ISME: Veila
Veila is the first, and only, co-play kantele band in the world, based in Joensuu, Finland
Kantele is a traditional plucked string instrument and the national instrument of Finland. Finnish folk music is often accompanied by this delicate instrument, traditionally played by one musician. Co-play kantele, on the other hand, is a brand-new innovation, handmade in Finland by a local luthier Koistinen Kantele, combines four kanteles in one, creating an instrument where four musicians are facing each other and playing the instrument at the same time.
Veila takes the co-play kantele to a new level by performing contemporary pop song arrangements with this instrument. The aim of the band is to renew the images traditionally associated with playing the national instrument by offering contemporary musical experiences that combine polyphonic vocal harmonies, inventive rhythms, and the enchanting sound of the kantele. For this reason, the songs that Veila play are not traditional Finnish folk songs but modern pop hits from Finland and around the world. Veila has arranged the songs in their repertoire themselves, and the programme includes massive hits such as As It Was (by Harry Styles) and Somebody That I Used to Know (by Gotye), to mention a few.
Veila’s performance is about intense connection, togetherness, and being present in the moment in front of a shared instrument, around a communal campfire. There are not many instruments in the world that allow people to make music around one, shared instrument facing each other and sensing the resonation of the instrument together. This intimacy and togetherness can also be seen as commentary to (hyper-) individualism surrounding our societies – instead of disparate musicians concentrating on themselves, Veila creates a resonating community where one has a chance to regain the sense of belonging and build something beautiful together with other fellow musicians.
Performers
- Siiri Ahtola
- Joel Kenakkala
- Lumi Ollila
- Tiia Turunen
Further information: Tiina Halonen, tiina.halonen@uniarts.fi
ISME World Conference
The ISME World Conference, held every two years, is one of the most significant events in arts education and research worldwide. The International Society for Music Education (ISME) was established in 1953 by UNESCO. The organization represents about 80 member countries worldwide, with its core belief being that experiencing music in various forms is an important part of life. The theme of the 2024 World Conference is to explore the significance of music and arts education as promoters of mental resilience and cultural transformation required by the ecological crisis. The event will provide a platform for arts educators around the world to learn with and from each other, share viewpoints and envision ways forward.
Kantele is a traditional plucked string instrument and the national instrument of Finland. Finnish folk music is often accompanied by this delicate instrument, traditionally played by one musician. Co-play kantele, on the other hand, is a brand-new innovation, handmade in Finland by a local luthier Koistinen Kantele, combines four kanteles in one, creating an instrument where four musicians are facing each other and playing the instrument at the same time.
Veila takes the co-play kantele to a new level by performing contemporary pop song arrangements with this instrument. The aim of the band is to renew the images traditionally associated with playing the national instrument by offering contemporary musical experiences that combine polyphonic vocal harmonies, inventive rhythms, and the enchanting sound of the kantele. For this reason, the songs that Veila play are not traditional Finnish folk songs but modern pop hits from Finland and around the world. Veila has arranged the songs in their repertoire themselves, and the programme includes massive hits such as As It Was (by Harry Styles) and Somebody That I Used to Know (by Gotye), to mention a few.
Veila’s performance is about intense connection, togetherness, and being present in the moment in front of a shared instrument, around a communal campfire. There are not many instruments in the world that allow people to make music around one, shared instrument facing each other and sensing the resonation of the instrument together. This intimacy and togetherness can also be seen as commentary to (hyper-) individualism surrounding our societies – instead of disparate musicians concentrating on themselves, Veila creates a resonating community where one has a chance to regain the sense of belonging and build something beautiful together with other fellow musicians.
Performers
- Siiri Ahtola
- Joel Kenakkala
- Lumi Ollila
- Tiia Turunen
Further information: Tiina Halonen, tiina.halonen@uniarts.fi
ISME World Conference
The ISME World Conference, held every two years, is one of the most significant events in arts education and research worldwide. The International Society for Music Education (ISME) was established in 1953 by UNESCO. The organization represents about 80 member countries worldwide, with its core belief being that experiencing music in various forms is an important part of life. The theme of the 2024 World Conference is to explore the significance of music and arts education as promoters of mental resilience and cultural transformation required by the ecological crisis. The event will provide a platform for arts educators around the world to learn with and from each other, share viewpoints and envision ways forward.