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CoScan / Confederation of Scandinavian Societies

Posted 4 days ago

Language Nibbles: "To slide in on a shrimp sandwich"

Let's celebrate our heritage languages with a few wonderful idioms that completely confuse our British friends!

Swedish: Att glida in på en räkmacka (To slide in on a shrimp sandwich) — meaning to have an easy life or get something without working for it.

Norwegian: Å snakke rett fra leveren (To speak straight from the liver) — meaning to speak with complete honesty.

Danish: Der er ingen ko på isen (There is no cow on the ice) — meaning there is no need to worry, everything is under control.

What is your favorite idiom or phrase that your Nordic parents or grandparents used to say to you? ... See MoreSee Less

CoScan / Confederation of Scandinavian Societies

Posted 5 days ago

History corner:

The Battle of Largs and the Ending of the Norse Hebrides (1263)

Early September 1263 marked the climax of the Scottish-Norse War at Largs on the Ayrshire coast. King Håkon Håkonsson of Norway sailed west with a massive fleet of longships to defend his domain over the Hebrides and the Isle of Man against the expanding Scottish crown. A severe autumn storm drove several Norse vessels ashore, sparking a desperate, chaotic skirmish against Scottish forces. Though the military engagement itself was inconclusive, the retreat of Håkon's battered fleet effectively brought three centuries of Norse political dominance over the Scottish western sea-lanes to an end, paving the way for the Treaty of Perth three years later. ... See MoreSee Less

CoScan / Confederation of Scandinavian Societies

Posted 5 days ago

Music Spotlight: Ancient Roots in Modern Times

Early September often brings the announcement of autumn tour schedules for modern Nordic folk musicians. Over the last decade, there has been a massive global revival in "dark folk" or "neofolk" music, spearheaded by groups like Norway's Wardruna. They use historically accurate instruments—like the taglharpa (bowed lyre), goat horns, and willow flutes—mixed with lyrics sung in Old Norse.It’s a hauntingly beautiful way younger generations are connecting with their roots. ... See MoreSee Less

CoScan / Confederation of Scandinavian Societies

Posted 7 days ago

Food: Foraging and the "Right to Roam"

Early September marks the absolute peak of the Nordic berry and mushroom season. In Sweden and Norway, the ancient law of Allemansrätten (Everyman's Right) grants everyone the right to freely wander through private forests to forage for chanterelles (kantareller) and lingonberries.

While the UK's foraging laws are a bit more restrictive, many of us still head out for blackberry picking this time of year!

Do you use your UK harvest to make traditional Scandinavian preserves, or perhaps a classic Danish rødgrød med fløde? ... See MoreSee Less

CoScan / Confederation of Scandinavian Societies

Posted 1 week ago

Lots of activities planned by our member societies for Autumn, including:

Danske Kirke i Hull - coffee and hygge 10th September 1-3pm

The Anglo-Danish Society - 1st October at 11am Rotherhithe Walk

Scottish Norwegian Society - Afternoon chat on 12th September 3pm

York Anglo Scandinavian Society - Memories of Sweden 8th September at 7pm ... See MoreSee Less