By Taimi Maidla (edited by Ella Scott)
Photo credits to Mati Ellervee, Mai Bell, & Liisa Pobul
Over the long weekend, Virmalised (the Sydney-Estonian Folk Dancers) and Kooskõlas (the Australian-Estonian Choir) made their way to Canberra to spend Easter together at the National Folk Festival (NFF).

Virmalised have previously performed at the NFF but this year we were excited to be joined by Kooskõlas and to do three pop-up street performances in addition to a concert-style performance at the Piazza. The seemingly spontaneous pop-up performances seemed to be very much in tune with the atmosphere of the festival, with us making do with improvised “stages”, which were anywhere we could find shade on the 30 degree days.
To welcome visitors to the festival with a pop-up performance on Saturday morning, Kooskõlas sang classics such as “Kungla rahvas” and “Ilus oled, Isamaa!” beautifully. Virmalised danced “Tantsukingad” and “Kikkapuu” by before being joined by Kooskõlas for “Tule, aga Tule” and “Sirjelind/Kiigadi-kaagadi”.


Later in the day, we entertained an audience with a similar set at our concert in the Piazza and performed for passers by in another pop-up performance in the afternoon.
On Sunday, Kooskõlas were on at lunchtime in the Village Green, which was a beautiful spot among the trees. They sang 9 songs, including lovely renditions of “Koit”, “Mu isamaa on minu arm” and got the crowd going with “Puud ma laulan haljusesse”.

Just before sunset on Sunday, we joined forces one last time for a very interactive pop-up performance where we encouraged the audience to dance three dances with us: “Ristpulkade tants”, “Lapaduu” and “Ti ti tyy jenkka”. We were delighted to have many people join us, kids and adults alike.

It was a fantastically wholesome way to end the weekend, with lots of new connections made and many tales of Estonian links shared with everyone throughout the weekend. After a very full 2024 so far, both Virmalised and Kooskõlas are looking forward to a bit of a rest between performances and this was the perfect event to finish our busy summer season.
Ilusaid munadepühi kõigile! Happy Easter to everyone!





Want to join the folk dancers or choir?
Reach Kooskõlas (the Australian-Estonian Choir) on Facebook.
Virmalised practice every Monday night at Sydney Eesti Maja from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. You’re warmly invited to contact us and attend:
Gmail: sydney.virmalised@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneyvirmalised
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneyvirmalised/