For the Performer

› PROGRAMME
› WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS OF PERFORMERS?
› ACCOMMODATION
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Dear folk dancer, choir member and folk musician!

From 25 June to 2 July, the XIII Global Estonian Cultural Festival will take place in Stockholm, Narva and Tallinn. The aim of the festival is to once again bring together Estonian communities from all over the world, thereby strengthening the global Estonian spirit and sense of belonging with the Estonian land and people.

This time, ESTO is entitled “Together As One”, because the feeling of togetherness among Estonians from all over the world will help maintain little Estonia just as nature created it and the winds and wars have battered it.

The ESTO 2025 programme is being developed in close cooperation with volunteers from around the world and with local community organisations and institutions, including the Estonian Song and Dance Festival Foundation, and the cities of Narva and Tallinn.

Register for the ESTO 2025 opening concert in Stockholm and the ESTO Song Celebration in Narva before the end of December 2025 at the latest!

Programme

25 – 27 June in Stockholm

The festive ESTO opening will take place at Skansen, an open-air museum in the centre of Stockholm, on 26 June at 16:00.

Skansen has been a very meaningful place for Estonians. A hundred years ago, in 1925, in Skansen, at a grand event of the Swedish Village Culture Youth Association (Ungdomsringen), representatives of the Global Estonian Youth Association: Ago Rooseste, Ullo Toomi, Leo Kalmet, Anna Raudkats and others, were inspired to organise a dance celebration in Estonia, following the example of the Swedes. Here in Skansen, on the Solliden stage, the first Estonian song celebration after Estonia’s occupation and separation from the Western world by the Iron Curtain, took place in Sweden in 1948, with 21 choirs and 600 singers; over 25,000 people attended, 10 000 of them Estonians. Baltic Days have been held repeatedly here to promote Estonia and Estonian culture.

Now, within the framework of ESTO, we have a wonderful opportunity to show and tell how Estonians after World War II – scattered all over the world – have managed to preserve Estonian culture while living far away and how they now move freely and maintain close ties with free Estonia. We have a great opportunity to inspire others and invite everyone who is interested to cpme to ESTO and the Song and Dance Celebration to see and feel the power of song and dance for themselves.

Traditionally, the programme consists of folk dance, choral singing and folk music. The artistic directors of the performance are Hirvo Surva and Mall Paulus.

Rehearsals for the opening ceremony will start on 26 June at 11:00. The opening ceremony itself will start at 16:00

An ESTO concert is also planned for the evening of 25 June, where the choirs will perform Cyrillus Kreek’s ‘Requiem’ together with the orchestra. This would be a symbolic tribute to all the custodians of Estonia and past organisers of ESTO, who are no longer with us..

On both 25 and 26 June, there will also be a traditional ESTO pub night at the Stockholm Estonian House, where you can catch up with your friends. Various exhibitions will be open and tours of Estonian Cultural Trails will be organised.

On 27 June we cross the Baltic Sea to Estonia

From Stockholm we sail across the Baltic Sea to Estonia on Tallink’s cruise ship M/S Baltic Queen. On the boat trip you can have dinner either all together at a smorgasbord or at your own cost. There will be a special ESTO programme on board that evening.

28-30 June in Narva and Narva-Jõesuu

ESTO is going to Narva to inspire Russian-speaking people in Ida-Viru County to strive for multilingualism. As you know, learning and speaking Estonian is a big challenge there. It is also a big challenge for every Estonian family living abroad. The theme of the youth congress at the Narva College of the University of Tartu is “Multilingualism opens doors”. We will delve into multiple identities, multilingualism and we will also talk about doors that multilingualism helps to open: not only the doors of the workplace but the invisible doors into people’s hearts and different cultures.

In 2025, Narva will also be the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. This will provide an opportunity to highlight not only multilingualism but also multiculturalism in the ESTO programme. In addition to our ties with Estonia, our ancestors may have roots in very different cultures, be it in the historic Ingria or Setumaa or in other countries. Songs, dances, folk costumes, handicrafts and food are a great way to show our culture and tell our story.

Thus, the ESTO Song Celebration, with the ESTO united choir and the core songs that were taken with Estonians when they fled in 1944, encourages time and again the singing of these old songs, which unites the Estonians as one people. Some of these songs were forgotten during the Soviet occupation in Estonia because they were not allowed to be sung. However, they continued to be sung in exile. The ESTO Song Celebration will also bring to Narva the flame of the Song and Dance Celebration, which moves from one corner of Estonia to the other before reaching Tallinn.

