Oopus takes most awards at Estonia’s Etnokulp gala
Sunday 4th October 2026 on 08:30 in
Estonia
Folk band Oopus won the most awards at the 2026 Etnokulp folk music gala in Viljandi on Saturday, ERR reported.
Oopus won Album of the Year for “Reivlender”, Artist of the Year and New Folk Artist of the Year. Nublu, Tief City 44 and Curly Strings won Song of the Year for “Tšastuška”.
Nova Lyre won Debut Album of the Year for “Õbepõesas”. Kõrvipalu Creative Farm received the award for Authentic Folk Music of the Year for “Kolme Teppo lood: lõõtspill gurmaanidele 3”. Villu Talsi was named Musician of the Year.
Radio 2’s special award went to Trifoor, while the Estonian Traditional Music Centre’s special award went to Siim Sarv.
A total of 2,505 people took part in this year’s public vote, about 100 more than last year. Before the public vote, the jury selected the nominees after listening to 20 albums and 24 song candidates released between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026.
The awards were presented for the 18th time. The tradition began in 2009 through a partnership between the Estonian Traditional Music Centre and Radio 2. A programme about the gala will air on Radio 2 on Monday, October 5, at 8 p.m.