The Mirjam Helin Competition is funded by the Mirjam and Hans Helin Donor Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation. Professor Mirjam Helin (1911–2006) was a singer and a highly regarded singing teacher who made a significant donation to the Cultural Foundation. She wanted her donation to help establish the world’s premier classical singing competition in Finland.
The competition has been organised every five years by the Finnish Cultural Foundation since 1984. From 2024, the competition will be arranged every three years.
The competition became a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions in 1987.
The founder of the competition
Mirjam Helin (1911–2006)
It was Mirjam Helin’s long-held dream to establish an internationally renowned singing competition in Finland. She finally made her dream into a reality in 1981, with the creation of the Mirjam and Hans Helin fund.
The founder of the competition
Mirjam Helin (1911–2006)
It was Mirjam Helin’s long-held dream to establish an internationally renowned singing competition in Finland. She finally made her dream into a reality in 1981, with the creation of the Mirjam and Hans Helin fund.
Previous competitions
It has a reputation for being one of the leading international singing competitions, and many of its former prizewinners, such as Olaf Bär, Elīna Garanča, René Pape, Andrea Rost and Julia Lezhneva have later risen to the top of the world of singing.
Previous competitions
It has a reputation for being one of the leading international singing competitions, and many of its former prizewinners, such as Olaf Bär, Elīna Garanča, René Pape, Andrea Rost and Julia Lezhneva have later risen to the top of the world of singing.
The organiser of the competition
Finnish Cultural Foundation
The Mirjam Helin Singing Competition is organized by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, one of Europe’s largest private foundations. It builds a pluralistic and sustainable society, promote research, art and culture, and encourage future talents to strive for breakthroughs. Mirjam Helin is one of the most significant donors in the history of the Cultural Foundation.
The organiser of the competition
Finnish Cultural Foundation
The Mirjam Helin Singing Competition is organized by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, one of Europe’s largest private foundations. It builds a pluralistic and sustainable society, promote research, art and culture, and encourage future talents to strive for breakthroughs. Mirjam Helin is one of the most significant donors in the history of the Cultural Foundation.