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50-621: As one of the Baltic song festivals , it is also a part of the UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity list since 2008. The All-Latvian Song Festival has been held since 1873, normally conducted every five years, with the Latvian Dance Festival component added in 1948. During the festivals, exhibitions of photography, art and folk craft, orchestra concerts, and

100-464: A choir of 16,000 singers and other participants performed, and the subsequent sing-along night was attended by more than 67 thousand people, making it the highest attendance to an event in the festival's history. The 2018 edition remains as the highest attended edition, with nearly 43,300 participants. The 27th edition took place in July 2023, marking the festival's sesquicentennial jubilee anniversary and

150-458: A festive parade also take place. Events and competitions leading up to the event occur throughout the period between festivals. Additional festivals were held in 2001 and 2011, both on major anniversaries of the founding of Riga . Approximately 40,000 performers altogether participate in the event. Folk songs and classical choir songs are sung, with emphasis on a cappella singing, though modern popular songs have recently been incorporated into

200-566: A more centralised organisation. The active nationalist opposition (mostly the Lithuanian Liberty League ) towards the regime culminated in various public protests. The most notorious of them took place on 28 October 1988 , which ended up with violent dispersal. The resulting public anger caused resignations in the Communist Party of Lithuania (including the then-First Secretary of the party, Ringaudas Songaila , who served just over

250-665: A year) and replaced them with more moderate members. As the CPL leadership changed, it decided to return Vilnius Cathedral , formerly used as a museum of fine arts, to the Catholic community on 21 October 1988. The national anthem of Lithuania and the traditional national Tricolore were legalised in Lithuania on 18 November 1988, officially replacing the flag and the anthem of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic . It

300-592: The Mežaparks Great Bandstand and the Daugava Stadium in Riga. The 25th Festival took place in July 2013. In 2018, 81,309 of the 95,250 available tickets for the 26th Festival's various events were sold on the first day. The festival took place from 1 to 8 July, marking the 100th anniversary of Latvian independence , encompassing 65 events with a total of 500,000 expected visitors. The closing concert, in which

350-460: The Sąjūdis , a political and social movement, was established. Some initiators of this movement were active members of environmental organisations, established in 1987 (e.g. Zigmas Vaišvila , Gintaras Songaila ). Initially, this organisation supported the regime, but in early autumn of the same year after Lithuania-wide growth, it became an opposing force to the CPL. In response to this, Sąjūdis became

400-699: The Tartu Pop Festival in May 1988. In June the Old Town Festival was held in Tallinn, and after the official part of the festival, the participants moved to the Song Festival Grounds and started to sing patriotic songs together spontaneously. The Baltic Way , a human chain of two million people, spanned from Tallinn to Vilnius on 23 August 1989. Mattiisen's "Five Patriotic Songs" were performed again at

450-592: The Vilnius Television Tower and the Parliament from Soviet assault troops and tanks. Lithuanians refer to the event as Bloody Sunday . The discipline and courage of its citizens – linking arms and singing in the face of tanks and armour-piercing bullets – avoided a much greater loss of life and showed the world that Lithuania's citizens were prepared to defend their national independence. International governments began recognizing Lithuanian independence after

500-482: The diamond jubilee year of the Latvian Dance Festival. For the first time in the history of the event, a song with Livonian lyrics was featured. Lībieši nāk (Latvian: 'Livonians are coming'), the 2nd part of the musical cycle Nācēji by Inese Zandere  [ lv ] and Valts Pūce  [ lv ] was performed during the Grand Choir Concert Tīrums. Dziesmas ceļš . This edition featured

550-526: The restoration of the independence of Latvia and the first to again feature the national anthem and flag of Latvia , as well as multiple songs, all previously banned during the Soviet occupation. It was also attended by many participants and attendees from the Latvian diaspora , with a general mood of "back to the future" look at exile homecoming. The 24th Festival was held in July 2008. The main events were held at

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600-540: The CPL gave up its power monopoly and agreed to hold free elections for Supreme Soviet of Lithuanian SSR in 1990 , which it lost. Five decades after Lithuania was occupied and incorporated into the Soviet Union, Lithuania became the first republic to declare its independence from the USSR on 11 March 1990, while Estonia and Latvia declared Soviet rule to have been illegal from the start and since full restoration of independence

650-666: The Rock Summer festival in Tallinn held on 26–28 August 1988. The Song of Estonia festival was held at the Song Festival Grounds on 11 September. Trivimi Velliste , Chairman of the Estonian Heritage Society, first voiced the public ambition to regain independence. The Supreme Soviet of Estonia issued the Estonian Sovereignty Declaration on 16 November. The Singing Revolution lasted over four years, with various protests and acts of defiance. The revolution

