Helsinki honours citizens on city’s 475th anniversary

By admin On Jun 13, 2025

The City of Helsinki presented awards to distinguished individuals on Helsinki Day, 12 June. Tennis player Harri Heliövaara was named Helsinki Athlete of the Year. Photo: Joonas Ojala / Finnish Tennis Association

The City of Helsinki awarded medals and grants to citizens in culture, science, and sport on Helsinki Day, 12 June.

The city marked its 475th anniversary by recognising individuals for their contributions. Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki, presented the awards at a public ceremony.

“This is a day to celebrate our people,” Sazonov said.

The Helsinki Medal, the city’s highest civilian honour, was awarded to 15 recipients. It acknowledges those who have contributed to the city over a long period or in a notable capacity.

Recipients included four long-term public servants: Sirpa Asko-Seljavaara, Laura Kolbe, Pia Pakarinen, and Sari Sarkomaa, all recognised for over two decades of service.

Eleven others received medals for diverse achievements. Airi Kallio, a restorer and café entrepreneur, was awarded for reviving the 19th-century Kaisaniemi restaurant property. James Davies, CEO of Davie Shipbuilding, was credited with securing Helsinki’s shipyard future by ending Russian ownership through a key acquisition in 2023.

Cultural entrepreneur Mikko Leisti, known for his work on Art goes Kapakka and library Oodi, was also awarded. Hillevi Mannonen received recognition for her decade on the board of city-owned energy company Helen. Sanna Valtonen, a researcher and advocate for school-parent cooperation, was honoured for inclusive education efforts.

Musician Anna Brummer was recognised for pioneering palliative care music at Suursuo Hospital. Kai Kartio, former director of Amos Rex, was praised for transforming the museum’s role in central Helsinki. Heidi Romo, head of a children’s art school, received a medal for promoting equal access to arts education.

Olli Holmström, head of Diakonissalaitos since 2012, was recognised for leading services for vulnerable citizens. Sauna entrepreneur Kimmo Helistö was awarded for revitalising urban sauna culture, and Eeka Mäkynen, CEO of Tuska Festival, for enhancing Helsinki’s cultural appeal.

The Helsinki Science Prize went to Minna Huotilainen, professor at the University of Helsinki. A neuroscientist focused on memory and learning, she leads research on the intersection of music, body, and mind. Her publications include Tunne Aivosi and Aivosi tarvitsevat tauon. The science award is worth €10,000.

The Cultural Prize, also €15,000, was awarded to Pekka Lanerva, artistic director of the Love & Anarchy Film Festival. He helped establish the event in the late 1980s and has broadened its scope beyond Asian cinema to include work from the Nordics, Estonia, Russia, and Latin America.

Three €5,000 Artist Prizes were granted. Set and costume designer Tinja Salmi was recognised for major productions in Finland and abroad. Her designs for the Finnish National Theatre and Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth have received strong praise.

Composer Cecilia Damström was awarded for politically engaged works addressing climate and mental health. She was the first woman to win the Teosto Prize in classical music and was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2024.

Violist Laura Kajander, executive director of the Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO), was honoured for advancing baroque music in Helsinki. FiBO’s outreach has made the genre accessible to wider audiences and influenced the city’s cultural model.

In sport, Harri Heliövaara was named Helsinki’s Athlete of the Year. He won doubles titles at Wimbledon 2024 and the Australian Open 2025 with partner Henry Patten, and reached third in the ATP doubles rankings. He received a €10,000 grant.

Basketball club Torpan Pojat (ToPo) was named Sports Club of the Year and received €5,000. It runs one of the largest junior programmes in Finland.

Bowler Stella Lökfors, 19, was awarded Young Athlete of the Year after winning silver at the 2024 World Youth Championships in Korea. She will represent Finland at the U21 World Cup in summer 2025. Her grant is €2,500.

Coach of the Year is Kaisa Arrateig, who led the Helsinki Rockettes synchronised skating team to world championship gold in April 2025. She also received a €2,500 grant.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi