Liisa Matveinen

Liisa Matveinen received her master’s degree in folk music from Sibelius Academy in 1989, majoring in singing and kantele (Finnish zither). The topic of Matveinen’s thesis was the background and development of her lamenting improvisation. Through both her thesis and personal process, Matveinen was part of the process that led to running the first few lamenting courses, where she was the instructor, and the establishment of Äänellä itkijät ry., a society for lamenting in 2001. She has acted as the specialist member in the society since its beginning.

Matveinen has worked as a teacher and instructor in lamenting courses for over 20 years. Through the courses, Matveinen has developed lamenting poetry forwards in the finnish language, alongside the traditional Karelian lamenting language. Based on personal topics and themes that course participants were using, Matveinen constructed a lamenting manual in 2015. 

Liisa Matveinen is a musician and composer, who has been performing in a variety of ensembles. Her compositions are based on the rune singing tradition of Ilomantsi. In Kyynelkanavat project Matveinen is working with Riikka Patrikainen.