Nikolai Äystö
October 11, 2025
Folk music ensemble Rällä
October 11, 2025
Maija Kauhanen is a Finnish kantele virtuoso, singer, and multi-instrumentalist as well as a talented composer and lyricist. She is best known as a charismatic performer with an entrancing stage presence.
As a solo artist, she plays self-penned music as a one-woman orchestra simultaneously playing the kantele, percussion, and singing. She is a versatile musician who makes music as a solo artist as well as in several versatile projects. The foundation of her music is deeply rooted in Finnish folk music.
Maija Kauhanen has won the Ento-Emma award (2018) and was awarded the Nordic Council Music Prize (2023).
Kauhanen's solo albums Raivopyörä (2017) and Menneet (2022) have been praised both in Finland and internationally.
Listen to the Village Anthems Podcast episode featuring Maija Kauhanen
In this episode, our guest is one of Finland’s most internationally acclaimed folk musicians, Maija Kauhanen. Maija is a virtuosic kantele player specializing in the rare Saarijärvi kantele and its traditional playing techniques. She is also a versatile multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and storyteller whose music weaves together tradition, polyrhythmic soundscapes, and modern influences.
As a solo artist, Maija has toured in over 30 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, earning numerous awards — including the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize in 2023.
In this episode, we dive deeper into Maija’s world — her career, inspirations, and how she has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with the kantele.
Please note: this interview is in Finnish.
