From pum and tsäk to exquisite beauty – Contemporary folk music from Finland

by Anu Ahola, Simon Broughton, Tove Djupsjöbacka, Riikka Hiltunen, Mika Kauhanen, Amanda Kauranne, Fiona Talkington

In October 2019, folk music and world music professionals from around the globe come together in Tampere, Finland, for the WOMEX World Music Expo. Inspired by the event, FMQ dedicates its Special Feature 3/2019 to folk music: What is happening in contemporary folk music in Finland today, how did we arrive here and why?

The Special Feature 3/2019 Editorial: Singing, yoiking and fiddling to tear down walls
Columns by Anu AholaPublished 30 Sep 2019

An outrageously oversimplified mini-map of folk music in Finland
by FMQPublished 29 Sep 2019

Go your own way! Artistic freedom is at the heart of vibrant contemporary Finnish folk music
by Mika KauhanenPublished 30 Sep 2019

Folklandia – a music festival on sea
Columns by Simon BroughtonPublished 30 Sep 2019

Pelimanni spirit is alive!
by Amanda KaurannePublished 30 Sep 2019

Alive and adventurous – Finnish traditional accordion in today’s world
by Fiona TalkingtonPublished 30 Sep 2019

“If our memory fails us, we exist no more…”
by Simon BroughtonPublished 26 Apr 2019

Contemporary folk song is a mix of traditional and original
by Tove DjupsjöbackaPublished 30 Sep 2019

Pluck those strings, play that bow - kantele and jouhikko
by Tove DjupsjöbackaPublished 30 Sep 2019

Tracking thousands of tangos
by Riikka HiltunenPublished 30 Sep 2019

Newest Folk Album Reviews
by Tove DjupsjöbackaPublished 30 Sep 2019

Featured illustration: Cajsa Holgersson