In this week's podcast Egan and Zena look into Independence Day, and in particular why the occasion has become a rallying point for nationalist protesters.
"A lot of these people do think they are witnessing some kind of community decay that they are locked in a battle about their culture, of their way of life, and even their very identity," researcher Oula Silvennoinen told the show.
"In the preceding years the major events and the only kind of march was the torch lit procession of students, but nowadays that's taken almost a back seat with all these mutually reinforcing far right events."
This year there were smaller far-right processions, with the anti-fascist groups assembled to oppose them also asked to disperse by police. That police action was the focus of criticism and scrutiny on Thursday.
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We also visited a multicultural event organised by people who have moved to Finland from abroad.
"We are coming together as a community or as immigrants from different parts of the world to say thank you 'Kiitos Suomi' it's the most beautiful thing that you could ever do," said organiser Josephine Atanga.
Meanwhile in Vantaa, we visit a party held for thousands of 4th-grade children to celebrate Finnish Independence and see Vantaa's favourite son Käärijä perform live.
"I think celebrating Independence Day in Finland is very important for everything," said Vantaa mayor Pekka Timonen, who hosted the shindig and said the event was all about the sense of community — national and local.
"What we actually celebrate is togetherness, and the idea of a society. So when we have these great children here today, it's about what Finland is all about — doing things together, sticking together. No matter who you are and where you come from, we can all celebrate together."
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This week's show was presented by Egan Richardson and Zena Iovino, with additional reporting by Miyuki Jokiranta. The sound engineer was Panu Willman.
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