700-609: The Song days in Dikļi in 1864, which led to the resounding of a full-scale song festival in Riga during the summer of 1873. 1,003 singers and 30 orchestra players participated in the first festival. Only once has the festival been held outside Riga, in Jelgava in 1895. After a pause during World War I and the subsequent Latvian War of Independence , the first edition of the festival in independent Latvia

750-552: The Soviet Union. New elections to the Supreme Soviet took place on 18 March 1990, in which the supporters of independence gained a victory. On 4 May 1990, the new Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR adopted a motion, " Declaration of Independence ", which called for the restoration of the inter-war Latvian state and the 1922 Constitution. In January 1991, however, pro-communist political forces attempted to restore Soviet power. With

800-619: The Soviet central government in Moscow were admitted to in public, causing further popular dissatisfaction with the Soviet regime in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Combined with the war in Afghanistan and the nuclear fallout in Chernobyl , grievances were aired in a publicly explosive and politically decisive manner. Estonians were concerned about the demographic threat to their national identity posed by

850-679: The Soviet era, the festivals were a subtle political protest against communism. In the late 1980s, the songs became an integral part of the independence movement, sometimes known as the Singing Revolution . In 2014, the Estonian Song Festival attracted a total of 159,300 people. This was the largest figure recorded since Estonian re-independence. Singing Revolution [REDACTED]   Estonia [REDACTED]   Latvia [REDACTED]   Lithuania [REDACTED]   Soviet Union The Singing Revolution

900-562: The Soviet regime was rare. It became more persistent in the 1970s and 1980s. One example of this could be the Kaunas events of 1972. Many popular singers often used the poetry of nationalist poets such as Bernardas Brazdžionis or Justinas Marcinkevičius , as the lyrics of their songs. In 1987 the Rock March also promoted awareness of the issue among the people. In 1987, various organisations (mainly environmental ones) were founded. On 3 June 1988,

950-552: The Writers' Union held a congress during which the democratization of society, Latvia's economic sovereignty, the cessation of immigration from the USSR, the transformation of industry, and the protection of Latvian language rights were discussed by delegates. Over the course of this conference, for the first time in post-war Latvia, the secret protocol of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact , which had determined Latvia's fate after 1939,

1000-612: The anniversary of the 1941 deportations , the human rights group " Helsinki-86 ", which had been founded a year earlier, organized people to place flowers at the Freedom Monument (Latvia's symbol of independence, which was erected in 1935). This is widely cited as the beginning of the National Awakening. However, the Latvian Song and Dance Festival of 1985 also had been sometimes named as such for choirs requesting and performing

1050-459: The country in late 1988 and 1989. During 1989, various organisations (e.g. The Writers Union) split from the Soviet ones. Prior to the election of the Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union , Sąjūdis media became more restricted, but after the defeat of the CPL (it won just six seats of 42, other seats were won Sąjūdis supported candidates), restrictions were lifted. By the end of the year,

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1100-516: The coup's failure, the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian Republic announced on 21 August 1991, that the transition period to full independence declared on 4 May 1990 had come to an end. Therefore, Latvia was proclaimed a fully independent nation whose judicial foundation stemmed back to the statehood that existed before the occupation on 17 June 1940. Between 1956 and 1987, open public resistance to

1150-478: The end of the 1980s. Massive demonstrations against the Soviet regime began after widespread liberalisation of the regime failed to take into account national sensitivities. It was hoped by Moscow that the non-Russian nations would remain within the USSR despite the removal of restrictions on freedom of speech and national icons (such as the local pre-1940 flags). However, the situation deteriorated to such an extent that by 1989 there were campaigns aimed at freeing

1200-481: The establishment of diplomatic relations with Estonia, and Iceland thus became the first foreign country to formally recognise the fully restored independence of Estonia in 1991. Today, a plaque commemorating this event is situated on the outside wall of the Foreign Ministry, which is on Islandi väljak 1, or "Iceland Square 1". The plaque reads; "The Republic of Iceland was the first to recognise, on 22 August 1991,

1250-453: The failing Soviet economy and encourage productivity, particularly in the areas of consumer goods, the liberalisation of cooperative businesses, and growing the service economy. Glasnost rescinded limitations on political freedoms in the Soviet Union, which led to problems for the Soviet central government in retaining control over non-Russian areas, including the occupied Baltic countries. Hitherto unrecognised issues previously kept secret by

1300-560: The influx of individuals from foreign ethnic groups to work on such large Soviet development projects as phosphate mining. Access to Western émigré communities abroad and, particularly in Estonia, informal relations with Finland , and access to Finnish TV showing the Western lifestyle also contributed to widespread dissatisfaction with the Soviet system and provoked mass demonstrations as repression on dissidents, nationalists, religious communities, and ordinary consumers eased substantially towards

