Meet Lapinlahti people: Inari Aikio-Kytömäki

Inari Aikio-Kytömäki is a Steiner educator and an art multitalent: she paints, writes, and goes through thousands of photos—results of long city walks—at her workshop. There’s always something exciting going on! She has been making art for over 25 years, and has had her workshop in the Lapinlahti Tilajakamo space for around one year.

—Already in 2005-ish I was wondering what might be happening in the historic building standing majestically by the sea. Of course, I knew the background of Lapinlahti, but not whether it was now empty, in use, owned by a private owner or an association, Inari says.

At that time Inari was working near Lapinlahti, and it had become a habit for her to walk daily either at the Hietaniemi cemetery or along the seashore all the way to Lapinlahti park, either during her lunch break or after a hectic, noisy day at work.

—Wandering around the area was unbelievably calming and inspiring. I could feel the little worries of the day melting away and my ears resting. The history of both places also provided a new outlet for my imagination and creativity. However, I walked around Lapinlahti Park with some caution, as I wasn’t sure if the area was open to everyone. I remember often wishing I could take a peek inside; I’m endlessly curious about the history of Helsinki.

Years later, when Inari found out that Lapinlahti had working spaces for people from different industries, an idea, a dream, a goal began to simmer that one day THIS might be the place for a studio where she could focus on creative projects.

—There aren’t too many completely peaceful spaces in Helsinki that guarantee creative flow, she emphasizes.

—The idea marinated in my mind, and every time I walked around the cemetery and the park I felt this would be the Key, here I could find The Right Feeling.

One year ago, on a beautiful summer day, like magic, this opporturnity came along and things started coming along on their own weight!

—At my studio, I can achieve the peace I need to unleash my creativity—and it isn’t insignificant that the place really has a pleasant silence; sometimes I can hear quiet music through the halls, but that only adds to the atmosphere: Lapinlahti lives and is well! I am a teacher, and noise at work is nonstop and the work is hectic. Without the “harbour of peace” provided by Lapinlahti I would be a worse teacher. It is how it is, she says.

—I find it very important that Lapinlahti and its surroundings are preserved as a spiritual place for everyone in Helsinki, an oasis with a low threshold, where it is easy to come; for a coffee, a concert, to do yoga or to browse a flea market. Or even to just sit in the magnificent part, to recharge your batteries. Lapinlahti is a rare gem from which anyone can draw inspiration and resources. And it should remain like that! Lapinlahti and both of the old cemeteries next to it form a historically valuable and interesting area that the city of Helsinki must cherish—destroyed history cannot be brought back, after all.

—For the people working here Lapinlahti also provides important meetings, collaborations, and new contacts for people from different fields of work. When the building is renovated with respect, it will offer both culture and entertainment to the city’s residents for a century to come. I think the area is also interesting to people from other places as well, and we must make sure people know it is open for everyone. The beautiful park area with its sea views is magnificent and must be protected, of course!

—For me, Lapinlahti really is a Fount, a “Source”—an irreplaceable one.