Ten reasons to visit the celebration

Once every five years

The Youth Song and Dance Celebration only takes place every five years. The last Youth Celebration took place in 2011 and the next 2022. Don’t miss out on this unique moment to visit Estonia at the end of June 2017. The celebration takes place from 30 June to 2 July.

Here I’ll stay

The theme of the 12th Youth Song and Dance Celebration is “Here I’ll stay”. The celebration is a symbol of testimony from generation to generation. Each next generation agrees to maintain and carry on the values that have been created by their ancestors. The previous Song and Dance Celebration attracted more than 200,000 spectators, which is about 15% of the entire Estonian population.

Meet 40,000 dancers and singers

That is exactly how many dancers and singers will fill the Kalev stadium and the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds to tell the spectators the story of Dusk and Dawn, light and darkness. It is an eternal story of carrying ancient values of our roots from generation to generation. A marvellous sight occurs when more than 8, 000 people dance together.

Five kilometeres of procession

One of the must-visit events is the long procession that takes all choirs and dancers from the center of the city to the Song Festival Grounds. This is the perfect place to see Estonian traditional costumes and feel the festival atmosphere also outside the Song Festival Grounds. The procession is a symbol of people from all around the country and the world coming together and going to the venue side by side.

Venue – Song Festival Grounds

This enormous arch designed for best mass sound solutions stands by the sea and offers spectacular views on the singers. The stage can fit up to 20,000 singers and the whole area can hold 120,000 people. It is possibil to either get seated places or to have a small picnic-style viewing experience, all depending on the ticket.

UNESCO World Heritage

In November 2003, UNESCO proclaimed the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration tradition as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Unforgettable Estonian national costumes

Stripes and stripes everywhere! Try to count the different variations of the colourful costumes that all have a fascinating story to tell about their region of origin and the local traditions. This event marks the most important tradition of national costumes . Every town, village, choir has their own specialities to show.

Tradition dating back to 1869

The first celebration gave way for a possibility for it to grow as large and important as it is today. This has always been a source of national pride and a feeling of unity. In 2014, the 26th Song Celebration and the 19th Dance Celebration took place. This year, the 12th Youth Celebration is being held.

Time to visit Estonia

There could be no better time to visit Estonia than the end of June and the beginning of July. It is the sunniest and warmest time of year in our slightly cool country. The moderate temperatures allow  the festivities to be enjoyed to the fullest. Rain is always a possibility, but it has never scared off the thousands of singers, dancers and spectators.

Atmosphere

Summer, sun, beautiful songs, interesting dances, friendly spectators, fantastic view to the sea – what a great way to experience the most important cultural event of Estonia.