A typical weapon in the arsenal of Vikings was fire, and Vikings were said to destroy everything with fire and sword (að setja allt í bál og brand), a phrase still current in modern Icelandic.
On November 16, 2024, Dr. William R. Short of Hurstwic will return to SCC&L to discuss the commonly used Viking-age battle tactic of attacking a man in his house by setting fire to the house. Hurstwic has just completed a major research project using experimental archaeology at the Viking house at Eiríksstaðir in Iceland. We built seven house structures, instrumented them with scientific apparatus, and then burned them down.
Join us for this fascinating discussion that will talk about the tactic and why Viking warriors thought it to be a humane way to conduct battle, and about the results of our research on the tactic.
We will have some of Dr. William Short’s books “Men of Terror” for sale
Dr. William R. Short is the manager of Hurstwic, LLC, a Massachusetts-based organization that researches all aspects of Vikings, with a focus on Viking combat. Dr. Short’s most recent book is Men of Terror: a comprehensive analysis of Viking combat, which was the topic of a presentation at SCC&L in January, 2022.
Sweden’s Sandwich Cake Day is November 13th, we think that’s cause to celebrate.
The Smörgåstårta is a dish of Swedish origin popular in Sweden, Estonia (called “võileivatort”), Finland (called “voileipäkakku” and “smörgåstårta”) and Iceland (called “brauðterta” [ˈprœyːðˌtʰɛr̥ta]). Smörgåstårta is a traditional Swedish Sandwich Cake enjoyed year round, especially during special celebrations like Midsommar, birthday parties and weddings.
Our quick & easy homemade Swedish Sandwich Cake features a “savoury icing” made up of mayonnaise and sour cream. The interior is layered with bread slices, shrimp salad, smoked salmon and dill. The Swedish entrée is then topped with sliced vegetables, fresh dill, eggs and lemon slices.
Come in and try this delicious Swedish creation in the Kaffestugan!
Saturday, November 15th in the Kaffestugan from 10am-2pm*
**No reservations necessary. While supplies last. Full menu will also be available for order**
Presented as the Library’s November film choice: Family Time (2023)
An uncomfortable family Christmas is the setting for this unconventional Finnish debut.
Family Time (Finnish: Mummola) is a 2023 comedy – drama film written and directed by Tia Kouvo in her feature directorial debut. The film follows an annual family Christmas get-together that sees the usual tensions rise. It’s based on Kouvo’s s 2018 short of the same name.
The film had its world premiere in the Encounters section of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on 20 February 2023. It was chosen as the Finnish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
Saturday, November 9th | 1pm | $10; $5 for members | tickets
In Finnish with English subtitles | Comedy – Drama | 116 minutes
** PLEASE ONLY SIGN UP IF YOU ARE ABLE TO PREPARE A DISH TO SHARE WITH THE GROUP. THE FUN OF IT IS ABOUT THE PARTCIPATION**
What’s a cookbook club? It’s the idea is that — like a traditional book club — every month you get together as a group. Instead of talking about a book you will make a recipe from a chosen cookbook, bring it in and the group will sample the recipes and discuss the the recipes and the cookbook. If you love to cook or bake, (especially Scandi recipes) and love sharing food with friends this is the perfect place for you!
Each month we will choose a different cookbook from a Scandinavian country and pick out 15-20 recipes for people to choose from. On November 7th we will be tasting mostly Danish recipes. The cookbook is ScandiKitchen: Recipes for good food with love from Scandinavia by Bronte Aurell.
The cookbooks we choose are available on amazon to purchase: ScandiKitchen
Thursday November 7th | 7pm | REGISTRATION CLOSED
Put the other cookbook club dates on your calendar!
Here’s a fun workshop for beginner to intermediate needle felters. We will create a useful and decorative wool hot mat, appropriate for all seasons. Starting with a pre-felted wool circle, we’ll felt a red-bearded “Viking” with his horned helmet. If you’ve been wanting to try needle felting this is a great way to start!
Merry Beninato is a fine artist that has joined us at several of our festivals at the SCC&L. This time Mary joins us to teach a class in needle felting. During the class Merry will teach you how to make an adorable Viking hot mat, perfect for gift giving or for your own home.
Saturday, November 2nd | 10am-noon | $75pp (including materials), $60 for members | register here
During the event, Chris will go over the folklore, traditions, and tails of everything magical within Scandinavian mythology. Either they be nisse, tomte, jötunn, elf, dwarf, or god, they are all Trolls. Afterward, there will be a book signing, and some Troll treats from Scandinavia will be offered.
