The AINOA Opening of I was born a girl

On Monday we finally opened the "I was born a girl " exhibition here in Finland and it was simply the most warm and wonderful event we could have imagined. We are still floating a few inches above the ground and found it so hard to pick the first photos to share. We decided however to start by thanking those who were behind this excellent event.

Elina Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland- who due to her busy schedule could not accompany us but kindly sent us her compelling welcome speech by video. Thank you for the work you do to promote this important value, gender equality around the world and for recognizing the power of art and culture to evoke conversations about it.

Paula Parviainen Ambassador for Culture and the Creative Industries at the MFA - for sharing with the audience the success of the exhibition in Mexico with 26,000 visitors coming to see Minna's art and reading her poems in Spanish. Thank you for your support and your tireless work for Finnish culture around the world.

Sima Al-khafaji, Content and Communications Specialist at the MFA - thank you for your important words about the constant need to strive for gender equality, which must never be taken for granted, for your kind support and deep understanding.

Jaana Hirsikangas, Executive Director of UN Women Suomi - thank you for the amazing collaboration and support for this exhibition and most of all for your unwavering work for women's rights around the world, you are simply incredible.

Susanna Tommila, Cultural Director at Espoon kaupunki - Esbo stad - City of Espoo of Espoo - thank you for helping us find such a perfect space for the exhibition and for your kind support throughout the organization of it.

Johanna Hytti, singer & songwriter - thank you for your friendship and for sharing your amazing songs with us and for becoming part of this project, just love how serendipity brought you to us!

Emma Winiecki, Head of Communications at UN Women Finland - thank you for your enormous work with the texts about the women's rights exhibited , which play an imperative role in the entirety.

Helena Kujanpää and the whole team at Grano, thank you for your great support!

The wonderful team at Kauppakeskus Ainoa: Marja-Liisa Finska, Ria Leppävuori and Alisa Kankainen,who have not just made this all happen but also been such a great pleasure and fun to work with - THANK YOU!

And of course each and everyone who came to celebrate the opening with us!

A heartfelt thank you! ❤️