“20 years ago our parents and our grandparents stood up and said: now we take the reins again, because that’s the way it should be. And there were countries back then who were unafraid to support us and unafraid to recognise the restoration of our independence. We know what freedom is now, so we’re saying thank you for that – a generation that’s grown up in a free country,” said Jaanus Rohumaa, programme manager with the Tallinn 2011 foundation and the man behind ‘Song of Freedom’. “It’s pure serendipity that Tallinn’s also the European Capital of Culture this year – it fits perfectly. I hope the restoration of our statehood is something we continue to celebrate through music in future,” said  Jaanus Mutli, Member of the Board of FoundationTallinn 2011.

“This year we’ve asked foreign artists to join us in marking this special day, all of them like-minded in their way,” explained Helen Sildna, chief organiser of the concert. “Estonia has long had a place in their hearts and minds, and freedom is something they all hold in very high regard.”

The headline act at ‘Song of Freedom’ will be the Estonian people in the audience, representing the most important aspect of the event simply by attending, but sharing their stories, songs, thoughts and wishes will be artists including Justament, Riho Sibul, Mari Kalkun, Dagö, Vaiko Eplik, Jaak Johanson, Malcolm Lincoln, Iiris, Chalice and Ewert & the Two Dragons. “I don’t doubt that all of the musicians taking part in ‘Song of Freedom’ are at their freest when they’re expressing and performing their thoughts and feelings in song,” said Chalice, a.k.a. Jarek Kasar. “Freedom is having the opportunity to do that; true freedom is being able to enjoy it.”

Joining the festivities from abroad will be Ireland’s Sinead O’Connor, whose eagerly awaited concert at the Rock Summer festival in 1990 was cancelled for political reasons; Sami revolutionary Mari Boine from Norway, whose timeless and traditional yoik has won Estonian audiences over in the past; much-loved Finnish artist Kimmo Pohjonen, who will bring greetings from Tallinn’s sister Capital of Culture, Turku, and take to the stage not only with his trademark accordion but also with Finnish pro wrestlers and an orchestra; and one of the biggest and most successful pop/rock bands in Latvia, Brainstorm. Also appearing for the first time in a long time on home soil will be Estonia’s international singing sensation Kerli.

The concert will be preceded by addresses given by Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Tallinn mayor Edgar Savisaar.

The gates will open at the Song Festival Grounds at 17:00, with the concert beginning at 18:30 and carrying on until midnight. It will be broadcast live on ETV. Admission is free.

Midnight will also mark the start of a day of celebrations throughout Tallinn on 21 August dedicated to Iceland. Concert venues around the city and Islandi väljak /Iceland Square/ will play host to a wide range of Icelandic singers and groups, and there will also be exhibitions, a film screening and an Icelandic food market. The day is being organised by the state and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a thank you to Iceland for being the first country to recognise the restoration of Estonia’s independence in 1991. For more information see www.20.ee/islandipaev.

Details of the ‘Song of Freedom’ programme and performers are available online at www.20.ee.

,Song of Freedom’ is being presented by Tallinn 2011 – European Capital of Culture in association with Saku Õlletehas, Tallinna Vesi, Turku 2011 – European Capital of Culture, the Finnish embassy, the Norwegian embassy, Eesti Rahvusringhääling, Postimees, Selver, Eesti Post, BDG and Musiccase.