Scan Magazine, Issue 107, December 2017

ISSUE 107 DECEMBER 2017 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

MARTIN JENSEN – DENMARK’S SOLO DANCE ROCK STAR DISCOVER A SWEDISH WINTER WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE DENMARK: OUR CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS FINNISH WELLNESS START-UPS TO WATCH

Live in a Work of Art Since1996 I have created hundreds of quality, life-affirming living environments.

My award-winning, unique designs have lived up to my goal, which is to deliver and exceed the wishes and expectations of my clients.

Most recently, in another first, I have become the first Swedish architect to receive the right to eco-label (SVAN) my projects; yet another step in securing one of the best investments you will ever make!

www.ross.se

s Ro sc an gs in

w ra ed th or s! ion f r. ew lut sk N g so .000 cin 500 an o in p t rf u fe th of wi Foto: Villa Magic, Exclusive design

Last year Ross celebrated 20 years in business, and I have the honor of inviting you to make this year's most important phone call. It is about your new home or workspace!

Book your appointment today at +46 8 84 84 82 or ross@ross.se. Welcome home!

Pål Ross, CEO, Founder & Architect SAR/MSA

Awarded Sweden's most beautiful villa of 2009 Awarded best newbuilding in Jämtland in 2010 Gold winner at European Property Award 2013 Svanen Nordic Ecolabelling Licence 2015

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Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 40 Martin Jensen

– Denmark’s Solo Dance Rock Star Having gone from a friendly nobody to a charming somebody to a celebrated star in less than a couple of years, Martin Jensen is all about just writing music from the heart. Scan Magazine spoke to the Danish DJ about leaving his day job, playing Tomorrowland, and sampling his fans for the latest single.

40 22

DESIGN 8

From Mountain Top to City Street Behold a jam-packed design section full to the brim of ski wear, vibrant interior design items, hard-wearing linen and unique jewellery – oh, and the greenest walls you have ever seen…

what the buzz is all about. For other cultural highlights, choose between a charming getaway, stories from the sea or some pure Michelin magic.

44 Swedish Winter Wonderland Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! And no better place to be when it snows than in the beautifully designed, untouched north of Sweden, listening to classical music, going for a beautiful off-piste skiing adventure, and putting your head down to rest at the legendary ICEHOTEL. Here are our favourite bits from Sweden’s stunning winter wonderland.

62 Finnish Health and Wellness Start-ups Combine tech-savviness with a keenness on innovation, and you get a goldmine for health and wellness – at least so the Finnish wellness start-up scene seems to suggest. Scan Magazine went to explore this life-saving sector.

SPECIAL FEATURES 28 Light That Spark Need a pick me up? Try the best of all worlds with some Sparkling Tea. For a perfectly mellow escape, read about our favourite day spa, and for a culinary lift, choose between our top picks this month. Keen on more long-term planning? It might be time to go back to school!

BUSINESS 59 On Motivation and Development This month, we spoke to Orchard, the motivational consultancy that helps multinational giants and local businesses alike to keep their employees motivated – and happy. Columnist Steve Flinders gives advice on self-development at a time of lacking motivation, while keynote writer Nils Elmark has a thing or two to say about the future.

SPECIAL THEMES 20 Danish Design Brands We Love From a Danish legend who has now hit Japan to a festival lighting up Denmark during times of darkness, we have listed our top three Danish design brands right now.

35 Experience Denmark – Culture Spotlight

55

Having fun has never felt so good. Danish Comedy Aid celebrates 25 years, and we went to find out

CULTURE 93 A Cultural Start to 2018 From a special festive forest to a Nordic winter wonderland, London is full of Scandinavian bling this festive season. Our culture calendar lists all of the above as well as some fun and rocking gigs and a not-to-miss Tove Jansson exhibition. Start the New Year as you mean to go on: as a culture vulture!

79 REGULARS & COLUMNS 10 We Love This | 12 Fashion Diary | 74 Restaurants of the Month | 78 Hotels of the Month 79 Experience of the Month | 80 Attractions of the Month | 84 Holiday Profile of the Month 86 Wellness Profile of the Month | 88 Gallery of the Month | 90 Artist of the Month | 92 Humour

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 5

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, It has been a while since we went all out with the design section, but this month, we felt that it was high time.

Perhaps it was the glow and glam of Christmas that inspired us; perhaps the promise of a shiny, new year. Either way, in addition to helping you stay warm while looking cool at that New Year’s Eve party, we went in search for some new, exciting design brands to fall for. We even created a Danish top three. What can I say? We just could not help ourselves.

Adding to the beauty of our favourite Scandinavian design brands are tonnes and tonnes – quite literally – of ice and snow in our Swedish winter wonderland special. Think perfect skiing conditions, classical music in old churches surrounded by snow as far as the eye can see, tours up to the top of Sweden’s highest mountain, and of course the world’s first ever ice hotel. Winter sport lovers and ‘hygge’ fans (though of course keen readers will know that we call it ‘mys’ in Sweden) alike will find holiday destinations to explore and fall in love with and return to for years to come.

This month, we also went to find out how start-ups in Finland are contributing to the shininess of that new you, with innovative ways to monitor your health and keep on top of any conditions, while in Denmark, we went for a culture shindig jam-packed with laughter, nautical stories and award-winning food. Arguably, however, the greatest cultural highlight of all in Denmark at the moment is our cover star: the down-to-earth boy next door, Martin Jensen, who has taken the house music scene by storm in the past year. His prediction for 2018? Oh, it is going to be good – very good.

With glögg-infused wishes for a peaceful, fun festive season and a promising start to the New Year,

Linnea Dunne, Editor

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6 | Issue 107 | December 2017

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VIKING JEWELRY by www.karianneg.com

Scan Magazine | Design | Street Style

Nordic Humans of London Scan Magazine’s brilliant Sanna Halmekoski has once again hit the streets of London to find out what the Scandinavian fashion fanatics are wearing. Cool, sleek and full of statements, this is a little piece of Scandiland in the United Kingdom.

Text and photos by Sanna Halmekoski | www.nordichumans.com

Aleksi Remsu Finnish furniture and product designer; student at Royal College of Art @pataluha

Miina Laitsaari Finnish fashion designer at Miina Laitsaari @miinalaitsaarithebrand “My style is edgy and dark. I shop very rarely, mostly in charity shops. Perhaps once a year I buy a piece that’s new. My jacket is my own design, Izzy Jacket by Miina Laitasaari, and the shoes are by T.U.K.”

“I often wear black combined with one colourful piece. I usually shop for secondhand and good-quality items. I like shoes and have quite a few pairs. My jacket is Finnish by Kb Birger Biskop Ky, the shoes are by Reebok and my T-shirt is an original Jurassic Park fan T-shirt from 1993.”

Aleksi Remsu

Veronica Larsson Swedish/Norwegian duty manager at Third Space Marylebone

Veronica Larsson

8 | Issue 107 | December 2017

“I don’t think I’ve got a specific style; I dress by my mood. I mix different styles such as hippie, street and rock. I like unisex and oversized clothes. As for brands, I like Monki. My shoes are by Mango, the jacket is by Beyond Retro, the jumper is

by ASOS, the trousers are by H&M and the bag is by Stradivarius.”

Miina Laitsaari

- your guarantee for high quality products and fast delivery

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Issue 107 | December 2017 | 9

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this…

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but what could be better than making your home somewhere lovely to hibernate over the coming months? If there is one thing Scandinavians are good at, it is making their houses the nicest place to be when the outside does not feel all that inviting.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Press photos

This limited edition rocking chair by Charles and Ray Eames, supplied by Skandium, is one of their signature products. In a cream shell, the chair, mounted on the Rocking Armchair Rod Base (RAR), is perfect for adding that modern Scandi touch to your home.

Limited edition rocking chair, approx. £465 www.skandium.com

The Paper Collective has launched The Last Notebook in a variety of colours, for scribbling down anything you might need to remember on a cold winter’s day. Use it as a journal, as a recipe book, for work or for general thoughts and ideas – the possibilities are endless.

Paper collective, The Last Notebook, £40 www.paper-collective.com

Italian design duo Daniel Debiasi and Federico Sandri have made this espresso maker featuring Scandinavian-inspired design aesthetics. It provides the perfect solution for making a full-bodied espresso brew at home – and with the stylish design, you really cannot go wrong.

Stelton Collar Espresso maker, £69.95 www.husandhem.co.uk

The Danish-designed Kolong runner features a honeycomb pattern in this off-white and black design. The sophisticated Scandi-inspired runner displays contrasting weft yarns and a flat woollen weave.

Kolong runner, £109 www.urbanara.co.uk

The Unico flowerpot, made in collaboration between the Danish potter Anders Arhøj and Danish brand Kähler, is a decorative piece great for featuring all your wintery herbs or plants. Inspired by a mix of Japanese and Danish design, the Unico series features modern handcrafted arts with fascinating elements.

Unico flowerpot, £59 www.reallywellmade.co.uk

10 | Issue 107 | December 2017

Guld omsmeltes Guld omsmeltes

- Lisbeth Warming er guldsmed flairjewellery for at skabe Lisbeth Warming is a goldsmith with amed flairsærlig for creating that exsmykker, der udstråler stor personlighed.

- Lisbeth Warming er her guldsmed meda fascinating særlig flairuniverse for at of skabe udes personality.

Through handiwork, goldIsmykker, hendes udfolder der sigorganisms et fascinerende af gyldne, der udstråler stor personlighed. en organichænder shapes and glistening opens univers up. She uses precious organiske former og diamonds strålende organismer.

I hendes udfolder der sig et pearls fascinerende univers gyldne, stones andhænder plays with and in all shapes andafsizes.

Materialerne er ædle og hun leger med brillanter og barokke perler i organiske former og strålende organismer.

Lisbeth Warming’s designs are, however,Warmings never flamboyant or pretentious. alle farve og størrelser.

Lisbeth bliver resul-i Materialerne er ædle ogMen huni leger med brillanterdesign og barokke perler The jewellery instead appears as natural and charming pieces of art, which tatet hverken prangende eller prætentiøst. alle farve og størrelser. Men i Lisbeth Warmings design bliver resulwill continue to surprise and throughout the use of them.

All Smykkerne somfascinate små naturlige og charmerende kunsttatet hverkenfremtræder prangende eller prætentiøst. pieces created are one of a kind. værker, så eventyrlig iscenesat, atnaturlige man kanog blive ved med atkunstgå på Smykkerne fremtræder som små charmerende opdagelse i dem.

Alle smykker er unikastykker.

Lisbeth Warming also melts down old gold jewellery to create new, modern værker, så eventyrlig iscenesat, at man kan blive ved med at gå på pieces, whichi dem. retainAlle theirsmykker history. er unikastykker. opdagelse

Mindphoto.dk Mindphoto.dk

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12-18 O Ons.-tors.P E N I N G H O U Rfre.

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I : 1 2 - 12-18 18 Lørdag 10-13 SAT: 10-13

Tinghusvej 2 Tinghusvej T I N G8680 H U B V E Ry J2 2 Tel. +45 22 85 8680 Ry 8 56 6 8 085 RY Tel. 85 T E+45 L . : + 422 5www.liwa.dk 22 8 556 5 685 85 liwa@liwa.dk www.liwa.dk WWW.LIWA.DK liwa@liwa.dk LIWA@LIWA.DK

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary…

Whether you are going out or staying in on New Year’s Eve, a new outfit seems appropriate to ring in the new year. Accounting for the chilly weather and the hours spent waiting for fireworks or queueing for bars, we have listed some of the latest treats from our beloved Scandi designers.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Press photos

The ankle leather boots from Selected come in both black and brown and are made using exclusive leather and a comfortable sole. The timeless look goes with anything from a suit to more casual party wear, in case you have not yet decided what you are doing on the big night.

Selected boots, £85 www.selected.com

The off-white barking shirt from Wood Wood is a classic shirt for any occasion, made from soft brushed cotton. Pair it with a blazer to dress it up, or leave as is for a more casual New Year’s vibe.

Wood Wood Barking shirt, approx £130 www.woodwood.com

This navy wool trench coat from COS will see you through the New Year’s celebrations in style. If there is one thing most Scandinavians have in common, it is their love of wool, and this trench coat even features a few hidden pockets as well – what could possibly be better?

Cos, Navy Wool Trench Coat, £150 www.cosstores.com

Who says you cannot be both practical and stylish?

For all the men out there who need to stash their pennies, fireworks or spare clothes, Mads Nørgaard has got you covered with his range of canvas bags.

Canvas Weekend bag, approx. £105; Nylon Canvas Work bag, approx. £90 www.madsnorgaard.com

12 | Issue 107 | December 2017

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary DK Company suggests going for layers with their Anira Dress paired with their A Largo Top. For watching the fireworks, we would definitely suggest layering up – perhaps with a thick coat to go with it.

DK Company’s Anira Dress, approx. £63; A Largo Top, approx. £35 www.dkcompany.com

You cannot go wrong with a pair of black leather gloves – for any occasion, really. For the end-of-year party, with sparklers and all that is involved, a crisp black pair seems incredibly appropriate.

H&M leather black gloves, approx. £22 www.hm.com

The black faux fur Kylie coat from mbyM is exactly what you need for that chilly evening air that you are bound to run into on New Year’s Eve – whether going to or from a party or just nipping outside. Snuggle up in this cosy, yet fashionable coat and welcome the new year in style. mbyM, Kylie coat, approx. £160 www.mbym-shop.com

The Nessa boot by Won Hundred is a vintage-inspired leather ankle boot with a buckle and chain. A festive option for the more daring party-goer, the boot has a comfortable heel for walking around or just mingling at parties.

Won Hundred Nessa boots, approx. £185 www.wonhundred.com

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 13

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Rossignol

Rossignol’s Oslo flagship store.

From the top of the Alps to the streets of Oslo When the French high-quality sport-chic brand Rossignol decided to open up its first ever flagship store, the choice of location was obvious. Nowhere in the world is the spending per capita on sports and sporting goods as big as in Norway.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Rossignol

“Scandinavians are well-known for their love of nature, winter sports and especially skiing – both Alpine and Nordic. As one of the greatest ski brands out there, Rossignol has conquered a strong position in Scandinavia for decades,” says Alessandro Locatelli, CEO of Rossignol Apparel. How the brand stands out? With a special flair for classy, French chic, he asserts. “Many Scandinavian brands have full focus on function – and they do it really well. We have added attitude and flair to performance, blending unique style with function. Rossignol cares about shapes and fits that, while functional, look beautiful and modern; contemporary colours mixed with a more than 100-year heritage touch is part of what makes us stand out.”

That bridge between functionality and style is very timely in a world where the 14 | Issue 107 | December 2017

lines between sport and urban are blurring – and it is something Rossignol is carefully capitalising on. Having moved from the professional athlete realm into more casual mountain resort wear in recent years, the brand now also proudly boasts a line called the Studio Collection, designed by Italian fashion designers with the aim of bringing the French ski wear giant to the street and people’s everyday lives. “What’s streetwear today? It’s very natural these days to dress in sporty, functional clothes – it most certainly is in downtown Oslo!” says Jerke Nyman, Rossignol Group’s country manager for the Nordic region. “Here, skiing areas are only 20 minutes away from the city; in the winter, you’ll see people on the subway with their skis, on the way to go skiing. We want to offer our customers competence and elegance.”

For the new Oslo flagship store, Rossignol Apparel had to up its game, linking products to an experience and creating a consistent mix of apparel, footwear and hard goods. “We have focused on the most innovative, high-end products, which you usually won’t find in general sports shops,” Nyman explains. “We’ll also give the customer a more personal shopping experience, including a workshop area allowing you to customise your gear. And don’t be surprised if you end up with an expresso or a drink while trying on a new pair of alpine boots or the ultimate outdoor jacket!”

Loved by everyone from the fashion fanatics at Milan Fashion Week to athletes such as Martin Fourcade from France, 11 times world champion, winner of two Olympic gold medals and specialist in Nordic skiing and biathlon, Rossignol sure seems to be onto a winner with its sport-chic apparel.

Web: www.rossignol.com

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Greenworks

Drottninggatan Stockholm.

Wall at Karolinska Institutet’s new research centre BIOMEDICUM.

Urban plantscaping A great eye for plants and design, cloud-based irrigation control, all recycled materials – there are many reasons why Greenworks makes a difference to their clients, both from an aesthetic point of view and through countless benefits to their wellbeing and surrounding environment.

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Peter Edqvist

The Greenworks product range is flourishing: walls with vertical gardens, urban farming on rooftops, and furniture with embedded life. The company’s founder, Per Berglund, describes how the living wall first caught his attention.

“I came from a product design field and enjoyed the creative process that resulted in smart and beautiful objects. With living walls, I simply fell in love from the first moment – not only with the visual impression, but in experiencing so clearly how an extensive use of plants improves our wellbeing.”

There are multiple studies showing the many benefits of green surroundings, including for example air purification, noise and toxin reduction, mindfulness and productivity, and the growth and promotion of

biodiversity in the city. “We want to be at the forefront of the green movement and as such work closely with students within the landscape field,” explains Emma Norman, partner at Greenworks. A hobby gardener, Norman had a successful career within international retail, but when she joined Greenworks she could for the first time build a life she did not need holidays from.

Greenworks helps you plan Planning a living wall at an early stage of a project greatly saves on costs as it can be integrated into the construction and plumbing of a building. “With the right planning, you can use a lot of the waste water from the building. Our project managers help our clients through the whole planning process, and we

have extensive experience from working with real estate developers, architects and others,” Berglund explains.

“Many people think that outdoor living walls are only for warmer climates, but that’s not true,” Norman states. By combining cloud-based technology and knowledge of local flora, Greenworks operates living walls in all climates.

Berglund explains that Greenworks monitors the wall’s wellbeing remotely and shares the information with local maintenance staff. This technology enables Greenworks to ensure adequate maintenance of their sustainable products in other countries.

This autumn, Greenworks presented its biggest project so far: a ten-storey-tall vertical garden combining a total of 28 living walls. “We were very honoured that we were chosen for this project,” says Norman.

Web: www.greenworks.eu

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 15

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Gullsmed Merete Mattson

The northern lights are the focal point in Mattson’s entire collection.

Based in northern Norway, Mattson takes a great interest in nature and natural history.

Jewellery inspired by the ever-changing northern lights Not many jewellers continue to add a great number of pieces to one collection over several years, but northern Norwegian jeweller and goldsmith Merete Mattson finds her immediate surroundings so overwhelmingly inspiring that she simply cannot stop designing.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Merete Mattson

“What’s great about the northern lights is that it’s constantly moving – nothing is ever the same,” says Mattson, who resides in the small northern Norwegian village Hemnesberget in the county of Nordland. “I’m quite restless, and I very much enjoy change, which is why this suits me so well.”

Her northern lights collection constantly expands and evolves, thanks to the many different directions the northern lights go in. “Sometimes you can barely see it, and other times, there’s a flaming light,” she explains. “There are so many different colours – it’s so fascinating; I really can’t take my eyes off it. When you use the northern lights for inspiration, you can let the light take you in all sorts of directions. It really speaks to my restlessness and the creativity I have within.”

16 | Issue 107 | December 2017

Inspired by nature, natural history and everything that surrounds her, Mattson explains that she grew up with the northern lights as a permanent presence.

“It’s what my heart is filled with. When you make something based on your immediate surroundings, it becomes very believable, and it touches people in a special way,” she adds. “To create something from your own history and your own heart – that’s what often stirs up emotions in the customer, and what I’m often told makes my jewellery special.”

A handmade focus Mattson also runs a gallery café called Sans, where she displays the works of other local artists. “Everything in the shop and gallery is handmade,” explains Mattson. “That’s what’s unique about my concept – and everything comes

from Trondheim and up, mostly made in Nordland.”

Although Hemnesberget has a modest population of only 1,500 people, her customer group spans a 70-kilometre radius, with everything from young people wanting unusual wedding rings to those from an older generation who want to revamp old gold jewellery that they no longer use.

Additionally, Mattson received a lot of recognition and publicity last year, when she won a Norwegian Association of Jewellery Designers competition and was given the chance to make a tiara for Queen Sonja of Norway. She was also recently invited to participate in an exhibition at the Storting building (the Norwegian Houses of Parliament) along with 20 other Norwegian artists – an incredible opportunity considering that she is located so far from the capital, where the majority of the Norwegian jewellery designers are based.

Web: www.gullblom.com

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Axlings

Made to last Linen is a hard-wearing, reliable and timeless material that usually comes in muted tones and an unfussy style. The linen company Axlings takes craftsmanship and quality seriously; consequently, its products stand the test of time and take no notice of trends. In this regard, the company resembles its product – Axlings is strong, timeless and dependable.

By Pia Petersson | Photos: Anna Skoog

“I like to draw parallels between linen and the perfect relationship. Both are durable and strong and age gracefully,” CEO Fredrik Axling explains. Historically a common sight in homes all over Northern Europe, this natural fabric fell out of fashion for some time, in favour of unsustainable, non-organic materials.

However, linen is now experiencing something of a renaissance. “While linen has always been present on the market, the interest has increased recently.

I think it’s due to its durable and sustainable qualities becoming important to many people,” says Axling.

Thinking green and being as sustainable as possible is at the heart of Axlings. “It’s not necessary to always buy new stuff – especially from an environmental and economical point of view. It’s more sensible to buy something well made that will last longer than just one season,”

says the CEO. One especially noteworthy product is a linen terry towel. Axling explains that he himself has used the same one for about 20 years, and it is still as good as new. “It’s quite rough, so if you’re after soft cotton, this isn’t for you. However, if you’d like to get really dry and maybe experience a bit of a peeling at the same time, you’re going to love this towel,” he says.

