Lohja mother stages weekly school surprises in protest against austerity cuts

A mother in Lohja has spent the past two months organizing weekly surprises for pupils at her twins’ primary school, blending playful creativity with a quiet protest against persistent budget cuts and the threat of school closure, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

Saara Sotala, a physician and parent of twin boys at Lehmijärvi School in Lohja, has transformed the school’s basement—nicknamed the “Gestapo interrogation room” by staff—into themed spaces like a Caribbean beach and a Christmas wonderland in April. Each week, students encounter unexpected activities, from pirate-led treasure hunts to popcorn tastings with custom seasonings.

“The idea started when I organized a charity concert for the school,” Sotala told Yle. “Instead of just one field trip that not everyone could join, I decided to create a series of surprises.” Her efforts have drawn praise from students and teachers alike, with pupils like sixth-grader Minea Köngäs and fifth-grader Veera Tahvonen calling the events a highlight of their school year.

Yet beneath the fun lies a sharper message. Lehmijärvi School, with just 50 students, faces repeated threats of closure—a fate Sotala resists by demonstrating what small schools can achieve. “This wouldn’t be possible in a school with hundreds of pupils,” she said. “It’s also a protest against endless austerity, against the idea that everything must be serious and budget-driven.”

The project, dubbed Odota odottamatonta (“Expect the Unexpected”), has shown how different age groups react to surprises: younger children embrace the magic, while older students appreciate the humor. Sotala, who calls the work “incredibly fun,” admits the end is near—her sons will move to lower secondary school this autumn, leaving the basement’s transformations to memory.

“Of course it feels awful as a mother,” she said, “but everything has its time. At least they got to experience primary school here.”