🎶 Kaustinen ICH Academy 2026 🎶

Location: Jyväskyläntie 3, FI-69600 Kaustinen, Suomi
Join us for the Kaustinen ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) Academy, set against the vibrant backdrop of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival from July 14 to 18, 2026. This event promises to be a rich exchange of knowledge centered on safeguarding the traditions of music and dance!

📅 Daily Highlights:

Tuesday, July 14

• 10:00-11:30:
  Welcome words & discuss how ICH can unite or divide communities. Elo-Hanna Seljamaa (Estonia): Intangible cultural heritage and differential identity
  *Neea Lamminmäki:The politics of inclusive intergenerationality in music education: Case Näppärit

• 14:00-15:00: Examine safeguarding practices for communities in diaspora.
  *Pär Moberg (Sweden):Safeguarding cultural heritage in diaspora * Heidi Henriikka Mäkelä & Outi Valo: Perceptions of Folk Music in Finland

Wednesday, July 15

• 10:00-11:30: Discuss the significance of ICH on international lists.
  *Anda Beitāne (Latvia):From the Field to the ICH List * Hsinwen Hsu (Taiwan): The Heritagization of Hakka Music in Taiwan

• 14:00-15:00: Insights into integrating living heritage into university curriculums.
  *Hans Balsted (Sweden):ICH-based knowledge for the School of Music, Theater and Art * Anne-Mari Hakamäki & Vilma Timonen: Kaustinen Folk Music Festival as a public sphere

Thursday, July 16

• 10:00-11:30: The art of improvisation.
  *Kristiina Ilmonen & the Syvälle Collective:Deep Encounters on Improvisation * Pirita Näkkäläjärvi: The history of joik

• 14:00-15:00: Music amid cultural pressures.
  *Moskitto Bar (Canada):Culture, Diversity and Music Making

Friday, July 17

• 10:00-11:30: The roles of municipalities in safeguarding living heritage.
  *Hanna Schreiber (Poland):Municipalities, Communities and Living Heritage * Jinyoung Seo (Republic of Korea): Traditional instrument making

Saturday, July 18

• 11:00-13:30: KAUSTINEN INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE SEMINAR 2025 - Festivals as platforms for ICH.
  Keynote by Professor Hanna Schreiber Panel with notable figures from the music community
  • Musical entertainment by Näppärit group

This is an incredible opportunity to engage with varying perspectives on ICH and immerse yourself in the musical depth of Finland's heritage. Don’t miss out!

🔗 Get your tickets here!