The Singing Revolution
Posted by michellemoquin on May 3, 2008
I tuned in to the radio yesterday when I came upon this inspiring conversation about a revolution. Not a revolution brought upon by hatred or revenge; a revolution inspired by hope, and expressed through music - now that to me is a revolution in itself! Whatever happened to the simple feelings of hope and acting peacefully in order to obtain freedom?
What role can singing play when a nation is faced with annihilation by its neighbors?
For Estonia, a small country in the Soviet Union flanked by the Baltic Sea on one side and Russia on the other, singing played a major role in their freedom. Between 1987 and 1991, the Estonians chose song as their weapon of choice, when it came to freeing themselves from decades of Soviet occupation.
So recent and yet I had never heard of this. Readers: Have you?
Can culture save a nation? Apparently it did. Do you remember the scene in ‘Casablanca’ where all of the French patrons are singing ‘La Marseillaise’ in defiance of the Germans? Well multiply that scene by the thousands. During this time period hundreds of thousands of people gathered in public to sing forbidden patriotic songs rallying for independence. In the end they regained their freedom and helped defeat an empire along the way.
“The young people without any political party, and without any politicians, just came together…not only tens of thousands but hundreds of thousands…to gather and to sing and to give this nation a new spirit,”
Mart Laar, a Singing Revolution Leader
Let me start from the beginning….
In short, Estonia has been tossed back and forth between being occupied by the Soviet Union in 1939, then by the Nazis, and then back to the Soviets again, while living through decades of terror. By the end of World War II twenty five percent of the Estonians had either been deported to Siberia, had been executed, or had fled their country. It has been told that during those years, music played a crucial part in their survival and struggle for freedom - which led to their successful independence known as “The Singing Revolution”. Since then the country has flourished with one of the fastest growing economies in the world!
This story has been somewhat of a secret; a story that has not been told outside of Estonia… until now. In 1999 James Tusty, who is Estonian decent, and his co-producer wife Maureen, decided it was time the rest of the world knew of the amazing events that happened in Estonia. Their documentary film, “The Singing Revolution”, that took four years to make, is now finally in the theaters. For more information about the movie and where it is playing go to “The Singing Revolution” website.
I am always inspired by people who choose peaceful ways to create what they desire. Do you think we can learn something from the Estonians? I have yet to see this exciting and inspiring film, but I am anxious to….hmmm…maybe this weekend. If any of you have seen this movie I would love to hear your thoughts. Blog me.
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Hi ZL: So sorry that I didnt post this earlier - wish I had known . I hope your MIL is doing better.
Hey Al: Wow…Our health care system has not been good to you. Unfortunately and sadly, I bet your situations are pretty common. It is shocking to say the least. Thankfully I have never really had to be hospitalized - cross my fingers, I will not have to EVER.
Have a beautiful day everyone!
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle ♥
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May 3, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Hi Michelle and everyone else: I thought that was a very interesting video clip and story. I had requested that it be shown in my locale. I don’t think it will show around here, it is my opinion that the general, local audience could care less about anything that happened in Estonia.
Going to theaters is not within my means anyway, but I will pirate that flic as soon as it becomes available on DVD, so that I can see it.
My grandparents on both sides come from around that region and immigrated here after WWI . As little as I can remember of my grandmother, she dressed very much like the women in the video, with her little babushka kerchiefs and long pale dresses.
Reminded me a little, of the protests of the war in Vietnam. I just missed going there, as I was a little to young (my oldest brother is a vet). What a waste of life, money and time that turned out to be. War in general is such a waste, you would think that we might have learned something in the last 10,000 years. It is very profitable for some, and that is why there are wars. Somebody wants what somebody else has, or wants somebody else to be just like them.
Oh, and I haven’t had it any worse than any others who depend on the Public Health Trust here. The system is a farce, it is overstaffed and under funded, with way to many people who’s health depends on it. A lot of the PHT’s problems are because many of the workers just do not care, and will not do their jobs.
I only have a harder time in qualifying for these services than most do. But as limited and as incompetently run as it is, I wouldn’t be here without it. I am very grateful that I can have any health care available to me at all. It is just very frustrating trying to get help from this backward system.
I had asked God to grant me patience and tolerance, and I ended up with the PHT system. It is perfect for developing these traits. I wouldn’t think of requesting wealth.
Al
May 4, 2008 at 8:31 am
Back again.
Hi Michelle: What’s happening? If you don’t mind me asking, I am very curious as to how those interviews and critiques are coming along.
You must have been so busy since Thursday night, with all those interviews to review and selling your home as well, where do you find the time and energy? Oh yeah, and you also maintain your blog.
Commander Michelle, nice ring to it. I am in agreement with ZL’s assessment of your girlz intellect. Superior it may be, but worthless if not tempered with wisdom (just the rant of an inferior white human male moronic idiot).
I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, rather complimenting you, as I believe that you will teach these women whatever it is that seem to have lost while gaining these intellects, my guess would be that they have lost all humility.
Michelle please tell me what your thoughts are, have I crossed a line? I also feel that Madeline owes me an apology, imagine that.
Al