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President of the Republic at the closing of the 10th Youth Song and Dance Festival, 1 July 2007

01.07.2007

Dear young singers and dancers!
Orchestra members and musicians!
Festival organizers!
Conductors and instructors!
Song and dance teachers!
Parents and guests!

There are about a hundred thousand people here today.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and in the name of the Estonian people – you have made it possible for us all to come and feel what we have felt today.

Many thanks!

The songs and dances started to “work their magic” – this means they sweep us up and touch our soul – most powerfully, when this is joined by the joy of recognition and re-creation. The joy of recreational activity.
When it unites ancient traditions and the new and ambitious.

Just like today’s celebration – contemporary but with roots that are centuries old and inherent to us.

During these days, we all felt how the strength of song and dance powerfully affected us. In this, we can see the substance of our young people. We can see a reference to what kind of Estonia we will live in subsequent times.

The World Tree is what has kept our people here. And there is no doubt that the new generation, who will start to shape our life in this country, gets its support and strength from this same World Tree. This is how continuity develops and lasts.

I hope that for all of you, dear dancers and singers, joy will be higher than mountains and pain remains lower than grass.

Once we sang ourselves into a nation. Once we sang ourselves free. On these days, you singers and dancers have made us greater and more powerful with your songs, into something more vivacious and younger with your dances.

Take this feeling with you to your homes and schools. To your towns and villages. To your parishes and counties.
Like the song written for the 10th Song Festival says, “Hold the flag high!”.

Thank you again, our song and dance forces! Thank you to your teachers! Thank you for making a great effort and bringing us such a beautiful day, so that we can feel ourselves as Estonians.

Thank you!