HELSINKI – Finland’s government is currently grappling with intense backlash and allegations of racism following a controversial incident involving its representative at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. Sarah Dzafce, who recently held the Miss Finland title, was captured in a photograph pulling the corners of her eyes—a gesture that many have denounced as offensive and racially insensitive.
The photo, which quickly gained traction on social media, was accompanied by the caption “eating with a Chinese.” The fallout was immediate, with officials and commentators from both Finland and various Asian nations condemning the post as discriminatory.
Dzafce, who earned her title just last month, claims she was attempting to relieve a headache when the image was taken. She indicated in interviews that a friend had shared the private photograph, and she was not involved in the captioning. As of Thursday, Dzafce had not responded to inquiries from The Associated Press.
On December 8, she issued a heartfelt apology via social media, emphasizing that she never intended to cause harm. “The Miss Finland title is not just a crown for me, but a responsibility,” she expressed in Finnish, reiterating her commitment to learn from the situation and take accountability for her actions.
However, the Miss Finland Organization swiftly moved to revoke her title in light of the controversy. In a statement on social media, they acknowledged the pain and disappointment the incident had caused, both domestically and internationally. “We are deeply sorry for the harm these events have caused, particularly to the Asian community, and to everyone affected. Racism is never acceptable in any form,” they wrote.
As the controversy unfolded, a cluster of far-right Finnish politicians sided with Dzafce, further escalating the tensions. Some members of the ruling coalition shared their own images mimicking the same eye-pulling gesture, aggravating the outcry.
The situation has captured attention across Asia, prompting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to extend apologies to several countries, including Japan and South Korea, in statements broadcast through the social media accounts of Finnish embassies.
“These posts do not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion,” Orpo stated. “Racism and discrimination have no place in Finnish society. Our message, both domestically and to our international friends, is that the government takes racism seriously and is committed to confronting this issue.”
Reacting to the incident, Japan’s government has expressed concerns through its diplomatic channel in Tokyo. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed the Japanese government’s hope for continued dialogue with Helsinki, thanking the Finnish Prime Minister for his apologies.
Finland, a popular destination for Asian tourists, is now facing calls on social media platforms for a boycott of travel to the country and its national airline, Finnair. Following the outcry, Päivyt Tallqvist, the airline’s senior vice president of communications, acknowledged that the scandal has adversely affected their international operations, although specific details were not disclosed.
As discussions continue, the Finnish government is under pressure not only to address the immediate fallout but also to reaffirm its commitment to fostering a more inclusive society.