For the Performer

› PROGRAMME
› WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS OF PERFORMERS?
› ACCOMMODATION

Dear folk dancer, choir member and folk musician!

From 25 June to 3 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.

Programme

25 – 27 June in Stockholm

Concert Cyrillus Kreek`s ‘Requiem’, Church of Catherine, Högbergsgatan 13 A

On the eve of ESTO on 25 June a concert will take place at the Church of Catherine in Stockholm, featuring C. Kreek’s ‘Requiem’. This will be a symbolic tribute to all the custodians of Estonia and past organisers of ESTO who are no longer with us.

The ETV Girls’ Choir, the Estonia Boys’ Choir and the Stockholm Estonian Mixed Choir will perform. Ene Salumäe will accompany on the organ. Hirvo Surva will conduct. The Bishop of the Diaspora, Ove Sander, will lead the prayer.

The concert is free for ESTO performers and ESTO passport holders.
Rehearsal times are still being finalised.

The festive ESTO opening and concert ’Windows of Time’, Skansen

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

Rehearsals for the opening ceremony will start on 26 June at 9:00. Details of the rehearsal schedule are being finalised.

Entry to Skansen is free for ESTO performers and ESTO passport holders. All others must buy a ticket in advance or from the cashier at the entrance to Skansen.

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

The following songs will be performed:

Koit, Mihkel Lüdig / Friedrich Kuhlbars 
Rootsi hümn Du gamla, Du fria, Richard Dybeck 
Eesti hümn Mu isamaa mu õnn ja rõõm, Johann Voldemar Jannsen / Fredrik Pacius 
Hoia Jumal Eestit, Juhan Aavik 
Laulu mõju, Roman Toi / rahvaluule 
Laulik, Mart Saar / rahvaluule 
Eesti, mu südamee sünnimaa, Olav Ehala / Leelo Tungal 
Ajavoogude sees (Oma saar), Kait Tamra / Kait Tamra 
Leelo (Mis need ohjad meida hoidvad), Mart Saar / rahvaluule 
Ärkamise aeg, Rene Eespere / Rene Eespere 
Ta lendab mesipuu poole, Peep Sarapik / Juhan Liiv 
Mu isamaa on minu arm, Gustav Ernesaks / Lydia Koidula

Childrens’ Choirs:

Buratino laul, Olav Ehala / Juhan Viiding 
Aeg, Rene Eespere / Jaan Kaplinski, Rene Eespere

The following folk dances will be performed:

Üleilma kokku, Mall Paulus / muusika Pille-Rite Rei 
Kolm polkat, seadnud Mall Paulus / muusika ja seade Tradimus 
Kangakudumine, seadnud Kristjan Torop / muusika ja seade Tiit Kikas 
Lööme loojanguni lokku, Helena-Mariana Reimann / muusika Andre Maaker, sõnad Laura Kalle

In addition, Leigars will perform the folk dances Reinlender, Ingliska and Kadrel.

The Idla Estonian Society’s Teachers’ Group will perform Historical Idla Etudes. The Swedish Idla Society’s Girls’ Group will perform The Fire Dance (Tuletants).

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 come to ESTO and the Song and Dance Celebration to see and feel the power of song and dance for themselves.

ESTO Secret Pub nights at the Stockholm Estonian House

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 and make new ones. There will be singing and dancing at the pub nights. There is one important rule at the secret pub night – you must not run out of cold beer.

Entry to the secret pub nights is free for ESTO performers and ESTO passport holders. All others must buy a ticket in advance. If not sold out, tickets may be purchased at the door.

Catering for collectives at the Estonian House in Stockholm

Estonians in Stockholm are prepared to organise catering for performers at the Estonian House on 25-27 June. Catering will be arranged on a needs basis and by agreement with the collectives.

ESTO programme in Stockholm

Various exhibitions will be open and tours of Estonian Cultural Trails will be organised. See the ESTO programme for more information.

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

28 June

Transfers from Tallink’s D terminal to Narva are being organised. Transfers are on a needs basis and by prior agreement with collectives. Transfers are free of charge for ESTO passport holders, but pre-registration is required.

10:45 Arrival in Tallinn, Tallink’s D-terminal
11:30 Buses depart from Tallinn to Narva

The headquarters for performers is in Narva Central Library (Narva Keskraamatukogu). There you can store your luggage, get changed into your folk costumes, rest, have tea and coffee. From there, it’s an 8-minute walk to the Narva Castle (Narva linnus).

