Scan Magazine, Issue 118, November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018 ISSUE 118 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

RHYS: TAKING THE STAGE FINNISH INNOVATION, CRAFT AND DESIGN CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM SWEDEN: OUR TOP PICKS THE BEST OF EDUCATION IN DENMARK

by BILLGREN men’s jewellery & watches Trendy & fashionable styles with great value for money

w w w. b y b i l l g r e n . c o m

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents 48

COVER FEATURE 48

Rhys – Taking The Stage

52

For the sophisticated man, the interior design geek and the feminist in your life – Sweden’s many loved, successful gift brands help you get sorted for the festive season with zero stress but a range of strong cards up your sleeve. Read on and you may well need to treat yourself to a special Christmas present, too.

To Stockholm via Portland, Oregon, Rhys is on the up – and a steady up at that. But while the Swedish singer admits to having had a good dose of luck in her life, her mind is set on nothing but hard work.

Scan Magazine spoke to Rhys about moving to Sweden aged ten, that Scandinavian melancholy, and her new album, Stages.

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78

Leather Coats And Earthy Shades We help you get cosy as the cold sets in, with quality leather jackets and all the warm colours you could dream of. For the home department, add a Nordic festive touch – or go big and plan for a tailor-made kitchen…

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SPECIAL THEMES 16

Experience Ålesund Think Art Nouveau, stunning fjords and an impressive archipelago. Ålesund on Norway’s west coast is well worth a visit. Scan Magazine went to find the best places to get fed and entertained while there.

Home And Away Tips Plan next year’s extra special holiday with inspiration from Kemi in Finland or the cold but tender hands of one of Denmark’s outstanding fruit vineyards. For those planning a staycation, we provide some gardening and holiday home tips – as well as an opportunity to send the teenager in your life off for a very good start at a folk high school.

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SPECIAL FEATURES 30

Danish Education Special Efterskoler, folk high schools and vocational training programmes – we help you figure out what is what in the jungle that is Scandinavian upper secondary-level education, and list some of Denmark’s strongest players on the education scene right now.

DESIGN 6

Christmas Gifts From Sweden: Our Top Picks

This is Finland: Design From knitwear to leather bow ties – Finland boasts clever innovations, a proud design heritage and everything in between. We feature a range of beautiful, impressive brands, each with their unique appeal – but they all have a few things in common: a commitment to quality, a keen eye for detail, and a touch of Nordic soul.

BUSINESS 97

On Networking – And Radical Change Keynote columnist Simone Andersen gives you homework to figure out your networking needs, while regular columnist Steve Flinders suffers from political fatigue and calls for radical reform – in parliament as well as the boardroom.

CULTURE 115 Festive Culture From festive music releases to related tours and Scandinavian Christmas fairs, there is no shortage of cultural events to get you into the festive spirit, or just the cultural spirit if you are that way inclined, in the coming weeks. We know how, where and when.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 6 Fashion Diary | 8 We Love This | 94 Attractions of the Month | 100 Restaurants of the Month 106 Experience of the Month | 108 Architect of the Month | 112 Artists of the Month | 114 Humour

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, I have always, or at least for my entire adult life, had a bit of a love-hate relationship with Christmas. I love the food, the downtime and the atmosphere: the glögg, the Advent stars in the windows, and the no-pressure time with family. But the element of stress, the consumption craze, the pressure to spend – none of this ever quite sat right with me, and now, more than ever, I feel uneasy about the wish lists and never-ending talk of shopping.

The making of this issue of Scan Magazine has helped me make peace with these feelings, at least somewhat. It is hard not to feel hopeful when speaking to designers and craftspeople who care so deeply about sustainability, who know everything there is to know about material choices, production and lasting design.

Buying for buying’s sake is never a good idea – but if your sister would love a Venus-symbol ring made by hand in Stockholm from recycled silver, or your friend would be thrilled to see an old favourite piece of textile made into a new, cool accessory, you can give the gift of consideration for both the environment and your nearest and dearest this Christmas. This, to me, is a message to hold onto.

That said, as more and more people are aware, gifts do not need to take material shape. Often, the best gift of all is your time and presence, perhaps over a special meal or on a weekend away in a naturally beautiful place. We have thought of this, too, in making this magazine. I know I would cry tears of joy if a friend whisked me away for a night in a hotel overlooking the fjords of Ålesund.

Whatever makes the festive season special for you, I hope this issue can help to inspire conscious choices and creative solutions that make for lasting memories with those you love most. Now, has the glögg season started yet?

Linnea Dunne, Editor

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November 23, 2018 to April 28, 2019

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Tuesday To sunday 10-17 Wednesday unTil 21 Monday closed WWW.davidMus.dk

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary…

A big trend this year is to look at the colours of nature. We are talking a rich palette of earthy shades like beige, brown and clay red, as well as different tones of green. Take inspiration from the Nordic landscape, and do not be afraid to mix and match these colours this season.

By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos

Add this Shelby bucket bag in emerald to your outfit to look chic. Made from croco-printed cow nappa with smooth nappa detailing and gold metal trims, it has short handles as well as a cross-body shoulder strap, making it a versatile accessory.

Filippa K, ‘Shelby’ mini bucket leather bag, £460 www.filippa-k.com

Fur coats dominated the autumn/winter runways this year, making it a key trend. Stay comfy, warm and ontrend in this stylish Tabitha faux fur jacket. With an ultra-soft material and a luxurious, shiny finish, it has an extra wide, over-sized fit, which makes it perfect to layer over a dress or jumper when it is cold.

Weekday, ‘Tabitha’ faux fur jacket, £90 www.weekday.com

With the aim of being able to ‘party up’ and ‘tone down’ one outfit, this burgundy jumpsuit from Danish brand Notes du Nord is the perfect staple for this autumn and winter season. Dress it up by adding heels, or go for a more laid-back approach with boots. A decorative belt gives your outfit that little extra.

Notes du Nord, jumpsuit, approx £200 Notes du Nord, Imira Waist Belt, £84 www.boozt.com

6 | Issue 118 | November 2018

Norwegian brand byTiMo creates garments honestly and with integrity, bringing modern romance to timeless craftsmanship. This bohemian maxi dress comes in their semi couture georgette fabric. It has a lovely flounce detail along the skirt and a wrap detail in front. byTiMo, semi couture flounce gown, approx £297 www.bytimo.no

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

The Logmar wool scarf from Minimum is perfect for the cold season. The wool will keep you nice and warm, while the chequered pattern gives you a cool, casual look.

Minimum, ‘Logmar’ scarf, approx £44 www.minimumfashion.com

This two-toned colour block sweater by Filippa K is made from a soft lambswool yarn. Its regular fit and simple expression make it easy to dress up or down, depending on your choice of shoes and trousers.

Filippa K, wool colour block sweater, £130 www.filippa-k.com

Add a funky element to your wardrobe with this shirt from Sand Copenhagen. With a soft and warm print on flanella and its extra slim fit, it will fit perfectly under a navy-blue blazer or brown suit.

Berg&berg, 8008 ‘Iver’ shirt, approx £148 www.sandcopenhagen.com

We love the layered look of this classic Coltmar coat over the reversible Lamir vest in shearling leather, teamed up with smart trousers, boots and simple bags.

