Tuulia
Penttilä

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live and work at the Fiskars village in southern Finland. I have worked as a freelance designer and cabinetmaker here for 25 years now.

Are there any projects that are personally important to you—whether recently completed or currently in progress?

Yes there really is! We have a group exhibition called ‘Quiet North’ in Fiskars village, Finland. It is produced by the Society of Living Designers and I am the founding member of this group.

I’am also taking part of The Correspondences exhibition with 10 Korean and Finnish creators, co-curated by Factory2 from Korea (Bora Hong & Dain Kim) and Lokal Gallery from Finland (Katja Hagelstam), where the exhibition takes place.

Do you have a favorite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

I regularly go for walks in the nearby woods. I live close to the waterfall and next to a small nature reserve. But I don’t go there, because I want to protect the endangered species that live in the area. When moving in the woods, I often follow the trails of deers—there are many here. In winter, I might also find the tracks of a fox, hare, lynx or wolf in the snow, and sometimes I also get a raven to accompany me. However, during the nesting season, I move more limitedly in nature, because I want to give the birds and other animals in the forest the peace to nest. In the summer season, I relax by swimming in the lake. In familiar natural surroundings, I recognise species that are particularly in need of protection and can therefore be considerate of sensitive natural sites. This is also why I prefer nature nearby. By deepening the connection with nature, I also experience something essential about the value of life and its fragility.

In Finland, you can generally walk fairly freely in the forests if you know everyone’s rights and responsibilities. In nature reserves and national parks, walking is allowed on marked paths. A good guide for hiking in Finnish nature is Hiking in Finland.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

The primary problems are usually local and global at the same time, such as the loss of nature and species and global warming. But Finland has good opportunities to influence these crises locally, because 75% of our land area is forest. Finland is indeed the most forested country in Europe. Still, almost 80% of the forests are endangered. By increasing the protection of forests, we could reduce the loss of nature and influence the survival of numerous endangered forest species locally. Trees are also a significant carbon sink, so limiting the use of forests to the needs of short-lived products, such as the pulp and energy industry, would be important. Unfortunately, the political will for this has not been found yet.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

On the positive side, a lot of research is already being carried out into the state of nature and more and more has been written about it in the media in recent years. The efforts of the EU and the UN to slow down the destruction of nature and global warming also give us hope. It is encouraging that the majority of Finns would like to see more protection for forests. Nature has always been the most important source of inspiration for artists and designers. In addition to design, crafts and art, the natural values of the region are among the most important attraction factors of the village of Fiskars. I hope that these values will be better recognised in the future. The bad news is that deforestation has increased significantly in recent years. At the same time, funding for nature conservation has been cut. Many Finns are very sad about the loss of biodiversity.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

Almost 100 craftspeople, designers and artists live and work in the village of Fiskars, and their production is well worth getting to know. Their products are sold in the Onoma Shop & Gallery with a changing selection.

With such an extraordinary concentration of artists, it’s hard to name just one. I myself have acquired the work of local artisans and designers, including these professionals: Anneli Sainio, Riitta Talonpoika, Camilla Moberg, Karin Widnäs, Milvi Pesari, Rudi Merz, Mikko Merz, Markku Kosonen & Nikari. I appreciate the quality craftsmanship and material expertise of these professionals. For me, the Scandinavian, rather minimalist design represents the northern dimension, which I personally find cosy. The origin of the object also has a special significance for me. I don’t want to support ecologically or socially unsustainable mass production.

There are several food and drink producers in the village of Fiskars whose flavours are worth getting to know. The local cafés and restaurants also favour local ingredients. Cafe Antique bakes delicious bread rolls with flour from the local organic farm Mörby, which is ground at the nearby Mustio mill, and the salmon served in the fish soup has been caught by a local fisherman. We have a small Fiskars Food Artisan shop where you can buy flour, bread, cheese and fermented vegetables, among other things. Fiskars also organises food events for local producers every year, such as the Slow Food Festival and the Maan Maut event, which focuses on seasonal dishes. I can highly recommend these events.

