Tampere hosts UMK final as protests call for boycott
Sorin Square in Tampere will glow pink for UMK26 as protesters call for a boycott of Finland's Eurovision entry.
"Sorin aukio valaistaan pinkiksi," YLE reports, as Tampere gears up for the UMK26 final with a simultaneous anti-Eurovision protest on Saturday
Sorin Square will glow pink in celebration of the new music contest, while a city-run music container hosts DJs spinning UMK and Eurovision songs. Three DJ sets are scheduled at 11–13:30, 17–20:30 and 23–24, as the venue becomes a backdrop for both music and demonstration. Tampere with Palestine collective and Suomen Palestiina-verkosto urge people to boycott Finland’s participation in Eurovision, arguing the European Broadcasting Union has not barred Israel from competing. Saara Saarteinen, the city’s event manager, notes that last year also featured a music container and a protest in the area, but in separate spots.
Police say no advance notice had been filed for the Sorin Square protest by Friday afternoon, though the event is known to authorities and can proceed if peaceful. Commissioned by Tampere’s police, officers will coordinate with organizers and will designate a space for protests if needed, with participants urged to bring pots, pans and earplugs. The second organizer was corrected to Suomen Palestiina-verkosto via a published update after publication. The UMK26 final will be broadcast on the Yle app, Yle Areena and TV1, with additional coverage on the UMK26 page.
Catch the full story over at YLE
