(BUB) plays urban folk, folk from Brussels, with a lot of influences from other styles and places. Like Brussels, our music is a big melting pot: folk, jazz, rock, reggae, contemporary, etc.
All the music is composed by ourselves, mostly by Kim Delcour, the bagpipe player, but the music has its roots in the West-European traditional music.
Kim Delcour studied at the Royal Conservatory Baroque and Renaissance music and contemporary music on the recorder, and played before in a rockband, together with Frank Van Overstraeten, who also played in a glitter-disco band.
Winter Lavigne studied jazz-guitar at jazz-studio in Antwerp; Tim Somers has had a lot of experience in a lot of rockbands.
Pierre-Yves Berhin won in 2002 the bourdon contest in Gooik, Kim Delcour won the contest in 2000.
1st concert: 02/04/99
Festivals:
Dranouter Folkfestival, Gentse Feesten, International Folk Festival in Tilburg (NL), Brosella Folk Festival, Winterfolk at Ancienne Belgique, and many other, less big performances in Belgium and The Netherlands.
In 2000 (BUB) recorded their 1st CD, and there were a lot of enthusiastic reviews in the press.

Members:

Kim Delcour - bagpipes, recorder
Frank Van Overstraeten - sopran and tenorsaxophone
Winter Lavigne - electronic and 12-string guitar
Tim Somers - percussion
Janpieter Delcour - bass guitar
Pierre-Yves Berhin - diatonic accordion

Contact information:

kimdelcour@yahoo.com

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 14:00 Kirsimägi 60EEK Saturday 20:00 A.Le Coq tent 60EEK

    

Ensemble A´Mul Poogen was formed at Viljandi Culture College by young folk musicians who met in the autumn of 2001. They have been playing together for a year, performing in different places in Estonia. They play, first and foremost, Estonian folk music but for a change sometimes also pieces of other peoples.

Members:

Gerti Paavel - bagpipes, tinwhistle, guitar, percussion, piano
Marju Varblane - violin, bowed harp
Kulno Malva - accordion, guitar
Tarmo Noormaa - double bass, diatonic accordions

Contact information:

Kulno Malva GSM + 37255 633 432
kulno@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 16:00 A.Le Coq tent 30EEK Saturday 16:00 Museum stage free

    

Aivar Teppo, who does not descend from his famous namesake, is, however, a harmonic player of many generations. He got to know the instrument in his early childhood and the first pieces he played were learned from his father and grandfather. Later on he has learned a lot from one of the most well known harmonic players of all ages, Karl Kikas. One might consider Aivar his successor. At present there is no other harmonic player who could be compared to him. Teppo lives in Tartu County, Vedu village. He has been invited to play at family celebrations and other gatherings. His concert tours have also taken him abroad. His enchanting music is evidently known to every folk music enthusiast in Estonia - at least via TV and radio. He is also our first diatonic accordion player whose recordings were issued on his heyday (1996) as a musician.
Ants Taul ... a mysterious and unpredictable man. He builds bagpipes and planes. Has completed a HOUSE, that is not merely a house but which accommodates his family, folk music friends, all the our-culture people, offers great inspiration for music and existentially essential ideas.
For all that he has gathered experience and wisdom in Viljandi, Võru, Palmse, Syria, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Cuba, Finland, Japan, the USA, Austria, Sweden, France, Holland, Hungary, Germany.
People in Viljandi Culture College have also benefited from the inventions and skills of Ants. He teaches both bagpipes and Estonian diatonic accordion. His students with their own wishes have only added to Ants’ inventions.

Tarmo Noormaa is a young Viljandi Culture College folk music student from Võrumaa, who takes care that the Estonian harmonica playing tradition survives in Estonia.

Tarmo himself says so:
«I come from Võrumaa. There’s nothing surprising about me playing Estonian harmonica because this tradition is very strong in Võrumaa. This instrument is also called Võru harmonica. I first saw and heard harmonica at the birthday parties of my relatives where Elmar Ruusamäe played. One of my classmates, Indrek Mäesalu, also began to play harmonica and it was him who encouraged me the most.
I simply had to get a harmonica for myself, I did not succeed, so at the very beginning I had to put up with a Russian kromka. When a little later I could buy Ostra instrument from an old player there was nothing that could stop me.
First I learned from Alo Piho and Elmar Ruusamäe who are both very good players. Then I ended up in a folk music camp where Margus Põldsepp taught me, so came the interest to go and study in the College. At the moment I am busy with studying harmonica playing styles in Läänemaa and Pakri.»

Members:

Aivar Teppo - Estonian diatonic accordion
Ants Taul – bagpipes and Estonian diatonic accordion
Tarmo Noormaa - Estonian diatonic accordion

Contact information:

Aivar Teppo +37250 47 578 (mobile)
Ants Taul +37276 70 661
Tarmo Noormaa +37250 87 759 (mobile)
tarmo@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 18:00 Museum stage free Saturday 14:00 Kultrahoov 30EEK

    

Edgar Arro, who had his 90th anniversary on March 24 last year, is one of the most versatile and wide-ranging creative composers in Estonian music history. His mainly folkmusic-like and smaller format compositions can be recognized by colorful characters, flowing melody and completeness. Among his compositional works for organ, such as the Sonata for Organ and several smaller scale pieces, there is a special place for six booklets of Estonian folk tunes for organ (1968-1978). Only a small selection of these will be performed this year. Since the notations lack worded titles by the author as well as hints on the origins of the folk tunes, Anneli Kont-Rahtola has tried to find out about the original sources of these pieces.

Anneli Kont-Rahtola has graduated from Estonian Music Academy in 1989 as a choir conductor and is continuing her studies in Helsinki Sibelius Academy folk music department. She is a member of a well-known Finnish vocal ensemble MeNaiset since 1993 and is also working as a lecturer at Viljandi Culture College.
Ene Salumäe has graduated Estonian Music Academy as a choir conductor, having studied organ and clavichord simultaneously. She continued her studies of church music, organ and clavichord in 1990-1996 in Helsinki Sibelius Academy obtaining Master's degree in music.
She has worked as an organist-choir conductor in several congregations in Estonia and Finland, since 1996 as an organist in Tallinn Episcopal Dome Church congregation and a lecturer of organ and church music in Viljandi Culture College.

Members:

Anneli Kont-Rahtola - fiddle
Ene Salumäe - organ

Contact information:

Anneli Kont-Rahtola
e-mail: amrahtola@megabaud.fi

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 19:00 Jaani church 30/15EEK Friday 18:00 Suure-Jaani church free

    

Dave Murphy
Born in Wicklow, Dave has been playing for many years and has traveled extensively bringing his music to places as far a field as the U.S. west coast and Central Asia.
He has been a founding member of such bands as «Prosper» and «TRE». He currently lives and plays in Dublin.


Harry Bent
Born in Dublin, Harry is one of the best singers in Ireland. He has recorded with many people over the years and has brought his unique talent to thousands, playing festivals and concerts both at home and abroad. He has been a founding member of bands such as «Korkkijalka» and «Prosper». He is currently living in Waterford.

J.P. Kallio
Born in Finland, J.P. has been living in Dublin for the past 6 years. He started playing guitar at the age of 9 and has played with several bands over the years. The most recent of these being «TRE» with whom he recorded 2 albums nd «Sliotar» who have just released a new CD. Apart from being an accomplished guitarist J.P. also sings and plays bouzouki.

Derek (Monty) Mooney
Born in Waterford in Irelands «sunny southeast». Monty started playing accordion at the age of 16 and instantly fell in love with the music and tradition. He has been heavily influenced by the playing of Nigel Davey and Peter Browne and is currently studying Irish Music in Ballyfermot College in Dublin. He is also collaborating with the famous «Furey Bros.» on their Irish and U.K. tours. He’s the youngest member of the group.

Members:

Harry Bent - vocal, bodhran
Dave Murphy - vocal, flute, whistles, bones
J.P. Kallio - guitar, bouzouki, vocal
Derek (Monty) Mooney - 2-row button accordion, vocal

Contact information:

davo75@hotmail.com

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 01:00 NIGHT CLUB A.Le Coq tent 90/30EEK Saturday 18:00 Kirsimägi 90EEK

    

The rain brings
The lunchtime of kings...
(Lithuanian children’s song)

We first tried playing folk rock in spring 1998 in Kaunas city, at the «Suklegos» international festival. We performed four Lithuanian folk songs then, enriching the sound with the kankles (a national string instrument), a fiddle, a base guitar and the Indian tabla. The idea was a success and it prompted the creation of the group Atalyja.
We founded the group in October 1998, and as soon as December we recorded a few songs that were repeatedly played on Lithuanian Radio. In April 1999 Atalyja gave a successful performance again at the Kaunas festival «Suklegos».
We are also familiar with authentic folk music and we have prepared an authentic folk program that we performed in Warsaw and Torun (Poland) in June 1999. In spring 2000 we took part at the opening ceremony of Lithuanian National Archeological Museum. On May 19 Atalyja gave a concert in the sitting-hall of Vilnius Teachers’ House, presenting the group’s first twelve-song album. At the end of the concert we indeed evoked rain.
Atalyja is a Lithuanian dialect word meaning ‘approach of rain’. Our repertoire mainly embraces ancient «calendar songs» and the sutartines (ancient Lithuanian polyphonic songs). We transform and interpret ancient Lithuanian folk music to make it sound modern. We also combine traditional folk means of expression (vocal and instruments) with the elements of rock and, occasionally, of Indian classical music. The features of jazzrock and funky music are also easy to discern in the arrangement of some songs.

