The City of Helsinki traditionally presents awards to distinguished residents on Helsinki Day, 12 June. Awards were again presented this year in the fields of science, art, culture and sports. In addition to these, the City awarded 15 Golden Helsinki Medals based on merit in the service of the City.
– Helsinki Day is an excellent time of the year to stop and celebrate what being a resident of Helsinki means and how magnificent our capital is. This year, Helsinki celebrates its 475th birthday. Behind a city’s spirit and progress, there are always the people. Today, it is my privilege to honour individuals distinguished in various ways and in a variety of fields, all of whom have contributed to building a better Helsinki, says Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov.
Athletes awarded
The Helsinki Athlete of the Year 2025 is tennis player Harri Heliövaara. Heliövaara and his partner Henry Patten won the men’s doubles Grand Slams in Wimbledon in 2024 and the Australian Open in 2025. In addition to this, Heliövaara ranked third in the ATP Doubles Rankings. The value of the grant is EUR 10,000.
The Helsinki-based Sports Club of the Year is basketball club Torpan Pojat ry, which has 1,338 active members. ToPo is one of Finland's largest junior clubs and also the leading junior club in the Helsinki region, which also organises objective-based adult activities to support its junior activities. The club promotes safety through training and active coordination of activities. The value of the grant is EUR 5,000.
The Young Helsinki Athlete of the Year 2025 is bowler Stella Lökfors. Representing Grankulla Bowlare ry, the 19-year-old Lökfors’s silver medal in the 2024 IBF World Youth Bowling Championships was one of the biggest Finnish sports accomplishments in 2024. Lökfors was also chosen to represent Finland in the 2025 IBF Youth World Cup taking place in Sweden in summer 2025. The value of the grant is EUR 2,500.
The Helsinki-based Coach of the Year 2025 is Kaisa Arrateig, who coaches the synchronised skating team Helsinki Rockettes. The Rockettes won the gold medal in the 2025 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships that took place in Helsinki in April 2025. Arrateig coaches with a positive and supportive attitude that also rubs off on athletes, creating a good training atmosphere. The value of the grant is EUR 2,500.
City of Helsinki Science Award awarded to University of Helsinki Professor Minna Huotilainen
The City of Helsinki Science Award was awarded to Professor Minna Huotilainen. Huotilainen works as a professor at the University of Helsinki Faculty of Educational Sciences, researching memory and learning.
Huotilainen holds a PhD in engineering and a title of docent in cognitive sciences. She works at the University of Helsinki as a professor of educational sciences. Huotilainen carries out research on memory and learning at the Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain (CoE MMBB). She is particularly interested in the use of music to improve learning and well-being.
Huotilainen has written numerous books in her fields of research with collaborators, such as Tunne aivosi (2017), Aivot työssä (2018), Näin aivot oppivat (2019), Uuden ajan muistikirja (2020) and Aivosi tarvitsevat tauon (2021).
The value of the science award is EUR 10,000. The purpose of the Helsinki Science Award, which has been given out since 1996, is to strengthen and increase the recognition of Helsinki as a city of science and research.
On Helsinki Day, the City of Helsinki also awarded research grants to 11 research projects. The total grant amount is EUR 73,000. The City of Helsinki’s research grant was awarded to the following applicants: Boris Brander, Eurídice Hernández Gomes, Ilona Kaitala, Jenni Kuhta, Paula-Kaisa Leppänen, Milad Malekzadeh, Anna-Riikka Rasa, Essi Strandén, Nanna Wackström, Yanxin Xi and Jiawei Zhao.
Helsinki Culture Award awarded to the artistic director of the L&A Film Festival
The Helsinki Culture Award is awarded annually by the Culture and Library Sub-committee of the City of Helsinki’s Culture and Leisure Committee to an accomplished artist as recognition for significant artistic achievements and/or important work that promotes culture in Helsinki. The award amount is EUR 15,000. This year, the award was presented to Pekka Lanerva, the artistic director of the Love & Anarchy Film Festival. Lanerva has been one of the organisers of the festival since its inception in the late 1980s.
The festival, which nowadays attracts tens of thousands of participants each year, has played an important role in diversifying cinema in Helsinki. Lanerva has created a strong foundation for the profile of the film festival and also diversified its curation team over the years. Originally, the festival was established to supplement the cinema offering in Helsinki, particularly with regard to Asian films. Since then, the festival has also highlighted cinema art from the Nordic countries, Estonia, Russia and Latin America, for example.
The festival has played a major role in spreading film knowledge and enthusiasm for cinema in Helsinki. Through cooperation with television channels, it has also had a nationwide impact. Love & Anarchy is also an international promoter of Finnish cinema and serves as a meeting place for distinguished film industry guests each year.
Artist of the Year awards given to three top artists in their respective fields
The Helsinki Artist of the Year awards, each worth EUR 5,000, are awarded annually to artists in Helsinki representing different fields of art. This year's winners are Tinja Salmi, Cecilia Damström and Laura Kajander.
