The message reads, in part:
“This year, the forum is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence and is larger than ever before. The forum’s guests include delegates from government agencies, regional and local governments, members of parliament, as well as workers of culture, art, science and education.
The forum’s packed agenda is evidence of the continued growth of Russian-Finnish cultural cooperation, which included exchanges between cultural institutions, schools and public organisations, regular festivals and tours by performance groups, as well as mutually enriching joint projects in education.
I hope that the forum’s debates will produce interesting new ideas and initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral cultural ties, trust and mutual understanding between the people of Russia and Finland.”