The town of Lkast in Denmark hosted a singing contest in remembrance of Lt. Col. Thileepan this month, with Tamils from across Europe gathering to take part.

The event, entitled ’Thesathin Kuyilkal 2014’ saw contestants sing songs about the Tamil homeland, showcasing their vocal talents to a packed out audience.

The evening began with the raising of the Tamil Eelam flag and the lighting of the sacrificial flame, after which candles were placed in front of portraits of Lt Col. Thileepan, Col. Sankar and Col. Rayu, in remembrance of their deaths.

Lt. Col Thileepan fasted to death on a hunger strike appealing to the Indian government to honour pledges made to the Tamil people. Thileepan, the then political wing leader of the Jaffna district for the LTTE, began his fast on the 15th of September 1987, with 100,000 people gathered around the historic Nallur Kandwaswamy Temple in Jaffna.

Contestants sang songs dedicated to the Tamil Eelam nation, as well as to the in remembrance of the thousands of young men and women who gave their lives in the struggle against oppression.

The judges, Mrs Jeyarani Sakathevan and Mrs Eelavaani Vijayenthiran from Germany, were impressed by the singing talent on stage, especially with the younger contestants who stepped on to the stage.

Music throughout the night was provided by the talented ‘Tamil Eela Isaikkulu’ (Tamil Eelam music group) from the Netherlands. See a full list of the winners from the night below.

Children contest Winners:
1st place – Sabthaki Balenthiran
2nd – Arswiya Pirabhakaran
3rd – Thivani Santhirakumar

Young contest winners:
1st – Sirunjana Yogarasa
2nd – Mekavi Pathmasekaran, Nilakshana Meheswaran
3rd – Saruga Uthayakumar

Over 18 contest winners:
1st – Suganya Jeyam
2nd – Joolika Jesuthasan
3rd – Thivaraka Uthayachanthiran, Arunniya Rajasingham