Tartu Folk 2023

Kihnu pillillapsed

Estonia

Maria Michelson

Young musicians from Kihnu is a group that has been coming together for 16 years and in the core of it are mostly students going to Kihnu School who are supported by graduates, village musicians and their folk musician friends, teachers and sponsors. Young musicians from Kihnu present first and foremost the rich folk music heritage of their island but are ready to organize dance workshops as well as performances introducing runic song. Young musicians from Kihnu present us a cross-section of the traditional music of the small island in the middle of the Gulf of Riga.


18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre
19th November at 13.00 - Festival closing concert in the theatre hall of the Estonian National Museum

Ķocis

Latvia

Solveiga Kūlaine

Liepāja children and youth centre folklore group Ķocis has been active since 1996. The group unites youth aged 6-21 who are interested in getting to know their culture and heritage through music. Group members sing, play instruments, play traditional games, tell traditional stories and jokes. Folklore group Ķocis takes part in competitions and Latvian dance and song festivals, and visits concerts and festivals in their homeland as well as abroad.


17th November at 12.35 - Tartu Catholic Education Centre
18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre
19th November at 13.00 - Festival closing concert in the theatre hall of the Estonian National Museum

Perlynka

Ukraine

Maiia Saipel

Ukrainian folk music group Perlynka was founded in 1997 by Maiia Saipel. Today there are 40 young people aged 3-17 in the Perlynka youth group and 30 members in the adult group. Perlynka engages in traditional games, songs, dances and music. As stage costumes, Perlynka wears traditional costumes from the Volõõnia area, has taken part in several folklore festivals and has organized their own local festival since 2015.


17th November at 13.30 - Miina Härma Gümnaasium
18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre
19th November at 13.00 - Festival closing concert in the theatre hall of the Estonian National Museum

Ratilio

Lithuania

Milda Ričkutė

The members of the Vilnius University folklore group Ratilio are from different areas of Lithuania. The songs, dances and circular games in their repertoire have been learned from folklore collections and compatriots whom they have met on their expeditions. Members of Ratilio play archaic instruments like ragai (horns), daudytė, skudučiai (pan flute), and kanklė (5-9-string zither). Polyphonic harmonic song sutartinė has an important role in their composition. Ratilio has introduced Lithuanian folk culture in their homeland as well as abroad. Ratilio was founded in 1968 and since then the former and current members of the group have formed a community who, regardless of their different fields of work, belong to the Ratilio family with pride.


17th November at 11.45 - Tartu Tamme Gümnaasium
18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre
19th November at 13.00 - Festival closing concert in the theatre hall of the Estonian National Museum

Maatasa

Estonia

Halliki Pihlap, Helin Pihlap

Tartu Folklore Club Maatasa started meeting in 2013 and studies South Estonian (especially Tartu County) folklore in dances, songs, folk tales, and instrumental songs. In addition, the young people are engaged in the in-depth study of South Estonian traditional costumes. Maatasa's repertoire includes older and newer dance songs, regal songs, but also love and village songs that were popular during the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and instrumental pieces, which are presented as authentically as possible. It is customary that all members of Maatasa are engaged in singing, dancing and playing instruments. Tartu Folklore Club Maatasa is the organizer of Tartu Folk.


16th November at 19.00 - Folk Music Night at the Karlova Theatre
18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre
19th November at 13.00 - Festival closing concert in the theatre hall of the Estonian National Museum

Mooste pilliklubi

Estonia

Kert Krüsban

The Mooste instrumental club unites music enthusiasts of different ages living in the South-Eastern Estonia region who like to play (folk) music together once a week. The pieces are learned by ear, every member of the club adds a few technical nuances and what sounds is a pleasant folk ensemble. The instrumental club started in 2012 as a part of Mooste Folk Music School, the initiator and convenor was the then head of the school and ethnologist Krista Sildoja. From the fall of 2023, the Mooste Folk Music School will continue as a branch of the Põlva music school, the instrument club has become the Mooste instrument club and the ensemble will continue to honor the old traditions and Krista Sildoja's work and teachings.


