"In a land of countless lakes, stately birch forests and endless beauty, one can be completely swept up in ancient tales of love, power, sorcery and magic known as the Kalevala, the celebrated and revered epic poetry of Finland. Aino, Vainamoinnen, Louhi, Seppo, Lemminkainen and many more characters spin their stories throughout the hypnotic and undulating rhythms of the Finnish language.

This past summer, I had the honor of being the "Wild Card" scholarship recipient to attend the JaSeSoi ry XIII World Village course in Valkeala, Finland, a beautiful lake district roughly 120 miles by train north and east of Helsinki. JaSeSoi ry is the Finnish Orff-Schulwerk Association which holds its annual week long professional development course in late July or early August at the Valkeala Christian Folk School, a perfect venue for the 40 participants who came August 1-6, 2011, from Zambia, Turkey, Italy, Great Britain, Norway, United Arab Emirates, the U.S. and, of course, Finland.

Always an admirer of the haunting symphonies of Jan Sibelius, I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Finland, explore its history, culture and geographical peculiarities. After arriving in Helsinki the evening of July 30, I had the following day to acquaint myself with the city before meeting up with other World Village participants for the journey to Valkeala. A visit to the National Museum gave me a window into Finnish character, the Finns' closeness to nature, strong sense of egalitarianism and the centuries of buffeting endured from conflicts between the neighboring powers of Sweden to the west and Russia to the east, as well as the profound influences of Sami culture from the arctic region.  

Arriving at Kouvola, we were met by Jukka Siukonen, one of the founders of World Village, who ushered us onto the bus that delivered us to the school. As we pulled in, a circle of African singing and dancing erupted spontaneously to greet us, led by some of the young men of the Zambian Vocal Collection. What a joyous beginning to a week filled with musical delights and treasures!

The theme of this year's World Village was "wellness," and we were pampered with an abundance of well-prepared meals, saunas, swimming, late night pancake frying or makkara (Finnish sausage) roasting over a campfire. One afternoon was devoted to optional fishing excursions, "woolen" shaker egg making (Finnish folk craft) and peat massages. Twice daily pedagogy classes with Ciro Paduana featured Keith Terry-inspired body percussion, singing games that challenged our coordination and quick response, harmonic singing of a sweet South African lullaby. Theater specialist Anne Jouhtinen led us through many creative and spontaneous movement and drama games. We were divided into four groups to prepare sections of a Kalevala tale for a culminating presentation.

Finnis folk music specialist Maija Karhinen-Ilo came for a full day of classes featuring traditional instruments kantele (zither family), jouhikko (bowed lyre), pitkähuilu (overtone flute), accordion and a Sami style frame drum. We had great fun trying them and playing ostinati with traditional folk songs. We also sampled Sami yoiking, traditional song-like vocalizing of stories or events. We finished the day with robust folk dancing.

World Village is a treat for anyone who loves delving into the music, dancing and folklore of other cultures. The Zambian Vocal Collection presented a special concert one evening that transported us to their country and musical styles. The week was filled with sharing the riches that everyone brought to World Village. There is no better way to make new friends than singing, dancing, playing, swapping stories and taking saunas together in an idyllic setting. The entire staff worked very hard to make this a stress-free yet highly educational and personally enriching experience.

Thank you, JaSeSoi ry for a lovely, inspiring and very memorable adventure!

The JaSeSoi ry XIV World Village will take place at the Valkeala Christian Folk School in late July, 2012."

Martha Glaze Zook

note: 2012 Application coming soon!