Tiger of Sweden, ‘Coltmar’ coat, £499 Tiger of Sweden, ‘Lamir’ vest, £999 Tiger of Sweden, ‘Tretton’ trousers, £199 Tiger of Sweden, ‘Bartis’ boots, £499 Tiger of Sweden, ‘Welo’ bag, £349 Tiger of Sweden, ‘Drop S’ tote, £299 www.tigerofsweden.com

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 7

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this…

Christmas is getting closer, and what better way to prepare than to start thinking about a few new minimal, subtle decorations for your home? Here is a selection of Scandinavian designs we love that will add a Nordic touch. These simple but beautiful items also work perfectly as little gifts during the holiday season.

By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos

This fine, brass-plated ring with a leather strap is a perfect combination of functionality and elegance, and can be used for many different purposes and occasions. It will make a beautiful door wreath or a lovely indoor decoration for Christmas, and after the holiday season you can hang it in the bathroom, or kitchen for towels, or use it to display your favourite jewellery and accessories.

Strups, ring brass small (16 cm), £25 Strups, ring brass large (33 cm), £18 www.skandium.com

Inspired by the Scandinavian forest, this cushion cover designed by Elisabeth Dunker for Fine Little Day can be used all year long, but we think it fits perfectly as a subtle nod to Christmas. The cushion cover is available in a variety of colours to suit your home, and the Gran pattern also comes on everything from napkins and trays to bed sheets.

Fine Little Day, ‘Gran’ cushion cover, approx £25 www.finelittleday.com

A tradition in Scandinavia is to burn a small bit of a candle each day throughout December to count down the days until Christmas. This modern approach to the ritual by ferm LIVING has a chart on the front of the glass container, where you can cross off each day until Christmas Eve. With a scent of cinnamon, the calendar candle comes in three different colours: green, white, and red-brown. ferm LIVING, scented calendar candle, £19 www.fermliving.com

The minimal Kähler tea-light holder from the Nobili range is inspired by the deep, green spruce forests in Scandinavia and has been created in a stylistic, simple cone shape. The many little holes light up when a candle is lit inside, creating a cosy atmosphere in any room. Available in different sizes and colour glazes.

Kähler Design, ‘Nobili’ tea-light holder small, £24.90 Kähler Design, ‘Nobili’ tea-light holder medium, £29.90 Kähler Design, ‘Nobili’ tea-light holder large, £39.90 www.kahlerdesign.com

8 | Issue 118 | November 2018

The Monili series from AYTM comes as a cornet for little sweets or as an elegant bauble ornament and is available in three beautiful colours. With a simple and minimalist design, you can hang it on your tree or anywhere else in your home.

AYTM, ‘Monili’ Christmas cornet ornament, £11 AYTM, ‘Monili’ Christmas bauble ornament, £9 www.scandinaviandesigncenter. com

Hotel beds are no longer a sleep lottery A good night’s sleep requires a comfortable bed. But preferences are individual, and so far it has been impossible to personalize your hotel bed. You never know if it will be firm, soft or something in between. Now the Swedish innovation YouBed changes all this – and opens for new expectations of this important hotel service.

youbed.com | +46 (0) 8 222 505 | info@youbed.com | Barnhusgatan 22 Stockholm

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | xxxx

A comfortable and classic wardrobe staple Ever since James Dean introduced the world to the black leather jacket, it has been a fashion staple. For more than a decade, Stine Busk has been creating fashionable leather jackets as the designer and owner of Munderingskompagniet/MDK – a company based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and dedicated to the leather jacket.

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Christian Friis

ly and, in just three years, MDK became the market leader in leather jackets in Denmark. MDK can now be found in shops throughout Denmark, the UK, South Korea, Ukraine, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands.

“It’s incredible to see my designs when I cycle through Copenhagen on my daily commute. Even when I was in Aarhus over the weekend, I couldn’t help but spot people wearing the jackets. It’s exciting to see how people have embraced the designs and are using the jackets as intended – whenever and wherever,” says Busk.

Soft and comfortable

MDK was set up ten months after Busk gave birth to her first child, as she wanted a more flexible job to fit around her new role as a mother. After pinning down on leather jackets, success followed quick-

What sets MDK leather apart is the fact that it is soft, comfortable and timeless.

“We’ve put a lot of focus, effort, time and money into making our leather as soft as we possibly can. We don’t want people to feel like they have to wear in the jacket, so

10 | Issue 118 | November 2018

instead, we’ve chosen leather that is immediately comfortable.”

Twice a year, MDK brings out a new collection, all of which is designed by Busk.

“I design clothes I actually like and would want to wear. I think it’s important to have that personal touch to it. It’s also lovely

Stine Busk.

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Munderingskompagniet

to see how the classic designs are used by different generations. My daughter who’s 12 and my mum who’s 73 both wear jackets that I’ve designed, so the age range is pretty broad.”

Durable design The leather used by MDK is usually lamb’s leather sourced from Pakistan. “Just like we’ve spent a lot of time finding the softest leather, we’ve also spent a lot of time finding leather from a good producer.

The leather we use is from animals that were eaten, so instead of having a wasted product, to ensure that the whole animal is used, we use the leather to create our goods. The producers have also been checked for quality and working conditions and are of the highest standards,” explains Busk.

to be wearing the jacket, you don’t want the jacket to be wearing you.”

Something for the future “I would love to see people buying less, but of a higher quality and therefore longer durability. Leather is a fabric that will last for many years, while maintaining its shape and look,” says Busk. “Of course, I’d suggest wearing a rain jacket when it’s raining, but leather can withstand quite a lot – especially if you take care of it and protect it.”

MDK makes both thick and thin jackets to account for the varying temperatures.

In addition to leather jackets, some other products have also crept into the shop, including leather shirts, skirts and leggings.

The high quality of the leather can be both seen and felt. Many of the jackets Busk designed over a decade ago can still be seen worn today, so an MDK jacket is a forever piece, rather than something of a short-term purchase that inevitably ends up being thrown away.

“Honestly, the best thing about a leather jacket is the fact that you can use it whenever and however you want. It’s great for work throughout the day and then in the evening it can effortlessly fit over a dress to create a fantastic going-out look.

It’s incredibly versatile, and everyone should have at least one at some point in their lives,” Busk concludes with a smile.

Danes are known for wearing a lot of black, and it is a colour that is also close to Busk’s heart; she thinks of it as being the mix of all colours. Most of the designs are in classic, black leather, although other colours and suede are now also available – though most are in muted, classic colours because, as Busk says, “you want

Web: www.mdk-munderingskompagniet.com Facebook: mdk.munderingskompagniet Instagram: @munderingskompagniet_mdk

Shops in the UK selling MDK: Iris Fashion, Hampstead, Queens Park, Chiswick, Amersham, Wimbledon The Dressing Room, St Albans Jane Davidson, Edinburgh Tribeca, Brighton Bernard Boutique, Esher Gerrards, Reigate Square Bath, Bath The Clever Dresser, Sevenoaks Feather & Stitch, Richmond Choice Stores Katie & Jo, London Leaf, Newcastle Tuula, Alderley Edge Cocaranti, Knutsford Stick & Ribbon, Nottingham Stripes Fashion, Worcester Doodie Stark, Horsham Amelie Fashion, Berkhampstead Attic Womenswear, Ilkley Just Fox, Leigh on Sea

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 11

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Multiform

Founder Carsten Michelsen.

A passion for kitchens When the first Multiform kitchen, Form 1, was designed, it was based on an ambition to create a timeless, iconic kitchen to match the legacy of the great Danish designers.

