Spring in Zagreb - Contemporary dance, history and a festive spirit

During the spring, Finland's centenary year and the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Croatia have given us many reasons to celebrate. Especially the performance of the leading Finnish contemporary dance group  Tero Saarinen Company and the lecture of a member of the Finnish Parliament  Mr Erkki Tuomioja at the University of Zagreb commemorated these milestones in great ways.

Tero Saarinen Company lights up the Croatian National Theatre

The 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Croatia was celebrated on March 30, 2017  in the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. One of the highlights of the evening was the appraised performance of the leading Finnish contemporary dance group Tero Saarinen Company(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window). The group was founded by dancer-choreographer Tero Saarinen in 1996 and it has captivated international audiences and critics ever since.

The performance suited the evening very well as the primary aim of Tero Saarinen Company is to promote a humane worldview and basic human values through the language of dance. Accordingly, Saarinen himself rejoiced: "Is there a better way to celebrate diplomatic relations between two countries than through contemporary dance?!"

Erkki Tuomioja (left), staff from the Embassy and Tero Saarinen Company

The guests were addressed by the Ambassador of Finland Mr. Timo Rajakangas, State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) Ms. Marija Pejčinović Burić and Dr. Erkki Tuomioja who has had an impressive career in the Finnish public service.

Erkki Tuomioja presented interesting insights about history and conflicts

The former Minister of  Foreign Affairs of Finland, Member of the Finnish Parliament and the Chairman of the Historians without Borders (Link to another website.)Erkki Tuomioja was a guest lecturer at the University of Zagreb on March 31, 2017. The lecture drew a large audience, who had come to learn about the relationship between history and conflicts as well as how historians are able to contribute to conflict prevention and resolution.

The event was organized by the Embassy of Finland and the Department for History of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Opening remarks were made by prof. dr. sc. Tvrtko Jakovina from the History Department, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Ambassador of Finland to Croatia, Timo Rajakangas. The lecture was part of a series of events organized by the Embassy of Finland and local partners to celebrate two milestones in 2017: celebration of 100 years of Finland's independence and 25 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Croatia.

Erkki Tuomioja is a foreign policy expert and Chairman of Historians without Borders(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window), an initiative he founded in 2015 that furthers public discussion about history and promotes the use of historical knowledge for peace-building and conflict-resolution.

During his rich career, Tuomioja served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in two separate terms (2011-2015 and 2000-2007).  He is a member of Finnish Parliament (1970-1979 and since 1991), Chairman of the Grand Committee for EU Affairs in Finnish Parliament (2007-2011), Minister of Trade and Industry (1999-2000), Chairman of the SDP Parliamentary Group (1996-1999) and Vice Chairman (1991-1996).  Tuomioja was a journalist before he was elected to Finnish Parliament and was also Deputy Mayor of Helsinki (1979-1991).  He has a Ph.D in political science, a B.Sc. in economics and holds a lectureship in political history at the University of Helsinki. Tuomioja is the author of 18 books, including Europe and the Nordic Fringe written in English and published in 1991