Folk High School Summer 2027

Folk High School Summer 2027

Finnish Art & Craft Experience 2027

Nordic Homesteading & Wilderness Survival 2027

The Folk High School Residency: 21-Day Intensive Course

Dates: June 1– June 22, 2027
Location: Folk Summer High School (Basecamp), Finland
Theme: Traditional Self-Sufficiency, Ancient Crafts, and Wilderness Mastery

Course Overview

Experience the raw beauty of the North and master the skills of our ancestors. This 21-day intensive program is designed for those who want to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with the land. From the hum of the beehive to the heat of the forest, you will learn to sustain yourself using traditional Nordic methods.

The Pace: 21 consecutive days of hands-on learning (5–8 hours per day) with 2 resting days to explore and enjoy the surrounding nature. Total immersion.

Workshop Details:

The 21-Day Journey

Phase 1: The Wild & The Hive

Days 1–2: Expedition. A 2-day wilderness trek. Master navigation, traditional fire-making, and the art of sleeping under the stars. Tytti Arponen
Days 3–4: Practical Beekeeping (Part I). Introduction to the apiary. Learn bee biology and perform hive inspections during the peak of the Nordic summer. Maritta Martikkala
Day 5: Rest and enjoy your surroundings independently
Days 6–7: Hide Tanning (Part I). Begin the ancient process of tanning. Scrape, clean, and prepare raw hides for natural tannin immersion. Kari Rauha

Phase 2: Livestock, Fibers & Leather

Day 8–11: Knife Making. A 3-day masterclass. Shape your own Nordic blade, craft a wooden handle, and sew a custom leather sheath. Kari Rauha
Days 12–13: Hide Tanning (Part II). Finish the leather. The physical work of softening and finishing your hand-tanned hides. Kari Rauha
Day 14: Rest and enjoy your surroundings independently
Days 15–16: Spinning Wool. Master the spindle and wheel. Carding and spinning raw fleece into high-quality yarn. Susanna Soisalo

Phase 3: The Forge & The Harvest

Days 17–18: Beekeeping (Part II). The harvest. Extracting honey, processing wax, and preparing the colony for the late summer. Maritta Martikkala
Day 19–20: Chainsaw Carving: Shape the Nordic Timber. This hands-on course takes you through the entire process of transforming a raw log into a finished piece of art that you can take home with you. Juha Käkelä
Day 21: Farewell Expedition & Outdoor meal. A final trek into the wild. Prepare a communal feast over an open fire. Tytti Arponen
Day 22: Departure & Farewells
(Breakfast 8:00–10:00, checkout by 12:00)

Practical Details

Accommodation: Always at the Folk High School except for the first night’s guided trip to the wild.
Language: The course is conducted entirely in English.
Atmosphere: Learning by doing. Expect physical work, fresh air, and deep community bonding.
Meals: All meals included.

Daily Meal Rhythm

08:00 – 8:45 | Breakfast
12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch Break
16:00-16:45 | Dinner
19:00 onwards | Free time (Swimming, hiking, bonfire nights)
Independently served night snack in Linna’s smaller kitchen from 20.00–22.00

Tytti Arponen – Nature & Wilderness Guide

Tytti has a deep, practical understanding of the Finnish forest. She will guide you into the secrets of wilderness survival and help you truly connect with the Finnish nature.

Kari ”Kartsa” Rauha – Primitive Survival & Craft Specialist

When it comes to survival skills using primitive methods, Kari’s expertise is truly in a league of its own. In his workshops, you will learn the ancient arts of traditional leather tanning and how to craft your very own Finnish knife (puukko).

Susanna Soisalo – Traditional Wool & Spinning Expert

Susanna will introduce you to the heritage of fiber arts. You will learn the traditional methods of processing raw sheep’s wool and the beautiful, meditative craft of spinning it into yarn.

Maritta Martikkala – Professional Beekeeper

Step into the wondrous world of bees with Maritta, a seasoned professional in apiculture. She will take you behind the scenes to explore the incredible process of honey making and discover the many vital benefits bees bring to our ecosystem.