We shall go, brothers, tüto, tütava,
Into the woods, tüto, tütava.
And as we go, tüto, tütava,
The rain’s approaching, tüto, tütava,
The rain is roaring, tüto, tütava…

Members:

Indre Umbrasaite - vocal
Gedimina Šalkauskaite - vocal
Audrone Pociute - vocal
Gediminas Zhilys - base guitar
Salvjus Zheimys - percussion
Darute Matylionyte - kantele
Eirimas Velichka - fiddle, vocal
Ernest Jepifanov - fiddle, vocal, bagpipes, pan pipes
Gintaras Kaminskas - guitar
Giedrius Klimka - sound engineer

Contact information:

Eirimas Velichka
e-mail: eirimasv@takas.lt

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 24:00 Kaevumägi 60EEK Saturday 22:00 Kultrahoov 60EEK

    

We are a folk ensemble from Grenoble (France), that has performed in folk bals since 1996. In a French Folk Bal, people come to dance traditional dances, that either they knew beforehand or that they will discover during the Bal. This is a lively event, open to everyone. You don't have to wear any special outfit besides your smile and you can come on your own as well. While some of the dances are done in couples, such as the Waltz, Polka, or Mazurka, other dances are done in groups. Indeed, the spirit of the Folk Bal has always been one of building links between communities of people.
Our repertoire includes French and foreign pieces - traditional and contemporary
dance tunes arranged for several instruments (diatonic accordion, fiddle, flute, bagpipes, guitar, bass clarinet, mandolin, etc.). Whenever we play, we make sure someone can show the steps so that the whole audience can join in.
In this case, we will try to hold one or two folk-dancing workshops before the concert.

Members:

Gérard Le Bars - flutes, bagpipes, vocal
Annelise Cunge - diatonic accordion, vocal
Thierry Duffar - bass clarinet
Yves Jaccaz - mandolin, diatonic accordion, vocal
José Kahan Oblatt - guitar, dance instructor
Anne Molinari-Jolibert - diatonic accordion

Contact information:

Jose Kahan Oblatt
jose.kahan@w3.org

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 14:00 Kultrahoov 60EEK Saturday 16:00 A.Le Coq tent 60EEK

    

Contact information:

folk@folk.ee
Tel: +37243 55 253
GSM +37250 88 061

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 14:00 Kaevumägi free

    

Etno camp unites people interested in folk music from here and there. As a result of a week long practicing you will hear and see Estonian folk instrumental music, dance and singing preformed by tens of young people. Teachers Õie and Ain Sarv, Janika Viilma, Ülle Kärner, Elo Kalda, Tuulikki Bartosik, Emma Reid and Krista Sildoja will also join in.

Contact information:

Krista Sildoja: +372 55 31 478 (mobile)
e-mail: krista@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 15:00 Kirsimägi free Saturday 24:00 Big Room 30/15EEK

    

Moldavian folk brass group - Fanfara de la Chetris (Chetris Brass Band).
Their members form a group of wind and percussion instruments interpreting dance tunes, wedding party songs and pieces from the ritual repertoire typical for the village parties at New Year's time in a matchless delightful style.

The men of the Fanfara are high-class musicians. Fanfara is made up of the members of three families. Gifted and ambitious, they are all virtuosos of the clarinet, trumpet, baritone and bass.
They were chosen (over 20 traditional bands) by composer Goran Bregovich for his Italian project (HOT BALKAN ROOTS) to perform beside him for 7 days in June 2000, in Rome and Bologna. Goran Bregovich signed an agreement for a year with this fanfare.

The repertory of this group is preponderant traditional and is performed
in one hundred percent acoustic way.
_____________________________________

Supported by program Culture Link and by Estonian company Pindi Kinnisvara.

Members:

Constantin Lucan - base
Gheorghe Lucan - base
Stefan Nitica - clarinet
Ioan Galai - base
Sinel Oprica - trumpet
Stefan Visan - bariton
Ciprian Visan - bariton
Grigore Chiriac - euphonium
Marcel Oprica - saxophone, clarinet
Dumitru Chiriac - trumpet
Adrian Pisica - manager

Contact information:

founder@anaconda.ro

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 20:00 Kirsimägi 120EEK Saturday 01:00 NIGHT CLUB A.Le Coq tent 120/30EEK

    

Võrtsjärve Foundation organizes on July 27 and 28 the VII bicycle tour «Across Võrtsjärv».
The cyclists will stop at Ants Taul BAGPIPES FARMHOUSE (Riidaja, Valgamaa).
A Viljandi Folk Music Festival concert will take place on their camping ground.
Performers at the concert are Festival friends from Estonia and abroad.
SEE YOU AT BAGPIPES FARMHOUSE!

Members:

* Johanson and Brothers
* Sofia Joons (Estonia/Sweden)
* Suprjadki (Estonia/Russia)
* Culture College Students
* Stefan Timmermans & Friends (Flanders)
* and more and more and more...

Contact information:

e-mail: folk@folk.ee
tel: +37243 55 253

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 20:00 Bagpipe Farm (Riidaja) 25EEK

    

Ivar Aasen`s dictionary defines Fjøgl as ’glitter’, ’frills’ and ’foolery’. Bur Fjøgl also means three tough ladies from western Norway who have within a short time mangaged to turn many of the deep-rooted and old ideas about folkmusic upside down.
A highly professional level of the music is combined with humour and a small touch of what some would call cabaret.
The ladies have found a recipe that has given them full houses and brilliant reviews in Norway.
When they come to Estonia, they take with them some of their «cabaret», but most of all a lot of their own music, both vocal and instrumental from the region of the western part of Norway.

Members:

Unni Løvlid – vocal
Liv Merete Kroken – Hardanger fiddle, fiddle, vocal
Sigrid Moldestad – Hardanger fiddle, fiddle, vocal

Contact information:

Sigrid Moldestad +47 901 77 102
e-mail: sigrid.moldestad@c2i.net

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 19:00 Ugala theater 90/60EEK Saturday 16:00 Kaevumägi 90EEK

    

Fyrland were formed in Stockholm in the autumn of 2001. Initially they worked with a short-term project arranging music to accompany storytelling. This turned out to be an exciting project of experimentation and discovery, as they searched for ways to create atmosphere that might compliment different moods in a story. The result was sound collages and improvisations woven with traditional and original compositions.
Once the project was over they had all become so inspired that they decided to continue playing together, working along the same lines, but as a concert band. Fyrland have since then performed at several festivals in Stockholm, and also in Denmark.
Karin Abrahamsson comes from Rättvik, Dalarna. Fifth year folk music degree student at Royal College of Music in Stockholm (KMH).
Emma Reid comes from Northumberland, England and is third year folk music degree student at KMH.
Tuulikki Bartosik comes from Tallinn, Estonia. Graduated from KMH this spring and is now completing a degree in folk music at Sibelius Academy of Music in Finland.
Petter Berndalen comes from Bollnäs, Hälsingland and is second year folk music degree student at KMH.

Members:

Karin Abrahamsson – vocal
Emma Reid – fiddle
Tuulikki Bartosik – free-bass accordion
Petter Berndalen – percussion

Contact information:

fiddle2emma@yahoo.co.uk

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 18:00 Kultrahoov 60EEK Saturday 20:00 Big Room 60/30EEK

    

Gjallarhorn features world music with roots in the Swedish folk music of Finland. A personal and talented echo of the ancient folk music tradition of Scandinavia with its mythical medieval ballads, whirling minuets, prayers in runo-metric chanting and ancient Icelandic rímur epics.
Most ancient musical cultures around the world have similarities and use different elements for the same function in their music. Gjallarhorn has found a way to combine these elements:
The fiddles are the most common instruments in the instrumental tradition, the viola brings depth and variation to the second voices and supports the old sound of octavation with twin fiddles.
The Vocals feature ornaments and microtonality from the Scandinavian traditional way of singing, with elements of improvisation and influences from Indian classical music. The arrangements of the voice layers bring out the harmonisation of the Scandinavian folk music.
The Australian didgeridoo features one of the basic elements of Scandinavian music - the drone. It keeps up the constant shamanistic pulse of the old tunes, traditionally produced by the jaws harp and sympathetic strings on the instruments.
The Afro-Cuban, Cuban, Indian & Middle-Eastern Percussion brings back the beat to the music, in the old days the shaman drum was a common instrument among the people of the north.

