On August 20, Tartu celebrates the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence with speeches, beautiful music and a simman of freedom. The events start in the morning at the War of Independence monument and end with an evening concert at the Estonian National Museum.
At 11 a.m. on the eve of the anniversary of the restoration of independence, Tartu mayor Urmas Klaas, Estonian Women Students Society alumna Diana Pungar, Tartu Youth Council chairman Henn Kaaleb Humal and EELK Tartu University-Jaani congregation priest Triin Käpp will speak at the Independence War memorial. Brigita Joosing, Brass Orchestra Tartu, Laulupesa song children and Estonian University of Life Sciences Folk Dance Ensemble Tarbatu Children’s Group will perform at the event. At the ceremony, the title song of the Tartu Song Festival “Õnn ja rõõm / Happiness and Joy” will be played.
The celebration continues at 12:15 p.m. at Koidula and Jannsen Memorial Square with the Simman of Freedom, where Rasmus Kadaja and Ott-Mait Põldsepp from Lõõtsavägilased will play for an hour. In addition, those interested can craft a cornflower and braid a wristband in the tent of the ERM educational center.
In the evening at 20:00, the concert “Usk. Lootus. Armastus / Faith. Hope. Love” will take place in ENM summer stage, where Marko Matvere, Karmen Puis, German Gholami Torres-Pardo, Merle Silmato, Peep Puis, Kristjan Häggblom and Aivar Kaseste take the stage. The Maarjamaa Philharmonic choir and orchestra provide musical support and inspiration. The concert has a ticket, which can be purchased more cheaply in advance.
A special program will sound on the town hall bells on August 20:
At 9 “Hoia, Jumal, Eestit / God, Keep, Estonia” (Juhan Aavik)
At 12 ” Ärkamise aeg / Time to wake up” (René Eespere)
At 15:00 “Ta lendab mesipuu poole / One flies towards the beehive” (Peep Sarapik)
At 18:00 ” Eestlane olen ja eestlaseks jään / I am Estonian and I will remain Estonian” (Karl August Hermann / Alo Mattiisen)
At 21:00 “Mu isamaa on minu arm / My fatherland is my love” (Gustav Ernesaks)
Additional information: Tiigi Seltsimaja producer Ave Rosenberg, ave.rosenberg@tartu.ee