Espoonlahti is captivating

This article has originally been published in the Espoo Magazine 2/2022.
Read other articles in the Espoo Magazine 2/2022

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The Espoonlahti district combines a peaceful rural community with the services of an urban environment. 

The Lehtinen family has been familiar with the new library in Espoonlahti for more than a year, even though the library has only been open for less than two months.  

“We participated in the collective design process of the library by presenting ideas and wishes for activities and services,” says Teemu Lehtinen, father of the family of four. 

For example, library clients came up with the idea of recycled furniture. 

One of the special features in the library is the kitchenette for clients’ use, for example to warm up a snack. In the bigger community kitchen called Kapyysi, cooking courses can be arranged. The lead idea is that cooking brings people together. 

Young people have quickly taken to the space with a pool table and game consoles. 

“Young people can come here to hang out together. That’s just great,” says Jessica, the mother of the family. 

In accordance with the wishes of the public, the library also offers the possibility for 3D printing. 

If it’s good, why change? Jessica and Teemu Lehtinen have been familiar with Espoonlahti and its neighbouring areas ever since they were children. Even their present home is located next to the housing company where Teemu used to live in his early childhood. 

The Lehtinen family loves the sea. Elis and Kian also like the water. In addition to swimming, they are keen to participate in many kinds of hobbies. 

Elis takes sailing classes during the summer. One of his hobbies is fencing and on Mondays, he participates in a virtual Minecraft club. The ball games club is his way to balance energies, while Kian, 7, started playing ice hockey at Espoon Palloseura sports club the winter before last. 

The family’s daily life runs smoothly. Almost all the services they need are within walking distance: the boys’ Swedish-language schools, the hockey rink, sports park and the new shopping centre Lippulaiva that houses the library, restaurants and cafes. 

“Here, we live in a quiet environment close to nature, with good connections to central Helsinki. When friends from Helsinki come to visit, they say they are going to the countryside,” says Jessica.   

The new library in Lippulaiva is an important meeting place for Espoonlahti residents, for example because there is no cultural venue in the area.  

Cultural producer Krista Holm’s vision is that cultural experiences can be brought not only to the library, but other facilities as well, such as schools or even sports fields. 

That does not, however, mean that the area did not have cultural activities on offer. Local associations are active players and offer a wide range of experiences in cooperation with the city. 

“For example, in June, there will be theatre for children at the residents’ parks in Soukka and Kivenlahti, and in early August, a two-day street circus carnival will arrive in Kivenlahti,” says Holm. 

Summer Tuesdays in Hanikka kick off on 7 June. Cultural programme will be offered in an urban cottage atmosphere. 

“The sauna will be warm and the barbecue hot all evening. You will get to barbecue your own food in stunning island scenery,” Holm promises. 

The summer Tuesdays in Hanikka will continue until 9 August. 

• The district centre of the Greater Espoonlahti area; consists of Kivenlahti, Laurinlahti and central Espoonlahti. 
• Central Espoonlahti is home to almost 17,000 inhabitants. 
• Espoonlahti borders on the sea at two sides, Espoonlahti bay to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south. 
• Metro service to Espoonlahti will begin in 2023. The station will be connected to the Lippulaiva shopping centre. 

Text Timo Hämäläinen