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\u2014the same values that culture brings to society. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The Aurora Medal is a tribute to those who work for the benefit of culture, arts, and sciences\u2014those who maintain light, joy, and shared faith in the future in Varsinais-Suomi.[\/nectar_responsive_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” bottom_padding=”50″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” id=”bluepanels” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_responsive_text inherited_font_style=”default” text_color=”#003554″ text_direction=”default”][\/nectar_responsive_text][toggles style=”minimal_shadow” border_radius=”none”][toggle color=”Accent-Color” heading_tag=”h4″ heading_tag_functionality=”default” title=”Aurora Medal Recipients”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_responsive_text inherited_font_style=”default” text_color=”#003554″ text_direction=”default”][\/nectar_responsive_text][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]9 May 2025<\/strong> 7 May 2024, the 100th Aurora Medal<\/strong> 9 May 2023<\/strong> 10 May 2022* 2 July 2021<\/strong> 26 October 2020<\/strong> 9 December 2019<\/strong> 10 December 2018<\/strong> 11 December 2017<\/strong> 12 December 2016<\/strong> 7 December 2015<\/strong> 8 December 2014<\/strong> 2 December 2013<\/strong> 10 December 2012<\/strong> 12 December 2011<\/strong> 13 December 2010<\/strong> 14 December 2009<\/strong> 8 December 2008<\/strong> 10 December 2007<\/strong> 11 December 2006<\/strong> 12 December 2005<\/strong> 22 November 2004<\/strong> 1 December 2003<\/strong> 25 November 2002<\/strong> 22 October 2001<\/strong> 16 October 2000<\/strong> Medal Recipients from 1977 to 1999<\/p>\n 18 October 1999<\/strong> 19 October 1998<\/strong> 13 October 1997<\/strong> 14 October 1996<\/strong> 25 September 1995<\/strong> 14 October 1994<\/strong> 13 October 1993<\/strong> 7 December 1992<\/strong> 18 November 1991<\/strong> 3 December 1990<\/strong> 11 December 1989<\/strong> 12 December 1988<\/strong> Ballet Teacher Raija Lehmussaari, Turku<\/p>\n 19 November 1987<\/strong> 8 December 1986<\/strong> 2 December 1985<\/strong> 3 December 1984<\/strong> 28 November 1983<\/strong> 22 November 1982<\/strong> 30 November 1981<\/strong> 1 December 1980<\/strong> 3 December 1979<\/strong> 11 December 1978<\/strong> 9 December 1977<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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.” <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”14742″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” screen_reader_text=”Aurora-mitali”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#ADD8E6″ scene_position=”center” bottom_margin=”100″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” id=”subpagebanner” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column left_padding_desktop=”50″ top_padding_tablet=”50″ bottom_padding_tablet=”35″…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":22129,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-22128","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22128"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22131,"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22128\/revisions\/22131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/varsinais-suomi.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nMatti Ruohonen and Teppo Ruohonen, Turku<\/p>\n
\nPuolala Comprehensive School Music Classes and Puolalanm\u00e4ki Music High School, Turku<\/p>\n
\nJazz musician, Executive Director Jussi Fredriksson, Turku<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Tuula and Harri Gustafsson, Mathildedal Ironworks, Mathildedal, Salo<\/p>\n
\nFinnish Agricultural Museum Sarka, Loimaa<\/p>\n
\nChief Executive Officer Liisa Ketom\u00e4ki, Turku Music Festival, Turku<\/p>\n
\nKalevala, \u00c5bo Svenska Teater, Turku<\/p>\n
\nBuilding Researcher Eija Suna, Turku<\/p>\n
\nMuseum Director Laura Luostarinen, Salo
\nPainter Johanna Oras, Koski tl
