Santeri’s café
Kappelintie 22 Kaustinen
In the early 1900s, the café of Santeri Isokangas (1885–1967), “kaffila”, became a social and musical centre where locals came for coffee, people from more remote parts of the municipality waited for a lift, and where freight workers, office and shop staff came for lunch. There were also a few rooms for travellers. Music was the main attraction of the café, however, and the customers could always use the violins and the harmonium, sometimes also the piano. Several famous folk musicians from Kaustinen played at the café, including Johannes Järvelä, Friiti Ojala and Artturi Peltokangas. Musicians from other municipalities also stopped to play here on their tours. If a truly good musician happened to come by, Santeri invited local players to join, and the café would soon be full of listeners. In addition to offering meals and jam sessions, the café was a news agency, a place for socialising, a salon and a night bar.
Santeri ran a farm and the café, but he was also engaged in various businesses such as the timber trade as well as sawmill and mill activities. He used to introduce himself as Businessman Isokangas. The café was closed in the 1970s.
Stories
Santeri was deeply religious. He was actively involved in the youth association, promoted young people’s efforts and encouraged the locals to maintain old wedding and potpourri traditions as well as musicians to practise the old folk music repertoire. Santeri valued the music made in Kaustinen more than anything else. As early as the 1950s, he was making plans to erect a statue for local musicians that would itself play music. Santeri’s legendary saying was that “one day, even our stones will chime and the whole universe will know our music”. Moreover, Santeri is said to have mastered the skill of bloodstopping, for which Kaustinen has also been known.
Photos
Santeri Isokangas’ birthday at Santeri’s café – with Purppuripelimannit on a congratulatory visit (Folk Music Institute)
Santeri’s café was located in this house.
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