The Official Folk Ensemble of Santa Claus

The best known Finn, Santa Claus, has appointed Rimpparemmi, the folk dance group of the Province of Lapland, his official collaborative partner. The members of Rimpparemmi were pleased to accept the invitation to carry Santa's message of friendship to the various parts of the world.

Rimpparemmi – The Folk Ensemble

The Rimpparemmi Folk Ensemble is a representation of true skill. Rimpparemmi's dancers and musicians are a good example of strong Lappish expertise renowned both nationally and in a wide region beyond the Finnish borders. Rimpparemmi is firmly established as a local dance group, yet very international, as illustrated by the audience statistics: over 60% of the audiences watching the performances of Rimpparemmi are foreign.

Rimpparemmi started its activities back in 1974 in the municipality of Tervola. In 1986, Rimpparemmi became the folk dance group of the Province of Lapland with its registered office in the city of Rovaniemi. Since 1991, the group has operated as a full time dance group during the summer seasons. The Executive Director of Rimpparemmi, the folk dance group of the Province of Lapland, is Ilkka Köngäs.

The World's Northernmost Folk Dance Theatre

In 2000, the group was incorporated within the scope of the state subsidy system in accordance with the Theatre and Orchestra Act. This nomination provided the association with better possibilities than ever before to practice and consolidate its professional performance and rehearsal activities. Rimpparemmi is Scandinavia's first state recognised professional folk dance group. The folk dance group of the Province of Lapland was also chosen as the Youth Association of the Year in 1998.