Scan Magazine, Issue 101, June 2017 by Scan Client Publishing

PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA ISSUE 101 JUNE 2017

GUSTAF HAMMARSTEN – THE HUMBLE REALIST COACHING & MINDFULNESS IN NORWAY SWEDEN’S HIDDEN GEMS & ROMANTIC GETAWAYS LONE SCHERFIG – BRITISH FILM’S GO-TO DANE

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Your Shortcut to Scandinavia Bergen

NORWAY

Oslo Stockholm Bromma

SWEDEN Aalborg

Gothenburg

Aarhus

UNITED KINGDOM

DENMARK Billund

Manchester

London City

GERMANY Brussels

Düsseldorf

BELGIUM

SWITZERLAND

Munich

Zürich

S n acks

Me al s

Drinks

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Pap ers

Lounges

Smiles

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Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 26

Gustaf Hammarsten – The Humble Realist

From Lofoten way up north to the Danish island of Fyn down south, we set out to list our current top five on the Danish and Norwegian culinary scene. Expect everything from super fresh fish to quirky private dining experiences in your own home.

Known to Swedes as Göran in Together (Tillsammans) and to international audiences as Brüno’s gay assistant Lutz, Gustaf Hammarsten talks to Scan Magazine about the new Nordic Noir series Midnight Sun (Midnattssol) and why the message matters.

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Swedish Aluminium & A Danish Royal Touch We help you spruce up the garden and dig out the best bits for a successful festival season, while some of our favourite established brands in Denmark and Sweden bring beautiful crockery, iconic furniture design and a blissful boat life.

Artisan Coffee & Social Good We spoke to the Norwegian social entrepreneur whose platform is revolutionising early childhood development, the coffee lover who once roasted coffee beans for 25 hours straight, and the robotics and simulation enthusiast who runs a school that truly saves lives.

SPECIAL THEMES 30

Leadership Development & Executive Coaching in Norway During times of change or when facing difficult decisions, leaders need more than just business savvy to make it through. Executive coaching and other types of leadership training is growing in popularity and helping managers, CEOs and their teams gain confidence, become better listeners and, generally speaking, improve their chances of achieving their shared goal. Scan Magazine spoke to the best coaches in Norway.

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Coaching, NLP & Mindfulness in Norway Coaching is becoming a go-to approach not just in the business world but for individuals too, and the mindfulness trend has been around long enough now to suggest that it is far more than just a fad. To find out what NLP is, how mindfulness can help you and why some Norwegians are so passionate about it, read on.

Summer Festivals in Norway Our Fashion Diary would not be complete without a selection of unmissable Nordic festivals to boot. Whether you are looking for a straight-down-theline pop/rock festival, a chamber music experience or something with even more cultural and historical depth, we have found something for you.

SPECIAL FEATURES 20

Romantic Getaways & Hidden Gems in Sweden With its many picturesque towns, old castles and protected nature, Sweden is full to the brim with hidden gems: fine wine experiences, historical hotels, woodland cycling trails – you name it. We list our favourite destinations for a romantic weekend away or a spontaneous holiday treat in the name of authenticity and relaxation.

DESIGN 8

Our Top Five Food Haunts in Denmark & Norway

BUSINESS 96

Perfect Bricks & the Perfect Office Amongst our Danish business profiles this month is an old favourite: the ever-charming and always impressive Petersen Tegl, producer of quality bricks for construction projects across the globe. What is inside the brick walls, however, is a different story, as regular business columnist Steve Flinders ponders.

CULTURE 124 Danish-British Relationships & A Very Swedish Concept In a very special interview, Scan Magazine’s Thomas Bech Hansen speaks to British film’s goto Dane, Lone Scherfig, about a Danish take on the UK and the success of Their Finest. Meanwhile, our very own editor has a book out next month, and we got a preview…

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| Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, With summer in full swing – at least as far as the calendar is concerned – and the holiday season upon us, we at Scan Magazine considered what happens when you stop and take stock to get some much-needed perspective. Coaching and mindfulness are all the rage at the moment and have been for quite some time now, which suggests that they are here to stay. When businesses need to act fast, their leaders need to be able to convey a sense of stability and calm; and in a world that keeps moving faster by the day, we as individuals need to learn how to find that calm inside. We decided to look to Norway and speak to some of its many pioneers in this field and, I hope you will agree, it made for a fascinating journey. This month’s cover star does not appear to struggle to stay in the moment; on the contrary, he is grounded and averse to too much speculation about the future. Currently on screens across the globe as the male lead in the new Nordic Noir series Midnight Sun (Midnattssol), Swedish actor Gustaf Hammarsten is very much up for taking stock. “I’d read about native Americans but not the Samis, and that’s a form of racism in itself. I like that they decided to put a spotlight on these issues,” he says about the series, adamant that the message of the projects he takes on really matters.

Those keen to press pause will enjoy our Sweden special this month, which lists some of the most picturesque, authentic and charming destinations to visit with a loved one or when you want to really spoil yourself. Sweden is also, incidentally, home of the concept of ‘lagom’, an ethos dubbed as the next big trend but also criticised by some for its suffocating qualities. As we approach the holidays, I think we could do worse than take a moment to think a little bit about how to live lagom – how to do things not too little but not too much; how not to overdo it, yet not let each other down. But, then again, I would say that. After all, I wrote a book about it. Whether you are a mindfulness enthusiast or more of an over-thetop kind of holiday type, the June issue of Scan Magazine will help you plan your next trip to Scandinavia. We managed to squeeze in our top five food haunts and a festival guide as well, and there is a feature about a furniture design geek’s idea of heaven. Like I said, something for everyone…

Linnea Dunne, Editor

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| Issue 101

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| Design

Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary… Festival season is finally here, and we are super excited about it. But how should you dress for it? You want to look cool and stylish, but at the same time your outfits must be practical and work in a range of weather conditions. You may be enjoying a drink on a picnic blanket in 30-degree sunshine one day, but the next morning it may be pouring rain and windy. With our picks, you will be able to just have fun, without having to worry about either style, weather or comfort. By Heidi Kokborg

Press photos

The denim jacket just never goes out of style, does it? It was created in 1880 by denim legend and Levi’s founder Levi Strauss, meaning it has been trending for over 130 years! It is cool, classic, always appealing, and is the perfect jacket to wear at a festival. Throw on some big sunnies and you are good to go. Won Hundred Kevin Denim jacket, approx. £182 www.wonhundred.com

This backpack is Danish RAINS’ rendition of a classic and practical daypack. With a large inner compartment, a padded laptop pocket in the back and a zipped front pocket, it is ideal for any festival. RAINS Backpack, approx. £69 www.rains.com

These angular, timeless sunnies have moulded nose pads, tapered slim arms and curved temple tips for a secure fit and comfort. Get ready to celebrate the sunshine with these sunglasses from Cheap Monday! Cheap Monday sunglasses, £25 www.cheapmonday.com

You need a good pair of shoes at a festival; a pair that is cool, can keep the rain out and work even if they get a little dirty. These shoes from Swedish WHYRED tick all the boxes – and they will match the rest of your festival look perfectly. WHYRED shoes, approx. £398 www.whyred.com

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| Design

| Fashion Diary

If our dreams come true, the weather will be nice and warm for all festivals this summer and you can wear shorts like these. After all, shorts are a must-have at a festival! If it rains, just style them with a pair of knee-high wellies, and we guarantee that you will look very rock ‘n’ roll – even in the pouring rain. H&M shorts, £19,99 www.hm.com

Try to avoid bringing a purse or shoulder bag to a festival. They might be pretty, but they are not very practical for all your must-have festival items. We love this backpack from RAINS, which is minimalistic and cool yet also practical. It has magnetic closings, carabiner details, an inside laptop pocket and a hidden phone pocket on the backside, which gives you quick access when you are on the move. RAINS Backpack, approx. £69 www.rains.com

The one thing you absolutely cannot go to a festival without is sunglasses. Everyone wears them, and they will become your best friend on the morning after. Moreover, sunglasses add an instant cool factor to any outfit, and who could say no to that at a festival? We love these round unisex sunnies from Cheap Monday. Cheap Monday Cytric Sunglasses, £25 www.cheapmonday.com

Bomber jackets have been huge these past few seasons, and they have not gone out of style yet! This army green bomber jacket from Danish SistersPoint is perfect for all kinds of summer festivals. It is effortlessly cool, casual and an absolute must-have this summer. Wear it with a pair of white sneakers and a pair of avatar sunglasses, and you will be the coolest woman at the festival. SistersPoint bomber jacket, approx. £57 www.sisterspoint.com

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Design

Street Style

Nordic Humans of Venice Scan Magazine’s brilliant Sanna Halmekoski visits the Venice Biennale to find out what the Scandinavian art VIPs are wearing. Cool, sleek, and full of statements, this is a little piece of Scandiland in Venice. Text and photos by Sanna Halmekoski |

www.nordichumans.com

Tine Vindfeld Danish advisor at the Danish Art Foundation

Erkka Nissinen

“My style is classic with a dash of boho. It is quite cold in Venice right now, so I like layering. I hope the next Biennale will be warmer. I am wearing a shirt that is actually a dress by Kokoon and, over that, a jacket that is also in fact a dress, by Won Hundred. Both are Danish brands. My shoes are by New Balance and my leather bag is from Istanbul.”

Þórhildur Tinna Sigurðardóttir Icelandic assistant at the Icelandic pavilion “I like to dress so that I feel like myself. My style is Reykjavík downtown meets my imagination. I like to wear cheaper clothes in such a way that they look expensive. My shoes are by Reebok, trousers by COS, jumper by H&M, and the nail polish by Icelandic pavilion trolls and Icelandic designer Eygló.” Þórhildur Tinna Sigurðardóttir

Tine Vindfeld

Erkka Nissinen Finnish artist co-featured in the Aalto pavilion “I think that I dress in a very typically male Finnish fashion way, practical and a bit arbitrary. My life is quite nomadic, so my wardrobe has only the bare essentials. My shoes are by North Face, and they work well both in rain and in heat. My jacket is by Fjällräven, the shirt is by H&M, and the cap is from a market in Helsinki.” 10 |

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| Design

| We Love This

We love this… The sun is shining, the evenings are long and the flowers are in full bloom. The gardening and outdoor season has officially begun! It is time to mow the lawn, water your plants and do some weeding. Whether you have a big garden, a small balcony or an urban garden in the middle of the city, we have found some quirky and stylish items for a personal touch. By Heidi Kokborg

Press photos

What could be lovelier than having birds in your garden? This Swedish bird feeder is perfect for making your garden a haven for winged, fluffy creatures. Fill it with food scraps, apples, suet balls or nut mixes, and choose the birds you would like to attract by varying the length of the perches. Hus & Hem White Swedish Combi Bird Feeder, £22.95 www.husandhem.co.uk

How gorgeous is this golden garden hose? It will make garden work and watering your plants much more exciting. This garden hose is of the highest quality and made in Scandinavia. Moreover, the plastic surface is dirt repellent and UVprotected to prevent bleaching from sun exposure – you would not want the gold to wear off, would you? Garden Glory Gold Digger Hose, approx. £105 www.gardenglory.com

Summer calls for outdoor eating – whether it is for breakfast, lunch or dinner. So why not add to the dining experience with a beautiful tablecloth? This flax version is perfect, and you can use it both indoors and outside. Because it is made of flax, it has an elegant and beautiful look – even when you have no time for ironing. Georg Jensen Damask PLAIN flax tablecloth, approx. £191 www.damask.dk

Most of us are familiar with the iconic egg-shaped chair. The Hanging Egg Chair is a critically acclaimed design that has enjoyed praise worldwide ever since the distinctive sculptural shape was created by Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel in 1959. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and chill in your garden while lazing in the floating egg chair. Skandium Hanging Egg Chair by Sika Design, from £1,482 (£2,079 with stand and £1,839 with seat cushion) www.skandium.com

This plant pot comes both with a holder and without, making it perfect whether you have a balcony or a patio. Simply hang the pot on the rail to create a decorative urban garden, even in a small space. IKEA SOCKER plant pot, £6 www.ikea.com

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Design Profile

Royal Copenhagen

Left: As the first pattern ever created by Royal Copenhagen, the Blue Fluted Plain porcelain has become a trademark of Denmark all over the world.

‘We are a clear backbone of what is Danish’ The story of Royal Copenhagen is almost like a fairy tale. Grand royal weddings, heart-warming Christmas dinners and elegant Sunday coffees – the iconic bluepatterned porcelain has been part of life’s big and small moments in Denmark for centuries. By Signe Hansen

Photos: Royal Copenhagen

Few brands have achieved the iconic status of Royal Copenhagen. Founded in 1775, pieces of the company’s classic hand-painted Blue Fluted Plain porcelain are found in almost all Danish homes. But what transformed the company from just a porcelain producer into an international brand was the introduction of the Blue and Black Fluted Mega at the beginning of the new millennium. Creative director Niels Bastrup explains: “Through the first 200 years of our history, it was easy to look at us as just a 12 |

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producer. But around the year 2000, when Blue Fluted Mega made an entry into the portfolio, our transformation from quality seal to desired brand began. Today, that brand is essential to how we work and how we brief our designers. It’s vital that what they create is drawing lines to our design DNA – we are a clear backbone of what is Danish.”

From China to Denmark to the world When Royal Copenhagen first began producing porcelain in 1775, it was, as

with all European porcelain production, inspired by Chinese methods and traditions. However, as the company developed, its characteristic interpretation of the traditional blue patterns quickly made an impact on the European market. In the late 18th century, it began to win major prizes at the World Exhibits and, as the Danish Princess Alexandra married the Prince of Wales in 1863, the company also became purveyor to the English court. Today, with the continuing rise of Scandinavian design, the brand’s international appeal has grown even stronger. Outside Denmark, core markets such as Japan, South Korea and the US are drawn to Royal Copenhagen’s long history, elegant aesthetics and design quality. “In our

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core markets, our products are perceived as the ideal gift, meaningful to both the giver and the receiver. It’s not only something that is beautifully handcrafted and carries a great story, but also something you can use – a beautiful cup, dish or jug,” says Bastrup. “Many, both givers and receivers, see something noble and nostalgic as well as something new in our products, and that is part of the company’s DNA.”

Painted by hand The Blue Fluted Plain pattern was the first pattern developed for Royal Copenhagen, and is therefore also referred to as pattern no. 1. With an aesthetic that is elegant yet elaborate, the characteristic blue vines and flowers of the pattern are recognised all over the world. However, though the Blue Fluted Plain pattern has remained the same for centuries, no two plates or cups are exactly alike. The reason

for this is that all Royal Copenhagen porcelain is handcrafted and handpainted by highly skilled porcelain painters. This means that though the decorations may appear identical at first glance, a closer look at the delicate brush strokes will reveal the specific characteristics of the individual painter. In addition, all painters put their own signature on the back of each and every porcelain item painted. “You can see that it’s made by hand, and that’s something many people tell us that they value; especially as the receiver of a gift, it’s an extra special feeling when you know that it’s a one-ofa-kind piece,” says Bastrup.

Looking to the future and the past With a continuously growing market, also online, a new and closer relationship between the brand and its loyal customers has followed. Today, many people use Royal Copenhagen’s website and social media to establish the value of old inher-

Design Profile

Royal Copenhagen

ited pieces, find inspiration and communicate their thoughts on new designs. “To secure our position as a brand of the future, we have to act like a brand and not just a producer of porcelain. That means that a customer today is much more than just someone who buys a plate – we know that once you have bought our porcelain, you have linked yourself to the Royal Copenhagen brand,” says Bastrup and rounds off: “We’re not just a commercial brand; we’re a brand with a strong emotional link. We want to honour and respect that people choose our porcelain to bring them joy through their lifetime and pass it on to the next generation. That’s why all the new things we touch upon need to have a reference to our history – it’s very hard to look into the future if you don’t look back.” For more information, please visit: www.royalcopenhagen.com

’It’s very hard to look into the future if you don’t look back,’ says creative director Niels Bastrup (bottom right) when asked about Royal Copenhagen’s strategy for the future.

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Visit us! Stockholm: Swedenborgsgatan 3 & Jakobsbergsgatan 9 | London: 79 Berwick Street | Gothenburg: Andra Långgatan 22 | www.sandqvist.net

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| Design Profile

Milook

Milook’s founder Lilian Arturén.

More than fashion Milook is a smart concept with multi-functional, timeless yet feminine clothes, perfect for an active lifestyle with exciting travels, relaxing yoga and fun parties – you might as well call it ‘anytime wear’. But Milook is more than just garments; it is fashion with a purpose. By Malin Norman

classic, which will be coming in even more gorgeous colours. The brand is also introducing new pieces such as trousers and a combined kimono and dress to its range.

Photos: Milook

Lilian Arturén has an impressive background in fashion and design, covering virtually every role in the industry from studying design to working as an international fashion model as well as managing design and product development for a number of major players. Based in Sweden’s textile hub of Borås, and with a fascination for colours, shapes and smart designs, it comes as no surprise that Arturén eventually started her own brand, Milook, in 2012. In addition to designing the Milook collection, Arturén is a respected lecturer on subjects including sustainable fashion and the overall function of garments. “Clothes shouldn’t only be about following the latest trends,” she says about her idea of offering fashion with a purpose. “I

wanted to create attractive yet enduring clothes to be worn at a range of different occasions – something that can actually help people, and with a long-term environmental perspective.”

Confident expressions Inspired by both Swedish and Japanese influences, the flattering Milook collection consists of comfortable yet sensual designs, a great wardrobe base with well-fitting vests, tunics, bodies and leggings. The garments are ideal for confident women with an active lifestyle and perfect to throw into the sports bag for yoga sessions, to bring along for travels, to wear at work or at parties – basically for every day and any occasion. A good example is the best-selling top Hilma, the very first Milook garment and a true

Talented Arturén highlights the importance of combining design with purpose, emphasising that clothes should also enhance and celebrate the female shape. “Unfortunately, women are experts at being critical of their own bodies and tend to hide instead of accentuating their curves,” she says. “But instead, we should be proud of having bodies that work and happy about the life we’ve been given. Women should be allowed to feel sensual and feminine!” The Milook collection is available in their own webshop and selected stores in Scandinavia and Germany. For more information, please visit www.milook.se and follow @milookofficial on Instagram.

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Design Profile

Alukin

Alukin DP 650. Photo: Magnus Liam Karlsson

The future is aluminium With a passion for boats, construction expertise, and roots on the island of Åland, where boats are a natural part of life, Maria and Peter Nikula founded Alukin. Their well-designed aluminium boats provide archipelago workers and leisurely lake lovers with a simple, comfortable boat life – all with minimal environmental impact.

out that our thoughts and requirements appealed to a wide audience.”

By Linnea Dunne

“Aluminium is an excellent material in regards to both sustainability and low maintenance in a marine environment. It is easy to keep clean, durable, and ranks very highly from an environmental perspective – and it’s fully recyclable.”

Photos: Alukin

Alukin is a family business built up over about eight years by Maria and Peter Nikula, founded on a combination of persistent hard work and their joint competencies. That they ended up making aluminium boats is far from a coincidence: knowledge of materials and construction in aluminium and steel are Peter’s areas of expertise. “He simply decided to build a boat that suited our personal needs and ended up creating a number of boats before we were fully satisfied with the hull and its qualities, and from there on we’ve built 16 |

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the business and the brand,” says Maria, who spoke to Scan Magazine about the company’s journey to date.

What was the gap in the market that you wanted to fill? “We needed a practical, durable and functional boat with solid sea characteristics across all speeds. We wanted a boat characterised by a safe hull, yet that would be fun to drive in all weather conditions and at all speeds. Durability and functionality were crucial factors, as were well-considered details and a high level of interior comfort. It turned

What are the benefits of aluminium boats?

Many big companies in this field choose overseas production because of the financial advantages. What are the benefits of your local production in Roslagen? “Above all, it’s about control over every step of the production process, which is a way of ensuring quality. With Sweden being the at-home market, it’s also about being receptive to the market

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and being able to quickly analyse a need and put it into practice. “We’ve seen that local production is appealing to our customers, who gain a sense of security; they can follow the build of their boat on social media or visit us during various stages of the build. As an Alukin customer, you’ve got full insight into our boat production, which appeals to many technical boat enthusiasts. There are no secrets – we’re very open and will happily share our expertise. “We’re still a small business, but we’re growing steadily and will keep working on being receptive and close to the market in a growing segment within the boat industry.”

Who buys an Alukin boat? “Our customers share a desire for a practical, simple boat life, characterised by functional, practical details; it’s about low maintenance, a carefree boat

ownership that leaves time for leisure and activities or archipelago work. Our boats offer a combination of comfort, functionality and sustainability, which appeals to a wide range of customers. We offer a varied model assortment adapted to professional use as well as leisure, and that includes everything from smaller, open boats to bigger cabin boats with the possibility of loading machines, quad bikes and lawn mowers, or comfortable overnight weekend boats for families. We guide our customers through the entire process, from picking the right basic model and equipment, to delivery.”

What are you most proud of? “We’re exceptionally proud of having our production in Roslagen. All our boats are labelled ‘Made in Roslagen Sweden’, and that means so much more than just that the boat is built here. It means quality, control from start to finish, safety and security, and sound working conditions for all our co-workers. Norrtälje

Design Profile

Alukin

has historically been a hub for maritime transport and shipping in the Baltic Sea region, and it is now one of Sweden’s most popular summer destinations and an ‘archipelago town’, which makes it a natural and strategic place for boat production and sales.”

Do you have a bucket list, or any big dreams? “The dream is to keep building our boats and the brand to put Sweden on the world map for quality boats of aluminium, to increase the sales to our neighbouring countries and eventually to Europe and beyond. Our segment is growing and more and more people choose practical, low-maintenance aluminium boats. Our vision is to give all people who spend a lot of time at sea a simple, practical and comfortable boat life.” For more information, please visit: www.alukin.se

Photo: Malcolm Hanes

Maria Nikula. Photo: Magnus Liam Karlsson

Maria and Peter Nikula.

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Design Profile

Jacobsen Plus

‘Buying cheap furniture is expensive’ Jacobsen Plus is a paradise for people who fall in love with a designer or a brand and just cannot get enough of it. Owned and run by Peter F. Jacobsen, the fifth generation of his family to work in the furniture trade, Jacobsen Plus has won the Gazelle award – awarded to rapidly expanding Danish companies – two years in a row. The key to the retailer’s success is a decisive focus on classic designs and new top brands, because, says Jacobsen, when it comes to furniture, buying cheap is expensive. By Signe Hansen

Photos: Jacobsen Plus

“You don’t have to go far away to find challenges; challenges are something you create,” says Jacobsen when asked how he feels about running a business in Horsens, the town where he grew up. As the owner of Jacobsen Plus, a hugely successful retailer of designer furniture, he has indeed created his own challenge – and his own success. Even though his parents owned and ran their own furniture stores for decades, Jacobsen went 18 |

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his own way. He spent his early twenties in London training with and working for BoConcept in Tottenham Court Road. Then his ambitions took him travelling and eventually to Spain, where he, together with his parents and another couple, started the country’s first BoConcept store before returning to Horsens. In 2011, Jacobsen and his wife Claudia bought Jacobsen Plus from his parents. Since then, the store has been expand-

ing rapidly, and today it delivers designer furniture to all of Denmark and beyond. “We are one of Denmark’s largest furniture retailers specialising in designer furniture, lighting and accessories. What we sell is the best of the best designs from all over the world,” explains Jacobsen. “In 2008, when my parents started out, the store was just a small player on the market, but we’ve grown a lot – our delivery vans make trips all around Denmark every week.”

A new way of shopping for furniture For people who know the feeling of falling in love with one or more brands or designers, Jacobsen Plus’ 1,500 square metres offer a near-heavenly experience – and soon it will be even bigger and better. Next month, the store is expanding

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with another 500 square metres, and with the expansion comes a new store concept. “Today, when people shop for their home, they don’t go into a store to get help. They already know what they want, so they come to look at fabrics and try different models. That’s why we are moving away from inspiration set-ups, mixing different brands, and on to a more modern shop-in-shop set-up where the best of each brand is presented individually,” explains Jacobsen. “People are loyal to their brands; once they’ve fallen in love with something, they want more, and our proudest task is to give them that and to increase their knowledge of the individual brands.”

Quality furniture and service The entire Jacobsen Plus store collection is also available to view and buy via the

Jacobsen Plus website. Of course, when it comes to many of the larger quality pieces that Jacobsen Plus sells, most people prefer to see, try and discuss the furniture first-hand. Luckily, the store’s location means that it is within equally easy reach from Copenhagen and the top of Jutland. Consequently, design fans from all over Denmark find their way to Horsens to explore and enjoy the extensive collection and Jacobsen’s design savvy. “When it comes to buying furniture, a lot of people opt for the financially most advantageous choice, and that’s not buying something cheap. Furniture is not like electronics. If you buy high-quality design furniture, it might cost you quite a lot, but it will also last you for years and years,” says Jacobsen. “It’s more expensive to buy cheap furniture – if you buy a regular trendy chair, it might still cost

Design Profile

Jacobsen Plus

you 500DKK (59 pounds) but you’ll have to buy a new one again and again, whereas a designer chair, designed 60 years ago, will still be beautiful in 50 years.” Facts: Jacobsen Plus A/S was founded by Jørn E. Jacobsen in 2008. In 2011, Peter F. Jacobsen took over the store. Jacobsen Plus delivers furniture all over Denmark and beyond. The store is located in Horsens, 45 minutes by car from Billund Airport and two and a half hours from Copenhagen Airport.

For more information, please visit: www.jacobsenplus.dk

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Social Enterprise Spotlight

Intempo

Nutrition and healthy eating habits make up part of the Bravo tool.

At the forefront of early childhood development Social entrepreneur Heidi Aabrekk, head of Intempo, identified a gap in early childhood development. Having studied pedagogics at university, it was during her first maternity leave that she discovered that something was missing in the development of young children.

utes and is divided into four stages with different activities. It is especially suited for kindergartens and preschools during assemblies.

By Pernille Johnsen

Aabrekk works towards ambitious goals with inspiring drive and enthusiasm. “We want every child in the Nordics to have access to Bravo,” says Aabrekk. With partners in Denmark and interest from the Sami-populated areas in Finland and Sweden, Intempo is well underway. “We translate and make each programme set culture-specific so that children in other areas acquire familiarity with their culture and surroundings,” the entrepreneur explains.

Photos: Kristin Stoylen

“I didn’t have the tools to support my son in his early development, and I wanted to mitigate the gap I identified,” she says. With her entrepreneurial spirit, Aabrekk went ahead and researched what she felt was missing. What she found was that early efforts to stimulate brain functions for children between the stages of infancy and three years old provided tangible and substantial results. Aabrekk decided that she did not want to keep the information to herself. Sitting on a well of knowledge without sharing 20 |

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it seemed like a waste, so she founded Intempo and the Bravo programme, focusing on play and a series of activities fostering brain development from an earlier age than is currently practised at preschool and in kindergartens throughout Scandinavia.

The Bravo tool and Nordic-wide efforts The method focuses on the core principles of physical activity, sensory experiences and interaction with adults. The programme takes approximately 15 min-

All about the research The science behind early efforts to promote and stimulate the brain of children

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from infancy to around three years of age is staggering. An analysis from 2014 assessed social entrepreneurs and the return on investment regarding the preventative measures they spearhead. It turns out that not only do efforts introduced to this age group give the largest return on investment; it is also cheaper to invest efforts at this early stage than it is to implement damage control and redeeming measures later on. As such, it is beneficial from a financial point of view as well. Aabrekk explains that among children growing up today, the curriculum in kindergartens suffices for approximately 80 per cent of children. However, the remaining 20 per cent do not get their needs met by current standards. “Obviously, kids usually turn into bright youngsters, but I

want to keep the spotlight on what we can actually do for 100 per cent of our children to give them a bright future,” she says.

Collaborations across the board Moving forward, Aabrekk and her team are recruiting counties to partner with that share Intempo’s mission of catering to young children. The project has a twoyear span and includes the kindergarten, parents and local health clinics. This interdisciplinary approach is already up and running in Norway and Denmark, and Aabrekk is hoping to start collaborating with school nurses, kindergartens and overall management, wherever people care and work for the youngest children and their parents. She speaks warmly of pioneering figures, especially Ferd Sosiale Entreprenører as

Children’s brains develop extremely quickly between the ages of infancy and three years old.