Juha Käkelä – Chainsaw Sculptor & Wood Artisan

Chainsaw carving is deeply rooted in Finnish totemic culture, traditionally used to capture the spirit of majestic forest animals like bears and owls. Under Juha’s guidance, you will learn how wood behaves, how to manage natural cracks, and how to apply traditional finishes using fire and oils. This course also offers a unique opportunity to test the industry’s absolute best woodworking tools.

Accommodation & Life at the Opisto

Experience the authentic ”Folk High School” lifestyle in our cozy on-campus dormitories.

Duration: 21 Days / 20 Nights.
Full Board: Includes 20 nights of accommodation and all daily meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee, dinner and night snack) featuring local Finnish flavors.
Facilities: 24/7 access to surrounding nature, bonfire nights, and scenic hiking trails.

Investment & Registration

Early Bird Price: 2650 € (Valid until January 31, 2027)
Regular Price: 2950 € (From February 1, 2027 onwards)
The price is all-inclusive covering all: Program, high-quality materials (including the reindeer hide), accommodation, and all meals.

How to Get Here

Hartola is easily accessible from Finland’s capital, Helsinki.

By Bus: Express buses run frequently from the Helsinki Central Bus Station (Kamppi) directly to Hartola (stop: Jari-Pekka Hartola). The journey takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
From the Bus Stop: It is a scenic 30-minute walk from the bus stop to the Itä-Hämeen Opisto campus.
By Car: About a 2-hour drive from Helsinki via the E75 highway. Free parking is available on campus.

How to Register

Visit our Website: Go to the official residency page at ihop.fi.
Fill out the Form: Click the ”Register Now” button to access the official Google Forms page.
Provide Details: Complete the form with your contact information, dietary requirements, and artistic background.
Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation email with payment instructions to finalize your registration.

Important Dates:

Early Bird Discount: Register by January 31, 2027, to save 300 €.
Final Registration 29.3.2027.

Terms & Cancellation

Payment: After filling out the Google Form, an invoice for the deposit or full amount will be sent to your email.
Insurance: We strongly recommend all international participants obtain personal travel insurance to cover any unexpected changes in their plans.
The programme and schedules are subject to change. More detailed schedules will be announced in April once the course is confirmed after the registration deadline. The Institution reserves the right to all changes.

Questions? If you have any trouble with the form or need more details, please contact us at kurssit@ihop.fi.

The Folk High School Art Residency: 21 Days of Creativity

June 28 – July 18

Join us for an immersive 3-week artistic journey at the historic Itä-Hämeen Opisto. Located in the countryside and heart of the Finnish lake district in Hartola, this Folk High School experience combines traditional craftsmanship, contemporary art, and the serene beauty of the Finnish summer.

Step away from the rush of everyday life for a residency designed to let your creativity flow without interruption. Our campus offers a beautiful park-like setting for growth, with forest trails starting from the doorstep and a swimming beach just a short walk away. This year, we have expanded our Painting & Visual Arts focus to serve as the creative foundation for the entire journey.

A Journey into the Nordic Soul

The residency offers more than just art techniques; it is an exploration of the Finnish soul and its deep roots in nature. You will be invited to discover our cultural history, ranging from forest folklore to ancient traditions and shamanic heritage. These themes provide a rich, historical foundation for our creative work, offering a respectful look into the beliefs that have shaped the Finnish way of life for centuries.

Workshop Details: A Deep Dive into Creativity

Week 1: Light, Texture & Natural Prints

June 28 – 29 | Cyanotype: Harnessing the Blue Sun
Welcome to discover the beautiful and wonder-filled world of cyanotype! This non-toxic, historic camera-less photography technique uses light-sensitive iron compounds, UV light, and water to create stunning images in various shades of deep Prussian blue.

The Process: You will learn every step, from preparing the papers to creating prints using organic materials, glassware, and lace.
The Exposure: We harness the power of the Nordic sun (weather permitting) and finish with a unique coffee-toning session to create earthy hues.

