Cultures from all over the world are represented at special events happening in and around Los Angeles in November. And if Scandinavian films and Christmas fairs are of interest, this is the time for that as well.

For Scandinavian film enthusiasts, both the Arpa International Film Festival and AFI Fest offer opportunities:

• The Dead Soldier, a Danish documentary directed by Jesper Ærø, will have its Los Angeles premier at the Arpa International Film Festival in Hollywood on November 9 (more details).
• The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, a Norwegian/Canadian film featuring Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, Blackfoot from the Kainai First Nation and Sámi from northern Norway, as lead, co-director and writer in a story based on an actual incident from her life will be shown at AFI Fest in Hollywood on November 19 and 20 (more details).
• And Then We Danced, a Swedish/French/Georgian film written and directed by Swedish Levan Akin, is Sweden’s official international feature film Oscar submission and will be shown at AFI Fest on November 20 and 21 (more details).
• Something to Remember (Något att minnas), a Swedish short written and directed by Niki Lindroth von Bahr will be shown as part of Shorts Program 5 at AFI Fest on November 18 & 19 (more details).

How will you explore the diverse richness of Los Angeles this month?

* SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS FAIRS *

Friday, 11/22 – Sunday, 11/24: Julebasar – Norwegian Christmas Bazar, Norwegian Seamen’s Church, San Pedro. Christmas decorations, music, candles, and the smell of freshly baked goods set the mood as guests wander the booths filled with Scandinavian goods of all kinds. There are raffle drawings with wonderful prizes, traditional foods served in the church’s cafe, baked goods for sale in the church’s bakery, and Norwegian Christmas food available in the church’s store. There will also be a children’s Christmas workshop from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Entry is free and all are welcome! (See hours.)

Sunday, 11/24: SWEA Orange County Swedish Christmas Fair, Old World Village, Huntington Beach. Come for Swedish handicrafts, traditional Swedish foods and home-baked goods, a gløgg bar, dancing around the Christmas tree, and Lucia pageants (at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.). There will also be a fish pond, jultomte, and much more! Entry fees are $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 5 to 15. (Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Saturday, 11/30: Julemarked – Scandinavian Christmas Fair, Danish Church & Cultural Center, Yorba Linda. Artisans and crafters offer high quality, unique and one-of-a-kind glass, ceramics, paper art, paintings, jewelry, and fabric art. Guests can also enjoy traditional Danish foods such as smørrebrød (elegant, elaborate open-face sandwiches) and æbleskiver (Danish pancake balls) with powdered sugar and raspberry jam as well as strong Danish coffee and gløgg, the hot Scandinavian yuletide drink (mulled red wine with cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, raisins and slivered almonds). Danish pastries and select meat products are also available for purchase. (Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

Sunday, 12/8: SWEA Los Angeles Swedish Christmas Fair, Torrance Cultural Center, Torrance. The SWEA Los Angeles Swedish Christmas Fair has something to offer everyone. A great selection of genuine Swedish handicrafts – jewelry, fine art, toys, and Christmas collectibles – will take care of all your holiday shopping. You can enjoy vibrant folk dancing (and try it out for yourself), and the radiant Lucia pageant and her choir performs twice during the day (12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m). When you get hungry, there are plenty of traditional holiday foods and baked goods to choose from, including our very own mulled, spiced glögg. Children have their own fun corner where they can say hello to Santa and create crafts to take home. As usual, there will be a raffle with a special grand prize.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 9 & 10 *

W|ALLS: Defend, Divide, and the Divine, Annenberg Space for Photography, Century City, on view until December 29, 2019. This exhibit examines the historical use and artistic treatment of walls over centuries. Across diverse civilizations, walls have been central to human history, from Hadrian’s Wall to the current debate over the U.S./Mexico border.

Asian World Film Festival, Culver City, Wednesday, 11/6 – Thursday, 11/14. The Asian World Film Festival brings the best of a broad selection of Asian World cinema to Los Angeles in order to draw greater recognition to the region’s wealth of filmmakers. The festival screens films from 50 countries across Asia spanning from Turkey to Japan and Russia to India.

22nd Annual Arpa International Film Festival, American Legion Theater Hollywood Post 43, Hollywood, Friday, 11/8 – Sunday, 11/10. Arpa International Film Festival (Arpa IFF) is dedicated to cultivating cultural understanding and global empathy by creating a dynamic forum for international cinema. Over the past 22 years, the festival has bridged cultural divides by fostering dialogue among people of diverse backgrounds. By showcasing local and international films that explore critical issues such as war, genocide, diaspora, dual identities, exile and multiculturalism, Arpa IFF has solidified its role in safeguarding films that continue to make a social impact.

