Day 11: Laulupidu at Last

We’re famous! Today we featured in an article on an Estonian culture website:

Today started with a relaxed morning with homestays. Some singers got a much-needed sleep in, others went to the beach or the old town before we met up at 1:30pm at the Tallinn song festival grounds (TSFG). At TSFG for the first rehearsal with the Select Children’s Choir, singers divided into 3 groups to sit in alto, mezzo, or soprano sections. It was quite a warm day so we made sure singers had water, sunscreen and a fan with them. The rehearsals are conducted entirely in Estonian so our singers had to watch closely and occasionally get some translations from the ETV choir singers near them.

There is no WiFi available at TSFG, and our point-person for ETV choirs, Monika, says that there has been debate over this for a number of years, but they’ve decided against it because TSFG is considered a sacred space for the community and they want to keep the focus on connection with one another. Of course, this matches our PEBCC tour and camp vibe perfectly!

After rehearsal we went to eat lunch served on the grounds, a choice of meat or vegetarian soup with dark rye bread, followed by jäätis—ice cream! We had about 30 minutes to rest in the grass and make daisy-chains before the next rehearsal, this one with adult choirs. Check the photos and videos for a sense of this scale. WOW That’s a whole lotta singers!

As the rehearsal went on, the rain and wind came, but for some it was a welcome respite from the heat of the day. After the singing was done, singers went home with their homestays for an evening meal and free time until bed!