Scandinavia House

See a discussion of "Democratization in the Nordic World" with author and researcher David Delfs Erbo Andersen! In this virtual event offered by Scandinavia House on September 17, 2026, Andersen joined moderator Eric Einhorn (Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Scandinavian Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst) for a talk on his in-depth study comparing the formation of the Nordic states and their impact on social classes and democratization, out now from University of Wisconsin Press in the Nordic World series. Denmark, Norway, and Sweden enjoy some of the happiest populations and highest standards of living in the world, thanks in part to stable, democratic systems of government. Here, David Delfs Erbo Andersen—an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Aarhus University whose work centers on causes of democratization and democratic stability—presents a syncretic history of political and socioeconomic developments in the three Scandinavian countries since the early modern period. He also contrasts their peaceful transitions with the more dramatic histories of otherwise similar European countries, like France and Germany. Unlike these and many other countries—the United States among them—Scandinavia’s transition to democracy from monarchy was not marked by major violent upheavals or extreme political antagonism. Rather, Scandinavia’s peaceful process of democratization owed itself to the development of a penetrative bureaucracy in the early modern period and the activism of cooperative associations, first of farmers in the early 19th century and then of industrialized workers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thanks to the gradual, relatively consensual adoption of political reforms and social norms, the history of “Nordic democratic exceptionalism” today helps account for the ongoing stability of the Scandinavian countries. Learn more about programs at Scandinavia House at https://www.scandinaviahouse.org Purchase the book here: https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/D/Democratization-in-the-Nordic-World #nordichistory #democracy #nordiccountries

See a discussion and presentation on "The Finnish Front Line: Kekkonen, Kennedy, and Khrushchev’s Cold War Showdown" with author Gordon F. Sander and Consul General of Finland Jarmo Sareva! "The Finnish Front Line" is a historical biography of Urho Kekkonen, the eighth and longest-serving president of Finland. The most controversial as well as the most misunderstood figure in Finnish history, Kekkonen governed Finland for 25 years from 1956–81. Gordon F. Sander focuses on Kekkonen’s pivotal first term as president, which was bracketed by two crises that together formed the template for both Finland’s relationship with the Soviet Union from 1956 through the fall of the USSR, and Kekkonen’s own “special” relationship with Moscow: the Night Frost crisis of 1957, which derived from the Kremlin’s desire to exert greater influence on Finnish politics, and the Note Crisis of 1961, which coincided with the great Berlin crisis of 1961, and occurred when Moscow suddenly invoked the clause in the 1948 Finnish-Soviet treaty that entitled the Kremlin to call for mutual discussions between the Finnish and Soviet militaries and was perceived as a threat to Finnish independence. Held at Scandinavia House on June 2, 2026, the speakers discussed this overlooked chapter of the Cold War as well as the revealing if forgotten episode in the presidency of John Kennedy and his secret offer to help Kekkonen, which the latter rejected, ultimately to avoid making Finland into next front of the Cold War. "The Finnish Front Line" is out now from Cornell University Press. Learn more here: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501781308/the-finnish-front-line/ Learn more about programming at Scandinavia House: https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/ #coldwar #finland #booktalk

See a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and global correspondent Jeffrey Gettleman on his experiences reporting in Greenland over the past year for The New York Times, including his on-the-ground impressions and insights into the complex dynamic between competing global interests. A global correspondent specializing in conflict and crisis, Gettleman has written for The New York Times for over two decades, reporting on topics ranging from the famine in Somalia, to terrorism in Iraq, to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Beginning in early 2025, his correspondence has focused on the Nordic region, most prominently on unfolding events in Greenland. Since then, he has reported on topics including the Greenlandic response to threats of the U.S. acquisition, political counteractions by Denmark and implications for NATO, as well as how the situation has affected everyday life in Kalaallit Nunaat. In this online program held on May 19, 2026, Gettleman discussed these subjects and more with ASF's Lori Fredrickson (Editor, Scandinavian Review). Learn more about programming at Scandinavia House at https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/ #greenland #greenlandcrisis #nytimes

See a discussion with Daniel Baumann, Principal and Design Director at Henning Larsen; Daniel Sundlin, Partner at BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group; and Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter, Director of Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA), held on May 14, 2026 at Scandinavia House in the series "Nordic American Connections: Conversations on Architecture and Design." The program was moderated by Susan Chin of DesignConnects. Reflecting on Nordic design’s pivotal role in Modernism in America during the 20th century, we turn again to the Nordic tradition for its resilient building strategies for climate action and wellbeing that offer tools for today and into the future. In the fourth panel of this year-long series marking Scandinavia House’s 25th Anniversary, these contemporary Nordic American architects focus on the challenges they face as designers in a rapidly changing environment—AI and technology, economic volatility, climate vulnerability—and what’s next for future practice. The design leaders highlighted their firms’ approaches to innovation, research and collaboration, and cross-cultural influences used in their work. They will share strategies embodied in Nordic design for resilience and wellbeing: use of mass timber and natural materials, alternative methods of construction, community building and ‘complete design.’ The four-part architecture series Nordic American Connections: Conversations on Architecture and Design engages contemporary Nordic and American architects and designers, highlighting their sustainable design approaches with an emphasis on award-winning projects that shape the American landscape. The panel is organized by ASF with Susan Chin in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects New York, and American Institute of Architects Continental Europe. Learn more about programming at Scandinavia House: https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/ #architecture #architecturedesign

Learn about the Nordic spirit aquavit's history—including its origins, evolving flavor profiles and traditions—through a video developed by Spritmuseumet in Stockholm, Sweden! On May 2, Scandinavia House and Björk Cafe & Bistro in New York presented a special learning, crafting and tasting event in collaboration with Spritmuseumet showing participants how to create their own unique blend of aquavit using ingredients ranging from citrus and/or lingonberry, to juniper and elderflower, to spices such as cumin, dill and star anis, ginger and BonBon candy. Learn how to make your own blend at home in the video above! #aquavit #spirits

See a discussion on "The First Lady Next Door" with author and former First Lady of Iceland Eliza Reid in conversation with writer, producer and journalist Janice Kaplan! In early 2016, Eliza Reid’s biggest daily goals were modest but meaningful: showering without one of her four kids bursting into the bathroom, juggling clients without dropping a deadline, and growing the writers’ retreat she was building from scratch. What wasn’t on her bingo card? That her husband—a bookish, cardigan-wearing history professor—would run for president of Iceland… and, seven weeks later, actually win. Suddenly, Canadian-born Eliza was catapulted into a new life as first lady of her adopted country with the eyes of a nation watching her every move—as someone’s wife. Absent an instruction manual (she googled how to curtsy before meeting the queen of Denmark), she decided to do what she’d always done: figure it out on her own terms. Part fish out of water story and part fairy tale, "The First Lady Next Door" takes readers from rural Ontario to Timbuktu, and from the White House to Buckingham Palace. Eliza shows how embracing authenticity in all its messiness can become your greatest strength, even when the world expects polished perfection. After all, our everyday moments are what create the road map for making the unexpected count. In celebration of the book release on May 5, Eliza Reid was joined by Janice Kaplan for a discussion at Scandinavia House. Learn more about programming at Scandinavia House at: https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/ Learn more about the book: https://www.sourcebooks.com/9781464243042-the-first-lady-next-door-hc.html #iceland #elizareid