AUGUST 2018 ISSUE 115 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA
ALICIA VIKANDER: HOLLYWOOD’S FAVOURITE BADASS A SPOTLIGHT ON GREENLAND OUR PICK OF THE BEST AUTUMN EXPERIENCES IN SWEDEN FINNISH JEWELLERY DESIGN SPECIAL
A world of great adventures – Greenland
Conferences are our speciality Nothing is left to chance in our five-star conference centre. We provide custom solutions for arranging the conference, supplying superb accommodation and providing really excellent dining. Our experienced employees concentrate on creating the very best conditions for the organizers and for the participants. Flexibility is the keyword. The hotel’s gourmet restaurant, which is included in the “White Guide”, serves both international and Greenlandic specialities, and you can enjoy breath-taking views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site as you dine. If you want to experience even more of this wonderful country there are amazingly adventurous experiences to be had in Ilulissat, right on our doorstep, all the year round.
Ilulissat
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4-star hotel / 5-star conference facilities
www.hotelarctic.com
Scan Magazine | Contents
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Contents
20
COVER FEATURE 56
36
Alicia Vikander: Hollywood’s Favourite Badass
Wool, wood carving, embroidery and leather tanning
From ballet school strictness to Hollywood stardom, Alicia Vikander is the actor who gave it everything and truly made it to the top. Scan Magazine spoke to the Swede about the abuse scandals, feeling lost and lonely, and playing Lara Croft.
place to go. We spoke to some of the passionate
– if traditional crafts are your thing, Norway is the Norwegians who are giving everything to preserve their native country’s craft heritage.
60
Stay Warm – And Dry As the hottest summer in centuries comes to an end, we take a closer look at quality cashmere and stylish umbrellas, alongside some stunning jewellery and other uplifting designs that will keep you going as the darkness sets in.
62
A Spotlight on Greenland Greenland is both vast and breath-taking, boasting everything from important expertise on global warming to a welcoming, wonderful local community. Add whales, icebergs and charming villages, and you will see why this is a place for a very special holiday.
DESIGN 6
Norwegian Artisans
76
Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden Welcome autumn’s colour and crispness with a nature trek, a hotel stay out of the ordinary or a journey through Sweden’s maritime past. We present our top tips for an autumn trip to Sweden.
SPECIAL FEATURES 40
From Street Food to Beach Life Did you know that the street-food scene is hopping in Denmark? We went to find out more, and also familiarised ourselves with the world of water: from kayaking and SUP boarding to luxury beach life on Jutland and a very important conference.
SPECIAL THEMES 26
77
Finnish Jewellery Design Both Sweden and Denmark boast global names in the world of jewellery design, but did you know that Finland is a heavy player in this field too? Combining Scandinavian sleekness and minimalism with a bold, brave touch and some inspiring stories, we are falling head over heels for a new world of bling-bling.
BUSINESS 85
Top Boards and Nothing Jobs We spoke to a Dane who knows all about making board work secure and efficient, while keynote writer Steve Flinders had a dream about nothing jobs in nowhere places…
CULTURE 108 The Ultimate Dudeson If you are looking for inspiration ahead of a big challenge, you could do worse than listen to Jukka Hildén. Scan Magazine’s Paula Hammond spoke to the Dudeson whose 4.6 million YouTube Red subscribers cannot get enough of his ballsy attitude.
REGULARS & COLUMNS 6 Fashion Diary | 10 We Love This | 88 Conference of the Month | 90 Restaurants of the Month 96 Hotels of the Month | 100 Museum of the Month | 102 Experience of the Month 104 Artists of the Month | 107 Humour
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 3
Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note
Dear Reader, “If I was going to do this, I was going to do it the very, very best I could,” said this month’s cover star, Alicia Vikander. She was talking about her effort as Lara Croft in the reboot of Tomb Raider, for which she transformed her body completely and performed some frankly extraordinary stunts. But this same sentiment of giving everything seems to have been a part of her attitude since long before she became Hollywood’s sweetheart and was offered the role of filling Angelina Jolie’s shoes: she went to ballet school, dancing for ten hours straight every day; she set out to meet new people and started approaching random folks in Stockholm, bluntly asking them to be her friend; she moved to London in the hope of getting a break as an actor, living in a freezing Portobello Road apartment with rats. When her now-husband, Michael Fassbender, described her as “fierce and brave”, he was not lying. I think that idea of going all in is worth hanging onto, especially at a time of calculated social media posts and filters slapped onto everything. Perhaps it might mean upgrading that trip from a city weekend in Scandinavia to a week-long adventure exploring the stunning icebergs and local communities of Greenland; perhaps it means turning a devastating diagnosis into a spark that becomes a new outlook on life and a bright, beautiful jew-
ellery brand. Maybe it means leaving your phone behind on your next trip to Sweden to enter an unknown escape room or trek through the woods to a nature experience without electricity, running water and WiFi. Or, indeed, it could mean taking a leaf out of Jukka Hildén’s book, be it on an extended mountain excursion or simply in terms of pushing the boundaries of what your mind is capable of. Whether it is the back-to-school buzz that has me thinking big or I am just completely spellbound by Alicia Vikander’s determination and poise, I do not know. What I do know is that, from Finnish jewellery design to Norwegian craft and Greenlandic innovation, there is plenty in this issue to inspire – and aiming low was never the Scandinavian way. Now, I am off to force a three-year-old to sit through an eternity of blood tests. What can I say? I am going all in.
Linnea Dunne, Editor
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4 | Issue 115 | August 2018
World Water Week 2018 26 - 31 August 2018 ∙ Stockholm, Sweden
Water, ecosystems and human development The world is now at a point where competition for water, and water crises have become a reality for many. The greatest minds in water are on their way to World Water Week to tackle these issues. Will you be there? Over 3,300 people from 121 countries will participate in over 270 sessions. The prestigious Stockholm Water Prize will be presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. Register today to be part of the world’s leading annual event on water. www.worldwaterweek.org/register
#WWWeek Join the discussion, ask questions and follow the latest!
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
Fashion Diary… The end of the summer is on its way, but we are not quite ready to say goodbye to the warm weather and lazy days. Savour the last days of the summer period in style, with comfy, practical and stylish clothes, fit for the changing season. By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos
Show everyone you are a typical Scandinavian with this minimal cotton tote bag from Copenhagen brand Samsøe & Samsøe. Functional, versatile and effortlessly stylish, it can accompany you everywhere, from a day of shopping to a chilled evening by the lake. Samsøe & Samsøe graphic shopper 7904, £29.95 www.samsoe.com
Keep your earphones safe in this leather case from Ham & Lerche. Made by hand in Denmark, it keeps your earphones cable nicely rolled up, ensuring that it is organised and manageable at all times while you are out and about. Ham & Lerche, earphone case, £22.55 www.ham-lerche.dk
Look chic with this soft knitted jumper and ease into the end of summer. Do not be afraid to use pale pink, as it is a big trend this season. Team it up with smart, stripy trousers and white trainers for a sophisticated yet laidback vibe. Mads Nørgaard, ‘Koster’ knitted jumper, approx. £106 Mads Nørgaard, ‘Poul’ smart trousers, approx. £87 www.madsnorgaard.dk
For Pride season, H&M has joined the party with its new collection Love For All, where ten per cent of the sales will go to support the UN Free & Equal campaign. This printed denim waistcoat, with “lover not a fighter” written on the back, will keep you looking cool and casual, while adding that little extra to your outfit. H&M printed denim waistcoat, £34.99 www.hm.com
6 | Issue 115 | August 2018
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
This flowy and bright yellow wrap dress from Moss Copenhagen, with all-over flower print, is perfect for the end of summer, since it is airy on hot days yet still covers up for chillier weather. It can also be used throughout autumn — just add tights, pop a cosy cardigan on top, and you are good to go. Moss Copenhagen, ‘Gudrun’ dress, £64.95 www.mosscopenhagen.com
Talking about cosy cardigans, this number from Ganni is a great investment. Available in beige and light blue, with contrast buttons, this soft, warm wool and mohair blend, with a beautiful texture, looks and feels very comfy. Ganni ‘Evangelista’ cardigan, £220 www.ganni.com
With a ruffled blouse like this Clark top, also from Ganni, you can either look cute or create a cool retro-styled outfit. This top is made for those final few fun summer outings. Ganni ‘Clark’ top, £100 www.ganni.com
We love these adorable blush-pink, handmade leather mules from A. Andreassen. Made from creamy, soft, veg-tanned Italian leather, and designed with Scandinavian heritage and traditional craftsmanship in mind, the Elskling slippers are inspired by the woven baskets that children in Scandinavia make to fill with sweets. A. Andreassen, ‘Elskling’ leather mules, £140 www.aandreassen.com
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 7
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
Lisa Wickström, Finnish barista
Lisa Wickström
“My style is quite Nordic, as it’s very casual and minimalistic. Usually I wear black trousers or blue jeans. My choice today, of a cheque pattern, is a bit more adventurous than normal. My bag is ‘Tom of Finland’ themed by Finlayson, the shoes are by Dr. Martens, and the trousers are by H&M.”
Miri Ivic, Swedish author “My style is often classic, yet vivacious. It is diverse and related to my mood. I am spontaneous when I choose my outfit and I do not overthink. My sandals are by Birkenstock, the bag is by Yves Saint Laurent, the T-shirt is by James Perse, the jeans are by Current Elliot, and the sunglasses are by Retrosuperfuture.”
Eivind Hansen, Norwegian photographer (@eivindhansen)
Eivind Hansen
8 | Issue 115 | August 2018
“My style is minimalistic and monochromatic. I like wearing clothes that are comfortable. My sandals are by Birkenstock, the shirt is by Just Cruizin, the shorts are by H&M, and the necklace is a personal amulet. The bag is by Wayawaya and is sustainable, ethical and handmade in Zambia.”
Miri Ivic
Mary-Ann’s Polarrigg - a somewhat different hotel
Longyearbyen, Svalbard | Tel + 47 79 02 37 02 E-mail info@polarriggen.com | www.polarriggen.com
Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This
We love this… Chairs of Scandinavian design are very popular and there are many elegant and unique pieces to choose from. With a great mix of high quality, creativity and craftsmanship, you can find the perfect chair to fit your sense of style, comfort and need. Here are a few of our favourite design classics. By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos
Thanks to its simple design, the beautiful ‘In Between’ chair, designed by Sami Kallio for &Tradition, is the perfect dining chair. Comfortable and well-designed, it will also look the part in other areas of your home or office too. Made from natural solid and formed wood. &Tradition ‘In Between’ chair, £364 www.cloudberryliving.co.uk
The ‘Tripp Trapp’ chair is an ingenious highchair that revolutionised the children’s chair market back in 1972, when it was designed by Peter Opsvik. This chair grows with the child from birth, and brings your baby to the dining table and closer to the family. Available in a variety of colours for your baby boy or girl. Stokke, ‘Tripp Trapp’ chair, £174 Stokke, ‘Tripp Trapp’ chair in oak, £204 www.stokke.com
With the aim of producing a shell chair with a more unified look that would stand as one cohesive unit, Simon Legald created the Form chair for Normann Copenhagen. Already available with either wood or steel legs, the new and elegant brass version with different coloured seats will be available from August. Normann Copenhagen ‘Form’ barstool, approx £283 www.normann-copenhagen.com
With only 1,958 pieces available, this design classic by Arne Jacobsen, manufactured by Fritz Hansen, is upholstered in pure leather in an assortment of hues. The 60th anniversary ‘Egg’ chair celebrates a true hero of mid-century design, updated with a 23-karat gold coated star base. Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen ‘Egg’ chair — 60th anniversary limited edition, £11,137 www.conranshop.co.uk
The Oslo armchair is designed by Anderssen & Voll for Muuto and, with its embracing and rounded softness, it stands as a natural extension to the Nordic touch and friendliness that characterises the brand’s designs. The chair combines Norwegian craftsmanship with textiles from Danish Kvadrat, making it the perfect contemporary addition to any home or professional space. Muuto ‘Oslo’ armchair, £1,779 www.nest.co.uk
10 | Issue 115 | August 2018
www.designvegen.no cylindra@cylindra.no
Cylindra AS Tusvikvegen 77 6222 Ikornnes
CYLINDRA GALLERY
A contemporary gallery, Cylindra Gallery focuses on Peter Opsvik’s work. His ergonomic chairs are known across the globe, including the Tripp Trapp chair and his different Balans chairs, but at Cylindra Gallery, he focuses on furniture objects and cabinet-like paintings. Welcome to Cylindra Gallery: a symbiotic experience of art, furniture and nature. “Peter Opsvik’s cabinets play on the duality between the closed and the open. They exist as a kind of objectified thing somewhere between functional furniture and existential art. Some of his cabinets bear a closer resemblance to a rectangular painting, where the doors are openable hatches, like those on an advent calendar. In others, the whole cabinet consists of fold-out elements, reminiscent of a Japanese origami figure, or several uniting in a cabinet,” Allis Helleland, former director at the Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo once said.
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Scan Magazine | Design Profile | SJOSTENSWEDEN
Ingela Sjösten.
Statement jewellery for powerful people SJOSTENSWEDEN’s strong designs take inspiration from historical and architectural forms and art. Modern yet timeless, the jewellery stays true to its Scandinavian origins — proving that less is often more. By Malin Norman | Photos: JTA-media
Ingela Sjösten founded the Swedish jewellery brand SJOSTENSWEDEN in 2015. With a background in architecture, art and design, Sjösten’s jewellery is based on a devotion to form and function, and on the use of sustainable materials. Her simple lines make bold statements, giving the designs a contemporary yet ageless elegance.
with geometric expressions and the designs are both strong and logical. One of the best sellers, the Bullet ring, is an example.” It is very Scandinavian — classic, simple and designed to never go out of fashion — and customers appreciate the honest, bold expressions. “I believe people have missed something like this,” Sjösten comments.
Sjösten has a degree in interior architecture from the College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. “I worked as an interior architect for many years, but I felt a bit trapped,” explains the designer. “There were too many compromises for me in that type of work.” A few years ago, she was inspired to change career and the jewellery brand was born. In addition to holding an architecture degree, Sjösten also teaches art, design and architecture.
Jewellery as an expression of who you are
Her jewellery is characterised by iconic shapes and Sjösten effortlessly moves between sculpture and design. “I work
What next for the talented designer? Demand for designs for men is growing, and this autumn, Sjösten will add new unisex
pieces, for example cufflinks, to the collection. She will also continue her work as an art and design teacher, since she is fascinated by the creative process in others. “But it’s important that my own work is driven by inspiration and pleasure, so I take it day by day.” The jewellery from SJOSTENSWEDEN is handmade from sustainable materials, including brass, silver plated brass or solid sterling silver, and with soft nappa leather for the bracelets. A small factory in India has been carefully selected and Sjösten makes sure to visit every year. In addition to shops in Stockholm and Gothenburg, SJOSTENSWEDEN is also available in the web shop.
Powerful jewellery attracts women who want to make a statement, and SJOSTENSWEDEN has been worn by celebrities such as the Swedish singer Veronica Maggio. Sjösten’s idea is for the different designs to be easily combined. “Jewellery can really change a whole outfit,” she argues. “With bold pieces, you can make a statement and get your outfit to stand out.” Web: www.sjostensweden.com Instagram: @sjostensweden_
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 13
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Nunc
Timeless pieces remind us to be present You would be forgiven for thinking that Nunc’s beautiful armbands are watches. Look closer, however, and you will notice that they are missing the face and hands by which watches mark the passing of time. “People always do a double take when they notice,” says co-founder Michael Pedretti. “It’s a great way to start a conversation and make both yourself and others pause and think for a minute in the midst of our busy lives.”
up in the continual, harmful race of news updates, work developments and social media posts that are part of our world today,” Pedretti reflects. “It’s easy to forget to look up, and to enjoy and connect with the world and people around us.”
By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Daniel Bülling
Pedretti realised just how addicted he was becoming to the buzz of updates and notifications during a conference stay in Copenhagen. “The hotel had these rather cool plastic key bands in the shape of a circle. I took off my watch and wore the key instead to keep it on me, and that evening, I really noticed the ridiculous amount of times I glanced at my wrist and became distracted from the conversations going on around me.” There was, he thought, a significant reflection on the modern world in that act. “I kept checking the time, but in doing that, I let time, the present, pass me by.”
There is something disconcerting about being confronted by a faceless, timeless watch. The founders themselves are unsure of what to call it — it is not, evidently, a watch, and as much a philosophical statement as a decorative bracelet. The point is not to remove the wearer from the modern, technological world, but rather to remind them that there are other things to life as well. “We want people to embrace the present moment and reconnect with their surroundings — their city, nature, family and friends; to find a 14 | Issue 115 | August 2018
sense of wholeness in being here, now, and to recognise the perfection of each and every moment,” Pedretti explains.
The problems of working around the clock As a management consultant, Pedretti was married to his smart watch, constantly checking the time and his notifications and, like many other young professionals, at an increasingly frequent rate each month. “For a lot of people today, I think it’s really easy to get too caught
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Nunc
Making connections Pedretti, who describes himself as “very Italian” but lives in Sweden, cautiously mentioned the idea to a few old Italian friends and newer acquaintances in Stockholm. “It opened up a lot of surprisingly deep discussions about life and satisfaction and what we wanted out of our existence,” he recalls. As it happened, everything came together perfectly, with each person he talked to having skills and ideas that added to the product and philosophical concept behind Nunc. “It shows the cool coincidences and connections you can find when you dare to put yourself and your ideas out there,” Pedretti muses. “My old school mate Andrea and I used to be these teenage philosophers, pondering all the big questions. It was something that had since been suppressed through years of the daily grind, but this idea re-awakened that passionate, inquisitive side of us.” Andrea, an architect, came up with the design and the many symbols incorporated in it during one enthusiastic all-nighter. Swedish Johanna only met
Pedretti at the Copenhagen conference, but backed the idea immediately. She thought up the name Nunc, Latin for ‘now’, on the spot. “I think I’m most proud of what the six of us — Emmet, Matteo, Ricardo, Johanna, Andrea and I — have managed to do together, and how we’ve all become more positive, thoughtful and conscientious through making these Nunc armbands.”
Coming full circle The team knew that in order for Nunc to make sense, the pieces would need to be produced in line with the theory. “The whole concept would be hollow if we cheated or skimped on anything in the production process,” Pedretti points out. The Nunc Italians needed to look no further than the northern Italy from their childhood, where they patiently sought out independent, sustainable workshops. Smith Oliviero from Valle Trompia, an area known for its metal work since Roman times, produces the finest stainless steel for Nunc, while Bologna sculptors Andrea and Daniele set about carving some of the thinnest
Carrara and Marquina marble pieces in existence. The same quality and care go into the packaging. “We were very lucky to find Tarcisio’s workshop tucked away in the mountains. He carves beautiful wooden boxes that can be reused as plant pots.” Each piece of wood and marble used is lively and unique, making every Nunc an individual work of art from start to finish. Nunc already resonates with many people — the armbands have been nominated for this year’s prestigious Precious Fair award and, this summer, Nunc will expand from their web shop and begin selling at The Lobby in Stockholm. “It’s fantastic that it’s going well,” Pedretti enthuses, “but our ultimate success criterion is passing a Nunc-wearing stranger on the street and knowing that they too appreciate this philosophy.” Web: www.nunclife.com Facebook: @nunclife Instagram: nunclife
Michael Pedretti.
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 15
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Cashmere House
Exclusive Cashmere House in Oslo Focusing exclusively on responsibly sourced, ethically manufactured, luxury, bespoke pieces, Cashmere House is today the largest importer of Mongolian cashmere into Norway. Located in Oslo, this family-run business provides exclusive cashmere garments and accessories to the Scandinavian market, all of which are lovingly manufactured in Mongolia, using only the finest quality pure Mongolian cashmere. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Helmerfoto & Cashmere House
“In Mongolia, cashmere is the greatest pride and joy, and it’s something we are very fortunate to be able to bring to Scandinavia,” says Cashmere House owner Morten Minde. He started this small, family-owned business in 2010, with his wife Narangerel Molom. “Since my wife is from Mongolia, we have a natural connection with the country, 16 | Issue 115 | August 2018
which creates a great export opportunity. We travel there several times each year and have personal relationships with the herders and the factories, and with their workers, who lovingly produce our pieces,” Minde explains. “Because of our unique relationship with these people, we also have the opportunity to choose from the best quality items produced each season. This gives our business the distinc-
tion it has, with many exclusive and unique garments that no one else in Norway can supply.” He adds that customers often are unaware of the exclusivity of cashmere. “It’s only when they put on a cashmere sweater and the customer can feel the quality that they get that ‘wow’ moment.”
Quality, not quantity With a focus solely on Mongolian cashmere, quality and not quantity is the driving force at Norway’s Cashmere House, unlike in some other manufacturing countries. Mongolia is currently the second largest producer of Cashmere and produces around 30 per cent of the world’s total cashmere crop. “What very few people know, and something that is
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Cashmere House
reflected in the price, is that cashmere is an extremely scarce product,” says Minde. “There are only about ten million pure cashmere garments produced in the world every year, mainly in China, Scotland and Italy, but these countries all use Mongolian cashmere, due to its unique characteristics.” He adds: “One goat will only produce enough pure cashmere to create two to three sweaters in its whole lifetime!” Cashmere has several highly valued characteristics. “A garment can be up to eight times warmer than wool, yet, at the same time, feels easier to wear. The garment will feel warm when the temperature is cold and cool when it’s hot – perfect for the Scandinavian climate,” Minde points out.
For the Scandinavian market “A cashmere sweater, cardigan or scarf from our suppliers becomes a piece you will cherish for many years, if you treat it the best way. And it will only get softer and softer the more you use it,” Minde smiles. He stresses the importance of only purchasing cashmere items of the best quality and explains that Mongolian cashmere is known for its exceptional quality, as well as for its strong, long fibres, which results in less pilling on the garments.
With exclusive design and limited collections, Cashmere House offers products with standardised sizes, created especially for the Scandinavian market. “Our team is working hard to find the best products, and our goal is to provide the very best quality and timeless design all year long,” Minde promises. This winter’s new clothing collection focuses on gifts, combining quality with a sprinkle of the ultimate luxury from the cashmere world. Stop by the lovely shop at Bekkestua or at one of their pop-up stores. Alternatively, all items are available at the Cashmere House webshop.
How to care for cashmere? Always follow the care instructions attached to each garment. Cashmere garments should be regularly washed at 30 degrees, using a non-biological detergent. If the item is washed too hot, the fibres may become broken and matted. This is called felting. A cashmere garment from Cashmere House should be washed regularly after use and dried flat at room temperature. When you have finished using your cashmere clothing for the season, it is important to keep items clean and to store them in a sealed container or bag to prevent insect damage.
What is cashmere? Cashmere is the fine fibre obtained from cashmere goats (Capra hircus laniger), which live only in central Asia. The cashmere fibre is gently removed from the goats using traditional hand-combing methods. Cashmere House cashmere is not cut or sheared using electrical clippers, which can stress and/or harm the animals. It is the undercoat of the goat that is used. This provides the perfect insulation for them during the extreme Mongolian winters, where it can be as cold as minus 50 degrees Celsius in the winters and over 40 degrees in summer. Here, only the strongest animals with the best quality of cashmere survive, and it is this cashmere that is used in Cashmere House’s production. Approximately 30 per cent of the world’s annual cashmere crop comes from Mongolia. Mongolian cashmere is characterised as the longest natural cashmere fibre in the world, and is also the warmest, due to Mongolia’s extreme climate.
Web: www.cashmerehouse.no Facebook: CashmereHouseNorge Instagram: @cashmerehousenorway Contact: nettbutikk@cashmerehouse.no
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 17
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Coster Copenhagen
Bringing social awareness into fashion Loved by women all over the world, the Coster Copenhagen fashion universe presents an unusually successful combination of style, social awareness and practicality. This autumn’s collection will see a combination of raw botanic prints, frills and long skirts, and is, as always, produced with a strong focus on social and environmental sustainability.
tries and the Coster family has been extended, with 18 employees now working at the company’s stylish Northern Zealand office.
By Signe Hansen | Photos: Coster Copenhagen
Coster Copenhagen produces four yearly collections, each split into three colour-coordinated drops. This means that each month, customers get a complete Coster universe from which they can easily mix and match pieces to create easily interchangeable looks. “Our customers are very loyal — they buy everything from trousers to coats from us, and might come in and get three tops, a pair of jeans and a jacket in one go. That’s why we have chosen to do it this way. It’s different from what other brands do, but it means that it is very easy for our customers to match from everything in our universe.”
In 2012, after many years of working and designing for other fashion brands, Pia Coster set out to found her own company. Though she started out modestly from the family’s living room, the project’s potential became clear as soon as the first collection hit the market. Pia’s husband, Chris Coster, soon took over the company’s administration and, six years later, the couple are still working and holidaying together. Aside from a strong marriage, Pia Coster puts the brand’s success down to its high 18 | Issue 115 | August 2018
quality, reasonable prices and wearability. “The clothes themselves create an independent identity and don’t need styling with an extra wardrobe of accessories,” she argues. “They’re easy to wear and easy to understand — you don’t need scarves, necklaces and extra blouses. There are so many small and simple details in the designs, which make each item complete in itself.” It is a formula that has earned Coster Copenhagen fans all over the world. Today, the brand is distributed in 15 coun-
A complete universe
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Coster Copenhagen
To make things even easier, Coster Copenhagen’s seasonal collections are complemented by a permanent collection of long-lasting staple products, with simple designs and colours. “Our basic collection is constantly expanding but we don’t change the old products or the colours, and this means that our customers can always come back and find that specific colour to match another item,” Chris Coster explains. This autumn’s Coster Copenhagen collection will see a focus on lace, botanic prints and long skirts. “It’s based on our own Botanic Flower print and the current wave of colours,” says Pia Coster. “Nor-
mally, we don’t do flower prints, but this one is done in a more raw style, so it hits our trademark combination of the raw and the feminine perfectly.”
