It was my first time visiting this part of Finland, and my first time experiencing this gentle, quietly powerful festival. I arrived with my microphone in hand and spent the days wandering, talking, and listening: recording conversations with artists and festival-goers, capturing performances, collecting experimental sounds, and tuning in to whatever the town and surrounding nature decided to offer up. I also stopped by the Konnevesi Research Station at the University of Jyväskylä to meet researchers and hear about the ideas they’re exploring out there in the forest.

My aim was simple: to gather the spirit of this thoughtful, soulful gathering - and the place itself - as a kind of Konnevesi x MSCTY sound survey.

The festival brought together an inspiring mix of music, science, art, history, philosophy, nature, and food, all set within some of the most beautiful landscapes in Central Finland.

Across the four days, performers included the internationally acclaimed accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, saxophonist Pauli Lyytinen, kantele artist Senni Vesanen, and jouhikko virtuoso Pekko Käppi with his band K:H:H:L. There were also works rarely heard in Finland, such as Kaija Saariaho’s Lichtbogen performed by the Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, and the world premiere of Alkyone, a suite adapted from Olli Kortekangas’ opera Isfåglarna, narrated by the wonderful actress Seela Sella.

KONNEVESI WOMEN'S WEEK 2025 SOUND SURVEY: LISTEN HERE

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who offered such warmth and hospitality - especially Kari and Hanna, who patiently drove me all over Konnevesi and became my guides for the week.

And a very special thanks to Kristiina Hurmerinta, the artistic director of Women’s Week, whose vision and dedication make this festival the remarkable experience it is.