I arrived in Estonia just before St. John’s Day (Jaanipäev) and immediately went to the family farm to enjoy some time with relatives.
Soon upon arrival, I was invited to attend a “kantri.” Perhaps jet lag played a role, but I did not fully understand what I was about to attend. After all, new words are constantly being added to my limited Estonian vocabulary. Had I remembered that Estonian is a perfectly phonetic language, sounding out “kantri” would have clarified the invitation immediately.
I was going to a country-themed festival at a nearby equestrian facility. And much to my delight and surprise, the event was headlined by Curly Strings, who had just performed in Toronto less than a month earlier.
The Estonian weather did its usual about-face with a sunny beginning leading to a downpour by evening. After their arrival in a horse-drawn carriage, Curly Strings was enthusiastically received by the many hundreds in attendance. Other activities at the country festival included line dancing, mechanical bull riding, various cowboy-themed races, and an abundant selection of food and drink.
I was intrigued by the number of people who were dressed for the occasion, with cowboy hats and boots of various designs. From what I understood, online shopping was the main source for the country-themed attire. The juxtaposition of a North American themed festival just a few days before the traditional Estonian Song and Dance Festival demonstrated the global influences that cultures can share.
Text and photos by Peeter Põldre
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