JANUARY 2018 ISSUE 108 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA
HANS ROSENFELDT – BACK TO THE BRIDGE NORWEGIAN FESTIVALS NOT TO MISS THIS YEAR VISIT SWEDEN IN 2018 – OUR TOP PICKS DISCOVER DANISH ART
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Scan Magazine | Contents
Contents COVER FEATURE
36
36
Hans Rosenfeldt – Back to The Bridge A near legendary face and voice on the Swedish media scene, Hans Rosenfeldt gained global recognition with his successful Nordic Noir crime series, The Bridge. Scan Magazine spoke to the novelist, screenwriter and radio and TV presenter about three-dimensional characters, writing for ITV and – crucially – the forth and final season with Saga Norén.
50
DESIGN 6
Happy Ears, Happy You For this first design section of the year, we decided to really commit to making 2018 a functional and beautiful one. From clever, sleek headphones to wellcrafted jewellery and bespoke kitchens, we present the Scandinavian design brands to keep an eye on.
SPECIAL FEATURES 24
From Swedish Health to Norwegian Adventure This month’s feature section shows how Swedish innovation helps you get stronger, faster and better prepared for some quality time in the great outdoors. In addition, we share our favourite Norwegian adventure destination as well as two Nordic hotspots for culture enthusiasts not to miss.
SPECIAL THEMES 40
74 117
64 Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018 If you are yearning for the fjords and some great music, check out our guide to the best festivals in Norway this year. We have covered everything from short films, stage art and indigenous culture to military marching bands and pure rock. Never has the saying that there is something for every taste been so apt!
82 Art from Denmark Three artists – two painters and one sculptor – tell Scan Magazine about their passions, inspiration and careers to date. This is a brief but fascinating look at the flourishing Danish art scene, as seen through the eyes of the artists themselves.
86 Danish Business Spotlight What do US-inspired specialised workwear, natural skincare with an exceptionally high level of active ingredients, and an app to help you come off your pain or anti-depressive medication in a risk-free way all have in common? They are the results of some of the most exciting business ventures in Denmark right now, and we went to speak to the people behind the innovations.
BUSINESS 84 On Learning the Piano While we list the top networking events to get your year off to a good start, keynote writer Steve Flinders shares some wise words on fear, practice – and learning the piano.
Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018 Every January, we present this comprehensive guide to all the good and beautiful things Sweden has to offer, from snowy mountains up north to exciting festivals down south and everything in between. Whether you are thinking of an early spring trip or looking to plan your summer holiday, this special theme is sure to inspire. Come young and old, come romantic weekend visitors and adventure seekers. Sweden is full of surprises!
CULTURE 116 To a Year Full of Culture Make this a year of culture! Head straight for our culture calendar to read all about the gigs, exhibitions and cultural events that will inspire you in the first few months of 2018.
REGULARS & COLUMNS 8 We Love This | 10 Fashion Diary | 94 Restaurants of the Month | 100 Brewery of the Month 102 Hotels of the Month | 108 Attraction of the Month | 110 Experience of the Month 112 Artist of the Month | 114 Humour
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 3
Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note
Dear Reader, What better way to start the year than with the fourth and final season of The Bridge and some proper quality time with everyone’s favourite Nordic Noir heroine, Saga Norén? The writer behind the success series, this month’s cover star Hans Rosenfeldt, promises plenty more of the personal stories and three-dimensional characters we have come to love – and it is cold enough still to enjoy curling up on the sofa with a mug of something hot, still dark enough in the evenings to warrant staying in. I know I am ready to succumb. That said, while I love a Nordic screen drama as much as the next person, I have been positively surprised by the amount of people whose New Year’s resolutions have hinted at a commitment to spending less time staring at screens and more time out in nature or face to face with friends and fun experiences. Along with the rapid digitalisation of everything around us, it seems there is a growing sense that we are risking missing out on all the rich experiences the non-digital world has to offer, and that we need to – excuse the cliché – carpe diem. Every year in January, we list our favourite destinations in Sweden, for anyone who is planning a trip up north or who is
returning home but wants something new to explore, and this year is no exception. Are you one of those resolute to make this the year of offline encounters? Look no further. From stunning ski resorts and world-renowned art museums to unspoilt beaches and locally sourced gourmet experiences, our guide leaves no stone unturned and no fancy untickled. Add our extensive special about the best Norwegian festivals this year, our top three Danish artists to keep an eye on right now, and a long list of other perfectly Nordic and equally pleasing destinations and hotspots not to miss, and I hope that you will rest assured that no Scandophile will go through 2018 bored. Worst case, Rosenfeldt told me that he is spending the summer working on something new, something to fill the hole once The Bridge comes to an end. It might not tick the box for the most devoted Saga Norén fans, but having witnessed the screenwriter’s ability to apply his tone of voice even to the English-language drama of Marcella, it may well get close enough. What was it the theme tune said again? Everything… goes back to the beginning.
Linnea Dunne, Editor
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CLOSE TO SNOW AND FAMILYTIME Discover Kungsberget ski resort only two hours drive from Arlanda. We have slopes for the whole family and all our cottages and apartments offers ski in/ski out. www.kungsberget.se
CLOSE TO WINTER ADVENTURES Branäs is the perfect ski resort for families with children! All our cottages and apartments offers ski in/ski out. Branäs is located only five hours drive from Arlanda. www.branas.se
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
Petra Börner Swedish artist @petraborner
Mathias Sektnan Norwegian director of Cockheart @mathiassektnan
“My style is quite practical and comfortable. I wear my clothes for a long time, and when I buy something I know I’ll have it for a long time. I shop at Couverture, Acne, vintage shops, Christopher Kane, Qasimi, and Helen Bullock to name a few. My shoes are by Acne, the denim jumpsuit is by Rachel Comey, and the jacket is vintage Yohji Yamamoto.”
“I like to wear dark colours. I’d say my style is a mix of black, casual, mesh and leather. I shop wherever I find something, not in specific stores but sometimes on eBay. My shoes are by Dr. Martens, the bag is by Sandqvist, the jeans are by Levi’s, the hat by Ralph Lauren, my sunglasses are vintage, the jacket is by Weekday, and my jumper is from Urban Outfitters.”
Petra Börner
Nina Schuitemaker-Wichstrøm Norwegian/Dutch writer @nischwich
Nina Schuitemaker
6 | Issue 108 | January 2018
“I would describe my style as a collection of beloved pieces, and I’d say I shop sporadically. Today I am wearing a jacket by Ann Demeulemeester, shoes by Robert Clergerie, a blazer by Vivienne Westwood, a skirt by John Rocha, and a top by Simone Rocha.”
Mathias Sektnan
“AT LAST A CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL THAT ROCKS”
“A FESTIVAL LIKE NO OTHER” CLASSIC FM
THE TIMES
“A WINTRY, IDYLLIC CHAMBER MUSIC PARADISE” NATIONAL RADIO IN GERMANY (WDR)
15-18 FEBRUARY 2018
MÄNNISKAN NATUREN HUMAN & NATURE
MORA, ORSA & ÄLVDALEN
VÍKINGUR ÓLAFSSON PIANO DALASINFONIETTAN HOST ORCHESTRA VILLE MATVEJEFF CONDUCTOR LIZA FERSCHTMAN VIOLIN ROSANNE PHILIPPENS VIOLIN GURO KLEVENHAGEN VIOLIN EIVIND HOLTSMARK RINGSTAD VIOLA ISTVÁN VÁRDAI CELLO ANDREAS BRANTELID CELLO JUHO POHJONEN PIANO CHRISTIAN IHLE HADLAND PIANO SOFIA SANDÉN vocals ULRIKA BODÉN vocals and many more...
PROGRAMME, ARTIST LINEUP AND TICKETS AT VINTERFEST.SE AND VISIT DALARNA
FOTO: ARI MAGG / MIKAEL SVENSSON
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This
We love this… New year, new start. Whether you are looking to add a few new pieces to your desk at work or change things up in your home office, we have selected a few essentials. Focusing on simple, clean lines in a modern Scandinavian style, these items will make your workplace functional but also a calm and organised setting where you can focus and get things done. By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos
With the look of folded paper yet created in metal, these folded shelves are a sleek and contemporary way to add storage to any home or professional space. The shelves come with two hooks and two bolts for mounting on the wall, and are available in three sizes and the four colours: grey, light terracotta, olive, and black. Muuto folded shelf small, £85 Muuto folded shelf medium, £99 Muuto folded shelf large, £139 www.skandium.com
This minimal monthly planner featuring AJ Vintage ABC typography, designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1937, is the perfect Scandinavian addition to your office wall. It includes stickers for birthdays, holidays, Advent and the weekend, making it easy to stay on top of not only work but also other arrangements. Design Letters monthly planner, £16.95 www.finnishdesignshop.com
Did you know that HAY recently did a collaboration with Ikea called Ypperlig? The collection celebrates the beauty of basics and is full of great pieces, like for instance this modern table lamp, perfect to light up your desk. A built-in variable touch dimmer means that you can turn off, turn on, and dim the lamp with just a light touch of your finger. Ikea Ypperlig LED table lamp, £35 www.ikea.com
Organise and style your desk with this beautiful pencil holder made from solid brass with a matte polish. It will keep all your favourite pencils and other office supplies in order while looking effortlessly stylish. ferm LIVING, £72 www.amara.com
8 | Issue 108 | January 2018
The flexible and functional Form Swivel chair designed by Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen offers great back support and freedom of movement as well as comfortable seating. With a wide range of combination options, the various Form models can be given different expressions, all according to your choice of base, colour and upholstery. Normann Copenhagen form swivel chair, £305 www.normann-copenhagen.com
ingridk
- handmade ceramics that become part of your everyday memories
Inspired by nature, ingridk makes products suitable for everyday use. The products tell subtle stories about the feeling that occurs when people have encounters with nature.
www.ingridkristine.no
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
Fashion Diary… Winter weather can be dull, but that does not mean that your outfits have to be. We tend to go for darker, neutral clothes during the colder months, so why not add a pop of colour while layering up to make these colder days brighter and more fun? We suggest going for one of the trendy colours red, yellow or blue, paired with a minimal winter wardrobe for an effortlessly cool Scandinavian style. By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos Stand out from the crowd with an eye-catching hat. This yellow woollen number is a street-style inspired ribbed beanie hat featuring the signature Acne face, a fun little detail that is sure to bring a smile. Acne Pansy Face hat, £110 www.acnestudios.com
If you are not very brave with bold colours, adding an item like this scarf can be a great way to incorporate the trend in a more subtle way. It comes in either blue, as seen here, or grey with a yellow colour detail at the edge. Filippa K bitonal wool scarf, £105 www.filippa-k.com
Layer up by mixing formal and casual pieces in true Nordic style with the keywords simple and elegant in mind. Why not go for a brighter blue pair of trousers instead of the trusted black? Choose a slim fit with classic details for a sharp look, and add a matching scarf for extra winter warmth. Selected Homme skinny fit trousers, £65 www.selected.com
10 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Update your wardrobe with colourful shoes for a new spin. Block-coloured shoes are a fun and exciting way to take your outfit up a notch, and these new high-top red trainers have a clean and sporty look. Made from soft nappa leather, they embrace both quality and style. Filippa K Morgan high fierce shoes, £180 www.filippa-k.com
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
Forget about the little black dress; go bold in a stylish blue number instead. Wear this loose-fitted style as it is for a casual vibe, or belt it up to create more of a silhouette. The dress has sporty side pockets and elegant darts for a feminine touch and is also available in red. Selected Femme loose fit dress, £65 www.selected.com
One of the easiest ways to incorporate a bold colour into any look is to add a statement bag. A bucket bag is now seen as a wardrobe staple, combining classy and cute. With removable shoulder straps and goldtone handles, this femininely elegant bag is versatile and perfect for both everyday use and on a night out. & Other Stories leather bucket bag, £99 www.stories.com
Dress up a neutral winter ensemble with some brightly coloured accessories, like these slim-fitted yellow leather gloves. The lining is made of a soft cashmere blend for comfort, ensuring your fingers will never be cold again. Arket two-toned leather gloves, £55 www.arket.com
A pop of colour is sure to bring your basic outfit from plain to fashionable. Adding a brightly coloured turtleneck under your dark winter coat will not only make you look stylish but also keep you warm. The Jana Viscose half turtleneck top has cropped sleeves and is perfect under the classic dark-blue Annie coat for a smart and chic look. House of Dagmar ‘Jana Viscose’ top lipstick red, £89 House of Dagmar ‘Annie’ coat, £455 www.houseofdagmar.com
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 11
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Design Circus & Santa Ni
Let the space captivate people! Birgit Tarp, design studio owner since 2004, has made her mark as an interior designer. In her Danish and international consultancy work for lifestyle brands, companies, retailers and individuals and as an expert for the leading design magazine Bo Bedre, Tarp seeks to challenge that very heritage in a modern and individual way. “We have lots of fabulous up-and-coming Danish furniture architects,” says Tarp, “but many people blindly follow the classic icon tradition, so offices, public and retail areas can end up looking samey. I make signature surroundings with a clear holistic direction – visual feel-good vibes around people and not just invisible spaces. I succeed at Design Circus by creating individual interiors, often together with artists, and employing customised elements and passion for every detail.” With a background as a textile designer, Tarp has a flair for characterful colours, materials and artefacts. “My most important task is to create a space that works for the individual client; enchanting them with something they hadn’t even imagined. Ideally, the space should tell an interesting
story about the specific company or house,” she explains. “My client Meldgaard’s head office launch was in the news last week, for example. I noticed the Danish PM checking out my unusual photo wallpaper of the company’s history, which was quite exciting.” Tarp likes keeping busy. She has just completed airy, playful interiors for the townhouses Bellarækkerne in Amager and made a showroom for Selected Brands
By Louise Older Steffensen Photos: Irina Boersma
Nordic. Copenhagen’s Flintholm ll college is lined up for 2018, as is a casino. “I love getting to meddle with all kinds of interior projects, and best of all see my clients happy – just like in an old-fashioned circus performance.”
Birgit Tarp
Web: www.designcircus.dk Instagram: @design_circus
Swedish slow fashion
By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Santa Ni
Santa Ni is a Swedish, organic fashion brand with a focus on wellbeing and slow fashion. The comfortable garments can be used for yoga practice or when going out, paired with boots and jewellery. “I got tired of the wear-and-tear clothing the market offered. I wanted timeless pieces that I will love to wear in the future as well, not only today,” explains Petra Sofia Westerlund, founder of Santa Ni. She has many years’ experience from the retail and fashion industries, and as she also wanted to develop a more creative streak it was an easy decision to start Santa Ni. Today, each collection consists of 50 pieces in superb quality. Currently, Westerlund lives on and works from Mallorca, but the connection to her homeland of Sweden is essential. “I love the Swedish nature, and our choice of colours for each collection is very much inspired by the Swedish landscape. We also produce everything in Sweden,” she says. Santa Ni’s collections are all GOT certified, which means that the entire tex12 | Issue 108 | January 2018
tile supply chain meets globally acknowledged ecological and social requirements. Santa Ni collaborates with a celebrated Swedish yogi – Malin Berghagen. Together, they keep a dialogue to brainstorm ideas prior to designing each collection. Santa Ni also collaborates with Swedish jewellery designer PazByJulia, who crafts jewellery that goes well with each Santa Ni collection. Left: Swedish yogi Malin Berghagen.
Web: www.santani.se Webshop: www.santanistore.se
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Louise Kragh Jewelry
Left: There are many colours to choose from and each piece is made at the goldsmiths in Aarhus. Top right: Louise Kragh Jewelry can be found in over 600 shops in 40 countries, as well as on their website. Bottom right: Kragh has designed every collection for the past 12 years. Each collection takes around six months to create.
High-quality, handmade jewellery 12 years ago, Louise Kragh started designing her own jewellery. Since then, her rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets have become popular across the world. With beautiful yet affordable designs, Kragh has found her niche and is going from strength to strength. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Louise Kragh Jewelry
Louise Kragh Jewelry has stayed true to its roots in Aarhus, Denmark. It is still from this city that Kragh designs the jewellery, and it is also in Aarhus that the pieces are made. “We’re one of the few Danish jewellers who still produce our jewellery in Denmark. Everything is handmade to order, just a stone’s throw away from where it was designed,” explains Kragh. Each year, Louise Kragh Jewelry brings out four new collections, and Kragh is the sole designer of them all. “Every new collection becomes my favourite,” she smiles. “I don’t want to make something that’s been seen before; I want every piece to have its own characteristic, while
also being something that is timeless and fun.”
and they’re easy to understand. They truly shine when they’re put on.” Using these high-quality materials and a simply beautiful design means that a piece will become a staple for many years. The jewellery lends itself to both special occasions and everyday life and will bring a smile to your face each time you wear it.
Something for the future The price is important to Kragh. Her pieces are surprisingly affordable considering their quality. The pieces range from 179DKK to 1,000DKK. “It’s something I take into consideration, as I think people deserve to have nice things without breaking the bank.” The jewellery is made with silver, which then either stays in its raw form or gets gold-plated with 24-carat gold. Handrolled porcelain, diamonds and freshwater pearls provide the bursts of colour. “The pieces are not over-complicated,
Web: www.louisekragh.dk and www.louisekraghjewelry.com Facebook: louisekraghjewelry Instagram: @louisekraghjewelry
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 13
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Domo Design
A heart of steel, filled with love Domo Design is a shooting star in furniture heaven. Its timeless designs in pure steel are made to live through generations – nothing short of perfection for indoor and outdoor spaces. By Malin Norman | Photos: Domo Design
Based in Småland, Domo Design makes sleek, well-made steel furniture. Domo stands for Design of My Own, and hints at the story behind the brand. Founder and designer Johanna Haglund set up the company three years ago, born out of the desire for timeless furniture in her own home. “I wanted something different, something not everyone else had,” she explains. With the help of her family’s business in steel production, Johanna created a few products of her own design, for herself 14 | Issue 108 | January 2018
timeless. We were used to industrial production and had to challenge ourselves with higher demands on design details, finish and packaging.”
Timeless designs for any room and later for friends. This limited range in pure steel became a huge success and last year, Domo Design sold some 650 products worldwide. All production takes place at Johanna’s family business in Småland, where the facilities and knowledge of producing steel products has been useful in making Domo Design’s products what they are today in terms of high quality and finish. Johanna says: “It was a great opportunity to make use of the existing facilities but make something a bit more creative and
The design is typically Scandinavian in a way, minimalist and with clean lines. Built on simplicity and perfection, it makes for furniture that suits many different homes for generations to come. The consciousness is evident throughout the process, from design through to production and on to packaging, even with handwritten ‘thank you’ notes from the designer. The range includes tables, seating, smart storage solutions such as bedside tables and shelves, and outdoor furniture – in to-
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Domo Design
tal around 40 products that come in black, white and grey. New this year is the Domo Stool, part of the Domo Seat collection, which is ideal as an extra seat or a side table to showcase beautiful items. The bestseller so far is the sideboard with two shelves. “The sideboard is convenient as it fits everywhere; in the kitchen, hallway, or bathroom,” Johanna says of its success. “People often want a place to showcase some of their loved trinkets, such as books, vases or family photos. You can see it everywhere on Instagram!” Interior magazines around the world have noticed the stylish designs, and Domo Design has been featured in lists of top products, ‘hottest right now’ and so on. Coming back to Instagram, the brand has 17,000 followers and Johanna talks about the importance of providing not just product images, but a whole concept
with ideas for how the designs can fit in a room – much like an interiors magazine, providing inspiration for its readers.
Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair As well as looking fabulous in private homes, Domo Design is collaborating with partners in public spaces, for instance Senab, a major player in interiors for offices, retail spaces, hotels and restaurants, as well as renowned architecture firms. Johanna explains the stricter requirements when designing and producing for these types of environments: “Working with public spaces requires the highest level of European quality standards,” she says. “In our family business, we meet these standards.” For all its products, Domo Design uses only carefully selected materials from suppliers in the Småland region. “Now-
adays, people are conscious of the environment, sustainability and the manufacturing processes,” the designer says and continues: “The material we use will last for generations – it’s a great feeling to stand behind such a long-term product.” More Domo Design news and new exciting partnerships will be presented at Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, the world-leading event in Scandinavian design with around 40,000 visitors from more than 60 countries, which takes place on 6-10 February 2018. You will find Domo Design at booth number A03:27. Until then, stay tuned for more solid steel news! Web: www.domodesign.se Facebook: Domo Design Instagram: @domo_design
Johanna Haglund, founder and designer of Domo Design.
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 15
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Multiform
Founder Carsten Michelsen.
A passion for kitchens When the first Multiform kitchen, Form 1, was designed, it was based on an ambition to create a timeless, iconic kitchen to match the legacy of the great Danish designers. Three and a half decades later, the Danish kitchen specialist is still doing just that. In 2017, its latest kitchen design, Form 45, took home the international Archiproducts Design Award. Scan Magazine takes a look at what made and makes Multiform the brand it is today. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Multiform
The heart of Multiform is the workshop in Kibæk, Jutland, where 45 passionate and specialised craftsmen handcraft every one of the company’s kitchens. “We have no kitchens in stock, and we never will. We take great pride in creating timeless and iconic kitchens, and our specialised craftsmen build each new kitchen from the bottom up using classic Danish woodwork principles,” says Multiform’s CEO, Michael Oversø. “To us, every little detail counts. We 16 | Issue 108 | January 2018
know very well that design is about more than smooth lines and beautiful surfaces – it’s just as much about what’s under the surface. We sort all our wood and veneer by hand and still use dowels, dovetails, and tongue and groove. Why? Because it lasts longer.” Throughout the years, Multiform’s first classic kitchen, Form 1, has inspired a number of new designs, including Form 45 in brass, which was awarded the in-
ternational design prize Archiproducts Design Award last year.
It all began in a backyard in Aarhus The first chapter of Multiform’s story took place in a small carpentry in a backyard in central Aarhus. It was 1982 and Carsten Michelsen, the company’s founder, had an ambition to create a classic, iconic kitchen with architectonical values that could equal those of famous Danish designers such as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner, and Arne Jacobsen. The result was Form 1, an innovative, simple and timeless kitchen designed and built to last a lifetime. The strong focus on materials and quality was embedded in Michelsen through his family of proud craftsmen who, through generations, built churches, houses and
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Multiform
furniture throughout Western Jutland. Besides this, the young Michelsen had a fondness for cooking, and through his work in the kitchen he found inspiration for his designs. “What struck him was that the kitchens of his time were lacking in innovation and quality. To him it was an essential criterion that a kitchen should be both functional and beautiful – even after many years of use – and that has been the guiding principle for Multiform ever since,” says Oversø.
Hand-picked, crafted and lacquered The wood used to create Multiform’s kitchens is exclusively sourced from
European forests and prepared with traditional craftsmanship methods. This includes using ammoniac to bring out the most beautiful colours of the smoked oak used for cabinet doors. “The colours vary from light brown to almost black – nature decides. But, on the other hand, it is our craftsmen who carefully choose the finished pieces of wood and piece them together to create the next unique kitchen,” says Oversø. Multiform has also developed its own lacquer to highlight the functional and aesthetic qualities of the smoked oak. The lacquer gives the doors a smooth, deep
and oily appearance. And, while it has the strength of auto lacquer, it has a wonderfully soft touch, hence the name: Soft Feel Lacquer. “It takes many years to master the art of hand lacquering cabinet doors, and many hours and skilled hands are employed to make sure the lacquer will give the kitchen an optimal protection for decades to come,” explains Oversø. The passion for beautiful wood and craftsmanship is also visible in every single one of Multiform’s handmade wooden drawers. The maple used for the drawers is sourced from Austrian forests in December and January, when most of the
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 17
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Multiform
trees’ sap is drained from the wood. The result is beautiful, light wood that preserves its colour. The wood is cut in a family-run sawmill in Austria. “For 30 years, this family has been delivering wood to us this exact same way. In our workshop in Kibæk, our craftsmen then cut out dovetails and collect every single drawer by hand. Their experienced hands check and sand the joint again and again to achieve perfection. The result is not just beautiful drawers, but durable drawers tailored for each individual kitchen,” stresses Oversø.
A new classic The latest addition to the Multiform series of kitchens is the award-winning Form 45, first introduced at North Modern in Copenhagen and since then at the prestigious Biennale Interiuer in Belgium in 2016. The kitchen has all the essential features of a Multiform kitchen – a timeless design and smooth lines – but the defining feature is its unique monolith look, created by edges cut at a 45-degree angle. Awarding Multiform the Archiproducts Design Award 2017, the international jury highlighted the design, aesthetic expression and functional qualities of the Form 45 in brass. The de18 | Issue 108 | January 2018
signer of the kitchen, Henrik Witt, says: “At Multiform, we had worked on this kitchen for years before we were satisfied with the result, and the award testifies that the qualities we aimed to create are recognised by others as well – and a Form 45 is just more stunning when brass is added to the design.”
a kitchen in brass might seem modern and perhaps a bit daring, it’s also very classic. Think about the many brass elements used on ships for generations. It’s a high-quality material, which gets increasing patina and individuality as it ages,” he points out.
