With my pigeon Finnish I had to learn the menu and eventually order from it. Before picking up any camera, I started this project as a customer of X-Burger when I first arrived to Finland. It was not always the rowdy, loud and alcohol-fueled zoo that you would expect. Many nights it was palpably tranquil; tangibly Finnish yet despite its American-style fast-food, occupies a third space.

The Espoo Grilli: A Photographic Guide looks at the independent grill kiosks of Espoo, establishments that continue to serve as remnants of a bygone era. Through quiet encounters and observation, the project traces how these modest structures sustain a sense of belonging against the behemoth corporate chains. For many owners the grilli format was an opportunity for newly arrived entrepreneurs. Blerim from Kosovo at Aladdin Grilli talks about long drives back home, yet he says Finland gave him everything. At Safkis Grilli, Chingiz recalls arriving from Turkey in the early 1990s and how, after years behind the counter, he feels at peace here. Rang and Sirwan, a father and son at Classic Grilli, work side by side. And Marko, a regular at Kaisan Grilli, waits for his order with a half pint of milk as trucks remain parked outside, and he only said one thing, when I asked - what was your name, he replied: Marko. I said thank you, and that was all. 

The project has been made possible with the generous support of the City of Espoo, the Espoo Cultural Centre and the Espoo grillis.

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Exhibition is open (free entry) from 30.10-20.12.2025 at the AHJO Space of the Espoo Cultural Centre.