Song "Ärkamise aeg" (Time of Awakening) was written in 1983, during the peak of the stagnation of the Soviet Union, just before the first signs of the actual end of the USSR. Words had to be carefully chosen to ensure that the song would be approved by the Soviet authorities. On that time even mentioning "Estonia" or "Estonians" was considered inappropriate and could have been enough not allowing this song. Composer and author René Eespere accomplished this task beautifully. Soviet censor was dumb or blind enough (also maybe something got lost in translation to Russian language) not to see the meaning of the words in the way as Estonians do. The conductor for the first public performance of the song in 1983 was the same Anu Üleoja as in this video.
I cannot wait to experience Laululipu in 2024 when I will hopefully be living in Eesti as the company I love and am a part of is based in Tallinn. I adore Estonia....!
I remember 1992, - I was only 10 years old back then, and even though I had no clue of meaning of the lyrics - I knew them to the level of being able to sing it in my sleep. I had to. You see - our choir (of town Mažeikiai in Lithuania) came to visit and perform in Paide. It was only a little stage right next to the SA Ajakeskus Wittenstein castle, but for us - kids it was a huge thing. Warm atmosphere - hot beetroot soup from aluminium canisters and black bread, family-like hospitality of Estonian people. We sang quite a few songs in Lithuanian, but we had a surprise in the pocket too... "Meri siin Seisma jäi, Keegi peatas ta,..." ...and I remember how suddenly the audience froze. Those who were sitting stood up and I watched their surprised faces while they were doing it. By the time we came to "Eestimaa, Eestimaa..." I did not see a single person who would not be standing and singing with us. These are the moments, I choose to never forget. P. S. Today I know the meaning of the lyrics, and it made me feel twice as proud for singing it back then.
English translation by Karl Karlov Here the wide sea waves ceased, something stayed their hand, Shore o 'er sea vict'ry won, from the shoreline - land: Land that's low, golden glow, rock-strewn glades, soil to grow, Cloudy skies, wind that sighs, filled with hope. By and by, sparkling eye, our grandparents meet, Make a home, till the loam, many children greet. There was joy, tears and stress, laughter wide, happiness, There was toil, hardship's press, in this land. Eestimaa*, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are, Close to my soul you shall ever be. Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are, You are within my heart so deep. Came with fire, came with sword, came an alien man, Anguish brought; suffering wrought, foreign bread in hand. Fathers fell. Mothers too. Children died, not a few, Pain that sears, anguished tears soaked this land. Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are, Close to my soul you shall ever be. Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are, You are within my heart so deep. Mothertongue, songs long sung, I'll guard in this land, It's still theirs, my forebears', forest, field and strand: Land that's low, golden glow, rock-strewn glades, soil to grow, Cloudy skies, wind that sighs, filled with hope. Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are, Close to my soul you shall ever be. Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are, You are within my heart so deep. You are within my heart so deep! (*Eestimaa is a combination of the Estonian words fo ,"Estonia" and "land", and is a usual term for the the country of Estonia.)
Song "Ärkamise aeg" (Time of Awakening) was written in 1983, during the peak of the stagnation of the Soviet Union, just before the first signs of the actual end of the USSR. Words had to be carefully chosen to ensure that the song would be approved by the Soviet authorities. On that time even mentioning "Estonia" or "Estonians" was considered inappropriate and could have been enough not allowing this song. Composer and author René Eespere accomplished this task beautifully. Soviet censor was dumb or blind enough (also maybe something got lost in translation to Russian language) not to see the meaning of the words in the way as Estonians do. The conductor for the first public performance of the song in 1983 was the same Anu Üleoja as in this video.
Beautiful happy people. God bless Estonians.
I cannot wait to experience Laululipu in 2024 when I will hopefully be living in Eesti as the company I love and am a part of is based in Tallinn. I adore Estonia....!
there’s Laulupidu in 2023 too!!
I sang in 2019 and I will sing in 2023 too!
there is no laulupidu in 2024, but in 2025
Elagu Eesti! 💙
This is the most touching song ever! I love Estonia
Elagu Eesti🇪🇪
Elagu Eesti!❤
God bless Estonia! Quite beautiful.
Laulupidu on see koht kus ka kõige kõvemal Eesti talupojal silm märjaks läheb!
See on nii ilus
I remember 1992, - I was only 10 years old back then, and even though I had no clue of meaning of the lyrics - I knew them to the level of being able to sing it in my sleep. I had to. You see - our choir (of town Mažeikiai in Lithuania) came to visit and perform in Paide.
It was only a little stage right next to the SA Ajakeskus Wittenstein castle, but for us - kids it was a huge thing.
Warm atmosphere - hot beetroot soup from aluminium canisters and black bread, family-like hospitality of Estonian people.
We sang quite a few songs in Lithuanian, but we had a surprise in the pocket too...
"Meri siin
Seisma jäi,
Keegi peatas ta,..."
...and I remember how suddenly the audience froze. Those who were sitting stood up and I watched their surprised faces while they were doing it.
By the time we came to "Eestimaa, Eestimaa..." I did not see a single person who would not be standing and singing with us.
These are the moments, I choose to never forget.
P. S. Today I know the meaning of the lyrics, and it made me feel twice as proud for singing it back then.
Tere tulemast, meie Eesti on vaba. Nasa Estonia svoboda.
❤️
❤🇪🇪
!EESTI!!!
English translation by Karl Karlov
Here the wide sea waves ceased, something stayed their hand,
Shore o 'er sea vict'ry won, from the shoreline - land:
Land that's low, golden glow, rock-strewn glades, soil to grow,
Cloudy skies, wind that sighs, filled with hope.
By and by, sparkling eye, our grandparents meet,
Make a home, till the loam, many children greet.
There was joy, tears and stress, laughter wide, happiness,
There was toil, hardship's press, in this land.
Eestimaa*, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are,
Close to my soul you shall ever be.
Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are,
You are within my heart so deep.
Came with fire, came with sword, came an alien man,
Anguish brought; suffering wrought, foreign bread in hand.
Fathers fell. Mothers too. Children died, not a few,
Pain that sears, anguished tears soaked this land.
Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are,
Close to my soul you shall ever be.
Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are,
You are within my heart so deep.
Mothertongue, songs long sung, I'll guard in this land,
It's still theirs, my forebears', forest, field and strand:
Land that's low, golden glow, rock-strewn glades, soil to grow,
Cloudy skies, wind that sighs, filled with hope.
Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are,
Close to my soul you shall ever be.
Eestimaa, Eestimaa, homeland of mine you are,
You are within my heart so deep.
You are within my heart so deep!
(*Eestimaa is a combination of the Estonian words fo ,"Estonia" and "land", and is a
usual term for the the country of Estonia.)
1:33 Režissöör poleks saanud paremat kaadrit paluda ka siis, kui ta oleks selle eest maksnud.
Mis dirigent nimi on?
:) :)