Konsta Jylhä Competition 2026
13.-14.7.2026 Pelimannitalo, Kaustinen

Since 2010, The Folk Music Institute and Pelimannitalo (The Fiddlers' House) have arranged the Konsta Jylhä Competition of folk music. The competition's theme varies from year to year, and its finals take place during the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. The theme of the 2026 competition is ballads.

Competition rules 2026

• The competition is open to all, there are no age restrictions.
• The competition is national. The participants must live in Finland.

• The performed music must consist of one or several ballads (narrative songs) that can be trads, adapted trads or original compositions.
• The participating group must consist of 2-4 members. The instrumentation is free.
• One person can participate in only one participating group.

• All performances are acoustic, but an individual instrument or singer can be amplified to secure the sound level balance.

Pre-selection is based on a sample recording. To enter the competition, please fill in the entry form.

An mp3 recording with 5-10 mins music must be attached, maximum file size 8 Mb.

The enrolment file must include information on every member of the group. The enrolment deadline is 30.4. 30.4.

Max. 10 groups are elected to the semifinal at Monday 13.7. The semifinal performance can last max. 10 minutes. Six groups are elected to the final at Tuesday 14.7. The final performance can last max. 15 minutes with same, partially same or completely different tunes as in semifinal performance.

Travel expenses are subsidised and accommodation, if needed, will be provided for those who qualify. The winners of the competition will also perform at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in their own concert at 15.7. 12-13. If a band or musician who participates in the competition wishes to offer to perform at other festival events, this must be agreed with the festival organisation.

The results of qualification will be announced by the end of May. The competition will award prizes of € 6000, which the jury may distribute as they see fit.

Competition winners so far

2025 Erkki Virkkala and Iikka Huntus
2024 Jenni Venäläinen
2023 ENKEL
2022 Luomuduo
(2020 and 2021 the competition wasn't arranged)
2019 Polenta
2018 Aiode
2017 MäSä
2016 Teho

2015 Onni Rajaniemi / Tero Pajunen
2014 Ilona Korhonen / Outi Pulkkinen
2013 Arto Järvelä / Anne-Mari Kivimäki
2012 Emilia Lajunen & Suvi Oskala / Teija Niku and Grupa Balkan
2011 Emilia Lajunen / Eero Grundström
2010 Erkki Lassila & tytöt / Anssi Salminen & Markus Luomala

In 2010-2015 there were two categories in the competition, traditional / free.