In recent years, Multiform has experienced an increasing demand for handcrafted kitchens with leading brass features. This, believes interior design expert Birgit Tarp from Design Circus, is a result of an increasing desire to return to the original materials that appear simultaneously modern and timeless. “Many people long for the good craftsmanship and natural materials, like brass, which can’t be copied,” she says. “People want the materials to be what they appear like. It’s a kind of counter reaction to the many years of faux wood and fibreglass. In an exclusive way, brass is both timeless and unique.”
When buying a kitchen from Multiform, the customer is guided by architects, in-
Witt agrees and adds that whether it is a patinated brass kitchen, a marble table top or a leather sofa, many people like to surround themselves with materials that create an ambiance of history and grow more beautiful with use. “Even though
The vision
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Multiform
terior designers and designers. The team helps control the process and ensure that the kitchen is not just beautiful and functional but also in harmony with its surroundings. In short, the vision is, says Oversø, to create a unique space that fits each individual person’s or family’s life. “We believe that life is best lived in perfect frames, where every little detail is part of a bigger picture. And those are the frames we create. Through dedicated craftsmanship, we create timeless, classic and unique design kitchens – iconic spaces full of passion, dedication and uncompromising quality. It’s not just about practicality and functionality; it’s also about daily enjoyment. We want to create individualised architecture for everyday life, and everyone using a Multiform kitchen should experience the quality of our craftsmanship, every day.”
Showrooms Multiform has showrooms in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, London, Belgium, and Luxembourg. In January 2018, the company is opening a new showroom in Stockholm and a new flagship store in Copenhagen.
Web: www.multi-form.co.uk
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 19
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Happy Ears
Turn down the volume and listen In a world of constant noise, we should all be able to enjoy our everyday life. Now there is salvation in the form of earplugs that protect ears and hearing without blocking out necessary sound – for happy ears. By Malin Norman | Photos: Happy Ears Press
Stockholm-based brand Happy Ears is protecting ears so that consumers can continue to work, chat, travel, sleep undisturbed, and do all the other things we do – without constant surrounding noise. The Happy Ears earplugs are made from the best possible materials using the latest technology. The result is a comfortable, great-looking and award-winning product. Set up in 2012 by Karl Berglund and Jukka Viitasara, Happy Ears strives to offer an innovative, user-friendly and authentic product for the people. “Earplugs on the market at that time were out-of-date and boring, targeting either industry workers or high-end consumers,” says Berglund. “In comparison, we could see that headphones had become a trendy lifestyle product, and we want20 | Issue 108 | January 2018
ed to both raise awareness and improve the style of earplugs in a similar way.”
World’s best sound According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excessive noise can seriously harm health and interfere with daily activities. It can also disturb sleep – as many as one third of Europeans sleep badly due to noise – and reduce performance, increase risk of heart disease and diabetes, and provoke changes in behaviour. A report by Hörselskadades Riksförbund (HRF) states that four million Swedes are disturbed by noise. Happy Ears can help. Thanks to attenuation of low, mid and high frequencies with an average attenuation of 25 decibels, these earplugs offer the world’s best sound. While ordinary earplugs of-
ten give a tin-like feeling and keep out all sounds, Happy Ears provides the same protection but without that confined feeling. Filtering harmful noise while maintaining good sound quality, these stylish earplugs are also comfortable, discrete and re-usable. This is no simple creation, however, as it took the founders three years of product development, including collaboration with an expert in the production of industry earplugs, to design it. The state-of-theart earplugs are made in Sweden from an FDA-approved clear thermo plastic that is medically approved, CE-certified and allergy tested. They come in sizes small, medium and large, and are delivered with a case for easy re-use.
Partnering with music From the outset, the entrepreneurs have teamed up with the music industry, which seems to have a good understanding of the benefits of high-quality earplugs. In fact, Happy Ears has the same smooth attenuation as professional music earplugs.
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Happy Ears
So far, Happy Ears has appeared at music and media events such as the huge South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, as well as Summerburst Festival and Way Out West in Sweden. Berglund also highlights that there is a strong sub-culture in DJ-ing and clubs, with clubbers paying more attention to their health and wellbeing. “It’s like turning down the sound on your stereo,” he says. “You will be able to hear everything but with fewer decibels – basically you get the same experience without compromising the quality or your health. It’s not cool to lose your hearing – the clubbers these days know this.” Other recent partnerships include Nordstrom’s Pop-In@Nordstrom Holidays featuring MoMa Design Store in New York, with an ongoing series of pop-up shops curated by Olivia Kim. Next, the brand is turning its attention to the travel industry, with a lack of similar products at air-
ports and retailers. “When travelling, we should be able to get earplugs that feel a bit more 2018,” Berglund suggests.
Product of the year Some of the first-time users need a few minutes to adapt and experience the distinct difference between an earplug from Happy Ears and regular foam plugs. “But after a while they say it’s the best earplug they have ever tried. We even have people who told us that we saved their marriage thanks to Happy Ears,” says Berglund, and laughs. The brand has made plenty of noise abroad, with for instance New York Magazine describing it as “the best bet” and The Times praising it as “a musthave accessory”. Happy Ears was also named Product of the Year in 2012 by DesignTorget, awarded to designers who over the past year have created the most creative, well-designed, innovative and sellable product.
The Happy Ears range is available at selected international retailers such as Boots and Selfridges in London, Colette in Paris, and Nordstrom and MoMa in New York, as well as in the online shop.
Happy Ears quick facts: - Comfortable in the ear, especially during sleep and long-haul flights. - Discrete while in use. - Re-usable, two-year guarantee. - Storage case included. - Even attenuation, hence the natural sound. - Made in Sweden.
Web: happyears.co Facebook: happyearsonline Twitter: @happyearsonline Instagram: @happyearsonline
Founders Karl Berglund and Jukka Viitasara. Photo: Rickard Sund
Photo: Pål Allan
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 21
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | PREGO EYEWEAR
Look and see better With or without prescription lenses, the fashionable sunglasses from Danish eyewear brand PREGO make it possible to both look better and see better. Collaborations with Danish designer Karen Simonsen and racing champion Tom Kristensen have won PREGO’s fashionable and authentic designs a prime spot on the nose of men and women of all ages and nationalities.
the brand collaborate with the successful Danish designer Karen Simonsen as well as globally renowned racing star Tom Kristensen.
By Signe Hansen | Photos: PREGO
Sold at opticians all over the world, one of the defining characteristics of PREGO sunglasses is that they can all be made with prescription lenses. To ensure this, only the best materials, such as acetate, aluminium-magnesium and CR 39 lenses, are used. “The fact that you can have your sunglasses made with prescription lenses means that you can grow with your brand. You might start out wearing PREGO when you’re young, but as your sight changes you can have the optician add prescription lenses,” says Jensen. “Not a lot of sunglasses are made in a quality with which that’s actually possible.”
‘Fashionable yet timeless’ might be a slightly overused phrase, but having been on the faces of quality- and fashionconscious Danes for more than half a century, PREGO’s eyewear seems undeniably apt for such a description. New brands come and go, and some brands produce sunglasses mainly as an accessory to other products, but at PREGO, glasses have always been, and will always be, everything. “We’ve never made anything other than sunglasses and optical frames, and hopefully we will never have to make anything else,” says 22 | Issue 108 | January 2018
managing director Jesper Krog Jensen, perfectly summing up the ethos and strength of PREGO. Founded in 1966 by Jesper Krog Jensen’s grandfather, Frands Jensen, the Danish eyewear company has been specialising in fashionable prescription sunglasses and optical frames ever since. Initially focused on the Danish market, the brand has, since Jesper Krog Jensen took over management in 2001, expanded globally and is now sold in 25 countries all over the world. Recent years have also seen
Strength and practicality
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | PREGO
This also makes the sunglasses ideal for driving, and since 2015, PREGO has been collaborating with racing driver and nine times Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen. The collaboration has resulted in a collection of sunglasses that are masculine, technically advanced, and optimal for driving. “Tom has helped us optimise the collection. He has really given it a lot of energy and tested loads of different lenses and colours to develop the combinations that he finds most suitable for driving. This way, the collection highlights the qualities valued by a racing driver,” explains Jensen.
Award-winning style While some customers might enjoy the results of Tom Kristensen’s hands-on expertise the most, others may be equally appreciative of the elegant sexiness added to the sunglasses and frames by designer Karen Simonsen. In 2014, PREGO launched the first collection of eyewear designed by the well-known Danish designer. This year, the collec-
tion won the NanaWoody&John award – awarded by the Dutch sunglass specialist website NanaWoody&John – for its stylish designs. “Every year, the website does a survey asking users about their preferences, and our design was awarded for the great design, price and quality. When you consider that we were competing with major fashion brands such as Gucci and Dior, that’s a great honour,” says Jensen. The award-winning style will continue in 2018, which will see a PREGO collection following international trends by combining new colours and materials. For women, this will mean glasses in purple and demi red and an elegant finish with matte acetates. Both men and women will have a large number of glasses made in high-quality aluminiummagnesium. “The new PREGO collection is the most daring collection we’ve done for a long time. But the craftsmanship is, as always, in a league of its own and, while we follow the international trends,
it’s all tied together by a Scandinavian design ID and lovely acetates in new exciting colours,” says Jensen. Indeed, it sounds like there is more than one good reason to look forward to the summer’s sunshine.
Facts: - PREGO sunglasses are sold in 25 countries worldwide. - The company has been making sunglasses and optical frames, and nothing else, since 1966. - The PREGO collection contains more than 100 different models in two to four colour combinations at any time of the year.
Web: www.pregoeyewear.dk Facebook: pregoeyewear Instagram: @pregoeyewear
Top: Danish eyewear specialist PREGO has been exclusively designing sunglasses and optical frames for more than 50 years. Left: Danish designer Karen Simonsen has designed an award-winning collection of timeless, elegant sunglasses for PREGO. Middle: Jesper Krog Jensen is the third generation of his family to run PREGO. Right: Nine times Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen has developed a collection of technically advanced PREGO sunglasses optimal for driving.
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 23
Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | Arctic Experience
Hunting the light
By Maria Lanza Knudsen / Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Dan Steinbakk
Chasing the northern lights is one of the most quintessential arctic adventures in Norway. But how do you get the best experience? As winter approaches and darkness falls, northern Norway awaits nature’s own festive lights, the aurora borealis. These multicoloured streams of light decorate the sky and attract people from afar. Dan Steinbakk, the owner of touring company Arctic Experience, runs tours from Tromsø from September to April. He prides himself on offering personalised tours for groups of up to eight people. The knowledgeable guide, who grew up under the northern lights, guarantees the comfort of each guest by providing appropriate clothing and the enjoyment of the lights around a bonfire. “You can experience four seasons and landscapes in one trip – from forests and the tundra to arctic snow-capped mountains and the ocean,” says Steinbakk. “There really is something magical about the landscape, especially with the autumn colours in addition to the beautiful colours in the sky!”
Arctic Experience’s focus on small groups allows Steinbakk to tailor the tour and ensure that guests get the best viewing of the beautiful lights, and his company has now received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence three years in a row. In addition to showcasing the magic in the sky, Arctic Experience has a unique handheld radio
called a VLF receiver that allows you to listen to the spectacular natural phenomenon. To capture the moment, Steinbakk always takes professional-quality photographs for guests to take home. Indeed, for avid photographers he even provides instructions on how best to capture the lights. Let the chase begin! Web: www.arcticx.no
Scan Magazine | Fitness Feature | Monark
Get on your bikes Used by Olympic athletes, by some of the best sports teams in the world, for scientific research and medical rehabilitation, Monark Exercise offers products that help increase performance and improve quality of life.
Norman. The academy uses Monark Exercise bikes to measure and improve the capacity of its tennis players.
By Malin Norman | Photos: Monark Exercise
Other examples include Leicester City Football Club, which won the Premier League in 2016, as well as Chicagobased NHL hockey team Chicago Blackhawks. The company has also extended its agreement with Djurgården IF Ice Hockey Club, the most successful Swedish hockey team of all time, and will continue to be an important part of the club’s training, testing and rehabilitation.
Readers may be familiar with the Åstrand Test as devised by professor Per-Olof Åstrand, a pioneer in modern exercise physiology at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) in Stockholm. The six-minute submaximal cycle test is frequently used in occupational health services, rehabilitation centres and with elderly for estimating VO2 max. Based around the same principle and with modern technology, Monark Exercise is still the golden standard of ergometers for testing and training. The bikes can handle extreme loads and are the obvious choice amongst athletes with tough demands on their training and for researchers in sports medicine. The product range is especially beneficial for medical use, as it can be controlled by different ECG systems. “This is a fantastic product,” says product manager Mikael Swarén. “It can be customised for many different uses. For instance, it can be used by professional
triathletes who want to train throughout the year, or by stroke or dialysis patients who can only move parts of their body, or by professional tennis players to measure how to perform at their best on the court.”
Bikes for tennis, hockey and research One of many collaborations is the PEDAL trial, with around 50 specially designed stationary exercise bikes for hospitals in the UK. Kidney dialysis patients can exercise while they are being treated, which improves their mobility, health and quality of life. The patients are monitored throughout and the results form an important part of the study on chronic kidney disease. “Monark Exercise is at the forefront of many research and development projects, including Olympic test centres around the world,” Swarén explains. Another such initiative is the Good to Great Tennis Academy, as founded by former professional tennis player Magnus
Web: monarkexercise.se Facebook: monarkexercise
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 25
Scan Magazine | Fitness Feature | BungyPump
Pump up the training New training pole BungyPump with built-in suspension helps strengthen the body and increase blood flow, also reducing strain and improving posture. And on top of it all, this fabulous tool makes exercising more fun!
poles stabilise stomach and back muscles near the joints, which are important for good posture and, in turn, relieve the vertebrae.”
By Malin Norman | Photos: BungyPump
BungyPump of Sweden is a new all-round fitness pole with a 20-centimetre built-in suspension system that provides resistance every time the pole is pressed down, ideal for walking and running as well as weight training. It comes in a pair of two, in different models ranging from four to ten kilogrammes of resistance, and with adjustable lengths to suit all members of the family, young and old. According to a study conducted by BungyPump in collaboration with MODO Sports Academy, using this multifunctional tool when walking increases the burning of calories by up to 77 per cent compared to an ordinary walk without the BungyPump. Moreover, thanks to the suspension, the pole hits the ground in a way that is softer and gentler, which 26 | Issue 108 | January 2018
reduces pressure on the joints – especially the foot, the knee and the hip joints.
Recommended by physiotherapists Fitness and strength training using BungyPump promotes oxygen absorption in the blood and also improves the endurance of respiratory capacity in muscles, tissues and bone structures. Basically, the lungs ventilate better and the blood flow increases. “Using the BungyPump pole as an exercise tool, you can effectively improve your fitness, strength and endurance, and feel better as a result,” says physiotherapist Rovena Westberg. She elaborates on the benefits: “I would particularly like to recommend BungyPump walking to those who have back problems, since the
The products are currently available in the web shop as well as from selected retailers such as Decathlon, Stadium, InterSport and Team Sportia. Due to a growing demand in the market, BungyPump is expanding and currently looking for more retail partners worldwide.
Web: www.bungypump.se/en Facebook: BungyPumpWorld
BLOOD PRESSURE, BRAIN, is affected, memory, learning, increased feel good hormones
normalized which relieves pressure from the heart and arteries
BONE STRUCTURE,
BLOOD SUGAR, lowered and on a sustainable level
strengthened, as well as connective tissue and cartilage
HEART, pumping effectively
COORDINATION, improved balance and alertness
BLOOD VESSELS,
STRESS HORMONES,
widened, facilities blood flow
reduced blood adrenaline levels
IMMUNE SYSTEM,
POSTURE, improved, strengthened core and back musculature
Strengthened
CALORIE CONSUMPTION, increased by 77% compared to walking
ENERGY CONSUMPTION, increased and abdominal fat reduced.
www.bungypump.se/en
Scan Magazine | Business Feature | Trangia
Simplicity in outdoor cooking More than 60 years of development and refinement have made Trangia’s windproof stove system the natural choice for outdoorsy people. These days, it has a loyal customer base around the world – yes, even enthusiastic food Instagrammers in Japan. By Malin Norman | Photos: Trangia
Family-owned Trangia has been making complete cooking systems in Jämtland for more than 90 years. Originally set up by John E. Jonsson for the production of household pots, the company eventually changed focus to a windproof stove system specifically for camping and outdoor use. This original, ingenious design is the key to the successful Trangia stove of today.
The system is based on the Trangia principle, a two-part windshield. The ventilation holes on the lower windshield are facing the wind to increase air flow to the burner. The combined frying pan and lid can be placed on top of the saucepan to speed up the heating time. Customers get variety in terms of sizes, materials and burners, plus a number of accessories.
Now run by the fourth generation, and with 25 people working in the company in Trångsviken, Trangia is still centred around long-term development and resilience. “We have kept our focus on a niche product,” says CEO Magnus Rydell. “Instead of introducing numerous new ideas, we have continued doing what we’re good at. Trangia is the leading cooking system, and we want to keep our position at the forefront.”
Loyal customers around the world Impressively, Trangia produces more than 80,000 cooking systems per year. Currently, export amounts to around 80 per cent of its sales, with Japan being the fastest growing market so far. Here, a loyal customer base has even started tagging Trangia on Instagram, showcasing how to cook delicious meals at home as well with the aluminium so-called mess tin, using the tag #messtin.
Known for its high quality, the Trangia system consists of modules that also fit with previous generations, making it easy to upgrade and find spare parts instead of buying a new set. Rydell elaborates on the brand’s long-term success: “It’s also partly due to the simple forms and materials – a kind of antitechnological product but with high functionality – and we’re not too aggressively pushing the products to the market.” Trangia will be launching the new super laminate Duossal 2.0 in 2018. This is a perfect combination of aluminium on the outside for better heating, and stainless steel on the inside for durability and easy cleaning. “This is a typical development from Trangia, which means careful renewal of a great core product,” says Rydell.
Web: trangia.se Facebook: trangia.sweden Instagram: @trangia_sweden
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 29
Scan Magazine | Culture Profile | Akershus Kunstsenter
Left and top right: Architects Haugen/Zohar Arkitekter have drawn the brand-new Akershus Kunstsenter in Lillestrøm. Right: Rikke Komissar, director of Akershus Kunstsenter, believes that the art centre should act as a commentary on the present time. Photo: Akershus Kunstsenter
Art centre in Lillestrøm opens spectacular building in 2020 With a strong position on Norway’s art scene, Akershus Kunstsenter (Akershus Art Centre) will be opening the doors to its brand new site in the cultural quarter of Lillestrøm in 2020.
zakhstan), Richard Alexandersson (Sweden), Lene Baadsvig Ørmen (Norway) and Fransisco Diaz (Argentina) to name a few.
By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Haugen/Zohar Arkitekter
Its very first exhibition will be Jeg kler meg / ergo er jeg? (I dress / therefore I am?), which through five projects reflects on identity, origins, clothing and the symbols of textiles. Running until 4 February, it will be followed by two separate exhibitions by Richard Alexandersson and Ayatgali Tuleubek.
A renowned institution for young contemporary art of both national and international origin, the art centre has a strong position with its projects, featuring important social commentary. The new building is drawn by architects Haugen/Zohar, who have won several awards including AR Award for Emerging Architecture in 2009 and Arkitekturprisen (the Architecture Prize) in 2017. The brand-new hub will be located in an area combining new architecture with older houses. Spanning 230 square metres for the exhibition space alone, the building will also feature an auditorium and a workshop room – in addition to a café, in the hope of retaining visitors. 30 | Issue 108 | January 2018
A big cultural focus Lillestrøm is currently building what is referred to as ‘the city of the future’, which has a large focus on culture. Located just one train stop from Oslo and a mere ten-minute train journey from Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, you might say that the art centre is located halfway between Oslo and the world. The initiative to build the new art centre has been run by Akershus county council and Skedsmo Municipality, who are working with the art centre to create a spectacular building.
An exciting year ahead The line-up for the art centre in 2018 includes Clemens von Wedemeyer (Germany), Maiken Stene (Norway), Nikolaj Bendix Skyum Larsen (Denmark), Marit Roland (Norway), Ayatgali Tuleubek (Ka-
“The art centre should be a relevant place for exhibitions, a place that comments and acts in the present time,” says Rikke Komissar, director of Akershus Kunstsenter. “Art is part of the world and says a lot about the present time, and that should be reflected within our programme.” Web: www.akershuskunstsenter.no Facebook: akershuskunstsenter Instagram: @akershuskunstsenter
Scan Magazine | Culture Profile | Aarhus Teater
Left: This spring, Aarhus Teater is staging the iconic Broadway musical West Side Story, starring the theatre’s own Mathias Flint and talented soprano Isabel Schwartzbach as the two young lovers torn apart by rivalling gangs. Photo: Yellow1/Montgomery Photo. Right: Located in the heart of Aarhus, the beautiful Aarhus Teater is Denmark’s largest provincial theatre.
A touching and much-loved musical at Aarhus Teater West Side Story, a true classic full of youth and vigour, is being staged in Danish at Aarhus Teater this spring. With music, dance and extensive scenography, the performance will take its audience right into the streets of New York, where the theatre’s talented cast brings the classic drama of two lovers torn apart by rivalling gangs to life. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Aarhus Teater
Set in 1950s New York, West Side Story is a Romeo and Juliet-inspired lovestory of two young people torn apart by rivalling gangs in one of the city’s rough West Side neighbourhoods. First performed on Broadway in 1957, the musical’s iconic songs, classic story and modern settings have captivated the world, including theatre director Trine Holm Thomsen, for decades:“West Side Story is my favourite musical and I’ve always dreamt of staging it at Aarhus Teater. It’s one of the most beautiful musicals of all time, with an almost mythical Romeo and Juliet love story and the most wonderful music, including classics such as Somewhere, America and Maria,” she says.
New and old Built in 1900, Aarhus Teater has in recent years had great success in renewing
classic plays such as Erasmus Montanus with which the theatre achieved enormous success during Aarhus’ tenure as European Capital of Culture in 2017. So, while West Side Story is a classic musical and will be performed as such, the audience is in for a unique experience with the theatre’s own Mathias Flint as the story’s protagonist, Tony, and the talented soprano Isabel Schwartzbach as Maria. Created in collaboration with
Aalborg Teater, the musical will present a show full of energy, talent and beautiful scenography. “The audience can look forward to a larger-than-life performance with an excess of singing, dancing and music beautifully pieced together into a masterpiece,” says Thomsen. About the theatre: Inaugurated in 1900, Aarhus Teater is located in the heart of Aarhus opposite the Cathedral. The theatre was designed by the architect Hack Kampmann and is today a listed building. With four stages and a total of 1,200 seats, Aarhus Teater is the largest provincial theatre in Denmark. During the season from early September until mid-June, the theatre presents a wide and inclusive repertoire of its own productions and occasional guest performances.
West Side Story will be running at Aarhus Teater from 23 March until 12 May this year. Web: www.aarhusteater.dk
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 31
Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile | Funky Fresh Foods
Booming vegan restaurant in the heart of Oslo With the increasing interest in veganism across the world, and the number of flexitarians constantly on the rise, Oslo-based café restaurant Funky Fresh Foods has been thrilled by the popularity of its plant-based concept.
olate, ice cream and snacks, can be found at Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, making it an ideal pit-stop for travellers.
By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Funky Fresh Foods
For those who cannot make it to the Oslo location, Funky Fresh Foods also offers a vegan cook book for anyone who swears by vegan food or simply wants to eat more greens.
Their journey dates back to 2006, when Swedish entrepreneurs Josefine Andrén and Jenni Mylly started collaborating on catering, events, courses and a cook book. Drawing inspiration from their roots and families in both Stockholm and California, the duo realised that it was only a matter of time before plant-based eating came to Norway. “When we opened Funky Fresh Foods here in Oslo in 2014, we were prepared that it might take a while before people would get it. But the minute we opened, everyone started coming – and not just vegetarians. The majority of the people visiting us were actually flexitarians,” says Andrén.
cluding animal welfare, personal health and the impact on the environment. “What we want to put across is that you don’t need to give anything up in order to receive these benefits,” she explains. With beautiful views of the Akerselva river, the restaurant boasts a range of fresh salads and wraps that are portable, making it an ideal place for a takeaway, also thanks to its central location.
