Research, documenting and revival project of folk music, stage II: Kokko lenti koilta ilmoin
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The purpose was the preservation of the existing oral cultural heritage and the preservation of folk music in particular in Kainuu, Koillismaa, North Karelia, and Olonets and White Sea Karelia, through research, education and publication activities. The intention of the project was also to increase the cooperation in music education and research in East Finland and the Republic of Karelia.

Main activities

• Collection of approximately 300 hours of audio and video recordings, including folk music and information related to song culture, • Publication of CD discs and two books, • Organisation of training and concert periods by Sinfonietta Lentua for participants from both Kainuu and Karelia, • Development of new programme services.

Achievements

The project collected approximately 300 hours of audio and video recordings, including folk music and information related to song culture. The research work also paid special attention to songs archived earlier. The project published a CD disc and two books. Training was also organised for those interested in the field, and, either independently or in cooperation with others, eight training and concert periods by Sinfonietta Lentua were organised for participants from both Kainuu and Karelia. Cooperation between the Kuhmo Music Institute and the Petrozavodsk State Music Academy increased and was further consolidated with regard to content during the project; financially, the cooperative implementation still relies on temporary arrangements. Thanks to this project in part, runic singing is now much better presented in the media and in our music culture than before. Runic singing is currently also included in the syllabi of several educational institutes, and the content of education have developed further, due to the project. The representatives responsible for research and pedagogical training in folk music obtained a concrete feel of the runic song tradition and heightened familiarity with runic singers through the project. The cultural aspect of Kuhmo was developed, and the status of runic singing was revived, on the national scale at minimum. Regional cooperation was also extended internationally. The know-how gained through the project can also be exploited in the future. The tourism strategy of Kainuu was given more concrete content in the project. The project staff was present and performed in events organized by travel companies and in municipal events. Additionally, programme services developed in the project have been in use in the Kalevala Village of Kuhmo and at Kuhmo Arts Centre. The folk music activity unit has not yet been established, but progress has been made. The project enabled concrete cooperation with the main Finnish universities that provide education in folk music and culture, all of which also expressed interest in future cooperation, which will be a focal point for the operations model of the planned activity unit. The operations have been carried on in the project ”Folk’s Music development project in support of cultural tourism”.