Nordic Colours in Brussels

The exhibition of Enn Kunila’s collection of art “Nordic Colours. Estonian art 1910-1945 from Enn Kunila’s collection” was open to visitors at the European Parliament in Brussels from 23-26 September 2013. The exhibition consisted of 34 paintings by Konrad Mägi, Ants Laikmaa, Ado Vabbe, Elmar Kits, Lepo Mikko, Endel Kõks and others. An exhibition catalogue and a book providing an overview of the collection, both written by art historian Eero Epner, were published in English to mark the exhibition. The designer of the exhibition was Tiit Jürna.

Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, who opened the exhibition, praised Estonia’s fight for its well-deserved place in European cultural history. Director General of the Art Museum of Estonia Sirje Helme spoke about the importance of Estonian paintings in European art history and introduced the newly published English book about the collection.

Eero Epner introduced the exhibition and Kunila’s collection.

Kunila said that organising an exhibition in the heart of Europe was very important to him. “I’ve always emphasised that Estonian art is one of the calling cards of the country,” he said. “I’m pleased to give this card to the European Parliament, its members and guests.”

The exhibition was organised with the help of Estonian MEP Kristiina Ojuland.

This was the second exhibition of Kunila’s collection abroad. The exhibition ‘Viron Värit’, which consisted of more than a hundred paintings, was held in Taidehalli in Helsinki in 2010.