Friday, July 26
If possible, please come to the workshops 10 minutes early to guarantee a spot!
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.
Sámi traditional yoik / John André Eira (Sámi)
Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
FRI 26.07 at 12.30
The renowned yoiker John André Eira gives a workshop on traditional Sámi music, providing a background history on yoiking and tracing its roots from ancient times to modern-day practice. Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn about the different styles and techniques of yoiking, as well as the contexts in which they are traditionally performed. At this unique workshop, Eira will engage attendees in practical sessions, encouraging them to try out yoiking themselves.
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.
Circle of Baltic songs / The Baltic Sisters (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
Bonifatius Guild, 2nd floor (Väike-Turu 8)
FRI 26.07 at 15.00
An experience of archaic musical traditions that will allow you to get to know all three countries: Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia by singing. Latvian powerful songs with drone, known Estonian folk songs from the North and from the South, and the magic of Lithuanian “sutartinės” - as one of the oldest ways of communication.
The traces of Teppo and patterns of Estonian diatonic accordion / Rasmus Kadaja
Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
FRI 26.07 at 16.30
August Teppo is a well-known name to every Estonian diatonic accordion enthusiast – he was the man to thank for such a unique and great sounding instrument. The Estonian diatonic accordion is gaining more and more recognition – new instruments are being handcrafted more than ever before, and outstanding musicians are emerging like mushrooms after rain. However, it is interesting that although there are new playing patterns, the old accordion tunes still somehow sound more authentic and beautiful. The secret of Teppo's accordion and its tunes will be introduced by one of the best young musicians in the field, Rasmus Kadaja.
Regi circle / Celia Roose
Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
FRI 26.07 at 22.00
Evening reflections with Regisongs. Regisongs are one of the oldest and most distinctive gems of Estonian intangible heritage. Every Estonian has heard of them in some form. But what makes the poetics of regisongs so enchanting? What stories do these songs tell, and how can one recognize this historical and authentic art form? Who were the singers that originally created these songs, and why did they sing in this manner?
Spicing up the evening with valuable insights, practitioner and tutor Celia Roose will sing regisongs for you and with you.