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07.05.2009: Frühlingsstimmen in Germany, Finland and Norway

Frühlingsstimmen in Germany, Finland and Norway

For Rajaton the days around May Day (or International Workers’ Day...) were full of work. However, the May Day itself was free, for the first time in five years for us.

We spent the last weekend of April in Olsberg, Germany. This was the fourth time in a row that we performed at the Stimmakrobaten festival, specializing in the human voice. Last year we sang the music by ABBA with local young musicians, but this year we went back to basics and gave two a cappella concerts. The first concert was acoustic and was held in a beautiful Hallenberg Church with great acoustics. The next day we had an amplified concert in the full-packed Olsberg Concert Hall.

In this latter concert we had once again the opportunity to work with young local singers with whom we performed three songs. It almost made a grown man cry to see those kids from the age of 7 to 10 singing with shining eyes a Finnish folk song by heart, wearing Rajaton-caps. Wunderbar! Fortunately we didn’t have to say goodbye to Olsberg for good because we might be coming back next year…

In Finland we continued working with children and youngsters by giving two school concerts. The first one was at the Ruusutorppa Elementary School in Espoo and the second one was held at the Sibelius High School in Helsinki. Once again it was great to see how singing appeals to all kinds of people, regardless of age.

After May Day and a couple of days off we travelled to Norway for the very first time. If we've counted correctly, Norway is the 23rd country where we have performed, so it was about time to visit our neighbouring country!

We performed at the ruins of the Hamar Cathedral (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_Ruins_in_Hamar), built at the end of the 12th century. Our debut in Norway was welcomed delightfully warmly, and the crowd was with us from the very beginning. Even though we were performing in Norway for the first time, we saw many people in the audience lip-synching many of the songs, even the ones sung in Finnish! Stor takk til Tor Arne, Anja and the AnJazz festival for the kind invitation! See you hopefully very soon!

Now we have a couple of days to get ready for yet another new country (AND a continent!). In the end of this week we will leave for Australia, which we are all looking forward with great enthusiasm.

I wish you all warm and sunny spring!

Take care,
Ahti