Theme of the festival

To Each Their Own Instrument

Music begins with an instrument. Without one, there’s no musical tradition to pass on. For any musician, their instrument is a source of pride and deep affection. In folk music, certain instruments are often closely tied to specific regions. The kannel, for instance, is a signature of the Baltic Finnic peoples, while the qanun is rooted in Middle Eastern culture. Bagpipes can be found all across Eurasia, yet each region has its own unique version with distinct character. The same goes for the accordion – our beloved Teppo-type diatonic accordion is uniquely Estonian, but its close relatives are played in South America, Europe, and further east. These are just a few examples that highlight the richness of the world of traditional instruments.

Instruments have always played a key role in community life. The musician and their dance tunes have long been at the heart of every village celebration. Spirited melodies are a powerful expression of local identity. What makes a dance tune or wedding march so irresistible? Often, local musicians would pick up one another’s best tricks and put their own spin on them. Over time, this gave rise to distinct regional playing styles, in other words musical mother tongues. And behind every beautiful, captivating style is a musician’s love for their instrument.

Today, these local styles keep the folk tradition alive. Once you’ve mastered the local style, it doesn’t matter what you play it on – whether it’s a clarinet, saxophone, piano, or even a synthesizer. Let’s give instruments the spotlight in folk music! After all, playing music is one of the best ways to lift the spirit and soothe the soul. It’s good for the heart, and great for the mood!

See you at the XXXIII Viljandi Folk Music Festival, July 23–26!

Ando Kiviberg,
Head of the Festival