Ten candidates vie for 2027 Minna Canth Prize

Ten candidates have been selected for the 2027 Minna Canth Prize, Yle reports. The selection panel chose them from 75 nominations for an award recognising work to advance democracy, equality and freedom of expression.

The prize can be awarded to an individual or organisation for exceptional contributions to at least one of its criteria: promoting democracy and civil society, social equality and participation, gender equality or sustainable development, or advancing education and wellbeing through science or culture.

The 2027 nominees are:

Mothers in Business ry, an organisation promoting equality in working life and family-friendly practices.

Pohjois-Savon muisti ry, which promotes understanding of memory disorders.

Monika-Naiset liitto ry, which assists and supports immigrant women who have experienced violence or the threat of violence.

The VERSO programme, which teaches conflict-resolution skills to children and young people, as well as staff in early childhood education, basic education and learning communities.

ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival, an international festival of site-specific contemporary art held annually in Kuopio.

Elina Hirvonen, a writer, journalist and documentary filmmaker.

Kaisa Leka, a cartoonist whose work addresses disability, politics and spiritual seeking.

Timo Miettinen, a university researcher specialising in European philosophy, politics and intellectual history, and an adjunct professor at the University of Helsinki.

Elisabeth Rehn, Finland’s first woman defence minister, who has also served as a UN human rights monitor and special envoy.

Sofi Oksanen, whose work has focused particularly on the recent history of Estonia and Eastern Europe, and violence against women.

The prize was established to honour the legacy of Minna Canth, a Kuopio writer, social advocate and champion of equality. It is worth 35,000 euros and is funded by donations from supporting foundations and companies.

This year’s winner will be selected by a panel comprising writer Sirpa Kähkönen, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, spouse of the president of Finland, political scientist Sixten Korkman, CMI chief executive Hanna Klinge and Genelec chief executive Siamäk Naghian. The winner will be announced on Minna Canth Day, March 19.