KAJ did the unthinkable. They stormed Melodifestivalen with a TikTok dance routine, geeky charm, and an oh-so-Eurovision key change. But the real story isn’t just the song itself. Sweden didn’t just send a track in Swedish, they chose one in a very particular Finland-Swedish dialect, born in the rural heart of Ostrobothnia.
For the Swedish-speaking community in Finland, ‘Bara Bada Bastu‘ isn’t just a catchy tune. It’s a rare moment where their culture, dialect, and small part of the world step into the spotlight. In Vörå, KAJ’s home district of just 6,400 people, they’re celebrating in true Eurovision fashion.
From Byin to Basel
“Från Byin till Basel” (From the Village to Basel) is the name of the project which Vörå is launching to celebrate KAJ’s journey from the countryside to one of Europe’s biggest music events. This project will include activities both within and outside of Vörå to make the most of the opportunities that the global spotlight will take place upon this corner of the world.
What stands out immediately is the title. “Byin” is the local dialect form of “the village,” as opposed to the standard Swedish “byn.” It’s a nod to both the band and their community. KAJ’s third album is titled Kom Till Byin, and its title track playfully captures life in their hometown.
Where the Support Comes From
Even from the title of Vörå’s district press release, there’s a clear reference to the financial backers making this festival possible. Finland-Swedish foundations are supporting the initiative to highlight language, identity and culture through this musical celebration.
District Chairperson Anna Bertils said the support has allowed Vörå “to create something on a much larger scale than usual”. She called it “a special opportunity for all of Swedish-speaking Finland to be seen, with a focus on Ostrobothnia.”
A 2020 study by public broadcaster Yle found nearly 400 such foundations (10 in Vörå alone), managing assets of around €4.5 billion, which in different ways promote the Finnish-Swedish lifestyle and opportunties. Most of their support goes to projects that promote language, literature, and community life, and here with the Kevin, Axel and Jakob’s victory is a prime opportunity to embrace that.
Extending The Documentary
Part of the funding is also going toward a documentary that follows KAJ’s leap from local heroes to international representatives. Directing the project is Erik Åhman. Yes, that is Axel Åhman’s brother, but beyond the sibling relations he is a seasoned journalist and filmmaker in his own right.
Erik has over ten years of experience covering international stories from places like Greece, Kosovo and Ukraine. He’s known for documentary and photography work that focuses on personal and human stories. Speaking to Filmvision Finland, Erik said he loves working in documentaries because of the “chance to connect closely with people” and tell the stories waiting to be shared. It sounds like a perfect match for this journey.
Erik Åhman also took numerous of the press photographs for KAJ this Eurovision season Photo: Erik Åhman)
Vörå’s Eurovision Fortnight
Back in Vörå, the town is going all in. The celebrations begin on May 3rd with a spring market, perfect for those post-sauna goodies I’m sure, followed by two weeks packed with programming across the region.
Expect a colourful mix of live music, dancing, dialect workshops, and thoughtful conversations. The goal is to bring the community together just as spring turns to summer. The district is working with both national and international partners to highlight local culture, youth creativity and language identity.
Jan Finne, Director of Vörå District, said the focus is on “getting all generations involved, supporting local ownership and creating something sustainable”. Many of the events are being created in collaboration with local arts groups, schools and preschools.
Sweating for Eurovision
There’s also a fun side project taking place under the “Från Byin Till Basel” umbrella “Sweating for Eurovision.”
This initiative will bring Finnish sauna culture into the streets of Switzerland, using the Eurovision platform to spread more interest in Finland and Vörå. The City of Tampere is one of the partner’s and seems a natural choice. Finland’s 2nd city hosted Finland’s Eurovision selection, Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, and also brands itself as the Sauna Capital of the World and the Wannabe Eurovision Host City.
Expect to see sauna ambassadors and cultural experiences that focus on creativity, connection and Finnish identity. A travelling sauna even made an appearance in Liverpool for Käärijä not long ago. Maybe it’s on the move again?
The Grand Finale
The big moment, of course, is the Eurovision live shows. Vörå plans to host large public viewings with performances and activities for everyone to enjoy.
If history is any guide, these events will be packed. The 5,000 tickets to KAJ’s homecoming concert after Melodifestivalen sold out right away. Thousands came out, even in freezing temperatures. This time, with warmer days and sunlight that lasts well into the evening, even more people are surely expected.
Stay Tuned
The complete schedule of activities for “Från Byin till Basel” will be announced on Tuesday, April 22nd. Until then, the excitement is building, and there’s more time to put Vörå on the map.
Final Thoughts
It’s rare to see a place embrace Eurovision fever so strongly when it isn’t the host city. It’s even rarer to see a region come together for something like this, backed by both local pride and outside support to do something it’s never attempted to do before.
But this isn’t just about KAJ winning and supporting home town heroes. It’s about something deeper. A village, a dialect, and a community getting their moment in the spotlight. Eurovision has always had a special kind of magic, an ability for countries big and small to show themselves on an equal footing. That magic arrives now to captivate Ostrobothnia, and Vörå is ready for their once-in-many-generations opportunity.
The press release from Vörå district is available here in Swedish and in Finnish.