Helsinki  - Qualifying rounds were due late Thursday for hopefuls aiming to take part in the final of the Air Guitar World Championships held in Oulu, northern Finland.

Performers pretend to play rock or heavy-metal electric guitar solos without an instrument, and their skills are assessed by a jury.

Among the contestants is world champion Ochi Yosuke of Japan, winner in 2006 and 2007.

Just before the final due on Friday evening there will be a special ceremony to "promote world peace" as competitors and spectators were to join in a parade in the city of Oulu and listen to a declaration of peace.

Organizers said that "according to the ideology of the Air Guitar, wars end, climate change stops and all bad things disappear, if all the people in the world played the Air Guitar."

The event, staged for the 13th time, has attracted competitors from more than 20 countries.

In addition to promoting peace, the event is also touted as environmentally friendly since students at Oulu University have designed tread machines that power car batteries used for the sound and lighting equipment.

The typical air guitarist is a male aged 30 to 40. (dpa)