09.06

Cyrillus Kreek's Days: Song Festival of Estonian Swedes

11 a.m. Service in Haapsalu Dome Church

12 noon Song Festival Parade to the Stronghold Yard

1 p.m. Song Festival

The events of Cyrillus Kreek's days take us 80 years back and attempt to reconstruct a significant cultural event of Estonian Swedes – their First Song Festival. All singers of Estonian-Swedish origin, high school students studying Swedish and participants outside Estonia are welcome to take part in the Song Festival. The framework of the second Song Festival of Estonian Swedes is based on that of the first one: the start of the festivities in the morning is heralded by trumpets and followed by the service in the church, parade through Haapsalu town and festive concert and dancing in the stronghold yard. Festival participants will witness the landing of an Estonian ancient two-masted schooner Hoppet, the only known surviving sailer constructed before the 2nd World War and built in Spitham, Läänemaa county, in 1925-1926. The initiator of the ship's revival is the Wooden Ship Society Vikan, whose aim is to research and present the rich maritime culture heritage of Estonia. After sailing the Baltic Sea for 2 days and stopping in Stockholm's harbour to be visited by the public, the vessel is now open for festival participants to have a look and enjoy pleasure trips on the Haapsalu bay.

The Song Festival takes place in cooperation with the Culture Council of Estonian Swedes and Rannarootsi museum.