The Arts Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu has decided to award the 2023 Arts Prize to musician Sakari Kukko for his outstanding lifelong career as a musician. The award amount is 10,000 euros.
The arts council justified the award as follows:
Sakari Kukko's musical career began at a young age in Kajaani. He studied various genres of music, including at the Kajaani Military Band, Orivesi Summer Courses, and the Sibelius Academy. Kukko, born in 1953, currently resides in Kuhmo.
Traveling abroad has been a significant part of Kukko's career, allowing him to explore the music cultures of different countries and interact with various musicians. In 1974, Kukko founded the Piirpauke band, which became Finland's most popular instrumental band, blending folk music, jazz, and progressive rock.
Sakari Kukko's music is diverse, combining Finnish folk melodies with, for instance, Senegalese music. Through these influences, he brings a wide range of richness and freedom to his music. This year, Kukko turned 70, and he is celebrating it with recordings and performances, including a collaboration with 40 dancers of various ages in the Hiekkaa dance piece. Kukko was awarded the Golden Gospel Award in 2009.
The Arts Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu is an expert body of the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, responsible for deciding on grants and art awards in its region. The art award is given annually to a distinguished artist, association, or community involved in the arts. The award recognizes outstanding and significant work in the current year, as well as long-term and meritorious careers or activities.
For more information:
Specialist Katariina Kummala, katariina.kummala@taike.fi, tel. 0295 330 812
Image: Klaus von Matt