Why is OUR region of the 3 River Valleys "Kantele-Finland"?

We have the highest concentration of kanteles and kanteleplayers in all of Finland in addition to centuries of unbroken tradition leading to the most developed traditional styles!  Nowadays, in the official national kantele village, Haapavesi, one out of two seventh-graders has at least one kantele in the home, and all seventh-graders receive instruction in playing the 5-string kantele in the traditional style of Antti Rantonen under the direction of the leader of our group.

Why Was Haapavesi named the official kantele capital of Finland?                             

Great names in Haapavesi kantele history: