President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of ESTO 2025 in Stockholm

Hussar’s welcome address will be carried by the awareness that Estonianism will not end. “The Estonian Centre is being built in Toronto, and in Estonia, ESTO will also be held in Tallinn and Narva. We will sing and dance, we will do it here today, and in a week’s time, we will do it in Tallinn at a big festival, because this is our language, our way and our strength,” Hussar pointed out. He added that the ship of Estonia was sailing across a stormy sea, but its home port – Estonia – was always waiting for it. Forever. The Estonian spirit is alive. ESTO is alive. Estonia is alive.

“For decades, ESTO has brought Estonians from all over the world together. ESTO demonstrates our people’s strong sense of togetherness and their will to preserve our national identity and rich cultural heritage,” Hussar said.

ESTO 2025 will be opened with an opening concert, which this time is entitled “Windows of Time”. In addition to folk dancers and choirs, professional musicians and gymnasts will also be taking part. In total, there will be around 400 choir singers, 200 folk dancers and gymnasts on stage. Estonian choirs from Australia, Canada and the USA, who are on their way to the Song Festival, are also expected to participate.

The Global Estonian Cultural Days “As One – Üheskoos” will take place in Stockholm, Narva and Tallinn from 25 June to 3 July. ESTO 2025 will begin with a song and dance festival in Stockholm on 26 June, will then continue with the concert “ESTO Song Festival” in Narva culminate in Tallinn with the 28th Song and 21st Dance Celebration “Iseoma” (“Kinship”).

The Global Estonian Cultural Days or ESTO is a festival where Estonians from around the world come together to celebrate. The first ESTO was held in 1972. In the beginning, the main purpose of ESTO was the fight for freedom, but since Estonia regained its independence, the focus has been on reunion.

Photos (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Please note that photos will be uploaded with a delay during the event.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of ESTO 2025 in Stockholm

Source: Parliament of Estonia