Members:

Adrian Jones - viola, mandola, kalimba
Tommy Mansikka-Aho - didgeridoo, slideridoo and Jew's harp
Jenny Wilhelms - vocals, fiddle and Hardanger fiddle
David Lillkvist - Udu, djembe, darabouka, shaman drum and other ethnical percussion
Martin Kantola

Contact information:

martin@gjallarhorn.com

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 22:00 Kirsimägi 120EEK

    

Young Flemish singers of Goeyvaerts Consort bear the name and ideas of a Belgian composer Karel Goeyvaerts (1923-1993). They are searching for neglected masterpieces and little known tunes, find interesting aspects and crazy solutions. The most important is contemporary music, let it be modern or traditional, national or cosmopolitan.

In 2001 they discovered songs by Veljo Tormis in the series of «Unustatud rahvad» (Forgotten peoples): Livonian, Vadjan, Ingerian, Karelian music and that of other Balto-Finnic peoples. A small Flemish community in the middle of the European Union learned to sing in the languages of the forgotten peoples.

The artistic director of the group Marc Michael de Smet is happy that there is a contemporary composer who takes such great care of the cultures about to become extinct. At the same time the songs are beautiful and full of colors, that in French are called couleur locale...

Together with the Flemish singers Värska leelochoir Kuldatsäuk will perform.
Kuldatsäuk (‘golden cluster’ in dialect) began in 1988 on the initiative of Laine Lõvi. The members of the ensemble are women of Seto origin who have grown up in homes that were keen on maintaining traditional culture, however, they have had little chance to use their forefathers heritage in our changing society. Now they have found an outlet for their knowledge and skills in Värska Culture House, in Seto Farmhouse Museum, and go on concert tours – the last one to Belgium in this autumn.

Members:

Goeyvaerts Consort:
Annemie Clarisse, Bart Meynckens, Dirk Delandtsheer, Hannelore Muylaert, Jeroen Keymeulen, Joachim Brackx, Johan Laleman, Jos Braeken, Koen Laukens, Koen Meynckens, Lieve Jansen, Lieve Mertens, Lieven Van den Eede, Mady Bonert, Martine Van Acker, Mieke De Blieck, Peter Ratinckx, Reinhilde Weytjens, Rudy Tambuyser, Sabrina Deschacht, Tin Siegers, Yves Van Handenhove, Agnes de Graaff, Lieven Vercruyssen
Emmy Meirlaen – manager
Marc Michael De Smet – artistic director
Kuldatsäuk:
Vaike Sarv, Maret Vabarna, Eevi Laanetu, Ego Kõiv, Anna Kõivo, Maria Rõzikova, Helena Kudre, Galina Viskar, Maie Krahv, Niina Tamm, Laine Lõvi, Kalju Tero

Contact information:

e-mail: goeyvaerts.consort@xanadoo.be

Vaike Sarv + 372 50 47 818 (mobile)
e-mail: vaike.sarv@eki.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 19:00 Jaani church 30/15EEK

    

«The Danish duo Haugaard & Høirup gave the audience a glimpse of Danish folk songs, minuets and a playfulness between the fiddle and guitar that brought the pair an extended standing ovation.» – Inverness Oran, Cape Breton 2001

Violinist Harald Haugaard & guitarist and singer Morten Alfred Høirup's duo, formed in 1998, has become one of the most successful constellations ever in Danish folk music. Their concerts, both in intimate venues and on some of the largest stages of European and North American Folk and World Music festivals, have gained Danish folk music a new recognition with enthusiastic audiences, outstanding reviews and innummerable radio- and TV appearances.

Haugaard & Høirup specialize in an elegant mixture of traditional Danish music and original compositions, seasoned with a few old Danish songs in fresh interpretations. The duo has gathered their traditional material from family members, friendships with older 'tradition carriers' and from the great old Danish music collections. The Haugaard & Høirup sound is Danish music at its most melodious: light and untroubled with its own sweetness, with a hint of the enchanted and a touch of the diabolical. The duo has renewed the power of Danish music with fresh spirit and performs it with humour and a slight ironic twist.
In 2002 Haugaard & Høirup received a Danish Music Award (Danish Grammy) for Danish Folk Album of the Year (Lys/Light), and another one as Danish Folk Artist of the Year (Traditional). Further more Harald Haugaard received an award as Danish Folk Instrumentalist of the Year.

Harald Haugaard is known as one of the finest young violinists of Danish traditional and contemporary roots music. His style is based in the Danish tradition but also inspired by rock, jazz and classical music. With a fiercely beautiful tone and formidable technique, Harald plays with aggressive authority, passion and imagination. Harald is a graduate from the Carl Nielsen Academy where he now works as a coordinator as well as a teacher on the only Danish education of traditional Music. Harald also works with theater music, and is known for his work with Danish bands as Dug, Serras and Sorten Muld.

Morten Alfred Høirup´s 24 years of performing have earned him a reputation as an outstanding guitarist. His unshakable swinging groove, his expressiveness, elegant phrasing and distinctive tone have been enjoyed by audiences throughout Europe, Canada and the USA. For years he has been a groundbreaking figure in defining the role and possibilities of the acoustic guitar in traditional Danish folk music. Høirup was a founding member of the Danish bands Danish Dia Delight and The Vineyard, as well as the international ensembles The American Café Orchestra/ACO (U.S.A.) and Ouellet, Legault & Høirup (CAN). Morten´s talent for composing is showcased in his solo album «Vingården» (The Vineyard), as well as in numerous TV and film soundtracks.

Members:

Harald Haugaard - fiddle
Morten Alfred Høirup - guitar

Contact information:

mortenalfred@tdcadsl.dk

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 20:00 Big Room 90/60EEK Saturday 22:00 Kultrahoov 90EEK

    

Helbi leelochoir members are elderly women in Helbi village near Obinitsa who have been practicing together since 1983. There are about ten ladies of ages 65-80 singing in the choir. Older songs characteristic to this region have been kept in the repertoire. There are several good improvisers in the choir, e.g. Maria Kukka and Olli Aloveer.
Together with the choir children and the youth will sing – children choir TSIBIHÄRBLÄSE^q(‘wagtails’ in dialect).
Tsibihärbläseq choir is regularly practicing in Obinitsa since 1986.
There are 10-18 years old young ladies singing and dancing in the choir.
The choir repertoire includes old Seto leelo learned from grandmothers (local leelowomen) and a selection of singing games. The repertoire was put together on the basis of local treasury of songs and traditions. The kids are acquiring the authentic manner of singing from the women.
In addition, we dance old social dances that have also been danced in Setomaa. Besides singing and dancing they do plays in Seto language, handicraft, make Seto food. There are also Seto language lessons taking place and manners as well as etiquette are being learned.
We are the only active children and youth Seto choir in Setomaa.
Our two choirs are a good example of the sustainability of Seto culture.

Members:

HELBI LEELOCHOIR
Maria Kala – killõ (high and sharp accompanying voice)
Maria Kukka – sõnoline (lead singer in dialect)
Anne Kuhi – sõnoline (lead)
Olli Aloveer – sõnoline (lead)
Anne Külanurm – laulja (singer)
Evi Kattai – laulja (singer)
Õie Sarv – sõnoline (lead)

TSIBIHÄRBLÄSE^q
Maarja Hõrn – sõnoline(lead singer in dialect)
Triin Talupoeg – sõnoline and killõ (lead and high and sharp accompanying voice)
Helen Talupoeg – sõnoline and killõ (lead and high and sharp accompanying voice)
Kärt Blum – sõnoline and killõ (lead and high and sharp accompanying voice)
Riin Tammiste – sõnoline (lead)
Ainiki Pisukova – singer
Kati Liiv – singer
Eleri Unga – singer
Maarja Sarv – singer
Rieka Hõrn – choir conductor

Contact information:

Rieka Hõrn
e-mail: setoseltsimaja@hot.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 18:00 Kultrahoov 30EEK

    

HIIDENE is a band of four young people from Viljandi Culture College, playing Estonian folk music and also their own music based on folk music traditions. The musicians have all played in different bands before and Hiidene came together in 2000.
They have had quite successful concerts here and there, at Estonian folk music festivals as well. The music of Hiidene consists of small details. The details are simple, so is Hiidene. But a seemingly unnecessary detail can change everything. You just need to make a mistake...

