In late December, a photo of Finland’s Miss Finland representative pulling the corners of her eyes went viral, accompanied by the caption “eating with a Chinese.” The image sparked accusations of racism from governments and commentators across Finland and Asia, prompting a swift backlash that has now reached the highest levels of Finnish politics.
The Incident
The photo, shared on social media in late last month, showed Sarah Dzafce attempting to alleviate a headache. A friend had posted the image and added the caption without Dzafce’s input, according to the Helsinki Times. The caption and gesture were widely condemned as discriminatory against Asians.
Dzafce’s Response
Dzafce issued an apology on December 8, stating it was never her intention to hurt anyone. She wrote in Finnish, “The Miss Finland title is not just a crown for me, but also a responsibility. A responsibility for how I speak, how I act, and how my actions can affect people,” and added, “I take responsibility for my actions and will learn from this.” She has not responded to further inquiries from the Associated Press.
Miss Finland Organization Revokes Title
The Miss Finland Organization revoked Dzafce’s status as Miss Finland 2025, known in Finnish as Miss Suomi. The organization posted on social media, “The events of recent days have caused deep hurt, disappointment, and concern both in Finland and internationally – fully understandably,” and apologized for the harm caused. It emphasized that racism is never acceptable in any form.
Far-Right MPs Join the Fray
Several members of Finland’s ruling coalition, identified as far-right, posted photos of themselves pulling the skin around their eyes after Dzafce lost her crown. Their actions intensified the controversy and drew further criticism from the public and international observers.
Prime Minister Issues Apology
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo responded by issuing apologies to Japan and South Korea in their languages via Finnish embassy social media accounts. He stated, “These posts do not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion,” and reaffirmed that racism and discrimination have no place in Finnish society. Orpo’s statement highlighted the government’s commitment to combat the issue.
Japan’s Reaction
Japan’s government reached out to the Finnish embassy in Tokyo to express concerns about the incident. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said, “I understand that Finnish Prime Minister issued a statement expressing his deepest apology for the recent insulting posts made on social media by some parliamentarians,” and that Japan hopes to maintain close communication with Helsinki.
Impact on Tourism and Finnair
Finland is a major tourist destination for visitors from Asia, and the scandal has prompted calls on the platform X for a boycott of travel to Finland and of Finnair, the country’s largest airline. Päivyt Tallqvist, senior vice president of communications for Finnair, told Finnish broadcaster Yle that the scandal has hurt the company’s international operations, though he did not provide further details.
Finnair’s Statement
Finnair’s senior vice president of communications confirmed that the incident has negatively affected the airline’s international presence. He did not disclose specific metrics but acknowledged the broader impact on the company’s reputation and operations.
Wider International Reaction
The controversy has spread throughout Asia, with governments and media outlets in several countries condemning the photos and the subsequent political responses. The incident has become a focal point for discussions about racism and cultural sensitivity in international events.
Potential Implications for Finland’s Image
The backlash highlights the sensitivity of Finland’s image abroad, especially in relation to its tourism sector and international relations. The government’s swift apology and the revocation of Dzafce’s title signal an attempt to mitigate reputational damage and reaffirm commitment to equality.
Key Takeaways
- The viral photo of Sarah Dzafce pulling her eye corners sparked racism accusations and government apologies.
- The Miss Finland Organization revoked Dzafce’s title and issued a public apology.
- Finland’s Prime Minister apologized to Japan and South Korea, while Japan’s government expressed concern.
Finland’s handling of the incident will likely influence future diplomatic and tourism relations, underscoring the importance of cultural sensitivity in international representation.
