Iryna Horkun-Silen, the mother of 11-year-old Ukrainian Nikole, who was forced to sing a Russian song in a Finnish school, expressed her opinion about the response of the local education system and part of the society. She believes that Finland still does not understand the seriousness of Russian influence. According to her, Finns are very tolerant, but sometimes this tolerance can be harmful, as they perceive Russia only as a 'neighbor', not realizing the danger that this country poses.
‘I was surprised by the reaction - both from the school and part of Finnish society. It seemed that people simply do not want to see the problem. Finns are very tolerant, but sometimes it crosses the line. They forget that Russia is not just a 'neighbor', but a country that poses a danger. I hope that such blind tolerance towards Russia will disappear.’
Iryna Horkun-Silen calls for a reconsideration of the approach to teaching Russian culture in Finnish educational institutions. She emphasizes that this should be a thoughtful decision, not a simple choice 'from the past life'. If Russian works remain in the curriculum, it is necessary to explain why they are being used, as well as to take into account the emotions of Ukrainian children. It should be noted that in the past, Russia fought with Finland, for example, during the Winter War of 1939-1940.
‘Such 'tolerance' only pushes us towards silence about the war.’
The head of the Finnish school, Ellinoor Hellman, responded to the criticism, noting that their school accepts all students and adheres to the curriculum. She pointed out that students may encounter different forms of cultural self-expression in subjects like music, and all of this is chosen with educational aspects in mind. Teachers are also encouraged to respond to students' questions thoughtfully and objectively.
The public discussion challenges the notion of tolerance in Finland and underscores the importance of discussing the influence of Russian culture in the school education process. The choice of literature and music in educational institutions can significantly influence students' views and consciousness, so it is essential to approach this issue carefully.