8 artists awarded Finland Prizes

The Ministry of Education and Culture on Wednesday awarded the Finland Prize to eight artists this year, said the Ministry of Education and Culture in a press release.

The winners were Maaretta Jaukkuri, curator; Siri Kolu, author; Tiina Lymi, director; Outi Pieski, visual artist; Dalia Stasevska, conductor; Pajtim Statovci, author; Sirkus Suosalo theatre; and Björn Weckström, sculptor and jewellery artist.

In addition, the Finnish Glass Museum was awarded an honorary diploma.

The Finland Prize, introduced in 1993, is awarded in recognition of a distinguished career in arts, an exceptional artistic achievement, or a promising breakthrough.

Apart from the Finnish Glass Museum, each prize winner will receive either EUR 14,250.

Sari Multala, the Minister of Science and Culture, nominated the recipients of the Finland Prizes once a year.

“With this Finland Prize, I wish to pay tribute to the professionals in arts and culture, whose work is characterised by deep commitment and courage. Their efforts and artistic works have brought about greater diversity, helped others succeed and created new ways of making art and cultural heritage available and accessible to people here and around the world,” said Multala.