Three and a half decades later, the Danish kitchen specialist is still doing just that. In 2017, its latest kitchen design, Form 45, took home the international Archiproducts Design Award. Scan Magazine takes a look at what made and makes Multiform the brand it is today.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Multiform

The heart of Multiform is the workshop in Kibæk, Jutland, where 45 passionate and specialised craftsmen handcraft every one of the company’s kitchens. “We have no kitchens in stock, and we never will.

We take great pride in creating timeless and iconic kitchens, and our specialised craftsmen build each new kitchen from the bottom up using classic Danish woodwork principles,” says Multiform’s CEO, Michael Oversø. “To us, every little detail counts. We know very well that design is about more than smooth lines and beautiful surfaces – it’s just as much about what’s under the surface. We sort all our wood and veneer by hand and still 12 | Issue 118 | November 2018

use dowels, dovetails, and tongue and groove. Why? Because it lasts longer.”

Throughout the years, Multiform’s first classic kitchen, Form 1, has inspired a number of new designs, including Form 45 in brass, which was awarded the international design prize, the Archiproducts Design Award, last year.

It all began in a backyard in Aarhus The first chapter of Multiform’s story took place in a small carpentry in a backyard in central Aarhus. It was 1982 and Carsten Michelsen, the company’s founder, had an ambition to create a clas-

sic, iconic kitchen with architectonical values that could equal those of famous Danish designers such as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner, and Arne Jacobsen.

The result was Form 1, an innovative, simple and timeless kitchen designed and built to last a lifetime. The strong focus on materials and quality was embedded in Michelsen through his family of proud craftsmen who, through generations, built churches, houses and furniture throughout Western Jutland.

Besides this, the young Michelsen had a fondness for cooking, and through his work in the kitchen he found inspiration for his designs. “What struck him was that the kitchens of his time were lacking in innovation and quality. To him it was an essential criterion that a kitchen should be both functional and beautiful – even after many years of use – and that has been the guiding principle for Multiform ever since,” says Oversø.

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Multiform

Hand-picked, crafted and lacquered The wood used to create Multiform’s kitchens is exclusively sourced from European forests and prepared with traditional craftsmanship methods. This includes using ammoniac to bring out the most beautiful colours of the smoked oak used for cabinet doors. “The colours vary from light brown to almost black – nature decides. But, on the other hand, it is our craftsmen who carefully choose the finished pieces of wood and piece them together to create the next unique kitchen,” says Oversø.

Multiform has also developed its own lacquer to highlight the functional and aesthetic qualities of the smoked oak. The

lacquer gives the doors a smooth, deep and oily appearance. And, while it has the strength of auto lacquer, it has a wonderfully soft touch, hence the name: Soft Feel Lacquer. “It takes many years to master the art of hand lacquering cabinet doors, and many hours and skilled hands are employed to make sure the lacquer will give the kitchen an optimal protection for decades to come,” explains Oversø.

The passion for beautiful wood and craftsmanship is also visible in every single one of Multiform’s handmade wooden drawers. The maple used for the drawers is sourced from Austrian forests in December and January, when most of the trees’ sap is drained from

the wood. The result is beautiful, light wood that preserves its colour.

The wood is cut in a family-run sawmill in Austria. “For 30 years, this family has been delivering wood to us this exact same way. In our workshop in Kibæk, our craftsmen then cut out dovetails and collect every single drawer by hand.

Their experienced hands check and sand the joint again and again to achieve perfection. The result is not just beautiful drawers, but durable drawers tailored for each individual kitchen,” stresses Oversø.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 13

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Multiform

A new classic The latest addition to the Multiform series of kitchens is the award-winning Form 45, first introduced at North Modern in Copenhagen and since then at the prestigious Biennale Interiuer in Belgium in 2016. The kitchen has all the essential features of a Multiform kitchen – a timeless design and smooth lines – but the defining feature is its unique monolith look, created by edges cut at a 45-degree angle. Awarding Multiform the Archiproducts Design Award 2017, the international jury highlighted the design, aesthetic expression and functional qualities of the Form 45 in brass. The designer of the kitchen, Henrik Witt, says: “At Multiform, we had worked on this kitchen for years before we were satisfied with the result, and the award testifies that the qualities we aimed to create are recognised by others as well – and a Form 45 is just more stunning when brass is added to the design.”

In recent years, Multiform has experienced an increasing demand for hand14 | Issue 118 | November 2018

crafted kitchens with leading brass features. This, believes interior design expert Birgit Tarp from Design Circus, is a result of an increasing desire to return to the original materials that appear simultaneously modern and timeless. “Many people long for the good craftsmanship and natural materials, like brass, which can’t be copied,” she says. “People want the materials to be what they appear like. It’s a kind of counter reaction to the many years of faux wood and fibreglass. In an exclusive way, brass is both timeless and unique.”

Witt agrees and adds that whether it is a patinated brass kitchen, a marble table top or a leather sofa, many people like to surround themselves with materials that create an ambiance of history and grow more beautiful with use. “Even though a kitchen in brass might seem modern and perhaps a bit daring, it’s also very classic. Think about the many brass elements used on ships for generations.

It’s a high-quality material, which gets increasing patina and individuality as it ages,” he points out.

The vision When buying a kitchen from Multiform, the customer is guided by architects, interior designers and designers. The team helps control the process and

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Multiform

ensure that the kitchen is not just beautiful and functional but also in harmony with its surroundings. In short, the vision is, says Oversø, to create a unique space that fits each individual person’s or family’s life. “We believe that life is best lived in perfect frames, where every little detail is part of a bigger picture. And those are the frames we create. Through dedicated craftsmanship, we create timeless, classic and unique design kitchens – iconic spaces full of passion, dedication and uncompromising quality. It’s not just about practicality and functionality; it’s also about daily enjoyment. We want to create individualised architecture for everyday life, and everyone using a Multiform kitchen should experience the quality of our craftsmanship, every day.”

Showrooms Multiform has showrooms in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, London, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

In January this year, the company opened a new showroom in Stockholm and a new flagship store in Copenhagen.

Web: www.multi-form.co.uk

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 15

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Giving knitwear a new lease of life Tackling a small – but irritating – problem: reigning in unruly cardigans getting caught in doorknobs, Klipsutin is the accessory many did not realise they needed, but will now no doubt find it difficult to live without. Klipsutin is a Finnish handmade accessory that can be used to brighten up clothing for any occasion, or everyday use.

Helping to close a cardigan with no buttons, or helping to set your favourite scarf nicely, Klipsutin is handy and multifunctional.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Miika Koskinen

Klipsutin is designed to attach two pieces of clothing, such as a cardigan that has no buttons, but it can also be used to attach any piece of fabric to another. “I needed a product like this, but could not find anything suitable, and so Klipsutin was born out of personal need. We took an old idea and brought it to the modern day,” explains Tuire-Sini Koskinen. The result was a beautiful and practical product with multiple uses, suitable for everyday life.

From shortening long skirts so the hem does not get wet or dirty outside, to using 16 | Issue 118 | November 2018

it for an identity card or as a tie clip or a fashion accessory, the options for its use are almost endless. “I even use it to clip my curtains at home, and to attach my keys to the inside of my bag so I can find them easily,” Koskinen adds. A year ago, she and her husband, Miika, took a leap of faith, and dedicated themselves to making and selling Klipsutin full-time.

