Poetry and Music Night “Fernflower: The Estonian Language and Spirit through Words and Sounds” at Seedrioru Camp

Saturday, June 8 at 7pm at Seedrioru Camp in Elora, actors Lembit and Mare Peterson with musicians Villu Veski (saxophone) and Marge Loik (piano) will perform a poetry and music night Fernflower: The Estonian Language and Spirit through Words and Sounds. A similar program was premiered in Paris at the Estonian Embassy in Estonian and French to celebrate the Republic of Estonia’s 100th birthday in February 2018. It has been slightly adapted for the Canadian tour with English translations of Estonian poetry. Musically, the poetry will be accompanied by Villu Veski’s original work and improvisations on Estonian and northern music. The program celebrates the Year of the Estonian Language.

In Estonian and English.

Tickets $25/$15 (students) on sale starting May 10, 2019 online, at Tartu College, and at the door. 

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Info: piret.noorhani@vemu.ca
t. 416 925 9405

Lembit Peterson is a well-acclaimed and highly accomplished actor and theatre director. He has worked at the Noorsooteater, Estonian Drama Theatre, and Ugala Theatre. Peterson is one of the founders of the studio theatre Theatrum and has been the Creative Director of the theatre school, director, and actor there for 25 years. Currently, he is also a professor for the department of Performing Arts at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, directing the school’s 30thgraduating class. Peterson has also been the Theatre School Director (professor) from 1994-2003 at the Estonian Humanities Institute and from 1997-2016 the Director of the Old Town Educational Collegium Theatre School (Vanalinna Hariduskollegiumi Teatrikool). Toronto Estonians have had the opportunities to see him in the films “The Master of Kõrboja,” “Dead Mountaineer´s Hotel”, “The Little Comrade”, and also perhaps “Arabella, the Pirates Daughter”. Lembit Peterson was also one of the signatories on the Letter of 40 Intellectuals, a public letter dated October 28, 1980 and posted a week later, in which 40 Estonian intellectuals attempted to defend the Estonian language and oppose the Russification policies of the Kremlin in occupied Estonia.

Mare Peterson is an actor, Estonian philologist. Studied Estonian philology at the University of Tartu and performing arts at the Tallinn National Conservatory (now the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre). She has worked at the Noorsooteater, been a freelance actor, and currently works in the studio theatre Theatrum. She is married to Lembit Peterson with whom she has 6 children, 4 of whom are also professionals in the fields of theatre and film.

Villu Veski can only be described as a musical polymath. His versatility as a musician, composer, promoter, and lover of the arts is truly impressive. Veski finds a wide range of expression even within the narrow definition of saxophonist: one with equal range and sensitivity that transcends genres –from old swing to ethno-jazz and funky-groove – on both tenor and soprano. Veski’s bold approach has led to projects as diverse as his collaboration with accordionist Tiit Kalluste on the NordicSoundsalbums, in which the two explore jazz and folk through their original compositions; and as a leader of groups such as Avicenna (1986–1990) and the Saxappeal Band. He has performed in many international festivals such as the Rochester Jazz Festival in New York, the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, Natt Jazz in Norway, the Brussels Jazz Marathon in Belgium, and the British Saxophone Congress at the Royal Music College of Music in London. Collaboration with the British soul and jazz singer Ola Onabule has been taking Veski to many festivals around the world: South Bank Centre’s Choral Festival at Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Lagos Jazz Series in Nigeria, the Istanbul Jazz Festival in Turkey, the International Jazz Day RO, and many others. Veski has been an artistic director of the Muhu Future Music Festival “JUU JÄÄB” since 1997.

Marge Loik has had a versatile career as a pianist and piano teacher for over three decades. She has performed with many distinguished soloists and ensembles in a variety of genres from early European music to classical music and jazz. Her playing style has been described as “spontaneous and bright, as well as sophisticated and resourceful”. Teaching on all different levels, she has shaped the skills of generations of piano students. At present, she is teaching at the University of Tartu Viljandi Academy of Arts, Viljandi Music School, and working with children at the studio Loomeviis. Loik has also created musical design for theatre performances and poetry programs. She has received many acclaims both on the local and national levels. She has cooperated on many CDs and performed internationally in many countries in Europe and Scandinavia.