The Results of the Finnbrit Writing Competition 2022

The Federation of Finnish-British Societies annual English Essay Writing Competition was held for the 39th time on the 31st of August and 1st of September 2022. The essay titles on these two dates were posted on the Helsinki Finnish-British Society website for download on the competition day. Teachers then sent in the best essays of their schools, and in all 64 shortlisted essays were received from a total of 50 schools throughout Finland.

The jury was composed of five judges, including representatives from the Finnish National Agency for Education, the Finnish-British Society and the Association of Teachers of English in Finland. The judges gave first prize to Cecilia Sippola from Ressun lukio for her historical story, a poetic and elaborate description of the destruction of Pompeii and its effect on an individual. A special mention from the judges goes to Sara Boye from Ressun lukio for her touching depiction of a childhood memory.

The standard of essays was as usual extremely high. The writers were extremely candid in exposing their feelings, the anxiety and darkness of the essays mirroring the world situation today. The judges would like to congratulate the winner and the runners-up and thank all those who took part in the competition, not forgetting the English teachers who organized the competition in schools. The competition will return to the original timetable next year and take place in mid-January 2023.

Päivi Kuivalainen
Chair, Essay Writing Competition