Visitor Centre

The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds is a unique place—a symbol of a small nation, with its unmistakable song arch rising majestically, yet modestly. The sea in the background evokes freedom, a tailwind, and the spirit of moving forward. It is a special place from which many phenomena have originated, all reflecting unity and strength of spirit.

This is where the modern culture of Song Festivals began: for over ninety years, national song festivals have been held here. Traditions associated with the festivals have been firmly established: the procession, ceremonial speeches, the festival flame, and national costumes. Under today’s song arch, youth song festivals have been taking place every five years since 1962.

Song festivals have been part of our nation for long enough to become a natural element of our identity. It does not matter whether you participate as a singer, watch as a spectator, or follow the festival via video—the feeling is unmistakable. Singing together always unites people. It unites so strongly that it has even changed the course of history. This is where the Singing Revolution began. The Night Song Festivals of 1987 and 1988 gave a name to the non-violent period that led to the restoration of Estonia’s independence.

In the early years of the restored Republic of Estonia, concerts held at the Song Festival Grounds paved the way for large-scale events featuring internationally renowned stars. It was here, in 1996, that the first concert by an international solo artist in the Baltic states took place, when Bryan Adams performed. This was a true explosion of imagination—suddenly everything seemed possible—and the professional concert organization industry was born. Thanks to the courage and dedication of our entrepreneurs, some of the world’s biggest stars have performed right here at the Song Festival Grounds.

The Song Festival Grounds has also served as an exhibition venue, hosting a wide range of exhibitions, fairs, and other displays from the early days of the Republic of Estonia to the present. Each year, the seasons come alive here: spring, when visitors explore the awakening nature in the city park; summer, filled with music and lively atmosphere; autumn, perfect for walking along the golden linden alley; and winter, when the grounds are covered in snow and the hill is bustling with happy sledders.

Inspired by the events that took place at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds in the summer of 1988, this journey began to be called the Singing Revolution. However, the spiritual roots of this revival reach back more than 150 years to the culture of Song Festivals. Regardless of the political or global situation, singing has kept our nation united through the centuries. This exhibition intertwines the era of Estonia’s re-independence, the tradition of song, and the story of the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.