A dozen Finnish bands will perform at flagship event of global music industry

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Finland has been chosen to co-host the prestigious opening night party of the 2006 MIDEM music festival in Cannes next January. The event will provide an excellent platform to promote Finnish music exports.
      During the course of the evening, a dozen or so Finnish performers will get a chance to impress thousands of music industry representatives from all corners of the world. Throughout the entire happening Finnish music will be strongly present.
      MIDEM is the most important professional gathering within the global music industry. This year, for example, the event brought together over 9,000 participants from 93 countries.
     
For a couple of years now Music Export Finland has worked feverishly towards getting exposure for Finnish music in the opening night event. The choice was not self-evident: Finland's competitors for the opening night slot included such music market giants as Germany and Japan.
      Finland was finally chosen because of the steady growth of the country's music export industry.
      "Finland's music export industry has grown soundly in recent years. Many top artists have come out of the country, and their music has been marketed adroitly", reasons MIDEM director Dominique Leguern.
     
The decision was aided by Billboard's European Border Breaker list, according to which - in proportion to size - Finland was Europe's largest music export country in 2004.
      Finnish band The Rasmus topped the list, while another band - Nightwish - was placed fourth. Finnish love metal phenomenon HIM, which only published a compilation album last year, was placed at No. 33.
      "Our recent international success has raised interest towards Finnish music. MIDEM also seems to agree that now if ever it is Finland's time to shine", explains Music Export Finland chairman Pekka Sipilä.
      "In the opening night programme popular music plays the pivotal role, but we should also celebrate the fact that we have successful artists in all genres", says Music Export Finland executive director Paulina Ahokas.
      The opening night party will cost Finland over half a million euros. Both public and private funding is incorporated.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  New agency launched to export Finnish pop music (21.1.2003)

Links:
  MIDEM 2006

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