Pekka Hako
Humanist of the day

Pekka Hako

Pekka Hako is a curious, brave and outspoken developer of the future music of our lives. He is also an effective international networker. Hako has researched and studied Finnish music culture and industry as a musicologist, folklorist, educationalist and sociologist. In his reference books and documentaries, he wants to preserve our contemporary interpretations of cultural phenomena.

Pekka Hako

Vesa Pekka Hako
Born February 12, 1957, Helsinki

MA and licentiate (Musicology) 2000, University of Helsinki
Master of Education 2003, University of Helsinki
Further post-graduate sociology studies and communication studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki

CEO at Pekka Hako Productions Ltd. 2011–
Cultural Counselor at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs 2007–2010
Finnish Opera Recording Coordinator 2001–2005
Executive Director at the Finnish Music Information Centre 1991–2000
General secretary at the Foundation for the promotion of Finnish music 1991–2000
General secretary at the Society of Finnish Composers’ Sibelius Fund 1991–2000
Producer at the Finnish Music Information Centre 1989–1991
Assistant at the Department of Education 1989, University of Helsinki
Music editor at Edition Pan 1987–1990
Assistant at the Department of Musicology 1987, University of Helsinki
Researcher at the Academy of Finland 1986–1987
Founder and director at Musiikkikoulu Musiikkihuone 1983–1990
Keyboard teacher at Musiikkikoulu Musiikkihuone 1983–1988
Editor at Hellas-piano Ltd. 1982–1986
Secretary at the Leevi Madetoja Committee (Society of Finnish Composers) 1980–1984
Part-time librarian at the University of Helsinki Musicology Department 1980–1981
Manager of the Vantaa Orchestra 1979–1980

Music journalist and writer 1979– (for radio and numerous newspapers and journals)
Author of reference books 1981–
Scriptwriter, director and producer for cultural and artistic television programmes and documentaries 1989–
Scriptwriter and producer for Finnish cultural exhibitions 2006–

Photo: Heikki Tuuli
Written by Pekka Hako (Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta, ed.)
Translated by Tomi Setälä
Revised by Joe McVeigh

I am a curious polymath. As a cultural theorist, an educationalist and a sociologist I have studied Finnish musical culture from several vantage points using different methods. Not committing to any one approach has been of great benefit to me.

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During my first years at the Department of Musicology at the University of Helsinki I and my fellow students Tero-Pekka Henell and Risto Nieminen founded the Synkooppi (‘Syncopation’) magazine (1978). I am particularly proud that the magazine is still going strong.

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My great dream. I have often wondered out loud why Finnish businesses have not taken greater advantage of humanists and social scientists. They would be a fresh breeze within the administrations of large corporations.

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