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A greeting from Freddy Lim in Finland

It is a great honor to serve as Taiwan's Ambassador to Finland, a country that I have long admired and felt deeply connected to through music, shared values, and meaningful friendships.

Over the years, I've had the privilege of visiting Finland many times and working alongside Finnish partners around the world. Whether it was during CHTHONIC's tours, where I collaborated with outstanding Finnish bands and music professionals, or through my involvement with Amnesty International, where I worked with Finnish colleagues on human rights issues, I've been deeply inspired by the country's vibrant energy. I've also been fascinated by Finland's history, and I greatly admire its resilience and courage in the face of regional challenges—experiences that strongly resonate with Taiwan's own journey.

I am deeply grateful to the previous ambassadors and the dedicated team at the Taipei Representative Office in Finland. Their tireless efforts have laid a strong and lasting foundation for Taiwan-Finland relations. I look forward to continuing this important work and building on their achievements.

There is tremendous potential for us to grow together—not only through official engagement, but also through industry collaboration, cultural exchange, and the everyday connections that bring our nations closer. From innovation and technology to the creative arts, I believe Taiwan and Finland have much to share and learn from one another.

I am committed to this mission with dedication and heart. With a growing bond between the island of a hundred peaks and the land of a thousand lakes, may Taiwan and Finland always enjoy freedom and happiness, and continue to thrive and prosper together.

Tervehdys Freddy Limiltä

On suuri kunnia toimia Taiwanin suurlähettiläänä Suomessa - maassa, jota olen pitkään ihaillut ja johon tunnen syvää yhteyttä musiikin, yhteisten arvojen ja merkityksellisten ystävyyssuhteiden kautta.

Vuosien varrella minulla on ollut etuoikeus vierailla Suomessa useita kertoja ja työskennellä suomalaisten yhteistyökumppaneiden kanssa eri puolilla maailmaa. Olipa kyse sitten CHTHONIC-yhtyeeni kiertueista, joiden aikana tein yhteistyötä erinomaisten suomalaisten yhtyeiden ja musiikkialan ammattilaisten kanssa, tai suomalaisten kollegoiden kanssa Amnesty Internationalin parissa tekemästäni työstä ihmisoikeuskysymysten edistämiseksi, olen ollut syvästi vaikuttunut Suomen elinvoimaisuudesta. Myös Suomen historia kiehtoo minua ja arvostan suuresti suomalaisten sitkeyttä ja rohkeutta alueellisten haasteiden keskellä - nämä ovat kokemuksia, jotka resonoivat vahvasti Taiwanin oman tien kanssa.

Olen syvästi kiitollinen aiemmille suurlähettiläille sekä Suomen Taipei-edustuston omistautuneelle tiimille. Heidän väsymätön työnsä on luonut vahvan ja kestävän perustan Taiwanin ja Suomen suhteille. Odotan innolla, että voin jatkaa tätä tärkeää työtä ja rakentaa saavutettujen tulosten varaan.

Meillä on valtavasti mahdollisuuksia kasvaa yhdessä - ei ainoastaan virallisen yhteistyön kautta, vaan myös teollisen yhteistyön, kulttuurivaihdon ja arkisten kohtaamisten kautta. Kaikki tämä tuo kaksi kansakuntaamme lähemmäs toisiaan. Uskon, että niin innovaation, teknologian kuin luovien alojen saralla Taiwanilla ja Suomella on paljon opittavaa toisiltaan ja jaettavaa keskenään.

Olen sitoutunut tähän tehtävään täydellä sydämellä ja omistautumisella. Sadan huipun saaren ja tuhansien järvien maan välillä vahvistuvan siteen myötä toivon, että Taiwan ja Suomi saavat aina nauttia vapaudesta ja onnellisuudesta. Toivon myös, että ne yhä edelleen kukoistavat ja vaurastuvat yhdessä.