Social Enterprise Spotlight

Intempo

Intempo’s most important supporter. “It is encouraging to see different foundations and funds place their emphasis on the young children. We are working with the Egmont Foundation on a new commitment to refugee children.” The Bravo Programme is designed for children aged zero to three, but is also suitable for children with special needs and those differently abled, aged three to 12. Moving forward, the team at Intempo will continue to work at the intersection between the discipline of brain development in general and political and academic efforts, to mitigate the gap between theory and praxis. For more information, please visit: www.bravoleken.no

Heidi Aabrekk is the founder and visionary of Intempo and the Bravo tool.

Play and physical activity in groups are part of the foundations of Bravo.

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Feature

April Coffee Roasters

Having worked for some of Europe’s leading coffee roasters, Swedish Patrik Rolf Karlsson has established his own roastery, April Coffee, in Copenhagen.

A new Copenhagen-based coffee roastery with the vision to progress the way we roast coffee Having spent the last six years working for some of Europe’s most prestigious coffee roasters, Patrik Rolf is today the owner of his own roastery. “The idea with April is to source, roast and offer some of the best coffee in the world. It’s a fully transparent business that pushes the boundaries of how you roast great coffee,” explains the 27-year-old. By Signe Hansen

Photos: April Coffee

Patrik Rolf’s passion for coffee was ignited in his hometown of Gothenburg, where he worked behind the bar at the da Matteo café. After half a year, he moved to the roastery, where he learnt the ropes from one of Sweden’s best roasters. Over the following years, he moved around Europe, advancing to the roaster position of a well-established specialty coffee roastery in Berlin. In the German capital, he got to live out his roasting dreams fully, roasting up to two tonnes of coffee a week. He once roasted for 25 hours straight, just because, as he says, he could. Yet April Coffee is not about speed or scale. On the contrary: Patrik Rolf focuses on finding the very best beans for his coffee, growing long-term rela22 |

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When asked to explain April Coffee Roastery with one sentence, Patrik Rolf says: “It is all about exploring how we can make coffee taste better.”

June 2017

tionships with his suppliers and working with them to improve their product and quality of life. “April is a small-scale coffee roastery that focuses only on the best. The idea is not to be everywhere, but rather to have a few selected projects around the world with an understanding for quality working with our coffee,” says Patrik Rolf. While roasted whole beans are his main focus, Patrik Rolf has also recently started working with coffee capsules. “It’s been very interesting, and I’ve been getting some great results,” he says. “It’s a capsule that is compatible with Nespresso and Dualit Capsule machines and makes it very easy to enjoy a tasty espresso-style beverage.”

To find out more, please visit: www.aprilcoffeeroasters.com Contact information: patrikrolf@aprilcoffeeroastery.com Social media: @aprilcoffeecph and @patrikrolf

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| Feature

| The Swedish East Indiaman

Stories from the sea A genuine working ship with a vibrant history, the East Indiaman Götheborg is a new historic visitor destination that takes you on a journey marked by storms and adventures – all through guided tours in the heart of Gothenburg. By Linnea Dunne

Photos: SOIC

“It was madness, really – an incomparable, quite un-Swedish mission,” says Chatrine Fritzell, CEO of the East Indiaman Götheborg. She describes the dedication and passion that led to the excavations and rebuild in scale 1:1 of the original East Indiaman Götheborg ship, part of a legacy that put Gothenburg on the world trade map. The Swedish East India Company was founded in 1731. It was ground-breaking in its proactive approach to trade in the aftermath of the Silk Road, which had brought exotic goods to Sweden, and ended up being one of the most profitable companies in the country’s history. 37 ships journeyed across the seas to the Orient, totalling 132 voyages. The original ship, Götheborg, supposedly crashed into the Hunnebådan rock in 1745 on its way back into Gothenburg harbour after its third voyage to China. In 1993, the company was reborn as a relationship-

forging door opener to Swedish business and culture across the globe.

Welcome on board The ship now resting in the Eriksberg harbour in Gothenburg is a replica of its inspirational original. “It’s been built entirely according to 18th century methods and using authentic materials, like cow’s skin to waterproof the rudder – no cheating,” says Fritzell.

Indiaman as well as the adventures of the original 18th century expeditions. We welcome guests for guided tours every day this summer,” says the CEO. Next, the ship will become a permanent visitor destination, open all year round, in the brand new Masthuggskajen district. “I love telling the story of Gothenburg, and this is a fantastic opportunity to do so with the ship as a starting point,” says Fritzell, adding that history enthusiasts and fans of maritime vibes also book the ship for conferences, weddings and other gatherings. “The environment we offer here is completely unique, and the guided tours are simply spectacular.”

Unveiled in 2003, with millions of people watching from across the globe, the ship has been on eight expeditions around the world and welcomes visitors on guided tours. The guides are dressed in authentic costumes and all have experience of sailing with the ship. “The tours on board the ship are the real deal – you can smell the tar, admire all the handmade details and learn about the unique construction of the East

For more information, please visit: www.soic.se

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Education Profile |

Social- og Sundhedsskolen

When a robot has a heart attack At the Basic Health Care College of Fredericia-Vejle-Horsens, students can expect to learn not just through study and role play. As a leader within the use of simulation, the college allows students to prepare for real-life situations with the help of robots, video playback and an authentic hospital environment. Students also get to travel abroad to explore their chosen profession outside Denmark, or can collaborate virtually with students from afar.

react in certain situations, students can now refer back to the simulated experience when they face the same incident in real life. It means that they don’t have to feel like they are fumbling their way to find the right action.”

By Signe Hansen

More than robots

Photos: Social- og Sundhedsskolen Fredericia-Vejle-Horsens

A human figure stoops and drops to the floor clutching his chest. Next to him stands a perplexed health worker, unsure of what action to take. It is a situation that can be traumatising for the health worker, but fatal for the patient – if the figure were a human and not a robot. Luckily, at the Basic Health Care College of FredericiaVejle-Horsens, health care students get to try out this simulated situation enough 24 |

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times for the possibly life-saving action to become second nature before they face the situation in real life. “The robots can be used to simulate everything from a heart attack to mental health issues,” explains the president of the college, PhD Hanne Helleshøj. “It adds another level to the training; on top of having read and researched how to

As one of the first Danish educational institutions to use robot technology in their everyday training, the Basic Health Care College of Fredericia-Vejle-Horsens has today become a leader in the field. Thanks to a large grant from the AP Møller Fund, the college could invest in not just high-tech robot mannequins, but also all the technology to support their use, such as equipment for video recording and playback and a range of interactive,

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individually adapted training tools. “There are three steps to a simulation: the briefing, the simulation and the de-briefing, where students can view themselves on video, evaluate how they handled the situation, and discuss if anything could have been done better or differently. “We’ve also worked a lot with the educational tools around the technology – it’s no use having all the equipment if the teachers don’t know how to use it,” stresses Helleshøj, who in 2015 coauthored a book on the use of robot technology in health education. To top it all off, the college has an entire closed department at Fredericia hospital available for large-scale simulations. “It’s pretty amazing, because it means that we can simulate everything that takes place in a real-life hospital department, the ringing bells, drink tables in the hallways, patients, everything!” enthuses Helleshøj.

How to make a bed in China The Basic Health Care College of Fredericia-Vejle-Horsens also offers a range of activities designed to strengthen the students’ international and intercultural competences. The college has partner colleges all over the world, which means that students can travel abroad to train and also receive visitors from abroad. Even students who cannot or do not want to travel abroad get to collaborate with students from other parts of the world via the college’s Internationalisation at Home programme, which sees students communicate and work together via, for instance, Skype. “We have a partner, for example, who runs seven health colleges in China, and we do many intercultural projects with them. It might be a very specific subject, such as how best to make a bed comfortable for a patient. Students then have to present arguments in English and demonstrate via video why they believe their chosen method is the best,” explains Helleshøj.

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Social- og Sundhedsskolen

Facts: The Basic Health Care College Fredericia-Vejle-Horsens is a modern and dynamic college that prepares students for jobs within the healthcare and childcare fields. The college is in the south-west of Denmark, with departments in the towns of Fredericia, Vejle and Horsens. The college offers study programmes in an inspiring environment with focus on development, involvement, teamwork and student welfare. The college enrols around 800 new students each year. Hanne Helleshøj is co-author of the book Simulation i Sundhedsuddannelserne (Moesgaard, 2015).

For more information, please visit: www.sosufvh.dk

Left: President of the Basic Health Care College of Fredericia-Vejle-Horsens, PhD Hanne Helleshøj, has led the way within the use of simulation in health care education. Right: Students at the Basic Health Care College of Fredericia-Vejle-Horsens get to practise vital skills on robot mannequins before facing real-life situations.

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Cover Feature |

Gustaf Hammarsten

– unassuming and always punching up Known to most Swedes as Göran in the film Together (Tillsammans) and to international audiences as Brüno’s gay assistant Lutz, Gustaf Hammarsten has succeeded with the mean feat of avoiding being put in a box. Scan Magazine spoke to the Swedish actor about the new drama Midnight Sun (Midnattssol), the rawness of Nordic Noir, and always punching up. By Linnea Dunne

Photos: Ulrika Malm

“I was in drama school in New York at one point when I was younger, and I remember many of the teachers saying that Scandinavian actors had a different depth, like we could do anxiety more naturally,” says Gustaf Hammarsten. He plays the male lead, prosecutor Anders Harnesk, in the latest crime drama to come out of Sweden, Midnight Sun (Midnattssol). While the production is visually stunning, it is angst-ridden indeed, investigating a series of murders in the north of Sweden to a backdrop of past and present cultural tensions between the now mainstream Swedish society and the indigenous Sami people. “They could’ve made just a straightforward thriller drama, but they didn’t – and I like that they decided to put a spotlight on these issues,” Hammarsten says about Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein’s work. “The Sami people are an indigenous people, they’ve dealt with the horrors of measuring skulls and all that, 26 |

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just like everywhere else in the world. It’s the same structure as colonialism everywhere, but something I, as a Swede, hadn’t reflected on; I’d read about native Americans but not the Samis, and that’s a form of racism in itself. They’ve lived with the shame – there’s something humanistically relatable about this story.” The series, which also features Leïla Bekhti as the female lead and Sami singer and activist Maxida Märak, is set in the mining town of Kiruna and shot to a great extent, as the name suggests, in the midnight sun. “The entire town of Kiruna is being moved because of the mine. That thing about money always controlling people, I think that’s one of the qualities of Midnight Sun,” says Hammarsten and links the rawness of the natural setting with the typical expression of Nordic Noir. “Scandinavian dramas are not exactly glamorous, it’s not Paris or New York. There’s something simple but also almost brutal out

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Gustaf Hammarsten

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Gustaf Hammarsten

really great, that whole period.” Indeed, it went swimmingly: Together became another Moodysson classic, Göran another legendary Moodysson character – so much so that Hammarsten ended up occasionally being mistaken for the character in real life. “I had people come up to me and ask how I was doing, and I thought I didn’t know them and then realised I’d never met them before, that they took me for Göran. Then suddenly it hits them that it’s a film character, that it’s not actually me,” he says. You could forgive people for getting the actor mixed up with the amiable lefty commune resident, who suffers in silence as his open relationship turns unhealthier by the day. Hammarsten, like Göran, has a decency about him, a kindness in his voice and a reluctance to exaggerate – just perhaps not to the extent where he is about to explode the way Göran eventually does. “Still today, it happens that people just forget and call me Göran.”

there amongst the red wooden cottages. I think all good films and series have in common that they’re punching up, but it’s possible that Scandinavians are one step ahead there. Look at the recent hits with all the strong female leads, and the same with Midnight Sun – they all have strong portraits of women. You could hope that’s a hallmark.” Punching up rather than down seems to be important to the Swedish actor. He has been known to talk about it before, particularly in response to some criticism of Sasha Baron Cohen’s Brüno, which he played a major role in. “When I was younger I was quite egotistical and just wanted good, big roles, but I feel more and more that the story we’re telling, the message of the work is important; there’s so much stuff out there, so if you’re going to create something I think you should think about what it says,” he ponders. “That’s not to say that it has to have a happy ending. I love when it’s all dark, Ken Loach style, when everything goes to shit and you get to deal with the real stuff, think about our time, our future – none of this ‘makey-uppy’ 28 |

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entertainment nonsense. I can’t quite relate to that.”

From advertising to L.A. Hammarsten insists that his path to the stage was very much staked out by his mother, who brought the then advertising industry junior an advert, a “little treasure trove” as he calls it, for Calle Flygare Theatre School. The rest, as they say, is pretty much history. He got his first screen job in Bille August’s renowned The Best Intentions (Den Goda Viljan) and has starred in countless Swedish films and stage productions since. In 2000, he became a true household name in the Swedish world of drama as he appeared as Göran in Lukas Moodysson’s Together (Tillsammans). “It was a bit nerve-wracking, actually,” he recalls. “Lukas had just done Fucking Åmål [Show Me Love], which became such a huge success, so when people heard about this new film set in the ‘70s they were all ‘right, how’s that going to pan out?’ – and that’s the thing with the big second gig, isn’t it? To manage to follow up on a huge success. But of course he did, and it went amazingly well. It was

It was thanks to the role of Göran that Sasha Baron Cohen discovered Hammarsten, resulting in an email to his agent asking if he spoke German. “So I thought maybe they wanted me to play some Nazi guy who was shot after a minute, but after some auditions the adventure took off and I was over in LA, walking around amongst real, blissfully unknowing people kamikaze filming,” he says. Far from a Nazi guy, Hammarsten ended up playing Lutz, Brüno’s geeky gay assistant, complete with scenes of him chained to a bed wearing a leather harness and with a toilet brush in his mouth. He laughs. “I think I’ve put that memory in a secret chamber somewhere to someday pick it up and work through it in a therapy session; it really was an adventure.”

A realist If Hammarsten shares his likeability with Göran, what he does not take after the character is a complicated love life. He lives in Stockholm with actress Jessica Liedberg and their three children. When asked how they juggle it all he sounds almost surprised, as if this issue has never occurred to him. “I’m not the kind of person who works to get away; it’s never

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been an option to leave her stuck,” he says. “We’re both actors, so we both know what it means when someone’s away for a premiere – it’s crazy for a period, then there’s a break. We both get the bigger picture.” The matter-of-fact attitude means that he is reluctant to dream big – “the older I get, the more of a realist I become; I sometimes wonder if I’ve lost that geist, but you just can’t plan things” – but it also seems to have made him unafraid, embracing what life throws at him. He talks about exploring writing and directing, completely without pressure, just to get a sense for what it is like to be at the other end. Being at the end of the chain, fed a near-finished product, can be a cause of anxiety, he infers. “Måns and Björn had had me in mind from the start when they were writing Midnattssol,

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Gustaf Hammarsten

which is incredibly flattering and made me really happy, but what made me even happier was reading the script and realising how brilliant it was. When someone says they’ve thought of you, there’s that sense of ‘oh, I hope it’s good or else this’ll be awkward’.” Hammarsten was happy, and so were the critics. Midnight Sun is now up for a Golden Nymph Award, while Hammarsten is nominated for the Outstanding Actor award and Bekhti for Outstanding Actress. “It’s great, it’ll be nice to head to Monaco and have some cocktails!” he laughs. “The series has sold to a large number of countries across different continents already; I think the themes of colonialism and the tensions between civilisations are striking a chord in many places. But we’ll see, you never know,” says the unassuming actor. “What will be will be.”

Artwork by Vincent Flouret.

Midnight Sun is out now on DVD and Blu-ray.

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June 2017

D P HI AN NG S R NT HI e E Sp C AD PME OA Y E L LO E C WA VE TIV OR E D CU N N E I EX l cia

m he

Take your business to the next level Statistics suggest that using a business coach can increase your profit margin by an average of 46 per cent, according to a practice development company. Business coaching is a process to help you take your business from where it is now to where you want it to be. The coach will challenge, support and guide you all the way. By Heidi Kokborg

Photos: Pixabay

You have probably heard about sport coaching, health coaching and life coaching, but what about business coaching? The concept is much loved in America, and now it seems it has hit Scandinavia as well. Business coaching is a relationship between a business team or owner and a 30 |

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keep their clients focused on the result, reminding them why it is important and supporting and guiding them. They will motivate – but ultimately the client must do the work.

Multiple benefits coach. It is a place for guidance, support and challenge, to help take a business from where it is now to where you want it to be. The coach will assist and guide the management in growing the business by helping them clarify the vision of the company. A business coach is not a consultant; the coach will not do the work for the owner. They are there to

Business coaching can benefit an entrepreneur or business manager in multiple ways, such as making more profit in less time, greater enjoyment at work, increased control, less time spent working or time spent more efficiently, a growing customer base, more focused marketing strategies, and a better team structure.

The statistics speak for themselves. The International Coach Federation surveyed 210 coaching clients for demographic data and feedback about the value and use of coaching. The results said that 70 per cent believed that business coaching was very valuable, 60.5 per cent experienced a more balanced life, 25.7 per cent gained more income, 52.4 per cent gained self-confidence and 62.4 per cent felt smarter at setting goals. What are you waiting for? Read on to find out more about the types of executive coaching and leadership development services available in Norway. Issue 101 |

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Special Theme

Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

Co-creating success Through a clear and honest approach to great leadership and teamwork, coaching and consulting company Evan-Jones International aims to move away from the Norwegian culture of niceness in management style and towards a more direct style, which they believe creates safety, trust and motivation amongst co-workers. By Line Elise Svanevik

Photos: Evan-Jones International

Evan-Jones International specialises in three key areas, including strategy and organisational development, where they help build a structure within the company and plan a strategy for where their clients want to go. Secondly, through leadership, personal and team development, they assist leaders of all different levels through coaching. 32 |

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The company’s vision is ‘co-creating success’, as they strongly believe that working with the clients, rather than simply for them, is crucial to creating permanent changes. Last, but not least, they work with sales and marketing, which is often about customer relationships – from sales and market strategy to sales management,

in-store training for shop assistants and digital sales optimisation through social media.

Tailor-made development “We work with the development of organisations, and when you do that, you have to develop the people within them,” says CEO and owner Roger Årdal. “We go into each company and tailor our programme to fit their needs and wishes, as each individual company has their own set of challenges that have to be addressed. Some of our clients are already doing really well and only want to get better, so it’s not just dealing with those who are struggling and need help.”

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From the initial chats about the ultimate goal of the coaching and consulting experience, Årdal and his team moves towards gaining insight and understanding of where their clients are, which helps them determine the route to take. After this is achieved, they create a plan of how to put it into action.

‘Pracademic’ approach Based in Sandnes in southern Norway, but working with clients from all over Norway, Evan-Jones International was set up by the former rock musician and author John Evan-Jones, whom Årdal first encountered 15 years ago. “He had a ‘pracademic’ – practical and academic – approach, which fascinated me,” explains Årdal. “What that means is that he worked with models from the academic world, but at the same time he was very practical in his approach. Our clients don’t necessarily want an education – they want development within their role.”

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

to be clear and direct in their approach, out of fear of upsetting their employees. “It’s a culture of niceness, where democracy stands tall, so everyone needs to have an opinion on everything. The result, however, is that there’s not a clear leader, which I see as one of the most challenging aspects of our work,” he says. “We strive to get people to set aside time for leadership and to brave being honest and clear in their leadership style. They need to know where they’re going and what they’re expecting, which is something I’ve passionately believed in for many years now – the power of leadership. Some of our clients say: ‘but if I’m too honest, no one will want to work for us’; but I believe that sending clear messages creates security amongst employees.” In their own style of business, a trademark of Evan-Jones International is daring to be completely honest and challenging their clients into becoming more conscious of where they are and what it takes to get where they want to be.

Daring to be honest

Inspiring change

Årdal believes that in the Norwegian management style, top leaders are often afraid

Årdal believes in achieving consciousness in order to develop as a leader, team

or business. He does not think that he can teach anyone anything, because learning is a permanent change of behaviour. “We can inspire them and add our expertise, but people have to make the change for themselves, which is where coaching comes in – based on creating personal awareness,” he explains. “It’s always challenging to work with change, even if you want it – but as agents of change, that’s our job.” Being a good leader, Årdal suggests, comes down to taking responsibility for one’s environment. “Some people say: ‘I wish I had different employees’; but we say ‘you get the employees you deserve’ – either you need to develop them or you need to let them go, to be quite blunt,” he adds. “Being under the impression that someone is going to come in and fit straight into their role and develop it is like believing in Santa Claus. You have to work for it.”

For more information, please visit: www.evan-jones.no

Left: CEO and owner of Evan-Jones International, Roger Årdal, is passionate about a more direct leadership approach. Right: The team at Evan-Jones International helps leaders reach their potential through carefully tailored programmes.

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

Mental trainer Stein Kvalheim teaches his trainees to bring their subconscious knowledge into the conscious. Photo: Corecome AS

Train your mind for better staff performance – and bedtime stories Having achieved remarkable success within the world of sports, the Norwegian mental trainer Stein Kvalheim is now sharing his skills with leaders and organisations all over the world. Thanks to a combination of knowledge and simple techniques, Kvalheim’s trainees are experiencing impressive improvements in both their work and personal life. Scan Magazine talks to the Norwegian motivator and two of his trainees to find out how he does it, and if we can do it too.

trophy. This might seem almost unbelievable, but not to Kvalheim, to whom believing in success is the first and most vital step to achieving it. “Everywhere I tried it, it worked. If they really wanted to win, they won,” says Kvalheim about his work with athletes.

By Signe Hansen

Having just moved up to Norway’s best league after five years in the second tier, Strømsgodset football team had a great deal to prove in 2009. For Kvalheim, the team provided the perfect challenge and 34 |

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he decided to take on the role as mental trainer for players and coaches. A year later, the team won the cup final and, three years on, they topped that by picking up the Norwegian championship

Today, Kvalheim works primarily with business and private individuals, helping leaders to become mental trainers for themselves and their employees. “I learned a lot working in the world of sports, and I want to share all this knowl-

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edge; whether you’re looking for success in the world of football or in business management, the way you think changes everything.”

A better health and better employees One of Kvalheim’s mental trainees is Thomas Brustad, a 30-year-old operations manager for Oyatel, Norway’s leading provider of web-based phone systems

Thomas Brustad, operations manager at Oyatel. Photo: Peder Klingwall - VizPro

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

for the business market. As operations manager, Brustad is responsible for ensuring that sales and support staff achieve the best possible results and job satisfaction. When he entered the role last year, he decided to take Kvalheim’s 16-day leadership course to improve his own and his employees’ performance. “When you work with phone support, you get a lot of difficult calls. That’s why it’s very important to know how to motivate

people, to make them focus on the right things and not take things personally,” explains Brustad. At Oyatel, Brustad works with a number of people who have been out of work for a longer period of time. Training and preparing those people to re-enter the job market, he has found Kvalheim’s tools particularly helpful. “From day one, you get techniques and tools that you can

Photo: Corecome AS

Kvalheim has worked with many athletes and sports teams, amongst them Strømsgodset which, in the following years, went on to win the Norwegian cup and championships. Photo: Stein Kvalheim AS

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

use straight away. For example, it’s about turning the negative things into positives. We show our people the advantages of going to work compared to not going to work and teach them to focus on all the positive things they can do instead of focusing on their mistakes,” says Brustad. “It’s about turning their mindset around, building them up and giving them self-esteem.”

productivity at work and at home. “I was kind of sceptical of how far I could go with this and how much of an effect it would have, but the biggest effect has been on myself. I suffer from chronic illness and didn’t think anything could help. But this has helped – learning not to focus on negative things has improved my health massively. It was actually kind of scary to realise how big an effect it had,” he says.

Just halfway through the course – which takes place over six to ten months – Brustad has also experienced astonishing results in his own wellbeing and his

Making the subconscious conscious

CEO of People Partner Norway, Lise Wessel. Photo: dittportrett.no

Photo: Stein Kvalheim AS

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Kvalheim, who has a background in engineering, owned and ran his own business for about ten years. After selling the

Photo: Corecome AS

company, he decided to start focusing on what was behind a good business: people. “I knew how to do business, but I wanted to know more about people, what motivates them, what makes them tick. I did it from the perspective of an engineer, with the purpose of finding out what is really going on,” explains Kvalheim. During the last 17 years, Kvalheim has helped athletes, leaders, organisations and private clients with a wide range of problems such as sleep problems, anxiety and communication problems. In his work, he has found that a more con-

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

Photo: Corecome AS

scious approach is key to solving many issues. “When training people, I tell them more about how humans work, because once they become conscious of how they work themselves, they can also influence other people better. People know much more about themselves than they know they do. They have a subconscious knowledge, but I make it conscious – that’s what mental training is all about,” says Kvalheim.

Things you will never learn at university As the CEO of People Partner Norway, a large staffing agency specialising in marketing and sales staff for events and promotions, 39-year-old Lise Wessel manages around 200 employees, many of them young people. One of her motivations for taking Kvalheim’s leadership course was a wish to better motivate her young employees. “I wanted to apply the tools that Stein could provide me with to their roles in the field. But that was just one reason; in general, I find human

communication and behaviour very interesting. I have also studied it at university, but this is different because with Stein you learn to influence it rather than just study it,” Wessel points out. When Wessel shared her tools and knowledge with her employees, one remarkable result was that the young people started to find their roles more interesting and meaningful. “By using the techniques, you become a detective in your own and other people’s mind, you become more aware, things become more interesting and easier,” she explains and concludes: “Seeing how these tools positively affect our staff’s motivation and achievements, I’m convinced they will allow People Partner to stand out and offer our clients distinct advantages.” Wessel’s employees and clients are, however, not the only ones to have benefitted from her training. An unexpected benefit for both Wessel and her daughter has

shown itself at bedtime. “Usually when I read my daughter her bedtime story, my mind would quickly go somewhere else; I would think about next day’s work and meetings. But with a very simple technique Stein taught us, I have been able to increase my focus – I become completely engaged in the story I’m reading.” About Stein Kvalheim’s mental training: Stein Kvalheim offers mental training for leadership development, personal development and business development. Training is offered as private or group courses as well as individual sessions. The leadership training course comprises 16 days of mental training spread out over six to ten months.

For more information, please visit: www.steinkvalheim.no

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The Medvind team has been helping companies with their restructuring for the past 15 years.

How to be a better leader in a constantly evolving world Norwegian coaching business Medvind (meaning ‘Tailwind’) specialises in helping companies through crucial restructures, focusing their efforts on working with businesses and individuals who are going through a change – which in today’s business environment is often a continuous process. By Line Elise Svanevik

Photos: Valentin Huitfeldt

Based in Oslo, the company consists of highly qualified trainers with experience in both national and international business restructuring. “We primarily work with companies and individuals who are undergoing change,” says CEO of Medvind, Ann-Charlotte Huitfeldt. “To be going through a change could be anything from planning through completion, and today many companies are constantly evolving.” Established in 2002, the company offers a wide range of services for businesses 38 |

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and corporations, including HR, leadership services, employee care, restructuring organisations, executive coaching and career advice. “We provide a complete in-house competency package, which is what sets us apart,” explains Huitfeldt. “We work very broadly, in sectors including bank, finance, IT, industry – the only type of client we don’t have so far is funeral homes.” Although Medvind works with a wide range of big organisations and clients, it is important for Huitfeldt to note that

many of their clients want close relationships – despite their size. Through their work with organisations that are restructuring, Medvind provides expert care in dealing with sensitive issues including downsizing and redundancies. As a forward-thinking business, they provide the tools needed for keeping a good dialogue between management and employees, which is crucial to the restructuring process to avoid conflict. What exactly is coaching? Medvind’s senior leadership development consultant Kristin Løvenskiold says: “The very foundation of coaching is the belief that every individual has the resources to solve their own issues, with support from others.”

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The company prides itself on not only providing support to companies when they are going through changes, but especially the sometimes overlooked aftercare. “We often meet businesses that spend a lot of money on leadership courses. They’re not bad, but they’re just not very well followed through,” explains Huitfeldt. “On these courses, they don’t get the right support that they need afterwards, which is what we feel is important and why we’ve arranged it so that companies can subscribe to our services.”

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of the reasons why there’s a growing demand for coaching.” Having worked with leaders over the past 15 years, the employees of Medvind are highly knowledgeable of the current issues facing them. “Ultimately, we want to help them to become better tomorrow than they are today,” says Løvenskiold. “Many find it hard to delegate work as

they go from specialists to leaders. They might be great specialists, but how are they going to become good leaders?” That is where Medvind comes in – to facilitate the process of consciousness.

For more information, please visit: www.medvindpersonal.no

Kristin Løvenskiold is Medvind’s senior leadership development consultant.

