Münsterland Festival part 12: Outstanding results after the finale at Burg Vischering

Finnish music and culture inspire the Münsterland

A programme so varied that, in addition to music and cultural enjoyment, it even included sauna sessions and culinary discoveries, more than 4,000 visitors and over two thirds of the events sold out: The Münsterland Festival part 12 celebrated its finale on Sunday (5 November) at Burg Vischering in Lüdinghausen. The Iro Haarla Electric Ensemble took to the stage there and took the audience once again into new musical territory - with the full range of acoustic and electronic instruments. A successful conclusion to the twelfth edition of the festival organised by Münsterland e.V.

.

This time, the festival travelled from Finland - the land of 1000 lakes - to the region of 100 castles in more than 30 towns and municipalities in Münsterland. "Whether it was music and art on a small or large scale, every single one of the 50 events contributed to the success of the festival and turned the twelfth edition into a journey through Finnish culture and lifestyle - here in our region," emphasises Lars Krolik, Festival Director at Münsterland e.V.

Christine Sörries, Artistic Director, adds: "The Münsterland Festival has now become an established brand: It impresses with its quality and new discoveries, its openness, hospitality and proximity to the audience, as well as its consistently beautiful and unusual venues. Guests no longer just come from the region, but from all over NRW and the rest of Germany, and this time even from other European countries."

The artists from Finland provided plenty of entertainment. With their energy, their skills, their lightness and their friendly demeanour, they gave deep insights into their culture and surprised us time and time again.

With regard to the programme, there was not just one, but numerous highlights: Star pianist Iiro Rantala gave not just two, but three sold-out festival concerts at short notice, while the mix of traditional and modern also impressed: Antti Paalanen wowed with his accordion as a living, breathing dance machine, Maija Kauhanen with the kantele as a Finnish plucked instrument and the musician Ánnámáret with unique vocal sounds, the traditional yoik.

The programme items such as the excursions, the culinary experience "Forest Spirit" with celebrity chef Jyrki Tsutsunen and the themed evening on the Sámi were also particularly well received. "The audience trusts us and also embraces the unknown," is Christine Sörries' experience.

The variety of events was made possible by a large number of sponsors and supporters, including in particular the state of NRW with funds from the Regional Culture Programme (RKP). "A big thank you also goes to our local partners. They ensure that the festival can shine throughout the entire region," adds Lars Krolik.

Impressions of the past festival weeks, information on the artists, venues and the festival in general can be found at www.muensterland-festival.de.

Organiser
Organiser: Münsterland e.V.
Festival director: Lars Krolik (Münsterland e.V.)
Artistic director: Christine Sörries

Partners and sponsors
Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Regional Culture Programme NRW), districts of Münsterland (Borken, Coesfeld, Steinfurt and Warendorf), City of Münster, LWL Cultural Department, Finnish Institute, Visit Finland, Muusikkojen liitto - Finnish Musicians' Union, Music Finland, Sparkasse Münsterland Ost, Sparkasse Westmünsterland, Kreissparkasse Steinfurt, Hilde und Bode Crone-Stiftung, Stiftung Kunst und Kultur Münsterland, Procar Automobile Münsterland, KulturStiftung Masthoff, Pianohaus Micke, reiseart, Münsterland Siegel, kultur.west (media partner), Westfalenspiegel (media partner), WDR 3 (cultural partner), Deutsch-Finnische Gesellschaft e.V. (media partner)

www.muensterland-festival.de