The Finnish tango is distinguished from other forms of tango by its almost exclusive performance in minor keys and themes reflecting established conventions in Finnish folklore. As the head of the Finnish National Broadcaster's gramophone library explains, "The central themes of Finnish tango lyrics are love, sorrow, nature and the countryside. Many tangos express a longing for the old homestead, or a distant land of happiness. The changing seasons of Finnish nature are frequently used metaphors: the spring breaks the hold of the winter, and flowers appear, creating new expectations. Autumn rains and dark evenings are symbols of crushed hopes."
One of the highlights of Finnish summers is the Tangoamarkkinat, or tango festival, held annually since 1985 in the central Finnish town of Seinäjoki. The festival attracts more than 100,000 participants annually (from a population of just over 5 million) and is capped by the coronation of the tango King and Queen, who receive much domestic media attention and often recording contracts as well.
Since joining the European in 1995, Finland's version of the tango has begun to receive wider attention, particularly the works of Olavi Virta, Toivo Kärki and Unto Mononen , the most renowned composer-performers.
The most well known Finnish tango songs include "Satumaa " by Unto Mononen, "Liljankukka" by Toivo Kärki, "Punatukkaiselle tytölleni" by Olavi Virta.
Lisa Kraus
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