Tuusula’s Cultural Figure of the Year is musician Mika Saatsi

Mika Saatsi, who was awarded the Cultural Award of the Year and a cash prize of €1,000, is a composer for the band Loimolan Voima, a Karelian language teacher, a podcast host and a work supervisor. Loimolan Voima’s debut album Ruttomuẓ̌ikan kyynäl was selected as the folk music album of the year in 2020. Saatsi also performs solo and in other ensembles.

Over 40 suggestions for the Culture-Friendly Person of the Year were received. The jury wanted to highlight Saatsi’s work as a creator of new folk music and a promoter of Karelian culture.

– A big thank you for this wonderful summer surprise! It feels good to be honoured by the cultural patron for our cultural engagement. It feels especially good to receive it here in Jokela, my home village. The entire prize money will go towards the production of digital releases by the vocal ensemble Bratanoiden and the band Tulenlendo. Soon there will be new Karelian-language material to listen to, says Mika Saatsi.

The Culture Award was presented at the Tuusula Day event on Saturday, 22 July, at the Jokela brick factory.

– Numerous nominations were received from various cultural fields. Mika Saatsi has made significant contributions to music and earned his place in the folk music genre. I am delighted to present this award to a local artist in Jokela, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, says Kari Kinnunen, Chair of the Culture and Leisure Committee.

The annual award can be given to an individual, association or community that has revitalised, renewed or promoted culture in Tuusula through its activities. The award can be given to a cultural actor, event or activity. The aim of the cultural award is to encourage cultural actors and show appreciation for innovative cultural activities.

The award includes a certificate of honour and a cash prize. The certificate of honour was designed by Ville Savimaa, a graphic designer from Tuusula. The award has been presented three times, previously to Krapin Paja (2021), Jekku ry (2022) and Hanni Autere, the driving force behind the Arvokamaa musical (2023).

Anyone can nominate candidates for the Culture Award each year using an online form available from 1 January to 1 June on the cultural services website at www.tuusula.fi/vuodenkulttuurimyonteinen.

Selected from the proposals

He creates a new type of folk music in the endangered Karelian language. Loimolan Voima’s debut album, Ruttomuẓ̌ikan kyynäl, was selected as the folk music album of the year in 2020. He also performs in the bands Tulenlendo, Saatsi & Shemeikka and Pajojoukko bratanat, which he founded, composing and partly writing the lyrics for the songs. Saatsi also promotes the culture of the ceded Karelian-speaking region of Karelia. Saatsi teaches the southern dialect of the Karelian language at the Tuusula College. He has translated Jaakko Teppo’s song Hilima ja Onni into Karelian, which is also a great cultural achievement.

Mika (Saatsi) does valuable cultural work by promoting Karelian traditions and language.

“Mika does valuable cultural work by promoting Karelian traditions and language. Evacuees also arrived in Tuusula at one time, and they are still alive today. This is incredibly important for future generations. When we remember, we make it visible. The subject is part of our country’s history. It touches people and brings Karelian culture to the attention of today’s generation.”