1) Dalinda (HU)

By transforming traditional unison Hungarian folk songs into modern polyphonic compositions, Dalinda is considered a pioneer on the stage of Hungarian folk acapella. Building upon their traditional roots and enriching them with inspiration from contemporary surroundings, they strive to preserve original folk music's pure and authentic strength. Their artistic and research process revolves around learning from archive recordings or directly from villager singers and musicians.

The three members of the Dalinda a cappella vocal ensemble are Fanni Nádasdy, Julianna Paár and Sára Timár. Dalinda's concert was organized on All Saints Day at Käpylä Church in Helsinki. This 'Lux Aeterna' event invited on stage also the cantor of Oulunkylä parish, Mikko Helenius – musician, bandoneonist and singer with his own shorter repertoire.

Performance:

2.11. at 2 pm Käpylä church, Helsinki

The concert was followed by a vocal workshop of Hungarian folk music traditions. The workshop was led by the tree singers of Dalinda.

Both the concert and the workshop were very successful and well attended. For Dalinda this was their first performance in Finland.

2) Júlia Kozáková (SK)

Singer Júlia Kozáková brings new life into traditional Roma songs originally from Slovakia and Central Europe. Since childhood, Júlia has worked closely with Roma artists and has collaborated with a respected Czech singer Ida Kelarova and toured Europe with her Romany children's choir Čhavorenge.

Júlia Kozáková's latest album Manuša (2022) is receiving positive feedback from both audiences and critics. It was the best performing world music album from Slovakia according to the World Music Charts Europe (WMCE) and received the Radio Head Award as the 'best Slovak world music album' of 2022. The sensitive artist who dives deep into the traditions of Slovak and Central European Roma music with inexhaustible intensity interprets the songs with uncompromisingly beautiful arrangements. The concert experience is crowned by a group of the best Roma musicians in Slovakia. 

Performance:

6.11. 7 pm Savoy Theatre, Helsinki

The concert was very well received by the audience and also very well attended. Despite being the name artist of

the band Júlia Kozáková wisely gives a lot of space for the band and it's excellent, virtuoso musicians to take the stage and lead the audience deep into the roots of the Roma music of Slovakia.

3) Justin Adams & Mauro Durante (UK/IT)

Two master musicians come together in a powerful and intricate award-winning duo, bonded by a deep fascination with ancient trance rhythms and their common role in their otherwise radically different musical traditions. Guitarist, vocalist, producer and composer Justin Adams' extraordinary career has seen him move from post-punk to old blues, Arabic and African music, and collaborations with Jah Wobble, Tinariwen and Robert Plant. Vocalist, violinist and percussionist Mauro Durante is best known as the leader of the stunning band Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino and his work with Ludovico Einaudi. He is a specialist in taranta and pizzica (the thrilling folk music of southern Italy).

The duo won Songlines magazine's Best Fusion Artist award in 2022 and the new album was just released at the time the concert in Finland.

Performance:

7.11. at 9 pm Telakka, Tampere

The brilliant concert took place in the 3rd biggest city of Finland, known of it's strong culture and interest in music. Tampere is also known as the host city of WOMEX world music expo – in 2025 for the second time. However – the Tampere audience and the local organizer did not seem to be ready for this praised, internationally acclaimed performance – and showed very modest interest. Unfortunately, because of a very tight touring schedule there was no possibility to play a second show in the capitol area for a wider audience.

4) Svetlana Spajić (RS)

Svetlana Spajić is an internationally known and celebrated Serbian singer, pedagogue, tradition recorder and band leader. Her passionate work on the song traditions of the former Yugoslavia is receiving significant international recognition. She is known as an intensive teacher and as a leader of master classes also among professionals.

Performance:

17.12. at 5.30 pm At the free for all event on the music stage of Itäkeskus library, Helsinki Svetlana Spajić presented traditions and performed samples of them. The artist was interviewed by Robert Conaway-Bothwell from Itäkeskus library.

Next to the performance Svetlana Spajić gave workshops on 16 and 17 December – both days – both at the Käpylä Music Institute's Folk Music Department and at the Folk Music Department of Sibelius Academy, Uniarts, Helsinki.

The attendees of the workshops were professional singers/musicians/composers, students and also permanent singers of choirs focusing in the singing traditions of the Balkan region.