Falun Folkmusik Festival started in 1986. The festival was the first event to present Swedish and Nordic traditional music parallel to locally rooted music from other countries and continents. Over the years the event grew rapidly and by the mid-nineties was firmly established as the major Nordic folk and world music event.

However, outstanding artistic qualities and ever-increasing visitor numbers never resulted in substantial public financial support or lucrative sponsor involvements. Thus growing success walked hand in hand with growing economical problems.

The festival and related activities have over the years had different principals. A foundation initially operated the festival for the first eleven years, later transferring the task to a non-profit association. When the association due to several years of financial difficulties made closure in early 1999, the Falun Folkmusik Festival Ltd assumed responsibility.

Falun is a small community and local politics tend to be more a question of personalities than dogma. The festival encountered various difficulties in the past years with the local council, finally necessitating the filing of a law suit in late 2003. The ensuing legal battles led to the festival being blocked from all public financing in 2004. A reconciliation was reached in March 2005 whereby the local council paid a settlement fee but at the same gained full control of the 'Falun Folkmusik Festival' brand name. The already insufficient public funding was also reduced by more than half.

Falun Folkmusik Festival Ltd, besieged by new financial problems due to the reduced public funding and failing to find room for creativity in an environment subordinate to local politics, filed for bankruptcy in August 2005. The registered brand name 'ETHNO' has subsequently been sold by the liquidator to the Swedish Concert Institute.

The city council however continues to budget for future festival events. According to the local papers an event called 'Falun Street Performance' will be organised by one of the local amateur theatre associations and financed by the city council by this budget line for festival events. Questions on future festival events should however best be directed to the chairman of the local council Mr Johnny Gahnshag, Falun.

The activists, trustees, employees and volunteers - many of whom has helped to develop the festival concept from 1986 and onwards - wishes to express their deeply felt gratitude to the artists and many hundred thousands of visitors who over the years have created so many, many unforgettable musical experiences.

Thank you!!!