Of course, there will also be a concert church service, a folk day and a pub night. Multilingual tours are planned: Swedish-era Narva, Old Narva, Kreenholm Factory: Past and Future, Narva and Sinimäed 1944.

For youth activities, we will have available volleyball courts, a tennis court and a skate park, and we encourage young people to play sports together.

We are pleased that several events of the 2025 Narva City Festival will coincide with ESTO 2025. On 29 June, in addition to a number of other events, Narva will host the traditional Narva City Run encompassing different distances and age groups. A fervent desire of the ESTO organisers is that every young person who comes to ESTO will find at least one friend in Narva.

ESTO will also go to Narva-Jõesuu. There you will find the best hotels on the North Coast, an enchanting sandy beach and the sea, and a business forum where we will discuss the development of Estonian business diplomacy as well as collaboration with companies and future plans for the entire North Coast.

1-2 July in Tallinn

The time before the Song and Dance Festival is the perfect time to meet other promoters of Estonian life in other countries. We think it is important to bring together leaders of Estonian Houses, open-air areas, children’s camps, Estonian schools and teaching centres, and churches, as well as young researchers and members of academic organisations. Networking meetings will get an indication of how our Estonian communities are doing abroad. What can we be proud of and what worries us? The most important thing is that the leaders in different fields of our communities get together and get to know each other.

1 July is Canada Day. This means that the pub night is being organised by Estonians in Canada! At the last ESTO, this was an exceptionally popular gathering.

ESTO culminates in a national congress and gala evening.

The gala evening is a big ESTO gathering where you can enjoy a dinner of good Estonian food, with good company, Estonian music and dance until midnight.

3-6 July in Tallinn XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration “Iseoma“

On 3-4 July, we will enjoy the Dance Celebration. The Song Celebration parade and the first Song Festival concert is on 5 July and on 6 July is the Song Celebration Grand Concert.

ESTO passes will go on sale before Christmas and Song Festival tickets will be on sale from January 2025.

We look forward to seeing you all at ESTO! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us on info@estofestival.com

What are the expectations of performers?

What are the expectations of folk dancers at the Stockholm Opening Ceremony?
Estonian and Swedish folk dances will be performed, as well as dances from the Dance Celebration.

What do singers need to know to take part in the opening ceremony in Stockholm and/or ESTO Song in Narva?

• Estonian National Anthem – Mu isamaa mu õnn ja rõõm (My Fatherland, My Pride and Joy) Johann Voldemar Jannsen / Fredrik Pacius
• Swedish National Anthem – Du gamla, Du fria (Thou Ancient, Thou Free). Richard Dybeck
• Koit (Dawn) – Mihkel Lüdig / Friedrich Kuhlbars
• Leelo (Mis need ohjad meida hoidvad) La la (What are the reins that constrain us) – Mart Saar / folk song
• Ajavoogude sees (Oma saar) The current of time (Our Island)– Kait Tamra / Kait Tamra
• Laulik (The Song) – Mart Saar / folk song
• Elukoor (The Choir of Life)– Mari Kalkun, arrangement Rasmus Puur
• Eesti, mu südame sünnimaa (Estonia, the land of my heart) – Olav Ehala / Leelo Tungal
• Virumaa laul (Song of Virumaa) – Tiina Kippel / Tiina Kippel
• Laul põhjamaast (Song of the Northern Land) – Ülo Vinter / Enn Vetemaa
• Laulu mõju (The impact of song) – Roman Toi / folk song
• Tuljak – Miina Härma / Karl Ferdinand Karlson
• Hoia Jumal Eestit (God, protect Estonia) – Juhan Aavik/
• Ta lendab mesipuu poole (Towards the homeland) – Peep Sarapik / Juhan Liiv
• Mu isamaa on minu arm (My Fatherland is My Love) – Gustav Ernesaks / Lydia Koidula
• Ärkamise aeg (The Awakening) – Rene Eespere / Rene Eespere
• Kodumaa: Kas tunned maad (Homeland: do you know a land) – Frederic Berat / Mihkel Veske

Lastekoorid
• Aeg (Time) – Rene Eespere / Jaan Kaplinski, Rene Eespere
• Buratino laul (Buratino’s Song) – Olav Ehala / Juhan Viiding

Accommodation

What will it cost to stay in Stockholm? 

