Would you like to listen to Soitellaan, the Finnish radio program from Victoria?

The one and a half hour live program is hosted by Pirkko Kiansten from the University of Victoria radio station CFUV 101.9 FM every Saturday morning.

The program has become a tradition for many Finns who have tuned in since 1991 when it first started broadcasting on CFUV.

Soitellaan is an eclectic mixture of music,old and new, some never heard in radio before, Finnish poetry, Pirkko's own commentary, as well as interesting radio plays which she has purchased at her own expense from YLE, the Finnis,h Broadcasting Company.

In 1992 The Board of YLE granted Soitellaan broadcasting rights that are equivalent to its own regional radio stations in Finland.

Over the years, artists and bands, as well as many of her listeners around the world, have sent additions to her own huge collection of recorded music.

The theme song at the beginning of the program is well the known Säkkijärven polkka … see the story below.

During the summer months, from the early May to the end of August, the listeners of Soitellaan can also enjoy the nostalgic call of the cuckoo at the beginning of the program!

Tune in to UVIC Campus Radio CFUV on the Internet at http://cfuv.uvic.ca/ every Saturday 9.30 am - 11.00 am.

Archived programs can be found: http://www.geocities.com/ojoronen/PIRKKO.HTM

One of Finland's most recognized tunes - Säkkijärven Polkka

Säkkijärven polkka, the program's signature tune, has a history of its own and is probably one of the most recognized tunes in Finland.  It played an important part during the Continuation War (1941-45) and is said to have saved most of the infrastructure in Viipuri.  The Russians had laid many mines which started exploding as the Finns reoccupied the city. The Finns discovered that most mines were equipped with a radio receiver and three tuning forks that detonated the mine when a specific musical chord was transmitted by radio.  The YLE studios ( the Finnish Broadcasting Company), experimented with ways to counter the Russian signals and started sending interfering signals through stronger transmitters.  From the 3rd of August 1941, special radio transmitters played Säkkijärven polkka continuously until the following spring.  About ten radio triggered mines were manually destroyed in Viipuri, although a few buildings and a bridge were destroyed before the discovery.  

Säkkijärven polkka is based on a traditional  Finnish tune from Säkkijärvi village (now part of Russian Karelia).  The performer was Viljo Vesterinen, the famous accordion artist, recorded by the Finnish Broadcasting Company in June 1939.  The tempo of the music was fast enough and the melody varied enough to foil the frequency used by the Red Army.  The polkka was played about 1500 times before the mines had been detonated or their batteries were spent.

Wildly Popular Finnish Cappella Sensation

TD Canada Trust Main Stage Series and new World at the Garden Series

Vancouver, BC – Festival Vancouver returns August 3 – 17, 2008 for an eighth extraordinary season, bringing some of Canada’s and the world’s best classical, world music and jazz performers to Vancouver and filling nine city venues with glorious music over the Festival’s two-week run.

There’s also an exciting new series called World at the Garden (3 concerts) set against the beautiful backdrop of the VanDusen Botanical Garden and starring international
musical headliners.

The 2008 festival’s programming spotlight is on Music of the Americas, and that focus is at the heart of a brand new Festival series called World at the Garden. There are three outdoor concerts on the Great Lawn of the VanDusen Botanical Garden with one concert featuring the following international artists from Finland:

Rajaton: The wildly-popular Finnish a cappella sensation makes its third visit to Vancouver in as many years – fans of this sextet can’t seem to get enough! Rajaton’s unmistakable, infectious arrangements of popular tunes and Finnish traditional music will sparkle in a new setting – expect a magical summer evening’s entertainment. (August 13 @ 7:30pm)

All World at the Garden Series concerts feature festival seating and a raised stage. Admission after 6pm includes the opportunity to explore the Garden before the concert begins. Series passes will be available.

Ticketsfor all remaining Festival concerts and series will go on sale starting June 7 through Ticketmaster @ 604-280-3311 and on the Festival website – www.festivalvancouver.ca

Concert: KARDEMIMMIT ARE COMING - Kantele group from Finland

CONCERT Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 7 pm
KARDEMIMMIT

Kantele players from FINLAND
at Emmaus Lutheran Church
6344 Sperling Ave. (South), Burnaby, B.C. V5E 2V4

604-521-7927
More information about this excellent group is attached and is also at: www.myspace.com/kardemimmit