The Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University will sponsor FINNtastic February events that celebrate Finnish heritage. The events will all begin at 1 p.m. and feature workshops, a film showing and musical performances. The schedule follows:

Saturday, Feb. 21: Master woodcarver James Lohmann will lead a workshop on the making of the Finnish national instrument, the kantele, in the Beaumier Center in 105 Cohodas Hall. Participants will make their own 11-string kantele from a kit. The cost is $250 per person and reservations must be made in advance by calling 227-1219.  

Friday, Feb. 27: The documentary, Finnish Blood Swedish Heart, will be shown at the Mead Auditorium in NMU’s West Science building. The 2013 award-winning film by Mika Ronkainen deals with the issues of Finnish and Swedish immigration. After the showing, there will be a question and answer session with the subject of the film, Kai Latvalehto, via Skype. Admission is free and open to the public.

Saturday, Feb. 28: The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center will celebrate Kalevala Day with a family-friendly event in the NMU University Center. The event will feature a folk dance performance by Kivijat dancers of Hancock, a musical performance by Tanja Paasikas Stanaway, an open folk dance with music by the PasiCats and a kantele-playing workshop led by Kay Seppala. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information please contact the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at 227-3212.