June 30 | Artistic Upcycling & Mixed Media Stitching
A creative day of ”junk embroidery.” We breathe new life into recycled materials, combining fabric scraps, found objects, and expressive stitching into unique art pieces. This session challenges you to see the artistic potential in everyday materials and found objects.

July 1 – 2 | Eco-Printing on Paper: The Magic of Contact Dyeing
Come and discover the wonderful world of eco-printing! We create ”contact prints” using plants on paper—a completely natural way to transfer the colors and shapes of the forest onto paper by boiling bundled plant-and-paper packages.

Embodied Experience: The workshop begins with an immersive walk to gather materials, combining outdoor learning with simple multi-arts exercises.

July 3 – 4 | Textile Design: The Story of a Fabric Bag
Transform a simple everyday object into a personal and unique piece of functional art! Under expert guidance, you will paint your own fabric bag, learning professional textile paint techniques and the basics of visual composition.

Week 2: Landscapes & Heritage

July 5 – 10 | Painting in the Wild: Capturing Nature’s Beauty
Do you want to learn how to capture the stunning beauty of the Finnish nature on canvas? This multi-day workshop invites you to explore landscape painting in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere.

Techniques: Experiment with oils, acrylics, watercolors, and pastels.
The Muse: Diverse painting exercises both in our studio and outdoors, using the surrounding Finnish forest and lakes as our primary muse to discover your own creative path.

July 11 | Cultural Excursion: Whispers of the Finnish Forest & Heritage

Step away from the studio and immerse yourself in the soul of the Finnish countryside. This guided day trip takes you deep into the local heritage of the Hartola region, combining ancient folklore with the authentic ”mökki” (cottage) lifestyle.

Highlights of the Day:

Forest & Mythology: A scenic one-hour guided walk through winding trails. Discover the stories of ancient forest spirits and the myths that have shaped the Finnish connection to nature for centuries.
Cottage Culture: A firsthand look into the Finnish cottage lifestyle and the deep-rooted traditions of lakeside living and the art of slowing down.
The Sauna Experience: The day’s crown jewel. A relaxing and authentic Finnish sauna session, embracing the ritual of löyly and the purifying power of the steam.
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, and a towel.

Week 3: Heritage & Harmony

July 12 – 14 | Bookbinding: The Art of the Handmade Journal
Craft your own unique artist’s journal step by step. You will learn the secrets of Western bookbinding, from working with interior papers to traditional thread sewing.

Custom Covers: Discover a special Japanese backing method that allows you to use your favorite fabrics (perhaps from previous workshops) as durable and beautiful cover materials.

July 15 – 17 | Shamanic Drum Making: The Birth of Your Own Power Drum
A powerful journey of creating a unique drum that reflects your own spirit. In this intensive workshop, we build personal frame drums using authentic reindeer hide and local wood.

Tradition & Balance: Explore the drum’s maintenance, its role in healing, and traditional finishes like tarring. The residency culminates in a farewell bonfire and communal drum circle to celebrate the ”birth” of our new instruments.

July 18 | Departure & Farewells
A slow farewell breakfast followed by departures. We say our goodbyes and head home, carrying our handmade journals, drums, and art pieces as permanent memories of our Nordic journey.

The Programme

Week 1: Light, Texture & Natural Prints

June 28 | Arrival & Opening Session: Harnessing the Blue Sun (Part I)
(Arrival 12:00–15:00 / Welcome & Workshop 15:30–18:00)
Arrive and settle into your creative home. We begin with a welcome orientation, followed by an introductory session to Cyanotype. We will set our intentions and prepare our light-sensitive papers for the following day.
(Instructor: Kira Leskinen)

June 29 | Cyanotype: Harnessing the Blue Sun (Part II)
(Full Day 10:00–17:00)
A full day dedicated to creating ethereal blue images using light-sensitive iron compounds, UV light, and water. We will use the Nordic light to expose our prints and experiment with toning techniques using coffee.
(Instructor: Kira Leskinen)

June 30 | Artistic Upcycling & Mixed Media Stitching
(10:00–18:00)
A creative day of ”junk embroidery.” We breathe new life into recycled materials, combining fabric scraps, found objects, and expressive stitching into unique art pieces.
(Instructor: Katri Loponen)