Catering for businesses and parties
The benefits of veganism
With the capacity to seat 70 guests, the restaurant also features an à la carte menu, including main courses and soups. The catering aspect is also a big part of the concept, with customers ranging from the government, councils, private parties and the neighbouring offices.
Andrén believes that the reason it has become so popular in Norway is the rising interest in the benefits of veganism – in-
Additionally, the products made in the restaurant, including vegan cakes, choc-
32 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Web: www.funkyfreshfoods.no
Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile | Ulvedal Ost
Cheese that really tastes of something Ulvedal Ost (Ulvedal Cheese) was founded in 1986 by John Ulvedal. Since then, it has grown to supply all of Denmark, including the Faroe Islands and Greenland, with its own cheeses, cheeses from across Europe, and everything else you may need for a cheese board, including wines and charcuterie. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Ulvedal Ost
“Life is too short for eating cheese that doesn’t taste of anything,” says John Skovdall Mathiasen, owner of Ulvedal Ost – a saying that has also become the motto of the company. The different cheeses made by Ulvedal Ost pack a lot of flavour. “We age our cheese in our own aging rooms, which over the years have developed into incredible environments for producing cheese that really tastes of something. Even our mild cheeses have a lot of flavour,” explains Mathiasen. Mathiasen has meticulously chosen the cheeses that Ulvedal Ost sells. During his holidays, he travels across Europe looking for suppliers or visiting their current ones. “It’s important to me that I can see the pro-
cess that has gone into making the cheese, and that I meet the people behind the products,” he says. Most of the suppliers are small family-owned businesses who, like Ulvedal Ost, have a passion for what they produce. In finding these small suppliers, Ulvedal Ost has ended up selling a lot of cheese that no one else in Denmark provides, and the same is true for their charcuterie, wine, condiments and other accompaniments. Ulvedal Ost is the perfect place to find everything for your cheese board or a tapas evening. Their products can be found in speciality shops and certain supermarkets across Denmark, as well as their online shop.
Web: www.ulvedal-ost.dk
Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile | Økoladen
Photo: Steen Knarberg
Photo: Steen Knarberg
When eating organic is a piece of chocolate Cold winter days call for a bit of sweet indulgence, and with the beautiful organic chocolate from Økoladen, it is hard to find a reason not to comply. A favourite of healthand quality-conscious Danes for more than a decade, the Danish company is taking organic delights to the next level with their new luxury brand, Elmelund Chocolatier. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Økoladen
In the hands of Jan and Amanda Elmelund, Økoladen has produced high-quality organic chocolate since 2004, well before the organic boom in Denmark. “There weren’t a lot of organic products on the market when we began, and when it came to sweets, it was almost impossible to find organic variations. But organic was on the up, and all the talk about the effects preservatives can have on us, especially our children, convinced us to do something organic to give people an alternative,” says Jan Elmelund. “What has always been of interest to me and my wife is the unadulterated product. People have been mak34 | Issue 108 | January 2018
ing food for thousands of years without adding preservatives and all that stuff, so why should we do it now?” In 2014, Jan and Amanda celebrated a decade in the chocolate industry by completing a chocolatier qualification. This resulted in the new luxury product line Elmelund Chocolatier, a line of beautiful, filled chocolates bursting with taste surprises.
The right touch Sold in among other places the leading high-end supermarket chain Irma, Økoladen has gained great popularity
in Denmark – so much so that the two and a half tonnes of chocolate produced in the company’s first year have grown into 80 tonnes. Yet, all chocolate is still produced according to traditional methods in the small town of Ørslev, near Vordingborg. “At some point in the process, all our chocolate has been handled by hand. It’s necessary to make sure that taste, texture and appearance are just right. It takes human touch and taste to test if the chocolate has that perfect snap or if it’s a little too soft or greasy,” says Jan Elmelund. However, while making high-quality organic products might take extra care and attention, eating them is… a piece of chocolate.
Web: www.oekoladen.dk
Modern brasserie Fish & Cow in the very centre of the south-west Norwegian city of Stavanger has a strong focus on fresh, good-quality and honest cooking – served up in hearty portions. After a renovation we welcome our guests to a new restaurant the 23rd of January, 2018.
www.fishandcow.no E: post@fishandcow.no Torgterassen, Skagen 3 PB 106, 4001 Stavanger T: 51 50 50 50
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Hans Rosenfeldt
36 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Hans Rosenfeldt
Hans Rosenfeldt
Back to The Bridge An award-winning author, well-known TV presenter and scriptwriter behind many of Sweden’s biggest shows, Hans Rosenfeldt does not need much of an introduction in his home country. To those beyond, mentioning Saga Norén, his perhaps most-loved character to date, might suffice. Scan Magazine spoke to the multi-gifted Swede about writing for ITV, the success of Nordic Noir, and how he ended up creating such powerful female leads. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Appendix Fotografi
“Sofia was in a league of her own,” says Hans Rosenfeldt without as much as a trace of a doubt. He is talking about the casting for the role of Saga Norén in Bron (The Bridge), now a much-loved Nordic Noir legend and somewhat of a feminist icon. That she would have quite that much of an impact came as a bit of a surprise to the screenwriter, but he is convinced that Sofia Helin’s portrayal of the police investigator played a huge role.
The voice of a generation Rosenfeldt’s CV reads almost like a Who’s Who of the Swedish media world, or perhaps more of a What’s What. Having tried out acting at a young age – something he insists he quickly realised that he was terrible at – he started working in radio and was eventually picked up as a writer for two of the biggest Swedish soap operas of the ‘90s, Rederiet and Tre Kronor. “Swedish was always my strongest subject in school. I’ve always been good at writing,” he says. “But it wasn’t until I actually started writing scripts that I realised it was something I could really be good at.”
From there on in, his career seemed to almost get a life of its own. Having contributed as a writer to popular Swedish shows such as Radioskugga, Aspiranterna, Reuter & Skoog as well as two series of the public television broadcaster SVT’s annual children’s Advent calendar, you could say that he became a voice of Sweden’s Generation X – and eventually he became a face of it too, among other things as presenter of the hit panel show Parlamentet. He has since been seen and heard widely across a range of media including TV and radio and had huge international success as one half of author duo Hjorth & Rosenfeldt, creators of the bestselling series about psychological profiler Sebastian Bergman. Moreover, between 2003 and 2005 he did a stint as head of entertainment at SVT.
The Bridge, however, took things to a whole new level. “Absolutely – it’s without doubt the most successful thing I’ve ever worked on,” he agrees. “I couldn’t really feel it when I was writing the scripts; I didn’t know that it would do so well.
When I saw the first few takes, I realised that it would be really good – but I could’ve never dreamt of the level of success it’s had.”
Global success with human characters The series came about as a result of Rosenfeldt being hired by Filmlance International in 2006 to produce a crime series set across both Sweden and Denmark. Five years on, the success was undeniable; the show has now been broadcast in 170 countries and been turned into two adaptations, based around the American-Mexican and the British-French borders. Now back on SVT with a much-anticipated fourth and final season, The Bridge zones in on the characters we have come to know and love. “Previously, we’ve always left it a bit open as we never knew whether there might be another season, but now that we know that this is the last one, we’re working towards an end – we’re tying up the loose ends,” says Rosenfeldt. “Viewers can expect more of the relationships. We’ve always had personal narratives running through the show, often with one person’s story in focus – but now we’re focusing on both Saga and Henrik, following up on Henrik’s lost children and the story with Saga’s mother.” Saga and Henrik – so no Martin? “No, no Martin! I might as well be honest so that people aren’t sitting there waiting for him to pop up – because he won’t.” Issue 108 | January 2018 | 37
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Hans Rosenfeldt
ting to know London better, and they kind of wanted me to write just as if I’d been writing for Sweden. It was a character thing; if something sounded a bit exotic, that was okay – it was meant to feel like I’d written it.” And it certainly does. In Marcella Backland, ITV got itself its very own female lead to fall for, if quite different as a character to Saga Norén. “Saga is quite… incapable, in a lot of ways. Marcella more consciously almost chooses to be a bit hopeless sometimes,” says the writer, who has been known to say that he prefers to spend time with women and that they are more interesting to write about. “I don’t know if it’s that different though,” he continues. “Small things, maybe, but overall we write about stuff that’s human. Sure, occasionally I might wonder if it’s really plausible that a female character would act this or that way, but then again, in a lot of ways Saga doesn’t really act like a man or a woman – she acts like Saga.”
Bron (The Bridge), SVT, main screenwriter Hans Rosenfeldt.
A close-up on characters and strong character development is, the writer believes, one of the strengths of Scandinavian crime thrillers and possibly one of many reasons behind the success of the Nordic Noir genre. “We have a long tradition of crime writing, ever since Sjöwall/ Wahlöö. Success breeds success – plus, the more people who do it, the more people are likely to do well; the more people who are discovered, the more writers are translated. That’s always been the case with the crime scene here,” he says. “But I think there’s been a realisation over the past, I don’t know, ten to 15 years that we’re good at this – we’re really good at characters and people. A lot of foreign stuff is very plot driven, with simpler characters. We’re not afraid of making both investigators and perpetrators quite three-dimensional and very human. I’m convinced that’s a big part of the success.” This certainly seems to ring true in terms of the success of Nordic Noir generally – who did not fall head over heels for prime minister Birgitte Nyborg in Borgen? – and The Bridge specifically. “Yes, you watch because you want to know what happens and guess who did 38 | Issue 108 | January 2018
it – but that’s not why you want to watch another season,” Rosenfeldt reflects. “You want to meet Saga and Henrik again – we’re good at creating characters you want to spend more time with.”
From Saga to Marcella Whether Rosenfeldt will ever create another hit like The Bridge again remains to be seen, but the next big thing certainly gave him a change of scenery and new experiences at the very least. Commissioned by ITV as a sort of British Nordic Noir set in London, Marcella is a crime noir series about a former detective who revisits an old case while trying to save her marriage. “I was glad to get the chance to work abroad, get a bit of a change and see if the industry was different over there to the one back home that I knew so well,” he says before bursting out laughing: “But it wasn’t! It was almost exactly the same! The same meetings, the same process…” The first season of Marcella did really well both on ITV and on Netflix, and the second season is out early this year. “It was great,” says Rosenfeldt, “they supported me with translations and get-
Rosenfeldt is currently working on the sixth book in the Sebastian Bergman series, to be completed by May. “Writing a book is quite a project compared to a script for the screen,” he says. “A lot of words go onto the page of a book, compared to a script; the benefit is that the book is very much mine and Micke’s [co-author Michael Hjorth] – there’s only us and a publisher and an editor, while a script is just a sketch for a director and producer and commissioner and the actors and all these other people to have opinions on. For better or worse.” And then, it is time for something new, after years of working on The Bridge and Marcella. “It’s unclear what it’ll be just yet, but I’ll be writing something to come after The Bridge. And I’m quite happy with life – I’m in a good phase.”
The Bridge season four premiered in Scandinavia on 1 January this year, with the release date for BBC2 yet to be announced at the time of writing. The second season of Marcella will air on ITV early this year, the exact release date also yet to be revealed.
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Hans Rosenfeldt
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 39
TO 18 S N 20 Th O l I ia AT N IN ec p N I S E ST ED E D SW P TO IT IN S VI e:
em
Photo: Visit Helsingborg
Ignite the spark
– award-winning art, charming towns and unspoilt nature Go north or south, to a city or the wilderness. Sweden boasts cold, stunning winters and sunny, relaxed summers. Here is our guide to the places not to miss if you want to visit Sweden in 2017, be it for wintery landscapes and skiing or a summer on the beaches around lake Vänern.
cultural experiences. The countryside is vast and varied, while the urban regions boast multiculturalism, innovation and fabulous architecture.
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.
Come for an active holiday full to the brim of sporting adventures and waterside fun or explore the native traditions up north, the cultural heritage, and the new, exciting food scene. Whatever you choose, you are bound to leave satisfied – with that spark ignited.
But as the light returns and the temperature creeps up, Sweden sheds its win40 | Issue 108 | January 2018
ter wonderland costume and turns into a summer haven in full bloom. From buzzy city festivals and cultural treats to endless untouched islands and cool cliffs by the wild sea, a summer in Sweden can be everything Astrid Lindgren wrote about and more. Season and weather aside, a visit to Sweden is sure to boast the best in design and modern comforts in addition to efficient transport systems, locals that are happy to help and world-class
For more information, please visit: www.visitsweden.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
The island of Grinda, Stockholm archipelago. Photo: Henrik Trygg
Steel sculpture in Borås with letters that form a human shape. Artist: Jaume Plensa. Name of artwork: House of knowledge.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
This is where Sweden begins, and continues Sigtuna is Sweden’s first town, founded in 970 as an international meeting place. It was unlike anything seen before, and both the town planning and the idea for a modern hub remain pretty much unchanged.
visionaries for the future, a tradition and way of thinking that dates back to when Sigtuna was founded in 970.”
By Malin Norman | Photos: Destination Sigtuna
Because of a unique collaboration, Sigtuna has been named twice as one of the Global Top 100 by the organisation Green Destinations. The town has also been certified as a Fairtrade Town, and visitors at the hotels and venues will notice the efforts made to become a sustainable destination. For example, there is a growing number of charging stations for electric cars at all the hotels and conference centres, the local chefs are actively working together to reduce food waste, and the collaborating companies keep some 750,000 bees in 11 locations to positively impact the flora and fauna as well as
Today, Sigtuna is Sweden’s fourthlargest hotel destination, with around 886,000 overnight stays per year, and the municipality hosts the country’s largest international airport, Stockholm Arlanda. “You really shouldn’t miss where it all started,” says Destination Sigtuna’s director, Eva Camél Fuglseth. “Sigtuna is where Sweden begins, historically and geographically if you fly to Arlanda. It’s fantastic to see and experience the sites and beautiful castles, which are all really easily accessible for visitors.” 42 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Since 2009, Destination Sigtuna has been working on a shared vision for sustainable development with partners such as the airport, hotels and conference centres. “As the municipality of Stockholm Arlanda Airport, which is world-leading among airports in sustainability, we have a big responsibility in terms of environmental and social impact,” Camél Fuglseth says about the shared commitment. “We want to make a difference, together. Instead of competing, we need to be brave, dare to be different and remain
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
producing local honey. Most recently, focus has been on the use and development of aviation biofuel with Fly Green Fund.
Literature, shopping and get-togethers Sigtuna is still a meeting place with a number of events in the calendar. For instance, returning this year is the popular Sigtuna Literature Festival, taking place on 5 May, including talks with and between writers. “We’re in the middle of preparations and are delighted to present some of Sweden’s most beloved writers,” says Camél Fuglseth. So far, five prominent names have been announced: Jan Guillou, Martina Haag, Mikael Niemi, Anders Roslund and Pija Lindenbaum. Another top tip is the annual harvest mar-
ket, Sigtuna Möte, with family activities during the last weekend of August. For history fans, Sigtuna has the highest number of rune stones in Sweden, with more than 150 inscriptions, most of them dating back to the century following the year 1000. Moreover, the area has no less than five beautiful castles open for visitors: Wenngarn, Skokloster, Rosersberg, Skånelaholm and Steninge. Wenngarn’s history, to give an example, dates all the way back to the year 1164, when Sweden’s oldest preserved letter mentioned the location where the castle is now open all year round. In addition to its sites and events, the picturesque town centre stays true to
its trading past with lots of small boutiques, cafés and restaurants to discover – quite a different experience from the hustle and bustle of massive big city shopping malls and with more time to relax and unwind. Moreover, the area is ideal for get-togethers and conferences, with many hotel options and packages on offer, and situated in close proximity to Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Indeed, Sigtuna is a true meeting place – just like in the olden days.
Web: destinationsigtuna.se Facebook: Sigtuna Twitter: @sigtuna Instagram: @isigtuna
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Nature’s own spectacle – with more than just a splash of entertainment Boasting a Scandinavian Riviera, highly entertaining historical sluices, and a notable reputation within arts and culture, Trollhättan and Vänersborg is a popular holiday destination for both water lovers and fans of technical and automotive design. Whatever you come for, you will be entertained – and likely refreshed by the incredible power of water. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Visit Trollhättan Vänersborg
“Every day at three o’clock in the summer months, the floodgates open and 300,000 litres of water per second is released. It’s quite spectacular,” says Maria Engström-Weber, CEO of Visit Trollhättan Vänersborg. “People come here to experience this alone.” Water has always been central to both Trollhättan and Vänersborg. In the case of the latter, an old marketplace, the waterway was key to the shipping and collection of iron found throughout the county, and the long beaches around 44 | Issue 108 | January 2018
These passages caused more than a headache as goods had to be reloaded to continue on land. But it was not until in 1800, after a range of different ideas and more than a few failed attempts, that the first sluice in Trollhättan was completed. The creation was dubbed the world’s eighth wonder and immediately became a popular place to go for a combination of technical enlightenment and a romantic setting. And the name? People thought that there were trolls in the waterfalls, their bonnets (hättor) sticking out like mini islets.
Vänern – Sweden’s largest lake, technically an inland sea – made it a beneficial place to stay both out of agricultural and safety perspectives. The importance of the lake for the position of Vänersborg, which got its town privileges in 1644, as a meeting point and trading hub cannot be underestimated. In 2019, the town will celebrate its 375th birthday.
Wild waterways and peaceful lake lands
In Trollhättan, it was the narrow water passages of river Göta Älv that eventually led to what was to become the town’s pride, also contributing to its name.
Many advancements later, both Trollhättan and Vänersborg still attract visitors thanks to their wild waterways and peaceful lake lands. “I always bring guests in Vänersborg down to the water
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
with wooden cups, because you can actually drink the water and it tastes good!” Engström-Weber enthuses. “A lot of people come here mainly for the peace and quiet though. Vänern has 22,000 islands, so they come with their own boats and are amazed that they end up having an entire island to themselves for a week.” Vänersborg boasts 100 kilometres of Vänern coastline with everything from sandy beaches with shallow waters to secluded cliffs and flat rocks, creating what is in summertime experienced as nothing short of a Scandinavian Riviera. Perfect for days of swimming and fishing, with salmon weighing upwards of 20 kilogrammes, Vänern then transforms into a wonderland of winter fun as it freezes over to become a stunning crosscountry ice skating arena, complete with the chance to try some ice fishing. Water enthusiast or not, anyone fascinated with royalty will find the nature in Vänersborg generous, as it is not only home to His Majesty King Carl XVI
Gustaf’s hunting grounds, with uninterrupted views across all of Vänern from the plateau mountains of Halleberg and Hunneberg. The chances of seeing another king, namely the king of the forest, are even greater, as 93 per cent of visitors to local elk safaris can attest to.
Entertainment, music and design Just ten minutes away, Trollhättan still centres around the falls and sluices, which attract visitors who sit down at the sluice café with an ice cream or shrimp sandwich or stand right by the sluice to watch the spectacle ensue. “It certainly can be dramatic,” says EngströmWeber. “It’s a great laugh – let’s just say the communication is not always what it should be on board the boats!” But entertainment comes in dry form, too. Trollhättan is known as a media hub, in part thanks to being home to Film i Väst, a film resource and production centre. As such, many of Sweden’s biggest productions are filmed here and you can spot a celebrity every now and again.
Moreover, the town is known for producing great music talent, including international stars, and in the summer you can encounter spontaneous street entertainment in the form of music students singing and playing right in the heart of town as you go shopping as well as along the shores of Vänern. More part of the area’s past than its present, yet crucial to its identity, is the former Saab factory, now the Saab Car Museum. “Needless to say, it’s a must-see for car enthusiasts,” says Engström-Weber, “but also those with an interest in design will enjoy following the entire process here.” The urge to create, she insists, is integral to the identity here. And so is, it seems, the ability to entertain; from the use and enjoyment of water to the creation of art and culture, Trollhättan and Vänersborg promise a spectacle you are sure to remember for a very long time.
Web: www.visittv.se
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 45
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Sofiero Castle. Press photo
Get the weekend vibe all week Charming, perfectly sized, and full of ways to just kick back and relax, Helsingborg is a small city at the foot of Sweden that truly offers the best of both worlds: urban shopping and dining experiences combined with sandy beaches, nature reserves and a ferry that takes you to Denmark in just 20 minutes. This is where culture vultures, nature lovers and weekend escapees meet to just unwind and enjoy life. By Linnea Dunne
“If you ask Swedes where they’d live if not in their current hometown, a huge amount of them say Helsingborg. And it’s funny, because some of them mightn’t even have been here – but there’s something about the location: the closeness to Denmark and the continent, and the fact that we’ve got a beach in the heart of town,” says Helen Långdahl, marketing coordinator at Visit Helsingborg. Indeed, the city is currently one of the fastest growing in Sweden, and it is already among the country’s ten biggest cities. But Långdahl insists that it does not feel that way. “Everything’s close,” she says. 46 | Issue 108 | January 2018
“It’s a city, yet small – it’s very manageable somehow. The town centre is charming, the shopping streets atmospheric; and we have great shopping with a range of boutiques and independent designers. Moreover, Helsingborg is one of Sweden’s most restaurant dense cities.” Långdahl talks about her hometown having ‘extra everything’, which makes a lot of sense as she describes the offering: a concert hall with its very own permanent symphony orchestra, an arena with countless big gigs and events, Dunkers culture house with everything from fasci-
nating art exhibitions to music and dance tuition – a buzzing culture offering, in other words. Culinary enthusiasts and those who like to kick back with a nice quality drink will also be spoilt for choice, not least considering the surrounding areas boast vineyards and micro-breweries as well as farm shops.
Unwind in nature Still, while Helsingborg sure has enough excitement and charm to keep you busy if you so wish, its real strength is in the relaxing effect it has on those who come here. “Because of our location down south, spring comes here before it comes to the rest of Sweden,” says Långdahl. “And spring is a really beautiful time here.” Sweden’s best visitor attraction according to TripAdvisor, Sofiero Castle makes the perfect destination for some springtime
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
exploration and relaxation. The castle’s current guise dates back to the 1870s, when King Oscar II and his wife, Sophia of Nassau, renovated their summer home, originally completed as a singlestorey residence in 1866. It was not until their grandson’s wife, Crown Princess Margareta from England, moved in along with her passion for gardening that the stunning park and gardens started to take form. Her flowerbeds and Gustav VI Adolf’s rhododendrons are still today among the garden’s main attractions, and tens of thousands of visitors come to enjoy the lush environment every year. To raise the pulse while out in the fresh air, why not hike up the coast to Höganäs or explore the nature reserve Kullaberg and Kullen lighthouse in Mölle, perhaps also swinging by Söderåsen National Park? If you are more of a feet-up kind of person, do not fret. “Few cities have a beach in the middle of town, but we do,”
says Långdahl. “You can be shopping in the morning and just head straight for an afternoon on the beach – without leaving town. It’s quite special. Of course, we’ve got more beaches than that, stretching all the way from the south and up the coast to Höganäs, where cliffs replace the sand.”
