Multitudes of Estonians Converge for Song and Dance Celebration
The Estonian dance community is set to shine at the upcoming 2025 Dance Festival, taking place at the Kalev Central Stadium in Tallinn, starting on Thursday, July 3. Two groups, 'Folkroos' from Brisbane, Australia, and Helsinki-based 'Ülelahedad,' are set to grace the stage, showcasing the growing interest in Estonian dance and culture in Finland.
Folkroos, a dedicated group of women, maintains a strong connection to Estonia and its culture through regular practice, participation in major Estonian events, and active engagement in local Estonian community events. Every Tuesday, they gather at the Paddington Community Centre in Brisbane to practice traditional folk dances, turning their rehearsals into lively cultural gatherings that keep Estonian dance traditions alive far from home.
The group actively participates in large Estonian cultural celebrations such as the Laulu- ja Tantsupidu (Song and Dance Festival), held in Estonia. This year, Folkroos will travel to Tallinn to join tens of thousands on the Song Festival Grounds, sharing in this vital national tradition that features choir singers, folk dancers, and musicians from around the world.
Members of Folkroos express a heartfelt connection by visiting family in Estonia during their trips, celebrating seasonal events like Midsummer, attending concerts, birthdays, and cultural happenings to immerse themselves and their children fully in Estonian traditions and community life. This ongoing engagement with family and cultural events strengthens their personal bond with Estonia.
Ülelahedad, based in Helsinki, will be attending the Dance Festival with two mixed groups and the family group "Lahepere." The group's leader, Anneli Kääparin, a former member of "Ülelahedad," has gained a strong knowledge of dance leadership and is now leading the groups. The members of Ülelahedad have recently performed at the 2025 World Estonian Days ESTO Festival "Together" in Stockholm.
Expressing national culture in another country is considered a matter of honor for the participants. Both groups have been preparing diligently for the festival, with weekly training sessions and weekend camps at least once a month. Folkroos has even received coaching ahead of the festival from Ingrid Hamer, who directs the performance of 'Tulemise tunne.'
The Estonian community in Finland is actively seizing opportunities to introduce Estonian dance skills and culture to the locals. The venue for the 2025 Dance Festival, affectionately referred to as "Talsinki," is no exception. The event promises to be a celebration of Estonian culture, showcasing the vibrant and living connection that these groups maintain to their homeland, despite being geographically distant.
For the members of Folkroos, the trip from Brisbane to Estonia is approximately 40 hours long, but their passion for Estonian culture and the bonds they have formed through dance and family make the journey worthwhile. Many members plan to stay in Estonia after the festival to celebrate Midsummer and other summer events with their relatives.
The 2025 Dance Festival in Tallinn promises to be a spectacular event, filled with the energy and passion of these dedicated dance groups. All events during the Song and Dance Festival can be viewed live on the website, allowing audiences from around the world to share in the celebration of Estonian culture.
The members of Folkroos, passionate about Estonian culture, utilize their regular home-and-garden meetings at the Paddington Community Centre in Brisbane as opportunities to practice traditional folk dances, thereby promoting and preserving Estonian dance traditions far from home. On the other hand, Ülelahedad, a group based in Helsinki, will exhibit their cultural travel experiences at the Dance Festival in Tallinn, having recently performed at the 2025 World Estonian Days ESTO Festival "Together" in Stockholm.
