Freddy Lim, previous legislator and long time frontman of metal band Chthonic, has actually been selected Taiwan’s brand-new ambassador to Finland.
His consultation combines Lim’s twin enthusiasms for politics and heavy metal, linking 2 nations with deep roots in both.
No place is metal more traditional than possibly in Finland, which boasts the greatest variety of heavy metal bands per capita worldwide, approximately 80 for each 100,000 individuals, according to the Encyclopaedia Metallum.
The category is a nationwide fixation, welcomed throughout generations and woven into daily life, even in school curriculums.
In 2006, Finland made history when Lordi ended up being the very first heavy metal band to win Eurovision with their hit “Acid rock Hallelujah”.
Celebrations like Tuska in Helsinki and Steelfest in Hyvinkää draw 10s of countless fans and bands like HIM, Kid of Bodom and Nightwish have actually ended up being cultural exports.
Lim’s connection to Finland precedes his diplomatic consultation. Atrioventricular bundle Chthonic, typically called the “Black Sabbath of Asia”, has actually signed with Finnish label Spinefarm/Universal, according to music publication Theprp, and explored thoroughly throughout the nation. Lim, with atrioventricular bundle, has actually carried out in several Finnish cities and even explored with imitate Ensiferum, Turisas, and Korpiklaani.
While Lim’s musical qualifications have actually drawn substantial interest worldwide, his consultation stems simply as much from his political and human rights record.
From 2010 to 2014, he functioned as the chair of Amnesty International Taiwan, taking part in international human rights efforts and working carefully with equivalents in Finland, Sweden, and Germany.
He likewise promoted transitional justice, promoting for the declassification of files from Taiwan’s authoritarian past.
In a 2023 interview with Kulturaustausch, he reviewed the political significance of Taiwan’s innovative liberty. “Our area consists of numerous authoritarian programs and the cultural sphere is highly affected by this conservative and oppressed culture,” he stated. “However in Taiwan, it’s possible [to create freely], which is why the musical scene flourishes and is likewise extremely varied.”
He went on to discovered the New Power Celebration in January 2015 and served 2 terms in Taiwan’s legislature in between 2016 and 2024, ending up being the very first heavy metal artist worldwide to go into a nationwide parliament.
Through his legal profession, Lim promoted landmark legislation that made Taiwan the very first nation in Asia to legalise same-sex marital relationship, promoted more powerful securities for native rights and promoted for humanitarian help to Ukraine.
” Dealing with Finnish music market partners for a long period of time has actually constantly made me have an unique love for this nation,” Lim stated in a Facebook post on Monday.
” I’ll continue to deal with these strong structures to reinforce exchanges and cooperation in between Finland and Taiwan, to benefit the 2 individuals, and to get more powerful assistance from Finland for Taiwan. There is no magic in diplomacy, simply going for it and moving on.”