It is our responsibility Coster Copenhagen was, from the very beginning, founded with a strong focus on ethical production methods and quality materials. The implementation of this is not enforced by any third party organisation, but by the Coster couple themselves. Every year, they travel to meet producers in Italy, Turkey, Portugal, India, and China to ensure that the workers who produce their clothes have fair working conditions. “We have chosen to take our
CSR (corporate social responsibility) into our own hands because it means a great deal to us. That’s why, when we go to visit our producers, which we do twice a year, we make sure, for example, that the women creating our embroideries work in air-conditioned facilities, and not in 40 degrees under the open sun like they do in some places, and that all workers have proper facilities, like access to toilets and a lunch scheme,” says Pia Coster. ”On top of that, we mainly work with pure materials, which gives a more environmentally sustainable production.” Web: www.costercopenhagen.com
Wife and husband Pia and Chris Coster are behind the successful Danish fashion brand Coster Copenhagen.
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 19
Craft masters Behind the catching and intriguingly international names Sandström de Wit is a duo that has been making eye-catching jewellery for almost four decades. Whether it is a wedding ring, a brooch for a very special occasion, or a pair of earrings that can carry you through the working week, Sandström de Wit has what you are looking for.
our goldsmiths, to the shopkeepers — every person here is so passionate about what we do and eager to help every customer find the right thing for them.”
By Lisa Maria Berg | Photos: Jonas Sällberg
Margareth Sandström and Peter de Wit found each other when studying in Pforzheim in Germany — a place so renowned for its goldsmith and watchmaking history that it is known as ‘Goldstadt’, or ‘the golden city’. The two studied jewellery making during the ‘60s and ‘70s, a time heavily influenced by new shapes, methods, lines and inspirations. It was a time for change, for seeking new styles, and of the awakening of a new moderni20 | Issue 115 | August 2018
ty. Sandström and de Wit have certainly stayed in that category.
The family Today, their daughter Ida de Wit Sandström also works for the company. As a gemmologist, she is someone with more than an average interest in jewels and rocks. “The whole business is founded on the love and interest of the craft. From mum and dad in the workshop, to
Simple, yet outstanding, by Peter de Wit.
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Sandström de Wit
De Wit Sandström describes the solid foundation on which her parents have rooted themselves, perfectly thoughtthrough, from start to finish. “We always order gemstones and pearls directly from the supplier. This way we stay in complete control of what it is we want to create,” she explains. Sandström de Wit has maintained a closeness to both the gems they work with and their clients, which really makes them stand out.
her pieces. It makes for a stunning combination, the two styles complementing each other, each making the other complete. “We make art that is uncompromising, that challenges and breaks boundaries,” de Wit Sandström continues. It is an approach that has reaped rewards. Their works can be found in national museums across the globe and, earlier this year, the two received an honorary doctorate at the University of Linköping.
Together and apart
Passion for the craft
The couple have worked together for almost 40 years. In their workshop in idyllic Linköping, they have tirelessly built a world-renowned jewellery brand. Yet, despite working so closely together, Sandström and de Wit have each retained their own individual style of expression. If de Wit’s is calculated, linear and almost mathematical, Sandström finds inspiration in nature and carries a softness into
Sandström and de Wit are exhibited internationally, from the U.S. to Japan, but it all began on a much smaller scale. Sandström’s father was a goldsmith and played a vital role in kindling an interest for the craft in his daughter. He had some success, to put it mildly. After meeting de Wit, who hails from Holland, Sandström returned to Linköping to build her own workshop, and de Wit soon followed. De
Margareth Sandström lets inspiration from nature come to life in her pieces.
De Wit and Sandström have each developed their individual style over the years. Nevertheless, some creations they craft together, like this heart necklace.
Peter de Wit.
Margareth Sandström.
Wit Sandström describes two parents passionately dedicated to their craft. “I remember basically growing up in their workshop. My brother and I would sit and do our homework while our parents worked around us. It is wonderful how three generations have become so involved in what is essentially our lives.” The family business has customers from across the globe. In a world where the distance between the shop and its customers can feel awfully long, Sandström de Wit represents a contrast. If you are looking for that special something, they will find that piece for you. And if you are looking for that special something, which does not seem to exist yet, they will make it for you — and in a way that few will have experienced before. Web: www.sandstrom-dewit.se
Peter de Wit brings something calculated and almost mathematical to his jewellery designs.
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Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Carl Dagg
Three Carls turn rainy days into happy days If you are tired of cheap and nasty umbrellas, Swedish umbrella maker Carl Dagg may just be your solution. Three men from Sweden have made a business out of high-quality and good-looking umbrellas that will keep you dry in style when the rain is lashing down. By Sara Lind | Photos: Petter Brandt
Three Carls: Carl Samuelsson, Carl Cyrén, and Carl Markus Fougstedt. The first two met at Konstfack — Sweden’s largest university of arts, crafts and design, and they produce the umbrellas to both look good and be functional. And then there is Markus, as he is known, even if he is named Carl too. Together they are the force behind Carl Dagg. “Carl was a self-explanatory name for the company, but there had to be something else,” Fougstedt explains. “‘Dagg’ (dew) is a word we all like — it is a Swedish word for a sort of ‘soft’ rain, and is a poetic and nice-sounding word. And it goes well with our name.” Carl Dagg started to sell its first umbrellas in April 2017, after spending nearly two years designing and producing them. They went global right from the 22 | Issue 115 | August 2018
start, with Sweden being the company’s largest market for the first few months. Today, that position has been usurped by North America, although the UK is also a big market for Carl Dagg.
Carl Dagg’s umbrellas and its customer service is clear. “The umbrellas are made in Sweden using top-notch materials,” he says. “They are large, functional, and they will protect you properly from the rain. At the same time, they are good-looking. True Nordic design is based on simplicity and purity.”
But why umbrellas? “Umbrellas are usually gimmicky rubbish, shipped in enormous amounts from China and printed with some business name for cheap selling. They are undersized, ugly and are easily broken,” Fougstedt argues. He adds: “Think about it — very few people would wear plastic cufflinks branded with their local real-estate broker, would they?” Carl Dagg sells most of their umbrellas through their website, and Fougstedt assures that the buying process is smooth and easy, and always includes free shipping and returns. That he is proud of both
Web: www.carldagg.com
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | STEEL by Göhlin
Top left: Chair No 1, awarded the silver prize of Swedish Design Award 2017. Photo: Björn Wennerwald. Bottom left: Stool Circus with Green Tärnsjö leather at Hotel Esplendido, Mallorca. Photo: Björn Wennerwald. Right: Catrine Göhlin and the stool Circus. Photo: Oliver Andersson.
For the love of steel The concept of STEEL by Göhlin originated when founder Catrine Göhlin was renovating her house with the architect Pontus Lomar. During the project, it became clear that Catrine was looking for something unique. By Kristine Olofsson
“Lomar told me that I wanted furniture that didn’t exist, and encouraged me to come up with it myself,” she smiles. Catrine worked out the visual concept for a range of steel pieces, which Lomar then designed. STEEL by Göhlin was born, with a focus on quality steel and a love for Swedish craftsmanship.
Natural inspiration STEEL by Göhlin was founded around two and a half years ago, but the journey started many years earlier. Catrine’s father Erik established a local firm in Smålandsstenar, a small town in southern Sweden, which produced quality steel for industrial purposes. “My parents laid an important foundation with what they accomplished through their love for steel and craft,” Catrine explains. Growing up in a creative environment, it became natural for her to take the next step and explore her parents’ legacy.
“I’ve always created things, and with STEEL by Göhlin, I found something I was truly passionate about,” she says. The aesthetic of the furniture can be described as natural with clean lines — simple yet elegant. “I get my inspiration from nature,” Catrine admits. “It’s simple and effortless. The forest allows me to disconnect and soak up inspiration.” The timeless design makes the furniture perfect for any environment, from rustic country houses to luxury hotels.
The water wheel in our logo symbolises our driving force and the commitment from the people we work with, for whom I have so much respect and appreciation,” Catrine says and adds: “The encounters that take place between people are extremely important to me. The quality and the way we do things are essential – everything must be genuine. I would like to refer to my father who said that three things were important to him: to make what people want, to do it well, and to do it together with the right people. These are words that I also live by.” Chair No 1, Amber Brown & Black Charcoal. Photo: Björn Wennerwald
People with passion Honesty in production, quality and collaboration with knowledgeable people are key to STEEL by Göhlin, and Catrine explains that everything is connected to the area of Gnosjö, where all steel components are made. “Our furniture is 100 per cent Swedish and everything that goes into the production is locally sourced, from the materials to the craftsmanship.
Web: www.steelbygohlin.se Instagram: @steelbygohlin
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Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Guldsmed Stinne Holm
Facet ring with diamonds.
Shard studs.
Rock on white ring.
Stinne Holm.
Tectonic Bangle.
Thin facet ring gold diamond.
Edgy and unique jewellery handmade in Copenhagen Stinne Holm completed her apprenticeship as a goldsmith in 2004 and has had her own studio since 2010. Her style is Scandinavian with a raw urban touch, inspired by the district of Nørrebro in Copenhagen, where her studio is situated. She challenges women to find their own unique style and to not be afraid to stand out and be themselves. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Stinne Holm
“My customers are women who aren’t afraid to stand out and be a bit different. Most importantly, they are not afraid to be themselves. I like to lovingly push women to be a bit wilder than they intend to be. I want women to have the courage to have their own unique style and be themselves,” says Stinne Holm, goldsmith and designer. Holm completed her apprenticeship as a goldsmith in 2004 and was taught everything in a very ‘old-school’ way. She always knew, however, that she wanted to create more modern jewellery influenced by Scandinavian simplicity. “I’m inspired by my surroundings,” Holm says. “I grew up in the countryside, where I learned to appreciate precious metals 24 | Issue 115 | August 2018
and had access to a workshop, and my urban surroundings in Copenhagen also inspire me every day.”
Made with love and passion These days, it is common for designers to bring out collection after collection. Stinne Holm, however, is different. “I don’t really work with changing collections. My collection is growing constantly, but I also take things out, so that the collection does not become too big. I have classics I’ve made for years, but I like introducing new pieces and then taking out some of the old pieces,” Holm explains. Holm’s team consists of herself, another goldsmith and an apprentice. They all work in the studio in the district of Nørrebro in Copenhagen.
“Each and every piece of jewellery is made with love and passion. Everything is handmade, meaning that each piece is unique, and you won’t find two pieces that are the same,” Holm comments. “I don’t dream about having a big studio or of having my jewellery mass-produced. I like that my jewellery is handmade in Denmark, and I like that I get to design and make the jewellery myself. I think it would lose value if we had it mass-produced. And I like the idea that not everyone walks around with the same things. That’s also why I clean out the collection regularly and only make a limited number of each piece.” Holm adds: “It’s important to me that craftmanship goes hand-in-hand with the best materials and unique design. I work with 18-karat gold and silver, and always with high-quality diamonds. I’ve found my own style, and I’m not affected by trends. I always stay true to my own style.” Web: www.stinneholm.com Facebook: STHOgold Instagram: @stinneholmjewellery
Scan Magazine | Design Profiles | Swedish Footwear Club / De Små
The man, the myth and his shoes In the shoe capital of Varberg, Sweden, a group of people have created a brand that combines Swedish innovation and Portuguese leather. Swedish Footwear Club has created gentlemen’s shoes focusing on quality and craftsmanship – and it all started with one man and his cigarillo. In a designer-dense country like Sweden, it is no surprise that some of the most experienced people in the shoe industry ended up creating a brand that oozes sophistication. What is surprising, however, is the innovative sole and the details at the bottom of the shoe. And it all started with a man in his Porsche – Mr. Hugh Wish. “We saw him on a sweltering summer day, sipping a Bloody Mary and nursing a cigarillo. He looked like an old-school British chap; more so, he embodied pure sophistication. A real gentleman. We just had to say hello,” says Jan Lanai, spokesperson for the company. “He drove off in his Porsche and we said ‘that’s our guy – Hugh Wish’, and the rest is history.” Whether it is their classic No. 001 Black or the original all-green trainer No. 007
GREEN, the brand’s best feature is one that cannot be seen but is felt: a tailored sole with a design-patented pattern that combines comfort with style. The Chesterfield sole is hand-stitched and made of antibacterial foam layered with the best Portuguese leather. The lush, green sole is a staple in all the brand’s designs.
Their detailed sole is a combination of Swedish innovation and Portuguese leather.
By Vonnie Larsson | Photos: Super Studio
“It is important to us that our shoes breathe quality and craftsmanship,” says Lanai. Each shoe is designed in Varberg, hand-sewn in Portugal using premium leather, leading to great quality but also great love for the product – everything to make the ordinary man feel like a cigarsmoking, Porsche-driving and whiskeydrinking gentleman, without actually having to smoke a cigarillo.
Web: www.swedishfootwearclub.com Instagram: @swedishfootwearclub_sfc Facebook: swedishfootwearclub YouTube: Swedish Footwear Club
Knits for your little ones, made in Norway After buying a knitting machine to make clothes for her children, mother of three Britt-Eva Knutsen found there was a lot of interest in the clothes and realised she could make a living out of her lifelong hobby. By Synne Johnsson | Photos: De små
“I don’t really remember how long I have been knitting for. I think I learned to knit when I was about six or seven years old,” Knutsen recalls. “It was my mum who taught me, so I got the hobby from her.” In 2017, Knutsen started De Små (which translates as ‘the little ones’) — an online shop selling knitted clothes for children, hand-coloured yarn and a few knitting patterns, all made by Knutsen herself in her own home. The hand-coloured yarn she sells, which is currently her main focus, is ordered in from the UK undyed and, for each hank of yarn sold, 10 NOK (about 1 GBP) is donated to a primary school in Kenya. The clothes are made of 100 per cent merino wool, and while her hope is to eventually make all the clothes
from her own yarn, for now, she uses yarn bought in Norway for her own creations. “Everything is handmade and I put a lot of love and effort into the things I make, which makes the products quite unique and special,” Knutsen says. She does not deny, however, that the business takes up a lot of time and energy. “Nothing comes for free —
that’s what I tell myself when I get caught up in the everyday life of having three kids and work and everything,” she reflects. “But I love doing what I do and knitting is such great therapy. I think everyone who knits would agree with me.” She adds: “All the stress is worth it when I hear all the positive feedback and I see that people really like my products. It’s such a great feeling.” Web: www.desmaa.com Instagram: @de_smaa
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e Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design Scan
m he
GN I H IS DES e N Sp N Y FI ER L EL W JE l cia
T
Owner Sanna Leinonen with a large-scale model of her lollipop piece.
A leap of faith into sweet happiness When cancer stopped Sanna Leinonen in her tracks in 2009, she made the decision not to take life for granted. Nearly a decade later, her courage and determination have brought her new adventures, as well as a successful business, Elvari. From her pink workshop, she is spreading happiness in the form of sweet-shaped jewellery. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Satu Mali
In 2010, having taken time off from her career as a restaurant manager following a cancer diagnosis and treatment, Leinonen received two packs of modelling clay from her mother, who hoped that it would provide Leinonen with a nice, relaxing hobby. Those two packets, however, were just the beginning, as Leinonen’s new hobby quickly took on a life of its own. “Initially, I would only do abstract shapes and turn them into jewellery,” Leinonen explains. “My friends and colleagues quickly got interested, and one of them asked if I would make her an earring shaped like liquorice all26 | Issue 115 | August 2018
sorts. I wasn’t keen on the idea, but she persisted and I finally obliged, and posted a picture of the finished earrings on social media. Overnight, I received tens of messages from people who wanted to know where they could buy jewellery shaped like sweets — and the rest is history,” she laughs.
pink, and toured around Finland selling her sweet jewellery. The hobby soon became a job, and now Leinonen has a jewellery factory built in her backyard. Inside the factory, everything is painted pink — pink microwave, pink sofa and cushions, pink carpets and a pink fridge. “I love the colour pink; it brings me so much happiness,” Leinonen says. “When I sell my jewellery at stalls around the country, I always note how people are in such a rush, but when they walk past my stall, they often stop in their tracks and take a
A pink factory spreading joy For a while, Leinonen would make jewellery on her kitchen table, but, as her business grew, she soon realised that she needed somewhere bigger to work. She therefore bought a van, painted it
Lollipop and donuts.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design
moment to look at my pieces — and they always smile. That smile is what I want to capture. It’s a big reason behind why I keep doing what I do.” She adds: “Something draws people in when they see my jewellery. Maybe they see their favourite sweet from their childhood, or remember how their grandparents used to offer a particular sweet. Leinonen is the kind of person who decides to do something and will do whatever it takes to achieve it. “I’ve always been determined, but also incredibly stubborn. If you tell me to go left, I will most likely turn right,” she laughs. Her strong-mindedness is clearly paying off: Elvari jewellery is currently sold online, as well as by over 70 retailers in Finland, and business is booming.
Handmade pieces All of Elvari’s pieces contain Leinonen’s fingerprint because all the jewellery is
made by hand. “I want all my jewellery pieces to have been held in my hands and moulded by me,” Leinonen says. Working with polymer clay means that she can mix any colour and turn the jewellery into any sweet-like piece imaginable. “I find my work very therapeutic. It’s precise work, and some pieces are painted by hand. On a pair of popcorn earrings, for example, the kernels are hand-painted to mimic melted butter and unpopped kernels,” she notes. And where does the company name, Elvari, come from? “Elvari was my cat, and my companion while I was moulding the very first pieces of jewellery on my kitchen table. He would always jump on the table, and sleep next to me for as long as I worked, so I thought it was only appropriate to honour him,” Leinonen explains. Leinonen is now planning to take her jewellery to the rest of Europe. “I was
very ill and lying on my couch, and in my feverish hallucination, I had a dream of buying a caravan, painting it pink, and going on a European tour to see if I can sell my jewellery at craft fairs and markets,” Leinonen says. She lives and breathes a determination to not waste time, and to take chances — something which becomes obvious to anyone who listens to her story. “My cancer diagnosis forced me to look at life and to decide what is important. I’m acutely aware of the finiteness of life, and how we have to be brave and take a leap of faith. That’s what I did, and my story is one of survival, healing, and thriving. I hope I can inspire others, and spread happiness with my jewellery.” She adds: “You can never have too many smiles in life.” Web: www.elvari.fi Facebook: elvari Instagram: @elvarikorut
Liquorice allsorts necklaces.
Liquorice allsorts necklace and earrings.
Leinonen on her pink balcony.
Mini marshmallows.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design
Butterfly Collection.
Mala Beads.
Photo: Valentina Morales Buschmann Photography
Imbued with meaning Nature’s treasures, mythical tales and the beauty of asymmetry are all sources of inspiration for Finnish jewellery label Nikkotakko. The handmade pieces created by founder Katri Juva range from mala beads to collections that weave in the story of life, as told by wildflowers and butterflies.
adds connotations of endings as another part of life. Part of the proceeds from the Nikkotakko Butterfly collection, which is currently in the works, will go towards wildlife preservation.
By Johanna Iivonen | Photos: Nikkotakko
A design studio based in Finland’s Turku is the home of jewellery brand Nikkotakko, but its founder, Katri Juva, sources inspiration from far and wide. The Nordic interplay of darkness and light is one driving force, as are the colours of India and Buddhist beliefs. The stories behind each collection have proven popular. “Some clients turn up saying they don’t wear much jewellery, yet they find something,” Juva says. “I believe it’s the meaning behind each piece that appeals.” After a career spanning marketing management and healthcare, Juva rediscovered her creative roots after her son was born. “I just had to start creating,” Juva says. That desire to create led to the birth of Nikkotakko in 2013. The business takes its name from a word Juva’s young son made up for train tracks and, five years later, it has evolved into a playful 28 | Issue 115 | August 2018
line of handmade jewellery. “I like the idea of continuity, going from one place to another,” Juva explains. An element of continuity is also present in the label’s best-selling product, the Nikkotakko Mala Beads. According to Buddhist tradition, the 108 beads found in prayer beads are used in meditation. Juva believes that the popularity of her designs stems from the wide-reaching wellness trend. “Making the beads is like meditation for me,” she says. “I like the thought that they will later serve others in the same way.” The wildflowers of Finland’s meadows have inspired Juva to experiment with colour combinations, including with implanted petals. Butterflies are another source of inspiration. “If I were to name one species, it would be death’s-head hawkmoth,” Juva says. The skull theme
Giving and receiving is a recurrent theme for the business. Juva’s experience with hiring a recent immigrant as trainee was a success on many levels. “The trainee and I didn’t share a verbal language, but we shared the language of creating,” she explains. “We all learn from each other, different ways of doing things.”
Founder Katri Juva. Photo: Valentina Morales Buschmann Photography
Web: www.nikkotakko.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design
Nature’s inspiration.
Toive pendant. Photo: Anna-Liisa Nikus
Penny pendants. Photo: Anna-Liisa Nikus
Stories to cast Few materials stand the test of time like precious metals. Family heirlooms, from silver cutlery to rings, have traditionally been passed on from generation to generation. Finnish jewellery label EKORU gives the process a modern spin by reworking legacy items into personal adornments that carry memories in novel shapes. By Jo Iivonen | Photos: EKORU
Ecological concerns and a thirst for individualistic expression are reshaping consumer tastes in everything from cars to cosmetics, and jewellery is no exception. Finnish brand EKORU taps into this mega trend with its range of jewellery made from antique materials. “I’m interested in story-telling, sustainability and history,” says Laura Saarivuori-Eskola, who founded the business in 2006.
tie clips, all made of materials such as aged silver cutlery and antique coins – materials that automatically come with a story attached. The clean-cut lines reflect Finland’s deep-rooted design heritage, according to which less is more. “The thing about Finnish design is that it may look simplistic, but there’s actually a lot of skill and refined technique behind it,” Saarivuori-Eskola points out.
Over the last decade, EKORU has built a solid following among clients looking for jewellery worth more than its face value. “I love working with clients to uncover what’s meaningful for them,” SaarivuoriEskola explains. “With jewellery, you can send a message about what is important to you – my job is to turn the stories and memories into pieces of jewellery.”
Aside from the ready-to-wear collection, EKORU specialises in customised orders and its designs are not limited to jewellery. One more unusual request was a wall-fitted family tree, with embedded coins representing the birth years of an extended family. On another occasion, a client commissioned a necklace made out of their grandfather’s fishing lure. Inherited silver spoons remain the most common raw material for commissions, however, sometimes with requests to preserve engravings.
The label’s ready-to-wear collection includes recycling-inspired items, from necklaces and earrings to cufflinks and
Although precious metals are the backbone of EKORU’s current collection, Saarivuori-Eskola is open to experimenting with more unconventional materials and new product categories. Looking ahead, the EKORU line is likely to expand and evolve with time, yet the underlying principles remain the same. “Recycling is very important for me,” Saarivuori-Eskola summarises. “By doing what I do, I’m creating new from old – something that serves a purpose in the current time.”
Laura Saarivuori-Eskola, founder of EKORU.
Web: www.ekoru.fi
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design
Handmade and highly detailed jewellery “I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and being able to create something,” says Janne Alaranta, owner of Komeet Jewellery. Komeet is a one-man business in which Alaranta creates intricate, often custom-made jewellery with a clear focus on the small details.
excellent place to browse its creations, whilst its Instagram account provides a fun behind-the-scenes look into what it takes to craft a piece of jewellery.
By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Komeet Jewellery
“I started out with painting, but then I turned to metals and became a goldsmith, as I found the work with these materials fascinating,” explains Alaranta, who set up Komeet five years ago. He has since then created bespoke jewellery, all of which is handmade.
and am very inspired by it, and a lot of my work is based on animals,” he notes. “I don’t consider a skull to be something negative or scary. Instead, I view it as something that is a natural part of everyone. We all have one and it is beautiful, so I wanted to use it in my jewellery.”
He begins by making moulds out of wax, which are then filled with either gold or silver, and finished off by hand. When using titanium or zirconium, the carving is done straight into the metal. “Everything is very small, so I often feel my eyes getting a bit tired,” Alaranta says with a smile. “But at the same time, it’s the intricate details that make it special and it’s incredibly satisfying to work at that level.”
If you are looking for a unique, one-ofa-kind piece of jewellery, then Komeet is the perfect place for you. Alaranta receives many orders and frequently works with clients to create something that is bespoke. “I’m currently working on two wedding rings and have been in close contact with the client to ensure that they’re getting exactly what they wanted.”
A part of everyone Komeet’s pieces often depict skulls — a motif that Alaranta has been working with since the beginning. “I love nature 30 | Issue 115 | August 2018
Komeet Jewellery makes something that is slightly different and the level of detail on each piece is something to truly be admired. For those interested in finding out more, the company’s Etsy page is an
Web: www.komeet.fi Instagram: @komeetjewelry Facebook: komeetjewelry Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ KomeetJewelry
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design
Silvart founder Jenna Silvander.
Playful does it Pastel colours, sweets and forest creatures are among the sources of inspiration for entrepreneur Jenna Silvander. Her Silvart range of accessories and personal adornments has gone from strength to strength, proving that playfulness and practicality are a winning combination.
bags and rucksacks with our products,” she says. “And coming up next, I’m working on a hairband with attached pseudo-earrings.”
By Jo Iivonen | Photos: Tommi Waltzer Photography
Following double-digit sales growth this year, Silvander is looking to hire staff to keep up with demand. The business premises next to her home in Lohja are also being expanded, while the Silvart online shop is being expanded to better serve clients based outside of Finland. “You never know where the next source of inspiration will come from,” Silvander says. “These are exciting times.”
“Silvart specialises in creating feelgood jewellery,” says Jenna Silvander, a former nurse and mother-of-two, who created the business in 2015. Having discovered her craft after being introduced to clay in a creative workshop, Silvander quickly found her own style with Fimo, a polymer material that offers endless versatility and a huge range of colours to work with. “I just started experimenting and realised that I can make anything out of this material,” she explains. Clients immediately took to Silvart’s colourful designs, which incorporate everything from foxes to the shapes of sweets. Pastel-coloured sweet necklaces are among the Finnish label’s bestknown products, but keyrings have now emerged as another bestseller. Among them is a design inspired by the wild blueberries that grow in the forests around Silvander’s home base in Lohja.
