THE HISTORY OF KOSMOS

By 1924, when Yrjö Teodor Lindfors established Kosmos ruokasalit (The Kosmos dining rooms) on what was then known as the Vladimirinkatu street, prohibition prevailed in Finland. Nevertheless, there was significant demand for a modern, upscale yet moderately priced restaurant in the fast-growing capital city of Helsinki. The new venue quickly found favour, particularly among university students. Irina Hepolampi recalls that according to her grandfather, “the students lacked an affordable dining place, so he thought he would set up a simple restaurant with no carpets, no curtains, not even tablecloths. Just tiled floors and marble tables. It was easy to keep clean – for students and travellers”.

The easing of the Great Depression ushered in a new era in which Vladimirinkatu was replaced with the more patriotic Kalevankatu, the Swedish name Lindfors was fashionably translated into the Finnish Hepolampi, and 1932 brought the repeal of prohibition. The growing prosperity brought in new customers: lawyers, artists, civil servants, businessmen – even the occasional businesswoman.

Mrs Aino Hepolampi eventually took charge of her husband’s enterprise, thus becoming one of Helsinki’s very few female restaurateurs. Kosmos was marketed as a cosy, highly popular and comfortable place with full serving rights, renowned for its excellent cuisine. On weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons the restaurant featured live music by orchestras and ‘revue singers’.

In the spring of 1934, Kosmos was renovated and introduced the look that the restaurant is known for to this day. Architect and decorative painter Arvo O. Aalto planned the overall look of the dining hall and furniture designer Einari Kyöstilä designed the interior. The new lodges were decorated with wood reliefs of Hellenic themes, sculpted by Eino Räsänen.

Despite the escalating threat of war in the late 1930s, Helsinki experienced a surge in prosperity and optimism surrounding the preparation for the 1940 Olympic Games. Much like Berlin’s transformation four years earlier, the impending Olympics spurred a wave of initiatives aimed at planning, beautifying, and modernizing the city. This period also saw a more favorable attitude towards restaurants and catering, marking a new phase in Helsinki’s urban development. The city’s commerce and consumption began to reflect the prevailing spirit of optimism, signifying a shift in its urban landscape.

During the war, stringent food regulations made it tough for restaurants to thrive. However, in 1944, as the war neared its end, Kosmos was leased to the German army. The officers who spent time there generated crucial revenue, providing a lifeline to the struggling restaurant.