Aarre diary

16th February 2005:
When visiting Libreville, Gabon, Finnish author Juha Vakkuri gets the original idea for the AARRE Museum of Returned African Art. AARRE comes from 'African ARt REturns'). He decides to establish it in Grand-Popo, Benin, next to the Finnish-African Cultural Center VILLA KARO.

March-October 2005:
Initial talks with local authorities begin in Grand-Popo, Benin

November 2005:
The government of Benin accepts the project in principle

November 2005:
NGO Aarre ry is founded in Finland

November 2005:
Community of Grand-Popo in Benin reserves land for the future museum

12th January 2006:
Helsingin Sanomat, the leading newspaper in Finland publishes a full-page story of the museum-project

14th January 2006:
The Museum project is officially launched in Grand-Popo, Benin in the presence of 14 African and Nordic Foreign Ministers. Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja welcomes other Nordic countries to join in.

21st January 2006:
The British Museum gets in touch and wants to be informed of the future development of the project.

9th February 2006:
The French news agency AFP publishes a news feature on the planned museum. The article is being published in all parts of the world from Italy and Middle East to Taipei !

13th March 2006:
Hufvudstadsbladet, the largest Swedish-speaking daily in Finland, publishes a long feature of the museum.

May 2006:
Finnish architect Marcus Ahlman is awarded a scholarship to
work on the overall design of the museum with the Beninese architect Louis
Edoh.

8th May 2006:
The Foreign ministry of the Finnish Government grants funds for the preparatory work of the museum project.

September 2006:
Study tour to museums and galleries in Cameroon and Togo

21st October 2006:
First private (financial) donation to the museum
project

30th October 2006:
Work on the initial design of the museum begins in Grand-Popo.

10th November 2006:
The mayor of Grand-Popo Eugène Kpade announces his plan to establish a National Committee for the Aarre Museum in Benin.

21st November 2006:
First private donation of African Art - 50 pieces - to the Museum.

7-8 December 2006:
Negotiations with Scandinavian development co-operation
organisations NORAD and SIDA.

12th December 2006:
Board of Directors of the Aarre organisation is to submit the
project document for the Museum to the Ministry of Foreign Affaires of
Finland.

12th December 2006:
AARRE Museum project document was submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

© 2006. Aarre ry