Perfect for bon vivants Located just a 20-minute ferry ride from Denmark, Helsingborg makes the perfect base for those keen to explore attractions such as the Maritime Museum in Helsingør or the Museum of Modern Art Louisiana in Humlebæk. Indeed, the location right at the foot of Sweden yet on the doorstep of the continent makes the city both easy to get to and handy for continuing the journey. Yet, Långdahl insists that Helsingborg is loved more for how people feel when they actually stay. “It really is a great place to switch off and relax, to just enjoy life for a few days,” she says. “It’s a
Dunkers Culture House. Photo: Ole Jais
Beach plus view across Denmark. Photo: Johan Lilja
Photo: Lisa Wikstrand
Tropical Beach. Photo: Anna Alexander Olsson
weekend destination for true bon vivants – regardless of what day of the week you come here. Helsingborg exudes the weekend vibe every day of the week.” Highlights in 2018: 24 March: The Sounds, Tivoli www.thetivoli.nu 27 July: Queens of Pop Zara Larsson, Icona Pop and Molly Sandén, Sofiero Castle and Gardens www.sofiero.se 2-5 August: Esilscupen turns 50! One of Sweden’s biggest football tournaments with around 13,000 participants across 700 teams annually. 1 September: Helsingborg Marathon www.helsingborgmarathon.se
Web: www.visithelsingborg.com
North harbour. Photo: Anton Persson
Photo: Anna Alexander Olsson
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 47
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Tom Tits. Photo: Tom Tits
Södertälje:
Where worlds meet Steeped in rich history, surrounded by generous nature, and presenting a range of inspiring, enlightening activities, Södertälje makes for a relaxing but uplifting holiday – just 30 minutes by train from Stockholm. By Linnea Dunne
“We’re right by the water and have 24 nature reserves, yet we’re only a stone’s throw from Stockholm. There’s the charming town centre, great museums and activities, and true multiculturalism: there are people from all over the world here – it’s almost like being abroad, but at home,” says Aljoša Lagumdžija, head of Södertäljebyrån, a modern kind of tourist office. He first came to Södertälje because of basketball, a hint to the town’s reputation as a great place for 48 | Issue 108 | January 2018
sports fans. “Björn Borg actually grew up here,” Lagumdžija laughs. “That garage door he used to practise his backhand against has become quite the visitor attraction!” With more than half of Södertälje’s residents born abroad and around 80 languages spoken locally, it is quite obvious where the phrase ‘where worlds meet’ came from – but Lagumdžija explains that the expression is symbolic and fig-
urative too. Take Tom Tits Experiment, for example: Sweden’s biggest science centre, which brings together old and young across two large buildings and an outdoor park, attracting great numbers of international visitors who want to learn and explore to open the door to new discoveries. Or look at Ytterjärna, a place developed based on the anthroposophist philosophy, boasting a highly unusual culture centre without 90-degree angles and a wealth of experiences to boost wellbeing and inner peace. “It’s a gorgeous place with plenty to explore: beautiful forest walks, organic local produce, a White Guide listed restaurant and an eco-hotel with rooms decorated in different colours in order for guests to pick the
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
one that suits their mood,” Lagumdžija explains. “They host interesting talks and concerts too, including with artists from far away and more experimental groups like Cirkus Cirkör.” While most Swedes are familiar with Södertälje, many are perhaps more familiar with the stunning views across the water and well-developed industrial area, home to some of the more than 7,000 local businesses, that can be seen from the rail tracks and motorway, than what greets you when you take a closer look. “When you get into the town centre you get to discover Lake Maren and the guest harbour, where people meet for ice cream, and the excitement of all the boats in the summer going through the canal on their way into Lake Mälaren,” Lagumdžija enthuses. Indeed, there are better ways to travel. Cycling, for example, is growing in popularity, and Södertälje is collaborating with Sweden by Bike to present exciting package deals for cyclists. The city is also hard at work developing better cycling lanes
Ytterjärna. Photo: Pontus Orre
through the town and beyond, opening up endless possibilities for exploration of the surrounding nature and further afield.
From the Vikings to Björn Borg Speaking of nature, another highlight is Torekällberget – an open-air museum of old houses from the town centre and 200-year-old farm houses. A hugely popular event here is the 19th century week, when actors get kitted out in appropriate gear and there is music and a market and the entire little village comes to life. It is also here, at Torekällberget, that Björn Borg’s now famous garage door can be found, alongside an exhibition about the tennis legend. To travel back in time to long before Borg’s heyday and even before the 19th century, hop on the world’s oldest coal-fired propeller-driven steamship, Ejdern, and head for the Viking island of Birka. Soon enough, Ejdern will bring passengers out to a range of additional destinations – but with daily guided tours and a popular mu-
Skate Parkour Park. Photo: Pontus Orre
seum, and listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site, Birka makes a truly unmissable pitstop until then. Should the weather take a turn for the worse, there is always The Beach – an indoor beachvolley hall with sand and palm trees, kept at a constant temperature of 25 degrees Celsius all year round. Skaters and rollerblade fans, meanwhile, get to enjoy Sweden’s best skate park, at a total of 1,000 square metres. There is also a hugely popular climbing wall. Did we mention that Södertälje is a real sports mecca? “The annual highlight for many locals, however, is undoubtedly the big town fest, Södertäljefestivalen,” says Lagumdžija, whose love for his hometown is contagious. “For three days, during the last weekend of August, the entire town turns into a big party with live music, markets, competitions, a fun fair and a range of food trucks. People of all ages come together, and Södertälje just comes to life.” Web: www.destinationsodertalje.se
Torekällberget. Photo: Per Myrehed
Photo: Cecilia Brunlöf
The Beach. Photo: The Beach
Morning in Södertälje. Photo: Stefan Christoph
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 49
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Bildmuseet at Umeå Arts Campus. Photo: Mats Holmberg, White
The little big city that has art and culture everywhere From the title of European Capital of Culture in 2014 to a brand-new, state-of-theart culture centre launched the same year at the heart of the city, there are plenty of reasons to count Umeå among Sweden’s top culture destinations. But the northern city’s love for and commitment to art, culture and education go way back. By Linnea Dunne
“It started sometime in the 1960s, when the local council started talking about providing the local citizens with cultural experiences to boost wellness and creativity,” says Erja Back, project manager at Visit Umeå. “Since then, there’s been a conscious investment in culture locally: we’ve got one of the world’s northernmost opera houses, plenty of museums with free admission, and generally speaking a really strong cultural offering.”
Where the river goes Known today as a vibrant culture hub, Umeå boasts one of the best schools in 50 | Issue 108 | January 2018
the world for industrial design, Umeå Institute of Design, along with what is according to The Telegraph one of the world’s most incredible museums. Standing seven storeys tall on the Umeälven riverbank in architecturally stunning premises, Bildmuseet presents international contemporary art focused on existential, political and philosophical issues, as well as talks, lectures, film screenings and workshops – all free of charge. Among the current exhibitions are Dada is Dada, presenting paintings, drawings, photography, objects and more from one of the most influential art movements
of the 20th century, a reaction to the conservative values of bourgeois society, conventional aesthetic ideals, nationalism and the first World War; and Do Ho Suh’s Passages, investigating architecture as both physical and psychological spaces. Slightly further up the riverbank is Väven, the culture centre that opened its doors during the autumn of Umeå’s year as European Capital of Culture, now presenting stage shows, exhibitions, talks, seminars and social gatherings to suit different age groups and interests. In many ways, Umeälven runs through the city not just as a landmark of sorts but also as a connector of nature and culture, or urban life with the countryside. A recent addition to the city’s accommodation options, the modern self-service hotel U&Me, is also located here, boasting stunning views across the river.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
A city of surprises “Many visitors comment on the fact that you can tell that Umeå is a cultural city,” says Back. “This commitment to a broad cultural offering, it’s tangible – you see art everywhere: statues, paintings, unexpected culture. I don’t think about it, because I’m used to it – but to others, it’s obvious.” That element of surprise is taken to its extreme at Norrlandsoperan, one of the world’s northernmost opera houses, which typically puts on two major productions a year in addition to a programme of other concerts. Marrying tradition and provocation, its mission is “to produce, promote and develop theatrical and artistic activities […], be a playground for new expressions and strive to allow tradition as well as provocation to distinguish what we do”. Now in its 44th year, Norrlandsoperan is currently hard at work preparing for this spring’s new production, Orfeo & Euridice, a magical and passionate opera based on Greek mythology, but adapted to suit a plot set in the present day. Following the river to the westernmost edge of the city, Umedalen Sculpturepark boasts more of that characteristic keen-
ness on surprise and change. The award-winning sculpture park is curated by Galleri Andersson/Sandström and has hosted a whopping 190 artists since its opening in 1994. With 44 sculptures in the permanent exhibition and around 20,000 visitors every year, this is Back’s own favourite in her hometown. “It changes with nature,” she says. “As the landscape changes, so do the sculptures. And you don’t need to be an art aficionado to get it – it’s truly accessible, child-friendly, always available and full of surprises.”
Public and private enthusiasts What comes first, a population of culture vultures or a local council that invests heavily in the arts? Either way, Umeå has both – and Back is just as enthusiastic when she talks about individual entrepreneurial initiatives such as the city’s many award-winning restaurants as she is when stressing the importance of free museums. Among the highlights of the private ventures in town is undoubtedly Guitars – The Museum: a stunning collection of more than 300 rare and priceless guitars from the 1950s and ‘60s, curated and looked after by two guitar fanatic twins and visited by connoisseurs
from all over the world. “It’s been a few years since we were the Capital of Culture,” says Back, “but that’s not something that’s gone away. Come and enjoy the snow in the winter or the midnight sun in the summer; the inspiring, buzzing culture offering is a constant.”
The insider’s top tips: Where to stay U&Me – a modern self-service hotel at Väven, boasting stunning views across the river Umeälven. Elite Hotell Mimer – a former school building from 1897 that now offers a high-quality hotel experience and also hosts a great restaurant. What to eat REX Bar & Grill – a White Guide listed brasserie-style restaurant serving local delicacies inside the old Town Hall. Köksbaren – a bright gastro bar using nothing but the best seasonal ingredients, also proudly presenting its very own dry-ageing meat locker.
Top left: The Museum of Women’s History. Press photo. Middle: Bildmuseet. Press photo. Top right: Rådhusparken in the winter. Press photo. Left: Dada is Dada exhibition, Kleine Dada Soirée by Kurt Schwitters, Theo van Doesburg (poster for dada tour), © Kurt Schwitters, Theo van Doesburg. Right: Do Ho Suh, Passages exhibition, courtesy of the artist, Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, and Victoria Miro, London. Photo Mikael Lundgren
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 51
Since 1794, Fru Haugans Hotel has been renowned for its hospitality. The hotel and its restaurants have been owned and operated by the same family for 130 years. Beautifully situated on the banks of the Vefsna river, the hotel offers 129 rooms, has two restaurants and two bars. Outdoor tables offer great views of the river and the hotel’s spacious gardens.
Book your next stay with us! Strandgt. 39, 8656 Mosjøen - Tel: +47 75 11 41 00 - Mail: res@fruhaugans.no
www.fruhaugans.no
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Close to nature, close to the world With everything from Sweden’s best nature reserve to the fastest-growing skiing resort in the country, Sandviken is both easy to get to and easy to enjoy – especially for those keen on fresh air and a peaceful mind. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Sandviken
Situated just an hour and a half from Arlanda Airport, Sandviken is not just close to the world – it boasts a range of activities and experiences so rich and varied it feels like a multifaceted world in itself. But more than anything, it is a mecca for outdoor lovers and wellness enthusiasts, presenting unspoilt nature, leisure activities aplenty, and locally sourced food to boot. Known globally as the home of engineering giant Sandvik, Sandviken has metal expertise that goes back to the early 1600s and Högbo Bruk, then a forge and iron works. Picturesque red longhouses and leafy nature still characterise the area, but recently it has grown into a well-developed, much-loved recreational resort. “Högbo is known for its food – both gourmet dining experiences and charming farm shops selling quality meat, cheese and vegetables,” says Hofstrand, head of tourism at Sandviken. “But there’s plenty to do between meals
as well. Högbo is an official partner of Vasaloppet, so it’s a bit of a skiing paradise, but it’s also known as a cycling mecca and you can go paddling, golfing, even trying to blow glass – it’s endless.” Mountain bike enthusiasts can enjoy varied, adrenaline-enducing cycling all year round at the Högbo MTB-Arena, developed in collaboration with mountain bike world champion Magnus Palmberg. Keen skiers, meanwhile, should head straight for Kungsberget, Sweden’s fastestgrowing skiing resort. With 18 slopes, ten lifts and 1,800 beds, the resort offers topclass downhill skiing alongside perfectly family-friendly facilities and even the chance to try out Nordic cross-country ice skating on Lake Storsjön.
UNESCO’s seal of approval Equally rich in nature experiences for true bon vivants, but perhaps of the less adventurous, more relaxing kind, Färnebofjärden and the surrounding
river landscape was recently added to UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and has been voted Sweden’s best nature reserve two years in a row. “It’s simply stunning,” says Hofstrand. “The nature is truly unique. You can stroll along the river and find some really rare species of insects and flora, and there’s a Naturum – a nature visitor centre – for a quick pit-stop too.” Nearby, Sweden’s best preserved ironworks village, Gysinge Bruk, provides insight into life during the 1600s, situated in picturesque surroundings with excellent fishing opportunities. You will also find a centre for building care here, with tips and tools for keen home renovators, along with a restaurant, a café and endless hiking trails. Add the fact that Sandviken (‘sandy bay’) got its name due to the location by Lake Storsjön, boasting beautiful beaches for some summer fun, and you will be hard pressed to find a more generous natural haven this close to the doorstep of the rest of the world.
Web: www.sandviken.se
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Popular ice track in Luleå The much loved ice track in Luleå is returning for its 15th consecutive year. Also making a reappearance is KPN Grand Prix, which attracts some of the best ice skaters in the world. By Malin Norman | Photos: Vincent Reimersma
Every year for the past 14 years, an ice track is prepared in the Port of Luleå. It starts at the northern harbour, goes around Gültzauudden and further out to the island of Gråsjälören, and finishes back at the southern harbour. The track varies in shape and distance but is normally around 12 kilometres, connecting the city centre with the archipelago and surrounding residential areas. The 20-metre-wide ice track is popular for ice skating, of course, but also for typical kick-sleds and walking on the snow pavement alongside the tracks. Along 54 | Issue 108 | January 2018
the route are several spots for barbecuing, eating a packed lunch and getting some shelter from the wind. The municipality also serves the public with around 25 kick-sleds available to borrow.
Jan the Iceman The spectacular ice track was an initiative by local politician Ylva Strutz back in 2002, to function as an area for recreation on the ice outside the city centre. Once the idea was approved and preparations commenced, the ice track became a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
The project is now managed by Jan Blomqvist, also called ‘Jan the Iceman’, who oversees a team of six who carefully prepare the ice track every year. They get going when the ice is around 35 centimetres in thickness, usually in midJanuary, and prepare a smooth surface for all those winter activities. “There’s nothing quite like it,” says Petter Norén of Visit Luleå. “This really is the best natural ice track in the world. With all the massive amounts of ice around Luleå in winter, this is a fantastic way of connecting the city centre with the surrounding nature, such as the many beautiful islands in the archipelago.”
KPN Grand Prix In 2017, the international ice skating competition KPN Grand Prix took place here
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
for the first time, attracting some of the best ice skaters in the world to compete. Organised annually by the Dutch Ice Skating Association, KPN Grand Prix consists of five competitions on natural ice: two in Weissensee in Austria, two in Falun and now this one in Luleå. The distance of each leg is either 100 or 200 kilometres.
needed somewhere to break a new world record and, despite a failed attempt, the ice track proved to be an ideal spot for world-class ice skating events. KNP Grand Prix was later arranged here and became a huge success. In the Netherlands, it was even broadcast live by NOS with around one million viewers.
So how does an international Grand Prix find its way to northern Sweden? Famous Dutch ice skater Bram Smallenbroek
In 2018, KPN Grand Prix will return for a second time, and competitions will take place on 22, 24 and 25 February, with an
open Tourskate event on 23 February. In 2017, some 70 participants joined and the number is expected to increase in the next edition. New for this year’s competition is that the start and finishing line will be located closer to land, which of course is more convenient for the enthusiastic audience also. Web: visitlulea.se Facebook: lulea.nu
It is a fantastic experience to skate on the ice, as smooth as a mirror, among the 1,312 islands in the archipelago. Photo: Fredrik Broman
KPN Grand Prix is an ice skating competition attracting the best skaters in the world. Two of the legs will take place in Luleå in 2018.
Photo: Fredrik Broman
In Luleå, you have the chance to see the northern lights from August to April. Photo: Peter Rosén
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Photo: Henrik Trygg
A sea of change Stockholm marks the beginning of one of the biggest archipelagos in the world, stretching along the eastern cost of Sweden. Adored by Stockholmians for hundreds of years, this extraordinary collection of islands, rocks and islets has started to spark a great amount of interest among an international crowd too. By Pia Petersson | Photos: Anne Sofie Eriksson
“I think it’s hard to visualise it before you’ve actually visited. It’s so much more than a collection of islands in the Baltic Sea,” says Tina Larsson, project manager at Stockholm Archipelago. She is talking about the slight difficulty of describing this collection of 30,000 islands scattered across the sea just outside Stockholm to visitors. How do you define a place that is so vast and includes everything from hiking trails, masses of open blue sea and picturesque little towns, to guided underwater tours of old shipwrecks and more? Yes, we will come back to the shipwrecks. 56 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Dynamic interdependency Once upon a time, the archipelago was full of fishing communities and small farms; however, these days, they are largely gone. Instead, the area mainly functions as the go-to place for busy Stockholmians longing to relax in the countryside and by the sea. Larsson remarks that the relationship between the archipelago and the capital is and always has been somewhat symbiotic. “I think the archipelago works as a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. They complement each other very
well,” she says. Indeed, the archipelago is easily reachable from Stockholm. For those prepared to do just a little bit more research before their visit to Stockholm, the archipelago might just be the perfect place to spend a couple of relaxing days in a dramatic landscape after an exploration of the Swedish capital.
Ship out Just like the contrast between city and countryside, the archipelago also appeals both to those looking for an active holiday and to those who long for some peace and quiet. The tranquil little villages and towns as well as the breath-taking natural scenery of the archipelago will guarantee a greater sense of calm among any visitors. Moreover, a visit to the archipelago suits those who are looking for a taste of adventure and excitement. “There are great
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
canoeing and fishing opportunities as well as several hiking and cycling trails. Or why not pay a visit to one of the many old military sites spread out in the archipelago?” Larsson suggests. Due to its location, Stockholm archipelago was for centuries particularly at risk of attacks. The many fortifications that still exist on several islands serve as a concrete reminder of the dramatic history of the area. Quite uniquely, these are open to the public who are welcome to pop in and take a look at some original coastal defence posts. Furthermore, a visit to Vaxholm Fortress and Landsort Battery provide visitors with a greater understanding of the efforts made in the archipelago in order to protect the country during times of war.
Sustainability It is vital of course to make sure that an environment as special as Stockholm archipelago is well looked after and preserved for future generations to enjoy and explore. “Sustainability is central to us here at Stockholm Archipelago, and we make certain that visitors are aware of the rules and regulations they have to follow when they’re visiting the archipelago. It’s also important to include the local population in everything to ensure that they’re part of any major developments,” says Larsson.
Unusual explorations Lastly, let us return to the issue of the guided underwater shipwreck tour. Owing to the fact that the Baltic Sea is brackish, it constitutes an especial-
ly suitable environment for preserving sunken ships; those who have seen the 17th century ship Vasa in Stockholm will be aware of this. However, there are many more well-preserved ships at the bottom of the sea. “In fact, there are several Vasa museums resting on the seabed all over Stockholm archipelago. Visitors who hold a diving certification can take part in guided underwater tours, exploring these shipwrecks,” Larsson explains. But those who do not hold such certification need not worry. “There are boat trips and guided tours for those who do not dive themselves,” Larsson reassures.
Web: www.stockholmarchipelago.se
Photo: Helén Pe
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Steel sculpture with letters that form a human shape. Artist: Jaume Plensa. Name of artwork: House of knowledge. Photo: Fredrik Malmlund
A state of the art While honouring its proud textile past, Borås is a modern, innovative city with a neverending number of exciting projects in the pipeline. Culture is its main attraction, but this is a versatile city that offers something for everyone. In addition to art lovers, Borås attracts those who long for glittering blue lakes, quiet country walking trails and fresh air, as the great outdoors are right on the doorstep of the city. By Pia Petersson | Photos: Borås
The concept of public art has been taken to another level in Borås, where art is quite literally everywhere. “I suppose you could say that the entire city is one big art gallery,” says Mia Landin, operations manager at Borås Tourism Centre. This is one of the many reasons why 58 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Borås has become an attractive destination for those with a great interest in all things cultural. Roughly 45 minutes from Sweden’s second city, Gothenburg, 25 minutes from the international airport Landvetter, and easily reached from essentially all of southern Sweden, Borås
has definite appeal. However, this is not a city to quickly stop in on the way to somewhere else. “I think many of our visitors are quite surprised to discover that there’s so much to do here,” says Landin. In addition to the vast public art gallery, there are art museums, a city zoo, as well as fantastic surrounding countryside just a stone’s throw from the city centre.
The textile city – past, present and future Ask any Swede about Borås, and they will without a doubt mention the textile industry. Starting in the 1800s, the city was
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
the heart of the Swedish textile industry and is to this day known as ‘the textile city’. Even though much of the textile production moved abroad in the 1970s, Borås takes its heritage very seriously. “The legacy is certainly still alive, but in a different sort of way. The city has adapted well to the circumstances and has been very good at managing changes. I think much of this can be attributed to a cando attitude and an entrepreneurial spirit that permeates the city and the people of Borås,” Landin explains. Indeed, its textile past continues to be the beating heart of the city and manifests itself in, for example, the prominent Swedish School of Textiles as well as the Textile Museum of Borås. The permanent exhibition Textil kraft (Textile power) was named Exhibition of
Street art mural of fox and goose. Artist: Telmo Miel. Name of artwork: The adventures of Nils Holgersson.
Sculpture of Pinocchio. Artist: Jim Dine. Name of artwork: Walking to Borås.
the Year in 2016 and presents visitors with a fascinating account of the history of the textile industry, from the times of industrialisation and its accompanying social transformation of society to today’s innovative thinking.
Turn on the lights The enormous public art gallery of Borås includes among other things hundreds of sculptures, installations and giant murals. Although the Swedish weather can be somewhat unforgiving during the winter, there is no need to shy away from Borås throughout the darker months. “The public art scattered all across Borås is illuminated in winter, which makes the whole city look strikingly beautiful,” Landin points out. Furthermore, 2018 might be an exceptionally good year for art lovers to plan a visit to Borås, as it is
time for the city to host the exciting International Sculpture Biennale.
Back to nature Rya Åsar is a vastly varied nature reserve just north of the city, and large parts of it consist of deep forests and cultural landmarks. In addition, those keen on taking a dip can head for one of the many inviting lakes in the area. “What’s so remarkable is that fantastic nature with great walking and hiking trails and much more is found on just the doorstep of the city,” Landin concludes. In 2021, Borås will commemorate its 400th birthday. It looks like there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. Web: www.boras.com
Borås in winter. Photo: Jörgen Jarnberger
To this day, Borås is known as ‘the textile city’.
Street art mural of Alfred Nobel. Artist: Kobra. Untitled.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
Outdoors activities, water park fun, and gaming Skövde has something hidden up its sleeve. In addition to Sweden’s best water park and fantastic outdoors activities, this is the hottest gaming hub in the country. By Malin Norman | Photos: Jesper Anhede
Located in Skaraborg between Sweden’s two largest lakes, Vänern and Vättern, Skövde is built partially on the slopes of the low mountain ridge Billingen and the town centre lies at the foot of the mesa. This recreation area is popular among locals as well as tourists. “We have plenty of things to do all year round,” says Charlotte Backman, marketing director of Next Skövde. “Actually, this is one of the main reasons for visitors to come to Skövde – sports and outdoor activities. And us locals, we really love our Billingen!” She highlights 60 | Issue 108 | January 2018
for instance cross-country skiing, iceskating, down-hill skiing with an adjacent fun park, and hiking. Billingen is an official Vasaloppet training centre for cross-country skiing, cycling and running. Next year, Skövde municipality will extend its four-kilometre track for cross-country skiing with artificial snow to ten kilometres, using a new technology for creating and storing the snow. According to Backman, it is set to become the longest track for artificial snow in Sweden and will prolong the season considerably.
Famous water park For those to whom a tropical experience indoors sounds more alluring than snowy adventures, Skövde hosts one of Sweden’s biggest water parks. Arena Skövde has in fact been named the country’s best adventure pool for seven consecutive years – unsurprisingly, as it has a wide range of chutes and slides for splashy fun. For the youngest visitors, the Dragon Pool is an exciting experience with dragon Sim-Sala-Bim sneaking around the pool. There are around 370 metres of slides in total, in addition to a wave pool and an outdoor pool, and the more adventurous can try the slides Magic Hole and Black Hole, a dark tunnel with flashing lights. As if that were not enough,
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018
the super-fast slide Turbo or the stream Vildforsen, with a flow of around 975 litres of water per second, might satisfy those keen on adrenaline kicks. For a more relaxing experience, Aqua Vitalis offers three areas with saunas, different themed shower experiences, heated pools, soothing treatments and massages, and activities such as yoga and aufguss.
City of gaming and food What many might not know is that Skövde is also a hotspot for gaming, with initiatives run under the name Sweden Game Arena. With its seven educational programmes, University of Skövde boasts the widest and most cutting-edge range of courses in computer gaming in
northern Europe as well as international research with around 30 professors and PhD students. Backman elaborates on the exciting business opportunities, attracting some 500 students and around 1,000 people working in more than 50 gaming studios. “We have a lot of new start-ups in connection to gaming, more than ten every year, and several have become international successes, like Battlerite. This is definitely attracting a lot of interest internationally, and we hope that Skövde can grow as a gaming community and destination.” As an example of such a new initiative, the town hosted both Sweden Game Conference and Sweden Game Festival in October last year, attracting more than 3,000 enthusiastic gamers.
