The XXI Nationwide Song Festival took place in a completely different atmosphere. Once again, people could sing the songs that had been banned for them before. This was also the festival of “homecoming” for Estonian refugees. The festival started with a week-long ceremonial journey of the song festival fire from Tartu to Tallinn, led by the Estonian Men’s Choral Society.

HONORARY CONDUCTORS:

Gustav Ernesaks, Richard Ritsing and Roman Toi.

CHIEF CONDUCTORS:

Ants Üleoja (joint choirs, mixed choirs), Olev Oja (joint choirs, mixed choirs, boys’ and male choirs), Vaike Uibopuu (joint choirs), Kuno Areng (joint choirs, mixed choirs, boys’ and male choirs, female and male choirs), Ants Sööt (joint choirs, female and male choirs, female choirs), Alo Ritsing (joint choirs, mixed choirs, boys’ and male choirs), Venno Laul (joint choirs, boys’ and male choirs, boys’ choirs), Lennart Jõela (joint choirs, children’s choirs), Roman Toi (mixed choirs, boys’ and male choirs), Ene-Jutta Üleoja (mixed choirs), Jüri Rent (female and male choirs), Vaike Uibopuu (female and male choirs, female choirs), Silvia Mellik (female and male choirs, female choirs), Uno Uiga (boys’ choirs), Uno Järvela (children’s choirs), Priit Raik (brass orchestras), Leho Muldre (brass orchestras), Vello Loogna (brass orchestras), Taavo Virkhaus (brass orchestras), Heldur Saade (brass orchestras).

690 choirs and orchestras with 28,922 singers-musicians took part in the festival.