Gypsy Folk Ensemble-Estonia Project

The Gypsy Folk Ensemble's Estonia Project represents many years of cultural exchange and the presentation of cultural traditions in Estonia and the United States.

TIME TO TOUCH ESTONIA

The Gypsy Folk Ensemble has once again been invited

 to perform in the the

26th Estonian Song Celebration and 19th Dance Celebration

“Touched by Time. The Time to Touch”

in Tallinn, Estonia in July of 2014.

This celebration that occurs every five years is part of

UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

 

GYPSY PERFORMS & RAISES FUNDS

The Gypsy Folk Ensemble performs at the annual concert of

The Los Angeles Estonian Mixed Choir

and raises funds for their trip to Tallinn, Estonia in July of 2014

 

 

The Gypsy Folk Ensemble is very excited to have been invited to participate in this UNESCO event. Gypsy has been performing and teaching Estonian dances for many years. This trip allowed Gypsy to further participate in a wonderful cultural exchange project, promoting American culture while there and introducing American audiences to the centuries-old traditions and dances of Estonia upon Gypsy's return.

 

 

 

 

 

The Gypsy Folk Ensemble and one videographer traveled to Estonia the summer of 2014 to perform in the Tantsupidu, Dance Festival. Any endeavor of this magnitude requires support and we are so pleased to thank the following organizations and individuals for their very kind and generous donations:

ESTONIAN SEA

 

Estonia is surrounded by the sea and throughout history has relied on the sea for its subsistence. The sea has provided opportunities for fishing and trading. The trees in northern Estonia provided masts for the sailing ships. The coastline is made up of sand beaches, stony areas, cliffs, reed beds and muddy areas.

 

LIMESTONE CLIFFS

 

Paekallas are limestone cliffs in northern Estonia. These cliffs represent what happened to the area hundreds of millions of years ago. They are a beautiful display created from fossils, crystals,  earthquakes, eruptions and ocean waves. Beneath the grey limestone strata you can find green glauconite sandstone, beige bentonite clay, dark brown Dictyonema shale (argillite) and brownish-grey Obolus sandstone (phosphorite).

OLD TALLINN

 

Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia. Old Tallinn is the medieval section and you can still walk down narrow cobblestone streets passing tall buildings that are hundreds of years old and still in use. Within these buildings  you will find many apartments, shops, bakeries and restaurants. The Old Town section of Tallinn became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1997.

 

TOOMPEA CASTLE

 

Toompea Castle, built in the 1700s, houses the Estonian Parliament, called Riigikogu. It is on the southwestern corner of Toompea Hill which is made of limestone and is 20–30 meters higher than the surrounding area. The castle is topped by the Tall Hermann tower. The flag flying from this tower indicates who is in control of the country. Today, and for many years, it has been the Estonians! The parliament building faces the city of Old Tallinn.

BIG EGG MOUNTAIN

 

 

Suur Munamägi, in English called Big Egg Mountain, has an elevation of 318 meters and is the highest point in all three Baltic countries. It is located in the middle part of Haanja uplands in Võru county, in Estonia. There is an observation tower on top. The area is a resort for skiing, hiking and more.

Beautiful Estonia

(in alphabetical order) Susy Arnold, Boardwalk 11 Bar & Restaurant, Cheviot Farms and Simpang Asia, Maya Kala, owner, Educational Communications, Eleve Ballet Studio, Estonian Community of Los Angeles, Estonian Society of Los Angeles, Irish Times Pub & Restaurant, Kivikasukas Alumni, Kuljus Dance Group (in Estonia), Liana's Workshop, Los Angeles Estonian Mixed Choir, Khorikyan Plumbing, Mama's Italian Restaurant, Raivo Neggo, Ryan Montgomery, RNH Creations

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