“Finally!” or “Here we go again?” – a look at diversity and equality in Finnish music in 2022

"At some point, even the most rigid relics in the music industry will give up their defensive reactions and realise that, hang on, this diversity stuff is all the rage, where can we get some?"

What concrete actions have been taken to advance equality in the Finnish music industry? How can diversity be promoted? Researcher Heidi Partti, musician-pedagogue Puro Paju, festival director Linda Suolahti and communications head Sanni Kahilainen talk about programming, the possibilities of pedagogy and questioning the prevailing models.

The Sámi artists are raising a storm in their local communities. Even though they are not often heard in the mainstream music scene, their importance for the local community is as strong as ever. Generations of Sámi people have had to figure out how to find themselves, how to have that balance between the two cultures – and music is such a helpful tool in this.

“If we wish to experience music as a genuinely questioning, searching, challenging and revitalising art form, should it not reflect the diversity of the world around it much better?” Kimmo Korhonen interviewed two proponents of diversity and plurality in music: a researcher, Docent Juha Torvinen PhD from the University of Helsinki; and a musician, violinist Linda Suolahti, artistic director of the Musequal festival.

"I am a composer of contemporary music, but also frequently an ordinary concertgoer – a music listener. My purpose here is to consider an art music concert event from the perspective of an audience member," writes Riikka Talvitie. This column is part of the series where composers and musicians write about their music.

As in any country on earth, there are multiple music cultures in Finland. Each stems from its own unique tradition and from the identity of its creators, but they are also in touch with the modern world. This playlist compilation focuses on four traditions: Finland-Swedish folk music, Sámi music, Finnish Roma music and Global music in Finland. The playlists were compiled by representatives of the respective cultures.

Endorsing equality in classical music in artistically meaningful and organic ways is no small endeavour. Yet, this was the very goal undertaken last weekend at Musequal Festival* in Janakkala, circa hundred kilometres north from Helsinki.