THE SINGING REVOLUTION - THE FILM AND THE MOVEMENT

Suffering repeatedly from the events of the last century—from multiple invasions to unconditional occupations—the Republic of Estonia is a country, quite literally, saved by a song.

“The Singing Revolution” the film chronicles the Singing Revolution movement as both history lesson and cautionary tale. At first glance the story of an extraordinary set of circumstances, “The Singing Revolution” also stands as an intimate portrayal of people—ordinary, every-day people who refused to believe that freedom was out of their reach.

A glance back to the 20th century offers up a European history dominated by mass conflict and confrontation: World Wars I and II, the division of Germany, the Iron Curtain, the Cold War, Soviet subjugation of Hungarian and Czechoslovakian independence movements,—Europe and the western world today were shaped by these events and more, shaped by the actions of (and reactions to) leaders for whom individual freedom was an unusable conceit and self-determination a political obstacle.

All countries that resisted brutal defeat in the face of extreme military might have dynamically charged and inspirational stories to share. What sets the tiny Republic of Estonia apart is that their story ends without bloodshed, but with a song.

When James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty first heard the stories and memories which would ultimately make up their film, “The Singing Revolution”, they were caught up not in a history lesson, but in the retelling of current events. For the Estonian people, the Singing Revolution was borne of their suffering and shaped by their commitment to be masters of their own lives.

To be an Estonian today is to have been a member of the Singing Revolution yesterday.

For Hagi Shein (Estonian TV Journalist 1967-97) the Singing Revolution was defined by the Estonian culture.

“Our tools to resist and fight were just, and the values enshrined in our culture,” explained Shein. “The will of the people worked out. In fact it was a miracle. But the protagonist was pushed to the edge, and while the antagonist appeared to be weak, we still made it happen.

“A Nation should be always ready to fight for its freedom, even if you have to wait for the right time and the right chance over decades and generations.”

Mart Laar, Independence Activist and Estonia’s first post-Soviet prime minister, defines Estonia pre-and post Singing Revolution.

“After the Singing Revolution, Estonia was not the same country,” declares Laar, whose Heritage Society was instrumental in leading Estonia to freedom. “We created our nation through song festivals in the 19th century, so it was logical to do it again with songs in 1988. It woke up our people from decades of nightmares under Soviet occupation, liberated our souls and encouraged us to stand together against the violence. It created grounds for the restoration of Estonian independence.”

“After this experience, the Estonian people know they can really stand and fight together. This experience was unique and changed the attitudes of many people. The Singing Revolution was one of the first really important steps towards the breakup of the Soviet Union, the evil empire. The Estonian experience was followed by other captive nations. Through this, the Singing Revolution did not only change the future of Estonia, but of the entire world.”

For Ellen Liigus, a Singing Revolution participant who was just a young teen at the time, the film gave context and perspective to her memories of individual events.

“Memories of the period started for me when I was just 14 years old,” explained Liigus. “Compared to Jim and Maureen’s knowledge about the events it seemed that I only had feeling and memories of individual events which had no connection with each other. Therefore, although knowing that the events were monumental, and understanding the importance of the outcome, for me it basically consisted of exciting events that were part of growing up.”

“Until the interview (for the film) I had had no need to analyze my own feelings or acts during the Singing Revolution. Being a part of the film made me think about the events more deeply, live through the time again, and actually made me realize as a grown-up the importance of the events and how fortunate I was to participate in the night song-festivals, the Baltic Chain and the various gatherings in Tallinn and outside.”

“I think it is difficult to underestimate the importance of the Singing Revolution – a chain of actions that led to the freedom of a nation. I guess I most remember the great feeling of being united in hope.”

Trivimi Velliste, Independence Activist and Heritage Society Leader whose spontaneous speech at a Popular Front rally in 1988 ignited the nation, states simply, “Perhaps the most important thing is to understand that freedom can never be taken for granted. We have to struggle for it every day – or else, it will be gone, just as we cannot take clean air or fresh water for granted.
“This film gives an idea about the dignity of a small captive nation which was able to successfully fight for its freedom without shedding a drop of blood – a strategy that is not so common either in history or in the modern world.”
The outcome of the Singing Revolution is just as extraordinary as the event itself. While Estonians have led their country to be a top economic power on the global market (a member of the EU, Estonia is currently ranked ‘high income’ by the World Bank, and their strong IT sector has accounted for a remarkably low un-employment rate), the effects of Soviet occupation have not simply faded away.

The act of “Russification”, a Soviet practice of relocation hundreds of thousands of Russian migrants to occupied countries, brought nearly 500,000 immigrants to Estonia. These Russian/Estonians are part of what some call “Stalin’s enduring legacy” and for others, they have their own thoughts about this country they feel they “saved” from Nazi Germany who had invaded Estonia in WWII.

In truth, the Soviet armies entered Estonia’s capitol city after the Nazi’s had already left, falsely “saving” the country from occupiers who were already gone. Still, it is the very freedoms Estonians fought for in the Singing Revolution that allow for all, including Russian/Estonians, to have their say.

Is there a lesson then, in this story, for world governments today? Estonians think so.

“Idealistically it shows to the world that if your nations’ mind is strong you can win big power without killing each other,” declares Artur Talvik, Singing Revolution participant and Estonian filmmaker.

“Maybe the world will start to understand better what the real taste of freedom is. Maybe they will start to understand that the evil is still not killed and can easily return.”

“Freedom is such a unique thing,” added Ellen Liigus, “and although different societies perceive the nature of freedom differently there is a constant need for it. If a smallest possibility arises people will want to reach for it.”

Perhaps Trivimi Velliste said it best. “I was actively participating in the crucial events leading to Estonia regaining her freedom and independence. I felt it was my obligation to tell the story to the world.

“I hoped my explanation will help people to understand what happened to Estonia in the course of World War II, in order to avoid repetition of history in the future.”

www.singingrevolution.com