As well as gaming, outdoors activities and water fun, Skövde organises a big food festival every year. Started in 1990, the festival runs in August and attracts some 70,000 visitors, with a focus on food from different venues around the city served in small portions. This is also the location for the Swedish Championships in outdoor cooking during Sweden Outdoor Festival, which takes place on Billingen in September. “Skövde attracts many entrepreneurs in relation to food production,” says Backman. “This is why we tend to say that Skövde is located in Sweden’s pantry!” Web: www.nextskovde.se Facebook: NextSkovde Twitter: @nextskovde Instagram: @nextskovde
Photo: Mårten Bergkvist
Photo: Mårten Bergkvist
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 61
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A celebration of military bands This year’s Norwegian Military Tattoo (NMT) will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian military bands, in what is now known as the country’s largest indoor show. By Line Elise Svanevik | Press photos
Held every other year since 1994, the show welcomes 850 participants from around the world. The 2018 show will be hosted on 20-22 April in Oslo Spektrum. Traditionally, a ‘tattoo’ was an old military tradition, derived from the Dutch expression ‘doe den tap toe’, which means to turn off the taps. This was the way drummers and trumpeters instructed to stop serving beer and for soldiers to return to their barracks, and it can be traced back exactly 400 years to 1618, making this year the 400th anniversary for the expression. 64 | Issue 108 | January 2018
In 1950, the term ‘tattoo’ was brought back in the Scottish capital Edinburgh, where they decided to host a Military Tattoo tied to the Edinburgh Castle. As an immediate success with its remarkable surroundings and a focus on the traditional Scottish music in the show, the tattoo came to stay. “Historically, military music had its very own function during war,” explains Master Sergeant Rune Wiik, producer of Norwegian Military Tattoo. “The bands were used to playing signals in the battle fields – to scare off the enemy and to give commands to the soldiers.”
In 2018, military bands do not have the same function during war, but the bands have a key role to play during military and constitutional ceremonies. There was a limited need for the traditional tattoos after World War II, but the events where soldiers get to show off their skills to the people have remained. “They support soldiers and contribute their music to ceremonies, in addition to travelling to the places where the soldiers are stationed, in order to contribute with moral support and strengthen the military profession and comradery,” explains Wiik. “It’s about upholding traditions.” The military bands are both similar and very different to symphony orchestras. “In addition to being Norwegian military
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
bands, they are also among the world’s best wind orchestras. While playing concerts, they make a bridge out to the civilians, and they also play for their own staff,” he adds.
Celebrating 200 years A focal point of the 2018 show are the several anniversaries, including the original brigade bands’ 200-year anniversary. When the new army order struck in 1818, five brigade music groups were established in Norway. Of those five, three still exist today: the Staff Music Band of the Armed Forces,
the Royal Norwegian Air Force Band, and the Royal Norwegian Naval Band – and they will all be celebrating their anniversaries. Additionally, the celebrations coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the Norwegian Band Federation – so this year’s Norwegian Military Tattoo will definitely be influenced by these anniversaries.
Renowned visitors The United States Army Field Band is one of the big international bands visiting the It is not often that the US Army Field Band leaves the US, but this April it is joining the Norwegian Military Tattoo.
The Royal Norwegian Navy Band is this year’s stage band. Photo: Jon Klasbu
His Majesty the King’s Guard will be performing at the Norwegian Military Tattoo in April.
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 65
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
Photo: Royal Norwegian Marine
Norwegian Military Tattoo in Oslo Spektrum this year. As one of the most sensational bookings for this year’s event, the band, consisting of 100 members, will also be bringing the Jazz Ambassadors, which is the American Army’s incredibly popular band, created during the Cold War. Additionally, the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, famous for their appearance in the opening scene of the film A Few Good Men, will also be at the show. “We’re thrilled to have them join us as they’re the biggest representational orchestra from all of America,” says Wiik. “They’re the ones who play when the new presidents are inaugurated. They rarely travel outside the US, as they’re normally so busy playing for the government and the army.” From Basel in Switzerland is the Top Secret Drum Corps. World-known for their high-tempo, amazing tricks and crystal 66 | Issue 108 | January 2018
clear precision, Top Secret is not for the faint-hearted. “They distinguish themselves from other drummers as they’ve modernised their sound and display,” says the producer. “They’re known in particular for their energetic showbiz, which sees the whole troop playing with drumsticks that are on fire. There will be lots of juggling as well.”
From traditional to hyper modern The biannual show will see a range of bands, from the very traditional military bands to the utmost modern. The Swedish Life Guards’ Dragoon Music Corps – one of the few still existing riding military orchestras – will also be joining them, arriving with 30 horses. “It’s the first time Norwegian Military Tattoo will see a riding band,” Wiik enthuses. As one of Sweden’s three professional bands, they are based in Stockholm
and will be bringing their musicians and horses, all of different breeds according to the instrument the person riding is playing.
What is a military tattoo? Contrary to what many might associate with tattoos, a Military Tattoo derives from the Dutch expression ‘doe den tap toe’ meaning ‘turn off the tap’, which meant that the soldiers needed to be rounded up from the local watering holes and taken back to their bases. The military bands played a signal tune for this to happen. A tattoo refers to the performance of military music or a military performance in general, and in later years, it is used to refer to shows that involve theatrical and musical performances.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
Photo: Royal Danish Life Guards
Complete and intros allstars. Photo: Forsvaret
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 67
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
Photo: Ole Gunnar Henriksen Nordli
Additionally, a marching team from New Zealand, the all-female Lochiel Marching Team, will be joining the show in April. “In New Zealand, marching is an incredibly popular sports competition, which is very fascinating,” says Wiik. “Even though they have no military connection or training, their marching display and precision is on the same level as the very best military drill teams.” The show will also be seeing bagpipes and highland dancers, straight from Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is perhaps the world’s most famous tattoo.
A vast history Having started out in a Viking ship in Hamar in 1994, the Norwegian Military Tattoo was quickly moved to Oslo Spektrum, where it has remained ever since. “It’s grown every year, and NMT is now up there with Edinburgh as one of the most famous tattoos in the world, with a great international audience,” says Wiik. 68 | Issue 108 | January 2018
The family-friendly show welcomes everyone but requires that children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
What is Norwegian Military Tattoo? The Norwegian Military Tattoo (NMT) is a military music and drill show held every other year in Oslo. It is centred around Norwegian and international military music, from classical via marches to current popular music. It was first held on the Viking ship in Hamar in 1994, and in 1996, there was a unanimous decision to move the event to Oslo Spektrum.
Participants in 2018 - US Army Field Band – USA - US Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon – USA - The Royal Danish Life Guards – Denmark - Life Guards’ Dragoon Music Corps – Sweden - Pipes and drums / Highland dancers from Edinburgh Military Tattoo – UK - Fanfara dei Bersaglieri – Italy - Lochiel Marching Team – New Zealand - 21st Grey Coat Batallion Fife and Drum Corps – Switzerland - His Majesty The King’s Guard – Norway - Top Secret Drum Corps – Switzerland - Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces – Norway - The Royal Norwegian Navy Band – Norway
Timings and locations
- Frikar Dance Company – Norway
Where: Oslo Spektrum, Norway When: 20-22 April 2018 Web: www.normiltattoo.no
- The Band of the Royal Netherlands Marine – The Netherlands
- Oslo Philharmonic Choir – Norway
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
Idyllic music festival on the west coast of Norway One late November evening in 2006, Sigvard Madsen and Trond Tvedt met for dinner to start planning what would become one of the biggest music festivals in western Norway: Tysnesfest.
easy – all you need is a stage and artists. It’s doing it across so many different places that is a challenge,” says Vaage.
By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Camilla Korsnes
An obvious question is how 30,000 people can fit on this little island. “Whether there’s enough space is something we ask ourselves every now and then,” Vaage laughs. “There are a lot of cabins here, and many people have this as their holiday home, so people fill up their houses and we have direct boats to and from Bergen as well as the surrounding islands, so people can arrive in the afternoon and leave late in the evening.”
Their goal was to create a little happening in the small region of Tysnes, a couple of hours outside Bergen in Norway, to give the young locals a reason to move back home. “One can notice the difference in the Tysnes youth already. Before, some thought that it was a bit embarrassing to be from Tysnes, but now that Tysnesfest has become as big as it has, they’re proud of their home region,” says Øystein Vaage, CEO. The region has fewer than 3,000 inhabitants, but one week in July every year, thousands of people from all over Norway come to the little island to go to the festival. Last year, they sold 30,000 tickets. One of the many things that make the festival special is their annual concert at the top of Tysnessåta, 753 metres above the ocean. Last year, 2,400 people took the hike up to see Sivert Høyem, and this year they can look forward to Bigbang.
In 2018, Tysnesfest is proudly presenting a range of big artists, such as Susanne Sundfør, Kari Bremnes, Adam Douglas and many others, with the biggest headliners yet to be announced. “We have something for everything and everyone, and that’s our goal,” says Vaage. “That’s why we have so many different types of artists.” This year, they will not only reach audiences aged eight to 80, but they will also have a dedicated programme for babies, so one can safely say that there is something for every taste and every age. The festival is spread across the whole island, and there are plenty of good camping opportunities. This year, they are even setting up 320 mobile sleeping pods for those who want something a little more comfortable, and drier – this is the west coast of Norway, after all – than a tent. “Holding a concert on a football pitch is
Web: tysnesfest.no Facebook: Tysnesfest Instagram: @tysnesfest
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 69
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
Film experiences in the dark of the cinema.
An idyllic setting by the archipelago.
Outdoor cinema experience.
A short experience for film lovers Picture this: boat trips while eating fresh shrimp in the archipelago, and bright summer nights with film experiences in the dark of the movie theatre. “For our many international guests, this is a special experience and why they love to visit the Norwegian Short Film Festival in Grimstad – a true gem in southern Norway,” says festival manager Anita Svingen.
utes. The goal is that this too will be an Oscar-qualifying category, like the festival already is for the Norwegian short film competition, making the festival an even stronger international player.
By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: The Norwegian Short Film Festival
Submissions for 2018 are open until 15 February for all filmmakers in the short film category. In addition to the award programmes, the festival also presents film experiences, seminars and debates, making it a must-see for budding filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike.
The Norwegian Short Film Festival is the second oldest film festival in Norway, celebrating 40 years in 2017. It is an important debut arena for up-and-coming filmmakers, but also a great showcase for the established industry as a platform for screening free and independent film. Today it is seen as a key meeting place for the film industry – a place to transfer skills between generations to develop Norwegian film. “We are a small festival, both in name and location, but each year some of the biggest film festivals such as Sundance, Toronto and Berlinalen come to us and showcase their programmes,” Svingen says proudly. The competition for international short film attracts filmmakers and festivals from the rest of the world to Grimstad, and the festival arranges for bonds to be tied between the Norwegian and the international film communities. 70 | Issue 108 | January 2018
“The short film does not have many viewing options in cinemas or on television, so the festival becomes a unique setting for film lovers, especially in this genre. We show a large selection of both the best short films and documentaries that are produced in Norway, but also special programmes and international short and documentary films,” says Svingen. “However, we do wish for more people to open their eyes to the world of shorts. Today, with the digital platforms, we are in the golden age of short film, so we try to introduce audiences outside the industry to various programmes and films and would like to invite anyone to come and discover the wonderful world of short films.” This year, the festival strengthens its focus on short documentaries and launches the competition programme Short Doc, for Norwegian and international documentaries of up to 40 min-
Ruben Østlund opening the installation The Square in 2016 – a gift to Grimstad for its 200th anniversary.
Web: www.kortfilmfestivalen.no Facebook: kortfilmfestivalen Twitter: @Kortfilmfest Instagram: @kortfilmfestivalen
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
Launched in 1996, the Market for Performing Arts presents a broad range of performing arts. Photo: Akershus Teater
The River and the Sea at the Market for Performing Arts. Photo: Det lille mekaniske loppesirkuset
A professional arena for stage art in Norway The immensely important nationwide Market for Performing Arts has become a crucial meeting point for an industry interested in presenting, buying and selling performing arts. By Line Elise Svanevik
Launched back in 1996, the Market for Performing Arts in Vestfold, Norway, presents a broad range of performing art offers while being a meeting place for professional development for people in the industry. The aim is to offer top-quality art for children and young people while increasing the competence in the focus areas for both organisers and performers. Through working with the media and reviewers, the market strives to bring about a clearer focus on performing arts for kids and young people – both in terms of sparking interest in reviewing the performances and in bringing out professional reviews of new performances. Additionally, they want to shed light on the school’s use of the arts, and how the performances could potentially be used as educational tools. They are inviting performing arts groups and those who work in schools to come together to join the debate.
ber of applications. This ensures that we know it’s the best on the market, which means that students and the audience will be able to experience great-quality performing arts.”
Quality assurance “This work is incredibly important because we can quality assure the performing arts that are being distributed,” explains Gunn Strand Eliassen from Sandefjord council, one of the committee advisors for 2017. “We have a professional committee that picks out submissions from a great numMagical Fredrik. Photo: Framifrå Teater
Nina Hodneland, CEO of Norsk kulturhusnettverk (Norwegian culture house network), says: “You get the opportunity to experience quality productions for kids and young people to book to your cultural arrangement. Additionally, you get to grow your own network.”
The committee advisors of 2017: Saskia Wieringa, Dansens Hus Anne Mali Sæther, producer Torill Sjømæling, Vestfold county council Gunn Strand Eliassen, Sandefjord council
Mari Haugen, of Asker Kulturhus, says: “You can see the quality productions for children and young people in a very effective setting. We watch performances and concerts from morning to evening, so we are completely exhausted, but it’s worth it. It makes the job as a producer or programmer at a culture house much easier, because you’ve got a whole bank of good productions to pick from.”
Web: www.markedet.org
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018 The four-day festival concludes with a glamorous award show. Photo: Erik Børresen
The festival is under patronage of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. Photo: Torbjørn Olsen
Photo: Amandus – Lillehammer International Student Film Festival
Where filmmakers are made For the past 30 years, the Amandus Festival has been the biggest and most important festival for young filmmakers in Scandinavia. When the festival kicks off for the 31st time this March, hundreds of young talents and film enthusiasts will gather in the Olympic town of Lillehammer to attend talks and workshops, discuss the opportunities of today’s film industry and, above all, celebrate the filmmakers of tomorrow. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen
The little brother of the Amanda Film Awards, the Amandus Festival was established as a platform where young filmmakers could not only showcase their work, but also be inspired to make film. “Our vision has always been to inspire young filmmakers and help them make their way into the film industry. We want to be a place where film enthusiasm is grown and nurtured,” says festival coordinator Eivind Nordengen. The festival, which is under patronage of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit, takes place on 21-24 March and will see close to 1,000 youths, film students and industry professionals from all over the Nordics come together for four days of screenings, workshops, inspirational talks and networking, which all accumulate in the grand finale: a 72 | Issue 108 | January 2018
spectacular award show where famous Norwegian film profiles hand out prizes to the best films in an array of categories. “It is not just a film competition, but also a place for young talents to share their experiences and learn from experienced professionals about various topics in the industry. This year’s festival programme will have a special focus on gender equality. We feel a particular responsibility to encourage young female filmmakers to make their voices heard, and there will be a series of panel discussions, seminars and film screenings on the topic,” Nordengen points out. As part of the gender equality focus, Amandus has partnered with China Women’s Film Festival, Duhok International Film Festival in Iraq as well as various festivals, film schools and organisations in the Nordics to highlight the issue.
Last year, the festival got the extension Amandus – Lillehammer International Student Film Festival when it joined forces with the Norwegian Student Film Festival, and it grew from being a festival for young filmmakers under the age of 20 to encompass film students in higher education institutions. “For 2018, we have introduced a new category in addition to our traditional Junior, Youth and Student categories,” Nordengen explains. “The Open category allows unestablished filmmakers under the age of 26 from all over the world to submit their work – making the festival even more international.” The Amandus festival sees hundreds of young film enthusiasts come together to celebrate young filmmakers. Photo: Amandus - Lillehammer International Student Film Festival
Web: www.amandusfestivalen.no
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
Discover the authentic Sami culture this Easter The Sami Easter Festival will be held during the Easter weekend – the last weekend of March – and will see around 6,000 people visit the northern municipality of Kautokeino for a weekend filled with cultural activities and concerts based around the theme of Easter.
Get a taste of true Sami life and discover a range of artists – names to be announced in the coming months – in Kautokeino this March.
By Line Elise Svanevik
For those interested in experiencing the true Sami culture with its language, traditional yoik, and lively society, the Sami Easter Festival is the place to be. “The experience you get at the festival is completely unique and incredibly special. It’s not a show we put on for the festival – people come here to see how we actually live,” says OI Johan Gaup, producer for the music festival in Kautokeino, which is the biggest organiser within Sami Easter Festival. There will be a varied programme suitable for families and people of all ages, including concerts, theatre, exhibitions, a market, ‘duodji’ handicraft, art, cinema, scooter cross and reindeer racing. “The Sami people have always gathered during
the Easter holiday,” says Gaup. “Everyone met in the village, and weddings, confirmations and christenings were usually celebrated during this week. After celebrating and competing in reindeer racing, they parted and began moving the reindeer to the coast. Eventually, this tradition became the Easter festival as we know it today.”
Location: Kautokeino, Northern Norway Date: The main days are 29-31 March 2018 (but the programme often starts a few days earlier and ends on Easter Monday)
Web: www.samieasterfestival.com
Photo: Johan Mathis Gaup
Photo: Jenny Østgård
Scandinavian simplicity Designed and handcrafted in Norway
www.freywood.no
@freywood.no Freywood
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
Trondheim Voices will be performing Ekkokammer at this year’s festival. Photo: Christina Undrum
Celebrating 25 years of innovative music in Harstad This year, Harstad-based contemporary music festival ILIOS is celebrating its 25th anniversary. With artists such as Trondheim Voices, Maja Ratkje, Trio Mediæval, Susanne Lundeng and Tori Wrånes, the festival aims to spark innovation and creativity. By Line Elise Svanevik
Despite the vast range of female headliners, CEO Anders Eriksson insists that gender has nothing to do with the bookings. “It’s simply because these performers are absolutely incredible. Our aim is to be artistic rather than politically correct,” he says. And there are quite exciting men in the festival line-up too – like the extraordinary tuba players of the Microtub trio, or the unbelievable musical entertainers Polkabjørn and Kleine Heine, making the festival club audience gasp for air. ILIOS always presents a festival exhibition, linking music and other art formats. Curated by Ingeborg Annie 74 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Lindahl, this year’s festival exhibitor is the Brazilian-Japanese textile artist Kiyoshi Yamamoto. His appearance at ILIOS includes a performance featuring the 16 singers of Vokal Nord.
‘Absolute pling-plong’ The road to creating a festival for contemporary music has been long, and when ILIOS-festivalen first saw the light of day in 1993, new music was still relatively scary to a lot of people. “Contemporary music was referred to as ‘absolute pling-plong’,” explains Eriksson, who has worked in the music industry for many years. “It was music for the few, and perhaps rightly so. Contemporary music
almost developed into a genre of itself. But we doubled the number of visitors last year and registered that there was a whole audience of new people. Those of us who work with the programming decided to slightly expand our views of genre and format – and so did the audience. Voilà!” Today, terms like innovation and creativity have become important when talking about the future of Arctic Norway, and Eriksson explains that this is exactly what the revised approach to new music is about. “It’s about finding new roads and different ways of doing things,” he says. “We don’t have limits to our genres like we did 25 years ago. Contemporary art music can have references to pop or jazz – there can be elements from folk music, electronica and chamber music.” The Spice Girls-themed name of the festival exhibition, Tell me what you want, what you really, really want, proves that today’s contemporary art features an
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
equal amount of references to pop culture as it does to traditional genres and disciplines.
A festival in the heart of Harstad When he took over the steering wheel, it was important for Eriksson to keep the festival as close as possible to the centre of Harstad – to make use of venues and social meeting places in the town centre. “Like many other regional centres in Norway, Harstad is growing, and the growing pains associated with new shopping centres have led to shops disappearing from the streets in the town. That’s why restaurants, cafes and culture are crucial for creating life in the town centre.
An anniversary pointing forward One of the interesting features in 2018 is a project pointing directly to next year’s festival. ILIOS is fortunate to have Tori Wrånes attending the festival for a site visit. This means that the festival, together with various collaborators, will start a new performance project in 2018 – leading to a premiere in 2019. “Wrånes is one of Norway’s new, big international stars,” says Eriksson. “She’s
an artist and a performance creator who held several sold-out shows with her exhibition Hot Pocket and the performance Sirkling at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Oslo in the spring of 2017.” Trondheim Voices, led by Sissel Vera Pettersen and composer Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje, have created the concert performance Ekkokammer (Echo chamber) for the ensemble. Ratkje has also created the installation Vannstand, which is part of this year’s ILIOS-exhibition, featuring kids from the local Harstad culture school. Harstad is fortunate to have a professional military band, the Norwegian Army Band North – an institution of great importance also for the ILIOS festival. Their contribution to the anniversary edition is 16 brass and percussion players, directed by the renowned trombonist Niels-Ole Bo Johansen. Trio Mediæval will be joining the festival together with musicians Trygve Seim and Håvard Lund. A mix of early music, contemporary pieces and Norwegian tradition is the secret behind a trio that has become one of Norway’s most successful musical exports.
Brand new folk-inspired music is also a part of the ILIOS programme. At the festival club, Susanne Lundeng and her new constellation will in fact play a release concert for a new album, featuring a trio with percussion, keyboard and live electronics. Head to Harstad this February to discover plenty of new music and art, while at the same time widening your horizons. Headliners at the festival - Trondheim Voices - Trio Mediæval - Kyoshi Yamamoto - Vokal Nord - Maja S.K Ratkje - The Norwegian Army Band North - Tori Wrånes - Susanne Lundeng
Did you know? The word ‘ilios’ derives from the Greek word for ‘sun’, which is why the festival is held 1-4 February – in the fifth week of the year, when the sun returns to Harstad. Web: www.ilios.no
Artist: Kiyosho Yamamoto. Photo: Linn H. Stokkedal
Microtub. Photo: Martin Morisette
CEO of ILIOS-festivalen Anders Eriksson has been part of the music industry for many years. Photo: Ingeborg Annie Lindahl
Artist: Tori Wrånes. Photo: Skylar Haskard.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
The closing party at Jugendfest.
The sound of Ålesund Through festivals, events and now even their own brew, Momentium has become a major partner in the culture industry in Norway. A complete supplier of great experiences and unforgettable moments, this Ålesund-based company, one of the largest festival agencies in the country, has helped change the cultural identity of its hometown in countless ways over the last ten years. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Jonathan Vivaas Kise
“As Ålesund is not Norway’s largest city, it has been missing out when it comes to cultural offerings. I would say it was almost absent ten years ago – but today, the local music scene is buzzing, mainly because of our big festivals as well as our venue Terminal Byscene, which has about 50 concerts a year, and all our other events,” says managing director Ronny Stokke. He is thrilled to say that Momentium has helped bring many big names, such as Elton John, Bryan 76 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Adams, and Sting, to this small town on the west coast of Norway. Established in 2008, and with three successful, long-running festivals – Ålesund Live, Sommerfesten on Giske and Jugendfest – under their belt, it is safe to say that Momentum is a big player in the culture industry and with regards to tourism growth in Sunnmøre. These festivals are important for the local communities and have thousands of festival
goers from both near and far attending each year to experience great music in beautiful surroundings.
Festival experiences for all ages Jugendfest, the biggest two-day festival north of Oslo, is held every year in the heart of the city at Color Line Stadium. “We are proud of the fact that Jugendfest sells out every year, and it will continue the trend in 2018 with around 26,000 festival passes already purchased,” Stokke says proudly. A new addition last year was Minijugend, taking place at the same time as Jugendfest but for a younger crowd during the day. “The launch of Minijugend in 2017 became a huge success. We want to build on this and promise to create great con-
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
cert memories also in 2018. In addition to what’s happening on stage, we will have increased focus on activities in the area to create a perfect framework for both children and parents to enjoy,” says Stokke.
A cultural meeting point Giving back to the community of Ålesund and the greater area of Sunnmøre has always been at the top of the priority list for Momentium, and with their own venue, Terminalen Byscene, the company has created a cultural meeting point in town. Situated in a refurbished old bus station, it is now acting as an activity centre, venue and culture house all in one. “It’s the venue Ålesund’s people deserve. The best thing about it is how versatile it has become. In addition to hosting concerts and gigs, it works as a meeting point in the name of culture, with literature talks, bingo nights and kids’ activity days,” Stokke explains. While Ålesund Live, Sommerfesten on Giske and Jugendfest are big hits attracting thousands and thousands of people each year, Mometium is also behind a number of other events. “In 2017 alone, we have had 180 bands and artists playing across all our platforms, and it
warms our hearts to see how happy people are that things are happening in their local community. With a growing cultural scene, Ålesund becomes a better place to visit and to live, while also making it more attractive for people to move back home to after studying in other cities,” says Stokke.
