Tis sweet the taste of freedom (and cream sweet buns) and this Estonia Independence Day is poignant for our Baltic brethren.
With Russian tanks parked on their lawn.
As they were in 1919 and again during the Second World War and until 1991 when they raised their voices.
And sang a song of freedom.
The Estonians are rightly proud of their independence and how they achieved it through their Singing Revolution.
Singing behind the Iron Curtain
Music has long been a catalyst for citizens caught behind the Iron Curtain to express themselves.
From the John Lennon wall in Prague in then Czechoslovakia through the East German heavy metal scene to the aforementioned Singing Revolution.
And while the Russians had the Internationale the Estonians had their Gustav Ernesaks 1947 version.
Of the old Lydia Koidula poem Mu isamaa on minu arm (Land of My Fathers, Land That I Love).
Which became the centrepiece of the centenary celebrations of the Tallinn Laulupidu (The Estonian Song Festival).
When 100,000 Estonians defied Russian efforts to drown out their anthem in the Estonian capital.
Seeing it work then the good folk of Estonia lifted their voices again in the late-80s with some good old rock and six new songs that captured the imagination.
With artist Heinz Valk the ringleader.
Coining an article published a week in 1988 which sparked spontaneous mass evening singing demonstrations at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.
Pop goes the revolution
The song was carried on the wind to Estonia’s Second City Tartu.
With the traditional pop hits replaced by a completely different kind of music ‘Five patriotic songs’.
Political pop songs became the staple of Estonian artists between 1987 and 1991.
With American country music a favourite genre.
With the current President of Estonia, Alar Karis, doing his thang as a student in a band.
That he performed at student parties, the style of which was, of course, country.
Which all got past the censors before the rockers smashed through in 1988 to join the cacophony of sound.
I am Estonian
Now who couldn’t be stirred by these sentiments.
“I am Estonian and I will remain Estonian”
“I am Estonian and I will remain Estonian,
because I was created Estonian.
Being Estonian is brave and great
freely like my grandfather.”
All of which is being sung with gusto in the face of a brooding Russian bear next door.
As the Estonians look south to Ukraine with fear and dread and celebrated this Estonia Independence Day and gird themselves for whatever may come.
