Title

Theories of the Singing Revolution: An Historical Analysis of the Role of Music in the Estonian Independence Movement

Authors

Authors

W. Waren

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Int. Rev. Aesthet. Sociol. Music

Keywords

social movements; role of music; sociology of music; peaceful; revolutions; former Soviet Republics; independence movements; Baltics; Estonia; Singing Revolution; SOCIAL-MOVEMENTS; Music

Abstract

This paper uses historical analysis to qualitatively connect various general theories of social movements to the music and historical events of Estonia's break from the Soviet Union, called the "Singing Revolution." The analysis highlights the social dimensions of music in traditional and contemporary song festivals, composition, performance, and audience. I show that music generally played a dynamic role in the revolution, regardless of the theoretical perspective used to describe the events. The powerful function of music in resource mobilization, intergenerational activism, identity work, and free spaces is confirmed.

Journal Title

International Review of the Aesthetics and Sociology of Music

Volume

43

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

439

Last Page

451

WOS Identifier

WOS:000314617900009

ISSN

0351-5796

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