Workshops set for Finnish American Folk Festival

Many new workshops will be offered at this year’s festival in Naselle on July 23-24.

Featured artists from Finland, Jemina and Selina Sillanpää, will offer “Stimulation for Children: Music, Dance, and Drama” on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Their father, Seppo, will share his expertise on Saturday at 2 p.m. titled “Lovely Harmonies & Finnish Tunes: A Workshop.”

Shari DePauw, a seventh grade teacher from Ontario, Ore., will conduct a workshop “Poetry for Tweens and Teens” Friday at 10 a.m. Participants will compose poems which capture treasured memories. On Saturday morning there will be a follow up session followed by an open mic in the afternoon where these budding authors will have time to share their works with festival attendees. Participants are requested to preregister with Anita Raistakka at 360/484-3376 or at: anita@finnam.naselle.net.

At the request of 2008 festival attendees two classes of “We Speak Finnish” will be offered. Friday’s session at 1:45 p.m. will be geared for youth. Saturday’s session at 12:45 p.m. will be geared for adults. The instructor, Helen Pitkanen, spoke only Finnish when she started school in Astoria. She has made numerous trips to Finland to connect with relatives. Preregistration with Raistakka is requested.

The FAFF appreciates the financial support from the Finlandia Foundation National in making the creative writing and Finnish language workshops possible. Thanks also go to Bank of the Pacific and Active Enterprises, Inc. for sponsoring many of our performers and presenters.

Gary Anderson, a Deep River native and published poet will emphasize preserving family memories. “Family Memoirs: How to Tell your Story-Poem, Verse, or Oral Tradition” Friday at 12:30 p.m. will repeat on Saturday on 11:30 a.m.

Past workshops will again be offered. They include May Adair’s beginning genealogy and Wilho Saari’s kantele playing. Check the schedules outside their rooms for days and times they will happen.

In the arts and crafts room, children will be able to make Finnish stars. They are a popular Christmas ornament.

Check the website for full schedules of festival events, http://finnam.naselle.net.