About us

In addition to traditional dance, our repertoire also includes new and experimental pieces.

The association has an extensive repertoire featuring dance productions ranging from wedding and engagement traditions to dances from wartimes. Traditional celebrations are highly valued, including crown weddings, Independence Day ballroom dances and old-fashioned evening entertainments.

In addition to our weekly rehearsals, we organise an annual spring performance featuring all our groups. We develop our activities at an annual seminar on a cruise, take trips to craft fairs and the theatre, and arrange Christmas event with the whole family both in Turku and in Nousiainen.

Popular folk dance camps for children have been organised every summer for decades. In addition to learning about camp life, the children learn traditional skills and knowledge. An important part of our work is passing traditions on from one generation to the next. Knowing one’s own roots helps foster tolerance towards other cultures.

Since 1991, we have organised the international Tanssiva Turku festival for children and young people, inviting groups from several different countries to take part. The festival programme includes folk dance evenings, performances, concerts, sightseeing tours, social events and excursions. Our aim is to create a joyful and memorable international celebration for folk dance enthusiasts, where participants themselves can actively enjoy folk dance, music, games and the joy of being together.

Turun Kansantanssin Ystävät ry. was founded in 1970 with the aim of preserving and promoting Finnish folk dance and cultural heritage, as well as nurturing new generations of folk dancers. Activities in Nousiainen began in 1977.

The association has folk dance groups for people of different ages and skill levels, most of them children’s and youth groups. Our association is also home to a versatile group of musicians who perform both together with the dancers and independently. Another important part of our activities is our national costume sewing group.

Our association has an extensive collection of national costumes, which we lend to our members and rent to external parties.

International activities are an essential part of what we do. Our groups have performed in more than 30 countries across four continents. In return, we have also hosted groups from abroad.

Our activities are based on volunteer work. We organise all kinds of celebrations and events, from weddings to funerals, including catering and entertainment programmes.

The association participates in the activities of national organisations within the field.

Folk dancing is an excellent hobby for the whole family to enjoy together. Many children accompany their parents to rehearsals, camps and trips from an early age, and often develop a passion for dancing or playing an instrument themselves. Folk dancing is a social hobby where you can meet new friends, enjoy the pleasure of dancing and improve your fitness at the same time.

What we all have in common is the joy of dancing, the delight of music, and enjoying each other’s company.

Membership fees

The membership fee for Turun Kansantanssin Ystävät ry is paid in two installments, in spring and autumn.
Membership fees from 2026 onwards:
- Child/youth member under 29: 70€/year
- Adult member aged 65 or over: 70€/year
- Adult member aged 29–65: 120€/year
- Supporting member: 30€/year
- Supporting company: 100€/year

In an adult-child group, only the child pays a membership fee.
Instructors, musicians, and leaders of various groups (e.g. bobbin lace-making and national costume sewing group) pay half of the membership fee for their age group.

Membership benefits include, among other things, affordable trips, free costume loans, reduced camp fees, and a 10% discount at Tanssipuoti.

Membership register

The association’s membership register is managed by Sami Gröndahl. If you would like to become a member or cancel your membership, please contact Sami by email at sami.grondahl[at]gmail.com.
Membership fees are invoiced by email.

Payment

The bank account number for members in Turku is:
FI68 5711 7520 0058 55
The bank account number for members in Nousiainen is:
FI03 5295 1340 0004 63

Please note: These membership-fee accounts are to be used only for membership fees.

Other payments (e.g. trips, costume rentals, shoes, fabrics, etc.) should be made to:
FI07 5714 5420 0102 53
Please include your name and the purpose of the payment as the payment reference.

Expense reimbursements

If you have expenses or travel costs that you wish to claim from the association, fill in the expense reimbursement form and attach the receipts.
Send the completed form and receipts to the chairperson by email at tky[at]keskikastari.fi.
Download the expense reimbursement form:

Download Kulukorvauslomake_TKY

Newsletters

Turun Kansantanssin Ystävät publishes a newsletter for its members called Rytkytin, which is published 2–3 times a year. It is distributed to members at rehearsals, clubs, and other gatherings.
The newsletter is also available online as a PDF.

Rytkytin 1´2026