A beautiful multifunctional accessory The idea for Klipsutin was born out of a rather mundane – but irritating – prob-

lem: “I love knitwear and use it with most of my outfits. My only annoyance with knitwear was that I would constantly find myself getting caught in door handles, or with the cardigan floating about on a windy day,” laughs Koskinen. “I used to sell our product only as a hobby, alongside my day job – but one day, a woman came up to my stall at the market and told me I have a very unusual and special product, and that I should pursue selling it as my career. I took her advice and haven’t looked back since.”

With over 100 retailers and small businesses selling Klipsutin in Finland, and around ten in Sweden, business is booming and demand is growing. The product is designed, handmade and packed at the small Klipsutin factory in Hyvinkää, Finland. “My husband and I make the product, and we have two people in

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

charge of packaging, one consultant, and one trainee. We’re a very small family business, and I am so happy that my hobby became my main job; I am very proud that we are able to support our family doing this,” Koskinen continues.

this leaves holes in the fabric, and rarely offers a viable long-term solution. Besides, the needle isn’t pretty to look at, and needs to be hidden – with the risk of your finger getting poked somewhere along the way,” says Koskinen.

Giving clothes a personalised look

Made by hand from high-quality materials, the product is durable and safe to use on skin as it does not contain common allergenics, such as nickel, lead or cadmium. In addition to its practical aspect, Klipsutin is also an accessory that can be tailor-made to customers’ requests. Klipsutin does not need to be hidden under clothes – it is designed to be worn and displayed. With a variety of designs and colours to choose from, customers can make Klipsutin look like

Many people often find themselves hoarding wardrobes full of barely-worn, ill-fitting clothes – something the Klipsutin also tackles. “Many of us feel embarrassed about how many clothes we own; most of them forgotten about, hidden at the back of the wardrobe for whatever reason. Often, the reason is the wrong sizing, or the garment not fitting us as we would like. The quick fix is to adjust it using safety pins, but

their own, and it can be customised to give it a unique look. “We can use almost any material: pearls, different metals or braided designs, for example. For business clients, we can use company branding to give Klipsutin a branded touch, and for individuals, we can carve initials and names into it, or create a figurine of a special pet, for example,” says the owner.

For such a small idea, Klipsutin has huge potential in terms of making people reuse their unused clothes, and giving them a new life. “We’re helping to make knitwear wonderful again,” Koskinen concludes.

Web: www.klipsutin.fi Facebook: Klipsutin

Owners Tuire-Sini and Miika Koskinen.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 17

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

Left: A dress in the Ancient Forest pattern. Photo: Jenni-Leena Vartiainen. Top middle: Fabric with the Winter Apple pattern. Below middle: Pattern called Snow Ball.

Middle right: Pattern called Snowy Forest. Far right: Elina Salmi-Lampila.

Natural fabric design In a small village in the middle of Finland, landscape architect Elina Salmi-Lampila is taking inspiration from Finnish nature to create fresh-looking, graphic and timeless patterned fabrics.

By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Kuosiverstas

After being at home with her five children for many years, Salmi-Lampila started designing different fabric patterns as a hobby, and soon entered and won several design competitions in Finland. Suddenly, people started asking where they could buy her products.

Her hobby became a business, and in 2016, she set up Kuosiverstas.

“I still work as a landscape architect. It’s a good job and I love it, but this pattern designing I just couldn’t resist. It chose me in a way,” she says. “You can see my love for nature and landscapes in my designs, because that’s where I get the inspiration from.”

Salmi-Lampila lives in a small Finnish village called Kivijärvi, which means Stone Lake. Every one of her patterns has its own name, and there is always 18 | Issue 118 | November 2018

a story behind it. So far, the most popular patterns have been Wave and Devil’s field. The name Devil’s field comes from when Finnish people were superstitious.

They thought large rocklands were made by the devil itself, and they still to this day refer to these large rocklands as devil’s fields.

Salmi-Lampila’s patterns are often simple with bright, bold colours and strong shapes. “There is something very Finnish about my designs,” she says. “I want to convey a message with them: to me, the countryside is important and valuable. I want to show off the locality, show that these designs come from Kivijärvi, not anywhere else.”

The fabrics are made and printed in Poland, all made of organic, ecological materials. In the future, more and more

of Kuosiverstas’s fabrics will be certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard.

Salmi-Lampila sells everything through her web shop. The website is currently only available in Finnish, but soon it will be made available to users in English as well. Until then, international customers can order fabrics by e-mail.

With Kuosiverstas being a one-woman business, Salmi-Lampila does everything herself, and even though she loves every part of it and describes it as her dream job, she sometimes feels like she is on a race against the clock. “I have so many ideas and so much I want to do with the company, but I don’t have time to follow everything through. People sometimes ask how I have time for it all, and the answer is that I don’t think I do,” she laughs. “However, it’s OK to have a hectic schedule, because I really love what I do.”

Web: www.kuosiverstas.fi Facebook: kuosiverstas Contact: info@kuosiverstas.fi

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

The fabric of daily life Marjaana Niskanen got into textile design quite by accident. Her designs, however, are anything but incidental. “I find so much pleasure in the nature, people and animals around me,” she says. “There’s a lot of inspiration in the everyday life, from the trees around me to Chicken Lady Rentukka, my friend’s chicken who very kindly modelled for me.”

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Marjaana Niskanen/Visual Friday

Niskanen grew up in the little village of Viitasaari in Finland’s central region, an area known for its watery natural beauty.

“I was always surrounded by lakes, forests and fresh air. It was a very idyllic and healthy place to grow up,” she says.

Niskanen later moved to the region’s largest city, Jyväskylä, to pursue her career. One day, she came across a textile design course and fell in love with the slow and careful but experimental process of turning an idea into a real thing.

“I like to make things that bring people a little bit of joy every day, and I think the best way to do that is to make objects that are actually practical and will be used regularly,” she says.

Niskanen began receiving commissions while still a student, allowing her to set up her company in 2017. “I naturally

found inspiration in the things I knew, and I love the fun little details and stories of everyday life. Back in my childhood village, for example, the neighbours had a big friendly Finnhorse called Loukon Lotta. She inspired one of my first designs. Both the pattern and she are still going strong, and I visit her whenever I go to Viitasaari,” the designer smiles. “I think that kind of quiet joy resonates with a lot of Finns and people in general.”

Today, Niskanen’s products can be found in numerous places from the TeaHouse of Wehmais to the Finnish Craft & Design Fair, as well as at her workshop in Jyväskylä. With a bit of advance warning, people can come by to see her work and peruse her collection of trays, cushions, bags and more. Bold motifs like the Loukon Lotta, muikku fish and Finnish birch trees adorn the little shop, but the

matching patterns and uses of colour ensure that their subtlety and quirkiness draw in people naturally rather than scream out for attention. “The most important thing for me is that my designs are meaningful to me. I’ve found that if I love what I make, that translates to other people as well. Hopefully the warmth and good vibes I get from them can be shared with you too!”

Marjaana Niskanen.

Web: www.marjaananiskanen.fi Facebook: marjaananiskanendesign Instagram: @marjaananiskanendesign

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 19

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

Eero Johannes Vänttinen.

Back to nature Osmia creates fragrances and design products that are so authentic to the odours in nature that they bring back memories and affections in mere seconds.

By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Osmia

“For the love of nature!” For Eero Johannes Vänttinen, founder of Osmia, it is the exact same thing that gave him the idea to start the company many years ago that still drives and motivates him to this day. “I love flowers and their fragrances. In the beginning, it was my hobby reading analyses of flower and plant fragrances, but I saw an opportunity to develop my own man-made versions of them. I wanted to lead clients directly to positive associations and recollections of naturerelated experiences,” says Vänttinen.