Axlings is a family affair, founded in 1992

by Fredrik’s mother Mailiss. The business grew steadily, acquiring resellers across the world, and Axling emphasises that he still is very proud and happy to be working with them all. Eventually, he took over as CEO of the expanding business – but in 2013, everything changed.

“I was involved in a horrible traffic accident, which led to the amputation of one of my legs. I think as a form of therapy, my mother and sister took over the busi-

ness while I recovered,” Axling explains.

Nevertheless, just like his linen, Axling is of a tough variety and it did not take long until he was back in business again. He brought with him a slightly altered perspective on things. “I came back with a life philosophy that has also been incorporated into the business: to do your best is good enough. It really is that simple,” Axling concludes.

Web: www.axlings.se

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 17

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Karianne Gundersen

Time machine in a jewellery box Karianne Gundersen is Norwegian but started out as a student at Stenebyskolan in Dals Långed, Sweden. There, she learnt the art of jewellery making, based on old traditional Viking techniques that originate from the period between 800 and 1100 CE.

By Cathrine Løvaas and Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Jeanette Carlsen

Gundersen’s jewellery is made in silver and bronze. The handmade rings that make up the pieces are thread together, one by one, until they form an even pattern. For the jewellery to be correlated, the relationship between the thread thickness, the ring size and the pattern must be perfectly correct. It takes time; everything is done by hand, and she finds great pleasure in the meditative craft.

The jewellery maker works with six different link types and, using old techniques, she creates new types of earrings, bracelets and necklaces for both men and women. “The aim is to take the tradition into the future, to make new types of jewellery based on an old method,” she says.

The small pieces of art she creates certainly have a timeless feel.

You can find the pieces on Gundersen’s website, and the jewellery has also been for sale at the Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy, Oslo, since the summer of 2013 – with great success. The museum is

Box chain by Karianne Gundersen.

one of the most visited museums in Norway, welcoming tourists from around the world.

Despite being a successful jeweller now, Gundersen worked as a medical secretary by day up until recently, making jewellery in her spare time and really demonstrating that jewellery is both her passion and a hobby. She now works as a full-time jeweller.

Web: www.karianneg.com

Byzantine chain by Karianne Gundersen.

Double spiral chain by Karianne Gundersen.

www.klippanyllefabrik.com

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Carina Björck Gallery

Beautiful mix of muted Nordic and vibrant urban Exclusive interior design brand Carina Björck creates colourful, high-quality, eco-friendly products for the home. Inspired by the rugged archipelago as well as bustling cities abroad, this range is one of a kind.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Carina Björck

Carina Björck set up her interior design brand in 2013. The designer and artist takes photos of her motifs, turns them into beautiful art and, finally, prints the art on items such as bed linen, cushions and trays. “It’s all about colours and shapes, and the stroke of a brush,” explains Björck.

“My art is at the base and the prints make the pieces come alive – they’re much more than just a one-coloured product.”

Two styles are at the core of the brand: Nordic and urban. For instance, the Archipelago collection is influenced by Nordic nature, and the rugged archipelago in particular, with linen products in muted pastels that fit right in with the Scandinavian interior style. The Continental collection is more vibrant with lots of colours and movement, inspired by Björck’s travels abroad and life in bustling cities such as New York.

Among bestsellers are original cushions Saigon and Fruit Shop, inspired by a market in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

A true globetrotter at heart, Björck recently moved her business to Palma de Mallorca, where she also opened a showroom in the Portals Nous area. In addition to her Nordic take and inspiration from worldwide travels, it is quite likely that the beautiful island of Mallorca and the colours of the Mediterranean Sea will have an impact on future designs.

Using traditional craftsmanship methods and environmentally friendly certified colours, the manufacturing of blankets, cushions and duvets still takes place in a small factory close to the textile hub Borås in southern Sweden. At the moment, Björck is working on a new collection for next year with additional colours and bed linen in soft, sheer linen.

The broad range of products from Carina Björck is available at selected stores in Sweden and the Czech Republic, at Scandinavian House in New York and JuliaLimone in Mallorca, as

well as from her own webshop and via interior magazines such as Sköna Hem, Expressen Leva & Bo, and Tidningen Land. Björck will also showcase her products at Formex in Stockholm on 17-20 January and at Maison ET Objet in Paris on 19-23 January.

Carina Björck.

Web: www.carinabjorck.se Web shop: www.carinabjorckgallery. tictail.com Facebook: CARINABJORCKCB Instagram: @carinabjorckart

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 19

e:

N IG VE S in DE E LO M SH W I N S DA AND BR m he

iT

Photo: Tivoli

Enhancing the darkness with light For the first time ever, Copenhagen is hosting a light festival. Taking place in February, the festival will transform one of the darkest months of the year into a poetic winter experience with a number of light installations and events throughout the capital’s old city centre, harbour and Tivoli.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Danish Lighting Centre

Copenhagen Light Festival combines the efforts of light artists, students, and commercial light specialists to present the poetic beauty of enhancing the Nordic winter darkness with Scandinavian light design. “The festival will be based on the idea of having light and darkness together. Lighting festivals can be very colourful and bright, but we’re seeing it as an opportunity to create something that’s more poetic. It’s about enhancing light by combining it with darkness,” says Anne Bay, director at Danish Lighting Centre, the non-profit organisation behind the festival. “It’s embedded in the Danish lighting traditions. We don’t like exaggeration. We like light to be soft on the eye and have a more meditative effect, and this is going to shine 20 | Issue 107 | December 2017

toric buildings with lighting and colour, and we are also hoping to see a number of dynamic displays, such as pixel mapping and mobile projectors,” says Bay. Facts:

through in the way the art works are presented at the festival.”

The Copenhagen Light Festival will take place for the first time in February 2018.

The festival will include a number of free light installations and events such as bicycle rides, Chinese New Year lights, night runs, light sculptures, guided walks, and installations combining music and light. The majority of installations will be embedded in Denmark’s distinct lighting and design heritage which, led by architects such as Poul Henningsen and Arne Jacobsen, originated in the 1920s.

The festival will include a number of mostly free light installations throughout the city centre and the harbour.

“We will take advantage of the city’s many different kinds of places to make beautiful, intriguing sculptural elements and explore new aspects of spaces and his-

The festival is supported by Copenhagen Municipality.

Danish Lighting Centre is a nonprofit umbrella organisation working to enhance knowledge sharing and networking between people and companies working with lighting.

For a full festival programme and map, visit the website.

Web: www.copenhagenlightfestival.org

This is my house!

Alfons Åbergs Kulturhus (Alfie Atkins’ Cultural Centre) is a creative cultural centre for children and their adults.

This is a place where curious children can play, get up to mischief, climb and discover a world full os exciting things.

Slussgatan 1, Gothenburg, Sweden

alfonskulturhus.com

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Design Brands We Love

Bespoke kitchens and furniture Finding the perfect kitchen or a cupboard that fits snugly into the space between two walls can often be difficult, and sometimes a compromise is necessary. However, Schmidt Køkkener (Schmidt Kitchens) can find the perfect fit for any space. Their bespoke kitchens, cupboards and bathrooms are tailored to your style and spaces.

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Schmidt Køkkener

therefore it is impossible to say how much something will cost. However, we always start by asking about the client’s budget; that way, we can ensure that we’re building something that fits that price range, and from there we can look at styles,” says Skjødt.

The company, Schmidt Group, was established in France in 1934. Today the family-run business has over 700 stores throughout Europe and has become popular for its high-quality, made-tomeasure furniture and wide variety of styles and materials.

“Schmidt has stayed true to its original ideals of producing its own furniture and selling it in its own shops. It’s a way of guaranteeing the quality we’re providing and also being able to produce our furniture at an affordable price,” explains Jacob Skjødt, owner of Schmidt Nordic.

In the Nordic countries, there are stores in Norway, Denmark and Iceland, and the franchise has expanded rapidly. In the past 24 months, nine shops have opened in Norway, and two more are on the drawing board.

Bespoke, yet affordable

The possibilities are endless when it comes to a Schmidt solution. The images they have are there for inspiration, rather than as an exact design. “We often find that people come into the store with an idea in mind of what they want, but our catalogues and showrooms can often be a helpful starting point.”

Getting a one-of-a-kind kitchen or a new wardrobe may at first seem beyond most people’s budget, but Schmidt provides it an affordable price. “Each piece of furniture is uniquely designed, and

Everything can be chosen, down to the smallest detail, and there are numerous materials and colours, including 24 different colours for inside the cabinets.

22 | Issue 107 | December 2017

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Design Brands We Love

As everything is made to measure, the cabinets come fully assembled. As such, it is important to know beforehand what function each piece will have, as it will be designed and produced to suit this function.

Functionalism for the whole house Despite the fact that the company is French, their design is based around the Scandinavian principles of functionalism and hugely influenced by classic Scandinavian designs. The many ways in which the furniture can be personalised means that it becomes even more functional.

Whether it is a plug hidden in the counter top, a TV bench that needs to be exactly 1,543 millimetres, or a wardrobe that utilises the space under the stairs, Schmidt can sort it out for you. “It’s important for us that you don’t have to compromise on what you actually want. We have the resources to build what you want and need, so there’s never a need to just settle for something,” says Skjødt.

Environmentally friendly Schmidt has had a big focus on being sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The production in particular takes care to reduce the impact on the environment.

There are five factories in total: four in France and one in Germany. Their focus on the environment has earned them a staggering four ISO certifications and two environmental certificates, something that is normally unheard of in the industry.

“Our factories use locally sourced wood from sustainable growers. The factories have solar panels that produce the electricity to light the factories, and use rainwater for cleaning the factories as well as the trucks. We use any excess wood to warm the factories,” says Skjødt.

Ready to help The staff in every shop is ready to help with any design question. They may also come on a home visit to see the space themselves, or simply help you based on photographs, measurements and your

own ideas. A visit to one of the showrooms is essential, as it will help to visualise the materials, cupboards and the space in general. As Skjødt puts it: “It’s always good to be able to see and feel the product.”

Once the design is finished, there is a six-week wait for the production, before the furniture is driven to your front door and installed. “I think many people are looking for something that is unique and fits their homes while also being affordable, so our concept has become extremely popular in the Nordic market,” says Skjødt. “We expect a lot from our employees, and we expect a lot from our franchisees, which is also why the business as a whole has been so successful.

We’re here to create something together with and for our customers, and we’ll be expanding further in the Nordic market.”

Web: www.schmidt-koekken.dk and www.schmidt-kjokken.no

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 23

More than half a century after they were first created, the designs of the Pelican chair, the Poet sofa and the France chair still look strikingly modern.

Finn Juhl – the story continues Pelicans, poets and a hotel tucked away in the Japanese Alps – it sounds like the most unlikely fairy tale ever and, in the world of design, it is. With three magic ingredients – passion, a pinch of daredevilry, and a treasure chest of spectacular designs – House of Finn Juhl has created one of the most remarkable Danish design stories in recent times.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: House of Finn Juhl

“It started as a fun idea,” says founder Hans Henrik Sørensen about the newly opened Finn Juhl Hotel in Hakuba, Japan. For those who know a little about the history behind the brand, that probably does not come as a great surprise. In 1998, Ivan Hansen and Henrik Sørensen, the founders of Onecollection and 24 | Issue 107 | December 2017

House of Finn Juhl, received the rights to reproduce the designs of the iconic Danish designer Finn Juhl – a great honour but also a great challenge. The truth was that due to the designs’ characteristically organic shapes, most had never been produced in large numbers, and hardly anyone believed that Finn

Juhl would ever become a commercially viable brand.

Fortunately, commercial viability was never the main concern for Hansen and Sørensen. “We base a lot on our intuition, and that’s both our strength and our weakness. We get completely carried away with things, sometimes the wrong things because, of course, we need to be able to sell the items too; it all needs to add up. Still, we produce some items that we really love but don’t sell enough of to make it profitable; we keep them in our collection and hope that, at some point, people will open their eyes to their qual-

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Design Brands We Love

ities,” explains Hansen. The brand has, however, also been behind a number of huge commercial successes, such as the Pelican chair, the Poet sofa and, most recently, the France chair.

The revival of Finn Juhl Running their own furniture company, Onecollection, rather out of the blue in 1998, Ivan Hansen and Henrik Sørensen were contacted by the widow of Finn Juhl, Hanne Wilhelm Hansen. She asked them to help her create one of his designs, a sofa, for a commemorative exhibition.

The phone call was the beginning of a

spectacular event in Danish design: the revival of Finn Juhl’s furniture designs.

Impressed by their work, Hanne Wilhem Hansen decided to give the company the rights to reproduce Finn Juhl’s furniture, some of which by then existed in only a couple of handmade units from the 1940s and ‘50s.

The two self-confessed furniture nerds were beyond ecstatic, but not everyone shared their conviction. “When we first exhibited a Juhl sofa at a furniture show, there wasn’t one single Danish furniture

trader who believed in it. We were told outright: ‘you’re not going to be able to sell that’. But slowly we started building a network of dedicated, quirky design traders,” says Sørensen.

This was surprising to many, though perhaps it would not have surprised the designer himself, who once said: “One should not despair over the fact that some of the developments one has hoped for were never produced but only became a beginning. Perhaps they will be revived some day in the future if necessary or reasonable, when the time is ripe.”

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 25

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Design Brands We Love

The France chair – Danish design and British entrepreneurship Protecting and carrying on the legacy of Finn Juhl, every year, the House of Finn Juhl launches a ‘new’ Finn Juhl design at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan. One of the most recent launches was the France chair, a chair specifically designed for France & Søn, the company of British entrepreneur C.W.F. France, in 1956. Arriving in Denmark in the 1930s, C. W. F. France started partnerships with the most promising Danish furniture designers, most prominently Finn Juhl.

The designers developed furniture of a very high standard, which France & Søn produced on an industrial scale and sold flat-packed. Making it possible to export the furniture at a fraction of the usual cost, this strategy became an enormous success.

“Just like today, there is no point in being a genius if nobody knows it. Finn Juhl sparked a trend with his artistic design idiom and unique design, but Mister France was the one who managed to spread the word throughout the world.

The story about Mister France is part of the great Danish design history that everybody in Denmark is so proud of – and the France chair is a beautiful exponent of this,” stresses Sørensen.

Since the France chair was designed for industrial production, it has a simpler 26 | Issue 107 | December 2017

construction than many of Juhl’s other designs. However, the chair still maintains the characteristic shapes and distinct separation between the carried and the carrying elements. Originally named the FJ 136 Chair, House of Finn Juhl renamed the France chair with permission from C.W.F. France’s son, James. Just like the original model, the France chair is produced in Denmark but is today delivered fully assembled.

The Japanese chapter The newest, and perhaps most unexpected chapter of the Finn Juhl fairy tale takes place in the Japanese Alps. As the first of its kind, the small Finn Juhl boutique hotel in Hakuba is entirely decorated with Finn Juhl furniture. Situated amidst the beautiful mountain landscape, the hotel appears almost fantasy-like, and indeed, the idea for it came more or less out of the blue. “lt started as a fun idea – we wanted to buy a cabin for skiing with our families and friends. But then we saw that this small hotel was for sale, and we decided to take the idea to the next level,” says Sørensen.

Like the House of Finn Juhl stores in Copenhagen, the Finn Juhl Hotel aims to fully emerge guests in the universe of Finn Juhl – and that is a universe that is about much more than selling furniture.

“When relaunching Finn Juhl’s furniture, we have to put ourselves into his mindset

and try to understand him. It’s all about feeling,” stresses Sørensen. “One cannot make his furniture just by having the technical and commercial approach. You have to be extremely critical of what you do, because there is no bottom line when it comes to Finn Juhl.”

About Finn Juhl: In his early years, Finn Juhl wanted to become an art historian. However, as his father would not allow a career in the arts, he ended up enrolling at the Department of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Arts in Copenhagen in 1930. While he was still a student, Juhl began working with the prominent Danish architect Vilhelm Lauritzen. He was kept so busy that he never finished his studies. Despite this, he received the honour of becoming a member of the Academic Architect Society in 1942 and, later in life, he became a visiting professor at the Institute of Design in Chicago. However, he would always refer to himself as an autodidact furniture designer.

Rather than thinking in terms of practical construction, Juhl had the mindset of a sculptor when he shaped a piece of furniture. In the 1940s and 1950s, this way of working had never been seen before. One of the international highlights of Juhl’s career was designing the complete interior of the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York between 1951 and ‘52.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Design Brands We Love

Finn Juhl.

Web: www.finnjuhl.com Email: info@finnjuhl.com Instagram: @houseoffinnjuhl Facebook: House of Finn Juhl (houseoffinnjuhlofficial)

Surrounded by beautiful mountains and furnished exclusively with Finn Juhl designs, the Finn Juhl Hotel in Hakuba, Japan, allows visitors to fully emerge in the universe of Finn Juhl.

The two founders of House of Finn Juhl: Ivan Hansen and Henrik Sørensen.

Photo: Bo Amstrup

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 27

Scan Magazine | Wellness Feature | Helsinki Day Spa

An oasis of beauty in the middle of the city Founded in 2005, Helsinki Day Spa is one of the largest day spas in Finland, and the country’s first urban spa. The relaxing setting, along with many beauty treatments, allows guests to nourish their mind, body and soul and leave their daily grind behind.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Helsinki Day Spa

“The idea of the city spa is to bring a moment of peace and calm into the customers’ busy daily lives. Our mission is to bring wellbeing to the mind and body,” says Toomas Uibu, managing director of Helsinki Day Spa. “It is important that customers are able to relax and leave their everyday stresses behind.”

The spa has been recently renovated, and new treatment rooms have been added. Now a total of 16 treatment rooms offer a number of the latest skincare therapies, along with pampering and relaxation. The spa lounge’s impressivelooking historical architecture, protected by Finland’s National Board of Antiquities, makes for a unique relaxation spot, and the perfect setting for guests to calm their mind while enjoying a cup of tea. Helsinki Day Spa employs over 20 wellness professionals, includ28 | Issue 107 | December 2017

ing trained aestheticians and professional massage therapists providing a wide range of facial and body treatments. “As part of the Finnair loyalty programme, clients have the possibility of using their Finnair Plus points to enjoy the treatments,” says Uibu.

Helsinki Day Spa works in partnership with Ihoakatemia, the leading clinic of aesthetic dermatology in Finland. “Collaborating with Ihoakatemia allows us to achieve great long-term results when working with customers with various different needs and skin conditions, and we always work closely with dermatologists.

The latest trend for us is not to run a medical spa but to schedule a comprehensive beauty programme, including some annual effective medical treatments performed in the medical facility, and separate regular maintenance mes-

otherapy, IPL-light and peeling treatments in the spa,” Uibu continues.

“Our strength is in our unique expertise in skin care. Our highly qualified professional massage therapists and aestheticians are able to advise on the best treatments for each customer,” says the managing director. “Coupled with the spa’s luxurious setting, the experience is perfect for busy clients who would like to step away from the city’s bustle – we take them beyond the daily grind and warmly welcome all visitors!”

Web: www.dayspa.fi Phone: +358-9-685 0630

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company

Sparkling Tea – a brand-new beverage category Despite having just opened its doors for business in June, Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company had sold out of their first batch of organic sparkling tea within just two months. The exclusive bottles are available from wine shops, Michelin restaurants and luxury hotels in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany – and this autumn, an exciting festive version has been launched to capture the dark and cosy winter.

By Susan Hansen | Photo: The Sparkling Tea Company

Sparkling Tea was invented by awardwinning Danish sommelier Jacob Kocemba. During his spell at the Michelin restaurant Hermann – now known as NIMB – he could not find a wine to match French wild strawberries and started to experiment with French luxury teas. The rest is history, and at the start of June 2017, the company launched three different versions: BLÅ (BLUE), RØD (RED) and GRØN (GREEN).

A limited edition called Vinter (Winter) is a recent fourth addition to the range. The recipe builds on chai tea and is specifically made for the cold winter months.

For those looking for an alternative to mulled wine, Vinter is the perfect option.

So, what is sparkling tea, you might ask? Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company combines different types of exclusive organic teas, from fine white teas to full-bodied green and black teas, creating new flavours and impressions in the world of tea.

The tea blends are created in the same way that you would put together different types of grapes in a Cuvée when making sparkling wine. The method has been refined throughout hundreds of different experiments and taste combinations. To ensure that extraction of the perfect flavours from the teas is achieved, the leaves are left to soak first in hot and then in cold water for an extensive period.

The range has a low alcohol level at just five per cent, but BLÅ is completely non-alcoholic, made using a total of 13 different teas. In BLÅ, Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company has succeeded in creating an incredibly rich, long and complex flavour experience for those who prefer an alcohol-free alternative.

In all modesty, it has been their goal to produce the best non-alcoholic sparkling product in the world.

In less than a year, Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company has managed to get its products launched across most of Scandinavia, and as if that was not enough, they are already being tested in countries such as the Netherlands, Vietnam and Singapore. The company’s dream of delivering its products to the world is alive and kicking.

Web: www.sparklingtea.co

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 29

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Design Brands We Love

Relaxed excellence Two years ago, four sprightly young chefs and waiters grabbed the chance to open up a restaurant in Aarhus together, based on New Nordic principles and strictly local ingredients. In February 2017, their Restaurant Domestic was awarded a Michelin star. “We were so surprised,” says Ditte Susgaard, one of the founders. “Of course it had been a dream, but one for the far-off future.”

ence for the guests. “We all knew each other but had never worked together as a team,” Susgaard explains. “Luckily, our skills and interests matched each other really well.”

