A new round of virtual events is here. Many institutions are transitioning back to in-person events, but they have found that virtual events have their place, too. Read on to learn of the many opportunities to cook, read, watch, make, learn, and discuss virtually with others from around the country.
On November 10, registration opens for Vesterheim Folk Art School’s winter quarter (January-March 2022). Find online classes in the fields of Fiber Arts, Weaving, Woodworking, Youth & Family, Rosemaling & Painting, Nordic Cooking, Knifemaking & Metalwork, Heritage & Language, and Jewelry. View classes here and start making your plans. Spots fill quickly!
For my local LA readers, the annual Julebasar, or Christmas Market, hosted by the Norwegian Church in San Pedro returns Friday, November 12, through Sunday, November 21. What used to be just a weekend affaire before the pandemic is now (once again) a week-long opportunity to stock up on Norwegian Christmas food essentials, treats, and fresh baked goods, as well as Christmas decorations and gifts. Apparently, this year will see the return of the café and raffle as well!
Virtual Events
17th of May Pin Design Competition
(Until November 15)
Help the Seattle 17th of May Committee design the commemorative 17th of May pin for 2022. Enter your design in the shape of a shield showcasing a Norwegian flag and celebrating Norway’s culture and heritage in the Pacific Northwest. The winning design will be the festival’s official pin. You can win five pins and a family membership to the National Nordic Museum in Seattle. Find pins from previous years, all of the contest rules, and how to submit your design by clicking here. Submit your design by Monday, November 15, 2021.
Scandinavian Fest: Virtual Holiday Market
(November 12-14)
Scandinavian Fest brings Nordic shops and businesses from around the globe together in one online location. Join the Virtual Holiday Market on Facebook to discover unique Nordic products, take advantage of discounts, and win giveaways. To participate, mark that you are “Going” or “Interested” in the event and then follow the Discussion tab on the event page for products, discounts and giveaways.
2021 Nordic Knitting Conference — A Celebration of Nordic Fabric Arts (November 12-14)
Perfect your skills and learn new techniques at the much-awaited biennial Nordic Knitting Conference. The 2021 conference features classes on knitting, felting, and weaving taught by renowned instructors from the Nordic countries and North America. Spanning two weekends, the keynote lecture and the majority of classes offered November 5-7 will be on-site at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle, WA, and classes offered November 12-14 will be virtual live-streaming events. The keynote lecture will also be available online beginning November 12.
Nordic Spirit Classics’ Second Friday Series: The Viking Impact on England and Europe (Friday, November 12, 7:30 p.m. PT, Free)
The Scandinavian American Cultural & Historical Foundation in Thousand Oaks, CA, hosts a monthly series of Nordic Spirit Classics, a virtual program of selected presentations from 21 years of Nordic Spirit Symposia. In November, Nordic Spirit Classics presents “The Viking Impact on England and Europe” by Dr. Richard Hall, former Director of the Jorvik Viking Centre and of the York, England, excavations. Participation is free, but you must register to receive the link.
Fika på svenska! Swedish Language Table
(Saturday, November 13, 10:00-11:30 a.m. CT, Free)
Vill du ha mer svenska i ditt liv? Häng med på det nya programmet – Fika på svenska! Vi träffas virtuellt på den andra lördagen varje månad och diskutera ämnen kring det svenska språket, svensk kultur, historia och mer. Kom och prata svenska med oss! Fika på svenska is a conversation table held entirely in Swedish. New topics each month explore Swedish language, culture, history and connection to Minnesota.
Young Children & Teachers’ Experiences During COVID: Perspectives from the U.S. and Scandinavia (Saturday, November 13, 10:00 a.m. ET)
In this program, teachers from Scandinavia and the United States will discuss their experiences teaching in very different contexts during the pandemic, ranging from a forest school to a NYC public school to a small private school. What were the challenges? What have we learned from all of this? What do we want to hold on to from this period?
Introduction to Finnish
(Sunday, November 14, 12:45-2:45 p.m. CT)
Are you curious about the Finnish language, but not yet ready to commit to a multi-date class? Are you looking for a quick and low-pressure way to get excited about a new language? This two-hour introductory workshop is the perfect way to get a feel for Finnish — pick up a bit of grammar and learn how to pronounce some words as part of basic conversation.
