Abundance Sauna will be celebrating National Sauna Week at the Scandinavian Cultural Center, Friday through Sunday February 20-22, 2026.
There are many sessions available each day, starting as early as 10:00am. Choose between 60 minute and 90-minute sessions. The session cost is the same regardless of the number of people in your party. The sauna comfortably accommodates 3 people at once. Ten minutes of each session is allotted for turnover. You are welcome to book available consecutive sessions for a longer sauna experience.
Daring souls are invited to experience the thrill of thermal extremes with a dip in the cold plunge tank or, if Mother Nature supports us… some snow angels. Afterwards, relax around the fire pit to share stories of sauna adventure while enjoying tasty snacks.
Sauna Mestari will be on site to provide full orientations to all participants.
Preregistration is required. A welcome/orientation packet will be sent, and a liability waiver must be signed by each participant. Each participant must provide their own towels, swimsuits and hydration.
If you have sauna specific questions, email Mark@gotsauna.com
Join us at the Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library for a screening of the extraordinary and deeply moving documentary The Painter and the Thief. When two of Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova’s paintings are stolen from a gallery in Oslo, she seeks out one of the thieves—not for revenge, but for understanding. What unfolds is an unexpected, tender, and profoundly human friendship that explores art, trauma, forgiveness, and connection in ways that linger long after the credits roll.
An unforgettable story of empathy and transformation, this award-winning film invites us to consider how we see one another—and what it truly means to be seen.
Special Screening: Lewerentz – Divine Darkness With Director Sven Blume in Attendance
Join us for a special screening of Lewerentz – Divine Darkness, an evocative documentary that explores the life and legacy of Swedish architect Sigurd Lewerentz—one of the most enigmatic figures in modern architecture.
The afternoon will begin with an introduction by the film’s director, Sven Blume, whose deep personal connection to Lewerentz’s work brings rare insight into the architect’s creative process and spiritual vision. Following the screening, Sven will join us for a Q&A session, offering audiences a chance to discuss the film, Lewerentz’s architectural philosophy, and his enduring impact on Nordic design.
Synopsis: A treasure trove of film and sound recordings of the ageing Sigurd Lewerentz was discovered in a cellar in Lund, and these previously unseen materials form the basis of this documentary. Through this rare archival footage—combined with interviews and a deep dive into his built works—the film offers a unique portrait of a man who shunned the spotlight yet produced architecture of haunting power. Classicism and modernism converge in his designs, and the documentary reveals how his aesthetic of “darkness” and material subtlety still resonates in Nordic architecture today.
Saturday, February 28th | 1pm | $15; $7 for members | tickets
Sven Blume is a Stockholm-based documentary filmmaker whose work bridges art, architecture, and personal storytelling. He graduated from the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2013 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Documentary Film.
Since then, Blume has directed several notable documentaries, working across fine art, architecture, music videos and dance. His films have been exhibited at festivals, galleries and broadcasters in Europe and the U.S.
Join us for a special screening of Sentimental Value, a critically acclaimed Norwegian drama from director Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in the World).
Selected for Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival, Sentimental Value explores the complicated emotional terrain of family, memory, and artistic inheritance. The film centers on a fractured family brought back together through the legacy of a long-abandoned family home, where old wounds, unspoken truths, and competing desires surface with both tenderness and sharp insight.
With its quiet intensity, nuanced performances, and Trier’s signature blend of intimacy and restraint, Sentimental Value offers a deeply human portrait of love, resentment, and the stories we tell ourselves about the past.
This screening is part of SCC&L’s ongoing commitment to showcasing contemporary Nordic cinema and bringing award-recognized international films to our local community.
Content note: Adult themes; recommended for mature audiences.
Friday, February 13th, 2026 | 7pm | $12; $5 for members | tickets
A young teacher, Ester, hides her Sami identity to avoid being exposed to racism. After finding herself drawn to demonstrations against a big dam development in Alta, a personal journey out of the shame she has carried for so long begins.
