IREKS 2007

OVERVIEW OF IREKS 2007

East Coast Estonian Village Simman

Every spring, the arrival of the spring is proclaimed as a vivid color and bird song. This year, the Easter party of the Baltic folk dancers - the East Coast Estonian Village Simman or IREKS - was added to the eve of spring nature. The event took place in one of the beautiful church churches in Herndon, Virginia, where so many festivities were gathered that the seating was threatened to be missing. It was a festive and fun party.

Estonian and Scandinavian-handicraft handicrafts (Reet Kaseoru's "Birch Grove") were on display at the presentation. Attending the audience, the visitors greeted the sounds of the folk orchestras "Baltic String Band". Snacks were waiting on the table and the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian beers were sold in a good selection at the bar. Dinner was praised by all the guests, as well as a beautiful booklet that included the greetings and wishes of the supporters.

The program began with the keen folk dance group "Kandal" from Tallinn. A brief introduction to the history of Estonian folk dance was presented between dances and talked about its role in our events. "Kandal" has been known in many parts of Estonia, Europe and North America. In the event, the dancers drove the entire audience with their thrill, joy and energy.

The Baltimore Estonian School youth groups consisted of schoolchildren from 3 to 16 years of age. The older schoolchildren performed confidently and skillfully. In the younger group, however, the youngest dancer, 3-year-old Lukas Jester, was not particularly satisfied with her performance, but she made all the dance steps faithfully, and she screwed up her audience with her throat. This wax was a group occurrence.

The Latvian folk dance group "Vasington Namejs" sparked its extraordinary complex dance moves. The large group danced several dances that were learned in the forthcoming dance competition.

I also played the ballet strings orchestra. Ed Hopf was featured in two Estonian-language versions. Naljanumbrina sang Baltimore Estonian Adorable Ado White with accompanying "I was invited to a wedding".

After the break, three members of the Lithuanian song and dance group "Jore" performed Lithuanian folk songs and songs. Particularly interesting were their ancient, complex polyphonic songs.

Then Lithuanian folk dancers introduced their dances to the "Malunas" audience. Men's Cupcake Cupcake Cupcake Dance Cup would surely have echoed into the audience for a healthy evening.

Finally, Simon's family, Washington's folk dance group "Pillerkaar", entered the dance floor. The first dance was the "Vigala reinlender" of the group's feature film. The Washington group has an extensive repertoire, accompanied by the "Landlord" of the Austrians, which they presented this evening. Laila Oinas and Talvar Tali performed a "flirting" dance with a great mix, which was especially enjoyed by the audience.

The audience was already in the lead after such keynote speeches. Under the leadership of Pillerkaare and Kandal, circle games and folk dances were jointly organized. "Family Wisdom" and "Oise and Boy" almost all managed. But also during the "Tuljaku", folk dice on the dance floor did not diminish significantly. For the sophisticated steps, the dancers of every nationality continued their courage.

At the end of the program, the leaders of the group were invited: the leader of the USA group Kandal, Jüri Lepp, the head of the Baltimore Estonian School youth group Lea Kiik, Alberts Ozols, the head of the Latvian folk dance group "Vasingtonas Namejs", Vaida Meizys, Lithuanian folk music group "Jore", Vaida Meizys, Lithuanian folk dancers Head of the "Malūnas" Rytis Grybaskas and head of the Estonian folk dance group "Pillerkaar" Anu Oinas. Flowers were distributed to them and to the sculptors. Special thanks to the enthusiastic leader of IREKS, who is the leader of the "Pillerkaare" group Anu Oinas. Marika Pedak-Kari thanked everyone who initiated this good thought and expressed the wish that such an event would be repeated.

The festival continued in a hotel close to the party hall where Estonian and Latvian young people gathered and each of them sing in their own language until the early hours of the morning.

The next day, dance enthusiasts gathered at the Priit and Rima Vesilinnu homes on the banks of the Virginia Occoquan River. The music of folk orchestra was answered between the forests. The guests ate and drank, went on a boat, and gathered to put the house back on the square again.

Simman's guest heard the idea that a similar event could be arranged, perhaps two years later. The first IREKS was fun and well organized. The tickets were sold much more than expected, the crowd came even far beyond, the mood was good and could have been more for dancing.

The spring simma went well every now and then. Even spring birds can sing even jealousy because of vibrant colors of folk costumes from Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian folk costumes and folk dances!

--Tina Ets, May 1, 2007

Supported by

Estonian Relief Committee, Inc.

ERKU / EANC (Estonian American National Council, Inc.)

Lakewood Estonian Uhing - Lakewood Estonian Association

Participants and Events

Kandali - Estonian Folk Dancers from Tallinn

Pillerkaar - Estonian Folk Dancers from Washington, DC Metro Area

Baltimore Estonian Youth - Baltimore Estonian School

Melunas and Jore- LithuanianFolk Dancers

The Name of the Wassington - The Latvian Folk Dancers

Baltic String Band - Estonians, Lithuanians, Latvians

Estonian Folk Singers - Pillerkaar

Estonian Games - Al l