Fresh perspectives “It’s especially important to note that many organisations benefit from getting an external source in, with blank pages, who can see things from a different perspective,” says senior consultant at Medvind, Geir Gregersen Vaardal. “It’s hugely beneficial, because you get someone who is a bit more independent and sees things that others might have overlooked – that’s one of the reasons, I believe, why people come to us.” Another big part of the coaching experience is self-management. “Because of the nature of businesses developing rapidly today, changes often happen very quickly, and you can’t run to the boss every time something happens. We need to be self-managing, and let people make the right decisions for themselves,” Huitfeldt adds. Coaching is simply one of the many tools that Medvind offers its clients. Ultimately, they want to aid people in becoming better leaders and in getting the most out of their leadership development. “It’s demanding to be going through a restructure. You need to be constantly thinking about how employees are going to develop their skillsets. Many people think that the digital age we live in today is a lot of fun – but many also find that it’s very scary,” says Vaardal. “Times have changed, and demands on leaders are noticeably different. We need to deal with the digitalisation and globalisation – the removal of services from in-house to externally. Academically, people are becoming stronger, and this is also one

Ann-Charlotte Huitfeldt is the CEO of Medvind.

Geir Gregersen Vaardal is a senior consultant at Medvind.

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Leadership through self-awareness Assisting companies in leadership development and recruitment, Norwegian Trollfjord Consulting aims to create self-awareness and critical self-evaluation to bring out larger parts of one’s own potential, which they believe ultimately creates better leaders. By Line Elise Svanevik

With a strong collaboration with De4 – a consulting business working across the south-eastern part of Norway – Trollfjord’s work reaches from northern Norway down to the east. Starting up in 2004, the consulting company is based on the fundamental premise that “when we can’t work together, we create the Battle of Trollfjord”, explains Rune Frøyslie, partner in both Trollfjord Consulting and De4. This battle was fought in 1890, where industrial fishing ships fought against the fishermen in traditional rowing boats. Their vision is simple: “We don’t go into businesses and take over; we go in and support them and contribute to their existing processes,” says Frøyslie. “We 40 |

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work a lot with groups and individuals, and the overarching aim of what we do is that we lead like the people we are. That’s the starting point in our work – to work with self-awareness and critical self-evaluation, and to take out bigger parts of people’s own potential.” Two-thirds of their work involve the private sector, and one-third is public-facing. Catering to industries including oil and gas, insurance, travel, retail, energy, real estate and construction, Trollfjord Consulting also works with cognitive coaching and psychometrical testing tools, which lay the foundation for processes.

Understanding is key When they go into businesses, the

first thing they do is try to understand. “Through conversations with all parties, we try our best to gain an understanding. Because we don’t have a sixth sense, what we hear is what we base our work on – we don’t try to put our own perspective in too much,” Frøyslie explains. “From there on, our work is clear and transparent. We don’t have an agenda – we strongly believe that too many consultants go in and aim to fix something with their own perspective in mind and have tools that they want to sell. We work with the people who are there and the things that are being brought to our attention, which is why our basis is understanding.” Trollfjord Consulting and De4 also recruit around 80 leaders per year for a broad spectrum of private and public sector jobs. For more information, please visit: www.trollfjordconsulting.no and www.de4.no

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Left: CEO of Con Motoh, Erle Bryn, is a specialist in the fields of conflict resolution, team observation and leadership development. Photo: Balder Bryn Morsund. Top right: Many become set in their ways. Right: It can be hard to find the right way in times of conflict, explains Bryn.

Masters of managing conflict within the workplace With over 30 years’ experience of solving conflicts within organisations – be it in top level management, amongst staff or throughout the whole hierarchy – Oslo-based consulting company Con Motoh specialises in tailoring solutions for companies experiencing issues within the workplace. By Line Elise Svanevik

Photos: Erle Bryn

Con Motoh, which originates from the musical expression relating to life and movement, is headed by CEO Erle Bryn, who is a specialist in the fields of conflict resolution, team observation, process management and leadership and team development.

Lastly, Bryn explains that the areas of responsibility between co-workers are often blurred, which can lead to uncertainty. “Then there are the areas that no one has responsibility for, including making coffee and loading the printer,” says Bryn.

Three reasons for conflict

Con Motoh works from within the organisation, but believes that there has to be a neutral outsider who comes in to help solve problems, as this cannot be done by an employee of the organisation in question. “We start by requesting to join their meetings to observe how the implicated parties are communicating – in terms of both the spoken and the unspoken – and watch their body language,” says Bryn. “Neutrality is crucial to this process, which is why we go in and out of the organisation to make sure that we don’t start to sympathise with one or the other.”

Erle explains that there are three key reasons why conflict within organisations appears. “Firstly, issues can arise as a result of there being changes or decisions that perhaps should have been made, but haven’t yet,” explains Bryn. “Many people make decisions based on the past, rather than the future. Secondly, it could be that people within the organisation have more responsibility than formal authority, which means that they are dealing with a lot of work, but when it comes to making decisions they’re powerless – and this often creates frustration.”

Bryn confides that there are a great deal of emotions in organisations that are experiencing conflict. “When conflict really goes too far, some get angry, nervous or insecure; others get signed off sick. Sometimes, these major conflicts reach the outside world, including the press. Then there’s a long way back, as the very core of the organisation gets damaged,” she says. Not all conflicts can be resolved, explains Bryn, but the initial stages of the diagnostic work will reveal whether they can be. “That’s when we see if there’s a will to find a solution, which is critical,” she adds.

Crossed wires are a common source of conflict.

For more information, please visit: www.conmotoh.no

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Dagrun Dvergsdal.

Dagrun Dvergsdal: ‘Character building creates strong leaders’ Dvergsdal Consulting AS takes an unusual approach to leadership development. Its highly skilled and educated team helps leaders and organisations to build strength of character, which they believe is the cornerstone to great leadership. By Line Elise Svanevik

Photos: Dvergsdal Consulting AS

Backed by a diverse team made up of clinical psychologists, theologists and doctoral graduates, CEO Dagrun Dvergsdal believes that what makes her company unique is the varied competencies and skillsets amongst her consultants. “Our team knows a great deal about leadership and organisations, and they know about teaching and experience-based pedagogics,” Dvergsdal explains. “We also need to have clinical competency in 42 |

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order to be sensitive to the diverse needs of our clients.” While building a basis for her practical approach, Dvergsdal has sought inspiration from many prominent scientists and authors, among them Jim Collins. She has also had conversations with Charles Handy and has worked together with Jim Collins on a leadership development programme.

After many years with organisation development work in Aker Solutions Oil & Gas, Dvergsdal did a short stint working for London-based Creative Learning Consultants. Realising she was bringing in a majority of the clients, Dvergsdal decided to set up on her own in Oslo, Norway. “I realised I had a methodology and clients that I could continue to develop on, and it was the very subject and being true to my ideas that became my starting point,” she says.

Meeting customers where they are The consulting business works across many different sectors, yet manages to create specifically tailor-made solutions

for each and every individual and business it works with, instead of taking a one-fits-all approach. “It is a very complex thing to do – there are many working hours you don’t get paid for when you aim to create an individual approach to each client. We make cases on the company’s own projects, which could be a success project, but it’s almost easier to create awareness through the projects that give them a pain in the stomach,” she says. During first encounters with new clients, Dvergsdal listens to the examples they provide to figure out whether they can make a case out of it. “We create real leadership situations and expose the leaders to these situations while videotaping the sessions. Then they have the opportunity to make their own observations and discoveries as they watch the video-taped material. In order to support people in expanding their competence, we are looking for unused, or potential, resources that can be made accessible. For each person to become the best leader they can be is the goal.” Dvergsdal recently worked with a client who had decided he wanted to quit being a leader. “After working together for a while, he said to me ‘you managed to start with me and my actual situation – otherwise it wouldn’t have worked’. We need to meet the clients where they are, for example by sitting in on their meetDagrun Dvergsdal

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p, k w e ” ut

EXPANDING YOUR LEADERSHIP

nde s w y ie e

Dagrun Dvergsdal

EXPANDING YOUR LEADERSHIP – a Journey Towards Building Character

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ings and listening and observing before we begin,” she explains. This client did not quit – he became a very successful leader of extremely complex projects.

Developing awareness and expanding capability Dvergsdal believes that leaders should build and develop their strength of character rather than be provided with tools that brighten the CV and provide quick fixes. “We think that quality is the most important thing, and we contribute to providing quality leaders that help the individual, the company and society,” she says. “We want leaders to mature and get a value-base to stand on; they shouldn’t be closed to new opportunities – they should be humble enough to continue to learn,” she continues. “If we focus on measuring tools, then we get a ‘diagnosis’, and we believe that makes people stuck where they are, rather than providing them with an appetite for learning and developing. In the classic expert role, I would find out what’s wrong and provide a solution, but I’m much more of an enabler – I meet people where they are.”

Building trust to save time and money Dvergsdal’s book Expanding your leadership – a journey towards building character addresses these issues. For three years, she worked with the management team at Kværner’s Edvard Grieg project, Expanding your leadership versus traditional leader development Essential concepts: 1. Expansion of competence versus repairing weaknesses

Dagrun DvergsDal has been involved in leader and team development for more than 20 years. She is the owner of Dvergsdal Consulting AS (see dvergsdalconsulting.no), a company dedicated to tailor-made programs that fit the particular needs of the client. She has developed new concepts in the field of leader development, and has extensive experience in running programs at national and international level.

2. Fundamental discoveries versus correction of actions 3. Discover by learning impulses versus teaching someone to...

Ms. Dvergsdal holds a Master of Management degree. She was originally trained as a social worker and therapist, and has also studied confluent pedagogics and gestalt counseling extensively. After working as a therapist and college teacher for some years she made a career in the oil business, advancing to lead the organisation department of the oil and gas section of Aker ASA.

4. Character-building versus instrumental approach 5. Learning from within versus general input from the outside

Ms. Dvergsdal lives in Oslo, and is the mother of two adult daughters.

2014-09-15 13:21:46

which won the highly acclaimed Project of the Year 2016 title by Petroleum Economist. Her approach to working with the team was to try to quickly establish an atmosphere of openness and trust, while attending directly to their present situation and ongoing challenges. In order to achieve this, she chose working methods characterised by an open and direct dialogue, for example by addressing the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of each person’s prioritised leader tasks and offering feedback. In doing it this way, she deliberately chose not to use a test or laboratory-like approach lacking in connection to the everyday life of the team. While reflecting on the team-building process in retrospect, team members underlined the crucial importance of really listening to and learning to trust each other. This increased the essential quality of being able to make good decisions continuously and in time, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the project. “Considering that time is money, there can be no doubt that trust was important for the business,” says Dvergsdal. “In this sense, profit and so-called soft values go very well together.” For more information, please visit: www.dvergsdalconsulting.no

‘To work with Dvergsdal Consulting is so much more than a journey in one’s own consciousness and the development of leadership skills. Where others practise individual skills, Dvergsdal manages to take leadership development to include the whole team as a producing group, and where the experience becomes that we are one. We become magical when the leaders give their genuine dedication to their individual tasks as well as each other’s. Then it becomes a team performance and, for me, that makes the whole difference in how I want to act as a leader.’ – Eva Kristensen, managing director of Ulstein Design & Solutions AS

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Theatrical communication When Hanne Lindbæk was offered to audition for one of Norway’s most famous soap operas, Hotel Cæsar, she realised that she needed to find a way to say no to the roles she did not want. At the same time, she heard about a group of actors helping people with their communication skills in Washington DC. That was how she got the idea of Ergo;Ego. By Synne Johnsson

Photos: Ergo;Ego

Lindbæk is a professional actress with an acting degree from London. When she got the offer from Hotel Cæsar she had already starred in a Norwegian soap opera called Offshore and did not want to be part of another. “The woman who got the role still has it now. It’s kind of like a parallel life, I could have been ‘Cæsar-Hanne’,” she laughs. “Instead, I chose to use theatre in a different way. It is kind of like we have turned the lights on in the theatre and are talking with the audience.” 17 years later, she has worked with a range of different companies across 25 countries in Europe and America as well as Asia. She has not only helped Norway’s top politicians and ministers, but also one man proposing, another man practising his wedding speech, and even a couple who were having troubles who are now still happily married. 44 |

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“Theatre is trying to imitate real life, so actors learn a lot of techniques to help us act natural and to create natural relationships. Some of these techniques work really well if we use them in communication in, for example, business,” says Lindbæk. Ergo;Ego provides communication and leadership training. They also work with culture in the workplace, where they interpret the business and then write small plays with relevant scenes from the workday so that their customers can see themselves, often a bit exaggerated. They pause to ask for tips on how to solve the different problems they act out in the play, so the employees can coach themselves. “We try not to make people sit still and just listen, but instead go out and learn by experiencing,” says Lindbæk. “For us,

it is really important that you become good in your own way, so we tend not to use the same recipe for everyone, because everyone is different. ”This autumn, Lindbæk will release a book together with the publishing house Kagge Forlag about everything she has learned about communication skills. “I have definitely not picked a boring job. It involves a lot of travelling and we are out and about all the time,” says Lindbæk.

Hanne Lindbæk. Photo: Agnete Brun

For more information, please visit: www.ergoego.no

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Torill Iversen is the CEO of Mind Too, which specialises in helping managers and employees to develop their personal qualities. Photo: Christian Fredrik Wesenberg.

A new era of leadership:

the personal approach Leadership development in Norway and beyond is going through a major changeover. Where traditional focus has been on the improvement of systems and technology, leaders and employees are now required to constantly develop and improve their personal features to create better business, according to CEO of Mind Too, Torill Iversen. By Line Elise Svanevik

Applying the science of quantum physics and astrophysics, Oslo-based Mind Too is a pioneering organisation that helps companies find new ways of running their businesses through creating passionate managers and employees.

Through a two-part course running over a six-month period, Iversen explains that her success rate for clients wanting to progress from level one to level two is beyond 90 per cent, which indicates an impressive customer satisfaction.

“We are going through a paradigm shift that requires a political turnaround on a global scale,” explains Iversen. “The pressure of personal qualities on both managers and employees is becoming bigger – particularly the pressure on leaders to develop their personal qualities. For the last 30 years, we’ve worked with helping companies learn sensebased communication tools and success models that they can use the minute they learn them. This empowers them, which in turn creates good business in a dynamic and viable corporate culture.”

Instant tools for communication Working with neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) since the 1980s, Iversen bases her work on personal development, communication and change – which she believes are important, as 95 per cent of all human behaviour is subconscious. “I work with helping people develop their personality to the point where they become secure in themselves. Afterwards, I provide them with a tool for communication and negotiation – not just to use for their surroundings, but with themselves

too. The tools I provide them with can be used straight away – they don’t need to be studied or learnt afterwards,” she explains. Iversen also uses mindfulness and meditation in her work with leaders and organisations. “I teach people which opinions and beliefs make them gain or lose energy,” she says. “It’s like a bank account – either you’ve used up all the money, or you’ve got it. This is where people need to be conscious and understanding of their own energy, so that their thoughts and directions are on track.” She explains that science carried out by the Institute of HeartMath at Stanford University, California has proven that the heart’s electromagnetic field is 5,000 times stronger than the brain’s, which is why this connection is never to be underestimated.

For more information, please visit: www.mindtoo.no or www.mindtoo.com

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Alv-Jørgen Arvesen and Siv Undseth Arvesen.

Moving people in a new direction Invito Inspire AS is a training and resource centre for employees based in Oslo, Norway. Established in 1997 by the Norwegian Federation of Organizations of Disabled People as the only school in Norway to work with vocational rehabilitation, it later evolved to become what it is today: a great place to be, a great place to learn – on the way to a new job. By Ingrid Opstad

Photos: Invito Inspire AS

“Our core competence is to move people in a new direction. We work hard to help our people return to work, whether they are between jobs or have other challenges associated with employment,” says Siv Undseth Arvesen. She started working as an instructor at Invito in 2012 before taking over as CEO in 2013. “My background in leadership development, coaching as well as working with behavioural and psychological processes in relation to leadership development, personal development, conversion, executive change and organisational development, has helped me gain a strong knowledge to help people further in their career,” she explains. Undseth Arvesen acquired the company with her husband and current chairman Alv-Jørgen Arvesen in 2014. Combining 46 |

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her behavioural and coaching expertise with his knowledge within consulting, advising and engineering from the oil industry made them attractive players in the market. “We cooperate with, among others, the well-established consulting company Bedre Ledelse (Better Leadership) in order to help each other with assignments, competencies and to cover the value chain within our field across all levels. Both share offices in an old patrician villa at the Lysakerfjord, well suited for such activities. Simultaneously, Invito is in the process of establishing a division in Stavanger,” says Undseth Arvesen. Together, they present strong and adequate competence in relation to the public sector, but also management and organisational development ranging

from top executive-level coaching to mental health issues. Invito pride themselves on working with a comprehensive overall concept for management and employee development, while also focusing on cultural understanding within a team where, for instance, Norwegian culture meets foreign culture. “We often learn that the goals are similar, but the process depends on culture. The same applies for how to relate to management and bosses,” says Undseth Arvesen. You can find a range of services and courses, both standard and tailored to your company’s special needs, in their repertoire. “We are grateful for the skilled and creative people who work with us – a good team that overlaps and helps each other. No job too small, no job too big,” Undseth Arvesen concludes.

For more information, please visit: www.invito.no

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Siw Seland, AS3 Executive.

Helping business leaders through change AS3 Executive is a professional sparring partner for business leaders, providing support and advice in times of change. The goal is to inspire them to achieve greater things, personally and professionally.

career horizons and become a better leader. Personal branding is another part of career development.

By Malin Norman

According to the Executive Challenge Survey by Ennova and AS3 Executive, almost half of executives are not aware of their own market value. “Branding is increasingly important,” says Seland. “Business leaders are more visible nowadays and, through their communication, project their own and the company’s values. At the end of the day, in their position as leaders they show the attraction of working in that particular organisation.”

Photos: AS3 Executive

With AS3 Executive, business leaders will receive personal, professional and competent coaching during reorganisation and other changes in their role. They will get a dedicated sparring partner when the time has come to set and achieve new executive goals and when they need to find a direct route to their next executive position. Siw Seland is responsible for AS3 Executive Norway’s outplacement, coaching and networking for business leaders. “Being a business leader can be tough, especially in times of change,” she says about the company’s focus on transitions. “Our professional advisors have been leaders themselves and understand what candidates are facing. They listen, help the candidates reflect on their situation and set new career goals. A stressful

situation can turn into a great opportunity to think about what is important and next career steps.”

Outplacement, coaching and branding Outplacement is at the core, with individually tailored programmes and advice provided by certified counsellors, guiding business leaders through reorganisation and redundancy. They get help in their job search, networking and eventually on-boarding process with advice on what to focus on during the first 100 days in the new job and how to be a leader in that organisation. Another service is professional coaching, with insights into leadership qualities, effective team management and change management. The goal is to optimise professional ambitions, to broaden the

AS3 Executive also works with Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH), the world leader in outplacement and with offices in more than 60 countries. With this partnership, clients can get access to professional career advice across the world. For more information, please visit: www.as3executive.no

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The partners of Promethevs

Developing great leaders with the help of history With stories about historic leadership icons and journeys to classic destinations, Promethevs supports leaders in achieving a deeper understanding of themselves, better cooperation skills and stronger results. By Malin Norman |

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The owners and partners of the consultancy are psychologists, philosophers and one actor. They are involved in Executive Master of Management programmes at the Norwegian School of Management, and have more than 20 years of consultancy experience. Mariann Ovesen Crantz, CEO

Ovesen Crantz also elaborates on the trend in leadership, which has moved closer to knowledge management. “In the past, co-workers used to have firmer routines and more set tasks. With the rapidly changing environment we have now, people tend to have tasks that require high levels of knowledge. Today’s

Photos: Promethevs

The Norwegian consultancy Promethevs is specialised in leadership, team development and organisational change. Its professional coaches work with development programmes for senior management and executives, arrange lectures and training courses, and hold seminars in, for instance, rhetoric. The ambition is to support leaders in becoming more proactive, and help them reflect, gain perspective and be wiser in their leader48 |

ship role – for a greater good than just their own career.

and one of four partners, talks about the unique direction of Promethevs: “We combine philosophy, like existentialism and humanism, with history and modern leadership theory. We work mostly with senior leaders, who have more experience and the ability to reflect deeper on their situation and progress.”

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leaders need to extract that competence from team members, which requires better skills in relationship building, and they have to be able to create meaning.”

The three cornerstones Promethevs takes its name from a Titan in Greek mythology, known as the creator of mankind and also its greatest benefactor. He sided with the humans and stole fire from Mount Olympus to give it to mankind, against the will of Zeus. Promethevs has been a major inspiration and symbol for artists, sculptors, musicians, novelists and poets, and the myth has extended well into our time.

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Finally, an opportunity to reflect on one’s own performance as a leader makes the third cornerstone. The triangle makes a powerful symbol of people’s ability to achieve creativity and insight, and features in the company’s logo, which also includes four smaller triangles symbolising the cardinal virtues of courage, prudence, justice and temperance.

and hikes, lectures and discussions, group assignments, individual study time, and a range of practical tasks. “We usually have a great mix of people from different organisations,” explains Ovesen Crantz. “Through teamwork, they get to know each other, build their own network and learn from experiences from new environments.”

Learning through time travel

Another exciting project is Partnership Mimesis, in collaboration with the National Theatre of Norway. This new concept integrates the best of two worlds: leadership and drama. In addition to professional consultants from Promethevs, actors from the National Theatre take part and play out key scenes from classical plays. The actors also share their experience of acting and how to get into a role, which has similarities with leadership roles. The initiative has received fantastic feedback and one of the previous participants says: “The Mimesis programme challenged me to see my role as a leader from a new and rewarding perspective.”

Leadership in the 21st century also requires a balancing act of collaboration and humility, direction and action, and ambition. According to Ovesen Crantz, these are classic dilemmas and the company bases its coaching on a mix of modern science and history. “It’s important for us to have one foot in the academic world, and at the same time look at history and philosophy,” she says. “There’s a lot for our modern leaders to learn from the past.”

In the search for timeless leadership, Promethevs offers tailored programmes and themed trips to classic destinations such as Florence, Rome and London. “We frame our seminars with stories about the great leaders, and our participants can use the inspiration and learning in their own leadership,” says Ovesen Crantz. “But we don’t just look at the strengths of these giants; we also analyse the weaknesses and failures, and by doing so we can initiate discussions about difficult situations and how to tackle these in new ways. What really resonates with our participants is the realisation that leaders face many of the same dilemmas through space and time.”

The leadership programme is based on three cornerstones. The first is an academic base in theory and research. The second provides classic perspectives on history, philosophy, literature and art – for a deeper understanding of leadership.

In October this year, Promethevs is holding an open course in Athens, the birthplace of politics and democracy. The theme is rhetoric, and participants will learn the art of executing their leadership. The four days include excursions

For more information, please visit: www.promethevs.no For more information about Mimesis, please visit: www.mimesis-lederprogram.no

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

Left: Nina Nakling is the founder of Nakling Entusiasme, which was established in 2008. Right: Nakling is known for her energy and enthusiasm on stage.

Why nursery managers make great leadership coaches With a strong belief that leadership is about moving forward, which is the very core of pedagogy, Nina Nakling realised that children are the trickiest to navigate the route you want them to go down – which is why leadership and pedagogy go hand in hand.

of my immense energy, I often get the feedback that ‘wow, I could sit here for another six hours and listen to you talk!’,” she laughs. “But I’m no Duracell bunny.”

By Line Elise Svanevik

Nakling explains that her courses are carefully tailored to meet the needs of her clients, and a lot of her work revolves around aiding people to make the small changes that often benefit them the most in the long run. “People often think that change just means large restructures within organisations, but the most important changes may be the small continuous ones, which many don’t take any note of,” she says. “Many people talk about change management, which is important. But, essentially, a leader needs to always be moving forward through change. Maybe change is the new stability – which, personally, I think is even more exciting.”

Photos: Hilde Brevig (www.fotografhilde.no)

When Nakling got to the point where she was running out of steam as a nursery manager in 2008, she did what she believes most leaders who run out of steam should do: quit her job. Though passionate about her field of work, she decided to go into motivational speaking and leadership coaching in her newly established company Nakling Entusiasme. Who better to inspire leaders than someone who has spent every day motivating the trickiest to navigate of all – children?

sector would realise how much there is to learn from someone who works with pedagogy all the time.”

“All the strategic and visionary tools and ways of working that you need when dealing with leadership are something you do on a daily basis in the field of pedagogy,” explains Nakling. “I wish people of different fields outside the education

Unfiltered energy

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Working with motivation, inspiration and development in a vast range of industries, from the police force to local councils, the education sector and traffic management, Nakling’s background stems from preschool teaching, change management, guidance, pedagogic development and coaching.

Her secret weapon when she speaks at conferences is her exceptional amount of energy, paired with her unfiltered personality. “Many people who go to a day-long course get tired by the end – but because

For more information, please visit: www.ninanakling.no

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

Developing leaders through experience NNL is a foundation established nearly 30 years ago to meet the demands for highquality leadership development programmes in Norway. “We offer a diverse range of leadership programmes that leaders can sign up for, with something suitable for every level of experience. We also deliver internal leadership and team development programmes, in which close cooperation with the customer ensures a programme tailored to meet the needs of their organisation,” says CEO Stein Markussen. “In addition, we carry out research and developmental work to stay ahead, ensuring the quality and relevance of our practice.” By Ingrid Opstad

Photos: NNL

Action learning and experiences constitute an essential part in all NNL’s programmes and, through learning processes based on well-known theories, they aid the leader and the organisation in bringing about efficient change. “Our top-level leadership programme, the Executive Leadership Programme, takes place over two years, consisting of several gatherings where you meet other executives and gain experience and practical tools that can be used directly in your work. Our programme for entry and mid-level leaders, the Front Leadership Programme, spans half a year and provides energy and practical knowledge to further strengthen your leadership,” Markussen explains.

Norway’s foremost outdoors leadership programme The third programme by NNL offers a dif-

ferent, refreshing approach, combining leadership training and personal development with exciting adventures. “This poses a great way for leaders to seek new insights and to build courage and healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with current and future challenges, both at work and in life. This way of learning, with room for reflection, stillness, and physical activity, brings out the best in the participants, equipping them to handle both practical and physical challenges,” the CEO continues. The programme spans two years, divided into four main parts: DRY – hiking by foot in Troms; COLD – skiing across Hardangervidda; WET – kayaking in Lofoten; and FAR AWAY – cycling in Cuba. “We see that using nature as a frame for learning and development provides the participants with more time to reflect on

different aspects concerning their own business,” says Markussen. NNL consists of a diverse team of highly experienced employees. Over 30 years, they have been working on promoting, organising and managing leadership development across the country, with a strong academic foothold. As a result, NNL is today one of Norway’s mostacknowledged providers of leadership development programmes based on the philosophy of value-based leadership. Thousands of leaders have taken the time to immerse themselves in their programmes to further strengthen both personal and organisational development. Stein Markussen

For more information, please visit: www.nnl.no

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in Norway

The Norwegian rock star of leadership and development When Tor Berntsen was younger, his career plan was to become a world famous rock star. This, he would soon discover, was way more difficult to go through with than he had anticipated, so he made a plan B: to become an advisor for Norwegian leaders. Luckily, this turned out to be much more fun than being a rock star – and much more meaningful. By Synne Johnsson

iProsess, he is still very glad that he did not choose the rock career. “I have an extremely fun time at work,” he smiles.

Photo: iProsess

“A couple of years ago, I held a lecture about change management for a big, Norwegian logistics company. When 600 leaders give you a standing ovation, you’re kind of a rock star,” Berntsen laughs. iProsess are specialists on the human factor in change processes, especially the changes driven by technology. They help leaders to analyse and understand the situation they are in and then together consider what solutions or approach will work best for the company. They also have leadership development programmes for groups of leaders who contribute to implement the company’s strategy. One of the most important learning arenas for iProsess’ advisors is IdeTinget,

which is a type of small, exclusive network for Norwegian top leaders to focus on innovation, technology and corporate culture. In these networks, iProsess and their customers discuss relevant problems without limits and obligations. “To affect the impact of globalisation for our customers, we have entered into a partnership with International Diplomat Business Club, an international and exclusive network for leaders with great influence,” says Berntsen. “Here, we meet international top leaders, royals and important politicians.” Berntsen does not deny that being the frontman of a rock band was an exciting prospect but, even after 18 years with

For more information, please visit: www.iprosess.no

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February means romance. And so does Jarlsberg®! Treat your special someone to a home cooked meal. Breakfast in bed, a romantic lunch or an intimate dinner. Keep the meal simple and add the special ingredients - love and Jarlsberg®.

