Surento - Traditional Karelian Lamenting Concert

Surento - Traditional Karelian Lamenting Concert

We welcome Surento, a unique ensemble of three professional lamenter-singers to Bristol, all the way from Finland. 

Liisa Matveinen, Emmi Kuittinen ja Emilia Kallonen specialize in the Baltic-Finno (such as Karelian and Ingrian) traditions in singing and lamenting.

The name Surento refers to the presence and inner mood of a grieving person. The word comes from the special poetic language used in Karelian and Ingrian laments. Laments are part of a diverse tradition that is known around the world. They generally express grief and weep connected with death and other separation rituals of the family and village communities. Laments are part of the communal grieving at funerals, weddings or when leaving for the army or war. They also ease everyday sorrows and worries but they can also express gratitude and hope.

Karelian and Ingrian laments are poetic - sung messages to the unseen other world. Using the traditional poetic words and expressions, lamenting is an ancient way to connect with and care for relatives in the secret, unseen afterlife. The lamenting expressions include metaphorical, gentle and respectful words, as well as a melancholic melody and style of performance that evokes empathy and sympathy. In Baltic-Finno areas, laments have been known among the Orthodox population. Over the centuries, while not an Christian ecclesiastical tradition, the laments have reflected an entire worldview and served as a form of communal practice of rituals and demotic prayer. As the 21st century has unfolded, the tradition of lamenting in Finland has taken on new forms and interpretations in response to the changing cultural and social landscape.

Surento bring the ancient ancient traditions of the "crying verses" - laments or keening songs, to today's audiences. With fearlessness and skill they have created the new, with respect and knowing of the old. Tradition continues when we let it live, and this happens in a particularly beautiful way in Surento's traditional Baltic-Finno singing and lamenting, combing these in their own compositions and improvisations. Along with polyphonic singing they also play kantele and ukulele. The music includes not only traditional laments but also contemporary lamenting songs and runosongs following the traditional lyrics composed by Surento. Lamentations are performed in Karelian and Ingrian (Izhorian) languages, as well as the personal contemporary lamenting languages and styles of the trio.

The message of Surento`s music is, however, hopeful and life-affirming. In the songs and laments there is also room for the joy and beauty of existence and sharing. By confronting pain, giving it words and voice in a lament, the lamenter leads her listeners to relief.

Short Lament video

Lyrics:
" Let me begin with my weeping voice and words, let me getly bath you dear listeners with my soft tears. Let me lament for You on this autumn evening full of golden leaves."

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P0jcVqjBgIc

About Surento:

“Surento's three women of three age groups were brought together by the Kyynelkanavat project, which has been exploring through science and art, the tradition of the Finnish contemporary lament during 2021-2023 by the support of Kone Foundation.

The multifaceted project exploring these ancient and contemporary lament traditions of Karelia, Ingria and Finland, along with the dialogue between artists and researchers, as well as criticism from certain quarters, has created a unique breeding ground for Surenno’s creative work.” by Riikka Patrikainen - an Orthodoxy researcher in the Kyynelkanavat project.

Since 2021, Surento has performed all over Finland, Tartu, Estonia and at the Obwald 2024 festival in Switzerland. Their debut album, Sulatoin, was released in April 2026. It is available on international streaming services and on CD-format sold in the concerts. The name Sulatoin, “featherless“, comes from the special karelian lamenting language and refers to a grieving person. One word reveals how grief lays a person bare, like a bird without feathers. You can read the Sulatoin album review in Finish Music Quarterly by Tove Djupsjöbacka (May 2026):

https://www.fmq.fi/articles/bending-old-traditions-into-new-paths

Surento will make a short tour of Uk, supported by Songhold in Oxford. They will offer three concerts and one workshop.

The three concerts consist primarily of music from the album Sulatoin, but new music will also be heard. 

Oxford - 8th January

                      Concert with Songhold : 7-9pm, Quaker friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford 

Bristol - 9th January

                      Workshop:   11am-1pm

                      Concert:   3-5pm, Wild Goose Space, The Yard, St Werburghs, Bristol 

Nailsworth - 10th January

                       Concert :- 2.30-4.30pm, The Sub rooms, Bath Road, Nailsworth (Stroud area), Gloustershire 

Workshop:

The musicians of ensemble Surento briefly discuss their own work with laments, as well as the Karelian and Ingrian traditions and the practice of lamenting in Finland.

Guided exercises and examples lead participants into the expression and personal experiences of the lament.

The workshop is open to everyone interested—both women and men.
 

Venue : Nailsworth Subscription Rooms, Bath road, Nailsworth

Parking is free on-street and in the Nailsworth town hall car park, 3 mins walk up the hill. 
 

Cancellation:

We have a no refund policy.

If you have any questions, please email or call Jocasta Crofts (Tour organiser)

jocastacrofts@yahoo.com

Mob: 07875 151582