Russian choirs and children’s groups performed as separate groups for the first time. Only half the songs were by Estonian authors: the festival organisers managed to include some national songs among the unavoidable praise of Soviet patriotism.

HONORARY CONDUCTORS:

Mihkel Lüdig, Juhan Simm.

CHIEF CONDUCTORS:

Gustav Ernesaks (joint, mixed and male choirs), Jüri Variste (joint, mixed and male choirs), Ants Kiilaspea (mixed choirs), Harald Uibo (male choirs), Richard Ritsing (female choirs), Aado Velmet (female choirs), Karl Leinus (children’s choirs), Aksel Pajupuu (children’s choirs), Jaan Kääramees (brass orchestras), Voldemar Lemmik (brass orchestras), Serafim Milovski (Russian choirs), Vyacheslav Tyumin (solders’ choir), Georgi Kolyskin (marines’ choir).

893 choirs and orchestras with 30,321 singers and musicians took part in the festival, and almost a quarter of Estonia’s population was in the audience.