HANCOCK – Fall courses are underway at the Finnish American Folk School’s Festival Ruska in Hancock. Registration is still open for some classes and workshops, including two unique musical opportunities. Kay Seppala will teach 5-String Kantele for Beginners in the Finnish American Heritage Center Hall in Hancock on Tuesdays, Oct. 12 through Nov. 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The kantele, a plucked lap harp, is the national instrument of Finland. Students may bring their own kantele or borrow one from the Heritage Center. In November, the Folk School will host Jouhikko for Beginners Online taught by Clare Zuraw who studied the instrument in Finland. This less-commonly heard instrument is a Finnish bowed lyre traditionally strung with horsehair. Rental instruments will be available to local students. Both classes cost $50 and registration is available online: www.finlandia.edu/fahc/finnish-american-folk-school

There are still spots left in other Finnish American Folk School classes and workshops this fall. Starting in October, the Folk School hosts two knitting classes – sock knitting and colorwork knitting. In November, local instrument maker and woodworker Alice Margerum will teach students how to craft their own Nordic wood shaving ornaments. In December, Beginning Broom Making students will make and decorated their own functional whisk broom. Details and registration for all classes is available at the Folk School website.

The Finnish American Folk School at Finlandia University was founded in 2017 to promote knowledge of Finnish folk arts and traditional skills and ensure that they thrive for generations to come. The Folk School is based in the Jutila Center Fiber Studio and the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, Michigan.

Contact: Phyllis Fredendall, Phyllis.fredendall@finlandia.edu Phone: 906-487-7549.

finlandia.edu/fahc/finnish-american-folk-school