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Improve your mental and physical health with coaching, NLP and mindfulness We live in a busy world where more and more people struggle with stress, depression and chronic pain and more people than ever are on antidepressants. Mindfulness, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and personal coaching have proven helpful in improving both mental and physical health – without medication. By Heidi Kokborg

Photos: Pixabay

More and more people are diagnosed with depression and exhaustion and similar conditions. We are constantly multitasking and our minds are always buzzing. Many people choose to try medication, but there are drug-free options. Even if you do not suffer from a diagnosed condition, but perhaps feel too busy, have trouble sleeping or suffer from muscle 54 |

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pain, you might find mindfulness, NLP or personal coaching helpful.

Unlock your potential Coaching is about unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their performance. It is about helping them rather than teaching them. A coach is meant to empower clients to reach their goals – but

the clients are responsible for their own achievements and success. Coaches believe that people always have the answer to their problems within – a coach simply helps them find these answers. Coaching can give you more clarity, improve your mental health, make your relationships better and much more. Another treatment method that has proven to be very beneficial in overcoming personal struggles is NLP. The method is used to enhance performance, to help individuals control their

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Coaching, NLP and Mindfulness in Norway

emotional state, and to stay focused on what they want from life. NLP is based on four principles. Firstly, NLP believes that people are not their behaviour and, when you accept that, you are free to change the behaviour. Secondly, it states that people already have everything inside to succeed and solve their problems. Thirdly, it is based on the notion that the success of communication depends on the response you get; the better you communicate, the better response you will get. Lastly, NLP holds that you are in charge of your mind, and therefore your life.

Learn to be in the present moment Finally, there is mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment, and accepting it without judgement. Research shows that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is as effective at reducing recurrence in depression as antidepressants. Furthermore, studies show that mindfulness reduces anxiety levels, rumination, fatigue, OCD and anxiety disorders. Practising mindfulness also improves your physical health. Scientists have discovered that mindfulness can help relieve stress, treat heart diseases, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain and improve sleep. Reaping the rewards of mindfulness is easy. It can be as simple as closing your eyes and being silent for a few minutes every day. To find out what Norway’s top coaches and mindfulness experts have to say, read on.

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Coaching, NLP and Mindfulness in Norway

NLP and QL (Quantum Leap) Coach trainer Lene Fjellheim (middle) is one of the partners at CoachTeam as – House of Leadership.

Coaching the busy leader in a digital age Digitalisation and increased time pressure have moved our attention away from good conversation, a critical tool in modern leadership. NLP and coaching school CoachTeam aims to inspire a change within businesses and individuals alike, and wants people to talk to each other and get more personal. By Line Elise Svanevik

Photos: CF Wesenberg

“As agents for change, we have been willing to change, which is something we ask of our clients. We have therefore changed a lot about how we aim to do business in the next 15 years,” says Lene Fjellheim, NLP and QL Coach trainer and partner at CoachTeam as – House of Leadership. “There is so much pressure and focus on results, which means that the demands on individuals are increasing all the time, and the result is that people don’t take the time to talk to each other.” Fjellheim explains that coaching is about believing in other people’s competency, rather than passing the blame. “It’s 56 |

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about believing that there is an intrinsic motivation grounded in each and every individual – there can be weak moments, but not weak people. We just have to find the right keys,” she says.

Responding to technology Fjellheim further explains that the previous type of leader sees that the technological advances are important to address. “They don’t necessarily manage people who are sitting in the same office as themselves – and they realise it’s important to respond to these changes,” she says. “People don’t have the time to talk to each other and go to courses; they

don’t have the time to do the things that humans need – have those good conversations, see people and be seen.” With a rising culture of people becoming signed off work with stress and unhappiness, CoachTeam aims to learn from previous mistakes. “We work with relational leadership and how to communicate on all different levels,” says Fjellheim.

Promoting self-management “We want to help individuals, teams and organisations develop and self-manage, because to self-manage is a criterion for being a good colleague. If I can’t manage myself, I become a bad colleague, I’m not open to other people’s suggestions, I don’t understand other people’s input, how to express myself – and this means I might go into total lockdown,” Fjellheim adds.

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CoachTeam aims to get people to understand that “we are humans and not robots”, as Fjellheim puts it. “We need to help people figure out how to get the best out of the people around them, and how they need to act in order to do this,” she adds.

From a traditional business to a modern one Located in a bright and colourful office in Oslo, Norway, CoachTeam as – House of Leadership has recently transformed its traditional business model into a modern one. It focuses on blended learning – the combination of online digital media and

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traditional classroom teaching, made popular in recent years. “Much of the leadership and coaching education we offer now is a combination of watching videos, self-reflection and sending in assignments before meeting up for the actual training and practice,” says Fjellheim. With a main focus on business-tobusiness, CoachTeam offers teacher training courses in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), leadership and coaching, in addition to courses, workshops and inspirational talks focusing on or-

Coaching, NLP and Mindfulness in Norway

ganisational development, team building, rhetoric, communication, motivation, emotional intelligence, negotiation and ethics. CoachTeam’s programme follows the Norwegian Industry Standard for Coaching, developed by the Norwegian Coaching Society. It is also approved by the American Board of NLP (ABNLP) and the International Society of NeuroSemantics (ISNS). For more information, please visit: www.coachteam.no

As agents for change, CoachTeam aims to inspire change. Their programme follows the Norwegian Industry Standard for Coaching.

What is NLP?

Courses and workshops

NLP is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as ‘a system of alternative therapy intended to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to model and change their patterns of mental and emotional behaviour’.

- Job satisfaction – life satisfaction - Coaching essentials - The difficult conversation - You are the change - Effective change management - Negotiation technique - Communication magic - Kickstart - Sustainable leadership and cooperation - Mindfulness - Presentation technique

Educational courses Step 1 – NLP Business Practitioner Step 2 – NLP Master Practitioner Step 3 – Quantum Leap Business Coaching Step 4 – Executive Management Programme

- Self-management - Sales and customer treatment - Stress management Talks - Job satisfaction - Change - Ethics - Inspiration - Communication - Management - Lifestyle - Stress management - Motivation - Pearl diving

- Sales - Self-management - Service - Power of the mind - Team - Innovation Coaching - Communication - Health - Career - Leadership - Co-worker - Personal - Team

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Coaching, NLP and Mindfulness in Norway

Johansen explains that the aim of mindfulness is to live a better life.

From Buddhist monk to mindfulness coach and author 25 years ago, halfway through a backpacking trip to experience the world, Viggo Johansen’s meeting with the Dalai Lama made him stop in his tracks and led him to become a Buddhist monk for four years. Today, he teaches people how to practise the art of mindfulness in order to live a better life. By Line Elise Svanevik

Photos: Jon Marius Nilsson

Johansen runs several types of mindfulness courses across Norway and Italy, ranging from one day to one year in length. He also holds talks and runs mindfulness workshops for businesses and organisations, which he believes helps teach the important skill of self-management. Johansen was not aiming to go on a life-changing journey when he set out to see the world as a 21-year-old but, somewhere in India, he found himself in the middle of the small mountain village Dharamsala during the Tibetan new year. 58 |

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“It was February when we arrived, but the Tibetan calendar is different so they were celebrating the new year through their ancient traditions of renewal rituals. The Dalai Lama held talks for the Tibetan people during the week we were there, and we stumbled upon the series of talks that was presented in the Tibetan language. It was translated into English, so we sat down with our Walkmans and listened,” he explains. This was the first time Johansen had heard about mindfulness and people’s ability to develop their own conscious-

ness directly through the systematic practice of mindfulness and meditation. “For me, this was a completely different way to see people and their very existence,” explains Johansen. “It really hit home and, six months later, I moved to India to become a Buddhist monk.” Johansen feels that his years in India were very much a study in psychology and philosophy. “It’s very strange to think that I did what I did back then, because I wasn’t running away from anything – I had a very good life in Norway,” he explains.

Traditional mindfulness Although some believe that mindfulness has become a bit of a buzzword, used for living in the present moment in a very busy world, originally, mindfulness belonged to a wisdom tradition. “It wasn’t used as a tool for stress management back then,”

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says Johansen. “It was used as a means to develop and sustain wisdom.”

teach yourself peace and quiet through a few simple tools,” he adds.

After finishing his four years in India, Johansen moved to Norway to study philosophy, followed by cognitive behavioural therapy. “That’s when I realised that mindfulness had become part of the cognitive therapy. It was so strange, and I thought ‘wow, can I use this in my work?’,” he says. “Suddenly I realised that mindfulness had become documented in science, both psychological and brain science. Two years later, in 2008, I thought I’d go all in – it’s what I wanted to do and what gives my life meaning. I also think that, out of what I do, this is what benefits people the most.”

The body and mind connection

He further explains that the sole purpose of mindfulness is to lead a better life. “It’s to find out that you can find peace within yourself without changing anything – to

With a strong belief in how the mind influences the body and vice versa, Johansen explains that everything that happens within the mind has an impact on the body. “If you are worried, you’ll feel that you are tensing up and that you have a knot in your stomach,” he says. “It’s the same with stress – you’ll see that the body will respond in the same way. When the body responds to these worries or stresses, it influences the activity of the mind.” He uses the example of when the alarm clock goes off in the morning. “You’re ripped out of your sleep cycle and already when you’re on your way from the bedroom to the bathroom, before you’ve even had breakfast, the body and the

Coaching, NLP and Mindfulness in Norway

mind go their separate ways. The mind goes to work – it starts solving problems, which makes the body respond in a negative way,” he says. “We need to become aware of what the mind is doing and stop it – that’s not just good for your health, but also for vitality, mood, balance – and pretty much everything else.” Johansen believes that the best way to learn mindfulness is to attend a course where one can ask questions along the way. The second-best thing is to use digital resources such as YouTube. He has also written two books on the subject: Indre stillhet (Inner Silence) and Stille vitne (Silent Witness), published in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

For more information, please visit: www.mindfulliving.no

Upcoming courses 10-17 September: Mindfulness in Italy 17-24 September: Advanced mindfulness in Italy 3 October – 12 December: Eight-week course in mindfulness for beginners in Oslo 5 October: One-year advanced course in mindfulness in Trondheim 9 October – 11 December: Eight-week course in advanced yoga practice in Oslo

The courses are tailored to suit everyone, from short one-day workshops to courses that run for a whole year. With two books under his belt, Johansen is an author, speaker and coach, who runs several mindfulness courses throughout the year, including five on the Italian Riviera.

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Coaching, NLP and Mindfulness in Norway

Discovering your inner strengths Living in the moment is a struggle for many. However, through her courses, Barbra Coco Laurré teaches mindfulness alongside the discovery of our own ingrained solutions to both the positives and negatives of life, as well as passing on her wisdom to future mindfulness coaches. By Josefine Older Steffensen

Photos: Creationwork

Creationwork is based in Oslo in a beautiful old mill. From here, Laurré hosts people of all ages and from all walks of life who want to learn more about mindfulness and, ultimately, themselves. “Mindfulness is not so much about achieving as it is about discovering,” says Laurré. “We are all capable of finding the answers within ourselves; mindfulness simply gives you the tools to trust your own instincts and to take care of yourself.” The courses at Creationwork include an eight-week mindfulness course, one-to-one therapy, a course for artists, and a mindfulness instructor course. “Mindfulness teaches you to accept yourself and your life for better or for worse,” Laurré explains. The courses

are all a mix of theory and practice, so you get a complete introduction to mindfulness. The instructor course is perfect for those who work with people. It is an in-depth course that takes about 14 months to complete. “The people who do this course are often looking to develop themselves in their own professional fields, and we help them

by teaching them how to communicate, use their creativity and use mindfulness to get themselves and others to succeed.” Laurré’s calm and supportive manner is what makes Creationwork truly special. She is always ready to answer any questions, and her 30 years of experience of working with people as a coach, instructor and psychotherapist means that she really knows what she is doing. For more information and to book a course, please visit: www.mindfulness-creationwork.no

Barbra Coco Laurré

Get more out of life Do you want to enhance your creativity, maximise your potential or be able to achieve your life goals? Sandhansen Coaching gives you a push in the right direction. By Malin Norman

Photos: Sandhansen Coaching

Rasmus Sand Hansen is a trained coach with a diploma from the Coaching Academy in Oslo, a programme approved by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and has set up his own consultancy, Sandhansen Coaching. His motto is to ultimately help people get more out of life. “No matter where you are, you can always be more fulfilled,” he says. “Regardless of what your challenge or dream is, coaching can help you.” According to Sand Hansen, a coach can drive the process and make it easier for people to get useful insights into their own lives to realise their ambitions. “It’s easy to get overwhelmed by everyday chores,” he says. “Coaching can help people see where they are today and what they need to do in order to get to the next level. Looking at their core values, what really makes them 60 |

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tick, can make those difficult life choices easier, to live better and be happier.” Sandhansen Coaching offers single coaching sessions, discussing for example career choices or life challenges, and clients can also book a package with eight sessions of 45 minutes each. For those who are already familiar with the benefits of coaching, a package with ten sessions will provide the full effects of a positive coaching relationship.

Rasmus Sand Hansen, founder of Sandhansen Coaching.

Exclusive discount for Scan Magazine readers! Simply book your coaching sessions using the code SCAN30.

For more information and to book, please visit: www.sandhansen.com

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OD | KMini Theme | Our Top-Five Food Haunts in Denmark and Norway O F AR iT E M in V M FI EN AY P D TO IN ORW R S OU UNT D N N HA A Scan e: Magazine

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New York meets London in the heart of Odense Restaurant mmoks is different from other restaurants in Odense. It serves food from all over the world, with its own little twists and surprises to each dish; all courses are the same size, and you decide how many courses you want. This is a cosy, relaxing place where you get a welcome break from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. By Heidi Kokborg

Photos: Rico Feldfoss

For a long time, Mads Friis Nielsen thought that Odense needed a new and different kind of restaurant. Then, a little over two years ago, he and his mother opened Restaurant mmoks.

are ever-changing. All dishes are the same size, and people can then decide for themselves how many courses they wish to have,” says Friis Nielsen, general manager at Restaurant mmoks.

“Odense has a lot of French restaurants and bistros with the traditional threecourse concepts. I wanted to create something entirely different. Restaurant mmoks is classic à la carte; we have ten different dishes on the menu that

Dynamic, inspiring food

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The food at Restaurant mmoks is not inspired by one specific cuisine or country. Instead, they mix and match food from all over the world – always with their own surprising twists.

“We cook whatever we are inspired by, always with a twist. We might use pepper in a dessert or mix Gammel Dansk (a Danish schnapps) with seaweed from Iceland. We want the food to be dynamic, entertaining and inspiring,” says Friis Nielsen. “Our philosophy is to make simple dishes with twists and surprises. We want to leave people feeling inspired, having created something they will remember us for.” One of the most popular dishes in the history of the restaurant is a dessert named Kuglen (the ball). It was a big ball made of fruit juice with ice cream, foam and something crunchy inside. The ball was frozen in nitrogen, so to open it you had to hit it with a spoon – then all the goodness inside would flow out.

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“People really loved that dessert because it was fun and something very different from what they would usually have,” says Friis Nielsen.

Take a mmoks break Another thing that sets Restaurant mmoks apart is the company structure. “We want everyone to share their input about the dishes. The menu is not only about my taste and choices – it’s everybody’s tastes. It mirrors our team and our differences; we are a team, and we work together as such,” says Friis Nielsen. “This is very important to me. I want the dishes to reflect the whole team and not only me.”

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it would be a perfect name for the restaurant.” Friis Nielsen wants Restaurant mmoks to be to people what the mmoks breaks were to him and his colleagues: a place where people can come and relax, enjoy good food and take a deserved break from a stressful life.

A uniquely decorated space When you step into Restaurant mmoks, you step into a cosmopolitan, modern and cosy place. “The kitchen is open, so you can actually see your food being prepared, cooked and cared for. You can

see everything that goes on inside the kitchen,” says Friis Nielsen. “The décor is very different from that in other restaurants in the city. The lighting is dark and the space is very cosy; each table is different – some are round, some are square, some are wooden, some are placed against a brick wall and others by the window. They are all very different. It is very much New York meeting London in the middle of Odense.”

For more information, please visit: www.mmoks.dk

The name, in fact, is also a reflection of this. “Many of the people who work at mmoks – including myself – used to work at a very well-known, fine Danish restaurant. We would work long hours, and the work environment was very busy. We didn’t have breaks the way most people do at their jobs, but maybe got one or two breaks per shift,” Friis Nielsen explains. “For some reason, we started calling coffee ‘mmoks’, and soon our breaks were called mmoks breaks instead of coffee breaks. Our mmoks breaks were our little pieces of personal freedom from all the stress in the kitchen, and we thought

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Cortsen Dining brings the gastronomic experience to you In January 2016, at the tender age of 20, Mads Cortsen started his own business, Cortsen Dining. It is a different and unique gastronomic dining experience – all in the cosiness of your own home. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy excellent food and good company. By Heidi Kokborg

Photos: RAISFOTO

In 2015, Mads Cortsen came in number two in the Danish version of the TV show MasterChef. Up until this point, Cortsen thought that he was going to become an exchange analyst, but instead he was offered an apprenticeship as a chef at a well-known Michelin restaurant in Copenhagen. “I quickly realised I did not want to just become a chef and cook someone else’s 64 |

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food. I wanted to beat to the tune of my own drums, develop my own recipes and have my own business,” Cortsen smiles. Soon after – in January 2016 – Cortsen Dining saw the light of day.

Relaxing atmosphere Cortsen Dining is a new concept called ‘private dining’, which sees the company bring, cook and serve the food for you and your guests in your own home.

“It is much more relaxed when people are in their own home. There is no dress code, you don’t have four waiters fussing around you all the time, and you don’t have to sit 40 centimetres away from the person you are talking to,” says Cortsen. “I also think it adds much more focus on the food itself when you take away all the formalities of many fine dining restaurants. It becomes less stiff and perfect, and more enjoyable.” So far, Cortsen has been to every private dining arranged since he founded the company – and he would like to keep it like that for as long as possible. “At most restaurants, the guests don’t meet the chef. In my opinion, that’s a shame, and

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that was one of the main reasons why I founded Cortsen Dining,” he says. “Here, it is natural to build a relationship between the guests and the chef, who has spent 48 hours preparing the food for them. Not only do we cook the food; we also serve it and tell them about all the love we put into each and every dish, and all the stories behind them.” Cortsen Dining can either come to your house, or you and your guests can come to their kitchen, located on a beautiful farm in northern Zealand. Typically, a private dining session hosts six to 14 people, but they can take more or fewer guests on request.

The playful kitchen Cortsen never got to finish his training as a chef when his business venture took off, so almost all his skills are self-taught. “Personally, I felt the huge passion and love I have for food and cooking got taken away a little when I started working at restaurants,” he says.

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Our Top Five Food Haunts in Denmark and Norway

Cortsen has been cooking since he was six years old, and he got his first kitchen knife when he was aged just seven. “A day after I got the knife, I almost cut off my finger. But I guess that’s just how I do things: I play around, have fun with it and experiment,” he laughs. “Because I’m not a trained chef, I don’t have any specific guidelines or techniques when it comes to my cooking. To me, it’s about developing delicious and unique courses that are made with experimental techniques and creativity.”

Time for expansion The past six months have been a whirlwind for Cortsen. He has been working close to a hundred hours every week, and he now feels that it is time to expand the business to reach even more people. “This summer, we are going to offer food workshops where people can come to my kitchen in northern Zealand. Here they can learn more about cooking, play around in the kitchen with things like liquid nitrogen and much more. It can

be both for a business and for a private event,” he says, adding that he would also like to make business people more aware of Cortsen Dining. “This is not only for private dining; it’s also for business meetings. Sometimes, you might not want to have a business meeting at a restaurant where the waiters can hear everything.” Currently, Cortsen Dining only covers Denmark, but Cortsen would like for that to change in the future. “I would like to see Cortsen Dining grow internationally. I really see a potential here, and I think the concept is the future. People want to spend more time in their own cosy homes instead of sitting in fancy restaurants. This way, they still get a gastronomic experience, but in the comfort of their own home. This is gastronomy for everyone, and it is much more personal.” For more information, please visit: www.cortsendining.dk

Mads Cortsen was just 20 years old when he founded Cortsen Dining in January 2016.

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Despite its grand location, there is nothing pretentious about Madkælderen at Koldinghus. Guests are welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm.

Taste the history of Koldinghus You might expect a restaurant located in the grand setting of the royal castle of Koldinghus to have a slight air of superiority. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth at Madkælderen at Koldinghus. Located in the castle’s rustic basement, the restaurant and its staff welcome guests with enthusiasm, good food, and a wealth of stories about the castle and its produce. By Signe Hansen

Photos: Madkælderen Koldinghus

Built more than 700 years ago, Koldinghus has been the home of numerous big and small historic events. In 1808, the castle was partly destroyed by a great fire, and today it serves as a museum – but the story continues. Grand weddings, romantic dinners and relaxed lunches still take place inside the old castle walls, where Madkælderen combines new and old, modern and historic. 66 |

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During the day, the restaurant serves a classic Danish lunch buffet and in the evening (Thursday to Saturday only) guests can indulge in a four-course gourmet dinner. Both lunch and dinner are inspired by the history and produce of the castle and its surrounding area. “Our restaurant is part of the castle, and we use the history of the place and its beautiful setting in our work; yet it’s done in

an authentic and down-to-earth manner – there’s no pretentiousness. There is just so much we want to share, and we love to tell people stories, so we create a menu that helps us do that. But it has to be real and come from the heart, and that’s only possible if you know the area, the people and the stories,” stresses restaurateur Rasmus Iversen, who grew up in Kolding.

A tasty history One historic fact many guests will learn and taste the significance of when visiting Madkælderen is that the first pheasants ever introduced to Denmark were put out at Koldinghus. Guests are also likely to taste apples from the castle’s ap-

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ple orchard and game and wild ramsons from the surrounding grounds. “We have created a menu based on knowledge of the area, its history and its produce. We know the names of all our producers, have visited them all and know who produces what and when,” says Iversen. But despite the grand origin of some ingredients, the great care taken in selecting and preparing them, and the splendid surroundings, guests do not have to fear being faced with a bill of royal proportions. “What we wanted was to create a gourmet experience at a price that doesn’t exclude or scare anyone away,” stresses Iversen. “We strive to make our guests feel welcome all the way through their visit at the castle. One thing is the setting, which couldn’t be more beautiful, but even more important is that everyone works together to achieve the same thing. We’re very lucky to be able to do what we do, because we

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have amazing support from the museum as well as a completely crazy young and dedicated kitchen team.”

Facts:

Young energy inside the old walls

Opening hours for Madkælderen: Monday-Sunday 11am-4.30pm. Thursday-Saturday 6.30pm-10pm.

The combination of young energy and historic settings has earned Madkælderen at Koldinghus much praise. While Iversen runs the restaurant floor, the kitchen is headed by 21-year-old Mark Kragh Andreæ who, despite his young age, has managed to impress both his guests and colleagues. “The thing about Mark is that he makes delicious food – to be honest, a lot of people do, but what is absolutely amazing about him, and what is much harder to find, is that he is also extremely sweet. He creates a fantastic atmosphere in the kitchen and that rubs off on our guests,” says Iversen. “In general, the whole kitchen team has an amazing energy, and their joy and enthusiasm shine through on the plates.”

Madkælderen and Koldinghus are located in the centre of Kolding.

Madkælderen’s four-course gourmet dinner includes wine ad libitum, aperitif and snacks, and coffee, avec and sweets. The price for the four-course gourmet dinner is 598DKK on Thursdays, 648DKK on Fridays and Saturdays. All of the castle’s rooms, including the great hall, can be booked for private events and functions. Madkælderen can cater for events of up to 300 people in the castle.

For more information, please visit: www.madkaelderen.dk

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After closing down in 2015, the fish restaurant was reopened last October.

Fish restaurant with the sea on its doorstep Norwegian fish restaurant Sjøbua recently reopened under new ownership and with a drive and passion for creating exciting food experiences for any occasion using high-quality ingredients in a relaxed maritime atmosphere. By Line Elise Svanevik

Photos: Runar Andersen

The restaurant was established in 1987. “It’s been a proper local for me and my family,” explains restaurant manager Jeanette Longva. “So, in 2016, after the restaurant had been closed down since 2014, my father John Per Longva decided to reopen it, which is what we ended up doing on 7 October that same year.” The family-run restaurant, which is managed on a day-to-day basis by Longva, is now aiming to become one of the best fish restaurants in Norway. “We focus on seasonal ingredients,” explains Longva. 68 |

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“From January to the end of March, we serve locally sourced fresh cod with liver and roe. The season for lutefisk – Norwegian dried white fish – and other traditional Christmas dishes starts in October and lasts until the end of the year. The head chef, Knut Edvard Kjersem, wants to bring out the best in each ingredient, in clean flavours, and to put his own spin on things, which he feels is very important.” Kjersem is also keen on letting people try new types of fish, instead of only the traditional sorts, so he often features hake,

turbot and plaice on the menu. To preserve the history of Sjøbua, the lobster soup, which is currently on the menu, has been a true classic at the restaurant since its very early days. With their own lobster tank, where guests can pick their own lobster, they aim to create an authentic feel.

In the heart of Ålesund The restaurant is located at Brosundet on the seafront in the very heart of Ålesund. “You can pretty much just open the door and be on the waterfront,” says Longva. “Having the sea on our doorstep, in addition to our maritime atmosphere, makes our restaurant quite special.” The longstanding history of Sjøbua has meant that the restaurant already had a

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good name when Longva took over. “We cook to an international standard and would like to build on the good name that the restaurant already has,” she says. “We always want to improve it and become even better – ultimately, we want to become among the best fish restaurants in Norway.” Ålesund is also known for its klipfish – a salted and dried cod, which is part of the menu at Sjøbua. “Klipfish is one of our most popular dishes,” says Longva. “Along with our lobster soup and monkfish – those are our three most popular dishes.”

Room for larger groups Together with the head chef, Longva has created different menus for larger groups. These consist of a selection of the best-selling dishes from the standard menu, to suit the larger parties who arrive at Sjøbua.

The fish served at Sjøbua is from a local supplier.

Sjøbua has its very own fish tank and lobster tank on the premises.

Sjøbua also features a ‘chambre séparée’ – a private room within the restaurant. “It’s a small room next to the main restaurant, and it’s free to book for around 12-18 people. It means that those who want a bit more privacy can have that,” Longva explains. The restaurant also boasts an extensive wine selection, with wines paired specifically with the dishes on the menu. The food experience on offer at Sjøbua is what makes the restaurant so special. “If you want an experience together with good ingredients, a maritime atmosphere and somewhere that isn’t too formal – and you’re in Ålesund – then you are very welcome to visit us,” Longva concludes. Menu: Fish Signature dishes: Lobster soup, monkfish and klipfish Location: Ålesund, Norway Capacity: 15 tables

For more information, please visit: www.sjoebua.no

Sjøbua has the capacity to seat 70-75 guests.

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Generous, honest – and always close “We don’t have customers – only guests.” If there is one thing that is immediately clear when speaking to Siv-Hilde Lillehaug, one of two founders and owners of Lofotmat, it is that the restaurant goes its own way. “We’re honest and genuine, and we give a lot of ourselves,” she says. By Linnea Dunne

Photos: Lofotmat

Siv-Hilde grew up on a farm with a mother and a grandmother who were both very much into cooking and, 33 years ago, she met Geir Robertsen at Nordland Fiskerifagskole (Nordland Fishery School). A shared passion for celebrating local ingredients and traditions led them to taking on a small joint in the fishing village of Henningsvær in northern Norway’s Lofoten islands, and today they boast a Cordon Bleu – the Norwegian Chef’s Association’s honorary award – in addition to a stream of very happy guests.

Truly local Since graduating from cookery school in 1987, Siv-Hilde has also taken a master’s degree and studied northern Norwegian food culture and traditions, something 70 |

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that has left a clear mark on Lofotmat’s profile. “Our motto is to be generous, honest and local,” says the master chef, using the Norwegian word ‘nært’, which literally means ‘close’ and describes a closeness in both a geographical and personal sense. “If we say the hollandaise is made using eggs from Solheim Gård, then it’s made using eggs from Solheim Gård. We don’t buy cheap, frozen stuff. If we say local fish, it really is local.” It is clear that the people behind Lofotmat hold their guests in very high regard, because there is no compromising with their transparent approach. “It’s really important for us to be honest all the way. We cook everything ourselves,

we use local ingredients as often as possible and we never, ever compromise on quality,” says the chef. “What you see is what you get. We’re in full control of everything. Got an allergy? No problem – we know exactly what’s in every single dish.” Siv-Hilde describes the local area as somewhat of a food mecca, bursting with fresh fish and meat of all kinds. Lofoten’s signature dish is cod, or skrei, and the restaurant’s own most popular specialties are also seafood dishes: about half of all lunch guests choose the renowned fish soup, and the à la carte menu presents the traditional hungdried ‘boknafisk’. “It’s simple but just perfection in terms of composition,” says Siv-Hilde, explaining that this far north, you mostly get peas, root vegetables and onions to complement your fish or meat. “But we don’t just have great food,” she continues. “There’s great local drink too!” In line with the ‘nært’ motto,

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Lofotmat takes pride in serving up local beer, and Lofotpils is a popular choice from the drinks menu. That said, northern Norway is not exactly known for its rich vineyards – and fine wine is not something Siv-Hilde and Geir were willing to compromise on. “It’s important for us that our guests get a holistic high-quality dining experience, and many people see quality wine as a crucial aspect of a good meal,” Siv-Hilde explains. “As such, we’ve looked further afield to put together a rich selection of fine wines that perfectly complement our food.”

