17.7.2012

A summer evening of poetry and rap at Fortuna 18 July.

This Wednesday at Fortuna the emphasis is on words: poetry and rap. In the inner courtyard you can hear poetry from Turku and Tampere as well as a Finnish champion rapper and urban, English language rap from Helsinki. The event starts at 19.00.

As ever, entrance is free.

Gracias

Lyricism on the Fortuna stage

The poetry and rap evening opens with Otso Helasvuo, a young poet from Turku. The evening then offers more poetry, but this time from Tampere, as the established and successful poet J.K. Ihalainen presents his work.

Ihalainen has published 34 collections of poetry, won several prizes and currently also works as the Art Director of Tampere's Annikki Poetry Festival. Ihalainen's most recently published collection of poetry is "Takaperinlukua," published in 2007. J.K. Ihalainen also guested on the Finnish rapper Asa's CD "Loppuasukas," in which he featured on "Alkuasukas".

The first rapper to take the stage is the Kaarina born but Turku resident Kajo. Kajo or Kalle Niskanen has competed several times in the Finnish Rap Championships and tasted victory in 2009 and 2011. Kajo's first solo release was the "Promo EP," released in November 2011.

This summer evening of poetry and rap ends with Helsinki's Gracias. Gracias raps in English and he has been showered with the praise of being Finnish rap's most promising talent, and his flow is indeed exceptionally smooth. Gracias released the "Gracias EP" in 2011, and in April 2012 Gracias x JTT released their album "Globe," which the media have called the best English language rap music ever produced in Finland. In fact, it is the equal of any international rap music. Gracias x JTT's music videos have also earned and received much praise and attention .

A summer evening of poetry and rap at Fortuna 18 July.

19.00 Otso Helasvuo
19.30 J.K. Ihalainen
20.00 Kajo
21.00 Gracias

Läntinen rantakatu 15

The licenced summer cafe Pesula serves drinks and snacks.

More info:

• Poetry and rap at Fortuna on Facebook
• Fortuna

Photo: facebook.com/graciasmusic