Tallinn Song Festival Grounds - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

History of Song Festivals

Johann Voldemar Jannsen

Johann Voldemar Jannsen was an Estonian journalist and poet active in Livonia....

Estonian Song Festival

The Estonian Song Festival is one of the largest amateur choral events in the world, a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity...

while the nation was still a province of the Russian Empire

Russian Empire

The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...

. This festival was considered responsible for fostering an Estonian national awakening

Estonian national awakening

The Estonian Age of Awakening is a period in history where Estonians came to acknowledge themselves as a nation deserving the right to govern themselves. This period is considered to begin in 1850s with greater rights being granted to commoners and to end with the declaration of the Republic of...

. After that, the new tradition was born and the Song Festivals are still held every five years.

Lauluväljak – The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds

The Tallinn Song Stage was built in 1959 for the Estonian Song Festival. The stage was meant to hold over 15,000 singers but it’s also possible to use it the other way – the performance will take place in front of the stage and audience is sitting on the stage.

In the northern side of the song stage there is the 42m high fire tower, which is used during the Estonian Song Festivals. It is also opened for the public all year long.

In 1988 Estonians gathered here – at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds (in Estonian: Lauluväljak) – to sing patriotic hymns in what became known as the Singing Revolution

Singing Revolution

The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1991 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania...

that led to the overthrow of Soviet rule.

Today, Tallinn's Song Festival Grounds are also used for hosting international acts, such as Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...

, Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...

, Tina Turner

Tina Turner

Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...

, 50 Cent

50 Cent

Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...

, Metallica

Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...

, The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...

, Elton John

Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...

, Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...

, Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....

and Madonna

Madonna (entertainer)

Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...

, Thirty Seconds to Mars and the contemporary dance music event, the Sundance Festival.

In August 2009, Madonna

Madonna (entertainer)

performed in front of a sold out crowd of 72,067. In June 2006, Metallica

Metallica

gave a concert for more than 78,000 fans. In August 1997, Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

performed in front of a 75,000 head crowd.

An optimal capacity for concerts is 75,000 fans. Though, in June 1988, during the Singing Revolution

Singing Revolution

The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1991 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania...

days, up to 300,000 people attended the Night Song Festival.

External links

Official web site of Tallinn Song Festival Grounds

Photos and videos

QTVR fullscreen panoramas of the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds

59.444737°N 24.805670°W

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