The kantele (or the Finnish zither) is one of the main themes of the Sommelo festival. The leading contemporary Finnish kantele players will come to Kuhmo to perform, lecture and teach. The event culminates with the Day of the Kantele and the final concert of the kantele camp on the 5th July 2008. The lecturers at the seminar on the Day of the Kantele are Rauno Nieminen and Timo Väänänen. The international kantele music camp is organised in collaboration with the Finnish Kantele Association.

29th June - 5th July 2008 at the Kuhmo Arts Centre, Kuhmo. Teachers: Eva Alkula (home and concert kanteles), Arja Kastinen (minor kanteles), Pauliina Syrjälä (kantele, plucked with a stick or a match) and Vilma Timonen (electric kantele).

The cost of the course is 150 euro. The daily teaching sessions include one individual lesson and the group playing. It is also possible to form small ensembles. Additional lessons can be obtained at an additional charge. The main teaching language on the course is English.

Accommodation:
1) in school classrooms (bring your own sleeping bag)
2) in a hostel for 20-30 euro/night
3) in a hotel for 45-75 euro/night

Catering for 20 euro per day (including breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening meal). The accommodation and catering can be reserved, along with the registration for the course.
Alongside the teaching, you may also attend seminars and concerts of a high level. The participants of the course have free admittance to the concerts and seminars.

Registration and enquiries:
Salla Seppä
+358 44 2501 391
salla.seppa (a) runolaulu.fi

> Kantele course - Sommelo '08. Informations in Japanese (pdf)