ESTONIAN SYMPHONIC MUSIC. THE FIRST CENTURY 1896-1996.
Awakening movement during the second half of the 19th century. Estonian folk arts
date back to the remote past. In Estonia there are 27 higher educational establishments,
among them seven universities with more than 25,000 students and post-graduates
(1996); the oldest is Tartu University (founded in 1632), which enjoys a high
international reputation. In Estonia there are unions of writers, artists, composers,
actors, cinematographers etc; ten professional theatres, two film studios, and the state
institution Estonian Concert Agency.
The first Estonian book was published in 1525; in 1996 2,234 books and
booklets were published in Estonian. The first film company began in 1920. A National
Broadcasting Company was established in 1924, and Estonian Television in 1955.
Unique in their dimensions and popularity, with up to 30,000 singers and
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