Tulehoidjad (Portland), an Estonian folk dance troupe, has kept Estonian folk dances alive in the region for four generations. In 1950, Lehti Merilo founded the group, and her daughter, Liina Teose, has directed the group since 1985. Tulehoidjad performs a wide range of Estonian dances including circle, line, and partner dances.
Bio
Tulehoidjad (keepers of the flame or torch bearers), Portland’s Estonian folk dance troupe, has kept folk dances, the Estonian language, and other Estonian traditions alive in Oregon for four generations. Lehti Merilo, a native of Estonia, fled her homeland at the age of 15 and learned Estonian folk dancing during the five years she and her family lived in a displacement camp. In 1949, they relocated to Oregon. In 1950, Merilo founded Tulehoidjad and led the group for 35 years. Her daughter Liina Teose has directed the group since 1985. Teose, who learned to play the accordion at the age of 12, also serves as the group’s accompanist. Her husband plays the guitar, and her daughter, Merilo’s granddaughter, Maarika, has taken on teaching and leading some of the dances. Like her grandmother before her, Maarika keeps the rhythm for the dancers with the , a large staff that she taps on the floor. Maarika's daughter, the fourth generation, dances in the children's group. Janne Sepp directs the children’s troupe. According to Teose, “Tulehoidjad keeps the flame of Estonian culture and traditions alive here.” They perform a wide range of Estonian dances including circle, line, and partner dances such as waltzes, polkas, and contra-style dances. Some dances are intergenerational and include children as young as three. Members of Tulehoidjad often travel back to Estonia during the summer months. They have performed at Tantsupidu, a dance festival that brings 10,000 Estonian dancers to Tallinn every five years. Last year they received a grant to bring a dance teacher from Estonia to Portland to teach more current dances. Tulehoidjad has performed at the Portland Rose Festival, the Portland ScanFair, the Portland Midsummer Scandinavian Festival, Seattle FolkLife Festival, numerous West Coast Estonian Festivals, world-wide ESTO festivals and Tantsupidu concerts in Estonia.
