Estonia summer campaign - day 2

Despite a rather disturbed first night’s sleep (rowdy youngsters in the hotel – no, not Craig, Harriet and Tom!) everyone was up and ready on time to leave to make the journey by trolley bus to Kopli corps. Breakfast was ready and waiting – even porridge! Major Kath led prayers which delightfully set the scene for a day’s ministry through music and witness.

The weather forecasters had got it wrong (thankfully) and we

A rather odd sight at the tram stop!

stepped out into bright sunshine to wait for the tram, which would take us all the way across town to the first open air concert in Kadriorg Park. The sight of 30 fully uniformed Salvationists  waiting at the stop created considerable interest. After seeing two  number ‘2’ trams pass through 'chock a block' full with passengers, our number ‘1’ arrived with room for us all to board together.

Kadriorg is a beautiful park, the jewel of Tallinn, created by Peter the Great as a summer play place for his wife. The songsters gathered near the swan lake as Capt David and Freddie set up the generator and PA system. We were a little surprised to see few people around, but once the

David and Freddie prepare the set

music started people gathered to listen. Many stayed a respectful distance away – definitely interested enough to stand for the full 30 minute concert but not wanting to appear to show too much interest! Some very encouraging conversations took place. The songsters were on good form and the first venue gave a very useful opportunity to test the set up and have a public run through of the programme.

A tram ride back into the city took us to Viru Street and the small informal concert area known as Musimagi. This area is situated right by the gates to the Old Town – a really busy thoroughfare – and immediately the songsters started to so sing the crowds were drawn from the

Crowds watching at the musimagi

nearby tourist walkway. Many were tourists – one admitted to having been at a Melbourne Staff band concert just a week before, and many knew the SA from around the world. The response was great and many conversations took place.

Captain Ave turned up with a wonderful packed lunch and we sat and enjoyed the sunshine – even eating a very welcome ice cream.

The 3^rd open air venue was the steps of Freedom Square. This is a huge square surrounded by street cafes. The songsters stood on the steps in the shadow of Freedom

Freedom Square

monument. Despite it being the 3^rd programme and at the latter part of a very hot day, the energy that the songsters put into the songs was amazing. The crowd loved it and Julie was even presented with a small posy of flowers. I’m not sure if he was a music ´- admirer or a ‘Julie admirer’ – either way, he was a little the worse for drink and was gently chaperoned away by Capt David Kotrikadze, Julie’s Georgian minder J

As we walked back towards the corps the rain came – amazing that the 3 open airs had all taken place in glorious sunshine (despite the forecast) and we hurried back to shelter at the Hall. As we waited for tea/coffee people collapsed around the hall – it had been a long and very draining day. We reflected on the hundreds of people who had listened to the songsters and the many conversations that had taken place and thanking God for a wonderful time of witness.

The music festival at Hope HOuse

The break wasn’t long – we were soon up and ready for the transport shuttle to Hope House for the start of the Paljassaare music festival. Arriving at the centre, we were met by yellow vested stewards (Hope House residents) who were marshalling the cars and people safely into the venue-. Dinner was served by Olga and Arne and we sat to eat. Time was short as we needed to test equipment and do a sound check. Most of us were amazed by the high tech set up in the tent. The staging, lighting and PA were complimented by an array of cameras, including one on a roving boom which seemed to float around the tent.

Sound test over and we were quickly into the opening words of introduction by the leader of Mission 21^st Century (our festival partners). A solo, female voice led the first 30 minutes with some powerful renditions of Russian worship music. The tent was beginning to fill with members of the local community who had been attracted by extensive advertising and a leaflet campaign of the local streets. The songsters were introduced and stood to sing. The singing was great – the acoustics in the tent much better than we imagined – and ‘odd’ items such as the cornet trio and timbrels were greeted with cheers by the appreciative audience. Our music may have been a little different to the rock music featured by other guests, but it went down really well and the songters were a credit to their corps and to The Salvation Army.

After the performance the brigade stayed and listend for an hour, during which a very powerful testimony was shared by a severely handicapped Pastor who shared his life story.

Returning to the hotel everyone was very noticeably much quieter than the night before (they were shattered!) – the main entertainment being a fashion show of ‘wigs around the world’, modelled by Julie and Debbie.

If you can access You Tube why not check out the recording of the warm up to the Festival:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNP2TKlDIHM

An early start tomorrow – but a great day at Narva anticipated.