Kansantanssi- ja musiikkiryhmä Katrilli

History

Folk dance and music ensemble Katrilli was founded in 1975. The main idea of founding the group was to have a group which performs high-grade folk dance and folk music.

The state of folk dance in Finland had been in decline for some time, although there has always been a high demand for high-grade folk dancing. Katrilli was founded by one of the best known dancers in Finland, Doris Laine, folk dance teacher Sirkka Viitanen and a dance critic Irma Vienola-Lindfors. Their aim was to create high-grade folk dance performances and foster traditions.

Young dancers were selected on the grounds of entrance examinations and the training towards Finland's first professional folk dance group started. The basic training took two years and it built the foundation of dancing, which has been developed and diversified throughout the years. Katrilli aims for versatility and that is why the group's repertoire consists of both Finnish and Scandinavian folk dances and folk dances of the kindred nations of Finland including new traditionally based choreographies.

Smooth cooperation with dance and music has always been part of Katrilli's ideology. Katrilli has always been accompanied by professional folk musicians from Sibelius Academy or skilled folk music students. Music group Katrilli Combo was founded in 1991 to accompany the dance group and perform independently.

Collecting the varied wardrobe started in the early days of Katrilli. Wardrobe has always played a big part in Katrilli. The dancers wear costumes to create a harmonious and traditional experience.

During the early years Katrilli received generous support from the Ministry of Education. In 1981 Katrilli foundation was founded to help the group's work in the background. For financial reasons the foundation was suspended in autumn 2002. Since then the Folk dance and music group Katrilli has been working individually under Youth Club Katrilli.

The goals of the ensemble were high and the group went far, but unfortunately time wasn't ripe for Katrilli's goals. The dance group became professionally skilled, but it never came a full-time folk dance ensemble as was originally planned. Public professional training in folk dancing started after Katrilli only at the end of 1980's. Katrilli is known as the pioneers of modern folk dance, and is still a brilliant ensemble. The group works as an active and high-grade ensemble. Katrilli is known as one of the most respected folk dance ensembles in Finland.

Katrilli abroad: