August 23rd: The Day the Baltic States Sang for their Freedom

Known as the 'Singing Revolution', the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all campaigned together from 1987 to 1991 for their independence from the Soviet Union. After World War 2, the USSR had taken the Baltic States completely into their regime, restricting their political freedom and reducing their national identities. Many years later, the Revolution began. Thousands of Estonians congregated in their masses to sing national songs that were otherwise forbidden by the Soviet Union, aiming for freedom and independence.

The Baltic Way: 600 km of singing and unity

    In 1988, national feeling and patriotism spread around Estonia, as five national songs were performed at the Tartu Pop Music Festival. This inspired everyone to hold hands together and sing along, an act which began the tradition of the Singing Revolution. From then on, traditional songs of the Baltic States were sang as one huge community, raising the spirits of the people but also sending a powerful message to the USSR. 
    On August 23rd 1989, the three Baltic countries came together and performed the ultimate protest, significantly symbolic as a demonstration of the people's demand for independence from the Soviet Union. A singing human chain was assembled from Tallinn to Vilnius via Riga, stretching a total of 600 km (373 miles) along the 'Baltic Way'. This displayed the unity of the three countries and their resistance to the Soviets, strengthening their national identities, and it is recognised as the peak of the Singing Revolution. 
    The Baltic states were granted independence from the USSR on the evening of August 20th 1991. Do you remember this happening? What is your opinion on the subject?