University of Lapland students design a new artwork for Rovaniemi – residents can vote for their favourite

Published 9/23/2026 3:47 PM

The City of Rovaniemi and the University of Lapland have organised a design competition for University of Lapland students. The aim of the competition was to create a distinctive artwork that reflects the character and identity of Rovaniemi.

A total of 16 students or student groups took part in the Rovaniemi artwork design competition organised by the City of Rovaniemi and the University of Lapland. Three entries have been selected as finalists, and residents of Rovaniemi can now vote for their favourite. Voting is open at rovaniemi.fi/aanestys until 27 September. The public’s favourite will receive a prize of €500.

The final decision will be made by the competition jury. The jury consists of Joonas Hänninen, Mayor of Rovaniemi; Antti Syväjärvi, Rector of the University of Lapland; Susanna Viitala, Chair of the City Board of Rovaniemi; Riitta Kuusikko, Director of the Rovaniemi Art Museum; and artist and expert Jaana Erkkilä-Hill. The jury will select the winner and decide how the €5,000 prize money will be divided among the three finalists.

The City of Rovaniemi will decide at a later stage whether and how the artwork will be realised. The competition was initiated following a motion by city councillors calling for, for example, large city letters to be created in Rovaniemi. Through the competition, the aim is to find an even more distinctive and original artwork for Rovaniemi.

Pitkin poikin

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Rovaniemen kruunu (The Crown of Rovaniemi)

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