Parade, opening concert of Song Celebration to take place Saturday

TALLINN - The 28th Estonian Song Celebration "Iseoma" ("Kinship") is to kick off Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. with an opening concert at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, focusing on the theme of dialects.

Before the concert, participants will gather in the city center, with the first groups starting to move toward the Song Festival Grounds at 1 p.m..

The opening concert will take place on Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m., beginning with a ceremonial lighting of the flame. A combined choir will perform beloved traditional pieces, including Mihkel Lüdig’s "Dawn" ("Koit") and the Estonian national anthem. The opening will be followed by a speech from President Alar Karis and a concert by selected choirs, featuring music largely based on traditional folk songs and melodies played by folk musicians. The concert will include works by Eduard Tubin, Mart Saar, Miina Härma, Ester Mägi, Peeter Süda, Veljo Tormis, Cyrillus Kreek, and Arvo Pärt, among others. The concert will end at approximately 11 p.m. Tickets for the opening concert are still available on Piletilevi.

Before the concert, around 45,000 people will gather for the parade in the city center, with the first participants moving toward the Song Festival Grounds starting at 1 p.m.

During the Song and Dance Celebration week from July 3 to 6, Tallinn public transport will operate differently from usual and is free for all passengers. Free travel is also available on Elron trains within Tallinn.

The 28th Song Celebration and 21st Dance Celebration take place from July 3 to 6, 2025 in Tallinn. The artistic director of the Song Celebration is Heli Jürgenson, the lead producer of the Dance Celebration is Helena-Mariana Reimann, and the artistic director of the Folk Music Celebration is Helin Pihlap. The event is organized by the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation.