Kaustinen is celebrating its 50-year milestone in a spectacular way, drawing on history but with a strong focus on the future. In line with the theme of the centenary celebrations, the celebrations will be spectacular and varied, drawing on regional festive traditions and at the same time tying in with the Finland 100 celebrations.
Band of the Year 2017, Gájanas
The 2017 band of the year is a young Inari band representing modern Sámi music. Gaianas. The band's output is a fresh combination of rich musical texture, improvisation and centuries-old joi tradition. Hilda Länsman, a student at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts, is the band's leading figure, following in the footsteps of her mother, Ulla Pirttijärvi, who went solo from the Angel girls, as a preserver and developer of the Sámi musical tradition. Virtuoso brothers Nicholas and Kevin Francett and Erkki Feodoroff join Länsman in creating a soundscape that draws influences from progressive rock to jazz and grunge. Even surprising combinations blend seamlessly with Länsman's yokes. The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival honours the preservation of Sámi culture, music and traditions and commemorates the 100-year history of the Sámi National Day by naming the band of the year.
In addition to Gájanas, the festival will feature the most powerful female quartet in American folk music Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards, a charismatic and skilful ensemble from a small Venezuelan village, coming to Europe for the first time Betsayda Machado & La Parranda el Clavo and the Shetland ”musical tornado”, an upbeat Fiddlers’ Bid, together with which a domestic counterpart will take to the stage - the virtuoso Frigg. Estonia's most popular party band of the moment Trad.Attack! launches the 100th anniversary of Estonia's independence in Kaustinen. Among the Finnish bands performing will be the vocal folk hop band Kaustinen, familiar from the 2013 showcase series and now conquering the world. Windstar, a folk orchestra conducted by Niko Kumpuvaara with soloist Paula Koivuniemi and Kaustinen's legendary - Folk musicians, Prusikoukku and over 20 years old Tötterssön - in a joint concert. The children's parties include Timo Parvela's Flavour and Bunny -and a storytelling concert, and Satu Sopanen & Tutti Orchestra. The choreographies of the legendary Helvi Jukarainen come into their own master dancer Hannu Nipul in a folk dance concert. Hundreds of pelican groups are expected to attend and the most distant will be the following to celebrate the anniversary Thunder Bay Pelimannit from Ontario, Canada, and Sons of America From the United States.
Three bands have again been selected from a large number of applicants for the 2017 Summer Showcase series. Marko Siekkinen & Toivoniemi Reserve is an Oulu-based bluegrass and folk interpreter of life stories. Duo Systrami is a duo from northern Sweden, whose seamlessness can be heard from the arrangements to the interpretations. Perpetuum Locomobile is a modern take on the soundscape of world music in the midst of chaos by skilled musicians.
Eighth national Konsta Jylhä -competition will be held at the Folk Music Festival on 10-11 July 2017. The 2017 competition is for small ensembles (2-4 persons) and, unlike previous years, there will be only one series. The music to be performed must be folk music, either traditional or new. New music must also have a clear link to tradition. The competition is organised by Kaustinen Pelimannitalo in cooperation with the Folk Music Institute and the winners will perform at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. The competition will award prizes of €10 000.
More information:
Anne-Mari Hakamäki, Programme Director
040 358 2446
anne-mari.hakamaki(a)kaustinen.net