The Kind Guardian of the Village
Aleksandr Lihatsov is delighted to be recognised by the City of Tampere. He considers the "Kind Guardian" award a recognition for all the people of Hervanta, the young people of the Kupoli Youth Centre in Hervanta and all its employees.
– Together we can do this. Here in Hervanta, we have a 'whole village educates' mentality. It is possible when people know each other.
Lihatsov's workplace Kupoli is known for events organised by young people, such as the age-appropriate Herwoodfest.
– At first there were a few tuba players and a couple of booths. Now 20 young people plan and implement a festival for 1,000 visitors, with parents and siblings of the young people. Later, when I see parents who met there chatting to each other elsewhere, I know I've succeeded.
Caring parents
– I've had caring parents, as well as football coaches and youth workers at Kupoli. Not everyone has the same childhood experience. That's why we here never think that the bad kid is going to come out of it. We meet the young person as he or she is, and we don't assume anything.
Lihatsov started her nursing studies in the footsteps of her mother, who worked as a kindergarten teacher, but spent a few years working in other jobs. Fortunately, one teacher was persistent, asking after the young man and encouraging him to take the courses. Eventually, his studies progressed and Lihatsov did his first internship in a kindergarten. In his second internship at the Tesoma Youth Centre, the youngsters stole Lihatsov's heart.
In spring 2013, Lihatsov started working as a youth counsellor in the city of Tampere at the Leinola Youth Centre and in 2016 he moved to Hervanta.
– I am now where I need to be. I meet dozens of people on a shopping trip and if I have time, I stay for a chat. It's fine with me. Young people know I'm always available, but few end up contacting me outside working hours.
A builder of community spirit
After a while of watching the young people of Lihatsov and Kupoli getting together, it is easy to understand why this youth worker is the very Kind Guardian of the people of Hervanta.
– It's thanks to Santu that I'm studying sociology. Following in the footsteps of an idol, is the first thing Luka Taipale says.
– A well-deserved recognition, says Nico Sillanpää of the award.
– Santtu gets everyone on board. He's such a team builder. He's relaxed, likes to get to know everyone and listen, but not in a pushy way, Aino Lantto continues.
– I have more friends now and I dare to talk to anyone, says Jenna Hannula.
According to Nico Sillanpää, one concrete example illustrates the importance of Lihatsov:
– Once upon a time, a long time ago, we were girls in our own gang and boys in our own gang. Santeri made us play a board game together and since then we have all been here with everyone. Through the game, Santeri brought us together.
– And during the corona time, Santtu made a group on Discord where we talked and played games, Luka Taipale continues with examples.
Experiencing and learning
All four young people have volunteered not only at Herwoodfest, but also at discos, Christmas events and as mascots at Ilves league games.
– With Santtu, it's not too serious and it doesn't matter if you make mistakes. We are at events to experience and learn, not just to perform, says Aino Lantto.
Lihatsov agrees. Events are a practice in taking responsibility. Nico Sillanpää says that learning to take responsibility in the right steps has helped him a lot in his own life as an adult.
– We have a WhatsApp group of about 70 young people, and we always find ten young people to join right away, says Lihatsov, who in turn praises his young people.
In January 2026, the people of Kupoli have a new challenge ahead of them: the Torchlight Day in Tohloppi. Lihatsov is happy that they have a free hand to develop ideas and activities with the young people, that they are trusted.
A cheerful rogue
– The best moments are when a young person comes up to you on the street or in the shop and says, "Thanks for doing this when your parents couldn't". Nothing beats that feeling.
It's important for Lihatsov not to close the door completely when a young person turns 19. Sometimes old young people come to Kupoli with their own young children. The little ones get to run around in the corridors of the youth centre for a while.
If necessary, Lihatsov says to these familiar parents the same message he wants to pass on to all parents:
– Work together, be present and grow. Be present, be present, be present, be present, be present, be present, be present. Say thank you and wash your hands. The phone, TV and Netflix can't be that much more important.
And how has Lihatsov managed to do his job so well that he gets recognition and people come to say hello to him after all these years?
– It must be the personality. I've always been a pretty social guy and a jolly good fellow. I guess you end up in a job where it's useful. Of course, you learn more and more about meeting people all the time. You chat more with one person straight away, the other needs a bit more time. It's a bit of a chameleon business, says Lihatsov with a laugh.
Without Santtu:
"Without Santtu, I wouldn't have such a large and diverse group of friends, and I wouldn't have been involved in organising so many events." - Aino Lantto
"Without Santtu, I would not have applied to study in the social sciences and would not have been able to participate in various events." - Luka Taipale
"Santeri is a good advisor. Whatever your life situation, studies, work, relationship. If Santeri doesn't know, it helps to find information." - Nico Sillanpää
"Santtu has given me a lot of courage and sociability. I now have lots of friends of different ages and I talk to everyone. Santtu always helps." - Jenna Hannula