Over 90 per cent of Osmia products are directly named after plants and flowers, which makes it easy for customers to find and choose their favourite fragrances for 20 | Issue 118 | November 2018

soap, shampoo or candles. The main market for the company is Finland, but the interest for the products is increasing in central European countries and the UK as well as Japan and South Korea.

The quality is in the detail Designing a fragrance takes a mixture of craftsmanship and intuition, and what truly separates Osmia from other brands is the accuracy of the fragrances. This is mainly due to Vänttinen’s over 30 years of research and his constant search to optimise the products. “Creating the product itself might take only a week, but fine-tuning it can take months or even years. You have to understand the molecules and how they work in or-

der to come up with the right fragrance.

There are so many small adjustments you need to make, because the quality is in the detail. Our customers often get astonished by how real and natural the products are, and this is the feeling we want to leave them with.”

Everything at Osmia is made by hand.

Through a glass wall at the small factory outlet in Helsinki, you can see how soap or candle wax is poured into moulds, and liquid products bottled and packed to be sold in Finland or shipped abroad. “We have a wide spectrum of products, but right now I’m actually working on a new fragrance – one of that scent that greets you when entering a flower shop. It has this very special fragrance that I would really like to capture,” says Vänttinen.

Web: www.osmia.fi/en

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

Showcasing the very best of Finnish knitted fashion Inspired by the surrounding nature, past decades, new adventures and the colourful changing of the seasons, Second Chance is a timeless clothing brand specialised in women’s and children’s wear. With an aim to produce only high-quality, ethical and ecological clothes, all items are made entirely in Finland.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Anna Wallendahr and Mikko Joona

Second Chance was founded by two friends in 2008, and Maija Nuppula, one of the two original founders, is still keeping the brand alive and thriving. Specialising in knitwear, what makes Second Chance unique is that all the products are manufactured in small batches in Finland. Everything from the care labels to the paper bags the clothes are sold in is made in Finland in order to ensure the high quality of all items and minimise the ecological impact by cutting out airmiles.

As well as selling Second Chance at their Mathildedal store, the brand is available through their online shop as well as online eco retailer Weecos. All Second Chance items are made from breathable, sustainable, eco-friendly materials, often utilising high-quality knitted and dyed industrial surplus materials from Finland in the designs. In addition, the brand’s own surplus materials are used to create all of its adult and children’s hats, as well as some of the children’s clothes.

The products are designed by Nuppula in her shop, located in the Mathildedal Ironworks in Salo. The patterns are made in Hämeenlinna and cut and sewn in Hattula, and the prints are printed in Aitoo village in Pälkäne. “Every stage of the manufacturing process is done by a small Finnish family business, and we work very closely with them. I want to showcase the very best handcraft from Finland,” the owner says.

For the patterns, Nuppula draws inspiration from the stunning scenery around her. The Mathildedal Ironworks and its surrounding village, on the edge of the Teijo National Park, is a picturesque little community with a vibrant atmosphere, beautiful old ironworks buildings as well as boutiques selling handcrafted products. “For example, our autumn collection features a print, titled Reflection, I thought of when I saw the trees reflecting

onto the Matilda lake during one of my morning jogs,” says Nuppula.

Versatility is also very important to Nuppula: the classic designs can easily be worn as everyday clothes, at work, or during special occasions. “All our clothes and prints are designed to be elegant and timeless. By focusing on high-quality materials, we can ensure all our pieces will stand the test of time,” she concludes.

Owner and designer Maija Nuppula.

Web: www.secondchance.fi

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 21

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

The paintings by Finnish Elisa Ahonen portray the beautifully fragile flora and fauna of her home near the Arctic Circle.

Capturing the fragile beauty of the Arctic Circle Combining rich visual impressions with clean Nordic lines, the delicate prints by Finnish Elisa Ahonen have an almost mythical charm. The representations of fauna and wildlife are inspired by the nature around the artist’s home in the Arctic Circle.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Ester Visual

It was the large, fluffy ears of a hare that first inspired 37-year-old Ahonen to start her series of watercolour wildlife paintings. Although Ahonen, a master of arts, never imagined she would become an entrepreneur, she soon after started her print business Ester Visual. “I had never painted animals before, but one day I saw a picture in a magazine; it was a brown hare, and the ears – they were just so intriguing. That moment I knew I had to paint that brown hare and its ears – I knew the ears especially would be amazing in watercolour,” says Ahonen.

One of the distinct features of Ahonen’s wildlife prints is the charmingly timid and vulnerably naïve states of their subjects.

It stems from a conscious decision by 22 | Issue 118 | November 2018

the artist to do things in a unique way. “I wanted to paint local animals but somehow wanted to do it differently,” explains the artist. “I didn’t want to just do the brave and dangerous animals, but the familiar ones too – like the moose, but not the big moose with the great big antler, the female moose without antlers.”

The animals’ charm quickly caught the eye of Finnish interior designers, and since the first hare, the wildlife series has been expanding continuously. Later, Ahonen added a series of delicate depictions of the fragile, beautiful local flora, and more are to come. Still, all Ester Visual prints are done locally and under close supervision of the artist herself. “I always try to use local busi-

nesses. It’s more sustainable that way, and it’s the easiest for me as I have to go to the printer to check the quality and redo it many times before I’m satisfied,” Ahonen explains.

The prints from Ester Visual are sold by about 20 retailers in Finland, Sweden and Italy as well as online. In addition to paper prints, they are available on trays, tea towels, coasters and as large, easy-to-hang metal prints.

Web: www.estervisual.com Instagram: @estervisual

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

Finding the Christmas spirit We all know it: it sneaks up on you when having that first mince pie, or when you hear your favourite Christmas song on the radio. With an atmospheric venue and handcrafted elves, Tyynelän Tontut takes the Christmas spirit to the next level.

By Lisa Maria Berg | Photos: Teemu Hujanen

In an idyllic Finnish courtyard, next to the Gulf of Bothnia, Eija Porkola has built a tiny piece of Winter Wonderland. “The buildings are from the 16th and 17th centuries. It makes for a very special place. It is an experience in itself just being here,” says visitor manager Suvi Porkola about the back story of this place that cannot be described as anything other than the very definition of cosy. With several small cottages in wood, one of them being an old barn, it makes for a very inviting, and superbly Christmassy, place – one that just so happens to also be perfect for everything from a quiet cup of coffee to an intimate wedding bash.

They all have a name Santa’s little helpers take different shapes and have different names all over the world: Swedes call them ‘tomtenisse’, in

Norway they go by the simple name of ‘nisse’, and in Finland, they are known as ‘tonttu’. In Tyynelän Tontut, they thrive.

away from a glossy Christmas made out of plastic. It means a lot to have someone recognise what we do here,” explains Suvi. Eija previously traded in antiques and, spread across the 15 little buildings, one can find old toys, clothes and other curious artefacts. It makes you wonder: could this be precisely what it is like in Santa’s village itself?

Eija makes every single tonttu by hand.

“No tonttu is the same. They all look different, and when a tonttu leaves Tyynelän it is always given a name before it heads out into the world. We believe it is the tonttu that chooses its owner, not the other way around,” says Suvi. No wonder that children find this place truly magical.

