The Finnish Folk Music Institute will launch a new research unit dedicated to intangible cultural heritage (ICH) at the beginning of 2027. The establishment of the unit is made possible by a 40,000 euro spearhead project grant awarded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation’s Central Ostrobothnia Regional Fund. Joining the project through funding and content collaboration are Centria University of Applied Sciences, Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, and the University of the Arts Helsinki, which will serve as the academic affiliate for the unit's researchers.
The launch of the research unit is a continuation of years of purposeful development in research activities. Establishing the unit solidifies the Institute’s role as a significant research environment and facilitator for studies related to intangible cultural heritage. The Institute’s extensive archives, its networks within folk music and other heritage communities, and its location at the heart of the exceptionally vibrant Kaustinen tradition provide a fertile environment for academic inquiry.
At its launch, the research unit will employ postdoctoral researcher Outi Valo, with a doctoral researcher to be recruited at a later date. The unit’s remit includes academic research and doctoral supervision, the development of research projects and networks, and educational initiatives related to the field. The flagship of the unit’s international operations is the Kaustinen ICH Academy program. This includes a lecture and seminar program held in conjunction with the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, as well as international exchanges and researcher residencies. The long-term objective is to secure a UNESCO Chair in the field for the unit.
Photo: Dr. Vilma Timonen delivering a Kaustinen ICH Academy program lecture, 2025. Lauri Oino/FInnish Folk Music Institute archive.