Never a dull moment

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of course, it makes a nice part of the décor, alongside my master’s certificate.” But beyond the four walls of the restaurant, the passion behind Lofotmat has much more to offer. Catering to parties ranging in size from two people to 450, Siv-Hilde runs courses, offers catering and will happily put together tailor-made events. “We have nursery kids from the age of five coming here to learn how to cook, and we’ll chat and make chocolate and it’s so lovely – small human beings are such a joy to work with!” she enthuses. “Then we might have a business that comes to us to learn how to make cav-

iar, they’ll drink Champagne and chat, or we’ll put on a girls’ night. Perhaps people want us to cook for them in their place, so then we’ll do that – we’re very flexible.” Flexible and inspiring, in a way that clearly rubs off. Seven years on, it is not just the founders themselves who are enjoying the fruits of their labour. “It’s incredibly varied – there’s no risk I’ll ever get bored!” Siv-Hilde laughs. For more information, find Lofotmat on Facebook.

When Lofotmat was first founded, it was as a delicatessen boutique with three tables, selling fresh fish and other local treats. But it was tough, and increasingly they noticed that they had to turn away guests who wanted to dine in-store. So, in 2014, a bigger venue came up and the proper restaurant was born, seating about 40 guests and catering for up to 60 people on the roof terrace. Popular among the 450 locals, Lofotmat has also become known as a destination in its own right, with tourists from other parts of Norway and abroad coming to Henningsvær just for the dining experience. Awards such as the Cordon Bleu mean a great deal, says Siv-Hilde. “It confirms that we’re on the right track, and it motivates us to keep going. Plus,

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EN D C I T HID N ia N ec p A D DE S M N E RO YS A SW A W S IN A T M GE GE m he

Photo: Per Pixel Petersson.

The charming, passionate gems of Sweden Anniversaries, birthday surprises and simple relaxation escapes – Scan Magazine knows where to go for picturesque places and genuine treats in Sweden this year. Photos: VisitSweden.com

Ask a Swede about a typically Swedish setting and they will most likely describe red cottages dotted out across rolling green hills, perhaps with a picnic blanket and some ‘fika’ somewhere in a field. Or, possibly, they might reminisce about long summer evenings on the cliffs by 72 |

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the sea, complete with skinny dipping, cold brews and perfectly sweet strawberries. Whichever is their Swedish idyll of choice, it is safe to say that Sweden boasts plenty of picturesque, charming and romantic settings for experiences with those you love most.

Go exclusive with a castle stay along with afternoon tea and an open-air concert experience, visit Sweden’s oldest town with its cobbled streets and beautiful boutiques, or head for one of the renowned wine destinations for a journey through grapes and tannins. Wherever you go, there will be passionate foodies enough to serve you freshly baked treats, locally sourced delicacies and traditional cuisine for carnivores and vegetarians alike – all in

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genuine, charming and often exceptionally peaceful surroundings. This month, we share our favourite hidden gems, romantic havens and other unmissable Swedish destinations. Bring someone special and make sure to switch your mobile phone off. Eat your heart out, Denmark. Sweden’s overflowing with ‘hygge’, and it is prettier than ever. For more information, please visit: www.visitsweden.com

Photo: Miriam Preis.

Photo: Ola Ericson.

Photo: Melker Dahlstrand.

Photo: Tove Freiij.

Photo: Miriam Preis.

Photo: Ola Ericson.

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Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden

Photo: Dahlbergs café

Photo: Camilla Lövgren, Fotoateljén Gamla Linköping

Photo: Hilma Winblads Bed and Breakfast.

Indulge in a romantic night at the museum Travel back in time to a place smelling of roses and fresh cinnamon buns, full of magic and romance. Enjoy a restful sleep and wake up to the sound of footsteps on the old cobblestone street outside. Staying at this unique B&B in a leafy open-air museum, you can enjoy it all. By Ulrika Kuoppa-Jones

The idyllic town of Linköping lies an hour’s drive away from Stockholm Skavsta’s airport hub. Its old town, Gamla Linköping, is a tranquil oasis with beautiful old wooden buildings. Hilma Winblads Bed and Breakfast is one of them. The listed early 19th century house has been carefully renovated back to its former glory, to a modern standard with comfortable beds and bespoke furniture. The rooms at this quirky B&B are all different, named after charismatic local celebrities like Elsa, the nurse who helped World War II refugees, and Viola, the talk of the town who sold ‘snuff’ tobacco alongside cakes in the 1930s and drove a shiny American car. 74 |

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The hotel itself got its name from the colourful local vicar’s wife who raised her family here. B&B managers Sofia Thunholm and Jessica Ericsson had a clear idea of what they wanted to offer when they created their haven four years ago. “Yes, but with hindsight we were a bit too excited and ambitious at the beginning,” laughs Ericsson. “We had this idea that we would source furniture from flea markets and antique shops and buy fantastic vintage wrought-iron beds. You get the picture. Luckily, we soon realised that we needed professional help in order to pull it off. We are very happy with the result; this really is a unique place, quite unlike anything else.”

Old Linköping is the perfect getaway for unwinding. Dahlberg’s café and bakery, where the B&B guests will also enjoy breakfast, is described by many guests as the best in the area. As for a romantic mini break, what better place to enjoy a picnic than in one of the surrounding open gardens? When the evening closes in, you can wander over to the outdoor vintage dancehall and indulge in ballroom dancing to a live orchestra. The ambitious owners are currently expanding their business to include another listed building in the neighbourhood, something Ericsson is very excited about. “This will make it possible for us to host a whole party of wedding guests. We can even help with finding a horse and carriage – all for a real fairy tale wedding!” For more information, please visit: www.hilmawinblads.se

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Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden

Treat yourself with a boutique hotel experience in the oldest town of Sweden A magical view of lake Mälaren on one side of the hotel and the oldest shopping street in Sweden on the other side; that is the perfect setting of 1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell. Located only 15 minutes from Arlanda Airport, it is an excellent choice for holiday makers as well as businesses hosting meetings and conferences. By Sara Wenkel

| Photos: 1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell

The small luxury hotel 1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell has, as the name suggests, been open since 1909. Yet it owes much of its charm and grace to the Middle Ages as Sigtuna, known as the place “where Sweden begins”, is the oldest town of Sweden and the street of the hotel, Stora Gatan, follows the same route as when the town was founded in the tenth century. Caroline Folkesson-Levin, who manages the hotel, gushes over the many interesting museums and old church ruins close by. “But today, the street is also full of small boutiques, cafés and a busy cultural life,” she adds. The 26 appealing rooms at the five-star

hotel are all furnished with loving care. Furniture and fittings are a mixture of special designs and Scandinavian classics by famous Scandinavian designers such as Hans Wegner, Carl Malmsten and Louis Paulsen to name a few. The many conference and meeting rooms are also all fitted with attention to detail in order to see to every kind of requirement, small and intimate or large and efficient. The restaurant at the hotel is an experience out the ordinary, where the guests indulge in classic Swedish dishes. “We use only the very best seasonal ingredients,” says Folkesson-Levin. This summer, the

hotel also unveiled a new open-air section of the restaurant – the Lakeside – for those who prefer al fresco dining. The Lakeside will serve lunch and dinner throughout the summer, while breakfast will be served in the restaurant. This summer at 1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell: - Discounted accommodation on Fridays and Saturdays. - Special grill and BBQ lunch menu at the new Lakeside restaurant. - Live music and BBQ on Friday and Saturday evenings, until 12 August. - Special packages are available for golfers and guests who would like to visit Sigtuna Castle.

For more information, please visit: www.sigtunastadshotell.se/en

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Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden Photo: Skoklosters Slott

The imaginative world of Jane Austen This summer, visitors at Skokloster Castle have the chance to explore the lifestyle, dilemmas and fashion from the early 1800s. In the new exhibition Jane Austen’s World, much-loved fictional characters such as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy will come to life. By Malin Norman |

Photos: Jens Mohr

English novelist Jane Austen has been celebrated for her novels exploring women’s dependence on marriage in the pursuit of social standing and economic security. Despite their historic setting, Austen’s stories include situations still of interest in today’s society, and her books have inspired famous films with the likes of Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, who became famous overnight for his role as Mr. Darcy. 2017 marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death and she will be celebrated extensively across the world. Skokloster Castle will be hosting Jane Austen’s World with iconic costumes from films based on her novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion and Emma. Curator Petri Tigercrona is excited about the themed 76 |

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display, which runs from 1 June to 1 October. “Skokloster Castle could easily have been featured in a Jane Austen novel, with its historic past and fantastic Regency atmosphere,” he says. “The exhibition will take place in the guest suites, a section of the palace that is not normally open to the public. We hope that lots of people will come to visit us and expect some to even dress up in clothes typical of that era, adding some extra spice!” The exhibition will be opened by the British ambassador and brings activities such as afternoon tea, music and dance performances, lectures, guided tours and fashion shows. Tigercrona especially recommends the highly anticipated Jane Austen Ball on 19 August. “We haven’t had a festive ball at the castle in a very long time, so this will be an amazing event!”

Dating back to the 1600s and the Swedish Age of Greatness, Skokloster is the biggest private castle ever built in Sweden and was once the home of the prestigious Brahe family. Considered one of Europe’s greatest Baroque-style castles, there is plenty to explore, such as original interiors, well-preserved furnishings and paintings. Located next to Lake Mälaren, Skokloster Castle is surrounded by a beautiful park and lush nature and is easily accessible from both Stockholm and Uppsala.

For more information, please visit: www.skoklostersslott.se

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Take a peek inside Scandinavia’s largest winery Calling all wine enthusiasts! The Nordic Sea Winery takes visitors on a journey from grapes to wine, through the ultra-modern winery and followed by a tutored tasting and delicious meal. By Malin Norman

on the terrace and a tapas bar. The autumn equivalent takes place on 14 October.

Photos: Nordic Sea Winery

The Nordic Sea Winery was established in 2008 by the Oenoforos Group, and its founder Takis Soldatos is considered a pioneer and innovator in the wine industry. Located in Simrishamn, the Nordic Sea Winery is currently one of northern Europe’s most modern wineries and produces more than 20 million litres of world-class wine per year, some of which are among the most popular brands in the country. “This is the largest winery in Scandinavia,” says marketing and sales manager Linda Ungh. “We produce wine from some of the best wine regions in the world, and our talented wine makers are responsible for refining the blends and deciding when the wines are ready for bottling. We are open all year for guided tours around the

winery, and the number of visitors increases as they realise the magnitude of what we are doing.” Visitors can expect a complete wine experience with a mix of innovation, education and pleasure. The popular package From Grapes to Wine includes a guided tour in the winery, presenting the production from harvest to bottling, followed by wine tasting in the Showroom Winebar & Restaurant, and finally a well-balanced lunch or dinner menu. For an overnight getaway, the Nordic Sea Winery also partners with hotels in the area. Another recommendation is the Summer Tasting on 22 July. This fabulous fair showcases around 80 to 100 wines in a comfortable atmosphere with live bands, wine tasting

For more information, please visit www.nordicseawinery.se and follow ‘nordicseawinery’ on Facebook.

Rediscover the countryside In need of some relaxing quality time? A stay at Wallby Country Resort will bring those tense shoulders down. It is time to escape the hustle and bustle and just be for a while. By Malin Norman

Photos: Wallby Country Resort

The idyllic Wallby Country Resort in the village of Skirö in Småland is surrounded by quiet nature; imagine nothing but forests, fields and lakes. Dating back to the 14th century, the estate was once a farm but today hosts a comfortable hotel and restaurant as well as cows, horses, cats and rabbits, and even a veterinary clinic. Also, lest we forget, its very own ghost! “It can be quite tricky to make time for yourself these days,” says Magnus Nyman, owner of Wallby Country Resort since 2000. “Wallby is great for stressed out city dwellers in need of some downtime. They can come here, relax and unwind, and rediscover the joys of the countryside. Nothing brings you back to the present more than sitting in a boat on a lake here, all alone.”

With its charming manor house from 1840, Wallby Country Resort has room for 60 guests and is ideal for family holidays, romantic getaways, conferences and weddings for up to 100 guests. During their stay, visitors can explore the beautiful area with activities such as fishing, canoeing, hiking, cycling, swimming in the lake or enjoying the hot sauna.

The restaurant serves simple yet delicious home-cooked meals made using local produce. “This is the countryside. It’s important for us to make use of what’s available and reasonable,” explains Nyman. “We serve lots of game from the area, fish from the lakes, potatoes and meat from nearby farms, and milk from the local dairy farm in Hultsfred.” Wallby Country Resort is open for guests all year round. For more information, please visit: www.wallby.se

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A charming town with fairy tale vibes A visit to Trosa is like finding oneself in a story by children’s book author Astrid Lindgren. The small town is bursting with picturesque scenery, friendly locals and delicious food. By Malin Norman

Photos: Trosa Tourist Center

Trosa is known for its charming streets and wooden houses with glass-enclosed verandas. “Trosa is a fairy tale,” tourism director Malin Karlsson smiles. “Our visitors appreciate the small-town atmosphere, idyllic scenery and friendly locals. It’s like being in a story by Astrid Lindgren.” It is therefore no surprise that the town features in productions such as the film about fictional character Kalle Blomkvist and the popular German TV series Inga Lindström. But the town has plenty to offer in addition to its delightful décor. One of the summer highlights is Trosa Vintage Weekend, an antiques market and auction with expert valuation of jewellery, crockery, watches and the like, taking place on 17-18 June. Another unmissable event is the tradi78 |

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tional Trosa Harvest and Crafts Market on 27 August, with focus on home-grown products.

who want to stay the night. This includes the classic Trosa Stadshotell & Spa with genuine character and a restaurant dining room from the 1800s; the charming Bomans Hotell with unique interiors and new things to discover every time; and Ågården with its beautiful courtyard.

Discovering the local restaurants is of course compulsory. Fina Fisken serves rustic specialities such as herring, and Karlsson recommends Marsipangården’s marzipan factory and café, which has featured in a show with famous TV chef Rachel Allen. Visitors can also explore the historic sites in the town centre on a self-guided tour, take a boat trip to the archipelago, go on a hike along Sörmlandsleden, or visit one of the castles nearby. Easily accessible by train or bus from Stockholm, Trosa is ideal for a day trip and there are plenty of options for those

For more information, please visit www.trosa.com and follow @visittrosa on Instagram.

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Photo: Curt Ekblom

Photo: Stiftelsen Isabergstoppen

Photo: Johan Hellström

Spend time outdoors in scenic Småland You do not have to travel all the way to northern Scandinavia to experience the Nordic wilderness. The nature around Hestraviken Hotel and Restaurant is in many ways untouched yet inviting and is the perfect location to enjoy incredible outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing and canoeing. By Sara Wenkel

In the dense forests of Småland in southern Sweden is Hestraviken Hotel, with a wonderful view of lake Algustorpasjön and the River Nissan running through its grounds. Its beautiful garden, small red timbered houses and the splendid yellow manor dating back to the early 1900 make it perfectly idyllic. Johan Hellström is the third generation in the family that manages the place. “This was originally a place where people came for recreation – to breathe fresh air and row on the lake,” he explains.

Outdoor activities galore Hestraviken is still very popular amongst guests who wish to spend time outdoors, and there are plenty of activities to choose from. The hotel facilities include a jogging track, a playground, an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna and much more. “All our hotel guests can borrow boats,

canoes, bicycles and mountain bikes for free,” says Hellström. One of his favourite activities is mountain biking, which he enjoys on and around the Isaberg mountain, located in connection to Hestraviken. It offers breath-taking scenery, several mountain bike trails and a ski slope in the winter time. Beautiful hiking trails can be found at Store Mosse National Park, a 30-minute drive from Hestraviken, which is the biggest untouched wetland south of Lapland. The park boasts over 40 kilometres of hiking on trails and board walks.

There is also a wellness centre offering a spa bath, treatments and massages. The heart of Hestraviken is the restaurant. The homely ambience and the small, charming dining rooms create a lovely atmosphere. The cuisine is traditional Swedish with Mediterranean influences, using fresh seasonal ingredients from nature’s own pantry. A promise of excellent service at Hestraviken comes not only from Hellström himself, but from previous guests as well. “Many reviews online confirm the same,” he concludes.

Wind down at Hestraviken Hotel Hestraviken Hotel and Restaurant is the perfect place to wind down after a day packed full of outdoor activities. Here, the guests relax in their rooms with private balconies or terraces, and all the cosy suites have a fireplace and a bathtub.

Photo: Måns Jensen

For more information, please visit: www.hestraviken.se/en

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Photo: Jan Malmström

Brooklyn meets Tuscany in urban winery hotel Sweden’s first urban winery hotel offers a completely new experience, with wine at the centre of attention. The stylish Winery Hotel is a new concept with its own vineyard in Tuscany and wine production on-site. By Malin Norman |

Sweden’s first urban winery hotel has its own vineyard in Terreno in Tuscany, Italy, and imports wine from some of the best vineyards in the world. They also have an in-house winery. “We bring the grapes to an urban setting and produce them here,” says event and partnership manager Helen Rosberg. “Urban wineries exist elsewhere in places such as London and New York, but not in hotel settings. The Winery Hotel is truly unique and a fantastic meeting place for wine enthusiasts.”

8,000 bottles per year The winery is the beating heart of the hotel, visible as soon as visitors enter 80 |

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Photo: Jan Malmström

Photos: The Winery Hotel

Wine brought together the hotel family Söder and the wine family Ruhne. They wanted to share their passion for wine and, in January 2016, The Winery Hotel opened its doors in Stockholm. At this modern boutique hotel, guests can expect a fresh take on accommodation, meetings and dining.

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terrace with a pool, especially for warm summer evenings – with a glass of wine, of course.

the lobby. They can see the oak barrels and tanks, where the winery’s own wine is maturing, and learn about the journey from grape to bottle. Under the direction of the Ruhne family, the grapes are picked at selected vineyards in Tuscany and transported to the hotel, where they result in around 8,000 bottles of high-quality wine per year. So far, The Winery Hotel has released crisp Black Bottle Rosé and bistro-style Winery Red. With the guidance of wine sommeliers or at their own will, guests can savour these and other wines in the hotel’s bar Vinoteket, restaurants Winery Kitchen and Terreno Deli, and in the rooftop bar. Inspired by the industrial elegance of hip Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, New York, and the lush vineyards in Tuscany, this stylish hotel successfully combines wine with design. A destination in its own right, the hotel has 184 stylish rooms with the same brick wall and olive green colour theme. Rosberg recommends the rooftop

For more information, please visit www.thewineryhotel.se and follow @thewineryhotel on Instagram.

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Home away from home Järvsöbaden is the perfect blend of a modern hotel and a traditional guesthouse. With lots of culture, winter sports and nature on its doorstep, this charming place has something for everybody. Hälsingland, where Järvsöbaden is situated, is a province known for its natural beauty, winter sports and Hälsingegårdar. The latter is a type of decorated farmhouse, included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The nearest Hälsingegård is within walking distance from the hotel. The options for winter sports are also plentiful at Järvsöbaden. “Literally on the other side of the road, you’ll find an excellent ski slope, and the area is also perfect for cross-country skiing,” hotel manager Inger Ångström explains. But there is no need to worry if you are not into winter sports; the hotel also has its own golf course, as well as exceptional mountain bike routes nearby. Järvsöbaden is something of a family affair, having been run by the same family for 112 years. “We aspire to create a friendly, homely and calm atmosphere,” says

Ångström. She is married to Per Ångström, hotel director, head chef and greatgrandson of the founder of Järvsöbaden. In his role as head chef, he ensures that the traditional Swedish food served in the restaurant is cooked using local produce and vegetables from the hotel’s own garden. During the busy summer season, Järvsöbaden will be hosting weddings every weekend. The hotel also organises traditional Midsummer festivities in June and an outdoor concert in July. Other traditional festivities such as Christmas and Easter are also celebrated in style at Järvsöbaden. The relaxing spa weekend, the perfect family holiday or the winter sport paradise – Järvsöbaden triumphs in its aspiration to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. “We want our guests to feel like they’re coming home when they’re here,” Inger

Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden

By Pia Petersson

Photos: Järvsöbaden

Ångström finishes. With many guests coming back year after year, it seems like they have succeeded.

For more information, please visit: www.jarvsobaden.se

Relax and feel good at the beautiful Ulvsby Manor Sweden’s Värmland is renowned as the province of the senses, and a great place to let all your senses thrive is Ulvsby Manor, close to Sunne in central Värmland. “We are experts in making our guests relax and feel good, and we also make sure that they have a story to tell when they come home,” says Marianne Krönsjö, CEO at Ulvsby Manor. By Sara Wenkel

Photos: Matthias Blomqvist

A stay at Ulvsby Manor is something out of the ordinary. The manor itself with its picturesque features has a rich history and is one of the places Nobel Prize winner Selma Lagerlöf wrote about in her novel Gösta Berling’s Saga. The dining room – which looks out on a peaceful lake – is warm and welcoming with excellent hospitality. The guests are treated with skilled and confident cooking – the ingredients locally sourced from the farms, forests and lakes close by. The area surrounding the manor is packed with nature experiences and cultural attractions. There are popular waters for paddling canoes as well as hiking trails where you can learn about the local history.

Why not combine it with a visit to one of the many art galleries and museums? “Lars Lerin’s art museum, Klässbol Weaving Mill, and of course Selma Lagerlöf’s home, Mårbacka in Sunne, are my three personal favourites,” says Krönsjö. Ulvsby Manor has teamed up with many local producers to offer great packages for you as a guest to experience soft adventures throughout the day while always coming back for a calm and comfortable stay at Ulvsby Manor. For more information, please visit: www.ulvsbyherrgard.se

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Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden

The iconic café with the big heart Café Saturnus has been around for over 60 years – in a few different guises, but always a firm favourite among locals. Here, guests from all over the world indulge in typically Swedish cakes as well as trendy international dishes – prepared with incredible dedication and plenty of love. By Sara Wenkel

Photos: Stefan Andersson

The charming street of Eriksbergsgatan is home to Café Saturnus and ideally positioned close to Stockholm’s city centre, yet away from stress and noisy traffic. Characteristic old brick buildings from the early 20th century surround the café on the small backstreet, which is one of Stockholm’s oldest streets. “There are often shoots going on here and we have been featured in many films – fun, but a bit exhausting, to be honest,” admits Tina Pispas, co-owner 82 |

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of Café Saturnus. Pispas and her husband, Christos, have managed the café for 14 years. But even though Christos “had always been in the industry”, it was something completely new for Tina, who was originally a psychologist with roots in Greece. “I started off running the bakery, and I keep on doing so with great success even though my mum still doesn’t believe I can bake,” she laughs. “When we started off, we were very much influenced by French bistros and France

in general, something that didn’t exist in Stockholm back then. Today, we are much more international and make use of the very best from each country or culture instead of focusing on just one,” explains Pispas. The couple often go abroad on inspirational trips to catch the latest trends with the purpose of always keeping the menu and ambience up to date. But as soon as a trend becomes too popular among the competitors, it is time for change again.

Breakfast is a serious matter At Café Saturnus, the kitchen is open from early morning until early evening. Breakfast is a serious matter for Pispas. “I was fed up with hotels being the only place to go for a real breakfast. For me, it is really important that we have good

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eggs Benedict,” she affirms. Eggs in general are a key feature on the menu, and the omelettes, which come in ten different variants, are among the bestselling items. Fresh salads and filling sandwiches as well as daily rotating meat, fish and vegetarian hot dishes are also part of the lunch offering. “We care a lot about the quality of all our ingredients and dishes,” says Pispas. “For example, the olive oil might be a minor thing to

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Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden

many, but we have carefully selected the oils from Italy and Greece.”

and to meet over a coffee and cinnamon bun, to ‘fika’, is part of the daily routine.”

The most renowned item on the menu at Café Saturnus is the cinnamon bun, which has been featured in magazines all over the world. “We make them incredibly big,” Pispas explains. One bun can be enough for three people to share – something Pispas believes the Swedes like. “Swedes follow a tight schedule,

Sacred interiors

To many regulars at Café Saturnus – and there are many of them – the interiors are sacred. The floor is like a beautiful mosaic painting and the walls are covered with stripes of bright turquoise and dark red – a scrumptious combination. The characteristic porcelain, however, is a contentious issue for the couple. “I think it’s too expensive, but Christos loves those kinds of things and the guests do too, so we keep buying more,” Pispas laughs. The Pispas are two warm, loveable characters, and the many returning guests and the excellent staff are testament to this. “Often, when we cater for someone’s party, we get to do the family’s Christening, graduation and anniversary parties as well. I love to follow our guests through their lives this way,” says Pispas. Staff members also keep coming back for more, in the sense that many of them started out as trainees and moved on to summer jobs before becoming full-time employees. Iconic dishes at Café Saturnus: - Gigantic Cinnamon Buns - The Reuben Sandwich - Eggs Benedictine - Chèvre Chaud Salad

New restaurant venture Five years ago, the Pispas opened a new eatery called Egoïste. It is located in the MOOD shopping mall in central Stockholm and is a fully licenced restaurant. Guests come here to enjoy a hidden gem, the pleasant terrace – something that is typically hard to find in the Swedish capital. This summer, the restaurant has an after-work event every Wednesday through Sunday from 5pm onwards, with live DJs and other acts.

For more information, please visit: www.cafesaturnus.se and www.egoiste.se

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Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden

Find inspiration and zen surrounded by the sea Whether you are building your team at work or on a romantic getaway with your loved one, Gullmarsstrand will fit the bill. At this conference centre and hotel on stilts in the sea, you can leave the world behind or start your own fairy tale by tying the knot right where the water meets the sky. By Ulrika Kuoppa-Jones

Photos: Gullmarsstrand Hotell & Konferens

One of the most picturesque fishing villages along the coast of Bohuslän is found here in Fiskebäckskil, an hour’s drive from Gothenburg. Nestled in the fjord landscape, the old wooden houses lie perched on the hills overlooking the bay with its many tiny islands. Today, visitors come here to get back to basics. At Gullmarsstrand, you will feel surrounded by the sea. The majority of the building rests on stilts in the water; even the pool is on stilts. “Yes, you have to walk down a ladder to get into the sea!” says manager Maria Kjellsson. “We want our guests to unwind here, whatever the reason for their stay. This is a tranquil place for relaxation, where you can swim in the sea and the pool and watch the sunset while warming up in our sauna.” 84 |

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This classic sea hotel with its zen vibes was built in 1979 by three brothers, who still run the business, making it a place with heart and soul. This spring, the premises were modernised by funky minimalist Swedish designer trio giants Claesson Koivisto Rune. With its 81 rooms, Gullmarsstrand can cater for around 200 guests.

work with a local fisherman who moors on our pier and takes our guests out on a lobster or langoustine safari,” says Kjellsson. “The guests get a boiler suit and a ‘fika’ hamper consisting of a sandwich, hot beverage and cake as they board the boat. The traditional pots are thrown overboard and the ‘fika’ comes in handy while waiting for the catch to arrive. It’s amazing to see what’s inside the pots, and at the end of the evening the guests can indulge in the catch!”

