About us – Institut finlandais

Institut finlandais is an independent and multidisciplinary platform between Finland and France.

Institut finlandais was opened to the public in 1990. Designed by the architect Juhani Pallasmaa, the facilities of the institute are located in a former cinema, in the heart of the Quartier Latin in Paris, which is an attractive international meeting place and platform to present Finnish culture, know-how and society. The premises were renewed during a major renovation in 2017–2018, led by architect Pekka Littow’s Littow architectes, and opened again to the public in July 2018. Studio Joanna Laajisto designed the interior decorations.

Institut finlandais principal onsite activities consist of a gallery, a cinema and a café. Our café Coutume Institut is located in the Great Hall of the building, where we also regularly host talks and presentations. The furniture of the café is manufactured by the Finnish company Made by Choice, specialized in solid wood. Located on rue des Ecoles, the Galerie of Institut finlandais and its various exhibitions provide a showcase for Finnish art and design. The 60-seat auditorium on the ground floor offers regular film programs and other activities, such as Finnish language courses, led by Lea Lagerblom.

Institut finlandais in numbers:

– Great hall: 130m2, 80 seats
– Gallery: 40m2
– Meeting room (floor): 30m2, 20 seats
– Cinema: 70m2, 60 seats + 2 seats for disabled people
– Maximum capacity (Great hall and gallery): 195 people

Staff

Johanna Råman, Director

johanna.raman(at)institut-finlandais.fr
+33 (0)7 50 68 87 68

As the Director of Institut finlandais, I am in charge of the planning, execution and development of our activities with the rest of the team. Fundraising, finance, and executive management are my main responsibilities. Working in the arts is a real passion for me. I started working at the institute in August 2018. Previously I have worked for Our Festival (Meidän Festivaali), the electro-acoustic contemporary music group defunensemble, the animation studio of Rovio Entertainment and Tapiola Sinfonietta (the orchestra of the City of Espoo). I love jazz, big cities, lighthouses, long strolls and different seasons. I relax when I am surrounded by nature, water and silence.

Thomas Follain, Technician

thomas.follain(at)institut-finlandais.fr
+33 (0)7 81 57 15 75

I joined the Institut finlandais team in 2018, just before its re-opening after the renovation. I am in charge of all the technical aspects related to this magnificent building. Also, I am in charge of the IF Screenings programme, which consists of screenings, talks and festivals. After my studies in commerce and management, I started working in the theatre field. My current work in a cultural center provides an excellent possibility to observe human relations and interactions. I spend most of my free time doing sports and of course going to the cinema. Like Finns, I am amazed in front of the almighty Nature .

Tanja Juntto, Producer

tanja.juntto(at)institut-finlandais.fr
+ 33 (0)6 43 75 73 94

I started working at Institut finlandais in 2013. At the moment, I am in charge of the IF Studios visitor programme and the coordination of our interns. Before moving to France I worked in the Finnish theatre scene, which is still very close to my heart. Combining the French lifestyle with the Finnish cultural field makes me happy. I enjoy wandering in the clean nature and discovering new landscapes. For me, everyday happiness comes from small gestures made with a full heart.

Sini Rinne-Kanto, Head of Communications

sini.rinne-kanto(at)institut-finlandais.fr
+33 (0)6 16 10 44 29

I arrived in Paris in 2010 for exchange studies. I then switched my political science major at the University of Tampere for a Master's Degree in Arts Management at the Sciences Po Paris. Before taking up my position at Institut finlandais in January 2018, I worked in various work tasks in the French cultural field, for example, in publishing and contemporary art galleries. At the Institute, I am in charge of everything related to communications and marketing. What I love most about the institute is its versatile encounters: meetings and coffee table discussions are held naturally in many different languages. Literature, communications and languages are close to my heart as well as modern art. I spend most of my free time doing visual arts projects such as working closely, for example, with the art collective The Community.

Laura Vanto, Producer

laura.vanto(at)institut-finlandais.fr
+ 33 (0)6 08 74 32 63

After graduating from the University of Turku and University of Avignon, I sought to work in visual arts. Before working at Institut finlandais, I worked at art galleries in Monaco and Paris, in Brussels for the Finnish Cultural Institute for Benelux countries, and at the Maison Louis Carré in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne. Since 2010 I have represented the creative field of my mother country at the Institut finlandais in Paris. At the institute, I am in charge of the programme of the Galerie, which showcases Finnish design and crafts. Furthermore, I also take care of administrative tasks and develop the programme with the rest of the team. I like to spend my free time with my family away from the Parisian buzz. I also cultivate my dance practice which is my childhood passion.

Katariina Uusitalo, Administrative and Financial Coordinator

katariina.uusitalo(at)institut-finlandais.fr
+ 33 (0)6 38 88 03 22

Veera Mietola, Communications Assistant

veera.mietola(at)institut-finlandais.fr

Estelle Leroux, Communications Assistant

estelle.leroux(at)institut-finlandais.fr

Kaspar Björkman, Production Assistant

kaspar.bjorkman(at)institut-finlandais.fr

Anna Shemshura, Gallery Assistant

anna.shemshura(at)institut-finlandais.fr

Portraits: Jussi Kantonen.

The main purpose of the Institut finlandais foundation is to maintain and facilitate the cultural institute in Paris.

The core activities of the Institut are funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. The projects of the Institut are also financed by different private foundations and organizations. The 2019 programme is financed by: the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, Svenska kulturfonden, Finnish National Agency for Education.