Scandinavia House

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At a Glance

Time Needed: 60 min.

Ages: All

Allows Food/Drink: No

Luggage Storage: No

Scandinavia House is a cultural center located in New York City that celebrates the art, design, cuisine, and lifestyle of Scandinavia. A tourist might want to visit Scandinavia House to learn more about the culture and history of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. The center hosts a variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year, including art shows, film screenings, musical performances, and lectures by experts on Scandinavian culture. Visitors can also enjoy Scandinavian cuisine at the on-site restaurant, Smörgås Chef. Scandinavia House is also home to the American-Scandinavian Foundation, which offers scholarships and grants for study and research in Scandinavia. As such, it is a hub for academic and cultural exchange between the United States and Scandinavia. Overall, Scandinavia House is a unique and informative destination for tourists interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of Scandinavia, whether through art, music, food, or intellectual exchange.

58 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016 Get Directions





Scandinavia House Videos

On October 11, see Marianne Blicher's MISS VIBORG in the series "Svart Humor: 'Comedies' From the North" at Scandinavia House! A former beauty queen, crushed dreams and an unexpected friendship with the neighbor’s rebellious daughter make up this countryside drama, set in the Danish provincial town of Viborg and reminds us that we all share the same human condition in all its complexity. Get tickets at: https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/events/miss-viborg/ #MissViborg #trailers #film

See a book talk with Norwegian author Victoria Kielland on MY MEN, a fictional account of the first known female serial killer in American history, out now from Astra Publishing House! With translator Damion Searls at Scandinavia House on July 12, Kielland discussed her novel based on the true story of Norwegian maid turned Midwestern farmwife Belle Gunness, which explores Gunness' descent into inescapable madness. Among thousands of other Norwegian immigrants seeking freedom, Brynhild Størset emigrated to the American Upper Midwest in the late 19th century, changing her name and her life. As Bella, later Belle Gunness, she came in search of not only fortune and true faith but, most of all, love. In this literary reimagining of her harrowing true story, Kielland’s Belle grows increasingly alienated, ruthless, and perversely compelling in her pursuit of the American Dream. Raw, visceral, and altogether hypnotic, MY MEN is a brutal yet radically empathetic glimpse into the world of a woman consumed by desire. Purchase the book here: https://astrapublishinghouse.com/product/my-men-9781662601927/ Learn more about programming at Scandinavia House: https://www.scandinaviahouse.org “This fascinating, off-kilter novel about a female serial killer is an unexpectedly thrilling read.” —Karl Ove Knausgård, author of My Struggle and The Morning Star “Kielland’s dense, lyrical novel offers both insight and opacity . . . Despite the subject matter, this novel is not your typical thriller. The language, in Searls’ translation, is dense, poetic, and deeply figurative.” —Kirkus Reviews #booktalk #literaryfiction #historicalfiction

See a book talk with authors Sofia Lundberg, Alyson Richman and M.J. Rose on their new book "The Friday Night Club: A Novel of Artist Hilma af Klint and Her Creative Circle," out May 16 from Penguin Random House! In this event at Scandinavia House on June 13, 2023, they discussed their illuminating historical novel about the groundbreaking Swedish artist af Klint, considered now to be the true creator of abstractionism, and four of her contemporaries, with moderator Lori Fredrickson. It’s the early 1900s, and the world belongs to men. The art world in Stockholm, Sweden, is no different, until Hilma af Klint brings together a mysterious group of female painters and writers—Anna, Cornelia, Sigrid, and Mathilda—to form their own emotional and artistic support system. The members of the Friday Night Club find themselves thrust into uncharted territory when Hilma and her best friend, Anna, begin dabbling in the occult, believing that through séances they can channel unseen spirits to help them achieve their potential as artists. “The Five,” as Hilma referred to them, was a group of immensely talented, fascinating women whose lives and work were cast into obscurity… until now. Over a century later, an associate curator at the Guggenheim Museum, Eben Elliot, brings the Hilma af Klint show to New York where he uncovers questions about the Five and how the modern day art world is funded, which puts him in a precarious position both emotionally and professionally, as he witnesses how history can be manipulated. With rich characterizations, evocative language, and a seamless narrative, Lundberg, Richman, and Rose bring to life Hilma af Klint and her creative circle, who influenced the course of modern art but whose stories have never been told before. New York Times bestselling coauthor of "The Personal Librarian," Marie Benedict, says, “Co-authors Sofia Lundberg, Alyson Richman, and M.J. Rose have unearthed the captivating story of the ground-breaking Swedish artist Hilma af Klint, arguably the world’s first abstract artist who may well have inspired male painters like Wassily Kandinksy who typically receive credit for pioneering abstraction. This spell-binding exploration of the life and legacy of a long-forgotten woman and the circle of gifted friends who worked alongside her is a must-read.” Learn more about programming at Scandinavia House at https://www.scandinaviahouse.org #booktalk #hilmaafklint #paintings