Putting Ålesund on the map as a cultural city With a new passion for experimenting with beer, Momentium has recently expanded its repertoire by creating Molo Brew, a microbrewery and gastropub located on Storneskaia, close to Terminalen Byscene. The brewery now has a selection of more than 20 beers, with everything from pale ale to stout. Here, they focus on local values and use Norwegian suppliers for all products, including both the beer and the burgers served in the pub. In June this year, the plan is to open yet another big nightspot: a large culture cafe in the town centre. With their own app also launched, where you can purchase tickets and earn points, there seems to be no end to what Momentium can achieve. “We are aiming high while constantly expanding, and I feel that we are playing a big part in
putting Ålesund on the map as a cultural city,” Stokke smiles. Ålesund Live: See Susanne Sundfør, Hellbillies and many more. Takes place 15-16 June at Sørsida, Ålesund. Sommerfesten on Giske: Experience Sondre Justad and more on stage. Takes place on 7 July at Øygardshamna, Giske. Jugendfest: See Axwell Λ Ingrosso, A-ha, Alan Walker, Sigrid, Astrid S, Cezinando and many more. Takes place 17-18 August at Color Line Stadium, Ålesund. Minijugend: Experience Madcon, Morgan Sulele and more. Takes place 17-18 August
Web: www.momentium.no Facebook: Momentium Instagram: @momentium
Unge Ferrari on stage at Jugendfest.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018 Ivar and Einar. Photo: Thor Brødreskift
Ullensvang. Photo: Helge Skodvin
Eivør. Photo: Sem Johnsson
Debunking stereotypes in Norse history After successfully taking Bergen International Festival on a journey to explore Norse history through the concert series Nordvegen (‘the north way’), duo Einar Selvik, from the Nordic folk project Wardruna, and Ivar Bjørnson, from metal band Enslaved, are expanding the historical series at this year’s festival.
Both Selvik and Bjørnson will be involved in the musical aspect of Nordvegen this year, but this time, they will also have a curating role.
By Line Elise Svanevik
Know your roots
The idea behind Nordvegen was to travel to four rural places in western Norway to create not just a concert, but an experience. “We did more than just perform; there were debates and talks, family activities, trips to historical places, and lectures,” explains Selvik, who is best known as the founder of music group Wardruna and for his participation in the hit TV series Vikings. “We wanted to create an experience that starts with the place, both its history and traditions, looking as far back as to when people first settled there. In some of these places, this part of the history wasn’t uncovered at all, so our hope was that even locals would leave the event with a new view of their hometown,” he adds.
A growing international interest in Norse history Nordvegen quickly became a popular concept that gathered a lot of interest, 78 | Issue 108 | January 2018
using a mix of modern sounds and some of Norway’s earliest musical instruments. “This work is really important to me personally,” says Selvik. “There is a growing interest in Norse history – both in Norway and internationally. Unfortunately, the broad dissemination suffers from over-simplification and stereotypes.” Having contributed to the soundtrack of TV series Vikings over the past five years, Selvik believes that there are many accepted truths about the Viking Age that are given too much attention in mainstream media. “A whole people and their culture are tarnished with a brush that only concerns a small percentage of the population during a short period in history,” he explains. “Focusing on other, more relevant issues, such as food, crafts, mythology, music and poetry, in addition to nature, is a great way to understand this time, because we’re still living in the same surroundings.”
In addition to the internationally renowned Faroese singer Eivør, the duo will be working with Icelandic author Bergsveinn Birgisson, whose work The Black Viking is currently being made into a TV series. “We believe that the value of knowing our roots and our identity is a positive thing when meeting new cultures. Knowing your own history and your own roots creates a sense of security,” says Selvik. Bekkjarvik. Photo: Jørund Føreland Pedersen
The Nordvegen concerts will take place at Os, Bekkjarvik, Ullensvang and Moster in May and June. Web: fib.no/nordvegen18
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018 The environmental focus of this year’s festival is partly due to Lofoten’s main industry being fishing.
There is a big focus on recycling at this year’s championship.
The annual World Championship in Cod Fishing will be held in Lofoten, Norway, on 16-17 March.
World championship in cod fishing The annual World Championship in Cod Fishing, held in Lofoten in Norway on 1617 March, will see around 600 participants – both amateurs and professional sea fishermen – compete for the top trophy.
ocean has over time evolved into a global problem. Active efforts must be made to stop plastic ending up in the ocean.”
By Line Elise Svanevik | Press photos
Skjønnås explains that the focus on the environment is particularly important due to the location of Lofoten, where fishing is one of the main industries. “We want to contribute and show that we take pollution at sea very seriously,” he says.
Despite the participation of professional fishermen, the competition to catch the biggest cod – or, more precisely, ‘skrei’, the Norwegian premium version of cod – is usually won by a tourist. “The tourists normally win, because their group is the biggest – the sea fishermen only amount to around ten per cent,” explains CEO of the world championship, Svein Erik Skjønnås, who adds that the holistic experience of the competition is the most important thing. Experiencing the scenic landscape in Lofoten while being able to go out to sea and participate in activities is what makes the weekend in March, hosted by Vågan Boat and Sea Fishing Society, so special. “There’s good nightlife, restaurants and cultural offers in and around Svolvær,” says Skjønnås, who has been part of the competition for the past ten years.
Each year, there are upwards of 5,000 visitors to Svolvær at the time of the event. The competition aims to provide each participant with an authentic experience, where they deliver the fish to be weighed and priced, just as if they were doing it for a living.
An environmental profile With a strong focus on preserving life at sea, the championship emphasises the importance of recycling. “We encourage people to refrain from throwing rubbish in the sea, especially plastic. We use recyclable materials to keep the fish in, and for meals, we use paper instead of plastic. We also opt for wooden cutlery and paper cups,” says Skjønnås. “We also focus on recycling on land, because it’s important for us to participate in the quest to preserve life at sea, and to prevent it from becoming littered. Plastic in the
Each year, up to 5,000 people visit Svolvær for the championship.
What: World championship in cod fishing When: 16-17 March, 2018 Where: Lofoten, Norway Web: www.vmiskreifiske.no
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
World-class chamber musicians gather in Oslo With music from the Middle Ages and all the way up until today, Oslo Chamber Music Festival hosts concerts in a range of very different arenas. This year, it welcomes some of the top international musicians, who will perform in 25 different concerts on 17-26 August. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Lars Opstad
“We bring some of the biggest international stars and artists to Oslo and invite people to attend their concerts in unique and intimate venues across the city,” says Kristin Slørdahl, CEO of Oslo Chamber Music Festival. With around 8,000 visitors annually, the festival is attracting an increasing number of people from both Europe and America every year. Initiator Arve Tellefsen – one of Norway’s top musicians – chose to launch the festival back in 1989 to display the diversity of chamber music. Next year, they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary. This year’s line-up includes Norwegian classical violinist Vilde Frang – one of the best young violinists in Europe – who will
bring some great artists with her to the festival. It will kick off on 17 August in the University Aula (the assembly hall) with Frang on violin, Austrian drummer and multi-percussionist Martin Grubinger, Hungarian violinist Barnabás Kelemen and German cellist Nicolas Altstaedt.“ The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra will also be performing, making it a powerful
Norway’s coolest rock festival With big national and international bands in the line-up, Norway Rock Festival has firmly established itself on the Norwegian festival scene. Beautifully located on a field in Kvinesdal with idyllic scenery and an intimate setting, it is easy to see why rock fans and metal heads come back year after year. “While Tons of Rock is the largest rock festival in Norway, we sure are the coolest,” says head promoter and booking manager Kjell Arne Aamodt and smiles. He runs the non-profit festival alongside other music enthusiasts and volunteers. After a trip to Sweden Rock Festival in 2005, Aamodt decided that this was just what was needed in southern Norway. The first festival, then called Kvinesdal Rock Festival, was held later that year and was
Great atmosphere in the crowd. Photo: Svein Erik Nomeland
80 | Issue 108 | January 2018
an even bigger hit than expected. In 2008, the organisation changed its name to Norway Rock Festival for a fresh start. “We are back stronger with experience from previous years, making sure that the festival is how we always envisioned it to be,” says Aamodt. This year’s line-up includes big names such as Nightwish, Accept, Avatar and In This Moment, the latter playing their first ever gig in Norway. More names will be an-
Accept. Press photo
opening concert,” says Slørdahl. “From then on, the concerts will happen one after the other, with the musicians named above in addition to German pianist Alexander Lonquich. We will also welcome one of the most renowned string quartets in Europe, Hagen Kvartetten.” 26 August will see a trip to Eidsvoll, and this year’s festival is sure to be just as ground-breaking and powerful as the years prior. Web: www.oslokammermusikkfestival.no
By Ingrid Opstad
nounced soon, including the big Saturday headliners. With its different stages, spacious camping area and parking all in the one space, Norway Rock Festival has the perfect atmosphere according to Aamodt. “Several of our greatest artists are amazed when they arrive, seeing the salmon jumping while the sun is shining over the mountains to the sound of rock ‘n’ roll.” Web: www.norwayrocklive.no Facebook: norwayrock Twitter: @NorwayRock Instagram: @norwayrocklive
Nightwish, one of the headliners. Photo: Tim Tronckoe
Norway’s toughest winter festival – the annual snowball fight in Vardø
rch 2018
a Vardø 7. – 11. M
Yukigassen originated in the 80s in Sobetsu, a town in northern Japan not far from the city of Sapporo. The word means ‘snowball fight’, and the sport was brought to Vardø in 1997.
http://yukigassen.no/
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Portrait of a portrait artist Roughly 12 years ago, Lill Thelin quit her job as a commercial designer to become a full-time artist. “I was tired of being restrained to certain types of art and images,” Thelin recalls. “So I just decided to make a change. Looking back, it was quite a risk, but I was completely sure that I wanted to develop myself freely as an artist.” By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Lill Thelin
Luckily, things worked out well for Thelin, who has developed her own colourful style of portraits. “I can see that I’ve become much more free and playful over the years,” she explains. “Working in advertising, you have to be exact and graphic in your style, and that took me a long time to unlearn. Now, I love to mess around with colours and shapes and see where they take me!” This worked especially well for her portraits, and nowadays, mature, bearded men feature prominently in her portfolio; her explosive colours playing with the sitters’ quiet, contemplative poses. “There are plenty of paintings of perfect and beautiful young women out there. I love to paint someone who has lived and to tease out all the details in their wrinkles and the depth of their char82 | Issue 108 | January 2018
acter. And women don’t tend to have full beards, which are very enjoyable to paint,” she smiles. “As I painted these people, I would notice that their hands kept creeping in on the paintings and seeking my attention more and more. There’s just so much life and expression in them,” says Thelin, who shares a studio with a group of other artists in Horsens, Denmark. “One of my friends here happens to have some lovely, lively, wrinkly hands, so I gave in and asked him to model his hands for me. I ended up painting this long, exciting portrait series of hands interacting with other hands, with faces and with the viewer.” Thelin will exhibit these hand portraits at the CPH Art Space in the spring,
while more of her work can be found online and at Galleri Habsø, where many of her paintings of knots can also be viewed. “When walking on the beach one day, I spotted this discarded bit of rope, and I realised that what I really like in my portrait subjects and hands is that same complex, frayed, expressive intricacy that this knot had,” Thelin explains. “They’re expressive, but like the hands and faces, they say different things to different people. I think these knots tie together – if you’ll excuse the pun – my painting projects really well.”
Lill Thelin. Photo: Jannik Kim Iversen
Web: www.lill-thelin.dk Facebook: LillThelinArt Instagram: @lillthelin
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Art from Denmark
A painting of joy
By Signe Hansen | Photos: Galleri Fredslund
Dream-like landscapes, strong colours and a unique perspective – for decades, Kirsten Fredslund Jæger has developed a unique artistic expression. Scan Magazine talks to the Danish artist about her work. Initially a favourite pastime, the curious and uplifting character of Jæger’s artistic creations soon began attracting enough attention for her to give up her job as a social worker and become a full-time artist. Most recently, her work has been exhibited at the Artifact Gallery in New York. “I’m a very positive person, and how you are as a person is reflected in your art,” says Jæger. “It’s the way my soul expresses itself, and refining that has been an extremely exiting process.” The landscapes of Jæger’s paintings might seem familiar – but then, on a closer look, maybe not. Interweaving travel experiences, meetings, and fantasy, her works leave the viewer with a sense of discovering something inherently new. While the 61-year-old artist does not have any formal art training, she has spent decades
Jan Agerbo:
developing her artistic approach, sometimes assisted by specific commissions. “I have tried out a lot of different things. At one point, I started working with collages of women, and as I got an assignment for Profil Optik [Danish optician], I created a series of women with glasses. That way, the women developed. It’s often like that; when I try something new, it’s spurred on by a specific assignment,” she says.
Fredslund works from her 40 square metre private garden studio at her home in Randers. Fredslund’s work can be viewed online and at her home studio. Web: www.gallerifredslund.com and www.gallerifredslund.dk
By Mette Hindkjær Madsen | Photos: Ane Kristine Agerbo
Danish sculptures with a message “My sculptures often portray human life and social relations – things and situations that you experience in life. I try to boil the feeling down to a saying that I will use as a title,” says the Danish sculptor Jan Agerbo. For as long as he can remember, the artist has used his hands creatively to communicate. It began with drawings as a young boy, and somewhere along the way sculptures sneaked in, becoming his livelihood. “I just couldn’t help myself. I’ve always had my fingers in some sort of creative work, it’s just constantly been there as part of me and a way of dealing with emotions and experiences. It’s my calling,” says Agerbo. His style as a sculptor is described as ‘expressive’ – clearly channelling emotion through figures of the human body. Agerbo himself, however, is much more occupied with the process of actually crafting his sculptures, continuously evolving his talent by exploring new materials and techniques.
“I’ll start off with a plan of how I’m going to construct the sculpture. I write my ideas down and make sketches, but often I’ll try out new materials, like special types of wood or bronze, and it will have a mind of its own once I get started. A great part
of my process is being open to where the materials take me,” he explains. Right now, Agerbo is in the midst of such a process as he is working on something for a big exhibition at Dronninglund Kunstcenter on 9 June 2018.
Web: www.janagerbo.dk
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 83
Mini Theme | | Keynote Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2018 Scan Magazine | Business
Scan Business Keynote 84 | Business Iceland 85 | Danish Business Spotlight 86 | Business Calendar 93
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By Steve Flinders
Some men buy Ferraris in middle age. I took up the piano. (Actually, a Ferrari was not an option.) It has proved to be a bigger challenge than I expected. I was pleased to get a distinction in my first piano exam at grade 2, taken mainly by eight-year-olds. Then my teacher said that candidates with distinctions must play in the annual High Scorers Concert here in Malta. On the day, it felt like I was going to my own funeral. The audience numbered more than a hundred! My hands shook, I pressed the wrong pedals, my performance was awful, and I felt ashamed. Part of my embarrassment derived from failing to control my nerves after helping hundreds of people to handle exactly this in presentation skills courses over the years. Quite recently, I heard the collective sigh of relief from a group when I said I realised that fear is the biggest problem for most people giving a presentation. We discussed how practice builds confidence – well, I had done plenty of practice – and how breathing helps you relax. It did not stop my fingers feeling like soggy bananas. Participants practised imagining themselves giving brilliant 84 | Issue 108 | January 2018
talks. My attempts at modelling seemed like unconvincing fantasy.
much heart from this. Ed is now doing grade 5.
I realise now that the terror I once felt when presenting has dissipated mainly through doing it repeatedly. So, I changed my mind about never playing the piano in public again and, after doing well in the next exam (for nine-yearolds), have determined to inflict myself on next year’s concert audience.
However, Alan Rusbridger, former Guardian editor, took just months to improve from beginner level to playing a fiendish Chopin piece in public. I have a long way to go, both as a private and a public pianist.
Former UK Labour shadow minister, Ed Balls, said that he found his grade 1 piano exam far more stressful than making a major Commons speech. I take
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.
Scan Magazine | Business Iceland | MS Iceland Dairies
Iceland’s secret to healthy living Protein rich, fat free, creamy and delicious – the perfect snack for young and old. Icelandic dairy product Ísey Skyr is as relevant now as it was many centuries ago. By Malin Norman | Photos: MS Iceland Dairies
Icelandic Ísey Skyr builds on a remarkable legacy. For centuries, the cultured dairy product skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet and helped to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. Through generations, women on family farms nurtured the dairy, passing on knowledge, the recipe and the original skyr cultures from mother to daughter. Of course, the production process is more high-tech these days, with rigorous quality standards. However, the basic recipe and the use of original cultures to ferment the skimmed milk remain the same. Ísey Skyr is a new brand of Icelandic skyr, produced from the original recipe and cultures. Ísey is an Icelandic woman’s name, meaning ice (Ís) island (ey), in honour of the women who passed on Iceland’s
secret to healthy living from generation to generation. It is also the name of the authentic Icelandic skyr. Ísey Skyr is made with more than three times the amount of milk that goes into typical yogurts, which results in a product that is high in protein, naturally fat free and rich in calcium. In addition to the original, it comes in the flavours vanilla, strawberry and blueberry, as well as a low-carb option. In October last year, Ísey Skyr scooped up six awards for best skyr product at the International Food Contest in Herning, Denmark, and was also voted best dairy product in the Nordic countries. Behind the success is MS Iceland Dairies (Mjólkursamsalan), a cooperative organisation that includes over 650 of Iceland’s family-run dairy farms and other milk pro-
ducers across the country. The mission centres on milk production and the making of high-quality skyr, cheeses, butter, and other dairy products.
Web: www.iseyskyr.com Facebook: iseyskyr Instagram: @iseyskyr
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
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Family photo – left to right: Carl Eric Engel, Inger D. Engel, John C. Engel, Carl D. Engel and Lars Engel.
Four generations of quality clothing In 1927, Carl J. Engel returned from a trip to America, bringing back a pair of denim overalls, having seen workers wear them. That was the beginning of F. Engel Workwear Production, a Danish workwear company that today supplies workwear and hunting apparel to all of Europe. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: F. Engel
Today, it is the fourth generation of Engels who run the business. “Working here is part of our DNA; it’s a lifestyle, it’s not really work. My dad and his sister, who are both in their 80s, still come in for a visit to check on me and my two brothers,” explains John Engel, managing director of F. Engel. 86 | Issue 108 | January 2018
F. Engel has since its establishment in 1927 become one of Europe’s most prominent producers of workwear, for both the construction industry and the services industry. Due to the family’s own interest in hunting, they also created a hunting brand, which today provides exquisite outdoor wear. All of this means
that F. Engel today has three brands to its name: Engel workwear, Sunwill and Deerhunter.
Engel Engel produces workwear for the construction industry, where safety, quality and comfort are the most important factors. “There are many safety requirements in the construction industry, and it varies from profession to profession,” explains John. “It’s our top priority that these safety requirements are adhered to, so that those wearing our clothes do not get in harm’s way.”
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Business Spotlight
The clothes are specialised for each profession to make it easier for the person doing the work. For example, the pockets may be different depending on the profession, as a builder may find a bigger pocket more useful while an electrician needs more, but smaller. Every piece of clothing that Engel designs is tested on industry professionals.
Sunwill denim.
Sunwill.
“Part of our design process is the testing of the product. There is no point in producing something that doesn’t actually work in practice, and therefore we try it out and get feedback from those working in the industry, which helps us to create a product that is actually needed and useful,” says John.
Sunwill Sunwill is the brand for those who need to dress up for work. This brand was started with a simple suit trouser in high quality, and today it makes trousers, jeans, vests, blazers, skirts and dresses. “All our clothes are made to be comfortaEngel jacket.
Engel.
Engel trousers.
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Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Business Spotlight
Deerhunter.
ble. We have a good relationship with our textile suppliers and have a lot of autonomy over the final product. We often ask for more elasticity for comfort or a higher thread count to ensure the durability of the product,” John explains. When having to wear a suit or uniform all day, comfort should be at the forefront of every choice. Sunwill’s range of styles is sure to fit into most office scenarios and will make anyone who wears it feel both comfortable and professional.
Deerhunter As the name suggests, Deerhunter is F. Engel’s hunting brand – although it does much more than that. The outdoor wear is not only perfect for hunting, but also for fishing or simply a long hike. Their products are water and windproof, which will make any day out, especially in Scandinavian nature, a bit more enjoyable. The safety aspect also comes into play here. There are safety rules associated with hunting, including the requirement of the orange safety colour. Deerhunter offers a wide range of camouflage and colours to enable the wearer to fit into 88 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Old sewing room.
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Business Spotlight
Deerhunter jacket.
Deerhunter waistcoat.
any environment during any season, so that the animal does not see you. In 2009, Deerhunter became the official supplier to the Danish Royal Family, who have a strong tradition of hunting. The brand is not only popular with the royals but also across Europe, where it can be found in hunting and outdoor shops.
Staying true to its origins F. Engel has created global brands whose products are sold across Europe in specialty stores. F. Engel, who have two large factories in Lithuania where some of the clothes are put together, also owns some of the production side. “Having this control over our production means that we can act quickly as a business if our clients need us to, and that we can choose exactly what we want our products to be like.” The clothes from the three brands are available from specialty stores across Europe. Engel, Sunwill and Deerhunter have become synonymous with quality, and its long history and flexibility make the company one of Europe’s most trusted suppliers. “Since 1927, we’ve grown
as a business and have learnt what works and what doesn’t. We’ve just celebrated our 90th anniversary, and we’re aiming to be here for many more years,” concludes John.
www.f-engel.com www.engel.eu www.sunwill.dk www.deerhunter.eu
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 89
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Business Spotlight
The combination of active natural ingredients in Mellisa’s products is based on the knowledge passed down from Margit Mellisa Klinder to Louise Mellisa Klinder as well as the latest science and collaborations with international research groups. Photo: iStock
The science of nature Not all organic, natural skincare makers have the experience and dedication of Danish skincare brand Mellisa. However, it is not just the family-run company’s long and unique history that separates it from similar brands, but also its unusually high use of active ingredients, wholehearted dedication, and continuous exploration of the science of nature. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Mellisa
Louise Mellisa Klinder is six years old; it is a regular weekday evening and, like most other evenings, her mother, Margit Mellisa Klinder, is busy in the kitchen. It is not the smell of food that is rising from the bowl in Margit’s hands, however, but a rich scent of essential oils and plant extracts. Suffering from psoriasis, Margit, a multi-skilled alternative healer lovingly referred to as ‘the sorcerer’ locally, is experimenting with the ingredients for Mellisa’s first skincare product, the Arnica balm. “Back then, there weren’t any remedies for psoriasis without hormone-disturbing ingredients, but my mother, who had spent her whole life walking around the forest studying the different plants and their effects, was determined to find a natural remedy. She sat at home every night with a bowl and spatula trying out combination after combination. In the end, she came up with the Arnica balm, which helped her so much that she could return to 90 | Issue 108 | January 2018
work,” explains the now 36-year-old Louise Mellisa Klinder. Three decades later, the balm is still amongst Mellisa’s popular organic and natural products, alongside a wide variety of skincare products including sun protection, cleansers, baby care, special balms, moisturisers, hair care and much more. All products have been developed by Margit or Louise, who entered the firm in 2008 and took over the production after her mother passed away in 2015.
A powerful diet While many natural skincare products work with just one or two active ingredients, Klinder, who today runs the firm with her brother Rasmus Klinder is, like her mother, a firm believer in the power of combining different ingredients to boost their joint effect. “When it comes to skincare, a lot of people seek the ‘holy grail’, that one ingredient that can magi-
cally transform their skin, but that’s just not the way it works,” stresses Klinder. “The fact is that good skincare is rather complex, and achieving the optimal skin-improving effect requires a number of different ingredients. You can compare it to the food we eat: everybody knows that it’s healthy to eat broccoli and quinoa, but it shouldn’t be the primary or only food in your diet. Your body needs a large number of compound and complex nutrients, vitamins, minerals and proteins, and that goes for your skin as well.”