Introduction to Swedish
(Sunday, November 14, 3:00-5:00 p.m. CT)
Are you curious about learning Swedish, but not ready yet to commit to a multi-date class? This two-hour introductory workshop is the perfect way to get a feel for the language — pick up a bit of grammar and learn how to pronounce some words as part of basic conversation.
Vesterheim’s FamilieTid: Scandinavian Storytelling!
(Sunday, November 14, 1:00 p.m. CT, Free)
Gather the family together and join author, actress, and oral storyteller Rose Arrowsmith for an hour of Scandinavian stories! Rose’s imaginative style will bring traditional tales to life and delight participants of every age.
The Scandinavian School and Cultural Center’s Language Café!
(Sunday, November 14, 6:00-7:00 p.m. PT, Free)
This is a perfect opportunity for you to practice your speaking skills and meet other people who share your passion for all things Nordic. The topic, as well as the event, is free. All levels are welcome. Participants will be divided up into different breakout rooms in their chosen Nordic language according to their conversational skills, ranging from beginner to advanced. You don’t have to be a student at SSCC to join us, but we are of course hoping to see both current and former language adult learners on the screen. Are you a native speaker up for a chat? We would love for you to
Virtual Book Talk – The Book of Reykjavik
(Tuesday, November 16, 2:00 p.m. ET, Free)
Join Scandinavia House in New York, NY, for a virtual book talk on the new fiction anthology The Book of Reykjavik: A City in Short Fiction out November 11 from Comma Press. Authors Kristín Eiríksdóttir and Björn Halldórsson and translator Larissa Kyzer will discuss the novel and its translation, as well as the themes explored in the book, with moderator Halla Þórlaug Óskarsdóttir.
National Danish Book Club: Victim 2117 by Jussi Adler-Olsen
(Tuesday, November 16, 5:00 p.m. PT, Free)
Explore a selection of Danish literature in English translation with a new nationwide book club. Each month a celebrated Danish author will be selected and discussed in two virtual settings: a Book Club discussion and an accompanying Literary Event. Join the online Book Club in November to discuss Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Victim 2117. The accompanying Literary Event will take place November 23. Register here.
Writing as a Vehicle for Change: Swedish Women Authors
(First Class: Tuesday, November 16, 5:30-7:00 p.m. CT)
Texts in translation by Swedish women writers, from Fredrika Bremer to Lena Andersson, will be discussed in their historical and social contexts, reflecting on emancipation, social rights, class and gender over four weeks. Discussion will take place in English. Materials will be provided by the instructor.
Virtual Travel Seminar: Skiing Norway
(Wednesday, November 17, 6:30 p.m. CT)
During a time when international travel is limited for all but necessary travel, this travel seminar will bring a little piece of Norway to you. Magne Hatlevik, a Møre og Romsdal native, will provide you with a taste of the sights and culture surrounding Norwegian downhill ski culture. In this two-hour seminar, he will share tips about what you need to bring and explore destinations such as Lillehammer, Holmenkollen and a few side excursions to Iceland and Denmark as well.
Vesterheim “TVprat” (TV Club): Occupied
(Wednesday, November 17, 7:00-8:15 p.m. CT, Free)
With a twist on Vesterheim’s monthly bokprat (book club) discussions of Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life, join Dr. Maren Johnson, Luther College’s Associate Professor of Nordic Studies and Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies Director, for a “TVprat” discussion of the acclaimed Norwegian TV series Okkupert (Occupied). Set in a future where Europe is in an energy crisis after Norway has opted out of oil and gas production because of their environmental impact, Russia and the rest of the European community respond to Norway’s dramatic decision. Enrollment Deadline: November 10.
Repatriation & Restitution in the Nordic Countries
(Thursday, November 18, 12:00 p.m. ET)
Join Scandinavia House in New York, NY, for this conversation in which panelists Martin Appelt (Senior Researcher and Curator, National Museum of Denmark), Eero Ehanti (Head of the Conservation Department, National Museum of Finland), Eeva-Kristiina Harlin (Archeologist & Osteoarchaeologist), and Daniel Thorleifsen (Director, Greenland National Museum and Archives) will discuss topics including the restitution of Greenlandic and Sámi collections from the National Museum of Denmark and National Museum of Finland, respectively, as well as the longer-term impacts of restitution and repatriation of museum collections.