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Jesper Rais

Letting the juices flow

“We’re really lucky to all be at a stage in life where we can prioritise the restaurant and put in the dedication needed to make it a success,” says Susgaard. “It really is hard work, and we almost see each other more than we see our other halves, so it’s hugely rewarding to see that our visitors appreciate what we do and share our vision.”

All about the flavour All four founders are young enough to have been trained as the influence of the New Nordic manifesto was making 30 | Issue 107 | December 2017

waves across Denmark, and Restaurant Domestic has close ties to its principles of clean, sustainable living, experimentation, and the use of seasonal, local ingredients.

Many high-end New Nordic restaurants tend towards exclusivity and bringing guests far out of their comfort zone. For the Domestic quartet, however, it was important that their new restaurant would remain approachable and welcoming, and that the menu’s primary goal should be to provide the best possible experi-

The kitchen is run by chefs Morten Frølich Rastad and Christoffer Norton, who knew each other from their training days at Molskroen in the early 2010s. Susgaard and fellow waiter Christian Neve, meanwhile, had built up a great working relationship at Nordisk Spisehus. Both have an interest in wine: Neve spent six months at a vineyard and Susgaard is a certified sommelier. “One of the most enjoyable and inspiring things we do is work across our stations to match and develop dishes where the food and drinks really play off one another. Often, Neve and I will taste this incredible new wine or juice, and then

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Restaurant Domestic

we’ll take it to the boys in the kitchen and they’ll concoct a lovely dish to go with it; or they’ll come up to us with a great new flavour combination and we’ll spend a happy few days hunting down the perfect wine,” Susgaard explains.

“I think the most important thing for us to learn when we first started out was to compromise with each other. But now, that’s also what we get our greatest strength from. We give each other space to try out new things and have several balls in the air at once – as long as the taste and our customers’ experience aren’t compromised in the process.”

In the kitchen, Norton has a particular passion for bread making while Rastad somehow found the time to add a series of eight types of Domestic Brew beers to the restaurant’s repertoire. Neve and Susgaard also preside over a range of juices and non-alcoholic drinks, which they choose just as painstakingly as the wine. “At the moment, I’m particularly excited about this white kombuchafermented tea that goes perfectly with

our appetisers, as well as our apple juice and cider venture. We open up a summer restaurant at the nearby Brandbygegaard farm every year, and they have the tastiest apples. This weekend, we’re actually going out to plant our first apple trees of our own on Morten’s parents’ land too.”

Reaping the rewards “We use what we have available around us in the fields, in the forests, in the stables – you name it. And we make use of old methods like fermentation and pickling in order to make the most of these traditional ingredients. That way of cooking requires a great deal of ingenuity; some of our preserves take a year to make, for example, and when they run out, the boys are forced to come up with a completely new dish. It’s a good challenge,” says Susgaard.

The hard work and creativity have clearly paid off. Though Susgaard does not believe that the Michelin star has changed anything about the way they work, she looks back at the day fondly. “We were ridiculously busy,” Susgaard chuckles.

“Two of us were in Stockholm for the ceremony, but it was a normal day at the restaurant and we were fully booked, and then lots of journalists began pouring in.”

Restaurant Domestic became one of four restaurants in Aarhus to receive the accolade. “We celebrated with our guests and some Champagne, and during the ceremony, all our staff discreetly slipped out to the kitchen to watch on Skype for a few minutes,” Susgaard smiles. The restaurant received a little plastic figurine, which is proudly displayed in the restaurant alongside Neve’s National Waiting Championship gold medal and Rastad and Norton’s Young Chef of the Year awards. “We’re lucky to be doing what we love and for that to be recognised,” Susgaard concludes, “but our focus remains firmly on our customers’ experience.”

Web: www.restaurantdomestic.dk Facebook: restaurantdomestic Instagram: @restaurant_domestic

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 31

Scan Magazine | Education Feature | Den Europæiske Filmhøjskole

Try your hand at the film industry Many young people dream of working in the film industry, but getting a foot in the door can be a daunting task. At the European Film College in Ebeltoft, Denmark, students aged 18 and up are given the unique opportunity to become filmmakers in less than a year, and to acquire the skills needed to make it in the film and media business.

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Carl Jansson

Each year, 120 new students from all over the world attend Den Europæiske Filmhøjskole (the European Film College) in Ebeltoft, Denmark. Over the course of eight and a half months, the students learn to write, develop and produce films.

But the college is not only a place for learning; since it is a residential school, it also becomes the students’ home, and the close quarters lead to both life-long friendships and teamwork.

The teamwork in particular is an important aspect of being at the school. “Our students work closely with each other throughout the entire journey from idea to finished film, and it gives them a unique appreciation of the whole process and the responsibilities that everyone on a film set have. At the European Film College, we see this as essential 32 | Issue 107 | December 2017

for making good films and for working in the industry later on. Film is a collective art form,” says principal Nadia Kløvedal Reich.

Multicultural environment Every year, students of around 25 different nationalities live together, creating an exciting international environment.

The creative atmosphere at the college is exceptional, as are its facilities, which include two cinemas, a big film studio and state-of-the-art equipment.

Over the course of their stay, the students explore all the practical elements of filmmaking, and the days – and nights!

– are often long and intense, packed with classes, film projects, film screenings and guest lectures with professionals from the Danish and international film

business. “The European Film College is for everyone who loves film,” says Kløvedal Reich. “We have no requirements in terms of prior experience – but you really have to love film, and you have to be willing to live and breathe film very intensely for almost a year.”

A stay at the European Film College will be a vital stepping-stone into the world of film. After their stay, the majority of the students go into the film and media industry. The college provides one of the best film foundation courses in the world and is the perfect place to further explore your passion.

Den Europæiske Filmhøjskole (The European Film College): Former students include: Joachim Trier, Pilou Asbæk, Christina Rosendahl, Nikolaj Arcel, Charlotte Bruus Christensen, Peter Albrechtsen, and Fabian Wagner.

Web: www.europeanfilmcollege.com

Scan Magazine | Education Feature | Den jydske Haandværkerskole

Equipping students for the future of craftsmanship Den jydske Haandværkerskole (The Technical College of Jutland) has provided young people with some of Denmark’s best vocational training since 1928. Despite its long and proud history, the college is focused on the future, ensuring that its students are as well-equipped for their trades as they possibly can be, with apprenticeships, smart technology and creativity as central components of every course.

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Den jydske Haandværkerskole

“It is tremendously important for us to work with real-life businesses and manufacturers so that we can continue to educate in line with or ahead of the times,” says plastics engineer and teacher Troels N. Pedersen. “Industry and manufacturing are undergoing a new revolutionary change.”

The development of smart technology and big data, known as Industry 4.0, is seen as the fourth large wave within industry – on a par with the development of robots for manufacturing in the last century. “There’s great potential in these changes that our students can benefit from – it’s all about the right approach and attitude,” says Pedersen.

The Technical College teaches four main disciplines: carpentry, electricity, HVAC

(heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and plastics manufacturing. Some courses focus more on placements and some more on traditional academic learning, but all spend a great deal of time in the laboratory encouraging innovation and challenging students. All courses teach technology programming and promote interdisciplinary work. “Industry is seeing a change from international outsourcing to insourcing, to the places where the experts are, so it’s important that we have them,” says Pedersen.

“Today, it is crucial that students gain a good understanding of the whole manufacturing process. Whereas the tendency has been towards standardisation for decades, we’re seeing this turn quite rapidly,” he continues. “Consumers are looking for something individual, some-

thing different from everyone else, and trends in many areas are accelerating into shorter and faster production cycles to keep up. This necessitates creativity, great teamwork and a thorough understanding of new production methods on behalf of the manufacturers.”

The college, which also provides continual learning courses, is located in Hadsten, roughly 20 minutes from both Aarhus and Randers. Approximately 70 per cent of the boys and girls who study there make use of its boarding facilities. “We’re a 24/7 school. We place a great deal of trust in our students, and it works. They have access to the laboratories and work stations all hours of the day, so if they have a great idea at 3am, we won’t hold them back,” Pedersen explains. It is an approach that seems to pay off. The college and students work with many of the biggest players within Danish industry, including Grundfos, Danfoss and LEGO. Web: www.djhhadsten.dk Facebook: djhhadsten.dk

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 33

Scan Magazine | Education Feature | Suhrs Højskole

Explore the world of food in the heart of Copenhagen Located in the heart of Copenhagen, the food folk high school Suhrs Højskole attracts foodies from all over Denmark and abroad. With a mix of boarding and day students, the school has a unique connection to the capital and its famous food scene.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Suhrs Højskole

With four main subjects – gastro, food trends, movement and nutrition, and green transition and sustainability – there are multiple ways to explore an interest in food at Suhrs Højskole. All courses include workshops with some of Copenhagen’s best chefs, a study trip to Italy, and plenty of hands-on experience. But it is not just the high level and distinct food focus that distinguishes Suhrs Højskole. The school’s small size and past as a school of home economics also affect the experience students get. “The fact that we’re just 50 students means that everybody gets to know each other really well, and everyone gets seen,” says principal Lars SonneHansen. “At the same time, we have a distinct culture based on our long his34 | Issue 107 | December 2017

tory. Our past as a school of home economics means that for us, resource responsibility is not just a trend; it’s part of our DNA.” While 30 of Suhrs Højskole’s 50 students live at the school, the rest live separately in Copenhagen. One of the results of this is that all students become naturally integrated into the city and its famous food scene, which is also explored via many out-of-house events and visits. Another effect of the untraditional set-up is that the school attracts a wide variety of students, including young expats. And though the school is small – and classes are taught in Danish – there is room for everyone. “We really value diversity of students and opinions, not just between

the students but between students and teachers too,” stresses Sonne-Hansen.

“We use students’ different approaches and opinions as a dynamic force in our classes. You don’t have to agree with us on everything to be a student here.”

Facts: Originally founded as a school of home economics in 1901, Suhrs Højskole became a folk high school six years ago.

The school offers long (12 to 25 weeks) and short (one week, day and evening classes) courses.

On top of the four main subjects, the school offers a number of additional subjects such as communication, philosophy, and cakes and pastry.

Web: www.suhrs.dk

EX i –C PE ni Th em UL DE R TU N IEN e: RE MA C SP RK E OT LI GH T M

Left: ‘The grown-ups [in a war] might not always be innocent, but the children are, and we have a responsibility to give them an opportunity to contribute to their own life and to the lives of others,’ says Carsten Bang, co-host of this year’s show. Right: Danish Comedy Aid presents some of Denmark’s best comedians to raise money for Save the Children Denmark.

Danish Comedy Aid celebrates 25-year anniversary in London The stage is set for an evening out of the ordinary when the Danish Comedy Aid celebrates the show’s 25-year anniversary at the legendary Comedy Store in London on 8 January 2018. As always, there is a serious cause behind the event; this year, all profits will go to Save the Children Denmark’s work to better the lives of child refugees.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Danish Comedy Aid

Having started rather modestly with a small show at the Comedy Zoo in Copenhagen, Danish Comedy Aid this year celebrates its 25th anniversary not just with shows at major venues in Copenhagen and Aarhus, but at the Comedy Store in London too. Among the numerous leading Danish comedians to take to the stage is co-host of the show Carsten Bang, who is also an ambassador for Save the Children Denmark. “The average war lasts 17 years. That’s a whole childhood that’s gone if you’re born at the start of a war. That’s why we have a responsibility to help, especially the children,” says Bang. “The grown-ups might not always

be innocent, but the children are, and we have a responsibility to give them an opportunity to contribute to their own life and to the lives of others – to enable them to help make the world a better place.”

Throughout the years, the show has donated its growing profits to various different charitable causes, at the same time cheering up Denmark’s dark winter months. Some of Denmark’s best comedians have taken part, and this year is no exception; Thomas Hartmann, Ane Høgsberg, and Adam and Noah are just few of the comedians contributing their time for free to be part of the show. “It’s a

busy time to take out of the calendar, because it’s a time when everybody else is with their family. But it means a lot, and there’s a feeling that everybody knows why we’re there,” says Bang, who has taken part in all 25 shows but one.

If you want to start the New Year with a good laugh and the heart-warming knowledge that your good time has improved the lives of others too, make sure to get your tickets now.

This year’s shows: 27 December 2017 at 3pm and 8pm, Musikhuset, Aarhus 29 December 2017 at 3pm and 8pm, Royal Arena, Copenhagen 8 January 2018 at 8pm, The Comedy Store, London Tickets: www.fbi.dk

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 35

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Denmark – Culture Spotlight

The perfect getaway: Charm, elegance and beautiful surroundings Beautifully located on Funen, Munkebro Kro is known for its peaceful settings, elegant interior and warm-hearted service. Set by Kerteminde Fjord, just 20 minutes from Odense, the family-run inn is the perfect place for both exploring and relaxing.

parties and weddings. Its popularity has also resulted in a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Munkebro Kro

For everyone

Since 1826, people have been coming from near and far to visit the charming Munkebro Kro at Kerteminde Fjord.

However, visitors should not be fooled by the inn’s long history and charming, straw-thatched exterior; inside awaits an elegant and modern experience with lots of beautiful details. “The building has been in use as an inn for 191 years, but the rooms have been thoroughly renovated and the inn completely mod36 | Issue 107 | December 2017

ernised,” says Iben Germundsson who, together with her husband Finn Egebjerg Rasmussen, took over the place in 2014.

“Often, people are actually surprised by how elegant and modern it is.”

The mix of charm, elegance and unpretentious service attracts a wide variety of dinner and overnight guests, who use the inn for everything from business trips to romantic getaways, birthday

When Iben Germundsson and Finn Egebjerg Rasmussen took over the inn almost four years ago, their ambition was to turn the then gourmet restaurant into a place that could and would welcome everyone. The inclusive approach is also reflected in warm, down-to-earth service, which is noted and appreciated by many visitors.

“At many gourmet places, things tend to get a bit uptight, and that’s just not

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Denmark – Culture Spotlight

for us at all. We want to create a place where everyone feels welcome; a place where everyone is met with a welcoming smile and friendly remark,” says Germundsson. “That’s also why we chose to move away from the previous owner’s gourmet concept and instead focus on serving good-quality home cooked food, but with less fuss and more approachable prices. This way, we have been able to reach a larger share of the local population, and our visitors from further away don’t have to pay 1,000 DKK [approximately 120 pounds] per person to enjoy a meal during their stay.”

Today, the inn serves a delicious selection of traditional homemade ‘kro’ food. This can be enjoyed as just a single dish from an à la carte menu or a two to four-course dinner with or without a matching wine menu. Guests who would rather skip the wine menu and enjoy a single well-selected glass of wine are also in safe hands, as

the restaurant’s head waitress is a trained and skilled sommelier.

To explore or relax Just 20 minutes from Odense and ten minutes from the beautiful port town of Kerteminde, there are plenty of attractions to explore in the area around Munkebro Kro. “Many couples come just to enjoy a relaxing weekend, get a short getaway from home, and perhaps explore the area a bit. Visiting Kerteminde and going for a walk along the marina is amazing, especially when the weather is nice,” says Germundsson. “The town also has a few museums [among them the Johannes Larsen art museum] and a number of resident artists.”

The inn is situated just across the fjord from Ladby Viking Musuem. A must-see for Viking enthusiasts, it centres on the Ladby Ship, an original Viking ship and the world’s only such ship to be exhibited

on the original site inside a Viking burial mound. Yet, guests at the inn do not even need to leave their room to enjoy some of the area’s history and culture. “From the restaurant and many of our rooms, visitors can enjoy full sea views and see the activities of the local water sport clubs, and at times they will even see the replica of the Ladby Ship out for some practice rowing,” says Germundsson.

Facts: Munkebro Kro has been functioning as an inn since 1826.

In 2000, the old building went through a thorough renovation, and today it welcomes visitors into an elegant and stylish set-up.

The inn has three function rooms, the largest of which seats 100 people.

In total, the inn can accommodate parties of up to 210 people.

The inn’s wine cellar is also available for parties, wine tastings and predinner drinks for groups of up to 20 people.

The inn has 23 rooms, four of them suites.

The inn is located in Munkebro, a small town of a little more than 5,000 residents, just about a 20-minute drive from Odense, Denmark’s third largest city.

Web: www.munkebokro.dk

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 37

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Denmark – Culture Spotlight

Stories from the sea

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Strandingsmuseum St George

On Christmas Eve 1811, the British royal navy ships HMS St George and HMS Defence were wrecked just off western Jutland’s treacherous coast. Only 17 men survived – more than 1,300 others drowned and were buried in Thorsminde’s sandy dunes, still today known as the Dead Men’s Dunes. The nearby Strandingsmuseum St George tells the tragic stories of the region’s many wrecks, but also that of the resilient people who made the coast their home.

“We like to say that our exhibitions are curated by the sea,” says Ingeborg Svennevig, director of the region’s cultural history museums. “It has been a ruthless neighbour for the people living on Jutland’s west coast as well as their greatest source of both income and information for generations. It provided vital resources such as fishing and driftwood, but also an unusual means of communication with the larger world.”

The area’s inhabitants were sometimes able to salvage exotic artefacts from unfortunate ships, but it was the interactions with traders and survivors, many of whom were nursed back to health in the local community, that provided some of the most fascinating cultural meetings. As the

famous local author and explorer Ludvig Mylius-Erichsen put it: “We may live a remote life out here in the dunes, but the sea jolly well makes sure we learn everything from the distant regions of the Earth.”

The museum opened in 1992 to accommodate a huge joint British-Danish project to salvage the HMS St George and the time capsule-like belongings its seamen left behind. “When we open in early 2018, we’ll have a tower featuring the newly recovered rudder of St George in what we believe is one of the world’s largest display cases,” Svennevig enthuses. “Above the rudder, our guests will have a beautiful view of the Danish West Coast; the very coast where all the stories in the museum took place.”

Web: www.strandingsmuseet.dk/en Facebook: strandingsmuseum Instagram: @strandingsmuseumstgeorge

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Denmark – Culture Spotlight

Culinary collaboration For most people, experiencing Michelin-star dishes is a rare occurrence indeed. But Aarhusians and visitors to Aarhus need look no further than to Nordisk Spisehus in order to sample several dishes from across the world – in fact, the restaurant has brought almost 70 Michelin stars to Aarhus over the past six years.

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Heidi Helt Mølgaard

“We like to call what we do culinary collaboration,” says Signe Høyer, communications officer at Nordisk Spisehus.

“Our chefs serve up a menu that is partly our own dishes, inspired by techniques we’ve learnt from our collaborations, and partly a selection of dishes served at a Michelin restaurant somewhere else in the world. Our chefs travel to the restaurants and learn the intricacies of their culinary style, and then they bring some of their best dishes home for people to sample in Aarhus.”

The ground-breaking concept is the brainchild of the restaurant’s owner, Aarhusian entrepreneur Frantz Longhi.

By working with Nordisk Spisehus, foreign restaurants gain exposure to an audience that is often halfway across the world. Nordisk Spisehus, meanwhile, picks up new techniques and ingredients. “For our chefs, it’s an incredible privilege to regularly travel to and work with some of the top chefs in the world,”

says Høyer. “I know it’s quite a lot of pressure to reproduce and adjust these incredible dishes, but I also hear from our chef that it’s a great way to improve your repertoire as a chef.”

The menu changes every two months.

“It’s never boring,” Høyer laughs. “One month it’s Hong Kong, then it’s San Sebastian’s triple-starred Mugaritz restaurant, and two months later the menu changes to São Paulo, starring Brazil’s national dish and citrus fruits that are completely unknown in Europe.”

Once a year, the restaurant maps out an ambitious overall plan for the year, noting such things as interesting emerging culinary nations and restaurants they’d love to work with. “Luckily, most of the time when we contact them, they think it’s a great, fun chance to exchange ideas.”

From November to January 2018, guests will sample three dishes from the re-

nowned chef Sven Elverfeld’s Restaurant Aqua in Wolfsburg, Germany. “Our head chef and sommelier have just returned very excited,” says Høyer. “Elverfeld is a triple-starred Michelin chef, and his menu is full of modern tastes and textures like you’ve never had them before.”

From 18 January, meanwhile, Nordisk Spisehus will be able to share the beautiful delicacies created by the triple Michelin-starred Belgian restaurant Hof van Cleve with the good people of Aarhus and anyone else keen on this star-studded experience.

Web: www.nordiskspisehus.dk Facebook: nordiskspisehus Instagram: @nordiskspisehus

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 39

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Martin Jensen

40 | Issue 107 | December 2017

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Martin Jensen

Martin Jensen

Denmark’s solo dance rock star Featuring on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list, and having officially remixed artists including Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran and Olly Murs, Martin Jensen is not a novice anymore. Just over a year ago, however, things were pretty different. Scan Magazine spoke to the Danish DJ and producer about making the jump, playing Tomorrowland, and collaborating with his fans on his brand-new single.

By Linnea Dunne | Press photos

“There wasn’t much on my mind at all back then, because my time was filled with work: I had to go to my normal day job, and then I had to go touring the world.

I pretty much wasn’t sleeping at all between April and November,” Jensen says when asked what was going through his mind last year, when things started to take off. He had been keeping down a demanding full-time job as a mechanic in the family business in Jutland for ages, despite his music beginning to make waves across the globe and an increasing amount of media requests and gig invitations starting to come in. “On 1 November last year, I decided I couldn’t handle it anymore. I was too tired and had too many meetings, and I had to keep taking time off to travel and do interviews and meet with my label and… well it just didn’t feel fair to the team back home.”

Born in Silkeborg in 1991, Jensen cannot pinpoint a moment when dance music won him over – it was always there. In 2007, he started DJ-ing, mostly as a socalled ‘mobile DJ’, playing small birthday parties, school discos and similar community gigs. “I did that for about eight years and then decided to try to move into

the club scene. Quite quickly, I got resident DJ gigs and, a year or so later, I felt bored and gathered a team to start producing my own stuff,” he says.

Going viral While standing in the spotlight was something that appealed to him, he never anticipated that making and releasing music would become his job. But when he released his first single, Sí, in 2015, it became clear that he was onto something.

The remix of a Cristiano Ronaldo FIFA Ballon d’Or celebration from the previous year went viral and won him a huge fan base in the Latin countries, and the follow-up single, Miracles, featuring the singer Peter Bjørnskov, clocked up more than 20 million streams on Spotify. “It was all pretty weird,” says Jensen. “It was clear that my music was really getting out there, yet I didn’t have any gigs. I think I had four gigs that summer – that was it – and I wasn’t really sure if my music was reaching out properly or not. It was quite hard, actually.”

A new agent and his thus far biggest single, All I Wanna Do, put an end to his anxieties. Reaching 100 million streams Issue 107 | December 2017 | 41

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Martin Jensen

took it to the next level by asking his 2.5 million Facebook followers to not just help him, but contribute to his next single in an explicit sense. Going all in with his motto of ‘I will find you and sample you’, he created an app and got fans to submit vocal recordings – and now he is sitting on a gold mine, he says. “Some of them were funny, some of them were crazy good; this one girl, I thought she was amazing, like ridiculously good. So now I have all the videos and can search for people whose vocals have never been used before, and maybe I can track her down…”

on Spotify and prominent peak positions in the charts across Scandinavia and the Netherlands, Jensen established himself as a name to be reckoned with on the energetic and tropical house scene, before taking the world by storm with the mega hit Solo Dance. “Things just kept building – it’s been good,” he says.

“We got to about 70 gigs last year and will hopefully reach 200 by the end of this year, so things are looking good for 2018. It’s taken me to Asia, throughout Europe, South America… Solo Dance really pushed me.”

A moment to remember was when Jensen’s agent got a call from Tomorrowland, one of the world’s biggest electronic music festivals. “I wasn’t sure if it was a joke or not. I was all, ‘please let it not be a joke, are you really serious or are you kidding me?’” says the DJ. “But we got the offer, and it was crazy, playing the main stage at Tomorrowland – my first time ever playing there. It was fantastic. Now the aim is to go back next year and play the main stage again, but a later slot this time.”

42 | Issue 107 | December 2017

He talks about taking the plunge, making the decision to go for music fully and whole-heartedly without a safety net, and uses the analogy of jumping – literally. “You want to jump, but if you land too quickly you’ll never get anywhere in your career,” he explains. “But if you jump off a cliff and you’re not sure where the ground is, you can keep falling. Until you hit the ground, you haven’t fallen. I haven’t touched the ground yet, so that’s why I’m still here.” This seems characteristic of a DJ who refuses to focus too much on already achieved victories or specific future goals. “I don’t want to set any more really tough goals, because I don’t want to get stressed out about doing another global hit or something like that. I want to do it again, and it’s my passion to do it again – but at the end of the day, the fact is that I really need to be here just making music and being me, you know. I want to create music for people to listen to it because they enjoy it.”

‘DJs are the new rock stars’ Jensen has always had a genuine relationship with his fans, and this year, he

The new single, Wait, is a vibrant, exotic house tune complete with vocals by Emma Lov of American duo Loote – yet another banger to prove that the dance scene is not just alive and well, but changing the music scene at large. “I think the DJ is the new rock star,” says Jensen, using 21-year-old global star Martin Garrix as an example of a source of inspiration. “15 years ago, DJs were nearly non-existent, but how many DJs are around now? There are loads – DJs are taking over everywhere with great music and collaborating with all kinds of musicians from different genres. It’s cool, because it’s bringing some original old music back to the dance scene, and people are loving it.”

It is tempting to refer to Jensen as the new shining star on Scandinavia’s dance music sky, but he refuses to look at it that way. “Why are the Nordics producing so much good dance music? I think there’s very little do to here, so people sit in their studios and make music,” he laughs. “But I’m in my own little bubble and can’t say that I represent Scandinavia; if I start to think of myself as bigger than the other guys, I won’t work as hard. I just want to be the guy who makes music people enjoy and sing along to. If people sing along to my music, that’s what matters. I’ve made music with my heart and soul, and I think that seems to be going pretty well.”

Web: www.djmartinjensen.com Facebook: DjMartinJensen Twitter: @djmartinjensen Soundcloud: djmartinjensen

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Martin Jensen

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 43

e:

ER T IN ND cia W e A Sp SH RL I ED NDE W S WO m he

lT

Photo: ICEHOTEL

A winter wonderland of snow, fun and real Arctic atmosphere Go north or south, to a city or the wilderness. Sweden boasts cold, stunning winters and knows how to make the most of them. Here is our guide to the best things to do and most amazing places to see during your next winter trip to Sweden.

Sweden is exceptionally beautiful in winter. Woods appear to be covered in mini crystals as the sunshine breaks through the branches of snow-covered trees, and fields get a soft, thick, powdery white duvet. Add cosy cafés with candles aplenty and beautiful lighting in every window, and you will see why a visit to Sweden in the winter can be not just different but incredibly soothing for the soul.

But the Swedish winter is about more than first meets the eye. The week-long mid-term school break in February is not called ‘sports break’ for nothing. Wheth44 | Issue 107 | December 2017

er you are looking for a traditional skiing holiday or hoping for something a bit more unusual, you will find it in Sweden: think ice fishing, dog sledding and some of the most advanced and comfortable ski resorts around.

Go north and add to your winter adventure some fascinating history and culture. Perhaps you have always been curious of the Sami lifestyle or want to learn more about reindeer husbandry? Did you know that Sweden also boasts an entire mining town that is in the process of being moved? From gorgeous culinary traditions to interesting stories, the people

up north will show you a winter holiday with a difference.

Whether you opt for traditional hotel accommodation, a self-catering cottage or something as special as a night in a luxury suite made exclusively from ice, one thing is certain: in Sweden you can expect the highest standard in every sense – from design and comfort to environmental consciousness. Add a people that might seem reserved at first but will look after you as if you were family, and your next Swedish holiday may well be shaping up to be the most amazing winter wonderland experience you will ever have.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

KUST Hotel & Spa. Photo: Måns Berg

Photo: STF Kebnekaise

Northern lights Abisko.

Photo: Chad Blakley

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 45

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Offering the same, cool experience as the original ICEHOTEL, ICEHOTEL 365 is open all year round and comes with extra comforts such as heated en-suite bathrooms.

Ice, ice baby Spend the day chasing the northern lights or river rafting down one of Europe’s last wild rivers, and then cosy up in a sleeping bag in your very own mini ice art museum.

A stay at ICEHOTEL in Swedish Lapland may be cold – but it will warm your heart for a very long time.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Asaf Kliger

Originally from France, and having spent a number of years working in Gothenburg before he relocated to Jukkasjärvi 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Christophe Risenius is adamant that one of the best things about Sweden is a harmony between environment and culture.

As CEO of ICEHOTEL, he gets to work with exactly that. “You could call it an art experience in an Arctic environment,” he says. “For almost 30 years now, we’ve been offering a classic, seasonal ice hotel, designed and built to open in a new guise around mid-December every year 46 | Issue 107 | December 2017

and stay open until it melts in the spring, around the beginning of May. But since last year, we also have a brand-new year-round product called ICEHOTEL 365 – a permanent structure of 20 suites, 11 art suites and nine deluxe suites. It’s the first product in the world of its kind.”

ICEHOTEL first came about as a result of the entrepreneur Yngve Bergqvist’s travels in 1989 to a number of cold places across the globe, which convinced him that it would be possible to build a tourist attraction purely out of ice in the north of

Sweden. He started with a specially designed igloo for housing an ice art exhibition, and eventually the world’s first ever ice hotel was constructed. Since then, it has grown year on year, and the hotel itself is rebuilt every year using around 30,000 tonnes of snow and 4,000 tonnes of ice, including an ice church, a restaurant, conferencing facilities and the wellknown ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL. “It’s a pretty significant construction project,” says Risenius. “It takes five or six weeks every year just to build the structures – there are a lot of people involved.

But it’s important to highlight as well that it’s about much more than just construction. Every year, we develop a new concept, inviting artists from all over the world to present ideas through a competition, with a jury selecting the artists who

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

will be involved with creating ICEHOTEL each year. It’s important to us to stay creative – to make sure that it remains a challenge, and that the quality is consistently exceptionally high.”

The best night’s sleep Most guests who visit ICEHOTEL come for two or three nights, and Risenius suggests that starting in one of the warm accommodation options can be a good idea. “Whether it’s a deluxe suite or a self-catering cottage, sleeping warm to begin with allows you to acclimatise to the Arctic environment. There is a wealth of activities on offer, like going on a snowmobile or dogsledding excursion, trying out ice sculpting or enjoying a sauna,” he says. “We’re right out in nature, in this beautiful, snowy Arctic landscape, and you really get to experience that.”

When it is time for what for most is the highlight of the trip, or at least a real bucket list item, the ICEHOTEL staff are there to help with advice and guidance as well as any additional clothes needed.

“Every room is unique, designed by an artist almost like a mini private museum, and once the guided tours of the hotel are over for the day, guests get access to their rooms with sheepskins and sleeping bags, ready for enjoying a night in minus five degrees Celsius,” Risenius explains, adding that the new ICEHOTEL 365 deluxe suites offer extra comfort in the form of heated en-suite bathrooms. “Many people say that they’ve never had a better night’s sleep! The air is just so pure.”

Boasting new technology that keeps the rooms at a constant temperature all year round, in part thanks to solar panels, ICEHOTEL 365 really is a unique attraction. Add an ice gallery, complete conferencing facilities and an ice bar serving Champagne, in addition to master ice sculptor workshops, northern light safaris and river rafting down the Torne River, one of the last untouched rivers in Europe, and you will see how a trip to Jukkasjärvi is about much more than sleeping cold. “It’s all about ice and creativity, like an art symposium in

ICE CHURCH: IN THE GLADE. Design: David Andrén, Johan Andrén and Tjåsa Gusfors. Photo: Paulina Holmgren.

Artists: Sonia Chow and Huschang Pourian.

a class of its own,” Risenius enthuses, before returning to his love of Sweden’s knack for combining nature and culture.

“We work really hard to promote local culture and culinary experiences. People come here for the art, and they leave talking about the people. It’s cold, but it’s the best environment in the world.

Getting to meet so many passionate people and working creatively together – it’s just fantastic.”

How to get there: ICEHOTEL is located only a 15-minute bus or taxi journey from Kiruna Airport in Swedish Lapland, and a flight from Arlanda Airport takes around one hour and 20 minutes. In other words, you can leave Stockholm and be drinking Champagne in ICEBAR little over two hours later!

Web: www.icehotel.com Facebook: icehotel.sweden Instagram: @icehotelsweden

Artist: Anna Sofia Mååg.

From ice sculpting workshops to dogsledding and northern lights safaris, the area around ICEHOTEL boasts endless options for those keen on adventure or cultural exploration. Photo: Martin Smedsen

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 47

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

A breath of fresh air Looking for a break out of the ordinary? Head to Piteå and experience its many remarkable attractions. For starters, this destination offers clear-blue skies, a startling snowy landscape and a night sky lit by the dancing northern lights. Oh, and for urbanites worried about air pollution: the air here is among the freshest and cleanest on the planet.

By Pia Petersson | Photos: Destination Piteå

This gem of a town in northern Sweden boasts a great variety of the most incredible scenes nature has to offer, right on its doorstep. With an archipelago consisting of more than 500 islands, almost 24 hours of sunshine each day in the summer, and masses of sparkling white snow covering the landscape during winter, the region presents some truly fairy tale-like qualities.

“I think people are drawn here because they’re eager to experience and explore the surrounding nature. This, coupled with a friendly and picturesque town and the fact that the infrastructure is well-developed so that everything is easily accessible, naturally appeals to many people,” says Per Hallqvist, CEO at Destination Piteå of Swedish Lapland.

48 | Issue 107 | December 2017

There are many fascinating ways in which visitors can experience the area during the winter. Why not explore the landscape from the back of a dogsled? Or maybe discover it on board an icebreaker? Indeed, it is fascinating to hear the ice breaking against the hull of the boat until the icebreaker halts for a stop, during which visitors are offered to take a walk on the ice.

Particularly brave passengers can make a hole in the thick ice and jump in for an exceptionally refreshing dip in the sea.

As regards the northern lights, there are no guarantees; consequently, the experience is even more special for those lucky enough to see this extraordinary natural phenomenon. The chances do increase vastly, however, during the dark months of the year. “There are very good condi-

tions to see the northern lights during the winter. Going out towards the coast to see them is spectacular. It’s actually possible to see them all year round, but the contrasts of the dark sky and the colourful lights in the winter make it magnificent,” says Hallqvist.

For nature lovers everywhere, Piteå is a visual spectacle that has to be experienced.

Web: www.destinationpitea.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Lights all year round Northern lights tourism has boomed in the last few years. Destinations all over Sweden, Norway and Finland work together to fulfil travellers’ dreams to experience the natural phenomenon. According to Lonely Planet, the best place to watch the northern lights is at STF Aurora Sky Station, just outside Abisko, Sweden.

stations. With two airports, both about an hour’s drive away, and a local train station, there are many options. “Abisko is the perfect place for people who enjoy soft adventure,” says Grape.

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Lights Over Lapland photographer Chad Blakley

“Abisko is a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, but still, a housing shortage is a big problem,” laughs Margareta Grape, manager at the Swedish Tourist Association’s (STF) northernmost resort – Abisko Mountain Station. The station has worked tirelessly to increase curiosity for the northern lights, and when a time-lapse video of the natural phenomenon in Abisko went viral a few years ago, the village quickly transformed into an internationally recognised destination.

Since Abisko is located in a valley surrounded by high mountains, Grape explains, it is an excellent spot from which to watch the colourful act.

Year-round destination for soft adventure “Due to the high demand of visitors, we are building new staff accommodation

and new hotel rooms and refurbishing all our cabins,” says Grape. During the winter season, the facility hosts international guests from Asia, the UK, Germany and many other countries, while the spring and summer season mainly sees Scandinavians who wish to hike and experience the midnight sun. “We are now also launching more autumn activities,” Grape continues. “Not many people know that you can see the northern lights already from late summer; the most beautiful northern lights I have seen was in August. Autumn hiking is also extremely rewarding as you get to experience the crisp air and all the beautiful colours on the mountain.”

Despite being located 200 kilometres above the Polar Circle, Abisko is easy to get to compared to many other mountain

STF Abisko Mountain Station arranges hikes with local guides at all different levels. “You don’t need to be out for several days but can come back to your comfortable bed and eat at our White Guide-listed restaurant, Kungsleden,” Grape concludes.

For more images by Chad Blakley, please visit: www.lightsoverlapland.com

Web: www.auroraskystation.com and www.swedishtouristassociation.com

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 49

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Photo: Ari Magg and Mikael Svensson

‘A classical music festival that rocks’ Set in unusual as well as traditional venues in the midst of a sparkling ice-cold winter landscape, this is far from your average festival experience. Add artistic direction that throws preconceptions out the door to make for unexpected musical encounters, and you will see why this is an unforgettable music experience.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Nikolaj Lund

“This year’s theme, Man and Nature, is all about nature and romance in music, yet very topical with sustainability and environmental impact,” says Annika Nordkvist, producer of Dalasinfoniettan and Vinterfest.

Kicking off the festival on Thursday 15 February in Mora Church is Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, presenting a bewildering range of musical methods, styles and forms. This year’s programme contains plenty of orchestral music and Dalasinfoniettan, the official orchestra of Dalarna, will get to perform every day.

In addition, audiences can enjoy international superstars such as Rosanne Philippens, Ville Matvejeff, Andreas Brantelid and Juho Pohjonen, with exciting appearances from young and talented musicians including Guro Kleven Hagen on violin and Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad on viola.

50 | Issue 107 | December 2017

Vinterfest pushes the boundaries in terms of both venue choices and the musical content. On the Friday evening, for example, an industrial factory will be taken over in a very special concert exploring human psychology with music from three continents as well as dance performances and live video art by students at Dalarna University.

A stubborn artistic director Multi-award-winning Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has been in charge of putting together the programme for three years now, and it is clear from the way Nordkvist talks about him that he is a stubborn visionary. “He’s in charge of the artistry and I’m in charge of logistics, so it’s my job to tell him when we can’t get a grand piano through the doorway of a given venue,” she laughs. “But that’s also what makes the job so fascinating – that we do work with these odd,

unique spaces in an area that doesn’t get a lot of these experiences. And this year, Víkingur got his way: we’re bringing a grand piano to an old cinema but had to saw a part of the stage off to get it in. So we did. That’s Vinterfest.”

Versatility is key, stresses Nordkvist, as is the ambition to present a unique holistic experience for people of all ages.

Think everything from a silent, animated film screened to a live score, to classical music performed in a nightclub with beer on tap. “It shouldn’t just be like going to a concert. The environment is different and we’ve considered everything from the transportation to and from the various locations to choreography, lighting and food,” says the producer. “Anything is possible here!”

Vinterfest takes place 15-18 February 2018 in Mora, Orsa and Älvdalen.

Web: www.vinterfest.se Facebook: vinterfest.officiell Instagram: @vinterfest.festival

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland Kebnekaise mountain station.

Photo: Lisa Lindblom

Photo: Malin Lundström

Photo: Maja Oscarsson

To the top of Sweden’s winter wonderland You do not need to be a seasoned skier to climb Sweden’s highest mountain. STF Kebnekaise offers help, support and adventure for wilderness newbies and extreme sports fans alike.

By Linnea Dunne

“We get a lot of visitors from France, Germany and around the Alps, and when you ask them why they come here despite the fact that they have such fantastic mountainous areas back home, they say that it’s because it’s still so unexploited up here,” says Marit Sarri, site manager at STF Kebnekaise.

Stretching 2,099 metres above sea level, Kebnekaise is Sweden’s highest mountain and attracts a range of dare devils who want a bit of a challenge, even something a little extreme. But STF Kebnekaise mountain station is not just for veterans, as Sarri explains. “We want to give people the opportunity to discover a proper winter mountain landscape. It doesn’t have to be so extreme, and you don’t need that much advanced knowledge,” she says.

“All the equipment is available to rent, from skis to sleeping bags and thermal gear. We’re more than happy to help with

information and advice, and you can just do the exploration at your own pace.”

Situated in a roadless landscape, the Kebnekaise mountain station is best reached by snow mobile or by skis, both of which can be arranged when you get to the Sami village of Nikkaluokta about 20 kilometres away. While at the station, you have a wealth of winter adventures on your doorstep. “Climbing to the top of Kebnekaise is obviously on most people’s bucket list, best done with snowshoes if you’re a novice, or with a special type of very light skis. This is far away from ski lifts and crowds, a completely untouched environment where you can be almost all alone if you venture off-piste,” says Sarri. “Then you can enjoy a hot shower and sauna with views across the valley, followed by a three-course meal in the restaurant or your own speciality if you opt for self-catering.”

Other options include day treks through the valley or week-long tours with daily skiing from one camp to the next. You can also explore Sweden’s most well-known glacier area, which is just a stone’s throw away from the comfort of the mountain station with its restaurant and modern accommodation options. Built in 1907, STF Kebnekaise is rich in history and has been developed in collaboration between the local Sami people and the Swedish Tourist Association, with Sarri’s own grandfather involved from the start. “The goal remains the same today that it was back then,” she says. “To strike that balance between offering our guests modern comforts while allowing them to really experience the nature and the silence.”

The winter season at STF Kebnekaise starts in early March. At this time of year, temperatures typically hover around -5°C and below, with fine, sunny days.

Web: www.swedishtouristassociation.com Facebook: kebnekaise Instagram: @stfkebnekaise

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 51

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Tropical heaven beats the winter cold Paradiset is one of Sweden’s best combinations of spas and water parks. This piece of tropical heaven is ideal for splashes of fun, energising activities and relaxing treatments – pure bliss for those cold winter days.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Paradiset

Paradiset, located in central Örnsköldsvik, offers a wide range of sports and water activities as well as renowned spa treatments. Opened in 1992, Paradiset has developed over the years, and the 12,000-square-metre venue now attracts around 220,000 visitors per year from near and far, all looking for a moment in tropical paradise.

Sweden’s longest water slide, Magic Eye, is an experience for the brave with 180 metres of twists and turns. The little ones have fun at their very own tropical island, complete with a sandy beach and pirate adventures. And for those who want more water-filled excitement, there are plenty more fun activities such as funballz, slides, streams and whirlpools.

The modern spa offers a combination of relaxing treats such as purifying rituals in the steam saunas, meditation in a special light sauna, star gazing in the infinity pool or floating in the salt water cave, hot 52 | Issue 107 | December 2017

yoga and lush massage treatments. The signature aufguss ritual is led by a spa host who pours scented essential oils and water over hot stones before circulating the air in the sauna for calming or energising effects.

