Here’s a souvenir from a classic “only in Estonia” event, courtesy of To Breathe as One.
It’s a clip from last year’s Estonian Punk Song Festival in Rakvere, at which professional choirs performed punk rock songs, without a trace of irony. In this clip a massive choir is performing “Anarchy in the U.K.” by the Sex Pistols. What I love about it is that Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the president of Estonia, is singing along. He’s the fellow in rimless glasses, black turtleneck, and jacket, who appears at 0:54, 1:21, and 2:16 in the video.
Here’s some background for those who may be too young to remember. “Anarchy in the U.K.” caused quite a stir when it was released by the Sex Pistols, as their very first single, in 1976. The sound, shocking and even threatening to the ears of mid-1970s radio listeners, was groundbreaking and ushered in the punk era. Rolling Stone magazine placed “Anarchy in the U.K.” #53 on its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
Rock on, Mr. President!
You can read more about the significance of the song here, and more about the festival here.
