Ringa Manner
One day I will call myself a true Helsinkian.
"The Helsinki of my childhood was defined by the Market Square. We came to the city centre by bus, walked around and then had an ice-cream", says Ringa Manner, artist and songwriter. Manner spent her childhood and youth in the adjacent city of Vantaa. When visiting Helsinki, she would sometimes see her uncle who lived in the district of Kallio, on Torkkelinmäki. "Wow, I always thought. It felt like such an amazing place. Being surrounded by apartment buildings was luxurious, and that you could walk in directly from the hallway. I still haven't found a more beautiful sound than a well-oiled apartment door that closes smoothly with a click."
Towards the end of high school, Manner started a band with her friends and found her way to Helsinki. She now tours with her own newly released solo album, as well as with the bands Ruusut, The Hearing and Pintandwefall.
Manner's cosiest Helsinki corners are located in Kallio and Vallila, having lived in both districts. She is especially fond of the streets around the Kallio Church. Manner would like to be better acquainted with the districts of Punavuori, Töölö and Meilahti. "The buildings are so beautiful. I could just stroll around and admire them. Then I'd find a nice café to sit and think in peace."
Even after 12 years in Helsinki, Manner still does not feel like a proper Helsinkian. "On an emotional level yes, but my Vantaa identity still also runs strong. Maybe there will be a day when I will call myself a Helsinkian!"
Fleminginkatu is a really lovely street in Kallio. It starts at the Karhupuisto park and ends in Vallila. The long, straight street has plenty of action and many types of nice restaurants and bars. One of my favourites is the restaurant and natural wine bar Wino, but I also enjoy the tapas bar Bar Cón, the Vietnamese restaurant Namnam, and the kebab joint Döner Harju. Fleminginkatu also has several second hand shops that I was not familiar with earlier.
I can't think of a more atmospheric place in Helsinki. The café sits high up with a view of the whole bay of Töölönlahti. A visit is instantly soothing. I often jog around the bay and leave the café as the last stop on my route. I've stayed there a few times to finish off the jog with a cup of coffee.
A friend of mine has a working space nearby and I've sometimes stopped by for lunch at Verso when I visit. The buffet lunch is great and reasonably priced. I've never left feeling disappointed. The vegan banoffee pie is to die for. In a way it's too sweet, but somehow it's perfect. I also enjoy that you can bring dogs there, and there's a good chance of running into some nice canine characters.
I have a habit of getting a tattoo as a keepsake of my solo gigs abroad. Sometimes I get one afterwards, and Tatuata is a great place to do this. I love their visual style, they follow a wonderful story. Tatuata also invites many talented international tattoo artists for guest spots. They have created a wonderful community, the feeling is very charming.
I like teas, and have lately developed a serious fixation on Japanese green tea. You can test out different tea varieties at Théhuone, ones you didn't even know existed. The feeling is calming, something very different from coffee shop chains. It feels like everyone is there to take a moment for themselves. Sometimes I also buy beautiful tea cases and cups for myself. I have a hard time saying no to them.
A great venue for live music, it feels both small enough and big enough at the same time. They also serve amazingly good drinks. G Livelab is a good place to both perform and to listen to music. The sound quality is very pleasant, and the programming allows also for more experimental acts, but always with a high quality.
Good music, good wine, good feeling. Can you ask for more from a nightclub or bar? Post Bar is very pleasing visually, the style of the interior is clear and simple. The staff also pays great attention to good behaviour. A place that is safe for others to party in also brings a peace of mind.
I tend to sense Helsinki's cultural venues through the backstage areas, enjoyable locations where I can spend wonderful evenings. The concert venue Tavastia is one of my all-time favourites, but the Hall of Culture is also great. It's a treat to perform there. 'Kultsa', as it's called locally, also sometimes features big international stand up comedians.