Daniela Owusu, 20, was crowned Lucia of Finland last week. She has received thousands of racist messages on social media. Owusu’s relatives have also received racist messages.
However, the racist storm against this year’s Lucia has led to a backlash on social media, and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, among others, has expressed his sadness over Lucia’s situation. The presidential couple Alexander Stubb and his wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb have also expressed their dismay at the incident when today they received the traditional Christmas greetings from the Lucia train at the president’s official residence in Munksnäs.
The collection breaks records
Public Health, which organizes Finland’s Lucia, has also reported on the backlash against the racism directed at this year’s Lucia. For example, the annual Lucia fundraiser has received many times more money in donations compared to previous years. The funds from the Lucia collection are used to help people who, for various reasons, need support in everyday life. During December-January, Finland’s Lucia makes almost a hundred visits to hospitals, nursing homes and other various events.