The right to learn – Malm’s school for the deaf in Porvoo

In 1846, Carl Oscar Malm (1826–1863) founded Finland’s first school for the deaf in Porvoo, with instruction given in sign language. His ideal was a well-educated deaf person who uses sign language. In Porvoo, Malm was well known in the circles of the educated classes, and he befriended, among others, the poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg. Malm found influential backers for his school project, but he was also bitterly betrayed.

Carl Oscar Malm became a role model for the deaf and sign language community. The exhibition tells the story of him and the history of his school in Porvoo.

You can also explore the exhibition in Finnish and Finnish-Swedish sign language.

The exhibition is produced by The Finnish Labour Museum Werstas, The Finnish Museum of the Deaf and Porvoo Museum. In collaboration with the City of Porvoo.