5. Club evenings and celebrations

Sports clubs for the deaf have also played a social role. They have promoted solidarity among the deaf and provided an opportunity for sign language interactions. In addition to training and competitions, the clubs also organised club evenings and celebrations.

The club’s first gymnastics show was held in 1907. The purpose of the performances was to encourage the club members to participate in sports and also to showcase the results of the club’s activities.

The evening programme included speeches and presentations as well as magic trick performances, plays and games. The members of HERO also had access to the Helsinki Association of the Deaf’s summer houses Satulinna and Suvipirtti, which were used for recreation and get-togethers.

Anniversaries have been a good reason to get together to celebrate but also to reflect on the past. The anniversary programmes have included keynote speeches, history reviews, commemorations of distinguished members, congratulatory speeches, ceremonial visits to graves and, of course, gala dinners and coffee buffets.

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the name of the Helsinki Gymnastics and Athletics Club of the Deaf-Mute was changed to the Helsinki Deaf Athletic Club (HERO). The club also received a new flag, which was inaugurated by pastor Lauri Paunu. The flag was designed by Osmo Entelä. His creations also included medals of honour and merit.

Journal for the Deaf story:

HERO celebrated its 50th anniversary on 24 January 1954 at the premises of the Helsinki Deaf Club.

When the banquet hall was filled with members of the club and invited guests, B. Mouton opened the event by reciting the March of the Pori Regiment. The chairman of HERO, Arvo Helenius, welcomed the festive audience, and briefly introduced the club's work and its objectives for the promotion of sports. The official anniversary speech was presented by Elis Levänen, after which the honorary chairman of the club, Eino Karilas, who has been involved in the activities since the club’s establishment, shared his memories with the audience. He shared some funny stories about the club’s founding times, years of operation, and competition trips. Hjalmar Sandblom provided an unveiling speech, introducing the founders and the most distinguished athlete of the club. When the audience stood up, the curtain was pulled down and behind it were photos of the club's founders Oskari Lumme, Eino Karilas and Sulo Wuokko and a photo of the club’s most famous athlete, Antti Jokelainen. On its 50th anniversary, HERO received a new flag, which was handed over by the Flag Committee. Aura Ahlbäck spoke on behalf of the committee, asking the club's honorary chairman, Eino Karilas, to accept the flag and hand it over to the younger generation. Karilas solemnly accepted the flag and, after saying a few words, handed it over to the current chairman of the club, Arvo Helenius, who accepted it together with the members of the board, thanking the committee. This was followed by a speech by pastor Lauri Paunu on Olympic sports, the spirit of sport and the flag, after which he inaugurated the club’s new flag, wishing good luck and success to the club. After the inauguration, Aura Ahlbäck recited a poem called ‘Soihdunkantajat’ (“Torchbearers”) by Lauri Pohjanpää. Before the coffee was served, the first medals of honour and merit were awarded to distinguished actors of the club and to the best athletes since the founding of HERO. With Sulo Ikola acting as the speaker, Aili Huotari presented the first medal of honour to Eino Karilas. The following medals were awarded to Hj. Sandblom, J. Luomajoki, B. Ahlbäck, A. Jokelainen (accepted by spouse) and A. Helenius. Medals of merit were awarded to Aura Ahlbäck, V. Lehtonen and O. Kilpinen.

Finally, a number of personal congratulations were presented, which had also been received in the form of congratulatory cards and telegrams. The evening also included several speeches about personal experiences and thoughts from over the years of the club's operation. This highly successful, prestigious event ended with the Finnish national anthem. HERO is honoured to thank those who remembered the club with gifts and monetary donations. The donors included, among others, Hannes Yläkorpi from Hämeenlinna, Väinö Salomaa from Kerava, and Mrs. and Mr. Emil Färdig from Helsinki. It is unfortunate that the 50th anniversary celebration was only intended for members and invited guests, but a large celebration where all guests are welcome will be held again next summer in connection with SKUL’s Athletics Championships. On this occasion, further medals of honour and merit will be once again awarded to the distinguished actors and the best athletes of our club.