Folk Music Living Tradition in Kaustinen

I had the great fortune of studying Finnish and Nordic folk music in the village of Kaustinen, Finland, the same year its fiddle-traditions became UNESCO recognised. Kaustinen has a population of just over 4000 people, yet hosts the largest folk festival in all of the Nordic countries each summer. It is the home of many pelimannit (spelmän/folk musicians) and also the Näppärit, a huge group of children that all play folk music together as part of their heritage. Aside from that, the world's largest kantele - Finland's national instrument - resides in Kaustinen.

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