Cultural director Sampo Terho is passionate about old films, club gigs and watching ice hockey

Sampo Terho wished to be interviewed and pictured outside Milavida, but instead, we can enter the building itself even though the museum is closed. The aesthete finds the old palace exhilarating.

- This is a beautiful environment, and in the midst of administrative work, it's good to sometimes see what all the work is for, he ponders.

Terho’s summer has passed by getting to know his administrative branch. He has toured cultural facilities and events and met people who work in cultural services.

- The job has started nicely. Things were already in good care, and the workplace has a good atmosphere, he says.

As a director of culture, his goal is to bring forth a diverse cultural field in Tampere.

- There are many reasons why Tampere is such an attractive city. It's a pioneer in several ways, Terho points out.

Returning to Tampere felt like destiny

It was not quite a coincidence that Terho ended up as the Director of Culture of the City of Tampere. He has graduated from the University of Tampere, and he has kept in touch with his friends living in Tampere over the years. The cultural director’s position also happened to open at the perfect time.

- After leaving politics, I followed my dream and became a writer. I had spent two and a half years in my office writing my latest book, and life in the free field of arts had become familiar to me.

- I felt that it was time to move on to a permanent day job where I could see other people. I had decided to devote myself to culture in one way or another, and then this vacancy opened. Actually, I didn't even have time to think about other options. It felt like I was led to this place, Terho says.

The first time he ended up in Tampere was less self-evident. Tampere was far from the most obvious choice for a young person born in Helsinki and living in Kirkkonummi in 1998.

- However, this place had the most practical books for entrance exams. I truly memorised them by heart, reading them perhaps ten times, he recollects.

He found his first job at the Ministry of Defence as an information service assistant. From there, he climbed the career ladder and ended up as the Minister of Culture and Sports. In between, he also acted as a peacekeeper in Bosnia in the army command and as a Member of the European Parliament. 

- A person who loves culture had plenty to see in Bosnia, such as old architecture. The European Parliament, on the other hand, taught me about the different habits of different nationalities. For example, Finnish people always start meetings at the given time, Terho says.

Terho is a familiar sight in gigs, but doesn't play himself anymore

Now, Terho’s life is in Tampere and he and his daughter have found a home in Pyynikki. Its village-like surroundings are pleasant and close to everything, and Pyynikinharju is one of his favourite places in Tampere.

- I walk a lot on Pyynikinharju’s forest trails. The old factory buildings in Tampere are, of course, great and they contains many cultural facilities. I also like the centre, which has everything, but does not feel cramped. When I have visitors, I am happy to take them out to its restaurants and bars. And I am proud of Nokia Arena and its events, he lists.

Ice hockey is one of Nokia Arena’s key attractions, and this cultural man confesses to being a super fan of the sport. When it comes to arts, he loves music, films and, of course, literature.

- I listen to music all the time and have a collection of vinyl records and CDs at home. It’s great to put on a record, that is, the entire album, which forms a theme, Terho describes.

Terho also likes to go to gigs. Small gigs and clubs, such as G Livelab in Tampere, are his preferred places. 

- Small events are often targeted at a dedicated fan base, and a very committed audience attends them, he mentions. 

However, he points out that large-scale cultural events are essential for the city’s image and bring people to the city from as far as abroad. They also bring in revenue.

- For example, the magnificent Lord of the Rings performance is one that fans around the world have noticed, Terho points out.