Members:

Janne Tamm - bowed harp, fiddle, vocal
Andres Linnupuu - percussion, vocal
Juhan Suits - guitar, Estonian bagpipes, trumpet, Jew's harp, vocal
Andres Vago - guitar, saxophone, vocal

Contact information:

Janne Tamm +37251 29 491 (mobile)
e-mail: janne@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 20:00 Big Room 60/30EEK Friday 24:00 Big Room 60/30EEK

    

In 1981 Ilga Reizniece formed the folk ensemble Ilgi. Like other folk musicians the members of Ilgi spent time seeking out their elders,- the bearers of the ancient knowledge - learning songs and mastering various folk instruments. They made their own traditional instruments and national costumes. Armed with their newly learned canon of folk music, Ilgi began touring the country, teaching people the long forgotten songs and dances and helping to revive Latvian national pride through the ancient traditions.
From the beginning, Ilgi was mainly interested in the most ancient and sacred levels of folk music, both musically and conceptually, in ancient Latvian mythology. The traditional ways of life, its harmony with the rhythms of nature and seasonal and family celebrations were at the forefront of the group’s musical presentation. In time, however, Ilgi gradually transformed from a traditional folk ensemble into a band that used folklore as a jumping off point for creating a contemporary music distinctly their own.
In 1999, ILGI received the Latvian National Grand Music Award (The Latvian Grammy) for the album «Saules Meita» (Daughter of the Sun). «Saules Meita» also received the Latvian Recording Companies annual award as being the Best Folk Music Album of 1998. Last year, members of Ilgi received a second Latvian National Grand Music Award for the album «Latvju Danci» (-Latvian Folk Dances). In the late summer of 1999, ILGI began work on their latest album «Seju Veju» (Sow the Wind) when tragedy struck. One of the members of Ilgi, Mara Kalnina, perished in an automobile accident. Mara’s love of life served as an inspiration to the group, and the album was completed by her birthday in March 2000.

Ilgi have performed in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, England, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, Italy, China, Canada and the U.S.A. Their live performances in Latvia and abroad have been hailed for their astounding mastery of Latvian folk instruments, impeccable musicianship
ILGI’s 1999 concert at the Guild Hall in Riga, Latvia was sold out well in advance and had one of the largest audiences of any show in modern Riga concert history. Recent performances abroad have been in China, Austria and the Baltic festival in the open-air museum in Stockholm. Other renowned performances include The London City Festival, The Women in Music Festival in Chard, England, The Medieval Music Festival in Gotland, Sweden, and Baltic Culture Week in Oland, Finland.Over the years, some of the most talented, gifted and unique musicians in Latvia have been a part of this musical collective.

Members:

Ilga Reizniece - vocal, fiddle
Maris Muktupavels - vocal, kokle, bagpipes, accordion, flutes
Gatis Gaujenieks - vocal, giga, bass
Mikus Cavarts - percussion
Egons Kronbergs - accoustic guitar
Vilnis Strods - drums

Contact information:

Gatis A. Gaujenieks
e-mail: gojinx@apollo.lv
Mobile +371 9 514 727

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 24:00 Kirsimägi 90EEK Friday 18:00 Kirsimägi 90EEK

    

Jakaranda was named after a tree that grows in Africa and South America.

Our musical roots are in the music of South African countries. We are a Finnish Mission Society ensemble that started in 1985 on the initiative of a gospelmusician Pekka Simojoki who had spent his childhood in Namibia. Pekka Nyman who plays percussion is the artistic director of the group since autumn 1990. There are total 30 members in Jakaranda, most of them singers but there are also percussion and other musicians.

Jakaranda performs Namibian, South African, Botswanian, Zimbabwese and Angolese religious music based on harmonious folksongs. Jakaranda has also performed in Thai 1989, in Hongkong and Taiwan, in African tour 1993, inGermany, Sweden, Estonia and in 2001 July-August in Namibia, Botswana and Angola.

Members:

Kristiina Aatsinki, Aija Wist, Simo Niemi, Ari Koivulahti, Sauli Pelkonen, Kari Sikiö, Mai-Liis Mäeväli, Tiina Tanner, Lauri Tõldsepp

Contact information:

Lauri Tõldsepp
e-mail: ltoldsep@siba.fi

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 18:00 Kolga-Jaani church free Saturday 17:00 Halliste Church free

    

The group that became known as Jäägermeistrid, has by now been playing together for more than three years. During this time two albums have been recorded and released: «Voitkade metsalaulud» (Forest songs of Voitka brothers) in 1999 and «Bajadeere» in 2000. The present music resembles more that of the latter, although changes are setting in. Such modifications and development is the intentional choice of the band members in order to achieve distinction from colleagues, competitors. Another aspect of positive influence on the musical tendency is the fact that band members have sometimes quite different tastes in music. However, they have succeeded in blending them and the final result is very interesting and worth listening. On thing is clear – Jäägermeistrid want to create music that is a pleasure to listen to and with what even the laziest sportsperson will easily perform pole vaults.
For the festival this year we have specifically prepared a program that will give both us and the audience an idea of Zydeco music. As Estonians it is pretty hard for us to embody dark-skinned and husky-voiced Southwest Louisiana musicians but we will do our best. Hopefully all the concertgoers will find what they have been looking for.

Members:

Andrus Lehes – diatonic accordions, vocal
Timo Vendt – fiddle, vocal
Danel Vassilenko – base guitar, vocal
Paavo Peterson – guitar, vocal
Peeter Jõgioja – drums

Contact information:

Paavo Peterson +372 56 214 360 (mobile)
e-mail: paavo@mindworks.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 02:00 Kultrahoov 60EEK

    

Sister and three brothers continue scanning the surroundings, making use of old, older, new and the newest songs from traditional heritage, friends, our own heads and hearts.

We use bigger and smaller plucked instruments.

And we´ll invite a guest ...

Members:

Ants Johanson – bouzuki, vocal
Jaak Johanson – guitar, vocal
Mart Johanson – guitar, vocal
Kärt Johanson – vocal

Contact information:

Ants Johanson +372 50 57 303 (mobile)
e-mail: ants@johanson.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 19:00 Ugala theater 60/30EEK Saturday 14:00 Jaani church 60/30EEK

    

There are concerts that have a beginning but no end because this is for the participants to do.
Take the kannel, why not even some other smaller instrument or if you do not have any to take along, just come yourself.

Members:

Elo Kalda, Tuule Kann, Pille Karras, Aime Reier and everyone else with their kannels.

Contact information:

Ülle Jantson +372 51 63 133 (mobile)
e-mail: ylle@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 24:00 Big Room free

    

There are concerts that have a beginning but no end because this is for the participants to do.
Take the kannel, why not even some other smaller instrument or if you do not have any to take along, just come yourself.

Members:

Elo Kalda, Tuule Kann, Pille Karras, Aime Reier and everyone else with their kannels.

Contact information:

Ülle Jantson +372 51 63 133 (mobile)
e-mail: ylle@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 16:00 Big Room free

    

This year we would like to take you along to the world of polkas, and not simply polkas but to the world of Pärnumaa polkas. Flatfoot waltzes are already known and played, polkas are still to be found out about.
At the concert you will hear polka tunes by Tori fiddle players Mihkel Toom and Mart Männimets, by Vändra men Hendrik Jõearu and Anton Adamson and by Häädemeeste fiddle player Hindrek Grünberg from the years 1936 to 1938. This time, however, with the Sildoja dressing. There are surprises in store :-).

Members:

Krista Sildoja - fiddle, bowed harp
Raivo Sildoja - fiddle, bowed harp
Margus Stalte - story-teller

Contact information:

Krista Sildoja +372 55 31 478 (mobile)
krista@kultuur.edu.ee
Raivo Sildoja +372 55 21 661 (mobile)
raivo@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 16:00 Big Room 30/15EEK

    

Everything began when fate crossed our ways in Tallinn some years ago. The first spontaneous performances took place among friends, and also on VFMF Free Stage. Further on VFMF, with its unique audience, became a kind of motivation to incite some new pieces for each summer. By now we have tunes enough for several concerts and we have been playing at many other places as well.
Going in depth into folksongs and understanding them takes a lot of time, and it is actually hard to say whether we alter our songs or the songs us. A big part of our repertoire constitutes older Estonian folksongs, the arrangements of which are born in the process of singing. They may change several times before finding the best available expression for us. The songs are selected according to their message. We have several songs that resemble folksongs, however, they are thoroughly made by ourselves. Recently we have tried, in addition to our harmonious singing, to invoke accompanying sounds using different whistles, drums, Jew’s harp and bagpipes for that.

Members:

Maria Laatspera – vocal, drum, bagpipes
Evelyn Rosenberg – vocal, rainstick
Katrin Laidre – vocal, tin whistle, recorder, drum
Kairi Leivo – vocal, tin whistle, bagpipes, Jew`s harp

Contact information:

Kairi Leivo +37256 918 768 (mobile)
e-mail: kairi.leivo@mfa.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 16:00 Big Room 30/15EEK Saturday 20:00 Kaevumägi 30EEK

    

LIINATS´URAQ is a traditional Seto male choir in Tartu. Earlier spontaneous appearances turned into more regular gatherings in the autumn of 2000. The singers in the choir are mainly men of Seto origin living in Tartu and enjoying the songs sung in Seto villages at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Seto men’s repertoire with its particular tense quality and prolonged tune-expansions of melody-rich ornaments is somewhat different from the songs Seto women sing. Both male and female groups have a lead-singer, the following voices are divided into high and sharp killõ and heterophonically dividing torrõ. Liinats'uraq sings mainly songs from the traditional Seto surroundings in Uusvada and Meremäe villages, but also some pieces originating from the other parts of Setomaa as well as men’s songs the women have taken to their repertoire, and Seto interpretations of new Estonian folk songs.

