LaFolk Festival 2026

 

The Ostrobothnian ensemble I Fäälan joins forces with Swedish guitarist and prominent folk musician Roger Tallroth in a unique collaborative project. Tallroth is internationally known from the group Väsen and is regarded as one of Sweden’s leading folk musicians and one of the most innovative guitarists in Nordic folk music. In this concert, the strong folk music tradition of Ostrobothnia and I Fäälan’s distinctive musical expression—featuring Mats Granfors and Kenneth Nordman—meet Roger Tallroth’s personal and rhythmically driven musical language. The result is a compelling encounter between tradition, improvisation, and new musical landscapes.

 

HUIPPU is a new Nordic folk band based in Helsinki, Finland, already making an impact on the folk music scene. Since releasing their debut album Haikankärki, the group has performed at numerous concerts and festivals across the country, sparking excitement in audiences, dancers, and media alike. In 2025, HUIPPU was selected for the Showcase segment at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. Formed in autumn 2023, HUIPPU consists of six close friends who share a love for contemporary folk music. From the beginning, they shared a clear vision to compose original music, perform actively, and grow professionally as a band. 

 

Marianne Maans is a professional folk musician and an expert in Finland-Swedish folk music. Since the 1990s, she has worked in a versatile way as a musician and in the realization of musical projects. Marjaana Puurtinen is a driving force in the folk music scene of Southwest Finland. Among other things, she has been responsible for the music of several large-scale dance productions. “Spel I stuga och salong II” is a performance featuring folk music from the Turku archipelago and Southwest Finland. With two violins, singing in Swedish and Finnish, and bilingual narration, the audience and the performers are connected to the ongoing continuum of folk music. In the musical soundscapes of the archipelago, villages, and towns, both modern creativity and the past are present.