Finland is at the center of a global controversy after Sarah Dzafce, the country’s delegate to last month’s Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, shared a photo that many have deemed racially insensitive. The image, which went viral, shows Dzafce pulling the corners of her eyes in a gesture widely recognized as offensive toward East Asians. Compounding the issue, the photo was accompanied by the caption, “eating with a Chinese,” further inflaming public outrage.
Dzafce, 22, has since been stripped of her Miss Finland crown. She later explained that the gesture was a spontaneous reaction to a headache during dinner and claimed that a friend added the offensive caption without her consent. Despite her explanation, the backlash has been swift and widespread, drawing criticism not only from individuals but also from East Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, and China.
Finland’s Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, described the incident as “thoughtless and stupid,” warning that the controversy had been damaging to Finland’s international reputation. Dzafce issued a public apology on Instagram, expressing regret and emphasizing her respect for people of all backgrounds. She wrote, “That was not my intention in any way... One of the most important things for me is respect for people, their backgrounds and differences.”
Despite the apology, some critics dismissed it as insincere, noting that it was written in Finnish, which they claimed limited its accessibility to the affected communities. The controversy deepened when two Finnish right-wing MPs, Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, posted photos of themselves mimicking Dzafce’s gesture in an apparent show of support. After receiving backlash, the MPs removed the posts, and Eerola apologized, suggesting that Dzafce had been subjected to a “disproportionately harsh punishment.”
Prime Minister Orpo condemned the MPs’ actions as “childish” and stressed that lawmakers should set an example of proper conduct. Meanwhile, Finland’s national airline, Finnair, reported that the controversy had impacted its image abroad, with some calls for tourist boycotts. The airline emphasized that such posts do not reflect its values and reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming all customers with respect.
The episode has sparked broader discussions about racism in Finland. A Japanese resident in Finland launched a petition calling for an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination, gathering over 7,000 signatures. The Finnish embassy in Japan acknowledged receiving numerous inquiries about Finland’s efforts to combat racism, emphasizing that the issue remains a challenge requiring ongoing, concerted efforts.
The Miss Finland Organisation called Dzafce’s dethronement a “difficult but necessary” decision. In a statement, the organisation stressed that holders of the Miss Finland title are role models who must respect all individuals regardless of their origin, background, or appearance. They concluded: “We are deeply sorry for the harm these events have caused. Especially to the Asian community, but also to everyone affected. Racism is never acceptable in any form.”
This controversy adds to the tumultuous context of the recent Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, which was already marked by walkouts and allegations of rigging. For Finland, the episode serves as a sobering reminder of the global sensitivity surrounding issues of race and cultural respect.