The Hjelt Lecture Series
The Hjelt Lecture Series has been organised since 2010. The main aim is to offer an international perspective on the Finnish art scene by presenting speakers with different approaches to art. The talks are open to the public, from art enthusiasts, students and professors to collectors, gallerists and other professionals in the field.
The Allan and Bo Hjelt Art Foundation and Chappe joined forces in May 2026 to explore the connections between contemporary art, scientific inquiry, and public dialogue. Held at Chappe in Ekenäs, the event brought together audiences interested in the ways artistic and scientific perspectives can enrich one another. The programme was organised in conjunction with the exhibition Immortal by Dr. Christopher B. Jackson. Through photography, silkscreen prints, and installations, the exhibition examined themes of evolution, adaptation, and the persistence of life in changing environments. These ideas formed the basis of Jackson’s presentation, “Immortal Entropy – Survival in Chaos,” in which he reflected on how living systems respond to uncertainty, transformation, and complexity. As both a geoscientist and an artist, Jackson drew on his experience in both fields, exploring the relationship between scientific observation and artistic practice, demonstrating how each can provide new ways of understanding the world around us. The audience were invited to contribute with their own reflections throughout the event, creating an engaging exchange of ideas and perspectives. Following the talk, visitors joined a guided tour of Immortal led by the artist. The tour offered valuable insight into the thinking behind the exhibition and highlighted the connections between Jackson’s scientific background and his artistic work. By combining a public presentation with direct engagement in the exhibition space, the programme encouraged audiences to explore the artworks from multiple viewpoints and to consider the broader questions they raised. Both the Foundation and Chappe recognise the importance of making space for conversations that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and invite audiences to engage with complex contemporary themes. By bringing together research, creativity, and public engagement, the event highlighted the value of interdisciplinary dialogue and the role cultural institutions play in fostering thoughtful discussion about the challenges and opportunities of our time.
The Allan and Bo Hjelt Art Foundation and Circus & Dance Finland have established a collaboration that brings international circus expertise to Finland. Through this partnership, Swedish circus director Tilde Björfors will visit Helsinki in January 2026 as part of an initiative to foster cross-border dialogue within the performing arts sector.
6-7 June 2025, ODDfest will take place in central Helsinki. The festival brings together art, business, and society through a two-day program focused on creativity and innovation. This year, the Bo and Allan Hjelt Art Foundation is partnering with ODDfest to support a keynote appearance by American professor Arthur C. Brooks.
Two expert presentations at Helsinki Book Fair on Aino and Alvar Aalto's Italian connections
The exhibition "More than just oldsters" presents the art that has been donated to the Åbo Akademi University Foundation, as well as its donators.
We have the pleasure to invite two circus educators Lena Kruit and Rieke Hambach from MeerManege in Kiel, Germany to give a Hjelt talk, demonstrating the importance of play for creativity, the benefit of play and how it is linked to Education for Sustainable Development.
Allan and Bo Hjelt Art Foundation had the great honour to welcome Mr. Leonardo Ferragamo, Chairman of Nautor Swan, to give an inspirational design talk on Finnish-Italian collaboration in Helsinki in March.
Time: Wed, April 27 th 2022 at 5 pm Venue: Handelsgilletin juhlasali, Kasarminkatu 40, 2. krs., Helsinki Lecture in English. Sir John Stuttard has had a long association with Finland, prominent Finnish companies and Rolls-Royce-motor cars. A chartered accountant, and former Lord Mayor of London, he holds a MA in Economics. Starting in 1983, working with the firm Salmi, Virkunnen & Helenius, he assisted Finnish companies establish operations in other countries, list their shares on overseas Stock Exchanges, acquire and sell businesses and help them prepare annual reports using best international practice. These companies included Amer, Metsäliitto, Metsä-Serla, Metso, Nokia, Nordea, Outokumpu, Pohjola, Rauma-Repola and Stora-Enso. He was also, for many years, Chairman of the Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce in the UK and is now one of its two Life Presidents. For his services to Finnish companies, he was awarded the honour of Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland, as well as the Silver Medal of Helsinki. He has spent much time in Finland on business and, socially, with friends. In 1987 he completed the 78 kilometre cross-country skiing marathon, Reppu-Finlandia, from Hämeenlinna to Lahti. In 1989 he acquired his first pre-WWII Rolls-Royce, a 1934 20/25 Barker Sports Saloon which, in 1997, he drove from Beijing to Paris in a rally lasting six weeks, travelling 16,000 kilometres across the world through rugged terrain. He has also owned other old Rolls-Royce cars and his family now has a 1921 Silver Ghost Harrison All Weather Tourer which was owned originally by the Maharaja of Porbandar. For nine years, he was Chairman of The 20-Ghost Club, the oldest Rolls-Royce club in the world, and is now a Vice-President. In his recent book, “Pre-War Rolls-Royce Motor Cars with a Finnish connection”, he traces fascinating stories of Rolls-Royce-motor cars and their Finnish owners. Year: 2022
Allan and Bo Hjelt Foundation has decided to cancel The Hjelt Talk in May 2020 to keep everyone safe. We will let you know the new date for the next talk in November 2020 as soon as we can.