\nTurkuseura \u2013 \u00c5bosamfundet<\/p>\n
\nPuppet Theatre Artist, Theatre Director Timo V\u00e4ntsi, Turku<\/p>\n
\nCircus Artists Pauliina R\u00e4s\u00e4nen and Slava Volkov, Kustavi<\/p>\n
\nCultural Secretary Juhani Heinonen, Loimaa<\/p>\n
\nDance Theatre Eri, Turku<\/p>\n
\nPerforming Artist Michael Monroe, Turku<\/p>\n
\nEditor-in-Chief Riitta Monto, Turku<\/p>\n
\nTheatre Director Mikko Kouki, Turku<\/p>\n
\nCartoonist Ilkka Heil\u00e4, Kaarina<\/p>\n
\nRector of the University of Turku Keijo Virtanen<\/p>\n
\nMusic Commander Captain Timo Kotilainen, Turku<\/p>\n
\nPoet Heli Laaksonen, Laitila<\/p>\n
\nCultural Ombudsman Birgitta Br\u00f6ckl, Pargas<\/p>\n
\nArchitect Lauri Hollm\u00e9n, Salo<\/p>\n
\nComposer Mikko Heini\u00f6, Turku<\/p>\n
\nBA Hanna Nurminen, Merimasku<\/p>\n
\nProgramme Director Kari J. Kettula, Turku<\/p>\n
\nLaiho-Pulkkinen-Raunio Architects Ltd, Turku<\/p>\n
\nMaster of Arts B\u00f6rje L\u00e5ng, Turku
\nProfessor Sakari Hinneri, Uusikaupunki<\/p>\n
\nTourism Entrepreneur Paula Wilson, Dragsfj\u00e4rd
\nWriter Harri Raitis, Turku<\/p>\n
\nTurun Soitannollinen Seura
\nMusician Pentti Viherluoto
\nArtist Raimo Aarras, Uusikaupunki
\nReciter Kirsti M\u00e4ki, Mellil\u00e4<\/p>\n
\nEntertainer Joel Hallikainen, Raisio
\nPhotographer Per-Olof Welin, Turku
\nSea Captain Henrik Pettersson, Turku
\nTour Guide Arja von Sch\u00f6neman, Turku<\/p>\n
\nSchool Principal Antti Lehtinen, Turku
\nStage Director Ville Johannes Helenius, Turku
\nLecturer Irma Kyllikki Savo, Karinainen<\/p>\n
\nPainter Valdemar Kaski, Turku
\nAgronomist Riitta Jumppanen, Loimaa
\nBusiness Development Officer Ilmo Jaramo, Kustavi<\/p>\n
\nFarmer Lauri Nautela, Lieto
\nOffice Manager Renee Lauren, Turku
\nAntologia Group, Turku<\/p>\n
\nProfessor Unto Salo, Turku
\nParish Councillor Lea Simula, Laitila
\nLocal Heritage Councillor Ernst Lindroos, Kemi\u00f6<\/p>\n
\nTurku Provincial Museum
\nPrincipal Raija Kouri, Loimaa Municipality
\nExecutive Director Alla Bergen, Salo<\/p>\n
\nOpera Singer Karita Mattila, Perni\u00f6
\nArtist Max Salmi, Kalanti<\/p>\n
\nLocal Heritage Writer Taavi Kilpi, Kustavi
\nProfessor Arje Scheinin, Turku<\/p>\n
\nTheatre Director Gullan Wahlstr\u00f6m, Naantali
\nWriter Juhani Merilahti, Turku<\/p>\n
\nMaster Per-Olof von Weymarn, Parainen
\nActress Kaarina Vahtonen, Turku
\nProfessor Rauno Tenovuo, Turku
\nWriter Tuulikki Soini, Naantali
\nLocal Heritage Councillor Boris Saarmaa, S\u00e4rkisalo
\nSculptor Harry Kivij\u00e4rvi, Helsinki
\nPhotographer Veikko Hulkko, Loimaa
\nProfessor Kaarlo Hartiala, Turku
\nInterior Architect Carin Bryggman, Turku<\/p>\n
\nPainter, Professor Kauko Lehtinen, Turku
\nBotanist Aarre Koskinen, Piikki\u00f6<\/p>\n
\nWriter V\u00e4in\u00f6 P\u00e4\u00e4kk\u00f6nen, Turku
\nPainter Yrj\u00f6 Lalla, Myn\u00e4m\u00e4ki
\nProfessor Paavo Kallio, Turku<\/p>\n
\nLocal Heritage Councillor Arto Vaajasaari, Laitila
\nDecorative Painter Reino Mattila, Turku
\nWriter Pirkko Jaakola, Loimaa<\/p>\n
\nTheatre Director Olavi Vaara, Salo
\nPainter Nikolai Lehto, Turku<\/p>\n
\nActress Inke Maattola, Turku
\nLocal Heritage Councillor Tapio Horila, Somero<\/p>\n
\nPhysical Education Instructor Lahja Salviander, Turku
\nPainter Alpo Jaakola, Loimaa Municipality<\/p>\n
\nSchool Councillor Veikko Paasio, Uusikaupunki
\nFolk Dance Instructor Paula Paajanen, Turku<\/p>\n
\nLocal Heritage Councillor and Mrs. Mauno and Ester Wanhalinna, Lieto
\nMuseum Curator Valter Johansson, Parainen
\nPainter Viljo Hurme, Muurla<\/p>\n
\nArtist Aarne Paavola, Taivassalo
\nWriter Kaarlo Isotalo, Turku<\/p>\n
\nSculptor Jussi Vikainen, Vehmaa
\nDean Haakon Wainio, Turku
\nWriter Ole Torvalds, Turku
\nTeacher Arvo Saura, Salo
\nProfessor Vilho Niitemaa, Turku
\nJournalist Eino Lehtinen, Turku
\nViolinist, Professor Tuomas Haapanen, Turku
\nComposer, Master of Arts Gottfrid Gr\u00e4sbeck, Turku
\nMunicipal Councillor Viljami Tammisto, Lokalahti [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][\/toggles][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”]Facts About the Aurora Medal<\/h3>\n