“With a fantastic location like this, a lot on our restaurant menu comes from the sea,” says Maria Kjellsson. “We try to buy fresh, locally sourced food and we change our menu depending on season.” 15 scrambling routes are available to climb with a guide, followed by lunch with a spectacular view. Kayaking in the sea is popular, as are the safaris. “We

For more information, please visit: www.gullmarsstrand.com

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Fried herring with mash and lingonberry jam. Photo: Sting Reklambyrå

Photo: Kåseberga Fisk

Gravlax. Photo: Sting Reklambyrå

The old man and the sea smoking sensation On a stormy day at sea 50 years ago, a seasick fisherman had enough. He put his catch in the smoker, stayed ashore and, soon after, his artisan smoking skills became legendary. Today, the fisherman’s son, who inherited the fish smoking talent (and the seasickness) has grown the family business to cater for 900,000 visitors every year. By Ulrika Kuoppa-Jones

At the southernmost tip of Sweden in the stunning landscape of Österlen, where the road ends by the Baltic Sea, lies Kåseberga Fisk (Kåseberga Fish). People travel from near and far to this seemingly unremarkable building with its simple handwritten sign by the water’s edge. They are all here for the fish – the fantastic fish, served in a no-nonsense style by friendly staff, with a unique freshness and quality praised by returning customers. “Our visitors from overseas are astonished by the sheer variety of fish on offer, some more unusual than others,” manag-

er Jimmy Ahl laughs. “We make about 20 different kinds of pickled herring, in addition to the salmon, mussels, eel, mackerel and herring that we smoke – all made by hand here on our premises.” Kåseberga Fish is situated next to one of Sweden’s most famous megalithic landmarks, the boat-shaped henge Ales stenar (Ale’s Stones), making it the perfect place for a day trip. When hunger strikes and the popular restaurant looks busy, or you simply want to enjoy some privacy, Ahl has the perfect solution: “Buy a paper plate of fried herring, mashed potatoes

and lingonberry jam from our shop and bring it out on the harbour jetty. Sit back and enjoy the view.” Or scramble up on the poppy-covered cliffs. Choose your seat carefully, unwrap the shop-bought mackerel, release that smell of Kåseberga Fish’s famous, fragrant smoked saw dust, and get stuck into it. Nothing fishy about that.

Smoked mackerel with mash. Photo: Kåseberga Fisk

For more information, please visit: www.kaseberga-fisk.se

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Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden

Countryside luxury for foodies Like a pantry fully stashed with goodies, Heagårds Skafferi is an oasis for foodies: a cosy meeting place with great food and wine in the middle of the countryside. By Malin Norman

Photos: Heagårds Skafferi

Heagårds Skafferi is located in the countryside just outside Halmstad. The old farm dates back to the 1600s and once hosted one of the largest stables in Europe. Nowadays, the stone building is home to a restaurant and wine cellar, a café, a gallery with art from Galleri Black & White, a market hall with a deli, a bakery, and a shop for fashion and interior design with exclusive brands such as S.O.U.L, Lexington and Artwood. The restaurant is a gem, taking good care of home-grown food and serving its rustic yet elegant dishes in a beautiful setting. The menu is based on organic and local produce, with meat from the farm and mushrooms from the nearby forest. The wine cellar has a fantastic selection of wines from all over the world, with suggestions for food and wine pairings for the ultimate culinary experience. Heagårds Skafferi also of86 |

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focus, and we put a lot of effort into training our staff in the restaurant, café, market hall, deli and shop.”

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fers wine and beer tastings as well as cooking classes. As an extension of the restaurant, guests can enjoy their meals in the charming courtyard and there is a beautiful park ideal for open-air concerts, weddings, parties, barbeques and picnics just around the corner of the farmhouse. The deli has picnic baskets with food and wine, blankets to borrow, and equipment to play boule and croquet.

In 2016, the food entrepreneur brothers also opened restaurant Hummër Grill & Bar in the centre of Halmstad, and this autumn they will launch Food Market Halmstad at the Eurostop shopping centre. Wallin explains their latest concept: “We want all of our restaurants to be a feast for the senses, and this will be a food market with lots of amazing flavours!”

Entrepreneurs in flavour Brothers Mikael and Magnus Wallin took over the business in 2014. Mikael Wallin is proud of what they have accomplished and talks about the ever-popular destination: “Heagårds Skafferi has had a lot of visitors over the years, and we hope to keep it that way. This is unlike any other place, and our guests are impressed with what we can offer. Food is our main

For more information, please visit: www.heagardsskafferi.se

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Big in parts of eastern Europe and Finland, salt therapy (halotherapy) and its benefits are still relatively unknown to the rest of the world. Stockholm Saltspa is on a mission to enlighten the Swedish capital of the health-boosting effects of this mineral.

covered in Himalayan pink salt blocks. Moreover, a Jacuzzi and an infrared sauna will be added to this alternative health centre’s various treatment options. It is plain to see that Hoffrén and her team are on course to convince Stockholm of the benefits of salt treatments.

To rub salt in a wound

By Pia Petersson

Photo: Stockholm Saltspa

Have you ever noticed that wounds seem to heal faster after a dip in the sea? Not that strange, really. “Salt has bactericidal effects and will speed up the healing process,” explains Riikka Hoffrén, founder and CEO of Stockholm Saltspa. She is the heart and soul of this alternative health centre, located in the middle of Stockholm’s picturesque Old Town. The main attraction of Stockholm Saltspa is a room covered from floor to ceiling in salt. Customers spend 40 minutes in this room to treat conditions such as allergies, asthma and psoriasis. To maximise the effect, a special generator blows out salt in the air. “You don’t have to suffer from any of these conditions to en-

joy the salt room, of course. It’s a relaxing, detoxifying and meditative experience for everyone,” says Hoffrén. The 40 minutes in the salt room can simultaneously be combined with light therapy to enhance the experience, stimulate the feel-good hormones in the brain and increase the sense of feeling, well… happier. Stockholm Saltspa provides many other therapies such as salt yoga, meditation, massage, spa treatments, healing and counselling. Over the summer, several workshops will be offered on everything from how to make your own organic skin lotion, to how to perform self-hypnosis. In the next few months, another salt room will open at the same location – this one

For more information, please visit: www.stockholmsaltspa.com

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For people who love life Packed with outdoor activities and endorphin highs, or comfortable relaxation and a down-to-earth stay, or both – Högbo Brukshotell is the real deal for people who love life, striking the perfect balance between action and rest. By Malin Norman

Photos: Fredrik Rollman

Located in an old ironworks community in Gästrikland, Högbo Brukshotell offers the perfect mix for a great stay with comfortable accommodation, delicious food, a relaxing spa and heaps of activities. “Our guests love it here,” says marketing director Erika Rydstrand. “At Högbo Brukshotell, there are lots of opportunities for sporty activities in a beautiful setting. What we offer is spot on the growing trend for healthy food and exercise.” For instance, the cross-country mountain bike arena is one of the best in the country, built by world champion Magnus Palmberg and with around 15 tracks suitable for everyone from beginners to pros. The hotel is also an official Vasaloppet Centre with a cross-country skiing facility for all levels, ideal snow conditions and even an artificial snow track that makes for an early start to the skiing season. Canoeing is easily accessible for guests with equipment to rent, graded routes and tours up to several days, and the 88 |

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area has 27 holes for golf players, plus hiking routes and a nice beach nearby.

Made in Högbo The picturesque Högbo estate has rows of red wooden houses, blacksmith cabins, a mill, stables and a lush park, all giving it that special character and feeling of the past. The ironworks dates back to the middle of the 17th century, yet the community spirit is very much alive. Rydstrand explains the importance of personal service and the hotel’s mission to be the best in the industry on customer relations: “Our staff will take care of everyone, to make them feel right at home here at Högbo Brukshotell.” As further proof of the strong community, Högbo Brukshotell is a partner of Made in Högbo. The local initiative works for integration, sustainability and growth of local produce, taking into account quality, environmental and ethical considerations. “It enhances the culinary experience for our

guests,” explains Rydstrand. “We have our own charcuterie, greenhouse, cheese making and bakery, bringing great produce to the restaurant’s chefs to create fantastic meals. And, of course, our famous table of desserts is still popular!” Högbo Brukshotell is open all year round and is easily accessible, only two hours north of Stockholm. For more information, please visit: www.hogbobrukshotell.se

A WORLD OF THRILLING RIDES AND HAPPINESS!

LS A V em TI Th i S Y in M FE WA ER R M NO M N SU I e:

There is a pirate excursion for children to take part in, where 12 passengers go out in a wooden boat with the aim of finding a treasure.

A cultured family festival on coastal trading post Families are coming together for yet another celebration of coastal culture at Hopsjødagene (the Hopsjø Days) in Norway, where local suppliers, artists and craftsmen are gathering for two days packed full of fun. By Line Elise Svanevik

Photos: Einar Brendboe

As a former trading post, Hopsjø, near Melandsjøen on Hitra, Trøndelag, boasts a long history of being a place people would travel to from all over Europe with various goods. “It was a trading station where, originally, people would come to trade things like fish for flour or homebrewed alcoholic beverages,” explains CEO of Hopsjø, Millan Skjærbusdal. In 1989, an extremely passionate local man by the name of Tor Bugten decided to restore and rebuild the estate with help from private donations and volunteers in the surrounding areas. The whole place was restored through voluntary work and donations in 1990, and it was during this 90 |

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time that they also created the very first Hopsjødagene. “In the first few years, they didn’t even have proper stalls; it was often just a table with an umbrella over,” explains Skjærbusdal. “There were people playing accordions, local dances and wooden boats, and the stalls were held by local craftsmen and wood carvers and women who knitted woollen socks.” Fast forward to 2017 and Hopsjødagene is a collaboration between the restaurant Traktørstedet Landstrykeren, Nattseilerne (the night sailors) and Hopsjøen’s friends. It promotes local food, drink and

crafts, with several activities to keep the family busy for the entire two days.

Free for the public Since the very beginning, Hopsjødagene was primarily concerned with the enjoyment of children and families. “For Bugten, who created it, it was very important that the coast and culture centre was going to be for everyone, and that’s a legacy we’re trying to preserve,” says Skjærbusdal. “Admission is free – the only things that cost money are the concert on the Friday and the pirate boat on the Saturday.” Held in week 29 for the past 28 years, this year’s festival will take place on 2122 July. Skjærbusdal explains that the origin of the chosen date is tied to the trading seasons: “150 years ago, there wasn’t a week 29, as we call it now, but the big trading days were often in the be-

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ginning of summer, which is when they traded fish, and in the autumn when they traded agricultural goods. It’s to do with the weather, wind, boating conditions and of course the shifting of the seasons and what was available for trading and, therefore, we decided to keep that tradition,” she explains.

Moreover, there are exhibitions of whaling history, old boat engines and horse riding for the children. There are also two theatre performances in the daytime and two concerts – with artists still to be confirmed – in the early evening, making it suitable for children from pre-school age up to 15 or 16.

A myriad of activities

A children’s rowing competition will also be held, in the style of an adult competition, and there is a course for children and adults in how to fillet fish, in addition to a DIY wooden boat course where the kids can make their own leftover scrap wood boat, following a sailing competition. “There will also be lots of little surprises, including a variety of small happenings throughout the two days,” adds Skjærbusdal.

The two days in July squeeze in a wide range of activities, including a pirate excursion where wooden boats take children equipped with wooden swords out to local islands with the aim of finding Captain Taralegg’s treasure. “It’s not the sort of place where people just watch things happen – there are lots of activities to take part in,” explains Skjærbusdal. “We have trading stalls with local food, art and crafts by people in the local area, and this year, for the first time, we also have beer from local microbreweries.”

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that the festival is being held to promote Norwegian coastal culture and to grow the interest of tourism in the Trøndelag coast, which is why they do not position themselves as a traditional festival. “We are a coast and culture centre, and we want to be a place for everyone – regardless of whether you’re rich or a single parent and can’t afford it. We want everyone to feel welcome here, which is what Bugten would have wanted,” she concludes. Admission is free, but two activities are ticketed: Friday concert: 150NOK per child, free for their parents. Saturday pirate boat: 30NOK per child.

A broader aim But the aim of the family-oriented festival is not simply fun and games – it is also important for Skjærbusdal to note

For more information, please visit: www.hopsjo.no

Tor Bugten (top right) decided to breathe new life into the old trading post. He also started the costal culture-orientated festival in 1990. The former trading post now showcases local food and drink for two days in July every year, and partners with Frøya brewery and Ytterkant catering and event.

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The Cranberries come to mountain music festival Music festival Trollrock combines the best music with fantastic nature, lots of fun activities, comfortable accommodation, culinary experiences and a great atmosphere. This year, The Cranberries take to the stage with their only live show in Scandinavia. By Malin Norman

Press photos

During a few days at the end of July, the Norwegian mountain village of Beitostølen is the place to be for music fans. Since its beginnings in 2011, Trollrock has had a record number of visitors every year and, in 2016, around 17,000 people came to see the bands. According to festival director Atle Dalen, Trollrock aims to be the biggest and best platform in the area for local musicians. The festival mixes local bands with Nor92 |

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wegian and international headliners, to provide the former with inspiration and the chance to play for a big audience. “Our goal is to make it easier for local musicians to be discovered by our visitors,” says Dalen. “This will hopefully give them opportunities to perform elsewhere in the future.” Despite its small size, the village of Beitostølen is a gateway to amazing treks, has lots of sports activities and

cultural events on offer, and offers plenty of bars, cafés and restaurants, shops and accommodation alternatives. “Beitostølen has it all, plus the bonus of seeing local musicians and international stars during Trollrock,” explains Dalen. “This is a unique mix of nature and music!”

Great mix of music Headlining Trollrock this year are The Cranberries. The Irish band was formed in 1989 with vocalist Dolores O’Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler. Known for their indie guitar sound and Celtic vocal style, they rose to fame and became one of the most successful music acts of the ‘90s with hits such as Linger, Zombie and Dreams. Over the

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years, the band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. In early 2010, after a six-year break, The Cranberries reunited and began a worldwide tour, taking them to China, Japan, The Philippines, Australia and New Zealand as well as Europe and the US. Last year, The Cranberries played a series of sold-out European shows in Poland, France and Switzerland. 2017 promises to be another special year, and the band will do their first and only live show in Norway for 15 years, at Trollrock on Saturday 29 July.

The Cranberries

Amy Macdonald

For more information, please visit: Thursday 27 July:

Volunteering at Trollrock

Another big announcement is awardwinning Scottish singer/songwriter Amy Macdonald, who will perform at Trollrock on Thursday 27 July. Despite her young age, Macdonald saw huge success with her monster hit This is the Life in 2007. Her first three albums all made it to the top five in Europe, and she has sold Platinum 12 times. Macdonald’s fourth album, Under Stars, was released in February this year. Also playing on Thursday evening is Norwegian hardcore punk and metal band Kvelertak from Stavanger. This praised group will be the supporting act on Metallica’s world tour in 2018. An unmissable act is Janove, former frontman of Norwegian band Kaizers Orchestra, with eight studio albums in total, who is headlining on Friday 28 July.

Trollrock Youth Championships Not only international stars will take to the stage, however. During the festival, local bands can take part in the Trollrock Youth Championships. The cultural initiative between six municipalities highlights local musicians, regardless of age and genre. The competition has three categories for children aged seven to 20, and the winner in each category will get the chance to play at the festival. In addition to prize money, a recording session of a single is also up for grabs. The Trollrock Youth Championships take place on Saturday 29 July in the centre of Beitostølen, and the event is free for the public to attend.

Amy Macdonald (UK), Vazelina Bilopphøggers, Kvelertak, Oslo Ess, Beachheads, Tiergarten, The Rebels. Friday 28 July: Janove, Morten Abel, John Olav Nilsen & Nordsjøen, Greni, Cezinando, Hjerteslag, Elsa & Emilie, De Talentløse, Hvitmalt Gjerde, The Gamasamas.

Every year, Trollrock attracts around 250 volunteers who work in the different areas of the festival. They receive a free festival pass, free meals when on duty, a free pass for the volunteer camping, an exciting and fun experience and, of course, access to the fabulous volunteer party on the Sunday evening, 30 July. For more information about volunteering at Trollrock, please contact volunteer manager Marte Henriksen Bollum on frivillig@trollrock.no.

Saturday 29 July: The Cranberries (Ireland), Hellbillies, Jaa9 & OnklP, Finn Kalvik, Unnveig Aas, Måndag, Mads Veslelia, Dirty Deeds, Trollrock Youth Championships.

For more information and tickets, please visit: www.trollrock.no and follow @trollrock on Instagram.

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Summer Festivals in Norway Photo: Andrea Rocha

Marvellous music in magical surroundings Do you want to experience a festival with beautiful and varied classical music that creates breath-taking moments in memorable venues? Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival has it all and might just be the festival for you this summer. By Idha Toft Valeur

Photos: Peter Adamik

Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival, previously known as the International Chamber Music Festival, is preparing for its 27th year. Taking place on 8-13 August, the festival programme is bursting with both Norwegian and international musical stars. The festival is especially proud to present Arve Tellefsen as one of its performers this year, yet festival manager Katrine Lilleland finds it challenging to pick out one performer from the line-up. “I’m chuffed that Arve Tellefsen will play, especially since he just celebrated his 80th birthday and won the honorary award at the Spellemann Awards. He will attract many listeners from all over. But we also have Oslo Strykekvartett – they are brilliant people – and Yejin Gil, an interesting pianist from South Korea who is based in Berlin. Then we have Boris Brovtsyn, a Russian violinist. It’s hard to highlight 94 |

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one name because they’re all amazing,” she smiles. Christian Ihle Hadland and Jan Bjøranger are the programmers and artistic leaders of Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival. They travel around the world to invite musicians they meet to play at the festival. The festival boasts several concert venues. For instance, you can enjoy a show in an old restored church ruin in Sola municipality, while looking out at the ocean through a big window, the church bathing in the evening sun that dances on the walls. “To just sit there, almost blinded by the sun and enjoying the music – it creates such an amazing vibe. It is almost perfection,” says Lilleland. This year, Lilleland wanted to broaden the programme to include chamber music concerts for children and their par-

ents, because she recognised the importance of including children and treating them with the same regard as any other member of the audience – despite classical and chamber music sometimes seeming inaccessible to such a young group of listeners. “I have worked with children for many years, and when I was hired to work with the festival I knew that I wanted to expand the programme to offer more for children and families – both to offer something fun for families and to be able to present classical music to children and youngsters in a serious but playful way,” she says.

For more information, please visit: www.kammermusikkfestivalen.com

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Summer Festivals in Norway

Artistic diversity in the heart of northern Norway No summer plans between 12 and 16 July? Riddu Riddu is here to take you on an enlightening journey of Sami culture and diversity, and to broaden your horizons. By Aida Khodabandeh

The Riddu Riddu Festival takes place in the northern region of Troms, in the Gáivuotna-Kåfjord Municipality. In its 26 years of existence, the festival has grown from a small revival of local Sami youth, to become an important international arena for new friendships and a deeper understanding of the indigenous people of the world today. Riddu Riddu is created for and by Sami cultural leaders and artists in the multi-disciplinary genres of contemporary indigenous arts. An important part of the local culture, it brings people together from all around the world. “The festival is not meant as a historical flashback, but as a representation of the present and the wonderful art one can find in Sami and indigenous cultures today. We are particularly eager to present the young and inspiring artists who are bringing the indigenous cul-

tures forward,” says festival manager Karoline Trollvik. The festival is unique in the type of programme it presents, with its many music and arts performances, seminars, workshops, films and cultural output. The hard work does not just show during the summer, but in year-round programmes such as the Riddu Sessions, where young artists are brought together to be challenged in their prospective fields. This gives Sami artists Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen

the opportunity to meet and forge creative bonds to further their work. The festival offers camp-based accommodation in friendly quarters, where you can easily make new friends and enjoy the best possible festival experience. To get to Gáivuotna-Kåfjord, fly to Tromsø Lufthavn. From there, it is a two-hour drive to Kåfjord. Want to volunteer at the festival? It is not too late. Just visit the festival’s website. For more information, please visit: www.riddu.no

Photo: Daniel Skog

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Giving thought to thought leadership?

By Lani Bannach

Many companies consider their knowledge and expertise to not only be valuable, but perhaps the most important part of their intellectual capital. However, if they want to capitalise on this knowledge and expertise, they need to be recognised for having it and, more importantly, using it in a cutting-edge manner. Combining the knowledge, skills and technology in an innovative and unique way is fundamental for being considered thought leaders. Recognition is not the only benefit of thought leadership – it translates into a competitive advantage, which results in attracting new clients and strengthening the relationship with existing clients and customers. The benefits are not just external; internally, dynamic thought leadership is a catalyst for creativity, learning and development of new ideas amongst employees – sometimes even improving collaboration with suppliers and customers. Do you, like many leaders, consider your individual knowledge and experience to be your unique and valuable hallmark? Are you a thought leadership leader? Your personal thought leadership is not your knowledge and experience; it is your innovative and motivational ideas 96

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that set you apart from management colleagues. The effectiveness of your personal leadership is measured by the results. Have you moved your organisation and your team forward? Have you developed the business and the employees to not only embrace, but revolutionise new technology, work more creatively, efficiently and more cost-effectively? If so, congratulations! You have set yourself apart! If not, it is time for you to give thought to your personal thought leadership as part of your strategic career planning – to make sure you maximise your market value and stand out amongst your competitors.

Lani Bannach leads Essenta – delivering organisational change: neuroscientifically based tools combined with business acumen and experience. She is a director of Essenta, lectures at Westminster University and Copenhagen Business School, and holds various other directorships. For more information, please visit: www.essenta.dk

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Christian A. Petersen

With bricks in his blood For Christian A. Petersen, it has always been about bricks. The 76-year-old owner of the brickyard Petersen Tegl has been in charge since 1971, and he has no plans to slow things down.

tell that I never finished, but I’m fully convinced that Storm P would be proud of me.”

By Nicolai Lisberg

This story says a great deal about how things work at the brickyard. Back when everyone else tried to make bricks as cheap as possible, Petersen focused on quality and made the bricks more expensive. “Following and copying others is no fun. That way, you don’t succeed. I like to say that if our competitors sell their bricks for three Danish kroner, I sell mine one per cent more expensive. In this case, you have to understand that one per cent is six Danish kroner,” says Petersen followed by another laugh, indicating that he does things his own way – just like he has been doing at the brickyard since 1971, and as he will probably keep doing until he turns 95.

Photos: Anders Sune Berg

“I’m going to be working part time.” Christian A. Petersen holds his breath for a second or two. “When I turn 95. So, I still have 19 years left.” The last sentence is followed by a characteristic laugh. The 76-year-old, the seventh generation in a direct line, is the owner of the brickyard Petersen Tegl. He speaks about his family business with a mix of pride and passion. He took over the company in 1971 and would be the CEO, if such a title existed. “My employees are my capital. The guy cleaning the machines is just as important as the guy selling the bricks, because if he didn’t clean the machine properly, the production would stop and we wouldn’t be able to sell our products. I’m not a CEO. I’m just me and there is no difference between my employees and

me, which is why no one at the company has their title written on their business cards,” explains Petersen.

In a league of his own Petersen was only three years old when he stood at the brickyard observing the production, imitating his grandfather with both hands on his back to make his belly bigger. There was no doubt in the little boy’s mind: one day, he would be working there. But first, he had to go to school. He was supposed to spend four years at the machine manufacturer, but Petersen did things the way he thought they should be done and left after just two years. “I knew how to weld, so what more could they teach me?” says Petersen before adding: “When you look at my machines, you can probably

For more information about the story and work of Petersen Tegl, please continue reading overleaf.

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Danish Business

Petersen Tegl

Havnehusene and Kanalhusene. Photo: Anders Sune Berg

Building success with passion and innovation The story of Petersen Tegl is a spectacular one. The brickyard has been located on the same location for 226 years and run by the same family in a direct line ever since. At a time when most brickyards tried to make their bricks as cheap as possible, Petersen Tegl went in another direction. Today, they collaborate with some of the most well-known architects and export their products to more than 40 countries all over the world. By Nicolai Lisberg

Doing things a bit differently is perhaps the main reason why Petersen Tegl is so successful. For many years, the 226-year-old company was a simple brickyard producing yellow wirecut bricks, but that changed radically when 98 |

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Christian A. Petersen took over the company. Instead of streamlining the process in order to produce bricks as cheaply as possible, the company started investing time and money in producing unique, handmade bricks.

“Had we just followed the competitors’ way of doing things, we wouldn’t have succeeded. We needed to do things our own way,” says Petersen and is backed by Stig Sørensen, who is head of export at Petersen Tegl. “My guess is that we wouldn’t exist today if we’d continued producing these yellow wirecut bricks. We had to raise the prices for our bricks, and the only way we could do that was to be innovative and create something that people were willing to pay for.” One of the things that came out of being innovative was the famous Kolumba

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brick. It was developed in 2000 in cooperation between the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and Petersen Tegl and named after the Kolumba Museum in Cologne, Germany. The brick helped put Petersen Tegl on the map and opened up architects’ eyes all over the world for the brickyard in the south of Denmark.

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Petersen Tegl

Today, the company exports bricks to more than 40 countries, which is quite an accomplishment since bricks were traditionally always produced locally.

Customer is king One of the reasons why architect Peter Zumthor wanted to work with Petersen Kolumba Museum. Photo: Anders Sune Berg

Photo: Jack Hobhouse

Addition, villa in Putney. Photo: Jack Hobhouse

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Petersen Tegl

Tegl was the company’s flexibility. Zumthor was looking for a long, thin brick. Petersen immediately promised that the brickwork could produce 53-centimetrelong bricks – although, at that point, the brickwork had never once produced bricks that length. “We have three rules in this company: customer is king, customer is king and customer is king. We were once asked to deliver 90-centimetre-long Kolumba bricks, but I told my employees to drop it because they would be too thin and would break. Then, one morning, I come in to the brickyard to see 5,000 long Kolumba bricks. I’m an engineer, but my employees don’t listen to me and thank God for that because the bricks were excellent,” Petersen smiles. Many of the employees at the company have been there for years. Petersen

believes that it is due to the special atmosphere at the brickyard, and he explains how all employees take ownership of their work. He remembers a story from when the Queen of Denmark came to visit the company some years ago. “After a tour around the brickyard, we went on to have lunch at the terrace, and she said that this is the kind of place where you either run screaming away after half an hour or stay until you retire. She is not wrong,” he laughs.

A future of bricks In addition to the Kolumba Museum in Cologne, Petersen Tegl has delivered bricks for a wide range of famous buildings. In Denmark, they were the supplier to the Royal Danish Playhouse, The National Archives and many others, while Princeton University in New

Jersey, an art museum in Basel and the Olympic Village in London are among international projects and buildings that have all used bricks from Petersen Tegl. One of the latest projects is Kannikegården, a church building in Ribe designed by the Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects. “It’s amazing. Together with 352 other projects in Europe, it was nominated for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award, which is the architectural equivalent of the Oscars. We were among the five finalists and finished joint second. I know it’s a price for the architects, but I can’t help but feel proud as it was our bricks they used to create this special façade,” says Petersen. The high demand for bricks from the

Campus Odense. Photo: Anders Sune Berg

Kannikegården. Photo: Anders Sune Berg

Campus Odense. Photo: Anders Sune Berg

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Petersen Tegl

Kannikegården. Photo: Anders Sune Berg

The products: Bricks Petersen Tegl’s classic water-struck and coal-fired bricks with their characteristic play with colours are manufactured in a way that emulates hand-making. Adding a wet lump of clay into a wet wooden mould makes the bricks. The unnecessary clay is removed and, with the water as a lubricant, the mould can be lifted up so that the soft brick remains. Petersen Tegl is the only brickwork in Denmark that uses coal to fire its bricks. Kolumba™ Petersen Tegl Kolumba™ is a range of handmade, horizontal building ceramics intended for both masonry and tiling. Kolumba™ bricks are manufactured according to centuries-old craft traditions. Once the clay has been processed, the bricks are handmade in wooden moulds, after which they are dried and fired. Varying temperatures in the firing process give the bricks a mixture of textures and beautiful shades. Kolumba™ has the standard format of 528 x 108 x 37 millimetres, but can also be delivered in custom sizes.

Cover Petersen Cover is a new brick product, which adds a distinctive and modern look to building façades. The structure of the handmade bricks leaves the building façade with a beautiful, rustic and exclusive look. Like Kolumba, Petersen Cover is handmade in wooden moulds. Different combinations of English and German clay are used for the bricks, which are fired at very high temperatures. Petersen Cover can be recycled and is therefore a highly sustainable product. Special bricks Based on many years of experience, Petersen Tegl is able to manufacture moulded and special bricks of any kind. This includes bricks for window sills, pillars and corners. Lintels A solution for large spans, suspended lintels, soldier courses, rowlocks and arches. Modern construction often involves solutions requiring large spans. Petersen Tegl has great experience and expertise in producing suspended brickwork, including brick lintels and brick-faced units.

