Halsua

Another site among the cluster of memorials in Ostrobothnia, Halsua Churchyard (the church itself is recognised as a nationally-important building) features a very distinctive monument in the form of a wall with an inscription. I visited it in July 2017 as part of a three-day trip to the region – it is situated midway between two other famine memorial sites – Lestijärvi and Veteli – and in the vicinity of roads built as famine relief projects in 1868. I first became aware of the memorial through an article about  Halsua Church by Rev. Joukko Heikkinen (on a website hosted by Kaustinen Parish). This site featured not only a photo of the memorial, but also some contextual information: it was designed by local architect Sulo Kalliokoski, and prepared by Kalle Jokela. The basic renovations made to the church in 1968-69 were planned by Sulo Kalliokoski, so I’m tempted to believe that the memorial was a part of these plans, but this requires further investigation. The memorial also gets a mention in the Suomen Muistomerkit series, as well as on the Kuntabongarit webpage.

 

Location: Halsua Churchyard, memorial signposted from Perhontie.

Parish: Halsua

Modern Region: Central Ostrobothnia (Keski-Pohjanmaa)

Year of Memorial: To be confirmed (1968-69?)

Inscription:“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”.

 

References:

Suomen Muistomerkit Osa 3: Pohjanmaa (Nousiainen, 1994), p. 18.

J. Palmela, “Suuret nälkävuodet Halsualla 1862-1868”, Keskipohjanmaa, 13 Jan., 16 Jan. 1934.