Internationally acclaimed violinist Linda Lampenius and pop star Pete Parkkonen won Finland’s UMK 2026 with their song “Liekinheitin (Flame Thrower)” at the Nokia Arena in Tampere on Saturday night.
TAMPERE
Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen win Finland’s Contest for New Music UMK 2026 with their song “Liekinheitin (Flame Thrower),” earning 570 points through a mix of public votes (75%) and international jury scores (25%).
This duo combines internationally acclaimed violinist Linda Lampenius and pop star Pete Parkkonen.
Despite their different backgrounds, both share a love for music and performing. “When we step on the stage, we own the place,”Parkkonen said in a release.
Lampenius is renowned as a classical violinist. Parkkonen rose to fame after finishing third on the Finnish reality television singing competition Idols in 2008. Since then, he has released several albums and toured across Finland.
The winners, if they wish, can represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, in May.
According to the UMK organizer YLE, the winners are not obliged to participate in Eurovision, so each finalist was asked beforehand whether they would represent Finland in Eurovision if they won.
Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen answered the question directly:
Yes.
The duo’s performance can be watched here.
