What is Wanha Woima?

Wanha Woima (literally meaning ”Old Power”) is a heritage organization and veteran motor club based in Oulainen, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The association’s primary mission is to preserve and promote tangible and intangible cultural heritage, focusing heavily on 20th-century technology, traditional manual skills, building heritage, and old lifestyle traditions.

Key Activities & Operations

* The Annual Wanha Woima Days (Wanhan Woiman päivät): This is the club’s flagship event, held every summer two weeks after Midsummer. It has grown from a local gathering of stationary land engines into one of Finland’s largest national heritage festivals, attracting around 20,000 annual visitors. The festival features vintage car, tractor, and moped parades, old-fashioned working demonstrations, handicraft markets, and a famous flea market (rompetori).

* The Heritage Center (Perinnekeskus): Wanha Woima maintains an active heritage center in Oulainen. The open-air museum grounds feature over a dozen historical structures, including an old village school (Käpylän koulu), a traditional blacksmith’s forge, exhibition halls, and old country shops.

* Preserving Vintage Machinery: A core focus of the club is showcasing, restoring, and maintaining old stationary power engines, agricultural machinery, steam-powered equipment, and classic motor vehicles.

* Workshops and Courses: The association hosts year-round manual skills workshops, blacksmithing courses, and heritage projects—frequently collaborating with international instructors and cultural networks.

* Sub-groups: The association includes specific sub-sections, such as Naiswoima (”Women’s Power”), which organizes craft courses, field trips, and smaller seasonal cultural exhibitions throughout the year.

The Role of Volunteer Work and ”Talkoot”

The operation of Wanha Woima is built entirely on a strong foundation of volunteer work and the traditional Finnish concept of talkoot (communal volunteer work). Without the passion and countless hours contributed by hundreds of volunteers of all ages, maintaining the heritage center and organizing large-scale events would not be possible.

Volunteer Work During the ”Wanha Woima Days”

During the annual heritage festival, the effort of volunteers reaches its peak. A diverse crew of talkoot workers steps in to handle a wide range of essential tasks:

* Event Setup and Construction: Days before the gates open, volunteers construct stages, set up presentation tents, arrange exhibition areas, and ensure that the museum buildings are ready to welcome the public.

* Operating Historical Machinery: Expert volunteers and machinery enthusiasts bring old steam engines, tractors, and stationary power engines to life, providing live working demonstrations for the audience.

* Customer Service and Logistics: Volunteers manage the event’s ticket sales, guide traffic and parking for thousands of vehicles, and staff the information desks.

* Catering and Food Services: Talkoot workers run the event’s cafes and food stalls, serving traditional Finnish festival food, coffee, and pastries to the massive crowds.

* Safety and Maintenance: A dedicated team ensures the festival grounds remain clean, manages waste, and handles first aid and security during the busy weekend.

* Tear-Down and Cleanup: Once the event concludes, volunteers work together to dismantle structures, clean the heritage center grounds, and store the equipment until the next year.

This collective volunteer spirit not only keeps historical traditions alive but also fosters a tight-knit community where old skills are passed down to younger generations.

What Wanha Woima Offers to Its Volunteers

In return for their invaluable contribution, Wanha Woima offers its volunteers and ”talkoot” workers a strong sense of community, practical benefits, and recreational activities. Since the association and its major events rely heavily on volunteer power, ensuring the well-being and appreciation of the volunteers is a top priority.

The association provides its volunteer workforce with the following benefits and experiences:

* Catering and Food Services During Events: During work bees and event days (such as the national Wanha Woima Days), comprehensive catering is arranged for the volunteers. To keep everyone energized amidst the bustling festival, volunteers are provided with hot meals, refreshments, and coffee breaks throughout their long shifts.

* Exclusive Volunteer Trips and Excursions: As a gesture of gratitude, the association organizes dedicated recreational trips and volunteer excursions for active helpers. For example, during the autumn, multi-day domestic trips—such as weekend getaways to historically significant sites—are arranged for the volunteer crew, with the association covering the main program costs.

* Thank-You Coffees and Celebrations: After major events wrap up, volunteers and partners are invited to traditional thank-you coffee gatherings and evening celebrations at the heritage center’s Käpylä School. These events are a time to celebrate a successful event, share experiences, and spend casual time together.

* Training and Learning New Skills: Volunteers have the unique opportunity to learn traditional manual skills and the maintenance of historical machinery directly from experienced masters. Wanha Woima hosts various courses and workshops for its helpers and members, such as blacksmithing courses at the forge or bookbinding workshops. For younger volunteers, this work offers an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in customer service and event production.

* A Close-Knit, Like-Minded Community: Perhaps the most significant reward is the sense of community. In the talkoot spirit, people of all ages work side by side, creating lifelong friendships. Working with like-minded people, sharing laughs, and the shared thrill of pulling off a massive event make the volunteer experience the highlight of the summer for many.

How to Sign Up as a Volunteer for the Wanha Woima Days

The three-day Wanha Woima Days  will take place from July 9 to 11, 2027.

Signing up to become a ”talkoot” worker or volunteer for Wanha Woima is very straightforward. You can apply by filling out an online form or by contacting the coordinators directly.

You can sign up through the following channels:

* Online Volunteer Form: The easiest way to join is by filling out the registration form directly on the Wanha Woima ”Talkoolaiseksi” Page. On the form, you can select the tasks that interest you the most (such as ticket sales, construction, café work, or machinery exhibitions) and leave your contact details. The registration form will reopen in early 2027.

* By Phone or Text Message: You can also get in touch with the organizers directly to discuss suitable tasks. The main contact people for volunteer work are:

• Events secretary Helinä Koskela (Tel. +358 44 987 4003)
• Tuula (Tel. +358 40 511 4506)
• Reijo (Tel. +358 40 822 1730)