Cantor Ismo Savimäki accepts partial responsibility for discrimination incident at school in Hämeenlinna

Cantor Ismo Savimäki has expressed partial responsibility for an incident involving discrimination at a school in Hämeenlinna. Savimäki, who serves as the cantor for the Hämeenlinna-Vanaja congregation, had suggested a school event featuring the congregation’s choir.

“I do bear some responsibility. At the end of the event, I welcomed everyone and said there was room for more participants. I don’t think I even informed the principal about this in advance. So, yes, this is my mistake,” Savimäki stated.

In October, the Equality and Gender Equality Board recommended that the city of Hämeenlinna compensate a non-religious child with €1,500 after the child’s mother filed a complaint about three school events she deemed discriminatory. The board found that discrimination occurred at one event where a performer presented spiritual music. The city was also criticized for failing to promote equality during both the artist’s concert and the choir concert led by Savimäki.

While the content of the choir concert was not deemed discriminatory, as the songs were suitable for all students, the fact that the event was organized by the congregation’s choir should have been communicated to parents in advance. The concert also served to promote the congregation’s activities.

Savimäki wrote a letter to the editor, questioning when a crime took place, and noted his initiative in planning the concert for three schools. He highlighted that at one school, the principal thoroughly reviewed the song list ahead of time, which included songs from “The Prince of Egypt,” mentioning themes related to the Jewish people.

Savimäki emphasized that direct marketing of church activities to children, without informing parents, violates equality obligations. He reiterated the importance of clarity in communication and collaboration with parents as outlined in guidance issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education in 2022.