{"id":40087,"date":"2026-01-09T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kaustinen.net\/?page_id=40087"},"modified":"2026-06-10T22:13:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:13:30","slug":"band-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kaustinen.net\/en\/vuoden-yhtye\/","title":{"rendered":"Band of the Year 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Band of the Year 2026
Hilja Gr\u00f6nfors & Lat\u0161o D\u017einta<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Band of the Year 2026 Hilja Gr\u00f6nfors & Lat\u0161o D\u017einta. Photo by Maarit Kyt\u00f6harju.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kaustinen Folk Music Festival's prestigious Band of the Year award is designed to highlight a band that has demonstrated special competence and activity in the field of folk music through its merits, fresh approach or long career. In 2026, the award will be given to Hilja Gr\u00f6nfors & Lat\u0161o D\u017einta.<\/a><\/p>\n

Hilja Gr\u00f6nfors is the name that today is associated with Finnish Roma music. She is a unique treasure trove of songs in the field of folk music, with a profound knowledge of the stylistic features, history and cultural background of the songs she performs. For decades, the master folk singer Gr\u00f6nfors has made a determined and conscious effort to preserve the Roma singing tradition: he has toured Finland, collected hundreds of songs from old singers and played a key role in preserving the oral tradition for future generations.<\/p>\n

In 2024, Hilja Gr\u00f6nfors' dedicated and persistent work was recognised on an exceptional scale when she was awarded an honorary doctorate and the title of academician. This honour, which is rare even internationally, is significant not only for her, but also for the entire Finnish Roma community and culture. Gr\u00f6nfors will perform in Kaustinen with the five-piece Lat\u0161o D\u017einta band.<\/p>\n

The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival wishes to highlight the central importance of Roma music and culture for Finnish folk music and Hilja Gr\u00f6nfors' exceptional life's work as a guardian, transmitter and expert of living tradition.<\/p>\n

Hilja Gr\u00f6nfors & Lat\u0161o D\u017einta:<\/h5>\n

Hilja Gr\u00f6nfors; vocals<\/p>\n

Valtteri Bruun; guitar<\/p>\n

Kiureli Sammallahti; accordion<\/p>\n

Matti Pitk\u00e4nen; violin, mandolin<\/p>\n

Sara Puljula; bass<\/p>\n

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WATCH VIDEO A poor mother in her home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>