“The scholarship has meant a lot to me”

The Rubus Arcticus scholarship opened new opportunities for accordion musician Fredrik Hangasjärvi.
"You get publicity when you get the scholarship. And then I've been able to afford to sit around and put together tours," he says.
September 1st is the last chance to apply for this year's Rubus Arcticus scholarship, or nominate someone for other scholarships in culture and sports.

It has been an intense year for Fredrik Hangasjärvi, who last year received the Rubus Arcticus scholarship for the art field of music. There have been tours and concerts around Sweden and our neighboring countries.

- I'm rolling all the time so it feels really good actually. It's progressing considering you're playing a small, narrow instrument like an accordion.

There have been gigs with our own orchestra, Fredrik Hangasjärvi Orchestra. Concerts with the Finnish accordion virtuoso Heidi Haapasaari. There have been solo concerts, which are more unusual for Fredrik. Also in the future, during the coming autumn, he has several bookings in both southern Sweden and Norrbotten.

“I am my own manager”

But selling out and organizing all these gigs and tours takes work. And since Fredrik Hangasjärvi doesn't have any supporting organization around him, he has to arrange it himself.

- It's not easy to make a steady living just playing the accordion, so the scholarship has meant a lot to me. There's a lot of work that I do from home when I'm self-booking and my own manager. It takes time, and it's unpaid time.

Do you have any advice for anyone who is thinking about applying but perhaps hasn't gotten around to it?

- Make the application very comprehensive. Include even things that you think might not be important. Write down your entire musical life, or whatever you do – whether you're an artist or something.

Fredrik Hangasjärvi is also working to ensure that the accordion finds its way to new musicians and new audiences. In connection with the church move last week, a tribute song to Kiruna church, for example.

- I'm passionate about promoting accordion music in every possible way. And I think I see a change, that many people are interested. Those who sell accordions say that there has been a huge boom now.

Read more about who can apply and how to apply for Rubus Arcticus

The Honorary and Merit Scholarship

The sports scholarship

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
Photo: Simon Eliasson