Without permanent housing, the association tells Iltalehte that it hopes Aki Kaurismäki’s donation will wake up the government.
Aki Kaurismäki snapshot-photography
Supervisor Aki Kaurismäki67, made a donation of 30,000 euros to Vailla vakinaias asuntoa ry (VVA). It is a non-profit organization promoting the rights of the homeless.
VVA’s communications manager Erja Morottaja says to Iltalehte that the director told him by phone about his desire to donate.
– He saw Yle’s news about the increase in evictions, we had been interviewed in it. He must have noticed the condition people are in, and that the emergency and distress are only increasing, says Morottaja.
The organization is already familiar to Kaurismäki, as the director donated A man without a past around the time of the movie, money for the Helsinki Homeless Night event coordinated by VVA. Supporting screenings were also organized in connection with the film.
Kaurismäki’s new donation was a very big deal for the organization.
– I can say that tears came to my eyes when Aki called and told me about this. Such a donation is not self-evident. It makes the heart swell with gratitude when someone does something like this, says Morottaja.
VVA is already familiar to Aki Kaurismäki.
According to the communications manager, the act is very important, especially because of the cutting measures of the current government. The government announced in the spring that it intends to bring forward the cuts in state subsidies for social welfare organizations for the years 2025 and 2026. By the end of the election period, the organizations should be cut a total of around 130 million euros.
– The government is clearly pushing organizations to volunteer and charity-based activities, even though the organizations have met the needs that the state has not been able to meet. In that sense, Aki’s donation is really needed, says Morottaja.
– Aki’s act shows that such things go hand in hand. The state and society must take care of all its citizens, whatever their situation or background, he adds.
Morottaja hopes that Kaurismäki’s action will wake up the government and encourage others to donate as well.
– Aki said that he does not Donate or do such things to get publicity for himself or smiles from others. But to give an example that everyone can do this themselves. An example of what it means to be a member of society: some kind of joint responsibility would be borne, says the communications manager.
– The donation does not have to be 30,000 euros, but for example a smaller amount of money, your own skills, clothes or a coffee package is enough. Or that even one’s own attitudes would come under scrutiny and through that give something back to the community, he reminds in the end.
Helsingin Sanomat was the first to report on Kaurismäki’s donation.
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