WOMEX World Music Expo has announced new artists for their showcase. Maija Kauhanen from Finland was chosen among a record number of applications to perform in the official selection.

Maija Kauhanen is a composer and a versatile multi-instrumentalist inspired by rural music traditions of Finland and Karelia. She specializes in Finnish Saarijärvi kantele as well as the old and rare technique of playing kantele using a tiny wooden stick as a plectrum. Her debut solo album Raivopyörä (Whirl of Rage) came out in March 2017 on the German Nordic Notes label. Her solo, which will be seen at WOMEX, is a one-woman band of kantele, percussion and vocals telling evocative and emotional stories with ancient rune songs and ballads.

Over the past few years, Maija Kauhanen has toured solo in China, Japan and Europe. Besides her solo project, she plays with Okra Playground, Mari Kalkun & Runorun, Folk’Avant, as well as pop band Malmö.

WOMEX is the most significant yearly gathering of the folk and world music professionals. Besides the competed showcase festival, WOMEX features a busy trade fair and an extensive conference programme. The 23rd edition of WOMEX will take place in Katowice, Poland on 25-29 October 2017.

Click here to read FMQ's new article on Maija Kauhanen.