National fame The little elf community of Tyynelän Tontut has so much Christmas spirit in it that the President of Finland’s wife had to take a trip up and award them personally. “We have the diploma for outstanding craftsmanship framed on the wall. I think today, people want to move

Photo: Vege Viitamäki

Web: www.tyynelantontut.fi

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 23

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

No mean bean

By Hanna Heiskanen | Photos: Karviaisten tila

Karviaisten tila, a fourth-generation farm, has turned the humble bean into a variety of innovative and tasty superfood products that are ready to take on the world.

The bean no longer stands for bland and boring, and Karviaisten tila, who specialises in broad-bean products, knows this better than anyone. “About two years ago, I started experimenting with the broad bean. I baked a batch of goods for my family, substituting wheat flour with a broad-bean alternative,” says Katriina Klinckowström. “None of them noticed the substitution. That’s when I realised the potential of the product.”

Klinckowström and her husband run a family farm established in 1914. Each generation has sought to develop their own farming practices, but what has run through them all is an emphasis on quality. The farm’s produce is handled directly on location, including the packaging.

“This way, we can ensure our products are gluten-free,” Klinckowström explains.

For Karviaisten tila, the bean lends itself to a variety of products, from flour to

versatile ground and roasted beans, all with superfood qualities. Their latest invention is not what you would expect: a sweet snack of broad bean covered in chocolate.

“It’s an easy and tasty way to add protein and fibre to your daily diet,” Klinckowström says, “and by using the bean we can cut out more than half of the sugar and flour usually needed. We are inspired by the joy of good food and have been blown away by the positive response so far.”

Web: www.karviaistentila.fi Facebook: Karviaistentila

New love for old textiles Pumpa Upcycle is a young company with a passion for bringing new life to pre-owned textiles. “Customers may contact me with a piece of old table cloth, or a curtain, that we can then remake into a Pumpa Upcycle product,” says founder Maria Laaksonen.

Through Pumpa Upcycle, Laaksonen contributes to more sustainable consumption.

“There is so much fabric with potential out there, with beautiful colours and designs.

These textiles can be reused instead of burnt for energy or sent to landfill,” she explains. Reusable bags, furoshiki wraps, pet beds and children’s dresses are only a few examples of the stylish creations made by Pumpa Upcycle for both businesses and individuals. “When working with my customers and upcycling the material, the products are made after the customers’ wishes and become very unique,” she smiles.

Quality made for you Laaksonen works with four independent entrepreneurs who sew the products for Pumpa Upcyle in their own studios in southern Finland. “I am very lucky to be 24 | Issue 118 | November 2018

working with these extremely talented ladies with great knowledge in needlecraft,” she says. “All our products are made with care, and customers can expect perfect hems and stitches.”

Sometimes, Laaksonen also picks up the needle herself. “My grandmother was a needlework teacher, and my mum sewed during my upbringing – it’s in my blood. Pumpa Upcycle was born to be very customer-friendly and sustainabilityfocused, and this is how we will continue our story.”

Web: www.pumpaupcycle.com and www.weecos.com/fi/stores/ pumpa-upcycle Facebook: pumpaupcycle Instagram: @pumpaupcycle

By Kristine Olofsson | Photos: Pumpa Upcycle

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Finnish Design and Handicrafts

The perfect present with a twist Handmade by former Finnish boxer Jyri Naskali, these timeless leather bow ties bring a touch of style to any occasion – and have even been favoured by an NHL hockey player, the greatest honour among Finns. Using only unique materials such as recycled boxing gloves or reindeer leather in its products, Naskali Leather makes a range that makes your choice of purchase a win-win every time.

glamour to either bigger celebrations such as weddings or just a weekend brunch with friends,” says Naskali.

By Maria Pirkkalainen

Known for its famous glass factory, the small Finnish town of Iittala now bears a new artisanal talent in Jyri Naskali, whose handmade leather bow ties have been making waves in Finnish design circles since 2016.

“Starting my own brand came from wanting to create something beautiful and unique with my own hands,” Naskali explains. The result was a collection of bow ties that feel powerful, timeless and elegant.

“After representing Finland for nearly a decade as a boxer, I’m excited to continue putting Finland on the world map with Naskali Leather,” the former three-time Finnish champion says. Otherwise bestknown for being made using recycled mate-

rials such as boxing gloves and punch bags, his new line of reversible bow ties is made from the traditional material of reindeer leather. “You can see the marks of a good life in the leather’s little imperfections,” Naskali explains. “Nothing has been wasted.”

The product is also sustainable in itself, as it being double sided means you get two looks for the price of one. But the level of attention does not stop with the packaging: all the bow ties come in beautiful, handcrafted boxes made from Finnish wood, making them the perfect gift.

But what made the designer focus on bow ties? “I always felt a bow tie is a very playful accessory. It can bring a touch of

Photo: Jyri Naskali, Naskali Leather

Jyri Naskali. Photo: Jukka Salminen, Tiikerikuva

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

Stylish knitwear perfect for mid-winter Finnish knitwear brand Stoyteller values high-quality designs that protect against the Scandinavian weather, while also making bold and refined fashion statements.

By Sunniva Davies-Rommetveit | Photos: Storyteller

The brand is owned by textile design company Yellow Coconut, whose founder and designer Jenni Laurila is passionate about ensuring top-quality knitwear that works against the harsh mid-winter.

“I love different shapes and silhouettes, and I want to create something that empowers the wearer,” Laurila explains. “A sweater should feel like a warm hug against the northern climate, while also being a unique story in itself.”

Made in Kurikka, southern Osthrobothnia, the knitwear is produced through a process during which high standards are maintained throughout, “from picking the material − which is beautiful merino wool − to the finishing of the seams”.

Sustainability goes hand in hand with using the best materials, so hazardous chemi-

cals are not used in the production, while the materials are recyclable and the use of plastic is avoided as much as possible. The sheer quality of the knitwear produced is clear, with a wide range of products − from a fuchsiapink poncho to a stylish, rouge shawl.

Storyteller uses the best-quality materials to ensure that wearers are protected

from the Scandinavian winter, while the knitwear is always stylish and kind to the environment. “We believe that less is more and that clothes should last for years − every favourite knit should have a great story to tell,” Laurila explains, adding: “Each design is unique, proving that environmentally friendly clothing can look stylish and be functional too.”

Web: www.storyteller.fi Instagram: @storyteller_knitwear

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 25

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Innovative Finnish Design 2019

In Annala’s hands, Marjatta Metsovaara’s mid-century designs become woven textiles

Born of tradition, fuelled by the future K&H Annala Oy, the last fully Finnish interior textile manufacturer, embraces new innovations to create sustainable and timeless products for the everyday. Its latest collection takes on the vibrant mid-century designs of Marjatta Metsovaara.

By Hanna Heiskanen | Photos: Katja Lösönen

In an age of planned obsolescence, a 100-year-old family business that continues to make durable yet beautiful products provides the perfect antidote.

The guiding principle of Annala Oy, founded in 1917 by the banks of some western Finland rapids, has since the beginning been to produce high-quality textiles from naturally sourced materials. This only remaining Finnish interior textile manufacturer has recently teamed up with Metsovaara Oy for a collection of textiles based on the designs of Marjatta Metsovaara (1927-2014), to bring her timeless, beloved designs to 21st century furniture.

“Metsovaara had been looking for a Finnish manufacturer for their products.

