The festival dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Saviour, first took place in Narva, in September 2007. The opening concert of the festival will be held on the day of the Nativity (or birthday) of the Virgin Mary, 8 September, at the Narva Aleksander’s Cathedral. The festival is ecumenical and aims at uniting different confessions; therefore it welcomes the Songs for the Virgin Mary of the Catholic, Lutheran, Orthodox, or other confessions. The best-known song to the Virgin Mary is "Ave Maria", but all the other songs dedicated to the Virgin - "Salve Regina", "Stabat Mater", "Alma redemptoris mater", "Ave maris stella", "Regina coeli" and many more, are equally welcome. The programme of the festival comprises concerts of both professional musicians and amateur choirs. We are always looking forward to any solo artists, ensembles and choirs willing to sing praise to the Virgin Mary, to perform at the Great Choir Concert, which always takes place on the Saturday following 8 September at 12.00 o’clock in the Narva Aleksander’s Cathedral. Those wishing to participate are requested to contact Tuuliki Jürjo by April at the latest. Every year the festival also features some of Estonia’s leading musicians. In 2008 the main act will be the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Starting from the year 2008, the festival is going to be held between 8-21 September, so as to unite the holiday of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary as celebrated by both the Western and the Eastern Church. Further information about the concerts can be found on the festival’s home page. The organiser of the festival is the EELC (Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church) Narva Aleksander Congregation and its Artistic Director is Tuuliki Jürjo. EELC Narva Aleksandrer Congregation Tuuliki Jürjo | ||
