Name Paavo Erkki Arhinmäki Born 1976 in Helsinki Residence Herttoniemenranta, Helsinki Position MP (Left Alliance), Minister of Culture and Sport for Finland Hobbies Playing senior football, following football, ground hopping, reading, listening to music. Pets A Finnish hound Quote “All else will be lost but culture.” (Keski-Uusimaa, 2 Sep 2011)

Paavo Arhinmäki leads from the left.

Anyone with even a mild interest in Finnish politics over the past decades knows that Paavo Arhinmäki, Finland’s Minister of Culture and Sport, has been riding other vehicles but the gravy train. The Left Alliance – whose predecessor was Finland’s second-biggest political party at the time of Arhinmäki’s birth – has endured a decline in support virtually since the late 1970s. It has hardly been the party for fortune-hunting “political poussins” (poliittiset broilerit), as Finns jokingly dub their youthful career politicians. But Arhinmäki, true to his values, has not jumped on alternatively coloured bandwagons like so many Finnish left-wing politicians before him.

Arhinmäki has become known as a sharp politician supporting red-and-green ideals and liberal values, sharing his views in his 2006 book Punavihreä sukupolvi (“Red-and-Green Generation”). Also describing himself as a democratic socialist, not a communist, Arhinmäki was elected to chair the Left Alliance in 2009, some two years after being elected as an MP, and has gone on to define the party as one supporting democratic socialism. He then said he wants to make the party more contemporary – one with a clearer message leaning on socialism and humanism, but not bound or defined outright by these -isms.

Stepping up after Perussuomalaiset spectacularly bailed out of the formation of government following the parliamentary elections last spring, The Left Alliance was granted two “ministerial boxes” – their first since 2003.

Recently taking some highbrow flak for his no-show at the inauguration of the new Music Centre in Helsinki, his critics were placated somewhat when it was revealed that he was honouring the other concern of his Ministerial responsibilities: sports. Arhinmäki could instead be found attending the European Championships in basketball in Lithuania, in support of the Finnish national team. In carrying out the cultural side of his duties, he has visited the Savonlinna Opera Festival and Turku, the European Capital of Culture 2011, among other places. Furthermore, he has been open about wanting to shift more public funding into modern art forms such as rap music.

A native son of Helsinki, Arhinmäki is a city slicker that leads his life in a way easily identifiable for many young adults: he follows a vegetarian diet, moves around by riding the bicycle, loves to read and listen to music and supports his local football team – from amidst the election crop at Arkadianmäki. What more could you ask of a Minister in charge of cultural affairs and sports?

Well, read on as he recently took some time out of his busy schedule to field questions from SixDegrees.

Minister Arhinmäki, how did you first become socially active?

There was never any specific issue that got me started. I have been active in common matters since lower secondary school. During my school years I was not involved in party politics, but did participate in all sorts of activities such as organising industrial action.

How can we together fight the increase of social inequality in Finland?

Education and work are the best methods to prevent our society from becoming more unequal. To have high-quality public services is another way to counter it. We need to ensure that each and everyone has secure and sufficient means of living in all circumstances.

How are power and responsibilities divided in principle in a Finnish Government Ministry?

The civil servants prepare proposals and act as experts, and the Minister ultimately calls the shots. But the Minister is only involved in large-scale policy decisions.

The use of banned performance enhancers continues to be a hot topic in Finnish sports. Can the government step in, and how?

Finland has been closely involved in anti-doping activity globally. The government takes part by providing resources for control and by proposing related legislation to the Parliament.

On what grounds would you demand that an international sports event be boycotted?

The right to host sports competitions should not be awarded to countries that blatantly violate human rights. For example, the granting of the Ice Hockey World Championships to Belarus should be reconsidered.

What kind of vegetarian menu whets your appetite?

A hot one with plenty of proteins; from tofu, for example.

When on a bicycle around Helsinki, can you name a sight for sore eyes?

I love cycling by the shores of Helsinki, where we have good cycle paths.

What Finnish book would you recommend to someone who has moved here and learned the lingo?

The novel trilogy Täällä Pohjantähden Alla by Väinö Linna. It paints a splendid picture of key developments in our country’s past that are still manifest in Finnish society.

What Finnish musician is on stage when you are in attendance and enjoying yourself?

There’s a broad variety of them. Currently Paleface, for example, has an incredible band behind him. There is groove with a capital G in the house when he’s on.

Outside Ring Road III, which Finnish location is worth a visit?

Finland is full of spectacular sites, both in view of culture and nature. Probably an ascent to the top of Koli gives you a good view on what being Finnish is about.

Mika Oksanen