Nordiska Book Club: The Northern Lights
(Thursday, November 18, 6:00 p.m. PT, Free)
Nordiska in Poulsbo, WA, has launched its own book club for fellow Nordic reading enthusiasts to connect and be in community with one another virtually. For their November book club, they will be reading The Northern Lights by Lucy Jago about Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland who dedicated his career to understanding the aurora borealis as a natural phenomenon. Visit Nordiska’s event page for more information and to register.
Demo: Savory Standards for the Holiday Pantry
(Friday, November 19, 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT)
It’s time to fill up that holiday pantry with some make ahead recipes using favorite holiday flavors! Erin Swenson-Klatt will draw on up-to-date Scandinavian standards to demo a handful of goodies to tuck away in your fridge or pantry as we start the holiday season. Throughout the class she’ll offer lots of inspiration for how to use these recipes for snacks, apps and as part of the dinner table. This is a live virtual class taught over Zoom. This class is designed as a demonstration, so students can watch the entire process and ask questions before tackling the dishes at home at a later date.
Skål to Aquavit
(Friday, November 19, 7:00-8:00 p.m. CT)
Aquavit is a traditional Scandinavian spirit with centuries of tradition and celebration. Each of the Scandinavian countries has their own preferred style(s) of aquavit, and people also often make their own homemade versions. In this class we will learn about aquavit and a handful of Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish aquavit traditions (including drinking songs!). Participants will choose herbs and spices to start their own aquavit steeping and will learn two aquavit cocktail recipes. Enrollment Deadline: November 12.
National Danish Literary Event: Victim 2117 by Jussi Adler-Olsen
(Tuesday, November 23, 10:00 a.m. PT, Free)
The Literary Event for Victim 2117 is on November 23 and will be an interview with Jussi Adler-Olsen. Moderator Desiree Ohrbeck will select some questions from readers to ask the author. Submit your questions here by November 8. To receive a reminder for the literary event, register here.
Workshop: Needle Felted Reindeer
(Friday, November 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m. CT)
Join the American Swedish Institute to create a felted reindeer ready to take off for the North Pole. Students will follow step-by-step instructions to transform hand dyed wool from the instructor’s own sheep into a felted reindeer complete with antlers and bell! This class builds on basic needle felting skills and is appropriate for students who have previous needle felting experience. Ages 13 and up are welcome to register alongside an adult. This is a live virtual class taught over Zoom. Kits ($25 value) are included in the class fee. Each kit includes everything you need for needle felting a reindeer. Registration for this kit-based class closes November 15.
Vesterheim Bokprat (Book Club): We, the Drowned
(Registration Deadline: December 1)
Join Dr. Maren Johnson, Luther College’s Associate Professor of Nordic Studies and Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies Director, on Wednesday, December 15, 7:00-8:15 p.m. CT, for a discussion of We, the Drowned by Danish author Carsten Jensen, translated from the Danish by Charlotte Barslund with Emma Ryder. An enlightening tale of family and sailors, it examines the hardships and adventure that come with the work out on the sea, the town of Marstal, and its inhabitants – the waiting mothers and wives, the adventure-seeking young men, and the old who are bound to the sea but trapped on land. Enrollment Deadline: December 1.
The Scandinavian School’s Nordic Book Club: The Nordic Theory of Everything by Anu Partanen (Sunday, December 5, 4:00-5:00 p.m. PT, Free)
Jjoin The Scandinavian School in San Francisco for a discussion about The Nordic Theory of Everything by Finnish author Anu Partanen.
Scandinavia House’s Online Nordic Book Club: The Pastor by Hanne Ørstavik (Tuesday, December 7, 6:00 p.m. ET, Free)
Read and discuss Scandinavian literature in translation as part of Scandinavia House’s online Nordic Book Club. Each month they select a novel from some of the best Nordic literary voices. On December 7, they’ll be discussing The Pastor by award-winning Norwegian novelist Hanne Ørstavik, who recently joined Scandinavia House for a virtual panel now streaming here.
Which November events or experiences look interesting to you?
Be sure to visit previous months’ listings of virtual Nordic events. Many of the events are now available to view as saved recordings.