Obituary: A Builder of Adult Education and Church Culture

Seppo Keijo Kalervo Koistinen, a political scientist, cultural director and administrator, devoted his working life to education, culture and the arts. He died peacefully at home in Helsinki on May 26, 2026, aged 80, with his partner Kai holding his hand.

Born in Alavus on August 27, 1945, Koistinen completed his military service as a second lieutenant in 1965 and earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Helsinki in 1981. Early in his career, he held posts in regional and adult-education organizations before working as a researcher at the Ministry of Education.

The main part of his career focused on church culture and the arts. At the Central Association for Parish Activities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, he served as cultural affairs secretary from 1982 to 1988, director of cultural affairs from 1988 to 2007, and cultural director from 2007 to 2010. He later worked with the Christian Cultural Association and became its executive director, as well as administrator of the Christian Foundation for the Support of Science and the Arts.

Koistinen also held numerous public and organizational positions, including roles with the National Board of Liberal Adult Education, the Finnish UNESCO Commission’s education section, and church education and cultural bodies. After retiring, he continued his cultural work as producer of the John the Baptist oratorio project.

His family described culture, education and art as both his life’s work and a matter close to his heart. He was remembered as exceptionally cultured and warm, with a broad cultural outlook, strong social commitment and genuine interest in people. He is survived by Kai and his children Kirsi and Arto. His earlier marriage to Tellervo ended in 1995, but the two remained close friends.