Folk ensemble Kiikurit is known especially not only from their colourful costumes and vivacious performing but also from their extraordinary composition: dancers, musicians and the choir performing together make aconcert to remember. Naturally each group can perform separately when needed. The repertoire varies from from traditional Finnish folklore to more modern and transcribed music and dance. It’s also easily modified into many different events.

Folk ensemble Kiikurit comes from Finland’s previous capital and historical center, Turku which lies in south-west Finland in the coast of the Baltic Sea and is nowadays a lively and modern city of about 170 000 inhabitants. The group Kiikurit was founded in 1957 and it consists of 5 dancegroups for children, 1 dancegroup for youngs, 1 for young adults and 1 for seniors, a choir and the musicians and has altogether 150 members. Kiikurit has visited in almost every country in the Europe for over 60 times during the years.

International co-operation of folklore has always been important to Kiikurit. During its history the ensemble has made nearly 60 concert trips all across Europe and performed mainly in festivals, twin city-events or friend society-meetings. Most of the performings abroad are made by our youngs and adults, but also children have visited the neighbouring countries a couple of times. Of course Kiikurit is performing regularly also in Turku and its surroundigs as well as in Finnish folklore-events. In addition to the concerts, there is plenty of other activities to be found within Kiikurit as well, for example family camps, excursions and education.

Performances in foreign countries: 1st visit in 1960 Altogether 43 visits all over Europe 1960-1990 continuous relations to festivals: Op Roakeldais Warffum 1973, 74, 77, 81, 84, 87 and 2003 Alnwick, England 1984,87, 91, 93, 97, 2000 and 2004 Latest visits to: 1990 Karelia 1991 the Great Britain 1992 Russia 1992 Switzerland 1993 Sweden 1993 the Great Britain 1994 Sweden 1995 Switzerland 1997 Sweden 1997 the Great Britain 1998 Germany 1999 Switzerland 2000 the Great Britain 2001 Germany 2003 the Netherlands