The Song and Dance Celebration flame was lit in the park of the Estonian National Museum on Sunday morning. This marked the beginning of the flame's 18-day journey through the counties of Estonia. The flame will reach Tallinn on July 2nd.
The flame was lit by the artistic committee of the Song and Dance Celebration along with the leaders. The solemn event is commemorated by an oak tree planted in the park and a memorial stone. The ceremony featured performances by the Tartu Karlova School Children's Choir, the Tartu University Mixed Choir, the dance ensemble Soveldaja, Andre Maaker, and Margo Kõlar.
The flame will now move through Estonia. It will stop at places that are significant for local culture. The flame's journey will last two and a half weeks.
Margus Toomla, the director of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation, said that the flame's journey is the symbolic beginning of the Song and Dance Celebration. It unites all of Estonia. The flame brings the spirit of the celebration from Tallinn to everyone nearby.
The journey of the flame from Tartu to Tallinn is a tradition that began in 1969. Since 1990, it has been part of the Song and Dance Celebration tradition. The flame's journey is organized by the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation in cooperation with local governments and the ESTO organizing team.
On Sunday and Monday, the flame will move through Tartu County. All interested are welcome to watch the flame's journey.