Värttinä is the Finnish folk ensemble that cannot be missed. And that cannot not just cheer you and fill you up with childish joy but can give you hints of folklore. Three women, full of life and talent, and three very dedicated men – that is the group that carries so much Finnish value. Together with Kadri Voorand and Mihkel Mälgand, we were given an unique experience in a charming space like Kultuurikatel.
The folk band shared mostly stories from Karelia, famous local fairytales and simple everyday life characters. The concert was part of the events dedicated to the 100th year of Independence of Finland. We had the opportunity to feel as if we were in Finland. And today even happened to be the Independence Day of Finland – party on both shores of the Finnish Gulf.
The music was pleasantly enhanced by the mutual songs with Kadri Voorand. The composition of the Finnish folk songs were combined with Kadri’s experimental sounds, bringing out a soft and contrasting collaboration. Rhythms from the Slavic and Seto heritage gave it authenticity and thus creating a true spirit of the Finnish region Karelia, where the tunes were from.
We don’t need to go far to be delighted by cultures, maybe just far enough to be able to reach out and be present in this kind of concerts like this „Finland 100“ was.
Värttinä (Finland) feat. Kadri Voorand (Estonia) „Finland 100“
Wednesday 6th of December 2017 at 19:00, Kultuurikatel
Mari Kaasinen – vocal
Susan Aho – vocal
Karoliina Kantelinen – vocal
Kadri Voorand – vocal
Lassi Logren – violin, jouhikko
Matti Laitinen – guitar, mandocello
Mikko Hassinen – drums
Check out the photos here.