【欧洲·立陶宛】波罗的海的歌舞庆典 The Baltic Song and Dance Celebrations（2008年）

波罗的海的歌舞庆典活动，是当地民间传统表演艺术的宝库。爱沙尼亚和拉脱维亚每隔五年隆重举行一次歌舞节，立陶宛每隔四年一次，是这一传统表演艺术的高峰。整个活动要持续数天，参与的歌舞演员多达四万人，大多是业余合唱团和舞蹈团体。节目丰富多样，从最为古老的民歌到当代的创作应有尽有，反映了这三个国家引人注目的音乐传统。在合唱团团长、乐队指挥和专业舞蹈老师的指导下，许多歌手和舞蹈演员常年在当地的娱乐中心或文化协会练习。这些大型活动也提供了欣赏波罗的海沿岸民间艺术财富的机会，其中包括群众所佩戴的手工艺品和五彩缤纷的民族服饰。
　　18世纪爱沙尼亚就有了第一批合唱团和乐团。后来合唱在西欧日益普及，合唱团成立并举办歌咏节。受其影响，这一音乐形式也推广到乡村和城市。爱沙尼亚和拉脱维亚分别于1869年和1873年举办了第一次波罗的海歌舞节，当时三国最活跃的合唱团都来参加。立陶宛举办首届活动是在1924年。1920年初，这三个国家脱离俄罗斯而独立后，对这种欢庆活动更是如醉如痴，把它当成确认自己文化身份的标志，还专门为之建设了演出场馆。即便在1945年波罗的海国家沦为苏联的附属国后，虽被强制适应共产主义思想意识，庆典活动仍能继续举行。

The song and dance celebrations in the Baltic Sea are a treasure trove of local folk traditional performing arts. Estonia and Latvia hold a song and dance festival every five years, and Lithuania every four years is the peak of this traditional performing arts. The whole event lasted several days and involved up to 40,000 cabaret actors, mostly amateur choirs and dance groups. The programme is rich and varied, ranging from the oldest folk songs to contemporary creations, reflecting the remarkable musical traditions of these three countries. Under the guidance of the choir leader, the orchestra conductor and the professional dance teacher, many singers and dancers practice all year round at the local entertainment center or cultural association. 　　These large events also offer the opportunity to appreciate the wealth of folk art along the Baltic Sea, including handicrafts worn by the masses and colourful national costumes. Estonia had the first choirs and orchestras in 18th century. Later, the chorus became increasingly popular in Western Europe, and the choir was founded and held a singing festival. Influenced by it, this form of music is also extended to villages and cities. Estonia and Latvia held their first Baltic song and Dance Festival in 1869 and 1873, respectively, when the most active choirs of the three countries came to attend. Lithuania held its first event in 1924 years. In early 1920, after independence from Russia, the three countries became more intoxicated with this celebration, as a sign of their cultural identity, and specifically built a performance venue for it. Even after the Baltic States became dependent on the Soviet Union in 1945, the celebrations could continue despite being forced to adapt to communist ideologies.