Gustav Ernesaks

Ernesaks was born in Perila, Peningi Parish. He played an integral role in the Singing Revolution and was one of the father figures of the Estonian Song Festival tradition. One of his songs, a setting of Lydia Koidula's poem Mu isamaa on minu arm, became an unofficial national anthem during the years of Soviet occupation. He also composed the Estonian SSR anthem used between 1945 and 1990.

In 1935, Ernesaks married Stella Merjam. They had three sons: Ott Ernesaks, Jüri Ernesaks and Peep Ernesaks. Stella died in 1973. Ernesaks died in Tallinn, aged 84. A statue of him was erected in 2004 on the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.

Ernesaks's grave at Metsakalmistu cemetery

Soviet Union

• Hero of Socialist Labour (1974)
• People's Artist of the USSR (1956)
• Stalin Prizes;
  • 2nd class (1947)
  • 3rd class (1951) – for the opera Tormide rand ("The Coast of Storms"; 1949)
• Lenin Prize (1970)
• Order of Lenin, three times (1974, 1951, 1967)
• Order of the October Revolution (1978)
• Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1946)
• Order of the Badge of Honour, twice (1965, 1988)

Estonia

• Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 5th class (1938)
• Honoured Artist of the Estonian SSR (1942)
• People's Artist of the Estonian SSR (1947)
• State Prize of the Estonian SSR (1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1959, 1965)