KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attended Hazara Culture Day in Finland and thanked the Hazara community for its contributions to Finnish society, marking the first time a head of government has participated in the annual celebration.
Speaking at the festival organised by the Hazara Culture House in Finland on June 1 in Järvenpää, Orpo highlighted shared values between the Hazara community and Finnish society, particularly regarding education and equality.
“The Hazara community has always placed great value on education,” Orpo said. “We know that Hazaras were among the first groups in Afghanistan to fight for girls’ access to education. This is very meaningful because education and equality are extremely important to Finland as well.”
Addressing the audience, he added, “I believe there is enormous potential in your community. You are welcome in Finland and you play a role in building our shared future. I thank you for that.”
He praised the event for showcasing how language, music, literature, art, and traditional clothing help preserve cultural identity, especially for communities living far from their homeland.
The prime minister also raised concern over the human rights situation in Afghanistan, pointing to Taliban restrictions, particularly those affecting women and girls, and described discrimination against them as “unacceptable.”
Speaking at the event, Latif Fayaz, head of the Hazara Cultural House in Finland, described the difficult journey Hazaras have taken. “Hazaras in Afghanistan have faced discrimination, repression, and massacres throughout history,” he said. He expressed gratitude to the Finnish government and people for welcoming them with open arms.
“Hazaras today consider Finland their home, and peaceful coexistence with different cultures is one of the cultural characteristics of the Hazaras,” Fayaz added.
Local representatives also acknowledged the role of the Hazara community in Finnish civic life, noting their participation in social activities and encouragement of engagement in local democratic processes.
The festival featured a cultural program showcasing rich Hazara heritage. Children in traditional Hazara attire recited poetry, while singers Elaha Soroor, Hafiz Habibi and Shaheen Sahar performed live music and folk songs that drew applause from the audience. A painting of the Bamiyan Buddhas by artist Nasrullah Paik was presented to Prime Minister Orpo as a symbolic gift.
On the sidelines of the main event, an exhibition showcased traditional Hazara food, paintings and intricately embroidered clothing, drawing attention from attendees.
Hazara Culture Day has been observed annually since 2017 on May 19. What began as a single-day celebration has grown into a month-long series of events held in cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. Several local governments and cultural organizations in countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Pakistan have officially recognized the day.
Hazaras are an ethnic and religious minority from Afghanistan, mostly Shia Muslims, who have faced persecution, discrimination, and targeted violence for decades under successive governments, including the current Taliban regime. This has led to significant migration and the establishment of vibrant diaspora communities abroad.
