2025 Competition Rules for the Juuka Stone Carving Festival
The organizer is the association Ellin Taitajat ry. The sculpture material is a soapstone blank
donated by the company Tulikivi Oyj.
There are two competitions
1. International competition in Manual Stone Carving and
2. International competition in Machine Stone Carving
In both competitions, the best Finnish participant is honored with the title of Finnish Champion.
Competition venue
The competition venue is Nunnanlahti, Joensuuntie 1226.
Rules
1. International competition in Manual Stone Carving
Only hand tools may be used for manual sculpture.
Each competitor is assigned a work table on which a prepared soapstone blank measuring
200 x 200 x 300 mm is positioned.
The addition of other materials and the use of surface treatment agents is prohibited.
The use of water is permitted.
2. International competition in Machine Stone Carving
Electric and pneumatic tools as well as hand tools may be used in machine sculpting.
Each competitor is assigned a work table on which a prepared soapstone blank measuring
300 x 300 x 400 mm is positioned.
The addition of other materials and the use of surface treatment agents is prohibited.
The use of water is permitted.
Competitors
The international competitions are open to all Finnish citizens and foreigners aged 16 and over.
Competitors under the age of 18 must enclose a consent form from their legal guardian with their
application.
Registration for the competition
The competitor sends his/her application to Ellin Taitajat ry by completing the registration form
and submitting it no later than May 15, 2025.
The registration form is available here: REGISTRATION FORM
The competitor registers either for the International Competition in Manual Stone Carving or the
International Competition in Machine Stone Carving. All Finnish participants are automatically
considered for the nomination of Finnish Champion.
Selection of the competition participants
The organizer of the competition Ellin Taitijat ry accepts the applications. The invitation procedure
is carried out on the following basis.
1. maximum 10 sculptors for the International Competition in Manual Stone Carving
2. maximum 10 sculptors for the International Competition in Machine Stone Carving
If necessary, the organizer can change the number of participants.
At least four participants must take part in each of the competition at Finnish championship level.
After the registration deadline, a letter will be sent to those who have registered with more
detailed information, including information on the sculpting locations, accommodation
reservations and catering options. If participants do not wish to stay in accommodation booked by
the competition organizer, they must cover the cost of accommodation themselves.
You can find self-funded accommodation options from Juuka at REGISTRATION FORM.
Participation fee
The participation fee of €50 must be paid in advance to Ellin Taitajat ry bank account, account
number FI91 5086 0920 0725 49 BIC OKOYFIHH. The participation fee includes a sculpture blank,
accommodation, meals and a competition T-shirt. The purpose of the participation fee transfer
must state as Kivenveisto 2025 and the name of the participant. The payment receipt must be
presented at the competition venue.
Drawing of the competition blanks/workstations
The blanks/workstations with consecutive numbers starting with 1 will be drawn at random
among the participants of both competitions. The drawing will take place in advance at the
sculptors' meeting on the evening before the competition.
Sculpting, tools, equipment and work safety
The sculpture is made from a given soapstone blank.
The work equipment and work methods used must not be harmful or dangerous for persons
present or for the environment.
The sculptor undertakes to follow a working method that takes into account his/her own safety,
that of the other participants and that of the public.
The sculptor is responsible for the cleanliness of his/her workstation.
The organizer is responsible for the removal of stones and stone dust.
The sculptor brings the tools he/she needs to the competition as well as all extension cables and
compressed air hoses required. The organizer ensures access to compressed air, electricity and
water near the workstation.
The sculptor must wear personal protective equipment, which includes at least safety shoes,
hearing protection, eye protection and respiratory protection. He/she brings his/her personal
protective equipment to the competition venue. If the sculptor does not use the protective
equipment required by the rules, participation in the competition will be suspended until the
protective equipment standards are met.
The sculptor is responsible for his/her own insurance.
The sculptor signs a liability release agreement before the competition.
The sculptor is not permitted to use assistants in his/her work.
Alcohol is not permitted to be consumed on the competition site.
Smoking is only permitted in specially designated areas.
Work schedule
The competition participants must arrive at the Tulikivi Club, Nunnanlahdentie 1075, 83940
Nunnanlahti by 6:00 p.m. on July 10, 2025. This is where the sculptors' meeting, registration, joint
meal, drawing of the competition blanks/workstations and the preliminary meeting will take place.
The competition time is:
Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Jury
The jury for the competitions (3-5 people) is selected by the organizer. It consists of
representatives from the art, sculpture and stonemasonry trades. The jury members will follow
the work of the competition participants and begin evaluating the finished works on Sunday at 12
noon.
On the basis of the evaluation criteria, the jury will select three works to be awarded prizes. The
jury's decision is binding.
Evaluation criteria
The evaluation criteria are:
The overall artistic impression, the artistic-emotional experience of both the figurative and
abstract sculpture, which often arises from the first impression, taking into account structure and
composition.
Technical competence: use and processing of the stone. The quality of the work is judged on
whether the finishing and other solutions (surface treatments) support the artistic impression.
Dealing with the theme: originality, message and idea, as well as expression and interpretation of
the theme.
Repair bonding is permitted if the work was damaged during processing. Repair bonding can
influence the jury's assessment.
Prizes and award ceremony
The prizes for the two competitions, International Manual Stone Carving and International
Machine Stone Carving, are:
I prize €300
II prize €200
III prize €100
In both competitions, the best Finnish sculptor receives the title of Finnish Master and a certificate
of honor.
In both competitions, the public can vote for their favorite. The winners of the public vote receive
a gift voucher worth €200.
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Ownership of the competition sculptures
The sculptures created during the competitions remain the property of Ellin Taitajat ry. The owner
also reserves the right to auction the sculptures or hold other sales events. The sculptor receives
30% of the sale price of his/her sculpture from Ellin Taitajat ry. Ellin Taitajat ry uses the remaining
70% of the sale price of the sculpture to organize future stone sculpture competitions.
Audiovisual material of the competition
The organizer has the right to use photos and recordings made in connection with the competition
in its topic-related communication.