“I’m hugely inspired by Finnish nature,” Silvander says. “And in my craft, I get to replicate the beauty of nature in a really tangible way.” Many of the designs certainly look good enough to eat, but a serious focus on practicality is equally important. Silvander, who gave up her nursing career to set up the business, has created a range of keyrings with first-aid themes to cater for healthcare staff who are limited to wearing uniforms at work. “I want to prove that practical products don’t need to be boring,” she says. “I’m also really inspired by the day-to-day demands of people’s jobs.” Being a mother of two young boys is evident in Silvander’s knack of creating designs that allow for children to express their creativity and personality. “A lot of kids like to accessorise their school
Web: www.silvart.fi
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 31
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design
Left: 750% Rose-gold, black plasma diamond coating on Damascus-steel, 1.01 ct radiant cut fancy greenish yellow diamond. Second from the left: Mount Finlandia ring. 750 Pd-white gold, 11*3,2-3,3mm sapphire set, 40*0.015 diamonds. Second from the right: 750% yellow gold, zirconium, laser engraving. Right: 316L steel pendant. 35*0.04 fancy color dimonds. Festive side.
Crafting luxury Striking designs and the use of unusual material combinations have made Petri Pulliainen’s wedding rings a favourite for those looking for non-conventional luxury jewellery. However, the combination of technical skill and artistic excellence are not limited to jewellery for the Finnish label that has set its sights on the wider luxury market.
so, he is following a model perfected by the likes of Hermes and Lamborghini. The former has built an entire luxury empire on its original craft of saddle making; the supercars of the latter hail from an Italian tractor-maker’s engineering expertise.
By Jo Iivonen | Photos: Mikael Pettersson
Relentless attention to detail underpins the work of Petri Pulliainen, a Helsinkibased jeweller and goldsmith known for his range of wedding rings with an edge. Over two decades of mastering his craft, Pulliainen has built up an expertise in high-precision metalwork that routinely incorporates laser engravings and precious stones. “Materials are the foundation of everything,” says Pulliainen. “The ability to get it done comes next.” “Fitting diamonds into stainless steel is one of our core areas of expertise,” Pulliainen explains. The use of Damascus steel, the rugged material traditionally found in Viking and Samurai swords, is another speciality, as are black rings made of materials like oxidised zirconium or PVD-coated steel. “It takes a lot of skill to fit diamonds into these kinds of mate32 | Issue 115 | August 2018
rials,” Pulliainen adds. “But the ultimate durability is among our key strengths.” Pulliainen has perfected his craft in wedding rings but an expansion into entirely new product categories is currently in the works. “High-end precision work and the use of exclusive materials are not limited to weddings rings, or even jewellery,” Pulliainen says. “These techniques and material combinations can be applied elsewhere to create luxury products, or to customise other objects.” The expansion into other luxury and ultra-luxury categories has not come by accident. Pulliainen has spent several years building and honing his contacts while analysing the market, in order to focus on areas where his technical expertise will add the most value. In doing
Finland has not produced many ultraluxury brands, but Pulliainen believes that the country’s deep-rooted artisan tradition puts Finnish labels at an advantage in the current climate. “We have a reputation for creating products that last – it’s like they’re made with a kind of ‘forever’ mentality,” he argues. “We’re also known as being honest and 100 per cent reliable, and those qualities are very important for the high-end luxury client.” High-precision metalwork. Photo: Nadi Hammouda
Web: www.petripulliainen.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design
Pieces of love
By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Sanna Hytönen
How do you turn an old silver coffee spoon into a ring, or half a pair of earrings into a pendant? Goldsmith Sanna Hytönen designs and manufactures wedding and engagement rings and other custom-made jewellery, and also carries out repairs. Ever since she was a child, Hytönen knew that she wanted to be a goldsmith. Today, her workshop is based in her home in Äänekoski, near Jyväskylä, Finland. There are no big machines — everything is handmade and Hytönen uses traditional methods. “Whether it’s a quick repair, or the design and manufacturing process of a custom-made piece, I treat every job with the same care and respect it deserves,” she says. The sky is the limit when it comes to jewellery design. Hytönen creates unique rings, often made from either customers’ own materials, by repurposing old jewellery, or cutlery. “Old gold or silver jewellery can be melted and turned into a whole new design, or the old jewellery pattern or size can be changed,” Hytönen explains. “An old, bent silver spoon can be repurposed
into a new and exciting ring, for example. This is recycling at its best.” Also a specialist in gemmology, Hytönen offers a jewellery research service. “I am fascinated by gemstones and love everything about them,” she says. “I am surrounded by love: wedding rings, mother-child jewellery, or a special piece that is getting a new lease of life.” She adds: “Jewellery is always given for, or carried around because of, love, and that makes my job very rewarding.”
Sanna Hytönen. Photo: Minna Ikonen Korsicreative
Flower pendant.
Engagement and wedding ring, made out of silver, gold and tourmaline.
Web: www.kultaseppasannahytonen. com Facebook: kultaseppasannahytonen Instagram: @goldsmithsannahytonen
Scandinavian simplicity Designed and handcrafted in Norway
www.freywood.no
@freywood.no Freywood
Kie Sølv, a Norwegian brand by Kie Sølv, a Norwegian brand by jewellery jewellery designer Kirsti Eriksen, designer Kirsti Eriksen, offers silver designs offers silver designs inspired by inspired by ancient techniques with a ancient techniques with a modern modern twist. The design is timeless and twist. The design is timeless and ment to fit both casual and formal. ment to fit both casual and formal.
Kie Sølv is available through an English Kie Sølv is available through an webshop and sells her jewellery worldwide. English webshop and sells her jewellery worldwide. www.kie.no
www.facebook.com/kiesolv
instagram: @kiesolv
Kie Sølv, a Norwegian brand by jewellery designer Kirsti Eriksen, offers silver designs inspired by ancient techniques with a modern twist. The design is timeless and ment to fit both casual and formal. Kie Sølv is available through an English webshop and sells her jewellery worldwide.
www.kie.no
www.facebook.com/kiesolv
instagram: @kiesolv
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design
Relieve nausea and vertigo with bracelets Ilkka Setälä met his wife in 2012. They both loved travelling, and even more so when their three children came along. There was a snag, however — Setälä’s wife began to experience bouts of dizziness after travel, and the couple’s children had problems with motion sickness when the family was on the move. They searched endlessly for a solution, but to no avail — until they discovered acupressure. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Neiguan
“When my wife became pregnant with our youngest child, she was introduced to acupressure to relieve her morning sickness and nausea,” Setälä recalls. “Finally, something worked and was drug-free. So we looked for a way to bring that to our everyday life, but nothing on the market was both high quality and easy to carry around. Eventually, we began to dabble with the development of a design bracelet that would not only look great, but also provide the optimal stimulation of the F6 acupressure point — known as the Neiguan point, within acupuncture — which worked for my wife and children.” In January 2018, the family launched their Neiguan® bracelet series. Acupressure works according to the same theory as acupuncture. Both forms of therapy have been used in China for more than 3,000 years. “In acupuncture, needles are inserted to stimulate the body’s neural pathways from within, prompting the release of neurotrans-
mitters into the bloodstream,” explains Setälä. “Acupressure is a non-invasive version of that, activating the pressure points from outside the body, without the need for needles.”
ral hematite stone, the bracelets are easy on the skin, completely natural, waterproof and antibacterial. And they look just as good as they feel. “It was really important to us that, firstly, the design was high-quality and not some flashy thing to be thrown away the next week, and, secondly, that it actually looked great too, so that people can actually wear them as part of their normal lives.”
Motion sickness, dizziness and many types of nausea are caused by a disturbance or misalignment between visual perception and the vestibular system in the inner ear. Neiguan® bracelets can help the body readjust during travel by boat or car, for example, but also after other shocks to the body, including as nausea relief as part of post-surgery, chemotherapy and pregnancy, as Setälä’s wife discovered. “The bracelets have been blind-tested and worked better than the placebos. We also provide a full 30-day return guarantee, so if they don’t work for you, you just return them.” The Neiguan® bracelets are durable and easy to wear for young and old alike. Made from food-grade-safe silicone and natu-
Web: www.neiguan.fi Instagram: @neiguan_official
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 35
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Focusing on Norwegian wool Wool from Norwegian wild sheep used to be thrown away and looked upon as waste. But now this wool has a new lease of life thanks to Karin Flatøy Svarstad, who has worked hard for 40 years to raise awareness about this unique and important resource. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Karin Flatøy Svarstad
Located in western Norway, with a base in Bergen but frequently travelling around, Karin Flatøy Svarstad’s work focuses on wool from wild sheep and other Norwegian sheep breeds in many different mediums. Known for her elegant woollen bird sculptures, her important work to highlight the use of this historic material began in 1995, when she was one of only a few to make use of it. “The wool from wild sheep has an airy and special quality, and its use goes back to the Viking Era. It is therefore great for yarn, which is how I mostly use it,” Svarstad explains. “Some of the wool is naturally coloured and some I colour by hand, and it results in beautiful knitting and weaving yarn.” As well as teaching farmers about different uses for this wool, Svarstad also raises awareness on an international scale through her initiative the North Atlantic Native Sheep and Wool Conference. Additionally, she runs Gallery Frøya and her own culture centre in Kalvåg and, if that 36 | Issue 115 | August 2018
were not enough, the thrifty and creative artisan is also in charge of Sommerakademiet, an association aimed at creating arts and cultural activities in the western parts of Norway, building networks, and facilitating cooperation and exchanges in arts, culture and crafts. “The academy is open every summer from spring until October, but we arrange trips throughout the year,” says Svarstad. “It takes place in the western parts of Norway, in connection with Shetland, Orkney Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland and the Hebrides. I wanted to create a meeting place for like-minded people,” she explains. “Wool is a common thread in everything I do, but I also have a close relationship with birds and nature, which are all great sources of inspiration for me,” Svarstad adds. “My next focus will be on seabirds and making people aware of using wool instead of plastic to help protect the environment.” In one recent art project, an art trail made with different international
artists, Svarstad brought wool into nature to create a colourful experience for the public. Svarstad’s passion for wool has also resulted in a yearly event called Ulluken, a festive week taking place in Hordaland and Rogaland, now in its fifth year. “Visit us in October to experience a great selection of exhibitions, courses and fun activities, all relating to wool and felting,” smiles Svarstad.
Karin Flatøy Svarstad.
Web: www.karinflatoysvarstad.com Contact: sa@somak.no Summer academy: www.sommerakademiet.com Ulluken: www.ulluken.no 19-28 October 2018
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norwegian Artisans
Learn traditional Norwegian crafts Raulandsakademiet offers over 60 courses in traditional Norwegian craftsmanship. If you are interested in learning a new craft technique, or simply want to freshen up on an old skill while meeting like-minded people, the popular course and activity centre in Rauland could be the place for you. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Raulandsakademiet
As Norway’s largest organiser of courses related to traditional Norwegian crafts, Raulandsakademiet has over 400 participants each year. “You can study everything from jewellery making, to upholstery, wood carving or sewing,” says course administrator Ann Mari Jore. With an extensive background in art, she is committed to helping others discover a similar passion for crafts. Whether it is learning about how to build traditional log houses or creating unique silver jewellery for the Norwegian national costume, the centre has people travelling from near and far to participate in its many courses. “Participants are often people interested in particular crafts, who lack a supportive community in their hometown. They therefore come to us to meet like-minded
artisans, and to learn more, discuss, work together, inspire each other and socialise,” Jore explains. She adds: “We are keen to have the best instructors and are therefore working hard to source experts from all over the coun-
try and from abroad for each field. It is important for us that people benefit from our courses and learn as much as possible.” Summer is the busiest time, with most courses lasting one week. During the rest of the year, the workshops are occupied by the local university, with a few courses arranged during autumn. For the full course calendar, please visit: www.visitrauland.com/ raulandsakademiet
Ann Mari Jore.
A Norwegian legacy for future generations In a studio and shop in Jølster, on the western side of Norway, Kari Astrup-Geelmuyden produces beautiful aprons to be worn with the bunad, the Norwegian national costume. She inherited the traditional expertise from her great-grandmother Engel Astrup, wife of the famous Norwegian painter Nikolai Astrup, who worked with textile prints. Once set to be forgotten, the traditional designs now live on for future generations to wear and enjoy.
and unique, she prefers to make one-of-akind items or small limited-edition series, ensuring the exclusivity of each product. Customers are encouraged to visit the shop, but Astrup-Geelmuyden also accepts requests and orders from customers with particular requirements.
By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Kari Astrup-Geelmuyden Kunst og Håndverk
Having discovered her great-grandmother’s legacy, Astrup-Geelmuyden researched traditional techniques and developed new linocuts from scratch. She always uses the same materials as Engel Astrup. The creative artist pours hours of work into each apron, producing exact replicas of the original aprons and Engel designs with exquisite details, and the demand for the products is steadily growing. Among the many customers is Queen Sonja of Norway, who picked up a couple of the aprons during her visit to the shop.
Though the majority of AstrupGeelmuyden’s time is now devoted to textile print, she also produces beautiful glass art and ceramics. Each product handmade
Web: www.kajsa.no Facebook group: Kajsas glass og keramikk Contact: kajsakari@hotmail.com
Kari Astrup-Geelmuyden’s products are all handmade and unique.
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 37
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norwegian Artisans
Wedding dress made of black reindeer leather.
Jutulskinn creates traditional clothing for modern people.
Jutulskinn tans skin in traditional and natural ways.
Traditional tanning for modern people In 2015, in the Norwegian mountain village of Vågå, artist Sofie Kleppe started up her own traditional tannery and sewing workshop, Jutulskinn. Here, she tans skin and sews it into beautiful products. By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Jutulskinn
Hunters from all over the world come to Jutulskinn with skin that they want to have turned into unique, personal products. Kleppe and her trainee Roni Öhman do everything, from the tanning of the skin to designing and sewing it into whatever their customers wish. “What we do is create modern products in traditional ways; for example, an alternative to high-tech hiking clothes,” Kleppe explains. She makes everything from lendbreski, which are traditional leather covered skis, to bags and clothes, and has also had more special requests. “One of the most interesting things we have been asked to make was actually a wedding dress from black reindeer skin,” she says. “We had to tan it and turn it into quality leather that we could use. After that, we had to design the dress and sew it together. It was a lot of fun,” she smiles. 38 | Issue 115 | August 2018
Everything Kleppe makes is 100 per cent organic and handmade. She picks the bark for tanning herself, from Scandinavian trees, and the skin, which is mainly from reindeers, comes from wild animals that have been hunted and would otherwise be left in nature to rot.
Kleppe points out that Jutulskinn is not just a job, but also a lifestyle. When asked what she likes the most about her profession, she finds it almost impossible to choose, but eventually settles on her love for the material she uses: “What I love about working with skin and leather is that each product has a long history and each is unique because it all comes from an animal.”
“Nature is so important for me and I focus a lot on the ethical aspect of production,” Kleppe says. “I work with natural methods and on nature’s premises, and I treat the skin properly and make it into durable products, in honour of the animals.” A big part of her work is teaching, and she offers courses on traditional tanning and sewing of skins. She also organises Jutulcamp, a camp where children learn to make their own products of leather, bone and wood in the same ways that she herself does.
Web: www.jutulskinn.no Facebook: jutulskinn
– Genuine experience Atlungstad Brenneri is situated beautifully on the lakeside of Mjøsa, Norway`s largest lake. The distillery was founded in 1855, and it is still making aquavit, the famous Norwegian potato spirit. Besides being a working distillery, we are also an industrial museum. In the summer period we are open daily for tours in the distillery where you can follow the process from ordinary potato till liquid, Norwegian Aquavit. We also offer tastes of aquavit after the tour.
Atlungstad Brenneri is open all year, and in addition to guided tours in the weekends during spring and autumn, we also offer meeting-facilities with lunch or dinner prepared by our chef using locally produced ingredients. We are proud to serve meals prepared with love and respect for locals as well as Norwegian products and heritage, and which compliments the aquavit. Atlungstad Brenneri Sandvikavegen 214 N-2312 Ottestad Norway Tel +47 62 33 00 55 e-mail post@atlungstadbrenneri.no
We are proud to welcome you to Atlungstad Brenneri to give you an experience that will last for a lifetime.
Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Copenhagen Street Food Reffen
Located in a beautiful old warehouse in Odense, Storms Pakhus offers a variety of food experiences, as well as events and creative stalls. Photo: Julian Group PR
Innovation and hygge – street food the Danish way Previously limited to the classic hotdog stand, street food has taken Denmark by storm, thanks to a wave of innovative, hip concepts. From gourmet pop-up stands, to music, art, innovation, and food from all over the world, Scan Magazine takes a look at three of the nation’s recently opened street-food markets. By Signe Hansen
In May 2014, seven food trucks in an empty warehouse marked the opening of Copenhagen Street Food on Papirøen (the Paper Island). Behind the market was the Julian Group, a team of dedicated food enthusiasts led by restaurateur Jesper Møller. “Copenhagen didn’t have a street-food market in the way most other cities had. We had a lot of beautiful restaurants and then there was the tradi40 | Issue 115 | August 2018
tional hotdog stand, but something in between was missing,” says Møller. “That’s why we decided to create a street-food market that was unpretentious, cheerful and cheap, both for the vendors and visitors. We wanted a market with a variety of international food, and we wanted it to be affordable for everyone to eat there and to run a stand. It was also a way of embracing the start-up scene in
Copenhagen and of giving entrepreneurs a chance to build up skills and experience before opening up on their own.” In 2017, after four successful years and 1.5 million visitors, Copenhagen Street Food on the Paper Island closed down. In May this year, the team behind it launched Reffen on Refshaleøen. This time, the scale was somewhat different, with 54 start-ups in the form of food stalls, bars, and creative workshops, open all year.
Odense’s street food Mecca Inspired by the new buzz of the capital’s street-food scene, in 2017, Julian Group established Odense Street Food in Storms
Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Denmark’s New Street Food Markets
Pakhus, a beautiful old warehouse close to the water. Like Reffen, Storms Pakhus combines food stalls and creative stalls, run by local entrepreneurs. “We want it to be run by locals because most people love the city where they’re from and that means that they engage themselves more. Passion is a very important thing in street food,” says Møller. The stands include a wide offering of food experiences, such as crispy Vietnamese spring rolls, juicy American-style burgers, authentic Mexican tacos, Italian pizzas and, of course, open sandwiches from Denmark. On top of this, there are a number of creative stalls that offer everything from upcycling design to tattoos. “You can go on a gastro-safari in the Pakhus or go to the barber shop and get a haircut while enjoying a cold beer,” Møller explains. Like Reffen, Storms Pakhus also hosts a number of concerts and other events, Wrap from Sides at Reffen.
Bingo Storms Pakhus. Photo: Julian Group PR
which are open for everyone. While the markets are large and full of different experiences, however, the atmosphere remains intimate and relaxed, and that is
Opening hours (all year): The food stalls: Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm Friday – Saturday: 11am – 10pm
Storms Pakhus – Odense Street Food
The bars:
Address: Storms Pakhus, Seebladsgade 21, 5000 Odense
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 11pm Friday – Saturday: 10am – 2am Sunday: 10am – 1am
Stalls: 24 street-food stalls, six bars and seven creative workshops – all run by local entrepreneurs. Area: 3,000 square metres Awards: The Nordic region’s leading gourmet guide White Guide rated Storms Pakhus as in the top ten of the best street food/takeaway concepts in Denmark 2017–18. Destination Fyn Klyngen, Funen’s Tourism Industry Award – ‘Årets Skulderklap’. The weekly newspaper Ugeavisen Odense’s award ‘Årets Spire 2017’
How to get there: Odense is Denmark’s third largest city, 1.5 hours from Copenhagen Central Station by train. Storms Pakhus is only five minutes’ walk from Odense Central Station, and five minutes’ walk from the Harbour Bath.
Web: www.stormspakhus.dk Facebook: stormspakhus Instagram: @stormspakhus
Potato smørrebrød from Palægade Smørrebrød at the Bridge Street Kitchen.
Sundae ice-cream from Dessertboden at the Bridge Street Kitchen.
Denmark’s three new street-food markets are bursting with taste experiences from all over the world. Photos: Brandis Brandsdottir
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 41
Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Denmark’s New Street Food Markets
Photo: Martin Kaufmann
Photo: Martin Kaufmann
The Bridge Street Kitchen presents some of Copenhagen’s best restaurants, and chefs’ individual takes on street food. Photos: Julian Group PR
no coincidence according to Dan Husted, the creative director of Julian Group, who designed both markets. “We’ve created a number of small corners and rooms within the main space, where people can be private but still part of the market. Quite often, guests say it feels like being at a festival, because there is so much to taste and look at — the stalls, performing artists and, of course, all the other visitors. Food markets are a great place for people watching.” The concept has been awarded a number of prizes, including one by the Nordic region’s leading gourmet guide White
Guide, which rated Storms Pakhus among the top ten best street food/takeaway concepts in Denmark.
Gourmet street food Like Storms Pakhus in Odense, Reffen is located in an old industrial area by the water. The design of the market is inspired by the local history, as well as a focus on sustainability and recycling. At Reffen, this has resulted in a ‘raw’ feel, with old, colourful shipping containers and benches made of 100-year-old wood recycled from a nearby building. Every stall is designed by the stallholder so that it fits the individual concept and
food. “At Reffen, we have 16 different nationalities and this is reflected in the design of the containers. Whether it’s an organic juice truck, Peruvian ceviche stall, Italian organic polenta truck, a Romanian BBQ stall or a Danish sausage truck, they are like small postcards from all over world,” Husted says. “We’ve also made an area with sand, a stage, deck chairs and a view of the water, so our guests can enjoy that beach Opening hours (all year): All week: 11am – 10pm GRØD and The Coffee Collective: Monday – Friday: 8am – 10pm Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 10pm
Broens Gadekøkken (The Bridge Street Kitchen) Address: Strandgade 95, 1401 Copenhagen K Stalls: Around 17 stalls, as well as changing pop-ups by chefs from all over the world. Regular stalls include: Pal’ Pueblo by PMY, Gasoline Grill, MAK-CIK by IBU, California Kitchen, Dessertboden, The Coffee Collective, GRØD, Palægade Smørrebrød, Kejser Sausage, Pizza Bro, Jacob & Jakob Ice Cream, The Organic Boho and Glød.
42 | Issue 115 | August 2018
How to get there: The Greenlandic Trade Square is connected to Nyhavn via the bridge Inderhavnsbroen, and located a ten-to15-minute walk from Kgs. Nytorv and Christianshavn Metro Stations.
Web: www.thebridgestreetkitchen. com Facebook: Broensgadekoekken Instagram: @broensgadekoekken
Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Denmark’s New Street Food Markets
feeling with some nice food, a beer in hand and great tunes from the DJ.” A more understated market environment has been created in the capital’s other new market, Broens Gadekøkken (The Bridge Street Kitchen). A collaboration between the team behind Reffen and some of the owners of the Michelin-starred restaurant Noma, the market offers a number of street-food kitchens and bars. The food stands are carefully selected and include Pal’ Pueblo by PMY, which serves ceviche and empanadas, and Palægade Smørrebrød, serving classic Danish open sandwiches. “We are very honoured to be working with some of the owners of Noma on this market,” says Møller. ”While the other markets aim to give start-ups a chance to practise and get experience, this is the place where top professional chefs can give their take on street food.” The market also hosts a number of pop-up stalls by visiting international chefs. Miss Piggi’s GourmetBurger.
Reffen
Opening hours:
Location: Refshaleøen, Refshalevej 167 A, 1432 Copenhagen K Stalls: 54 start-ups including food stalls, bars and creative workshops.
May – September (plus w/c 15 October and w/c 11 February, the autumn and spring school holidays), open all week, including bank holidays
Area: 6,000 square metres
Food stalls: 11am – 9pm Creative workshops: 12pm – 8pm
Getting there: Refshaleøen is connected to Copenhagen Central Station by bus 9A. The island can also be reached via waterbus routes 991 and 992, which sail regularly between downtown Copenhagen and Refshaleøen, as well as by the hop-on-hop-off tourist boats. In the evening, you can take Stromma evening transfer from Nyhavn to Reffen every half hour from 6.30pm. The trip takes about 15 minutes and the ticket (50 DKK — around 6 GBP) includes a free beer or a soft drink in one of the Reffen bars.
The Meatball Show.
Bars: Sunday – Thursday: 10am – 10pm Friday – Saturday: 10am – 12am October – March, weekends only (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Food stalls: 11am – 9pm Creative workshops: 12pm – 8pm Bars: 10am – 10pm
Web: www.reffen.dk Facebook: Copenhagen Street Food – Reffen Instagram: @reffen_copenhagenstreetfood
Reffen Enchanted Ataraxia.
Reffen is also the home of several young entrepreneurs working with sustainability and upcycling. Photos: Martin Kaufmann
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 43
Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | FAFAS
Fast food with a fresh twist When Doron Karavani opened the first Fafa’s in 2011, he had no idea that his concept of a fast food place that sells freshly made falafels and pita breads would one day grow into a large franchise. Yet, having started on the streets of Helsinki, the concept is now spreading to the rest of Europe. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Fafa’s
The first Fafa’s, located on the trendy Iso Roobertinkatu in the centre of Helsinki, is still as busy as when it first opened its doors. Although there are several places selling international food in the city, Karavani felt that something was missing. Having dabbled in various professions, he came upon the idea of opening a fast food restaurant. “When we first started, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do. But the business idea grew along with the business itself,” Karavani admits. “At the end of our first week of trading, we would often sell out of ingredients before closing time, and there 44 | Issue 115 | August 2018
would be people queuing all the way up the street. So I knew I was onto something special, and we quickly opened new outlets.” Fafa’s currently has 24 restaurants throughout Finland and overseas — with that number set to be close to 40 before the end of the year.
