Estonia’s beaches are famed for their wild beauty — and some hide a secret. Under the right conditions, the sand itself begins to “sing”, a mystery filmmaker Aare Baumer explores in his new documentary Seitse liiva (Seven Sands), premiering at the Matsalu Nature Film Festival.
The sands literally squeak or hum when touched, walked on, or shifted by the wind. What makes it enchanting is how pure and delicate the sound is. Each grain resonates with its neighbour, creating a natural chorus that scientists still don’t fully understand.
However, sand can have stage fright. Apparently, sand won’t sing just because you ask nicely. Aare Baumer found out the hard way. He has been chasing this strange natural phenomenon for three years.
For sand to sing, the surface temperature has to be above 26°C, the air humidity below 60 percent, and you need grains that are practically identical twins. Oh, and you have to stroke the sand at just the right speed — slower than 0.4 metres per second and you’ll get nothing but silence. Think of it as Estonia’s version of karaoke: the conditions need to be just so before anyone dares to belt out a tune.
A chill film without the word “chill”
Baumer originally set out to make a “chill” film, he told ERR. Then he realised Estonian doesn’t really have a word for “chill,” so he had to improvise. Instead of sunsets on repeat, he gave us seven beaches and a spider-meets-ant showdown on Nõva beach — the arthropod equivalent of a Tarantino scene, minus the soundtrack. Turns out the beach isn’t just for humans; it’s crawling with dramas if you crouch down low enough. It’s a whole other world down there.
Estonia’s secret symphonies
Estonia is home to several of these rare “singing” stretches. If you’re wondering where to try this for yourself, head for Lake Peipus (Peipsi). At Kauksi, Estonia’s longest sandy beach, each barefoot step can set off a faint melody, a blend of nature and music that lingers in memory long after you’ve left the shore — part concert, part science experiment.
Laulasmaa (“singing land”) hints at the same magic in its very name, though like any diva, the sand only performs when it feels like it. The same phenomenon has been recorded in deserts across the world, from China to California, but here in Estonia it has its own gentle Baltic charm.
Meet the man behind the camera
Aare Baumer is not your average filmmaker. He’s an inventor, science communicator, and collector of spider webs (yes, really). As head of science and development at the Energia Discovery Centre, he’s spent decades bringing science to the public, winning the Tiiu Silla Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts. He insists curiosity is what drives him — though he admits his heart races when audiences get his “meta-jokes” tucked into the science.
A film that listens closely
Seitse liiva isn’t just about sand, it’s about wonder — and listening closely to the world under your feet. For those lucky enough to be at the Matsalu festival, the film offers a new way to experience Estonia’s coast. For the rest of us, it’s an invitation: next time you’re by an Estonian beach, try sliding your hand across the sand. If the conditions are right, you might just hear it sing. How cool is that?!
Read more
err.ee article on Seven Sands and singing Estonian beaches
Seven Sands at the Matsalu Film Festival 2025
Finding Estonia post on singing sands
More on Aare Baumer (in Estonian).
Watch the movie teaser below.
