Press release 7.7.2017
The impact of the centenary year is reflected in advance ticket sales for the 50th edition of the festival: by the end of June, almost twice as many tickets had been sold as last year. ”For an outdoor event at the mercy of weather holders, the sharp increase in advance ticket sales is a welcome development,” says the Executive Director. Sini Keränen sums up the mood a couple of days before the festival starts. The large increase is partly explained by the lively group sales - dozens of busloads of group travellers are expected, especially for the closing weekend.
In Kaustinen, advance sales have accounted for about a third of all ticket sales in recent years. To celebrate the centenary, admission is free on the opening day of the festival. This is expected to contribute to an increase in attendance. ”In order to get accurate attendance statistics for the opening day, people will still walk through the entrance with their tickets - but they will get them free of charge at the gate. Ticket distribution will start at 14:00 and the festival will officially open at 15:00,” says Keränen.
Three passages through the church village
On the opening day of the Folk Music Festival, Monday 10 July, the celebrations will be visible throughout the church village as three different processions take turns to perform. ”At the request of the public, the running event, the Tour of Crete, has been moved from the Sunday before the festival to the opening day,” says Sini Keränen. Otherwise, the tour will take place in the traditional way of running, playing and dancing. You can still register on the spot, at Juhlapiha from 15.00. The tour starts at 16.30, of course with music from the start and the journey. Both the start and finish are located at the Pelimannitorium.
At 17:00 it is the turn of the Kaustinen mobilists. Old cars and other vehicles will drive from the inspection station via Mosala to Neste. ”The day of the annual Mobilists” festival drive has varied a bit. Now the idea is that on the same day you can see three processions in a row. The timetable has been carefully planned so that cars and runners don't hit the roundabout at the same time," smiles Sini Keränen.
The last of the three processions is a colourful procession of performers. In the old days, the procession took place at the end of the festival, but now the tradition has been revived and moved to the opening day. The procession will leave the Kaustinen cooperative dairy yard at 17.15 and will lead directly to the opening ceremony of the Folk Music Festival, which will start at 18.00 at the Keskipohjanmaa Arena.
At the opening ceremony, new champion players will be named and festival plaques will be handed out. The festival will be attended by the Näppärit and their international guests, the Ottoset, the Tallari and the Hääkuoro. The keynote speech will be given by Professor Emeritus Heikki Laitinen.
For more information and interview requests:
Information Manager
Tove Djupsjöbacka
p. 040-6585340
press(at)kaustinen.net