Singer Elias Kaskinen moved by mother’s Juha Vainio award

Finnish singer Elias Kaskinen expressed deep emotion after his mother, lyricist Anna-Mari Kaskinen, received the Juha Vainio Award at Kotka Maritime Festival on Thursday, reports Yle.

Kaskinen, performing in Salo, told the audience he regretted missing the ceremony. “Mum had a very special day today. She won the Juha Vainio lyricist award,” he said in an Instagram video. “I’m really sorry I couldn’t be there. I thought maybe we could sing one of her songs together.”

He then performed his mother’s composition Jäähyväiset (Farewells) and concluded, “Congratulations, Mum.”

The €6,000 prize, awarded annually since 1991, recognises significant contributions to Finnish songwriting. Past recipients include Juice Leskinen, Pauli Hanhiniemi, Mikko Kuustonen, Anni Sinnemäki, Maija Vilkkumaa, and Paula Vesala.

Anna-Mari Kaskinen, a lyricist with over 600 published works in hymnals and songbooks as well as recordings, said she never expected to win. “It feels amazing to follow in the footsteps of Juice, Hector, and the others,” she told Yle.

The jury praised her lifelong work enriching Finnish musical heritage, noting that impactful contributions need not be limited to pop hits.