Finnish American Folk School
The Finnish American Folk School (FAFS) was founded in 2017 to promote Finnish folk arts and traditional skills and ensure that they thrive for generations to come. The Folk School is based in the Skyline Commons building and the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, Michigan. We welcome workshop requests or proposals. Scholarships or assistantships are available. Please contact FAFS director Clare Zuraw with all questions, suggestions, or scholarship requests: clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org or 906-370-3722.
Upcoming Events 2024
If you feel sick or have been exposed to COVID-19 before a class or other event, please stay at home and contact us to arrange a refund. If the FAFS must cancel an event, registrants will be notified, and refunds will be issued. Thank you for helping us to continue offering programs as safely as possible.
Stories from Finnish America
Presentation by Kayleigh Karinen
Monday, July 22, 2024
5:30-7pm
Finnish American Heritage Center
Free & open to the public
Questions? Call 906-370-3722
Join us to learn about Kayleigh Karinen’s “Stories From Finnish America” project that highlights Finnish American culture and heritage in the United States. Kayleigh aims to connect the past and present by creating a platform for contemporary Finnish Americans, Finnish enthusiasts, and their stories. The project has two main components:
1. Community engagement through social media content on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
2. Contributing to scholarly research on Finnish as a heritage language in the Upper Midwest region of the United States.
Supported by the Finlandia Foundation National, Kayleigh’s research was presented at the Workshop on Immigrant Languages in the Americas Academic Conference in 2023 and is set to be published in July 2024.
In this presentation, you will learn about Kayleigh’s journey to Finland, the inspiration behind her “Stories From Finnish America” project, and gain insights into her academic research on Finnishness in the Upper Midwest. Join us for an engaging session that highlights both personal and scholarly perspectives on Finnish American culture and heritage. All are welcome, and no previous knowledge is needed. There will also be time for questions about Kayleigh, her research, and anything related to Finland that you may want to ask!
Kayleigh Karinen is a Finnish American Entrepreneur based in Helsinki, Finland. She obtained a Master’s degree in Linguistics at the University of Helsinki, and her research specializes in Finnish as a heritage language and Basque sociolinguistics. Her journey to reconnect with her Finnish roots by studying Finnish in Finland started in 2017 and has transformed into an over seven-year adventure. Beyond her academic achievements, Kayleigh is a four-time world champion athlete with the Finnish National Team. Above all, she is especially enthusiastic about her Finnish roots and aims to inspire everyone, particularly young people, to explore their own heritage.
FAFS Community Singalong
Next meeting: Tuesday, July 23, 2024
5:30-6:30pm EDT
Finnish American Heritage Center
No cost to participate
RSVP required by email: copper.country.singalong@gmail.com
Oren Tikkanen and Alice Margerum have a vision for re-seeding old songs in the community, one singalong at a time. Join them to learn or re-learn songs and sing as a community. The group will begin by singing songs in Finnish (with English translations when available). Each meeting the group will focus on a new song, eventually building a shared repertoire we can sing together. The organizers will share song lyrics and audio with participants digitally before each gathering. No formal music or language training is necessary to participate. Please do not bring instruments for this gathering as we will be focused on learning words and melodies from recordings and each other. Initially this group is open to singers ages 13 and up. Questions? Email copper.country.singalong@gmail.com or call the FAFS at 906-370-3722
Beginning Weaving
Tuesday-Saturday, July 30-August 3, 2024
10am-5pm (with lunch breaks)
Instructor: Phyllis Fredendall
Class fee: $250
Materials fee: $50
SOLD OUT
Learn to weave from start to finish: yarn selection, warp and weft calculation, loom dressing and tie up, pattern drafting, shuttle use and hand weaving techniques. You will dress a loom for a finished table runner or wall hanging and weave samples on various four and eight shaft floor and table looms. Warp and weft will be provided. No experience needed. Good eye-sight or good glasses are required. Open to 15 years and older or younger if accompanied by participating adult.
Knitting Lunch Hour
Tuesdays 12pm-1pm
Jutila Fiber Studio
Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org for more information
Do you like to knit? Need feedback on your yarn choices? Want to learn new knitting tips and tricks socially from other knitters while on your lunch break? Join Finnish American Folk School director Clare Zuraw for a weekly knitting circle in our fiber studio. This is not a workshop! We’ll knit together, and Clare will be available for some light feedback during the hour, but there’s no lesson plan. Registration isn’t required – just show up with your knitting, a lunch, and maybe a friend. There’s no fee to participate, though if you find this to be an enriching experience donations the Folk School are always appreciated.
Our work at the Finnish American Folk School is made possible in part by support from American-Scandinavian Foundation.
The Finnish American Folk School is a proud member of the Folk Education Association of America.