18th November at 21.00 - Festival dance club at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre

Tantsuselts Pikne

Estonia

Raul Markus Vaiksoo

Dance group Pikne began as the youth organisation YFU's dance group in 2017. In this brief time, there have been dancers from Germany as well as Japan but the folk dances have remained Estonian. In 2019 the group took a new name: "Pikne" ("lightning") meaning an aspiration towards sharp and precise dance steps, but also representing the flashes of thought on the intertwining of folklore and classics-based stage dance.


18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre

Triskel

Estonia

Kelli Kärsna

Triskel is a VOCO folk dance group founded in 2017 whose members are from different walks of life but on the dance floor we find a collective spirit. Mainly we dance stage folk dance but we don't neglect tradition either. In addition to other performing opportunities we also take part in every possible dance party, e.g. this summer we went to South-East-Estonia, Tartu County as well as the men's dance party.


18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre

Tartu Group Leigarid

Estonia

Leaanika Parra, Sille Kapper-Tiisler

Estonian Folklore Society Leigarid is the flagship of the Estonian folklore landscape and has been operating in Tallinn since 1969. The repertoire includes songs and dances that were dear to the ancestors in their time. Learning from the example of their elders, folk dance, song, game and costume becomes a habitual part of life, which is not so easy to give up or want to give up: this is how the dancers who had come to study in Tartu formed the Tartu group Leigarid in the autumn of 2021 to continue the lifestyle they had become familiar with, including dance training with old friends as well as new companions.


18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre

Härmatis

Estonia

Agnes Tuule Nöps

Härmatis is the folk dance group of the Miina Härma Gümnaasium which got a new lease of life in 2012 under teacher Anita Kreen. The Härmatis alumni group was founded in 2022 when the latest graduates of the Miina Härma Gümnaasium decided to take part in the XIII Youth Dance Celebration. In addition to the Youth Dance Celebration, they also took part in the Võru County and Elva dance celebrations. What makes the Härmatis alumni group special is that the instructors are also dancers themselves.


18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre

Tartu Dance Club

Estonia

Kaisa Kuslapuu

The Tartu Dance Club is one of Estonia's oldest dance clubs and certainly one of the most vibrant. In 2000, Tartu Dance Club was headed by Triinu Nutt who led the dance club until 2020. The running theme in the Tartu Dance Club is the dance music of Estonian village parties of the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Since 2020 Tartu Dance Club has been headed by Kaisa Kuslapuu.


18th November at 21.00 - Festival dance club at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre

Folk musicians from Eller

Estonia

Regina Mänd

The folklore music department of Heino Eller Music School has managed to bring numerous strong, interesting and eye-catching musicians and ensembles into the folk music scene in Estonia in a notably short time. The youth of Eller have gone on to win competitions held by the Estonian Traditional Music Center and are known for their virtuosity and style in playing.


18th November at 21.00 - Festival dance club and the cafe stage in Luunja

Trambali

Estonia

Elen Rebane

The Luunja folk dance group Trambali is the annual festival welcomer on behalf of the Luunja community. At the festival, the group has joined forces with Luunja and Kastre musicians and is on the stage with the folk music ensemble Lustre. It's possible that it might have even been the opposite - Luste joined forces with Trambali. It doesn't matter - together they are and a lively start to the party is guaranteed!

The Luunja mixed folk dance group Trambali took its first dance steps in 2012. In the Southern Estonian dialect, people said "trambalit lööma" (to beat the trambal) aka to dance. Hence the name of the group. They dance in traditional costumes of the Tartu-Maarja parish. Trambali has danced at local dance and song celebrations as well as the national one, and has also been to folklore festivals in Võru, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In addition to dancing, the Trambali members are united by friendship and joint sporting and recreational activities with their families (hikes during every season, joint gymnastics and dances etc). Trambali is the long-time organiser of the Luunja triathlon and has also organised the Luunja village games.


