Raija Mäntyniemi
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1. Why do you want to sing tangos?
"In tango, I like its melancholy, sensitivity, and storytelling. Tango seems to be in our Romani blood. I also enjoy singing schlager, and especially old songs by Paula Koivuniemi are pleasant to sing."
2. Are there other singers or musicians in your family?
"The Mäntyniemi family is very musical. My two uncles, Mikko and Mertsi Mäntyniemi, now play religious music, but in the past Mikko played in Eila Pienimäki's orchestra, for example. Mertsi has played in Teuvo Oinas's orchestra, among others. My brother Marko has been very successful in dance competitions."
3. Have you prepared well for a possible queen role?
"If I really won the main prize in Seinäjoki, my head would handle the upcoming whirlwind. The title of Tangokuningatar has been a childhood dream of mine, and I have prepared carefully for it. If I won, I would be the first Romani woman among the royalty. Among men, there have been many Romani kings: Sebastian Ahlgren, Saska Helmikallio, Amadeus Lundberg, Kari Hirvonen, and Marco Lundberg.