See the discussion “How Do Pandemics End?” by ASF Visiting Lecturer Tony Sandset (Research Fellow, the Center for Sustainable Healthcare Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo), as he looks at the impact of pandemics on our ideas about healthcare and how it is provided. In this event held at Scandinavia House on June 6, 2023, Sandset discussed why we need to expand on our definition of pandemic preparedness to include a broader perspective — one which incorporates social vulnerability as a key risk factor in providing healthcare — and why it’s important to ensure that the population has ‘surplus health’ to avoid excess deaths during a pandemic. He will also explore why COVID-19 has shown that taking a narrow biomedical approach to pandemics limits the ability to provide healthcare, and why it is important to build a pandemic approach based on equity, trust in government institutions, and reduction of social determinants of health. Learn more about programs at Scandinavia House at www.scandinaviahouse.org #pandemic #healthcare #health

On June 21, 2023 see the powerful documentary HISTORJÁ – STITCHES FOR SÁPMI (dir. Thomas Jackson, Sweden, 2022), depicting world-renowned artist and activist Britta Marakatt-Labba's battle for her culture against the threats of climate change, presented in coordination with our ongoing exhibition "Arctic Highways!" Get tix: https://bit.ly/45allMT #sami #climatechange #documentary

See a book talk with Swedish Sámi author Ann-Helén Laestadius on her new novel "Stolen," out now in translation by Rachel Willson-Broyles from Simon & Schuster! Held virtually from Scandinavia House Online on May 16, 2023, Laestadius discussed the novel with moderator Mathilde Magga. Louise Erdrich meets Jo Nesbø in this spellbinding Swedish novel that follows a young indigenous woman as she struggles to defend her family’s reindeer herd and culture amidst xenophobia, climate change, and a devious hunter whose targeted kills are considered mere theft in the eyes of the law. On a winter day north of the Arctic Circle, nine-year-old Elsa—daughter of Sámi reindeer herders—sees a man brutally kill her beloved reindeer calf and threaten her into silence. When her father takes her to report the crime, local police tell them that there is nothing they can do about these “stolen” animals. Killings like these are classified as theft in the reports that continue to pile up, uninvestigated. But reindeer are not just the Sámi’s livelihood, they also hold spiritual significance; attacking a reindeer is an attack on the culture itself. Ten years later, hatred and threats against the Sámi keep escalating, and more reindeer are tortured and killed in Elsa’s community. Finally, she’s had enough and decides to push back on the apathetic police force—but the hunter comes after her this time, leading to a catastrophic final confrontation. Based on real events, Ann-Helén Laestadius’s award-winning novel is part coming-of-age story, part love song to a disappearing natural world, and part electrifying countdown to a dramatic resolution—a searing depiction of a forgotten part of Sweden. This event was presented alongside the exhibition "Arctic Highways," on view at Scandinavia House from April 15 through July 22, 2023. Learn more here: https://go.amscan.org/ArcticHighways “Nuanced . . . an affecting portrait of the Sámi’s disenfranchisement . . . [and] a family torn apart by cultural tensions” —Publishers Weekly Learn more about programming at Scandinavia House at https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/ #sami #booktalk #norlit

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Scandinavia House News

Literature to Life Will Host Spring Galas in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Literature to Life (LTL) will host spring gala events in both New York City and Washington, D.C., featuring live performances, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and more.

The 6th Annual Sámi Film Festival To Return This February At Scandinavia House

The 6th Annual Sámi Film Festival returns to Scandinavia House this February! Enjoy in-person screenings on February 9 and 10, and virtual screenings from February 8-11.

Filmmaker Talks and Q&As Revealed for the 6th Annual New York Baltic Film Festival

Filmmaker talks and Q&As announced for the 6th Annual New York Baltic Film Festival. In-person and virtual screenings of Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian films from November 8-12. Don't miss the chance to hear from the talented filmmakers behind these critically-acclaimed movies!

Lineup Announced At New York Baltic Film Festival At Scandinavia House

The 6th Annual New York Baltic Film Festival (NYBFF) presented by Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America returns on November 8-19, 2023 as a hybrid festival screening the best new and critically-acclaimed Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian films in-person in NYC November 8-12 and virtually November 10-19.

