Statue of Gustav Ernesaks, Bronze memorial at Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, Estonia.
The Statue of Gustav Ernesaks is a bronze sculpture at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds that depicts the composer in a contemplative seated position on a slope. The figure gazes toward the festival stage where performances take place, creating a direct visual connection to the venue's primary use.
Estonian sculptor Ekke Väli created this bronze memorial in 2004 following a nationwide fundraising campaign organized by the Estonian Male Choir organization. The project was realized decades after Ernesaks had established his influential musical legacy in the country.
The monument honors Ernesaks for founding the Estonian National Male Choir and shaping the country's choral singing tradition that remains central to Estonian cultural life today. His influence shaped how people in Estonia think about collective music-making and national identity.
The statue is located within the sprawling Song Festival Grounds complex, where visitors can walk through and find it by exploring the outdoor spaces around the main performance areas. The site is open to visitors year-round and the statue sits in an accessible location without steep terrain making it easy to reach.
The statue was funded through public donations from Estonian citizens, making it a community project rather than an official commission by the state or government. This grassroots funding reflects how deeply people value Ernesaks and his role in their cultural heritage.
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