Special presentation at Juhannus 2019 to begin earlier than announced

The following press release was issued by the Finnish American Heritage Center:

HANCOCK, Mich. — The public presentation by visiting Finnish artist Minna Hokka about musical instruments made from materials found in nature will begin earlier than previously announced.

The program will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 22 inside the Finnish American Heritage Center at Finlandia University, immediately after the conclusion of the Midsummer pole ceremony on Quincy Green.

Hokka has been in Hancock for nearly two weeks, leading workshops in the folk tradition of creating musical instruments from natural materials, such as birch bark, reeds and even cow horns. She’s in the area because of the Finnish American Folk School, an outreach program of the Heritage Center created to ensure Finnish folk traditions remain a part of today’s Finnish-American life and culture.

During the presentation, Hokka will share information about each of the instruments she’s taught while in the Copper Country, and offer a sampling of how each instrument sounds when played. Her presentation will last about one hour, allowing participants ample time to enjoy the program in its entirety before heading to Agate Beach in Toivola for the Juhannus activities taking place there – including live music by the Minnesota-based band Laulu Aika and the traditional Juhannus kokko (bonfire) at 9 p.m.

For more information about Juhannus and the Finnish American Folk School, call (906) 487-7549.