Pillerkaar, Estonian Folk Dancers of the Washington, DC Metro Area performed and marched in the NATO Festival/Parade on April 25, 2015 in Norfolk, Virginia!
There were 10 Pillerkaar performers and several husbands, fathers, and sons and daughters helping to make the Estonian part of the NATO Festival a great success! The Norfolk folks constructed an “Eesti külakiik” (Estonian village swing) on to the Estonian float in the parade and adorned it with flowers, a large Estonian flag on either side, and a beautiful large flowing Estonian flag at the rear of the float – waving to all passersby!
This year Pillerkaar was instrumental, providing input into the idea of the “külakiik” construction and the Norfolk Estonian folks did the actual construction. Pillerkar adorned the “külakiik” with blue, black and white streamers and many flowers! It was a sight to see as four Pillerkaar female dancers stood up on the “külakiik” and swung on it during the one hour ride through inclement weather: rain, wind, and cold temperatures. The ladies were fabulous on the swing regardless of the blowing wet wind. Their smiles made the Estonian float a hit and many people were amazed at what a feat that was!
The dance performance by Pillerkaar after the parade was riveting and stupendous – tantalizing the audience with traditional Estonian folk dances as well as several new choreographed ones. They started with courting dances and worked their way to end it with the Wedding Dance “Tuljak”. Pillerkaar received many compliments on a job well done! Even some of the other dance groups came up to Pillerkaar and congratulated them on a fabulous performance!
Pillerkaar enjoyed performing for a festival which honored all the NATO countries and one in which they were proud to display their cultural heritage through a riveting dance performance and tradition by showing the onlookers what a real Estonian village swing looked like and how it initiated courtships throughout the years.
Text and Pictures by Anu Oinas, Choreographer and leader of Pillerkaar, Estonian Folk Dancers of the Washington DC Metro Area.
