On Thursday, the 26th of February 2009, President of Finland Tarja Halonen visited Kotka. President Halonen and Managing Director Timo Mähönen had a brief discussion on cultural policy, and President Halonen received an invitation to the opening of an exhibition by photographer Jussi Aalto on the 27th of May 2009. In addition to Tarja Halonen, Jussi Aalto has also photographed the former presidents Urho Kekkonen, Mauno Koivisto and Martti Ahtisaari.