Finland’s streets turn green in support of Käärijä ahead of Eurovision 2023 Grand Final

On Tuesday, Finland’s Käärijä was one of the ten acts that qualified from the first semi-final with “Cha Cha Cha”. It’s no secret that the Finnish representative is one of the favourites to win Eurovision 2023.

The Nordic country is embracing this moment and showing support for their representative ahead of the Saturday’s Grand Final.

One of the first public spaces to upgrade their façade to the Cha Cha Cha look was the Helsinki Central Station. As soon as you step out of the station, you get to see the the famous Lantern Carriers – male statues that often get accessorised for important events in the country – be it face masks or Finnish flags to support the national football team. On Tuesday, they adopted a new look – shiny green boleros with black spikes on the neck and sleeves as a tribute to Käärijä.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by VR Matkalla (@vrmatkalla)

“Of course, we are hoping that Käärijä will win, and then I think the Stone Men will also celebrate a little longer,” VR’s Piia Tyynilä tells Yle.

Shortly after, many other Finnish establishments and cities changed their design to the singer’s signature green colour.

Here is the a list of some heart-warming examples of Finland’s support for their representative.

Finland shows support for Käärijä

Nurmijärvi municipality added Käärijä’s hairstyle to the seven brothers portrayed on their coats of arms. To clarify, the change was done in a image editing tool.

“We are strongly involved in the Eurovision craze. All the best to the boy from the neighbouring municipality!”, municipal manager Outi Mäkelä wishes.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nurmijärven kunta (@nurmijarven_kunta)

Helsinki Central Oodi Library has added a Käärijä-shelf to their premises and updated their Instagram logo to the Eurovision look:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Keskustakirjasto Oodi (@oodihelsinki)

Finnish grocery stores prepared a food corner dedicated to Eurovision, where people can buy all the Piña Colada-inspired products and support their representative during the Grand Final. Here is a store of the S-Market chain in the Porvoo city:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by S-market Näsi (@smarket_nasi)

Among other delicacies, there is a special Cha Cha Cha drink from RPS Brewing that you can buy across Finland:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by RPS Brewing Co (@rpsbrewing)

Finnish Red Cross Blood Service reminds everyone to take care of each other and “Roll up your sleeves, it’s crazy important!”:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Veripalvelu (@veripalvelu)

It’s not only the Finnish people showing their pride and support of Käärijä, but also the wildlife.

Here is a post from Finnish Association for Nature Conservation that says “Finnish nature’s own Käärijä wishes Finland’s official Käärijä the best of luck at Eurovision! 💚”.

“Käärijä” translates as “wrapper” – like a caterpillar wrapped up in a cocoon.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Suomen luonnonsuojeluliitto (@luonnonsuojeluliitto)

Sinebrychoff Art Museum shows us how the past meets the present on this painting and wishes the “Cha Cha Cha” singer good luck on the contest:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sinebrychoffin taidemuseo (@sinebrychoffartmuseum)

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is also “Along with the spirit, like Cha Cha chaa”.

Finnish Tax Administration reminds everyone to file the tax return in their own version of the “Cha Cha Cha” song:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Verohallinto (@verohallinto)

Country’s leading sweets producer Fazer show that you can make your own edible green bolero with their products:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Fazer (@fazersuomi)

All around Finland, stores have gathered green goods that people can buy to support their Eurovision representative. One of the biggest Finnish retailers, Stockmann, says that “Green is the new black”:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Stockmann (@stockmanncom)

Helsinki Regional Transport Authority are convinced that Käärijä will bring Finland its second victory on the Eurovision Song Contest. They share on their Instagram a following question: “What do tram and Käärijä have in common?”, proudly replying “Torille!”.

Note: torille directly translates “to the market square”, which Finns say when the country wins at an important competition or in case of other significant events in the country. People gather at the market square to celebrate, and in some cases, jump into the fountain.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by HSL (@hsl_hrt)

In addition to the above, bars and clubs across the country have refilled their Piña Colada stocks to make sure that every fan gets the ultimate Käärijä drink to support the country during the final. As you remember, after his UMK victory, the singer couldn’t get the tropical cocktail himself as everything was sold out.

This is the biggest Eurovision fever in Finland since Lordi, who brought the country its first victory in 2006.

Will Käärijä manage to repeat the success of the rock band? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!