Anni Pokki is stepping down from her role as executive director of the Mänttä Music Festival to take on new professional responsibilities. Pokki served in this role for seven years.
“Developing the Mänttä Music Festival together with the artistic director, the board, our partners, and the entire festival organization has been exceptionally rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to the festival’s growth and development, for which I am extremely grateful. I am leaving my position feeling good, as the festival has a strong direction and a skilled team. I am particularly pleased that Jaakko is taking on the role,” says outgoing executive director Anni Pokki.
Jaakko Antola, pianist and executive producer of the Mänttä Music Festival, was elected as the new executive director on June 7, 2026, at a meeting of the Mänttä Music Festival Support Association.
“I have worked in production for the Mänttä Music Festival for several years, so I am very familiar with the festival and its network. Anni Pokki has laid a strong foundation for the role of executive director, and I am excited to build on that. Collaboration with local partners in Mänttä is the backbone of the event, and Mänttä offers a unique setting for the festival. My goal is to raise the festival’s profile both in Finland and internationally and to ensure that it also brings many benefits to its hometown. As a native of Mänttä, this is an honor for me,” says the new executive director, Jaakko Antola.
Antola is a familiar face at the Mänttä Music Festival and will seamlessly continue Pokki’s work without changes to the executive director’s responsibilities. Antola will officially begin in his new role on July 1, 2026.
Niklas Pokki, founder and artistic director of the Mänttä Music Festival, commented on the appointment as follows:
“Jaakko is a versatile, visionary, and collaborative professional who is an excellent person to carry on Anni’s work. Having grown up as a pianist in Mänttä-Vilppula, he knows both the local community and the music industry very well. We already have several years of experience working together successfully on the festival, and I’ve actually known him since childhood, as I taught him to play the piano for a short time when he was six years old. I warmly welcome Jaakko to join me in building the future of the Mänttä Music Festival!”
Further information
Jaakko Antola
Executive producer (Executive director from July 1)
jaakko.antola@manttamusicfestival.fi
+358 41 312 5729