Tulehoidjad
Tulehoidjad on Portlandi eestlaste rahvatantsurühm, mis on pidevalt tegutsenud 75 aastat ja selles tantsib neli generatsiooni Eesti päritolu või Eestiga seotud tantsijat.
Tulehoidjad (Torch Bearers) is the Estonian folk dance group of Portland Oregon. Formed in 1950, Tulehoidjad has taught Estonian folk dances to four generations of Estonian immigrants and many American friends. Keeping Estonian traditions alive and teaching Americans about Estonian folk dance are the primary aims of Tulehoidjad rahvatantsijad (folk dancers.) It performs in many folk festivals held in the Northwest, including the Portland Rose Festival, the Portland ScanFair, the Portland Midsummer Scandinavian Festival, and Seattle Folk Life Festival.
Tulehoidjad brings to life the ethnic pride of the dancers and musicians as we celebrate our love for Estonia. The energetic dances, intricate steps and patterns, colorful authentic costumes, and lively music combine to create an exciting display of Estonian culture that is enjoyed by audiences of all ages. A delightful component of Tulehoidjad is the children’s song and dance troupe, which consists of children starting at the age of 3.
Tulehoidjad has traveled extensively throughout the world, and performed in festivals in the United States, Canada, Estonia, Sweden and Australia.
Tulehoidjad at National Folk Organization conference in Portland, April 2025
Tulehoidjad ajalugu. Tulehoidjad History
Allpool on ajaloolised pildid Portlandi Tulehoidjate rahvatantsurühmast.
Below are some historical pictures of Tulehoidjad.
Tulehoidjad at Portland Scanfair 2013
Tulehoidjad in Junction City in 2013
Grand Floral Parade
Tulehoidjad built a parade float and danced in the Portland Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade. Here is a snippet from the TV broadcast.
Tantsupidu — Estonian Dance Festivals
Tallinn, Estonia, July 2014
For the fifth time, 16 Tulehoidjad dancers performed at 2014 Tantsupidu (dance festival) in Tallinn, Estonia. Titled “Puudutus” (The Touch), the 2014 dance festival had a total of 10,000 dancers from all over Estonia and other countries.
Here is a group photo of our dancers at the Tantsupidu 2014
Tallinn, Estonia, July 2009
Tulehoidjad danced in the 2009 Estonian Song and Dance Festival in Tallinn, Estonia. Here are clips from the local television broadcast of the dances Tulehoidjad danced. Can you find them? There are quite a number of better recordings on YouTube: Tantsupidu 2009. Here are pictures of our Tulehoidjad combined with Tuhandest Tuulest from Seattle and individually.
Tantsupidu 2004
Our group photo of Tulehoidjad dancers at the 2004 Tantsupidu. On the second photo our friends from Vancouver, BC join us.
Practice Schedule in Portland
Practices during September-May season are held most Sunday evenings in SW Portland. Contact info@portlandesto.org for more information.