Oskar invites you into a world of music and stories, spanning over decades. Dating back to 1762, Oskar’s family has been active in the traditional folk music scene for a long time. Melodies have been passed onto him from his grandmother, Elsie, who came to the U.S. on a tour with a group of fiddlers back in 1956. 70 years later, join us for an afternoon of music and footage from the tour, mixed with Oskar’s modern approach to folk, jazz and improvisation.
Saturday, February 7, 2025 | 1pm | $20; $10 for members of the SCC&L | tickets
Abundance Sauna will be at the Scandinavian Cultural Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 16th-18th 2026. Join us for a traditional, wood fired sauna experience!
Daring souls are invited to experience the thrill of thermal extremes with a dip in the cold plunge tank, or snow angels, if Mother Nature and Ol’ Man Winter cooperate. Afterwards, relax around the fire pit to share stories of sauna adventure while enjoying tasty snacks.
Sauna Mestari will be on site to provide a full orientation to all participants. Participants provide their own towels, swimsuits and hydration.
Preregistration is required. A welcome/orientation packet which includes a liability waiver which must be signed by each participant.
For specific sauna questions, email Mark@Gotsauna.com
Arna, a disillusioned artist, sets out to complete a list of ten things before she dies. Mjöll, a desperate mother, escapes prison to reunite with her daughter. When their paths collide at a gas station, an unexpected journey across Iceland begins in this entertaining blend of drama and comedy.
Saturday, January 10th | 1 PM | $10; $5 for SCC&L members | Tickets
Step into the vast world of Norse Paganism and what it means to be one. This entry level class will cover Animism, elemental magik, the Norse gods, how to have a daily practice, and end with a group journey to send you back out into the world feeling more connected to the realm around you.
Learn about:
Animism
Hailing the Northern Gods
Elemental magik
Honoring ancestors
Having a daily practice
Experience a group journey to end our day together
You will learn together, eat together, and journey together as you discuss what it means
Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 10am – 4pm* | $125; $75 for members | MUST REGISTER BY January 12th | register here
Your instructor is Behzad “Bear” Bakhshandeh, an initiated Shaman in The Northern Shamanism Guild and Norse Pagan. Bear has been running ceremony, rituals, and journeys for years through his own practice as well as in his business Summit Performance Therapy in Auburn, MA.
*Our Scandinavian cafe, Kaffetugan, will be open during your lunch break. You may also bring a bagged lunch, refridgeration is available*
This December, the SCC&L welcomes a very special (and slightly mischievous!) holiday guest—the Salem Yule Cat—for a festive afternoon celebrating Icelandic folklore and giving back.
The Salem Yule Cat will be visiting Nordic Hall to collect donations for a cat food drive, helping support cats in need this winter. Admission to this event is a donation of cat food or a monetary contribution per person. All donations will benefit local animals and shelters.
Learn about the legend of the Icelandic Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn)
Family-friendly fun and photo opportunities
Warm holiday vibes in a Nordic setting
The chance to do some real winter good
About the Icelandic Yule Cat
The Jólakötturinn, or Yule Cat, comes from Icelandic folklore and is said to roam the countryside during Christmastime. Long ago, the Yule Cat was known to eat anyone who didn’t receive new clothes for Yule—a tale meant to encourage hard work and kindness during the long winter months. Today, the Yule Cat has become a beloved (and symbolic) figure of generosity, reminding us to care for one another—humans and animals alike.
How to Participate
Let us know you’re coming here
Bring cat food (dry or wet), or
Make a monetary donation at the door
Entry donation requested per person
This is a drop-in event—come anytime between 10am and 2pm!
Perfect for families, cat lovers, folklore fans, and anyone looking to add a little Nordic magic to the holiday season while supporting a great cause.
Your instructor is Behzad “Bear” Bakhshandeh, an initiated Shaman in The Northern Shamanism Guild and Norse Pagan. Bear has been running ceremony, rituals, and journeys for years through his own practice as well as in his business Summit Performance Therapy in Auburn, MA.