The round-table conference on Europe-Asia creative industry came to a close in Helsinki, Finland on Sept. 7. Pia Virtanen, minister of the Finland Ministry of Culture, introduced the role of Finnish culture in its national economy and social life, and expressed her expectation of further Sino-Finland cultural exchanges.
The Finnish economy was trapped in an unprecedented depression in the 1990s. However, it has leaped into a great power of scientific and technological innovation after its strategic adjustment. Virtanen considered culture as an important boost to the revival of the Finnish economy.
Culture industry has an important place in the Finnish national economy, with its direct contribution rate up to 3%--3.6%. The Finnish government has observed the great economic potential of cultural and creative industry and taken the initiative to promote cultural exportation. Virtanen believed that cultural and creative industry would play a part in Finland’s economic recovery as it contributed a lot to economic growth with the accompanying spillover effect in other economic fields.
Virtanen added that there was a great surge in Finnish cultural products’ international engagement, and some remarkable achievements, such as the games “Angry Birds” and “Clash of Clans”. Also a great many startups and emerging companies carried the style of Finnish design masters Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen forward in the fields of architecture and design, continuing the glory of former days.
To raise awareness of Finnish culture, the Finnish government has taken a series of promotional measures, with China as its first choice. Virtanen said, “More and more Finnish artists go to China to hold their exhibitions, which helps Chinese people know more about Finland. And I heard that some young Chinese fans even come to Finland for concerts of the bands they love.” Virtanen insisted that some specific measure be taken to further promote Sino-Finland cultural exchanges.
The Helsinki government signed an agreement with the China Ministry of Culture, making China as the guest of honor at the Helsinki Arts Festival next year, during the mid-June visit of Liu Yunshan, member of the 18th CPC Politburo Standing Committee and First Secretary of the Central Secretariat of the CPC, to Finland. Virtanen said he looked forward to the event.
The round-table conference involved about 300 cultural and creative experts from countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Finland, Sweden and Norway, covering various fields in architecture, design, music and fashion. The conference put its focus on the features of Nordic culture and the challenges its products might face when entering Chinese market.
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