Three new champions were named at Monday's opening ceremony: Toivo Rajala, Lappajärvi (vocals), Ritva Talvitie, Kaustinen (violin,) and Aimo Ruisniemi, Raisio (harmonica).
Since 1970, 148 players have now been awarded the title of champion player in Kaustinen. For the first time, four violinists were awarded the title: Konsta Jylhä from Kaustinen, Kustaa Järvinen from Eura, Otto Hotakainen from Halsua and Tuure Niskanen from Pielavede.
Shopkeeper Toivo Rajala is a renowned bellman, mandolin player and entertainer whose first instrument as a child was a comb. Later he added violin, two-string accordion, harmonica and mandolin.
Ritva Talvitie is originally from Kauhajoki. She has lived in Kaustinen for over 30 years. Talvitie is best known from the folk music band Tallar, from which she retired last spring. He has previously worked as a violin teacher and orchestra musician.
Aimo Ruisniemi from Viljakkala was given a harmonica by his mother as a child. Since then, he has played and been a member of singing groups. In the early 1990s, Ruisniemi joined the Raisio Goose Club to play the drums. The folk music ensemble Möttöläiset, the Pelimannitrio Eläkööri and the Naantali Pelimannit have also been important members.
A renewed plaque for Savo
The renewed festival poster was handed out for the first time at the opening ceremony. It was awarded to the life's work as a journalist Seppo Kononen From Kaavilta.
The festival plaque was designed and created by Juhana Virkkala from Kaustis, and is made of slate quarried from the soil of Kaustis. The festival plaque reminds us that in Kaustinen, stones also ring.
Ritva Talvitie (second from left), Aimo Ruisniemi and Toivo Rajala are the 2019 champion players. Seppo Kononen (left) received a renewed festival plaque.