Johanna "Jonna" Ovaska and the Imatra Motor Club are the 2023 Imatra Participate and Influence awardees

The awards were handed out today at the opening of Imatra's summer season at the pedestrian street Koskenpartaa.

The townspeople suggested the most Jonna Ovaskaa to be awarded with an individual prize 

One proposer describes: "Jonna helps all animals and people who need help in everyday life. Never keeps a number to yourself, a quiet creator and a warm-hearted person".

The proposers were particularly impressed by Jonna's Christmas 2022 elf adventure, which was enjoyed by families with children, the elderly, and people with developmental disabilities. Jonna the elf played pranks and snuck around at 70 ten families and in several group homes.

- A humble thank you for being taken into account in this way! Originally, the intention was to make the children happy with the elves, since I'm a real Christmas freak myself. I couldn't even think of such a gesture, Jonna thanks and continues that the elf will also be moving next Christmas.

In addition, many mentioned Ovaska's merits as the organizer of the strongman competitions in Imatra.

- Globally, the Imatra strongman competition is ranked among the best competitions in the world. Among other things, we received praiseful feedback from international professional photographers about the arrangements and the beauty of the city. Unfortunately, in the contract negotiations with the partner, an agreement was not reached regarding the organization of the event, so this year the games will not be held in Imatra, Jonna regrets.

Community award for the Imatra motor club

IMK received an award for promoting the city's recognition and enabling the work of the talko.

According to the proponents, the cleanup work organized by the Imatra Motorcycle Club will create a wonderful event that will bring recognition and tourists to Imatra.

IMK offers Imatra clubs job opportunities, which in turn make it possible to run the clubs. The Imatra Motor Club also organizes cross races in Kurkvuori and supermoto and mini supermoto races at the Saarlammi track. These are also realized through manual work.

Marjaana Pakkanen, chairwoman of the motorcycle club, thanks for the attention on behalf of the entire club

- It's really great that what we club members and the people of Talkoo do is taken into account. The city's support is really important to us and it is appreciated in the club, Pakkanen thanks.

Everyone who wants to is welcome to become a member of Imatranajo.

- 400-500 people from Talkoo are needed before the event to set up track structures, grandstands and traffic signals, as well as to guide and help people during the Imatra Run, control traffic, sell tickets and act as orderlies. There is enough work for everyone who wants it. And what could be better than being involved in making the biggest street race in the Nordic countries, he says.

There were plenty of suggestions for awardees

In May, all proposals were processed in the Participate and influence working group, which proposed the awardees to the city board for final decision-making.

Chairman of the working group Titta Myllärinen was delighted by the large number of suggestions received.

- In the case of the awardees, the emphasis was especially on emphasizing community spirit and helping without asking for the benefit of the townspeople, he emphasizes.

The awarded person will be given a 250-euro service gift card primarily for city services, and the awarded association or community will be given 500 euros to be used for future development activities.

For more information:

Titta Myllärinen, chairperson of the "Participate and influence" working group, tel. 040 761 1736, titta. myllarinenimatra.fi (titta[dot]myllarinen[at]imatra[dot]fi)