Keyboard Conversations With Jeffrey Siegel Returns This Season To Scandinavia House

Discover the upcoming season of Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel at Scandinavia House. Join us for four evenings of insightful commentary, beautiful performances, and an interactive Q & A session. Get your tickets now and immerse yourself in the world of classical music.

The New York Baltic Film Festival Returns This Fall �" Early Bird Passes Now On Sale

The 6th Annual New York Baltic Film Festival (NYBFF) presented by Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America returns this November continuing its tradition of bringing the best new films from the Baltic region to New York audiences

Nordic Summer Jazz Series To Return To Scandinavia House In June & July 2023

The popular Nordic Summer Jazz Series returns to Scandinavia House this June and July, with performances from some of the most talented young jazz musicians, composers, and singers from the Nordic countries!

Taste of Iceland Cultural Festival Arrives in NYC in May

Taste of Iceland 2023, organized by Inspired by Iceland, arrives in New York, N.Y., Wednesday, May 10 - Saturday, May 13. The four-day cultural festival celebrates the land of fire and ice with more than a dozen events at venues across the city that showcase the best of Icelandic culture, including food and beverage, music, literature, film, art, wellness, and more.

Bloomingdale School Of Music Raises Nearly $70,000 At Spring Benefit: Play It Forward

Bloomingdale School of Music welcomed 100 guests to their annual Spring Benefit: Play it Forward on April 3, 2023 at the Scandinavia House in NYC, and exceeded their goal, raising nearly $70,000 in support of the school and scholarships.

Bloomingdale School Of Music Presents its Spring Benefit: Play It Forward in April

Bloomingdale School of Music has announced the annual Spring Benefit on April 3, 2023 at 6:30 pm at Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave, NYC. Bloomingdale will also be celebrating 30 years of the Music Access Project (MAP), its signature, three-year pre-college training program for musically talented children in need, featuring high-quality instruction and personal mentoring.

New York Youth Symphony Appoints Michael Thomas As New Jazz Director

The New York Youth Symphony has announced that Michael Thomas has been appointed Director of the NYYS Jazz program, beginning with 2023/24 season. Mr. Thomas follows Andy Clausen, who will step down from his position at the end of the 2022/23 season after seven seasons. Mr. Thomas is no stranger to innovation himself.

Bloomingdale School Of Music Presents Spring Benefit: Play It Forward

Bloomingdale School of Music announces the annual Spring Benefit on April 3, 2023 at 6:30 pm at Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave, NYC. Bloomingdale will also be celebrating 30 years of the Music Access Project (MAP), its signature, three-year pre-college training program for musically talented children in need, featuring high-quality instruction and personal mentoring.

Danish Academy Award Nominees & A BEYOND THE LIGHT Silent Cinema Celebration Announced At Scandinavia House

This month, see a lineup of classic and contemporary award-winning Danish films, including recent Academy Award winners and nominees and a celebration of Danish silent cinema! All films will screen in Victor Borge Hall at Scandinavia House (58 Park Avenue, NYC). Screenings will be presented with English subtitles.

Broadway Producer Pat Addiss to be Honored with The Woman of Purpose Award

The Three Tomatoes and Glow Magazine have announced that Pat Addiss will be this year's recipient of The Woman of Purpose Award.  Presented by Cheryl Benton (The Three Tomatoes) and Anne Akers (Glow Magazine) the award recognizes inspirational role models who are not defined by age or labels but are all about living life fully at any age.

Eeppi Ursin to Present MY FINNISH SOUL Album Release Concert At Scandinavia House

On March 30, see a performance and celebration with New York-based Finnish singer-pianist Eeppi Ursin on the release of her new album, My Finnish Soul, at Scandinavia House!


Scandinavia House Frequently Asked Questions

What are the closest subway stops to Scandinavia House

The closest subway stops to Scandinavia House at 58 Park Ave in New York City are:

1. Grand Central - 42 St (4, 5, 6, 7, and S lines): This is the closest subway station to Scandinavia House, located just a few blocks away. It is a major transportation hub with multiple subway lines, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city.

2. 33 St (6 line): This subway station is also nearby, just a short walk from Scandinavia House. The 6 line runs along the east side of Manhattan, connecting to popular neighborhoods like Midtown, Union Square, and the East Village.

As for recommendations, Scandinavia House is located in the Murray Hill neighborhood, which offers a variety of dining options and attractions. Here are a few nearby recommendations:

1. The Morgan Library & Museum: Located just a few blocks away from Scandinavia House, The Morgan Library & Museum is a cultural gem housing a vast collection of rare books, manuscripts, and artwork. It's a must-visit for literature and art enthusiasts.

