On Saturday, 10th September, the world-famous Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen will perform at the Station Narva festival. Having toured the west coast of Estonia this summer, he will make his live debut on the eastern border.

Kimmo Pohjonen’s performance is supported by the Finnish Institute in Estonia, Nordic Council of Ministers´ Office in Estonia and the Ida-Viru Tourism Cluster.

Kimmo Pohjonen has revolutionized accordion music since the mid-1990s. His recordings feature dynamic compositions with bold and awe-inspiring sounds while his performances are boosted by surround sound and light show for a unique and captivating experience.

Pohjonen’s solo albums have topped the World Music Charts Europe (WMCE) and received five-star reviews in folk-bible Songlines. He has collaborated with acclaimed artists such as the Kronos Quartet, percussionist Pat Mastelotto and guitarist Trey Gunn of King Crimson. In 2016 he was awarded by the Finnish government the State Prize for Multidisciplinary Arts for outstanding achievement of high-quality art, experimentation and diverse projects in multiple art forms.

This summer, Pohjonen gave successful solo concerts in Hiiumaa, Saaremaa and Naissaare as part of the Nargenfestival and performed at the Brigitta festival with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra.

“Narva is a historically important city for us Finns,” says Hannele Valkeeniemi, Director of the Finnish Institute in Estonia. She adds: “The occupation might have swiped it off the memory of many people, but culture is the bridge that restores the feeling of togetherness. Europe begins in Narva, as was very beautifully expressed in the opening speech of Tallinn Music Week this spring. That’s why I’m extremely happy that together with good partners we manage to bring our powerful Kimmo Pohjonen to Narva.”

Kadri Jalonen, Ida-Viru Tourism coordinator, comments: “We are very happy that such a high-level Finnish artist is coming to Narva. There is not enough Finnish-related in our area, although historically Narva has been the capital of Ingerimaa. Finns haven’t really discovered Virumaa yet, approximately 12 times fewer Finnish tourists come here than to Pärnu County. Such a cultural bridge is really crucial for us.”

Kimmo Pohjonen performs at Station Narva’s outdoor stage on Saturday, 10th September. Previously announced line-up across three stages in the historic Kreenholm quarter includes Ukrainian electro-folk group Onuka and British acid jazz trio Red Snapper as well as Estonian artists Mahavok, A-Rühm, Bert On Beats, margiiela, Meisterjaan, SUVE, PTF1987 and IVI.  

Station Narva 2022 festival passes for 35 euros and day tickets for 20 euros are on sale at Piletilevi. The festival pass is valid for all concerts on 9th and 10th September and Business Day on 9th September (pre-registration required). Afterparties at Art Club Ro-Ro can be accessed both with a festival pass and a separate 10-euro ticket.

Station Narva is organised by Shiftworks in cooperation with the Narva team. Partners are Narva Art Residency (NART), Narva Gate, Art Club Ro-Ro, OBJEKT multimedia centre, and BAZAR Discussion Day.

Station Narva is supported by the city of Narva, the Ministry of Culture, the Integration Foundation, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Fortaco and the Finnish Institute in Estonia

Station Narva’s international activities introducing Estonia as an attractive tourism destination of music and culture are supported by The European Regional Development Fund.

Media partners are Postimees and Põhjarannik/Severnoje Poberežje.