Seasonal Scandinavian Cheer
I am always amazed that Scandinavian countries are consistently the happiest in the world, according to the World Happiness Report, especially considering that their winters have even less light than ours do here in Canada. Factors contributing to Scandinavian countries' happiness include social support and a healthy life expectancy, and also the concept of hygge, the Danish word for coziness and comfortable conviviality. This attribute enables Scandinavians to not only get through winter, but to embrace the weather and connect with nature, and then nurture themselves, their families and friends in their cozy homes. Cheery inspiration indeed!
Of course providing a cheerful and warm atmosphere indoors is such a great respite from the cold weather outdoors, and I really like the Swedish fika tradition of taking a friendly coffee break. It reminds me of the cozy "elevenses" and tea breaks I used to have with my English relatives. Fika is a time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee and something to eat. Even planning for a fika would be enjoyable – if it is dark outside, you could always turn on some soft lighting, light a candle, download some ABBA from Toronto Public Library's Hoopla and peruse some delicious recipes in Scandinavian cookbooks!
My fascination with all things Scandinavian was sparked by some trips there several years ago, and I am so delighted whenever I come across anything which connects me to those happy memories. In a case of serendipity, I came across some Swedish heart-shaped cookie cutters in a kitchen supply store on Spadina Avenue in Toronto, and their Scandinavian connection has inspired me to make many dozens of different types of cookies with them. If you, too, would like to create some cookies, there are several cookie decorating programs coming soon to local library branches.
When the Danish Food Centre was in Toronto, on the west side of St. Thomas Street at Bloor Street West, it felt as though a little bit of Denmark was here, too. I remember going there and sampling their delectable smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches such as baby shrimps topped with mayonnaise and fresh dill), fragrant almond pastries and delicious cheeses. This photo, from the Digital Archive, was taken in 1990 by the legendary Boris Spremo. In the photo from the left are Karen Corrigan, food manager, Arlete Cabral, counter clerk, and Knud Westergaard, Danish Food Centre president. You can also find other vintage photos of Toronto restaurants in the Digital Archive.
I remember being so impressed by the colour and design of embroidered textiles in Norway, that I bought a smyrna wool cross-stitch kit there, and discovered how much I really enjoyed needlework, as well as admired Scandinavian design. Turning ornaments and warm necessities into an art form, whether traditional or modern in style, is a Scandinavian specialty. If you would like to discover the power of craft for yourself, there are numerous embroidery, crochet and knitting programs at library branches where you can learn new skills.
Marimekko, the Finnish design company founded by Armi Ratia and her husband Viljo in 1951 in Helsinki, integrated design, manufacturing and marketing. Marimekko's bold, bright patterns are redolent of fresh air, springtime and positivity, and were a balm for a society recovering from the Second World War. You can create something with a cheery bold print for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, at Toronto Public Library's first Fabrication Studio, at North York Central Library.
In the 1977 photo below, you can spot some Marimekko fabric behind Janis Kravis, who was the co-owner of Karelia, a Scandinavian shop which was located on Front Street in Toronto. Janis Kravis himself designed the white oak and leather lounge chair, which looks very comfortable and would fit well into a hyggeligt living room! You can also find other vintage photos of Toronto stores in the Digital Archive.
True Nordic: How Scandinavia Influenced Design in Canada, Parts 1 and 2 provide fascinating insights and excellent resource material about this topic.
To make the most of the winter light, and the long days of summer as well, Scandinavians favour big, minimally-covered windows for their interior decorating. Natural materials, simple silhouettes and functional, open spaces connect Scandinavian interiors to the outdoors and nature throughout all of the seasons. You can celebrate winter, as the Scandinavians do, with some of Toronto Public Library's programs: Winter Crafts; Birds in Winter; Discover Special Collections: Winter; and Herbs and Winter Wellness Part 1 and 2.
Whether you go out this season for an invigorating walk, or for some festive cheer from yesteryear at Black Creek Pioneer Village, or to visit any of the City of Toronto's history museums (all free with a Museum + Arts Pass), or decide to stay in for a cozy time at home curled up with a great Scandinavian novel, "Skål!" or "Cheers!" to you!
20 thoughts on “Seasonal Scandinavian Cheer”
Thank you for the wonderful titles. Somehow this seems the perfect time of year for them!
You are most welcome, Astrida, and I hope you enjoy the season!
