Make air, not war. The purpose of the Air Guitar World Championships is to promote world peace say the organisers of the annual celebration.
Now in its 30th year, the people behind the competition claim conflicts would end, climate change would stop, along with all bad things if everyone came together to play.
We’re unlikely to ever find out but in the meantime, more than 50 contestants from 13 countries gathered over several days in Oulu, Finland’s newly crowned European Capital of Culture to perform.
The rules are simple; over 60 seconds each person has to pretend they’re playing a real guitar, with a jury of performing arts professionals judging their efforts.
Local favourite and defending champion Aapo “The Angus” Rautio secured his second successive title with a score of 34.8.
The competition formed part of the larger Delta Life summer carnival and the wider Oulu August Festival celebrations.
Japan’s Nanami “Seven Seas” Nagura finished second, while Saladin “Six String Sal” Thomas took third place.
The championships were first held in 1996 and have since grown enormously, spreading an unmeasurable amount of good-natured fun and laughter with the event livestreamed to thousands more beyond Finland.
However, despite, the enthusiasm and energy of the competitors, there’s little to no sign yet of world peace coming close to being declared.
We remain hopeful, with fingers at the ready.
Video editor • Yolaine De Kerchove Dexaerde
Additional sources • Oulu August Festivals