Address of the President of the Republic at the XXVIII Song and Dance Celebrations ‘Kinship’: We can’t stop looking out for one another

Singers, dancers, spectators,

People of Estonia,

Isn’t it wonderful for us all to be together? And isn’t it wonderful to feel our country so united and cared for by one another?

This is the true Estonia. We see it in the Song and Dance Celebrations, from the rehearsals held in schools and community halls to today’s festivities: Estonia is alive and well.

This true Estonia is one in which everyone can be themselves, unique but connected in kinship, open to and supportive of others.

This true Estonia is one which tends to get lost – in the worst cases even forgotten – in the daily grind. We overlook the fact that there are real people besides us, with all their joys and sorrows, their desire to belong and to be heard, their willingness to give and to receive, their need to care for and be cared for by others.

This true Estonia culminates in these days right here at the Song Festival Grounds in Tallinn.

The Estonian spirit never has and never will reside online or in smart devices, but in direct contact with others. Yes, all things digital are important, too, but what’s more important is to find a human counterbalance.

Estonia is born and stands in our desire to share the memories we all have, our skills, experiences and impressions, our culture and our values, and in our desire to receive them, to be open to others.

Only talking to one another and genuinely caring about others will keep us whole, ensure our nation endures, preserve that true Estonia.

Fellow citizens,

Back in 1918, Mart Saar asked, by way of one of our ancient folk songs: “What are these reins that hold us? What are these ropes that bind us?” He asked this at a time when we had been liberated from a foreign power and from a foreign mentality. It was a time filled with hopes and dreams, as well as elation at the fact of our statehood.

We need eyes that shine that brightly today. We need the courage to dream. Only then will Estonia stand on the threshold of a hope-filled future.

Only for as long as we dare and desire to sing our own song – one which touches our very souls – will we be the holders of those reins and the binders of those ropes.

Our own song is born from our nation, the culture we all share, the values we want to carry with us. But do we really want to? Are we capable of remaining united?

We must. We can’t stop looking out for one another. We can’t stop passing on the wisdom and culture of our forefathers, which brought us to where we are today. We can’t let go of the leelo we have inside us. We must be the holders of those reins and the binders of those ropes.

Our leelo must last forever!

Long live Estonia!