Lincoln Kayiwa: Here I can create my own rhythm
I like the fact that Helsinki is not crazy big but enough to find the jewels you want in a city. It is also green and healthy, a city you can enjoy working and living in.
Ugandan-Finnish designer Lincoln Kayiwa enjoys the duality of social life in Helsinki.
I was studying in Makerere University, Uganda, when a visiting professor told us about postmodern design. Half of the 50 slides were about Finnish designers such as Alvar Aalto, Eero Saarinen and Eero Aarnio. I liked their designs and was curious: How come this small country has so many internationally renowned designers?
I came to Aalto University in Helsinki to do my Master's studies. I’ve never had so much freedom as a student. We were encouraged to find our strengths and think what’s best for us in the curriculum, and I still appreciate that.
Luckily my diploma work was selected by the graduation committee to be commercialised, and that’s how I got started as an entrepreneur. I was paired with a company and my design was brought to market. It gave me courage to continue. At the time I also met my avovaimo, common-law wife, and made Finland my home.
Space for creativity and focus
As a creative you need all the breathing space you can have for your ideas, and I think Finland provides that. There’s also a good entrepreneurial spirit. Countries like the United Kingdom have bigger economies but there’s also more competition, and it’s difficult to establish oneself.
I like the fact that Helsinki is not crazy big but enough to find the jewels you want in a city. It is also green and has a healthy spirit, a city you can enjoy working and living in. I have a home office, and my wife and I joke that I work 24/7. United States is the biggest market for my designs, and because of the time difference I sometimes work more at night than during the day. If I have been sitting for hours and need to freshen up or clear my thoughts, I just need to go out and take a stroll. The sea is right outside our door.
In Helsinki it’s ok to tune out
In Helsinki I can regulate my own rhythm. If I want to be a social butterfly, there are art exhibition openings to go to or friends to meet. But if I’m very busy and need to focus on a project, I can keep to myself and won’t need to explain myself to anyone. Finland is famous for its silence. I love the duality, that I can tune in or tune out according to my mood.
It took me a few years to have moderate skills in Finnish, and every day I learn something new, for example when my kids’ friends come to our home. In some countries you might get laughed at for trying to speak the language without being fluent. In Finland people are happy you are trying. That’s the best thing one can get when living in a new country, the encouragement to become part of the society.
"The long stretch of land by the sea called Meripuisto starts from right outside our door. That’s where I go and have a stroll if I need some fresh air after working for hours. Unlike the nearby Kaivopuisto park, Meripuisto is flat and has unobstructed views: on one side you have the sea, and on the other side old buildings, green areas with old trees, joggers and dogwalkers."
"I collect Finnish art and design, and like to visit galleries. When I’m in the neighbourhood, I drop in at Artek 2nd Cycle to say hello and have a chat. I notice something new every time I go in for a browse. I also come here to educate myself: the staff has a good knowledge of, for instance, Aino Aalto’s glassware or Lisa Johansson-Pape’s lighting. When we were moving to our current home and needed a sofa, that’s where I went. "
"When I want to break a sweat, I go to the Taivallahti Tennis Centre in Töölö. I usually go there with a friend, so we can also catch up. I like that the centre opens early and closes late, so it’s possible to play at seven in the morning or eleven at night. Most of the time I walk or jog there but it’s very accessible by bus as well. I always leave with a light, good feeling."
"If I really need to put my feet up, to celebrate or meet friends, I go to the VIP room of Ravintola Teatteri. Here it is possible to meet anyone from entrepreneurs to members of the parliament, local and international celebrities, friends and acquaintances. I'm surprised every time about who I end up meeting!"
"At least four times a year we go to the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. During the new general director Gita Kadambi’s term, there has been visibly more diversity, especially of race and age. The opportunity for the audience to appreciate the equal proficiency of people of colour makes me feel proud and gives me a sense of belonging. Of recent performances, in addition to the choreography by Ima Iduozee, I was really impressed by the Greek designer takis’s scenography in the Don Giovanni directed by the young multitalented Jussi Nikkilä. The evening had such a fresh cosmopolitan feeling."