Press release 14.7.2017
Saturday is the wedding day in Kaustinen. Three real couples celebrate a real wedding in the festival atmosphere, and around it you can enjoy both the bride's dressing up and the wedding party in Kestikievar. There's plenty of other activities too, including Paula Koivuniemen a concert programme especially for Kaustinen and a "Long Live Folk!" programme, which will feature the music of legends who celebrated the early years of Kaustinen, such as Gardeners and Hootenanny Trion presentations. Anssi Känsälä presents the production of a new album, the South Ostrobothnian Bill Hota & the Pulvers will give its only concert at this festival and the history of folk dance will come alive Helvi Jukaraisen best dance review.
Kallioklub will be hosting a world premiere evening, namely a concert by Kaustis-based composer, electric violinist and multi-instrumentalist Ville Kangas Plastic Fiddle Bandin from the first concert. The album was released last week and stylistically it is a fusion of modern electronic dance music and different ethnic elements of the world. Kanka's electric violin and a variety of acoustic and electronic samplers take centre stage.
A collection of Asko Hanhikoski's compositions on display
”Well, tomorrow I have four gigs and rehearsals in between, a lesson in the Kaustinen music hall and then there's the Masterpiece and the cavalcade and what have you got now”, master player man Asko Hanhikoski lists and wipes the sweat from his forehead. Players tend to have a minute-by-minute schedule at festivals.
An important part of master pianist Hanhikoski's schedule is his own composition concert on Saturday at 17.30 at Pelimannitalo.
””O dear Fatherland is the most important composition in the concert,” says Hanhikoski, ”composed in honour of Finland's 100th anniversary." The text is also by Hanhikoski, as is the case with his compositions in general. The vocal soloists in the song are Mikko Hanhikoski and Sampo Korva. Other soloists in the concert are Vuokko Korva, Pauliina Peltokangas, Lea Mäki-Suvio and Tero Latvala. Responsible for the call side Jylhän's pelimannit and The Purple Men. Also part of the From the Kaustinen Wedding Choir will perform at the concert.
In addition to the song ”Patänmaa”, the composer also wrote "Valssi ystäville" (A waltz for friends), which Hanhikoski wrote with a long-time friend and playing partner of the Purpuripelimannie. Action by Uusitalo and ”Holm's Fox”, which describes the atmosphere of the Pelimann House and commemorates the late folk music researcher Simo Westerholm. Asko Hanhikoski's compositions are often born from memories and stories.
Asko Hanhikoski has composed around 70 compositions, of which just under half have been recorded. They have been performed by, among others. Central Ostrobothnia Chamber Orchestra, singer Merja Wirkkala, tango king Matti Korkiala, a tango and entertainment orchestra from Central Bohemia Guardia Nueva, dance orchestra Lasse Hoikka and Souvarit and, of course, many gambling bands. As the performers suggest, the spectrum of compositions ranges from spiritual songs to pop songs.
The themes of the songs are often born in the forest, a bit like Konsta Jylhä, whom Hanhikoski cites as an important role model. He whistles snippets of melody as he walks in the woods to jog his memory and then rushes home to scribble them down on paper ”just enough for isse to understand”. He can read and write music, but it feels a bit foreign, especially in the music of the pelimann. Among other things Timo Valo and Ritva Talvitie have scored Hanhikoski's songs for use by musicians.
”I used to play chamber music in the 1970s, when I could play sheet music, but I prefer to play by ear,” says Pelimanni.
Texts are usually written on the back of a tractor. ”I've smashed many a mobile phone to bits when I've saved texts,” Hanhikoski laughs. Since childhood, music has always been a part of his life, like many musicians. His uncle played in Jylhän's pelimannis and was a mentor to 10-year-old Asko. His real bread and butter has been farming and forestry.
20 years of Asko Hanhikoski's compositions Sat 15.7. at 17.30-18.15 Pelimannitalo
From Aitovier to feasts - Pensioners' Union Summer Days in Kaustinen
The national summer days of the Finnish Pensioners' Union (15.-16.7.), held in conjunction with the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, will attract an estimated 2,000 participants on Saturday and Sunday, in addition to other festival guests.
Originally an honorary member of the Central Ostrobothnia District Pauli Känsälän has been brewing for several years. ”Cooperation with Pro Kaustinen encouraged the members of the Pensioners” Union of Central Ostrobothnia to finally take up the challenge," says the Executive Director of the Central Ostrobothnia District of the Pensioners' Union. Taina Alanko.
The programme parts of the Aitovieriltä pitoihin programme are planned in cooperation with the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. The opening ceremony on Saturday at the Central Ostrobothnia Arena will feature a joint singing of regional songs, which fits in with the festival's idea of highlighting all of Finland's regions in the centenary year. The three regions will also have their own opportunity to present themselves. The pensioners” programme also includes, among other things, a Sunday folk-singing church.
In addition to the stage programme, the pensioners have brought a community artwork at Aitovier, workshops and the exhibition Life with Hands, which showcases the creativity of older people through crafts, art and photography at the People's Arts Centre.
Like a torrent of water - Kaustis festive evenings
”Music, poetry and drama as in the old days”, summarises the musician from Kaustis, who put together the programme for Saturday's Kaustis Evenings. Crete-Maria Kentala. The model has at least unconsciously been the parties and evenings in Kaustis. Since the beginning of the last century, evenings have been celebrated throughout Finland with the concept of poetry, drama, a party speech and dancing on top, often purple in Kaustinen. During the wars, dancing was forbidden, but otherwise the evening tradition has continued in the same form from decade to decade.
”Nowadays we have to revive the evenings a bit, but they are organised in different villages in Kaustinen during the winter,” Kentala says. According to Kentala, these evenings are more festive than usual, as this is the 50th Kaustinen Festival and the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence. The performers at the evenings are Kaustinen hornblower, Aila Rauhala's kantele girls, singer Merja Wirkkala, All Stars - a gaming tandem, whose musicians took part in the first festivals in 1968, Kaustinen Orchestra led by Juha Kangas, Songwriters and Wedding Choir and a young actor from Putouk. Mikko Penttilä, which sets out William of Niittykosken the poem River of Life. To add to the nostalgia, a slideshow of old festival photos from the Folk Music Institute. At the end of the evenings, the Kaustis musicians will play a tune that goes under your feet, and then you'll be dancing.
”What is most admirable about the people of Kaustis is their love and commitment to their musical heritage, and there is no sign of any let-up. However, it is very important to support year-round hobbyism, it is dangerous to take it for granted,” says Kentala. Asked whether she prefers classical music or music for playing, Kreeta-Maria says: ”It's like asking which of your children you like best.”
Kaustinen festive evening on Sat 15.7. from 19.00 Kaustinen Hall and Folk Art Centre
For more information and interview requests:
Information Manager
Tove Djupsjöbacka
p. 040-6585340
press(at)kaustinen.net