“Our visitors are positively surprised by the innovative water park with unexpected features such as pirate actors and interactive treasure hunts for the children during school holidays,” says director David Berglund. He also highlights the increased demand for healthy food amongst visitors and, to address this need, Paradiset recently reopened its newly redesigned restaurant based around nature and healthy ingredients. Visitors can also enjoy special deals based on culinary partnerships with brands such as Matstudio and BOX Whiskey.

In terms of future developments, the building of a new 25-by-21-metre swimming pool will commence in 2018 to ful-

fil the local schools’ need for swimming lessons. The spa will also expand with another 208 square metres of experiences to provide energy for everyday life. As Berglund explains:“These are exciting times for us, with lots of fun developments. We hope to remain one of the best northern destinations with something for everyone in the family.”

Opening hours: Paradiset water park Monday-Friday: 10am to 8pm Saturday-Sunday: 10am to 5.30pm Paradiset spa Monday-Thursday: 10am to 8.30pm Friday: 10am to 10pm Saturday-Sunday: 10am to 5.30pm

Web: www.paradisetornskoldsvik.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Enjoy the silence

By Pia Petersson | Photos: Carl-Johan Utsi

Within the borders of Laponia, visitors marvel at sights such as high mountain ranges, glaciers, large marshes, lakes and streams, and ancient forests. In the summer, those who visit the area should be prepared for the chance of running into one or several of the 65,000 reindeer who roam the region.

This vast, exceptional area in northern Sweden was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. “This of course means that it’s important for all mankind to preserve Laponia, in terms of protection of nature as well as culture. The latter refers to the Sami culture and the reindeer herding in the area,” Kristin Nilsson, supervisor of the visitor centre Naturum, explains.

Laponia consists of four national parks and two nature reserves. Additionally, there are nine Sami communities in the area. In 2014, a visitors’ centre, which also functions as the gateway to the whole World Heritage Site, opened its doors to the public. Local Sami people chose the spot where Naturum Laponia, as the centre is called, was built. “At Naturum, we advise on things such as walking tours and

where the good spots for putting up a tent are, and we provide information about the dos and don’ts visitors should keep in mind while they’re here. There’s also a lovely café here, serving local delicacies such as smoked Arctic char, reindeer sausage and waffles with cloudberry jam,” says Nilsson.

For those interested in visiting the area, it is worth adding that Laponia is the qui-

etest place in Europe. Moreover, the spot furthest away from any road – about 50 kilometres – in Europe is found here.

Web: www.laponia.nu

Naturum Laponia.

Dog sledding in the wilderness Celebrating its 25th anniversary next year, Aurora Borealis Adventures offers popular dog sled tours in Swedish Lapland. This season, guests can also experience the northern lights in the comfort of two new Aurora Tepees.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Aurora Borealis Adventures

Aurora Borealis Adventures has been running its popular dog sled tours in Vindeln since 1993. Guests can join a fascinating trip in the Swedish wilderness with adorable Siberian Huskies, ranging from one hour to several days. They become part of the dog sled team and get the chance to learn more about the dogs and life at the kennel. Staying at the so called Yellow House, a typical Swedish house built in 1904, guests are ensured a cosy stay. “Our motto is that you come as our guest and leave as our friend,” says owner Donald Eriksson.

In total, the kennel has 46 Siberian Huskies plus a few puppies – a number that may well increase if winters become colder again with more snow. After

a day of outdoor adventures, guests will be served a delicious meal prepared by Eriksson, who is also a trained chef. “You never know what the weather will be like here,” he says, “but if you can end the day with a fantastic dinner in candlelight, it will still be a precious memory. We put a lot of effort into hosting and offering our guests tasty food made of local produce.”

New this season is the chance to stay the night in one of two Aurora Tepees.

These exclusive tours start in the afternoon and end around lunchtime the day after. The tepees each have a comfortable double bed and electric heating and, more importantly, three of the six walls plus the roof are made of glass – offering nothing but amazing views of the northern lights.

Web: auroraborealis.nu Facebook: auroraborealisadventures Instagram: #auroraborealishb #auroraborealisadventures

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Skiing made easy – for families and conference goers alike With modern accommodation options and everything laid out to suit families with children and businesses alike, Kungsberget is a small and safe ski resort just two hours from Stockholm. Forget endless driving, freezing children and clothes that never dry – Branäsgruppen has thought of everything to make skiing easy.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Kungsberget

“Everything’s close. You never have to drive on the resort; all accommodation is close to the pistes, you just have to walk out the door and you can start skiing,” says Mikael Elford, head of sales and marketing at Branäsgruppen, the group that owns and runs Kungsberget.

“Moreover, everything’s modern, everything’s easy. There’s Wi-Fi pretty much everywhere, all accommodation has 54 | Issue 107 | December 2017

drying cabinets, kiddie beds and highchairs. There should never be any fuss or hassle – everything should just be smooth sailing.”

Kungsberget’s positioning is crystal clear: it is all about skiing the easy, uncomplicated way. Located just two hours from Stockholm, the resort was previously a daytime facility but has been

developed to boast modern, comfortable accommodation with around 1,850 beds.

There are quality restaurants and plenty of places to warm up and rest. With all slopes meeting in just two locations, handy is an understatement.

“There’s so much that should fit into that idea of spare time these days: golf, running, football training… everyone’s stressed all the time, so why would you spend six hours in a car to go skiing?”

Elford says. “You can just spin up after work on a Thursday, do a bit of work on the laptop on the Friday, then ski and relax all weekend. It’s not something you have to spend half a year planning.”

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Elford spent his early career in the entertainment industry and eventually moved to Canada. One day he got a call from his former boss, who asked whether he wanted to join the ski industry. “In the past, almost everyone in the field started out as a skiing instructor and moved up from there, which meant that everyone was really into extreme skiing and niche stuff like that.

But Branäsgruppen is very much about family entertainment – which is exactly what it is, when you think about it,” he explains. “What it’s meant for us is that we’ve had an injection of new ideas, a chance to avoid simply continuing on the same path.

So for example, we’ve come up with a way of booking your skiing equipment using an app and just collecting it when you arrive, ready to go. We can be a bit creative and come up with new solutions, which is less likely to happen if everyone comes from the same background.”

Kungsberget opens on 9 December and stays open until after Easter, the last day of skiing being 8 April. An additional ben-

efit of how close and handy everything is, Elford suggests, is that you can go skiing no matter how cold it is – because it is always easy to take a break and warm up with a hot drink. Saying that, his favourite time of year for skiing is towards the end of the season after the mid-term break called the ‘sports break’ in Sweden. “It’s usually quite warm and very sunny – skiing then is just wonderful.”

Last year, a brand-new eight-chair lift was added to the offering, becoming a huge success. “It’s one of the most effective ski lifts in Sweden, with barely any queues.

It’s been fantastic,” says Elford, adding that a new supermarket and new and improved sports shop are among this year’s additions. “We’re also building a new lift in the kiddie section, Björnbuseland, to meet the demand in this popular area.

This means we’ll have two lifts for the kids, which should make for an even greater experience!” With Branäs, the parent group’s main resort, named the best ski resort for families with kids a whopping

ten years in a row, this is a promising investment for Kungsberget.

Among the not-to-miss experiences, Elford lists the Ski Lodge bar – the perfect relaxation spot for parents as well as conference goers, a group that is growing quickly. “It’s handy for companies to come here as we’re so close to Stockholm,” he says. “With our conferencing packages including ski passes as well as meeting facilities, they can take a few days, have fun and get the work done in a straightforward and relaxing environment.”

While handiness and safety are key, that winter wonderland feeling is of course a very important cherry on top. “It’s such a fresh feeling, the air completely crisp, the beauty of all the snow… Everyone’s there to have a good time so no one is irritable – everyone’s helping each other out,” says Elford. “It is a lovely, positive atmosphere.”

Web: www.kungsberget.se

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 55

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Photo: Måns Berg

Photo: Jens Wennerberg

Photo: KUST Hotel & Spa

New design hotel in the north KUST Hotel & Spa is a real gem. In addition to a fabulous spa, a popular restaurant and the highest-located sky bar in northern Sweden, this exciting new design hotel has a locally rooted concept and personal touch. Get ready to become KUST-ified.

By Malin Norman

Opened in July 2016, KUST Hotel & Spa is a new design hotel located in Piteå, Norrbotten. Building work commenced in 2014 and the hotel was first lovingly called the Tree Crown, from the name of the block where it is located. Eventually renamed KUST, the hotel’s innovative concept, themed from mountain to coast, is strongly linked to Pite River, which travels from the Sulitelma glaciers and eventually discharges in the Gulf of Bothnia.

Each of the 14 floors has a certain connection to the river, be it in colours and shapes or furniture and design details.

For instance, one floor has expressions of the local dialect printed on the walls, while another tells the story of worldfamous botanist Daniel Solander, who was born in Piteå. Moreover, the confer56 | Issue 107 | December 2017

ence facilities are inspired by important industries along the coast.

Prized architecture The exterior was created by Ettelva Arkitekter with a concrete façade, a metal raster symbolising the traditional timber floating along the river, and irregularly placed windows. The façade absorbs pollution, which has earned the hotel this year’s prominent environmental prize at the national Concrete Awards. KUST Hotel & Spa has also won the World Luxury Hotel Awards and been nominated for Building of the Year as well as the Swedish Design Prize.

Owned by the Skoog Group as originally set up by Tage Skoog in 1963, the hotel is run by his children Christina and Roland Skoog. Their ambition has long

been to build a new landmark along the northern coast, and together with interior designer Jenny Jonfors they have created a design dream. “We talk about people being KUST-ified,” explains hotel manager Carina Wiklund. “It’s a mix of ambition, generosity and a personal touch. You can get a long way with beautiful design, but at the end of the day it’s the personal approach that really makes a difference.”

The hotel also hosts a fabulous spa based around an 11-step spa ritual and the hotel’s own products in collaboration with Ingrid K, as well as a terrace with an outdoor pool. Another example of its excellence is the top-floor restaurant Tage, named after Skoog Group’s founder, which is listed in the White Guide. A final must-see is of course the sky bar, with those to-die-for views of Piteå.

Web: www.hotellkust.com Facebook: hotellkust Instagram: @hotellkust

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Experience the untouched With six different locations spread across one beautiful destination, Bydalsfjällen in Sweden has something for everyone. “Much of the landscape around here is completely untouched. You will basically find us where the roads end,” explains Lasse Sällström, owner of one of the locations, Höglekardalen.

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Bydalsfjällen

“Höglekardalen is appropriate for the traditional family, Bydalen is perfect for groups, and The Eight Seasons is for the most adventurous,” Sällström explains when asked what the different locations offer. Together with Gräftåvallen, Fjällhalsen and Camp Dammån, these three locations constitute Bydalsfjällen, and they complement rather than compete with each other. “We are all specialised in different areas and can offer unique experiences for all types of groups,” says Sällström.

Bydalsfjällen is the southernmost ‘fjäll’ (a typical Nordic mountain, the highest summit of which is above the tree tops) in Sweden, thus ideal for those who do not wish to travel far. A magnificent landscape stretches out with real Swedish wildlife around every corner. “In the summertime, we drink fresh water directly from our rivers, and in the winter, most of us use snowmobiles to get around,” says Sällström. At The Eight Seasons, you can

addition to skiing down the nice, carving slopes and enjoying a meal outdoors, prepared in the restaurant’s mobile mountain kitchen, popular group activities include snowmobile safaris, heliskiing and helicopter tours.

take part in the reindeer carers’ everyday life or go fishing and hunting. Sällström suggests that the most beautiful time to visit the area is early autumn, while the best time for snow seekers is February and March.

Host your next conference at Bydalen One of the most all-round locations is the newly refurbished Bydalen. Bydalen has welcomed guests since 1877, and as a huge ski resort boasting 45 slopes and 17 lifts it is one of the biggest of its kind in Sweden. “Bydalen’s picturesque restaurant, Wärdshuset, is definitely worth a visit, even if you stay at one of our other locations,” Sällström smiles. Their different theme nights are really popular, and in the same building you will also find a relaxing, exclusive lounge with a pool table and a bar.

Bydalen is also the perfect destination for groups of up to 100 people, and all conferences are completely bespoke. In

Web: www.bydalsfjallen.se

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 57

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland

Classic hotel in Sweden’s southernmost alp At Storsätra Fjällhotell, guests will learn the true meaning of pleasure. This classic hotel in Grövelsjön offers a mix of genuine, inspiring atmosphere and sustainable living.

ten with fish or game from the area. And for those day excursions in the wilderness, there are packed lunches with something nice and warm to drink in a flask.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Storsätra Fjällhotell

Located in Sweden’s southernmost alp destination Grövelsjön, Storsätra Fjällhotell rests comfortably at around 750 metres above sea level, surrounded by three national parks. It is also the southernmost Sami village and hosts pasture for reindeer. “Here, you can wake up to see 200 reindeer outside the window!” explains hotel owner Lars Ericson.

The unexploited area is great for not only reindeer spotting but also cross-country skiing, with around 100 kilometres of prepared ski tracks starting just outside the hotel – ideal for those who want to train for Vasaloppet – as well as trails leading as far north as Kiruna and into Norway.

There is also a ski slope with six pistes around one kilometre from the hotel, and the popular ski resort Idre is not far away.

In summer, the opportunities for hiking 58 | Issue 107 | December 2017

and fishing are endless. Clearly, this is the real deal – a place for outdoor activities in the day and relaxation in the evening.

Dalarna’s first alp hotel The classic, four-star hotel was opened in 1939 by Margit Jonsson as Dalarna County’s first alp hotel. These days, it has 35 comfortable rooms and conference facilities for up to 50 guests.

Storsätra Fjällhotell also has a popular relaxation area with a sauna and a heated bath tub next to river Grövlan, and a cosy lounge with coffee and treats, great for reading magazines or chatting about the day’s adventures.

Guests are served a fabulous breakfast buffet in a genuine dining hall and, in the evening, a carefully prepared, delicious three-course dinner in the restaurant, of-

As proof of its successful concept, Storsätra Fjällhotell won Private Luxury Hotel of the Year 2018 at the Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards. Also praised in 2016, it was awarded Luxury Traditional Hotel of the Year – Sweden. So if heading to the Swedish mountains, make sure not to miss this treat as it boasts all the good things in life.

Web: www.storsatra.se Facebook: Storsätra Fjällhotell Instagram: @storsatrafjallhotell

Scan Magazine | Business | Keynote

Scan Business Keynote 59 | Business Profile 60 | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018 62 | Business Column 72 | Business Calendar 72

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Mind the gap between the past and the future

By Nils Elmark, consulting futurist, Incepcion

In 1912, the first diesel-driven ship in the world, Selandia, sailed from Copenhagen to Bangkok and back again on a single tank of fuel. The entire world was amazed.

The size of the crew in the engine room was reduced to a third compared to traditional steamers, and gone too was the hard and dirty work of shovelling coal into the furnace. Symbolically, 1912 was also the year when the gigantic steamer Titanic went down. No matter how hard the engineers tried to improve the steam engine in the following years, its time was over. The diesel engine had created a gap between the past and the future for the shipping industry.

In 2007, Apple launched the iPhone and created yet another gap. At the outset, few realised the true potential of the smartphone; the launch was overshadowed by the start of a global financial crisis. But eventually, people realised that the smartphone broke every rule there was to break. It changed the way people communicate with each other, the way we retrieve information, the way we buy, sell and pay for things and the way services are delivered. Revolutions and civic uprisings now grow out of social media on smartphones. Teenagers look at their mobile phones for nine hours a day, and it

has fundamentally changed the way they think, and redefined their concentration spans. With a smartphone, anyone can tweet their way to the White House.

We can thank the smartphone for the last decade’s hyper globalisation and, in that short period of time, the smartphone has created a whole new playing field with completely new rules for the players.

Many of those companies that failed to understand the new paradigm have disappeared to the land of the steam engines – and those who understood the rules have prospered.

Blockchain is a technology built for the 21st century and the borderless world of the fourth industrial revolution. It connects people, businesses and devices more securely than we have ever seen before and lets everyone interact with each other without middlemen. Blockchain is not easy to understand – new technologies hardly ever are – but we have to engage ourselves in the new world to avoid the risk of being left behind on the platform.

Please mind the gap between the past and a future that will be better than you think!

I think that most companies by now have learned to respect the global mobile paradigm and are in the process of adjusting to the new rules. That is good, because I believe that it is time to move on once more. There is yet again a crucial new gap, which businesses should mind: the blockchain.

Until two years ago, practically nobody had heard of blockchain, which is the technology behind the crypto currency Bitcoin. Now, experts believe that the technology will create changes that are at least as profound as those of the diesel engine and the smartphone.

Nils Elmark is a consulting futurist and the founder of Incepcion, a London-based consultancy that helps organisations develop new and braver dreams.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 59

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | Orchard

What really motivates employees?

Working in a company has its ups and downs, and many employees are in fact dissatisfied with their work life. By understanding what motivates people at work, and creating solutions to satisfy those motivations, the Danish company Orchard has over the past four years developed a new way of engaging employees and increasing productivity.

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Orchard

In February 2014, ISS, a large multinational company, came to Orchard and asked them to work out a solution for them, as they wanted their employees to feel more engaged in their work. This initial request became the starting point for Orchard, and since then they have worked with companies across the world to create solutions that benefit the individual as well as the business.

“Many studies have been done on employee engagement, and the number of disengaged employees is always shockingly high,” explains Kristian Rix, managing director and partner at Orchard. “What 60 | Issue 107 | December 2017

we do is identify why employees are not engaged in very specific behaviours, figure out how to make work meaningful and motivating for them, and then design our digital products around exactly that.”

Starting with people Everything Orchard does is centred on the employee. The whole process starts with thorough anthropological research, where Orchard’s researchers interview and participate in the day-to-day running of the business. By doing this and getting to know the employees and their working habits, they can figure out where the motivations are and what is meaningful

to them, before mapping out the opportunities for a motivational design.

“What we found with ISS, for example, was that the motivation for a specific behaviour didn’t stem from wanting to please the managers, but rather from wanting their peers to appreciate their work. This became fundamental for the design of our solution,” says Rix.

Motivational design Once the anthropological research is completed, Orchard creates a digital solution.

With Estée Lauder Companies’ employees, Orchard created MoodStories. The employees would be motivated to share their daily mood with the company, but only if their daily mood actually mattered.

Therefore MoodStories, a product that contrary to traditional employee engagement surveys makes it rewarding for the employee to participate, was designed to feature a feedback loop so that the man-

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | Orchard

agement can take action when moods are shared. Because of the action, the employees are motivated to do it again.

means that what we’re creating is something people want to use, rather than something they have to use.”

“Our digital products are very much influenced by motivational design, which is based on gamification, for example using progress bars, badges and different levels as a motivation, if it can be integrated in a meaningful way. Because we work alongside the employees, they’re part of the development process, so they can specify what motivates them and what they would like to see. Our approach is very much bottom-up rather than topdown,” Rix explains.

The solution created for ISS is being rolled out to their half a million employees globally, and it also won an international design award prize in Berlin. As it has been developed for a global business, it has been created in such a way that it can be applied to the individual locations’ needs, so each local office can create its own missions with rewards suited to the local culture within the app, and the peer-to-peer recognition is provided by people you work closely with.

Testing to get it right

Results

When developing a new digital solution, Orchard usually allow themselves three months for the development phase. “What we build is a minimum viable product, and once we have that, we let the employees use it and give us feedback,” the managing director continues. “Ultimately, this

After working with ISS to increase their employee engagement, ISS’s own customer satisfaction has seen increases of up to 25 per cent, as their clients no longer have to report problems because the engaged employees are spotting them themselves.

“We try to create products and solutions that are often radically different to typical digital solutions. They are designed to be meaningful for the employee, rather than being a compliance solution for the management,” says Rix. The digital solutions that Orchard creates in collaboration with companies who want to innovate are owned by Orchard and continually developed.

These solutions can then also be implemented across other companies. The solutions have proven to be successful, engaging and developmental from both an employee and a business perspective. By working first and foremost with the employees, Orchard creates a digital solution that is easy to implement for the company itself, by virtue of being something that the employees will actually use.

Web: www.orchard.dk

Kristian Rix, managing partner.

Share app won an international design award in 2016.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 61

TH L h EA SS iT H n i S NE 018 ’ M D LL 2 N E LA W UPS N FI AND RTA ST e:

em

Health and wellness industry as a driver of Oulu’s development Preventative healthcare and wellness influence almost every aspect of human life. With the public’s rising awareness of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, attitudes towards wellness and wellbeing have shifted significantly. This, in turn, has given a business boost to a great many companies that operate in this sector.

By Joanna Seppänen

Health and wellness have fuelled growth and innovation in Oulu for years. The city is well-known for its knowhow in life science and communications technology (ICT) as well as for its unique health ecosystem that spurs innovation. However, it is not only technology that is putting this Finnish city on the map. Oulu boasts a perfect combination of northern hospitality, a clean environment and 62 | Issue 107 | December 2017

enthusiastic people. It is the fastestgrowing region in the Nordics, with one of the youngest populations in Europe.

The sun never sets on innovation in Oulu Oulu is home to the thriving health and life science industry and innovative solutions that help solve global healthcare challenges. There are about 540 companies in

the health, bio, e-health, med-tech, wellness, and food safety industries. At least 240 of them are high-tech companies.

