Culture
Helsinki Pride Week reaches its peak on Saturday as the parade moves through the centre of the Finnish capital and tens of thousands gather in Kaivopuisto for the park festival.
The 2026 event, Finland’s largest human rights and cultural event, runs under the theme Vapaus kasvaa, or Freedom to grow. Organisers say the theme focuses on young people and their right to explore identity, express themselves and grow without pressure from prejudice, social norms or public hostility.
The Helsinki Pride community said the campaign responds to growing pressure on young people in schools, public spaces and social media. It cited research showing that only one in two rainbow youth feel they receive help when they need it.
In 2025, 62% of pupils in grades eight and nine who belonged to gender minorities and 55% who belonged to sexual minorities said they had faced discrimination at school or during free time. Among gender minority youth, 22% said they experienced school bullying at least once a week.
