Estonia

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We, the folk dancing group Stainz, went to Estland from July 12 till July 24, 1999.

Our partner groups "Kandali" from Tallinn and "Kudrus" from Kuressaare visited us in Stainz a year ago. So we started for the return visit.

On the first day we went by bus to Krakow where we had a sightseeing tour. The next morning we went on to Tschenstochau to visit the icon of the black madonna. Our next stop was the city of Warsaw - a city which has been rebuilt according to ancient sketches after World War II. On the next day we went on to Riga. After a sightseeing tour there we finally went towards our destination, Tallinn. In Tallinn, our hosts already waited for us. We were all accommodated privately at the houses of the members of our partner group Kandali. Besides several performances and sightseeing tours we also had the opportunity to get to know the fine estonian cuisine.

After our stay in Tallinn we went on by ferry to Saaremaa to visit our second estonian partner group Kudrus. There we got the chance to visit the historically and culturally outstanding cities of the region. Of course, we had several performances as well. At the end of our stay in Saaremaa we had to say good-bye to our friends - it was a tearful farewell.
We went on to the city of Poltsamaa (situated on the mainland) where a dancing seminar took place. During this seminar we taught the other participants some of our dances.

On our homeward journey we visited the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau. After two long days of travelling we arrived in Stainz - tired but enriched with many unforgettable impressions.

 

Members of our group who participated in the journey