Both companies value high-quality, 26 | Issue 118 | November 2018

natural raw materials and sustainability. We were a perfect fit,” says HannaMaria Kortesoja, CEO of K&H Annala Oy. Metsovaara’s original designs brim with colorful mid-century fun, which Annala has processed into durable wool-andlinen mix textiles that work equally well at home and in the public space. A more complex process than it sounds, the work involves transferring print designs into woven fabrics while ensuring that their vivid colour remains intact.

Modern methods “Usability is everything if we want to be truly sustainable,” Kortesoja says.

“Textiles for public spaces like waiting rooms and conference halls have very specific requirements we have to stick to.” The company is currently taking

part in the innovative Future Bio-Arctic Design project, which aims to develop new nature-friendly plant-, tree- or berry-derived substances with protective properties to replace synthetic, harmful and dangerous chemicals. “We want to look for solutions that reduce the impact our products have on the environment and the people who use them,” Kortesoja explains, “so that they will continue to stand the test of time even for the next 100 years.”

Another factor that connects Annala and Metsovaara is the desire to ensure the longevity of the legacy and traditions of Finnish design. Unless manufacturing is kept alive by staying true to its roots and also through creative innovation, the skills are lost. “I see our work as something that is passed on from one generation to another,” Kortesoja explains. “It’s the opposite of fast and expendable.”

Web: www.annala.fi

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Innovative Finnish Design 2019

The T6 kicksled.

The Esla Nordic Collection rocking chair

The leader in kicksleds celebrates 90 years A superb way to enjoy the outdoors and get some healthy exercise, kicksledding is also great fun for all ages. With Esla, everyone can find the right kicksled, and even the family’s little ones can join in.

By Malin Norman | Photos: E.S. Lahtinen Oy

Back in 1928, Esla’s founder Erkki Samuli Lahtinen started out with sales of Indian motorcycles and general machine repair. The company began production of kicksleds in 1933, and this turned out to be the real starting point for the company. In 1980, wheels were placed under the kicksled and development continued in wheel-equipped mobility devices for use in hospitals, industries and other large buildings. These days, Esla still makes their classic kicksleds as well as scooters, kick cycles, rollators and rocking chairs. In addition to all of this, Esla is also a subcontractor of sheet metal and aluminium profile parts for other companies, which accounts for half of the business.

This year, the family business is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Mika Lahtinen, the fourth generation at the helm, elaborates on their long-term success: “Dur-

ing the past 90 years, we have gained a lot of know-how but have also had good timing. The secret behind our sales is also the succession of generations, where grandmothers and grandfathers want to buy the same kind of kicksleds that they had, now for their grandchildren.”

“Our classic kicksled is like the legendary Porche 911,” Lahtinen continues. “You can change the look slightly: for example, we have a sporty version, KickSpark, but the traditional kicksled is still the favourite and amounts to around 20 per cent of our turnover.” The Scandinavian customers in particular appreciate the independence and mobility that the kicksleds, kick cycles and scooters provide, but they are also gaining ground elsewhere in Europe.

For the real enthusiasts, kicksledding races are becoming increasingly popular.

For instance, the Finnish town of Multia has hosted the Kicksled World Championships an impressive 30 times. Races are also held in other countries, the Downhill Kicksled World Championship in Hurdal, Norway, for example. Last year’s winner was Markku Levänen from Finland – on an Esla kicksled, of course.

In celebration of its anniversary, Esla is launching a special version of the T1 kicksled for children, and a black kicksled in models T6 and T7 will appear with the founder’s signature in gold. The Esla Nordic Collection rocking chair, that can be folded, will be available too, ideal for both inside and outside use, as well as for the summer house. The company is also looking into electrical use to further help especially seniors stay mobile and independent. However, as Lahtinen points out with a smile, “we are not Tesla with self-driving vehicles.”

Web: www.esla.fi Facebook: eslavuodesta1928 Instagram: @esla.fi

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 27

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Innovative Finnish Design 2019

Made to last

By Sunniva Davies-Rommetveit | Photos: Palma & Hippa

Palma & Hippa is a Finnish furniture business that effectively combines streamlined Scandinavian modernity with an outward, international view on sustainability in its design.

The company’s concept of being grounded in the present while looking to the future is well illustrated by the firm’s name, inspired by the Finnish words for grandchild (Hilma) and grandparent (Papa).

As business founder and owner Olli Hyvärinen explains, the furniture design captures both aspects: “A grandparent brings steadiness and life experience to a design,” he says, “but Hilma, a grandchild, brings the elements of play and innovation.

The furniture is, therefore, durable and timeless while also being completely recyclable.”

From the very beginning, Hyvärinen was inspired by the timelessness and beauty of nature, and aims to bring nature into the furniture’s designs. “I have 30 years’ experience as an engineer, and have worked all over the world,” he explains. “But my true inspiration has come from Keuruu, in cen-

tral Finland, where nature is beautiful and timeless, yet wild and untamed.”

The resulting furniture is sleek and functional, featuring waxed wood and bright, natural colours, while useful addons such as a built-in lamp in a side table maximise the furniture’s utility. “My aim

A health boost from Lapland Lapland’s extreme environment makes it home to some of the world’s most pure and powerful herbs. These arctic superfoods have been used to cure diseases and to boost energy and immunity, but their powers have remained mostly unknown – that is, until Arctic Warriors decided to do something about it.

“In the summer, the herbs are exposed to constant daylight, while the winters here are incredibly harsh and tough – yet the plants survive all of this,” explains Tuija Kauppinen, one of the founders of Arctic Warriors. The traditional knowledge of the benefits of these powerful plants has been backed by research, finding that the northern plants are much more nutritious than their southern counterparts.

Arctic Warriors uses Angelica archangelica, Rhodiola rosea, nettle, spruce sprout, wild blueberries and lingonberries in their products. “We wanted to make it easy for people to reap the benefits of these fantastic plants, so we created 100 per cent natural herb shots and powders in order to get the most from them. The shots and powders can, for example, be 28 | Issue 118 | November 2018

mixed into tea, yoghurt, smoothies or ice creams,” suggests Kauppinen.

The products are an all-natural way to help with everything from colds to a lack of energy to stress, and are a great way to get an added nutritional boost to your day, directly from the Arctic. Arctic Warriors has remained local, and its whole production takes places on a small farm in the village of Narkaus near Rovaniemi, Finland. “Our aim has always been to create something Photos: Arctic Warriors

is to create furniture that I myself would use in my own home, or that I know my friends would enjoy and get a lot of use out of,” says Hyvärinen. The result has a very Scandinavian feel: a clever mix of grounded functionality and forward-thinking innovation.

Web: www.palmahippa.fi Instagram: @palmahippa

By Josefine Older Steffensen

sustainable, that uses local knowledge and local products to achieve the most for our customers,” concludes Kauppinen.

Web: www.arcticwarriors.fi Facebook: arcticwarriorsproducts Instagram: @arcticwarriors Twitter: @arcticwarriors

Spruce sprout latte recipe for two: 500 ml warm (oat) milk, 2 tsp KERKKÄ Spruce Sprout Powder, 2-3 tsp honey. Mix it all together; for a creamy foam, mix in a blender. Photo: Hanna Hurtta

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Innovative Finnish Design 2019

Nordic bathroom design – durable and sleek As Finland’s leading manufacturer of bathroom cabinets for several decades, Polaria offers durable and environmentally friendly bathroom furnishings with Nordic minimalism in mind.

By Julie Linden

|

Photo: Polaria

“We’ve been a trusted brand on the Finnish market since our founding in 1970,” says Virva Paasonen of Polaria. “Now we’re expanding throughout the Nordic market, so it’s a very exciting time for us.”

