We’re honoured that Artists at Risk (AR) is among the nine finalists for the Minna Canth Award, to be presented on the 19th of March 2026 in connection with the Minna Canth Seminar in Kuopio.
A total of 137 individuals and organisations were nominated for this new national recognition celebrating work that advances democracy, equality, freedom of expression, and education.
The nine finalists are:
Amani Al-mehsen, Artists at Risk (AR), Elina Hirvonen, Minna Holopainen, Markku Kaikkonen, Mari Leppänen, Nicehearts ry, Sofi Oksanen, and Vailla vakituista asuntoa ry. We congratulate all the nominees for their valuable work!
The award will be decided by a jury chaired by author Sirpa Kähkönen, joined by Suzanne Innes-Stubb, Dr. Sixten Korkman, Hanna Klinge, and Siamäk Naghian. The winner will be announced on Minna Canth Day, 19 March 2026.
We’re proud to share this nomination with such inspiring changemakers carrying forward Minna Canth’s legacy of courage, equality, and social progress. 💛
Minna Canth (1844–1897) was a Finnish writer, journalist, and social activist who fought for women’s rights, education, and social equality. She was one of the first major female voices in Finnish literature and a pioneer of social realism. Canth’s legacy as a champion of equality and progressive thought is honored every year in Finland on Minna Canth Day.
This new timely prize was initiated and funded by Genelec Oyj, the Olvi Foundation, the Saastamoinen Foundation, and the Savings Bank Optia Foundation.
The award working group is chaired by Professor Jukka Mönkkönen from the University of Eastern Finland. The working group consists of author Sirpa Kähkönen, editor-in-chief Matti Pietiläinen, Mayor Soile Lahti, Genelec Oy CEO Siamäk Naghian, marketing director Kirsi Soininen, and Kaisa Lumilampi.
Read more about the new award: https://www.kuopio.fi/en/minna-canth-award/statutes-of-the-minna-canth-prize/
For Finnish speakers award winners announced in Savon Sanomat: https://www.savonsanomat.fi/paikalliset/8984052