Danish is also a result of the fact that bricks have become popular again. “A building’s façade is like wallpaper. It has to be nice, and people are willing to spend a little bit extra on a nice façade nowadays,” says Sørensen. Bricks are much more environmentally friendly than glass and steel, for instance. In Denmark, there are buildings more than 700 years old, where it costs close to nothing to maintain the bricks, while some of the new glass and steel buildings are a costly affair on a monthly basis. “Bricks are coming back, so I’m very optimistic,” says Petersen, who already has the next generation lined up. His two daughters are both part of the company, and one of his grandsons has already expressed a desire to one day come to work at the brickyard. “We have a very strong organisation, and that makes me confident about the future. In fact, I only have one concern for the coming years: too long delivery times,” says Petersen and starts laughing again. For more information, please visit: www.petersen-tegl.dk

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Software

Denmark could be Europe’s new IT hub Over the last couple of years, the IT industry has been booming in Denmark. The country’s output is the same as it was 15 years ago – except with half the staff – and several large foreign IT companies have established their development departments in the small Nordic country. Moreover, it is easy to start a company in Denmark, which has contributed to creating a strong IT culture in the country. By Heidi Kokborg

Photos: Pixabay

15 years ago, most experts thought the majority of software development would be outsourced to India – including that in Denmark. Oh, how wrong they were. On the contrary, Denmark has one of the leading positions when it comes to software development in Europe. In the last couple of years, several big IT companies from the US and other countries have established their development departments in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg. Moreover, in 2016, Copenhagen was ranked number nine in a research project from EU-Startups, ranking the biggest start-up cities in Europe. In a decade and a half, Denmark has 102

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also halved the number of employees in this sector – without changing its output.

A strong IT culture These things combined have created a strong IT culture and industry in Denmark. The country offers highly qualified IT specialists and both the Danes and the Danish companies are keen on digital solutions, which has helped make the country attractive for foreign IT companies. The only issue Denmark’s booming IT industry is facing is the need for more qualified personnel in the sector. The country boasts high-quality IT specialists; it just

needs more of them. The Danish government suggests that Denmark will need 19,000 IT and electronics experts by 2030. It is still a little soon to say that Denmark is the IT centre of Europe, because the competition – especially from Sweden and Germany – is tough. But of this there is no doubt: Denmark’s IT industry is booming, and the country could potentially be Europe’s new IT hub very soon.

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Business Profile | Plant Jammer

Centre: The team from left to right: Rianne Stelwagen (designer), Michael Haase (founder), Ida Marie Banke (CMO), Anders Ravn (front-end programmer).

Bringing artificial intelligence to your kitchen Being creative in the kitchen is not always easy and, despite having numerous cook books, it is often the same couple of dishes that find their way to the dinner table. Plant Jammer has created an app that completely redesigns your cooking experience by using artificial intelligence to help you create new, easy and sustainable dishes. By Josefine Older Steffensen

Photos: Plant Jammer

As the name suggests, Plant Jammer has been developed around the idea that people should try to eat more plantbased food and less meat. “We created Plant Jammer to make meat-free days more achievable, fun and interesting. Reducing our meat consumption is the easiest way to have a positive impact on the environment,” explains Michael Haase, founder of Plant Jammer.

Making it easy The user-friendly interface allows you to create your own dish by picking ingredients that you may already have or that you are craving. The app continuously rearranges the ingredients to propose the best possible taste combinations.

Once the ingredients have been chosen, it automatically generates a recipe for you to use. Best of all – there is no need to sift through millions of hits online to find a recipe. “Eating plant-based food shouldn’t be a compromise, so we’ve done a lot of research into food pairings and flavour profiles as well as cooking methods, to ensure you’re getting as much as possible from each ingredient,” says Haase.

Trying new flavour combinations The food pairing research is what opens up a world of endless opportunities in the app. There are classic pairings such as tomato and basil, of course, but also

some more unusual ones like courgettes and banana, which makes for an exciting change. Plant Jammer also includes features such as ‘pillage my fridge’, encouraging you to find a recipe using what you already have in the fridge, and ‘pimp my dish’, which suggests ideas on how to boost a family favourite. Plant Jammer is one of those kitchen gadgets that actually work – without taking up space in the cupboards. Whether you love being in the kitchen or not, Plant Jammer can inspire you to try something new and delicious, while making it easy to live more sustainably.

The Plant Jammer app is available on the Plant Jammer website only. To create your dish, please visit: www.plantjammer.com

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| Asger Olsen

Making dreams come true If you want to become a landed proprietor or own your own agricultural land, you probably want to consult Asger Olsen A/S. Professionals with years of experience drive the real estate company, and they have the network needed to make your dreams come true. By Nicolai Lisberg

Photos: Asger Olsen A/S

Becoming an owner of a manor house or agricultural land can be a complex affair and, in financial terms, there is plenty to consider. How much tax do you have to pay? Can you rent out the property if you are not living there for the entire year? Can you go hunting on your land, and are you allowed to cut down trees? Those are just some of the questions that might appear – questions that Asger Olsen A/S can help you answer.

fact that we are not just realtors. We are professionals with years of experience of what to do and how to do it,” says Asger Olsen, owner and founder of Asger Olsen A/S.

“What separates us from other real estate agencies that also specialise in selling these kinds of properties is the

“When you buy or sell real estate through us, you get the whole package. We don’t just walk away after a sale or purchase is

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Olsen, who founded the company in 2006, holds a degree in economics and used to work as a ranger. He has also been a member of legislative committees and knows the law by heart.

finalised; we help you move on and give you advice on what to do and what not to do. We can help you get the planning permission, deal with your tax questions or anything else you might need help with,” says Olsen.

A niche market In Denmark, there are not that many properties of the calibre that Asger Olsen A/S specialises in, which makes it a niche market. “No matter what you work with, you always have to do a good job, but perhaps we have to be especially aware of that, given that the market is so narrow and everyone knows each other. If our customers get good treatment, they will talk positively about us, which could lead to new clients. There are around a thousand potential customers in the market, so you’ve got to do a job that your customers are satisfied with,” says Olsen.

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| Asger Olsen A/S

It is often believed that only Danish citizens living in Denmark can buy agricultural land in the country, but that is a misunderstanding, says Olsen. “It’s not like summer houses, which are exclusively for Danes; you don’t have to be a farmer to become the owner of a manor house or agricultural land – anyone can do so. Obviously, you need the money, because buying such property is often a costly affair. There have to be people living in the property throughout the year, but it doesn’t have to be you. It’s perfectly fine to rent it out.”

Network and discretion Asger Olsen A/S controls approximately 70 per cent of the market niche but has no intention of expanding. Instead, they want to focus on continuing to do a good job and networking with their clients. “It’s important to understand that a lot of our clients don’t want to be in the market. For instance, if you are selling a manor house worth 100 million Danish Kroner, there might only be two people capable of and interested in buying that property. If you put an advert in the newspaper or on the webpage and people don’t respond to it within two weeks, the value will automatically decrease – not because the property is not worth the price, but because there is just no one at the moment looking for such a place,” Olsen explains and adds that it is the same story the other way around. If it is known that a person is looking for a manor house or similar, he or she will be contacted by many realtors and the market will automatically start to think that there is more than just one potential buyer, which then leads to realtors competing with themselves. “We know pretty much everyone in the market, and we make a virtue out of maintaining a good relationship with our clients and staying updated. People who either want to sell or buy can come to us with discretion of their wishes, and we can then put people in touch. Again, it’s about doing a good job for the clients and giving them the whole package,” says Olsen. For more information, please visit: www.asgerolsen.com

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Robot Logistics

Automation for everyone Robot Logistics is a relatively new company that offers logistics automation. Their system is adjustable but, first and foremost, affordable for small and medium-sized companies. By Nicolai Lisberg

Photos: Robot Logistics

The future is here – at least when we talk about logistics automation. More and more companies working with e-commerce have realised that in order to optimise their business they need to change their processes. Up until now, the change to automation has been considered a costly affair, which is one of the main reasons why only bigger companies have jumped on the bandwagon. But that is about to change. “We’ve developed an automated storage and retrieval system in order to improve the efficiency of logistics operations 106

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– a system tailor-made for small and medium-sized companies who up until now haven’t had the opportunity to change to automation because of the amount of money they would have had to invest,” says Anders Eeg Møller, CEO and founder of Robot Logistics. Møller founded the company together with his father, whom he describes as a Gyro Gearloose type. The father was the one who came up with the technical aspect of the system and, since last year, the two of them have travelled around Denmark to find investors for

their company. At the moment, a technology company named Gipo, Syddansk Innovation and the Fund of Christian Nielsen have all found Robot Logistics worth investing in. “One of the things that caught our interest when we had to decide which projects to support was the fact that robot technology and automation are the future, especially for companies working with e-commerce. There is great demand in the market for automation, and we really hope that Robot Logistics with their technology and their project can help meet that demand,” says Svend Muusmann, administrative manager at the Fund of Christian Nielsen.

Affordable solutions Another reason why small and medi-

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um-sized companies can now join the automation wave is the way the system Robot Logistics offers is created. Almost like pieces of LEGO, you can stack parts of the system on top of each other and customise the system to fit the needs of your company. “Our system is not meant to be taller than a person can reach. It can be up to two metres tall, so it fits into a regular-sized room. By implementing our system, you reduce time waste significantly, because instead of having four people retrieving things from the storage, you only need one,” says Møller. An additional explanation to why we have not seen more small and medium-sized companies becoming automated is the

price. “Usually, it takes a huge investment to automate a company – an investment most companies working with e-commerce need but can’t afford. That’s where our system is different. We aim to make automation common property by offering it at a price that’s affordable. We want to get rid of the idea that automation is only for big companies with lots of money,” says Møller.

Flexibility and competitiveness For now, Robot Logistics is only focusing on the Danish market but, if everything goes according to plan, they hope to expand their business to the rest of Europe. At the moment, they are talking to several companies in Denmark who have seen the light when it comes to automation. The interest is definitely there.

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Robot Logistics

“We can see that several companies want to automate their business. Not just because it’s a way to save money in the future, but also because the time it takes to implement our system is very short. Traditionally, the way it works is that you contact a company, inform them about how many machines you need, and then a month or two later they come and install them for you. We aim to have way shorter delivery times, and if you only need an extension to an already existing system we want to be able to deliver from day to day. We hope that our system can help smaller companies with their competitiveness, so they won’t be crushed by bigger companies,” explains Møller. For more information, please visit: www.robot-logistics.com

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RG Rom Gummi

Parts for the offshore industry.

Built on high quality and fast delivery RG Rom Gummi was founded in 1983 by Leif Kristensen. Since then, the company has grown extensively in terms of both size and staff numbers and it today serves several industries across Europe, the Far East and the US. But one thing has remained the same: the values. By Heidi Kokborg

Photos: RG Rom Gummi

In 1983, Leif Kristensen founded RG Rom Gummi, and it quickly became the preferred supplier of rubber for the fishing industry. “He based the company on high quality and fast delivery. They never did any advertising – they would just serve whatever customers came through the door,” says owner Jesper Kristensen.

Ever-expanding During the first few years, the focus was mainly on the fishing industry, with rubber products for seine and net fishing. However, the company has since developed significantly, with specially made rubber products consisting of moulded rubber parts and hot-vulcanised rubber. “The products are used for everything from robots and vintage motorcycles to agriculture, fishing and food production. The only thing we don’t produce 108

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is car tyres,” says Kristensen. He took over his father’s company in 2008. At that time, six people worked at RG Rom Gummi, but today the company employs 40 people. “I saw potential and possibilities in the company,” he says. “The first thing I did was get in my car and drive around Europe to all the countries we didn’t sell to, to tell people and companies about us.” This quickly led to many orders, and soon they had to hire more people. Today, the company serves several industries in Europe, the Far East and the US.

his father founded the company on. “Our two main values are still high quality and fast delivery. It is our DNA. RG Rom Gummi is like my fourth child, and I want to be able to look all my customers in the eyes,” says Kristensen. Another thing he is proud of is the people who work at the company. “They are very flexible. They are all willing to change their schedule with just 30 minutes’ notice and work nights and weekends. But we also care greatly about them; we want them to enjoy working here and have a good time. We are like one big family.”

RG Rom Gummi produces fenders for crew transfer vessels.

Same values as always RG Rom Gummi might have grown since Kristensen took over the company, but the company is based on the same values

For more information, please visit: www.romgummi.dk

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Business Profile |

PackitUp

Connecting travellers across the globe PackitUp is a new social networking concept for travellers, backpackers and locals. The mobile application makes it possible to find interesting trips, get recommendations and meet travel buddies across the globe. By Malin Norman

Photos: PackitUp IVS

Copenhagen-based start-up PackitUp IVS launched a new social networking mobile application for travellers this spring. Its founders, Max Glocke and Amalie Kjelstrup, are devoted entrepreneurs, inspired by their own worldwide travels and determined to create a quality social network for explorers. Their vision is to make it easier to find interesting trips and meet like-minded people – ideal for travellers, backpackers and locals alike. Each registered user has a profile, which includes basic information about them. With an interactive map as the main functionality, travellers can browse new destinations, filter information and see recommendations from other users, create their own holiday trips and city sightseeing tours, find out what

others are doing in their area, and perhaps meet up and connect with travel buddies. This innovative social network enables users to become active together and ultimately captures the spirit of going somewhere. “With PackitUp, we want people to be able to make the most of their travels and get the best experience possible,” says Glocke. “Travelling can be expensive and often takes place during a limited amount of time. That’s why we chose to focus on people and places, to facilitate connection and discovery.” The ambitious team has a tonne of new functionalities lined up, with constant improvements and more exciting features. Growing organically, PackitUp is set to become a fully functional and elaborate, international network for explorers.

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                           

              

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  

   



Max Glocke and Amalie Kjelstrup, founders of PackitUp.

PackitUp is a global application, available to download on iOS and Android. For more information, please visit www.packitup.io and follow @packitupteam on Instagram.

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Business Profile |

CP Robotics

Lending a helping hand in production Robots have typically been used for many-of-a-kind production, but CP Robotics has created a patented algorithm that makes it possible for robots to be easily programmed to also work on one-of-a-kind production. The algorithm creates new exciting possibilities for the use of robots, especially in small and medium-sized companies.

the production that normally would have been offshored can stay. The companies’ process knowledge will therefore not be lost.

By Josefine Older Steffensen

“We’re currently six people on the team working at full speed. We’ve achieved a lot in the last two years, and we aim at achieving even more in the future,” says Silberling. “We’re currently working towards getting all our products on the market in the third quarter of 2017 and securing additional investors for our current and future projects.”

Photos: CP Robotics

CP Robotics was founded in 2015 in Odense, Denmark, and has already generated a great deal of interest in its field. The 2,000-line algorithm makes it possible to program a robot by using a 3D scan from a scanner mounted to the robot. By simply sweeping the robot over the workspace, the CP Robotics software, called ‘Pathfinder’, can analyse the data of the sensor and generate precise robot paths.

New possibilities Most importantly, Pathfinder is easy for the shop floor personnel to program, making it a flexible tool that can be used on even very small production series. The software is particularly useful for milling, grinding and polishing. “In Denmark, it’s often hard to find people 110

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who are willing to work with these types of processes as they’re dangerous and create unhealthy environments for the workers. With our software, the workers can focus on the areas that require their expert knowledge and let robots do the dull, dirty and dangerous work. The robot thus becomes just another member of the team,” explains Teit Silberling, CCO of CP Robotics. CP Robotics is also currently working on a cloud-based version of Pathfinder, which makes it possible for companies to easily transfer robot paths to company departments across the world as well as collecting and storing important production data. Overall, the Pathfinder solution makes using robots easy, cheap and efficient, which means that some of

Looking to the future

CP Robotics’ patented algorithm is likely to have a huge impact on smallseries production. The software can create healthier work environments in many small and medium-sized companies and enable them to re-shore their production, ensuring more control and more jobs. This is definitely one to watch. For more information, please visit: www.cprobotics.dk

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Business

Column / Calendar

How to improve one-third of your life By Steve Flinders

Following a visit to Sweden where, much as in the rest of Scandinavia, offices are so much more agreeable and people-friendly than in the UK (is there a link between this and their superior competiveness?), I have been daydreaming about the kind of office I would like. It has a series of different spaces that I can move between, depending on what I need to do and how I am feeling. The whole place is light, open and clean – with lots of greenery. There are no security cameras and no-one is checking on me while I am there. Since I prefer to work on my own for at least some of the day, I have my own desk space in a quiet corner. The more extrovert people in my team prefer to work in a cluster so they can talk. There is space for me to join them when I need to. There is a brainstorming space with boards where we can post ideas. No chairs;

we all stand up to brainstorm. There are separate rooms for more formal meetings with outsiders. There are less formal spaces where people can drink coffee and enjoy spontaneous exchanges; they have slightly surreal, themed designs, chosen by the employees. There are quiet spaces and there is a place where I can take a siesta. I am much more productive in the afternoon after a 20-minute nap. There is a shower so that I can get clean after I run or cycle to work. My own desk space has been ergonomically designed, with a customised office chair so that I never get a frozen shoulder or Repetitive Strain Injury while working at my computer. Now and again, I wander over to the games area for a quick burst of table tennis, or stroll over to look at the latest artworks that the company has hired for the month. At lunchtime, we generally go to the

company restaurant. The food is simple and delicious. At the end of the working day, I go down to the basement for a refreshing swim in the company’s 25-metre pool... But, sorry – I was just daydreaming. Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.

Scandinavian Business Calendar Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month By Heidi Kokborg

Photo: DUCC

Nordic Drinks Every last Thursday of the month, members and friends of the Danish, Finnish and Norwegian Chambers of Commerce in the UK gather for Nordic Drinks somewhere in London. This month it will be held at St. Ermin’s Hotel. Remember to come early as the first 50 get a free drink! Date: 29 June, 6pm Venue: St. Ermin’s Hotel, 2 Caxton St, Westminster, London, SW1H 0QW www.nbccuk.com

Summer Reception 2017 This year, the DUCC’s Annual Summer Reception will be held on 4 July. This reception is a great place for members, their colleagues, partners, spouses as well as extended networks to catch-up, rekindle connections and forge new relationships in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

Date: 4 July, 7pm Venue: Gowling WLG LLP, 4 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2AU www.ducc.co.uk

Swedish-speaking meet-up Whether you are looking to improve your Swedish or just miss speaking it, this event is a good fit. It is very relaxed and all levels are welcome – from absolute beginners to native Swedes. Talk as much as you wish or just listen. The idea is to practise Swedish, socialise and help each other with all things Swedish. Date: 6 July, 7pm Venue: Premier Inn Piccadilly, 72 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 2HR www.coscan.org.uk

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Hotel of the Month

Norway

Hotel of the Month, Norway

A historically rich hotel that keeps reinventing itself As one of the most prominent hotels in Odda, Norway, Hardanger Hotel offers exceptional accommodation complete with rich historic heritage and a convenient location. With year-round local fun and educational activities, your stay at Hardanger Hotel will no doubt be memorable. By Pernille Johnsen

Photos: Hardanger Hotel

The original hotel was built in 1881 and operated by Jakob Jordal, who sold it to the Odda Trade Union in 1899. In 1907, Sjur Birkeland became the hotel’s owner until, in April ten years later, brothers Ole and Karl Melkeraaen bought and named it the Hardanger Hotel. Hardanger is a historically rich district in western Norway and home to the stun112

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ning Hardangerfjord, where the Melkeraaens’ hotel is located at the edge of the water. In 1953, four of Ole’s children, brothers Gunnar, Johan and Martin and their sister Borghild, took over the hotel and ran it together until the mid-‘70s. The hotel was completely rebuilt in 1963 and has undergone refurbishment and modernisation throughout subsequent and recent years. Today, it has 50 rooms,

some with balconies and views of the fjord. Ole Melkeraaen, son of Johan, is the sole proprietor and manager and the third generation of his family to run the hotel.

Trolltunga, glacier and waterfalls The main attraction in the Hardanger district is Trolltunga, a wide rock formation jutting out of a mountain 2,300 feet (700 metres) above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. ‘Trolltunga’ is Norwegian for ‘troll’s tongue’ and references the mythical creatures of Norse folklore. Guests who wish to take in the spectacular view from atop Trolltunga should be prepared for an all-day hike lasting eight

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| Hotel of the Month

Norway

to ten hours, with plenty to see and photograph along the way. Trolltunga is not for the faint hearted, but those up to the challenge will be rewarded with astonishing views and lasting memories.   Buerbreen is the side arm of the Folgefonna Glacier, which is the third-largest glacier in Norway. The hike to view and photograph these natural wonders is well worth the three hours it takes. The more adventurous guests can hire local guides as they ascend parts of the glacier. In mid-October, Hardanger Hotel hosts the annual Literature Festival together with other local venues. Some of the most famous authors in Norway attend this event to partake in a conference and hold debates discussing the latest contributions to Norwegian literature. Several live concerts are also held at Hardanger Hotel during the Literature Festival. In the spring and summer, many stunning waterfalls run at full force. Låtefoss, Vifoss, and Espelandsfoss are the most famous waterfalls in the area. The month of May, meanwhile, is the perfect time to experience the full bloom of cherry blossom across the many local cherry tree orchards. The Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry in Tyssedal is another interesting place for the whole family to visit. Located in Odda’s town centre, the Odda Science Center invites children and adults to partake in activities and experiments. The Odda Blues Club sponsors and hosts live music at the Iris Scene, directly across the street from the hotel. Vertshuset, a local pub, features a DJ spinning the latest dance music. The Hardanger Hotel is at the very heart of all this, right in the centre of Odda, within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and nightlife For reservations and more information, please visit: www.hardangerhotel.com

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Brewery of the Month

| Denmark

Photo: Martin Thaulow

Photo: Lior Zilberstein

Time is the most important ingredient in beer, according to Svaneke’s master brewer Jan Paul. Photo: Lior Zilberstein

Brewery of the Month, Denmark

A beer of its time

As one of the first microbreweries to open in Denmark, Svaneke Bryghus on Bornholm is today widely known for its authentic taste, sustainable production methods and wide range of speciality beers. At the heart of the success are just five ingredients: malt, hops, water, yeast and, most importantly, time. By Signe Hansen

Known for its beautiful landscapes, sunny weather and local delicacies and food producers, the small, rocky island of Bornholm is also the home of one of Denmark’s first microbreweries. Founded by a local beer enthusiast in 2000, Svaneke brewery and restaurant has developed into a successful local enterprise. But the original respect for and connection to the craft are still intact. “At large breweries, you often have many miles between management and production; at Svaneke, it is 12.3 metres,” says CEO Daniel Barslund.

Inspired and powered by nature In the experienced hands of brew master Jan Paul, Svaneke Bryghus produces 114

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around two million litres of beer a year, including a number of non-alcoholic brews and organic beers. 50 per cent of the production is powered by nature – solar panels, that is – and the surrounding environment also acts as a major source of inspiration in the development of new tastes and products. “When I walk around the island and see mushrooms shooting, berries ripening, and seaweed bobbling between the rocks, I can’t help but begin to think about how we could use that in our new beers,” says Jan Paul, who is an acknowledged teacher within his field in Denmark and abroad. Combining nature’s inspiration with time and patience is, he says, key

to the creation of good beer. “Time is the quintessence of our production; it’s what essentially gives our beer its balanced and perfectly rounded taste. We don’t release anything before the beer has had the time it needs.”

Taste the beer and visit the brewery Svaneke’s beers are sold all over Denmark and the rest of the north, but to taste the full range of beers, you will have to visit the brewery’s home in Svaneke on Bornholm. Here, you will also find the Svaneke Bryghus Restaurant, which serves a wide range of the island’s famous food specialities as well as, of course, Svaneke beer. Guided tours of the brewery and beer tastings are available. For more information, please visit: www.svanekebryghus.dk or find #svanekebryghus on Facebook and Instagram.

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Restaurant of the Month

Sweden

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden

Innovative dining concept by successful chef duo Take the best possible foods, use fundamental principles of cooking and blend with an innovative approach and influences from around the world. The result is restaurant Adam/Albin, ideally located in a tranquil part of Rådmansgatan in central Stockholm. By Sara Wenkel

| Photos: Magnus Skoglöf

The concept is simple: a fixed set of five courses, and you make decisions for each dish. “That way you can come back each night and try something new – it is the best combination of à la carte and a tasting menu,” explains Adam Dahlberg, who represents one-half of the successful chef duo Adam/Albin. One course is decided by them, however: the first, which consists of several snacks in tapas style. The following courses are chosen from a wide variety of dishes with plenty of vegetarian options. The restaurant always strives to assure that guests can find what they crave on that particular day. If they are in the mood for an even bigger dinner, there is always a side menu to choose additional dishes from. “Sometimes we have a small stack of a unique food, for instance some magical sea urchins, which we can only

make a few incredible portions from. A dish like that will go on the side menu,” says Dahlberg.

Relaxed, warm and intimate The ambience at Adam/Albin is relaxed and warm. “We like fast pace and casual vibes even though our food is world class,” Dahlberg continues. There is an intimate feeling between the chefs, the staff and the guests, likely due to the open kitchen, where guests can enjoy watching their food being cooked, and the long communal table that makes the

dining room’s centre piece. There are also smaller tables for guests who prefer more privacy. In addition to extraordinary good food and a welcoming atmosphere, Adam/Albin treat their guests to excellent wines. All waiters are also sommeliers and can guide the guests through a perfected dining experience. The most certain way to secure a table at Adam/Albin is to book online in advance. However, for reservations on the same day, staff will do everything they can to help if you call: +46 (0) 8 – 411 55 35

For more information, please visit: www.adamalbin.se/en

Photo: Fredrik skogkvist

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| Conference of the Month

| Norway

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

A Nordic-Italian dream A commitment to quality and love of the Nordic and Italian kitchens make the backbone of the young Copenhagen restaurant that has wowed audiences and critics alike since its opening earlier this year. But this is not your typical fine-dining experience. Restaurant Brace is a place where you can dine like a king – while still feeling at home.

of the restaurant wanted it to be: an expression of everything they liked, their accumulated knowledge and work experience – a foundation from which they could express their shared passion.

By Linnea Dunne

Waltemath met Nicola Fanetti at Era Ora, a Michelin-starred Copenhagen restaurant where she was working as a logistics manager and he was the head chef. She had come to Denmark from Brazil to study biochemistry – “my parallel passion”, she laughs – while he, an Italian native, had come specifically to work at the renowned restaurant. The pair quickly hit it off, and a shared vision took shape.

Photos: Restaurant Brace

“We did everything ourselves – cleaning the restaurant, picking weeds from the garden, contacting suppliers, carrying chairs, going to Italy for wine tastings and so on. Many fine-dining restaurants would have a group of investors behind them, but we don’t even have an accountant, no secretary – it’s just me and Nicola. It was a big dream and it would 116

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take a lot of work, but we went for it,” says Ursula Waltemath, co-founder of Restaurant Brace. The name, Brace, is a literal interpretation of the word as used in a construction context; it is what holds something together, the very foundation of a build. That was exactly what the co-founders

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The restaurant got its premises at Teglgårdstræde in central Copenhagen by a combination of pure luck and unmistakable passion. “We spotted an online ad by sheer coincidence, and it was so beautiful that we went to view it the next day and immediately told the agent that we wanted it,” Waltemath explains. “Unfortunately, another ten people really wanted it too, so we ended up really having to fight for it. In the end, we got it because they saw that we had a wellconsidered plan and they really believed in our concept.”

A crystal-clear concept The concept is based on an unfailing respect for seasonal quality ingredients as well as a love of both the Italian and the Nordic kitchens. “It’s a concept that didn’t exist before; no one ever really combines Italian cuisine with anything – especially not with Nordic cuisine in Copenhagen, where Nordic means 100 per cent absolutely Nordic through and through,” says Waltemath. “What we do is combine these two – so, for example, we’ll take a traditional Italian dish and make it with traditionally Nordic ingredients, or a dish completely inspired by the ingredients themselves. And still, the fo-

cus is always on high-quality ingredients from both Italy and the Nordic countries. We always respect the ingredients and focus on simplicity.” Respect and simplicity are words Waltemath returns to. Her distaste for superficial notions is clear as she talks about a crystal-clear focus on “what really matters”. Both food and wine producers are hand-picked and the majority of the ingredients used are organic. The wines have little or no additives and, perhaps surprising for some, come from all over the world, not just Italy. “We wanted to be open-minded with it to be able to focus on quality,” Waltemath explains. The Nordic-Italian concept goes beyond the kitchen and has influenced the entire space, boasting Venetian walls alongside rustic, tailor-made wooden tables. “We’ve done our research; we’ve dined in many, many restaurants and, to us, what the fine-dining places get wrong is that they’re too rigid,” says the co-owner. “We aimed for hygge – that was definitely the feeling we wanted. It’s a bit bold, but we wanted to make fine dining casual – to focus only on the food and high-quality

| Restaurant of the Month

Denmark

dining where you can sit comfortably and enjoy it as if you were at home.”