Friday November 1 | 7:30pm | FREE
Books will be for sale onsite or you can purchase one in advance here: paperback or hardcover (affiliate link, a percentage will go to programming at the SCC&L)
This 64 letter word is the longest in the Icelandic language, that loosely translates to, “the key ring to the tool work shed in the road works of Vaðlaheiði, a mountain road in North Iceland.” Scott loves this word because it’s the bringing together of words to make a new one– exactly what his does with his jewelry.
Scott Rohnstrom’s art pieces are a fusion of creativity and craftsmanship, each one a testament to his unique vision and skill. Drawing from his background as a retail visual artist and his profound interest in fashion, Scott creates whimsical jewelry that blurs the lines between sculpture and accessory.
On Display September – October 2024
ABOUT SCOTT: Scott Rohnstrom has spent decades as a retail visual artist and also has a deep passion for all things fashion related. He has channeled that passion into creating assembled necklaces, bracelets and earrings using objects he has found or purchased over the years, in particular those things generally not thought of as “jewelry.” They are wearable sculptures that often contain dozens of components, all arranged and assembled in a thoughtful way. He particularly enjoys commissioned pieces where he incorporates someone’s heirlooms and keepsakes into a custom-made necklace.
Breaking Social (released in 2023) is a documentary by award-winning Fredrik Gertten. It explores global patterns of kleptocracy and extractivism, weaving threads between global uprisings, shared anger and courageous action. It’s about daring to speak up and listen to frontline voices already fighting against global patterns of injustice and corruption.
Fredrik Gertten is an award-winning Swedish director. He’s famous for local stories with a global impact, with films like PUSH (2019), JOZI GOLD (2019), Bikes vs Cars (2015), Big Boys Gone Bananas!* (2011) and Bananas!* (2009). He’s also the founder of the production company WG Film – one of Sweden’s most prominent documentary production companies. Here he combines filmmaking with a role as creative producer.
Saturday October 26th | 1pm | $10; $5 for SCC&L Members | tickets
Join Alyssa in the Nordic Hall as she performs traditional and modern Scandinavian music on her beautiful handmade nyckelharpa made in Sweden, which is Sweden’s national instrument. This beautiful and haunting music will have your toes tapping and heart singing!
Saturday, Oct. 19th 2024 | 1pm | $20; $10 for SCC&L members | tickets
ABOUT Alyssa: Alyssa Rodriguez is one of the few and finest players of the nyckelharpa, Sweden’s national “keyed fiddle” instrument. In 2021, she was awarded a prestigious Fulbright grant to study in Helsinki, Finland. During her 2021-2022 grant year, she studied nyckelharpa at The Sibelius Academy where she researched Nordic folk music and folk music improvisation. Alyssa has studied with several riksspellmän (master Swedish folk musicians) and studied in Sweden at the all nyckelharpa summer festival at Ekebyholm Castle founded by Eric Sahlström. She has headlined festivals at the American Swedish Institute and at the Jamestown Scandinavian Festival, and given lecture recitals at St. Olaf College and University of Madison, Wisconsin. Her music has been featured on WXXI and WRUR in Rochester, New York, KXCI-FM in Arizona, and she has appeared in Nordstjernan magazine and Nyckelharpan in Sweden.
Solitude (2023, Iceland) presented as the Library’s October film.
A farmer that lives a quiet life in the countryside is forced by the state to sell his home. He leaves everything behind, relocates to the capital, and soon meets a 10-year-old paper delivery boy. Their friendship proves to be transformative for them both.
Saturday, October 12th | 1pm | $10; $5 for members | tickets
About the Lecturer
Here’s a fun workshop for beginner to intermediate needle felters. We will create a useful and decorative wool hot mat, appropriate for all seasons. Starting with a pre-felted wool circle, we’ll felt a red-bearded “Viking” with his horned helmet. If you’ve been wanting to try needle felting this is a great way to start!
ABOUT SCOTT: Scott Rohnstrom has spent decades as a retail visual artist and also has a deep passion for all things fashion related. He has channeled that passion into creating assembled necklaces, bracelets and earrings using objects he has found or purchased over the years, in particular those things generally not thought of as “jewelry.” They are wearable sculptures that often contain dozens of components, all arranged and assembled in a thoughtful way. He particularly enjoys commissioned pieces where he incorporates someone’s heirlooms and keepsakes into a custom-made necklace.