Heritage Center sets spring semester enrichment slate

Gallery opening event at the Finnish American Heritage Center.

If someone asks you “Puhutko suomea?” and you don’t know how to respond, or your answer is “Yes, but not very well,” than this semester’s community enrichment classes at Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center are perfect for you.

Among the offerings this year are a pair of Finnish language classes, perfect for preparing students to answer the question – which is asking if you speak Finnish. Beginning Finnish, taught by Tiina Sakari, will meet on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., starting on February 15 and continuing for 10 weeks. This class is designed for folks who have little or no experience in the Finnish language.

For those with a bit more language background, an Intermediate Finnish course gets under way on Wednesday, February 15 as well. Taught by Anna Leppanen, the class meets at 11 a.m. and will continue for 10 weeks. This course is for those looking to improve on their Finnish skills, or those who learned the Finnish language at a younger age but now might be a bit rusty.

This semester’s slate also offers an opportunity to learn about modern Finland. A seminar titled “Finland in the 21^st Century,” led by Marlene Broemer, will explore numerous topics, including but not limited to culture, sports, arts, education and much more. The class is on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., with the first session on February 14. Broemer spent ten years living and studying in Finland, earning her Ph.D. there. This class will also continue for 10 weeks and several topics will be discussed each week.

Also on Tuesdays, Clare Zuraw will lead a course in Beginning Knitting. Over a 10-week period, students will learn to knit hats on circular needles, and by the end of the course know how to knit independently. Students will complete as many as two hats during the class. The first session for this class is at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14.

All enrichment classes meet at the Finnish American Heritage Center. Classes are $50 per student, per class, with payment due no later than the time of the first meeting. For more information about the FAHC’s community enrichment programs, call (906) 487-7549.