Finnish schools warn parents about spring celebration hymn after discrimination ruling

Finnish schools are notifying parents in advance that the traditional suvivirsi (spring hymn) will be sung at end-of-year celebrations, following a discrimination case in Espoo that resulted in a €10,000 fine for the city, Yle reports.

The National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus) maintains its position that singing the hymn in school events is permitted, as a single religious song does not make an event religious in nature. Schools, however, are required to inform parents beforehand about the content of celebrations.

The ruling by Finland’s Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal stemmed from a complaint by a student and parent who were not warned that the hymn—along with Varpunen jouluaamuna (Sparrow on Christmas Morning)—would be performed at a school event. The tribunal ordered Espoo to pay €2,500 in compensation to the student and €750 to the parent, Lauri Ojala, for failing to provide prior notice or an option to leave.

Outi Raunio-Hannula, an education counselor at Opetushallitus, emphasized that schools must communicate the program in advance and, if requested, arrange alternative activities for students whose families object. “The student could, for example, move to another space for a period of time,” she said.

Helsinki schools have already sent notifications via the Wilma communication platform, while Munkkivuori Primary School in the city held its first spring celebration on Thursday. Principal Mirja Pere described the hymn as “an important part of Finnish celebratory tradition” but stressed that families retain the right to choose whether their children participate.

In Oulu, Kastelli School also informed parents about the hymn’s inclusion, though rehtori Paula Hänninen noted the issue had not previously sparked controversy there. Mika Penttilä, Oulu’s director of education and culture, confirmed the city follows national guidelines and will adjust only if Opetushallitus revises its stance.

The current guidelines, last updated in 2022, distinguish between secular school events—where religious elements may appear with prior notice—and explicitly religious services, such as Christmas church visits, which remain optional with alternative arrangements provided.