Eero
Hintsanen

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

I live and work in Lahti, Finland, which is a perfectly-sized small town about one hour north of Helsinki. The luxury of living in a small town is that it’s only a ten-minute walk from our home to the studio that I share with my wife. We have a small jewelry studio where we design and produce collections and custom pieces under our brand, Chao & Eero, for an international clientele.

I also spend a considerable amount of time in Sulkava, located in the eastern part of Finland, where I own a small piece of forest and farmland together with my siblings. It’s a place to escape back to my roots and enjoy the simple life.

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

In Lahti, I gravitate towards either the lakeshore or the surrounding forests. For example, the Linnaistensuo Mire nature trail is part of the UNESCO Global Geopark – it’s just fifteen minutes from the city, providing a place to take a deep breath and, in the autumn, a place to forage.

In the city, my favorite spot has been – since the early 90s – a small independent movie theater named Kino Iiris, managed by a group of enthusiastic volunteers who show independent films to balance the blockbusters of big theaters. It is a real gem.

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

Finland is such a small country that the issues we face are more national in scope than merely regional. In the grand scheme of things, we do have our neighbor to the east to consider, but what I find myself pondering often is the level and direction of education in the fields I represent, which seems to be slowly eroding and even disappearing.

Making things with your hands is at the heart of who we are as humans, but for some reason, it is often deemed old-fashioned in the context of education and replaced by more trendy topics. The message I hear from many fields is that the level of skill is decreasing, even though there are always individuals excelling in their chosen craft.

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

One of the most positive things in the past few years is the long-awaited opening of the Lahti Museum of Visual Arts Malva, which brings art to the heart of the city. This alone is a valid reason to come and visit Lahti.

While the big issue linked to everything is money or the lack of it, there are also a lot of positive initiatives aimed at making the city more pleasant for its inhabitants. These range from new city bikes to participatory budgeting, which gives everyone a voice to suggest and vote on improvements in the city under the themes of community, environment, well-being, and sustainability.

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

I always root for small and innovative makers like Dusty – Marjut Uotila, an avant-garde menswear label, and Upwood Design, which produces wooden door handles. Both companies redefine their fields through innovation, vision, and strong skill sets.

Additionally, Galleria Uusi Kipinä is a charming gallery space, shop, and community that displays a wide range of art and sells pieces from local artists, especially works created with traditional printmaking techniques, which is a specialty of the city with a long history. You can also find more prints directly from the Keltainen Talo (The Yellow House), which is the shared print studio right next to one of the most visible landmarks of Lahti, the 150-meter-high radio towers.

Printmaking is close to my heart, as I studied it in Germany, and it closely relates to goldsmithing through classical hand engraving, which I also do.

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

I feel that in recent years, Lahti has found its own identity, which focuses on the environment and sustainability, in addition to culture and sports. At the same time, on a more grassroots level, it celebrates the certain roughness of the distinctive local culture by cleverly using cynicism and dark humor. It might not be a clear innovation, but something has changed in recent years that has pushed the city forward.

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

When I have time, there is only one place for me, and that is Kahvila Kariranta in the harbor. It’s an old quaint train station that offers the best bakery products in town. It is well known among locals, and they tend to introduce it as our little hidden treasure to outsiders whenever they visit Lahti.

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

When I need to buy, for example, a small gift, I normally visit the Pro Puu Center, which houses a gallery and a shop selling products made out of wood from small makers. It provides carpenters not only with a shop but also with a gallery space and woodworking studio.

Lahti also has a very vibrant second-hand and flea market scene. I have been collecting design pieces and all kinds of curiosities for decades, and it has always been a great place to find even super rare pieces. My favorite collectibles shop is Aika Vanha.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

The role of apps is not that significant in my life since I don’t own a smartphone. So my list is very basic: Gmail for emails, Instagram for promoting my work, and Spotify for music, mainly accessed through my computer. I prefer reading books and comics from my collection and the public library.

The Lahti City Main Library is superb, providing not only books, music, and films but also space to play the piano, a games room, and even a recording studio.

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

Instead of newspapers, I mainly follow Finland’s national public broadcasting company YLE online. I also filter information from BBC, Reuters, and a few other foreign news agencies. Additionally, I follow X and several podcasts, but with a stronger filter.

When I have some free time, I spend it on online platforms like Dezeen, focusing on architecture and design. I also watch YouTube channels like Shoyan Japanese Carpenter, which provide inspiration and information about high-quality craftsmanship and other topics linked to my creative work.

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

I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t apply for that spot, but I do think that the main focus should be on celebrating and supporting small entrepreneurs and promoting the well-being of youth by providing them with more resources and opportunities. Creating communities that divert attention away from negativity and the allure of social media and its fictional realities should also be a priority.

One last question: if you could choose another place to live – regardless of financial or time constraints – which one would you choose?

If we exclude Lahti and Sulkava, the place that I have visited and loved the most is Japan. It is the only place I could imagine myself living and working besides Finland. I love Tokyo’s energy but also the deep history of cities like Kyoto. So I would choose a small, ultra-modern concrete building in the heart of Tokyo, accompanied by a tiny cabin at a decent distance in a rural area. And naturally, a cute Japanese Kei car to commute.