Loimolan Voima – Etno-Espa

Etno-Espa is an annual city festival that focuses on modern folk music.

Loimolan Voima is an ensemble performing exclusively in the Karelian language, with their roots deep in the Border Karelia region. The ensemble was formed by Mika ”Miša” Saatsi and Niko ”Miikkula” Saatsi, two brothers who were born in Lieksa, Finland, but whose family originally came from Border Karelia’s Suistamo.

Miša is responsible for composition and Miikkula writes their lyrics in the Karelian language. The brothers are on a mission to make the endangered Karelian language better known through music. The ensemble’s music traverses both sides of the border, drawing from tradition and looking to the future. The duo’s concerts are a unique mix of free-flowing music and Karelian-language storytelling.

Mika ”Miša” Saatsi
Niko ”Miikkula” Saatsi

Etno-Espa is an annual city festival that focuses on modern folk music. The festival presents what Finnish folk music and folk music made in Finland can be today. The festival takes place in Helsinki, on Espa outdoor stage from 7th to 17th of August 2023.