The Endless Journey of the Rune – Kalevala Reimagined: RESULTS

Kalevala Meets Contemporary Art – Winners Selected in the International Visual Art Competition Organised by the Juminkeko Foundation

The winners of the international visual art competition The Endless Journey of the Rune – Kalevala Reimagined, organised by the Juminkeko Foundation, have been selected. The competition was carried out as part of the official program of Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture.

The aim of the competition was to encourage both professional artists and advanced art enthusiasts to explore the world of the Kalevala and interpret the stories, themes and symbolism of the Finnish national epic through contemporary visual art. Entries included paintings, drawings, printmaking, sculpture and photographic art.

A total of 285 works were submitted from Bulgaria, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland. Among the participants were also artists of foreign background living in Finland, bringing diverse international perspectives to the interpretation of the Kalevala. The jury evaluated the artistic quality and technical execution of the works, the originality of their interpretation of the Kalevala theme, and the ways in which the works reflected contemporary phenomena, values and human experiences through the Kalevala. The competition was conducted anonymously to ensure equal conditions for all participants.

The awarded works are:

1st Prize (€2000 and the opportunity for a solo exhibition at Juminkeko):
Asser Heikkinen — Kultaneito kertoo (“The Golden Maiden Tells”)

2nd Prize (€1000):
Anni Arffman — Tuonelan joutsen (“The Swan of Tuonela”)

3rd Prize (€500):
Juha-Matti Juntunen — Varo vedessä – Tuonelan henki (“Beware in the Water – Spirit of Tuonela”)

Juminkeko will organize an exhibition featuring all works selected for the second round of the competition. The exhibition will open in Kuhmo in summer 2026 as part of the Oulu2026 program. It will offer visitors an opportunity to see how the heritage of the Kalevala continues to live and evolve through contemporary art.

The Juminkeko Foundation warmly thanks all artists who participated in the competition. The competition demonstrated that more than 190 years after the publication of the Kalevala, its stories, characters and themes continue to inspire artists and give rise to new and timely interpretations.