Did you know that the Estonian Song Celebration is one of the largest amateur choral events in the world and that it has already been celebrated for 150 years? Or that it has been dubbed “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”?
In anticipation of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration that will take place from 4-7 July in Tallinn, Estonishing Evenings is dedicating this month’s event to the jubilee celebration.
The evening will be opened by Veronika Portsmouth, an acclaimed Estonian conductor and singer who, in 2011, was the artistic director of the Estonian 11th Youth Song Celebration, “The Wide World begins in a Small Land”. Veronika also conducted different sections during the 2007 Estonian Youth Song Celebration and the 2009 XXV Song Celebration.
During the second part of the evening, we will invite you to be part of the magic as well! We will take you back in time and teach you some moves of Estonian traditional folk dance. Everyone is welcome to either participate or watch!
Speakers
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Kristiina Siig
Dance teacher & choreographer
Kristiina loves and values traditional dancing and is the leader and choreographer of the dance ensemble “Leesikad”. In 2011, she graduated from Tallinn University with a degree in choreography, and has been studying folklore at the University of Tartu. She is constantly challenged to find common ground between stage folk dance and traditional dance, integrating one with the other in a dignified and skillful way.
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Veronika Portsmouth
Conductor
Veronika is a well-known conductor and singer and also the President of the Estonian Mixed Choir Association.
Veronika worked as an academic in the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in the conducting department in the years 2007-2015, which then led to the establishment of her own choirs and ensembles. At the moment she continues to work as the artistic director and conductor of the Choir Academy, which is named after her - concert choir of the Veronika Portsmuth Choir Academy; as well as Chamber Female Choir Miina and the vocal group Ring. Veronica has conducted mixed choirs during several Estonian Song Celebrations (in 2007, 2009, 2011) and she was the artistic leader of the 11th Youth Song Celebration in 2011.
