Statues of Paupers1 / Estatuas de pobres1 / Statues de miséreux1 / Estátuas de pobre-homem1

In English:

Those who have not seen my previous posts presenting historical wooden Poor-man (pauper) statues in their original surroundings, to them it is difficult to understand these unique wooden statues at first. These pauper statues are found mainly on the area called Ostrobothnia in Finland. They are part of our cultural heritage. What they are, why man made them, what is their history and how many of them exist? All these questions are replied in my next three posts.

Since I saw the first one nearly ten years ago, I felt sympathy to them. They were so cute and well made. Seeing those statues later after years, many of them were in bad condition, I came sad. I saw that time and hard weather had left marks on them. I asked myself if anybody takes care of them, because they needed urgent restoration. In 2013 there was an exhibition of paupers in world’s biggest wooden church in Kerimäki presenting 42 paupers collected around Finland. In this exhibition some paupers were restored and some in their original conditions.

According to the latest calculations there are 145 paupers from which 107 (poor-man statues) + 1 (poor-woman statue) in active service, meaning collecting money to the poor. The rest of them are found in local museums around Finland. Total number of them is calculated to been about 180. In Sweden there are only nine paupers left.

Background:

All this began in 1649 (at that time Finland was under administration of Sweden) when Swedish queen Kristina (1629 – 1689) gave order to make money collection logs. In Europe wars raged around and many soldiers wounded in wars losing foot or arm. When wounded in this way they had to return to their home. These money collection-logs were modified to pauper (poor-man) statues by local artists. They were placed usually beside church doors and on the walls of bell towers. Man built for them small wooden shelter to protect them sun shine, direct rain and snow. In recent years many churches moved them into porches. So, many pauper statues present men missing hand, foot or even ear having models from solders maimed in wars. Man must remember that in the 1700, 1800 and 1900 century people were very poor, but they visited church every Sunday faithfully. I think that these pauper statues were great start for modern help of the poor (social security).

Pauper statues have moneybox in their chest and to put coins into them there is a slot in the chest. In general the Finnish people are honest and this means that there a few robberies against the pauper statues Robberies have happened, yes indeed. Latest robbery happened in 2013 when the whole pauper statue in Rautio was stolen. It was found after winter in a ditch. The lock and money were missing, but the statue was in good condition. Also the pauper of Alavieska has been robbed many times. In addition to these robberies, there has been small mischief’s like removing hands. Many paupers have beside them a written small phrase. Although the text might differ from others, the main idea is: “he who has mercy on the poor, lends to the Lord”.

In the exhibition in Kerimäki church the oldest pauper statue is from the late 1600s from Hauho. The biggest pauper statue is huge modern statue from 2012. I have two photos from it at the end of my last post. The smallest is from Särkisalo church. The most special looking pauper is from Kaarlela (1784). Anyway it was great to see pauper statues in one place; more awesome it is to admire them in their own surroundings.

En español:

En el verano de 2013 hubo una exposición de estatuas de pobre-hombre en la iglesia de madera más grande del mundo. Por favor, lea más abajo.

Historia de pobres hombres tallada en madera y la estatua estatua de pobrecita mujer.

Hay 107 estatuas de pobre hombres y una estatua de pobrecita mujer.

Al manejar mi carro alrededor en mi país, sacando fotos de las iglesias he encontrado algunas estatuas raras al lado de iglesias o campanarios. Ellos eran hombres o mujeres, y siempre sus mano o el pie había desaparecido, pero de todos modos esos estatues veía bien. Al examinar más de cerca encontré un hueco en ellos. Entonces entendí que se puede poner dinero en el hueco y dentro hay una cajita. ¿Por qué estos cajas / estatuas en madera de pobre hombres mendigos, se han creado, ¿cuándo?

Todo esto empieza en 1649 cuando la reina Cristina de Suecia dio la orden para hacer los leños de los pobres y ponerlos al lado de las puertas de las iglesias, campanarios o algunos lugares públicos. Pronto los leños de los pobres fueron modificados para estatuas de pobre hombre par artistas locales en Finlandia. En ese tiempo Finlandia estaba bajo la administración de Suecia. En Europa guerras devastó todos partes en Europa y muchos soldados heridos mismos perdiendo su pie o el brazo. Cuando heridos de esta manera ellos tuvieron que regresar a su casa.

En el 1700, 1800 y 1900 la gente del siglo era muy pobre, pero ellos visitaron la iglesia todos los domingos fielmente, así el lugar natural para esas estatuas pobres-el hombre estaba fue junto a iglesias o campanarios. Tal vez estas estatuas de pobres hombres ayudó a los más pobres, por supuesto, no existen estadicas.

En francais:

En été 2013 il y avait une exposition de statues de pauvres-hommes dans la plus grande église en bois du monde. S’il vous plaît, lire la suite en dessous.

Histoire de statues sculptées en bois de pauvre-homme et de pauvre-femme statue.

