Invited by two friends who are putting on a show today, I headed to Pispala. After a 20-minute bus ride, I arrived in the west part of Tampere. It was quiet and dark. There were only a few street lights and none of those four, five story apartments that are commonly seen in the center. Instead, I saw hills, narrow roads, wooden houses, and lots of trees.
Pispala has long been known as a district where people try to live in a less conformist way, maybe alternatively as some say, but in the end the core idea the community shares seems to be living freely and happily, whatever way one wants.
Pispala has long been known as a district where people try to live in a less conformist way, maybe alternatively as some say, but in the end the core idea the community shares seems to be living freely and happily, whatever way one wants.
I followed the map and arrived at the building with a sign writing Hirvitalo.
Hirvitalo, meaning 'deer house' in Finnish, is a non-profit, communal space. Several years ago, some residents in Pispala squatted in this building which was empty and not used by anyone at the time and claimed their rights to use the space for the good of their community. Later, the Tampere city government agreed to let the people run and use the space with a small fee. Since then, Hirvitalo has been repaired and decorated by people living in the neighborhood who contributed different talents and skills of them, and become a place where people come together, gather and hold various events for the people.
It was around 10 pm when I entered the gate. There were children and grown-ups in the garden, playing with fire and sitting around a table.
Inside the house, I walked down the corridor decorated with bizarre toys and posters. Some people were in the kitchen, some were in the living room, some were going up and down the staircase, and some were in another big room which was exhibiting somebody's tiny sculptures on its four walls. There, I recognized two familiar faces and greeted my friends.
While they were doing the sound-check, I saw each of the sculptures and chatted with one dancer and one video artist. Soon, the gig of Sunny & Cloudy started.
A jolly evening passed by slowly, and every momentof it was shared by all that was present.
This house has got a distinctive air, an air of cohesion, trust, and belonging. It would be beautiful if we have more and more of spaces like Hirvitalo where people feel attached and free at the same time, where they will always be recognized, greeted, welcomed, and joined by each other. We need those spaces.
Hirvitalo, meaning 'deer house' in Finnish, is a non-profit, communal space. Several years ago, some residents in Pispala squatted in this building which was empty and not used by anyone at the time and claimed their rights to use the space for the good of their community. Later, the Tampere city government agreed to let the people run and use the space with a small fee. Since then, Hirvitalo has been repaired and decorated by people living in the neighborhood who contributed different talents and skills of them, and become a place where people come together, gather and hold various events for the people.
It was around 10 pm when I entered the gate. There were children and grown-ups in the garden, playing with fire and sitting around a table.
Inside the house, I walked down the corridor decorated with bizarre toys and posters. Some people were in the kitchen, some were in the living room, some were going up and down the staircase, and some were in another big room which was exhibiting somebody's tiny sculptures on its four walls. There, I recognized two familiar faces and greeted my friends.
While they were doing the sound-check, I saw each of the sculptures and chatted with one dancer and one video artist. Soon, the gig of Sunny & Cloudy started.
A jolly evening passed by slowly, and every momentof it was shared by all that was present.
This house has got a distinctive air, an air of cohesion, trust, and belonging. It would be beautiful if we have more and more of spaces like Hirvitalo where people feel attached and free at the same time, where they will always be recognized, greeted, welcomed, and joined by each other. We need those spaces.