14:00–15:15 Catering for performers in the Northern Yard of Narva Castle
15:15 Singers assemble near the stands of the Western yard of Narva Castle
15:30–18:00 ESTO Song’s 1st rehearsal
18:30 Gathering at Narva Town Hall for the parade. Bring your choir banners! Wear your festival costumes
19:00 The parade starts at Narva Town Hall and finishes at the Western Yard of Narva Museum, where the Narva City Days will be officially opened and ESTO will be welcomed
20:00–21:00 Catering for performers in the Northern Yard of Narva Castle.
Those wishing to go to the theatre performance ‘Narva – The City We Lost’, which starts at 20:30 on Vabalava, will need to hurry.
Concerts will continue in the Western Yard until 23:00
22:00 ESTO Secret Pub Night starts at Vabalava.

ESTO bus transfers are being organised between Narva and Narva-Jõesuu between 21:00 – 01:00. Transfers are on a needs basis and by prior agreement with collectives. Transfers are free of charge for ESTO passport holders, but pre-registration is required.

29 June

Concert-Church Service C. Kreek’s ‘Requiem’, Aleksandri Church (Aleksandri kirik)

On Sunday morning 29 June at 11:00 there will be a concert-church service in Alexandri kirik, where C. Kreek’s ‘Requiem’ will be performed again. The ETV Girls’ Choir, the Estonia Boys’ Choir and the Stockholm Estonian Mixed Choir will perform. The choir will be accompanied by the EMTA Sinfonietta. Hirvo Surva will conduct.

Rehearsal for performers starts at 9:00

ESTO Song, Western Yard of Narva Castle

We kindly ask singers to come to the rehearsal in their festival costumes, as there is no time to change after the rehearsal.

12:00–13:10 Catering for performers in the Northern Yard of Narva Castle
13:10 Singers assemble at the stands in the Western Yard of Narva Castle
13:30–15:30 ESTO Song’s 2nd rehearsal
15:30 The Song Festival Torch arrives from Narva-Jõesuu into Narva Port by boat and moves through the city toward the Western yard of Narva Castle
16:00 The Song Festival Torch is received in the Western Yard of Narva Castle and used to light the ESTO Song flame
16:30–18:00 ESTO SONG Concert

The following songs will be performed:

Koit, Mihkel Lüdig / Friedrich Kuhlbars
Eesti hümn Mu isamaa mu õnn ja rõõm, Johann Voldemar Jannsen / Fredrik Pacius
Hoia Jumal Eestit, Juhan Aavik
Laulu mõju, Roman Toi / rahvaluule
Laulik, Mart Saar / rahvaluule
Eesti, mu südamee sünnimaa, Olav Ehala / Leelo Tungal
Ajavoogude sees (Oma saar), Kait Tamra / Kait Tamra
Elukoor, Rasmus Puur
Virumaa laul, Tiina Kippel
Leelo (Mis need ohjad meida hoidvad), Mart Saar / rahvaluule
Ärkamise aeg, Rene Eespere / Rene Eespere
Ta lendab mesipuu poole, Peep Sarapik / Juhan Liiv
Mu isamaa on minu arm, Gustav Ernesaks / Lydia Koidula

Childrens’ Choirs:

Buratino laul, Olav Ehala / Juhan Viiding
Aeg, Rene Eespere / Jaan Kaplinski, Rene Eespere

18:00 –22:00 ESTO SONG will seamlessly transition into the ESTO folk festival.
We will dance traditonal folk dances and be entertained by Naised Köögis and Zetod
18:00 Catering for the performers in the Northern Yard of Narva Castle

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.

30 June

In cooperation with the city of Narva-Jõesuu, the city of Sillamäe, the port of Sillamäe, the Ida-Viru Investment Agency, the Ida-Viru Entrepreneurship Centre and other local partners, a summer networking event for entrepreneurial people, entitled ‘Opportunities in Ida-Viru County: security, development, work, business and tourism’, is being organised. Starting in Narva-Jõesuu, the event will move on to Narva, Sillamäe and finally to Tallinn.

ESTO passport holders will be able to choose from a range of excursions that will take them to Tallinn in the evening.

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.

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. 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

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. The following rooms are still available: 

1x Double room with a double bed = 129,00 EUR / night
1x Family room = 169,00 EUR / night
1x Junior suite = 189.00 EUR / night
1 Extra bed = 30.00 EUR / night

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

Cheaper accommodation (from 40-70 EUR / night) is available in Narva, for example at the following hotels

Inger
Central
Külalistemaja ”Europe” (Europe Guesthouse)

ESTO has not contacted these hotels, so please enquire directly with them about prices. Contact details can be found at this website: visitnarva.ee. You can also check other accommodation options, for example via Booking.com.

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.

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