Kaustinen

Kaustinen (Swedish: Kaustby) in Central Ostrobothnia is known for its huge yearly folk music festival. The municipality with some 4,300 inhabitants welcomes thousands of guests during the festival. The municipality of Veteli to the south of Kaustinen is also handled in this article.

Understand


The folk music festival has become the main draw of the municipality. While otherwise perhaps typical countryside, with farming and some industry, the festival has led to a disproportionate number of skilled musicians. Many have grown up with the folk music tradition, continued music studies in the Sibelius Akademy, now fusing their classical music carrier with their interest in folk music. This makes for some surprising twists in some of the concerts, while otherwise true to a living folk music tradition. Also interest in related fields, such as folk dance and local history has greatly benefited from the development.

Tourist information from the municipal office:

By car
Kaustinen is at the crossing of national roads 13 and 63. From Kokkola, just follow road 13. From Seinäjoki, take road 19 towards Lapua and Kauhava and change to road 63 before the centre of the latter. From Jyväskylä, take national road 4 northward and change to road 13 before Äänekoski centre.

By bus
Kaustinen has direct coaches from Helsinki, Jyväskylä and Saarijärvi. In schooldays there are several services from Kokkola via Kaustinen, sparse services in winter weekends. The Osmo Aho route Pohjanmaan pikavuoro between Tampere and Kokkola stops at Kaustinen.

Get around
Veteli is some 10 km south of Kaustinen by national road 13.

Do



 * Downhill or Cross-country skiing – yes there are hills in Kaustinen, and a ski slope. There is a network of cross-country skiing tracks.
 * Fishing at the rapids. Permits and instructions from Eräkellari (an outdooring equipment shop) or Teboil (see below).
 * Rowing along the river.
 * Hiking. There is a network of trails, with lean-tos and campfire places (no fire during wildfire warnings!).

Kaustinen Folk Music Festival


While the event is massive, with several thousand people attending, there are also concerts in several small locales, with intimate atmosphere. The festival is an important meeting place for folk musicians from around the country and from farther away – and most is arranged by volunteers. Local folk music still plays an important role.



Buy
Kaustinen has a quite good assortment of shops for not being a city.

Sleep
During the festival, there are more lodging and camping options. Check the festival's web pages.