As many of you know, I have been working on a side project for the past year with local photographer Laura Iisalo.
Photo: Viola Vertimo
Our book, Helsinki – People Make the City – was launched early May and is available in stores around the city.
It’s an insiders’ guide to the city and contains interviews with local creative people, sharing insights into Helsinki and the local way of life.
Kirsikka Simberg at the Winter Gardens – Photo: Laura Iisalo
I wrote the text and Laura took all the photos. She also did a fantastic job with the concept, creating six sections we are very happy to share with you.
Photo: Viola Vertimo
My Helsinki
We interviewed six creative people about their neighbourhoods and they’ve each shared a ‘Day in the Life’ so that you too can explore each area like a local. Neighbourhoods covered are Punavuori, Kruununhaka, Töölö, Kallio, Vallila and Suomenlinna.
Dorit in Suomenlinna – Photo: Viola Vertimo
Alba and Thomas in Kallio & Vallila – Photo: Viola Vertimo
Kirsikka in Töölö – Photo: Viola Vertimo
Makers
Three lovely women have given tips on creative projects you can try at home. These include making your own wildflower bouquet, how to turn a traditional Finnish heirloom into a magnetic keep-safe and harvesting pine sap from the forest to create natural incense.
Justine harvesting pine sap – Photo: Viola Vertimo
Hennamari foraging for wild flowers – Photo: Viola Vertimo
Keepers
Some of our favourite local shopkeepers share their love of what they do and what’s special about the neighbourhoods they work in.
Kaisa at Pelago Bicycles – Photo: Viola Vertimo
Linda at Ansa – Photo: Viola Vertimo
Taste Helsinki
We ate a lot of cinnamon buns to bring you the best! And some of our favourite local eateries were kind enough to share their recipes so you can replicate their contemporary takes on traditional Finnish fare. This include how to make porridge, rye bread, cinnamon buns, blini, salmon soup, meatballs with lingonberry sauce and a cocktail made with a Nordic twist.
Meatballs at Ravintola KuuKuu – Photo: Laura Iisalo
Photo: Viola Vertimo
Winter Cosiness
Laura and I worked hard to do all our shoots and interviews during summer while the light was good and then realised we also wanted to showcase the best parts of life in Finland during winter. The Swedes have a word for it and so do the Danes (hygge), so we chose the Finnish word kaamos as our description of winter cosiness and give tips on how to create your own warm winter nest.
Photo: Viola Vertimo
Romany and Juha from Aan Tafel created some beautiful Nordic dishes for this and their recipes are included in the book.
Black Book
Finally, we put together a list of our favourite places in the city including sauna, coffee, design and urban nature.
Photo: Viola Vertimo
The book is currently available in Helsinki in Nide Kirjakauppa, Suomalainen Kirjakauppa, Akateeminen, Moko Market and Adlibris.
Weighing 700 grams, it’s a beautiful hardcover book, but shipping overseas can be expensive and it is not yet available to those living outside Finland. If you would consider paying for postage please do let them know at Cozy Publishing, as we’d love to be able to share the beauty of Helsinki beyond Finnish shores.
Photo: Viola Vertimo
Helsinki – People Make the City
Concept & Photos: Laura Iisalo
Words: Melanie Dower
Layout: Viola Vertimo
Hey Helsinki 