Olev Roomet facts for kids

Olev Roomet (born December 13, 1901, in Simuna – died March 23, 1987) was a special Estonian musician. He played the violin and was a singer in a famous male choir. But what made him truly unique was his love for the torupill, which is an Estonian bagpipe.

Who Was Olev Roomet?

Olev Roomet was a talented musician from Estonia. He was known for playing the violin and singing in the State Academic Male Choir of Estonia. This was a very important choir.

Even though he was already a musician, Olev found a new passion later in life. When he was in his 50s, he became very interested in the torupill. This is a traditional Estonian bagpipe.

The Last Torupill Player

For a while, it seemed like the torupill might disappear. In 1968, another important bagpipe player named Aleksander Maaker passed away. After his death, Olev Roomet became the only person still alive who could play the torupill. This made him very important for keeping Estonian musical traditions alive.

Bringing Back the Bagpipes

Olev Roomet knew how important the torupill was to Estonian culture. He didn't want this ancient instrument to be forgotten. So, he decided to do something amazing.

After the big Estonian Song and Dance Festival in 1970, Olev started a special project. He began teaching new people how to play the torupill. He trained 25 new bagpipers! These students were of all ages, from 14 to 70 years old.

To help with this, a skilled instrument maker named Voldemar Süda created new bagpipes. He made them just like the old, traditional ones. Thanks to Olev Roomet, the beautiful sound of the Estonian bagpipe was heard again. He helped make sure this special part of Estonian music would continue for future generations.