PRESSRELEASE: Hilja Mörsöri is awarded the "Rakkaudesta kirjaan" prize

Rakkaudesta kirjaan prize is awarded to an individual or a unit which has promoted reading and the position of literature with credit and over a long period or has otherwise brought awareness to literature through their own activities.

The prize committee rewarded a long career as a promoter of reading

For more than 50 years Hilja Mörsäri has carried out valuable work in many ways on behalf of reading and literature. As a well-versed and understanding teacher of Finnish she has inspired thousands of young people and adults to become life-long friends of the book.

During her long school career Hilja Mörsäri has taught all over Finland, her longest period at Hämeenlinna but also at Kouvula, Kuusamo and Tornio. She has written several study and practice books and has edited collections of articles and fiction anthologies.

As a supporter of writers and authors and as creative advisor she is legendary. She has helped dozens of writers to find their own voice and core and to cross the publication threshold.

Hilja Mörsäri began producing her own finely-tuned fiction in 1958 with her collection of poems Kome vuodenaikaa (Three Seasons). In addition to collections of poems she her published work includes aphorisms.

Retiring from teaching work in the 1990s, Hilja Mörsäri has continued actively and enthusiastically to promote literature. She has led literary circles, trained amateurs, written widely herself and has read manuscripts as a creative advisor.

The prize committee

The prize committee is comprised of 2008 The Finnish Book Publishers Association Chairman Veli-Pekka Elonen , literary editor Pia Ingström , writer, arts professor Olli Jalonen , professor Laura Kolbe , writer Sofi Oksanen , editor-in-chief Jarmo Papinniemi and cultural editor Reetta Ravi .

Each year Suomen Messusäätiö provides 400 000 euros in prizes for the promotion of Finnish economic life. These include The Internationalization Awards of the President of the Republic, the Kaj Franck design prize and the aforementioned Rakkaudesta kirjaan prize.