Estonia holds song event to celebrate freedom, shows solidarity with Ukraine
Estonia's Song Celebration is held every five years. It commemorates mass singing activities that started in the late 1980s under the former Soviet Union's occupation. Festivals and other singing events are said to have strengthened people's unity and created momentum toward independence.
This year's festival began on Saturday in the capital Tallinn. Participants wearing traditional costumes sang songs, including a folk song about yearning for freedom, and a song to pay respect to the nation. Spectators held Estonian flags, while appreciating the importance of freedom.
As the event took place for the first time since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the crowds also showed solidarity with Ukraine.
A man in his 40s said the freedom in Estonia today was won through hard fighting, and should not be taken for granted. He added that people must make all efforts to maintain that freedom.
A woman in her 60s said what is happening in Ukraine makes Estonian people even more united. She said the people gathering at the festival sympathize with Ukraine.
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