Kaustinen Folk Music Festival

Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is the largest annual international folk music and dance festival in Finland and in the Nordic countries since 1968. The artists at the Festival vary from traditional Finnish solo performers to contemporary folk bands and international acts of the highest calibre. More than 300 Finnish bands participate the Festival - in practice all top Finnish names appear at the Festival providing the best possible way to see and hear everything one might desire about Finnish folk music and dance at one festival. The yearly bill of foreign artists include performers from 10-20 different countries and cultures, also varying from traditional ensembles to world music bands. Kaustinen is situated in the unspoilt Finnish countryside 430 km northwest from Helsinki with good air, rail & road connections.

KAUSTINEN IN 2006
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival has always been known for it’s laid-back atmosphere and the non-existent gap between the audience and the performers. Next summer it will be even more difficult to tell the two apart as the festival focuses on impromptu playing and dancing regardless of place – “Who needs a stage?” is the motto of the year. The exotic North displayes itself at its best via our regional themes Lapland and Kainuu (North-Eastern Finland). In addition, the world-famous Kaustinen fiddle based folk music can be enjoyed daily in arena concerts as well as intimate indoor events. International colour will be added to the festival programme by our theme country Italy. Kaustinen is also the venue for the 27th EBU Folk Festival – an international folk music festival arranged by the European Broadcasting Union taking place Thursday 13th-Saturday 15th of July and featuring the finest folk music performers from all over Europe The final programme of Kaustinen Folk Music Festival will include more than 200 concerts - a grand celebration of music and dance for nine nightless nights and days!


date: 2006.07.08 - 2006.07.16