2. Korea Town (K-Town): Just a short walk from Scandinavia House, you'll find Korea Town, a vibrant neighborhood filled with Korean restaurants, karaoke bars, and shops. It's a great place to experience Korean cuisine and culture.

3. Bryant Park: Located a few blocks west of Scandinavia House, Bryant Park is a beautiful urban oasis with a seasonal ice skating rink, outdoor seating, and a variety of events throughout the year. It's a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the city's atmosphere.

For the latest subway updates and service changes, you can visit the official website of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) at https://new.mta.info/. This website provides real-time information on subway schedules, delays, and service advisories to help you plan your journey efficiently.


What's the best way to get to Scandinavia House by bus?

The closest NYC bus stops to Scandinavia House at 58 Park Ave are:

1. Park Ave/E 38 St - served by the M101, M102, and M103 buses. You can check for updates on these bus routes on the MTA bus map.

2. Lexington Ave/E 38 St - served by the M101, M102, M103, M1, M2, M3, and M4 buses. You can check for updates on these bus routes on the MTA bus map.

Please note that bus routes and schedules are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check for updates before your trip. Safe travels!


How much time should I plan to spend at Scandinavia House?

The ideal length of time to plan to spend at Scandinavia House in New York City depends on your interests and schedule. If you're a fan of Scandinavian culture, art, and design, you could easily spend a few hours exploring the exhibitions, browsing the bookstore, and enjoying a meal at the on-site restaurant, Smörgås Chef. However, if you're short on time, you can still get a taste of Scandinavia by visiting for an hour or two and focusing on specific areas of interest. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide how much time you want to dedicate to this cultural gem in the heart of the city.


Can I bring food and drinks into Scandinavia House?

Scandinavia House, located in the heart of Manhattan, is a cultural center that celebrates the rich heritage of the Nordic countries. While Scandinavia House itself does not have a specific food and drink policy, it houses a wonderful café called Smörgås Chef, which offers a delightful selection of Scandinavian-inspired cuisine.

At Smörgås Chef, you can indulge in delicious Nordic dishes such as open-faced sandwiches, Swedish meatballs, herring platters, and traditional Scandinavian pastries. They also have a variety of beverages, including specialty coffees, teas, and refreshing Scandinavian-inspired cocktails.

Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Smörgås Chef at Scandinavia House is a fantastic place to experience the flavors of Scandinavia in the heart of New York City. So, make sure to stop by and enjoy a taste of Nordic cuisine during your visit to Scandinavia House!


Does Scandinavia House offer luggage storage?

Scandinavia House, located in New York City, does not have a specific luggage storage policy. However, they do have a coat check available for visitors to store their coats and small personal items. If you have larger luggage or bags, it is recommended to check with the staff at Scandinavia House to see if they can accommodate your storage needs. Alternatively, there are several luggage storage services available throughout the city that you can utilize for a small fee. These services allow you to securely store your luggage while you explore the city and enjoy your visit to Scandinavia House.


Is Scandinavia House a good place to visit for foreign travelers who are not native English speakers?

Absolutely! Scandinavia House is a fantastic destination for visitors from other countries and non-English language speakers. Located in the heart of New York City, this cultural center celebrates the rich heritage and contemporary culture of the Nordic countries.

One of the great things about Scandinavia House is that it offers a wide range of events, exhibitions, and programs that cater to diverse audiences. Whether you're interested in art, film, music, literature, or design, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

For non-English language speakers, Scandinavia House provides a welcoming environment. While English is the primary language spoken in New York City, you'll find that many staff members and visitors are multilingual and can assist you in various languages. Additionally, some of the exhibitions and events may have multilingual materials or translations available.

If you're visiting from another country, Scandinavia House offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Nordic culture without leaving the city. You can explore the art galleries, attend film screenings, participate in workshops, or simply relax in the beautiful café.

Overall, Scandinavia House is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Nordic culture, regardless of their language background. It's a place where you can experience the best of Scandinavia right in the heart of New York City.


What ages are appropriate for Scandinavia House?

Scandinavia House in New York City offers a variety of cultural events and activities that cater to visitors of all ages. While there is no specific recommended age range, the venue is particularly popular among families with children. They often host family-friendly events, including storytelling sessions, craft workshops, and film screenings suitable for kids. However, Scandinavia House also offers a range of exhibitions, lectures, and performances that are enjoyed by adults and older visitors. So whether you're traveling with your family or exploring on your own, Scandinavia House has something for everyone to enjoy!


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