Members:

Paul Hagu, Urmas Kalla, Kaspar Kolk, Lauri Sommer, Pärtel Lippus, Andreas Kalkun, Paul Vahelaan, Peeter Panov, Valdo Valper, Jüri Metssalu, Arvi Haak

Contact information:

Pärtel Lippus +372 51 924 120 (mobile)
e-mail: partel@murre.ut.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 18:00 Kaevumägi 30EEK Saturday 20:00 Olustvere Park free

    

The two brothers Stefan and Diederik Timmermans embarked on an exciting journey of discovery, exploring European repertoire suitable for their instruments. This brings them together at regular meetings and jam-sessions, from living-rooms and pubs to public venues great and small.

Members:

Diederik Timmermans - diatonic accordion
Stefan Timmermans - flute, bagpipes, gaita gallega
Koen Garriau: saxophone

Contact information:

Stefan Timmermans
stefelf@hotmail.com
Tel/Fax +32 (0)9 233 15 77
Mobile +32 (0)476 77 66 18

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 16:00 A.Le Coq tent 60EEK Saturday 16:00 Big Room 60/30EEK

    

Mööbeli plays folkmusic from all around the world and they have also been playing almost all around the world (For example in Estonia, Egypt, France, Sweden and Germany). Last year they won Finnish folkmusic championship in
groupseries. Their tunes are traditional but all the arragements are
their own.
Mööbeli musicians are all studying music in music unit in a polytecnic or a conservatoire.

Members:

Sirpa Syrjä - accordions
Hanna-Mari Ahola - harmonium
Nelli Ikola - fiddle
Juha Yli-Kotila - guitar
Kristian Wetterstrand - double bass

Contact information:

Timo Hannula
e-mail: timo.hannula@haapavesi.fi
Tel +358 (0) 8 4591298
Fax +358 (0) 8 4591245
+358 40 5572525 (mobile)

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 20:00 Kaevumägi 30EEK

    

Minu Isa Oli Ausus Ise (My Father Is Was Honesty Himself) is a band.

Members:

Eino Süggu aka Gaute Kivistik - mandolin, vocal, guitar, cheek-instrument and the music that will come after a long time of merrymaking
Einar Süggu aka Margo Mitt - vocal, confusion

Contact information:

Gaute Kivistik +372 50 28 345 (mobile)
e-mail: rohke@kuku.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 14:00 Kultrahoov 30EEK

    

An opportunity to listen to the ancient tales and tunes of Wales. The storyteller Piret Päär has traveled through this magical land learning its old stories, and is now musically accompanied by Cätlin, Sille and Martin, who came together in March.
The music is learned from Martin, who was at the festival last year with the Welsh band ‘Boys From the Hill’.
Cätlin and Sille are folk music students at Viljandi Culture College. Sille has also studied in Ireland and Cätlin in Norway.
Come with us onto a journey to the land of legends!

Members:

Piret Päär - storyteller
Cätlin Jaago - Estonian bagpipes
Sille Ilves - fiddle
Martin Leamon - bouzouki

Contact information:

Cätlin Jaago +372 51 925 731 (mobile)
e-mail: catlin@kultuur.edu.ee
Piret Päär + 372 51 40 242 (mobile)
e-mail: piret@vilmsi.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 20:00 Big Room 30/15EEK

    

Odessa Klezmer Orkesta was formed in 1999. True to our Klezmer tradition, we have played on the streets from Paris to Quebec, and from New York to Los Angeles. We have not only played for many Jewish ceremonies like weddings, Bar-Mitsvas, but we perform often in concert halls and music festivals, so that we can reach a wider audience.

Our repertoire focuses mostly on Jewish folk music from Eastern Europe. But it is enriched by various non-Jewish influences like Greek, Macedonian, Hungarian, Gypsy, etc.

Without any compromise in style or manner of interpretation Odessa Klezmer Orkesta delivers music that is by turn energetic, rhythmic and delicate. It has its place in concert halls, music festivals, parties, and any social gathering.

Members:

Pierre Lévi – accordion
José Navas - guitar and banjo
Ronald Grün – clarinet
Jean-Michel Clerc - tuba

Contact information:

odessa.odessa@wanadoo.fr

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 01:00 NIGHT CLUB A.Le Coq tent 90/30EEK

    

In 1996, in late autumn an ensemble was formed in Viljandi Culture College which was called «Sass – project». We have several changes in our group concerning both content and form, however, the goal – to join the old and the new into one emotional whole – has remained the same. As source material we use Estonian runo verse and older instrumental music, as the means of expression contemporary instruments in addition to the familiar folk instruments.

Members:

Priit Moppel – Jew`s harp, bagpipes, 6-string kannel, tin whistle, vocal
Alar Sünter – French horn, vocal
Raivo Sildoja – fiddle, bowed harp, vocal
Sulev Salm – electric guitar
Mait Sarap – percussion
Rainer Helgand – base guitar
Toomas Jõks – synthesizer
Aleksander Sünter – acoustic guitar, Estonian diatonic accordion, vocal

Hardi Tamm – manager
Mati Ilger – sound engineer

Contact information:

Aleksander Sünter +372 56 912 291 (mobile)
e-mail: sass@haldjas.folklore.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 18:00 Kirsimägi 90EEK

    

We are playing folk music mixed with a pinch of jazz, energy and joy. Our MUSIC speaks for itself.

Members:

Kadri Laube – Estonian diatonic accordion, Italian diatonic accordion, fiddle, vocal
Sille Ilves – bowed harp, fiddle, vocal
Andre Maaker – guitar, vocal
Karl Laanekask – guitar, vocal
Marko Mägi – saxophone

Contact information:

Kardi Laube +372 51 17 348 (mobile)
e-mail: klaabu@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 20:00 A.Le Coq tent 30EEK Saturday 02:00 Kultrahoov 30EEK

    

Pyhäsalmen Seudun Tanssiopisto is a dance studio in the middle of Finland, in the region of Nivala- Haapajärvi- Ylivieska- Pyhäjärvi. They offer studies in dance art for all the children in this area. The main fields they concentrate on are contemporary dance, children/creative dance, classical dance, jazz dance, step dance, folk dance of Finland and other countries. The Finnish groups come to Viljandi invited by Viljandi Culture College Children Studio in order to strengthen friendship, exchange experience and enjoy the Folk Music Festival.
The concert in Viljandi Culture House is an hour long and Finnish dancers-kids of ages 9 to 19 will offer performances from contemporary dance to jazz-, historic and contemporary folk dance. Their teachers are Pia Varuhin-Palo and Marjo Oja. The kids could also be recognized dancing on Viljandi streets and Festival Free Stage.

Contact information:

Anu Sööt +372 52 09 424 (mobile)
e-mail: soot@hot.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 15:00 Culture Hosue Hall 30/15EEK

    

Folk Dancing is for everyone who wants to move to the music and meanwhile also learn new dances. At fixed hours there will be musicians and dance experts on Free Stage and everyone can do some dancing according to their guidance.

Contact information:

Signe Susi +372 51 09 423 (mobile)
e-mail: siuu@matti.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 17:00 Kultrahoov free Thursday 21:00 Free Stage free Friday 17:00 Free Stage free Friday 21:00 Free Stage free Saturday 17:00 Free Stage free Saturday 21:00 Free Stage free Saturday 13:00 Free Stage free Saturday 17:00 Free Stage free Saturday 21:00 Free Stage free

    

The ensemble Saunamees started to function together with a brass band in 1976. Most of the foundation members of the ensemble are still true to music. Our present conductors Vello Pähn, Heiki Vahar, Arvi Miido, Indrek Toompere, pianist Tarmo Eespere as well as several other quite well known musicians today were participating. The first piece we recorded was «Saunamehe marss» (Saunaman's march), that happened over 20 years ago. According to this song the band got its name Saunamees.
The joy of doing everything ourselves balances out the technical shortcomings and intonational errors for us. We hope for the goodwill of the audience since the members of the ensemble can only rehearse one or two times a week after their daily work. The boys who once came to learn the instruments as elementary school students have now grown into fathers but as long as there is the joy from playing together we will keep on playing with the support of «Kullo» management!
Arne Haasma (the founder of the ensemble)

Members:

Arne Haasma, Aivar Hunt, Toivo Tähemaa, Sten Luik, Tõnis Tähe, Märt Tars, Johan Pender, Raiko Kaustel, Martin Ühtegi, Ringo Vimmsaare, Robert Kreutzwald, Krister Kaukver, Ele Nugis, Silje Saaret, Juss Haasma, Vladimir Soldatov

Contact information:

Arne Haasma +372 6 015 527
e-mail: haasma@hot.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 13:00 Free Stage free Saturday 13:00 Free Stage free

    

Spontaani Vire was established in 1992 and has found its own place in the Finnish music landscape. It is proven by several titles they have won: Kaustinen Folk Music Festival the Ensemble of the Year in 1996 and YLE Radio Traditional Music Ensemble of the Year in 1995. Their program offers both original Finnish folk music tunes and the band’s own arrangements.

