The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival kicks off today, Monday 6 July, for the 48th time. Kaustinen is one of the most important places for folk music and folk dance in Finland, and each year's festivals bring a flood of tourists. There is optimism about the number of visitors this year. Advance sales have increased by 10 % compared to last year.
Sirpa Lahti, chairwoman of Pro Kaustinen ry, the organisation of the festival, is looking forward to the start of the celebrations.
”It's great to see the Folk Music Festival from this perspective for the first time. You notice that after all these years there is always something new! I wish the same for the audience, that they would dare to listen to new and even stranger performers, to discover new aspects of the festival.”
Participation is important at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival and it is emphasised now that the overall theme of folk music and folk dance proclaims that “Everyone plays”!
”Feel free to get involved,” Lahti urges. ”The festival experience will definitely be different if you get involved in the singing and dancing. And if you have an instrument with you, feel free to jam!”
The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is of great importance both locally and internationally. The international importance is reflected in particular by the award of the EFFE (Europe for Festivals) Festivals for Europe quality label. Locally, Lahti is grateful for the good cooperation.
”This is a very important celebration for the community, and the municipality is very involved in the organisation. Working together, we can make this a significant event.”
Folk singing features strongly this year
This year, the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival wants to pay special attention to folk singing, which is also reflected in the slogan ”Let us all sing!”, borrowed from Aleksis Kivi. The festival will feature singing in many different forms.
Among the people's favourite singers are Katri-Helena and Lauri Tähkä and Ismo Alanko together with Kimmo Pohjonen. A newer star is Jani Klemola, a boy from the neighbouring village of Veteli, who rose to public attention this spring by reaching the finals of the tough Voice of Finland competition. He will perform on Wednesday at the Kallioklub.
Among the singer-songwriters performing are Topi Saha and Aili Järvelä, both also involved in the Folk Music Institute's Small Folk Song project, which will culminate in a final concert on Wednesday at the Keskipohjanmaa Arena. The Tallari ensemble is also working hard on folk song, with guests including Johanna Försti and Anssi Känsälä.
You can learn more about poetry singing with Taito Hoffrén, a top talent in the field, when his tour “Arhippa steps into the car” lands in Kaustinen. Choirs from near and far will be present, including Swiss choirs Joyful Voices and Nuevo proyecto and the award-winning Finnish women's choir Philomela. On Friday evening in Kaustinen Hall, several choirs will offer their best in a large concert of folk songs by choirs.
The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival also offers a wide range of participatory activities. You don't have to just listen to the singing, you can also sing yourself! Singing together at the evening tea house is a Kaustis classic. There are also various singing workshops and singing nights hosted by Pia Rask on Wednesday and Friday evenings. On Thursday evening, everyone can take part in a sing-through of Kantelettare, hosted by the singers of the Shamu band, and on Saturday evening there will be a chance to try out folk song karaoke led by Tallari.
Kaustinen pays attention to children
The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is perfect for the whole family. Both the performances and other activities for children are well presented every day. Children under 7 years of age are admitted free of charge to the festival area. Several top names in children's acoustic music will perform during the festival week, including Mimmit, Freija, Pentti Rasinkangas and Tuomo Rannankari & Tallari.
Traditional highlights include Tuesday's Mukulamatinea, where a hundred-strong troupe of small keyboard players and tiny Ottosten folk dancers will raise the roof of the festival arena. This year's special guest at the Fingertips will be the country's famous rapper Paleface. English show band The New Rope String Band will add international colour to the children's programme, and several international performers will also visit the Children's Tent to showcase their own traditions. There will also be opportunities to take part in a children's toy boat competition, learn about folk dances or instrument making, draw or play the deck.
Konsta Jylhä competition themed on folk song
The Konsta jylhä competition will be held for the sixth time in connection with the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, at the atmospheric Pelimannitalo. The theme this year is folk song and there are two series: traditional and free. The competition starts on Monday at 19:00, the final will take place on Tuesday at 16:00 and the winners will perform on Wednesday evening at 21:30. The jury consists of Hannu Saha (chairman), Heikki Laitinen and Laura Sippola. A total of €10 000 will be awarded in prizes.
Media representatives are invited to the daily press briefing, where they can learn more about the programme, meet the artists and players and listen to musical performances over coffee and refreshments. We will also send out a daily newsletter with the main highlights of the programme. Information sessions will be held daily at 11 am at the Information Office at the Music High School, with the exception of the opening day of the festival, when the information session will start at 4 pm.
Programme change
On Monday at 20.30 in Iholla Hall, the like-minded Ronna Jam Band will replace Captain Arola.
More info:
Konsta Jylhä competition: producer Miia Palomäki, 044-3539827, miia.palomaki@gmail.com
For further information and interviews, please contact Hilkka Rauhala, Information Manager, 040-6585340, press@kaustinen.net