Africa: Congo Masks – Shells and Raffia (Barnsdall Art Sundays), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 11/10, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Every Sunday art instructors present a free art project featuring a different culture and media. All materials are provided.

Musical Traditions (Free Second Sunday @PAM), USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Sunday, 11/10, 11:00 a.m. Experience traditional Indian music with special guests from the Raga Essence Ensemble and learn to create your own musical instrument! In addition, enjoy family friendly Student Educator led tours and storytime for kids. Visit website for schedule of activities.

Animals of the Supernatural (Andell Family Sundays), LACMA, Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, Sunday, 11/10, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Make, look, and talk about art at Andell Family Sundays, a weekly family event that features artist-led workshops and friendly gallery tours and activities thematically based on special exhibitions and LACMA’s permanent collection. This month, learn about mythical animals such as dragons, enchanted house cats, and tengu (hint—they are part crow and excellent at martial arts!). Check out the exhibition Every Living Thing: Animals in Japanese Art and see the myriad ways animals are depicted in Japanese art. In artist-led workshops, make your own mythical and supernatural animal-inspired creations!

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 16 & 17 *

33rd Annual Israel Film Festival, Various Venues (Beverly Hills and Encino), Tuesday, 11/12 – Tuesday, 11/26. The mission of the Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles is to spotlight Israel’s thriving film and television industry, enrich the American vision of Israeli life and culture, and provide an intercultural exchange through the powerful medium of film.

AFI Fest, Various Venues, Hollywood, Thursday, 11/14 – Thursday, 11/21. This is American Film Institute’s annual celebration of international cinema from modern masters and emerging filmmakers. It features nightly red-carpet galas, special screenings, conversations, and tributes.

Philippines: Sarimanok Puppets (Barnsdall Art Sundays), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 11/17, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Every Sunday art instructors present a free art project featuring a different culture and media. All materials are provided.

Animals of the Supernatural (Andell Family Sundays), LACMA, Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, Sunday, 11/17, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Make, look, and talk about art at Andell Family Sundays, a weekly family event that features artist-led workshops and friendly gallery tours and activities thematically based on special exhibitions and LACMA’s permanent collection. This month, learn about mythical animals such as dragons, enchanted house cats, and tengu (hint—they are part crow and excellent at martial arts!). Check out the exhibition Every Living Thing: Animals in Japanese Art and see the myriad ways animals are depicted in Japanese art. In artist-led workshops, make your own mythical and supernatural animal-inspired creations!

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 23 & 24 *

The Great Los Angeles Walk, Meet at War Memorial Fountain at Arcadia County Park, Saturday, 11/23, 9:00 a.m. Get to know the city by walking across it. Every year, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, hundreds of walkers start the free urban hike on one side of the city and hours later, end up at the other. It is a low-key event, and you can hop on or off the walk whenever you’d like. This year the event starts in Arcadia and then passes through Pasadena on Colorado Blvd. and heads down Figueroa St. through Highland Park on the way to downtown Los Angeles and City Hall.

USA: Native American Sand Painting – Navajo Rug Motifs (Barnsdall Art Sundays), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 11/24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Every Sunday art instructors present a free art project featuring a different culture and media. All materials are provided.

Animals of the Supernatural (Andell Family Sundays), LACMA, Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, Sunday, 11/24, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Make, look, and talk about art at Andell Family Sundays, a weekly family event that features artist-led workshops and friendly gallery tours and activities thematically based on special exhibitions and LACMA’s permanent collection. This month, learn about mythical animals such as dragons, enchanted house cats, and tengu (hint—they are part crow and excellent at martial arts!). Check out the exhibition Every Living Thing: Animals in Japanese Art and see the myriad ways animals are depicted in Japanese art. In artist-led workshops, make your own mythical and supernatural animal-inspired creations!

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 30 & DECEMBER 1 *

Amazon Basin : Kayupo Feathered Headdresses (Barnsdall Art Sundays), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 12/1, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Every Sunday art instructors present a free art project featuring a different culture and media. All materials are provided.

Do you know of other events happening this month that might be of interest to this community? Feel free to add them in the comments below. I also welcome feedback on any events you have attended. If you have tips on future events and celebrations to include in upcoming months, please email me with details. Thank you!