Tartu Folk 2024

BUL Bodø

Norway

Ingebjørg Vestrum

BUL Bodø is a Northern Norwegian ensemble specialising in Norwegian folk music and dances (the waltz, polka, polska, halling, etc). Many of the ensemble members play the violin, and the group mainly represents the folklore of their local region, although they enjoy learning the tunes of other regions and countries. The ensemble will be represented by youth aged from 13-22 with their teachers in Tartu.

Motora

Finland

Eveliina Pilke, Mitja Pilke

Motora is a youth group based in Joensuu that focuses on learning and teaching folklore dances, specifically on Karjala's culture. The group was founded in 1968 and was dedicated to tradition, but it also searched for new outlets. Nowadays, the group has transformed from one folklore dance group into a whole dance and music club. The group continues directing dance productions to further develop folk dancing, but their connection to authentic folklore has not faded. Motora's activities now involve nearly 200 children, young people and adults. Motora groups perform both at home in Finland as well as abroad in national and international festivals and have received notable national commendations.

Tarkšķi

Latvia

Kristīne Karele

Iecava folk group Tarkšķi is one of the biggest and most experienced folk groups in Latvia. Nearly all 120 participants play at least one traditional musical instrument, sing, dance, explore, enliven and enjoy customs that come with their heritage.
During Tartu Folk, the ensemble is represented by a youth group (ages 13-25), who play fiddles, mandolins, harmonicas, enjoy dancing quadrilles, as well as singing different types of Latvian folk songs, but being most fond of the oldest layer of them – “teiktās dziesmas” or traditional recitatives.

Sörvemaa Sörmitsejad Ammuker

Estonia (Saaremaa)

Tammeougu Mari

Sõrvemaa pärimusmuusikud is an ensemble consisting of three different groups: Ammuker (women and men's singing), Sõrvemaa Sörmitsejad (instrumentals) and the folklore dancers of Kõrkküla. The ensemble gives a glimpse into the life of Saaremaa (an Estonian island) centuries ago through everyday and formal songs of that time. They investigate, learn and teach their own songs, games, tunes and dances, which would otherwise gather dust in the archives or fade away in the memories of the locals. Their goal is to give life to this music, spread it all around Saaremaa, and see what happens.

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.

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. Their fourth season in Tartu has brought along many new and interesting changes - in order for more people to partake in their community, since this fall, there are now two dance groups for the youth and a music group. Photo: Raul Rosin

Folk Dance Ensemble of Tartu University

Estonia

Aveli Asber, Mae Viires

Folk Dance Ensemble of Tartu University was founded in 1945, when a student of forestry, Ilmar Reidla, led the other institutes in combining their existing dance groups into one big ensemble. In 1953, the ensemble was merged with the ensemble of the Tartu Teachers Institute and for the next 25 years, the ensemble was directed by Helju Mikkel. His numerous dances are beloved in both the group and Estonia itself. From 1978 to 2002, the ensemble was led by Henn Tiivel, whose dance "Sangaste Jussi armulugu" (The love story of Juss from Sangaste) is often featured in our setlists. Since 2005, the ensemble has been led by Aveli Asber, whose most notable dance is "Kuhaanuška". Today, the Folk Dance Ensemble of Tartu University hosts six different mixed groups, two women's groups and four children's groups. Aveli Asber, Mae Viires, Kärt Vuks, Margit Metsla-Rebane and Vilja Vendelin-Reigo lead the groups. As with most folk dance ensembles, the Folk Dance Ensemble of Tartu University takes part in larger and smaller national dance festivals. It is a yearly tradition for them to organise a spring concert, where all the different groups perform. The ensemble will be represented by the younger mixed group in Tartu Folk.

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.

Röntyska

Estonia

Juha-Matti Aronen, Merje Malkki

Folklore Ensemble Röntyskä is an ensemble working with the Tartu Society of Ingrian Finns. Throughout the decades, they have studied the dances of Ingria and shared them through concerts and dance workshops. Not only do they specialise in Ingrian song and dance, but they have also made their own national costumes, visited Ingrian villages to further connect with their ancestors and tried their best to partake in the Estonian community of Ingrian Finns. Besides members with Ingrian Finn roots, there are members who have joined only based on their interest in the uniqueness of Ingrian Finn dances. It's always better to dance in a bigger group. The ensemble's name comes from the well-known songdances from Northern Ingria known as röntyskäs.

Jumšan Gur

Estonia

Dmitry Denisov, Inga Ignatieva, Irina Reshetnikova

The ensemble Jumšan Gur was founded in 2006 by Udmurts living in Tartu. The group has, however, been active since 1996. The ensemble's name, Jumšan Gur, can be translated to "way of the party". Their repertoire consists mainly of Southern Udmurt traditional songs and dances. One of the group's goals is to introduce their culture to the population of Estonia. Their second important goal is to pass these traditions over to their own children. Living in Estonia, they feel most like Udmurts when they come together to sing Udmurt songs, dance, bake together or cook dumplings. Each of their meetings is a party, giving them strength to carry on.

Nadiia Väike Hellero

Estonia

Janika Oras

The Ukrainian song ensemble Nadiia (Hope) was founded after the beginning of the war to sing Ukrainian songs and, in doing so, support Ukraine and themselves. They sing fascinating polyphonic Ukrainian songs from different regions and a more commonly known national repertoire. The singers of Väike Hellero were the founders of the Ukrainian song ensemble in 2022. The ensemble, which is nearing 30 years in activity, has always enjoyed singing the songs of other fino-ugric nationalities besides Estonian.

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!

Katariina Tirmaste

Estonia

Katariina Tirmaste is a Tallinn-based experimental musician who plays the flute in ensembles such as Lonitseera, Kuula Hetke, Tomás del Real trio (Estonia/Chile/Canada), GJ the Evocations (Estonia/Ghana) and Hypnosis Negative (Eesti/Canada). During this season, she has also performed at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, at the opening concert of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, and introduced Estonian folklore music to an Indian audience at the festival Jodhpur RIFF. Tirmaste is a regular guest at dance evenings and workshops and the traditional dance festival Sabatants. She has been named as the most dance-spirited flutist in Estonia.

Kertu-Liis Õnnis

Estonia

Kertu-Liis is a young folklore musician, whose respect towards her ancestors' heritage and dedication to her kannel can be heard through her music. Her arrangements are masterfully combined with improvisation and the traditions of kannel playing. Her set lists include a lot of playfulness but also a sincere spirituality and emotion. It is important to her that the songs she plays are ones that become her own. Her set list will include tunes from Estonia, Scandinavia and Finno-Ugric nationalities. In 2024, she was crowned with the GRAND PRIX of a national instrumentalist competition.

Duo Tuus

Estonia

Once upon a time, two folklore musicians of friends decided to take their instruments out of their bags and do something cool! Their mix of Southern Estonian and other nationalities' tunes is catchy enough to make one's foot tap and ear listen. Once a violin and a diatonic button accordion come together, the end result can only be immensely groovy. The ensemble members are Marta Külaots and Herbert Konnula.

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.