Finland’s wooden charity figures face decay and vandalism after centuries of service

A uniquely Finnish tradition of wooden charity figures, known as vaivaisukot (beggar men), is now in need of protection itself, with many showing signs of wear and damage, reports Yle. Most of the roughly 200 figures stand outside churches in Ostrobothnia, where they have collected alms for the poor for centuries.

Originally serving as an early form of social welfare under church supervision, the figures—often carved with missing limbs or crutches—once symbolized those unable to work. Today, however, their role has shifted from collecting funds to requiring restoration. Risto Känsälä, a retired museum curator and member of the Pelastakaa vaivaisukot (Save the Beggar Men) association, notes that while many figures remain structurally sound, their paintwork has deteriorated. “They’re generally in decent shape, but proper care is essential,” he said.

A Yle survey of Ostrobothnian parishes confirms recent restoration efforts in locations such as Perho, Halsua, Pietarsaara, Kruunupyy, and Kokkola, with additional conservation planned this year in Nurmo and Kannus. The National Board of Antiquities provides guidelines, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has funded professional conservators. Yet Känsälä warns that well-intentioned but unskilled repairs risk further harm. “Overzealous fixes without expertise can do more damage than good,” he cautioned.

Beyond decay, the figures face vandalism and theft. In the early 2020s, several were broken into, including one in Kaustinen and another torn from its mounting in Lapväärtä. A figure in Ylistaro was partially destroyed by an axe, while Jepua’s was struck by a vehicle. Some parishes have responded by increasing surveillance or modifying collection boxes—such as in Kruunupyy, where donations now drop directly into a secure indoor container.

Despite their diminished modern yields—typically €20–200 annually—the figures retain symbolic value. “They remind communities of Finland’s long tradition of caring for the vulnerable,” said Saana Tammisto, a cultural heritage expert at the Church Council. The tradition, concentrated in Ostrobothnia, includes some of the country’s oldest known figures, though the reason for its regional roots remains unclear. Speculation links it to 18th-century clergyman Anders Chydenius, but no definitive evidence exists.