Annual Report 2023

touko 2, 2024 | News

Our Annual Report for 2023 is now available to read in Finnish! The report offers an overview of our entire range of activities in 2023.

The past year was truly special thanks to the Institute’s 30th anniversary, which means a whole three decades of cultural and artistic collaboration between Finland and the Benelux. As often is the case with birthdays involving round numbers, we not only took a look back but also set our sights firmly on the future. The latter came true in a very real way with the introduction of our new strategy, which places emphasis on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion as well as ecologically and socially sustainable working methods.

Among our events, the year’s highlights included Teo Ala-Ruona’s piece ENTER EXUDE, co-produced by the Institute with the premiere held in Helsinki’s Kiasma Theatre, the screening of Suvi West’s documentary Eatnameamet – Our Silent Struggle in Brussels, the performance of COSMIC LATTE by Sonya Lindfors at the Julidans festival in Amsterdam as well as our then-intern Yohannes Henriksson’s performance titled Texture of Connection during the URB Festival in Helsinki.

Two people standing on stage. One has their arm reached and is touching the other.

Texture of Connection. Photo by Yohannes Henriksson / The Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux

We are excited to say we collaborated and engaged with over 100 artists and cultural professionals and 40+ partners from Finland, the Benelux and the Nordics! A warm thank you to everyone that we had the pleasure of working with.

You can read our full 2023 annual report in Finnish. Stay tuned for the English version, which will be published soon on our website.

Cover Image: ENTER EXUDE by Teo Ala-Ruona in Kiasma Theatre, Helsinki, Finland, 2023. Photo: The Finnish National Gallery / Pirje Mykkänen.

Institute office closed for summer break: 18.7–16.8.2026

Our office will be closed from the 18th of July to the 16th of August. You can still email us, we’ll reply after we return. Happy summer!

Ella Prokkola selected for Zoöp Connections residency with Kunstfort Vijfhuizen

The residency takes place 15 September–13 October 2026 in Vijfhuizen as part of EUNIC Netherlands’ networked knowledge exchange programme.

Start learning Finnish in Brussels or online this September!

Start your Finnish language journey with the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux. Classes are open to everyone, no matter where you are based. Registration closes on 28.8.2026.

Vilma Vanhanen selected for Zoöp Connections residency with Buitenplaats Brienenoord and Nieuwe Instituut

The residency takes place 1–30 September 2026 in Rotterdam as part of EUNIC Netherlands’ networked knowledge exchange programme.

EXPRMNTL 4 revisited: Belgian avant-garde legend to be screened at Cinéstesia

Cinéstesia, a new initiative exploring the intersection of film and visual arts at the Espoo Ciné International Film Festival, 21–30 August 2026 in Espoo & Helsinki.