To Breathe As One at the Estonian Song Festival

As I prepare for my trip to Estonia, I was pleasantly surprised to read an Estonian World blog post today about a new film To Breathe As One by James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty, the makers of the 2007 documentary The Singing Revolution:

http://estonianworld.com/culture/to-breathe-as-one-a-new-film-shows-how-singing-keeps-estonia-together/

It turns out To Breathe As One was showing on my PBS channel tonight!  It will also be repeated on Saturday, June 28.  If you get a chance to see either one of these films, do so.  They are both excellent.

As an added knitting bonus in the film, I was pleased to see the featured Estonian TV Girls' Choir members wearing beautiful Haapsalu shawls as part of their costumes.

When I was in Tallinn last year, I visited the Song Festival Grounds on a quiet, rainy, introspective day.  The Estonian Song Festival takes place every 5 years.  When the 26th Estonian Song Festival (Laulupidu) takes place this year from July 4-6, the grounds will be very different looking.  In 2009, there were 34,000 performers and an audience of 200,000!

Can You Walk and Knit and Chew Gum at the Same Time?

When I was in Estonia in May 2013, I participated in the Käi ja Koo - a Walk & Knit Contest.  As it turned out, I was the first international participant.  The third annual Käi ja Koo recently took place in Estonia (May 2014) but, unfortunately, I could not participate; I was on the wrong side of the pond.  It turns out that the event kept its international flavor this year with the participation of a British gentleman, Luke from the UK.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.666465433423876.1073741832.155203241216767&type=1

I am happy to announce that the first American Walk & Knit Relay Challenge will be taking place this year on September 6, 2014, at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival in Jefferson, Wisconsin.  You can find details of the event and register to participate at the festival's website:

http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/fiberartsclasses/walkandknit.html

I hope you'll join in the fun!  Thanks to the Lossi Gild in Estonia for the inspiration and challenge to host our own Walk & Knit event.