World Village Festival, the free festival organised in Suvilahti, Helsinki, on 25–26 May 2024, has released its entire music line-up. In addition to names announced previously, taking the music stage will be Las Karamba and Puerto Candelaria with their Latin sounds, Tunisian Emel with her politically aware and artful music, as well as Antti Autio, Maija Kauhanen, Don Johnson Big Band and Children’s concert Indaba from Finland.
– This year’s festival is themed on courage. It is in times like these that are difficult in so many ways that we need, above all, courage to act for a just and sustainable world. We hope our festival will encourage people for action and influence, says Festival’s Programme Manager Johanna Eurakoski.
– Courage will be prominent especially in the talks and discussions programme but also in the music programme. For example, Tunisian Emel is an artist who takes a strong stand and whose song Kelmti Horra (‘My Word is Free’) became an anthem for the Arab Spring uprisings. Emel also performed the song at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony and has engaged in broad musical collaboration for human rights, hope and empowerment.
A few tasters of the Speaker’s Stage programme are also now available. Laura Haimila and Emmi Nuorgam’s Kerhotalo Live will discuss public speaking with courage and your own voice. Photography of musicians from Cuba – with Palo pá Rumba on stage is where traditional Cuban music meets stories told by photography.
In addition to music, talks and discussions, World Village Festival will bring you kids’ programme, art, workshops, evening clubs and more than two hundred exhibitors from CSOs to food and bazaar vendors. New this year will be the YMCA Peace & Sport area as well as the Books and the Recycling World.
The festival organiser is Finnish Development NGOs Fingo and the main partners are Finn Church Aid, the European Commission Representation in Finland, the European Parliament Liaison Office in Finland, Radio Helsinki and Maailman Kuvalehti -magazine. The event is expected to attract around 50,000 festivalgoers. Admission to all events is free.
Emel, Las Karamba and Puerto Candelaria this year’s international stars taking the music stage
Tunisian Emel is a major figure in the Arabic music scene. Known for her experimental style, Emel’s music is a mix of Arabic traditions and electronic and classical styles. She describes her fifth album, MRA, out this April, as an ode to women, sisterhood, and humanity.
Drawing from their backgrounds in Venezuela, Cuba, Spain, Argentina and France, Las Karamba’s music is a joyous mix of son, cha-cha-cha and salsa with urban music and a bit of samba and rumba. The band are inspired by women of previous generations who fought for equality and women’s rights:
– We want to be the voice of all those women who, throughout history, had to remain silent.
The music of Grammy-winning Puerto Candelaria, who have been gigging around the world for a couple of decades, features sounds of cumbia, rock, jazz and ska. The band is one of the most significant influencers of new Colombian music and the leader, Juancho Valencia, a three-time winner of the Latin Grammy awards. The environment and sustainable development are important for the band.
– Music is a social tool for building a better world, especially for looking after our planet, says Valencia.
Concerts for people of all ages
The first to take the festival stage on Sunday, Antti Autio is one of the top names of today’s Finnish music scene. With his latest album, Täällä sinua kaivataan, out in February, Autio’s songs have clocked in more than 15 million Spotify listens.
Pioneers of Finnish rhythm music, Don Johnson Big Band are coming to the festival having just released their latest album, Midnight Movement, this spring. The band are pleased to perform at the traditional sustainable development event.
– Our values have always self-evidently included defending equality, human rights and peace. The world needs more international solidarity and less boundaries increasing inequalities, says vocalist Tommy Lindgren.
Winner of the 2023 Nordic Council Music Prize, Maija Kauhanen is one of Finland’s leading folk musicians in terms of international success. She is known as a one-woman powerhouse whose performances combine strong vocals with an enchanting style of music and performance.
– I believe that the power of music and art can make us part of a change towards a better world, says Kauhanen, who has performed live in more than 30 countries.
Children’s concert Indaba combines singing with improvisation, percussion grooves as well as hip-hop and house dance styles. Based on an exploration of identity, the performance features languages including Finnish, English, and Swahili.
The festival’s music line-up also features Dub FX feat. Mr Woodnote and Hassan Maikal as already announced previously.
For more detailed schedules and programme details, visit worldvillage.fi. The Speaker’s Stage programme will be released on 4 April and the rest of the programme on 18 April. World Village Festival 25–26 May 2024 in Suvilahti, Helsinki, free admission.
More information
Programme: Johanna Eurakoski, johanna.eurakoski@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6696
Communications: Nelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
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worldvillage.fi
World Village Festival is Finland’s leading event for global action for the whole family, an admission free cultural festival, and a trade fair for sustainable development. The event will be organised in the Suvilahti event venue, Helsinki, in 25–26 May 2024 with Courage as the theme. Festival’s core values are diversity, equality, responsibility, and communality.