From Mexico to Tanzania: Viljandi Folk Music Festival Unveils Final Lineup
The Baltic’s leading folk event, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, has revealed its full lineup for the 33rd edition, set to take place July 23-26 in Viljandi. The festival will feature 65 concerts across nine stages over four days, alongside an extensive free programme of performances and workshops.
The lineup features a wide-ranging mix of international acts, including Groupa, Orkestra Mendoza, and The Zawose Queens, alongside leading Estonian names such as Puuluup, Duo Ruut, and Curly Strings, highlighting the festival’s balance between global influences and local traditions.
“I am personally very much looking forward to the performance of the legendary Swedish
group Groupa. This ensemble has been active as a live act for 10 years longer than our festival. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, we haven’t managed to bring them to Viljandi before,” says Viljandi Folk Music Festival director Ando Kiviberg.
“Viljandi offers a unique experience not only in Estonia but in all of Europe - combining the cozy, romantic atmosphere of the old town and castle hills with the sounds of world music, creating an exceptionally captivating celebration that leaves a sweet longing for the next edition,” describes Kiviberg what makes the festival unique.
This year’s international lineup includes Amaro Duho (Hungary), Amy Laurenson (Shetland Islands), Gangar (Norway), Groupa (Sweden/Norway), HrayBery (Poland/Ukraine), Karolina Cicha (Poland), Manhu (China/Sani), Mäsä-duo (Finland), Nancy Vieira (Portugal/Cape Verde), Orkestra Mendoza (Mexico), and The Zawose Queens (Tanzania).
Cross-border collaborations include Mari Kalkun and Laima Jansone (Estonia/Latvia), Tell Your Birds (Estonia/Latvia/Italy), and Salu (Estonia/Denmark).
Among Estonian artists, well-known names include Angus, Curly Strings, Duo Ruut³ (special project), ITIRA, OOPUS, Puuluup, Zetod, Untsakad, and Vabariigi Pillimehed.
In addition to the main programme, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival features an extended programme with 85 free concerts on two special stages in Viljandi, as well as over 30 workshops and activity sessions across the city.
Inspired by this year’s theme, “To Each Their Own Instrument,” the festival will also present a special production: a concert performance of the same name, where performers and musicians journey through the story of Estonian folk instruments.
Recognised as one of Northern Europe’s most influential folk music events, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival was founded in 1994 to support and promote Estonia’s living musical traditions and to introduce the unique musical cultures of other nations.
XXXIII Viljandi Folk Music Festival takes place July 23-26. More information about the programme and tickets is available on the festival’s website viljandifolk.ee. The Viljandi Folk Music Festival is co-funded by the European Union.