{"id":94694,"date":"2025-07-01T10:44:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T10:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2025.laulupidu.ee\/news\/iga-rahvaroivas-loeb-laulu-ja-tantsupeolised-on-oodatud-maailmakuulsa-fotokunstniku-kaamerasilma-ette\/"},"modified":"2025-07-01T16:23:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T16:23:46","slug":"every-folk-costume-counts-participants-of-the-song-and-dance-celebration-are-invited-to-step-in-front-of-a-world-renowned-photographers-lens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2025.laulupidu.ee\/en\/news\/every-folk-costume-counts-participants-of-the-song-and-dance-celebration-are-invited-to-step-in-front-of-a-world-renowned-photographers-lens\/","title":{"rendered":"Every folk costume counts \u2013 participants of the Song and Dance Celebration are invited to step in front of a world-renowned photographer\u2019s lens!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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At the beginning of July, during the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration “Iseoma” in Tallinn, world-famous British photographer Jimmy Nelson<\/strong> 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 \u2013 if you are dressed in authentic folk attire during the festivities, you<\/em> might be the one whose portrait will travel to top galleries around the world.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having photographed in Africa, the Americas and Asia, Nelson\u2019s connection with Estonia began six years ago when his exhibition \u201cHomage to Humanity\u201d<\/em> opened at Fotografiska Tallinn. During that visit, the photographer also travelled to Setomaa, where he captured portraits of people in Seto folk costume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cThe 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,\u201d said Jimmy Nelson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Anneli Lepp<\/strong>, Head of Tourism at the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, the idea for the collaboration was born last autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cWhen Jimmy Nelson spoke at our nationwide cultural tourism conference on heritage, he saw people in folk costume on stage. That\u2019s when the idea arose to launch a joint project during the highly symbolic Song and Dance Celebration year \u2013 to bring our uniqueness to the world through art.
The Song and Dance Celebration is more than just a festival \u2013 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 \u2013 just as we are, distinctive and deeply rooted,\u201d Lepp explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The photographer\u2019s 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<\/strong>. Therefore, Nelson will work in a dedicated area at both the Dance and Song Celebrations \u2013 inside a Visit Estonia-branded tent<\/strong>, which every interested person should look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Posing for the photographs is free of charge<\/strong>, but as part of a larger international art project, the rights to publish the photos remain with the artist<\/strong>, 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<\/strong> for the image to be taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo sessions will take place:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n