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.
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 lead 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:
Get in
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
In schooldays there are several services from Kokkola via Kaustinen, sparse services in winter weekends. There are some services from Jyväskylä and Saarijärvi, heading for Kokkola.
Get around
See
- 1 Folk Arts Centre Kaustinen (Kaustisen kansantaiteenkeskus), Jyväskyläntie 3, ☏ 358 40-136-1161, ✉[email protected]. M–F 10:00–15:00. Several institutions, including a museum on folk music instruments. Shop with music and souvenirs. Café.
- Kraatarimuseo, Kraatarinpolku 2, ☏ 358 500-500-928. Local history museum in a 19th century tailor's home.
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!).
Events
- Kaustisen ravit (in the village Nikula). Monthly. Harness racing
- Kaustinen Chamber Music Week, ☏ 358 50-540-7391, ✉[email protected].
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival
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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.
- 1 Kaustinen Folk Music Festival (Kaustisen kansanmusiikkijuhlat, Kaustby folkmusikfestival), ☏ 358 40-170-1966, ✉[email protected]. 2021: 12–18 July.
Buy
Kaustinen has a quite good assortment of shops for not being a city.
Eat and drink
- Kappelin grilli, Kaustintie 4, ☏ 358 6 861-1289, ✉[email protected]. Grill.
- Teboil Kaustinen, Terveystie 2, ☏ 358 6 861-1590. Kitchen daily 09:00–20:00. Fuel station. Fuel, service, groceries. Restaurant/café.
- Ravintola Pelimanni, Kaustintie 2, ☏ 358 6 861-1005. M–F 10:00–23:00 L 12:00–23:00, lunch M–F 10:30–15:00, dinner M–F 15:00–20:00, L 12:00–20:00. €11–30.
Sleep
During the festival, there are more lodging and camping options. Check the festival's web pages.
- Neste Kaustinen, Teerijärventie 1, ☏ 358 6 860-7711, ✉[email protected]. M–F 07:00–21:30, Sa 08:00–21:30, Su 10:00–21:30. Fuel station. Restaurant. Lodging. single €60€, double €90 (in festival week €85/100); meals €10–16, children's meatballs €6.50, lunch 10:00–14:00.
- Koskelan Lomatalo, Känsäläntie 123 (in the village Känsälä, 5 km from the centre), ☏ 358 6 8611-338, 358 400-269-710, ✉[email protected]. Rooms for 1–5 persons, cottage sleeping 4.
- Tastulan Lomakylä, Mökkitie 7 (Pertuntie 7), ☏ 358 6 861-4118, 358 400-733-331, ✉[email protected]. Camping and cottages. Also apartments. Tent €10 €5/2 per person (children 3–16); caravan €20 €5/2; cottages €55 (3 pers.), €95–110 (4/6 pers.), peaks €80/135–150, linen €10.
- Hotelli Kaustinen, Pajalantie 24, ☏ 358 40-168-6906, ✉[email protected]. Also apartments.