A fusion of flavours Fast food is often associated with greasy spoons and microwaved, pre-packaged foods, but Fafa’s does things differently — it is all about a unique atmosphere, good food from fresh ingredients, and great people. Besides its trademark falafels
and pita breads with various accompaniments, Fafa’s also serves other quality fast food, such as kebabs and salads. “I want to combine different ingredients and flavours,” Karavani explains. “I noticed that Finns like creamy textures and flavours, so I started mixing pesto and goats cheese, and Kalamata paste with feta. All the flavours complement each other — and it clearly works, because people keep coming back for more.” Part of Fafa’s uniqueness is that, despite having evolved into a chain franchise, each restaurant has its own vibe. “The employees are a big factor in creating the atmosphere, and I’m very proud of the people who make Fafa’s what it is — a place where diners want to come to enjoy good food. Fafa’s has been chosen as the best street food restaurant in Helsinki several times and we have a
Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Fafa’s
large and loyal client base. We were also mentioned in the 2015 Joe Warwick book Where Chefs Eat: A Guide to Chefs’ Favorite Restaurants,” Karavani says. Not wanting to put a particular label on what his restaurant is, Karavani describes Fafa’s as casual street food, serving up a fusion of flavours. Originally from Israel, Karavani has brought flavours from his childhood into Fafa’s menu. Throughout the Middle East, falafel is a common street food and, in recent years, has become very popular amongst vegetarians and vegans throughout Europe. “It was a case of being in the right place at the right time,” Karavani says. “Part of our success is due to our simplicity and authenticity.” All of Fafa’s dishes are made from scratch — including soaking the chickpeas from
which the falafel and hummus are made. The food is cooked to order, and Karavani likes the fact that the food is prepared in front of the customer, from fresh ingredients. “We use our own recipes for our hummus, chilli sauce and falafels, for example. Everything is cooked by hand and we don’t serve mass-produced foods made by machines,” he says.
The falafel takeover With new restaurants opening this year in Finland, Fafa’s is also extending its reach into the rest of Europe. A new restaurant recently opened in Tallin, Estonia, with London, Stockholm and Holland set to follow suit in the near future. “The biggest man was once a baby,” Karavani laughs. He started his company from nothing and could never have dreamed that his idea would one day flourish into such a big
business. “Fafa’s is a brand that was not meant to be a brand. But I had — and still have — a good team behind me, helping me along this journey. There is no other pita and falafel chain on a global scale, and we are clearly filling a void,” he says. He adds: “Ultimately, Fafa’s is about good, simple, authentic food. We value our fresh ingredients, and serving exceptionally good falafels and other Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. Our restaurants are welcoming and the atmosphere makes our customers feel like they can enjoy themselves. It’s easy to be proud of this company — which I am, infinitely — and I want our originality to spread elsewhere for people to enjoy.” Web: www.fafas.fi
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 45
Scan Magazine | Holiday Feature | Enjoy Resorts
Gråsten Resort.
Dream holidays on your doorstep It is a truth that is alas universally acknowledged that this summer’s glorious, scorching Danish weather will not last forever. Inevitably, the wheel will turn towards colder, windier and rainier days, and we will all be back at our jobs, dreaming of a little luxurious holiday away. Luckily, southern Jutland’s Enjoy Resorts has your back, whatever your travel desires. Situated in the beautiful nature of Rømø and Gråsten, they are host to 366 holiday homes and everything that goes with them, including Denmark’s largest luxury wellness centre. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Enjoy Resorts
“We’ve truly got something to offer everyone and every generation,” says sales and marketing manager Jesper Aalund Olsen. “We’re very proud of that fact – it’s always great fun to see three generations of families here, spending time together but also having the space and option to go off on their own. Whether they’re here with partners, friends, children or on their own, people can do exactly what they want. The resorts each have a restaurant, but the houses also have fully 46 | Issue 115 | August 2018
equipped kitchens; there are activities that are great for the whole family, and you can go off and treat yourself to a massage on your own. We know people really value that flexibility.”
Explore from home With centres by the town of Gråsten and the Wadden Sea island of Rømø, Enjoy Resorts has done rather well for itself. The 4,000-strong town of Gråsten is one of Denmark’s prettiest, located by the
sea just north of the German border and housing the royal family at the elegant rococo-style Gråsten Castle every summer. The castle gardens are open and renowned for the late Queen Ingrid’s flower garden, which itself is open to the public whenever the royal family is not in residence. The area is also ripe with visitor attractions, including Dybbøl and Danfoss Universe science park. Though many go by car, trains will take you in and out of Gråsten, making it easy to explore the area. Many never make it that far, however, largely due to the draw of both resorts’ waterparks and wellness centres. In Gråsten, penthouse flats with great views of the fjord face the resort’s own Fiskenæs Marina, where guests can moor their own boat if needed. Most of the houses, however, are larger, modern
Scan Magazine | Holiday Feature | Enjoy Resorts
versions of classic beach cottages containing four bedrooms each and all the amenities necessary for a stress-free and flexible holiday. The spacious houses are wooden and painted in bright colours, giving the lovely impression of an overgrown Astrid Lindgren village. The Rømø houses are modern and luxurious. Booking a holiday at either resort provides access to the resorts’ many facilities.
Roaming, rest and relaxation Rømø, on the western side of Jutland, features one of the best and longest beaches in Europe and land-based nature to match. “I feel very lucky to work in these beautiful surroundings,” Olsen admits, standing by the resort’s restaurant on Rømø and looking out towards the sea. “The Wadden Sea is simply amazing.” The UNESCO world heritage site has been designated a nature reserve thanks to its teeming wildlife, which ranges from bountiful wild oysters ripe for the picking in the autumn to Denmark’s busiest bird migration destination in the autumn and spring. A large
Rømø Resort.
population of common seals can also be found frolicking in the waves alongside surfers for most of the year. People aching for a relaxing time away ought to take a leaf out of the seals’ book and head to Rømø. Aside from the natural wonders, the island features a range of activities to bring you out of the rut of daily life, though Rømø also contains a conference centre, proving that business and pleasure do go hand in hand. “We have a proper 18-hole links course as well as a good practice nine-hole course where anyone can test out their golfing skills, regardless of experience,” says Olsen. “Adrenaline junkies can head to the beach, where they can experience speeds up of to 70 kilometres per hour riding wind-powered vehicles along the 14-kilometre beach.” The most popular part of the resort, however, is decidedly not adrenalineprovoking. Denmark’s largest wellness centre is spread over 2,600 square metres, with plenty of smaller rooms and areas to
Rømø Resort.
let you find your own private nook to space out in. You would need to book about five weeks there in order to try out every service, treatment and facility. Apart from standards such as saunas and Jacuzzis, they include six pools of varying temperature and salt levels, three different types of foot massage canals, several massage showers, tropical rainfall and a relaxing atrium garden – and that is just the facilities. Treatments range from fish spas and steaming cupboards to classic massages, facial treatments and mani-pedis. Many of the facilities and treatments can also be found at the wellness centre in Gråsten, which, though smaller, still spans 1,900 square metres. Frankly, if you are not fully relaxed and full of new experiences at the end of your stay, then you may have no one but yourself to blame. Web: www.enjoyresorts.dk Facebook: enjoy.resorts.romo and enjoy.resorts.marina
Gråsten Resort.
Jesper Aalund Olsen.
Gråsten Resort.
Rømø Resort.
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 47
Scan Magazine | Businesss Feature | World Water Week
World Water Week’s new home from 2019 – Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
A venue for water As the problems concerning access to water increase, so too do the possibilities for solutions. World Water Week, convened by Swedish International Water Institute (SIWI), is encouraging the private sector to take on a larger role as the forum moves to the modern multi-purpose stadium, Tele2 Arena. Driven by experiences and perspectives from all over the world, the forum provides an opportunity for groundbreaking ideas and actions, focussed on one of today’s most difficult challenges. By Hanna Stjernström | Photos: World Water Week
Did you know that, according to the 2030 Water Resources Group, the demand for water is expected to exceed supply by around 40 per cent by 2030? Such a scenario would leave nothing and no one unaffected. The problem is further highlighted by the current water scarcity that leaves over two billion people living in countries with high water stress. “Access to fresh water is one of the world’s biggest challenges,” says Gabriela Suhoschi, director of World Water Week and Prizes at SIWI. The challenges with water and the effects of the changing climate have been particularly notable over the past few months. “Scandinavia has had the 48 | Issue 115 | August 2018
warmest summer in 260 years, with a lack of substantial rain since May,” Suhoschi notes. “And, although we are a water-rich region, this has led to a situation that we are not used to or prepared for.” The consequence, she stresses, is that we must change our relationship with water.
Water, ecosystems and human development However, there is hope. World Water Week is an annual forum dedicated to gathering experts, decision-makers and young professionals with the aim of developing solutions for water-related challenges. This year’s event marks the 28th in a row,
and will address water, ecosystems and human development, taking place 26–31 August in Stockholm, Sweden. SIWI built the foundation for World Water Week in 1991, with three water-themed and interlinked events: The Stockholm Water Festival, which celebrated water; the Stockholm Water Symposium, which focused on global water challenges; and the Stockholm Water Prize, which was awarded in recognition of exceptional achievement by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. With time, the festival and symposium have evolved into World Water Week, which has, in parallel with the increasing magnitude of water-related challenges, raised the voice of driven and passionate providers of solutions and innovations from all over the world. “We are creating a collaborative and inclusive learning experience,” says Suhoschi, highlighting that the main focus is on promoting
Scan Magazine | Businesss Feature | World Water Week
greater awareness and discussions. The event has engaged more people every year, receiving increasing attention globally, and its organisers have now decided to take the next step.
One drop at a time Last year marked the beginning of a new chapter as the event included showcases for the first time, to encourage organisations to share their experiences and perspectives on water. As the event has continued to grow and increase engagement, it has been a natural step to move to Tele2 Arena, enabling organisers to invite and include more organisations. “The venue will offer new opportunities for partners, more space for exhibitors and more networking opportunities,” Suhoschi explains, adding that the goal, in coming years, will be to create a World Water Week village. Next year’s event will
be the first to be held at Tele2 Arena in Stockholm — a move that represents one small step for World Water Week, and possibly a giant step for Earth. As Scandinavia is approaching the end of one of the warmest summers in centuries, it has become clear that water security is decreasing. World Water Week urges more industries in the private sector to get involved in the discussion. “We would like to see a higher representation from the high water-use sectors over coming years — such as industry, energy, agriculture, food, and the private sector generally. We also invite the innovation and technology community, which is particularly strong in this part of the world, to get involved,” Suhoschi says. The new venue offers endless possibilities to build bridges between industries, communities, young professionals and experts,
which is vital in order to reach a holistic conversation. “We want to bring together both high water users and those who can contribute to solutions,” she says, adding: “We need to act now — tomorrow might be too late.” World Water Week in numbers 3,300+ registered participants 1,300+ participating organisations 250+ sessions 125 countries Two honourable awards
For more information, please visit: www.worldwaterweek.org www.siwi.org Or contact: rowena.barber@siwi.org, external relations
H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden with the 2017 Stockholm Junior Water Prize winners, Team USA – Rachel Chang and Ryan Thorpe.
Swedish astronaut and member of Sweden’s Royal Academy of Science, Christer Fuglesang, during the opening of World Water Week 2017.
The arena floor in Tele2 Arena will incorporate Swedish minimalist design and use sustainable materials.
Cross-sector collaboration is key to the event’s success.
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 49
Scan Magazine | Wellness Feature | DeepSeaPharma
White spots on the retina
Layers of pigmentation, section of the yellow spot
Photoreceptor cells
Normal retina
The “yellow spot”
Optic nerve
Tests show that 62 per cent of participants taking food supplements such as Ophtamin experience a reduced blinding effect from oncoming cars.
Better sight for longer A deterioration in eyesight is one of the many things which are commonly accepted as an unavoidable part of ageing. There are, however, ways to help protect the eyes. One of them is to make sure your diet has plenty of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Both are included in the Ophtamin food supplements, developed by Danish company DeepSeaPharma. By Signe Hansen | Photos: DeepSeaPharma
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, or yellow pigments, which naturally occur in the human eye, where they form a protective barrier in front of and between photoreceptor cells. The density of the yellow pigment and its protective effect depend partly on the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin we consume through our diet. By combining zinc, vitamins C and E, and lutein and zeaxanthin, DeepSeaPharma’s three Ophtamin products therefore increase the likelihood of maintaining fully functional eyesight for as long as possible. ”We live in a time where we’re exposed to a lot of blue light from, for instance, mobile phones, computers and LED lights. You can compare the effect of the pigment with sun lotion; if the layer is too thin, it’s like wearing a too low 50 | Issue 115 | August 2018
SPF and some of the eye cells are damaged,” explains Kristian Andersen from DeepSeaPharma. “The damaged cells cluster together with fat and protein, creating white spots on the retina.” Since the body cannot produce lutein and zeaxanthin, it is important to get at least six milligrammes a day in order to maintain healthy eyesight. Acting as antioxidants in the body, the carotenoids are predominantly found in green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, but studies have shown that food supplements such as Ophtamin can also help increase the pigment density by up to 82 per cent when taken regularly for a period of two years (the case study was conducted with 521 participants and published in
MedCrave, 2017). “The study showed that as the pigmentation increased, so did the test subject’s contrast sensitivity,” Andersen says. “And for 62 per cent of participants, the blinding effect of oncoming cars was also reduced, resulting in safer night vision.” Facts: Ophtamin Lutein + Omega 3 contains: zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3 and 12 milligrammes lutein/ zeaxanthin. Ophtamin Krill is the latest product in the Ophtamin range and has the same ingredients as Ophtamin Lutein + Omega, but with the omega-3 fish oil replaced by krill oil, which is easier for the body to absorb and brings more pigments into the retina. Ophtamin 20: Ophtamin 20 also contains a high dosage of zinc.
Web: www.eyecare.dk and www.ophtamin.dk
Morris tables and other nice new classics to accompany the ones you already have. Designed and made by habitek in Finland since 2005
www.habitek.fi
Scan Magazine | Wellness Feature | Nicus Nature
Left: With its beautiful, shallow water coastline and many small islands, the archipelago of South Funen is perfect for kayaking. Top right: As a keen water sports enthusiast, Dane Nicolai Ilcus loves to share his passion for kayaking, SUP and spear fishing.
Paddle through the summer Kayaking, stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding and spear fishing — there is more than one way to explore the beautiful archipelago of South Funen. Local water-adventure company Nicus Nature offers a broad range of courses, as well as equipment rental. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Nicus nature
Few areas of Denmark are more beautiful than the archipelago of South Funen and, if you ask kayak enthusiast and founder of Nicus Nature, Nicolai Ilcus, there is no better way to explore it than by gliding from island to island in a kayak. “There’s something about being on the water, the peace and the meditative rhythm, that does something special to you. And exercise-wise, it’s not necessarily a high-intensity sport, so everyone can take part on some level.” Ilcus adds: “That’s the good thing about kayaking — you can take it nice and easy, bring a thermos and chill with a cup of coffee and your feet in the water, or you can give it full power through the waves of the west coast.” Having been a keen water sports enthusiast for decades, Ilcus has explored 52 | Issue 115 | August 2018
many parts of the world in a kayak. In the late 1990s, his sport took him to Canada, where he studied to become an adventure travel guide. Upon his return to Denmark in 2000, he set up Nicus Nature, offering kayaking courses and rental on Tåsinge, a small island in the archipelago of South Funen. “The calm shallow water here is perfect for kayaking,” he
says. “You don’t have to do a course to rent our equipment, but can go straight out within a set area along the coastline. But, if you do a course, it’ll allow you to go further on your own — there are lots of shelters, camp sites and B&Bs on the islands of the archipelago, and taking a couple of days to kayak from island to island is an extraordinary experience.” Today, Nicus Nature also offers courses in stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding and spear fishing, as well as physical and online shops that sell equipment for all activities mentioned. Nicus Nature is located in Vindbyøre, on Tåsinge — a small island connected to the town of Svendborg by bridge. The company offers courses and classes in kayaking, SUP and spear fishing for both individuals and groups.
Web: www.nicusnature.com
Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | Søby Brunkulsmuseum
Explore the history of Denmark’s brown gold Søby Brunkulsmuseum (brown coal museum) offers a peek into the dangerous work and lives of Denmark’s brown-coal workers. It also tells the intriguing story of how the previously inconsequential brown-coal industry became pivotal in providing Danes with fuel and work during the Second World War. By Sigen Hansen | Photos: Søby Brunkulsmuseum
At its peak, Denmark’s brown-coal industry employed more than 6,000 manual workers, of which 2,000 worked at the Søby mine. Chairman of the museum board, and author of the book Det Brune Guld (the brown gold), Jan Svendsen explains: “Due to the high level of unemployment in the 1930s, the Danish government legislated that all coal digging should be carried out manually to create more jobs. It was done in open pits and the risk of collapsing walls made it a very dangerous occupation.” Over nearly two decades of manual mining, more than 100 people died in the industry. Despite the dangers and hard labour, however, many unskilled workers appreciated the performance-paid work. “More 6 2_1_Canodal_Advert_May_2014.qxp:Layout
140,-
/week
than 1,000 people lived in the barracks onsite and another 1,000 in the surrounding area,” Svendsen explains. “It was hard work and most people didn’t expect to be doing it for more than a few months or years so were willing to accept the rather squalid living conditions.” When the law on manual work was repealed in 1954, however, the mining community quickly dissolved, leaving nothing but a ghost town. Today, visitors can enjoy guided tours around the old barracks, exhibitions with both photos and text, and the beautiful landscape around the pit lakes. Web: www.brunkulsmuseum.dk 29/4/15
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At Søby Brunkulsmuseum, visitors can explore the life and work of Denmark’s brown-coal miners.
Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | The Sami Cultural Centre Sajos
A versatile cultural centre in Sápmi The contemporary Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos certainly stands out, and not only for its striking architectural design. Sajos provides fascinating information about the Sámi as Finland’s indigenous people, and the largest events venue in northern Lapland is also an attractive meeting venue with state-of-the-art technology. By Malin Norman | Photos: The Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos
Sajos, located in Inari, on the southern bank of river Juutua in the northern part of Finnish Lapland, is the centre of culture and administration for the Sámi in Finland, Here, visitors can take a journey into the living culture of Europe’s only indigenous people. The building’s purpose is to create better conditions for the Sámi in Finland, and for them to be able to preserve and develop their language, culture and business activities, as well as cultural selfgovernment. The building houses the Sámi Parliament (Sámediggi), which is 54 | Issue 115 | August 2018
the highest political organ for the Sámi in Finland, and other Sámi organisations.
birch and pine, all of which express Sámi culture. Sajos was the winning proposal of a competition. Both architectural concept and interiors are by HALO architects from Oulu — a young team inspired by Scandinavian architects and design icons such as Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen.
Contemporary architectural design
The word Sajos comes from the Inari Sámi language and means ‘a place where people stay for a while’. Fittingly, Sajos is a sustainable construction, with low energy consumption. The building’s shape is inspired by a reindeer’s hide and its form also takes inspiration from Sámi handicrafts and reindeer herding, one of the traditional livelihoods.
Completed in 2012, the remarkable reinforced concrete building definitely belongs in the modern world, with wood elements both on the exterior and interior from local trees such as spruce,
Eight organisations work in the building, including the Sámi archives, a library, and the Sámi educational institute’s classrooms and offices. It also includes
“At our centre in Sajos, you can learn all about the Sámi people and culture, and about the Sámi Parliament and how it works,” says marketing manager Katariina Guttorm.
Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | The Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos
the parliament hall, an auditorium with capacity for in-house cinema theatre and concerts, with interpretation facilities, a multipurpose hall, meeting rooms, a café, and a recording studio with editing facilities.
State-of-the-art facilities Sajos is not only contemporary and impressive in its visual expression and atmosphere, but it is also the largest conference and events venue in northern Lapland. Excellent conference amenities and high-end technology go hand in hand with genuine, living Sámi culture. The centre offers a high international standard for meetings, training events, and conferences with up to 500 partici-
pants, including interpretation into four languages. With state-of-the-art lighting and sound, the premises are also perfect for concerts, theatre, exhibitions and fairs, and for private occasions such as weddings. In addition, Restaurant Caiju is located on the first floor next to the lobby and conference rooms, and also provides special packages with catering. With its unique setting in the heart of Arctic nature, Sajos engages all the senses, and the far north is the perfect setting for learning and experiencing at a tranquil pace. The area of Inari offers a wide variety of activities, such as hiking and kayaking, but there are also plenty of opportunities for relaxation. Guttorm emphasises the attractiveness of the destination as a
meeting venue. “Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, we are surrounded by untouched nature and it’s very quiet here, which is fantastic for company meetings and events,” she says. Sajos is conveniently located half an hour from Ivalo Airport, which is just over an hour’s flight from Helsinki. There are plenty of accommodation options within walking distance in the village of Inari, ranging from cosy cottages to quality hotels. Web: www.sajos.fi Facebook: sajosculturalcentre Twitter: @SajosInari Instagram: @sajosculturalcentre
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 55
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Alicia Vikander
56 | Issue 115 | August 2018
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Alicia Vikander
Alicia Vikander
Hollywood’s favourite badass In five years, she has gone from art house to a-list. Swedish actor Alicia Vikander talks to Louise Gannon about transforming her body to play Lara Croft, her unhappy life as a child ballerina, and her interesting journey via London, to where she is now. Text and photos: Louise Gannon / The Telegraph / The Interview People
In the luxury apartment of a West End hotel, the Oscar-winning actor Alicia Vikander is not quite feeling herself. “This makes me feel very small and a bit overwhelmed,” she says, nodding towards the spacious sitting room furnished with embroidered sofas and hand-painted armoires. “This is really not who I am.” She opts to sit on a stiff dining chair, pulling it up close to the table, and she does look quite small. Her possessions – largely books and casual clothes – barely take up half of one of the many wardrobes in the apartment, which is her home for a week during the promotion of her latest film, Tomb Raider. The only exception to this frugality is a large double-banded diamond ring on her wedding finger. But Vikander is not small. Right now, in the film industry, the Swedish daughter of a psychiatrist (Svante) and a stage actress (Maria) is huge. She has managed to pull off the difficult trick of being acclaimed by critics while having the populist clout to put bums on seats in cinemas. She has also given gossip columnists plenty to write about after marrying the equally sought-after German-Irish actor Michael
Fassbender at a low-key ceremony in Ibiza six months ago.
From art house to fantasy and blockbusters Vikander started her film career in Swedish art-house films such as Pure (2010), in which she played a troubled 20-year-old who finds solace in the music of Mozart, before appearing as the ingénue heroine Kitty in Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina (2012) and then starring in the globally acclaimed Testament of Youth (she played a young Vera Brittain) and Ex Machina (which saw her nominated for Golden Globe and Bafta awards). Two years ago, she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for The Danish Girl, in which she pretty much stole the film from Eddie Redmayne as Gerda, the conflicted wife of Einar Wegener (Redmayne), the first known assigned-male-at-birth person to transition, in 1920s Denmark. She has a habit of making surprising choices. She has flitted from art house (Euphoria, The Light Between Oceans) to fantasy (Seventh Son) to light comedy (Burnt) to big-budget blockbusters (Jason Bourne). Her latest film is firmly
in blockbuster territory; she has taken on the iconic role of the archaeological adventurer Lara Croft in a reboot of Tomb Raider, alongside Dominic West and Kristin Scott Thomas. In the months before the film started shooting, she honed her body into a ripped, muscle-bound fighting machine – not only so she would look the part, but to enable her to do all her own stunts. “I think it’s your duty to commit as much as possible to the role and who she is as a woman,” Vikander says. “For me, building myself up and doing stunts as an actress was in part about becoming her, and to be honest, it was also a lot of fun – I like to push myself.” Vikander’s stunts included impossiblelooking cliff jumps and MMA fighting. “I loved everything except the water,” she says. “I had to spend hours in water with a wind machine on me to create waves. One scene they had to keep reshooting because my skin went blue with cold and they couldn’t hide it with make-up.” She grins. “People think of me as this art-house girl. But when I was a little girl in Sweden, the films I loved were all those amazing action movies – Indiana Jones and The Mummy. The idea that I was being asked to do this movie...” She pauses and shakes her head. “To be in a movie that you dreamt about as a kid just seemed completely surreal. So if I was going to do this, I was going to do Issue 115 | August 2018 | 57
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Alicia Vikander
it the very, very best I could. I was going to give everything. Everyone remembers Angelina Jolie [who played the character in the noughties], but I wanted to make Lara Croft my own.” Among other actors and directors, Vikander is known for two things: commitment and intensity. Her drive is extraordinary. It has taken her just half a decade to go from foreign-actress status to Hollywood a-lister, but in that time, she has made 17 films. Fassbender, when working with her on The Light Between Oceans (shot in New Zealand in 2014), spoke of her as “fierce and brave”, and Dominic West describes her as “terrifyingly talented”. But Vikander does not agree. Not yet. This is a woman still wanting to prove her worth as an actress. She was turned down for drama school not once, but four times. “Every job I do, I feel a fear of what people think,” she says in her near-perfect English.