擔任台灣駐芬蘭大使,是我莫大的榮幸。芬蘭,一個我敬仰的國家,透過音樂、共同的價值觀,以及多年的深厚友誼,我對芬蘭懷有強烈的連結感。

多年來,我有幸多次造訪芬蘭,並在世界各地與芬蘭的夥伴們共事。無論是閃靈在世界巡演時與傑出的芬蘭樂團、音樂工作者合作,或是在參與國際特赦組織的人權工作時,與芬蘭的同事攜手推動重要議題,都讓我深刻感受到這個國家的蓬勃活力與堅定行動力。我也對芬蘭的歷史著迷,敬佩其在面對區域挑戰時展現出的堅韌與勇氣,這些經驗與台灣的處境有著強烈的共鳴。

感謝歷任代表與駐芬蘭台北代表處的團隊,他們長期的努力,為台灣與芬蘭奠定了穩健的關係。我將延續這項重要的工作,在前人的基礎上繼續推進。

我相信,台灣與芬蘭有許多能拓展的合作空間,不僅在官方層面,更涵蓋產業合作、文化交流,以及那些拉近彼此社會距離的日常連結。從創新與科技到創意產業,台灣與芬蘭彼此之間有許多值得分享、互相學習之處。

我將全心全力投入這項使命,繫起百岳之國與千湖之國的情誼,願台灣與芬蘭永保自由與幸福,持續進步繁榮。

Story of Freddy

Freddy Lim, the lead vocalist of the Taiwanese metal band CHTHONIC, which has performed several times at prestigious events such as Wacken and Download metal festivals, was elected to the Taiwanese parliament in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, making him the first metal star to become a parliamentarian.

CHTHONIC has won Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards, often considered the equivalent of the Grammy Awards in Taiwan, as well as numerous other music accolades. Additionally, German director Marco Wilm produced a documentary on Freddy titled Metal Politics Taiwan. He is also featured in American director Venissa Hope's documentary Invisible Nation.

During his eight years in parliament, Freddy served on the Foreign and Defense Committee, actively engaging in parliamentary diplomacy to strengthen Taiwan's international ties while resisting China's growing pressure. He also played a crucial role in advancing transitional justice and human rights. Freddy was a vocal advocate for progressive reforms, including the marriage equality bill, gender equality, cultural policies, and justice for past generations. In 2020, he became the Chair of the Open Parliament, pushing for transparency reforms within the legislature. He was also a key figure at international democratic forums, such as the Copenhagen Democracy Summit and the Oslo Freedom Forum, where he shared Taiwan's democratic journey with global audiences.

In 2025, Freddy was appointed as Taiwan's Ambassador to Finland, marking a new chapter in his unique journey of blending diplomacy, music, and political advocacy.

timeline

2025
Appointed Taiwan's Ambassador to Finland
2023
Led a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation to Open Parliament Day at the OGP Global Summit in Tallinn, Estonia
2023
Speaker at Oslo Freedom Forum
2023
Featured in the documentary Invisible Nation by Vanessa Hope
2022
Speaker at Copenhagen Democracy Summit
2020-2024
Vice Chair of multiple Taiwan-Europe parliamentary groups
2020-2024
Chair of the Open Parliament Committee
2020
Re-elected as a Member of Parliament
2019
Won the Golden Melody Award for Best Rock Band
2019
Taiwan's same-sex marriage law passed
2019
Taiwan's Political Archives Act passed
2018
Featured in the documentary Taiwan Metal Politics by Marco Wilm
2018
National Languages Equality Development Act passed in Taiwan
2017
Taiwan's Transitional Justice Act passed
2016
Elected Member of Parliament (2016-2024)
2016
Won Metal Hammer (UK) Golden Gods Award for Best Global Metal
2014
Performed at Summer Sonic in Japan
2014
Performed at Wacken Open Air in Germany
2012
Formed Metal Clone X with Marty Friedman; released two albums
2012
Re-elected Chair of Amnesty International Taiwan
2011
Performed at Download Festival in the UK
2011
Performed at Fuji Rock in Japan
2010
Elected Chair of Amnesty International Taiwan
2009
Won the Fourth Tibet Music Award for Best International Artist
2009
Featured on the cover story of UK metal magazine Terrorizer
2007
Performed at MIDEM in France
2007
Received the Fourth Taiwan Presidential Cultural Award
2007
CHTHONIC performed at Ozzfest (North America) and Wacken Open Air (Germany)
2006
Founded the Megaport Festival in Kaohsiung
2003
Collaborated with Adam Yauch to organize Tibetan Freedom Concert in Taipei
2003
Won the Golden Melody Award for Best Rock Band
2002
Performed at the Milwaukee Metal Festival in the USA
2000
Performed at Fuji Rock in Japan
1998-2008
Organized the Formoz Festival in Taipei
1998
Released CHTHONIC's debut album
1996
Formed CHTHONIC
1976
Born in Taipei, Taiwan