President Meri welcomed everybody present and pointed out the reasons why the opinion of the French is important to the Estonians. The art public of Paris, as well as the foreign diplomats working in Paris, the Estonians living in Paris and the French Estophiles had been asked to attend the presentation. Also Christian Poncelet, the President of the French Senate, who is also the patron of the exhibition, gave an address. Signe Kivi, the Minster of Culture, had also participated in the opening of the exhibition.
Ever since its opening, the exhibition has been visited by up to 1,000 people a day; the exhibition consisting of the works of the top painters of the 20th century Estonia was composed by Olev Subbi, and the issuing of the exhibition catalogue was financed by the President of the Republics Cultural Foundation.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, August 30, 2001