A woman raised by a woman Vikander’s childhood was unconventional. Her parents split up when she was just a few months old and she divided her time between living with her mother in Gothenburg and visiting her father – and five half-siblings – at weekends. At the age of four, her mother took her to see The Nutcracker. She immediately became hooked on dance and, at nine, she joined a dance school. At 15, she was accepted into the Royal Swedish Ballet School in Stockholm, and moved to the capital. Her time at the ballet school was not a happy one, yet it gave her the discipline and work ethic that have become her trademark. “I look back on that time and I don’t really recognise myself,” she says. “I was very young and I had to become responsible for myself. At first you have the thrill of the freedom of living on your own [she shared a flat with other young dancers], but then when you have to get up at 6am every day for ten hours of school58 | Issue 115 | August 2018
work and dance classes, you realise you can’t possibly put in as much work into your school studies because so much time is taken up with dance.” She continues, “In the wake of all the talk about abuse, there should be more eyes on these elite schools, whether it’s dance or gymnastics or sports. There is a lot of pressure – both physical and psychological. And a lot of it is abusive, because there is a lack of actual care for those kids – the focus is purely on performing to the highest standard at whatever cost. You think you can take it because you know it is expected of you, but I think I was probably one of just a few girls at my school who didn’t have an eating disorder. There was this constant air that you weren’t ever quite good enough, that you weren’t going to make it,” she says. “We lived in such a small world. All you knew were other dancers. As I got older, I made a vow to myself that I had to meet other people. I forced myself to go out in Stockholm. I would literally walk up to girls saying, ‘Hello, you seem really nice. Do you want to be my friend?’ It makes me laugh when I think of it now, but it actually worked. I made friends with a bunch of musicians and I opened up my world. At the age of 18, I fell out of love with ballet. It was so hard. I had no money. I lived in a flat with a minibar stocked with fish fingers, lingonberry jam and frozen meatballs. My dream then was to act.” What happened next – after she was turned down for drama school several times – is pure Withnail and I. Vikander, who had won small roles in Swedish television shows, landed a lead part in Pure, which won her a slew of awards. Armed with this success, she set off for England along with two musician friends (Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, aka the Swedish electropop duo Icona Pop). They found an apartment on Portobello Road in London’s Notting Hill, and all set about furthering their careers.
“It was a tough time, but it was a big time,” Vikander says with a slight smile. “We had no money. We had a great address but the apartment was so bad: dirty, cold and like something from a different time. One night, we came home and there were rats in the kitchen. We often had to share a bed and wear as many clothes as possible because the heating didn’t really work. I went to auditions and found my way around London. At that point I thought, ‘I am Swedish, no one will have ever heard of me. Please let me get some work here.’ I never even thought of America. My main worry was my money running out and that we lived in a flat with rats.” She laughs. “We still talk about that now, and with Tove Lo [the Swedish singer, another friend], who would come and visit. We joke about it, but these were girls I had walked up to a few years before and asked to be my friends. Now they are my family.” There are times when her success makes her cry. “I miss my friends,” she says. “I have sat with my girlfriends and told them my biggest fear is that I will lose contact with them because of my work. They just laugh at me and say, ‘It’s not going to happen.’ We do this thing now where we have a meal together on Skype. We sit down with our food and a bottle of wine and we all talk and eat.” Vikander has few worries now. With an Oscar, a talented husband and scripts piling up at her door, she is in the sweet spot of her life. She is a big advocate for equal rights and is currently working to link up Swedish female artists who have spoken about abuse under the #silenceaction banner, to the Time’s Up campaign. “It is so important, so humbling that women are speaking out and speaking up. I would never identify in any other way than as a feminist. I am a woman raised by a woman.”
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Alicia Vikander
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 59
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ON T H ia ec IG AND p L S OT ENL P S A GRE m he
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Photo: Ulrik Bang
Working with, in and for Greenland Since 1966, Greenland Business Association (Grønlands Erhverv/Sulisitsisut) has been at the forefront of business in Greenland, taking care of corporate interests and developing the corporate climate. Today, it represents more than 70 per cent of private business across nine different industries and continues to create a community that shares its knowledge in order to create a strong political voice promoting change in Greenland.
and to attempt to develop and influence. All of the groups and organisations are run by the seven people working at Greenland Business Association, all of whom have an excellent understanding of business in Greenland.
By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Grønlands Erhverv
Working closely together
The association is split into four main areas: the employers’ organisation, the service organisation, the interest group and the development group. The employers’ and service organisations ensure that members’ interests are protected politically and that members are updated on any developments concerning new rules and laws that need to be followed. “We represent everything from small oneman businesses to big international companies across industries, so it’s vital for us to know about everything that moves in the corporate world in Greenland, so that 60 | Issue 115 | August 2018
we can inform our members,” explains Brian Buus Pedersen, general manager of Greenland Business Association. Representing so many of Greenland’s businesses also means that Greenland Business Association has formed significant interest and development groups. The interest group works across industries to create a community that shares information and knowledge to create a better society. The development group uses this information to further understand what is happening within society
“Our most important role is speaking to all our members, understanding their industries and helping them when we can. We also have close relationships with our politicians, and although we might not always agree, we always maintain an open dialogue and are able to express our views,” Pedersen says. “The great thing about Greenland is that it’s a close-knit community and people speak a lot to each other and know each other, so we’re very good at working together.” Another close relationship that Greenland Business Association maintains is with
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
the teachers’ association. They are working together to try to change the school system in Greenland, which is currently struggling. “Around 70 per cent of pupils who finish their schooling have one or more marks that mean they can’t go into further education, and currently around two thirds of the labour market is lacking in certain competencies, so it’s essential that something changes, and soon.” Greenland Business Association also gives pupils an insight into post-school opportunities by showcasing what some of the member businesses do and work with. “My hope is that we can rally together to try and change things. It’s not only important for our schools, but also for our businesses, since we need qualified employees. It’s very encouraging to see how we are already making a difference and how these close working relationships can change something. With a population of 56,000, it is vital for organisations to work together and develop the country together.”
A lot to offer Greenland has among the best access to raw materials in the world and all minerals can be found there. There is a good understanding within the country of how to access these raw materials and many of the companies there are based around them. Greenland is also famed for its fish and all fishing that takes place in Greenland is MSC certified, ensuring traceable and sustainable fish. Greenland Business Association ensures that the political and economic environment is good for both existing and new companies, guaranteeing that they can work with limited hindrances. “Greenland has fantastic natural resources and there is both a very good business framework in Greenland and an entrepreneurial spirit, which makes it an excellent place to work in,” Pedersen argues. Every two years, Greenland Business Association hosts Future Greenland, a conference with over 450 participants, where business professionals
Students finishing school. Photo: Jørgen Chemintz
Brian Buus Pedersen. Photo: Lars Salomonsen
and decision-makers from Greenland, Iceland, Canada and Denmark come together to discuss business and societal issues in the Arctic regions. “It’s a great meeting place for a wide range of individuals and organisations in the Arctic, and the discussions that are created there are often incredibly inspiring,” Pedersen says. The conference takes place on 14–15 May 2019. Greenland Business Association is an association that does much more than simply represent its members. It creates change, has a strong political voice, and works nationally and internationally to create the best business environment on Greenland. It provides excellent insight into Greenland’s corporate world and is the perfect partner for those looking to find out more or to expand into Greenland. Web: ge.ga.gl and www.futuregreenland.gl Facebook: sulisitsisut Twitter: @brianbuus
Photo: Ulrik Bang
Icebergs. Photo: Jørgen Chemintz
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 61
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
A world beyond imagination The town of Ilulissat, numbering 5,000 inhabitants and almost 2,000 sled dogs, is Greenland’s third-largest city and most popular tourist destination. Situated at the entrance to the festively-named Disko Bay in the Ilulissat Fjord on Greenland’s western shore, the town is known for its vivid marine life and spectacular icebergs – ‘Ilulissat’ means iceberg in the Kalaallisut language of West Greenland. The area’s almost otherworldly surroundings have made the town home to crucial climate change research – and to the world’s most northerly high-end hotel and conference centre, Hotel Arctic. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Hotel Arctic
“The view here changes every single day,” says Erik Bjerregaard. “And every day, the surroundings take my breath away.” Bjerregaard moved from Denmark to Greenland more than four decades ago and has been the manager of Hotel Arctic for 27 years. Logistics can be tough 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle and yet the hotel has acquired four stars, the conference centre five, and the hotel’s gourmet restaurant has been included in the White Guide, the Nordic 62 | Issue 115 | August 2018
countries’ guide to the best restaurants. Guests have included Ban Ki-moon, Sepp Blatter, Angela Merkel, all Danish Prime Ministers over the past 20 years and the Danish royal family, as well as countless high-ranking government officials from across the globe, who come to see the effects of climate change for themselves.
Nature Ilulissat Icefjord became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and is the
site of the 2008 Ilulissat Declaration by the five Arctic Ocean coastal states of Denmark, Norway, Russia, Canada and the US, which pledged to consider the environment and climate change amidst territorial disputes and the planning of new shipping routes. “The first helped to put Ilulissat on the map,” says Bjerregaard, “but it was actually the 2008 Arctic Ocean Conference which really brought awareness of Ilulissat and how special it is up here.” Bjerregaard himself has witnessed the retraction of the ice sheet over the years – although a recent visiting researcher told him that it has grown a little this year. The cracks and groans of the moving ice make it a constant, pervasive presence in the town. Whether you look out to the icy sea or to the jagged mountains left behind by the ice, you are reminded of the awesome power of nature. Despite
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
the modern society and its amenities, everyone in Ilulissat maintains a close relationship with nature. The entire area around Ilulissat Fjord feeds off the icebergs. “When they break apart, they release oxygen into the air and water, which helps microorganisms to thrive and forms the basis for an incredible amount of marine biodiversity,” Bjerregaard explains. “In turn, fish like halibut feed off the microorganisms and love the area – they grow massive here.” Fishing is still a highly significant source of income in Ilulissat, and visitors to Hotel Arctic’s Restaurant Ulo can ex-
pect to taste some of the freshest, most flavoursome fish they will ever encounter. The New Nordic restaurant’s chefs are regular customers of the many fishing boats nestled in between the colourful houses that surround Ilulissat’s harbour.
Nurture “Our chefs really know how to get the very best out of local ingredients – which we actually have a lot of, from musk ox to mussels and garden angelica from the Island of Disko,” Bjerregaard explains. “People may be surprised to hear that we also grow our own fresh produce, such
as potatoes, and that cattle and sheep farming is becoming quite widespread a little further south, ironically due to the warmer climate.” While Bjerregaard and his colleagues were very happy that Restaurant Ulo made the White Guide, they have no plans to try for Michelin stardom. “The conditions here are just too inconsistent – Michelin requires stability, and our kitchen is all about inventing new methods of cooking and preservation and regular menu change-ups to use what is here. Although we do get some produce sent in weekly from North America
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 63
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
and Denmark, our chefs and trainees become experts at seasonality and using ingredients in many surprising ways – and they pull off amazing dishes.” The kitchen is run by a mix of Greenlandic and Danish chefs, while most waiters and hotel staff members are from Greenland. Both the restaurant and hotel, which has to be self-sufficient, run schemes through which young Greenlanders receive part of their hospitality training in Aalborg and part at Hotel Arctic. The research activity and upswing in tourism have created new sources of income, providing both seasonal and regular employment for locals and a wide range of fantastic experiences for tourists, including hikes and snow scooter tours with local guides, whale 64 | Issue 115 | August 2018
watching, three museums, flight or boat trips around the icebergs, and visits to the Jakobshavn Glacier (the source of the icefjord’s many icebergs). Ilulissat Airport has been running since the ‘80s, and guests at Hotel Arctic can use a free airport shuttle to and from the hotel. “There’s also a 1.3-kilometre boardwalk from the town, which allows everyone, including those with disabilities, to get to Sermermiut, the site of an ancient settlement at the edge of the fjord. There, they’ll find what I’d wager is simply the most amazing view in the world,” Bjerregaard promises. He adds: “At the hotel, we have our own little boardwalk, at the end of which you’ll find our fjordside igloos, which are perfect for our more adventurous guests. They have
front-row views of the sea and its icebergs.” Open from May to September, the ‘igloos’ are built and styled in the same way as traditional Inuit igloos, however, are made from metal rather than snow, to accommodate modern amenities, such as electricity and bathrooms. Those opting to stay in the more classic rooms and suites in the main building need not fear – most of the rooms enjoy views of the bay which trump any other wall decor. A large breakfast buffet is provided, and guests can further enjoy the view and a drink in the café, bar or on the terrace.
Culture Those coming from afar often combine Ilulissat with a stay in southern Greenland or Iceland. Bjerregaard believes that is a great idea, but has one
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
piece of advice before readers go on a booking frenzy: “Make sure that you have enough time in each place – some people regret only scheduling two days or so in Ilulissat. It takes a while to settle in and get used to things like midnight sun, or having very little light but the northern lights during winter,” he advises. “The weather is also a little unpredictable and you might encounter storms or fog. I’d recommend about five days to account for those factors. And also because you’ll fall in love with the place.” Bjerregaard retires at the end of the summer at the tender age of 76. He has no plans to move from Ilulissat or slow down completely. “Why would I? They say that culture derives from nature, and I’ve grown to love the Greenlandic culture and attitude to life: ‘be open to change, and trust in fate and each other’; ‘don’t take yourself too seriously’; and ‘take life one day at a time’. That’s what I’ll do. I want to continue to be part of Ilulissat and to welcome new people to its splendid nature and community. My wife, who is Greenlandic, owns one of the shops in town, the GlacierShop, so we’ll focus on that and take it day by day.” The couple have, however, decided to donate their nine sled dogs to a local orphanage. “It’s the right thing to do. But I’ll miss them. It’s a fantastically therapeutic thing to be out with the dogs on the endless, awesome ice.” Web: www.hotelarctic.com Facebook: Hotelarctic Instagram: @Hotelarctic
Erik Bjerregaard.
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 65
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
Photo: Jukku Kielsen
Local commitment, local strength When distances and travel times are as long as they are in Greenland, flexible and reliable IT solutions are absolutely essential. This is one of the reasons why Comby A/S, a local provider of IT solutions and services, has made reliability and honesty its trademark. Scan Magazine talks to founder Brian Torp about the specific challenges for Greenland’s IT industry, and how his company works to solve them. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Comby A/S
Founded on a vision of providing clients with better, faster, and more reliable IT services, Nuuk-based Comby A/S has grown rapidly since its beginning in 2000. Today, founder Brian Torp has 22 colleagues, including co-owner Michael Collin. This is despite the fact that, when Torp set out, he had no business plan other than a desire to do things better. “The thought was to create a business that had service at its core and with which we could build long-lasting client relationships. That was the founding idea, and then things just took off really quickly,” explains Torp. “One of our clients is the Municipality of Sermersooq, which expands from the east to the west 66 | Issue 115 | August 2018
coast of Greenland — an area the same size as France — and that means that we have to sail or fly to get to a site. Some of the most remote villages can take us two weeks to get to! That’s why we have to be one 100 per cent sure that when we provide a solution, it is reliable and can be serviced and manned remotely. Of course, that’s a focus for companies across the world, but here it’s based on extreme necessity.” Torp’s experience and new approach to service quickly gained him major clients and, just a year after starting, his business, which at that time was just himself and a part-time employee, had a turno-
ver of about 14 million DKK (around 1.67 million GBP).
Expanding and planning ahead In 2001, Comby A/S merged with A-team Greenland, a local division of a large Danish provider of consultancy services and training. With the merger, the company gained nine new employees giving Torp and Collin, Torp’s new co-owner from the A-team, a bit of time and space to look at the company’s strengths and future prospects. “Up until then, we hadn’t had the time — we’d been too focused on delivering what we promised our clients,” Torp explains. “After the merger, however, we sat down and created a full strategy and business plan. What was important to us was that all the products and services we offered were things about which we could offer expert service and knowledge.” This, amongst other things, led to a decrease in the selection of hardware prod-
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
ucts sold by Comby A/S, as Torp and Collin chose to focus exclusively on HP products. “Sharing the management between us has really been a strength, because we have very different approaches. I’ve had my focus on the client part, sales, and services, and Collin is the one who, on a more practical level, makes sure that we can deliver what I promise,” says Torp.
Managed services Through the years, Comby A/S has continued to increase and sharpen the quality of its services. In 2006, it expanded by acquiring Sermit A/S — a previously publicly owned IT specialist with proven expertise within process management and internal quality control. Adding these strengths and tools to the internal structure of Comby A/S meant that the company could continue to grow and expand services securely and efficiently. Today, the company offers a full range of hosting, consultancy and managed services, as well as internet, phone and Comby exterior. Photo: Jukku Kielsen
hardware solutions. It continues to build on its strengths, especially within managed services such as back-up, compliance, traffic management and mobile device management. “We’ve been refining our managed services since 2011, and, today, we deliver all our managed services in clearly defined packages, making it very clear what’s included and what’s not,” explains Torp. “By combining different packages, our clients can have an all-inclusive IT package, where we take care of everything within the service. That’s an area where we really stand out today — our service packages and the way in which we deliver them.”
Local strength and commitment New flight connections and an expanding mining industry have meant continued growth in Greenland’s IT market. But competition is also strong — the country has more IT companies per client than Denmark, for example. In comparison with the competing companies,
many of which are newer to the market or Danish-owned, Comby A/S’s strength is not just its intricate knowledge of the challenges and needs of the local market, but equally its strong local roots and focus on employing and training local technicians and consultants. “We’ve always focused on training our employees and ensuring that they can develop both personally and professionally. We spend a large share of our surplus on training our local employees rather than hiring in experts from other parts of the world,” Torp notes. “There are many reasons why that makes sense — it’s my conviction that our local employees will stay with us for longer if they feel that they keep growing in their job, and longterm employees are obviously better for our business. So it’s not just CSR, but also good business sense.”
Web: www.comby.gl
Photo: Thomas Berner
Michael Collin. Photo: Mona Torp
Values. Photo: Mona Torp
Brian Torp. Photo: Mona Torp
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 67
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
Where the locals go Hotel Seamen’s Home, Nuuk (Nuuk Sømandshjem), is a hotel nestled by the sea, with a view of the mountains in Greenland’s capital. It was originally set up as a safe haven for seamen, who otherwise had to endure tough conditions on board their ships. Today, it is both a hotel for visitors and a place where the whole community can enjoy a meal, a good chat or simply relax.
aim to be as open as possible. We’re on hand to answer questions about what to see and do in Nuuk and throughout any travels in the rest of Greenland, but we’re also always happy to sit down with a cup of coffee and have a chat,” Majholm says.
By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Sømandshjemmet Nuuk
In the 1950s, the Danish Seaman’s Mission was invited to create a seamen’s home in Greenland, as they had done in harbours throughout Denmark. In 1969, the Seamen’s Home opened in Nuuk, and others in Sisimut and Aasiaat opened soon after. Today, the need for a ‘home’ for seamen is not so great, thanks to greatly improved working conditions, so the Seamen’s Home is instead open to the rest of the community, particularly to the homeless and the vulnerable. “The hotel is a not-for-profit hotel. Everything we earn from people staying here goes straight back into the commu68 | Issue 115 | August 2018
nity,” explains Allan F. B. Majholm, who runs the hotel, together with his wife. There are 43 rooms, in three different price categories, to suit most budgets, and what makes the hotel stand out is how visitors immediately feel at home when they step through the door.
He adds: “Every Thursday, we host a breakfast for some of the city’s homeless. It’s a space where they can get a good meal and have a good natter. Most weekday mornings we have locals coming in to have some breakfast, so there’s always a good atmosphere and the feeling of being a part of the local community.”
A home for everyone
Café Tamanut
Every morning, there is a smell of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen. As you come down the stairs, some of the locals are already telling some of the infamous stories about Nuuk, and there is a friendliness that will make everyone feel at home in no time. “We always
The hotel’s café is where many of the social gatherings happen. Open every day from 5.30am until 9pm, it serves good food in a price range which means everyone can enjoy it. “Nuuk can be an expensive place to visit and we especially find that people travelling for business simply
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
want a good homecooked meal, which is exactly what we provide,” Majholm explains. “We try as much as we can to use local produce, but since we are based on quite an isolated island, it can be difficult. It’s important for us to be as sustainable as we can be, as we’re living in such a beautiful place and we want to keep it that way.” In fact, all electricity in Nuuk comes from hydropower and the city as a whole is using new technologies to reduce its impact on the climate.
At the heart of the community Outside its own four walls, the hotel also has a social impact. A missionary welfare worker (sømandspræst) is associated with the seaman’s home and visits the ships harbouring in Nuuk, plus sets up groups in the local retirement homes and schools. The priest also leads a bi-monthly bible group at the hotel, and every morning there is a short service with singing. “We want to focus on the people who visit us and who surround us. Whatever our situation is, we all need to be heard every once in a while, and we need to just have a conversation with another human being,” Majholm argues. “Whether it’s about the weather or something much more personal, we all have something interesting to say.” A stay at the seamen’s home is much more than simply a bed and breakfast. It is an opportunity to get under the skin of Nuuk, hearing directly from the locals about what it is like to live in the “world’s smallest and cosiest city,” as Majholm delightfully refers to it. “We want everyone to feel at home as soon as they step through the door, and feel like they can relax whilst we take care of them,” Majholm says. “Nuuk is a wonderful place to visit and experience and most people fall in love with it after just a short visit. By staying with us, our guests know that they have made their own impact on the community that they’ve been visiting.” Web: www.soemandshjem.gl
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 69
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
Left: The Fifth Daughters, 2014, Cooper & Gorfer – The Weather Diaries, Bibi Chemnitz. Middle: Ena With Eyes Shut, 2014, Cooper & Gorfer – The Weather Diaries, Nikolaj Kristensen. Top right: The museum. Photo: Visit Greenland. Below right: Sermitsiaq, 2000, Anne-Birthe Hovem (1951-2012).
The art of Greenland Established in 2005, Nuuk Art Museum provides a 600-square-metre venue for Greenlandic art to be interacted with by Greenlanders and shared with the world. “There hasn’t really been a tradition of curated art and art history in Greenland but there are now two art museums here. So we’re seeing the beginning of a debate about what Greenlandic art is,” says the museum’s director Nivi Christensen. “It’s very exciting to be able to help shed light on Greenland’s art and artists.” By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Nuuk Kunstmuseum
The private collection of Svend and Helene Junge, who founded Nuuk Art Museum, forms the basis of the museum’s permanent exhibition. Assembled over a lifetime, the original collection is extensive and eclectic, ranging from paintings to figurines — something which reflects the different gazes and variety of artistic endeavour in Greenland over time. “Painting here, for example, was a European pursuit until very recently,” Christensen points out. “Handicraft was much more common — beautifully decorated practical objects made using common Greenlandic materials like pelts, bone and stones. And interestingly, the popular tupilak, now seen as a national symbol, only really began being made to appeal to Europeans.” Art as an industry came with the Scandinavians in the 19th century, when photos, rather than paintings, were al70 | Issue 115 | August 2018
ready commonplace for documenting ‘exotic’ places. Although ‘Greenland painters’ did take off as a trend in Denmark, they tended to focus on large-scale, fantastical landscapes, made for a Danish audience. “One of the most fascinating things we show here is the differences in how we look at the world,” Christensen explains. “Outside views tend to look at the whole, especially grand landscapes. The Greenlandic gaze tends to focus on little details and patterns.”
from the next generation through talks, events and school class visits. While artists continue to typically study in Denmark, as Christensen herself did, the country’s first art historian is seeing a massive change and increase in interest from both locals and the international community alike. From August to November, the museum will be exhibiting The Weather Diaries, a collaboration between Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, by artists Nina Gorfer and Sarah Cooper. Their renaissance-like photo-portrait series, which examines the intersection between fashion, climate, and heritage and identity in the West Nordic countries, is set to be the first of many large and internationally-acclaimed exhibitions at the museum. Unknown, J.E.C. Rasmussen (1841-1893).
Nuuk’s graphics workshop opened in 1975 and led to the first generation of home-grown Greenlandic artists. Naturally, they specialised in graphics and prints. The workshop is now the National Art School of Greenland, which trains five budding artists every year. The museum itself has started an artist-in-residence programme and encourages closer artist-and-visitor interaction and interest
Web: www.nuukkunstmuseum.com Facebook: nuukkunstmuseum Instagram: @nuukartmuseum
As a one-of-a-kind coffee shop, in the heart of Ålesund, Norway, we leave a little bit of love in every product we serve. Everything from the homemade pastries to our tasteful salads and sandwiches is made by hand, with compassion and smile. We only use the best ingredients from local vendors to make sure you, our beloved costumer, get a wonderful experience when visiting us. We serve a huge arrange of beverages from all types of delicious coffee, tea and smoothies, to several types of local beers, wine and spirits. So if you want to experience the genuine small town life amongst fjords and mountains on the beautiful coastline of Norway, come visit us in the heart of Ålesund. Our opening hours are: Mon- Fri 07.30 – 17.00, Saturday 10.00 – 17.00, Sunday 12.00 – 17.00
Kongensgate 6. 6002 Ålesund
RACOONCOFFEE
Photo: Aske Rif Torbensen
The ultimate humane trophy-hunting experience If you consider yourself an adventure hunter, then Trophy Hunting Greenland might just have an interesting opportunity for you. The company combines a unique nature experience with the chance to hunt the legendary musk ox.
main focus is on musk oxen, along with with caribou and small game, while autumn hunting focuses on reindeer, along with musk oxen and small game.
By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Trophy Hunting Greenland
Known as a survivor of the last ice age and, for some, the ultimate animal to hunt, the majestic musk ox can be found in very few places on earth. One of those is the area of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, where the company Trophy Hunting Greenland is located. Owner Erik Lomholt-Bek has over 30 years of hunting experience in Greenland, during both the winter and the autumn. “We get people from all over the world who 72 | Issue 115 | August 2018
want to hunt musk oxen,” he says. “Trophy hunting is very different from more traditional hunting that many hunters are familiar with, so the ones who come here come because we can offer them an experience they can’t find anywhere else.” The hunting season in Greenland is divided into two periods. Winter hunting takes place from 10 March to 10 April, while the autumn hunting runs from August until the beginning of October. In winter, the
“The biggest difference between the two seasons is that, in the winter, you can be 80 years of age and have trouble walking and we can still take you out using our motor sledges, plus we will find a musk ox for you to hunt,” Lomholt-Bek explains. “During the autumn season, you have to be in good shape, as we are out in the wild and you will have to walk everywhere. And walking ten kilometres in the wild here is nothing like walking ten kilometres on a wooden path on a hunting trip in Poland or Scotland.”
