Viljandi Folk Music Festival announces its main programme by days
The XXXII Viljandi Folk Music Festival, titled “Off the Ground!”, has finalised its main programme. This year’s lineup includes 11 international artists, 36 Estonian performers, and 3 groups that bring together musicians from Estonia and other countries. Over four days, there will be 65 concerts spread across four outdoor stages and two indoor venues, including the castle hills, Song Festival Grounds, Estonian Traditional Music Center, and St. John’s Church. In addition to the main programme, there will be extra performances and workshops on the Green Stage, Jaak Johanson Stage, and Friends’ Yard.
“Since its very beginning, the aim of the Viljandi Folk Music Festival has been to strengthen Estonia’s unique cultural identity, spark people’s interest in our musical heritage, and encourage them to embrace this rich tradition in their everyday lives,” said festival director Ando Kiviberg. “We also want to introduce festivalgoers to the captivating music cultures of other nations and foster respect for them. Our message is simple: local traditions are worth preserving and developing. The more distinctive musical voices the world has, the richer and more exciting it becomes,” he added.
Kiviberg describes this year’s programme as “a rich and diverse journey through tradition and creativity.” He adds, “Once again, we’ve put together a truly strong lineup, and I’m thrilled by the overall quality of what we have to offer this summer.”
Festival programme manager Tarmo Noormaa shared that choosing the performers was both exciting and challenging. “I wanted to find energetic artists who make people want to dance, really lift the audience off the ground. I also focused on performers from islands and diaspora communities. I’m really happy with this year’s lineup! Each artist’s journey to the festival was unique. For example, I discovered the Natig Rhythm Group at a music festival in Kazakhstan and was so impressed that I immediately invited them to Viljandi. I also always ask for recommendations from colleagues worldwide, which helped bring in acts like Džambo Aguševi Orchestra, Kader Tarhanine, and TKP,” Noormaa said.
This year's programme offers a diverse range of experiences for both music connoisseurs and folk music enthusiasts in the broadest sense. “The keywords of this year are: fascinating cultures, charismatic performers, virtuosos, village traditions, young artists, new performances, and special projects. You’ll hear traditional folk, folk rock, chamber folk, and folktronica,” explained the programme manager.
On the opening day of the festival, which runs from July 24 to 27, Julgī Stalte, Ēriks Zeps & TKP from Latvia will introduce the heritage of the Livonian and Latgalian peoples. Laposa Julcsi & the Band, winners of Hungary’s 2017 young talent programme, will bring us the folk music from the Carpathian Basin.
For the concertsin Viljandi, the Ukrainian folk-rock band Haydamaky will be joined by Ruslan Trochynskyi, who performed with the band in Viljandi back in 2003 and has since settled in Estonia. Thursday’s lineup also includes the much loved and ever popular Curly Strings and a special one-night-only performance by Paabel, who have prepared an entire concert of new music inspired by this year’s festival theme.
On Friday, the audience will be treated to a mix of traditional and modern sounds from the bountiful heritage of the Isle of Man, performed by Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe & Daniel Quayle. Kader Tarhanine, a rising star of Tuareg music, will introduce us to contemporary African folk. The vocal and double bass duo Magalí Sare & Manel Fortià will deliver Latin American and Catalan songs infused with a Mediterranean twist. Mari Kalkun will take the stage before her home audience, having performed solo concerts in most European countries and Japan. One of Trad.Attack!'s final concerts before their hiatus will take place in Viljandi, where they previously set an audience record. The Friday night club will be hosted by Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing (VLÜ), a dance orchestra that has been playing folk music for 30 years.
On Saturday, the Natig Rhythm Group from Azerbaijan will energise the festival audience with creativity, rhythm, and passion. The quintet Ímar, with Irish, Scottish, and Manx roots and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award to their name, will prove why they are considered one of Scotland’s most exciting folk bands. The Džambo Aguševi Orchestra from North Macedonia will present a bold, lively, and modern take on Balkan brass fusion music. For this year's festival, Lõõtsanøøbid & Vennaskond have teamed up for a special programme, "Off the Ground and Away to the Sea!", featuring timeless sea songs, folk melodies, and beloved tracks from Vennaskond – many of which have become folk songs in their own right. “Singing is a way to get off the ground, rise above life’s struggles, whether it’s exhaustion, heartbreak, or a lost dream,” say Naised Köögis about their upcoming performance in Viljandi. Also taking the stage are Zetod and Untsakad, two legendary Estonian folk bands who, after decades in the music scene, need no introduction.
On Sunday, just like on Friday and Saturday, several performers from earlier days will return, but there are still two international artists to be mentioned. The members of Zhorzhyny are driven by the desire to highlight the more feminine side of Ukrainian folk songs and support the Ukrainian army. The Sami/Finnish/Norwegian trio VASSVIK/SILVOLA/STRYPE blends avant-garde Sami melodies with experimental guitar and sound design. The Sunday programme will also feature special performances by several Estonian artists. Nikns Suns will mark their 20th anniversary at the festival and will invite former band members to join them on stage. At the concert of Alika and Arno Tamm, Alika Milova will perform the folk songs that hold the most personal significance for her. Her stage partner will be Arno Tamm, accompanied by a band of young folk musicians from the new generation. Known for blending electronic music and indie-pop, NOËP will present a special set, NOËP Goes Folk vol II, showcasing his new EP "folktonic II". The final evening of the festival will traditionally feature Ando and Friends, where many musicians will come together on stage at the invitation of the head of the festival, Ando Kibviberg.
