Riikka Purra (ps.) called culture a luxury service in yesterday’s YLE presidential debate, and it caused a stir. Now she clarifies her own comments to Yle.
– In a public economy that needs to be fixed, we must not treat such giants in the living room as something that cannot be touched at all,” he said in the exam.
Riikka Purra’s opinions sparked a heated debate and a barrage of criticism on social media. Calling culture a “luxury service” did not please everyone.
This is how Purra clarifies in his text message
Today Yle news asked Riikka Purra for a clarification on her cultural stance. In a text message sent to Yle, the Chairwoman of the Finns for a Greens Party says that we must also be able to look at culture.
– If there are many sectors to save, it cannot be the case that one should not be looked at at all, he writes.
In Yle’s presidential exam, Purra was ready to cut funding for culture because the state’s finances are tight. In his text message, he states:
– A Finn who has spent his money on everyday expenses, such as expensive transportation, electricity and housing, rarely goes to the opera.
In a short text message, Riikka Purra also highlights the corona subsidies received by culture.
– Culture’s corona subsidies weren’t successful either, when the stars who got hard earned the most of them.
This is how voters respond to Purra
In yesterday’s exam, Purra mentioned libraries and children’s culture as useful.
Yle visited the Töölö library in Helsinki on Wednesday to ask the opinions of borrowers and those who came to vote in advance.
People were dismayed by Purra’s cultural comments. Many had watched the election program in the evening on television.
– Culture belongs to everyone. The more of it, the better, says Larne.
– Certainly, even in culture, if there really is a shortage, there will be some cuts, but yes, Taiteentekijät is a poor group, and only a few writers in Finland live by writing.
– Culture should by no means be cut, it is a very important thing, says Järvinen.
Also on social media, especially on Twitter, Riikka Purra’s opinions caused a lively discussion.