138 designs join the competition

A total of 138 designs are competing for a planned monument to be erected at the grave of former president Mauno Koivisto.

A jury board will publish the results of the design competition on April 9, said an official press release.

Prizes will be awarded for the three best designs: EUR 10,000 for the best design, EUR 5,000 for the second best and EUR 3,000 for the winner of the third place in the competition.

The grave memorial is scheduled to be ready and in place at the Hietaniemi Cemetery by November 25, the birth anniversary of Mauno Koivisto.

Earlier, the jury board was formed headed by Permanent State Under-Secretary Timo Lankinen of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Other members of the jury are Aalto University Vice President Professor Antti Ahlava, Master of Science Heikki Allonen, Lutheran Parish Union of Helsinki Chief of Environment and Cemeteries Risto Lehto who represents Koivisto’s immediate family, Helsinki Cathedral Parish Chief Verger Petri Oittinen, Ateneum Art Museum Director Susanna Pettersson, and Building Design Associate Professor Pirjo Sanaksenaho of Aalto University, while sculptor Maija Helasvuo and artist Pasi Rauhala were appointed by the Artists’ Association of Finland.

The Prime Minister’s Office announced the design competition at the start of January.