Lasse Hoikka awarded honorary title of music counsellor

Finnish dance band musician Lasse Hoikka has been granted the honorary title of musiikkineuvos (music counsellor), a rare distinction for artists in the light music genre, state broadcaster Yle reports.

President Alexander Stubb awarded 55 honorary titles on Friday, including the music counsellor designation to Hoikka, the 70-year-old founder, singer, and drummer of the long-running dance band Souvarit. The news reached Hoikka at his morning coffee in Rovaniemi, where he described the announcement as a “sunny day and a joyful surprise” that left him stunned.

Hoikka marked the occasion with a morning cigar and will continue celebrations at the premiere of a musical play about Souvarit at Suukoski’s stage on Friday evening.

Founded in 1978, Souvarit has been known for its relentless touring schedule, though Hoikka noted the pace has slowed in recent years. This summer, the band is set to perform 22 concerts.

Honorary titles in Finland recognise significant contributions to society and are typically awarded twice yearly by the president. The music counsellor title is seldom bestowed upon light music artists; the most recent recipients were Kari “Epe” Helenius in 2021 and Mikko Alatalo in 2023. The last round of honorary titles granted in Lapland was in 2024, when four individuals received distinctions in education, municipal service, and choral music.