Freelance folk music producer Mari Pääkkönen will lead an international delegation of music influencers and festival representatives to the festival. Showcase bands will have a great opportunity to influence their own future, as the international delegation will closely follow each band's Friday show. Photo:Marita Salonen
A 20-member international music industry delegation will arrive in Kaustinen on Thursday evening. Producer Mari Pääkkönen, who is leading the group, says that members of the group will come from Denmark, Germany, Poland, Belgium, Hungary, Estonia and a few from Finland.
- They are organisers and representatives of festivals, one is a German journalist. On Friday, the delegation will follow the shows of each of the three showcase bands in a row. They might even be bought directly for shows in Europe," says Mari Pääkkönen.
A presentation of the festival, the Folk Music Institute and the Unesco nomination will also be held for the delegation on Friday. On Saturday, the group will visit a few cultural sites in the surrounding area and follow the evening programme in the festival area.