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HANCOCK — When Anton Pintar was asked who makes some of the best povitica in the Copper Country, he confidently name-dropped himself. And during a Heikinpäivä enrichment class coming this Monday, folks will be able to find out if he was right.
Pintar, with his wife Julie, will lead a workshop on making povitica – a sweet or savory pastry that is made with a yeast-raised dough that is rolled or stretched out thinly and then spread with a filling. It is then rolled up jellyroll-style and baked. The Pintars have been making this Croatian treat for years and are eager to share their tips and techniques with Heikinpäivä festival-goers.
The workshops are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, January 21 at the Finnish American Heritage Center.
Running simultaneous to the povitica workshops are a pair of wood-carving courses led by Finnish-American carving expert Peter “Pekka” Olson of Tapiola. Olson will offer instruction on how to craft a Christmas tree from wood, a technique he learned while furthering his skills during a recent visit to Finland.
Carving students should bring their own sharp carving knife if they have one; a limited supply of knives will be available.
Later that week, local baker and foodways tradition bearer Edith Maki will lead a nisu baking workshop. On Wednesday, January 23 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Center, Maki will offer instruction in making the well-known Finnish bread that graces the table at many significant Finnish holidays and events.
And on Thursday, January 24, musicians of any skill level are encouraged to take part in an accordion workshop led by Don Reinholm, a U.P. native who now lives in Lower Michigan. Reinholm, who will be at Heikinpäivä with his FinnFolk band mates, can offer instruction for folks who’ve never touched an accordion in their lives, as well as tips and tricks for the people who have some familiarity with the accordion and are looking to further their skills. This workshop is at 6 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Center.
All Heikinpäivä workshops are $15 per person. Advance registration is appreciated and can be made by calling (906) 482-1413 during typical business hours.
For more information about these workshops or other aspects of the Heikinpäivä festival, find Heikinpäivä on Facebook.
