At the opening of the Song and Dance Festival, the ceremonial fire was lit and Prime Minister Kristan Michal (Reform) gave a speech.

"Twice in a decade, Estonians from across the globe gather in Tallinn to sing, dance, and celebrate our culture and freedom. Every singer and dancer has an important role to play. No one is insignificant. Together and united, even the smallest will become big," he wrote on social media.

Organizers said this year's dance festival – the 21st – was markedly different from previous editions.

Chief director Helena-Mariana Reimann divided Estonia into eight regions. Each region prepared a special program for the festival, reflecting what is most unique to that particular corner of the country.

In addition, dancers from abroad presented a global program of their own, and the field also featured performances by gymnastics and women's groups with their own routines. 

The full schedule, along with links to watch and listen to the performances, can be found here.

Gallery: First performance on July 3

The second and third – and final – performance of the Dance Festival took place on Friday (July 4).

You can see photographs from the event below.

Gallery: Third performance on July 4

Dress rehearsal galleries

Pictures from the dress rehearsal, which took place on Thursday afternoon with almost 11,000 dancers, can also be seen in the galleries below.

Drone images by Kaupo Kalda.

Pictures by ERR's Siim Lõvi.

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