Every folk costume counts – participants of the Song and Dance Celebration are invited to step in front of a world-renowned photographer’s lens!
At the beginning of July, during the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration “Iseoma” in Tallinn, world-famous British photographer Jimmy Nelson will be present to capture celebrants in traditional Estonian folk costumes for his next international art project. Whether you are a singer, dancer or a member of the audience – if you are dressed in authentic folk attire during the festivities, you might be the one whose portrait will travel to top galleries around the world.
Jimmy Nelson is a photographic artist whose works have been exhibited in internationally renowned museums and galleries from London to New York. He has received global recognition for his deep exploration of the authenticity and diversity of local cultures and for highlighting traditional dress and customs.
Having photographed in Africa, the Americas and Asia, Nelson’s connection with Estonia began six years ago when his exhibition “Homage to Humanity” opened at Fotografiska Tallinn. During that visit, the photographer also travelled to Setomaa, where he captured portraits of people in Seto folk costume.
Now, this internationally acclaimed artist is returning to the Song and Dance Celebration to expand his creative journey with an Estonian theme, aiming to present the richness of Estonian folk costumes in all their intricate detail and vibrant colour.
“The traditions of small European nations carry a deep meaning and striking visual power. My long-term goal is to include these portraits in my forthcoming book focusing on Eastern European cultures. I also plan to showcase the images at international exhibitions,” said Jimmy Nelson.
According to Anneli Lepp, Head of Tourism at the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, the idea for the collaboration was born last autumn.
“When Jimmy Nelson spoke at our nationwide cultural tourism conference on heritage, he saw people in folk costume on stage. That’s when the idea arose to launch a joint project during the highly symbolic Song and Dance Celebration year – to bring our uniqueness to the world through art.
The Song and Dance Celebration is more than just a festival – it is a bearer of national identity, a living testimony of cultural heritage. It is both symbolic and moving that Jimmy Nelson wishes to portray our people in the midst of this – just as we are, distinctive and deeply rooted,” Lepp explained.
The photographer’s work will differ from that of regular event photographers: he will not be capturing the general atmosphere of the festivities, but rather focused portraits intended for future exhibitions and art publications. Therefore, Nelson will work in a dedicated area at both the Dance and Song Celebrations – inside a Visit Estonia-branded tent, which every interested person should look out for.
Posing for the photographs is free of charge, but as part of a larger international art project, the rights to publish the photos remain with the artist, and the images taken during the Song and Dance Celebration will be made public only once the project is complete. Nelson will not photograph choirs or dance troupes as a whole but will create portraits of individuals or small groups. Each photographed person will give written consent for the image to be taken.
Photo sessions will take place:
- on 3rd and 4th July at Kalev Central Stadium, and
- on 5th and 6th July at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.Photo: Jimmy Nelson at the nationwide tourism conference “PÄRI” in Viljandi, September last year.