The theme of internationalism will be put into practice at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival this summer. Performers are already coming from at least 23 countries. One of the most intriguing is the Moroccan Asmaa Hamzaoui, which is bravely paving the way for African women. She will bring her band Bnat Timbouktou to Kaustinen on 9 and 10 July. The group will perform suggestive and therapeutic gnawa music, which has hitherto been forbidden to women.
- It is ritual music, combining poetry and dance. The main instrument is the guembri, traditionally played only by men. Asmaa Hamzaoui has inherited her father's love of the tradition and now represents a new generation of gnawa culture, Kaustinen Programme Director Anne-Mari Hakamäki tells you.
Asmaa H-amzaoui, called the daughter of a musical master, is only 21 years old, but she has found a loyal audience in a short time. Oulad Lghaba -The songs on the debut album sing a powerful social message about suffering and African history. Yet the songs respect the tradition of Gwana music that combines spirituality and poetry.
Like the kaustis violin, the gwana tradition is applying for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Talent champion takes to Siberia
The theme of internationalism is also implemented in its own way Olena Uutai. This Siberian shamaness is known as a semi-finalist in the English Talent Competition. Olena will play an electronic gig in Kaustinen on Thursday 11 July and an acoustic concert on Friday 12 July. In both, she will take her audience to the heart of the Siberian landscape with harmonica, singing and animal sounds.
The biggest folk music festival in the Nordic countries has an international flavour on every day of the festival. Many of the bands are from different countries, such as Farandi (Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark and the UK) or SANS (Finland, the UK and Armenia), which originated in Kaustinen.
In addition to internationalism, the themes of the celebrations are rhythm and the region of Savo.
Information Manager
Marita Salonen
tel. +358 40 668 5340
press@kaustinen.net