Finnish Artists Embarrassed Themselves Over the Eurovision Song Contest

Over the weekend, Finland selected a representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, I don’t know what kind of song she sings because I stopped following the competition a long time ago.

I decided to write about it today, though, because many well-known Finnish artists with leftist leanings—Eija Ahvo, Eero Ritala, Minna Haapkylä, and Sara Meller—are demanding that Finland’s national broadcaster boycott the contest if Israel participates. Israel’s representative is Yuval Raphael, who survived Hamas’s terrorist attack on the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, by hiding in a bomb shelter under dead bodies. Despite this, she still has shrapnel in her head and leg from the attack.

To me, the demand made by these Finnish artists in this situation says everything about their morality. In short, it is murderous, criminal, cowardly, utterly rotten, and downright stupid. And for that, I feel deep secondhand embarrassment on their behalf.

However, everyone is responsible for their own words and actions. And it is not the fault of the rest of us Finns if someone wants to showcase their support for terrorism.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Eurovision Song Contest Funding Faces Pushback Due to Woke Ideology
During the Eurovision song spectacle, the incompetence of EU officials was revealed
Palestinians: acknowledging facts is the beginning of wisdom!

Eurovision Song Contest Funding Faces Pushback Due to Woke Ideology

Some Swiss people have grown tired of the Eurovision Song Contest, which they believe has become an event that mocks Christian values, promotes anti-Semitism, and advocates for the interests of sexual minorities. As a result, in the canton of Basel-Stadt, which hosted last year’s winning country, a referendum will be held to decide whether the canton should contribute to financing the event.

The competition is planned to take place in the same canton, which would also be expected to participate in its funding, even though the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) bears the primary responsibility. If the people of Basel vote to withdraw financial support, the ten-day competition will be scaled down to a single-day event.

This case might not seem particularly significant, but it highlights how far-left ideologies that have spread globally from the United States in recent years are beginning to irritate ordinary people, who often feel targeted by them. The same phenomenon is evident in politics, where politically conservative parties are currently enjoying success.

It remains to be seen whether the Basel referendum will reinforce this trend. The issue is somewhat ambiguous, as the Eurovision Song Contest is a long-standing tradition, but its content has increasingly embraced a "woke" spirit. Thus, there are both conservative and value-liberal reasons to support or oppose it.

As for me, I haven’t followed the Eurovision Song Contest in a long time and won’t be doing so this year either—regardless of what the people of Basel decide. That said, I’ll conclude by linking the only Finnish entry to ever win the competition.

Aiempia ajatuksia samasta aihepiiristä:
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Biafran rebel leader living in Finland

Simon Ekpa is an immigrant living in Finland, and leads his armed Biafran forces in Nigeria via social media. When interviewed, he said that he accepts military - violent - behavior from his troops against Nigerian army or police, but not against civilians.

As my reader may recall, Biafra attempted to gain independence from Nigerian rule in the late 1960s but failed. The independence war is remembered for the first TV reports showing starving children. And that is why in Finland parents still say that children have to finish their food because Africans are starving - although no one knows how that could help children living far away.

In Finland, Biafra is also remembered for its national anthem, which is "Finlandia" composed by Jean Sibelius. And actually, in the opinion of many Finns, this composition should also be changed into the national anthem of Finland. 

Coming back to Simon Ekpa and his attempts to separate Biafra from Nigeria. His actions are not appreciated in Nigeria, and there has been contact with the Finnish government.

The Nigerians have said - referring to actions of Ekpa in Nigeria - that "it seems that the situation is getting out of hand. And we say: too much is too much. We are telling you in the strongest possible terms that it is high time that you support Nigeria's efforts to do something about it immediately as the situation threatens the upcoming elections."

The fact, however, is that Finland has freedom of speech and the government has no legal way to stop Ekba from taking the message he wants to his supporters in Nigeria. And therefore the man can go ahead and call on his supporters to boycott Nigeria's upcoming elections as long as he does not commit illegalities according to Finnish law. 

Ekpa may, however, face some troubles. That is because he is an active local politician of the major Conservative party of Finland, which is considering right now what to do with him. Perhaps he will be expelled from the party.

The case is interesting in many ways. One thing, however, is clear: if the people of Finland's autonomic region - Åland - wanted to become independent, it would happen without problems by organizing a referendum in that province. There would be no need for war or violent terrorism to achieve the goal.

So let us wait and see what happens to Simon Ekpa and his Biafran people in Nigeria. Will he become a major politician in independent new country, or is he going to be forgotten as someone who caused a bit of trouble far away from his home in northern Europe. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Independence day of Finland now and 83 years ago
Corruption in Nigeria may affect Europe
Aikamme uskonsodat (Religious wars of our time; readable in English using Google translator)

Vakartšuk of the Okean Elzy: Finnish history inspires Ukrainians

Okean Elzy is the most popular Ukrainian rock band. And they are right now giving a tour of concerts in Northern Europe. The leader of the band, Svjatoslav Vakartšuk, was interviewed by Helsingin Sanomat, the biggest newspaper in Finland. 

During the interview he told, that he went to register himself as a volunteer immediately after Russia attacked his home country. He was, however, asked to continue as a musician to give Ukrainians inspiration to stand the war. And that he has done. 

The band has decided to give 400 tickets of their Helsinki concerts to Ukrainian refugees in Finland. And part of the profit from the two concerts will be directed to the victims of the war. 

In his interview Vakartšuk told that "you may not know how much your history inspires us. You showed that a small country can resist a much bigger neighbor. That is a common theme of discussions in Ukraine. Thanks for that."

I am pleased to hear that the sacrifices given by my grandparent´s generation are still used for something good. Both of my own grandfathers were injured during the second world war, but stayed alive. After saying that, I want to emphasize that I certainly hope Ukraine as an independent country will do the same! 

And to become another example of a small country surviving an unfair attack by its much bigger neighbor. And indeed: right now the situation seems to be excellent! Slava Ukraini!

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Tradition of low professional ability among Russian security agency and dictators
It takes heroes to avoid genocide
An ignorant mediahouse failed again in historical facts