LOVELL – On Tuesday, Aug. 21, the Brick Church for the Performing Arts will present a part of the Finns’ rich musical heritage – the music of the kantele.

A traditional Finnish lap-harp, the kantele has a 2000-year history rooted in the folklore of the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland. It exists today as an authentic instrument played in Finland’s schools, universities and concert halls. Not only is it a beautiful sounding instrument, but the Finns consider it one of the most important symbols of their culture.

In November 2000, a group of people met in the basement of the Lutheran Church in Paris to learn how to play “Ode to Joy” on the kantele. That Sunday afternoon a spark of passion for the instrument ignited – and the Maine Kanteles was born.

Originally, the group’s intention was not to perform, but simply to learn how to play the instrument. However in June 2001, the Finnish American Heritage Society of Maine invited the kantele players to perform and liked what they heard. Since then, the Maine Kanteles has maintained a regular performance schedule, appearing in the Northeast from Boston to Canada. This year, the group was featured at New Year’s Bethel. In 2004, members traveled to Ilomantsi, Finland, to play in an annual kantele festival.

Based in Maine, the mission of the nonprofit Kantele Laulu Inc. is to promote education in and awareness of the kantele and its significance in Finnish culture.

The Kantele Laulu Ensemble will appear in the summer concert series at the Brick Church for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.

For more information about the group, see its Web site, www.kantelelaulu.com. For information about the Brick Church for the Performing Arts program, call 925-2792.