A new day, a new city and country. Right on cue we set out on a city tour. First stop was to see the amphitheater where the singing revolution occurs. The singing festival began in 1869 and continues to today. Estonia, same as its companion countries Lithuania and Latvia, have a very similar history. These countries were established after the WWI in 1918. Their independence lasted 20 years when the Soviets invaded and occupied them until 1941 when the Nazis took control until 1944. The Soviet army came in and occupied these 3 countries until 1991. Tragically 1 in 5 of their approximately million population, 75,000 Estonians were murdered, imprisoned or deported to Siberia. Below is a memorial to the victims and their names carved into the walls. The singing revolution fought for and won Estonia's independence in August of 1991. This is a true testament to the power of voices raised in song.
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