In June 2016, the French Ambassador to Finland, Serge Mostura, awarded the Officer’s Cross of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres to Riitta Nelimarkka.
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, led by the Ministry of Culture, is to “recognize individuals who distinguish themselves through their creativity in the fields of art or literature, or who contribute significantly to making art and literature known in France and around the world.”
Ambassador Serge Mostura gave a speech to Riitta Nelimarkka at the celebration event. Here are some of the highlights from his ceremonial speech:
“Describing your art with words is somewhat a challenge. It is an art to be experienced, not to be described. It is a world of colors, bright and enchanting, A world where the forms seem modest, sometimes naïve even childish. A world of sensibility and sensitivity which may be in turns joyful, humorous and also melancholic.
This, nevertheless, I believe is a superficial impression, I would say an optical illusion. Your art for real is the fruit of many thoughts served by an impressive technique.
– – Paris often features in your works because the city has a special place in your heart. You studied painting there, and it’s also a family tradition since your grandfather also studied painting in Paris at the beginning of the XXth century.
– – The French Cultural Institute hosted in the spring and summer of 2015 an exhibition of some very fine artworks with drawings, woolen reliefs and photomontages from the Seven Brothers visiting Paris monuments. I remember the Open Doors in September 2015, you personally lead the visitors through this exhibition.
In the spring of 2015, you together with the French Institute organized a culinary and artistic experiment in Bonga Castle under the name “Papilles Art”. On this special occasion, a cook created a menu that looked like your art works. As always, you were a delightful and spirited hostess and the evening left wonderful memories to the participants.
– – Mme Riitta NELIMARKKA, au nom du Ministre de la Culture et de la Communication, nous vous faisons Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.”