Meet the Finns at WOMEX 12
As previously announced, Värttinä will get the WOMEX Artist Award this year. Additionally, there will be also other Finns performing and mingling in the most important international professional market of world music.
Music Finland, Music Export Norway, World Music Denmark, and Sweden@WOMEX will present the well-known Nordic Club, bringing greetings from the North – performers include Fatma Zidan (Egypt/Denmark), Niko Valkeapää (Norway), and Tsuumi Sound System (Finland).
Niko Valkeapää is a Finnish-Saami singer/songwriter and vocalist, living currently in the north of Norway. Although Valkeapää is solidly anchored in the Sami tradition, his musical outings owe more to contemporary and mature electronica-infused pop than traditional Sami chanting.
Tsuumi Sound System is an eight-piece Finnish contemporary world music ensemble which draws their strength from an exceptionally wide range of tastefully and creatively combined influences. Their live energy has been praised as ”volcanic” or ”outrageous”, their musicians virtuosos and their records as ”dangerously addictive roller-coaster rides”.
Also, the award winning documentary film about accordion master Kimmo Pohjonen, directed by Kimmo Koskela, entitled Soundbreaker, will be screened on Thursday 18 October at 15:25.
You will also find Music Finland in WOMEX, having their booth at Nordic Area with other Nordics. There you will be able to meet plenty of Finnish Folk professionals – representatives from festivals, record labels and bands. Nordic Picnic will be held in the area on Friday 19 October, starting at 12:00.