Photos Expose Laulupidu and Tantsupidu 2025 - Estonia's Landmark Song and Dance Festival
The 2025 Estonian Song and Dance Celebration, held from July 3rd to 6th in Tallinn, was a resounding success, attracting nearly 44,000 spectators and over 100,000 participants. The event, a powerful symbol of Estonia's cultural endurance, independence, and communal identity, took place at the Kalev Central Stadium.
The celebration, named "Iseoma" ("Kinship"), was a continuation of the tradition that began in 1869 during Estonia’s national awakening. Over the years, it has epitomised national unity, pride, and resilience, and has played a significant role in Estonia's history.
The festival became a cornerstone of political resistance, intertwined with the independence movement that led to Estonia's first declaration of independence in 1918. Under Soviet occupation, it evolved into a peaceful act of defiance called the Singing Revolution in 1988. This collective expression played a decisive role in Estonia reclaiming its sovereignty in 1991.
The 2025 edition featured more than 32,000 singers and instrumentalists, including over 10,938 dancers, who marched through the capital in the Song and Dance Celebration procession. The grand concerts were attended by almost 80,000 people, with over 21,000 choir singers performing in a seven-hour concert that concluded with the historic anthem "My Fatherland is My Love".
The event was not just an artistic spectacle but also a potent symbol of Estonia's cultural endurance. Its recognition by UNESCO underscores its importance as a living expression of intangible cultural heritage with deep historical roots and ongoing national relevance.
Margus Toomla, Head of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation, paid tribute to the countless volunteers and looked ahead with optimism, expressing excitement for the 2028 celebration. Heli Jürgenson, the event's artistic director, praised the choirs for their remarkable quality and unity on stage, while Helin Pihlap, who led the folk music programme, described the shared joy between performers and audience as unforgettable. Helena-Mariana Reimann, the Dance Celebration's artistic director, expressed heartfelt thanks to all involved and stated that the celebration will live in her heart for a long time.
The next Song and Dance Celebration is scheduled for 2028, to be held exceptionally three years from the postponement due to the pandemic. Andrea Forlani captured the unforgettable moments of the 2025 celebration in a photo gallery, ensuring that the spirit of kinship and cultural continuity will continue to be remembered.
1) "Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, the Estonian people's commitment to preserving their cultural heritage shone brightly in the 2025 Song and Dance Celebration, held in the heart of Tallinn, showcasing Estonia's unique lifestyle that seamlessly blends outdoor-living with home-and-garden traditions."
2) "The home-and-garden atmosphere was evident throughout the event, with a grand procession of dancers and musicians walking through the city streets, reflecting the close-knit community spirit that is deeply rooted in Estonian culture."
3) "The living expression of intangible cultural heritage, the Song and Dance Celebration, serves not only as a powerful symbol of Estonia's past but also a beacon of hope for its future, embodying the Estonian people's resilience, unity, and pride in their traditions."