1350-533: The main representative of the return to independence. On 23 August 1989, the fiftieth anniversary of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, the People's Fronts of all three Baltic countries held a huge demonstration of unity—the " Baltic Way ". A 600-kilometre-long (373 mi) human "chain" from Tallinn through Riga to Vilnius was assembled. This was a symbolic demonstration of the people's call for independence from

1400-520: The nation's forced accession as a Union Republic; while the festival was held in 1973 to mark its centennial anniversary, and in 1977 to mark the diamond jubilee of the October Revolution , both events connected to the centennial commemorations of The First Latvian National Awakening . During the occupation, the festival tradition was continued in exile by the Latvian diaspora , first in displaced persons camps after World War II and primarily in

1450-782: The nations from the Soviet Union altogether. The Soviet government's plan to excavate phosphorite in the Lääne-Viru county with potentially catastrophic consequences for the environment and society was revealed in February 1987. That started the " Phosphorite War ", a public environmental campaign. The MRP-AEG group held the Hirvepark meeting in the Old Town of Tallinn at the anniversary of Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact on 23 August 1987, demanding to disclose and condemn its secret protocol . The "Five Patriotic Songs" series by Alo Mattiisen premiered at

1500-607: The parliament, radio and TV buildings from any attacks by Soviet troops. Through these actions Estonia regained its independence without any blood shed. Independence was declared on the late evening of 20 August 1991, after an agreement between different political parties was reached. The next morning Soviet troops, according to Estonian TV, attempted to storm Tallinn TV Tower but were unsuccessful. The Communist hardliners' coup attempt failed amidst mass pro-democracy demonstrations in Moscow led by Boris Yeltsin . On 22 August 1991, Iceland (independent country since 1944) announced

1550-562: The press journalists urged the public to protest against these decisions. The public reacted immediately, and in response, the Environmental Protection Club was founded on 28 February 1987. During the second half of the 1980s, the Environmental Protection Club became one of the most influential mass movements in the region and began to make demands for the restoration of Latvia's independence. On 14 June 1987,

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1600-408: The rebirth of a free Latvian nation, was and is usually a staple of the festival's song list and was not performed thrice in its history (1960, 1965 and 1977), and had been performed in the 1980 edition in the presence of Annija Vītola, widow of the song's composer Jāzeps Vītols , marking 80 years since it was first performed. The 1990 edition, held during the Singing Revolution , was the first after

1650-515: The repertoire as well. Since 1960, a distinct Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival  [ lv ] has been held in an alternate five-year cycle, on a matching scale. The tradition of song festivals originated in the first half of the 19th century in many European countries and later was also organized by the Baltic Germans . The first steps taken in the Latvian environment was during

1700-472: The representatives of the Soviet regime. All of these organisations had a common goal: the restoration of democracy and independence. On 7 October 1988, there was a mass public demonstration, calling for Latvia's independence and the establishment of a regular judicial order. On 8 and 9 October the first congress of the Latvian People's Front was held. This organization, which attracted 200,000 members, became

1750-564: The restoration of the independence of the Republic of Estonia", in Estonian , Icelandic and English . Some other nations did not recognise the annexation of Estonia by the Soviet Union. During the second half of the 1980s as Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost and perestroika in the USSR , which rolled back restrictions to freedom in the Soviet Union, aversion to the Soviet regime had grown into

1800-683: The second-highest number of participants — 40,560, surpassed only by the 2018 edition. Baltic song festivals The Baltic song festivals ( Estonian : laulupidu , Latvian : dziesmu svētki , Lithuanian : dainų šventė ) are traditional amateur song and dance festivals in the Baltic States included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List . The first song festival was held in Zürich , Switzerland in June 1843. It

1850-433: The song Gaismas pils conducted by Haralds Mednis after the main event. The song, which speaks about the rebirth of a free Latvian nation, usually a staple of the festival, had been removed from the repertoire; the conductor, disliked by Soviet authorities, was sidelined at the closing concert. He was called from his seat by the choir and 'Gaismas pils' was performed, airing live on Riga Television . On 1 and 2 June 1988,

1900-435: The third Latvian National Awakening , which reached its peak in mid-1988. In 1986, it became widely known to the public that the USSR was planning to build another hydroelectric power plant on Latvia's largest river Daugava , and that a decision had been made to build a metro in Riga . Both of these projects planned by Moscow could have led to the destruction of Latvia's landscape and cultural and historical heritage. In

