How Ando Kiviberg turned the Viljandi Folk Music Festival into an Estonian institution

Musician, former mayor and self-styled “chief” Ando Kiviberg has spent three decades turning a fledgling folk gathering into one of Estonia’s defining cultural events.

Ando Kiviberg is, in his own words, a great supporter of democracy. As he should be. For four years, from 2013 to 2017, he served as the mayor of Viljandi, this picturesque and cozy town in the southern part of Estonia known for its stunning lake views and the festival he helped create. Although, truth be told, and also in his own words, he had absolutely no idea what he was doing.

At least at first.

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