The selection of Daniela Owusu, a 20-year-old from Kirkkonummi with Finnish and Ghanaian roots, as this year's Lucia has led to Owusu herself, her relatives and the organisers receiving a barrage of racist abuse.
In a statement, Folkhälsan — an NGO representing the interests of Finland's Swedish-speaking minority — said that the choice of Lucia has never previously caused such a negative and inappropriate reaction.
The NGO added that the thousands of racist comments have mostly come through its social media channels, as well as those of Owusu and some of her family members or friends.
"The feedback has been directed at Lucia's skin colour, saying it is wrong," Stina Heikkilä, Folkhälsan's HR and Development Manager, explained. "There's use of the n-word, that doesn't belong in this country, and also things related to religion."
Heikkilä told Yle on Monday that she has not seen all the messages Owusu has received, but she is aware that her family have been in contact with the police.
"We are all very upset and angry. And it's sad that a festival of light is overshadowed in this way," she said, adding that "we have a big problem in this country".
"Racism exists everywhere, in all age groups, in all language groups, and among women and men. A lot of work lies ahead," Heikkilä said.
Backlash expected, but not to this extent
As part of annual Saint Lucia Day celebrations, a young woman is chosen every year via public vote to don a wreath carrying live candles in a ceremony held at Helsinki's Lutheran Cathedral.
After winning this year's vote, Owusu said she wanted to be a role model for young people and show that anyone can become a Lucia, regardless of their background.
"It would be important to have a Lucia who represents multiculturalism and to show that Lucia can look many different ways," she said.
In previous years, the women chosen to represent the Italian saint have tended to follow the traditional image of a Nordic woman — with blonde hair and blue eyes — but this year was the first time a person of African background was chosen to wear the crown.
In an interview with Yle's Radio Suomen Päivä programme on Monday, Heikkilä noted that the NGO had expected some backlash, but nothing to this extent.
"Yes, we knew something was coming, but this huge amount of 'messages' and the fact that they are personally directed at Daniela Owusu has been a bit of a surprise," she said.