Members:

Eero Grundström - harmonium
Anne-Mari Kivimäki - accordions
Sara Spuljula – double bass, percussion
Emilia Lajunen - fiddle

Contact information:

spuljula@siba.fi

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 24:00 Kaevumägi 60EEK Saturday 16:00 A.Le Coq tent 60EEK

    

A Swedish born Estonian (from her father's side) Sofia Joons continues to lead an inner journey to the Estonian coastal Swedish musical heritage. Songs, tunes and folk chorals from the Estonian west coast and islands. Although the tunes are old, they also speak of here and now, due to the youth of the performers and the eternity of the themes.
The first CD is ready.

Members:

Sofia Joons - song, fiddle, bowed harp
Meelika Hainsoo - song, fiddle, bowed harp
Toivo Sõmer - kannel, lute

Contact information:

Sofia Joons +372 56 642 510 (mobile)
e-mail: sofia@colleduc.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 24:00 Jaani church 30/15EEK

    

The Narva Museum ensemble Suprjadki was established in 1985 consisting mainly of Narva Music School teachers. Their repertoire includes old Russian songs of customs and traditions which are presented unarranged maintaining their local dialect that they were written down in.
The ensemble is actively educating people giving lecture-concerts at schools. Traditions are often made more illustrative by performing a play, in 1993 «Vene pulm» (Russian wedding) and «Jõuluõhtud» (Christmas nights) were staged together with M. Zverjeva theater troupe. Both school and kindergarten teachers are offered special seminars. In addition to Russian traditions Suprjadki also studies Estonian and Isuri traditions.
The ensemble has participated in many Russian and international folklore festivals and has won the folklore ensembles’ contest several times. In 1997 Suprjadki organized International Folklore Festival in Narva. The leader of the ensemble is Marina Kuvaitseva.

Members:

Marina Kuvaitseva, Jana Kuvaitseva, Jelena Jurkevitš, Galina Bõstrova, Olga Sergejeva, Maria Izjumova, Tatjana Zubkova, Sirje Sirnask, Irina Vorobjova, Nadežda Moskaleva, Natalja Atonen, Regina Kuvaitseva, Jevgeni Bõstrov, Eva Vorobjova, Annika Vorobjova

Contact information:

Marina Kuvaitseva +372 56 474 722 (mobile)
e-mail: narvamuuseum@hot.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 22:00 Kultrahoov 30EEK Saturday 15:00 Museum stage free

    

Talitha MacKenzie, a native of New York, has been singing all of her life. Trained as a concert pianist from the age of four, she was teaching piano at thirteen.
Having first heard Gaelic song at the age of seven, she was in her teens when she became enthralled by the old-style traditional singing. With nothing but a «Teach Yourself Gaelic» textbook and a handful of field recordings, she began the arduous task of learning the language, so that she could perform the songs that she loved.
She graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, with a degree in Music History/Ethnomusicology.
By the mid-1980's she had recorded an album with Boston-Irish group 'St.James Gate' and her first solo album, «Shantyman». After several years of touring solo across America and performing mouth music with Scottish dancebands, Talitha moved to Scotland in 1987. Immediately upon arrival, she began work with the Folk Ensemble 'Drumalban', while continuing in a Transatlantic a cappella duo with singing partner Anne Goodwin.
After assisting television producer Martin Swan on a film soundtrack, Talitha agreed to a collaboration which she hoped would take her work into the mainstream. Together, they formed the duo 'Mouth Music' and, two years later, their contemporary World Music arrangements of traditional Gaelic songs were released on an eponymous album which topped charts in Music Week and Billboard, receiving international critical acclaim. While her partner left to work on other projects (still using the 'Mouth Music' name), Talitha continued the original Mouth Music project under her own name, releasing a second solo album, «Solas» (solace), in 1993.
Talitha and her band have performed in England, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France and North America. In 1995 she signed a contract with 'Shanachie Entertainment Corp.', recording her third solo album, «Spiorad» (spirit), in France, with producer Chris Birkett (whose credits include Sinéad O' Connor, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Alison Moyet).
Talitha is currently working on material for her fourth solo album, «Global Sequence».
_______________________________________
Supported by The British Council

Members:

Talitha MacKenzie - vocal
John Williamson - keyboard, percussion, vocal, accoustic electric guitar
Sarah Bonner - Morgan-flute, vocal
Heather MacLeod - vocal

Contact information:

talitha@sonas.swinternet.co.uk

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 22:00 Kirsimägi 120EEK

    

The members of the ensemble Triskele have all to a greater or lesser extent had experiences performing the music originating from European Middle Ages. Another link between them is their deep interest in the folk music of different peoples. Triskele has never set a goal to offer authentic performances of the original material, they are rather trying to create images that emerge from specific texts and tunes. The main sources of inspiration for Triskele have been and are also in the future Estonian runosong heritage and religious folk songs.

The program of Triskele for this year Festival offers south Estonian traditional choral tunes, arranged my themselves. The focus is, on the one hand, on the unique tunes of a man from Halliste, Peeter Raska, and, on the other hand, on the choral interpretations written down from several Räpina and Otepää singers at the beginning of the 20th century.

Members:

Toivo Sõmer – lute, kannels
Heikki-Rein Veromann – flutes, vocal
Tarmo Tabas – vocal
Jaanus Roosileht – fiddle, bowed harp
Ergo-Hart Västrik – vocal
Janno Mäe – dulcimer, drum, bells

Contact information:

Toivo Sõmer +372 55 671 134 (mobile)
E-mail: triskele2@hotmail.com

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 19:00 Jaani church 60/30EEK

    

Tulli Lum (Hot Snow) formed in the spring of 1999. And the proud young Livonian woman Julgi Stalte stepped into the spotlight. Other members of the band are well-known Estonian rock, jazz and folk artists who have pooled their experience to return to themselves, the world and particularly to the magnificent music of the Livonians dating back for centuries and worthy of being kept alive.
The music of Tulli Lum has been labeled world music, ethnopop, ethnojazz, progressive rock, etc. Each usage has the face of an appraiser. But it is incontestable that we are talking of more than a musical phenomenon – especially for Julgi – Livonian song does not merely offer a privilege to be one of the few people in the world able to share this music with others; neither is it just an exotic artifact. It is her calling and her chance to give new contemporaneity to the nearly annihilated values so important for her.

Members:

Julgi Stalte – vocal
Jaan Sööt - guitar, kannel
Tiit Kikas - fiddle, synthesizer
Tiit Kevad – drums
Alari Piispea – bass guitar
Toomas Rull – percussion
Meelis Unt – saxophone
Toomas Lunge - keyboards, accordion, mandolin

Contact information:

Alari Piispea + 372 56 691 594 (mobile)
e-mail: alari@arena.ee
http://my.tele2.ee/my_you/tullilum/index.html

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 24:00 Kaevumägi 60EEK

    

Tuulelõõtsutajad are a young-boys-folk-band whose audience consists for the most part of middle-aged women. The band is active all over Estonia performing at concerts and making evenings in the pubs more enjoyable.
We play mainly old well-known folk tunes and –songs, however, recently we have started to play pieces with Irish as well as rock music elements in our own way. There are recordings of our tunes available in Estonian Radio. This summer it is our third time in Viljandi already, hoping and feeling that things change for the better each year.

Members:

Juhan Uppin – Estonian diatonic accordion, vocal, drums
Siim Rikker – Estonian diatonic accordion, vocal
Mait Alanurm – guitar, vocal, mandolin
Peep Jürmann – fiddle, vocal
Priit Rikker – base guitar

Contact information:

Juhan Uppin + 372 50 31 336 (mobile)
e-mail: juq100@hotmail.com

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 16:00 Museum stage free Saturday 20:00 A.Le Coq tent 30EEK

    

UMMALEELO is a group of ten folklore-loving people whose aim is to modernize the folk music of south-eastern Estonia.
The repertoire of Ummaleelo consists mainly of the arrangements of Seto folk music as it has for years already inspired the band members. The uniqueness of the Seto appears first of all in their singing, where the phrase of the foresinger is followed by the choir repetition with an interval of a neutral third, which is created by one singer only - killõ - the upper voice.
The archaic and genuine folk songs of the Seto and south-eastern Estonia have been blended with folk music instruments as well as the contemporary pop music instruments. The band aims at making the folk music more acceptable for the common listener, and provides thus a better environment for preserving the Seto song as an undoubtedly original folk tradition in Estonia.
In Estonia, such kind of music is only listened to by a competent elite of intellectuals, however, the idea of Ummaleelo is to take the Seto folk tradition, with the help of the modern instrumental background, to the broad masses, especially to the young listeners, so that they could value this peculiar component of national culture beside the gradually intrusive pop culture from abroad.

