Espoo a city for 50 years: Golden anniversary

6.6.2022 12.17Updated: 17.8.2023 7.20

Seija and Pentti Mäkinen are celebrating their 50th anniversary as is Espoo, because they got married in the same year that the Espoo borough became the city of Espoo. The Mäkinens that are celebrating their golden anniversary, have been together since 1967. 

Originally from Riihimäki, the Mäkinens have lived in Espoo for most of their adult life: “At the beginning of the 70’s, we lived in Haukilahti, then again elsewhere. In 1990, we found Kurkijärvi in northern Espoo and moved back to Espoo,” says Seija.

In Kurkijärvi, the Mäkinens were fascinated by nature, where you can step in directly from the front door. Animals come to the yard and they are fun to watch. There are deer, foxes, hares, badgers, and even a lynx has been seen near Serena. In winter, the area has great skiing opportunities, and there is a small artificial pond in the middle of the village and the snowplowing is handled by the residents of the village.

“In Espoo, nature and people are most important to us. Our whole family of three grown up children and five grandchildren, is also within a 15 minute drive. The children sometimes help with the garden and also otherwise,” says Pentti.

According to Seija and Pentti, the active village community in the area is great and the communality is very strong. Everyone greets each other in the village. Even children look into the eyes and are polite. According to the Mäkinens, it says a lot about the families in the area. People know each other and the neighbours take care of each other. For example, when the coronavirus pandemic started in the spring of 2020, leaflets were distributed in mailboxes with the names and contact details of the villagers who were willing to go shopping on behalf of the elderly. The village community also built a swimming platform and a summer party is held there every year.

In addition to Kurkijärvi, areas important to the Mäkinens are Luukki outdoor areas, Suomenoja marina and the archipelago. “We are avid boaters and the old motorboat always needs some fixing,” says Pentti. 

Espoo actually fulfills all of the Mäkinen's wishes, but they have one wish for improvement: buses should run more frequently in Kurkijärvi, because you can’t cope without a car at the moment. When asked about how they see Espoo in the next 50 years, the Mäkinens think that the population will certainly grow. In think there is room for growth in Northern Espoo as well, although the city's growth is now mainly concentrated along the metro line. “It has been discussed at the village festival that we should get a stop on the Ring Rail Line at Kurkijärvi,” Pentti reveals.

As grandparents of children who play various ball games, the Mäkinens see that in a growing city, children must have good opportunities for hobbies. “By the way, our oldest grandchild just had the senior ball in Etelä-Tapiola highschool. It was wonderful that we got to see it,” add the grandparents.

When and how did you meet? We were in the same class at the commercial college. Seija sat in front, Pentti behind. We helped each other, because Seija was good at languages and Pentti at math. 

How did you celebrate your 50th anniversary? We spent our golden anniversary with our children and grandchildren. Everyone was there with their spouses. 

What does ‘espooism’ mean to you? I am a proud resident of Espoo, says Pentti, and continues that Espoo is the smartest city in Finland. Seija says that the best in Espoo is nature, which offers its best all year round. You can go berry picking, mushroom picking and skiing straight from your own door. Pentti praises that the city manages the skiing trails well. For us personally, it is great that Espoo is a maritime city, because we are boaters. We have a mooring place in Suomenoja and the archipelago is important and significant to us. 

What greetings would you send to Espoo, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a city:

“Espoo is the finest city in Finland. We are proud to say that we are from Espoo. If we keep Espoo a vibrant and international place, we will do great, ” the Mäkinens conclude.

Seija and Pentti were surprised with #72Espoo22 shirts, which they plan to wear at least for summer boat trips.
The whole Espoo