Tero Saarinen

Tero Saarinen pointing at the camera whilst on stage in front of an empty stand.
Английский

What I love most about Helsinki is the sea.

For dance artist and choreographer Tero Saarinen, the best things about Helsinki are its peace, cleanliness and straightforwardness.

“Straightforwardness applies to all of the city’s functions, such as its excellent transport connections. In addition to public transport, it’s great to be able to get about on foot and by bike – almost all year round.”

Having toured the world, Saarinen describes Helsinki as an international and friendly city that has good karma. They all add up to a European capital that is easy to grasp.

What Saarinen loves most about Helsinki is the sea. The proximity of the sea gives the city volume and a feeling of infinity: staring at the horizon is very soothing and provides perspective.

“Whenever I’m in a city that is not by the sea, I miss it.”

The artist suspects that his longing for the sea comes from his childhood. Saarinen moved to Helsinki from the west coast of Finland when he was 17.

“I spent my childhood by the sea in Pori and at our summer cottage in Eurajoki.”

These days, Saarinen lives in the Töölö district of Helsinki and enjoys walks along the shoreline there.

The sea has never been far away in any of the places he has lived in Helsinki. Before Töölö, Saarinen lived in Kruununhaka and before that in Punavuori.

The Tero Saarinen Company dance group turned 26 in February 2022. The same month saw the opening of Finland’s first event and performance space dedicated to dance, Dance House Helsinki, which now serves as the home stage of the dance group. 

Saarinen has always been very busy, and plans to remain so in the future, which is why he likes to spend his free time in Helsinki with as few distractions as possible.

“I visit galleries, museums and concerts. I meet with friends, take saunas and go swimming in summertime. It’s even possible to go ice swimming, which I find intriguing – perhaps next winter!”

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