Seto Song Festival (Leelo Day)XVII Leelopäev

Leelopäev (Song Festival) is Setomaa’s premier choir and singing event, centered around the UNESCO-listed Seto polyphonic chant (leelo). Held in Värska, this one-day festival gathers hundreds of singers and theatre performers from Seto villages for a massive leelo concert and procession 1. The event opens with a traditional parade (rongkäik) of participants in costume, then concludes with a grand concert on the Värska stage. It highlights Seto epic lyric traditions and often features anthems of Seto cultural identity. The experience is highly participatory: locals form singing circles and encourage guests to listen and sometimes join the chants. It is regarded as a key celebration of Seto intangible heritage.

Seto Song Festival traces its lineage to historic Seto laulupidu (song gatherings). It brings together multiple village choirs and folk ensembles to celebrate Seto language and chant. Polyphonic singing (leelo) is a linchpin of Seto national consciousness, so the Song Festival functions as a cultural cornerstone, especially since Setos live split by border changes. It parallels Estonian song festivals but on a regional scale, reinforcing community bonds and transmitting heritage across generations. The event’s program is deeply traditional: it honors village elders, includes folk rituals (such as the opening dance circle), and is often synchronized with other traditional holidays.