President Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb received traditional Christmas greetings from this year’s Lucia and choir at the presidential residence in Munkkiniemi.
Daniela Owusu, elected to lead this year’s Lucia fundraising drive, sang Christmas carols backed by a small choir.
Finns, particularly among the Swedish-speaking minority, vote each year to choose a young woman to represent St Lucia. While the Lucia tradition originated in Sicily in the second century AD, it has been combined in the Nordic countries with old pre-Solstice celebrations – with Lucia often portrayed as a blonde.
The NGO Folkhälsan, which organises the annual charity event, says that this year’s choice of the Ghanaian-Finnish Owuso, a 20-year-old from Kirkkonummi, has drawn thousands of racist messages.
As a result, the group says that Lucia's symbolic role of bringing light into the darkness is particularly important this year. Lucia and her entourage visit hospitals, old-age homes and other institutions throughout the holiday season.
The organisation asked Stubb for his support in its work against racism.
In comments on Wednesday, Stubb pointed out that Lucia is seen as a source of light and a bringer of love and hope.
"In that sense, I have been concerned about the racist undertones that started the discussion with Daniela. Suzanne and I condemn all racism and stand very strongly in support of Daniela," Stubb told reporters.
Stubb said that Owusu told him that there has been significantly more positive feedback than negative messages.
"This is a small group of racists who spread this kind of thing and I hope it's the last time," Stubb said.
Stubb expressed the hope that those who send racist messages will think about how they treat their fellow human beings and offend others with their words.
Stubb also commented on the Lucia uproar in a social media post.
"Thank you to Finland's Lucia, Daniela Owusu, and her entourage for the great work you are doing to bring a message of light and care. Suzanne and I are sorry that Daniela has had to face racism. It is shocking and unequivocally wrong," Stubb wrote.
"There is still work to be done to combat racism in Finland. We stand with Daniela on the side of equality, against racism. With words and actions, we can help create a safe environment for all Finns," he added.
Since news of the racist attacks, Folkhälsan has reported an upsurge in donations to its charity drive, which benefits disadvantaged children and victims of domestic abuse.
PM meets with Lucia entourage
A day earlier, Owusu and the choir made a traditional visit to sing carols at the Parliament Building.
In an unscheduled move, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) stopped by to greet the performers, Helsingin Sanomat reported on Tuesday.
After a group photo, Orpo told the choir members that he was sorry to hear about the comments this year's Lucia had received. Orpo added that he wanted to build an equal and safe Finland for everyone.
Opposition parties have accused Orpo of helping to normalise racist comments by turning a blind eye to a long string of race-related scandals involving politicians from the NCP’s main government partner, the Finns Party.
Those began with an uproar over old racist social media posts by cabinet ministers that threatened to topple the government during its first months in office in mid-2023. In response to that, Orpo launched a government anti-racism campaign.
The nationalist Finns Party initially said they would not commit to such an initiative, then reversed course after Orpo issued statements saying that all governing parties would be involved.
Most recently, the Finns Party – and the government as a whole – declined to take any action after a Finns Party MP spoke at a far-right rally on Independence Day that included neo-Nazis and white supremacists. The Finns Party is the second largest in Parliament.
