Finnagora to enhance Finnish-Hungarian relations

Founded in 2004 by the Finnagora Foundation, which comprises oF Finnish cities, universities, companies and civil organizations, Finnagora in Budapest is one of the 17 cultural and science institutes of Finland. This is an institute literally designed for culture.

According to director Leena Pasanen, the institution’s cultural activities focus on contemporary art and innovative projects in different fields of art. “Our programs for 2011 included a solo exhibition of tapio anttila entitled ‘Finnish white Light’, as part of the
Budapest Design Week 2011 and ‘Finnish architecture 0809’, an exhibition showcasing a selection of works by Finnish architects. the largest, Finland-related cultural project last year was definitely the ‘How we see the Finns?’ exhibition at the Museum of Ethnography,” continues pasanen. “Due to the huge number of visitors (some 90,000 people), the exhibition was prolonged,” she notes, adding that this year, design remains a key theme, especially because Helsinki is the World Design Capital in 2012. “We’re happy and honored to continue our collaboration with our partners at the Budapest Design Week and will try our best to bring something innovative and surprising for the visitors to see and experience. The media will also be in focus this year and we will be conducting seminars and workshops related to the changes in the media landscape.” The director reveals that Finnagora’s next cultural program, an exhibition entitled ‘Pekka of Finland’ will open soon (on February 9) at Karton Galéria, introducing the works of young Finnish illustrators.

“We’re also strongly present at the International Book Festival Budapest. Nordic countries are the guest of honor this year and together with our neighboring countries, we are preparing some special programming for the audience,” Pasanen promises. Finnagora operates as linkage with matters concerning science, economy and education, too, and organizes expert visits and seminars. In cooperation with the Department of Romology of the University of Pécs and the Roma Education Fund, at the end of september, 2011, Finnagora organized a seminar to promote international cooperation of experts on education of roma children and networking of Hungarian and Finnish partners. The director says they will continue organizing seminars on Roma issues this year. Finnagora works in close cooperation with the Embassy of Finland and Finpro (business and trade promotion), as all of the three operate in the same premises. The institution is a member of Eunic, the European Union National Institutes for Culture network.