When the Kokkola Winter Accordion festival begins, during one week in  Kokkola, one can deport the winter cold and dark with top quality music, its surprising interpretations, top artists performances and culture happenings spiced with humour. The fourteenth Kokkola Winter Accordion festival is once again about all this. Last year the winteraccordion week was tinged with tango-orchestra Guardia Nueva’s jubilee year and the incredible success and media hype around it. The artistic director Raimo Vertainen did however not let this “invasion of Normandy” he compared it to intoxicate him: this year’s programme is again faithful to both style and quality.

The Winter Accordion festival has international guests once again. From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil arrives a quartet bringing latino rhythms in the depth of winter in Kokkola. The accordion wizard Renato Borghetti is one of the new folk musicians, who has a modern approach to the music of his home country. Borghetti is on tour in Europe and gives a concert in Finland only in Kokkola.

Gioacchino Rossini’s “little solemn mass” in Kokkola church on Sunday is opening the festival. In the concert that lasts one hour and a half we can hear Viljava choir conducted by Kari Pappinen with orchestra Ulla Roiko-Jokela, piano and Sari Viinikainen, accordion. Soloists are Mari Sillanpää, Maiju Vaahtoluoto, Olavi Suominen and Hannu Ilmolahti. Traditionally on Monday it is the young virtuosos, in other words the music students in the region – regardless of size, age or music genre – who have the chance to show their talent. This concert traditionally fills the Conservatory hall with people and the vibe is extremely funny.

Palo, Dallapé, and Rautavaara – cream of classics, also in the harbour lights.

Next to Kokkola Winter Accordion festival concert – and accordion art music, the evergreen sound of popular music fits in naturally. This time one of the most fascinating is the musical story of Tauno Palo’s life, written by his son Jukka-Pekka Palo. Docent Marko Tikka arrives to Kokkola to tell about the stages of accordion jazz kingorchestra Dallapé . Central Ostrobothnia University of Applied Sciences music students as stars of the club get off to a good strong start from Rautavaara most likely ending up in global musical winterwinds. Kokkola Ykspihlaja Music society international rhythms in full swing on Saturday night at the club; Harbour lights in the harbour bar.

Swing – hiuli hei – and great entertainment

The diversity of styles and taking all kinds of audiences into consideration Kokkola Winter Accordion has increased the attendance year after year. Though the record attendance of last year is not the main target this year, it is easy to to believe in a stable increase. The Big entertainment concert will again be a success as, in addition to Guardia Nueva’s own soloists, Pasi Kaunisto and Angelika Klas are entering the stage. Also the call of swing, presented by M.A. Numminen and Pedro Hietanen ,will be heard this week. The big dance to the beat of Matti Esko & Kapris is ending the week on Sunday. Winter Accordion also visits its audience Hiuli hei children’s concert for school children and Matti Lepänhaara playing the accordion at old people’s homes.

Records

The artistic director Raimo Vertainen is planning to break records with his event this year too.  In order to let the excitement last for some time still, at this stage let us tell only that it has to do with accordion and snow. Records will definitely be broken on the Shopping Center Kallentori’s song-, dance- and music-morning, winterkaraoke and the winter happening slide, all events an essential part of this winter town festival. The public can also try to beat their personal record as it comes to how many winter accordion happenings you manage to visit this year.

When the melancholy sound of the accordion is heard, the emotions are at stake. It is not enough, that the emotions of accordion player are at stake, but they have to be expressed and shared. When it comes to Kokkola Winter Accordion, the emotions are shared with thousands. Without the talent needed, it wouldn’t even be possible.

This winter treat, that lasts for one week, has been accomplished with talent, passion and emotion by artistic director Raimo Vertainen and many others who have been active. This has been waited for since last winter. Wants more.

So this year all of us who got to enjoy last years performance at Kokkola ice stadium, and especially those of you who didn’t, do join the audience. Live tastes better. Buy yourself a ticket, take time to enjoy, a wintry music treat is waiting for you! Many tables are set to choose from.