They offer world-class expertise and aim at expanding to international markets, with turnover having increased by 32 per cent in the past six years. The total revenue in this sector amounts to around 665 million euros, and it is estimated that it will continue to grow in the future.

“Here, you can find high-class competence in next-generation technologies, for example 5G, IoT, AI, VR, AR and Big Data.

ICT is also utilised in the wellness sector to develop applications such as wireless biosensors and a variety of wearables.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018

The city where health ecosystem innovation lives What differentiates Oulu is its one-of-akind OuluHealth ecosystem, which successfully supports the creation of new solutions and accelerates their introduction to the health sector. It is a network of health providers such as Oulu University Hospital; research institutes such as the Centre for Health and Technology (CHT); academia represented by the University of Oulu and the Oulu University of Applied Sciences; industry partners; scientists; and the City of Oulu. The ecosystem brings together many partners and supporters with the aim of creating new business opportunities and providing a unique environment for health-tech businesses. However, the most important goal is to combine expertise in wire-

less information, as well as health and life science technologies, to deliver more advanced, personalised and connected health services for the benefit of citizens.

OuluHealth was set up in 2012. During the last five years, it has expanded from being a local player to a widely recognised forerunner in health technologies. Launched due to a strong need for a close collaboration between representatives of different sectors, the ecosystem aims to find solutions to current challenges in healthcare, Did you know that…

Every day, some 2.6 billion people use technology that has been developed in Oulu?

These solutions are used in preventive healthcare and diagnostics, as well as improvements in everyday wellbeing,” says Heidi Tikanmäki, key account director of health and life science at BusinessOulu.

Oulu is recognised as an innovative leader in 5G technology development in the healthcare sector. This is the city where the world’s first smart 5G hospital is being built as a part of the Future Hospital project, which will completely revolutionise the health sector and pave the way for a new era in healthcare services.

“The future seems to be bright for Oulu.

We are number one in R&D investment in Finland, right among the top in the EU. We take the lead in shaping the future by digitising the world, especially the healthcare sector, and providing a unique environment for health tech business,” Tikanmäki adds.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 63

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018

such as digitisation, an aging population, shortages of healthcare workers and the rising cost of medical service.

A unique environment for global health business One of OuluHealth’s assets is OuluHealth Labs, a test and development environment for products and procedures. Equipped with cutting-edge pilot facilities, it is composed of three testbeds: OYS TestLab – an authentic hospital testing facility at Oulu University Hospital; Oamk SimLab – a versatile simulation and studio environment; and Oulu WelfareLab, which allows testing to be carried out throughout the city of Oulu’s social and health service network, including in citizens’ homes.

This innovative environment was established especially as an aid for health companies. It is the perfect place to develop their products or services under authentic conditions with genuine users.

This way, innovations are tested through the entire service chain, from private homes all the way to health centres and hospitals.

You can come to Oulu with an idea and leave with a finished product in your hand. The network is confident that it has all the knowledge needed to productise, fund, test, and commercialise innovations. So far, about 121 companies from Finland and beyond have contacted OuluHealth Labs for testing, which has resulted in 56 pilot cases.

Wellness through the eyes of innovative start-ups Oulu has been leading an innovation boom within the health and wellness sector, where the most active companies are.

These include Laturi Corporation, Oura, Neurosonic, CheckMyLevel, FasciaWear, Valkee and Physiofile. Local health companies focus not only on treating diseases, but also on prevention, self-monitoring and stress reduction.

A wide range of wearables and applications for the self-tracking and selfmanagement of health conditions have been designed and developed in Oulu.

They help patients be more in control of their health and encourage them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

It is also worth mentioning that Oulu’s residents are open to new ideas, especially when it comes to technology. They are willing to test innovations, provide feedback and actively support the need for development in healthcare. This is one more reason why it is so convenient for companies to work on new solutions here.

Examples of the most promising innovations developed in the health and wellness sector in Oulu include: - A revolutionary wellness ring and app designed to help you get more restful sleep and perform better (Oura) - The world’s leading brand of heart rate monitors (Polar) - Next-generation hand-held cameras for fundus imaging (Optomed) - A selection of diagnostic tests (Goodwiller) - A headset for bright light therapy (Valkee) - A chair that helps to reduce tension (Neurosonic) - A game used in speech therapy (Peili Vision)

64 | Issue 107 | December 2017

- A device for ear infection care (Otometri) - New treatment for healing bone problems and bone trauma (BBS-Bioactive Bone Substitutes) - Earplugs that combine active noise cancellation with acoustic noise attenuation to create silence (QuietOn) - A mobile gym for full-body exercise (Weela) - Solutions for preventing and monitoring chronic diseases (ProWellness Health Solututions) - A mobile application that enables fitness trainers to design and deliver personalised training programmes (Repmax by SelQuee)

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018

Relaxation chair by Neurosonic Finland Neurosonic Finland, headed up by CEO Simo Pahkamaa, was founded in 2010. The company has recently launched a chair, which aims to reduce tension through the use of different frequencies to get the desired effect on the body. During the last eight months, with two devices in airport lounges, they have helped people relax for a staggering 180,000 minutes, or about 3,000 hours.

“Our customers are people who suffer from, for example, sleep disorders, pain, recovery problems, Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. They tell us that the treatments we provide bring them a noticeable relief.

However, the most touching stories are from the people who suffer from nervous pain. They say that they are able to replace painkillers with our top-quality relaxation treatments,” says Pahkamaa.

Neurosonic’s collaboration with OuluHealth has been particularly beneficial.

Via the ecosystem’s network, the company has found many promising business partners, which has resulted in expanding their business to Norway, for example.

“Also people who have absolutely no problems with their sleep or stress can experience high-quality relaxation by using our product,” he adds. “We are currently in the process of receiving medical approval from the European Union, and once this has been taken care of we will be able to say more about all the diagnoses we work with.”

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 65

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018

Laturi Corporation’s Energy Coaching service Wellness technology start-up Laturi Corporation aims to help people and workplaces adopt healthy and active lifestyles. Cooperating closely with leading wellness research and coaching professionals, the start-up has launched the Energy Coaching service, an online tool for preventative workplace wellness management.

CEO and founder of Laturi Corporation, Vesa Tornberg, believes that workplace wellness is very important for a company’s productivity and profitability. “Based on the start test, a customised training programme is created by the service for each employee, taking into consideration their individual results and goals,” he says.

The Energy Coaching service works as a smart self-improvement tool. After three months, the follow-up test presents the improvement for each individual. Then a company report sums up the results on an organisational level and shows the impact of the wellness programme.

“Collaboration with OuluHealth is beneficial for us since they actively ask us what we need to get our business forward, and then they try to help on many levels.

We take part, for example, in networking events, trade fairs and investor meetings that are organised or co-organised by the OuluHealth ecosystem, which also effectively increases our media visibility,” Tornberg adds.

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Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018

Oura Health’s wellness ring -

Oulu-based health technology company Oura is the creator of the world’s first wellness ring and app. The ring is used by consumers, doctors, coaches, personal trainers, top universities, research organisations, and sleep clinics in over 50 countries.

By means of its accompanying app, the ring displays how the body responds to each individual’s lifestyle by analysing sleep, activity levels, daily rhythms and the physiological responses from the body.

There are appropriate sizes for users, ranging from eight to 80 years old. Oura Health is the first ever consumer wearable that is capable of measuring sleep quality. It uses the consumer’s resting heart rate to measure the level of fitness.

Not only does the ring estimate how restorative the individual’s sleep is, but it also monitors overall recovery from daily mental and physical strain.

Having launched its very first product in 2015, Oura has now brought out its

brand new ring, released on 30 November 2017. The ring sits snugly on the finger and is in close contact with the skin. This provides ECG level pulse and temperature data, which is measured as accurately as with the use of a thermometer.

-

Oura’s communications manager and co-founder, Virpi Tuomivaara, says: “Collaboration with other companies and stakeholders in the OuluHealth ecosystem has been a vital part of our success. Start-up companies are stronger when working together, and OuluHealth has enabled such collaboration.”

Web: www.ouluhealth.fi

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 67

Healthcare professionals, including nutritionists, are encouraged to use FoodToDo in their consultations.

Finnish company connects food and health sectors through apps Finnish technology company The MealPlanner creates a platform between consumers, healthcare providers and food companies through their very first initiative, FoodToDo – a two-sided app tracking medical, food and health data for consumers and healthcare professionals.

nutritious food is key for our kids to live a successful life. From day one, I wanted to create solutions that help people diet on tasty and healthy foods to reverse the trends,” says Michelin.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: The Mealplanner

Creating tailor-made solutions to encourage people to eat healthier food, The MealPlanner helps its customers to create food solutions and educational tools, which they believe is incredibly important at a time of an epidemic of diet-related diseases.

The core mission of The MealPlanner is that ‘nutrition should become part of medicine’. By using the consumer’s input – their personal data, history and daily behaviour – they can create personalised plans for each of their users. With medical tests and reports, they are able to 68 | Issue 107 | December 2017

monitor nutritional needs on both macro and micro levels – in addition to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

A digital solution The company’s story began two years ago when the founder, chef and sommelier Sophie Michelin was struggling to create a meal plan for the five children at home.

She was looking for a digital solution to tell her what to do and to bring the food to her doorstep.

“For me, it matters what food I prepare for my children. I believe that healthy,

Cue the idea of The MealPlanner, where a technology team and a dietetic health intelligence team marry food with health.

The first platform, FoodToDo, focuses on people with diet-related diseases or special needs. “There aren’t that many nutritionists in Finland, but in the UK, there are thousands who have daily practices with their clients. But they don’t have digitalised tools – and that’s why FoodToDo connects the client and the caregiver or nutritionist. They digitise the nutrition.”

Michelin explains that when a dietician today wants to create a recipe and find out about the macro and micro nutrients,

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018

there’s no easy tool to use. “So, we’re part of a health care digitalisation process,” she says.

Saving time The FoodToDo app is a platform that aims to save its users a great deal of time. “For healthcare providers, this means that they can serve more people. In the Nordic countries, there’s a lack of experts in the field; in healthcare and occupational health, there is a limited amount of nutritionists and dietitians. It’s the nurses’ responsibility to give advice about nutrition, diabetes treatments and other noncommunicable diseases,” says Michelin.

or a blood pressure change,” the founder continues.

The product is currently available in the UK and Finland, and in 2018 the company is expanding to the other Nordic countries – specifically aiming at healthcare and occupational health providers.

Last piece of the puzzle The end-goal for The MealPlanner is to provide its users with meal plans and eventually deliver the food to their doorstep as well – making life easy for the consumer. Once such a platform has

both sides – for the healthcare providers as well as the users – food companies can fill it with personalised products.

“Making food personal is the unavoidable future path for the food industry. The MealPlanner is the digitalised back-end solution for retailers, food services and even for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies aiming to make their product range healthier,” she ends.

Web: www.themealplanner.com and www.foodtodo.com

She adds that FoodToDo is a preventative tool for the user, in terms of preserving their health. “We educate the consumer to eat healthily. It’s not just about meal planning; it is about supporting the user to make necessary changes to avoid sicknesses and live a healthy, balanced and hassle-free life. We are talking about changing people’s habits,” she says.

Habitual changes Aiming to challenge these habits, the app features tools for habitual changes based on small steps. “It’s a lot about limiting sugar, or minimising it – that’s one of the most important things, especially to prevent obesity, diabetes and so on,” says Michelin. “But it’s also about teaching the consumer or helping them to change their habits and replacing a bad habit with a good one.”

FoodToDo creates tailor-made solutions to encourage people to eat healthier food.

The company is constantly on the lookout for interesting IOT tools for monitoring blood glucose, blood pressure, fitness and sleeping data. This data is only valuable when it is translated into 24/7 recommendations, and The MealPlanner is the first technology company that is turning such data into valuable nutrition recommendations.

“If someone has diabetes, the professional can monitor remotely the changes to his or her blood glucose level, and the system creates alerts whenever changes are needed in the treatment plan. Recommendations are sent to the user when the weather changes to avoid a simple flu

FoodToDo is currently available in the UK and Finland.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 69

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018

Revolutionising self-monitoring through new certified software After working as an emergency doctor for over 20 years, founder of Finnish company Heart2Save, Helena Jäntti, realised that there should be a better way of diagnosing symptomless arrhythmia, thus preventing potentially fatal strokes.

most wearables provide, to a more useful ‘need to know’ approach – and over the past few years, they have worked hard to make this happen.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photo: dreamstime.com

These days, many people are using self-monitoring devices such as smart watches and other wearables to monitor heart rate and stress levels. By using the data accumulated through this technology as a source for diagnostics and prevention of illnesses, Heart2Save aims to save lives.

“Our clinical research confirms that the accuracy of wearable data is close enough to the medical devices used in hospitals,” says Jäntti. “Heart2Save has developed a diagnostic service – DaaS – where we can take data from current wearables and analyse it in our cloud service. Arrhythmia is a major cause of 70 | Issue 107 | December 2017

stroke, and by detecting it early enough we can prevent stroke – or even death.”

Working with a team of in-house expert developers, Heart2Save is committed to stroke prevention via their diagnostic service. Jäntti explains that the service they provide is incredibly easy to use, as most people already have the required technology at home. “If you use the wearables differently, you can detect your own arrhythmia and thereby prevent a serious medical condition,” she says. “That’s the angle of our service.”

With ten medical doctors and biomedical engineers on board, the team is keen to highlight that, from a scientific perspective, the future will see wearables used as medical devices. “But it needs software to be able to do this – which is exactly what we’ve created,” Jäntti adds.

The company is currently collaborating with key players to be revealed in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled for more information.

From nice to know to need to know Heart2Save aims to make a switch in the ‘it would be nice to know’ approach that

Web: www.heart2save.com

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Finland’s Health and Wellness Start-ups 2018

Track diabetes with messenger app Dottli The Finnish app Dottli helps diabetics and their families and friends track their illness through a collection of data recorded by each individual about their health.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Dottli Oy

Co-founder Carina Rajala was diagnosed with diabetes when she was three, and through a personal need to collect specific data about her condition every day, she decided to develop the app she hopes will help people around the world. In messenger-style, the data is spread across different specialised systems and apps, enabling an efficient and fun way to utilise data.

Rajala finds it extremely comforting to know that she is not alone with her diabetes. “I know that somebody else is also checking up on me and perhaps wondering if I didn’t log data one day – they might call and ask if everything’s okay,” she explains.

Although it is still in the development stage, the app has many users already and allows the diabetics to sync their gadgets

with the app – be it activity and fitness trackers, medical devices and monitors, including of glucose, or health apps.

But it does not stop with diabetes. Dottli is aiming to tackle a range of chronic dis-

eases in the coming years. “We already have a number of ailments that you can log in the app, so in effect, if you have something you want to monitor, like migraines or your eating habits or your daily coffee consumption, you can absolutely do it in the app,” says Rajala.

Web: www.dottli.com

Left: Dottli is aiming to tackle a range of chronic diseases in the coming years. Middle: With Dottli, it is easy to track and share things that affect your condition and wellbeing. Right: The messenger bit also makes it more fun and comforting to keep tracking.

Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar

Message to a young employee: Kick-start your own development

By Steve Flinders

Hi Josh, Thanks for your email. Sorry to hear that your boss is so completely disinterested in you and the rest of your team. I understand your frustration about her failure to support your professional and personal development.

What can you do? Do not despair. We can all be cultural architects, even in our own tiny corner of a big organisation, so start with yourself. The atmosphere may be negative, but try to be positive and to avoid negative language. It is better for you, it can bring some light into your colleagues’ working lives, and it may even elicit more positive responses in return.

Next, find a buddy at work with whom you can construct your own self-help development plan, and start by giving constructive feedback on each other’s performances – two minutes by the coffee machine on how you

did in that meeting or your last presentation.

This will progressively improve your performance; and maybe one or two others overhearing you will start to join in. The ripples from the pebble you have lobbed in the pond will spread outward as you build a feedback culture little by little.

Then extend this into conversations to deal with basic questions such as: ‘Where are we going?’ and ‘What support are we getting?’

If enough people engage with this, you can start spending a few minutes at the end of a team meeting talking about how the meeting could have been improved, and about everyone’s continuing professional development (CPD).

Easy to say and hard to do. Your boss may well feel threatened by leadership coming from elsewhere. The recalcitrants will tell

you there is no time for all this. Stick to your guns. The satisfaction and improved outcomes you achieve will prove them wrong; and it will help you move on and leave those mired in a stagnant culture behind.

Let me know how you get on, and good luck.

Steve 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.

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

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photo: DUCC

Novicell Seminar – Customer Journeys One of the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce’s highly-valued members, Novicell, is hosting a customer journeys seminar in order to teach how to improve customer experiences by using journey maps. The hands-on seminar provides participants with specific tools and models and is suited for CMOs, CEM and CRM managers as well as other marketing professionals.

Date: 15 December, 11am-12.30pm Venue: WeWork Chancery Lane, 14 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8HN www.ducc.co.uk

New year, new job, new you The I Am Group is inviting a broad range of professionals – from those early on in their career through to senior directors and everyone in between – to join their event ‘New year, new job, new you’ for an evening of network72 | Issue 107 | December 2017

ing. The guest speaker at this January event is former Life Coach of the Year, Swedish-born Charlotta Hughes, who has been specialising in coaching for over ten years.

Date: 24 January Venue: Browns, 82-84 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4AG www.iamenterprises.co.uk

Certificate in coaching and mentoring Plan ahead and register now to avoid disappointment. Quiver Management will be hosting a two-month programme accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, which welcomes leaders and professionals to join in the award-winning programme.

Date: 19 April Venue: The Hatton, 51-53 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8HN www.quivermanagement.com

AGM and Members’ Luncheon 2018 Save the date! The Swedish Chamber of Commerce is sending out an early invitation for their Annual General Meeting and following Members’ Luncheon this coming June.

Both members and non-members are welcome to this event, the venue, schedule and keynote speaker of which will be announced closer to the time.

Date: 7 June, 2018 Venue: TBC www.scc.org.uk

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www.alukin.se

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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Danish delicacies served in a historic setting In the old fishing town of Esbjerg, surrounded by fishermen in woollen sweaters and the North Sea, Café Danmark serves you classic Danish dishes – a skill the restaurant has perfected for more than 100 years. It simply does not get more Danish than this.

By Mette Hindkjær Madsen | Photos: Thomas Skjold

“You won’t find anything more traditional than Danish ‘smørrebrød’. All Danes have their favourite kind,” says Jan Færch, the restaurateur of Café Danmark. ‘Smørrebrød’ is an open sandwich with a rye or white bread base, butter, and one of a wide range of topping combinations such as eggs with shrimp or Danish meatballs with red cabbage – a distinctly Danish dish that has people travelling far to catch a bite, and one of Café Danmark’s trademarks.

“We get our fish fresh from the harbour and pride ourselves on the high quality of our produce. Everyone loves a fresh plaice fillet or chicken asparagus tartelettes, and being homemade from scratch only makes it even better,” says Færch.

This year, Café Danmark celebrates its 100-year anniversary – quite an accomplishment in the fast-paced hospitality business. And that is just for the estab74 | Issue 107 | December 2017

lishment’s current location. In fact, the restaurant was first opened 113 years ago. But as the harbour front in Esbjerg developed, the restaurant followed to the exclusive location it still resides in today: at the centre of Esbjerg’s legacy, its harbour.

heritage of the Danish restaurant. It has only had a total of four owners since it opened in 1904. “Fru Jepsen is the most legendary owner. She ran this place for 46 years – from the age of 40 to 86,” says Færch. If he is going to beat her record, he will have to work at it until he is 88 years old. Only time will tell if he becomes the new record holder.

Smørrebrød with roast beef.

Keeping the history of this local gem alive is important to Færch. “Barely anything has been altered in the restaurant’s appearance for almost 100 years. We created a wall painting similar to the old wallpaper when we couldn’t get hold of the same type anymore. People say walking in here is like stepping 50 or 70 years back in time, as if you’re in an episode of Matador [a popular Danish television show depicting life in a Danish small town in the 1930s and ‘40s].”

For the past two years, Færch and his wife Susanne have taken it upon themselves to boost the significant historical

Web: www.cafe-danmark.dk

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden

The cocktail Beets by Tjoget.

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden

On the right line This award-winning bar and restaurant does not overcomplicate things but strongly emphasises fun and relaxation. Possessing the charm of a local restaurant, Linje Tio simultaneously oozes of international cool and metropolitanism.

focus on a number of smaller dishes for sharing, and we’re careful to adapt our menu according to the different seasons,” Söderbäck explains.

By Pia Petersson | Photos: Nicke Jacobsson

The classic, inner city tram system in the Swedish capital was discontinued in 1967. On Södermalm, the southern part of central Stockholm, the restaurant Linje Tio (Line Ten) serves as a reminder of the trams that once used to fill up the streets in this part of town; the restaurant is named after one of the central tram lines.

Just like its old public transport precursor, Linje Tio strives to be as accessible as possible. “We’re trying to appeal to everyone, and we’re very much into diversity. Restaurants are essentially meeting places for different people from different backgrounds,” says Joel Söderbäck, one of the founders who, together with Andreas Bergman and Robert Rudinski, runs the restaurant and bar.

Opening its doors in 2012, Linje Tio has for the last two years secured an impressive place on Food Republic’s list of the world’s 50 best bars. “Being the first

Swedish bar to ever enter the list feels incredible and serves as proof that we’re doing something right. We’re proud and happy to have put Sweden and Stockholm on the international cocktail map,” says Söderbäck. Looking at the drinks list might give guests a hint as to why Linje Tio made it onto that list. For example, how about trying the intriguing Beets

by Tjoget, which consists of red beetinfused vodka, coconut syrup, ginger, lemon and nutmeg?

