Next spring, the new Minna Canth Award will be presented for the first time. The award highlights an action or initiative that strengthens democracy and promotes the future in a sustainable and just way.
The award of 35,000 euros is funded by foundations and companies: Saastamoinen Foundation, Olvi Foundation, Genelec Ltd., and Säästöpankki Optian säätiö.
The winner will be selected by a five-member jury, which includes, among others, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, spouse of the President of the Republic, and Sixten Korkman, economist and public figure. The chair of the jury is author Sirpa Kähkönen.
The Award is organized by the city of Kuopio in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland and Savon Sanomat.
The award will be presented on Minna Canth’s Day, March 19.
The nominees are:
Amani Al-Mehsen, columnist, journalist, and human rights expert
Artists at Risk, a civic organization
Elina Hirvonen, author, journalist, and documentary filmmaker
Mari Leppänen, Bishop of the Archdiocese of Turku
Markku Kaikkonen, Director of the music center Resonaari
Minna Holopainen, Editor-in-Chief, STT (Finnish News Agency)
Nicehearts ry, an association promoting the inclusion of girls, women, and families
Sofi Oksanen, author and playwright
Vailla vakinaista asuntoa ry (“No Fixed Abode”), an organization supporting the homeless
Minna Canth (1844–1897), a writer and advocate for gender equality, defended women’s right to education and independence at a time when such ideas were considered radical. In her works, she addressed issues of poverty, women’s position in society, and social injustices. Minna Canth’s Day, March 19, is celebrated in Finland as the Day of Equality.
Canth lived and was active in Kuopio for most of her life. There, she wrote her most important works and took an active part in the city’s cultural and intellectual life. By supporting the award, Saastamoinen Foundation, originally from Kuopio, honours its connection to the city, its rich cultural heritage, and Canth’s life’s work. Furthermore, the foundation wants to encourage work that champions Canth’s legacy, strengthens democracy and promotes the future in a just and sustainable way.
