SAMUELIN POLONEESI, 12-15 March 2026 in Savonlinna
Programme (changes possible)
Thursday 12 March 2026:
6-7.30 pm Concert by the Savonlinna quartet, soloist Sirkka Kosonen, Nälkälinnanmäki (Tottinkatu 6a), free entry
7.30-10 pm Dance evening and jam session, Nälkälinnanmäki, free entry
At the dance evening, from around 7.30 pm, easy folk dances are taught by Päivi Potiron. No previous folk dance experience is needed. After the dance evening the jam and open dancing continue. The jam is led by Katri Susitaival, with a programme of folk musician music from Itä-Savo and nearby regions. Sheet music available on site. Welcome!
Friday 13 March 2026:
4-6 pm Pelimannin penkki (the folk musician's bench), Melartin hall (Sotilaspojankatu 1), free entry
4-6 pm folk musician groups performing at many places around town
5.30-7.30 pm Musical walk at Olavinlinna castle (Linnankatu 7), departures at 5.30, 6.00, 6.30, 7.00 pm, performers Maija Karhinen-Ilo (vocals and harp), Lassi Logrén (jouhikko), Katri Susitaival (viola da gamba), Perriin Tyssit, i.e. Sirkka Kosonen and Eila Hartikainen (vocals and kantele). Advance tickets from Olavinlinna/Eventilla and at the door: 20 € — concessions (pensioners, children, students) and folk musician wristband holders 15 €. Unfortunately the event is not accessible.
6-11 pm Folk musician club, several performers, Linnantupa restaurant at Olavinlinna. Tickets at the door: 10 € (free entry only with a musical walk ticket). The evening's delicious buffet is worth booking in advance via this link by 9 March!
7-9 pm Kellarin kautta club, several performers, Kulttuurikellari (Olavinkatu 34), free entry.
10 pm-midnight Castle afterparty, jams led by Timo Alakotila and Mari Koppinen, Ravintola Reilu (Olavinkatu 15), free entry.
Saturday 14 March 2026:
10 am-1 pm Performances in shops, the library, museums and care homes
10-11 am Concert for the whole family: Freija, Melartin hall (Sotilaspojankatu 1), tickets at the door: 12 € (adults) / 8 € (children and folk musician wristband holders).
11 am-1 pm The Folk Music Association's folk musician badge examinations, Savonlinna arts upper secondary school (Sotilaspojankatu 3), free entry.
12.30-5 pm Folk musician parade, several performers, Melartin hall (Sotilaspojankatu 1), free entry.
2-4 pm Choir concert, several performers, Riihisaari museum (Riihisaari 1), museum ticket / Museum Card
2-5 pm Kellarin kautta club, several performers, Kulttuurikellari (Olavinkatu 34), free entry
6-8 pm Concert with HUIPPU and The TaKaMus, Savonlinnasali (Kylpylaitoksentie 4), tickets: 25/15 € (concessions and folk musician wristband). More about the concert here. Secure your seat in advance by buying your ticket at Lippu.fi
8.30 pm-midnight Saturday night folk musician club, several performers, the evening is opened by: Freija, Ravintola Wanha Casino (Kylpylaitoksentie 4), free entry
9-11 pm Folk musician jam, Olkkari, Sokos Hotel Seurahuone lobby (Kauppatori 4-6), the jam is led by Laura Vartio and master folk musician Pentti Ojajärvi, free entry. The jam features, among others, these tunes.
10 pm-midnight American jam, Spahotel Casino (Kylpylaitoksentie 7), free entry
Sunday 15 March 2026:
10 am Folk music mass, Savonlinna Cathedral
(Pappilankatu 8)
10 am-noon Sunday morning folk musician jam, Spa Hotel Casino lobby (Kylpylaitoksentie 7), led by master folk musician Pentti Ojajärvi and Laura Vartio, free entry
1-3 pm Salin täydeltä – the Samuelin Poloneesi 2026 main concert, the programme includes the national joint performance of folk musicians, TaKaMus from Savonlinna, the Kaustinen Hääkuoro and folk musicians, folk dance group Hökkyrät, Young Folk Musician of the Year Mottine, and HUIPPU.
Savonlinnasali (Kylpylaitoksentie 4), tickets: 25/15 € (concessions and folk musician wristband). Secure your seat in advance at Lippu.fi
In addition, as lobby performances at Savonlinnasali:
12.30-13.00 Helsingin Pelimannit
13.50-14.10 Savon pelimannit
15.00-15.30 PuolVillaiset
Rehearsal for the folk musicians' opening number, the joint performance, on Sunday at Savonlinnasali at 12.00-12.30 – welcome to join in and play! The joint performance is led by Doctor of Music Sirkka Kosonen. There are three tunes: Samuelin poloneesi, Niin läksin minä, and Enkeliska from the Savonlinna region. Sheet music for the tunes is available in the sheet music supplement of Kansanmusiikki magazine 3/25.
