Helsinki Youth Vacate Occupied Kindergarten After City Eviction Notice

A group of young people occupied a vacant, city-owned kindergarten in Helsinki's Pukinmäki district over the weekend, transforming it into an "autonomous social center" open to all. The buildings, formerly used by Daycare Nuotti, are in disrepair, with one slated for demolition and others planned for sale.

Despite the city's eviction order, issued early this week, the young occupants had already departed on their own accord by Wednesday. City maintenance engineer Tuija Helinä Karjalainen confirmed that city representatives, accompanied by police, were en route to enforce the eviction when they learned the squatters had left.

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Let them be there! They are no trouble if they don't mess things up or burn the house down. It's stupid that the buildings are left to rot and wait for someone to vandalize them.

Before their departure, the squatters had spoken of their desire to create a safe and caring space. While they declined interviews with HS, conversations indicated the occupation arose from a need for a communal area for self-directed activities, which they felt was lacking in Pukinmäki. They described creating a community that is difficult to form in the modern world.

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The city can't get anything done.

Local residents largely reacted positively to the squatters. Some noted that the occupation was less disruptive than previous vandalism in the area. Hanna Roling, a neighbor, stated, "As far as I'm concerned, let them be there! They are no trouble if they don't mess things up or burn the house down. It's stupid that the buildings are left to rot and wait for someone to vandalize them."

Another resident, Elmo Luoma-aho, agreed that a peaceful occupation was preferable to vandalism by some youths, adding, "The city can't get anything done."

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Here there is a community that cannot be formed in any other way in the current world.