A silver collector coin is minted in honour of composer Fredrik Pacius based on Pertti Mäkinen’s proposal “Kuulla ja kokea” (Hear and experience)

In March 2009, two hundred years have passed since the birth of composer Fredrik (Friedrich) Pacius.

He was born in Germany, but lived the larger part of his life in Finland. Pacius has significantly influenced Finnish music by composing, among others, the Finnish national anthem and the first Finnish opera “The Hunt of King Charles”.

The Collector Coin Committee set by the Finnish Ministry of Finance arranged a public competition for the designing of the coin. A total of 17 proposals were received. The competition was won by sculptor Pertti Mäkinen with his proposal “Kuulla ja kokea” (Hear and experience”), which the jury considered to be sprightly, fresh, and implemented with a light touch. According to the jury, Mäkinen’s proposal was also created using space and symbolism. The artist himself had found the subject of the competition a demanding one and had viewed it through the historical significance of Pacius’ music. Mäkinen says that the curtain of his work “Kuulla ja kokea” (Hear and experience) symbolises the opening of the Finnish opera stage. He also wanted the realization to be spacious, so as to leave room for the viewer’s imagination.

In addition to the winning work of Mäkinen, four other proposals received awards. These were given to sculptor Tapio Kettunen for his proposal “Ääni Suomelle” (“A Voice to Finland”), to architect Markku Viitasalo for his proposal “Satona soiva maa” (“The earth sounds with crop”), to sculptor Reijo Paavilainen for his proposal “Sävel” (“Tune”), and sculptor Pirkko Viitasalo for her work “Lorelei”.

The following persons were members of the jury for the Fredrik Pacius collector coin: as chairman Professor Yrjö Sotamaa from the University of Art and Design, and as members Senior Budget Secretary from the Ministry of Finance Ms Marja Kirppu, CEO of Mint of Finland Ltd Maarit Aarni-Sirviö and curator of the Ateneum Art Museum Heikki Halme. As art expert members acted Pekka Harni, Antti Keitilä, Eero Lintusaari, and Tapani Länsiö. Sinikka Ravander from Mint of Finland Ltd functioned as secretary.

The competition proposals are on display at the Helsinki University of Art and Design during 8th - 12th December, 2008. The address is Hämeentie 135 C, Helsinki.

COLLECTOR COIN COMMITTEE

For additional information, please contact:

In matters related to the Collector Coin Committee, the designing of collector coins, and similar, Chairman of the Collector Coin Committee Mr. Yrjö Sotamaa, Professor of the University of Art and Design, Helsinki, tel. +358 (0)9 75 631, yrjo.sotamaa@taik.fi

Concerning sales, issued amounts, and questions related to technical matters, Mint of Finland Ltd, Sinikka Ravander, Executive Assistant, tel. +358 (0)9 8943 4332, sinikka.ravander@mint.fi