It is not magic but science As a result of the many different ingredients mixed into Mellisa’s skincare products, each cream has a significantly high-
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Business Spotlight
er percentage of active ingredients than similar products. The high proportion of natural active ingredients has been defining for Mellisa ever since Margit made her first balms and creams in the family’s kitchen; in fact, many of the recipes are exactly the same as they were back then. However, Klinder has also added a number of new products and, when new organic ingredients have become available, replaced non-organic components with organic ones. All new products are developed by her and rely on the knowledge passed on to her by her mother as well as the newest scientific discoveries and developments within science of plants. One of these new discoveries is Agascalm, a natural ingredient developed from the Mexican plant Agastache. “Agascalm is one of those ingredients that you would never have been able to get 30 years ago. We use it in a day
cream with camomile and calendula to increase its effect, but the ingredient itself is not developed by us but by international researchers we collaborate with. We also collaborate with the Technical University of Denmark as well as the Danish Technical Institute; they help us with all of our marine-based products. At the moment, we are working with them on a new product based on seaweed from the Faroe Islands, and their expertise and top researchers from Denmark and abroad mean that we can deliver products of the best possible quality,” says Klinder and rounds off: “Our main ambition is to develop skincare products that give the user the healthiest skin possible – in a quality that we ourselves would wish to use on a daily basis. I always try to carry on things in my mother’s spirit, and I believe she would be very happy with the way we do things.”
Louise Mellisa Klinder’s top three tips for a healthier skin: 1: The most important thing is to make sure that you cleanse your skin properly, morning and evening, remove all oil, pollution and dead skin cells so the skin is clean and ready to absorb your products. 2: Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise; the most efficient way to avoid premature aging of the skin is to keep it moist so that it retains its elasticity, and moisturising also prevents cracks in the skin and consequently infections. 3: Protect your skin against the sun with sunscreen during the day and a good-quality night cream that helps your skin strengthen its own defence.
Web: www.mellisa.dk
Louise Mellisa Klinder.
Photo: iStock
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 91
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Business Spotlight
Top: The Rebound app enables users to create a personalised step-down programme, track symptoms, visualise their progress, create daily reminders – for example, to take medicine and track symptoms – and share progress with their doctor. Bottom: The founders of the Rebound app, co-founder and executive project manager Silvia Meyer (left) and co-founder and partner Lærke Demant-Ladefoged (right). Meyer, who has recovered from 14 years of drug and medicine addiction, established the Danish NGO Misbrugsportalen in 2012 and has been working with addiction since.
Safer withdrawal from high-risk medication Rebound, a new app developed in Denmark, is the first to offer help to gradually and safely decrease medicine use. Lowering the risk of addiction, severe side-effects and withdrawal-induced physical and psychological reactions, Rebound can be used as a valuable and preventative tool for tapering off high-risk medicine. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Rebound
Despite the continuously growing use of antidepressants, benzodiazepines and strong painkillers – in the US alone, 43 to 50 per cent of the population above the age of 12 are on prescription medicine – very little help is available to those trying to reduce or come off their medication. Developed by Danish addiction specialists, Rebound is the first app to offer a personalised step-down programme. Co-founder and executive manager of Rebound, Silvia Meyer, explains: “The current practise among health professionals is to expect that after treatment with strong painkillers, antidepressants or benzodiazepines, people step down on their own at home without being offered an individually tailored programme with follow-ups, communication and monitoring. It’s against common knowledge and beyond reason that this can be the 92 | Issue 108 | January 2018
make adjustments if levels get too severe. The progress is visual and can be sent directly to the doctor in the form of reports to ensure follow-up. This way, the app can help both patients and doctors manage and track the progress.
case, but it is, and it’s the direct cause of many of the consequences that come from failed withdrawal.” When quitting medicine, patients often experience a recurrence of symptoms previously overcome. The standardised protocols offered by health professionals often leave patients with little control over, or insight into, the process. “With Rebound’s withdrawal management, patients can create a detailed individual protocol for decreasing the medicine they have relied on for months or years. This is a very difficult period that unfortunately does not get the supportive attention needed,” says Meyer. The app includes a diary with features to track and scale the levels of withdrawal symptoms. This allows patients and doctors to compare them to dosages and
The first version of the Rebound app will be launched internationally in Danish and English on 29 January 2018. Expanded versions including special access for health professionals, health bodies and treatment facilities will follow in more languages. Web: www.rebound-solution.com
Scan Magazine | Business | Calendar
Scandinavian Business Calendar Nordic Business Forum The Nordic Business Forum comes to both Sweden and Norway this January. Having run since 2010, the event has become one of the world’s most influential business conferences. This year, the events will revolve around leadership and start-up methodology and give you a unique opportunity to build connections with executives and business owners from all over the world. Dates: 22 January, Norway; and 24 January, Sweden Venues: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Sonja Henies plass 3, Oslo Norway. Stockholm Waterfront Congress Center, Nils Ericsons Plan 4, Stockholm, Sweden. www.nbforum.com
Young Professionals Spring kick-off The Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals network is one of London’s oldest social and business networking organisations, targeted at professionals between the ages of 25 and 35. Both mem-
By Sanne Wass | Photo: DUCC
bers and non-members are welcome, and a complimentary drink is included. Date: 25 January, 7pm Venue: Jak’s Mayfair, 43 S Molton St, Mayfair, London W1K 5RS www.scc.org.uk/young-professionals
Doing Business in Norway If you want to export your business overseas to Norway, or if you are from Norway and wish to bring your business to the UK, then read on. At this event, organised by the City Business Library and the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce among others, a range of trade experts and investors will speak about moving between the countries and making the most of local knowledge, while also giving you the opportunity to network with other delegates over drinks and refreshments. Date: 8 February 2018, 5.30pm Venue: City Business Library, Guildhall Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH www.eventbrite.co.uk
London Resetting for the Future: A Window into the Global Brexit Conversation As the Brexit deadlines approach, how prepared are you as a business? What decisions can be made in advance? Those are some of the questions that will be discussed when the Financial Times and KPMG’s international Brexit boardroom series comes to London. Date: 20 February 2018, 5pm Venue: KPMG, 20 Grosvenor Street, London W1K 4QJ www.live.ft.com
www.klippanyllefabrik.com
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
Located in one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings, Restaurant Puk offers guests a ‘hyggelig’, historic and quintessentially Danish experience.
Restaurant of the Month, Denmark
The past and present of Danish cuisine Set in one of Copenhagen’s oldest and most ‘hyggelige’ historic buildings, Restaurant Puk is the perfect place to experience the past and present of Danish cuisine. In the hands of chef Uffe Andersen, the restaurant has become known for its traditional Danish kitchen, where everything is made from scratch with high-quality ingredients. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Illa Bonany
For more than 250 years, guests have been dining and wining in Restaurant Puk’s atmospheric lower ground floor premises in the heart of the Danish capital. However, the quality might not always have been quite what it is today, with the restaurant now in the hands of chef Uffe Andersen. Raised on a farm in Denmark, Andersen is very much a stickler for high-quality produce and cooking methods that accentuate its goodness. And, while he acknowledges that traditional Danish cuisine might have been slightly side-tracked and outshone by New Nordic in recent years, he does not believe that this is due to the 94 | Issue 108 | January 2018
essence of the traditional cuisine, but rather the execution. “I feel like we are proof that traditional Danish cuisine still has a role to play in Copenhagen’s food industry. But I also believe that the fact that we make everything from fresh ingredients – that there’s no cheating – is key to our success. Because old-fashioned Danish cuisine where the red cabbage is straight out of a can is, quite frankly, unappetising; it doesn’t have anything to do with gastronomy,” he says. Indeed, the strong focus on quality combined with tradition has earned the restaurant a strong following, not just among tourists drawn in by the enthusi-
astic TripAdvisor reviews, but also among local couples and business people.
Traditions and expectations In 1539, the lower ground floor that today houses Restaurant Puk was the home of the Royal Brewery. Miraculously, the building survived the many fires of Copenhagen and, in 1750, the space was turned into a traditional tavern. Ever since, it has been known as a quintessentially Danish eatery serving food and drinks to kings and commoners throughout times – literally: in the late 19th century, King Christian VII and his mistress were among the regular guests. The long history and expectations that followed with it were convincing reasons for Andersen to carry on with the traditional Danish cuisine of the place. “We fully recognise the New Nordic movement, and that’s also a large part of what we do in our catering business, but when
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
it comes to a place like Puk, it’s just such an iconic location that you can’t go and do something New Nordic. It would cause an uproar, literally; it’s not what people want. They want ‘flæskesteg’ [traditional roast pork with crackling], but there is no doubt that, despite this, our guests still appreciate that they can actually taste what’s in the red cabbage served with the roast – the vinegar and sugar, sweetness and acidity – there’s an extra edge and taste to it.”
Schnitzel the way schnitzel should be Seated in rustic, wooden booths in the winter, or in the charming courtyard in
summer, guests at Restaurant Puk can enjoy not just a traditional meal but a ‘hyggelig’ experience throughout. The service is down to earth, and the menu is full of Danish classics including ‘smørrebrød’ (an open sandwich on rye bread), herring, schnitzels, and schnapps. And even if people have had disappointing experiences with some of these dishes in other places, that should not scare them off, because there is a big difference between, for instance, a good and a bad Wiener schnitzel, stresses Andersen. “When people cook a Wiener schnitzel, they usually hammer it completely flat, double-coat it and even often
freeze it. We do it the right way: our butcher matures the veal for three weeks, cuts it into proper slices and never hammers it. So, what you get is a proper fat steak, coated in organic breadcrumbs and fried in butter so it’s still pink inside.” Served with a traditionally brewed, high-quality beer from the Danish Krenkerup brewery, that should be enough to make most people forget about New Nordic Cuisine for a moment or two. Web: www.restaurantpuk.dk
Raised on a farm in Denmark, Andersen is a stickler for high-quality produce and cooking methods that accentuate its goodness.
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 95
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
Inside the café at City Hall.
Restaurant of the Month, Norway
Food for the body, heart and soul Vegetarian restaurant Fragrance of the Heart, with its two locations across the Norwegian capital, offers great-tasting vegetarian and vegan food in a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Fragrance of the Heart
As part of the international family of vegetarian cafes inspired by peace advocate and philosopher Sri Chinmoy (19312007), Fragrance of the Heart strives to make the world a little bit better. “People can come in here and read a book and relax – they can really take a break from the daily stresses of everyday life,” explains manager Ellen Brandt, who has worked in the café since 2009. “The food is not only for the taste buds, but for the body, heart and soul.”
A wholesome menu The menu at the café, unsurprisingly, offers exclusively vegetarian and raw food made from scratch. The restau96 | Issue 108 | January 2018
rant uses fresh vegetables, no additives and no refined sugar, and also offers gluten-free alternatives. “We go for alternatives like maple syrup instead of sugar,” says Brandt. “We are very aware that many people have allergies, so we aim to create tasty and healthy meals that can be enjoyed by vegetarians, vegans and non-veggies.” Brandt explains that the majority of the customers are vegetarian or vegan, but there is a large amount of visitors who come to the café simply for the tasty food. “There is a lot of variety, especially for the people who come in every day, so they always find something new on
the menu,” she says. “We have specials that change every day, which could be anything from an Indian curry with rice, dhal, chutney and salad, to a veggie loaf with mashed sweet potatoes, mushroom sauce and a salad. We serve salad with all of our meals.” The recipes have no set focus on a particular country or region – it can be Norwegian, Italian, Indian or Mexican. “We usually also serve two different vegan meals, and every day we have lasagne, a Greek spinach pie and a French quiche,” says Brandt. Many regulars also appreciate the gourmet selection of organic coffees and other warm drinks.
Great sources of protein With a focus on good proteins for vegans and vegetarians, Fragrance of the Heart uses a lot of non-GMO produce, organic tofu, chickpeas, lentils and beans. For
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
those who eat cheese and eggs, these are also available. “We’re just about to introduce a new meat replacement protein made from oats and pea protein, which will be sourced from Finland,” says Brandt. “It’s meant to be amazing and really tasty, so it sounds like it’s booming.” Desserts are also a big focal point for the café, and a recent favourite on the menu is the New York Cheesecake, which Brandt says you would never guess was vegan if you did not know. “It’s my absolute favourite,” she smiles.
Eventful café Opening up in 2003, the café has expanded from its one location in the City Hall to a second location in Majorstuen. It has over the years become known for the many hosted events, including book
releases, meditation classes and music events. “The other day, a Norwegian writer approached us to see if he could have his book release in the café, so we said yes. We also had a Norwegian TV channel come in and shoot a movie, because they thought our café was the nicest location,” Brandt adds. With some very special visitors who sometimes come disguised in order not to be recognised by the general public, the café offers discreet dining for those who simply want to enjoy the food created on the premises.
Dedication to world peace This international family of cafés is scattered around the world: two in California, four in New York, two in Germany, one in Japan, one in France, five in Canada and the two Fragrance of the Heart cafés in Oslo. “There’s also a sports shop opened
in the spirit of Sri Chinmoy in London, because he was a really good runner as well as a writer, composer, philosopher and peace advocate,” explains Brandt. She adds that when they opened in 2003, it was due to the owners being directly inspired by him and his dedication to creating a world of oneness, like the weekly peace programmes he conducted at the United Nations headquarters in New York. “The other day, we had a customer who came in with a big headache, and afterwards he said to me, ‘I feel so relaxed now, it’s such a great atmosphere in your café’,” says Brandt. “And that’s exactly what we want to achieve.”
Web: www.fragrance.no
Inside the café at Majorstuen.
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 97
RESTAURANT NY T A TASTE OF NORTHERN NORWAY
Restaurant Nyt is Håkon and Bjørnar’s project to explore and develop. We are a young team that are seeking inspiration in the region that we work and live in, trying to find untraditional combinations and doing it in a different way with a personal touch. Our food is served in a fine dining setting with relaxed atmosphere. Although the food is an important aspect of what people expect from us we also strive hard to communicate our knowledge about food and wine, so our gests get a comprehensive food experience and not just a dinner.
Dronningens gate 26 8006 Bodø Norway
T: 45231100 E: post@restaurant-nyt.no http://restaurant-nyt.no/
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden Photo: Danger Österlin
Left: Chef Karl Ljung. Photo: Linus Hallsénius. Right: Sommelier Clara Grabe. Photo: Danger Österlin
Restaurant of the Month, Sweden
Comfy hotspot with classic flavours Under the guidance of famous chef Karl Ljung, Hillenberg’s talented team has established a successful concept with classic cuisine and a comfy atmosphere – a place for grown-ups to hang out.
lished multi-disciplinary artist Emanuel Röhss has decorated the walls with graffiti paintings and provided patterns for the carpets and other details.
By Malin Norman | Photos: Mathias Nordgren
Restaurant Hillenberg was opened by chef Karl Ljung some two years ago, in cooperation with Stureplansgruppen. Ljung elaborates on the inspiration and idea: “We wanted to create a welcoming and timeless experience with a menu based on a combination of flavours from Sweden, Italy and France – simple and unpretentious food that we appreciate ourselves.” Hillenberg is open for brunch, lunch, cocktails, spontaneous meals by the bar or more elaborate dinners. “It’s great to be able to cook this type of food and to have a vibrant venue open all day and evening,” Ljung enthuses. “We have families with children in the day and groups of friends meeting up for a drink and something to eat before a night out, and of course theatre visitors coming for a meal before or after the show. This is how it’s supposed
to be – a meeting place around food and drink, where guests can feel at home!” In addition to its classic menu, Hillenberg offers a wide range of vegetarian options in line with the current trend of less protein and more vegetables. “We have dishes that are in line with our values and traditions,” the chef explains. “But we also have a menu based on what’s available according to season – a bit more innovative, if you like.” Sommelier Clara Grabe serves exciting options from the impressive wine cellar and also organises popular Wine Wednesdays. Contributing to the welcoming atmosphere, the stylish custom-made interior has been created by Okidoki! Arkitekter, with light wood, concrete and marble details, and round tables for a more intimate and inviting experience. Estab-
The chef himself was awarded Chef of the Year in 1999 and has recently appeared in Kockarnas Kamp on TV. Always one to challenge himself, Ljung was recently collaborating with another renowned chef, Niklas Ekstedt, in organising Christmas dinners at Gamla Riksarkivet, serving a whopping 25,000 guests from midNovember until Christmas.
Web: hillenberg.se Facebook: restauranghillenberg Instagram: @restauranghillenberg
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Scan Magazine | Brewery of the Month | Denmark
The award-winning Sort Dessertøl.
Master brewer Elisabeth Gottschalck.
Brewery of the Month, Denmark
The pint-sized brewery that is lager than life When a group of beer enthusiasts set up a microbrewery in Holbæk in 2005, Elisabeth Gottschalck thought that it would be fun to join in a little. A few months later, she became one of Denmark’s only female master brewers and, eventually, the proud inventor of Holbæk Bryghus’ (Holbæk Brewery’s) port-like, awardwinning dessert beers. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Holbæk Bryghus
“It was actually my husband’s idea that we join this microbrewery venture, and I never meant to get deeply involved,” says Gottschalck, who had built up a career as a biochemist and quality-controller for some of the Danish food industry’s largest players – but the beginning of the beer venture came at a time when she was between jobs. “I had the time to play around with the brewing, and my interest developed quite organically. Eventually, the group asked if I wanted to be the full-time brewer,” she recalls. “I had no previous experience with making beer, but my background as a biochemist was certainly a plus – it helps me to understand the brewing process.” Holbæk Bryghus set up shop in the basement beneath the restaurant Bryghuset No5, with whom they collaborate closely. 100 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Part of the restaurant floor is made of glass and works as a ceiling window for the brewery, giving diners a chance to follow the proceedings below as they try out one – or all – of the nine special draught beers the brewery produces for the restaurant. Today, the microbrewery features all the equipment expected of a professional brewery, including four tanks specifically designed to fit into the tiny space. “Though we haven’t had it officially confirmed, we think we’re Denmark’s smallest brewery,” Gottschalck notes. “It’s a lovely, cosy space, but the fumes really hit you during fermentation!” Gottschalck’s and her helpers’ efforts have proven highly successful, resulting in a wide range of beer types and flavours. Holbæk Bryghus has produced everything from summery lagers at five per cent to
the lauded dessert beers, which end up with an extraordinary alcohol percentage of 14 – enough to combat most wines. “I’ve never liked those very barley-heavy sweet beers, so I wanted to try to make something radically different that was sweet and flavourful, but not sickly,” says the brewer. According to critics, the taste is akin to dessert wine or port, and very good indeed: in 2015, Sort Dessertøl won the nationwide Salling Fødevarepris award. It also became the regional product of the year. “I’m very pleased with the results,” Gottschalck concludes. “It’s hard work, but very creative and rewarding when people like the results.”
Web: www.holbaekbryghus.dk Facebook: HolbækBryghus
Welcome to an unforgettable nature experience! Every year since 1992, thousands of visitors had the pleasure of experiencing the BirdSafari at North Cape.
Booking/info: (+47) 416 13 983 / (+47) 78 47 57 73 Address: NygĂĽrdsveien 38, NO-9765 GjesvĂŚr, Norway http://birdsafari.no Ola Thomassen - olat@birdsafari.com
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden
The southern inlet.
Hotel of the Month, Sweden
A picture-perfect island The hundreds of islands that make up Stockholm archipelago all have distinct identities and histories. Utö, located in the southern part of the archipelago, is one of the most well-known. Once settled by the Vikings, this vibrant island is these days visited by sporty people as well as those looking for peace and quiet. By Pia Petersson | Photos: Utö Värdshus
Towards the end of the 1800s, the future did not look bright for the island of Utö. The once bustling mining community was shrinking at a fast rate after the mines had closed in the late 1870s. Towards the end of the 1800s, wholesaler Lewin bought the northern part of the island. “Lewin’s idea was to turn the island into a fashionable resort with spa hotels and soirées. The socialites of the time started going out to Utö en masse. Seen strolling across the island among the other summer guests were celebrities of the day such as Greta Garbo and August Strindberg. Ever since then, Utö Värdshus (Utö Hotel) has evolved into a year-round restaurant and confer102 | Issue 108 | January 2018
ence facility hosting a number of activities and events,” hotel manager Malin T Lidström explains.
The outer core The name Utö translates to ‘outer island’. This makes perfect sense when taking into account the island’s strategic position just at the entrance to the archipelago’s most important fairway. One of the archipelago’s largest islands, Utö has since the 17th century served as a valuable support point for the military. The island is easily reached, just one hour away from Stockholm. “Although, out here the pace is completely differ-
ent, and the air is really fresh and clear,” Lidström underlines.
Have a nap in the bathing hotel… The hotel is open all year round and spreads out over a collection of buildings. “There are romantic double rooms in Stenhotellet (the Stone Hotel), which dates back to the 1660s; a maritime feeling characterises Kvarnvillan (the Mill Villa), and we also have family rooms with compact kitchens in our hotel cottages. Moreover, in the summer, we offer accommodation in Lewin’s old bathing hotel – simple but comfortable rooms with access to a shared kitchen and with the best view of the archipelago from the balconies,” Lidström explains.
…and have dinner in the old mining office The charming hotel restaurant is located in what once was the mining office.
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden
The menu consists of a number of wellknown dishes, sometimes with a modern twist. “This is a traditional archipelago tavern. Naturally, we focus on good ingredients and we consider the food an important part of the whole experience, so we make sure it’s cooked and served with a lot of love,” says Lidström.
the participants cover 75 kilometres and 26 islands. There are five qualification games all over Europe, with the big final taking place here on Utö in September,” Lidström explains. The exceptionally tough race is today recognised internationally as the Swimrun World Championship.
Island to island
The joys of spring and autumn
What started out as a slightly alcoholinfused bet has turned into a big yearly event on Utö. The bet was all about whether it would be possible to swim and run from Utö to Sandhamn, another big island in the archipelago. “We’ve been involved in this new sport called swimrun ever since its beginning back in 2006. ÖtillÖ (‘island to island’) is a swimrun competition where 120 teams swim and run between the islands all the way from Utö to Sandhamn. In total,
Nowadays, the socialites who visited Utö at the turn of the last century have been replaced with all sorts of people eager to enjoy everything the island has to offer. An increasing number of visitors come out to experience the big Swedish holidays, such as Midsummer, Valborg and Easter, on the island. Of course, Utö is a popular destination in the summer, when the entire archipelago comes to life. However, Lidström points out that Utö is worth experiencing all year round.
“In the spring and autumn, we attract birdwatchers and mushroom foragers as well as those who just want to do a little hiking across the island. In addition to the summer, I’d really recommend people to come here in the spring and autumn months,” says Lidström. For the conference groups, there is a wide range of activities available, many of them taking place on the water, such as fishing, sailing or kayaking. “Guests also appreciate packing the afternoon coffee and sandwich in a bicycle basket for a shorter trip across the island,” says the hotel manager. Easily accessible nature combined with amenities such as the restaurant and hotel makes Utö a truly attractive destination. Web: www.utovardshus.se
Kvarnvillan.
ÖtillÖ. Photo: Nadja Odenhage
Champagne toast by the sea.
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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway
Hotel of the Month, Norway
Discover the scenic mountain walks in Høvringen Dating back to 1890, Høvringen Fjellstue is a lodge that has been passed down through four generations, welcoming guests to enjoy the scenic surroundings for mountainous walks and outdoor activities combined with great food and facilities. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Høvringen Fjellstue
With 30 bedrooms spread across the lodge and its three cottages, hosting up to 60 people in total, the Norwegian lodge is currently run by mother and son – the third and fourth generations at Høvringen. It is to date one of the oldest mountain lodges in Rondane, located 1,000 metres above sea level and in close proximity to the first national park in Norway: Rondane National Park. The interiors boast a range of old antiques, which have been passed down through generations and help create a pleasant atmosphere.
Real mountain experience “There are no ski lifts and resorts here in Høvringen,” says Tormod Olstad, who 104 | Issue 108 | January 2018
runs the lodge with his mother. “It’s untouched nature, which makes it a very authentic experience. We are trying to keep within the traditional Gudbrandsdal style as well, because we don’t want to make it a hyper modern city hotel.” Making all the food from scratch on site, there is a variety of fish and meat as well as a buffet a couple of times a week. Tormod is a trained chef, so the food on the premises is very important to him. He explains that they get a mix of Norwegian and international tourists, and that the winter months attract a large number of guests from Scandina-
via, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland and France. Many return year after year. “People come here to enjoy the peace and quiet. It’s a lot calmer than if you were to go to a ski resort with lifts and screaming kids,” says Tormod. “People can simply go out after breakfast and bring a packed lunch, stay outside in nature all day, and then return to the lodge for some baked goods and coffee before joining us for dinner.”
Organised walks Despite the fact that Høvringen does not offer a huge amount of organised activities, at least compared to other places, the lodge still helps people with their walks. “You can go for a full-day trip over the mountain, and then we organise the transport back to the lodge. There are also ski lessons, so people can try out some different things,” says Marit Olstad.
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway
“A lot of people simply come here to walk on their own, and there hasn’t been any demand for a guided walk at all, because it’s so easy to find your way around.” The local ski school will also be hosting a skiing trip with an instructor, at two different levels, in addition to a weekly moonlight trip. Snowshoes can be rented at the school.
