Folk dancers performing at the Estonian Song and Dance Festival (Eesti laulu- ja tantsupidu) in the capitol, Tallinn.
The Estonian Song and Dance Festival (Eesti laulu- ja tantsupidu) is held every five years in Tallinn, the capitol of Estonia. It is a historic festival with strong cultural roots. The Dance Celebration consists of thousands of dancers from all over the world with ties to all parts of Estonia. The bright costumes are their national costumes from their respective parts of Estonia. Each part of the country has its own patterned folk costumes. Folk costumes also emphasized national belonging and social status with clothing, for both everyday and festive wear, outlining a system of signs referring to social status, age and marital status. Costumes are most commonly made of linen for the tops and wool for pants or skirts. In 1934, the first Estonian Games, Dance and Gymnastics festival was held. This event was the basis for the modern day Dance Celebration now held. In the 1934 festival 1500 folk dancers performed. In 1970, the largest Dance celebration took place with over 10, 000 performers. Each Dance Celebration has a certain theme. The Dance Celebration and Song Celebration, which began in the 1860s, are now usually held the same weekend with the festivals beginning with a parade from the centre of Tallinn to the Song Festival grounds. Estonia's Song and Dance Celebration were declared a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in November 2003.
Size: 2592px × 3872px
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Photo credit: © SMBT Photos / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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