Matka Brings Kven Music and Stories to Finnmark’s Schools
In February 2025, Matka brought original songs and live storytelling to school audiences in northern Norway. The ten-concert tour visited Porsanger, Karasjok, Kautokeino and Alta from 11 to 18 February, with a combined audience of 1,162.
Rooted in Kven mythology, the performance follows Einari, a young boy travelling with his family in search of Koti, the lost home of their ancestors. Their journey through the North is filled with encounters with animals and the natural world, exploring growing up, learning and finding a place to belong.
Presented with DKS Finnmark, part of Norway’s national arts programme for schools, the concerts gave pupils a chance to experience Kven cultural heritage through professional live performance.
Nordnorsk Jazzsenter produced Matka, with Scene Nord supporting the coordination of the school tour. The tour was part of Arctic Pulse, within the Arctic Music Circles project, co-funded by Interreg Aurora.
Discover Matka and the musicians behind the production
About Arctic Pulse
The tour was part of Arctic Pulse, the shared external brand of Arctic Music Circles, an Interreg Aurora project supporting cross-border music collaboration in northern Sweden, Finland and Norway.
The project works to strengthen the music scene in the Arctic region by creating new connections, increasing visibility and building long-term collaboration across borders.