Rahvapillipärandi säilitamine Eestis ja välismaal
Preservation of folk instrument heritage in Estonia and abroad

Summary/Abstract: By the middle of the 20th century, old folk musical instruments had disappeared from Estonian culture. Musicians played modern internationally widespread instruments, especially the accordion and the guitar. The article discusses the return of old folk musical instruments, especially the Estonian kannel (plucked Baltic psaltery), bagpipe, and bowed lyre. The revival of these traditions has been more marked in Estonia, due to the contribution from music schools and museums; yet similar processes can also be detected among diaspora Estonians. Initiators and key persons enthused by the lost culture of their ancestors have played an important role on both sides. Interest in these old instruments is a manifestation of people’s resistance to the homogeneity of the modern society.Urbanization, international contacts, and modern technology led to the fading popularity of folk music in the past century, yet the same factors have recently proven important in reviving traditions.

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