In Estonia, every 5 years, tens of thousands of choristers and folk dancers gather for several days in Tallinn to celebrate Estonian culture, independence, and freedom. Listed by Unesco as one of the masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity, this festival, whose tradition dates back to the 19th century, is the most important event for this small nation of 1.3 million inhabitants. Rich in musical heritage, the country has one of the richest repertoires of folk songs in the world. This first edition since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 resonates as a powerful symbol of attachment to their homeland. This exhibition consists of a photographic series accompanied by sound archives. “Lucie Berquière immerses us in the striking world of the Tallinn choral singing festival, an emblematic event in Estonian culture. Through a series of photographs accompanied by sound archives, she captures the essence of a gathering that celebrates a country’s identity and independence. The photographer highlights the importance of this event, listed as UNESCO intangible heritage. “In these difficult times, it is crucial to remember how tradition can be a driving force for social connection,” she explains. Berquière’s works embody not only the cultural importance of this event, but also the power of music and art as vehicles for unity and resistance.” Hugo Clément, Ruralités 2024 The photographer: Lucie Berquière (1994) is a photographer and multidisciplinary artist based between the South of France and Estonia. Her work received the Jeune Photographie Occitanie prize from Images Singulières (2021). It has also been exhibited and screened in various venues such as the Parlement Européen de Bruxelles, the Opéra Comique in Paris, and at various festivals such as ALP’ in Annecy or Les Sténopédies in Clermont-Ferrand. At the crossroads of documentary and fiction, her works take the form of photographic series, displays accompanied by soundtracks, or installations.
Event from the official Montpellier calendar; venue: Berquiere; address: 29 ter Rue Lakanal, 34090, Montpellier.
Source: Agenda Montpellier