Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival

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THE FINNISH POP CULTURE PORTAL

Festival : Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival
Interview : Ritva Eerola

When was the festival first established and who's idea / project was it?
Established in 1970, Mr. Seppo Kimanen, cellist is artistic director and founder of the festival.

How could you present your festival to our readers who don't know it?
An international high lever chamber music event.

When is it happening?
Two last weeks of July every year.

Why this period of the year was choosen?
A common holiday season in Finland, and the Finnish summer is at its best then.

Are there many changes / ameliorations from one year to another?
The programme is totally different every year.

How the programmation of the festival is done?
It is designed by the Artistic Director Mr. Seppo Kimanen, he first makes the programme and then engages artists for that programme.

If you had to describe the festival with 5 words...
Innovative, high lever chamber music

Are there many spectators coming from abroad?
About 5 % of the total audience, (44 300 in 2003 was total audience)

Do you advertise your festival abroad?
Arrange concerts in some big capitals.

Are there many possibilities for accomodation?
Two hotels, some hostels, holiday villages, private bed and breakfast

Do you have a web site? What kind of information / content do you offer?
Yes we have www.kuhmofestival.fi The total programme is published there, list of artist, information on ticket sales, accommodation, traffic connections.

How do you explain the popularity of festivals in Finland?
The festival has a very special profile of its own.

Do you work in collaboration with other festival abroad?
Not very often.

What are your projects for the coming years?
Develop the festival to make it better and better every year.

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2003