Five-star praise Open since 1 February, Restaurant Brace has already been nominated for a World Luxury Restaurant Award and, on its very first day, a food critic from newspaper Børsen paid a visit and awarded them a glowing five-star review. A week later, one of Denmark’s most prominent, most dreaded food critics, Søren Frank, popped in. A big fan of the impact of Fanetti’s touch on the renowned Era Ora restaurant, he was sceptical of the idea of moving on to something new, so he turned up, curious. The owners did not realise until they saw a five-star review in the paper the next weekend. “It makes it worth all the hard work,” says Waltemath. “It’s a sign that we’re doing a good job portraying our vision, a sign that people get it. Nothing is done out of obligation when you’re the owner – it’s all passion, and I think people see that. But it also means that we’re never satisfied; we’re always aiming for more. I can’t say we wouldn’t love a Michelin star. That’s our dream, so we’re working towards that.” For more information, please visit: www.restaurantbrace.dk

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The restaurant is set in beautiful surroundings in the middle of the old farmyard Nordetun in Fykse.

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

Where a meal is more than just food Situated in the heart of one of Norway’s most beautiful cultural landscapes, surrounded by lush farmland, majestic mountains and spectacular fjords, you will find Gamlastovo Gardsrestaurant. At this secluded and charming farm restaurant, where local traditions are kept alive with fierce authenticity, you are guaranteed a gastronomic and cultural experience like no other. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen

Photos: Arne Fykse

Located in the small picturesque village of Fykse on the north side of the famous Hardangerfjord, Gamlastovo Gardsrestaurant is the poster child of deep-rooted Norwegian traditions and culture. The country’s rich heritage is vividly present in the timber cottage from 1810, with interiors made by local craftsmen. Rustic wooden furniture, traditional patterns, and folklore artefacts such as the Hardanger fiddle and old agricultural equipment adorn the walls.

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takes its name, which translates into ‘the old living room farm restaurant’, from the original name and function of the building. Today, Gamlastovo hosts groups of all kinds and sizes, offering guests homemade, traditional food made from local ingredients. “We take great pride in authenticity, and the food we serve is grown and produced here – everything from the meat to the fruit and berries used in our desserts comes from either our farm or the community farms,” explains owner Arne Fykse. It is easy to understand why Gamlastovo has achieved a reputation as one of the

most unique restaurants in Hardanger. Here, you will get so much more than just a nice meal. Guests are welcomed in a beautiful setting right by one of Norway’s most spectacular fjord arms, Fyksesund, where towering mountains and a lush farmland dominate the landscape. They will get an opportunity to learn about the village as well as farming history, while enjoying a taste of cured meats and apple cider made on site. The main event takes place in the charming timber cottage, where a menu of wholesome meals such as herb-roasted leg of lamb marinated in cider, homemade sausage and housecured salmon is served in an intimate setting. “What sets us apart is that we have all these amazing raw materials at our fingertips, making a true farm-totable concept possible. It is something our guests really appreciate, and part of what makes us unique,” says Fykse.

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An experience beyond just food After dinner, guests can explore the cultural landscape around the farm, with the opportunity to learn about Norway’s much-loved national instrument, the Hardanger fiddle. “The Hardanger fiddle has a very special place in our area’s history and tradition, since it actually has its origin in this very place,” explains Fykse. Naturally, Fykse is an avid fiddle player himself and invites guests to enjoy an exclusive folk music concert in a prehistoric, mythological cave dating back to the ice age. This curious natural phenomenon, dubbed ‘Døse’ by the locals, is believed to have served as a ceremonial gathering place for our ancestors, and is an experience like no other. “Døse is a very special natural concert hall and the perfect place for an intimate concert, al-

lowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in the culture and history of the place,” says Fykse.

Fit for every occasion Today, Gamlastovo welcomes both companies and private groups for events ranging from meetings and conferences to weddings, birthday celebrations or just good old friend gatherings. With top-modern business facilities and three separate farm buildings with a capacity of 25, 30 and 60 people respectively, groups can take advantage of one of Gamlastovo’s packages or enjoy a fully customised programme. Activities include boat trips and kayak paddling, guided hiking trips and visits to cultural sites, as well as tailor-made food and wine menus. For guests wishing to make their visit into an overnight stay, it is fully possible. “We work with several

| Restaurant of the Month

Norway

accommodation providers in the area, everything from private hospitality options by the fjord or in the woods to hotels for larger groups,” explains Fykse. Although relatively secluded, tucked away in western Norway’s breath-taking fjord landscape, Gamlastovo Gardsrestaurant is still easily accessible from several main tourist destinations. Bergen is only an hour and a half’s drive away, while one of the country’s most popular ski resort towns, Voss, is a short hour away. “When people come here, they experience a sense of peace and quiet – a place where they can unwind and lower the pace. Our goal is to make sure that guests enjoy good, traditional food, our stunning nature and cultural landscape. If they leave with a memorable experience and have also learnt something, our job is definitely done,” says Fykse. For more information, please visit: www.gamlastovo.no

Top left: The original Gamlastovo from about 1810, decorated with antiques and tools from the farm. Top right: Gamlastovo serves food made on the farm, and there is a sausage factory on site for production of the traditional ‘fenalår’ (cured lamb leg), ‘pinnakjøtt’ (sheep ribs) and a variety of sausages. The farm also makes cider from its own fruit garden. Middle right: Arne Fykse has many strings to his bow. In addition to running the farm and managing Gamlastovo, he is also an avid fiddle player. Left: Located in the beautiful strait of Fyksesundet, Gamlastovo and Fykse farm offer spectacular views of the mountains and the Hardangerfjord, Norway’s second-longest fjord. Right: The sheep are essential for preserving the award-winning landscape in Fykse – here the old Norwegian spel sheep.

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Artist of the Month, Norway Alienation from nature is a central theme in Kosmo’s art, like in The Spectacle.

Exploring the alienation from nature through art By giving shape to psychological opposites and working at the intersection of traditional landscape painting and a surrealist, melancholic and at times dark art style, Norwegian painter Tom S. Kosmo’s work vividly explores the relationship between culture and nature in a unique and thought-provoking way. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen

Photos: Bent René Synnevåg

Growing up in the small town of Fauske in northern Norway, under what he characterises as a “culture-limited background” where art was a foreign element, Kosmo was always drawn to the idea of creating things. “Coming from a working-class family and growing up without any significant cultural influence, I always felt like an outsider. Still, art has always been embedded in me. I had an interest for drawing, literature and de120

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sign very early on, and I have been making things for as long as I can remember. It comes naturally to me,” says Kosmo, adding: “Both my way of thinking and the motif elements I chose when I was 12 can to a large extent be seen in the work I create today at the age of 42.”

Nature – a cultural phenomenon Kosmo’s latest solo exhibition, Unnatural Selection, recently shown at Entrée art

gallery in Bergen, is heavily focused on the individual’s encounter with the natural world. By challenging traditional conventions in regards to how people identify with nature, the paintings highlight what Kosmo calls “our society’s alienation from nature”. “My art explores how people today relate to nature mainly through cultural construction, rather than practical use. Norwegians have a strong identity related to nature, but few can grow vegetables or hunt. Our generation largely experiences nature as a cultural phenomenon, though photographs, TV and the media. This results in a distanced relationship to nature, where it only serves as a medi-

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um for self-realisation and recreation,” Kosmo explains. This notion, that nature is projected through popular culture and artefacts, has also inspired how Kosmo works when creating his art. “I never work directly from nature; instead I use models, ornaments, stuffed animals, Google Search and my own photographs as motifs. All my paintings are, in other words, still lifes,” he explains.

and sculpture very interesting, particularly as the paintings become objects in the room, transforming them into still lifes in their own right, which contributes to furthering the notion of alienation and distance between people and nature,” he explains, adding: “With artwork titles such as Lost World, The Dutch Disease and

| Artist of the Month

| Norway

Underworld you could probably say that I seem overly melancholic and hopeless – but as the painter Francis Bacon says: ‘There is no beauty without the wound’.” For more information, please visit: www.tomkosmo.no

His painting The Spectacle, for example, portrays a man standing in front of a mountain landscape, but at a closer look you can see the man’s shadow in the picture, indicating that he is actually not in nature, but standing in front of a painting. It creates an image within the image, and again a sense of alienation from nature. “Much of my work is inspired by traditional romantic nationalism and incorporates elements of an aesthetic presentation typical for Norwegian art from this period. But, on closer inspection, you realise that not everything is what it seems. In a way, the idea is that beauty is not possible without an element of something repulsive,” says Kosmo.

In the borderland of painting and sculpture Graduating from Bergen Academy of Art and Design in 2005, Kosmo’s work has been recognised both in Norway and internationally over the past few years, including exhibitions in Russia, France, the US and China. His art is represented in the collections of Bergen Art Museum, Oslo Municipality Art Collection, Norwegian Critics’ Association, Bergen University College and the Norwegian National Museum. Having worked with various art forms throughout his career, including drawing and printmaking, Kosmo has recently been focused on painting. Some of his paintings even move toward the border of sculpture, as double-sided objects that can be observed from more than one angle. “Experimenting with traditional formats, I found the borderland between painting

Top left: Mountain Silence. Top right: Tom Kosmo. Photo: Kirsti van Hoegee. Middle left: The Small Family. Middle right: Field Trip. Bottom: Unnatural Selection exhibition.

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Attraction of the Month

Denmark

Kunsthal NORD only presents new exhibitions created specifically for the art centre’s unique exhibition space inside Aalborg’s old power plant, Nordkraft.

In 2015, We are all workers by Mikkel Carl gained much attention nationally and internationally.

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

Experimental art at the end (or beginning) of Denmark Like London’s Tate Modern, Kunsthal NORD Contemporary Art Centre is located inside an iconic old power plant. However, Kunsthal NORD is not set in London but in Denmark’s northernmost city, Aalborg. Artistic director Henrik Broch-Lips talks to Scan Magazine about the challenges and benefits of presenting new experimental and non-commercial art at the end, or, as he would rather have it, beginning of Denmark. By Signe Hansen

Photos: Niels Fabæk

When Kunsthal NORD presented an art show of broken walls, worksite waste and blinded doorways in 2015, many visitors left a bit perplexed. By restructuring the rooms and leading visitors into new spaces, artist Mikkel Carl’s work illustrated that nothing was what it used to be. Nor was, in some people’s opinions, the art what art used to be. “Our art often challenges the viewers, and not everyone leaves the building with great applause – we do have some visitors asking where the art is,” says Broch-Lips without any hint of regret – maybe because challenging the concept of art in this way has won the centre both international attention and national awards. 122

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From industrial to cultural power house Once a provider of electricity for all of Aalborg, the Nordkraft power plant is today one of the city’s central cultural hubs. The building’s mix of original raw concrete and white gallery walls provides a challenging and inspiring setting for artists, curators and viewers alike. “It wouldn’t make sense to take an existing art show and exhibit it here, because the architecture is so overpowering. It has the power to steal a lot, but also to give a lot if you work the art into the context,” stresses Broch-Lips. For this reason, for the last three years all the centre’s exhibited artists have

been asked to create works specifically for Kunsthal NORD. “The contextual is not just in relation to the architecture, but also our location in northern Jutland,” says Broch-Lips. “In a way, we’re the last point in Denmark – but I like to turn that around and call it the first point, the point where things begin.” Upcoming exhibitions at Kunsthal NORD: 17 June-6 Aug: Uden Titel 17 – New works by eight of Denmark’s most talented new artists. 12 Aug-10 Sep: What’s Wrong – young Swiss and Danish art. 16-27 Aug: As part of the Aalborg Art Festival, Kunsthal NORD will create 15 white cubes with individual art exhibitions all over Aalborg. Admission is free to all exhibitions.

For more information, please visit: www.kunsthalnord.dk

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| Humour

IS IT JUST ME…

Columns

By Mette Lisby

… who never ceases to be amused by the way both the English and the Danes meet enthusiasm? Living in Los Angeles, it has become increasingly obvious to me how staggeringly ill-equipped we are when it comes to handling fervour. It is getting harder and harder for me to adjust to the reaction you get if you smile to people in the street in Denmark or London; it always results in a three-step programme of confusion, fear, and ignorance. First, the look of complete bewilderment: you can almost see the red warning light flashing on the inside of people’s foreheads. “Uncharted territory. Friendliness for no apparent reason! What’s going on?” Then stage two kicks in: fear. Because, clearly, that is the only appropriate response our Danish and English brains have to this shocking scenario. “Oh my God! Is this woman crazy? Will she start talking to me? What am I going to do if she starts talking to me?” Then they reach the solution to the prob-

lem, they squint their eyes slightly, thinking: “I’ll just keep walking and pretend it didn’t happen”. It is not just strangers – it is close friends and colleagues, too. Danes and English alike will always shoot you that “what’s wrong with you?” look if you greet them too warmly. Upon my delight with seeing a dear old colleague, he looked at me nervously and asked if I had been diagnosed with a terminal disease. “You can tell me,” he said, reassuringly patting my back. It is on a professional level, too. If you state any urgency or excitement about a project, you are met by surprise: “Oh, you want this done before the summer holidays?” When I give an enthusiastic, affirmative nod, I get a suspicious: “But why?” Even the slightest whiff of excitement breeds mistrust. So, I am bracing myself for my summer stay in Denmark, surrounded by friends and family – whom, by the way, I am

not looking forward to seeing at all! What do you take me for? An idiot freak, roaming the streets smiling at people? No way! Neither will I – God forbid – be happy to see any long lost colleagues. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish version of Have I Got News For You and Room 101.

Bilingual “I have no idea what language people speak to me anymore,” my sister confessed the other day. “But I don’t care, as long as I understand what they mean.” My sister works in the rural Swedish north. Her clients communicate in regular Swedish, local dialect, Norwegian, English, or a combination of all four. At this stage, her brain processes them all as one with the one aim of deciphering the general meaning. I know exactly where she is coming from. When you are bilingual, you get used to processing language in all kinds of weird ways. You do not need to know every word to understand a sentence, and not all words have to be words. I noticed this, when – at the age of 18 – I stopped wearing my contact lenses for some time. Working in a village boozer, my recently acquired understanding of local slang went right out the window. Without being able to see peo-

By Maria Smedstad

be able to tell him exactly whose boyfriend cheated on her with her mother’s new lover, who is from Tal-y-bont and who drives an ambulance. It does not always work, though. At times I am stuck for a word, not just in one language, but in two. Being a foreigner leads both to double frustration and to sudden, unexpected joy at the discovery of new words such as ‘pantagruelian’ or ‘mumpsimus’. ple’s lips, or facial expressions, I was once again rubbish at English. I like to think that having a creative approach to languages is of some use. My in-laws are Welsh, and I find that, through picking up on the odd English word mixed in with an otherwise incomprehensible language, I can watch Welsh soap operas. My other half will walk in halfway through and ask what the heck I am watching, and I will

Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. Maria writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

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| Culture

Lone Scherfig

British film’s go-to Dane As her fourth British film hits screens worldwide, Danish director Lone Scherfig reflects on being a sought-after examiner of British culture and history. Whatever the topic, her approach is surprisingly effortless. By Thomas Bech Hansen |

Press photos

have a great deal in common. “There is a certain crude strength,” she says.

Humour and craftsmanship Their Finest is, so far, arguably the pinnacle of what might be known in the future

What is Britishness? A contender for debate of the decade, the question seemingly pops up at every convenient turn, from the Queen’s Jubilee to Brexit. The film industry’s solution is to have an outsider looking in – from Denmark. Danish film director Lone Scherfig is enjoying the success of Their Finest, a romantic comedy set in London during World War II. A common denominator of her work is that she is being hired to handle quintessentially British topics – from An Education’s 1960s coming-of-age drama set amongst Victorian terraced houses, to The Riot Club’s handling of 124

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the elitist culture of Britain’s most prestigious universities, featuring more than a nod to the Bullingdon Club, which shaped the likes of David Cameron. So what keeps Lone Scherfig coming back? “I am happy the reception of my British films has been so positive. They keep saying how nice it is that someone is looking at them from outside. It probably has to do with me being able to portray them without the barriers of their own modesty and irony. All I have to do is enjoy their culture and try to make it conceivable to an international audience,” explains Scherfig, adding that Danes and Brits

Lone Scherfig. Photo: Yu Tsai, Getty Images

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as ‘her British phase’. A grand costume drama with rich production, it features household UK actors Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy and Sam Claflin in lead roles. Scherfig herself is amazed by the work ethic and quality of British actors. “They have a certain discipline, a thoroughness and a good sense of humour, which I really like. In Britain, there are great traditions, real craftsmanship, which is really what films are made of. From the guy playing the violin in the title music to the guy that painted a little street sign, which suddenly ends up in a close-up – there is an enormous amount of detail in a film,” she says. In working with actors on set, she aims to establish an atmosphere of trust, which enables everyone to perform at their best. “British actors are so skilful, modest and respectful and loyal towards the manu-

script. They are grafters, and laugh easily. They have great faith in the writer, which makes them relax, and you can certainly tell from the film,” Scherfig explains, without pointing out any specific names – young or old, newbie or experienced, they are all good, she insists.

Serious under the surface Before venturing across the North Sea, Scherfig excelled at Danish films, including Italian for Beginners, which also became a hit outside Denmark. Life, she says, is meant to be fun, and we should all allow a good portion of lightheartedness into our existence. This is reflected in her artistic approach. “I am constantly trying to balance seriousness with something that will make people laugh. I love to have fun and make fun with actors on the set. Remember, this is our life, and it is legitimate to sim-

Culture

Lone Scherfig

ply have a good time. This is always prevalent for me,” she argues before pausing for thought. “Or maybe it is the other way around – I make comedies, and the seriousness is constantly just under the surface.” Regardless of whether this decade will be remembered as ‘Cool Britannia’ or give everyone the ‘Brexit blues’ for aeons, Scherfig can claim to have provided a visual backdrop. Not by pointing out current affairs – but by relaying the old adage that you do not know where you are going unless you know where you have been. The remaining question is: will there be a fifth British Scherfig film? “We will see,” she says. “I believe the next one is a Danish-Swedish-Canadian co-production. Sure, I would love to come back. But right now, I have work back home and in Sweden.”

Stills and behind-the-scenes shots from the set of Their Finest.

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Culture

Lagom Book

From Scan Magazine to lagom I did not expect, when I left Sweden in 2001, that I would find myself promoting Brand Scandinavia for a living a decade and a half later. Yet here I am – and now I am becoming an unlikely advocate of the Swedish ethos of ‘lagom’. By Linnea Dunne

Illustrations: Naomi Wilkinson

I remember the first time I spotted a copy of Scan Magazine. It was sitting on a shelf in the Scandinavian shop and café Scandinavian Kitchen, striking in all its minimalist simplicity, reminding me of home. I started writing for Scan Magazine a year or so later, and I have now been the editor since 2013. It is such a natural part of my life now that I am sometimes almost blind to the joys and perks of the job, but I have never ceased to be amazed by the inspiring people I get to interview: entrepreneurs and artists and architects with a tireless drive and a fervent urge to always do things right. Sometimes, they remind me what it is 126

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that makes me Swedish; routinely, they make me proud of my roots.

A Swedish ethos of balance When Vogue dubbed ‘lagom’ the new lifestyle trend for 2017, I was a little bit taken aback. Like so many Swedes, I had learnt to be sceptical of the concept, suspicious of anyone who wholeheartedly embraced anything that represented them and theirs, as if celebration of something Swedish equalled extremist nationalism and should be frowned upon. Lagom means ‘not too little, not too much – but just enough’ and can be objective or subjective, material and meas-

urable or socially determined and vague. It can be used to describe everything from the perfect room temperature or level of ambition in hosting a party, to the tone of a debate during a business meeting. Lagom is never offensive, yet it does not have to be self-effacing; it is often understated, but confidently so. It is all about finding what works – not to boast about it, but to make life easier for everybody. It is ironic, when you think about it – that Swedish refusal to embrace lagom. Many Swedes will happily buy into the mixing up of lagom with other historic concepts, including the Law of Jante, and write it off as an ethos celebrating mediocrity; it is as if they are criticising lagom by going lagom – as if they fear coming across as too proud, not modest enough. They may be grateful for being born in Sweden – it just would not be very lagom to celebrate it.

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Culture

| Lagom Book

Promoting Scandinavia, exporting lagom At Scan Magazine, we

celebrate everything we love about the Nordics wholeheartedly. We promote what these countries do well, and we take pride in spending our days helping Scandinavian brands reach greater audiences. But the love is not limited to our native countries; we are also proudly London-based or, as Scandinavian Kitchen’s Brontë Aurell would say, #proudimmigrants. It is possible to be both. My approach to lagom is a lot like Scan Magazine’s approach to promoting Brand Scandinavia. It is realistic, but positive. Why get bogged down with the Law of Jante and worry about restrictions when there is a perfect (or, should I say ‘just good enough’?) ethos for balance and equality right there, ready for us to learn from it? My book, Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living, looks at exactly this: how the concept of lagom and its manifestations in Swedish culture and traditions can help us find balance in our lives, be it in our consumption habits and relation to material possessions or in the way we work and spend our spare time. There are clues in Swedish words such as ‘fredagsmys’, ‘fika’, ‘motion’ and ‘köpstopp’, and everything from the Swedish design heritage to a fondness of neighbourliness and brutal honesty helps complete the picture of this country of semi-skimmed milk, this haven for equality, redistribution of wealth, gender equality and consensus in the work place. If you like what Scan Magazine is all about, you will certainly enjoy my book. If all you want is the simple life and a greater sense of purpose, well you might just find a few tips and ideas too… Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living by Linnea Dunne is out in July, published by Gaia, £10. For more information, please visit www.octopusbooks.co.uk

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| Culture

Column / Calendar

Scandinavian music Swedish house duo Axwell /\ Ingrosso return with the release of a brand new single – and a brand new EP of the same name. It is More Than You Know and is certainly their best tune since 2015’s colossal Sun Is Shining. A welcome reminder of just why these two gents are some of the biggest names in music that the country has ever produced, More Than You Know manages to be a massive dance record and a big pop tune at the same time. It may well become their biggest hit to date, as a busy summer of festivals and an Ibiza residency lie ahead for them. One of last year’s best new artists is finally back with her first release of 2017. I am talking about Norway’s Dagny and, more specifically, her brand new single, Wearing Nothing. Mercifully, the half a year she has spent away has not altered her abilities to knock out a spectacular tune. Wearing Nothing is a playful, punchy record that reinforces why we all fell so hard for her a year ago.

After last year’s global straddling mega-hit debut single Sexual (you know the one), Swedish collective NEIKED are back with their much-anticipated follow-up single. The new song Call Me was released at the end of May, and it instantly reveals itself to be another relentless earworm. Much in the same sound and style of its predecessor, it is another cheeky pop bop that will hopefully blow up in a similar fashion for the super-talented Swedes. Finally, a song of the summer that your Scandi mums can get on board with: a brand new act (that is Kamferdrops) take on an old Scandi staple (that is Jag Trodde Änglarna Fanns), and it sounds awesome. Originally made most famous as a duet between Ole Ivars and Kikki Danielsson, it has been re-recorded with an ethereal vocal, a fair old helping of saxophone, and of course – a tropical-tinged dance beat. The resulting affair is one that I truly hope we are all going to be hearing all over Scandi radio this summer. A classic tune with an irre-

By Karl Batterbee

sistible melody (and a key change – which has been kept intact) re-imagined for the millennials. The video even keeps Ole and Kikki in on the act! I love it.

www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@gmail.com

Awe s o m e d e s i g n s fo r yo u r m i n i

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Culture

Calendar

Bonniers Konsthall. Photo: Per Kristiansen.

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Norwegian Sculpture Biennial at Vigeland Museum (31 May–17 Sep) The curator of this year’s Biennial is Steffen Håndlykken. Based on approximately 440 submitted applications, Håndlykken has selected 30 projects to be displayed in the museum. It is the seventh time Vigeland Museum has held the Norwegian Sculpture Biennial. Vigeland Museum, Nobels gate 32, 0268 Oslo, Norway. www.vigeland.museum.no

Another Side of the Shift at Bonniers Konsthall (31 May–20 Aug) At the end of the 1980s, there was a shift on the Swedish art scene. Postmodernism ushered a wave of new ideas, and the dominating art and artists were forced to take a step back. This summer’s exhibi-

tion at Bonniers Konsthall features many of the names that shaped the art scene from 1947 to 1987. Bonniers Konthall, Torsgatan 19, 113 21 Stockholm, Sweden. www.bonnierskonsthall.se/en

Marie-Louise Ekman at Moderna Museet (17 June–17 Sep) In this major solo exhibition with the Swedish artist Marie-Louise Ekman, Moderna Museet presents a large series of her recent paintings, along with some 200 works from the late 1960s and onwards. Moderna Museet, Exercisplan 4, 111 49 Stockholm, Sweden. www.modernamuseet.se

Smukfest. Photo: Jakob Worre.

PROMs at Cadogan Hall (31 July) In this concert, Finnish folk music meets familiar Baroque textures. The two genres have a shared love of song and dance. The concert features Soprano Anu Komsi and violinist Kreeta-Maria Kentala, who both have roots in the folk-rich municipality of Kaustinen in western Finland. 1pm. Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ. www.finemb.org.uk Issue 101 |

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Calendar

PROM 24: Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts John Adams (2 August) This concert is a celebration of John Adams’ 70th birthday and is conducted by the Finnish conductor EsaPekka Salonen. The symphony glows with multi-layered textures, and the concert features meditative minimalism to intricate counterpoint in Stravinsky’s canonic variations on Vom Himmel hoch da komm’ ich her. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP. www.finemb.org.uk

Esa-Pekka Salonen. Press photo.

Unmissable Scandinavian summer festivals

COPENHELL. Photo: Morten Skovgaard.

COPENHELL (22–24 June) COPENHELL is Denmark’s biggest rock and metal festival. Every year, thousands of people from Denmark and further afield gather at the festival in Copenhagen. System of a Down, Five Finger Death Punch and Airbourne will be performing at the festival this year among others. COPENHELL takes place on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen. www.copenhell.dk

Roskilde Festival is held at Festivalplasen in Roskilde. www.roskilde-festival.dk

Roskilde Festival (24 June–1 July)

Palmesus (30 June–1 July)

Roskilde Festival is probably Denmark’s best-known festival. Founded in 1971, it is the largest north-European culture and music festival. In 2016, the festival had 130,000 visitors and 32,000 volunteers and, this year, more than 175 artists will perform on the nine festival stages, among them Royal Blood, Solange and Icona Pop.

Get ready to party at Palmesus in Kristiansand, Norway this year. With artists such as The Chainsmokers and Zara Larsson, it is bound to be a great festival. Palmesus is the biggest beach party in Scandinavia. Every year, more than 30,000 people come to Bystranda to enjoy music, summer vibes and a great party. The festival takes place on Bystranda in

Roskilde Festival. Photo: Mia Dernoff.

Kristiansand, Norway. www.palmesus.com

Langelandsfestival (22–29 July)

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The Danish Langelandsfestival is known as a family festival where people of all ages are welcome. The festival is full of ‘hygge’ and music, and kids, teenagers, parents and grandparents love the festival. This year, Medina, Nik & Jay, Sussi and Leo and many more will perform at the festival. www.langelandsfestival.dk

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| Culture

Calendar

Way Out West (10-12 August) Way Out West is a three-day music festival in Gothenburg in Sweden. The festival hosts a variety of popular music artists mainly from the rock, electronic and hip hop genres. This year’s line-up includes

the likes of Lana Del Rey, Mø and Major Lazer. The festival takes place in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden. www.wayoutwest.se

Smukfest. Photo: Jakob Worre.

Smukfest (9–13 August) Smukfest means ‘beautiful party’ in Danish, which is exactly what the festival is known for. It is located in a beech wood south of Aarhus in Skanderborg and, in 2016, up to 34,000 people visited the festival every day, which makes it Denmark’s second-largest festival. Among many others, Rasmus Seebach, Major Lazer and Nabiha will be performing this year. Smukfest, Birkevej 20, 8660 Skanderborg, Denmark www.smukfest.dk

Way Out West. Photo: Faramarz Gosheh.

UNIQUE FOOD WORKSHOPS • Enjoy three delicious courses, two of which you’ll make yourself, while the third can be prepared at your own leisure at home with our unique recipe. • Using liquid nitrogen, you can make your own ice cream in 20 seconds. • At Cortsen Dining, you cook with our home-grown organic produce.

• Enjoy complimentary Champagne, beer and wine with your meals. • You will learn how to present your food in a professional way. • Get the opportunity to work with top-class equipment to prepare your own food to Michelin-restaurant standard.

The course is held every week with a maximun capacity of 15 people. Price per person starts from 750 DKK. Cortsen Dining also offers team-building and business events.

Cortsen Dining

+45 71 74 15 77

cortsendining.dk