Press release 4.7.2017<\/p>\n
Every year, the organisers of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival go through the feedback from the audience and think about how to make the festival even better. This year, the public's requests include <\/b><\/span><\/span>for rent<\/b><\/span><\/span> festival bikes and a date bar, which serves as a meeting point in the Festival Park. <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Now in its 50th year, the festival will once again offer a full dose of music and dance from all corners of the globe. Nostalgic touches will be added by folk stars who have already performed in the early years of the festival <\/span><\/span>Hootenanny Trio<\/b><\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>Gardeners<\/b><\/span><\/span>, international colour Romanian <\/span><\/span>Taraf de Ha\u00efdouks<\/b><\/span><\/span> and the Shetland Islands tradition <\/span><\/span>Fiddlers\u2019 Bid<\/b><\/span><\/span>. Among the domestic names we see <\/span><\/span>The City of Laita Orchestra<\/b><\/span><\/span> with soloist <\/span><\/span>Paleface<\/b><\/span><\/span> and the exhilarating, baby.fi-based forum <\/span><\/span>Kalevauva.fi<\/b><\/span><\/span>-duo - just to name a few examples. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n During the week, there will be several thousand performances in different parts of the Festival Park and in the village of Kaustinen. <\/span><\/span>\u201dThe festival bikes have been longed for, and this year they are finally coming,\u201d promises Executive Director Sini Ker\u00e4nen. \u201dBikes can be hired from the information desk for short-term use, for up to five hours at a time.\u201d Festival Tip<\/span><\/span>he biggest renovation of the year in the city may not be visible to visitors. With the support of Kaustinen municipality, the back rooms of the Keskipohjanmaa Arena have been renovated to make them fit for purpose.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This year, the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival has also focused on environmental thinking.\u00a0<\/span>\u201dWe have been accepted into the Ekokompass project, which aims to obtain environmental certification for the event,\u201d says Sini Ker\u00e4nen. \u201dAs part of the project, we have created our own environmental plan, which will help us move towards a more environmentally conscious festival.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n One key measure is a recycling point for festival visitors. Located at the end of the high school, the point allows you to sort waste from paper to batteries and returnable bottles. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201dMany environmental measures are not necessarily visible to the outside world, such as paying attention to electricity consumption. We also do our best to encourage the use of public transport, so the number of festival buses has been increased this year. The Kokkola-Kaustinen route will run up to eight times a day at best, and the Veteli-Kaustinen route up to 18 times! There is also a Kimppakyyti group on Facebook, where you can ask for a festival ride.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This year marks the 50th Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, which will be celebrated with a festive beer and other festivities. The beer, called Hyppytahti, is made at the Tornio Brewery and is available in limited quantities. You can also enjoy the festive brew during the festival.<\/span><\/p>\n The festival's product range also includes a recycling theme, again in collaboration with Wanha Marku. The products will be sold during the festival in the Folk Shop,<\/span><\/span> In the Festival Shop and in the People's Arts Centre shop.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/span>The used bicycles from the Fillarivu rentals will come from the Wanha Marku recycling shop, where they will be serviced and tuned up to fit the festival theme. And, of course, they are also named according to the character of the Folk Music Festival: Tallari, Konsta, Sottiisi, Polska and Friiti await cyclists!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n