Finnish Prime Minister Apologizes to Black Woman Subjected to Racist Abuse After Leading Lucia Festival

 

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has issued an apology to Daniela Owusu, a 20-year-old Finnish Ghanaian woman who was subjected to racist abuse after becoming the first Black Lucia to lead Finland’s annual Saint Lucia festival. Owusu’s selection for the prestigious role, part of Sweden's traditional festival of light, led to a torrent of hateful messages, sparking widespread outrage and calls for action against racism.

Owusu, who was chosen through a public vote, participated in the Lucia procession at the Lutheran Cathedral in Helsinki on 13 December, an event marking the shortest day of the year. As per tradition, the Lucia is dressed in a white gown, a red waistband, and a crown of candles, symbolizing light and hope during the dark winter months.

Despite the positive recognition Owusu received from many, the event was marred by thousands of racist messages directed at her. The abuse has since been reported to police and the Finnish discrimination ombudsman, with the organizers of the festival considering legal action.

During a visit to the Finnish parliament, where the Lucia choir performed, Orpo met with Owusu and expressed his regret over the racist comments she had been subjected to. He apologized, emphasizing his commitment to building a safe and equal Finland. His office described the meeting as "spontaneous," but did not offer additional comments.

The racist backlash followed a week of heightened tensions in Finland, marked by a far-right march through Helsinki on the country’s independence day. The march was attended by Teemu Keskisarja, a member of the far-right Finns Party, which is part of the current government coalition.

Folkhälsan, the organization behind the Lucia festival, condemned the racist messages as "deeply distressing" and said it may pursue legal action in response. They expressed gratitude to those who sent supportive messages to Owusu, reaffirming that the majority of the public stood against racism.

Viveca Hagmark, director of the association, praised the support shown by Finns across the country, while CEO Anna Hellerstedt reiterated the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, acknowledging that much work remains in the fight against racism.

Owusu, who won the public vote to become Lucia, had previously expressed her desire to serve as a role model for others, highlighting the importance of representing multiculturalism. "Lucia can look many ways," she said, underscoring her belief in diversity as a key aspect of the festival.

In response to the racial abuse, Finland’s Helsingen Sanomat newspaper published an editorial condemning the hatred that emerged in the wake of the celebration. The editorial described the incident as the culmination of a year-long debate on "dark racism" in Finland, criticizing those who used the festival as a platform for aggression. It called for a more tolerant and open-minded society, noting that the backlash highlighted the growing political weaponization of racism in public discourse.

The episode has sparked a broader conversation about racism in Finland, with many advocating for more inclusive practices and stronger efforts to combat discrimination in all aspects of public life.