BREAKING NEWS: Bronze Statue of Tarja Turunen Unveiled in Finland to Honor Symphonic Metal Icon
A life-size bronze statue of Finnish soprano and symphonic metal legend Tarja Turunen was unveiled today in her hometown of Kuusankoski. The monument, commissioned by the Finnish Cultural Heritage Council and funded in part by international fan donations, celebrates Turunen’s pioneering role in blending operatic vocals with heavy metal—a genre-defining contribution that put Finland on the global music map.
The statue, placed at the town’s cultural square near the Kouvola Music Institute where Tarja first studied, captures the artist mid-performance: arms raised, long hair flowing, microphone in hand, with a flowing cloak reminiscent of her iconic stage attire.
Hundreds of fans from across Europe gathered for the emotional ceremony, many wearing Nightwish and Tarja tour merchandise. Turunen, now 47, attended the event with her family and gave a short speech.
> “To be remembered in bronze here, where I first found my voice… it’s overwhelming,” she said, wiping away tears. “This is not just my statue—it belongs to every dreamer who found strength in music.”
Former Nightwish bandmate Marko Hietala and renowned Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen both paid tribute in recorded video messages. Local school choirs performed selections from Turunen’s solo repertoire and Nightwish classics like Nemo and Sleeping Sun.
The statue was sculpted by acclaimed Finnish artist Elina Kauppila, who spent over a year perfecting the piece. “Tarja isn’t just a singer—she’s a force of nature,” Kauppila said. “I wanted the sculpture to capture both her elegance and her power.”
The monument is expected to become a major cultural landmark in Kuusankoski, with the local tourism board already adding it to guided music history tours.
Fans are encouraged to leave flowers, letters, or musical tributes at the statue, especially on August 17—Turunen’s birthday.
