almost here!
The preparations for the XIII Global Estonian Days (ESTO) are progressing in tandem with the preparations for the Song and Dance Celebration – every day is filled with intense work to ensure the success of the festival. Organizing an event across three different cities is quite the challenge, requiring extensive logistics and negotiations.
The official opening of ESTO will take place in Stockholm on June 26 at the Skansen open-air museum with the concert “Windows of Time.” According to Sirle Sööt, the main organizer of ESTO, planning for the opening concert has been in full swing in recent weeks – the exact program and participants have been confirmed, and thought has been given to who will be positioned where. “We need to fit 376 singers and the Ernst Idla gymnasts onto the not-so-large Solliden stage at Skansen. There are so many performers that the folk dancers won’t even fit on stage – they will showcase their dances in front of the stage,” said Sööt. Before the “Windows of Time” concert, there will be a folk music and handicraft fair, whose layout was recently finalized – the vendors will be located near picturesque windmills reminiscent of Estonia, attracting the attention of Skansen’s visitors walking along the main street. Additionally, the organizing team is working hard to ensure that the opening concert will be livestreamed, so that even those who can’t come to Stockholm can still take part in ESTO. “Volunteer-led teams are organizing performer catering, transport, and all the other ESTO events. This kind of community-driven organization strengthens and energizes the community, bringing together people who might not otherwise meet,” said Sööt.
Before the official opening, a pre-ESTO evening will be held in Stockholm at Katarina Church, featuring a concert performance of C. Kreek’s Requiem. Under the direction of Hirvo Surva, the piece will be performed by the Estonian Public Broadcasting Girls’ Choir, the Estonia Boys’ Choir, and the Estonian Mixed Choir of Stockholm, with Ene Salumäe accompanying on organ.
After the opening festivities in Stockholm, the event will move on together to Narva, where the joint concert “ESTO Song” and several cultural events will take place. The concert in the western courtyard of Narva Castle will feature 574 singers and a 40-member orchestra from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). According to Sirle Sööt, what makes “ESTO Song” especially unique is that the Song Festival Flame will arrive in Narva for the occasion. Accompanied by the Sakala District’s bagpipe unit of the Estonian Defence League, the flame will be carried through the city and into Narva Castle together with the historic ESTO flag. “We will light the flame in honor of ‘ESTO Song.’ This important task will be carried out jointly by the oldest ESTO participant from abroad and the youngest participant from Narva,” said Sööt.
The joint concert “ESTO Song” will seamlessly turn into a folk celebration, where attendees can dance traditional dances and enjoy great music. According to the main organizer, it’s well worth spending the whole weekend in Narva, as the Narva City Days will be happening at the same time, featuring a rich program of sports and cultural events. For example, on Sunday, June 29 at 11 AM, you can listen to the ETV Girls’ Choir, the Estonia Boys’ Choir, the Estonian Mixed Choir of Stockholm, and the EAMT orchestra at the Alexander Church. “According to experienced musicians, Alexander Church has one of the best acoustics for concerts in Estonia. We sincerely hope it will be used more often in the future,” said Sööt.
Check out the ESTO program on the official ESTO website.
Get your ticket to the glamorous ESTO Gala Evening on July 2 at the Seaplane Harbour in Tallinn.