The Finnish Ministry of Education rewarded sculptor Eila Hiltunen with the FINLAND PRIZE in December 2000.

Statement:
Professor Eila Hiltunen is one of the pioneers of modern Finnish sculpture as well as one of our most outstanding artists internationally. The naturalistic and cubist-constructive early works of Hiltunen transformed into informalism and abstract form in the end of 1950's. She was one of the first sculptors in Finland who started using new materials and new welding techniques. One of the earliest works of this new style was a striking fountain made for the Bank of Finland in 1961; an abstract work welded from copperplates which is considered the first purely abstract sculpture produced for the Finnish public.

The period of Hiltunen's abstract expression culminated in the revealing of the Sibelius Monument in 1967, which represented a new way of thinking. This led to the final breakthrough of the public modern sculpture in Finland. The Monument has attained an unreserved support from the general public and it has definitely established its place as a part of our common national iconography.

The achievements of Eila Hiltunen's wide and succesful international career are to be found around the world e.g. in New York, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Teheran and Jeddah. Hiltunen has gained both national and international recognition for her works. She was honoured with the title of a professor in 1974.

The FINLAND PRIZE was also granted to the following artists: artist Katri Helena Kalaoja-Rajala, director Kaisa Korhonen, architect Juhani Pallasmaa, designer Oiva Toikka, head of the national ballet Jorma Uotinen, author Sven Willner and film director Taru Mäkelä and manuscript writer Raija Talvio, designers of the Galilei 2 -Island of Adventures- computer game Henri Roth, Jari Majanen, Antti Seppänen and Jouni Malinen.