From 5 September to 25 October, 2025 a satellite exhibition of the Finnish Glass Biennale’s main exhibition will be held at Institut finlandais, Paris. Opening on 4 September 2025 as part of Paris Design Week.

Finland is known as a design nation and glass in particular has a long tradition in the country. The knowledge, craft and skills of handmade glass production were inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023, an initiative co-led with six European countries including Finland and France.

 

A NEW INTERNATIONAL GLASS EVENT

In June 2025, the very first edition of the Finnish Glass Biennale in Iittala, Riihimäki and Nuutajärvi, a region known for its glassmaking tradition in Finland, invited international creative professionals and anyone passionate about glass art or cultural tourism to experience and explore the boundaries of Finnish glass and design. The Finnish Glass Biennale is a project led by the City of Riihimäki, the Finnish Glass Museum and Luovi Productions.

The diverse programme of the biennale included demonstrations, workshops, guided tours, and an exhibition at the Old Glass Factory in Riihimäki, presenting pieces by major contemporary glass artists, completed by a special showcase by Japanese designer Akira Minagawa, titled “Historical Works of Finnish Glass Artists – From Art to Everyday Life”. 

 

COMING TO PARIS IN SEPTEMBER 2025

The Finnish Glass Biennale, Paris edition invites the international audience to experience the biennale’s main exhibition through its own satellite exhibition at Institut finlandais. It is the only opportunity to experience the exhibition abroad.

Artists participating in the satellite exhibition in Paris include Jasmin Anoschkin, EGS, Matias Karsikas, Aleksi Puustinen, Kimmo Reinikka, Helmi Remes, Sauli Suomela, Tommi Toija. Their works come to life across the spaces of Institut finlandais, sharing a glimpse of contemporary Finnish glass art. The main wall of Café Maa is taken over by Sauli Suomela’s Elements, inspired by water, earth, fire and air.

In addition, Institut finlandais’ gallery will exhibit a part of Akira Minagawa’s curated selection of Finnish glass classics from the archives of the Finnish Glass Museum. An occasion to discover pieces by Finland’s most renowned glass designers, such as Tapio Wirkkala, Kaj Franck and Oiva Toikka.