York Anglo Scandinavian Society ​

By Amy Sinar age 12 When I first read about Astrid Lindgren, I was amazed by how much of an impact one writer could have on children’s literature—not just in Sweden, but all around the world. Best known for creating the iconic character Pippi Longstocking, Lindgren is considered one of the most influential children’s authors of the 20th century. Astrid Lindgren was born in Sweden in 1907 and grew up in the countryside, which inspired many of her stories. She began writing sto

In 2016, Thom and his wife Poppy were living and working in London. Both originally from York, they were beginning to wonder what life outside the capital might look like. Six months after the Brexit referendum, that question became real when Poppy was approached by a recruiter at Spotify.

Monday 15 December 2025, 7pm The glow of candlelight will once again fill York Minster this December as we gather for one of the city’s most atmospheric traditions — Sankta Lucia, A Festival of Light . Each winter, as the nights grow longer, this much-loved Scandinavian celebration brings together light, hope and togetherness in the heart of York. Now in its twelfth year at the Minster, the service has become a highlight of the festive season for many — a chance to pause, ref

by YASS family member Amy Sinar, age 12 When most people think of trolls, they picture something grumpy and living under a bridge. But the Moomins are nothing like that. They’re white, soft, hippo-shaped creatures (though they’re technically trolls), and they’ve been the stars of some of the most imaginative and heartfelt stories ever written. I first discovered them when I was younger, and even now, I still go back to their world whenever I need a bit of comfort – or adventu

On a very rainy Monday evening in York, Caroline Key (YASS committee member) and I made our way through the puddles to meet Karin Sjölin Frudd, former Chair of SveaBritt. Karin and her husband Nigel live in London but also keep an apartment in York — Nigel is originally from Leeds, while Karin comes from Gävle, north of Stockholm.

Beck in Copenhagen, November 2025 At our AGM​ in April, Dr Beck Sinar was voted in as the new Chair of YASS. She lives in a...

On a September evening, around 35 members gathered at the Norwegian Study Centre (YASS) Stephen Keeler to welcome award-winning author...

The languages of the Nordic countries—Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish—are more than just means of communication; they...

Our annual Sankt Hans Aften and Midsommar celebration took place on 21 June 2025 — and what an absolutely wonderful evening it was! We...

York Anglo-Scandinavian Society celebrating Syttende Mai.

Did you know that the York Anglo-Scandinavian Society features Saint Sigfrid of Växjö in its logo? This is no coincidence. Sigfrid, an...

Throughout 2025, the city of Stavanger on Norway’s south-western coast will celebrate its 900th anniversary. About Stavanger Stavanger is...

Hi! Hej! Hei! Halló! Jag heter Amy och jag är 12 år gammal.  Jag bor i York.  Det här är min berättelse om att lyssna på en kör från...

In November YASS Vice Chair, Beck Sinar, visited Denmark for the first time to speak at a conference of Danish upper-secondary school...

Bluetooth technology is something that most of us use every day in one way or another, from wireless headphones to smart home devices....

Most of us are familiar with  the way in which traditional names in Iceland and Norway are formed from a given name followed by what is...

The most-performed Norwegian playwright after Ibsen, Jon Fosse’s spare, questioning drama has been compared to Samuel Beckett’s. Over...

As the warm rays of the sun linger longer in the sky and nature bursts into a vibrant display of colours, Scandinavia comes alive with...