Hugely popular in Finland, Finnish tango differs in many ways from the original Argentinian version. The main characteristics of Finnish tango are melancholic tunes and nostalgic lyrics that talk about lost love and longing for distant lands.
A Short History of Finnish Tango
Tango was first introduced to Finland in the early the 20th century, and in the first decades of the century Finns danced mostly to foreign tango, mainly from Argentina but also from Germany. Again a very different form of tango compared to Argentinian original, German tango, with its almost march-like rhythm, had a major effect on the Finnish version.
During the World War II, however, tango became more and more Finnish, and some of the most famous and still popular Finnish tangos were composed during this period. These include one of the all-time tango favourites in Finland: Liljankukka, composed by Toivo Kärki. The popularity of Finnish tango grew after the war, and when new dance halls and pavilions were opened all over the country in the years after the war, tango became one of the most loved music styles.
In 1961 a new version of one of the legendary Finnish tangos, Satumaa, was published by the popular singer Reijo Taipale. Composed by Unto Mononen and already once recorded by Henry Theel in 1955, Satumaa was made a nationwide hit by Taipale. A massive amount of tangos were composed in Finland the 1960’s, partly as a patriotic response to the influx of foreign pop music.
The Most Popular Tangos in Finland
Finnish tango is characterized by melancholic tunes and nostalgic lyrics. It may lack some of the Argentinian passion, but makes up for it in the lyrics that talk about lost love or a longing for a loved one. As well as love, nature is another popular theme in Finnish tango; Satumaa (The fairytale land) longs for a magical faraway land.
Some of the tangos that were originally composed in the 1940’s are still very popular in Finland. Legendary Finnish tango composers include Toivo Kärki (1915-1992), who created the classic tangos Siks' oon mä suruinen (That’s why I’m so sad), Liljankukka (The flower of the lily) and Täysikuu (The full moon), and Unto Mononen (1930-1968) with Satumaa. Famous tango artists include Olavi Virta (1915-1972), Henry Theel (1917-1989) and later Eino Grön (born in 1939) and Reijo Taipale (born in 1940).
The Seinäjoki Tango Festival in Finland
The Seinäjoki Tango Festival (Seinäjoen Tangomarkkinat) has been held every year since 1985, and more than a hundred thousand visitors now attend the festival each year. A new Tango King and a Tango Queen are crowned during the event, following a nationwide tango singing competition. Although tango in Finland has for long been the domain of male singers, Tango Queens usually become celebrities too. New tangos are often composed for the festival, but although some gain national success, few modern tangos have ever managed to compete with Satumaa or Liljankukka.
Sources
- Jaakkola, Jutta (2000): The Finnish Tango. Its history and characteristics (Finnish Music Information Centre, accessed 28 March 2011)
- Hakasalo, Ilpo (1998): The melancholy Finnish tango (Finnish Music Information Centre, accessed 28 March 2011)
