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23.–26.07.26 : Taizé friends at Viljandi Folk

Plakat: Ühispalvused Viljandi Folgi ajal

Invitation

As part of the Viljandi Folk festival (23-26 July 2026), the Viljandi Paulus congregation invites Taizé friends from all over Estonia to live together in the spirit of the pilgrimage of trust within the festival. In this way, we combine the spirit of folk and the spirit of Taizé. We participate in the festival events and additionally we invite festival visitors three times a day to join us in common prayer in the church.

The project is inspired by Viru Folk, where we are also invite you this year. See 7.–9.08.26 : Taizé sõbrad Viru Folgil.

Program

The venue is St. Paul’s Church, Kiriku 5, 71012 Viljandi. The organizer is EELK Viljandi Paul’s Church.

Thursday, July 23:

  • 16.00 Arrival, greetings, introductions, snacks, church preparation.

  • 19.00 Open song rehearsal

  • 20.00 Common prayer

Friday, July 24:

  • 8.00 Common prayer

  • 11.00 Open song rehearsal

  • 12.20 Common prayer

  • 14.00 Exchange group on the topic What are you looking for?

  • 20.00 Common Prayer

Saturday July 25:

  • 8.00 Common Prayer

  • 11.00 Open Song Rehearsal

  • 12.20 Common Prayer

  • 14.00 Exchange group on the topic What are you looking for?

  • 20.00 Common Prayer

Sunday July 26:

  • 10.00 EELK Paulus Congregation Service

  • 15.00 Catholic Congregation Mass

  • 20.00 Common Prayer

Precisions

You don’t have to be a “believer”. We invite you to pray even when “church” is a strange thing to you! If the words “prayer” and “God” bother you, replace them with “meditation” and “Reality”. Your curiosity is enough. The only condition is singing and your presence throughout the weekend. This way you can try for yourself how God speaks to you in the midst of the festival bustle. Entertainment is easy and you learn it naturally in our society, but focusing your mind is a skill that you will need for the rest of your life. And that skill can be learned and practiced. Prayer is an exercise in deepening. Hope, trust and joy of life cannot be learned in front of a screen.

Common prayers, also known as “Taizé prayers”, take place regularly in different places across Estonia.

Unlike traditional church services, common prayers don’t require a specific religious confession or affiliation with a congregation. The Taizé prayer style was originally intended for young people who are not used to liturgy. The prayer usually lasts 45 minutes, during which the main activity is meditative and polyphonic choral singing. Sheet music is distributed to all participants, and everyone is invited to sing according to their ability, either from the sheet music or by ear. The lyrics are short phrases from the Bible or early Christian authors, which are repeated like a mantra. The prayer includes a single short reading from the Bible in various languages ​​without a sermon. The prayer is centered around a moment of silence that lasts up to 10 minutes.

Taizé (pronounced “täzee”)

is a village in France where a brotherhood lives, who began to use this style of prayer in the 1970s. The brothers of Taizé pray like this 3 times a day, it is a natural part of life for them. The Taizé community does not accept donations, but rather makes a living from the work of their hands. In Taizé, people experience the presence of God and they can follow Bible teachings where the brothers explain how they understand the Bible. The Taizé community is ecumenical, i.e. not tied to a specific Christian denomination. They want to live in communion with God and be a bearer of peace and trust among people. The atmosphere in Taizé is multilingual, multicultural and respectful of each other, focusing on simple solutions. This allows you to experience the wideness of the church. There are all kinds of Christians in the world. The only thing that unites us, regardless of denomination, is our longing for Christ. The Taizé prayer style emphasizes the elements that are common to Christians and avoids elements that are specific to one denomination. Praying together in the Taizé style is therefore an opportunity to meet people who have an open mind. Everyone can be who they are. We do not do propaganda or try to convince you, but we do want to hear your thoughts, see your dreams, share your worries.

Children have a special role in prayers. They sit in the front seat and can quietly play, draw, and just be children during prayer. They remind us of Jesus’ words “Let the children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God!”

Registration

Please register by July 11 at Karmela (tel +37256665401, email karmelatennemaa@gmail.com).

When registering, also tell us how you will be staying. Everyone is responsible for their own accommodation. If necessary, we will do our best to find you a place to stay. If you are coming by car and need a parking space, please mention it. If you would like to join others for transport, please mention it when registering.