Gustav Ernesaks

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Gustav Ernesaks statue on the Lauluväljak in Tallinn
Gustav Ernesaks statue on the Lauluväljak in Tallinn

Gustav Ernesaks (Peningi, Harjumaa, November 12, 1908 - Tallinn, January 24, 1993) was an Estonian composer.

He played an integral role in the Singing Revolution and was one of the father figures of the Estonian Song Festival tradition; one of his songs, set to Lydia Koidula's poem Mu isamaa on minu arm, became an unofficial national anthem during the years of Soviet occupation; ironically, he was also the composer of the Anthem of Estonian SSR used between 1945 and 1990.

A statue of him was erected in 2004 on The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.

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