UMMALEELO has been active since 1996:
1. 1997 - the release of the CD «Ummaleelo»
2. 1996-1999 - participation in Viljandi Folk Music Festival
3. 1997 - collaboration with Finnish group Me Naiset
4. 1998 - a concert organised by the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland
5. 1999 - participation in the song contest «Uus viis» on TV 1
6. 2000 - participation in Kihaus Folk Music Festival, Finland
7. 2001 - the release of a promotional single
8. 2002 - participation in Põlva Folk Music Festival; the release of a single.

Members:

UMMALEELO is:
Silvi Tumanskaja - choir, lead
Astrid Böning - choir, lead, kannel
Anu Taul - choir, lead, accordion, bagpipes, Jew's harp
Liina Hendrikson - choir, killõ (high and sharp accompanying voice)
Paul Daniel - guitars
Marko Sirila - drums, percussion
Toomas Leis - bass
Antti Perli - keyboards
Meelis Leis - squiffer, accoustic guitar
Indrek Veskimäe - fiddle
Alar Ojastu - guest performer
Alo Jaanivald - sound engineer

Contact information:

Meelis Leis +372 50 50 610 (mobile)
e-mail: meliss@hot.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 16:00 Kaevumägi 60EEK

    

Once it all started from the fact that in the year of 1934 the kulak in our village bought himself a gramophone. Every once in a while a Jewish merchant from the capital made his visits and brought new records. Listening to them made the soul restless, nights sleepless and so it all began – musicians were born!
Our performances at the commune house encouraged the countrymen to dream of better life. And so they traveled to the town – to hide away from those upstarts. We after them. Granny sewed five jackets from grandpa's wedding-coat. What's so strange about it?! Grandpa was a good broad-shouldered workman, he wasn't a chessplayer or something. We, on the contrary, look more like townsmen...
By the way Untsakad will have their 10 birthday this year. You are welcome to send your congratulations and presents to: untsakad@untsakad.ee

Members:

Margus Põldsepp – Estonian diatonic accordion, German diatonic accordion, Russian kromka, vocal
Jaanus Jantson – guitar, vocal
Ilmar Kald – fiddle, vocal
Jaanus Põlder – mandolin, fiddle, vocal
Marek Rätsep – base guitar, vocal
Tauno Uibo – sound engineer

Contact information:

Jaanus Jantson +372 50 21 649 (mobile)
e-mail: jaanus@untsakad.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 22:00 Kaevumägi 60EEK

    

Sacred folk music ensemble VaRa met 1999 before Christmas wishing to join traditional church chorals and folk music as well as its message in order to convey everlasting values through music.
This project, first and foremost fulfilling and rewarding for the musicians themselves, developed into an active group that has performed in most of Estonian churches.
Vara music has the spiritual content of runo songs as the flavor of timeless traditional chorals. Interconnectedness of the lyrics and music plays an important role in the arrangements. The choice of instruments also contributes to the combination of traditional and religious. Organ as an instrument of traditional sacred music has a major role, it is supported by bagpipes, guitar, whistle, Jew’s harp, kannel, etc.

Members:

Anu Haamer – organ, small kannel, vocal
Aleksander Sünter – guitar, vocal
Priit Moppel – tin whistle, bagpipes, Jew`s harp, vocal

Contact information:

Aleksander Sünter +372 56 912 291 (mobile)
e-mail: sass@haldjas.folklore.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 19:00 Jaani church 60/30EEK

    

The ensemble was established in 1990 by Budapest Kálmán Nádasdy Music School folksong students, who had discovered, in addition to Hungarian folksongs, also the exciting world of the harmonious music of East-European and Balkan peoples. The members of the ensemble have changed somewhat, however, the repertoire is still very varied including religious and secular Hungarian folksongs as well as Serbian, Croatian, Bulgarian, Macedonian and Turkish folksongs. The ensemble attempts to follow traditional techniques and sounds, seasoning the result with their own ideas. Performances will be both a capella and with accompanying ensemble. The name vándor, a wayfarer or traveler in Hungarian, reflects the bands traveling spirit and open-mindedness.

Vándor Vokál is a well-known name in Hungarian folk music movement. They have participated in annual spring Dance House Festivals in Budapest, in Kaláka-festival in Miskolcis, in Vujicsicsi festival, Pécsi Folkdays, etc. The songs performed by the group have been selected for several albums introducing Hungarian folkmusic. So far they have issued two albums themselves «Moonrising» (2000), «I Planted Roses» (2002).

Outside Hungary they have performed in Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. In August 1996 Vándor Vokál performed at choir concerts in Tallinn and Pärnu. Their unique, slightly mystical songs and catching performances made the listeners at that time feel compelled to immediately learn about the group and their music. Finally they have a chance to do it!
_________________________________________
Supported by Hungarian Institute

Members:

Katalin Bakó
Tünde Farkas
Kata Izsak
Szilvia Bognar

Contact information:

vandvok@freemail.hu

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 22:00 Ugala theater 60/30EEK Saturday 16:00 Kaevumägi 60EEK

    

The name Vägilased (Strongmen) represents a group of musicians with folk and pop music background who appreciate Estonian folk music and care to support it by more contemporary phenomena such as jazz-, rock- and pop-additives. Both vocal and instrumental will result. Vägilased have distributed their share at folk festivals, summer festivals, school parties, jazz-program and conference. You will get both the old and the new!

/---/ «Younger generation bunch of the college guys Vägilased performed probably the most outstanding concert of the festival (MAA ja ILM), add to it their feel for the traditions and professionalism. Furthermore, their joy of the performance mixing styles, short etnobreak scenes, flashes of jazz and swinging cabaret. Multi-instrumental Cätlin Jaago, silver-sounding fiddle virtuoso Meelika Hainsoo and their talented friends with their grace and humor created waves of force in the hall» /---/
(«Postimees» March 11, 2002 by Lauri Sommer)

Members:

Meelika Hainsoo – vocal, fiddle
Krista Sildoja – fiddle, bowed harp, vocal
Cätlin Jaago – bagpipes, flutes, whistles, 2-row diatonic accordion, Jew’s harp, vocal
Päär Pärenson – vocal, dance
Tõnu Laikre – keyboards
Jan Viileberg – guitars
Marek Rätsep – base guitar
Kristjan Priks – drums

Contact information:

Kristjan Priks +372 51 67 730 (mobile)
e-mail: kristjan@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 22:00 Kirsimägi 90EEK

    

Väike Hellero (Little Hellero) is the second generation of Hellero, so their experience of singing folk songs did not come from the archive notes and tapes, but from their early childhood by going to singing rehearsals with their parents. The children’s ensemble, Väike Hellero, came into play on the 15th of November, 1994. The repertoire consists mostly of the Estonian folklore, but other Fenno-Ugric folklore songs, games and dances are represented, too. Quite a few songs are from the repertoire of Hellero. The source for most of the older folk songs and singing games is archive. Clothing and repertoire choices are related to the important places for the singers – homes of the parents or grandparents. We try to keep alive the fun of playing and direct the attitudes of the young people to the songs performed in as traditional a manner as possible.
We have performed at local folklore days, parties, festivals and folklore-related exhibitions throughout Estonia. Some of our performances have been at the Estonian National Museum, the «Baltica» international folklore festivals in Tallinn (1995, 1998), The VI Folklore Festival of Fenno-Ugric Nations, Viljandi Folk Music Festival (2000) and repeatedly at the «Days for Furthering Closer Ties Among Fenno-Ugric Peoples» in Estonia. Our international performances include «Pispalan Sottiisi» and Jalasjärve «Mukula» in Finland and the «Forest-Finnish Days» in Norway.

Members:

Janika Oras, Maarja Oras, Miina Oras, Kadi Sarv, Kail Sarv, Pihel Sarv, Tuul Sarv, Meel Sarv, Leanne Barbo and Katrin Valk

Contact information:

Janika Oras +372 7 420 406
e-mail: janika@haldjas.folklore.ee
Kail Sarv +372 51 69 036 (mobile)
e-mail: kail@kultuur.edu.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 15:00 Museum stage free Saturday 14:00 Museum stage free

    

The group Virre has played together for four years and we do not intend to stop for at least as long. We mainly arrange folk music for fiddle, however, as project activity, we have also arranged music from the repertoire of other instruments which we do not play ourselves (i.e. the instruments). For us, technological development has resulted in the usage of e-mail instead of the fax as the main practicing means. Still, first and foremost, we are a concert-group. A little hint: if you want to trace our arrangements, mix carefully 2 parts of Tallinn, 1 part of Tõrva and 1 part of Viljandi – you can’t miss the point by large! Enjoy the music!