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
A humane way of hunting One important thing to note, when it comes to hunting musk oxen, is that the musk ox dies a slow and painful death if not killed by hunters. When the animal gets old, its teeth become worn down because of the flint on the ice sheet, where it forages for plants. When that happens, the animal is no longer capable of chewing cud, and eventually dies of hunger. “Our trophy hunters shoot old musk oxen before they suffer from a painful death, and I, for one, think it’s the right thing to do, as they don’t contribute to the gene pool,” Lomholt-Bek argues. “Because of its extremely warm wool, a musk ox doesn’t die of cold, nor does it have any real predators,
so to put them out of their misery, it actually makes a lot of sense for our hunters to shoot them when they get old.”
The missing piece There is also the opportunity to hunt reindeer in the autumn, but most people come to Trophy Hunting Greenland to hunt musk oxen. “For many, a reindeer is just another deer, and a lot of our customers have shot almost everything there is to shoot in the world,” says Lomholt-Bek. “But the musk ox is the missing piece in their collection. It is, in many ways, the ultimate trophy.” To make hunting trips as authentic as possible, Trophy Hunting Greenland fo-
cuses on the whole experience. Every hunt has one guide for two hunters, and the hunters live in the camp out in the hunting area, where they also have to help out with the work. This is one of the reasons why Trophy Hunting Greenland is one of Greenland’s more affordable hunting experiences, Lomholt-Bek explains. “The hunters we have don’t just come to Greenland to kill some animals and then leave again. They come because they really want to experience the wilderness and the hunting that we have here. It’s more authentic than other places, where everything is more controlled and regulated. This is wild nature and hunting the musk ox is the real thing.” Web: www.trophy-hunting-greenland.dk Facebook: trophyhuntingkangerlussuaq
Photo: Aske Rif Torbensen
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 73
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
Discover breathtaking nature and inspiring culture in Nuuk Watch whales, climb a mountain and catch your own lunch. Nuuk offers a wide range of unique experiences, including the opportunity to try out the Greenlandic gourmet scene. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Stine Selmer Andersen
If you are considering combining both culture and adventure for your next holiday, you will probably want to give Nuuk a closer look. Greenland’s capital offers stunning nature all year round and is a place that is simply waiting to be discovered. Spring and summer activities include hunting for reindeer, whale spotting, hiking or enjoying a fjord safari. During autumn and winter, the temperature drops, but that does not mean that Nuuk has nothing to offer. As well as visiting its several festivals, you can go skiing or ice climbing, or just enjoy a truly different and extremely cosy Christmas. And then there are, of course, the famous northern lights that are worth the entire trip. “Nuuk has the advantage of working both as an adventure destination and as a cultural experience,” says Stine Selmer Andersen, who is a business consultant at Colourful Nuuk. “In just one day, you can watch whales, climb a mountain, eat 74 | Issue 115 | August 2018
at a gourmet restaurant that appears in the White Guide and finish off by seeing an art exhibition or a theatre play in our cultural centre.”
Greenlandic gastronomy While the extraordinary natural environment has been a part of Greenland for centuries, the up-and-coming gourmet scene is relatively new. “A few restaurants have gone in a new and different direction and that has really created a trend. Instead of giving the food a Nordic touch, chefs like to do it the Greenlandic way,” Andersen explains. “They use our local raw materials and experiment with local dishes. For instance, in the restaurant Kalaaliaraq, you can try the Greenlandic speciality mattak, where you eat whale skin with the traditional ulo knife.” The Greenlandic gourmet scene contains a bit of everything. Sarfalik offers a luxu-
rious seven-course tasting, while Qooqqut Nuan prepares a meal based on what you catch at the fjord on the way to the restaurant. Alternatively, try something international with a Greenlandic twist, like the Hot Sled Dog — a high-quality hot dog made of musk ox — at Cafetuaq, in the cultural centre Katuaq. Gastronomical development is supported by the annual food festival, hosted by Sermersooq Business Council. “These are exciting times for the gourmet scene in Greenland and you really feel the identity and pride that the chefs put in to their work,” Andersen promises.
Food festival. Photo: Sermersooq Business Council
Web: www.colourfulnuuk.com Facebook: Colourfulnuuk Instagram: @Colourful_nuuk
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Greenland
The ‘one-stop shop’ for everything Greenland With its enormous size and challenging environment, Greenland can often seem a bit daunting, yet these characteristics also make it one of the world’s most incredible places to visit and experience. Guide to Greenland has made it easy to get an overview of everything to see and do in Greenland, including top tips from locals and travellers.
we should be able to help you out with any queries,” Nordlund assures. Whether you have a trip already planned or are looking for inspiration, Guide to Greenland is the best place to start.
By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Guide to Greenland
If you are thinking about going to Greenland, Guide to Greenland should be the first website you look up. It not only offers over 200 different tours throughout Greenland, but also includes a blog written by both locals and travellers, with great tips on what to do and bring on your trip. “We really love Greenland and we want others to get to experience it as well, so we wanted to make it easy for people coming here to see what Greenland has to offer,” explains Mads Nordlund, partner and CEO of Guide to Greenland. Importantly, it is not more expensive to book through Guide to Greenland. “There are many small tour operators that are not able to compete worldwide, but through our platform, we’ve
created a space for them where their tours are easily available to the public. And, of course, everything is quality assured.” The Guide to Greenland team is also easily contactable to answer any questions about tours, flights, hotels or simply about the country. “There are five of us in the office speaking 15 languages between us, so
Web: www.guidetogreenland.com Facebook: guidetogreenland Instagram: @guidetogreenland
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Nyrups Naturhotell. Photo: Apelöga.
Autumn leaves, Sweden style It is not too difficult to find things to do in Sweden during a summer like this — there is a lake or a beach practically around every corner, and the Swedes sure know how to make the most of outdoor lunching, dining and drinking. But if you visit Sweden just as the cold sets in and you have to wrap up in a woolly cardigan, where should you go? Photos: imagebank.visitsweden.se
Award-winning restaurants and stylish bars certainly do not disappear with the summer sun, but there is more to a holiday or weekend getaway than just food and drink. Perhaps you are looking for a nature experience beyond the ordinary, 76 | Issue 115 | August 2018
or you want to understand Sweden’s history better? Maybe it is a team-building experience you are after, or an unforgettable night spent in a hotel high up in a tree?
A design giant and exceptional host when it comes to organisation, not to mention experience innovation, Sweden presents a multitude of destinations and events for tourists from home and abroad alike; you just need to know where to look. The next few pages, listing our favourite experiences for the autumn ahead, is a very good place to start. For detailed information on destinations, accommodation and travel, go to www.visitsweden.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden
Photo: Alexander Hall.
Kungsleden. Photo: Michael Jönsson.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden
The essence of wilderness Spending time in nature contributes to increased good and wellbeing. At Brokamåla Estate, visitors can explore nature, take part in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, canoeing or kayaking, or simply relax for a while. By Malin Norman | Photos: Brokamåla Gård
Sweden’s most southern wilderness offers something that many of us lack, yet desperately need — peace and quiet. At Brokamåla Estate, in the western part of Blekinge, guests have access to more than 25 lakes, fabulous fishing and hunting opportunities, private beaches and boats, and beautiful hiking routes. With over 200 lakes, this area is also called the Lake District of southern Sweden. Owners Lars and Maria Sällström explain that guests especially remark on the peaceful setting and the opportunities it 78 | Issue 115 | August 2018
offers for relaxing and recharging. “Here, you can be on your own for a while,” Lars says. “Our guests appreciate the silence and the possibility for undisturbed time, whether visiting with family or perhaps for a company event. We are surrounded by forest and yet only one and a half hours from Copenhagen’s international airport.”
Simplicity with finesse The concept for Brokamåla has developed gradually, inspired by trips and work abroad, for example in Scotland, where
the couple could see the potential of offering something a bit special. Unsurprisingly, it has become an incredibly popular concept and, some 27 years since its humble beginnings, the estate has around 1,000 visitors per year, from places as far away as Dubai, Ukraine and Brazil. In fact, Brokamåla was one of only 15 attractions nominated for Stora Turistpriset (Sweden’s Big Tourism Prize) in 2016. “Our clients are our best ambassadors,” admits Lars. Many visitors come back, and the owners listen to their feedback and requests in order to develop the concept even further. “We get so much energy and happiness from the people we meet,” agrees Maria. “It’s such a privilege to live in this setting and many visitors come just to be a part of our everyday life.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden
It makes for a living countryside and creates job opportunities.” Brokamåla has great accommodation in the form of a number of cosy cottages — and an old barn dating back to the 1700s — each with two to three bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom, and, of course, with nature just around the corner. There is also an old building with a hayloft, which hosts four bedrooms, and conference facilities for groups. “This is what we call simplicity with finesse,” smiles Lars. Food is also an important part of the concept, with meals provided by Jämshögs Gästgivaregård — an inn that dates from 1888 and which these days is also owned by the Sällströms.
Plenty of local, organic produce is included on the menu as well as wild boar, moose, deer and salmon trout.
A fisherman’s dream Blekinge offers world-class fishing along its coast and stunning archipelago, as well as in the many lakes and in the famous Mörrums river 20 minutes away, where people from all over the world come to catch salmon and trout. The region is also a major player as a golf destination, and is often called the Swedish Golf Coast. There are eight wellmanaged golf courses, with challenges for both amateur and professional players. Brokamåla offers tailor-made packages, with fishing, golf and more.
“After a day of adventures, such as fishing or hunting, and a lovely three-course dinner from the inn, our guests can take a short walk down to the lake and enjoy our nature spa,” says Maria. This has a sauna and two wooden bathtubs, ideal for well-deserved rest and relaxation. The estate also houses an old 18th century underground storehouse, which is still used to store food, as well as hosting events such as whisky and beer tastings. Brokamåla Estate is conveniently located in close proximity to the charming cities and towns of Karlskrona, Karlshamn, Sölvesborg and Olofström, meaning that there is plenty to explore for curious visitors. Web: www.brokamala.se Facebook: Brokamåla-Gård
Lars and Maria Sällström
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 79
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden
More mystery in the Sherlock show Escape rooms are booming globally, allowing groups of friends and colleagues out on team-building days to enjoy a very special blend of drama, problem-solving and fun. To enhance the experience further, Sherlocked is adding actors to its games. By Malin Norman | Photos: Sherlocked
The escape room trend, which began in Asia about a decade ago, is based on the idea of locking a group of people who know each other in a room together and giving them a limited amount of time to find a way out by using clues, finding hidden items and solving riddles. The concept came to Europe a few years later, but the Nordic region was relatively late to catch on. “We were the second company in Sweden doing it, and that was at the very end of 2014,” says Niklas Åkermyr, owner and founder of Sherlocked. What is unique about Åkermyr’s Sherlocked – other than having pioneered the escape room concept in Sweden – is its environment. As the name suggests, the experience is Sherlock Holmes themed,
from the wallpaper to the props and the staff. “That’s part of why it feels like you’re in an alternate reality and you forget all about work and your everyday life,” Åkermyr explains. “You’re not allowed to bring your mobile phone along, and you’re in this environment that feels like it’s lifted from 150 years ago.” The main Sherlocked building is a house from 1873, bursting with charming original décor and just a stone’s throw from Malmö
Web: www.sherlocked.se Facebook: sherlockedescaperooms Instagram: @sherlocked_escape_ rooms
Back to nature
By Malin Norman | Photos: Treehotel
Treehotel is unlike any other hotel. Some of Scandinavia’s leading architects have created its seven tree rooms, each with a fantastic view of the Lule River valley. The latest addition is ice dining by the river, an unforgettable experience. The unusual Treehotel is located in Harads — a village of around 600 inhabitants, near the Lule River. Founders Kent and Britta Lindvall, managed Britta’s Hostel for 12 years before deciding to build the tree rooms. The idea was inspired by the film Trädälskaren (The Tree Lover) by Jonas Selberg Augustsen, about three city men who build a tree house together. In 2010, the couple opened Treehotel with four rooms and, since then, three more have been added. The individual rooms have been created by some of Scandinavia’s leading architects and, unsurprisingly, Treehotel gets plenty of coverage in architecture and interior magazines. Over the years, this sustainable hotel has received many awards. For instance, its most recent addition, the 7th Room, is included in Condé Nast’s 2018 Hot List of 80 | Issue 115 | August 2018
Central Station. And this year, Sherlocked is expanding with more games and professional actors across two floors. “We’re complementing the traditional escape room concept with theatre, to further enhance the experience. And the games now end in a Victorian-themed bar,” says Åkermyr. Sounds like the perfect finish to the mystery!
the world’s best hotels. Treehotel also won the category Singular Architecture in the Landscape Hotels Awards 2017, and was named Best Family Hotel at the Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Awards 2017. The restaurant, which is included in the White Guide, has recently been revamped and offers magical creations by chef Sebastian Gröndal. Guests can also enjoy ice dining, an absolutely stunning experience hosted in a tent by the river. “It’s very atmospheric and with an excellent threecourse dinner prepared just outside the tent,” says Kent Lindvall. There are also plenty of other things to do in the area, such as hiking, white-water paddling and sea kayaking. Or, for a more relaxed stay, guests can simply enjoy the serenity of the trees and the view. Lindvall recommends a visit during the autumn
months, as the northern lights may appear as early as September.
Web: www.treehotel.se Facebook: treehotel Twitter: @treehotel Instagram: @treehotel
Welcome to one of the most exciting leisure and conference facilities on the West Coast of Swed en 60 cottages and 360 camping pitches 2 restaurants of which one is open all year round! Pool restaurant and Pool bar Over 60 activities for the whole family! Two beaches Pool area with three pools heated up to 28°C
28°C
IN ALL PO
OLS!
OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND!
COTTAGES • CAMPING • RESTAURANTS • CONFERENCE • ACTIVITIES
© AB Svensk Filmindustri, 1957
Hafsten Resort • Uddevalla • 0522 64 41 17 • www.hafsten.se
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden
Photo: Sture Haglund
Photo: Tobias Österberg
Protector of the Baltic Sea Tre Kronor af Stockholm this year celebrates ten years at sea. What started as a mission impossible to build a massive brig in modern times, has turned out to be a great success. The handsome sailing ship is also one of the main protectors of the Baltic Sea. By Malin Norman
With Stockholm as its home port, the impressive Tre Kronor sails around the Baltic Sea from May to November, educating the public about both life at sea and environmental issues. The idea to build a majestic wooden ship to grace the port of Stockholm, using traditional methods, was conceived in the early 1990s and, based on complete drawings held in the Navy Museum in Karlskrona, work began in 1997. At long last, following much highly skilled work, huge enthusiasm and the help of many volunteers, the brig sailed on its maiden voyage around the Baltic Sea in 2008. But not before it was baptised by Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria, who is also the ship’s godmother. “It’s a fantastic honour for us to have the Crown Princess as our protector,” says CEO Anders Mannesten. “In fact, the whole royal family has sailed with us.”
Sustainable Seas initiative Ten years on, the brig is used for the education of new sailors and for shar82 | Issue 115 | August 2018
ing information about the Baltic Sea. Every year, it sails to five or six countries and some 20 to 25 cities, where it also functions as an exhibition space, a large container greeting it in every port. “We address municipalities along the route and bring our ship and exhibition to them, where they can highlight their own environmental agenda,” Mannesten explains. “By doing this, we help spread the message in the region.” He adds that collaborating with the Baltic Sea Centre at Stockholm University adds legitimacy to the activities.
Tre Kronor is also part of the Sustainable Seas initiative, which also has the support of Crown Princess Victoria. Working towards the sustainable development of the Baltic Sea, it includes an annual seminar broadcast on television. “By working together with scientists, politicians and businesses, we find new ways of making an impact,” Mannesten says. “For instance, we have just hosted performances during the week-long Skärgårdsturnén (the archipelago tour), with famous musi-
cians such as Tina Ahlin and Lill Lindfors. It’s a fantastic opportunity to also involve culture in our work.” Last year, the Tre Kronor took part in the famous Tall Ships Races and won not only its class, but also one leg in the overall race, proving that it has a very competent crew. It is also possible to rent the fantastic Tre Kronor or join scheduled lunch and evening cruises around the Baltic Sea. “Welcome onboard, sail for the Baltic Sea!”
Skärgårdsturnén, with music performances by Jack Wreeswijk, Tina Ahlin, Lill Lindfors and Love Antell. Photo: Skärgårdsfoto
Crown Princess Victoria, godmother of Tre Kronor. Photo: Erika Gerdemark, The Royal Court Sweden
Web: www.briggentrekronor.se
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden
Photo: Apelöga
Photo: Torbjörn Lagerwall
Photo: Erika Johansson
Photo: Apelöga
Truly close to nature It is not possible to find the way to Nyrups Naturhotell on your own, and so all guests receive special instructions before arrival. Nor can you drive all the way there — guests must hike the last kilometre at least, and many choose to come via public transport, followed by a five-kilometre hike. Nyrups Naturhotell is truly a pure nature experience.
in the immediate surroundings. Hikes of all different levels are the most popular, while other sightseeing suggestions include a 180-million-year-old volcano or one of the many lakes.
By Sara Wenkel
For larger groups, Jönsson and Timmer are very happy to create bespoke programmes and can help to arrange tree climbing, cheese walks, bat safaris, cooking classes and much more. Nyrups Naturhotell is also an ideal location at which to host a unique conference or training course. “You will get guaranteed mental presence from your attendants,” Jönsson promises.
No electricity, running water or WiFi, and a shared outdoor kitchen. It might sound terrifying to some, but founders Camilla Jönsson and Cecilia Timmer are certain that getting close to nature, and being given a chance to log off, is something we all need more of. “Our Naturhotell is a real outdoor experience, but it’s a comfortable stay,” Jönsson explains. “We have designed the experience around people who are relatively unused to being out in nature.” Six Mongolian woollen yurts, with two or three beds in each, are freely placed in the beautiful, deep Scanian beech forest. “Falling asleep with rain dripping onto the canvas and waking up to birdsong and the natural sunlight is an amazing experience,” Jönsson says. The venue also provides an outdoor kitchen and a
common ‘Motherhut’, where guests can always enjoy the heat from the stove.
Cook locally produced food over an open fire Most guests opt for food packages, where locally sourced ingredients are prepared, ready for their arrival. “I designed the food concept with the idea of bringing people close to the fire and to enable them to discover what amazing things we can do with local produce over fire. We give them all the necessary tools and instructions, but a big part of the experience is to explore and try for yourself,” Jönsson says.
Hike, explore and experience a mental presence During the day, there are many ‘closeto-nature experiences’ to be discovered
Photo: Malin Andersson
Web: www.naturhotell.se/en
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden
A countryside experience Visitors to Hökeriet experience beautiful countryside, historic landscapes and modern farming. Here, the focus is on simple, honest and natural products. This is the true meaning of ‘from field to plate’. Hökeriet in Orkesta-Granby, north of Stockholm, is a place like no other. Bang in the middle of the beautiful Swedish countryside, surrounded by a traditional farming landscape, the area includes remains of early settlements, as well as Granbyhällen, Sweden’s largest rune on flat solid rock. “This is a unique spot, and it’s not fabricated at all — it’s a modern working farm with crops and animals,” says owner Lise Nelzen. “Here, visitors can experience the historic landscape and the beauty of nature, and also get insights into modern farming.” One guest sums up the experience on TripAdvisor as a “good chance to see the countryside of Sweden and how people really live outside of Stockholm. I highly recommend this trip to get up to speed on Swedish history and current lifestyles.”
Through STOEX, short for Stockholm Excursions, memorable guided tours and tailor-made excursions for visiting groups are available, each with a focus on culture, history and the Swedish countryside. The farm’s shop and café have gradually grown to cater to the wishes of visitors, who praise the welcoming atmosphere and personal touch. “We also appreciate the opportunity to discuss sustainable farming with visitors,”
By Malin Norman | Photos: Hökeriet
says Nelzen. “Nowadays, there is more focus on environmental issues, also from our international guests. When I see them enjoying a meal here, next to the fields with our own cows, I can’t help but feel happy. This is what ‘from field to plate’ is all about.”
Web: www.hokeriet.se, www.stoex.com Facebook: Hokeriet STOEX Instagram: @hokeriet @Stockholmexcursions
Swedish adventures with a wildlife guarantee In the heart of the Malingsbo-Kloten nature reserve in Sweden, Nordic Discovery offers out-of-the-ordinary wilderness adventures, with moose and beaver safaris the most popular attractions. Adventure coordinator and founder Mikael Nilsson has over 16 years of wildlife tracking experience and a passion for showing people all over the world what Swedish nature has to offer. By Kristine Olofsson
The Nordic Discovery adventure centre invites visitors to explore one of Sweden’s most southern wilderness areas. “You would normally see lined-up vacation houses this far south, but nothing has been built in this nature reserve since 1950 and it is a true wildlife haven,” Nilsson explains. Nordic Discovery offers unforgettable wildlife experiences, such as moose and beaver safaris. “I’ve done this for many years, and we’ve always spotted moose on the safaris, hence why we have the only safari in Sweden that offers a 100 per cent moose guarantee,” Nilsson notes. “People come here for genuine, yet accessible wildlife experiences.” The adventure centre is less 84 | Issue 115 | August 2018
popular activities at the adventure centre are kayaking tours and nightly canoeing tours, where adventurous participants can hear wolves howl from the depths of the forest. “Out here, the animals have a space of their own,” Nilsson says, “and we can learn about and appreciate them without disturbing their way of living.”
than a two and a half hour drive from any of Stockholm’s international airports. “It’s a pleasure greeting so many international travellers in the middle of the Swedish woods,” Nilsson says with a smile. Other
Photo: Mikael Nilsson
Photo: Ahrn Nilsson
Web: www.nordicdiscovery.se Facebook: nordicdiscovery
Scan Business Keynote 85 | Business Profiles 86 | Business Calendar 87 | Conference of the Month 88
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Nothing jobs in nowhere places By Steve Flinders
An article about the current job market and another about Wembley Stadium made a serendipitous connection in my head the other night. David Graeber, an anthropologist at the London School of Economics, writes about “bullshit jobs”. He claims that more than a third of British workers regard their jobs as essentially pointless and argues that many meaningless positions exist largely to satisfy the vanity of managers, desirous of demonstrating their status and power. “There is an almost perfect inverse relation between how much your work directly benefits others, and remuneration,” he says, and thinks that much current resentment derives from this. Will Magee’s wonderful piece about the sheer awfulness of Wembley – “the nothing beyond all nothings” – also makes reference to the French anthropologist Marc Augé’s notion of the non-place. Airports, shopping centres and Travelodge bedrooms are all non-places. To these I would add the hundreds of thousands
of soulless workplaces, entirely indistinguishable from each other, designed by non-benevolent employers. Call centres are the direct spiritual descendants of 18th century cotton mills. But there is hope. Artificial intelligence will combine with the Universal Basic Income to liberate us in our millions. After all, isn’t the British Conservative Party already proving that it is no longer the party of business, telling business leaders with Brexit warnings to go and stuff themselves, and even suggesting that there might be something wrong about executives earning hundreds of times more dosh than their minions? With precarious workers starting to win court cases over their employment rights, perhaps the tide will now turn against rampant zero hours, outsourcing, and wage poverty. Money will flow back to labour from capital, reversing the historical trend identified so shockingly by Thomas Piketty. And, as labour reasserts itself, employers will be compelled to provide decent, interesting
workplaces suitable for humans rather than hamsters. This was my dream after reading these two pieces. And then I woke up. 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.
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Scan Magazine | Business Profile | BoardPlace A/S
Making board work more secure One of the biggest risks in today’s board work is having confidential documents ending up in the wrong place. The digital tool BoardPlace prevents this from happening, and also makes board work easier and more structured. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: BoardPlace
The careless way in which many boards handle confidential material represents a massive security risk, according to Jakob Scharf, former PET boss and current director at CERTA Intelligence & Security A/S. This is one of the reasons why BoardPlace has made it its vision to make board work more secure. Its digital system eliminates e-mail correspondence completely, and instead, collects and structures all necessary communication directly in the BoardPlace app. “I still haven’t come across companies with clear rules on which e-mail accounts their board members can use. They just send the information to the e-mail addresses of their board members, regardless of whichever e-mail account they may have. One might have a Hotmail account, which is extremely easy to hack, and another might have a company e-mail ad86 | Issue 115 | August 2018
dress, where their respective company keeps a backup of all e-mails received,” explains Claus Due, sales and developing consultant at BoardPlace. “So you have often confidential information, which is meant for board members only, ultimately accessible to a lot of people.”
both online and offline,” Due notes. He adds: “It’s becoming more and more essential to board performance to replace members of the board to suit the task at hand. With BoardPlace, all data is gathered in one place, so it’s easier to get members on board quickly and give them a complete overview. That way, they are able to perform well right away. Using BoardPlace also ensures that data and information created at the board stays at the board.”
Making board work easier The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which was implemented earlier this year, also presents companies with new challenges. Most board work contains personal information, which, according to the new regulations, can no longer be shared via e-mail. “Not only is BoardPlace more secure to use, but it also gives you a lot of advantages. You have easy access to key information, you can optimise time management, get a better overview, and it works
Claus Due.
