In Hanko, the sea is always close. It can be seen through the windows, heard in the wind, and serves as a reminder of direction even when life takes you elsewhere. Edvard Lindfors, 28, is a member of Hanko’s younger generation who has seen the town change while maintaining its own rhythm. He speaks about his hometown with warmth that comes from the proximity of the sea and the light.
Film director Ilkka Rautio and photographer Sandra Kantanen moved from Kallio, Helsinki, to Hanko in 2012 in search of peace, the sea, and space for their family. “We were looking for a place where the sea would become part of our everyday life. We looked at houses all the way from Loviisa to Hanko—but this was the right one,” Ilkka recalls.
The family shares a passion for the sea. They sail every summer and practice free diving together. “This summer, my son and I discovered a new favorite spot—on the seabed. Many people might not know it, but Hanko has some of Finland’s best diving and spearfishing waters,” Ilkka says. Sandra finds peace on the coastal cliffs. “I often swim on the rocks of Metsäkannas or simply observe the changes in daylight. It’s very meditative.”
The sea and light of Hanko hold a lasting grip. “It’s hard to imagine leaving this place,” Sandra smiles. “This is a home with space to breathe and be yourself.”
Everyday life and community
Everyday life in Hanko is simple – and that is precisely why it is so good. People move around the town mostly by bicycle. In the morning, you might go for a swim or stop for coffee. You always run into someone to talk to. “The fact that people greet one another is a small luxury that you rarely encounter elsewhere,” Edvard describes.
Ilkka and Sandra did not initially know anyone in Hanko, but new connections formed quickly through their children. “Through daycare, hobbies and the music institute, we found friends and family acquaintances. Hanko is a small but vibrant community where people help each other,” Ilkka says. The children’s hobbies give rhythm to everyday life – music, dance and sailing are part of the weekly routine. “Our children are the only active junior sailors in the Hanko Sailing Club,” Ilkka laughs.
Edvard recalls his childhood in Hanko fondly. “I grew up in early-2000s Hanko, and the sea was part of everything,” he says.
“We were always outdoors – in winter we skated and sledded, in summer we cycled to the beach or climbed on the rocks. In Hanko, you never have to go far to be surrounded by nature.” Childhood Hanko was calm and community-oriented. “Summer visitors became familiar faces, and through school you also made friends from abroad. Hanko felt like a free-spirited wonderland where you could move from shore to shore. Even now, when I walk the same streets, that feeling remains.”
The future of Hanko and the richness of bilingualism
In Edvard’s view, it is the task of younger generations to keep Hanko vibrant. “We need to be involved in building the future – as entrepreneurs, cultural creators and members of the community. In a small town, every individual matters.” He is also active in local development initiatives and wants to promote a stronger sense of community. “If you want change, it always starts with conversation.” Edvard Lindfors looks to the future with optimism. “When you come here, it’s impossible not to fall in love. The sea, the light and the people – that combination will never disappear.”
One of the city’s strengths is its genuine bilingualism, something Sandra and Ilkka deeply appreciate. “It is truly wonderful that our children are growing up in an authentically bilingual environment where both cultures coexist side by side. It is an enormous richness for our family,” Ilkka emphasizes.
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