6000 choral singers sing “Happy birthday!” to Estonia

The more than 6,000 choral singers of the Europa Cantat festival will gather at the Song Celebration Ground tomorrow to sing a birthday song to the 100-year-old Republic of Estonia. The „Happy Birthday, Estonia“ concert that is included in the Europa Cantat programme starts at 19.00 and is free of charge. Europe´s biggest choral festival lasts until 5 August.

„The more than 6,000 choral singers who are visiting Estonia gather at the Song Celebration Ground in Tallinn on 3 August, to hand over a unique musical gift,“ said Maarja-Liisa Soe, Head of the Estonia 100 Programme of the Government Office. „The concert highlight is the well-known Happy Birthday song that will be sung together. There is plenty of space at the Song Celebration Ground, so everyone can come and see the impressive present,“ added Soe.

The free-of-charge „Happy Birthday, Estonia“ concert features the Happy Birthday song, a present from the overseas participants gathered in Tallinn to the 100-year-old Republic of Estonia. The song will be conducted by Hirvo Surva, a prominent Estonian conductor and Artistic Director of the last National Song Celebration. The concert programme includes a
number of other well-known songs performed by popular soloists, choirs and orchestras, as well as a diverse selection of windpipe music, orchestral tattoos and folk dances, the vocal group Estonian Voices and many fascinating international guests, all in a special festive atmosphere.

„The birthday concert is the high point of Europa Cantat because that is where the participants of Europe´s biggest choral festival can deliver their birthday wishes, naturally by singing,“ explained Kaie Tanner, the General Manager of the festival team. „The singers were so thrilled about the experience that they have learnt several Estonian songs that will be sung at
the concert on 3 August,“ said Tanner, confessing how delighted she was.

It is the first time for Estonia to host the choral festival which is drawing more than 4,500 singing fans and choral music experts from 50 countries to the country´s capital. The international music festival Europa Cantat takes place every three years and it is one of the most important events in the choral world. The first festival was held in Passau, Germany, in 1961.

The Republic of Estonia is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018. There is more information about the Centenary events at www.EV100.ee.

Festival programme: https://ectallinn2018.ee/et/programm/kontserdiprogramm/
Festival video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4VkhPUEP0I