Söderbäck attributes Linje Tio’s success to a great deal of hard work. “Plus, we have an exceptionally good team and constantly challenge ourselves. We also work a lot with our social media outreach. Although we’re in a small city area far north on the globe, the internet has made the world much smaller,” he says. The drinks menu, like the food menu, is inspired by southern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East. “We

The philosophy behind the success story is not too complicated. “We want to be a type of free zone, separated from the terrible things happening in the world at the moment. We just want everyone to have a good time,” Söderbäck concludes.

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 17-01 Friday: 16-03 Saturday: 12-03 Sunday: 12-01

Web: www.linjetio.com Instagram: @tjoget

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 75

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Lovund is incredibly popular in the summer, but also an exciting place to be in the winter.

Hotel of the Month, Norway

Where traditional meets modern at the edge of the sea At the very edge of the sea, on the scenic Norwegian Helgeland coast, lies the architecturally modern yet incredibly traditional Lovund Hotell – a place no one would expect to be situated in such a remote location.

wasn’t like the demand for the traditional cabins diminished as soon as the new hotel was finished – they’re two completely different offerings.”

The new hotel creates a grand opportunity to experience the elements, while also providing a sense of security so close to the sea. “If the weather is bad, it looks very rough from here,” he adds. “But it’s always possible to get to the island with decent, large boats – so the communication to the island is really good. There’s no danger going out from here – it’s further out that it gets a bit harder.”

Not only is the island of Lovund a great place to be in the summer, but the hotel is open all year round. “It’s incredibly popular in the summer, but people find it interesting to come here in the winter as well, when they can see the northern lights and experience the extreme weather,” the CEO explains.

Being so close to the Arctic Circle, the island is located about an hour and a half out in the sea, spanning 4.8 square kilometres. Olaisen explains that the island is completely unique and has doubled its number of inhabitants over the past 30 or 40 years, to a total of 500. The average age is now 30, which Olaisen

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Lovund Hotell

Originally, the hotel simply featured a number of classic Norwegian red seasonal houses traditionally used for fishermen, which are still in use today. However, in April this year, Lovund Hotell opened up their brand-new modern extension right at the heart of it all.

“I feel like the different types of houses we have available right now complement each other really well,” says CEO Sivert Olaisen, who belongs to the second generation of the family-owned hotel. “It 76 | Issue 107 | December 2017

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

believes provides a clear and positive outlook for the future.

Salmon farming “There has been salmon farming on the island for 40 years,” he says. “One of the cornerstone companies on the island has taken a great social responsibility, which has been incredibly important as the owners and employees all live on the island. It means that they’ve turned around the negative trend from the ‘70s and ‘80s, and they’ve really made it work.”

The salmon farm on Lovund Island is the biggest in northern Norway. “It has provided great opportunities, not just for us, but for a lot of people – to be able to both live and work here,” says Olaisen.

A good place to be Olaisen decided to take over the hotel as he grew up there, and he feels that the travel industry has been his calling in life.

“I wanted to stay on the island; it’s one of those places where things are really hap-

pening,” he says. “People believe in the future, there’s great optimism and the kids run around and play in the streets.”

How to get there: There are several ways to get to Lovund.

The closest airports are Sandnessjøen, Mo I Rana and Bodø.

Boats take visitors from the mainland out to the island.

There has been salmon farming on the island for the past 40 years.

Web: www.lovund.no

Every year, around 7,000 guests arrive at the hotel, and in the summer there are guests from all over the country, as well as some tourists from abroad. “Throughout the rest of the year, we’re a normal hotel with facilities for courses and conferences and other group bookings,” he continues.

Traditional food In line with the nature of the hotel, the restaurant focuses on traditional ingredients, but in a modern disguise. The ingredients are sourced from local suppliers who focus on keeping the northern Norwegian food culture alive, and the inspiration comes from the Nordic kitchen.

All the rooms at the new Lovund Hotell face the sea.

“The result is like Lovund – a menu based on local, northern Norwegian and traditional ingredients, developed by the people who live here,” says Olaisen.

“We can proudly say we have one of the Helgeland coast’s best restaurants.”

The fact that the hotel is situated in such a remote location, so close to the natural elements, is what makes it so special, explains Olaisen. “There’s a closeness to the sea, mixed with architecture and experiences around it,” he says. Additionally, all rooms in the new hotel are facing the sea and the mountains. “To be able to stay in a place where you’re so close to the sea is remarkable.”

In the winter, guests can expect to see the northern lights from Lovund.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 77

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

Hotel Baltic: A luxurious break from your everyday stresses In the quaint burrow of Sydals in the southern part of Denmark, right by the harbour, you will find a place that takes you back to a time before the television spat out the daily news or your phone was an extension of your arm.

By Mette Hindkjær Madsen | Photos: Hotel Baltic

“From the very second you walk through our doors, you’re embraced by history and taken out of whatever stress fills your everyday life,” says Simon Smidt, manager of Hotel Baltic. The 150-yearold facility has been kept in its traditional style, so the hotel guests are treated to a little piece of Danish history during their stay. Each room of the hotel is individually furnished to suit their different looks. “We have spent a lot of resources on finding individual historic furniture and interiors that match our ambitions and work with every room of the building. Our attention to detail has been of great importance.

There are no televisions in the rooms, because that’s not what we’re about. We want to give people a break from all of that,” Smidt explains.

But some aspects of the hotel have been brought into the lifestyle we know today, including a speedy internet connection 78 | Issue 107 | December 2017

and fresh mattresses. The fusion of old and new is what Hotel Baltic’s manager finds most charming about his place of work. “It’s the whole vibe of this place, where the setting lets you dream away to a different time, combined with top-modern food and professional service. The contemporary elements combined with the historic surroundings really bring such a unique atmosphere to the place. And, of course, the beautiful scenery is a big plus.”

ism. Whether it’s a serving of rib eye and béarnaise, or a vegetarian dish based on beetroot that has taken 48 hours to cook, guests are met with the same high-level service,” Smidt asserts.

Though the new tenants took over merely six weeks ago, their ambitions are high.

For inspiration within technique and flavour, they look to their sister establishment, Hotel Frederiksminde, which holds a Michelin star. These skills are fused with the nature of southern Jutland to create their signature dishes.

Exquisite dining to suit every mood An important part of the experience at Hotel Baltic is the ambitious cuisine. They host a bistro serving everyday meals as well as a gourmet restaurant with 12 to 14 spectacular servings. Whichever tickles your fancy, you can be certain that the produce is of supreme quality. “Both restaurants work around the concept of great taste, purity and professional-

Web: www.hotelbaltic.dk

Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Denmark

Stevns Klint is one of just three natural UNESCO Heritage Sites in Denmark. Photo: Tage Klee

Experience of the Month, Denmark

A stunning trip through the layers of history The UNESCO World Heritage Site Stevns Klint is not just one of Denmark’s most captivating landscapes. Between its layers of chalk and limestone is the key to understanding what extinguished the dinosaurs more than 66 million years ago.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Jesper Milàn

Stevns Klint is without doubt one of the most striking natural landscapes in Denmark. But the secrets it holds within are even more captivating than its impressive exterior. Jesper Milàn, geologist and curator at Østsjællands Museum, explains: “What we can see in Stevns Klint is the exact moment of the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Preserved between the layers of limestone and chalk is a thin clay layer with dust from the gigantic asteroid impact, which triggered the mass extinction of more than half of all life on earth.”

The clay layer can be seen in many places across the world, but Stevns Klint is the best-exposed and most accessible place to see it worldwide. Because of that, Stevns Klint was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Visitors can choose to join a guided tour or investigate the magnitude of

the cliff on their own via the site’s 20kilometre-long coastal hiking trail.

enjoy the peace of mind offered by the fantastic sea views and diverse wildlife.”

Between the soft white chalk and harder limestone of Stevns Klint is the thin layer of clay that helped scientists solve the mystery of the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

Previous cold war front Another unique feature of Stevns Klint is Stevnsfort, a secret underground nuclear-proofed military complex created during the Cold War. Above ground, visitors can see the old tanks and missiles, and on a guided tour of the subterranean fort they can experience what life was like for the soldiers living underground.

“Stevns Klint is not only the tale of prehistoric mass extinctions; it is also the tale of the critical times during the Cold War when the world was on the brink of a new mass extinction caused by a nuclear war between east and west,” explains Milàn and rounds off: “Even if you’re not in the slightest interested in geology or history, Stevns Klint is just a really beautiful place to explore and

Facts: Stevns Klint is located one hour and ten minutes by car from Copenhagen.

Stevnsfort Cold War Museum and Geomuseum Faxe are open from April to October, but the cliff is worth a visit all year round.

Web: www.kalklandet.dk

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 79

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Norwegian Museums

Attraction of the Month, Norway

Shining a light on the past and informing for the future Fancy a peek into the private life of Adolf Hitler where he nourished his artistic side?

Or perhaps a glimpse at Eva Braun’s purse? This and many more curiosities from World War II can be found at the Lofoten World War Memorial Museum. The museum holds one of the world’s largest collections of unique artefacts that tell a story from the war far from the battlefield.

By Helen Toftner & Astrid Eriksson | Photos: Lofoten Krigsminnemuseum

The Lofoten World War Museum is a museum that is out of the ordinary, where the focus has drifted from the military to the personal side of the war. Thus, the museum takes pride in reflecting the time span between 1940 and 1945 with all its drama and brutality alongside examples of personal sacrifices, altruism and courage. “It is a historical museum with curiosities that attract people from all over the world. It intends to encourage people to think for themselves,” William Hakvaag says. He is the enthusiast behind 80 | Issue 107 | December 2017

the museum, and it has become his mission in life to locate and exhibit artefacts that tell stories about people and the war.

“A museum ought to shed light on the past, namely through photo material, pictures and text. Together, this constitutes a story, but the best thing it will do is to encourage visitors to think and make up their own conclusions,” Hakvaag says.

Josef Terboven’s porcelain Being Norway’s largest exhibition of uniforms, artefacts and small objects

from World War II, there are many curiosities displayed within the museum walls. Hakvaag himself has travelled near and far to get his hands on the unique pieces, and the current collection consists of porcelain of Reichskommissar for Norway, Josef Terboven; Christmas trees called Frontbaums, sent up north to cheer up Waffen-SS; Christmas tree decorations with Hitler’s head painted on them; as well as a large collection of uniforms.

One of the most notable artefacts includes the main flag taken from the German ship Blücher after it was sunk in the Oslofjord. On that note, the museum also holds the cap of Birger Eriksen, the officer who ordered firing on the ship and was thus instrumental in stopping the first wave of Germans invading Norway.

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

The museum exhibits a range of original artefacts from World War II, including clothes and equipment as well as five watercolour paintings painted by Adolf Hitler. The painting of the farm house had a double back – a hidden compartment – where four other images painted by Hitler were hidden.

“Eriksen was from Lofoten, and it is therefore particularly special to have his cap,” Hakvaag says.

The Lofoten raid – the first victory against Germany It is no coincidence that the museum is located in Lofoten in northern Norway.

The place played an important role during the war at the centre of Operation Claymore, often referred to as the Lofoten raid. On 4 March 1941, the allied forces, with the United Kingdom in the lead, carried out the raid on the Lofoten islands. It was soon considered the first total victory against Germany during the war, and it was a massive morale boost for British and Norwegian troops. It did, however, lead to the enormous fortification of Svolvær in Lofoten, and not least it opened German eyes to the north.

As a direct consequence of the raid, the Gestapo established their regional headquarters in Svolvær, alongside a considerable increase in German soldiers in the area.

Hitler behind the scenes – an artist and vegetarian Adolf Hitler is probably one of history’s most talked about men, and there is no lack of biographies. Most people are struck by his brutality, while others are also fascinated by the man behind the public appearance. It is a well-known fact that he was an eager artist, and it has been argued that the whole war might have been avoided if he had been admitted into the Vienna Academy of Art. With this in mind, Hakvaag bought a painting

by Hitler for 200 Euros. What neither he nor the vendor knew was that behind the

paintings there were five drawings of dwarfs from Snow White, all signed by Hitler. “He was an artist by nature, which one could also see in his behaviour as a leader. He did not follow the rules of the game and did things that no rational leader would do: for example, sending his troops to Russia without winter clothes,” Hakvaag says. While obviously portraying Hitler as the leader of the war, the museum is also trying to show the person behind the scenes, who was a vegetarian and a non-smoker. “He was a hard-line psychopath, who may not have struck people as the dangerous person he really was at first. This is all part of our desire to make people think for themselves and gain a new insight into history.”

Web: www.lofotenkrigmus.no

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 81

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Located in Birk Centerpark, in the eastern part of Herning, the CHPEA Museum is known for its magical atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. Photo: Kanonair

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

A fabulous artistic encounter A fabulous encounter awaits visitors at the Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelt Museum (CHPEA) in Herning. Creating an artistic dialogue between the bronze sculptures by Denmark’s Prince Henrik and the paintings by CoBrA artist CarlHenning Pedersen, A Fabulous Encounter is exactly what the name suggests.

larger pieces created specifically for this exhibition. More than 60 pieces are on display, along with samples of the poetry of both artists.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Ralf T. Søndergaard

The work of a prince

Known for its fairy tale-like settings and outstanding collection of works by CoBrA artists Carl-Henning Pedersen and Else Alfelt, the CHPEA Museum is visited by fans of CoBrA art from all over Europe.

However, with A Fabulous Encounter, the museum has managed to attract – and surprise – not just existing CoBrA enthusiasts, but also people who had never heard of Carl-Henning Pedersen before.

Museum director Lotte Korshøj explains: “Yes, some of our guests have arrived 82 | Issue 107 | December 2017

with a sort of ‘is this even a real thing’ kind of attitude. A lot of people find it hard to unite the idea of royalty and art. But then I’ve had several people knock on my door after their visit to tell me what an amazing exhibition this is. It’s been a bit of an epiphany for some people to see the talent of the Prince.”

The exhibition focuses on Prince Henrik’s and Carl-Henning Pedersen’s later works, with many of the Prince’s

Having been several years under way, A Fabulous Encounter opened at the CHPEA Museum in September 2017. The exhibition was created on the initiative of the Prince, who is a great admirer of the late Carl-Henning Pedersen. “The Prince has been working with several different genres, but only his closest friends and family knew about his sculptural endeavours,” explains Korshøj.

“His international debut as a sculptor came in 2009, when one of his works was

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

featured in the exhibition Sculptures by the Sea in Aarhus, arranged by the previous director of ARoS, Jens Erik Sørensen.”

Artistic dialogue A Fabulous Encounter explores the sim-

Danish soil and the other in French nature and culture, their careers occasionally touch common ground,” says Korshøj.

“You see clearly how their common fascination with the art of former times has served as a source of inspiration like is, for example, the case with the African mask, which Carl-Henning Pedersen adopted early on in his career and which inspired Prince Henrik for the first time in the ‘50s. It’s very much evident in their works that they found their creative energy in some of the same places.”

ilarities between the backgrounds and artistic approaches of the two artists: the Prince Consort from France and the Danish dairy delivery boy who painted his way to international recognition. Noticeably, the artistic output of both is characterised by spontaneity, imagination and the sheer joy of creation. “Their respective points of departure are different, but despite this we have found that, as they both have one foot firmly planted in

The exhibition presents a number of never previously shown works by Carl-Henning Pedersen. Among them is a series of works created from his parttime home in Molemes, France. Like the Prince, he was very inspired by both France’s and Denmark’s landscapes and culture. “Hopefully, the exhibition will give visitors a new perception of both artists,” says Korshøj.

The exhibition ended with a survey asking viewers which work they preferred, and the majority pointed to the Prince’s sculpture. Later, the Prince exhibited in a joint exhibition with his wife, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, at ARoS.

About the CHPEA Museum:

A Fabulous Encounter runs from 1 September 2017 to 2 April 2018.

Carl-Henning Pedersen (1913-2007) and Else Alfelt (1910-1974), both renowned CoBrA painters, met in Elsinore in 1933 and married soon after.

It was Else Alfelt who introduced CarlHenning Pedersen to painting.

The idea for the museum originated when, in 1966, Carl-Henning Pedersen offered to donate his entire collection to the Danish State.

In 1976, the museum opened its doors to a collection of 6,000 works by CarlHenning Pedersen and Else Alfelt.

In 2015, the museum was extended with an underground hallway leading to Angli, where Carl-Henning Pedersen’s monumental frieze Imagination’s Play Around the Wheel of Life is located.

The Museum is situated in Birk Centerpark, in the eastern part of Herning. Birk offers a variety of cultural experiences, including a sculpture park and the Geometrical Gardens.

Museum opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Web: www.chpeamuseum.dk

Top left: ‘It’s been a bit of an epiphany for some people to discover the talent of the Prince,’ says museum director Lotte Korshøj. Photo: Henrik Ole Jensen. Top right and bottom left: A Fabulous Encounter at the Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelt Museum presents a fascinating combination of bronze sculptures by Denmark’s Prince Henrik and paintings by CoBrA artist Carl-Henning Pedersen. Bottom right: For many years, only Prince Henrik’s closest friends and relatives knew about his sculptural works. Photo: Mikael Lykke Madsen

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 83

Scan Magazine | Holiday Profile of the Month | Denmark

River rafting is just one of the many challenging and adrenalin-inducing activities included in Adventure Heart’s adventure programmes.

Holiday Profile of the Month, Denmark

Leap into the adventure of your life If you are dreaming of a couple of months or weeks of extraordinary adventures, Adventure Heart can make the dream a reality. With more than 30 years of experience, the Danish travel company allows you to leap into the biggest adventure of your life – in safe hands and surrounded by people who share your dream.

than the one we, as tourists, are usually introduced to,” says 19-year-old Ida, who travelled to Uganda, Madagascar and Mauritius with Adventure Heart.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Adventure Heart

From language courses to adventure trips

“I was on a two-month trip, and I’m still amazed at how much we managed to see.

The travel programme was so good,” says 21-year-old Andreas, who took part in Adventure Heart’s Borneo and Bali programme. “In Borneo, we had great nature experiences, saw a wild orangutan and numerous other wild animals and had great adventures such as living and trekking in the jungle. And, after that, we had a bit more luxury and culture in Bali. It almost ought to be compulsory for young people to take this kind of trip.”

However, it is not all about adventure, luxury and culture. While covering all the 84 | Issue 107 | December 2017

must-see tourist destinations, Adventure Heart’s group trips also give travellers the chance to explore and volunteer within one or more areas of interest, such as sports, animals or children. Based on decades of experience and strong local networks, the trips all offer something that travellers would struggle to find on their own. “When we landed on Mauritius, we were all surprised by the richness that met us: nice cars, a huge airport and the most impressive high-rise buildings. But the biggest surprise came when we travelled to the poorer part of the country to help out at the plantations; it was a completely different world

Founded by Kirsten Lillelund in 1984, Adventure Heart started out as a provider of language courses before gradually expanding to include gap year programmes.

“For the last 20 years, we’ve been arranging trips for more than 15,000 young people during their gap year, and gradually our programmes have been expanded to include more destinations and activities on each trip,” explains managing director Susan Ravn.

Surfing, animal care, yoga, bungee jumping and mountain climbing are just some of the activities on offer. And then there is the voluntary work, often the most

Scan Magazine | Holiday Profile of the Month | Denmark

enriching part of the young travellers’ journey. “Our travellers are always amazed at how much the children they meet through their voluntary work appreciate their contribution, whether it’s teaching, doing sports activities or something else.

Often they come home remarking on how amazing it is to feel that you can actually make a difference in a child’s life like that,” says Ravn. That is exactly how 19-year-old Sofie, who travelled on the Thailand, Laos and Cambodia programme, feels: “It’s a true gift to be able to connect with local children the way we did with the children at the children’s home. That’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

Explore your passion abroad In recent years, Adventure Heart has also created a number of shorter 23+ adventure trips, aimed at those who want a mini gap year experience instead of a

regular holiday. “Our 23+ programmes are shorter adventure programmes for young people who never had a gap year or who want to go on another mini adventure instead of just relaxing on a beach for two weeks,” explains Ravn.

The shorter 23+ trips allow travellers to combine different modules such as sightseeing, adventure activities and volunteer work to suit their interests.

“Increasingly, we also fulfil special requests for young individuals who want to combine the group programme with an individually tailored programme to help them explore more of their interests and dream destinations,” explains Ravn and rounds off: “Making young people’s travel dreams come to life and hearing how their new experiences and insights have benefitted and developed them is truly satisfying and inspirational.”

Facts: Adventure Heart’s group trips last from two weeks to four months in one or several destinations in South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and Africa.

The trips and modules can be combined in numerous ways and also allow for individually tailored additions.

The shorter 23+ trips are available for 23 to 30-year-olds.

Group sizes vary from seven to 30 people. Some groups are Danish, others international.

Adventure Heart has sent more than 15,000 young people on adventures all over the world.

Web: www.adventureheart.com

Above: Helping local children with school and sports activities and working with animals are some of the possible volunteer jobs in Africa and Asia. Bottom right: When travelling out with Adventure Heart, you share your adventures with a group of seven to 30 like-minded young people. Groups can be either Danish or international, depending on the programme.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 85

Scan Magazine | Wellness Profile of the Month | Denmark

Wellness Profile of the Month, Denmark

Bringing ancient therapies into the modern day Mind, body and spirit guide the development of INUA’s custom designed saunas, infrared cabins, steam saunas and spas. With a mix of traditional therapeutic concepts, new technologies and Scandinavian design, this is true wellness starting from within.

