Kontsert - Keskpõrandale Kokku / Centre Stage, All Together

You are warmly invited to “Keskpõrandale Kokku / Centre Stage, All Together”, a special concert celebrating 90 years of Estonian folk dancing in Australia and 55 years of “Virmalised” Sydney Estonian Folk Dancers. This event is not just a celebration of Estonian culture, but also a tribute to the rich and diverse dance traditions of Eastern Europe. Join us in experiencing the vibrant spirit of folk dancing from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, coming together centre stage to celebrate our shared cultural heritage.

Highly respected Estonian dance teacher and choreographer, Helena-Mariana Reimann, who will be running workshops at Sydney Estonian House for Virmalised, and this will culminate in the concert to showcase what Virmalised has learnt from Helena-Mariana for Tantsupidu 2025. With her successful 30+ year career as a teacher and choreographer of Estonian folk dance in Estonia, and her position as the Artistic Director of the 21st Estonian Dance Celebration to be held in Tallinn in 2025 (a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Listed event), we are proud to host her for this special occassion.

'Virmalised' Sydney Estonian Folk Dancers will also be joined at Sydney Latvian House by our National Tantsupidu (Dance Festival) Ensemble 'Austraalia Virmalised', members from ‘Mudilasring’ Sydney Estonian Children’s Playgroup, ‘Jautrais Pāris’ Latvian Folk Dancers, ‘Sūkurys’ Lithuanian Folk Dance Group, ‘Lajkonik’ Polish Song and Dance Ensemble Sydney, and ‘Zahrava’ Ukrainian Youth Association Dance Ensemble.

Folk dancing has always played a significant role in preserving the cultural identity of immigrant communities, and this event is a testament to the enduring legacy of these traditions. Over the past nine decades, Estonian folk dancers in Australia have kept the flame of their heritage alive, passing down stories, values, and rhythms through generations. The celebration of this 90-year journey is a reminder of the power of dance to bring people together, connect us with our roots and create bonds across borders. We are similarly proud to mark the 55th anniversary of our group “Virmalised” and reflect over the past five decades how “Virmalised" has become a part of the rich cultural activities of the Sydney Estonian community.

The concert is free to attend thanks to a generous grant provided by ECFA - Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia and we encourage all guests to book via TryBooking to secure their tickets in advance for catering and seating purposes. Your attendance will not only support the celebration but also ensure the smooth running of this special day. The team from Sidnejas Latviešu Biedrība/The Sydney Latvian Society (32 Parnell Street, Strathfield NSW 2135) will have a selection of snacks and drinks available for purchase as well.

We encourage everyone to come and experience the joy of folk dance, whether you're a longtime enthusiast or someone discovering these cultural treasures for the first time. We look forward to sharing the stage and milestone with you!