Friday, July 25
Access to the workshops is on a first-come, first-served basis, until all spots are filled. Latecomers will not be admitted.
Dance School
The Green Stage
FRI 25.07 at 14.00 / Dances from Kihnu island
FRI 25.07 at 18.00 / Lesser-known social dances. Jaan Sarv and Leanne Barbo
To help you dance with confidence and keep the steps straight at the Dance House, Dance School is here to guide you. Talented musicians, singers, and dancers will demonstrate how Estonian villagers and townsfolk once danced. Youngsters from Kihnu will lead traditional Kihnu dances, while Tammeougu Mari and the girls from Sõrve will teach folk circle games from Saaremaa. From the sister festival Sabatants, Jaan Sarv and Leanne Barbo will get even the stiffest feet moving with spirit. And thanks to the Tartu Folklore Club Maatasa, you can learn and join in on singing games and circle dances.
FRI 25.07 at 18.00
Lesser-known social dances.
We’ll dance once-popular social dances that have slipped into obscurity over time – unjustly so. The steps are beginner-friendly, yet offer plenty of joy and discovery for seasoned dancers as well.
Folk dancing on the beach
Basketball court at Lake Viljandi beach
FRI 26.07 at 10.00
SAT 27.07 at 10.00
SUN 28.07 at 10.00
The best way to start your morning is to listen to the music in the best possible way – through dancing! Two sisters Mia Marta Ruus and Paula Kristiine Ruus musicians ask you to join them on Friday and Saturday morning to dance on the basketball court at Lake Viljandi beach so you can start the day well, letting traditional music into your bones and lifting your mood!
We dance old social dances and spice it up with a few waltzes, polkas, flat foot waltzes and rheinländers. Bring a friend or come alone, you’ll find a dancing partner on the court!
Men’s singing group
Lokaal Sahara (Posti 6)
FRI 26.07 at 11.00 / Ando Kiviberg
Target audience: men of all ages, no women allowed.
The mandatory voice and mind wakeup session for all men on all three festival days. Men’s singing group is a chamber of secrets where men twirl their moustaches in the dark, sing manly songs and talk about manly things. Bring your favourite songs to the singing group to share with others.
Women’s singing group
Bonifatius Guild, 2nd floor (Väike-Turu 8)
FRI 26.07 at 11.00 / Women from Kihnu
Target audience: women of all ages, no men allowed.
Women have preserved our traditional singing culture throughout centuries. The folklore archive is filled with songs from our female ancestors, where they talk about their thoughts and feelings. Which of these songs speak to the women of today? Which songs will the women of today leave to their children? We invite all women to join us on three festival mornings to sing about what you’re thinking and feeling. Bring your favourite songs with you so you can share with the others.
Baby singing and playing group / Kreete Viira
Sakala Centre
FRI 26.07 at 11.00
Target audience: children aged 0–2 with their parents
Traditional music teacher Kreete Viira invites mothers and fathers to bring their babies to the group where they play age-appropriate games, singing games and sing songs which you can memorise and repeat at home to promote the love of traditional culture in your children.
Children’s singing and playing group / Kreete Viira
Sakala Centre
FRI 26.07 at 12.00
Target audience: children aged 3–6 with their parents
Kreete Viira teaches children and their families age-appropriate games, singing games and songs. We invite children with their parents to attend. Later on, you can play these games at home yourself.
Fiddle music from the Isle of Man / Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe (Isle of Man)
Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
FRI 25.07 at 12.30
This workshop is for fiddle players who want to develop their technique through the traditional music of the Isle of Man. Led by fiddler Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe, the session will focus on bowing patterns, ornamentation, phrasing, and groove that are typical in Manx music. Tunes will be taught by ear, and players will have the chance to improve control, expression, and style while exploring this unique Celtic tradition. Suitable for intermediate and advanced fiddle players.
The workshop is in English.
Dance School
The Green Stage
FRI 26.07 at 13.30 / Dances from Pakri. Tallinn Dance House Musicians
FRI 26.07 at 15.30 / Dances from Kihnu. Mare Mätas and the youngsters from Kihnu
If you want to practice for the dance house and get the steps right, then come to the Dance School! Superb musicians, singers and dancers will show you how the Estonian country folk and townspeople danced in the old times.
Dances from Pakri
For 600 years, the unique Pakri Swedes lived on the Pakri Islands. They were influenced by both Sweden and mainland Estonia, but remained isolated and independent enough to preserve several archaic and distinctive traditions, including the labajalg tradition and ritual wedding dances. The turbulent times of World War II and the forced departure from their home islands nearly put an end to these traditions. However, some Pakri Swedes who fled to Sweden formed the dance group Rågöbornas Danslag to keep the Pakri dance traditions and music alive.
In this workshop, we will explore the fascinating dances performed at Pakri weddings, the everyday dances, and the important insights we can gain from the islands about the entire labajalg tradition. Participants will have the chance to try out what they've learned at midnight in the Dance House.
Songs with Laposa Julcsi / Laposa Julcsi (Hungary)
Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
FRI 25.07 at 14.30
NÉPI hang-színek – Learn about the musical method of Hungarian folk musician Laposa Julcsi and sing with her during the festival.
In recent years, she has developed a special singing education programme that primarily helps with the musical education of preschool and elementary school children.
Anyone who is interested in expanding their song repertoire or is interested in the method is welcome to join the workshop.
The workshop is in English.
Storytelling / Piret Päär
Theatre TEMUFI hall (Tartu 9)
FRI 25.07 at 15.00
Piret Päär is a storyteller. She has been telling stories for over thirty years, to both adults and children. In addition, Piret runs the Story House. Piret says about her workshop: “We’ll ask, we’ll answer, and we’ll talk.”
Livonian traditional singing – melodies, polyphony and contemporary interpretations / Julgī Stalte (Livonia)
Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
FRI 25.07 at 16.30
In this masterclass, we’ll dive into the rich and unique musical heritage of the Livonians. Participants wil get to know about the distinct features of traditional Livonian singing, melodic structures, ancient song forms, and the use of polyphony.
We’ll also examine how Livonian song traditions are tied to rituals and communal games: we’ll learn and experience a few ritual song-games characteristic of the Livonians, where movement, voice, and shared rhythm come together. The workshop will also touch on ways these songs can be reinterpreted and brought to life in contemporary music.