July 1 – 2 | Eco-Printing on Paper: The Magic of Contact Dyeing
(July 1: 10:00–18:00 & July 2: 10:00–17:00)
Capture the soul of the forest by boiling plant-and-paper bundles to transfer natural pigments directly onto paper. Includes a gathering walk in nature and simple embodied multi-arts exercises.
(Instructor: Maarit Myllynen)

July 3 – 4 | Textile Design: The Story of a Fabric Bag
(Daily 10:00–14:00)
Transform a simple everyday object into a personal piece of functional art. Learn professional textile painting techniques, composition, and finishing.
(Instructor: Jaana Vesikko)

Week 2: Landscapes & Heritage

July 5 – 10 | Painting in the Wild: Capturing Nature’s Beauty
(Daily 9:00–15:00)
A six-day deep dive into landscape painting. Explore oils, acrylics, and watercolors in the idyllic surroundings of the Opisto. This ”low-threshold” course is perfect for all levels to experiment with color theory and visual expression.
(Instructor: Tytti Arponen)

July 11 | Cultural Excursion: Whispers of the Finnish Forest & Heritage
(Full Day 9:00–17:00)
A guided day trip deep into the local heritage. We explore winding forest trails, learn about ancient spirits, and stop to sketch historical architectural gems in our sketchbooks.
(Host: Tytti Arponen)

Week 3: Heritage & Harmony

July 12 – 14 | Bookbinding: The Art of the Handmade Journal
(Daily 9:00–16:00)
Learn the secrets of Western bookbinding step by step. Master thread sewing and a special Japanese backing method to use your own chosen fabrics as covers for your artist’s journal.
(Instructor: Erja Huovila)

July 15 – 17 | Shamanic Drum Making: The Birth of Your Power Drum
(July 15–16: 9:00–17:00 & July 17: 9:00–16:00 + Evening Ceremony)
Build a personal frame drum using authentic reindeer hide and local wood. The process explores the drum’s role in healing and grounding.
(Instructor: Tuulia Kurkela)

July 17 Evening | Farewell Bonfire & Drum Circle
A communal celebration to mark the completion of our journey.

July 18 | Departure & Farewells
(Breakfast 8:00–10:00, checkout by 12:00)

Daily Meal & Leisure Rhythm

08:00 – 8:45 | Breakfast
12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch Break
16.00-16:45 | Dinner
19:00 onwards | Free time (Swimming, hiking, bonfire nights)
Independently served night snack in Linna’s smaller kichen from 20.00-

Meet Our Instructors

Tytti Arponen (MA, Nature & Wilderness Guide)
Tytti bridges fine arts with a deep, practical understanding of the Finnish forest. She guides you in capturing the Nordic landscape while sharing the hidden stories of the surrounding nature.

Kira Leskinen (MA, Visual Artist & Photographer)
Kira is an expert in creative photographic processes. She brings a contemporary touch to the art of cyanotype, exploring the intersection between light, chemistry, and nature.

Katri Loponen (Master Craftsman)
A specialist in clothing and textiles, Katri sees beauty where others see waste. She inspires students to breathe new life into materials through bold, expressive stitching.

Maarit Myllynen (MA, Visual Arts Educator & Eco-artist)
A professional in arts-based multi-sensory methods, Maarit focuses on the restorative experience of working with natural pigments and the forest’s sensory offerings.

Jaana Vesikko (Professional Artist & Artisan)
Jaana specializes in functional art. Her approach to fabric painting combines technical precision with creative freedom, turning utility items into personalized art.

Erja Huovila (Fine Art Printmaker & Professional Bookbinder)
Master Printmaker at the Academy of Fine Arts (Uniarts Helsinki), Erja guides students through the meditative process of creating hand-stitched journals.

Tuulia Kurkela (Artisan & Drum Maker)
Tuulia bridges traditional craft with Nordic spiritual heritage, creating a supportive space to ”birth” your own reindeer-hide drum with ancient rhythms.