Discussion: The First Chilean Refugees in Finland – Chile50 themed events at Caisa

The Finnish government decided to take in a group of Chileans fleeing Augusto Pinochet’s oppression to Finland in October 1973.

They arrived in Finland before the end of 1973 and became Finland’s first quota refugee group.

Do they identify themselves as Finns or Chileans? How did Finland in the 1970s receive them and what has Finland given them?

These and many other questions will be answered with indigenous Chilean refugees. Participating in the discussion are: Adrián Soto, Carmen Quinteros (in Spanish), Alfonso Padilla. Host: Jaana Kanninen.

Duration: 1,5 h
Age recommendation: for all ages
Language: Finnish/Spanish
Free entry
Content warning: The contents of the Chile50-themed events may upset sensitive people.

The violent Chilean coup d’état of 11 September 1973 brought down the country’s democracy and began a 17-year military dictatorship.

Thousands of dissidents were killed, tens of thousands were tortured and hundreds of thousands went into exile. A strong Chilean community was also established in Finland.

Now, half a century after the revolutionary events, the Chilean community is offering a wide range of cultural events that will bring out memories and emotions of that time. The events in Chile will also be analysed in terms of their impact on Finnish society.

In October, Cultural Centre Caisa will host exhibitions, discussions, seminars, films and children’s workshops on the theme.