Fiskars also has a schnapps that is made from the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. The premises of the old Fiskars knife factory, where scissors and knives used to be made, now house the bar and shop of the local brewery, distillery and winery. On the banks of the river, surrounded by trees, it is a very special place to listen to the laughter of wild ducks and the chirping of birds and sample local drinks.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

Fiskars is a very unique place in Finland with an industrial history. This is the place where the internationally known Fiskars orange-handled scissors were born, which can be found in almost every Finnish home. Although the Fiskars company no longer manufactures its products in the village, its industrial history is present locally through, for example, culturally valuable buildings.

Today, Fiskars is a home for creative people. The nature and atmosphere here inspire many actors. Onoma (cooperative of local artists) has been organizing exhibitions of interesting contemporary design and art for 30 years. Fiskars’ summer exhibitions have become a significant phenomenon that also attracts an international audience. KWUM Museum & Gallery of ceramics, founded by ceramist Karin Widnäs, is also worth of visit. It’s an excellent destination for those who are interested in ceramic art or modern architecture. Buildings of the Museum and Studio Widnäs are designed by architect Tuomo Siitonen. Fiskars is a small village whose strength is local creativity and connection to nature. Here, experiences can be drawn from many starting points. In winter, the village is quiet and offers labor peace to artists who need it, as well as travellers who need a place to calm down.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

Fiskars village’s restaurants and cafes are mostly well-known and respected. It is a popular travel destination in the summer season, when there is a lot to offer. Cafe Hammarbacken in connection with the Fiskars Museum is located a little to the side of the busier center. In this small summer cafe, I like to enjoy a cup of coffee in the shade of the trees, at a table set in the garden. Ducks and sheep are sometimes here to take care of nature. In the garden, you can also admire wild flowers and old garden varieties with butterflies in the summer.

In the center of the village there is a former laundry, which is also called the locals’ living room, and for good reason. However, laundry has not been done here for decades. Since spring 2024, the laundry is operated by new entrepreneurs. Lavanderia Gastro Cafe offers vegan pastries, salads and bread and, of course, local drinks. It’s run by an innovative local chef and restaurateur together with his Brazilian colleague. As in previous years, the laundry will continue a live music club every Friday on the summer season. So it’s worth stopping by here in the evenings as well.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

Here is a list of local artisans and designers who own shops in Fiskars Village. Their range includes products that are only available in these shops:

– Onoma Shop & Gallery (art, craft & design from local artist)
– Ruukkin Aura (art, craft & design)
– Vanja Sea & Friends (textiles and clothes)
– KWUM Museum & Gallery (ceramics)
– Paatero Ceramics Shop (ceramics)
– Sirius Shop & Gallery (glass art and design, open by appointment)
– Bianco Blu (shop, work demonstrations and guided glass blowing)
– Jalo (jewellery)
– Sassi (jewellery)

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

– Helsingin Sanomat (online magazine)
– Yle News (online magazine)
– Long Play (online magazine, investigative journalism, extensive reports and essays)
– domestic non-fiction
– newsletters

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

Fiskars belongs to the city of Raseborg, although the village is owned by the Fiskars company. As the mayor of Raseborg, I would protect more of the city’s own forests, start a watercourse protection program and implement nature restoration projects in weakened areas.

Unfortunately, this would not affect the forest and natural areas surrounding the village, which belong to the Fiskars group. However, it would be the most significant regional action that could improve the living conditions of future generations, prevent the loss of nature and slow down global warming. I would also try to promote projects that reduce food waste and increase the share of vegetarian food in the city’s food services.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

I would like to live next to a natural old forest with a body of water and side streams nearby. Flowing water, like the waves of the sea, has a calming effect. Given the conditions in Finland, I am probably already as close to my dream as possible in my current place of residence. Although the forests in Finland are not old, we hardly have any natural forests left. But we have a very special possibility: we can pick up the mushrooms and berries freely in the forests – and that’s a very precious privilege for us.

Of all the forests I have had a chance to visit, I have been most impressed by the fairy-tale laurel forest on the island of La Gomera. Garajonay national park’s laurel forest is a 66-million-year-old forest from the Tertiary period, where many types of evergreen trees live thanks to the area’s year-round high humidity and mild temperatures. It has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2011.