Teemu Keskisarja and Jenna Piirto at the Independence Day Ball in Helsinki on 6 December 2023. LEHTIKUVA
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Teemu Keskisarja, a Member of Parliament from the Finns Party, has announced he will not attend Finland’s Independence Day gala at the Presidential Palace this year. Instead, he will speak at the controversial 612 event, followed by a torchlight march in Helsinki.
Keskisarja confirmed his decision in an article published in the nationalist Sarastus magazine and on the website of the 612 association, which organises the event.
He cited personal and political reasons for his choice.
“I do not believe I deserve a lavish reception for my work as an MP,” Keskisarja wrote. “The torch march moves in the right direction, unlike the handshake queue at the gala.”
The 612 event, held annually on Independence Day, is described by organisers as a nationalist commemoration. Critics, however, link it to far-right and extremist groups, including members of the banned Nordic Resistance Movement. The march typically begins at Töölöntori and proceeds to Hietaniemi Cemetery to honour Finland’s war dead.
The event regularly draws counter-protests. The “Helsinki without Nazis” demonstration has repeatedly sought to disrupt the march, accusing it of providing a platform for far-right ideologies.
Keskisarja defended his decision by aligning himself with the event’s stated values. “The 612 crowd stands for freedom of speech and opposes the silencing of public discourse,” he wrote.
He added that Finland, as a member of the European Union, no longer embodies the independence or self-determination he believes should define the nation. “EU-Finland in 2024 is neither independent nor assertive, so let this day’s sanctity remain in history,” he stated.
Keskisarja’s decision to attend the event has sparked reactions from across the political spectrum. Past participants of the 612 march have included other members of the Finns Party, such as Simo Grönroos, the party’s former secretary, who spoke at the event in 2021. The Finns Party, known for its nationalist stance, has faced criticism for connections to far-right elements.
Authorities have historically monitored the march closely due to its associations and the risk of clashes with counter-protesters. Police are expected to oversee this year’s event as tensions remain high.
The Independence Day gala, hosted by Finland’s President at the Presidential Palace, is a long-standing tradition and one of the year’s most prominent national celebrations. Invitations are extended to government officials, military leaders, and figures from various fields.
Keskisarja’s absence from the gala breaks with the norm for MPs, who typically attend to represent their constituencies. He downplayed the significance of the event, suggesting his presence would not add value.
“My wretched existence would please no one in the televised spectacle, but let the counter-protesters enjoy their moment,” he wrote.
Keskisarja’s participation as a keynote speaker at the 612 event underscores his alignment with its nationalist themes, while also distancing himself from the formalities of state ceremonies. Critics argue that such a choice risks normalising extremist narratives.
The 612 association has faced scrutiny for its ties to nationalist and far-right movements, although organisers claim the event is open to anyone who respects Finland’s independence. Counter-protests have challenged this portrayal, arguing that the march provides a platform for extremist groups under the guise of patriotism.
Independence Day, celebrated on 6 December, marks Finland’s declaration of independence from Russia in 1917. The day is observed with solemn ceremonies, candle-lit windows, and military parades. The gala at the Presidential Palace is widely broadcast and viewed as a symbol of national unity.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
