Finland is the focus country of Münsterland festival 2023, starting this week in Germany. The festival, organized in the Münsterland area, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, will feature more than 30 concerts of Finnish jazz and folk music. In total, over a hundred Finnish musicians will take the stage between October and November.

Biennially held Münsterland festival's musical focus is jazz, pop, folk and classical music, but with Finland as this year's theme country, the concerts also include genres such as tango, Sámi traditions and humppa. In addition to the concerts, art exhibitions, discussion programs and excursions are also offered during the month.

The festival starts on October 6 with Linda Fredriksson Juniper's already sold-out concert at the Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History. On the opening weekend, Iiro Rantala's new HEL Trio will also be heard in the historic courtyard in Oelde, Elia Lombardini in Tecklenburg's moated castle Haus Marck and Alexi Tuomarila Trio in Kolvenburg's medieval castle. Other performers include Maija Kauhanen, Verneri Pohjola, Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen (pictured), Iro Haarla Electric Ensemble, Ánnámáret, Antti Paalanen and Jukka Perko Avara.

Performances in unique venues

The Münsterland Festival was founded in 2005 by Christine Sörries, who has been the event's artistic director since 2010. The festival's performances are often held in smaller, unique locations, such as castles, palaces, and historical sites. In the past, the event's musical theme areas have been, for example, the Mediterranean countries, Iceland, the Baltics, the Benelux countries and Great Britain.

"This year we are very happy to have Finland with its rich culture as our guest country. Ahead of us lie four very exciting weeks that offer a varied program, with more than 100 great artists. This will be a real intellectual and emotional journey of cultural discovery!", says Christine Sörries.

See the program page of the Münsterland festival in German here. Finnish partners of the festival are the Finnish Musicians' Union and Music Finland.

Finnish acts at Münsterland 2023:

6.10. Linda Fredriksson Juniper
7.10. Iiro Rantala: HEL Trio
7.10. Elia Lombardini
8.10. Alexi Tuomarila
8.10. Uusikuu
10.10. Jarmo Saari Republic
11.10. Verneri Pohjola
13.10. Jukka Perko Avara
14.10. Maija Kauhanen
14.10. – 15.10. Antti Paalanen
15.10. Terhi Dostal
19.10. Tuija Komi
19.10. Martti Vesala Soundpost Quintet
20.10. Kari Ikonen Trio
21.10. Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen
22.10. VIRTA
22.10. Sväng
25.10. Kalle Kalima & Andreas Schaerer
27.10. Hana meets EAT THE FROG
28.10. – 29.10. Maja Mannila Trio
28.10. Désirée Saarela & Triskel
29.10. Päivi Hirvonen
2.11. Sinfonieorchester Münster & Iiro Rantala
3.11 – 4.11. Ánnámáret
4.11. Tuomas A. Turunen
5.11. Iro Haarla Electric Ensemble