From award-season buzz to cozy cultural connections, March brings a fresh lineup of Nordic-inspired events. Whether you’re curious about Norway’s Oscar-nominated film, eager to explore Sámi storytelling, ready to try your hand at Swedish baking, or looking to connect through language, history, or genealogy, there’s something this month for you. Read on for highlights of virtual gatherings that will carry a bit of the Nordics into your early spring days.

Norway’s Sentimental Value

Have you seen Norway’s Sentimental Value (“Affeksjonsverdi”) directed by Joachim Trier yet? It’s been nominated for 9 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, which is big for little Norway. The film’s description is as follows: Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), an estranged father and once-celebrated director eager to reclaim his former glory, reconnects with his daughters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas). When Gustav offers Nora the lead role in his new film, she refuses and learns he has given the part to a Hollywood star (Elle Fanning). Currently, it is screening at select theaters nationwide and available to stream via premium video on demand, such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Will you be watching The Oscars on March 15 to see how Norway’s film fares?

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VIRTUAL EVENTS in MARCH and a bit beyond

Nordic Book Club Meetings: March 2026

Online book clubs continue to meet and provide ideas for reading and opportunities to discuss. Visit Nordic Book Club Meetings: March 2026 to see details about book selections and meeting dates coming up.

15 Weeks of Friluftsliv

Gnome Matter the Weather’s 15 Weeks of Friluftsliv wraps up this month. Read the final newsletter which has ideas “to keep you on the friluftsliv path through whatever wild weather comes our way.” Find activity suggestions such as Rosemaling Rocks, recipes, and friluftsliv-inspired books to cozy up with. This is not a typical virtual event attended online, but rather an online community dedicated to embracing the outdoors during the darkest days of the year. Inspired by the Norwegian concept of “friluftsliv” — which translates to “open-air living” or “free-air life” — the hosts, Tacy Quinn and Lauren Theis, inspire families and friends to get outside and welcome winter from December through March.

ASI Language Programs: Intro to Swedish with Jean Hanslin (Sunday, 3/8)

Are you curious about the Swedish language but not ready to commit to a multi-date class yet? Are you looking for a quick and low-pressure way to get excited and prepare for an upcoming visit to Sweden? This two-hour introductory workshop taught by Jean Hanslin is the perfect way to get a feel for Swedish—pick up a bit of grammar and learn how to pronounce some words as part of basic conversation. No materials required. This class meets virtually.

Pioneering Pages: Forming the New American Woman – Presentation with Dr. Nancy Coleman (Sunday, 3/22, Free)

Dr. Nancy Coleman joins Vesterheim for an online presentation in connection with the Vesterheim exhibit, Pioneering Pages: Forming the New American Woman. Learn about Norwegian immigrant sisters Ida Jensen Hansen and Mina Jensen who started a magazine for women in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the late 1880s. The publication offered information to help immigrant women learn customs and skills to adapt to American ways of life. But the magazine was much more, advocating for women’s education, equality, and suffrage. Dr. Coleman has worked with a team of Norwegian scholars to shed light on this important part of Norwegian immigration history through the “Pioneering Pages” exhibit at Vesterheim, open through May 18, 2026.

ASI Food Programs: Swedish Caramel Treats with Kristi Bissell (Thursday, 3/19)

Join Kristi Bissell for a crash course in incorporating tempting caramelized flavor into two classic Swedish baked goods. Kristi will demo a caramelized-almond-topped toscakaka (Tosca Cake) and kolasnittar, a delicious but straightforward caramel cookie, both approachable ways to incorporate caramel into baked goods at home. This class is presented as a demonstration, so students can watch the entire process and ask questions before tackling the dishes later. The recipe packet will be available for download one week in advance.

Book Talk with Sámi Writer Tina Harnesk Boström (Saturday, 3/21)

Join Swedish American Museum for an online book talk with Tina Harnesk Boström, a celebrated Sámi writer from Northern Sweden. Born and raised in Jokkmokk, she comes from a family rich in storytelling traditions, particularly on her mother’s side, which is Sami. Now living with her family in a village outside Arvidsjaur, Harnesk draws deeply on her upbringing and cultural heritage in her writing. Her latest novel, The Secret of Snow translated into English by Alice Menzies, follows a reclusive elderly couple whose lives intersect with younger newcomers in a small mountain town, unfolding a layered tale of shared history, grief, and cultural memory rooted in the Sámi experience. Combining warmth, humor, and emotional depth, The Secret of Snow has been praised as a poignant family drama that invites readers into the heart of Harnesk’s richly imagined world.

Cooking Class with Swedish American Museum: Swedish Easter Foods (Monday, 3/23)

Participants are taught Swedish recipes in this online cooking class. You can cook along with the group and ask questions along the way. In March, you will make different Swedish Easter foods.

Genealogy Session: Researching and Writing Your Family History with AI (Saturday, 3/28)

Join the Swedish American Museum for an engaging Zoom program focused on the importance of your family history for future generations. Learn how Marilyn Fettinger used AI to write the life story of her 4x great grandfather, Sven Magnus Ström and his family. We’ll begin by examining AI prompts to read, translate, and understand Swedish historical records followed by examples of how to use AI to transform the historical facts into captivating family narratives.

ASI Nordic Handcraft: Needle Felted Easter Egg with Laura Berlage (Sunday, 3/29)

Create the cutest felted easter eggs in this afternoon-long virtual class. Led by instructor Laura Berlage, students will follow step-by-step instructions to transform hand-dyed wool from the instructor’s own sheep into a felted easter egg that will fit in the palm of your hand. Needle felting is fun, easy, and therapeutic–and as your woolly creation takes shape, enjoy conversation with other students and learning more about wool and the sheep who produced the kit materials! The finished egg will be perfect for displaying ahead of the easter holiday.

Norwegian Language for Travelers (On-Demand)

Whether you’re planning a trip to the stunning fjords, the vibrant cityscapes of Oslo, or the charming coastal towns, learning Norwegian will enhance your experience and help you connect with the locals in a more meaningful way. Join Dr. Maren Anderson Johnson and learn Norwegian words and phrases. A kit of materials including workbook that supports the video instruction and a sweet treat from Vesterheim is included in the cost of registration. On-demand class content is available for 90 days from the time of purchase.

ASI Food Programs: Spring Finnish Standards Demo with Kristi Bissell (4/23)

Celebrate spring, Finnish style, with two stand out dishes. Kristi will demonstrate a light but cozy salmon soup, perfect for cooler spring days. Then she’ll turn to tippaleipä, a classic funnel cake recipe made for May Day in Finland. These delicious desserts are fun to make at home and a worthwhile project to celebrate the return of spring! While Kristi demos making the funnel cake batter and her preferred approach to deep frying, she will discuss some of the traditions around May Day in Finland.

ASI Food Programs: Nordic Cardamom Bread Demo with Kristi Bissell (5/14)

Whether you call it pulla, kardeumumabröd, or coffee bread, a classic Nordic bread combines floral cardamom, a crunchy sugar topping, and a beautiful braided presentation into a show-stopping yeasted loaf. Finland and Sweden’s answer to a challa, Cardamom Bread is commonly enjoyed as part of a fika or coffee hour, but is equally at home on the breakfast table—it makes especially stellar french toast! Since it’s hard to find in bakeries, your best bet is to tackle it at home, and luckily Kristi Bissell of the blog True North Kitchen is ready to walk through each step in this hourlong tutorial. From kneading to proofing, shaping, and baking, this demo will cover all steps for students to tackle this recipe at home.

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Which events or experiences look interesting to you?