Celebrating Bengali Culture in Sweden

Welcome to the Nordic Bengali Association (NBA)

We are what happens when Bengal’s poetry meets Sweden’s fika culture, and Durga Puja shares the calendar with Midsummer. The Nordic Bengali Association is home to Bengalis (and Bengali-at-heart people) across Sweden who believe culture is best served with a side of laughter, a steaming cup of chai, and possibly a plate of shorshe ilish if we can smuggle it past customs.

Our Mission

Our noble goals (with no small amount of fun along the way):

1. Preserve: Keep Bengali traditions alive, from Rabindra Sangeet to the correct way of pronouncing “phuchka.”

2. Unite: Bring together Bengalis, Swedes, and anyone who thinks “adda” should be an Olympic sport.

3. Inspire: Showcase the beauty of our culture so that one day the Swedish language will borrow words from the Bengali language.

Our Story

Founded in 2025, NBA was born from a simple dream: to create a gathering place where Bengalis and like-minded folks in Sweden could feel rooted while embracing their Nordic surroundings. What began as modest meetups, reciting Tagore, sharing stories, sampling hilsa, NBA has blossomed into a thriving association, a cultural beacon that aspires to draw members from Stockholm to Malmö, and beyond. As we grow, we would want to spread our wings across Scandinavia.

What We Do

• Festivals & Celebrations: Poila Boishakh? Check. Durga Puja? Absolutely. Saraswati Puja? You bet. We could even be seen sneaking in a Noboborsho picnic in the park. And we won’t skip Diwali nights or Christmas cakes either, after all, it may be called Christmas here, it will always be borodin in our hearts.

• Arts, Music & Literature: From Rabindra Jayanti recitals to folk dance workshops, we believe in art that moves the soul… and occasionally the hips.

• Community Fun: We host game nights, potlucks, and impromptu jam sessions. Marathon Uttam Kumar movie nights, anyone? And if you leave hungry, we’ve failed you.

• Language & Learning: Want to learn Bengali? We’ll teach you, along with the facial expressions needed to properly say “Ki bolish?”

Our Values

• Heritage & Hilarity: Traditions are sacred, but so is the ability to laugh at ourselves.

• Hospitality & Hugging: We greet you like long-lost cousins (with food, naturally).

• Inclusion & Curiosity: You don’t have to be Bengali to join—just curious, friendly, and willing to try mishti doi.

• Adaptability: We can celebrate Poila Boishakh in a snowstorm if needed.

Join Us

Whether you’re a Bengali missing the bustle of Kolkata, a Swede enchanted by sitar music, or someone who wandered in looking for free samosas, all are welcome. The Nordic Bengali Association is your cultural home away from home.

Membership comes with laughter, friendship, and the occasional debate about whether “Roshogolla” or “Sandesh” reigns supreme, or if a Bengali can ever be truly a vegetarian.

Visit our Registration section to learn more about upcoming gatherings and how to get involved!