From Pajala to Kainunmaa – a cross-border collaboration becomes a live EP
An Arctic Pulse musician gathering in Pajala in 2024 led to a cross-border tour, the formation of Kainunmaa and a four-track live EP.
What began at an Arctic Pulse musician gathering in Pajala in 2024 has grown into a cross-border touring production, a continuing artistic collaboration and the four-track live EP Jos voisin laulaat ko lintu voi.
An idea born in Pajala
In 2024, Arctic Pulse brought together folk musicians from northern Sweden, Finland and Norway in Pajala. The participants had connections to Kven and Meänkieli cultures and met to exchange repertoire, share experiences and explore what they could create together.
The idea for a joint touring production was born during that gathering.
The musicians brought different traditions and perspectives into the same room, but also discovered music and stories that connect Finland, the Tornio Valley and Finnmark. Their aim was not simply to meet, but to develop something they could continue working on together.
From meeting to tour
In February 2026, the collaboration went on the road. Musicians from the Finnish folk music group Rällä, the Norwegian duo Aaret and Swedish musician Nikolai Äystö performed across Northern Norway before completing the tour in Oulu, Finland.
The programme included public concerts as well as school performances, bringing Kven, Finnish and Meänkieli music traditions to both local communities and young audiences.
The six musicians involved were:
- Gro Raattama
- Jani Suvanto
- Erja Pätsi
- Osmo Hakosalo
- Jouko Pääkkönen
- Nikolai Äystö
The music continues as Kainunmaa
Several performances during the tour were recorded. The musicians have now released the music together under the name Kainunmaa.
Their four-track live EP, Jos voisin laulaat ko lintu voi, was released on 21 August 2026 and is available on Spotify and other streaming platforms.
Rällä financed the original concert recordings. The post-production of the EP — including mixing and mastering — was supported within the Arctic Music Circles project by Norrbottensmusiken, City of Oulu and the Norwegian project partners.
The release was followed by a performance at the GiellaKieli minority-language festival in Gällivare on 22 August. The concert was arranged outside Arctic Music Circles, but it represents an important next step: the musicians have continued performing and developing the collaboration beyond the project-financed tour.
One meeting can lead much further
This is what the Pajala gathering was created to make possible.
It gave musicians from three countries the time and space to meet, exchange knowledge and develop a shared idea. Two years later, that first meeting has led to a touring production, recorded music, a new ensemble identity and a collaboration that continues independently.
Listen to the EP:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6k4p3x7YiidbAGuU8WbusJ?si=V-JEou-sR3KMIntebNbvuA
Read about the original musician gathering in Pajala:
Musician Gathering in Pajala - Arctic Pulse
Collaboration and funding
The collaboration was developed within Arctic Pulse together with Norrbottensmusiken, Novia, City of Oulu, Scene Nord, Musikk i Nordland, Nordnorsk Jazzsenter and Oulu 2026.
Arctic Music Circles is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Aurora programme, with co-financing from Region Norrbotten, Luleå Municipality, Lapin liitto, Nordland County Council and Troms County Council.
About Arctic Pulse
Arctic Pulse is the public identity of Arctic Music Circles, an Interreg Aurora project connecting musicians, producers and music organisations across northern Sweden, Finland and Norway.
The project creates opportunities for artistic development, professional exchange and long-term music collaboration across borders.