Tommi Kinnunen receives the Mikael Agricola Medal from the Finnish Cultural Foundation!

“Named after Agricola, the father of literary Finnish language, this award is particularly appropriate in its recognition of Tommi Kinnunen, who has published four award-winning novels, plays and cabaret texts, as well as study materials.  

Kinnunen’s debut novel WHERE FOUR ROADS MEET (2014) received three awards (Book of the Year, Thank you for the Book Prize, Nuori Aleksis Prize). The book was shortlisted for the Finlandia-Prize as well as for Helsingin Sanomat newspaper’s Debut of the Year Prize. His subsequent novels THE LIGHT BEHIND THE EYES (2016) and DEFIANCE (2020) were nominated for the Finlandia Prize, too. THE GLASS RIVER  (2018) won the Botnia Prize. In 2020 Kinnunen, “the one who shakes us awake” was awarded the Minna Canth Prize. Kinnunen’s works have been translated into over 20 languages.

To the educator, the author, to the one who courageously sparks debate.”