Rovaniemi statue draped in Lordi cape to mark 20 years since Finland’s only Eurovision win

The iconic Jätkänpatsas statue in Rovaniemi has been adorned with a monster-themed cape to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Finnish hard rock band Lordi’s Eurovision victory, the city announced on Saturday.

The metal and concrete cape, crafted by local artist Hanna Pilve-Salminen, was placed on the statue early on the morning of the Eurovision final. It will remain in place until May 20, the exact anniversary of Lordi’s 2006 win in Athens with Hard Rock Hallelujah—Finland’s only victory in the competition to date.

Pilve-Salminen told public broadcaster Yle that the project began after the city consulted Mr. Lordi, the band’s frontman Tomi Putaansuu, who recommended her for the task. “I had free rein to create it,” she said, noting that Putaansuu’s vision included the cape’s signature spiked shoulders.

The Jätkänpatsas (“Lumberjack Statue”), sculpted by Kalervo Kallio, has stood by the Kemijoki River since 1955. The temporary cape transforms the landmark into a tribute to the band’s monster aesthetic, coinciding with this year’s Eurovision final in Vienna.