The following hostels and hotels are within a 2-5 minute walk from the Estonian House in Stockholm (Wallingatan 34):

Hostel Generator, Torsgatan 10

Two- four- and six-bed rooms are available.

A 6-bed room from 3024 SEK/night. Therefore, from 25-27 June, accommodation for 6 people for two nights costs 6048 SEK/night (504 SEK/night for 1 person, 1008 SEK for 2 nights.
Superior Queen / Deluxe King for one person from 1780 SEK/night 3560 SEK for 2 nights. For two people from 1860 SEK/night, 3720 SEK for 2 nights.

Breakfast can be added when making the reservation.

If you make a group booking, you must pay 10-20% of the price at the time of the booking, depending on the size of the group. This money is non-refundable.

Individual travellers can book their own room with the ESTO discount code HERE >>

City Backpackers Hostel **, Upplandsgatan 2

Two-, four-, six-, seven- and eight-bed rooms are available.

3 nights for two from 3496 SEK

Hotell Scandic Go ***, Upplandsgatan 4

Rooms for two and four people. “Cabin” rooms are without windows. Breakfast can be added at any time. Digital check-in- and check-out.

Prices from:

1327 SEK/night (instant online payment, no refund)
1570 SEK/night (free cancellation until the day of arrival. Payment on the spot).
3498 SEK 3 nights/for two people

Hotell Scandic Wallin ****, Wallingatan 15

Rooms for one, two, three and four people, family rooms. Breakfast included.

Prices from:

2425 SEK/night/for two people
2646 SEK/night/for four people

10 % off the regular price with ESTO discount code. Discount code valid from 24 – 27 June 2025. Free cancellation until the day of arrival. Payment on the spot.

Elite Hotell Adlon ****, Vasagatan 42

Rooms for two people, family rooms. Breakfast included.

Prices from:

2421 SEK/room/night with the discount code. Discount code valid from 24 – 27 June 2025.

Free cancellation up to 7 days before arrival.

To book a hotel room with the discount code, contact the ESTO committee at info@estofestival.com

When choosing a hotel, you should be aware that we are planning transfers for performers and ESTO pass holders between Estonian House – Skansen, Värtahamneni Tallink terminal – Estonian House.

How much does the trip from Stockholm to Tallinn with Tallink? 

Tallink has made this offer to ESTO performers and guests:

Discounts:
TAL-STO/STO-TAL -15%
TAL-HEL -15%
HEL-TAL -15%
HEL-STO one way -20%

1 person Stockholm-Tallinn B-cabin: 
B-cabin 109 EUR 
fuel and CO2 surcharge 13 EUR 
dinner and breakfast 61 EUR
Total: 183 EUR
Without meals the total would be: 122 EUR  

3 people Stockholm-Tallinn B-cabin: 
B-cabin 109 EUR
fuel and CO2 surcharge (13 EUR x 3 people) 39 EUR
dinner and breakfast 183 EUR 
Total: 331 EUR 
Without meals the total would be: 148 EUR

Contact the ESTO Committee for Tallink travel booking instructions and discount code at info@estofestival.com

What does accommodation in Narva-Jõesuu cost? 

For ESTO participants we have booked all available rooms in Hotel Meresuu, Aia 48A. Prices include breakfast and use of the water centre/SPA. Here is their quote for ESTO guests: 

1x Standard room for one person = 119,00 EUR / night
1x Double room for two persons = 129,00 EUR / night
1x Deluxe room for one person = 159,00 EUR / night
1x Deluxe room for two persons = 169,00 EUR / night
1x Family room = 169,00 EUR / night
1x Junior suite = 189,00 EUR / night
1x Suite = 209,00 EUR / night

To book accommodation at Meresuu Hotel, please contact the ESTO committee at info@estofestival.com

For group bookings please fill in the excel sheet. Download the group booking excel sheet HERE >>

In Narva, accommodation can be arranged in a school building. Let us know of your request at info@estofestival.com

What does accommodation in Tallinn cost?

ESTO discount code is valid from 30.06-03.07.

25% discount in Tallink hotels.

Radisson Blu Hotell Olümpia, Liivalaia 33:

Standard Room with breakfast 95 EUR for one person / 105 EUR for two people
Superior Room with breakfast 105 EUR for one person / 115 EUR for two people