Karmoška playing draws a growing crowd across Estonia

Seventy karmoška players from across Estonia gathered at Oisu community hall in Järvamaa on Saturday to play together and improve their skills, ERR reported, as interest in the small accordion continues to grow.

Toomas Valk, a musician from Setomaa who has played the instrument for more than 25 years, said it had spread throughout Estonia through the Seto people. He has been named the Seto Kingdom’s best musician and received the title of Musician of the Republic two years ago.

“Accordion instruments in general are very popular and once pushed other folk instruments out,” Valk said. “The charm of the karmoška is that it is easy to carry. It is small, but loud, and easy to play.” He said he cannot read music.

Many players have taught themselves or learned from experienced musicians. Vaike Pärn, from Oisu, joked that after five years she had become a sought-after performer. She said her group had been invited to play at various events, including in the courtyard of the Chancellor of Justice’s office in Tallinn.

Karmoška playing in Estonia is largely dominated by women. Seventeen-year-old Rasmus Mattias Hanga, from Harju County, said he became interested after seeing relatives play the instrument.

The event was organised by Piret Aus and Ruti Enn. Toomas Valk, Siim Sarv, Kadri Lepasson and Rasmus Kadaja led workshops, while Ülo Saaremõts demonstrated the instrument’s interior. Aus said the group was preparing for the 2028 folk music festival and estimated that Estonia has about 1,000 karmoška players.