Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux
Fins Cultureel Instituut voor de Benelux
Institut culturel finlandais pour le Benelux
The aim of the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux is to promote cultural cooperation between the Benelux countries and Finland by bringing together operators in the field of culture and research. The institute makes suggestions on arts and culture projects for the local partners, and acts as co-producer and liaison between the different parties. The institute also acts as mediator of Finnish culture, including the educational system and research, and promotes cooperation between operators in Finland and in the Benelux countries.
The Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux has been in operation since 1993. It was founded by the Finnish Ministry of Education, the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Finnish Seamen’s Mission. In 2006, the institute relocated from Antwerp to downtown Brussels, close to the EU institutes and local cultural institutions. Together with other cultural institutes in the Benelux, the Finnish institute takes part in organising various international cultural events in Belgium and the Netherlands. The institute has its own international library, which includes collections of CDs and art literature and a selection of newspapers and magazines.
The Finnish Cultural Institute for Benelux is a member of EUNIC Brussels and EUNIC Amsterdam (European Union National Institutes for Culture).