Airientation 2026 to Return to World Music School AIR During Oulu’s European Capital of Culture Year

Airientation 2026 to Return to World Music School AIR During Oulu’s European Capital of Culture Year

The World Music School AIR is proud to announce that it will once again host Airientation, the official welcome event of the Air Guitar World Championships, on 26 August 2026.

Airientation has long been one of the most beloved traditions of championship week. It is the moment when competitors, artists, organizers, volunteers, and visitors from around the world come together before the competition begins. Since 2024, this international gathering has been hosted at the World Music School AIR in Oulu, creating a unique space where Finnish traditions meet a global community.

The 2026 edition carries special significance. Oulu will be celebrating its year as European Capital of Culture, and Airientation will contribute to that program by welcoming visitors through a day of participation, creativity, and cultural exchange.

Building on the success of previous editions, Airientation 2026 will feature a full day of activities including:

Airlympics and playful competitions
Community meals and social gatherings
Live music performances
Sauna experiences
Peace-themed workshops inspired by the message “Make Air Not War”
International cultural exchange between participants from dozens of countries
Presentations connected to the future Air Guitar Museum initiative

The event reflects the values that have made both the Air Guitar World Championships and Oulu internationally known: openness, imagination, participation, and the belief that culture can bring people together.

The World Music School AIR would like to thank the Air Guitar World Championships organization, Kesän Sauna, volunteers, artists, and all participants who have helped build this growing tradition.

We look forward to welcoming the world back to Oulu in August 2026.

Revitalizing Helsinki’s Downtown

Revitalizing Helsinki’s Downtown

The World Music School was invited by the City of Helsinki to contribute to the program of Revitalizing Downtown – summer streets and city center (Kadut Elävät). We brought on the 26.6 a series of our “Folk Dances with Live Music” events to the Finnish National Museum

We taught there how to dance some folk dances of the world. The event counted with three groups of musicians and dance teachers that played during the 2022 Juhannus celebrations. The music was acoustic, requiring no electricity.

– Ivory Coast (Africa)
– Yiddish (Europe)
– Nicaragua (America)

We believe these events are a great way to strengthen the connectedness among the different members of the participating diasporas. Enhancing the bonds between people of Helsinki is our way to participate in the city’s community. Indeed through Music and Dance people are sharing beyond simple words, they convey their own enthusiasm and energy towards each other.

The venue was held at the Finnish National Museum backyard between 13-16.

https://www.facebook.com/events/723823568671370/

Program:

13.00 – Welcoming words by Pedro Aibéo, Chairman of the World Music School

13.05 – Ivory Coast Folk Dances with Live Music (Lassina Ouattara)

14:00 – Yiddish Folk Dances with Live Music (Helsinki Klezmer Kapelye)

15:00 – Nicaraguan Folk Dances with Live Music (José Robelo and Mariano Vega) 

All photos and videos by Pedro Aibéo 2022

MENT Festival 2022

MENT Festival 2022

The World Music School (WMS) attended the MENT festival 2022 in Ljubljana, invited to be part of a discussion group on European music export (EMX – Exporters Meeting – 9th June).

Representing the WMS was me, Pedro Aibéo, the chairman of the WMS. On that group were, among others, representatives of the national export offices of different countries such as Belgium, Poland, Austria or Latvia.

 

During the discussions there was also time for presentations. For example, Yvan Boudillet introduced us to some tech innovations for the export of music and Aymeric Pichevin briefed us on the opportunities of music in esports. We talked too about some hot topics around royalties, buy outs, the market volume, etc.

There was plenty of time for networking and to listen to the many live performances. For me, the band Tukan from Belgium impressed me the most.

 

When landing in Slovenia, the bus and the airport play Coldplay music incessantly, in opposition, the train station of the Helsinki airport plays soundscapes.

 The experience is completely different. I prefer, without any doubt, the latter experience of Helsinki and this strategy likely promotes too local artists. 

MENT festival promotes local and international music, long live such festivals.

 

Pedro Aibéo
11.06.2022
Ljubljana

 

 

 

 

 

Revitalizing Downtown

Revitalizing Downtown

The World Music School was invited by the City of Helsinki to contribute to the programme of Revitalizing Downtown – summer streets and city center (Kadut Elävät). We will be bringing on the 26.6 a series of our “Folk Dances with Live Music” events to the Finnish National Museum

Program:

13.00 – Welcoming words by Pedro Aibéo, Chairman of the World Music School

13.05 – Ivory Coast Folk Dances with Live Music (Lassina Ouattara)

14:00 – Yiddish Folk Dances with Live Music (Helsinki Klezmer Kapelye)

15:00 – Nicaraguan Folk Dances with Live Music (José Robelo and Mariano Vega (in the picture above))