Minister Arhinmäki to attend International Contemporary Art Fair in Madrid

Ministry of Education and Culture

14.2.2014 9.23

Press release -

Paavo Arhinmäki, Minister of Culture and Sport, will be visiting Spain between 15 and 20 February to attend the ARCOmadrid Fair and various lateral events. The International Contemporary Art Fair being held in Madrid, Spain, is one of the biggest events in the Spanish-speaking world. This is the first time Finnish visual arts are jointly presented so extensively in in the Spanish-speaking world.

During his stay in Spain, the Minister will meet Jose Ignacio Wert, the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain.

Finland is this year?s Guest of Honour at the ARCO Fair. Finland?s programme, #FocusFinland, consists of 13 galleries, the Kiasma Lounge and the #FocusFinland Pavilion. Finland?s participation at the Fair is being coordinated by Frame Visual Art Finland. #FocusFinland is a joint effort with the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, the Embassy in Madrid, the Finnish Institute in Madrid and the Finpro organisation.

Minister Arhinmäki will be holding a speech at the #FocusFinland opening on Wednesday 19 February and will be stopping by in other Finnish and international galleries at the ARCO Fair, and he will also visit the Finnish exhibition at the IFEMA Convention Centre.

On Thursday the Minister will take part in the opening of the ARCO Fair where he will be presenting Finnish galleries to the Spanish Prince and his spouse. It is estimated that around 160,000 people will visit the Fair.

The Minister will visit the Finnish Institute in Madrid, meet members of the Team Finland network during his journey, take part in the opening ceremonies of Finnish exhibitions and will open the exhibition being held by the Mustarinda collective in the Trapezio Gallery. The Minister will also participate in the opening event of an art education seminar at the University of Complutense (Universidad Complutense de Madrid). It is the biggest university in Spain.

Inquiries: Ms Zabrina Holmström, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs, tel. +358 40 768 1284