EstoFest 2010
An Afternoon of Estonian Folk Dance, Art, and a
Special Screening of the Film The Singing Revolution (2006)
Saturday, October 9 | 2 – 5PM
Chelmsford Center for the Arts (CCA)
1A North Road, Chelmsford
Free admssion (donations appreciated)
The Boston Estonian Society and the Chelmsford Center for the Arts have put together an amazing afternoon celebrating Estonian culture through a live folk dance performance and the local premiere of the powerful 2006 documentary The Singing Revolution. As a bonus, a guest visit and Q&A with the filmmaker James Trusty will follow the screening. While the event is FREE, seating is limited and the organizers are expecting a good turnout, so drop an email to CCAatTownHall@gmail.com to guarantee a seat. Located in Chelmsford’s beautiful Old Town Hall (the site opened in November 2007), the CCA is on a mission to host more film events, adding to the town’s popular monthly film showings at the Chelmsford Public Library. We’re of course in great favor of more film in the Merrimack Valley so we’re dedicated to spreading the word!
For the past few years, The Singing Revolution has screened around the world, premiering at indie theaters, film festivals, government settings, libraries, museums, and many more public spaces. The film captures the inspiring, incredible story of how massive protests (between 1987-1991) with hundreds of thousands of Estonians singing in unity helped the tiny country gain independence from the oppressive Soviet Union. These were, quite literally, revolutionary protests — peaceful and patriotic uprisings of the “cultural sort” — which makes the story even more extraordinary and emotional. Per the film’s informative Facebook page, “it was through the singing of this anthem, by tens of thousands of Estonians at a time, that national defiance was born and nurtured. From this defiance a cluster of protest groups emerged. And from these organizations came a movement demanding and finally, against all odds — the Soviet empire! — achieving glorious independence.”
One look at the film’s trailer and you’ll simply NEED to learn more.
Fortunately, the film is about to get greater exposure through broadcasts on PBS stations in 2011, which happens to be the 20th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
If you make it to the Chelmsford Center for the Arts this weekend, be sure to show your appreciation for what they’re doing by passing along a donation. Your support will encourage and allow them to keep bringing these great events to us all!
– Explore and enjoy –
The Singing Revolution: SingingRevolution.com
Chelmsford Center for the Arts: ChelmsfordCenterfortheArts.org
lowellfilmcollaborativema.org 