Ever heard of Kalevala poetry singing called runolaulu? Learn and try it out at FinnFest!

Karen Ba will demonstrate and guide you into the singing Karelian songs called runolaulu. This genre roots us in folk poetry of the deep past, is still sung in present day Finland, and will carry “Finnishness” into the future. Some of the cultural beliefs shine through while others require explanation. I hope you find an “aha” moment connecting with this. You can just listen, but by singing along as an activity your mind-body connection provides a tangible link with your roots, the zen of singing from your heart and delight of speaking Finnish. Text and translation will be provided including easier versions. You can do this – even if you don’t know Finnish!

PERFORMER
Karen Bispala Ba is a researcher and amateur musician, with an interest in the Kalevala and Finnish poetry since an early age, including her own research on Finnish texts and university courses. Karen started performing Finnish 19th Century folk music by accompanying the Kisarit Dancers and Laulu Aika on her clarinet. She sought out a way to learn runolaulu and discovered the Sommelo Ethnomusic Festival in Kuhmo, Finland. She has attended the week long festival 3 times, including courses, workshops, performing and learning from the folk musicians of Sibelius Academy. She has become part of the small but vibrant community of people singing runolaulu in Finland, Japan and other places. She continues their mission to preserve, support and spread runolaulu by leading Suomi Singalong and Runolaulu Zoom sessions monthly since 2020. See the Suomi Singalong Facebook page for events and posts about Finnish and Finnish American musicians.