Alongside many Estonian musicians, the XXXII Viljandi Folk Music Festival will also present performers from Azerbaijan, Italy, Catalonia, Latvia, Mali, the Isle of Man, Norway, North Macedonia, Finland, Scotland, Ukraine, and Hungary.
“Since its very beginning, the aim of the Viljandi Folk Music Festival has been to strengthen Estonia’s unique cultural identity, spark people’s interest in our musical heritage, and encourage them to embrace this rich tradition in their everyday lives,” said festival director Ando Kiviberg. “We also want to introduce festivalgoers to the captivating music cultures of other nations and foster respect for them. Our message is simple: local traditions are worth preserving and developing. The more distinctive musical voices the world has, the richer and more exciting it becomes,” he added.
Kiviberg describes this year’s programme as “a rich and diverse journey through tradition and creativity.” He adds, “Once again, we’ve put together a truly strong lineup, and I’m thrilled by the overall quality of what we have to offer this summer.”
Festival programme manager Tarmo Noormaa shared that choosing the performers was both exciting and challenging. “I wanted to find energetic artists who make people want to dance, really lift the audience off the ground. I also focused on performers from islands and diaspora communities. I’m really happy with this year’s lineup! Each artist’s journey to the festival was unique. For example, I discovered the Natig Rhythm Group at a music festival in Kazakhstan and was so impressed that I immediately invited them to Viljandi. I also always ask for recommendations from colleagues worldwide, which helped bring in acts like Džambo Aguševi Orchestra, Kader Tarhanine, and TKP,” Noormaa said.
This year's programme offers a diverse range of experiences for both music connoisseurs and folk music enthusiasts in the broadest sense. “The keywords of this year are: fascinating cultures, charismatic performers, virtuosos, village traditions, young artists, new performances, and special projects. You’ll hear traditional folk, folk rock, chamber folk, and folktronica,” explained the programme manager.
On the opening day of the festival, which runs from July 24 to 27, Julgī Stalte, Ēriks Zeps & TKP from Latvia will introduce the heritage of the Livonian and Latgalian peoples. Laposa Julcsi & the Band, winners of Hungary’s 2017 young talent programme, will bring us the folk music from the Carpathian Basin.
For the concertsin Viljandi, the Ukrainian folk-rock band Haydamaky will be joined by Ruslan Trochynskyi, who performed with the band in Viljandi back in 2003 and has since settled in Estonia. Thursday’s lineup also includes the much loved and ever popular Curly Strings and a special one-night-only performance by Paabel, who have prepared an entire concert of new music inspired by this year’s festival theme.
On Friday, the audience will be treated to a mix of traditional and modern sounds from the bountiful heritage of the Isle of Man, performed by Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe & Daniel Quayle. Kader Tarhanine, a rising star of Tuareg music, will introduce us to contemporary African folk. The vocal and double bass duo Magalí Sare & Manel Fortià will deliver Latin American and Catalan songs infused with a Mediterranean twist. Mari Kalkun will take the stage before her home audience, having performed solo concerts in most European countries and Japan. One of Trad.Attack!'s final concerts before their hiatus will take place in Viljandi, where they previously set an audience record. The Friday night club will be hosted by Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing (VLÜ), a dance orchestra that has been playing folk music for 30 years.
On Saturday, the Natig Rhythm Group from Azerbaijan will energise the festival audience with creativity, rhythm, and passion. The quintet Ímar, with Irish, Scottish, and Manx roots and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award to their name, will prove why they are considered one of Scotland’s most exciting folk bands. The Džambo Aguševi Orchestra from North Macedonia will present a bold, lively, and modern take on Balkan brass fusion music. For this year's festival, Lõõtsanøøbid & Vennaskond have teamed up for a special programme, "Off the Ground and Away to the Sea!", featuring timeless sea songs, folk melodies, and beloved tracks from Vennaskond – many of which have become folk songs in their own right. “Singing is a way to get off the ground, rise above life’s struggles, whether it’s exhaustion, heartbreak, or a lost dream,” say Naised Köögis about their upcoming performance in Viljandi. Also taking the stage are Zetod and Untsakad, two legendary Estonian folk bands who, after decades in the music scene, need no introduction.
On Sunday, just like on Friday and Saturday, several performers from earlier days will return, but there are still two international artists to be mentioned. The members of Zhorzhyny are driven by the desire to highlight the more feminine side of Ukrainian folk songs and support the Ukrainian army. The Sami/Finnish/Norwegian trio VASSVIK/SILVOLA/STRYPE blends avant-garde Sami melodies with experimental guitar and sound design. The Sunday programme will also feature special performances by several Estonian artists. Nikns Suns will mark their 20th anniversary at the festival and will invite former band members to join them on stage. At the concert of Alika and Arno Tamm, Alika Milova will perform the folk songs that hold the most personal significance for her. Her stage partner will be Arno Tamm, accompanied by a band of young folk musicians from the new generation. Known for blending electronic music and indie-pop, NOËP will present a special set, NOËP Goes Folk vol II, showcasing his new EP "folktonic II". The final evening of the festival will traditionally feature Ando and Friends, where many musicians will come together on stage at the invitation of the head of the festival, Ando Kibviberg.
Alongside many Estonian musicians, the XXXII Viljandi Folk Music Festival will also present performers from Azerbaijan, Italy, Catalonia, Latvia, Mali, the Isle of Man, Norway, North Macedonia, Finland, Scotland, Ukraine, and Hungary.