Making dreams come true
The career of singer-professor Mirjam Helin (1911–2006) began at the Viipuri Conservatory of Music and, following her debut performance in 1938, went on to encompass countless international aria and oratorio concerts and a long tenure at the Sibelius Academy in Finland.
Teaching was to be her chief artistic passion. Indeed, she counts as one of the foremost Finnish vocal pedagogues and made a significant contribution to the development of teaching methodology in her field.
She finally made her dream into a reality in 1981, with the creation of the Mirjam and Hans Helin fund. Profits from the fund are used to organise the International Mirjam Helin Singing Competition every five years. At the time of making her donation, Mirjam Helin expressed her wish to experience the first competition, organised in 1984. All in all, she came to see a total of five Mirjam Helin International Singing Competitions.
Always keen to support the talented young artists who participated in the competition, Mirjam Helin would travel the world to hear their performances and engaging in active correspondence.
Mirjam Helin's interview in 2004
Professor Mirjam Helin wanted the singing competition bearing her name to be the best of its kind in the world. The following interview was conducted after the fifth Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition in 2004.
Mirjam Helin's interview in 2004
Professor Mirjam Helin wanted the singing competition bearing her name to be the best of its kind in the world. The following interview was conducted after the fifth Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition in 2004.
Mirjam Helin 1911–2006
Though the patroness of the competition is no longer with us, her principles are still observed as rigidly as ever.
Hannu-Ilari Lampila has written a charming biography (in Finnish) of Mirjam Helin called Mirjamin laulu (WSOY 2000).
The article was published in the official competition handbook of the 2009 competition.
Mirjam Helin 1911–2006
Though the patroness of the competition is no longer with us, her principles are still observed as rigidly as ever.
Hannu-Ilari Lampila has written a charming biography (in Finnish) of Mirjam Helin called Mirjamin laulu (WSOY 2000).
The article was published in the official competition handbook of the 2009 competition.
40 years of celebrating vocal talent
The Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition is still fuelled by the spirit and values of its creator, the great singer and pedagogue Mirjam Helin. We met with two people who worked closely with her and saw the launch of the competition, 40 years ago.
40 years of celebrating vocal talent
The Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition is still fuelled by the spirit and values of its creator, the great singer and pedagogue Mirjam Helin. We met with two people who worked closely with her and saw the launch of the competition, 40 years ago.
The story of the competition (2013)
Professor Mirjam Helin (1911–2006) was an exceptional lady. Her long-held dream was to establish an internationally renowned singing competition in Finland. In 1981 she made her dream into reality. This is the story of the Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition.
The video is an excerpt from a documentary film made by Franck Media in 2013 about the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the organiser of the competition since 1984. The video is in Finnish with English subtitles.
Video: Parade Oy/ Franck Media Oy
