Soveldaja dance video draws more than one million views overnight

A folk dance video by Tallinn University’s Soveldaja ensemble attracted more than one million social media views in less than 24 hours, ERR reported. The video, made on a zero budget and filmed in eight hours, presents Estonian culture through dance.

The ensemble joined the Born From Culture project, created by choreographer James Fenwick to showcase different cultures through dance, clothing and scenic locations. Each country chooses how to present its culture, while following the trend’s music and opening sequence.

Soveldaja dancer Anna Leena Tae said the dancers decided to take part after seeing videos from other countries, including a Georgian version that gained attention online. A Lithuanian version released about a month ago also prompted them to get started.

Choreographer Elo Unt said the team incorporated elements of Estonian dance and aimed to convey the way Estonians are. The video took a week and a half to produce. Unt and Tae planned it over a few days, while dancer David Truusa helped organise the technical work.

The team had little experience staging dance for a camera. Videographer Kevin Kohjus operated the camera, and Velle Tamme helped with a reflector and projector. The crew also moved a generator around the city during filming.