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Juurakko: Yhdeksäs talvi – The Ninth Winter

A record filled with sleet, slush and hygge Juurakko’s third album, Yhdeksäs talvi – The Ninth Winter, is the best kind of medicine for the season of grey and cold. The record is built around the theme of winter, polar nights, mulled wine and the warmth of the fireplace, sleet, slush and twilight time. The album will be released to …

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Bike tours and minority initiatives

Versatile Finnish folk musicians encountering global and local threats Two fascinating Finnish projects are presented at the first WOMEX to be held in Finland, 23th to 27th of October 2019. Duo Emilia Lajunen & Suvi Oskala plays in the official showcase series and is looking forward to broadening their bike tour activities, while four musicians from the Swedish-speaking minority combine …

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Kalevala Manifesto

Kalevala dead or alive The Kalevala epic is an expression of a wonderful human achievement far grander and more momentous than the pyramids or the Great Wall of China. It reflects the very essence of the intangible, philosophical, erotic, humorous and thrilling heritage of the greater Finno-Baltic community that has evolved over millennia, a creative endeavour involving every member of …

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Ethnogala nominees have been selected

The nominees in the second edition of the Finnish Ethnogala have been announced. The leading figures in folk music, world music and folk dance will be awarded on the 10th of January at the Ethnogala, which will take place at Tavastia in Helsinki.   At the Ethnogala, awards will be handed out in seven categories to the most interesting and …

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Nordic Highway

Nordic Highway presents the most interesting names of the modern folk music from Finland, Sweden and Norway and takes them on a tour together Good news for the fans of modern folk music, Nordic noir and strong song-writing! Nordic Highway tour concept has gathered together three acclaimed folk artists from Finland, Sweden and Norway and takes them on tour. The …

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Nominate the Ethnogala winner

It is time to nominate the Ethnogala winners again! Anyone can make their suggetions before 15th of August via www.etnogaala.fi. Although the number of nominations does not affect the eventual selection of winners, good reasons may play a significant role and provide important information in close decisions.   Juries will make the final selection in the end of the summer. …

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OVER 100 RECORDINGS BEFORE GOING SOLO

Acclaimed Finnish accordionist Matti Kallio releases his first solo album, following a two-decade long career as a successful performer, producer and composer. The Iceland-based Finnish multi-instrumentalist Matti Kallio is a prominent multi-talent within the music scene. He has contributed to over a hundred records, collaborated with artists such as Värttinä, Björk and Hector, and won awards for his work with …

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Oulu goes green in honor of St.Patrick’s Day

Oulu, the Irish Culture Mecca of Finland, joins the Global Greening campaign with The Ice Rink and the Oulu Theatre in the city’s historic harbour area. On March 17th, the world goes green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with iconic buildings and sites across the globe taking part in Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening Initiative. Further afield, iconic sites that have …

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Riitta Huttunen, WOMEX samurai

A small group of esteemed members of the global music community, come together to put the WOMEX programme together. Five Jury members focus on selecting the Showcase artists (Showcase Samurai), while the other two members collaborate on the Conference Sessions (Conference Samurai). Riitta Huttunen from Maetka has been chosen to be one of the Conference Samurais together with Sonya Mazumdar (India).    …