Where are your student overalls?
Student overalls bring back memories of Vappu celebrations and good times. Do you remember how to tune your overalls, or what it means to change a leg?
Did you borrow something from the Kalkkunaklubi cupboard?
Kalkkunaklubi was the student union “bar” of the Helsinki University of Technology, located in Teekkarila on Lönnrotinkatu in the 1930s and 1940s. The name was a playful twist on New York’s famous Stork Club.
Built on Lönnrotinkatu in 1931, Teekkarila was Finland’s first student residence. The building had 24 rooms for two people. Later, a floor was added for female students.
On the seventh floor, in the “bar” called Kalkkunaklubi, students set up a shared drinks cabinet. At the start of each term, members each paid 1 000 markkaa. The money was used to fill the cabinet with drinks. Only members had a key, and they could borrow from it. The price of a bottle increased the longer it took to return it – by 10 markkaa per week.
Because bottles were often returned late, the system made a profit. Even students who did not drink wanted to join. Members received payouts during the year. They also used the money to organise parties for other students and spring celebrations with guests from nearby institutes.
Kalkkunaklubi became history, but the cabinet did not
Student life later moved to Otaniemi, when the Helsinki University of Technology relocated from Hietalahti to Espoo in 1948. Student housing was built first, followed by the university’s main buildings. The move was completed in the 1960s.
At the same time, the student union building Dipoli was built and became the new centre of student life. A popular nightclub once operated there.
The Kalkkunaklubi cabinet was also moved to Dipoli. It still exists today, but it is no longer shared in the same way, and drinks can no longer be borrowed. The cabinet is kept in a secret location, and only a few people have the key.
Do you still remember the Wappu when you became teekkari?
Wappu is the biggest and grandest of student celebrations. The traditions of celebrating Wappu are honoured with care, all the way from the capping of the freshers, the declaration of the Wappu rowdiness and the capping of Havis Amanda. And the herring breakfasts are served in Ullanlinnanmäki in Kaivopuisto.
Paavo Nurmi rose from the sea in 1961
In the 1960s, Finnish technical students made an unprecedented master prank, which is still unparalleled today.
Pläy äpy, Luontoäpy, Shekki-Äpy, Tupla-Äpy and Julkku magazines
What would Wappu be without Äpy or Julkku? Published every other year, these May Day magazines are an essential part of students’ biggest celebration of the spring.
How Aalto are you?
Welcome for a trip down Aalto memory lane!