Espoo�s Länsiauto Areena hosted a great gala concert with nearly 20 Finnish Euroviisut veterans. Kirka (Finland 1984 with Hengaillaan), who was supposed to take part was touchingly remembered by his collegues. He passed away last week at the age of 56. The concert will be televised by YLE later this spring.

Hardlyanyone was able to hold back the tears on stage or in the audience when half way through the concert Matti “Fredi” Siitonen (Finland 1967 and 1976) and Pepe Willberg dedicated a song to Kirka. They sung one of Kirka’s biggest hits, Silta yli synkän virran, the only non Eurovision Song Contest related song in the concert. Each of the artists in the concert brought a red rose to a vase on stage during the song and most were visibly touched.

You can see a short video clip of it here with interviews with Ami Aspelund (1983), Laura Voutilainen (2002), Kojo (1982), Marion (1962, 1973), Katri Helena (1979, 1993), Viktor Klimenko (1965), Markku Aro (1971), Cat Cat (1994), Tapani Kansa, Kisu, Pepe Willberg and the rose ceremony.

Laura Voutilainen, who will participate in the last Euroviisut semi final tomorrow night was one of the most shaken artist. She was a close friend to Kirka, and collaborated with him all through her career. “It has been a very rough week” she admits.

YLE will broadcast the concert on TV later this spring as part of the building up to the Eurovision song contest 2007.