Competition Rules for the Juuka Stone Carving Festival 2026
The organizer is the association Ellin Taitaja ry. The sculpture material is a blank of soapstone donated by Tulikivi Corporation.
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.
In the 2026 competition, the best junior sculptor will be selected from among those under 25 years of age and will receive a certificate of honor.
Competition venue
The competition venue is Nunnanlahti, Joensuuntie 1226.
Competitions
1. International competition in Manual Stone Carving
Only hand tools may be used for manual sculpture.
Each competitor is assigned a worktable on which a prepared cylindrical soapstone blank with a diameter of 200 mm and a height of 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 worktable 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 competition opens in January 2026. The competitor sends his application to Ellin Taitajat ry by completing the registration form and submitting it no later than April 30, 2026.
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 the Finnish Champion.
Selection of the competitors
The competition organizer, Ellin Taitajat ry, accepts entries based on the invitation procedure.
1. maximum of 30 carvers for the international hand carving competition and
2. maximum of 10 carvers for the international machine carving competition.
If necessary, the organizer may change the number of participants.
There must be at least four participants in the Finnish championship level competition.
After the registration period, a letter will be sent to those who have registered, providing more detailed instructions on, among other things, carving locations, accommodation reservations and meal arrangements. Participants are responsible for their own accommodation costs if they do not stay at a location reserved by the competition organizers.
Participation fee
The participation fee of €70 must be paid in advance to Ellin Taitajat ry’s bank account, account number FI91 5086 0920 0725 49. The participation fee includes a sculpture blank, accommodation, meals and a competition T-shirt. The purpose of the participation fee transfer must state ”Kivenveisto 2026” and the competitor’s name. The payment receipt must be presented at the competition venue.
Drawing of the competition blanks/workstations
The blanks/worktables with consecutive numbers starting with 1 will be drawn at random among the carvers of both competitions. The drawing willl take place in advance at the carvers` meeting on the evening before the competition.
Participants in both competitions will be assigned numbers in sequential order, starting with 1. Carving blanks/workstations will be assigned in advance at a carvers’ meeting on the evening before the carving competition.
Carving, tools, equipment and work safety
- The sculpture is made from a given soapstone blank with tools that are in accordance with the competition rules 1 and 2.
- The carvers bring sketches or a model of their sculpture to the festival so that visitors can gain a better insight into the creation process.
- 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 own safety, that of the other participants and that of the public.
- The sculptor is responsible for the cleanliness of his workstation.
- The organizer is responsible for the removal of stones and stone dust.
- The sculptor brings the tools he 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. The sculptor brings his personal protective equipment to the competition venue. If the sculptor does not use the protective equipment required by the rules, his participation in the competition will be suspended until the protective equipment standards are met.
- The sculptor is responsible for his own insurance.
- The sculptor signs a liability release agreement before the competition.
- The sculptor is not permitted to use assistants in his work.
- Alcohol is not permitted to be consumed on the competition site.
- Smoking is only permitted in specially designated areas.
Work schedule
Competitors must arrive at the Tulikivi Club, Nunnanlahdentie 1075, 83940 Nunnanlahti, by 6 p.m. on July 9, 2026. At this time, there will be registration, an evening dinner, a drawing for carving places, plans for carving and a meeting for stone carvers.
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 of 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 competitors 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: usage 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. Repair bonding is permitted if the work was damaged during processing. Repair bonding may influence the jury’s assessment.
- Treatment of the topic: originality, message and idea, and expression and interpretation of the theme.
Prizes and award ceremony
The prizes in both 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 honour.
- The best Junior competitor receives a diploma.
- In both competitions, the public can vote for their favorite. The winners of the public vote receive a gift voucher worth €100.
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 sculpture from Ellin Taitajat ry. Ellin Taitajat ry uses the remaining 70% of the sale price of the sculpture to organize the stone sculpture competition.
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.