Join us for a live performance by Finnish folk music group Kardemimmit this October with World Music Institute! Musicians Maija Pokela, Jutta Rahmel, Anna Wegelius and Leeni Wegelius are singers and players of the kantele (the national instrument of Finland) in its 15- and 38-stringed forms. Their repertory of modern folk music draws from both Eastern and Western Finnish traditions and includes reki singing, both the Perhonjoki valley and the Karelian small kantele, and runo-song traditions. Having played together for 10 years following their studies at the music school Juvenilia in Espoo, southern Finland, Kardemimmit’s long history can be heard as a unique sound in both the group’s singing and playing. As a kantele group Kardemimmit is a foregoer: in the year 2004 the Kantele Association chose the group as the kantele group of the year, and the next year it won the national kantele group contest in its league. Kardemimmit was the group of the year in the Uusimaa-region in 2009 and 2010.
In tonight’s performance the group will bring their lively compositions to audiences in Victor Borge Hall in a celebration of contemporary Finnish folk traditions.
Tickets to this event must be purchased in advance online at the link above. All attendees are required to follow all Scandinavia House safety protocols, including wearing masks in Victor Borge Hall and observing social distancing rules in signage. Please read our full safety protocols here. ASF is committed to providing an environment free from harassment or discrimination in the treatment of individuals and does not permit harassment or discrimination in any forms (whether racial, sexual, religious, orientation or others) within our building. Any visitors who do not abide by these policies will be required to leave. Read our our Non-Discrimination Policy here.
This event has been organized with World Music Institute with additional support provided by Finlandia Foundation National.
Kardemimmit is a Finnish folk music group formed by four young women: Maija Pokela, Jutta Rahmel, Anna Wegelius and Leeni Wegelius. They are singers and players of the kantele (the national instrument of Finland) in its 15 and 38 stringed forms. The group’s repertory consists of modern folk music mostly composed by the members themselves. The music of Kardemimmit is fresh but it’s strongly foundationed in Finnish tradition from both Eastern and Western regions featuring e.g. reki-style of singing, Perhonjoki valley kantele style, Karelian small kantele and runo-song traditions as well as archaic improvisation.
The group’s roots go back to the music school Juvenalia in Espoo, southern Finland where all of the members have studied. Kardemimmit has played together for over ten years. This long history can be heard as a unique sound in both the group’s singing and playing. As a kantele group Kardemimmit is a foregoer: in the year 2004 the Kantele Association chose the group as the kantele group of the year and the next year it won the national kantele group contest in its league. Kardemimmit was the group of the year in the Uusimaa-region in 2009 and 2010.
In Finland the group has played over a hundred concerts including at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, the Haapavesi Folk Festival, the Folklandia cruise as well as the Athletics World Championship gala. Kardemimmit’s debut album Viira was published in December 2006. The second album, Kaisla, came out during fall 2009. Kaisla was also re-released as a bonus disc of The Rough Guide to the Music of Scandinavia in 2012 as Introducing Kardemimmit. Their third album Autio huvila released in 2012 continues with their original musical style combining song and the kantele and was chosen as the Folk Music Album of the Year 2012 by the Finnish Folk Music Association.
Anna and Leeni currently study folk music pedagogy in the Central Ostrobothnia University of Applied Sciences, whereas Maija and Jutta study in the folk music department of the Sibelius Academy. Each studies with kantele as main instrument.