Ville Valo is one of the recipients of the Finland Award for Culture in 2025.
Ville Valo received the Finland award for culture. Inka Soveri
Ministry of Education and Culture announced on Tuesday about the recipients of the 2025 Finland awards for culture. The Minister of Science and Culture, Mari-Leena Talvitie, awarded the Finland awards for culture to a total of ten artists and activists.
One of the recipients of the award is musician Ville Valo.
In the award criteria, it is said that Valo brought Finnish rock and metal to global popular culture with the band HIM and also opened doors for other Finnish bands on the international market. The foundations also mention Valo’s successful solo career under the artist name VV.
– The love metal style developed by Ville Valo with HIM has achieved a cult reputation and left a lasting mark on international rock history. Valo has received numerous international honors. He has been chosen several times as one of the world’s best metal singers and the most charismatic frontmen of rock, the award criteria say.
The award ceremony was broadcast live on Yle’s streaming service In the arena. Valo accepted the award personally and was handed a blue and white flower bouquet.
– My parents usually like my award and my mother loves flowers, so this is going exactly as it should be, Valo told his thoughts about the win on stage.
Hosted the event Crete-Maria Kivioja asked Valo if we can expect a comeback from HIM. The band ceased operations in 2017.
– At least not for a moment. I tried to tickle those guys a bit, but they have better things to do.
Valo, on the other hand, promises music from his VV project in the future.
HIM is one of the most famous Finnish bands in the world. Photo by Tavastia from 2010. JOHN PALMEN
The other awardees are gallerists Ilona Anhavacomposer Jussi Fredrikssontranslator Katriina Huttunena writer Tommi Kinnunensculptor Nora Schroderusa dance artist Pirjo Yli-MaunulaEspoo Theater, Saimaa Theater and Ilmajoki Music Festival.
Espoo theater was awarded a certificate of honor for its ambitious and diverse production of international repertoire. The other prize winners received a prize amount of 12,660 euros.
Last year, the Finland awards for culture were awarded to, among others, the director To Tiina Lym and a writer For Pajtim Statovci. At that time, the prize amount was 14,250 euros.
Two years ago, the award was given to, among others, a musician Maija Vilkkumaaa writer Sofi Oksanen and actor Elina Knihtilä. In 2023, the amount of the prize was 15,000 euros.
The recipients of the prize, which has been awarded since 1993, are decided by the Minister of Science and Culture.