Travellers’ Choice Høvringen Fjellstue has received the recognition of Travellers’ Choice – an award by TripAdvisor for ‘the very best of travel chosen by millions of travellers’ – for two consecutive years. The combined experience of the nature and great facilities is what attracts people to the lodge. Marit explains that each bedroom has a bathroom – which is not a given at all mountain lodges – in addition to two armchairs
with footrests for tired feet after a long day spent hiking. “We always try to maintain the lodge both interior-wise and building-wise, so it doesn’t deteriorate,” Tormod adds. “We do get a lot of compliments for our food as well. It’s not from any particular country or region, but it’s just good, homemade and varied food, such as mountain trout or deer.”
How to get to Høvringen For guests travelling by airplane, the easiest way is to fly to Gardermoen in Oslo. From the airport, there is a weekly bus throughout the winter that runs every Saturday, which Tormod explains is convenient as most people who travel from far away decide to stay for a week. There are also boats running from Germany and Copenhagen to Oslo, which means
that many tourists choose to come by boat and drive up to Høvringen Fjellstue when they arrive. The lodge is easily accessible by car or bus all year round. What: Mountain lodge. Where: Høvringen, near Rondane National Park in Norway. Attractions: Scenic walks in the mountains. Awards: Travellers’ Choice by TripAdvisor two years in a row. Owners: Third and fourth generation mother and son. Facilities: One lodge, three cottages and 30 bedrooms. All bedrooms have bathrooms.
Web: www.hovringenfjellstue.no
The mountains are right on the doorstep of the lodge, making this a popular destination for hikers. The style is traditional, in keeping with the real mountain experience they offer.
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 105
Hotel of the Month, Denmark
The perfect getaway Whether it is a weekend away or a week-long trip, taking the time to relax and wind down is important. At Dyvig Badehotel, the rooms, food and location are sure to induce that relaxed state as soon as you arrive – and as soon as you leave, you will already be planning your next trip back.
offers all the modern amenities. There is care in every detail and everything has been thought of, and the staff are always there to help with anything.
By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Dyvig Badehotel
“Our employees have been carefully picked out. Everyone at the hotel is service-minded, and we don’t settle for anything less than perfect. It’s a standard that we’ve set for ourselves, and it’s one we want to maintain,” says Amstrup. “The most important thing for us is that our guests have the best experience they could have. They’re at the centre of everything we do, and it should remain that way.”
Dyvig Badehotel can be found in the northern part of Als, an island in Denmark that looks like a T-Rex. It is from this position right next to the sea that John Bech Amstrup has been running the hotel since it opened in 2010. The past seven years have been an exhilarating ride for the hotel, and today it is one of the most sought after hotels in Denmark. “It’s always a good idea to book in advance with us,” says Amstrup. “It’s fantastic to see how we’ve been welcomed into this area, and it’s always great that 106 | Issue 108 | January 2018
people want to come and stay with us again.” In the high season, the hotel is usually booked out months in advance. “We actually have two German families who book two rooms for 15 weeks over the summer and spend their summer holidays with us.”
Perfect inside and out The hotel was built between 2008 and 2010, although looking at it from the outside it is impossible to tell. The hotel was built in the 1920s style, making the large building look both impressive and cosy. The interior of the hotel is classical, yet
A good night’s sleep Dyvig’s 21 rooms are all spacious and comfortable. The huge beds are perfect to relax on while watching a programme on the Bang & Olufsen TV. There are
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark
rooms and suites to suit everyone’s needs, and the rooms also give access to the sauna and wellness area and provide spectacular views over the sea or the surrounding forest. Dyvig’s location allows for a breath of fresh air. The sea can be constantly enjoyed, whether by swimming in it or enjoying the views from inside with a hot cup of cocoa in the colder months. The secluded position is surprisingly easy to get to as Als, the island, is well connected by both bridge and ferries. There is also Sønderborg airport, with flights from Copenhagen.
A gastronomic experience Amstrup is a chef, which is evident at the two restaurants found at Dyvig Badehotel. One is a brasserie, Brasserie Skipperstuen, while the other, Amstrup & Vigen, is a gourmet restaurant. The brasserie is more casual, serving classics
such as open sandwiches, steaks and chocolate fondants. Amstrup & Vigen is an experience in itself. “Eating here should be a gastronomic experience,” says Amstrup. “We create menus based on French and Danish classics, where people can taste things they might not have tried before, and where all their senses are satisfied.” The menu is changed every other month. Both restaurants use highquality produce from across Denmark and France. “We try to remain as local as possible. This also means that our menus change with the seasons, so there’s always something new to try,” says Amstrup, who has cooked for the Danish Royals, including the Queen’s 70th birthday. He is passionate about food and knows what to do to make food taste exceptional; many come to Dyvig Badehotel simply to eat.
Parties and events Dyvig Badehotel is also open for events and is particularly popular for big occasions. The 2018 wedding season is almost fully booked. Every year, there is also The Dyvig Race, a sailing race that finishes at the hotel, where the participants get to enjoy a lunch. “We can host events for up to 200 guests, and we are at hand to help with anything,” says Amstrup. Staying, eating or enjoying a party at Dyvig Badehotel is sure to provide lasting memories. What really makes this hotel stand out is the high standards they have set themselves, and the friendly staff who are always ready to help. This truly is the perfect place to relax, take a breath of fresh air, and enjoy a simply lovely experience.
Web: www.dyvigbadehotel.dk Facebook: dyvigbadehotel
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 107
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark
Left: Premiering on 17 February, Revisoren explores the comical effects of human greed and selfishness. Photo: Büro Jantzen. Right: In the autumn of 2017, more than 18,000 people went to see Diktatoren, a play based on the legendary Charlie Chaplin film The Great Dictator. In the spring of 2018, it will return with 12 extra performances with English subtitles. Photo: Büro Jantzen. Bottom: Founded in 1886, Nørrebro Teater is Denmark’s largest theatre focused on comedy theatre. Photo: Peter D. Horner
Attraction of the Month, Denmark
A serious laugh Nørrebro Teater may be more than 100 years old, but there is nothing old and dusty about Denmark’s largest comedy-focused theatre. Located in the heart of Copenhagen’s most diverse neighbourhood, Nørrebro, the theatre is known for its innovative approach to comedy, laid-back atmosphere and broad appeal.
of the reasons we want to raise some serious issues with our comedy – we have to relate to the reality outside our doors.”
By Signe Hansen
In real life, there might be nothing funny about the greed and selfishness of regular people, but at Nørrebro Teater it is pure comedy. Premiering at the theatre on 17 February, Revisoren explores what happens when everyone is motivated purely by personal gain. Theatre director Mette Wolf explains: “It’s about corruption, money hoarding, and people who deceive each other, and while that’s not funny in itself, the way it’s presented is hilarious. It’s comedy theatre on full power: a lot of characters, talented actors at the centre of the play, and a big production.”
Revisoren is not the first, nor will it be the last, play at Nørrebro Teater to explore large and serious subjects through the medium of comedy theatre. Ever since its foundation in 1886 on the then 108 | Issue 108 | January 2018
outskirts of Copenhagen, the theatre has focused on comedy. However, while the medium has remained the same, the theatre’s surroundings have changed significantly. Hence, when Wolf took over as director in 2015, she wanted the programme to reflect the theatre’s place in a multicultural, urban and highly political neighbourhood. “The history of the theatre is essential to our identity, but it has also been important for me to mark a change to something new. To me, what separates us is that we are very much an urban theatre, even more than other Copenhagen theatres, in that we are located in the most diverse and pulsating part of Copenhagen,” she says. “The change the area has gone through makes the theatre a special place, and our location also means that there’s a special pride surrounding us. That’s one
Dates:
Revisoren (The Government Inspector) by Nikolaj Gogol: 17 February to 8 April 2018. Diktatoren (The Great Dictator) by Charlie Chaplin: 25 May to 9 June 2018, presented with English subtitles.
Web: www.nbt.dk
Dog sledding beneath Arctic mountains Experience authentic dog sledding beneath Norwegian snow-cloaked mountains. Located in a valley just an hour outside Tromsø, Northern Light Dog Adventure offers memories for life in proper Norwegian style.
www.northernlightdogadventure.com
Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Denmark
Experience of the Month, Denmark
Sea view guaranteed Serene sandy beaches, laid-back luxury and beautiful nature – no, it is not the Maldives but southern Denmark’s secret island hideaway. Vejrø island, a previously deserted island, is today a stylish luxury resort with its own organic farm and restaurant, allowing guests to live, breathe and taste the restoring essence of island life.
The taste of island life
ish guest accommodation named after their previous use. The island’s agricultural production has also been brought back to life and now provides the island’s Restaurant Skibberlys with most of its produce. “The island is run as an organic agricultural production site with vegetables as well as sheep, pigs and game, all organic,” stresses Lohse. “Our restaurant’s rustic gourmet menu is based primarily on the products we grow and rear here on the island. It’s a challenge but also very inspiring; for instance, when not much else grows, our chefs use a lot of the island’s wild plants and herbs.”
In the early 20th century, Vejrø island was the home of a thriving small agricultural community of about 60 people. Like many other small Danish islands, it was gradually depopulated and the island’s buildings, including not just homes but also a school, a church, a grocery store and a lighthouse, left to decay. Now, those buildings have been turned into styl-
The island’s transformation has been directed by Kim Fournais, the founder and co-owner of Saxo bank, who bought the island in 2005. His ambition was to transform the small, abandoned piece of land into an island paradise showcasing the beauty of Denmark’s often spurned outskirts.
By Signe Hansen | Photos: Vejrø Gruppen
Previously the home of a small agricultural community, Vejrø island – a 155-hectare island north of Lolland – has been turned into a one-of-a-kind island resort with luxury guest houses, a new hotel, and a beautiful marina. The island even has its own landing strip for small airplanes. “Sailing up to our island is an amazing experience. The sailors who come by in their own boats are completely amazed when they first discover this little mini paradise in the middle of nowhere,” explains director Lea Lohse. “Whether people come here for a business meeting, wedding or holiday, from the moment you arrive, you are taken in by the island’s unique atmosphere.” 110 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Up until now, Vejrø has been an island for sailors and others in the know – but with the new hotel Blæsenborg completed in 2014 and boat transfers now available, everyone can have a taste of the island’s peaceful magic.
Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Denmark
At eye(land) height Vejrø resort and hotel is open for individual guests throughout the summer, but it is also possible to book the entire island for private parties, meetings and team-building events. Many companies take advantage of the island’s unique set-up to create memorable teambuilding events, combining wild island experiences such as hunting, foraging, clay-pigeon shooting and outdoor cooking with a gourmet dinner and a night in a luxury hotel room. “Our island can provide the highlight of any employee or client event. It’s a completely different experience than what you would get elsewhere. The small size of the island, the wild nature and the informal atmosphere mean that you relate to each other in a different way. At the same time, the undisturbed peace, sea and open sky ensure that each person
feels they have their own space,” explains Lohse. “After just a half hour on the island, people are looking at each other differently and we hear them saying things like, ‘God, I’ve never spoken like this with this guy before and I worked with him for three years’. It’s the downto-earth luxury and the feeling of being out here all by themselves that do it.” On top of the specially arranged activities, guests can explore the island on foot or bicycle, or enjoy some of the available activities such as tennis, bull, archery, water sports and badminton. Lohse rounds off: “Our small organic hideaway is like nothing else in Denmark. There are plenty of small islands, but here we have everything set up: a gourmet restaurant, a luxury hotel and top facilities. We want to deliver a deluxe experience, but without losing the distinct laid-back charm of an island hideaway.”
Facts: Vejrø island resort includes 36 rooms and guesthouses and has a maximum capacity of 80 overnight guests. Boat transfers are arranged from Kragenæs on Lolland and Karrebæksminde on Zealand. The resort is open for individual bookings from April to September and for group bookings, events and private parties all year. Prices: hotel rooms from 1595 DKK including breakfast; guesthouses for up to four people from 3000 DKK. Boat owners docking at Vejrø marina have access to all the island’s facilities, including bicycles, tennis court and playground as well as showers, firewood and electricity.
Web: www.vejroe.com
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Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway
Using strong colours, Oslo-based artist Karin Keane dips into many different styles.
Artist of the Month, Norway
Experimental watercolour artist and educator Oslo-based Scandinavian-American artist Karin Keane creates experimental oneof-a-kind watercolour art through her figurative and abstract work, and is both an artist and a highly respected educator teaching classes in Oslo. By Line Elise Svanevik
Keane has lived in Norway since moving from the US with her parents at age six. Although she is based in Norway, Keane says: “My art style is also influenced by my frequent trips back to east coast America and the different colour palette I sense there.” Working in many different styles, Keane is inspired by a broader range than the classic Nordic landscape. “First of all, I am intrigued by the patterns the colour pigments make after the water has 112 | Issue 108 | January 2018
dried,” she says. “I’m very focused on art history as a source of inspiration. I’m also incredibly taken with the forest and sunsets I see from our house, due to the forest’s close proximity to my home and the fact that I live 400 metres above sea level. Additionally, I’ve got a lot of inner pictures and use my imagination when I create my works of art.”
Watercolour classes Keane started painting in watercolour in 2000, when she went to art school.
“It felt right for me. I feel like it’s a lot about temperament. It’s about impulsivity mixed with patience. It houses a lot of spontaneity and demands flexibility. That’s what I think is incredibly exciting about it,” she says. She believes that it is the way the water makes the colours flow freely that is so fascinating. “It’s uncontrollable. It’s surprising – in fact, you keep getting surprised by what happens with the water and the pigments,” she continues. Keane teaches several different watercolour courses, the first being an introduction to watercolours: a three-hour freestanding class for complete beginners. “The class is aimed at helping people
Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway
lay the groundwork for painting in their homes,” says Keane. “The participants get to borrow anything they might need in terms of equipment and materials, and then I demonstrate techniques and guide them on how to use the materials.” The class provides participants with the basic knowledge they need when going to the shop to choose materials, as well as the basic skills of how to actually paint with them at home. “I believe that painting with watercolours is like playing a musical instrument. You need to train your dexterity,” says Keane. “You need a lot more guidance to begin with, which is why I hold small classes for beginners, from two to five people in each course.” Keane also offers early afternoon and evening courses in watercolour, where she teaches basic techniques, material knowledge and technical skills. Her weekend courses dive deeply into the world of watercolour, and participants work meticulously throughout the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Recycled paintings Keane focuses a great deal on using recycled materials, which is part of her very own research project. “Paper is part of a very resource-intensive production pro-
cess, and my opinion is that if you can take paintings you’ve created, tear them up and create something new – it’s good for everyone,” she explains. “The vast majority of people who work with watercolours have their drawers full of paintings that didn’t go exactly as planned. It’s been a great inspiration for a lot of people.” Keane adds that many painters find it hard to tear up paintings they have spent a lot of time on and really put their souls and all of their emotions into. “But if you can take old paintings and create something new, it’s an entirely new concept, focusing on deconstruction and reconstruction.”
ing her one-of-a-kind paintings in real life. “It’s almost hard to sell watercolour art online – you need to see it and feel it; they are all original works and vibrant when seen in person,” she concludes. Web: www.karinkeane.no Facebook: KARIN KEANE Instagram: @akvarell.oslo
Challenging conventions A true believer that watercolour can reach beyond conventional forms, Keane works to strengthen the position of watercolours around the world. “I help arrange group exhibitions through the Nordic Watercolour Society, and I’m trying to go beyond conventions by fixing the paintings straight onto the wall, without glass and framing,” she says. “It’s an old art form, and there are plenty of notions of how to do it, which I think need to be challenged.” Keane sells her artwork online but feels that everyone could benefit from see-
Karin Keane.
Issue 108 | January 2018 | 113
Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns
IS IT JUST ME… Who has noticed that the alarming trend among parents to make their toddlers into decision-makers is on the rise? They ask them about everything! “What do you want to eat? When do you want to eat? Do you want to sit in this chair? Don’t you want the peas? Would you rather have the potatoes?” Today, five-year-olds make more decisions on a daily basis than a CEO of a Fortune 500 Company. I notice it regularly, but it was exemplified beautifully when a mother and her four-year-old daughter entered the train I was on, on an otherwise quiet afternoon. A normal train ride started a bombardment of questions to the four-year-old: “Where do you want to sit? Here?” The mother pointed to two empty seats. When the daughter didn’t answer, she continued: “Or do you want to move further ahead? Yes?” The mother rushed through the train unleashing a tsunami of questions. “You want to sit by the window? Do you want to face this way or the other?” By no means discouraged by her daughter’s lack of answers, the moth-
By Mette Lisby
er strode back and forth through the train, her toddler in tow, the kid looking more and more uneasy as The Spanish Inquisition seemed unstoppable. It was quite an uplifting moment when the mother resigned and pointed to the seats next to me and said: “Maybe we should just sit here.” I took a breath of relief – it is actually quite stressful having people marching up and down the train – but then the mother started again: “So – do you want to sit by the window or in this chair?” Finally, after another five minutes of questioning, they were both seated. I have often thought that this trend is due to parents wanting the best for their kids, making sure they get what they want, but I am starting to suspect that maybe it is because this generation of parents cannot make up their mind? Five-year-olds are not supposed to be decision-makers – just place the bloody kid somewhere! If they do not like it, they will let you know, and not in a subtle way. As most of us who have been
Nordic Noir It is a new year! 2017 was a busy year for me: I moved house, changed offices and got married. 2018, therefore, is a year when I hope to take things a little easier. Not too easy though – I will be cracking on with putting together my next comic book and then hopefully self-publish said comic book this spring. I am also secretly hoping that this year I will finally get somewhere with my crime novel writing. Yes – I am one of those people who write in their spare time, harbouring long-held dreams of having a book published. Not just self-published, but real, proper published, with a real, live publisher. My secret weapon – I dearly hope – will be my Scandinavianness. It is true that being a foreigner comes with a number of issues, for example a propensity for making up words like Scandinvian114 | Issue 108 | January 2018
on an airplane, back when the parenting trend had a more decisive character, can testify: if the kids do not like where they are seated, they will let you and everybody else in the entire aircraft know – by kicking or screaming or both. 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
in England, because this is where I live, the plots are quite dreary and dark because that is what comes out of my dreary, dark, Scandinavian soul, and the main character is Italian, because… well, I don’t really know, it just happened that way. So here is to 2018, when hopefully my dream of adding to the pile of Nordic thrillers will come true. I hope your dreams will too.
ness, and other gaffs that go hand in hand with writing in a language that is not your first. But, I tell myself, I am Nordic Noir! Not only that, but I am cheap Nordic Noir, in the sense that a British publisher would not have to have my books translated (only slightly amended, where I have committed above mentioned gaffs). The books are set
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/Calendar
Scandinavian music Swedish duo First Aid Kit have got a new album coming out early this year – Ruins. They had already released two singles from it in the autumn of last year, but neither of them (titled It’s A Shame and Postcard, if you fancy hunting them out for yourself) was to my taste, unfortunately. However, I am fully on board with the comeback, thanks to the third single that has just been released: the gorgeous ballad Fireworks, a song that not only evokes the feelings of classic First Aid Kit, but goes even further back – to the ‘50s, in fact – to draw some romantic, sonic inspiration. An absolute beauty, this one. I am loving the latest single from new band LOST IN LNDN, who, despite the name, hail from Trondheim in Norway. The boys have delivered a deliriously dreamy, mid-tempo synthpop track with Somebody Like You. And they are not being stingy with it, with the song clocking in at over four minutes in length (a novelty in this era of pop,
where new acts are chasing attention from Spotify users). If you like that, also check out their first single, Who You Love. Finnish popstar Isac Elliot celebrated his birthday on Boxing Day with the release of his brand new album. It is called Faith and is an almighty record, thanks to the fact that it houses no less than ten previously released singles (basically all of his hits since the release of his previous album in 2014) in addition to brand new single Uncover Me. It therefore files itself neatly under the ‘all-killer-no-filler’ category. And if you are after a strong pop album that does not quit – this one is for you. Norwegian artist Kamferdrops had a super successful 2017 thanks to the hit status of her dance cover of the ‘dansband’ classic Jag Trodde Änglarna Fanns. Now she is back with a new single and, mercifully, she is not changing lanes with her sound, nor with her reference point for inspiration. This time
By Karl Batterbee
around, she has plundered the Eurovision Song Contest for a song to cover – specifically, Nicole’s winning song for Germany in 1982, Ein Bisschen Frieden. She’s given it a clubland makeover and translated it into Swedish, En Liten Fågel.
www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@gmail.com
Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Nordic Baking Workshop (27 January) This three and a half hour baking workshop is held at a home-based artisan bakery in Shepperton, Middlesex, where the owner Nicky Males will guide you through the Nordic flavours of cardamom and cinnamon and teach you all things Nordic. This of course involves Swedish cinnamon and cardamom knots, Finnish ‘pulla’ and Danish rye bread. And the best part? You take home all your creations. 2pm-5.30pm. Willow Bakery School, 102 Old Charlton Road, Shepperton TW17 8BS, UK. www.willowmicrobakery.co.uk
London Mime Festival (Until 3 February) The London International Mime Festival is a chance to see the newest contemporary visual performances, including live art, physical and circus theatre, mask, 116 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Sound of the Arctic. Press photo
By Sanne Wass
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
puppetry, movement and object theatre. This year, the festival opens with the UK premiere of Lähtö (Departure), performed by Finnish visual artist and magician Kalle Nio and his contemporary circus group WHS. Platform Theatre, Central Saint Martins, Handyside Street, London N1C 4AA (and other locations). www.mimelondon.com
Kalle Nio / WHS, Lähtö. Photo: Tom Hakala
Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair (6-10 February) If you are crazy about Scandinavian interior design, this is the place for you. The Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair keeps you updated on all the latest design trends and innovations – much of it you will not even find in stores yet. Moreover, the organisers host Stockholm Design Week in the same week – another good reason to visit the Swedish capital in February. Stockholmsmässan, Mässvägen 1, Älvsjö, Sweden. www.stockholmfurniturelightfair.se
Jorvik Viking Festival. Press photo
Sound of The Arctic (9-17 February) Through a series of performances, Norway’s KultNett brings together leading folk musicians and storytellers from beyond the Arctic Circle to give you rare insight into the rich and vibrant borderland culture of the peoples of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Sápmi, the land of the Sámi people. Prepare for a truly immersive experience that involves storytelling, a fiddle and the traditional ‘joik’ of the Sámi. The Bridewell Theatre, 14 Bride Lane, London EC4Y 8EQ www.sbf.org.uk
Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair 2018 guest of honour Paola Navone, Gervasoni Ghost Collection. Photo: Piero Gemelli
Jorvik Viking Festival (12-18 February) Immerse yourself in the gruesome world of the Vikings when Jorvik Viking Festival returns to York in February. Through living history encampments, walks, talks, tours and dramatic combat performances, this week-long, city-wide celebration seeks to bring back to life a seminal period in the country’s history: the invasion of England by the Great Viking Army in AD866. Various locations, York, UK. www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk Issue 108 | January 2018 | 117
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
Loney Dear tours UK and Ireland (14-20 February)
Apocalyptica on tour (27 February-3 March)
Swedish singer-songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Emil Svanängen, also known as Loney Dear, hits the road in the UK and Ireland in February. The sevenday tour is in support of the release of his seventh album, described by the Independent as “an elegant, understated pop masterpiece”. Brighton, Bristol, Dublin, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and London. www.loneydear.com
Having put on more than 100 shows around the world in 2017, Apocalyptica continues its tour into 2018. The popular Finnish group describes itself as a “rock band that plays cellos” and says its latest symphony places equal emphasis on beautiful melodies and heavy, bombastic rhythms. From Brighton to Glasgow, the band will tour the UK for five days before heading to Sweden. Brighton, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Glasgow. www.apocalyptica.com
Frost Festival (4-25 February) Frost Festival seeks to shine a light on Copenhagen in the dark month of February, putting on a series of curated music events and light installations around the Danish capital. The ambition is to challenge the common concert format by connecting music, light and alternative spaces and encouraging the audience to interact with the arts and each other. Various locations, Copenhagen, Denmark. www.frostfestival.dk
Loney Dear. Photo: Daniel Grizelj
118 | Issue 108 | January 2018
Ingmar Bergman retrospective (Until 15 March) The year of 2018 marks 100 years since the birth of world-renowned Swedish film and theatre director Ingmar Bergman. The anniversary will be celebrated with theatrical performances, exhibitions, documentaries, film retrospectives, book releases and festivals all over the world throughout the year. In London,
the British Film Institute (BFI) is behind a comprehensive retrospective of Bergman classics such as The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries and Persona. BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XT. www.ingmarbergman.se Ingmar Bergman. Photo: Bengt Wanselius © AB Svensk Filmindustri
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