Address at Norwegian Art Exhibition

Minister Sparitis, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Art is to share, art is to communicate.

The artists featured here - "Nine Norwegians in Riga" - are sharing with us selected contemporary works in textile, printmaking, sculpture, painting and drawing.

They communicate with each and every one of us in a unique way. But the larger message of this exhibition is clear: Cultural links between Norway and Latvia are evolving.

While the conductor Mariss Jansons is still the most outstanding example of cultural exchange between our two countries, he is no longer the only one.

Later this evening, for example, I shall be meeting with the director, crew and cast of the motion picture "Virgins in Riga", the first ever Norwegian-Latvian co-production. This film in the genre of action comedy will soon be coming to Latvian movie theatres.

Norwegians and Latvians have also discovered a strong mutual interest in traditional popular culture - folk music, folk dance and folk costumes. Some 800 Norwegians took part in last summer's Nordic-Baltic Song Festival in Riga.

We know that cultural encounters can inspire and have a strong impact. The prevalence of Latvian names such as Solveiga, Nora and Gints, seems to indicate that our literary giant Henrik Ibsen has made quite an impression in this country.

Ibsen is always a tough act to follow, but I hope that you will also be touched by the works of art exhibited in this hall. Thanking all those in Norway and Latvia who helped make this event possible, I have the pleasure of opening the exhibition of Norwegian contemporary art in Riga.

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