Mari Kalkun, born on April 1, 1986, is an Estonian singer-songwriter. She studied cultural organization with a specialization in music at the Viljandi Culture Academy of Tartu University from 2005 to 2009. Her debut album Üü tulõk was released in 2007. In 2013, she earned a master's degree in traditional music and studied singing at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Her music is inspired by Estonian poetry, nature, and traditional chants, utilizing instruments like the kannel, accordion, guitar, and piano. She has performed extensively across Europe, New York, Washington, and Japan. In 2017, her solo album Ilmamõtsan was highlighted by The Guardian as one of the top ten world music albums of the year. Mari Kalkun has collaborated with various musicians, including Nathan Riki Thomson and Maija Kauhanen.