Helsinki-based scenographer and costume designer Tinja Salmi graduated from Aalto University in 2019 with a master’s degree in Design for the Performing Arts. She has worked as a scenographer and costume designer both in Finland and abroad. Salmi describes herself as an inventor and listener. She is interested in the opportunities created by AI and digitalisation and considers it important to implement performances in an ecologically sustainable manner. Salmi has designed demanding visual sets for large stage productions, such as Tampere Opera’s La Traviata (2024), Oslo Folketeateret’s Annie (2023) and Helsinki City Theatre’s The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2022). Salmi’s recent projects in Helsinki include the Finnish National Theatre’s Tytöille, jotka ajattelevat olevansa yksin (2023) and Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth’s Winter Circus Fantasia (2024), the set designs of which garnered considerable praise.
Cecilia Damström is a new generation composer from Helsinki. Her works comment on topical social issues, such as the climate and refugee crises and mental health. Damström has composed orchestral works, opera, chamber music and choir works that have been performed in both Finland and abroad. Her works have also been acknowledged in many musical competitions. In 2022, Damström became the first female composer of art music to be awarded the Teosto Prize, and in 2024 her work Extinctions commissioned by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize.
Laura Kajander is the executive manager of the Finnish Baroque Orchestra FiBO, in addition to playing viola in the orchestra. Kajander has played a notable role in making baroque music a phenomenon in the Helsinki art music field. The Finnish Baroque Orchestra is regarded as exceptionally bold, versatile and innovative. Founded in 1989 under the name Kuudennen kerroksen orkesteri (‘Sixth Floor Orchestra’), FiBO played an important role in bringing the Baroque movement to Finland. Since then, the orchestra has become known for their skilful performances, creative repertoire planning and varied partnership networks, such as the Nordic Baroque Scene. FiBO has also participated in the City of Helsinki's participatory and local cultural work as part of the Helsinki model. The orchestra actively brings its music to where the residents of Helsinki are, and Kajander's musician persona and handprint are visible in the orchestra’s interaction with the audience.
Golden Helsinki Medals awarded to 15 recipients
The Golden Helsinki Medal is the highest recognition of the City of Helsinki, a kind of honorary citizenship. The City Board decides on the awarding of Helsinki Medals annually, and the City presents them to the recipients on Helsinki Day. Today, the City awarded fifteen Golden Helsinki Medals, four of which were awarded to persons elected to positions of trust. The medals were awarded to the following recipients:
Airi Kallio, restoration master painter
Restoration and café entrepreneur Airi Kallio’s passion is restoring unique historical buildings. To the joy of the people of Helsinki, Kallio’s family business Tee- ja kahvihuone Helmi Oy won the tendering procedure organised by the City in spring 2021 for the restoration of the 19th century Restaurant Kaisaniemi property. As a result, the restaurant building, which had fallen into disrepair, has now been restored to its 1929 appearance. The building now houses the coffee shop Cajsan Helmi, the opening of which was celebrated on 1 November 2024.
James Davies, president and CEO of Davie Shipbuilding
James Davies is the president and CEO of the Canadian shipbuilder Davie Shipbuilding. Davies played an important role in the sale of the Helsinki shipyard to the Davie Group at the end of 2023. The long-planned change of ownership brought the Russian ownership of the Helsinki shipyard to an end. The sale had a significant impact on Helsinki and Finland as a whole, strengthening the Finnish maritime industry and increasing Arctic expertise. With Davie Shipbuilding, the Helsinki shipyard has gained a strong, stable and capable operator from a reliable country. The company’s varied and vital business operations facilitate the prosperity of Helsinki and the well-being of Helsinki residents.
Mikko Leisti, entrepreneur
Mikko Leisti is a long-standing Helsinki entrepreneur and promoter of urban culture. Leisti has been involved in the creation and development of the Art Goes Kapakka festival, Kuorojen kierros (‘Choir Tour’) and Central Library Oodi, among others. Leisti also works actively to enliven the city centre. Leisti is also involved in the new Restaurant Marga, which opened in Helsinki city centre in March this year.
Hillevi Mannonen, board professional
Hillevi Mannonen has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Helen Ltd in 2015–2025. Helen Ltd is a very important subsidiary of the City in many ways. As a long-standing member of its Board of Directors, Mannonen has played an important role in implementing the incorporation of Helen and in facilitating the achievement of the City's emission reduction targets dependent on the measures taken by Helen and the financial benefits that the company provides to the City.
Sanna Valtonen, researcher
Sanna Valtonen serves as the chairperson of Helsingin vanhemmat HELVARY ry. Valtonen is a researcher and third-sector influencer who has been promoting cooperation between homes and schools for over a decade. It is thanks to Valtonen that a growing number of parents in Helsinki are able to participate in their children’s school studies, regardless of their background. During Valtonen’s time, HELVARY has increased awareness of the importance of child inclusion, child impact assessment and equality. As chairperson, Valtonen has highlighted issues related to the interests and equality of children and young people in Helsinki in the development of service network processes, assessment methods in primary and lower secondary education, municipality-specific curricula, the languages taught in Helsinki and child budgeting, among others.
