Aurora Medal

Recognition for Cultural Contributions to Varsinais-Suomi

The Aurora Medal is an annual recognition awarded by the Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi to an individual, community, or organization that has significantly advanced the region’s culture, arts, or sciences. The medal is granted for achievements, life’s work, or activities that strengthen the identity, community spirit, and cultural vitality of Varsinais-Suomi. The recognition may also be awarded to a person originally from Varsinais-Suomi who has brought prominence to the region through national cultural work.

The Aurora Medal takes its name from the goddess of dawn. The round bronze medal depicts a group of people standing and looking toward the rising sun, with the text “For Cultural Contributions to Varsinais-Suomi” running along its edges. The symbolism represents light, hope, and the possibility of new beginnings—the same values that culture brings to society.

The 2025 Aurora Medal was awarded to brothers Matti and Teppo Ruohonen in recognition of their long and distinguished career in Finnish popular music and entertainment. They have brought joy, zest for life, and the spirit of Varsinais-Suomi to audiences throughout Finland for decades. Their music and attitude toward life embody the finest aspects of the region’s culture: rootedness, community spirit, and continuous renewal.

The Aurora Medal may be nominated by member municipalities of the Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi, the cultural committee, regional cultural organizations, and individual residents. The call for nominations is announced annually, and they are reviewed by the Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi’s cultural committee. The decision to award the medal is made by the regional board.

The Aurora Medal has been awarded since 1977 and has established itself as one of the region’s most prestigious cultural honors. In the early years, multiple medals were awarded annually, but since 2000, the recognition has been granted to one recipient at a time. An exception was made in 2017, Finland’s centennial year, when three medals were awarded.

The Aurora Medal is a tribute to those who work for the benefit of culture, arts, and sciences—those who maintain light, joy, and shared faith in the future in Varsinais-Suomi.

Aurora Medal Recipients

9 May 2025
Matti Ruohonen and Teppo Ruohonen, Turku

7 May 2024, the 100th Aurora Medal
Puolala Comprehensive School Music Classes and Puolalanmäki Music High School, Turku

9 May 2023
Jazz musician, Executive Director Jussi Fredriksson, Turku

10 May 2022*
Tuula and Harri Gustafsson, Mathildedal Ironworks, Mathildedal, Salo

2 July 2021
Finnish Agricultural Museum Sarka, Loimaa

26 October 2020
Chief Executive Officer Liisa Ketomäki, Turku Music Festival, Turku

9 December 2019
Kalevala, Åbo Svenska Teater, Turku

10 December 2018
Building Researcher Eija Suna, Turku

11 December 2017
Museum Director Laura Luostarinen, Salo
Painter Johanna Oras, Koski tl
Turkuseura – Åbosamfundet

12 December 2016
Puppet Theatre Artist, Theatre Director Timo Väntsi, Turku

7 December 2015
Circus Artists Pauliina Räsänen and Slava Volkov, Kustavi

8 December 2014
Cultural Secretary Juhani Heinonen, Loimaa

2 December 2013
Dance Theatre Eri, Turku

10 December 2012
Performing Artist Michael Monroe, Turku

12 December 2011
Editor-in-Chief Riitta Monto, Turku

13 December 2010
Theatre Director Mikko Kouki, Turku

14 December 2009
Cartoonist Ilkka Heilä, Kaarina

8 December 2008
Rector of the University of Turku Keijo Virtanen

10 December 2007
Music Commander Captain Timo Kotilainen, Turku

11 December 2006
Poet Heli Laaksonen, Laitila

12 December 2005
Cultural Ombudsman Birgitta Bröckl, Pargas

22 November 2004
Architect Lauri Hollmén, Salo

1 December 2003
Composer Mikko Heiniö, Turku

25 November 2002
BA Hanna Nurminen, Merimasku

22 October 2001
Programme Director Kari J. Kettula, Turku

16 October 2000
Laiho-Pulkkinen-Raunio Architects Ltd, Turku

Medal Recipients from 1977 to 1999

18 October 1999
Master of Arts Börje Lång, Turku
Professor Sakari Hinneri, Uusikaupunki

19 October 1998
Tourism Entrepreneur Paula Wilson, Dragsfjärd
Writer Harri Raitis, Turku

13 October 1997
Turun Soitannollinen Seura
Musician Pentti Viherluoto
Artist Raimo Aarras, Uusikaupunki
Reciter Kirsti Mäki, Mellilä

