Many early jazz gigs on Finnish soil took place in gritty sailors’ bars. Jazz went on to earn a fervent following. The century-long history of jazz in Finland inspires a cavalcade of special events in 2026.
Can Finland win Eurovision again? Meet the musicians everyone is watching
Finnish violin virtuoso Linda Lampenius and popstar Pete Parkkonen are among the early favourites to win the Eurovision Song Contest, with “Liekinheitin” (Flamethrower). We meet them ahead of this year’s event, taking place in Vienna, Austria.
When a Northern Finnish child picked up a kantele mostly to annoy her sister, no one imagined she would become one of the instrument’s boldest contemporary voices.
Hear Tytti Metsä play an ancient Finnish instrument with a timeless voice: the jouhikko
Few Finns play the bowed lyre, or jouhikko, an instrument whose roots stretch back thousands of years. For Tytti Metsä, its breath-like, singing tone has become the centre of her musical expression.
Staying playful: A Finnish artist combines fatherhood with creative freedom
Everyone’s an artist in Teemu Keisteri’s family, no matter if they’re four or almost 40. Father and son get creative together and explore Finland’s vibrant children’s culture scene.
Spotlight on Vörå, Finland: the local impact of KAJ’s Eurovision success
The Swedish-speaking Finnish trio KAJ represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with a cheerful sauna song that was the hot favourite to win the final last May. In the end, they came in fourth – but they went from local heroes to viral international phenomenon, transforming their home village in the process.
Tracing the rise of Finland’s folk music from village roots to global acclaim
Folk music in Finland has evolved from postwar silence to a vibrant, internationally respected art form. As Womex (Worldwide Music Expo) 2025 approaches, Music Finland traces that journey.
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