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Norwegian Singer Sissel Kyrkjebø performs during the Tom Holdman Studios Roots of Humanity Fundraiser in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

Courtesy August Miller

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The Seven Pillars of Humanity Creativity Award presented to Sissel Kyrkjebø on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

Courtesy The Roots of Humanity Foundation

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For years of humanitarian work around the world, singer Sissel Kyrkjebø was awarded the first Seven Pillars of Humanity Creativity award by The Roots of Humanity Foundation on Saturday.

Kyrkjebø was given this award for her history of actions that represent the good in humanity, according to a press release distributed by The Roots of Humanity Foundation. She serves as an ambassador for UNICEF and creates music with positive and uplifting messages.

Kyrkjebø, from Bergen on the west coast of Norway, is considered by many to be a Norwegian national treasure. She has performed with artists across genres including Celine Dion, Sting, Willie Nelson, Josh Groban and the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

She has also received several awards in her home country, as well as be named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 1995 and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2005.

“[The Pillars of Humanity are] something that everyone should see throughout the world,” Kyrkjebø said in a press release. “[They] go straight to my heart. You have given me this creativity award, and I feel like I should give you a creativity award.”

Kyrkjebø is the first-ever recipient of the Seven Pillar Creativity Award. In August, the first Seven Pillar Courage award was given to Mary Major, and the organizations expects to deliver the Seven Pillar Knowledge, Faith, Love, Unity and Freedom awards later this year.

“Sissel emanates all of the characteristics of human capability,” Tom Holdman, artist and founding board member for the Roots of Humanity Foundation, said in a press release. “We couldn’t be more pleased to honor her talent as a singing artist around the globe.”

The Seven Pillars of Humanity awards correspond with the Seven Pillars of Humanity promoted by the organization — these pillars are Knowledge, Creativity, Faith, Love, Unity, Freedom and Courage.

“The structure will be home to the largest stained glass art creation in the world and will serve as a place of personal inspiration, reflection, healing, and growth, with a purpose to educate, unite, and connect individuals by expressing all the commonalities of humanity,” reads a press release distributed by The Roots of Humanity Foundation.

Each of these pillar panels is 3.5 feet wide, stands at 7 feet tall and depicts a landscape of one of the seven continents.

The Roots of Humanity Foundation is a Lehi-based nonprofit organization dedicated to art and education to foster esteem, connection and creativity within individuals while unifying and inspiring communities.

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