Il ya 107 statues de pauvre-hommes et une statue pauvre femme.

Lorsque je conduisais autour dans mon pays pour prendre des photos des églises sur la campagne, j’ai trouvé quelques statues particulières à côté des églises ou des campaniles. Ils étaient des hommes ou des femmes et dont toujours la main ou le pied les manquait, mais de toute façon ces statues avaient l’air si bien. Lorsque en examinant les de plus près, j’ai trouvé une fente. Puis j’ai réalisé que l’on peut mettre des pièces à l’intérieur dans la fente du bûche. Pourquoi ces pauvres bûches / pauvre-homme de bois / bois statues mendiants ont été mis en place, quand?

Tout cela commence 1649 quand Christine de Suède a donné l’ordre de faire les pauvres bûches et de les mettre à côté des portes d’église, clochers ou de certains lieux publics. Bientôt ces pauvres bûches ont été modifiés pour homme pauvres statues par des artistes locaux en Finlande. En ce moment la Finlande était sous l’administration de la Suède. Les guerres faisaient rage autour de l’Europe et nombreux soldats blessés ont perdu le pied ou le bras. Lorsque blessés de cette façon ils devaient retourner à leur domicile.

Dans les années 1700, 1800 et 1900 les gens était très pauvres, mais ils ont visité l’église chaque dimanche fidèlement, de sorte que, le lieu naturel pour ces statues de pauvres-hommes était à côté des églises ou des campaniles. Peut-être ces statues de pauvres-hommes ont aidé les plus pauvres, mais des statistiques, ils existent pas bien sûr.

Em Português:

No Verão de 2013 houve uma exposição de estátuas de pobre-homem de madeira na maior igreja de madeira do mundo. Por favor, lede vós mais abaixo.

História dos estátuas de pobre-homem de madeira entalhada e uma estátua de pobre-mulher.

Há 106 estátuas de pobre-homem e uma estátua de pobre-mulher.

Conduzindo por aí e tirando fotos de igrejas, Encontrei algumas estátuas peculiares ao lado de igrejas ou ao lado ou campanários ou ao lado de alguns lugares públicos. Eles eram homens ou mulheres, e sempre a sua mão ou o pé estava faltando, mas de qualquer maneira
essas estátuas pareciam bem. Ao examiná-los mais de perto eu achava uma ranhura neles. Depois percebi que se pode colocar moedas na fenda e lá dentro é uma caixa. Por que os mendigos estátuas de madeira foram criados, e quando?

Tudo isso começa em 1649, quando a Kristina rainha sueca deu uma ordem para fazer troncos pobres e colocar-los ao lado de portas da igreja, ao lado das campanários ou ao lado dos alguns lugares públicos. Logo esses pobres-troncos foram modificados para estátuas de pobre-homem por artistas locais na Finlândia. Naqueles dias Finlândia estava sob a administração da Suécia. Na Europa, as guerras se desenrolava ao redor e muitos soldados feridos na perda de um pé de um braço. Quando feridos, desta forma eles tiveram que voltar para suas casas.

No século 1700, 1800 e 1900 pessoas estavam muito pobre, mas eles visitaram as igrejas, todos os domingos fielmente, Consequentemente o lugar natural para as estátuas de pobre-homems estava ao lado das igrejas ou ao lado das campanários. Talvez essas estátuas de pobre-homem ajudavam os mais pobres, mas nenhuma estatística fica – claro.

Statues of Paupers1 / Estatuas de pobres1 / Statues de miséreux1 / Estátuas de pobre-homem1

Saloinen

Saloinen

Saloinen

Merijärvi

Merijärvi

Ähtäri

Ähtäri

Ähtäri

Lohtaja

Lohtaja

Lohtaja

Lohtaja

Kuorevesi

Kuorevesi

Kuorevesi – Statues of Paupers1 / Estatuas de pobres1 / Statues de miséreux1 / Estátuas de pobre-homem1

Kuhmalahti

Kuhmalahti

Kuhmalahti

Kaarlela

Kaarlela

Kaarlela

Kaarlela

Ylistaro

Ylistaro

Ylistaro

Alaveteli

Alaveteli

Alaveteli

Statues of Paupers1 / Estatuas de pobres1 / Statues de miséreux1 / Estátuas de pobre-homem1

Pihlajavesi

Pihlajavesi

Pihlajavesi

Alavus

Alavus

Alavus

Ikaalinen

Ikaalinen

Ikaalinen

Kauhajärvi

Kauhajärvi

Kauhajärvi

Muhos

Muhos

Muhos

Muhos

Lestijärvi

Lestijärvi

Lestijärvi

Lestijärvi

Hauho

Hauho

Hauho

Hauho

Hauho

World’s biggest wooden church / Iglesia de madera más grande del mundo / Plus grande église en bois du monde

Statues of Paupers2 / Estatuas de pobres2 / Statues de miséreux2 / Estátuas de pobre-homem2