Rudolf Koivu 2025 Award Exhibition

Every two years, Grafia, the Finnish Association for Visual Communication Designers, awards the Rudolf Koivu Prizes for the best illustrations in children’s and young adult books. The prize was established in 1949 to honor the life’s work of illustrator Rudolf Koivu, one of Grafia’s founders and the association’s first secretary. Its aim is to elevate the standard of illustration in children’s literature. The awards are funded through Kopiosto copyright fees and support from the Amer Cultural Foundation.

In the 2025 competition, three main prizes were awarded: the first prize (€15,000) went to Maria Vilja for her illustrations in Kesän ainoa kaunis päivä (“The Only Beautiful Day of Summer”), the second prize (€10,000) to Jussi Kaakinen for Maailman pahimmat paikat (“The Worst Places in the World”), and the third prize (€5,000) to Tuomas Kärkkäinen for Terveiset Kalevalasta (“Greetings from the Kalevala”). In addition, the jury granted seven honorable mentions.

The Luonnos Gallery exhibition features 10 works selected by the jury, offering visitors an immersive experience into the illustrations and stories that represent the current pinnacle of Finnish children’s and young adult literature.