The Order of the Lion of Finland awards 14 artists with Pro Finlandia honour. Musicians who receive the Pro Finlandia this year are jazz pianist-composer Iiro Rantala, singer-songwriter J. Karjalainen and opera singer Camilla Nylund-Saris.
The Order of the Lion of Finland is one of three official orders in Finland, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty and the Order of the White Rose of Finland. The President of Finland is the Grand Master of all three orders. The Pro Finlandia medal has been awarded annually to artists and writers by The Order of the Lion since 1945. Iiro Rantala is the first jazz pianist to receive the honour.
The Pro Finlandia Awards 2013:
Aaltokoski, Alpo Tapio, dancer, Helsinki
Franzén, Peter Vilhelm, actor, author, director, USA
Hotakainen, Kari Matti, author, Helsinki
Kajander, Ismo, artist, Helsinki
Kanervo, Marja Helena, visual artist, Helsinki
Karjalainen, Jukka Tapio, musician, Helsinki
Konttinen, Markus Juhani, painter, Helsinki
Nylund-Saris, Camilla Johanna, opera singer, Dresden, Germany
Peltokangas, Matti Kalevi, sculptor, Helsinki
Rantala, Iiro Emil, musician, Helsinki
Saaritsa, Pentti Juhani, author, Helsinki
Suhonen, Paola Anneli Ivana, fashion designer, Helsinki
Vormala, Timo, architect, Helsinki
Ylävaara, Anni, author, Helsinki