Web: www.boardplace.com Facebook: boardplace.dk LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/ company/boardplace
Scan Magazine | Business | Calendar
Business Calendar
By Sanne Wass | Photo: DUCC
Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month Nordic Drinks at Ole & Steen This month’s Nordic Drinks will be hosted by Ole & Steen, the Danish bakery (known as Lagkagehuset in Denmark) which has been taking London by storm since 2016. Taking place every last Thursday of the month, the event gives members and friends of the Norwegian, Finnish and Danish trade organisations in the UK a forum to gather for a drink and networking. It is the perfect place to meet existing contacts and to build new business relations. Date: 30 August 2018, 6–8pm Venue: Ole & Steen, 1 Sir Simon Milton Square, London SW1E 5DJ, UK www.ducc.co.uk
Brexit breakfast briefing This breakfast seminar, hosted by the DanishUK Association and ebl miller rosenfalck, will look at practical issues relating to when the UK divorces the EU, and how you can prepare for the changes to come. Breakfast and re-
freshments will be served prior to the briefing, which will be followed by a Q&A session. Date: 11 September 2018, 8.30-10am Venue: Icons of Denmark, 1–2 St John’s Path, London EC1M 4DD, UK www.ducc.co.uk
Nordic Chambers Business Forum For the past five years, the Nordic Chambers Business Forum has brought together senior professionals to celebrate Anglo-Nordic business, share expertise and discuss timely topics. Hosted by the Nordic Chambers, this year’s forum will focus on business agility. What does agility mean and how can organisations evolve to thrive in an environment that demands constant change? Those are some of the questions that will be addressed through presentations, panels and audience discussions. Date: 19 September 2018, 6–9pm Venue: Equinor UK, 1 Kingdom St, London W2 6BD, UK www.scc.org.uk
Business networking in Aberdeen The Norwegian British Chamber presents a day of golf and networking. Meeting on the golf course is a great way of connecting with other companies if you have an interest in working in the Nordic countries and getting to know the Nordic business community. The day includes lunch, golf and dinner, and you can join either as a team or individual. Date: 27 September 2018, 11am–8pm Venue: Peterculter Golf Club, Oldtown, Burnside Road, Aberdeen AB14 OLN, UK www.nbccuk.com
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Scan Magazine | Conference of the Month | Norway
Conference of the Month, Norway
South Norway’s biggest conference centre Q42 is not only the biggest conference venue in southern Norway, but also has state-of-the-art amenities and enthusiastic staff, who facilitate top class events, including big concerts. By Sunniva Davies-Rommetveit | Photos: Q42 conference centre Kristiansand
Operated by Kristiansand Kongressenter AS, Q42 is a conference centre blessed with very Scandinavian traits: cutting-edge facilities, excellent technological offerings and accomplished staff. A complex that also includes a hotel, restaurant, café and flats, the Kristiansand-based centre opened in November 2016, and welcomed 175,000 visitors last year. As well as being the biggest conference centre in Norway’s Sørlandet (between the oil town of Stavanger to the west, and Sandefjord to the east), it is also one of the most versatile conference halls in Norway. “We can be very flexible with the 88 | Issue 115 | August 2018
types of events we host — from evening banquets for up to 450 guests, to all-day conferences for up to 1,300 attendees, or concerts for up to 2,000 attendees,” explains Q42 chief executive Billy Øksendal. Having room sizes that vary from a capacity of between ten and 175 people and up to 1,300 is great for trade fair events, he adds, because large conferences such as these “often split into smaller groups throughout the day, for seminars and talks in more intimate settings.”
Unrivalled flexibility It is not only the versatility of Q42’s spaces that makes it stand out from the
crowd, but also its holistic approach to event management. “We’ve had great feedback from previous attendees about both our technological offering and our events management services,” Øksendal explains. This versatility is illustrated by the fact that the centre offers services as diverse as instrument rental for formal evening events and a language interpreting service for international conferences. Such tailored event management ensures that all events, whether large or small, run as smoothly as possible. Anything and everything can be taken care of by Q42 staff — from sending out invitations and providing essential information before the event, to administering ticket sales and registration on the day. This means that event hosts can “focus more on an event’s content, as opposed to the logistics of setting it up,” Øksendal adds.
Scan Magazine | Conference of the Month | Norway
This customised approach does not stop at event management, either. The conference centre’s varied menu and catering services mean that prospective event organisers can choose from a wide selection of options, including canapé menus for up to 1,000 people. “We pride ourselves on offering as versatile a menu as possible,” says Øksendal. “This just adds to the good customer experience that our clients have had to date.”
Technological innovation In today’s world, where technology rules, Kristiansand Kongressenter has made sure to prioritise a state-of-the-art media centre, which includes TV and radio production, event live streaming and social media management. The sound and light systems are also top-quality, Øksendal confirms, allowing Q42 to hold conferences, seminars, concerts and theatre productions all under one roof. The types of concerts held at Q42 have been equally varied, with both local and commercial artists having used the main hall at the centre in the past. This September, internationally renowned gospel singer Kirk Franklin will take centre stage — just one of many events the
centre has planned for people to enjoy throughout the autumn.
“A great place to hold a conference” Located in Norway’s fifth largest city, and just a few hours away from the country’s oil capital, Stavanger, Kristiansand Kongressenter is well located for local and international business conferences alike. “From its location, to technical equipment, event management and venue setup, the centre was built with innovation and modernity in mind,” says Øksendal. “If event organisers are wondering if a particular event is possible at Q42, it nearly always is,” he adds. The centre is not simply an amalgamation of conference and concert venues, either. Instead, it offers two spacious exhibition areas, or foyers, which Øksendal says are “really beneficial for a trade fair event”, and are beautiful spaces in their own right. There is also a café and restaurant on site, which provides a welcome diversion for event attendees in between talks, or for concert-goers. Having opened its doors just two years ago, Q42 has already attracted welldeserved attention. “We really do try to
have as tailored an offering as possible,” Øksendal explains, adding: “The vision of Q42 is that it should be a great place to be. That’s what we’re trying to live by in everything that we do and offer here at the centre.”
Venue capacity Main hall: - 2,000 standing - 1,315 theatre-style - 400 desk set-up - 450 banquet long table with buffet - 300 banquet round table with buffet Hall: - 175 theatre-style - 125 desk set-up - 140 banquet Additional venues: - Four meeting rooms - 12 to 25 people - Two lecture theatres - 35 to 100 people Exhibition areas: - Two foyers, 500 and 400 square metres
Web: www.q42.no
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
Photo: Rasmus Pedersen
Restaurant of the Month, Denmark
Delicious food in beautiful surroundings Ribe is probably one of Denmark’s most beautiful towns, with historic buildings, cobbled streets and plenty of things to do and see. Restaurant Sælhunden is found in a 17th century listed building and serves high-quality, traditional Danish dishes, which are loved by both locals and visitors alike.
spent exploring the city, the seaside or one of the many local events. Klausen does everything to make you feel welcome as soon as you step through the door.
By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Jens Jørgensen
The restaurant is cosy, with space for around 50, divided between two rooms. In the summer, the capacity is doubled as tables are put out by the river and in the sun-filled courtyard. “The restaurant has retained its charm and it feels a bit like stepping back in time when you enter,” explains owner Rinda Klausen. Importantly, the food that is served is of the highest quality. “We get fresh fish delivered to us three to four times a week, and we’d much rather say that we’ve run out of something than serve something with substandard ingredients,” Klausen says.
ty, and the walls and tables are decorated with pictures of locals. “When I started running the restaurant, there were two freedom fighters who would come in three times a week for what they called the ‘Tuesday Club’. They were presidents of the club and, ever since, we’ve had the president’s table,” Klausen says with a smile.
Part of the community
Restaurant Sælhunden also has two bedrooms for visitors to Ribe, with breakfast included and served either in the room or by the river. The restaurant also hosts fish evenings, where the chef creates a six-course menu with new and exciting dishes; an event that is always popular.
The restaurant has been at the centre of the community for many years and was once a pub, prior to being converted into a restaurant in 1989. Throughout the years, it has served the local communi-
Whether you are a local or visiting Ribe, a visit to Restaurant Sælhunden is a must. It is the perfect place to sample some Danish delicacies after a day
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Web: www.saelhunden.dk Facebook: Restaurant Sælhunden
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden
Restaurant of the Month, Sweden
Classic elegance meets an international vibe With its superb location and lively atmosphere, restaurant Strandvägen 1 attracts a dynamic mix of guests from both the neighbourhood and the rest of the world, including celebrities and royals. It also has a fabulous terrace — perfect for catching the late summer sun.
This year, the music-themed month will take place in October and, as with previous years, guests can expect nothing but great music, food and drinks.
By Malin Norman | Photos: Strandvägen 1
Dahlberg also recommends Strandvägen 1 for having one of Stockholm’s best terraces, with sun all through the day and evening. And sharing its kitchen is restaurant Milles, a classic neighbourhood bistro known affectionately as Bakfickan by locals. “If you’re a regular at Bakfickan, you will know at least four other tables,” he smiles. “Here, guests and staff exist in complete symbiosis.”
At one of Stockholm’s most prominent addresses, at the start of the main boulevard and directly opposite the Royal Dramatic Theatre in the city centre, sits restaurant Strandvägen 1. Established five years ago in what was previously a bank, the venue has already made quite an impression.
someone special, for family celebrations, or for Sunday brunch with grandma. We also have a huge bar in the middle of the restaurant. It gets quite lively at times and that’s exactly how it should be — Strandvägen 1 is a meeting place.”
Strandvägen 1 has the atmosphere of a classic venue that has always been there, both in terms of interior and its offering. From dawn to dusk, guests can enjoy all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. The talented kitchen team works with classic flavours. And the menu, based around international influences with a Mediterranean touch, changes according to season.
In addition to being an exclusive restaurant, Strandvägen 1 also organises a music-themed month every year, with live concerts from Tuesday to Saturday. Previous musicians to have performed include Petter, one of Sweden’s bestknown rappers, and music collective Blacknuss.
“We have a true international vibe here,” says restaurant manager Oscar Dahlberg. “Everyone is welcome, whether with colleagues for ‘after work’, on a date with
A whole month of live gigs
“During this month, we make our venue accessible to another type of audience,” says Dahlberg. “People who wouldn’t normally come to this neighbourhood drop by to check out our gigs, which makes for a fantastic mix of people.”
Web: www.strandvagen1.se Facebook: Strandvagen1 Instagram: @strandvagen1
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Dim sum.
Restaurant of the month, Norway
A unique, sophisticated and modern Asian restaurant serving Chinese dishes Want to experience a unique Asian restaurant concept, in the heart of Oslo? Having moved from its previous premises, and with a change in focus to provide exquisite Chinese dishes, combined with great design and a cosy atmosphere, Nodee Barcode has become one of the essential places to visit in the Norwegian capital. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Nodee Barcode
With a warm atmosphere and delicious dishes, this trendy hotspot is like heaven for Asian-food lovers. “We want to deliver a unique, sophisticated and modern, yet informal restaurant experience to our customers,” says customer relationship manager and co-founder Sean Cao. Since it opened in 2003, the restaurant’s aim has always been to deliver high-quality Asian food. After the move to new premises in Bjørvika in late 2016, however, its focus has shifted more to92 | Issue 115 | August 2018
wards Chinese cuisine and its delicacies. “The move was necessary to get us up to an international level,” Cao explains. “Our menu has now been freshened up, and our name has changed to Nodee Barcode. Our new menu is full of classic dishes from China, such as Peking duck, dim sum, wok, and dishes from the robata grill, as well as sushi.” Quality and authenticity With a focus on quality and authenticity, Nodee Barcode prides itself on serving
delicious, original dim sum. “In China, dim sum is like art, and it was important for us to do it justice. We therefore have our very own dim sum chef from China, with 20 years’ experience, who has been a part of our kitchen for ten years,” says Cao. “We use some locally sourced ingredients, like Norwegian reindeer, for example.” Traditional Peking duck At one end of the restaurant you can find the open kitchen, where it is possible to watch the chefs as they prepare and cook your food. “You can see how our dim sum is steamed, and our impressive Peking duck specialty oven. The oven is, in fact, the only one in Scandinavia, and it ensures you get a crisp, juicy and tasty traditional Peking duck, just like you
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
would get in China,” Cao says proudly. The oven guarantees a unique and perfect result, offering an authentic Peking duck never before tasted in Norway. “We are proud of the amazing flavours in our food, but also of our wide selection of drinks,” Cao notes. “One feature that sets us apart is the wall, which is simply an elongated glass wine cabinet, giving a full view of our varied and extensive wine selection.” He adds: “I would also say we have one of the best bartenders in Oslo, who creates spectacular cocktails.” Amazing flavours, combined with design The Barcode district in Bjørvika is something completely out of the ordinary, and the interesting architecture of the building attracts those who love experiences, exciting food and shopping. Stepping through the doors, you will discover a warm, international atmosphere, created by interior designer Anemone Wille Våge. The dark style, combined with a carefully selected blend of Scandinavian design and hints from Asia, creates a special and cosy mood. Within the open, airy space, you will find beautiful, carved woodcut walls, small individual sections, soft chairs and soft lighting, all with a modern look. The restaurant also has a popular mezzanine, making it possible to enjoy food
and drinks in groups, whether with family, friends or colleagues. “The mezzanine can be booked out for private parties for up to 20 people and is a great place to share good food in a more peaceful setting,” says Cao. Nodee Skybar Those visiting Nodee Barcode also have the option of heading up to the Nodee Skybar on the 13th, 14th and 15th floors, which offer outdoor seating on a large terrace, a bar, a restaurant with a Japanese menu, and a night lounge. Enjoy the amazing view of the sea and the Oslo skyline with a glass in hand — one more exciting possibility offered by the new and unique Nodee experience. Opening hours Dinner: Monday – Saturday: 4pm – 1am Lunch: Monday – Friday: 11am – 4pm, Saturday: 12pm – 4pm Address: Dronning Eufemias gate 28, 0191 Oslo, Norway
Web: www.nodee.no Facebook: NodeeBarcode Instagram: @nodee_barcode
The specialty Peking duck oven, which guarantees an authentic Peking duck.
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland
Restaurant of the month, Finland
Pure Finnish food Driven by an unwavering determination to create a better planet for the next generation, Restaurant C serves carefully crafted handmade dishes, made from the purest and freshest Finnish ingredients. From preserving birch leaves to scouring the woods for roots and herbs to generate interesting flavours, innovation and ecology is at the core of C’s ethos. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Ronja Honko/Kohokohdat
Christina Suominen and co-owner Ilkka Isotalo launched Restaurant C, located in the heart of Tampere, in 2008. The restaurant opened serving handmade dishes, made from pure, Finnish ingredients. “Then the recession hit. We barely had any money to buy stock for the restaurant, and banks would not give us any credit,” Suominen recalls. “Luckily, however, small, local producers gave us ingredients on credit and we were able to keep afloat. Ever since then, we have forged close relationships with our local suppliers and haven’t looked back.” Fast-forward ten years, and it is clear 94 | Issue 115 | August 2018
Suominen and Isotalo have formed a perfectly harmonious co-ownership, and the restaurant is thriving. Suominen claims that she is the sensible one of the two, keeping their feet on the ground, while Isotalo brings innovation, youth and flair to the table.
Suominen says. The biodynamic approach to agriculture was conceived by Rudolf Steiner and considers a farm as a closed loop, made up of various organisms that thrive through biodiversity, with equal importance granted to the health of the soil, plants, animals and humans. “Nothing is brought into the loop from the outside, and, after cultivation, the soil is left in a better state than it was found in,” Suominen explains. “It’s an all-encompassing philosophy, and very important to us when sourcing ingredients. We want to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for the sake of our children.”
Ethical, organic and biodynamic ingredients
Storing nature’s bounty
As far as possible, Restaurant C serves food made from scratch. “Our foods are carefully crafted, and we value ethically sourced, organic ingredients, with special attention paid to biodynamics,”
The menu boasts innovative twists on Nordic dishes, but is largely dictated by what is available from nearby suppliers. “Our fish comes from a fisherman at Lake Pyhäjärvi, for example, so the fish
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland
of the day will be whatever he has caught that day,” Suominen notes. “In the autumn, we serve game from local hunters, and the vegetables and berries used depends on how good the harvest has been that year.” 99 per cent of Restaurant C’s ingredients come from Finland – with the exception of salt, pepper and coffee. “This means that we cannot use exotic fruits, olives, or spices, unless they are grown in Finland. This requires a lot of determination and innovation, as we have to find out how to replace spices and flavours that would otherwise be readily available. We experiment with a lot of herbs and roots. For example, by drying a specific herb, we can bring flavours not dissimilar to Asian cuisine into our dishes.” As a result, the restaurant uses a number of preservation methods to store most of its ingredients, including freezing, drying, canning, salting and pickling. “For
Restaurant owner Christina Suominen.
half the year, there are no fresh local ingredients available, so we have to make the most out of it during the summer and ensure that we preserve enough to last us through the winter and until springtime. In a lot of ways, we are at the mercy of nature, and we can only take what it will give us,” Suominen laughs.
Carefully selected drinks Suominen’s background in wine means that Restaurant C has an extensive wine list. “We serve European wines, in order to minimise our carbon footprint in their importing. It’s also important for us to only serve wines from organic vineyards,” she explains. Having made a name for herself as a well-respected sommelier, one of Suominen’s specialities is the way in which she pairs wines with food. Surprising combinations create new experiences that challenge deeply rooted beliefs usually associated with wines. “From the
very beginning, I threw out all the traditional rules related to wine and food pairings,” she says. “Our diners often tell us that they’ve been positively surprised by the way we combine the two.” All of the restaurant’s spirits come from Finland, and the drinks menu also features ciders and beers, as well as a number of non-alcoholic drinks from homemade juices. Although C is classed as a fine-dining restaurant, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. “Our handprints are visible in every dish, every ingredient and every drink,” Suominen assures. “Nothing is overlooked, and everything has been chosen for a specific reason. We are incredibly passionate about what we do — and we hope that rubs off on our customers too.” Web: www.ravintola-c.fi
Restaurant owner Ilkka Isotalo picking ingredients in the forest.
Birch leaves, and other summer ingredients, stored in salt water.
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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark
Hotel of the Month, Denmark
Svendborg’s star of the sea From strict missionary guesthouse to luxury hotel — the former home of Countess Anna Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Lehn has returned to its former glory as Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe. With its enchanting location, magnificent settings and innovative gastronomy, the hotel is fully worth a visit in its own right. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Stella Maris de Luxe
It was Countess Anna Ahlefeldt-LaurvigLehn who, around 1916, gave the striking white estate facing Svendborg Sund its apt name Stella Maris, meaning ‘the star of the sea’. As the name suggests, both the building and its location are out of the ordinary. And so too is the service of the hotel it houses — so much so, that Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe was this year named by Trivago as the best four-star hotel in Denmark. “We have people visiting just for the experience of staying at the hotel itself — treating themselves to a break from everyday life with a gourmet dinner 96 | Issue 115 | August 2018
and a day in beautiful surroundings,” explains hotel director Vibeke Halse. “But, of course, we also have people who stay for longer, and a lot who choose to celebrate special events here. It doesn’t matter why you are visiting, the hotel is sure to add an extra dimension to the whole experience.” The Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe opened up in 2014. Previously, the building had, for five decades, served as a missionary hotel with daily worship, prayer and a strict no-alcohol policy. Today, however, visitors to the waterfront hotel can enjoy
all aspects of life, including quality food and wine.
Island produce At the tip of the charming town of Svendborg, the archipelago of southern Funen is one of the main attractions within the vicinity of Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe. Part of the archipelago is the Vejrø resort, the sister hotel of Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe. Previously a deserted island, Vejrø has today been transformed into a stylish luxury resort with its own organic farm. The products of this farm also supply Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe’s chef Thomas Skovsmose-Falck. “Right now, during the summer season, we receive a large part of our produce from Vejrø, especially vegetables, but also lamb and pork,” explains Halse. “It makes sense because they have a fairly big organic production.
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark
However, our chef, Thomas, also spends a lot of time travelling around the area and talking to local producers to find quirky, niche products. For instance, we get the local speciality, smoked cheese, from Gundestrup Dairy, and speciality eggs from a small farm on Tåsinge island.” Food is not the only area where sustainability is incorporated into the experience. Everything at Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe, from the changing of tablecloths to the hotel’s own organic coffee blend, has been developed and selected to create a more sustainable operation.
Romance and warmth With its classic, romantic interiors, luxurious suites and beautiful surroundings, Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe is a popular site for weddings and romantic getaways. And whether part of a party of two or 100, all guests are certain to feel the love.
“We strive to meet everyone with genuine warmth and to give each guest an individual experience,” Halse says. “We don’t want people to feel like customers, but like guests, and that feeling of getting a special and individual treatment is something which a lot of our guests note in their feedback.” Indeed, the high level of service is one of the things which has helped Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe win top spot as Denmark’s best four-star hotel on Trivago. “Our employees’ dedication and high standards of professionalism create a unique atmosphere here at Stella Maris, and that’s something which is noted by our guests from the moment they step into our reception,” Halse stresses. The hotel also hosts many corporate events, such as board meetings and conferences.
Facts: Stella Maris Hotel de Luxe is located in Svendborg, one hour and 40 minutes from Billund Airport. The hotel comprises 36 rooms. Facilities include a gourmet restaurant, lounge and bar, panoramic terrace, a small private pier, and modern conference and meeting facilities. Suites include double Jacuzzis. The hotel hosts conferences and parties of up to 80 people. Most of the hotel’s rooms offer enthralling views of the Svendborg Sund. The surrounding area comprises many trails for exploring on either bicycle or by foot.
Web: www.stellamaris.dk
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Sagafjord Hotel almost dips its toes into the majestic Hjørundfjorden — the perfect spot for a night time swim.
Hotel of the Month, Norway
A spectacular fjord Whether you are looking for the ultimate climb, off-piste slopes, a late night fishing trip or just want to enjoy a good meal and a quiet place to gather your thoughts, Sagafjord Hotel is the place to go. This pearl of a location — situated between the deep fjords and the high mountains on the west coast of Norway — will leave you simultaneously mind-blown and mindful. By Lisa Maria Berg | Photos: Richard Nærø
“Even Norwegians find this place exotic. It is like a place they have never seen before, so dramatic in its very being,” says hotel manager Wenke Gjørtz. She is passionate about Hjørundfjorden, the 33 kilometre-long fjord that stretches out from Storfjorden (the great fjord), south of the city of Ålesund, on the stunning west cost of Norway. It is not hard to understand what Gjørtz means. When someone says picture postcard, this is what they mean. It is a landscape like no other, from the deep fjord to the soaring, knife-edge mountains above. 98 | Issue 115 | August 2018
Sagafjord Hotel’s ambition is to put Hjørundfjorden on the map as the new hub for events and activities in the region. And with their branding as not just a hotel but activity centre too, they are doing a very good job of just that.
A place for every season With its harsh winters, and summers with an almost-never-setting sun, Norway is not just one place, but many, in its ever-changing cycle. “The immense changes between seasons make it possible for someone to visit in winter
and have one experience, and then to return during summer and have a completely different one,” Gjørtz notes. And she is right. Whilst you can pack a bikini and a pair of shorts for August, you will have to equip yourself properly if you are climbing the Alps of Sunnmøre during winter. It is truly a place for every taste, whether seeking the thrill of a nearby summit or enjoying a relaxing swim in the hotel’s own marina.
Mindfulness If the thought of kayaking across, cycling around or — if you are of the very adventurous type — swimming across the fjord seems far away from your idea of a holiday, fear not. Sagafjord Hotel also happens to be the ultimate place to relax, reconnect and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “It is a peaceful place,” Gjørtz assures. “A place where
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway
one can come and just drop the shoulders a little bit.” The fjords of the west coast are often sparsely populated, with little hamlets found in between fields of apple trees and linked by picturesque, winding lanes. If you are looking for that place where you can soak yourself in beauty and atmosphere, then Hjørundfjorden is waiting for you. Many also use Sagafjord Hotel as a base for experiencing what the rest of the region has to offer. “We have guests that stay with us and day trip to nearby attractions, cities and fjords,” Gjørtz says. The city of Ålesund is worth a visit, with its distinctive art nouveau architecture and Geirangerfjorden, which features on the UNESCO World Heritage List. But a road trip in any direction is a feast for the eyes. “We have all sorts of guests here — including families or friends travelling together, while a lot of businesses choose us for their team events, conferences and courses.”
If you visit Sagafjord Hotel during winter, those nearby summits can feel awfully tempting.
Wholesomeness The food also deserves a few words. “We have a renowned kitchen, serving traditional Norwegian food, based on local produce,” says Gjørtz, who stocks her fridge with her neighbours in mind. Cheese, eggs, fish and meat from the area are the foundation for this traditional Norwegian menu. “Our neighbouring businesses, others working in the tourist industry and we ourselves share the belief that the most important resource between us is the fjord. We need to take care of her and we can only do that by working together,” Gjørtz explains. “We support each other, make each one of us better and build up each other’s businesses, with the philosophy that together we treat the nature around us with care and in a sustainable way.” It is hard to disagree. To be a guest at Sagafjord Hotel is to be reminded that we are guests of nature. And whether you are trekking in its mountains, kayaking across its fjords or simply admiring it from a terrace, you will love it, care for it and leave it as perfect as you found it.
Time to go fishing.
Web: www.sagafjordhotel.no
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Museum of the Month, Norway
Shining a light on the past and informing for the future Fancy a peek into the private life of Adolf Hitler where he nourished his artistic side? Or perhaps a glimpse at Eva Braun’s purse? This and many more curiosities from World War II can be found at the Lofoten World War Memorial Museum. The museum holds one of the world’s largest collections of unique artefacts that tell a story from the war far from the battlefield. By Helen Toftner & Astrid Eriksson | Photos: Lofoten Krigsminnemuseum
The Lofoten World War Museum is a museum that is out of the ordinary, where the focus has drifted from the military to the personal side of the war. Thus, the museum takes pride in reflecting the time span between 1940 and 1945 with all its drama and brutality alongside examples of personal sacrifices, altruism and courage. “It is a historical museum with curiosities that attract people from all over the world. It intends to encourage people to think for themselves,” William Hakvaag says. He is the enthusiast behind 100 | Issue 115 | August 2018
the museum, and it has become his mission in life to locate and exhibit artefacts that tell stories about people and the war. “A museum ought to shed light on the past, namely through photo material, pictures and text. Together, this constitutes a story, but the best thing it will do is to encourage visitors to think and make up their own conclusions,” Hakvaag says.
Josef Terboven’s porcelain Being Norway’s largest exhibition of uniforms, artefacts and small objects
from World War II, there are many curiosities displayed within the museum walls. Hakvaag himself has travelled near and far to get his hands on the unique pieces, and the current collection consists of porcelain of Reichskommissar for Norway, Josef Terboven; Christmas trees called Frontbaums, sent up north to cheer up Waffen-SS; Christmas tree decorations with Hitler’s head painted on them; as well as a large collection of uniforms. One of the most notable artefacts includes the main flag taken from the German ship Blücher after it was sunk in the Oslofjord. On that note, the museum also holds the cap of Birger Eriksen, the officer who ordered firing on the ship and was thus instrumental in stopping the first wave of Germans invading Norway.