1950-618: The three Baltic countries were invaded and occupied by the Stalinist Soviet Union in June 1940, and formally annexed into the USSR in August 1940. Following the Nazi German occupation in 1941–1944/45, the three countries were reconquered by the Soviet army in 1944–1945. In 1985, the last leader of the former Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost ("openness") and perestroika ("restructuring"), hoping to stimulate

2000-662: The use of force, attempts were made to overthrow the new assembly. Latvian demonstrators managed to stop the Soviet troops from re-occupying strategic positions, and these events are known as the " Days of the Barricades ". On 19 August 1991, an unsuccessful attempt at a coup d'état took place in Moscow when a small group of prominent Soviet functionaries failed to regain power due to large pro-democracy demonstrations in Russia. This event resulted in Latvia swiftly moving toward independence. After

2050-725: The western occupation zones in Germany, then in the United States, Canada, and Australia, with many of the legendary conductors of the past taking part during those years alongside the later generations of conductors they trained. The overseas Latvian Song and Dance Festivals is currently held every four or five years, alternating between the United States (15th edition held in 2022 in Minnesota ) and Canada (15 editions since 1953, 16th to be held in Toronto in July 2024). Beginning in 1970, Edgars Račevskis

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2100-569: Was a series of events from 1987 to 1991 that led to the restoration of independence of the three Soviet-occupied Baltic countries of Estonia , Latvia , and Lithuania at the end of the Cold War . The term was coined by an Estonian activist and artist, Heinz Valk , in an article published a week after the 10–11 June 1988 spontaneous mass evening singing demonstrations at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds . During World War II ,

2150-793: Was attended by 2,184 singers ( de:Schweizerisches Gesangsfest ). The tradition spread to Würzburg , Germany in 1845, and from there it reached the Baltic States via the Baltic Germans and their choral societies. It was first held in 1869 in Estonia ( Estonian Song Festival ), and in 1873 in Latvia ( Latvian Song and Dance Festival ). Lastly, tradition came to the Lithuania ( Lithuanian Song Festival ) in 1924. The festivals are massive events, attracting some 30,000 singers. The festivals, held every five years in Estonia and Latvia, and every four years in Lithuania, celebrate traditional folk songs and dances. During

2200-703: Was followed by the recognition of the Lithuanian language as a state language, what meant that it became the sole legal language on an institutional level. The latter change was instrumental in the removal of some officials (e.g. Nikolai Mitkin, who served as the Second Secretary of the CPL), but fueled tensions in Polish and Russian speaking communities. It was followed by the gradual rebuilding of national symbols, which included erecting or restoring independence monuments throughout

2250-613: Was held in 1926 every five years (with an exception for the 1933 edition, which was brought forward three years to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Song Festival). After the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940 and World War II , festivals were continued in the Latvian SSR , which were heavily influenced by Soviet ideology and used to praise the occupation regime, with the festival being held every 5 years on important anniversaries of

2300-702: Was led by three different groups: the Heritage Society, the Popular Front, and the National Independence Party. The Heritage Society, established in 1987, focused on spreading awareness about Estonia's history to gather support for Estonia's independence from the Soviets. The Popular Front, founded in 1988, wanted to reform Estonia into self-government within a loose confederation of the Soviet Union. The National Independence Party, established in 1988 as well,

2350-608: Was more radical than the other two organizations and demanded complete independence from the Soviet Union. In 1991, as the central government in Moscow and the Soviet Army attempted to stop the Estonian progress towards independence, the newly elected legislature of Estonia together with an elected grassroots parliament, Congress of Estonia , proclaimed the restoration of the independent state of Estonia and repudiated Soviet legislation. Large groups of unarmed volunteers went to shield

2400-428: Was not yet feasible, started a period of transition towards independence, culminating with the failure of the August coup. For the same reason, almost all nations in the international community, except Iceland , hesitated to recognise independence for Lithuania until August 1991. The Soviet military responded harshly. On 13 January 1991, fourteen non-violent protesters in Vilnius died and hundreds were injured defending

2450-481: Was publicly acknowledged. The congress of the Writers' Union stirred up public opinion and provided an additional stimulus for the general process of national revival . In the summer of 1988, two of the most important organizations of the revival period began to assemble themselves—the Latvian People's Front and the Latvian National Independence Movement (LNIM). Soon afterwards the more radically inclined Citizens' Congress called for complete non-compliance with

2500-431: Was the chief conductor for the festival. The 1985 edition would be notable for the grand finale concert in which the legendary hymn The Castle of Light  [ lv ] conducted by Haralds Mednis  [ lv ] , who was hated by the pro-Soviet government and was not listed as one of the performing conductors in that concert, was sung at the behest of the participating choristers. The song, which speaks about

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