Kai Kartio, master of arts
Kai Kartio served as director of the art museum Amos Rex in 2018–2024. As museum director, Kartio played a key role in shaping the story of Amos Rex in the museum sector and Helsinki's city centre. With Amos Rex, Lasipalatsi Square was given a new social function, turning it into an architecturally interesting, popular urban space with its ‘dunes’ and terraces, which the City and residents can enjoy. Amos Rex has been a major success since its opening exhibition. Under the leadership of Kartio, Amos Rex has become one of the most interesting museums in Helsinki.
Heidi Romo, visual artist
Visual artist Heidi Romo is the head of the Art School of Northern Helsinki. Romo has contributed significantly to the promotion of art education for children and young people. The Art School of Northern Helsinki operates at two locations and offers a few vacancies annually for so-called free students, which has provided many children with access to the art world despite the financial situation of their families. In addition to this, the art school has demonstrated responsibility and accessibility by providing assistants to children with neuropsychiatric challenges. This has made the school’s art education genuinely inclusive and supported the participation of many learners in recreational activities. Under Romo's leadership, the school has produced summer camps for child welfare clients, arranged holiday activities and organised a wide range of workshops. The Art School of Northern Helsinki has participated in the Finnish model for leisure activities since its inception, strengthening the opportunities of children and young people to participate in art recreation in connection with the school day. Romo is a distinguished pioneer in art education who is committed to promoting equal access to art. Her work has been persistent, determined and effective.
Anna Brummer, hospital musician
Hospital musician and music pedagogue Anna Brummer worked as a hospital musician at the palliative and terminal care wards of Suursuo Hospital in 2017–2024. During this time, Brummer carried out pioneering work in independently developing her job description. Brummer also trained the next hospital musicians of the hospital’s palliative care wards so that her important work would continue. Her music has also supported the coping of hospital staff in carrying out their demanding duties. Based on her experiences and encounters working at the palliative and terminal care wards, Brummer has also developed the theatre performance Elämän rajalla together with actor Helena Ryti and director Jaana Taskinen. The performance has a heavy emphasis on music and gives a realistic and dignified description of the wishes and needs of both the patients and the care personnel, bringing these important topics to the public's attention.
Olli Holmström, CEO of the Deaconess Foundation
Olli Holmström has served as the CEO of the Deaconess Foundation since 2012. Holmström has more than 30 years of experience in management positions in business, third-sector business and non-profit activities. The Deaconess Foundation is a traditional third-sector non-profit organisation that has worked persistently for the benefit of disadvantaged people in Helsinki. The Deaconess Foundation’s office block on Alppikatu in Kallio is in itself a distinctive and interesting layer of the city. The Deaconess Foundation is a strategically important service provider for the City of Helsinki’s Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division. Under the leadership of Olli Holmström, the Deaconess Foundation has engaged in effective and close cooperation with the City.
Kimmo Helistö, sauna entrepreneur
Kimmo Helistö is a Finnish sauna entrepreneur who can rightly be called a sauna legend. Helistö’s association with saunas dates back to the 1990s, when he ran the sauna-themed Höyry (‘Steam’) club in the Lepakko building. Since 2006, Helistö has worked actively to revitalise and develop Helsinki's sauna culture after saving the traditional Sauna Arla in Kallio. In 2018, Helistö opened Uusi Sauna (‘The New Sauna’) in Jätkäsaari. Helistö has also been a notable music influencer in Helsinki. He served for a long time (1985–1994) as a journalist for Radio City and for three years as chairperson of the Live Music Association ELMU ry (1989–1992).
Eerikki “Eeka” Mäkynen, CEO
Eeka Mäkynen has persistently, actively and sustainably strengthened the urban culture and event sector of Helsinki. His visionary work and excellent results in managing the Tuska Festival have significantly strengthened the international and local appeal and vitality of Helsinki. Eeka’s firm and positive commitment to the development of Helsinki in cooperation with the City and other operators has had a major impact. Under Eeka’s leadership, Tuska has grown into a major festival and made fans of audiences and local residents alike.
Awards given to four persons elected to positions of trust
The Golden Helsinki Medals for persons elected to positions of trust were awarded to Professor Sirpa Asko-Seljavaara; Professor Laura Kolbe, PhD; CEO Pia Pakarinen, M.Sc.[econ], LL.M., Bachelor of Political Sciences; and MP, Master of Health Care and X-ray Nurse Sari Sarkomaa.
The medal is awarded in recognition of long-term distinguished service for the City of Helsinki to persons who have held positions of trust in the City of Helsinki for a total of at least 20 years.