14 October 1996
Entertainer Joel Hallikainen, Raisio
Photographer Per-Olof Welin, Turku
Sea Captain Henrik Pettersson, Turku
Tour Guide Arja von Schöneman, Turku

25 September 1995
School Principal Antti Lehtinen, Turku
Stage Director Ville Johannes Helenius, Turku
Lecturer Irma Kyllikki Savo, Karinainen

14 October 1994
Painter Valdemar Kaski, Turku
Agronomist Riitta Jumppanen, Loimaa
Business Development Officer Ilmo Jaramo, Kustavi

13 October 1993
Farmer Lauri Nautela, Lieto
Office Manager Renee Lauren, Turku
Antologia Group, Turku

7 December 1992
Professor Unto Salo, Turku
Parish Councillor Lea Simula, Laitila
Local Heritage Councillor Ernst Lindroos, Kemiö

18 November 1991
Turku Provincial Museum
Principal Raija Kouri, Loimaa Municipality
Executive Director Alla Bergen, Salo

3 December 1990
Opera Singer Karita Mattila, Perniö
Artist Max Salmi, Kalanti

11 December 1989
Local Heritage Writer Taavi Kilpi, Kustavi
Professor Arje Scheinin, Turku

12 December 1988
Theatre Director Gullan Wahlström, Naantali
Writer Juhani Merilahti, Turku

Ballet Teacher Raija Lehmussaari, Turku

19 November 1987
Master Per-Olof von Weymarn, Parainen
Actress Kaarina Vahtonen, Turku
Professor Rauno Tenovuo, Turku
Writer Tuulikki Soini, Naantali
Local Heritage Councillor Boris Saarmaa, Särkisalo
Sculptor Harry Kivijärvi, Helsinki
Photographer Veikko Hulkko, Loimaa
Professor Kaarlo Hartiala, Turku
Interior Architect Carin Bryggman, Turku

8 December 1986
Painter, Professor Kauko Lehtinen, Turku
Botanist Aarre Koskinen, Piikkiö

2 December 1985
Writer Väinö Pääkkönen, Turku
Painter Yrjö Lalla, Mynämäki
Professor Paavo Kallio, Turku

3 December 1984
Local Heritage Councillor Arto Vaajasaari, Laitila
Decorative Painter Reino Mattila, Turku
Writer Pirkko Jaakola, Loimaa

28 November 1983
Theatre Director Olavi Vaara, Salo
Painter Nikolai Lehto, Turku

22 November 1982
Actress Inke Maattola, Turku
Local Heritage Councillor Tapio Horila, Somero

30 November 1981
Physical Education Instructor Lahja Salviander, Turku
Painter Alpo Jaakola, Loimaa Municipality

1 December 1980
School Councillor Veikko Paasio, Uusikaupunki
Folk Dance Instructor Paula Paajanen, Turku

3 December 1979
Local Heritage Councillor and Mrs. Mauno and Ester Wanhalinna, Lieto
Museum Curator Valter Johansson, Parainen
Painter Viljo Hurme, Muurla

11 December 1978
Artist Aarne Paavola, Taivassalo
Writer Kaarlo Isotalo, Turku

9 December 1977
Sculptor Jussi Vikainen, Vehmaa
Dean Haakon Wainio, Turku
Writer Ole Torvalds, Turku
Teacher Arvo Saura, Salo
Professor Vilho Niitemaa, Turku
Journalist Eino Lehtinen, Turku
Violinist, Professor Tuomas Haapanen, Turku
Composer, Master of Arts Gottfrid Gräsbeck, Turku
Municipal Councillor Viljami Tammisto, Lokalahti

Facts About the Aurora Medal

The Latin word Aurora means dawn. The word has been used as a symbol of lofty, forward-looking aspirations. The medal takes its name from the Aurora Society, which operated in Turku in the 1770s and is known as one of Finland’s first cultural societies. The society studied the Finnish language, poetry, history, geography, and economic issues.

Upon reaching its 50th anniversary, the Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi wished to create a permanent and prestigious recognition award for the region. The first Aurora Medals were presented at the council’s 50th anniversary celebration during the regional days in December 1977.

The medal was designed by artist Kalle Karttunen. The front of the medal depicts a crowd of people walking toward the sunrise. The reverse side features the emblem of the old Aurora Society. According to contemporary sources, the motifs symbolize “the region’s continuously forward and upward aspirations in all areas of cultural and economic life.”

In accordance with the original award regulations, to preserve the external value of the Aurora Medal, only a few are awarded annually. The Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi maintains a register of all medal recipients.