18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre

Õed-Vennad Ristikheinad Vähendatud Koosseisus

Estonia

Kristjan Häggblom

Õed-Vennad Ristikheinad Vähendatud Koosseisus is a group of musicians who describe themselves as the following: "Õed-Vennad Ristikheinad is a musical ensemble that highlights intimate and heartwarming sounds. Their music speaks of love, family, and the beauty of nature, and creates a special and pleasant feeling in the listeners. The ensemble consists of two talented siblings who share a love for music. Their name "Ristikheinad" mirrors their roots and their connection to nature. Although the ensemble is reduced in size, the resulting sound quality and emotional power are not left behind at all. The band members have studied music since their early childhood and have improved their skills over the years. Their harmonic harmonies and precise playing are amazing and reflect their dedication to music. The ensemble has given numerous concerts in Estonia as well as internationally and their music has found a place in the hearts of many music lovers. Their performances are always highly anticipated events where people get to enjoy beautiful music and create emotional connections. The ensemble's intimate and heartfelt approach to music leaves the listeners with a warm and satisfying impression. Be it in concert, on record, or listening on a streaming platform.

Various instruments in the band are played by Kristjan Häggblom and Renee Trei.


18th November the Cafe Stage at the Sadama Pub (Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre)

Kännu Peal Käbi

Estonia

Anti Lillak

Kännu Peal Käbi is Tartu Finno-Ugric ensemble whose songs are sung in many different Finno-Ugric languages. Their repertoire includes older folk songs as well as newer works of authorship - including in various local languages of Estonia. The goal that Kännu Peal Käbi is striving towards is to one day collect all of the Uralic languages into their songs.


16th November at 19.00 Folk Music Night at the Karlova Theatre.
18th November the Cafe Stage at the Sadama Pub (Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre).

Lustre

Estonia

Iiri Saar

LUunja + KaSTRE = LUSTRE aka we are an ensemble of two municipalities from Tartu County. Not only that - LUSTRE also means SHINE, GLOSS, and CHANDELIER in international parlance. We have instrumental pieces that are serious as well as fun, bright as well as heartfelt, and sometimes even thorny. You are always welcome to have fun with LUSTRE - a good mood is guaranteed!


18th November at 18.00 - the main concert of the festival at the Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre

Karmen, Raul and Tormi

Estonia

Raul Petersell

A fresh folk music trio has emerged in Tartu, featuring three friends playing the violin, diatonic button accordion and the banjo. The trio's repertoire mostly consists of songs, but there is still room for instrumental pieces as well. The members of the trio are Karmen Kärmas, Raul Petersell and Tormi Rattasepp.


18th November the Cafe Stage at the Sadama Pub (Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre).

Aia Rikka

Estonia

Aia Rikka is a young village-zither player with a distinctive approach to the instrument. Her original music combines nuances and techniques from both folklore and pop music. This year Aia released her debut album "Ups" and she will also be playing pieces from the new album at Tartu Folk.


18th November the Cafe Stage at the Sadama Pub (Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre).

Tulused

Estonia

Folklore Club Maatasa

Tulused is the youth group of the Folklore Club Maatasa, it operated from 2015 to 2020. Today, all members have found their path and vocation and do not play together on a daily basis. As part of the festival, however, the childhood friends get together again and reminisce about the times spent together.


18th November the Cafe Stage at the Sadama Pub (Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre).

Helivõlu Music School

Estonia

Mihkel Sildoja

Helivõlu Music School is a private music school operating in Tartu, the aim of which is to provide age- and ability-appropriate education for both children and adults. An important part of the learning process is playing together.


18th November the Cafe Stage at the Sadama Pub (Luunja Culture and Leisure Centre).