“Everyone Can Play!” North Karelia Introduces the ”Co-play Kantele” at the Matka 2024 Travel Fair
North Karelia, the heartland of the kantele, Finland’s national instrument, now presents the innovative ”co-play kantele.” This modernized version, developed in Rääkkylä, spans genres from folk to rock and classical. The co-play kantele fosters a shared rhythm, making it easy for even strangers to play together. It’s not just an instrument but a new, interactive tourism product, offering unforgettable experiences.
This unique musical experience is available to all at the Matka 2024 fair in the Helsinki Exhibition Centre, January 19th to 21st, 2024. Visitors can try the co-play kantele at the North Karelia booth 6f10. Here, Veila, the world’s first co-play kantele band, and a favorite from Ilosaarirock, will perform on January 21, 2024.
Hannu Koistinen, the creator of the co-play kantele, explains, ”In North Karelia, bridging the west and east, we’ve always embraced inclusivity. This new musical innovation embodies that spirit, bringing people together in a unique communal experience, much like gathering around a campfire to share stories.”
The design of the co-play kantele, reminiscent of a Karelian pie and suitable for duet or quartet performances, will be showcased at the North Karelian exhibition booth. This instrument marries the ancient Eurasian heritage of the kantele with a fresh, community-centric spirit.
The journey began with the ”Pike of Mana,” a blues toned kantele piece that gained acclaim at the 2015 Burning Man festival in the United States, earning the Burning Man Art Honoraria. This artwork, symbolizing the fusion of Finnish musical tradition with Burning Man’s avant-garde ethos, was immortalized in a documentary, capturing its story and global appeal. After its ceremonial burning at the festival, only a tooth and the kantele remained, marking the artwork’s enduring impact.
The co-play kantele is a continuation of this innovative journey, combining art, music, and shared cultural narratives. Come experience the captivating story and sound of the co-play kantele at the Matka 2024 event, North Karelia booth 6f10, starting at 1 PM on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
For more information:
Hannu Koistinen
Koistinen Kantele, CEO
Email: koistinenkantele@me.com
Phone: +358 50 367 7500
Marja Tiittanen
North Karelia Tourism Association,
Project Manager
Email: marja.tiittanen@pohjoiskarjalaan.fi
Phone: +358 50 598 3290
