Tuusula: a culturally thriving municipality that rewards and promotes cultural figures

Culture and art promote the well-being and health of municipal residents. This contributes to savings in social and health care costs. Culture and the arts are particularly important in promoting mental well-being and preventing loneliness. The work of arts and culture professionals has a wide-ranging impact on the local economy.

Events, leisure activities, tourism, education, welfare services and business activities generate income and jobs for municipalities. Cultural activities increase the municipality’s visibility and attractiveness and create a positive image of the municipality. Cultural activities strengthen the sense of community, participation and opportunities for influence among residents. Cultural activities create local pride and a sense of togetherness. Culture and the arts are important in supporting the intellectual atmosphere of a municipality and as a platform for education and growth.

Tuusula is known as a cultural municipality. We have a very impressive cultural history, and many international artists have had an impact on Tuusula. Even now, our municipality is full of professionals and experts in various fields of culture. These are people who bring joy and light to people’s everyday lives and celebrations through their art. The coronavirus pandemic has really highlighted the problems facing the cultural sector. Grants have been returned and programmes postponed. This is responsible and sensible, but unfortunately poses a challenge for people in the field. Culture is a welfare service for residents of all ages. It is implemented through cooperation between different municipal departments and organisations.

So we desperately need to highlight our culture and the resulting pride in our homeland and sense of community.

I propose that we give greater prominence to contemporary culture and the people who are currently influential in this field. We have a gala for successful athletes. We need something similar for culture. This would be a permanent annual gala and a showcase for cultural figures. It could also include a municipal vote for the cultural figure and work of the year. The gala awards could be grouped in the same way as the grants, with the addition of age groups, taking young people into account, etc. The municipality has at least one award for literature, and this could be linked to the same gala. The main focus of the awards and recognition is on attention and showing appreciation, not on the size of the prize.

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