Scan Magazine | Museum of the Month | Norway
The museum exhibits a range of original artefacts from World War II, including clothes and equipment as well as five watercolour paintings painted by Adolf Hitler. The painting of the farm house had a double back – a hidden compartment – where four other images painted by Hitler were hidden.
“Eriksen was from Lofoten, and it is therefore particularly special to have his cap,” Hakvaag says.
The Lofoten raid – the first victory against Germany It is no coincidence that the museum is located in Lofoten in northern Norway. The place played an important role during the war at the centre of Operation Claymore, often referred to as the Lofoten raid. On 4 March 1941, the allied forces, with the United Kingdom in the lead, carried out the raid on the Lofoten islands. It was soon considered the first total victory against Germany during the war, and it was a massive morale boost for British and Norwegian troops. It did, however, lead to the enormous fortification of Svolvær in Lofoten, and not least it opened German eyes to the north.
As a direct consequence of the raid, the Gestapo established their regional headquarters in Svolvær, alongside a considerable increase in German soldiers in the area.
Hitler behind the scenes – an artist and vegetarian Adolf Hitler is probably one of history’s most talked about men, and there is no lack of biographies. Most people are struck by his brutality, while others are also fascinated by the man behind the public appearance. It is a well-known fact that he was an eager artist, and it has been argued that the whole war might have been avoided if he had been admitted into the Vienna Academy of Art. With this in mind, Hakvaag bought a painting by Hitler for 200 Euros. What neither he nor the vendor knew was that behind the
paintings there were five drawings of dwarfs from Snow White, all signed by Hitler. “He was an artist by nature, which one could also see in his behaviour as a leader. He did not follow the rules of the game and did things that no rational leader would do: for example, sending his troops to Russia without winter clothes,” Hakvaag says. While obviously portraying Hitler as the leader of the war, the museum is also trying to show the person behind the scenes, who was a vegetarian and a non-smoker. “He was a hard-line psychopath, who may not have struck people as the dangerous person he really was at first. This is all part of our desire to make people think for themselves and gain a new insight into history.” Web: www.lofotenkrigmus.no
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Experience of the month, Denmark
Odense’s newest food market Arkaden Food Market opened its doors to the public in December 2017, and has since taken the Danish city of Odense by storm. Food from all four corners of the world — as well as plenty of coffee, wine and beer — is there to be enjoyed with friends, family, or simply while relaxing on your own. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Arkaden Food Market
Street food has become incredibly popular in Denmark and, when Arkaden Food Market opened, the founders wanted to ensure that what they were offering was not something that could be found on any street corner in Odense. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and positivity we’ve received since opening,” says Thomas Kyung Jensen, partner of Arkaden Food Market. “It’s amazing to see how people have taken to the concept and how excited they were to try something new and different.”
Everything under one roof There are numerous exciting culinary experiences to be had at Arkaden, and 102 | Issue 115 | August 2018
there is something even for the pickiest customer. Whether you want fried chicken, sushi, fresh spring rolls or Moroccan street food — to name just a few of the cuisines available at Arkaden — there is sure to be something to satisfy the taste buds. “We really wanted to be able to offer something a little bit different,” Jensen explains. “Of course, we have some classics like pizzas and burgers, but we wanted to ensure that each stall had its own story to tell. The pizza stall, for example, is run by an Italian chef using a particular method from his home region. We have another stall that only uses ingredients
from Fyn, ensuring the farm to fork chain is as sustainable as possible. Everyone is happy to have a chat, so if you’re curious about the food, then you can always ask.” There are currently 21 stalls, a wine bar, a beer bar and a coffee shop, serving over 2,000 people every day.
Serving the whole community The wonderful thing about Arkaden is that it has become a meeting point for the whole of Odense and its visitors. “In the morning, you’ll often see someone studying with their laptop, or a group having a business meeting. And in the afternoon, both the young and the old come in for a bite to eat. And then everyone gathers in the evening for food or a drink,” Jensen says. It makes for a superb atmosphere, as everyone sits on long benches next to each other. “You’ll often find yourself sitting next to someone you don’t know, something we’ve so far found to be incredibly positive, as it gives a commu-
Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Denmark
nal spirit to Arkaden. We love it when people meet someone new.” Arkaden was previously a collection of nightclubs and bars, but, when it closed, was left for many years before the food market stepped in. “A lot of people have some connection to Arkaden because they remember it from the time it was all bars, so the building as a whole is part of the community, and I think people have really enjoyed the fact that it’s now back and an active part of the city.”
Something for both the gut and the mind Arkaden not only offers a wide variety of food, but has also started doing events with some of Denmark’s most current personalities and speakers, recounting their own experiences either travelling, working with food or working in remote countries.
other business meetings, students and self-employed enjoying a good cup of coffee and some lunch whilst working on one of the many tables. Everyone at Arkaden is incredibly passionate about what they do, from the stall owners to those working behind the scenes. It is a place where both young and old can enjoy each other’s company and some good food, and if you are heading to Odense, it is definitely worth a visit. And the best thing? You can keep coming back and trying something new. After all, as Jensen says, Arkaden has “probably got Odense’s largest menu.” Webs: www.arkadenfoodmarket.dk Instagram: @arkadenfoodmarket Facebook: arkadenfoodmarket
“What we really want is to give something to Odense, and I think that by adding in these events and by having these speakers, we’re able to give everyone a good experience and also provide different perspectives,” Jensen argues. So far, the events have been incredibly popular, with some of those planned for November already sold out. For those needing to do some serious work, Arkaden also has a meeting room that can be rented out, but if that is not necessary then simply join the many
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Artist of the month, Norway
Art with an inner light Controversial but popular painter Dag Hol has never been one to hide in the shadows. Going against the current and ever-changing fashions in art, he creates magnificent landscapes inspired by romanticism and old painting techniques. This has earned him some of the biggest crowds recorded at exhibitions in Norway, but also a reputation as the ‘odd one out’ amongst the art elite in his native country. By Alyssa Nilsen
Hol did his first drawing at the tender age of six — a piece that has since gone missing, unfortunately. Nevertheless, it was good enough to light a spark in the young boy, and, as a teenager, he would strap his easel to his back and head out into the woods to paint the surrounding landscapes. In his late teens, he was introduced to Acem meditation. He pondered moving to India to become a yogi, but realised that he could practice and learn 104 | Issue 115 | August 2018
locally — that it was not so much about where he was, as about what he did. He went on to study languages, literature and art, and finds that the philosophy that was a part of these studies has helped his understanding of art and art history. “Languages, art, philosophy, meditation — all these different things have melted into one big interest,” he says. “They’re all connected.”
The close relationship between meditation and creation is something that is completely intrinsic to Hol’s life and work. It is not at all religious, but something all-encompassing that affects life, love and his art. “I’ve been meditating for 46 years,” he says, “so I’m quite advanced. When I meditate, I can often do up to 30 or 50 hours in one sitting. The things you work with at that point transcend normal emotional presence and turn into something more timeless. And that has affected my painting a lot.” He describes the process of painting a picture as a combination of meditation, philosophy and psychology. He will sit still for hours, spending the same amount of time thinking and reflecting
Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway
as he does painting new strokes. This, in turn, is the basis of one of his ideologies, which he calls ‘the art of doing’. The concept is an expression of his belief in the execution of the art being the most important thing, with the thought, technique and intent behind each stroke with the brush, giving the painting life and light. Too much modern contemporary art, he feels, is made with the concept as the main focus and purpose. As his website states: “Every brushstroke is a signature of the soul and that will be the theme of the artwork.” He likens this approach to Acem meditation, where the aim is to be in the moment every moment. This is closely related to Asian meditative techniques, be they Indian, Chinese, or Japanese. Studying these techniques introduced him to Chinese art, where the tiny human being in the vastness of nature is a Painting: Selje Kloster
recurring theme. “People are so small,” he muses. “We are utterly insignificant. But we’re part of a big cosmos, so big that we can’t even grasp it.” The tiny person alone in landscapes has become one of Hol’s trademark motifs as well. “People say that my paintings are so lonely,” he says, explaining that loneliness is something he has struggled with for years. He has a wonderful wife and has many friends, but loneliness is a companion he has never managed to escape. “You exist alone and you die alone, and people can see the pain of that in my paintings.” Another theme that catches the attention in Hol’s paintings is their inner light. Hol explains that, during some of his past exhibitions, he would sit in the middle of the room, painting new pieces as people were walking around and looking at Painting: India Malerier Dhomimal
the art on the walls, and that they would often come over and share their experiences with him. The vibrating inner light of his paintings was one topic repeatedly brought up. The motif can be a book or a forest, but the light shimmers from deep within. Hol’s approach to art has made him a controversial figure in the art scene, and many dismiss his paintings as outdated, old-fashioned and kitsch. Hol, however, feels that his classical techniques and philosophy make his art timeless, and believes that his paintings will survive the waves of fashion in the art world. Everything comes full circle, in time. Web: www.daghol.no Facebook: dag.hol.7 E-mail: dag@daghol.no Phone: +47 992 99 992 Painting: Reine i Lofoten
Painting: Libera Me
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Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Finland
Left: Laura, 18 x 14 x 8 cm, from a series of unique ceramic sculptures, GIRL GANG, Katja Tukiainen, 2018. Middle: Katja Tukiainen in her studio in Helsinki, 2018. Top right: Obey the GIRL, 200 x 200 cm, oil on linen, Katja Tukiainen, 2017 (from a private collection). Below right: a GIRL is not a four letter word, 150 x 150 cm, oil on linen, Katja Tukiainen, 2018.
Artist of the Month, Finland
Pink thinking Finnish artist Katja Tukiainen is unashamedly altruistic, creating works that depict adventurous girls brimming with positivity. By Hanna Heiskanen | Photos: Katja Tukiainen
The many shades of pink have been the colour of choice for contemporary artist Katja Tukiainen for more than 20 years. Where many would simply see the favourite colour of girls everywhere, Tukiainen sees a myriad of charged meanings. “I adopted pink for my art after returning to Finland from the Venetian Academy of Fine Arts. As an artist, colour is hugely important, and I didn’t want to be limited by the traditional oil painting colour scheme,” Tukiainen says. “I see pink as a political colour, too. There are so many variations of pink that I don’t think I could ever tire of it!” The recurring theme in Tukiainen’s works is girls. The roots of GIRL GANG go back to putting together ragdolls with her grand106 | Issue 115 | August 2018
mother as a child. At first, the girl as a motif was a way to perceive that there are no limits to being female. As student and professional artist, the theme of femininity expanded to cover other people and the world as a whole. “I quickly noticed that my girls really spoke to people. Viewers understand that they become more than just representatives of their own gender: men too, can see themselves in them.” Tukiainen works intuitively, based on her own personality and the values with which she grew up. She enjoys basing her art on historical paintings: a GIRL is not a four-letter word is an adaptation of Rubens’ The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus. In Fusion, a group exhibition at the Nordic Watercolour Museum
in Skärhamn, Sweden, she collaborates on a mural in an exciting new way with Icelandic colleague Sigga Björg Sigurðardottir. Whatever the medium, for Tukiainen, art is “my mother tongue and way of existing.” Where to see Katja Tukiainen’s art:
- Fusion, a group show at the Nordic Watercolour Museum, Skärhamn, Sweden, until 30 September. - GIRL GANG, a series of unique ceramic sculptures at Arabia Art Department Society and Iittala & Arabia Design Centre in Helsinki, Finland, from 30 August. - Solo exhibition at Makasiini Contemporary, Turku, Finland, 23 November 2018 – 6 January 2019.
Web: www.katjatukiainen.com Instagram: @katja.tukiainen
Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns
IS IT JUST ME…
By Mette Lisby
Who has encountered a new grey zone between Facebook friendships or acquaintances and real-life friendships? I recently found myself in this odd situation: someone requested my friendship on Facebook, on my private profile. It was one of these people who is in the same business as you, with whom you have got loads of mutual Facebook friends, who you have heard colleagues and other friends mention in conversations over the years — you are literally one birthday party away from actually having met this person in real life. So I accepted the invitation and we became friends on Facebook. By chance, a few weeks later, I met him in real life, at a birthday party for one of our many mutual friends. I was chatting when I saw him across the room and I thought “Oh, how fun! There’s that guy who befriended me on Facebook!” So I smiled at him. He did not smile back. My husband and I mingled around, several times close to my new Facebook friend, who at no point seemed interested in saying hi. I thought
perhaps he had not seen me, so I smiled again, only for him to shoot me a ‘Relax, lady!’ stare, as if he thought I was creepily stalking him. I felt inclined to follow him — see? I am not the stalking type at all! — poke him in the back with an insistent finger and say: “Hey! YOU asked me to be friends on Facebook!” I am usually pretty non-confrontational and easy-going, so after the initial outrage, I calmed down, telling my husband in the car on the way home that it was probably a misunderstanding. Maybe he thought I was someone else when he requested my Facebook friendship. But then, a few days later, it was coincidentally my birthday and this guy sends me a heartfelt greeting. Not one of those standard ones, but one you actually spend time on (or at least two seconds, which is a lot to spend on anyone these days!).
Muddy brown-grey
I do not look that different from my photos. Maybe he is just more comfortable being friends on Facebook than in actual life. And, admittedly, the great thing about Facebook friends is that you do not always have to talk to them. But it does reveal the real challenge with Facebook friends: you think you know someone! 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
would wildly squish all the different shades of Play-Doh together, all the blues and yellows and reds and whites, despite knowing what would happen. Muddy brown-grey. That is what happened. But I would stare at the lump in my hand, always reminding myself that muddy brown-grey is the best colour Play-Doh there is. It is all of everything, mixed together, until it is irreversibly one.
As I’m writing this, Sweden is about to play England in the World Cup. By the time it is in print, we will know who won, but at the moment, anything seems possible and I am being bombarded with messages from friends asking which team I will be supporting. The answer is Sweden. Come Saturday, I will be in blue and yellow, while my husband will don red and white. I am incredibly proud to call the UK my home and hope it will remain so. But deep down — apparently, as proven by the World Cup — remains the Swede, ready to scream at a TV screen while 22 men chase a small ball across it. I do not think of it as disloyalty to England, more as the occasional awakening of something that is so firmly attached to my soul that it can never be removed, despite what my mother says when she catches me eating Scotch eggs or coleslaw.
Dude, I met you a week ago and you could not be bothered to say hi to my face!
I think it is possible to immerse yourself in your adopted culture, while retaining some of the original you at the core, existing as a happy hybrid. It brings to mind those childhood moments of abandonment, when I
Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. Maria writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.
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Scan Magazine | Architect of the Month | Denmark
Photo: Santi Fox
The ultimate Jukka Hildén Jukka Hildén has 4.6 million YouTube Red subscribers. That is more people than watch Love Island or Top Gear. However, despite his success, the ringleader of the renowned stunt team The Dudesons likes to keep his feet firmly on the ground — metaphorically speaking, of course. By Paula Hammond | Photos: Rabbit Films
Hildén has just launched his new hit online series Ultimate Expedition, in which eight celebrities with no previous climbing experience attempt to ascend Mount Tocllaraju in Peru. It is heart-stopping stuff — experienced climbers die every year trying to reach the peak. Fortunately, Hildén is a man who never backs away from a challenge. The Finnish-born extreme sports star spent his early years “tipping over sleep108 | Issue 115 | August 2018
ing cows” in the small town of Seinäjoki. It was an idyllic childhood “with lots of love and attention”, but, he admits, “with no rules”. The result was a kid with “a good heart and lots of confidence”. That devil-may-care attitude has served him well. “I always wanted to do something special — to test my limits, push myself and learn, even when I was younger,” he explains. “So I applied for the Finnish Special Forces and got in. Military service
is compulsory in Finland anyway, so why get bored and do it the normal way?” From jumping out of planes to digging snow caves, Special Forces training is not for the faint-hearted. 120 people started the course with Hildén. Only 80 finished. But while the experience fuelled his love of adventure and taught him valuable survival skills, it also gave him something much more useful: “It taught me that it’s okay to use your head and to bend the rules in the right places.” Stunt performers, he comments, practice and calculate their stunts. He does not do that. Instead, intuition and common sense are his guides. “Obviously I’m not going to do something insane and stupid that
Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | Jukka Hildén
would kill me, but I like to go for the leap of faith and see what happens.” While Hildén’s biography describes him as a “stunt guy, actor and rockstar”, he defies conventional labels. “I like to act, but most of my work comes from being myself, so that’s not really me. Rockstars have a sort of anarchy to them which inspires others, but I don’t have any musical skills, so that’s not really me either. However, I do live my life with a ballsy attitude and the courage to look myself in the mirror and evolve mentally and physically. I like to say that I’m a Dudeson — a lovable daredevil.” Fans of The Dudesons’ TV show will be familiar with the explosive exploits of Hildén and his three childhood friends, but Ultimate Expedition has a more serious tone. Celebrities not only challenge themselves physically, but also explore and share emotionally. Surviving cancer, racism and sexism are all up for discussion.
It feels very much like the next big step for Hildén. “Ultimate Expedition has been the best and the craziest experience for me,” he says. “But it also gave me so much back because a journey like this forces you to think about your life, your goals, the past, and the future. I now feel that I’m in a good place. Taking complete rookies to a deadly mountain, pushing everyone, including myself and my own mental, physical and social limits, and being able to go through with it, was an experience that I can look back on and say, ‘I got this’, with whatever the thing is that’s facing me.” When Hildén is asked whether there is anything that he is genuinely afraid of, he pauses for just a moment before replying: “I never want to forget my dreams or stop enjoying the journey. Life is short, I want to live it hard. And I want to leave a legacy to my children. To be the man that lived his life doing his bucket list and inspiring people around him by being happy with a good heart. And you become
happy when you put yourself first, not by living by society’s expectations or what your parents want you to be.” It is an answer that might surprise many but behind that fun-loving, risk-taking persona, there is a gentler, slower Jukka Hildén. A father, a husband, a guy who likes to spend his summers in his lakehouse in Finland. “A sauna, midnight sun, and good friends that you can talk about anything with — that’s where my soul rests.” When he was ten, Hildén tried to build a bomb using fireworks. It blew up in his face, giving him third degree burns. “My face was like a big scab. It was a miracle that I kept my eyesight, but, surprisingly, I have no scars or marks from the accident. My mum was really pleased about that!”
Ultimate Expedition is available exclusively on YouTube Red.
Photo: Ultimate Expedition Marketing
Issue 115 | August 2018 | 109
Scan Magazine | Culture | Music
Scandinavian music The great one is back. And this time it is not a collaboration, a remix, or a feature; it is a new Robyn single – the first ‘just’ Robyn single in eight years. Missing U was released at the beginning of this month, and it is precisely the kind of song we all wanted from her: a shimmering synth-pop production that exudes joyful euphoria, balanced out by a heart-wrenching melody set to lyrics of loss. So classic Robyn then – and utterly brilliant. Following on from his stint representing Sweden at Eurovision in May, Benjamin Ingrosso is back with a brand new single, I Wouldn’t Know. A million miles away from “d-d-dance you off”, he has ditched the Daft Punk-lite electro-pop in favour of something that already resembles a summer radio staple. This guy knows how to produce a sun-soaked,
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By Karl Batterbee
feel-good pop song. And I Wouldn’t Know is going to see me right through to the colder months. At the very least. A banging dance tune is hurtling out of Norway right now: This Time by Bad Geckos. Deliriously catchy and exceedingly well-produced, before the second chorus has even begun the whole thing has revealed itself to be quite the singalong anthem – though perhaps not in front of your parents, what with those oh-so forward lyrics and all that. Finally, let me finish with a beauty of a song that was released a few weeks back but has unfortunately gone somewhat under the radar: the new single from little-known Swedish artist Emma-Lee Andersson aka Bellhouse. It is called Mess, and it is the sort of song that is so simple in its presentation –
and appeal – that to try to describe it sort of misses the point. The chorus is a gut-punch that may well leave you in one those messes she sings of. www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@gmail.com
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
Pikku Papun Orkesteri. Photo: Aapo Huhta
Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Helsinki Festival (17 August – 2 September) Helsinki Festival is Finland’s largest arts festival, bringing classical and world music, theatre, dance, circus, visual arts and a range of urban events to the capital. This year’s programme lineup includes international names such as Curtis Harding, Calexico and Kyle Abraham, as well as local artists like Esa-Pekka Salonen, Ellinoora and Pikku Papun Orkesteri. www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi
The Jadid Series (20 August) This event is the first edition of The Jadid Series (meaning “new” in Arabic) — a series of concerts featuring groups that have never before played together. Taking place at Café Oto in Dalston, the evening will feature the debut performance from an improvising trio of British pianist Pat Thomas, Danish saxophonist Julie Kjær and Irish singer Lauren Kinsella. 7.30pm, Café Oto, 18–22 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL, UK. www.cafeoto.co.uk
By Sanne Wass
Mads Holm’s About Common Ground (until 23 August) Danish artist Mads Holm is presenting his first solo show in Glasgow, in collaboration with Selected Artists’ Works and SWG3. Among the artworks presented are pieces from his expanding series About Common Ground — an experiment in continuous photographic studies of states and movements in contemporary society. 100 Eastvale Place, Glasgow G3 8QG, Scotland. www.swg3.tv Issue 115 | August 2018 | 111
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
Swedish choreographers Mats Ek, Alexander Ekman and Johan Inger will celebrate Ingmar Bergman with the piece Dancing with Bergman at the Ingmar Bergman International Theatre Festival. Photo: Lesley Leslie-Spinks
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Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
The performance Stalker will be staged in Norwegian and English during the Ingmar Bergman International Theatre Festival.
Ingmar Bergman International Theatre Festival (23 August – 2 September) It will be the fourth time that the Ingmar Bergman International Theatre Festival opens at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm. However, this year, when the world-renowned Swedish film and theatre director would have turned 100, has attracted considerable attention around the world. Over 11 days, the festival will stage no less than 50 exhibitions, discussions, workshops and film
screenings. Royal Dramatic Theatre, Nybroplan, 111 47 Stockholm, Sweden. www.dramaten.se
Swedish Crayfish Party (31 August – 2 September) The Kräftskiva, or ‘crayfish party’, is one of Sweden’s most important social events, held annually during the crayfish season. The tradition has also been embraced around the world, so why not join one of the many Scandi-style celebra-
tions held in the UK throughout August to mid-September? LondonSwedes is one organisation continuing its success from previous years, with three days of crayfish eating, schnapps and singalongs. Venue TBA, London, UK. www.facebook.com/londonsvenskar
Aarhus Festival (31 August – 9 September) For ten days in August and September, every street, club, stage, gallery and Issue 115 | August 2018 | 113
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
Julie Kjær. Photo: Dawid Laskowski
museum in Denmark’s second largest city, Aarhus, is transformed into a hub for art and entertainment. Taking place during the event is the annual Food Festival, located by the seafront. This year’s festival opens with a concert by one of Denmark’s most popular rock singers, Thomas Helmig. www.aarhusfestuge.dk
Peirene’s Autumn Salon with Guðmundur Andri Thorsson (15 September) The Peirene Salon is all about literature, conversation, dinner and wine. Joining this autumn’s event is Icelandic writer Guðmundur Andri Thorsson, author of Peirene No. 27 And The Wind Sees All, in conversation with his translators 114 | Issue 115 | August 2018
Andrew Cauthery and Björg Árnadóttir. The evening begins with drinks, followed by a reading and dinner. 7.30pm, 17 Cheverton Road, London N19 3AY, UK. www.peirenepress.com
Weaving New Worlds (until 23 September) This exhibition presents tapestries by 16 women artists from around the world, exploring anything from rural mythologies to floods and urban decay. Among them are Norwegian artist Mari Meen Halsøy, who works in the Lebanese capital Beirut, a city marked by violence and political unrest, and Tonje Høydahl Sørli, whose work combines comics and a fascination for popular culture. William Morris Gallery,
Forest Road, London, E17 4PP, UK. www.wmgallery.org.uk
Andrea Tarrodi world premiere (28 September) The Amatis Trio will launch this season’s ECHO Rising Star series at the Barbican with a new commission by award-winning Andrea Tarrodi, a Swedish composer who draws her inspiration from art and landscapes. Her works have been recognised both in Sweden and abroad — this year, her CD String Quartets, performed by the Dahlkvist Quartet, was awarded a Swedish Grammy for best classical album of the year. 1pm, LSO St. Luke’s, 161 Old St, London EC1V 9NG, UK. www.barbican.org.uk
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
Andrea Tarred. Photo: Louisa Sundell
Schackenborg craft beer is an homage to Schackenborg Castle. With its beautiful exterior, historical treasures and labyrinthine nooks and crannies, the castle is a living, breathing place shaped by international influences and proud traditions.
Schackenborg craft beer is brewed from carefully malted barley with added hops. The beers have in common a gorgeous golden colour and a rich, full-bodied taste. The Schackenborg craft beer series enables us to offer you an exclusive and varied assortment with something for every occasion – including fine dining. The two different types of bottles pave the way for both big and small experiences, and the 75cl bottles in particular can replace a good red wine as a dinner companion. The beers are brewed according to recipes steeped in tradition from De 5 Gaarde and in particularly from Schackenborg, each with its own distinctive flavours. The series’ aesthetic expression is inspired by Schackenborg Castle: the stucco from the Winter Dining Room served as inspiration for the labels, while the slanted font is taken from the ceiling beams where owners, craftsmen and servants have carved their names into throughout the ages. Schackenborg Classic Pilsner 5.5% 33cl | Schackenborg Red Lager 5.6% 33cl | Schackenborg Dark Lager 6.0% 33cl Schackenborg Double Bock 8,5% 75cl | Schackenborg Imperial Stout 10% 75cl
F I N D O U T A N D R E A D M O R E AT W W W. D E 5 G A A R D E . D K
De 5 Gaarde Havnen 1 8700 Horsens Danmark +45 4282 0999