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The 51st Annual Helicon Ball will be held Saturday, February 9, 2008 in the Brûle Room at the Old Mill Inn in Toronto.
To view the invitation to the 51st Helicon Ball, click here.
The Helicon Ball is a debutante ball, an annual event organized under the auspices of the Hungarian Helicon Society. The Ball was started in 1958 by the Helicon Youth Association.
Originally the goal of the Ball’s founders - Hungarian immigrants who had recently come to Canada - was to maintain the beautiful traditions of old Hungary in the multicultural atmosphere of their new home, Canada. The unique splendour and elegance of the Helicon Ball proudly showed and celebrated the distinct “Magyar” traditions which were no longer possible to continue during the communist rule that was then occurring in Hungary. The Helicon Ball, in essence, is a celebration of Hungarian heritage, history and traditions. Through the Helicon Ball, the Hungarian community introduces non-Hungarians to our community and invites them to join us in the celebration of our heritage.
The Helicon Ball is filled with elegance, excitement and ceremony. The evening begins with a champagne reception, followed by the opening ceremonies and introduction of the distinguished guests - members of government and the diplomatic corps.
The Palotás dance follows, performed by about 12 young couples. The origins of the Palotás (Palace dance) date back to the fifteenth century. It later gained popularity in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when it was traditionally performed in the courts of Hungary. The Palotás dancers are dressed in traditional court attire of that time. (For more information about the Palotás, click here.)
The most unique aspect of the Helicon Ball is the presentation of Debutantes. The Helicon Ball is one of the only debutante balls in Canada. Debutante balls date back centuries, when fathers introduced their daughters to society, to the community in which they lived. At the Helicon Ball, it is the family participation that is emphasized and the debutantes are introduced to the Helicon Society and to the community at large. The debutantes, young ladies attending the Ball for the first time, will be escorted into the ballroom by their fathers or escorts and introduced to our distinguished guest, who officiates this portion of the evening. The debutantes and their escorts then open the dancing with the traditional waltz, to which the other guests also join in. (For more information about being a Debutante, click here.)
Once the Ball is underway, a four course dinner is served, followed by dancing. Music is played throughout the evening and reflects all eras to appeal to a variety of musical tastes.
The Helicon Society’s board and ball committee each year select a different charity or cause to which the Guests of the Ball are invited to make a donation. Organizations supported by the Helicon Ball in the past include the Helicon Schools, the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre, the Hungarian Scouts, Kids Help Foundation, Cancer Society, Royal Ontario Museum, Royal Conservatory of Music, OCAD, National Ballet of Canada, Wellesley Central Place, and many others. In keeping with the Helicon Society’s goals to support Hungarian culture and language, the designated cause of the Ball over the last few years has been Hungarian education. Donations received through the Helicon Ball will support the Helicon Society’s educational programs which are described on the education section of our website.
The Helicon Ball is a prominent social event, not only for Hungarian descendants, but for every member of our multicultural community in Toronto and the surrounding areas. It has evolved during the past five decades into an integral part of the Toronto social scene with its rich tradition and ceremony, and it is enjoyed by all.
We hope that we can count on your support through your attendance at the Ball this year, and through a donation or sponsorship. (Click here to visit our sponsorship page).
To view photos of past Helicon Balls, click here: Photos
To contact us, please send email to: TheBall@HeliconSociety.com
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