Vanemuine

Vanemuine (literal translation from Estonian: Eldermost) is a theatre in Tartu, Estonia. It is the first Estonian language theatre, founded as the Vanemuine Society (Vanemuise Selts) on 24 June 1865 following the idea of Johann Voldemar Jannsen. In 1869 Vanemuine Society organised the first song festival in Estonia. On 24 June 1870, the fifth anniversary of the society, a play called "The cousin from Saaremaa" ("Saaremaa Onupoeg") by Lydia Koidula was performed, marking the beginning of the Estonian national theatre and the theatre Vanemuine.