The Singing Revolution in HMB, Saturday

At 7:30 pm on Saturday September 13th, in honor of International Peace Day which is September 21st, The Visionary Edge will host a screening of The Singing Revolution, an award-winning documentary by James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty at the Ted Adcock Community Center in Half Moon Bay.

Suffering repeatedly from the events of the last century from multiple invasions to unconditional occupations, Estonia is a country quite literally, saved by a song.

The Singing Revolution chronicles the Singing Revolution movement as both history lesson and cautionary tale.  At first glance the story of an extraordinary set of circumstances, The Singing Revolution also stands as an intimate portrayal of people, ordinary, everyday people who refuses to believe that freedom was out of their reach.

When James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty first heard the stories which would ultimately make up their film The Singing Revolution, they were caught up not in a history lesson, but in the retelling of current events.  For the Estonian people, the Singing Revolution was born of their suffering and shaped by their commitment to be masters of their own lives.  To be an Estonian today is to have been a member of the Singing Revolution yesterday.

Mart Laar, Independence Activist and Estonia’s first post-Soviet prime minister, defines Estonia pre and post Singing Revolution.  "We created our nation through song festivals in the 19th century, so it was logical to do it again with songs in 1988.  It woke up our people from decades of nightmares under Soviet occupation, liberated our souls and encouraged us to stand together against violence.  It created grounds for the restoration of Estonian independence."

For Ellen Liigus, A Singing Revolution participant who was just a young teen at the time, the film gave context and perspective to her memories of individual events. I think it is difficult to estimate the importance of the Singing Revolution, a chain of actions that led to the freedom of a nation.  I most remember the great feeling of being united in hope."

Trivimi Velliste, Independence Activist and Heritage Society leader whose spontaneous speech at a Popular Front rally in 1988 ignited the nation, states simply, "Perhaps the most important thing is to understand that freedom can never be taken for granted.  We have to struggle for it every day, or else it will be gone, just as we cannot take clean air or fresh water for granted."

"Idealistically it shows the world that if your nations’ mind is strong, you can win without killing" declares Artur Talvik.

"Freedom is such a unique thing," added Ellen Liigus, "and although different societies perceive the nature of freedom differently, there is a constant need for it."

"Need I say more?" said Reba Vanderpool of The Visionary Edge. "Please come join us for this important film in honor of International Peace Day.  Prior to the film local singers will share peace songs with the audience and invite participation.  Says Linda Grace Frost of El Granada, "I’ve sung in choirs, choruses, chorales and ensembles for 55 years.  When my voice disappears into the sound of many voices raised in harmony, it is one of the most heart-opening, nourishing experiences imaginable.  I’ve invited some friends I sing with to come to The Singing Revolution – a feast for the soul.  And together we will invite the audience to taste a bit of what we love."

Saturday, September 13th.  Doors will open at 7:00pm, film begins at 7:30.  Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue, HMB.  Advance tickets $10, door $15. Call 650-560-0200 for information and reservations. 

Located in Half Moon Bay, The Visionary Edge produces events to inform and inspire us all to create a wiser, sustainable and more compassionate world.