I agree that the event was well organized. I particularly liked the "kava" given at the entry. The songbook idea was a good one!

What bothered me was the poor Estonian used at the "aktus". Surely, if you are asked to speak or MC an event, you would practice what you are going to say. I realize that we need to give our young people an opportunity to participate and learn, but it was embarassing for me to listen to the MC reading - perhaps for the first time - the introductions for the speakers. Practice and practice some more - have an older estonian listen to your pronunciation!

I shall not pick on just the young - there were older speakers who made grammatical errors as well. It seems the conjugations of plurals gives people trouble. If, however, the middle aged can't speak Estonian well, how can we ask better of the younger ones?

The food was especially well organized! Congrats! and the bonfire excellent.

It was nice to see that the Seedrioru management has done some cleaning - the rotting tent trailers were gone!

All in all, well done!

Peter Bush' declaration that he avoids the aktus because of mosquitoes and the hot sun is ignorance and arrogance combined. On of the reasons for holding Suvihari is to commemorate Võidupha and to honour those fallen in the fight for Estonian freedom. Of course the party spirit of Suvihari is what attracts most people, but to be "holier than thou" towards the aktus betrays an immature and junevile intolerance of what Võidupüha/Jaanituli are all about.

I didn't get Peter's point about the camp being held a week earlier, and it's coinciding with mass deportations. Sounds like the Song Festival is the catalyst for a lot of problems within our community this year. Fortunately, I hear that all the Estonian choirs in Estonia had to undergo a rigorous audition. Many didn't get chosen. From the tidbits of info I have heard within the community, our choir didn't need to audition. Probably a good thing for us, knowing the standard of Estonian choirs. In any case I'll be cheering for you, Canada!

Heli also visited each choir on their regular rehersal night just to get more aquainted with us and on the final day was actually moved to tears during "mesipuu" that all of our choir's collective committment and desire to be part of Laulupidu in Tallinn was so great. We have worked hard and should not be percieved to be undeserving. Why would anyone automatically assume that every single choir in Estonia is better than our choirs here??

agreed that there are hundreds of professional and amazing choirs in Estonia that form the majority of the 800+ choirs participating at Laulupidu. No one is suggesting that our current Ontario Estonian choirs are at that "tipp" level,(but we have the individual talents here to form such an elite choir if we wanted to). It is also those choirs that visit us here, and somehow we have this inferiority complex that we may not measure up. However, not to be so naive...rest assured there are plenty of struggling, small choirs in areas of Estonia who face the challenges of a local talent coming together part time with the sole purpose to participate in Laulupidu. I would challenge that our choirs would be at par with many of those...or maybe even better! The important thing is we try and we want to be part of Laulupidu. Stop criticizing those that have dedicated themselves to this.

Vaata kui tore et mõni eesti mees saab aru kui vahvad ja töökad eesti naised on. Rutt - oli tore kuulda et jalad viivad sind ikka mäest ülesse. Või on see Hiigel Basaari tren?