Understanding Estonia: Singing Revolution
Discovering a country it is not only travelling around and enjoying the landscape. It is also understanding the culture, learning (at least trying to) the language, and above all knowing the history of a country as it is the basis of people's behaviour, hates, hopes, beliefs...
The Singing Revolution on DVD
I had already heard of the Singing Revolution, or Laulev Revolutsioon in Estonian, the first time I came to Estonia in 2005 but it came back recently as a documentary-movie was released about it. I was hanging around in Stockman and I saw on the top sales this DVD. I decided to buy it since I wanted to know more about this period which led to the independence of
The Singing Revolution or Laulev Revolutsioon in Estonian is the name given to the events between 1986 and 1991 leading to the independence of
It is also the name of the DVD of the movie realised by James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty about this non-violent revolution during which Estonians gathered and fought to free themselves from the soviet yoke. Thanks to interviews and archives images the movies gives a thorough overview of the events between 1986 and 1991 leading to the independence without any drop of blood.
A live history lesson
A DVD to be broadcasted in all Estonians schools so that people won’t forget their past and keep respecting values people would have given their lives for. For all the others, it is a must-see movie-documentary to get to know better this little country and its unique history. The way Estonians obtained their independence by singing tells a lot about this all times oppressed but peaceful people. On top of that the Estonian songs are full of emotions and very powerful, giving you goose bumps and for the most sensitive probably some teardrops…
The official website of the movie http://singingrevolution.com/will tell you more aboutthe history, the music and obviously the trailer of film.
The next Laulupidu will tale place next year in July. More information on http://www.laulupidu.ee/
As an appetizer, here is the most beautiful of the Estonian songs featured in the movie:
on 05-08-2008 By bouffioux - Discovering Estonia
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I saw the movie in Los Angeles - twice! The best compliment ANY movie can possibly receive came from my mother-in-law who had no idea or interest where Estonia is: she watched The Singing Revolution without falling asleep (that's a first for her, I swear! She ALWAYS falls asleep within the first 5 min of ANY movie and doesn't wake up until the end titles, and then states "I didn't like it"...)! She actually said "That was very interesting" and even asked questions about my travels there (another first!)!!! All this from a woman who usually only cares about what's the latest trend in handbags, and who couldn't stay awake for "Armageddon", "Sex and the City" or anything else loud, funny or educational
So yes, in my (and my mum-in-law's) opinion The Singing Revolution is a deeply inspiring and fascinating movie. It doesn't promote hatred or separatism, it just tells the story that almost no one knows, as it was covered up by the Soviets for 50+ years. It would be important especially for the Russians to see THE OTHER SIDE of the story, one that was never taught to them at school, one that Putin and his comrades are still working hard on denying. And all the freedom-fighters in Spain, Northen Ireland and elsewhere - they too should watch this movie to learn that there is another way!