On behalf of the town of Kokkola and all its inhabitants I wish to thank the organizers and performers of Winter Accordion. We are proud of you and one doesn’t have to feel a bit ashamed to wish everyone from hometown Kokkola and no matter however far away from, welcome.

The Artistic director
Raimo Vertainen:

“Good festival in Kokola…”
A journey to the hustle and bustle of Shanghai. A week listening, making observations at the big festival and competition. From all parts of the world the accordionists are gathered in this Chinese city. Discussions, meetings. A journalist from New Zealand grabs my sleeve and says:”You have a good festival in Kokola…” I thank him and tell him the same. We in Kokkola do have a splendid and unique wintry town festival that is noticed in different parts of the world.

For the fourteenth time festival ahead and the setting as impressive as can be. The most faraway guest throughout our history arrives from Rio de Janeiro – Renato Borghetti. Hopefully there will be an extreme cold…and snow! Then real contrast can be found. Traditionally the week offers a lot to hear and see. Film is back on the programme, also old people and children are remembered. Guardia Nueva, of course…at the Snellman Hall. There is perhaps some light to be seen at the end of the tunnel, as far as the well needed renovation of the hall is concerned – an important matter for our region.

A strong education as a base produces skilled musicians, who have an enriching effect on their environment. It is important that the music education (higher level) would continue in Kokkola. The repercussions can be seen in many things and on many levels. Also on festivals.

Enjoy our programme, come and listen. Thanks in advance to all our supporters, to all people who have worked hard to make this possible and to the audience, of course.

You are warmly welcome to our winter festival town – Kokkola.

Sun 26.2. Snellman Hall 16.00-21.00

Matti Esko & Kapris
Kapris:
Eero Norontaus:keyboard, song
Kari Matilainen:bass
Jouni Hukkanen:drums
Matti Hämäläinen:accordion,vocal

People have danced with Matti Esko for already 40 years. On his long career he has made thousands of gigs and 30 records (discs) and received many awards and prizes. The Snellman Hall dance floor guarantees an enjoyable experience.

Cafè and buffet open all night – a dance does not get any better than this.

Tickets: 13€, with Keskipohjanmaa card 10 €

Producer(s):Jussi Rantamäki/Auli Mantila
Director: Juho Kuosmanen
Manuscript: J-P Passi

Was awarded a prize at Cannes film festival.

It’s almost Christmas but these three people are still on the road. The products don’t sell, the car is a wreck and the weather is freezing. Moreover there is a problem:how to cope with an emerging friendship.

Tickets: 6€

A nice outdoors happening for all family at Palmahovi. On the programme is snowmobile driving, slide and competitions.

Juice served indoors. Music responsible is Simo Hietala.

Free

Sat 25.2. Snellman Hall 15.00 and 19.00

Guardia Nueva-orchestra
conductor: Raimo Vertainen
soloists: Angelika Klas, Pasi Kaunisto and Jonna Pirttijoki
compère: Anna-Liisa Tilus

Star of the Finnish music sky, seen on TV, virtuosic beyond comparison, entertainment- and tango-orchestra Guardia Nueva charms in a stylish and unique concert at the Snellman hall. The father of the festival, Raimo Vertainen, is conducting the orchestra and its soloists are sonorous Pasi Kaunisto and the enchanting female vocalists Jonna Pirttijoki and Angelika Klas. Anna-Liisa Tilus compères the concert. A spiritual union of music and beauty with fiery spices.

Tickets 25€ with S-card /28€

Photos from Kallentori >

Sat 25.2. Kallentori 10.00-12.00

In your company, Torikööri, singing and playing to everyone’s pleasure. The audience is welcome to sing along and dancing is okay too. Kokkolanseudun harmonikkakerho and Lestijokikseudun Harmonikkakerho are entertaining you this Saturday morning. With jovial compére Matti Lepänhaara playing and singing.

Free entry

Contact & info: likaminn@gmail.com