LAHTI - FINLAND`S CHICAGO

AUTHOR: Raakel Bärlund

Lahti, Finland’s Chicago – that’s how they know Lahti in Finland. There are many stories for the origin for the saying. Some say Lahti is known to be a center for violent crimes like Chicago, but according to another source the cities are similar because of their numerous slaughterhouses around the 20th century. Even though the landmarks of Lahti don’t quite resemble this reputation, for Finns Lahti is still a symbol for a harsh, mid-class, underground culture with a strong influence for rap music. In addition, today the city is a center for sports with good terrain and facilities for several sports throughout the year. Quite recently Lahti has proven to be a center for innovations too, since its location for transport is exceptionally good while still being relatively cheap. Lahti tries to be trendsetter for a green city, taking pride for making an effort to minimize the impact on nature.

Lahti is well known for its concert hall named after the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The Sibelius Hall stands in the harbor with a beautiful view to of Lake Vesijärvi and works as a location for concerts, ballet performances and conferences. The surrounding area is a popular destination for not only tourists but locals too. Young people enjoy the sunny and warm summer nights and the elderly stroll around having a cup of coffee on the way. Families often stop to enjoy ice cream from the famous ice cream stand which used to be a fishing boat or have hot chocolate after skating on the ice track on the frozen lake during winter. Close by is a parc named by a famous stone sculptor Olavi Lanu. In Lanu Park, you can find a route displaying the works of the sculptor and enjoy beautiful forest close to the city center.

One of the most popular tourist attractions is the ski jump hills of Lahti. During summer, tourist busses all the way from Germany and France come to see how professional ski jumpers and swimmers practice within the same area – namely the landing of the biggest ski jump hill has been working as a outdoor swimming pool during the summer season for 50 years, while ski jumpers practice on the medium hill. The exotic facilities are for sure an interesting destination, also a pride for the people of Lahti, and a popular place to spend a summer day. Sadly, the outdoor pool is not in good condition, and it will be closed permanently after summer 2024. During winter the annual Salpausselkä Ski Games are organized and tourists from all around the world come to the big winter sport festival. In contrast, the surrounding hills and swampy forests are another place to escape the noise of the city and perhaps to go berry picking.

The structures of the same location were put to a test in 2018, when it transformed to a venue for the final concert of the biggest rappers in Finland. The rapper Cheek was a pioneer in Finnish rap but also other rappers and lyric writers from Lahti have been successful making Lahti a city known for especially old school rap. Even today, places like Kasisali (8-hall) and Torvi serve as places for good hip-hop and rock concerts for rising stars. Even though the making of Finnish rap has expanded to other cities, Lahti will always be remembered as an important part of rap culture in Finland.

Besides rap and culture, people form Lahti are also proud of the city taking action towards becoming carbon neutral. Lahti wants everyone to participate in making a change in their consumption patterns with campaigns and events that educate people about recycling and caring for the nature. The main power plant quit using coal as an energy source which was a major move for accomplishing the sustainability goals. Lahti also was chosen as the Green Capital of Europe for 2021. The same year the city was equipped with electric city bikes which are in favor of a huge crowd in Lahti.

I take pride in being from Lahti. However not many cities have universities in Finland so it is very common to move Jyväskylä is located in central Finland and has a lot of similarities to my hometown. They both are very good for a number of sports, both have amazing nature and both are cautious about the impact they have on the climate. The difference is that in Jyväskylä, every third person is a student – which is a lot. The variety of fields of study is broad and the campus is divided to several parts and buildings all close to the city center. Some of the buildings have been designed by the famous architect and designer Alvar Aalto whose roots are from this part of the country. Due to the huge percentage of students, the city is lively, multicultural and colorful. Finnish students have overalls that they wear to all events, and they are color coded according to the field and city of studying. These overalls are covered with patches, that can be collected by attending the events. Needless to say, the student culture in Finland is very unique and also very visible.

I know for sure that exchange students have enjoyed Finland specifically because of the student culture. It is very different from the one in Pula and would offer a totally new view on student life around the world. If there is a chance experience it through exchange or a short mobility period, I would recommend taking it without hesitation!