Thank you for the wonderful compendium of resources at the TPL on things Scandinavian! i lived in Stockholm as a child, and retain a deep love of Nordic design and culture. i look forward to sharing this post with friends who share a similar interest.
You are most welcome, Janet. It must be wonderful to have lived in Stockholm, and to have treasured memories of your time there. Thank you very much for sharing this post!
Hi Muriel. So enjoyed your blog, and plan to check out the resources you have highlighted. My husband’s grandparen’ts emigrated from Norway in 1903, and I will share your blog with his extended family across Canada, the United States as well as in Norway.
Thank you so much, Barbara! What a journey your husband’s grandparen’ts made to come to Canada. Norway is such a beautiful country that it stays in one’s mind forever. Thank you so much for sharing my blog with your husband’s family.
Thanks for this great list of resources. I too grew up in Europe and I love the Danish style furniture.
Also the Fika book is excellent! I’ve made quite a few of the recipes and they have been simple and delicious!
Thanks for this wonderful post Muriel. I used my 1995 “Rae Days” for a memorable trip to Denmark, Sweden and Norway. My husband tried (unsuccessfully) to translate menus using his Old Norse and we fell in love with Danish glass and silver from Georg Jensen! Remember there was a store on Bloor Street for many years? I believe it closed around 1993.
Several months ago I saw the documentary Finding Hugge which explores the Danish secret to happiness. It made me want to go back to Scandinavia, but instead I will enjoy your recommendations!
Thank you Muriel for such an appropriate blog for this time of the year. Well done!
You are most welcome, Anne. It must have been wonderful to grow up in Europe amongst all that great design! I am glad you like the Fika book – I shall get baking, too!
You are welcome, Fiona. Your Scandinavian trip sounds wonderful and I am sure everything on the menu there would have been delicious, albeit perhaps a surprise! I do remember Georg Jensen – such a beautiful shop. Thank you for the film recommendation – I shall definitely watch it!
You are welcome, Pam, and thank you so much. I hope you have a very “hyggeligt” season!
Muriel, we can always count on you for inspiring posts! I am in love with the cover of Mittens From Around Norway—how breathtaking! I used to be an avid knitter, and I appreciate the skill that goes into creating such beauty. I think we Canadians have a natural affinity to Nordic countries. Perhaps it’s the weather, or perhaps it’s our admiration for the astonishingly supportive social network they have dared to imagine for themselves. May we find inspiration in them! The only item I would add to your list of recommendations is a wonderful version of a Nordic folktale I used to read to my children when they were young — Louhi, Witch of North Farm. It’s so beautifully told that we got our own copy so that we could visit it again and again. We were also quite fond of the charming Princess Mouse: a Tale of Finland, with its bright and happy illustrations. Thanks for bringing back happy memories!
Thank you so much, Claire! I am glad the Scandinavian spirit inspires you, too, as it no doubt does for other Canadians as well. Thank you also for your story recommendations – I am looking forward to reading about Louhi and Princess Mouse!
Thank you so much for this wonderful post! We went to Oslo and Helsinki in May for a trip with our daughter and became fascinated with all things Scandanavian and Nordic!
You are most welcome, Barbara. Your family trip to Oslo and Helsinki sounds wonderful, and I can certainly understand your fascination! You might be interested, as I was, in archaeologist Neil Oliver’s excellent DVD, “Vikings,” for historical background information: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM3146750&R=3146750
Hi Muriel,
Happy New Year! Great blog! It made me think of a long-ago (1984, I think) exhibit at the AGO called “The Mystic North” which demonstrated the strong influence of Scandinavian art on Canada’s Group of Seven. It surprised a lot of people at the time, but it makes perfect sense.
Hi Muriel – great article and very timely as we are well into our own Canadian winter. One book I’d also like to recommend and didn’t see on your list is “North: How to Live Scandinavian” by Brontë Aurell. I picked it up to browse at my branch and ended up reading it from front to back. A very cosy and often humorous read. Years ago I spent some time in Denmark and wish I had had this book for reference before going.
Happy New Year to you, too, Anna! I am glad you enjoyed the blog, and thank you for your recommendation – you are right, Scandinavian art and culture have had an influence on our country, which has a companionable landscape and society.
Thank you so much, Maureen, and also for your recommendation! I am looking forward to reading “North: How to Live Scandinavian.” Scandinavia is drawing me back for a visit, and this will be excellent preparation!