The next Biennale is to be held from December 1 to 9, 2007 in the Fortezza de Basso, Florence, Italy. The Florence Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition held every two years in the historical Fortezza da Basso. The jury is the most authoritative in the world. In 2001, the United Nations recognized the Florence Biennale as an official partner in the program “Dialogue Among Nations”. The artists of the Biennale, despite their linguistic, philosophical, and spiritual differences, have found a common language in art to communicate their cultural values, illustrating Kofi Annan’s statement, “Art opens new doors for learning, understanding, and peace among people and nations”. The Biennale facilitates a profound artistic encounter by allowing artists from all over the world to meet, dialogue and share experiences with each other  and with their wider audience.