Press release 4.7.2017
Every year, the organisers of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival go through the feedback from the audience and think about how to make the festival even better. This year, the public's requests include for rent festival bikes and a date bar, which serves as a meeting point in the Festival Park.
Now in its 50th year, the festival will once again offer a full dose of music and dance from all corners of the globe. Nostalgic touches will be added by folk stars who have already performed in the early years of the festival Hootenanny Trio and Gardeners, international colour Romanian Taraf de Haïdouks and the Shetland Islands tradition Fiddlers’ Bid. Among the domestic names we see The City of Laita Orchestra with soloist Paleface and the exhilarating, baby.fi-based forum Kalevauva.fi-duo - just to name a few examples.
During the week, there will be several thousand performances in different parts of the Festival Park and in the village of Kaustinen. ”The festival bikes have been longed for, and this year they are finally coming,” promises Executive Director Sini Keränen. ”Bikes can be hired from the information desk for short-term use, for up to five hours at a time.”
The used bicycles from the Fillarivu rentals will come from the Wanha Marku recycling shop, where they will be serviced and tuned up to fit the festival theme. And, of course, they are also named according to the character of the Folk Music Festival: Tallari, Konsta, Sottiisi, Polska and Friiti await cyclists!
Festival Tiphe biggest renovation of the year in the city may not be visible to visitors. With the support of Kaustinen municipality, the back rooms of the Keskipohjanmaa Arena have been renovated to make them fit for purpose.
This year, the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival has also focused on environmental thinking. ”We have been accepted into the Ekokompass project, which aims to obtain environmental certification for the event,” says Sini Keränen. ”As part of the project, we have created our own environmental plan, which will help us move towards a more environmentally conscious festival.”
One key measure is a recycling point for festival visitors. Located at the end of the high school, the point allows you to sort waste from paper to batteries and returnable bottles.
”Many environmental measures are not necessarily visible to the outside world, such as paying attention to electricity consumption. We also do our best to encourage the use of public transport, so the number of festival buses has been increased this year. The Kokkola-Kaustinen route will run up to eight times a day at best, and the Veteli-Kaustinen route up to 18 times! There is also a Kimppakyyti group on Facebook, where you can ask for a festival ride.”
This year marks the 50th Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, which will be celebrated with a festive beer and other festivities. The beer, called Hyppytahti, is made at the Tornio Brewery and is available in limited quantities. You can also enjoy the festive brew during the festival.
The festival's product range also includes a recycling theme, again in collaboration with Wanha Marku. The products will be sold during the festival in the Folk Shop, In the Festival Shop and in the People's Arts Centre shop.
”Throughout the spring, products have been manufactured almost entirelyfrom recycled materials and are now available in limited quantities. The materials used include old wristbands and t-shirts from folk music festivals,” says Sini Keränen, listing the materials: ”The product range includes a shoe bag for tan shoes, a hat, a beanie, a beanie, a bottle bag and earrings. ”
Recycling thinking is also represented by cooperation With Kaustinen Library. You can pick up books donated by the library at the information desk during the festival to read in the evening.
Every year, the Festival Park is improved with a gentle hand, and this year's new feature includes a date bar near the entrance to the Pelimannitor.
”Last autumn, we held an ideas session for local residents, and the idea of a meeting place came up. In the days before mobile phones, there were always such things, so you could easily find friends in the festival crowds. So we decided to set one up this year. There will be seating in the Treffisalo, and the possibility to pick up a musician friend - or why not a festival sport...?”
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 10.-16.7.2017
For more information and interview requests:
Head of Information Tove Djupsjöbacka
p. 040-6585340
press(at)kaustinen.net