The landmark renaissance building housing the Finnish Institute (Villa Lante) is currently being restored, but the Finns have generously offered The Norwegian Institute to borrow their lecture hall in their temporary residence in Via Garibaldi. The students from the universities of Oslo and Bergen have had lectures in-situ at Romes monuments and museums and in the fabulous villa just some minutes away from the Norwegian Institute.
The Institutum Romanum Finlandiae, the foundation which runs the Finnish Institute in Rome, was established in Helsinki in 1938, and bought Villa Lante at Gianicolo in 1950. Their main focus is on academic research and student courses, but they also have a mandate related to art, especially visual arts, and offer residences to artists, students and researchers.
Il Circolo Scandinavo (the Scandinavian Association) has been an important meeting place and inspiration for Scandinavian artists and scholars in Rome since 1860. This term they have embraced the students (classical studies, architecture and art history) from Norway who have enjoyed their living room, garden and library at weekly social gatherings, and the Circolo has also let our teachers rent accommodation at their premises.
The Circolo offers a residency programme, work and networks for artists from Nordic countries, and facilitates cultural exchange and collaboration between the Nordic countries, Italy and the rest of the world.
The Circolo is situated in Via di San Sabina 8 at the Aventine hill.
The Circolo is currently facing severe budget cuts, but we hope decision-makers will turn around this year. We encourage our readers to have a look at their website and become a member to support this important platform for culture, art and artists.
We would like to thank The Finnish Institute in Rome and the Circolo Scandinavo for their support and collaboration this Spring!