Our theme of the year is Tanssiin kutsu (A Call to Dance)
The special theme of Suomen Kansanmusiikkiliitto for 2026 is ”Tanssiin kutsu” (A Call to Dance)
”Tanssiin kutsu” is a great opportunity to build an even better connection between players and dancers. The theme year aims to strengthen the sense of community in the folk music field, raise awareness of the different dance types in the rich tradition of folk music, and highlight the seamless relationship between folk dance and folk music. One does not exist without the other!
At the centre are the danceability of the repertoire and encouraging people to dance. Tips for players:
- Pay attention to the tempos of your pieces from the dancer's point of view. Does it swing?
- A concert can include a short dance-teaching session where anyone dares to join the dance circle. Start from walking!
- Emphasise in your own messages and announcements that you don't need to know the dance steps perfectly – the main thing is moving with the music and the many ways to dance, that is, a personal approach to movement too.
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration between folk musician groups and local folk dance groups, through joint works or shared rehearsals, always enriches everyone.
- Take note of the national costume airing events organised around the country, especially in summer. At other times too you can encourage the audience to dress according to the theme, which adds to the festive feeling and sense of belonging, while showcasing our enormously rich and colourful costume tradition.
- Film and share social media videos where playing and dancing meet (#TanssiinKutsu2026). Always remember to tag @kansanmusiikkiliitto too, and we will share your posts on our own pages.
- Pass on knowledge of dance rhythms to future generations by getting children involved!
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CHECKLIST FOR FOLK MUSICIANS
Use this list to plan theme-year activities locally:
- Repertoire and rehearsing
- Danceability test: Pick 3–5 pieces from your repertoire and try dancing to them yourselves. Is the tempo right? Does the rhythm have enough ”kick”? Does the time signature stay the same throughout the piece?
- Dance visit: Invite a dance teacher or an experienced folk dancer to your rehearsals to give feedback on your rhythm and tempos, which are also matters of taste. Discuss them together.
- Own the floor: Practise playing while standing or moving – it changes the feel of playing!
- Events and concerts
- Teaching session: Could a concert start with a 15-minute low-threshold ”crash course” in the evening's most common dances? Could the teaching also work in several languages, taking different audiences into account?
- Danceable intervals: Arrange an open jam session or dance space during the interval or at the end of a concert. – Is there floor space at your concert venue? Even a tiny stamp-sized floor is enough, but roomier is more comfortable.
- Accessible participation: Remind the audience that everyone may dance in their own style – sitting, standing or in a wheelchair. Dance etiquette exists to protect dancers and the audience, so everyone should get to know it.
- Collaboration and communication
- Find a dance partner: Contact a local dance group. Could you organise a joint rehearsal evening or performance? Could you hold a public jam session where people can also come just to watch?
- Get the movement on social media: Film a short video where your group plays and someone dances (even just in the background). Use the hashtags #TanssiinKutsu2026 and #Kansanmusiikki and tag @kansanmusiikkiliitto
- Story task: Prepare short stories for your stage patter about where, in what kinds of situations and with whom a piece may have been danced to in the old days, if you happen to know.
Nothing left but to dance and to call others to dance! Everyone can and may dance in every place and situation.
