← Go Back

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

My Dreams

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 as board members in large corporations. Nokia short, culture long—that’s how it turned out. Any cultural or social scientist understands that humans want to touch—whether the object is another human being or the screen of a cell phone.

Cultural and art theorists, folklorists and cultural anthropologists can see beyond the quarterly earnings. They can understand people in the everyday context of their lives. That is why a book needs to be written for the reader, a film made for the viewer and an exhibition built for the visitor. It is especially during times of rapid change in society when humanists should be in demand. There should never be room for ignoring those voices that speak for the people and challenge the unspoken values and attitudes.

My little dream. I wish I could organise and make use of my archives that have piled up over the years, and to have the financial independence to write books and make films where the sun shines even during the winter.

​
​

 

By

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

← Go Back