Suomen kansansoitinmuseo
Museum run by the Finnish Folk Music Institute at the Kansantaiteenkeskus in Kaustinen, with more than a thousand instruments and an exhibition on fiddle playing in Kaustinen.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Finnish Folk Instrument Museum is run by the Finnish Folk Music Institute and is located in Kaustinen at the Kansantaiteenkeskus (Folk Art Centre). The museum's collections include more than a thousand instruments, which belong to the collections of the University of Tampere, the Finnish Folk Music Institute and the Finnish Folk Instrument Museum. Most of the collection consists of instruments used by folk fiddlers in the last century.
The permanent exhibition “Kaustislainen viulunsoitto – elävä perintö” (“Fiddle Playing in Kaustinen – A Living Heritage”) presents the music heritage of Kaustinen and the surrounding area, which was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. In addition to looking at objects, pictures and sounds, visitors can take part in the living tradition with instruction videos: play Tutskov's polska on the fiddle, Halsua's waltz on the kantele and Maalari Frans's schottische on the harmonium, or dance the Kaustinen flikuleeri. Children can explore the subject with the Soitinsalapoliisi and Tarkka tutkija task cards. The exhibition is in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English.
Most of the instruments have been catalogued and photographed in the institute's database. Groups can book a presentation, lecture or workshop at the museum.
Highlights
- More than 1,000 instruments, mostly those of folk fiddlers
- Exhibition on fiddle playing in Kaustinen
- Interactive instruction videos: play the fiddle or dance the flikuleeri
- Task cards for children
- Exhibition in three languages
Permanent exhibition
- Kaustislainen viulunsoitto – elävä perintö – Permanent exhibition on the folk music tradition of Kaustinen and the surrounding area, with objects, pictures, sounds and instruction videos; in three languages.
- Operated by
- Kansanmusiikki-instituutti
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Children can use the Soitinsalapoliisi and Tarkka tutkija task cards.
Getting there & parking
The museum is located in the Kansantaiteenkeskus in Kaustinen at Jyväskyläntie 3.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Publications are sold in the shop of the Kansantaiteenkeskus.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Groups can book a presentation, lecture, workshop or another folk music event suited to them from the museum staff. |
