The Singing Revolution

1
The Singing Revolution

• History of the Baltics
• MUS 360 Topics in Musicianship
• Spring 2009 travel June 22-July 9

2
The course

• Thursday evening seminar, Sp qtr.
• 4 credits, Lib Studies UP credit
• Readings, a paper, films
• Meetings with Baltic communities in Chicago
  (Estonian House, Lith. Concert)
• Learn a little of a new language

3
The travel

• June 22 leave for Riga, Latvia
• Elizabeth Youth Hostel
• Museums, city tour, guest speakers on Latvian
  music and Russian community

4
In Riga

• Riga Castle
• Museum of the Latvian Occupation
• Art Nouveau architecture

5
Tartu, Estonia

• Visit University of Tartu
• National Museum, Song Festival Museum

6
Rakvere, Estonia

• Small-town life
• Visit Rakvere Chamber Choir
• Lahemaa National Park
• Palmse Manor

7
Tallinn

• Capital of Estonia
• Medieval Old Town
• Museum of Occupation
• Rocca al Mare Open-air Ethnographic Museum

8
Nargen Opera

• Opera in barn on island
• Island was Soviet military base

9
Estonian Song Festival

• Once every 5 years -- held since 1869
• Choir of 30,000 singers (auditioned!)
• Emblem of Estonian culture

10
Vilnius, Lithuania

• Celebrating the countrys 1000th anniversary
• Song Festival
• Guest speaker on WWII era and beyond

11
Practicalities

• Flights on SAS from Chicago thru
  Copenhagen/Stockholm
• Charter bus from Riga into Estonia/Tallinn
• Air Baltic flight from Tallinn to Vilnius
• Some public transport in cities
• Currencies -- all pegged to Euro (Estonian Kroon
  12, Latvian lats (1L1.85), Lithuanian litu
  (2.6)

12
Program costs

• Includes airfare (Chicago-Copenhagen-Riga
  Tallinn-Vilnius Vilnius-Stockholm-Chicago),
  charter bus from Riga to Tallinn, airport
  transfers, local transport to group activities
• Hotel/Hostels (usually double rooms, triples in
  some places, own beds everywhere)
• All breakfasts, 7 dinners
• Entrances to all museums/concerts/festivals
• Travel and health insurance
• Tips/taxes on transport, hotels, guides
• Cushion built in in case dollar falls
• 3575

13
Application

• Online http//studyabroad.depaul.edu
• 2 recommendations required
• ID-type photo required
• Deadline February 15
• Questions?