Läbi Päeva ja Öö: Local song became Valguspidu theme
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Update #296
Riot of colour in choreographed mass movement with soaring choral voices
When 600 performers take over an arena, the crowd expects sheer volume: massed choirs with booming voices, and hundreds of dancers in synchronized motion. But KESKfEST’s Valguspidu (“Celebration of Light”) Saturday night began with a deliberate, atmospheric build.
The arena plunged into darkness, instantly silencing pre-show chatter. A spotlight cut through, framing Toronto-born mezzo-soprano Kristina Agur, whose powerful opera voice galvanized everyone’s attention. The energy then shifted as the opening bars of the spirited, uptempo “Kungla Rahvas” kicked in, flooding the floor with colour as mixed pairs and women’s folk dance collectives spilled onto the stage in full traditional dress as the choirs sang.
Then, the whirlwind of motion came to a coordinated halt and every dancer turned toward the stage, guiding the eyes of over 1000 spectators with them.
A New Global Estonian Anthem
There stood Leiki Kopvillem and Keila Kopvillem, with guitarist Aarne Tork. Without a grand introduction or backing track, the sisters raised their microphones and sang their late father’s anthemic “Läbi päeva ja öö” (Through Day and Night), the title of KESKfEST’s Valguspidu.
Written by Peeter Kopvillem — accomplished musician and Maclean’s senior editor who passed away ten years ago—“Läbi päeva ja öö” was chosen as the theme for Valguspidu because it serves as a powerful, unifying anthem that captures the shared and enduring connection to Estonia felt by the diaspora. Composed in the 1980s, the song quickly grew into a generational soundtrack for Estonians born abroad, reflecting the quiet yearning for Estonia inherited from parents and grandparents who never lost their ache for the homeland they left behind.
Constant motion on arena floor
The visual spectacle was brought to life by women’s and mixed pairs folkdance groups, as well as a special performance by children that was enthusiastically cheered on by adult dancers in the wings and the some thousand in the audience. Gymnasts’ precision had the audience spellbound, from the athletic "Believe" 3-ball routine performed by Sweden’s Malmöflickorna to the synchronized movements of dozens of local gymnasts. The arena floor was in constant, purposeful motion.
The mass choirs were conducted by the remarkable choral conductors who brought their choirs to Valguspidu and had the audience hushed in awe of their choral magic.
This massive creative expression was powered by the vision of artistic leads: Heli Jürgenson (choirs), Agne Kurrikoff-Herman (folk dance), and Janika Mölder (gymnastics).
Agne Kurrikoff-Herman (left), Heli Jürgenson (right) managing the performance
The heritage dance numbers were complemented by 4-member folk ensemble Ukulele—the same group that famously celebrated Estonia’s restored independence at Eesti Maja back in 1991. Seeing them perform again was a full-circle moment, a powerful reminder that we should never take our freedom for granted—not then, and certainly not now.
Stage design was by Viive Tork-Hiis and the spoken interludes were performed live by Ellen Valter (project lead of KESKUS, producer of Valguspidu and festival director of KESKfEST).
As the program drew to a close, Läbi päeva ja öö was performed again as the world premiere of the brand-new choral arrangement by Andres Lemba, a gift to KESKUS. As the 300-strong choir sang, the dancers on the stage began to move from their formation in the outline of the borders of Estonia into an ever tighter cluster and audibly hummed along to the choir, swaying in unison, tight like a swarm of bees. It was a reminder that together, we survive and thrive. There was not a dry eye in the house.
Our heritage is never lost to distance. KESKUS International Estonian Centre is the physical space where we make certain that, no matter where we live, we remain part of the same story, singing it together, and moving in unison, läbi päeva ja öö.
Performing collectives
Choirs: Baltimore-Washingtoni Eesti Segakoor, New Yorgi Eesti Segakoor, Belgia Eestlaste Segakoor BEENE, Stockholmi Eesti Segakoor, Seattle Eesti Koor, Euroopa Eestlaste Koor, Rootsi-Mihkli koguduse Segakoor, Estonia Koor, Toronto Ööbik, Toronto Eesti Meeskoor, Hamiltoni Eesti Seltsi Segakoor, Tulevikukoor, Mägi Ensemble, Rahvusooper Estonia Poistekoor, and Tallinna Kammerkoor.
Folkdance Groups: Jõgevahe pere, Tantsuansambel Sõprus, Tuuletütred, Helsingi Helmed, Nou Pois Äläud, Brüsseli Pöörised, Iiris, Laiali, Kungla Murueide tütred, Oslo Viikingid, ÜmbERRingi, Tallinna Tantsuakadeemia, Kärts Magneesium, TERR Kungla, Tulehoidjad, Ülelahedad, Euroviisud, Virvel, and Hamburgi Pääsuke
Gymnastics Groups: Malmöflickorna, Glimmer Athletic Club, Ritmika, and Kalev Estienne.
Valguspidu was produced by Ellen Valter for Estonian Arts Centre.
To view photo galleries from Valguspidu, more KESKfEST recaps and follow updates as we approach the opening of KESKUS International Estonian Centre, visit estoniancentre.ca and subscribe to the newsletter.
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