By Malin Norman | Photos: INUA Wellness

“For over ten years, I have been studying and researching ethno-medicine practised by traditional healers in different cultures around the world,” says Dr. Gabriella Boalth Csanádi, co-founder of the Denmark-based wellness company INUA. “I have been part of incredible healing rituals and have accompanied remarkable healers with a deep wisdom about curing. My passion for sharing this wisdom inspired the creation of INUA.” Csanádi has an academic background in cultural and social anthropology and has been teaching at the University of Vienna and Aarhus. Elaborating on the compa86 | Issue 107 | December 2017

ny’s vision, she says: “In creating INUA with my husband, we had the vision that people take responsibility for their health and prevent illnesses by integrating natural therapies into their everyday life. We believe that true wellness can be found when harmony exists between mind, body, and spirit. This is the core of our product develoment.”

The brand name was inspired by the Inuit mythology, where ‘inua’ stands for life essence, and each one of the saunas is named after a god or goddess from Norse mythology. The products are based on timeless therapeutic methods

such as heat, salt, colour, light, acoustic, aroma and hydrotherapy. These healing concepts have served humanity for thousands of years with a vast array of health benefits. With the help of new technologies, they are integrated into INUA’s products. “Our mission is to enhance our customers’ wellbeing and boost their health,” says Csanádi.

“Therefore, we see our responsibility in educating people about the fact that our therapies have been investigated and confirmed by medicine; they are effective tools for natural healing and prevention.”

A family business that expands across Europe INUA manufactures hand-crafted, high-standard wellness facilities. The factory is located in Hungary, where Csanádi’s roots are, and the facility is run by her brother, who has more than a dec-

Scan Magazine | Wellness Profile of the Month | Denmark

ade’s experience in the European sauna industry. The product range includes saunas, infrared cabins, steam saunas and salt cabins, as well as combined solutions such as a vitarium. INUA Vitarium combines different treatments within one cabin that can feature the functionality of conventional Finnish saunas, infrared cabins and salt cabins – designed for those who want to experience more than just one therapy.

Denmark is an innovative country, for instance within design, but Csanádi believes that there is room for improvement in terms of spa pools. Recently, the range of products has been extended with spas and mini pools from a prominent Italian design company. “Traditionally, spa products tend to be made of plastic and don’t look very inspiring. At INUA, we are trying to provide customers with spas that represent comfort and formal elegance.

People may think that a home spa is a place only for relaxation, but spas originated because of the healing qualities of water, and hydrotherapy is a wonderful

and often overlooked method of reviving body, mind and spirit.”

Rediscover the oneness with nature The style of INUA is minimalistic and organic, inspired by nature. Today, the separation between indoor and outdoor is fading, spaces become linked and functions expand. INUA helps to explore and re-discover this new outdoor territory. “Many of us are overloaded and busy in our everyday lives. We need to slow down and recharge,” says Csanádi.

“Some of our saunas feature a huge panorama window, and you’re sitting with your loved ones around a cosy fire while surrounded by nature. Isn’t there something deep down in human nature that is longing for this experience?”

INUA provides contemporary sauna and spa solutions for relaxing after a stressful day, increasing sports performance, or spending more quality time with friends and family. Customers can get inspired by several ready-made designs and are encouraged to share their own vision.

INUA plans and implements every project individually. For instance, the style of the sauna can be adapted to suit the surroundings and existing buildings, the mini pool can be integrated into a wellness terrace and a lounge area can be built with an outdoor kitchen. Csanádi highlights the importance of customer focus: “The client is the soul of the project. Our main goal is to understand their needs regarding health and wellness, and to illustrate their individuality through design.”

In 2018, INUA aims to expand its product range with relax beds and chairs for lounge areas and outdoor spaces, for a complete home retreat and wellness area.

INUA’s products in Denmark can be seen at the permanent construction expo HUSET Middelfart.

To view the full range of products, see the website.

Web: www.inuawellness.dk

Dr. Gabriella Boalth Csanádi.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 87

Anniversary exhibition by Kjell Pahr Iversen at Sølvberget Galleri.

Gallery of the Month, Norway

30 years of making visual arts more accessible Sølvberget galleri is celebrating the 30th anniversary of bringing art to the people.

Situated within the cultural centre of Stavanger, the gallery is truly accessible for anyone to pop in, whether they are art lovers or simply passing by before going to the cinema or the library.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Lise Bjelland

Sølvberget galleri is a brand that stretches much further than Stavanger – and has been, for the past 30 years. “While presenting great exhibitions, we have an audience that is unique in the sense that we’re part of a multi-use cultural house that features a cinema and a library, which makes the visitors very varied,” explains gallery director Hildegunn Birkeland.

Dating back to 4 November 1987, Sølvberget gallery opened with a fasci88 | Issue 107 | December 2017

nating exhibition by Jan Groth. “It was an exhibition that received a great deal of good reviews, and it was visited by a lot of people,” says Birkeland. Then followed an exhibition by Inger Sitter, and with those first two exhibitions, the gallery positioned itself as one of the most attractive galleries in the northern hemisphere.

The gallery now sees around 30,000 visitors each year, which Birkeland believes is much thanks to its location in the cen-

tre of Stavanger, within the cultural centre. “The architecture is also really inviting – it’s a great building to be in,” says Birkeland. “We manage to reach a wider audience than other galleries. We do get a lot of interest from a specific arts audience, but there are also those who just drop by on their way out after seeing a film or visiting the library.”

Educating youngsters The gallery has a big focus on sparking an interest in art in young people.

It regularly invites local nurseries and schools to visit for either tours of the exhibitions or workshops related to them, all free of charge.

“If kids grow up in homes where the parents do not have an interest in art, then

Scan Magazine | Gallery of the Month | Norway

it’s important that public institutions contribute with knowledge and experiences of art. I see it as a form of public awareness, and creating a general cultural competence,” says Birkeland, explaining that when students come to the gallery with their school, they often come back with their friends to see other exhibitions, making word of mouth invaluable.

High-quality art It has always been incredibly important for the gallery to feature a high quality of work in their contemporary exhibitions, of which there are around four or five per year. In the last few years, they have focused on sensory exhibitions with a strong focus on children. Recently, the gallery hosted an exhibition with Sissel Tolaas, who works with fragrances and

gathered odours from the city, mapping out what different smells identify the different areas of Stavanger.

With sculptor Åse Texmon Rygh, they focused on touch, and the children visiting the exhibition were invited to touch the sculptures – a fascinating experience for a lot of them, explains Birkeland.

Additionally, the gallery presents a wide range of arts – film, photography, painting – all from around the world. “We’ve worked internationally throughout the years, and we’ve also partnered with many global art institutions and galleries,” the director adds.

Web: www.stavanger-kulturhus.no, search for ‘Sølvberget galleri’

Current exhibition: Svend Ivar Dysthe November 2017 to January 2018: Sven Ivar Dysthe in the exhibition Dysthe Design. Vær så god, sitt! (Dysthe Design. Please, sit!).

Dysthe is currently one of the most acclaimed designers in Norway, having started out as a furniture maker and ending up as a furniture designer.

“His background in furniture making makes him special – his chairs are both beautiful and great to sit in,” says Birkeland. “They’re also practical in the way that they can be stacked.”

Dysthe had a new breakthrough when his furniture was displayed in the American TV series Sex and the City and Mad Men, showcasing his chairs to millions of people.

Top: Exhibition by Fin Serck-Hanssen. Bottom left: Elin Melberg’s exhibition Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me at the gallery this autumn. Photo: Tommy Ellingsen. Bottom right: From the exhibition Stranger than paradise by Cecilie Dahl, summer 2016.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 89

Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

Left: Evening red. Building layers upon layers in her current acrylics works, Bryne draws inspiration from how she previously worked with watercolours. Right: Winter day. Inspired by nature, Bryne’s works are now mostly abstract.

Artist of the Month, Norway

From watercolours to acrylics with the ebbs and flows of the sea From naturalistic watercolour creations to more abstract acrylics work, Stavangerbased artist Annette Bryne has gone from a concrete naturalistic motif towards a wish to work with colours in more flowing methods.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Annette Bryne

The Norwegian artist is very much inspired by the sea and, with a stroke of luck, every studio she has ever had has been located by the sea. She has changed her style of work to move away from her signature pebbles, though she suggests that she is painting the same motifs, albeit in a completely different way.

“What I feel like I’ve done is that I’ve taken the watercolour technique into acrylics in order to keep the transparent look. I’ve thinned out the colours and used layers upon layers – which is exactly what I used to do with the pebbles. I put the layers on very gradually, 90 | Issue 107 | December 2017

to achieve the right depth in the works,” she explains.

Fascinated by the sea Bryne is fascinated by the ebb and flow of the sea, and walking along the sea and seeing the pebbles lying there under the surface, in sunshine or rain and exposed to the air as the sea pulls out, is something she finds incredibly inspiring. “The shoreline is always there and constant, but there is a continuous movement around it,” she says.

Working from a studio in Paradis in Stavanger, Bryne shares a workspace

with ten other artists. “It’s really inspiring. The fact that we can have meetings and eat lunch together and discuss art – and ask each other for help and guidance – is great,” she says. “The artists are all incredibly generous with each other. We help pull each other up and forward. It’s really nice to be in this sort of environment, and it’s nice to get out of the house so you don’t end up accidentally doing the laundry when you should be working.”

Award-winning artist Bryne recently won the Winsor&Newton award, an annual accolade awarded by the Nordic Watercolour Society, which includes members from all the Nordic countries. The jury is a collaboration between the five Nordic countries.

Bryne was also recently invited to display her works as part of two very large

Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

Left: Tropical. Right: Frosty night. The Stavanger-based artist’s studios have always been located by the sea. Bottom left: Her previous signature work featured a lot of pebbles, but she now paints more abstract motifs, inspired by the ebb and flow of the sea. Bottom right: Stavanger-based artist Annette Bryne has been working as a painter for 30 years.

group exhibitions – one in Denmark, which will showcase watercolour artists from around the world, and one in Iceland, which features watercolour artists from the Nordic countries in collaboration with artists from Wales.

With a background in the arts and crafts, Bryne started her career at the crafts school where she drew, sewed and weaved. “I did a degree as an advertising illustrator and worked in the advertising business for many years,” she

says. “Everything I did there was very A4 – I had to keep within certain guidelines all the time. Everything had to fit within the newspaper or magazine format, so to be able to go from there to painting freely was a true redemption. Being able to push boundaries and approach things from a looser perspective was great.”

But her advertising days are long gone; Bryne has now been working for herself as an artist for the past 30 years.

“I mainly deliver paintings to galleries,

more than working with projects, so for me things can get pretty hectic sometimes. There are a lot of ups and downs – sometimes you don’t have any sales, and other times you have loads. But it’s usually busy; I definitely have enough to do,” she smiles.

Web: www.annettebryne.no Instagram: @annette_bryne

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 91

Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns

IS IT JUST ME… No! This time I am sure that all of us are acutely aware that Christmas, once ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, is turning into a ticking stress bomb.

My husband and I typically visit our native Denmark twice a year: once in the early summer and once around Christmas.

The difference between the two experiences is stunning. It is like travelling to two different destinations entirely.

Landing in summertime Denmark, it strikes you how easy everything seems – how relaxed and laid back the Danes are. Bumping into acquaintances on the streets of Copenhagen is great in the summer. They will stop for a good chat and you will make plans to meet up again soon.

“Oh, do swing by,” they say, sincerely. “We could BBQ. Or even better – why don’t you come to our summerhouse this weekend?

We’re just hanging out.” Then you go on talking about how great that would be, until suddenly they say something like, “hey, this is great – why don’t we go for a beer right now?”

By Mette Lisby

Summertime Danes are easy peasy, glowing and charming; possibilities are endless. The days seem never-ending, and with sunsets lingering well into the late evening they almost are.

December Danes are different animals.

Bumping into an acquaintance on the street in early December will most likely get you a look of deep hurt and personal insult. Should you dare to suggest going for a cup of coffee to chat, they will simply bark a startling “No!” at you, which will reverberate throughout the city. Then they will start to rant about office Christmas parties, family get-togethers, Christmas gatherings at their children’s preschool and kindergarten. Their voices will start to break: “And then there are all the presents. I haven’t gotten to figuring out the presents yet!”

This is where you have to stop them before they break down sobbing, completely stressed out from all the fun they are scheduled to have, and all the great gifts they are going to get in the joyful spirit of

Christmas in an ancient village For the past few years, I have spent Christmas in Sweden. The festive season has followed a familiar pattern of meatballs and herring, crackling fires and sparkling snow. This year, I will be staying in England. It has been a busy 12 months, including two house moves, and I have decided that I will spend the holiday doing very little, apart from sit on my new sofa in my new home and drink tea.

We now live in a place that is technically a city, though in reality is little more than a large, ancient village. It is the sort of place that has had to cram its Starbucks inside an oak panelled, medieval brothel, because that was the only building available.

People are living and working inside history with an indifference that – to a Swede – is wildly exotic.

I cannot wait to see what this place will look like at Christmas. I look forward to that special, thick fog that you get when a 92 | Issue 107 | December 2017

Christmas. This is where I usually just pat them on the back, comfortingly. “Don’t worry, mate. I’ll see you next summer.”

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.

By Maria Smedstad

day. For 30 days. I look forward to drinking Prosecco from 11am to 11pm with the inlaws, with a Vermouth cocktail breather somewhere in the middle. And I look forward to the kind of red-nosed cheer that you are treated to once you step inside any British shop, restaurant or pub at Christmas – or indeed any time between October and March – and are able to meet the eyes of strangers and merrily agree to your mutual delight that ‘it’s awful out there’.

thousand dwellings in close proximity stuff their fireplaces with coal, and the resulting smoke then gets stuck underneath the pressing lid of British fog, in a choking but fragrant, seasonal air latte.

I look forward to every radio station playing I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, not only every day, but every hour of every

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.

Scan Magazine | Culture | Column

Scandinavian music After quite a few years penning hits for other artists (and featuring on many of them too), Sara Hjellström – or SHY Martin, as she is known professionally – is out with her first single all on her lonesome. Mercifully, she has saved a killer track for herself: Good Together, a hugely melodic pop track that hits the spot on first listen. Kygo, Astrid S, Mike Perry, The Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha, and Matt Terry will have to find their own hits for a while, please – SHY Martin is a keeper.

Norwegian production team LOKE has gone and pulled a Kamferdrops. In other words, they have produced a banging cover of an old schlager classic. Jahn Teigen ballad Det Vakreste Som Fins has been given the 2017 treatment, bringing the beautiful love song bang up to date. Recruited on vocal duties is Thomas Gregersen, and a certain Alexander Rybak – Eurovision winner for Norway in 2009 – has been tasked with turning in some gorgeous violin accompa-

By Karl Batterbee

niment, all making for a very special cover of the old Norwegian standard.

Swedish producer Forêt de Vin has just delivered an incredible remix of White Noise by his fellow Swede Cajsa Siik. In his own words, “It’s supposed to sound like the songs the record company forgot to release 30 years ago.” And that is precisely what he has delivered with this track. It bangs hard.

Danish artist Iris Gold has returned after a little while away with a late play for one of the best Danish tunes of the year. All I Really Know is a punchy and catchy slice of popped-up soul music – a bold and loud production that is matched effortlessly by the uncompromising vocal attitude that Iris Gold inserts into the song. It deploys great usage of an impressive horn section too, which is always a winner.

The Panetoz boys are back with a new banger, Öppna Din Dörr (Säg Att Du Vill Ha Mig Här). As the title hints at, the song pays a respectful nod to the Tommy Nilsson

classic. Though truth be told, seven times out of ten, I reckon I would prefer to listen to this version right here. It makes me wonder what other hits of yesteryear could be improved upon with an increased tempo and an injection of afro-beats.

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

Viking ships in Roskilde History for all the senses – year round

Experience five original Viking ships and see our impressive boat collection in the scenic Museum Harbour.

Look, feel, smell - and try!

The Viking Ship Museum focuses on the Vikings’ maritime craftsmanship and their impressive ships.

Exciting exhibitions – Films about the Viking ships and Sea Stallion from Glendalough – Dress as a Viking Activities for children – Go on board Viking ships Boatyard – Museum Shop – New Nordic Viking Food Scenic harbour life with Viking ships and historical wooden boats.

Go sailing on Roskilde Fjord: May 15 - September 30.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION 2014 The World in the Viking Age

– Seafaring in the 9th century changed the world! vikingshipmuseum.dk

Under the age of 18 admission free Open daily 10:00 - 16:00

(May 16 - Aug. 24: 10:00 - 17:00)

Transport:

Free car park. Train to Roskilde. From Roskilde Station bus route 203 or about 20 minutes’ walk.

Aalborg Århus

Roskilde

Odense

København

Vindeboder 12 • DK-4000 Roskilde • vikingshipmuseum.dk

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Danish designer Georg Jensen will decorate the tree at the Royal Exchange.

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

Oslo (Throughout December) The Oslo play by J. T. Rogers will be held at the Harold Pinter Theatre in Soho throughout December. It tells the true story of the two Norwegian diplomats Terje Rød-Larsen (played by Toby Stephens) and Mona Juul (played by Lydia Leonard), who held top-secret meetings between the State of Israel and the Palestine Lib94 | Issue 107 | December 2017

eration Organisation – leading to the 1993 Oslo Accords. Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN. www.haroldpinter.theater

Sofie Hagen (11-21 December) Danish comedian and podcaster Sofie Hagen will be presenting her stand-up

By Line Elise Svanevik

show Dead Baby Frog over eight nights in December, running at Soho Theatre 11-21 December. Having toured the UK with her shows over the past few years, Hagen is a London-based comedian who has previously been named by TimeOut as ‘one to watch’. Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, London W1D 3NE. www.sohotheatre.com

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar Danish comedian Sofie Hagen will be presenting her standup show at Soho Theatre.

Issue 107 | December 2017 | 95

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Lake Keitele: A Vision of Finland. Photo: The National Gallery, London.

The Royal Exchange Christmas tree (all of December) Danish designer Georg Jensen will be decorating the Christmas tree at the Royal Exchange this year. The 25-foottall tree will be covered in hundreds of decorations, and will be up until 7 January 2018. Pop along to get into the festive spirit at the Royal Exchange in East London. Threadneedle St, London, EC3V 3LA www.theroyalexchange.co.uk

HIM (December 17 and 19) Finnish rock band HIM will be playing The Roundhouse in Camden on 17 and 19 December, as part of the band’s very own farewell tour. Established in 1991, the band plays a mix of rock and metal 96 | Issue 107 | December 2017

songs and now feels that it is time to end their quarter-of-a-century career. They originally planned to run one show on 17 December but, due to demand, added the extra date. The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Rd, London, NW1 8EH. www.roundhouse.org.uk

Tove Jansson (1914-2001) (December and January) The creator of the beloved Moomin characters, Tove Jansson, will be celebrated in an exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery throughout December and January. She is one of the most celebrated illustrators of the 20th century, and the exhibition will see several self-portraits and paintings that have never been dis-

played before, among the 150 works.

Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Rd, London, SE21 7AD. www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Lake Keitele: A Vision of Finland (Until 4 February 2018) 2017 marks Finland’s 100th independence anniversary, and what better way to celebrate it than with an exhibition at the National Gallery? Lake Keitele is one of the most popular paintings at the National Gallery, and the exhibition will combine all of Akseli GallenKallela’s Lake Keitele landscape paintings. National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN. www.nationalgallery.org.uk

February means romance. And so does JarlsbergÂŽ!

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 JarlsbergÂŽ.

www.jarlsberg.com

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Tove Jansson. Photo: Dulwich Picture Library

Thor’s Nordic Winter Wonderland (Until 22 December) Christmas pop-up bar Thor’s Nordic Winter Wonderland aims to celebrate Christmas in a Viking-inspired pop-up tipi bar in the heart of London. If you are looking for some hygge in London this Christmas, this is the place to be. Open fires, mulled wine, hot cider and twinkling Christmas lights are really all you need.

10am to 10pm, six days a week. Regent’s Place, Fitzrovia, London, NW1 3HF. www.thorstipi.com

Finnish director and magician Kalle Nio has directed the WHS LÄHTÖ play at Central Saint Martins

98 | Issue 107 | December 2017

The Winter Forest (Until 12 January) The Exchange Square at Broadgate is being transformed into a Nordicinspired forest this winter, using snow-covered pine trees. Christmas shoppers in Broadgate will be greeted with a range of Nordic festivities as the days get colder, so hurry up and get inside the tipi cinema or enjoy some food in the bar and grill area. Mon-Sat, 11am to 11pm; Sun 11am to 6pm. Exchange Square, London, EC2A 2BQ. www.thewinterforest.broadgate.co.uk

Kalle Nio, WHS: LÄHTÖ (10-13 January 2018) Do not miss the Kalle Nio theatre performance at Central Saint Martins this January. Co-founded by Finnish magician/visual artist Kalle Nio, WHS Productions has been a big part of the rise of Finnish new circus. The January show will see a combination of cinematic video projections with 19th-century stage magic techniques. Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London, N1C 4AA. www.mimelondon.com

www.formfin.no formfin@formfin.no +47 70 25 00 00 Gjevenesvegen 67 6224 Hundeidvik, Norway