XII Youth Song and Dance Festival themes and artistic directors announced
The XII Youth Song and Dance Festival in 2017 will be directed by Heli Jürgenson and Margus Toomla. The themes around which the programs will revolve are "Young Roots" and "Dawn and Dusk."
The "Young Roots" concept was designed for the song festival by composer Rasmus Puur and actor Veiko Tubin. It was chosen from four entries by an expert committee. The themes were expected to address the core values of the song and dance celebration tradition - patriotism, Estonian language, heritage, respect for fellow people, and generational cohesion.
Head of the selection committee, Mikk Üleoja, said that the chosen theme aims to include many young conductors into the creative process behind the song celebration. "The repertoire of the chosen conceptual design serves to highlight that all our cultural heroes were once young and accomplished great things already at an early age. The authors of the winning theme clearly declare that many young people wish to live in Estonia and contribute to our society and culture," he added.
The "Dawn and Dusk" theme for the dance celebration was chosen from 10 entries and was designed by folklorist Marju Kõivupuu, the artistic director of the program Margus Toomla, Ministry of Culture's PR head Meelis Kompus, singer-songwriter Maian Kärmas, and composer Rasmus Puur.
The XII Youth Song and Dance Celebration will take place from June 30 to July 2, 2017, in Tallinn.
Editor: M. Oll