• About Vallilan tango
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About Vallilan tango

Tango orchestra to surprise tram riders and Eurovision visitors

The seven-piece Vallilan Tango orchestra devoted to traditional Finnish tango music will most likely be the first in the world to perform Finnish tangos on a tram. The orchestra will be playing from nine in the morning until midday on the eve of the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest, Friday May 11, 2007.

The aim of the stunt is to make old-time Finnish dance music known to a new audience in an unconventional context. The tango tram will be running during the Eurovision Song Contest week to give fans from abroad a chance to enjoy our musical heritage.

‘The tram is a fine contrast to tango music,’ says Antti Alavuotunki, chairman of the Vallilan Tango Cultural Association that maintains the orchestra. ‘Trams are part of everyday life and the city, while tangos remind us Finns of Midsummer, open-air dance pavilions and the countryside. Vallilan Tango wants to combine these and play to people as they go about their daily business.’

Adding a contrasting element of his own to the orchestra’s music will be Dutch soloist Hans Wessels, in unique and memorable renderings of the Finnish lyrics to classic melodies.

‘The charm of the Finnish tango lies in its overstated melancholy: the poignant melodies and dramatic words the Finn would probably never utter except in a tango. These are what make it so interesting to sing,’ says Hans. ‘But despite being sad, tangos seem to put the Finns in a good mood. We want our tram riders to go dancing through the day!’

The tango tram will operate in partnership with Helsinki City Transport (HKL).

‘HKL wants to bring pleasure to the people of Helsinki in honour of the Eurovision Song Contest and the spring,’ reports HKL Chief of Communications Leena Rautanen-Saari. ‘Our trams are such an integral feature of Helsinki and our tangos of Finland’s musical tradition.’

The fare will be the same on the tango tram as for an ordinary journey and the special tram will run according to the normal timetable. The exact timetable is here and can be dowloaded here .

In charge of the sound reproduction on the tango tram will be students from the Helsinki Polytechnic, Stadia. The tango tram is also part of the Kallio Kukkii (Kallio Blossoms) city district event.

Further information
Vallilan Tango Cultural Association
Mr Ilpo Kiiskinen
ilpo.kiiskinen@welho.com
tel. 0500-211261
Antti Alavuotunki
tel. 050-3554888

www.vallilantango.net

HKL:
Ms Leena Rautanen-Saari, Chief of Communications
tel. 050-389 8970
www.hkl.fi