Members:

Ürjo Jaama - fiddle
Toomas Torop - viola
Ott Kaasik - 12-string guitar
Kristjan Priks - percussion
Ergo Ehte - sound engineer

Contact information:

Toomas Torop +372 56 473 262 (mobile)
e-mail: toomas.torop@mail.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 22:00 Kultrahoov 60EEK Saturday 20:00 Kaevumägi 60EEK

    

Virumaa Youth Orchestra began in 1997. There are over 40 young musicians from Virumaa and farther in the orchestra. There have been approximately 100 concerts within five years – performances in Rakvere, Lääne-Virumaa, elsewhere in Estonia and abroad. The repertoire includes ca 70 pieces by 50 authors. Originally we only played classical music.
The head conductor of the orchestra is Hando Põldmäe.
In 2000 folk music was added under the guidance of Jaanus Põlder. Our greatest achievement so far has been performing at the Gala Concert of XIV International Folklore Festival Baltica. We have played folk music at the festive receptions of our county, at the Teachers’ Day party, at the Presidential Reception in Kadrioru Castle. Additionally we have introduced Estonian folk music in Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, Germany and France.
Besides Estonian folk music we play music of other peoples. We like it when people like our music.
Virumaa Youth Orchestra has given birth to a group Meelelahutaja (Entertainer).
The boys say: «Our band has five guys interested in country music and our average age is 13.
The band founding members of the band first met in Rakvere in 2000 and in 2002 the guitar player joined as our fifth member.
We mostly play «village music» and Old Time.
Our band is not like all the other youth bands, i.e. with electric instruments, we all have acoustic instruments.
Because of all this it’s worth listening to us. We think we make good music.»

Members:

VIRUMAA YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Maarja Ervald Henri Hütt, Tiina Pikkamäe, Kadri Tiilen, Helen Kirsi, Laura Sipp, Terje Kivi, Mariann Sirgmets, Ita Ilves, Kristiina Vaiksalu, Aune Esinurm, Mari Mae, Henry Veidenbaum, Kadri Reinsoo, Eva Maria Põldmäe, Kadri Nurk, Tauno Vilu, Ilona Kirsi, Merlin Nurk, Ivi Rego, Katariina Linde, Pauliine Põlder, Taavet Niller, Arvo Reinsoo, Hannes Reinsoo, Villu Talsi, Eve Sarnet, Riina Linde, Jaanus Põlder, Pilvi Lepiksoo, Tuuli Viliberg
MEELELAHUTAJA
Henri Veidenbaum - fiddle
Arvo Reinsoo - accordion
Hannes Reinsoo - mandolin
Villu Talsi - guitar
Taavet Niller - double bass

Contact information:

Pilvi Lepiksoo +372 32 58 037
e-mail: pilvi.lepiksoo@l-virumv.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 18:00 Kultrahoov free Friday 14:00 Museum stage free

    

On June 23, 1989 Raido Koppel, Mati Kiviselg and Marko Matvere performed with that name for the first time on small harmonics in Pärnu. The choice of the name and activity was determined by an example of the citizens' voluntary associations at the beginning of the 20th century. After some years already VLÜ had a repertoire that was hard to perform fully during one evening. At that time there were very few songs. It was mostly dance music, waltz, polka, rhinelander, the most common popular social songs were not scorned at either.
The first album «Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing» (Small Harmonics Society) was released in 1995. The society was invited to perform at bigger and bigger events and that is why amplifying technology and bigger instruments were resorted to. By that time the more contemporary traditional songs had occupied the greater part of the repertoire. New songs were either heard right from the singers' mouths or searched for in the funds of Estonian Literary Museum in Tartu. As of today, the best and more impressive part or our repertoire constitute the so-called sailor-songs as well as our own songs conveying the same atmosphere.

VLÜ albums: («Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing» 1995; «Grand Marino» 1995; «Miljuneer» 1997; «Kui on kuraasi» 1997; «See terve ilm on imelik» 1999 and «Jää jumalaga Eestimaa» 2001)

Members:

Marko Matvere - banjo, guitar, vocal
Raido Koppel - accordion, vocal
Mati Kiviselg - Estonian diatonic accordion, vocal
Mait Seger - drums, vocal
Erkki-Kalle Esop - base guitar, vocal
Joel Sarv - fiddle, vocal

Contact information:

Marko Matvere +372 50 27 120 (mobile)
e-mail: vly@vly.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 01:00 NIGHT CLUB A.Le Coq tent 90/30EEK Saturday 14:00 Kirsimägi 90EEK

    

Pious Jenowewa Timely Life This play ties together an excellent choice of traditional songs and a sentimental legend about an extremely beautiful woman who turns out to be the victim of sly scheming and bears her fate with pride and reverence. Everyone who sees-hears known and acknowledged singing of the tandem Kilvet-Tamm or the witchcraft of Luule Komissarov will be convinced that tears and laughter are phenomena supporting each other. Let us remind ourselves that it was them who about two decades ago took Estonia by a musical «Oh armastus, sina kallis magus mesi» (Oh, Love, You Dear Sweet Honey) which apparently superseded all our records in the number of performances and audience.
The everlasting secret of the Jenowewa story will certainly be appreciated by the people who have been, either analytically or emotionally, interested in today’s soaps. The main framework, the innocent suffering due to the plotting of evil forces and determination bringing forth the victory of truth over trickery and punishment for the bad, has remained the same from time to time.

Contact information:

Theater Ugala box office +372 43 33 876
e-mail: teater@ugala.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Thursday 17:00 Ugala Tent 40/32EEK Friday 17:00 Ugala Tent 40/32EEK Saturday 17:00 Ugala Tent 40/32EEK Saturday 17:00 Ugala Tent 40/32EEK

    

‘Virbel’ is a tuning pin. Its purpose is to enable harmony between the instrument strings, musicians and music – in order to make it pleasant to listen to.
«Wirbel» is an ensemble the members of which have been able to create this harmony between odd and awesome songs’n’tunes, instruments, sounds, people and periods – in order it to be good to sing’n’play.

Thus tuning and being tuned we are looking for the common ground between the music, that was before us and exists all the time anyway, and ourselves, who we are now – in order it to be good to be.

Members:

Meelika Hainsoo - vocal, fiddle, bowed harp
Krista Sildoja – fiddle, vocal, bowed harp
Elo Kalda - chromatic kannel, 6-string kannel, vocal
Kristjan Priks – crotta bass, vocal

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 19:00 Ugala theater 60/30EEK

    

The group is a participant of Russian and international Festivals: Pärnu 1998 (Estonia), Plunge 2000 (Lithuania), Panevezhis 2001 (Lithuania), Moscow 2001, Novgorod the Great 2002.
The group dwells upon studying, investigation and reconstruction of singing, dancing and instrumental traditions; research work in expeditions; making traditional instruments and costumes.
Goup-leader Natalia Shibkova

Members:

Natalja Shibkova
Alevtina Pomelnikova
Juri Ivanov
Dmitri Tsyrkounov
Natalja Ignatjeva
Alevtina Kozeleva
Alexandre Jegorov
Stanislav Khmel

Contact information:

Natalja Shibkova
ppf@novsu.ac.ru
fax + 8 16 2 115503

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Friday 20:00 A.Le Coq tent 60EEK Saturday 18:00 Kultrahoov 60EEK

    

«UKRAINA in ESTONIAS» and «ESTONIA in UKRAINA»
The concert will be performed by the folklore ensemble of Ukrainians living in Tallinn Žurba (Sorrow) and by Tallinn Teachers House Folk Music ensemble. This autumn ZURBA will reach 10 years of age.

The idea of performing together came from the fact that Igor Tõnurist is connected to both groups – he is the consultant for Ukrainian Žurba and artistic director of the Estonian group of folk musicians.
«Ukraine In Estonia»:
The main part of the concert has Ukrainian harmonious folk songs – both famous melodious lyrical pieces and long serious ballads and mischievous fun songs. In between the songs Estonian musicians will play hot-tempered Ukrainian dancetunes – hopakk, tropakk etc. They are based on the authentic notations of the members of Ukrainian traditional wedding ensemble, the so-called «troista mužõka».
«Estonia in Ukraine»:
Žurba has learned Estonian folksongs with pleasure. They are generally sung in Estonian. However, a runosong sung in Ukrainian may gain quite a different appearance! There are truly exciting common features in Estonian and Ukrainian folk music.

Members:

Svetlana Berezina, Nadja Beljajeva, Tamara Zahartšenko, Jelena Ivanova, Ljubov Kizilo, Lidia Leibjuk, Julia Martjakova (vocals).
Vladimir Leibjuk – the director of the ensemble

Musicians:
Igor Tõnurist – kannel, bagpipes, Jew’s harp
Toivo Tubli – fiddle
Mati Viiul –kannel, ash-instrument, buben (Ukrainian tambourine)
Vello Kõhelik – fiddle

Contact information:

Vladimir Leibjuk + 372 55 518 524 (mobile)
e-mail: zurba92@mail.ru
Igor Tõnurist +372 662 40 65
tonurist@hot.ee

Performs:

Day Time Place Price Saturday 14:00 Kirsimägi 30EEK Saturday 17:00 Paistu väljak free