The Singing Revolution

Gandhi led India to independence through non-violent civil disobedience, Martin Luther King inspired others with the passionate words, "I have a dream...," a lone rebel faces down a tank in Tiananmen Square and the nation of Estonia overthrows 50 years of Soviet rule through the power of song.

The Singing Revolution tells the story of the Estonian struggle to maintain hope and solidarity through years of foreign occupation. That hope came in the form the Song Festival, “Laulupidu”, founded in 1869. In 1969, 30,000 singers took the stage to sing one exceptional song—“Land of My Fathers, Land that I Love” with lyrics from a well-known 100 year-old Estonian poem.

This simple act energized the freedom movement--a quiet revolution that joined thousands of voices with the power of song.

The powerful documentary The Singing Revolution is now available in a 3 disc DVD set Collector's Edition. The set includes:

• "The Singing Revolution" film

• Over four hours of additional interview outtakes, categorized by subject for easy review.

• The 32-page Instructor's Guide with additional background, suggested curricula, instructor questions, and full index of additional materials.

• Filmmakers’ commentary

• 15 maps of Europe from 180 A.D. until 1997 that interactively illustrate Estonia's history.

• 7 newsreel stories from the 1930s - 1950s

• Stalinist propaganda film clip

• Estonian history timelines

• 30 printable historical documents (totaling over 150 pages)

• Interview with filmmakers

• Production stills and other images from the film

Also available is 178 page hardcover book. Based on the film, the companion piece written by noted National Geographic author Priit Vesilind along with filmmakers James and Maureen Tusty includes more than 150 photographs.