Using a special powder-painted steel material for its products, complete with a non-harmful nanoceramic finishing, Polaria produces long-lasting designs for every bathroom. The nanoceramic treatment makes the furnishing especially resistant to humidity, leaving you with a dependable material that is much more water-resistant than a standard MDF cabinet.

“Our strength is in the longevity of our products – when you buy bathroom fur-

Polaria’s bathroom furnishings in high-quality steel will last a lifetime.

#klippanyllefabrik

klippanyllefabrik.se

nishings from Polaria, you are investing in quality pieces that will last you a lifetime,” says Paasonen, adding: “And of course, the typical Nordic design adds to the longevity aspect – the pieces are classic and will never go out of style.”

As the products are made of steel, they are, of course, also recyclable. The products are delivered fully assembled, ready to be installed. In addition, Polaria’s environmentally friendly profile ensures that each piece is free from allergens, harmful phosphates and odours.

The Polaria product range includes mirror cabinets, washbasin cabinets and washbasins, laundry and cleaning cabinets, and medicine cabinets. The brand also provides aesthetic solutions to make bathrooms more accessible, such as support rails and shower seats.

Web: www.polaria.fi

Klippan Yllefabrik

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Christmas Gift Special

The Luxury Series.

Organic beauty inspired by nature The award-winning company Loelle is continuously introducing new organic beauty products to the Nordic market. Argan oil, Barbary Fig Seed Oil, African Black Soap and Rosewater are just a few examples. Founder and CEO Dominique Samir Guellouchi is passionate about the journey from ingredient to product. “We care for the environment, for the people we work with and for your skin. Loelle stands for kindness, family and a healthy lifestyle,” he says.

By Kristine Olofsson | Photos: Loelle

All of Loelle’s products are 100 per cent organic, carry The Vegan Society’s certification, and are certified cruelty free by The Leaping Bunny. “We use sustainable sources and work closely with a women’s cooperative in Morocco. Unfortunately, there are many fake cooperatives out there, but this one is genuine, and the women call the shots,” Guellouchi explains. “The women are empowered, they get a stable income, and this particular 30 | Issue 118 | November 2018

cooperative also gives their children the chance to attend school.”

Many of the ingredients in Loelle’s award-winning products stem from this collective. An example is the brand’s Luxury series, consisting of the 2017 Organic Beauty Award-winning face serum, a hair oil awarded best product and best hairstyling product last year, and a protective face oil. “Unique for these products

is the Barbary Fig Seed Oil. Loelle was the first company in Sweden to use this ingredient,” says Guellouchi. This extremely rare oil requires a whole tonne of cactus figs in order to produce just one litre of oil. “It moisturises and balances the skin, protects it from free radicals in the air, reduces fine lines and gets rid of inflammations caused by, for example, stress or bad food,” Guellouchi continues. “Many customers get back in touch with us to praise the oil. After trying one expensive brand after another, many say that this is the only product that actually works!”

Clay masks from the Moroccan mountains Another exciting product sourced from the same area in Morocco is the Rhas-

Scan Magazine | Beauty Profile | Loelle

soul clay. Women from the collective knock out clay from the nearby mountains. This ancient beauty product is 100 per cent natural, completely free from heavy metals and available in three different colours determined by the mineral composition. Kajsa Bodin, certified organic skin therapist at Loelle provides more information about these products: “The white clay is made for sensitive skin, the red one suitable for normal skin, and the green clay recommended for mixed to oily skin. It is deeply cleansing and extracts both toxins and free radicals that we get exposed to on a daily basis,” she continues. “The Rhassoul clay is most effective when mixed with our pH stabilising and hydrating Rosewater, extracted from rose petals at the cooperative.

For those with dry skin, we recommend adding some of Loelle’s Argan oil into the mixture. It binds moisture to the skin and leaves it as smooth as silk.”

a cooperative in Peru and has a molecular composition very similar to the one in sebum, the skin’s natural lubrication. Due to this similarity, the Jojoba oil can be a good alternative for for anyone with sensitive skin and for those who easily react to skin products. Moreover, Loelle is introducing the brand-new African Line in the beginning of next year. “We are launching three products: two African Black Soaps, one solid and one liquid, as well as a Shea butter,” Guellouchi reveals. “We are extremely proud to introduce these products to the western world.”

The ingredients are once again sourced from a women’s cooperative, this time located in Ghana. “African Black Soap has been used there for centuries, and is still used by the women when they wash themselves and their children,” Guellouchi

explains. Loelle’s African Black Soap has several outstanding qualities. It is completely natural, organic, anti-inflammatory and, in contrast to some other Black Soaps on the market, completely free from palm oil. Going forward, Loelle will stay true to its values. “We will always give our customers products that are kind towards them, the environment and the people producing them,” Guellouchi concludes.

Web: www.loelle.se Facebook: Loelle.Stockholm Instagram: @Loelleorganicbeauty Contact: info@loelle.se

The Rhassoul clay step-by-step ritual offers customers an opportunity to enjoy a luxury home-spa treatment. Available in a spa kit, this is the perfect Christmas gift, completely free from harmful ingredients.

Ancient beauty concepts revived Another product with ancient origins is Loelle’s Jojoba oil, awarded best body care and body oil at the Platinum Awards in London in 2018. This oil is sourced from

Rhassoul Clay.

Dominique at the Organic Beauty Awards.

Argan Oil.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 31

Kemi SnowHotel.

365 days a year:

Experience a winter wonderland Kemi Tourism Ltd. offers unique experiences in Sea Lapland, the most southwestern region of Finnish Lapland. Through Experience 365, the region’s one-stopshop website, visitors can browse and book all activities and accommodation in the Kemi region, all year round. From cruises on a real icebreaker ship to snow safaris and white-water rafting, every day is a good day to travel to Kemi.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Kemi Tourism

Located by the Bothnian Bay, at the mouth of the Kemijoki river, Kemi is within easy reach of Oulu and Rovaniemi airports, as well as Luleå airport in Sweden, or a one-and-a-half-hour flight away from Helsinki. Kemi also has its own airport, and a 20-minute car drive will take you to the Swedish border.

Moreover, Kemi can be reached by sea, by arriving at the city port, where it can 32 | Issue 118 | November 2018

be arranged for ‘sailor elves’ to greet new arrivals.

The Kemi region is perhaps best known for its longstanding history of building snow and ice castles, and the tradition continues each year with the building of the SnowCastle and the SnowHotel during the winter months. At the beginning of 2019, a main building offering various

SnowCastle restaurant.

Scan Magazine | Travel Profile | Experience 365 / Kemi Tourism

snowy attractions and activities every day of the year will be opened. “Previously, we were only able to offer these attractions during the winter months, but now they will be available for everyone to enjoy, all year round,” says Susanna Koutononen, chief executive officer at Kemi Tourism.

The services available at the new building will include a sauna and day spa, offering various Finnish beauty and cosmetology treatments. Open all year round is the award-winning SnowRestaurant, showcasing the very best of Arctic delicacies, and the SeaView Restaurant, the former keeping a temperature of minus five degrees Celsius and the latter being heated.

There will also be meeting rooms, and the seaside restaurant can be transformed into a space for events and conferences.

“The idea is to provide our guests with a resort, where they can find everything under one roof. Our trusted partners who provide trips and activities will operate from booths on the main floor, making it very simple to plan the holiday and go on excursions every day of the year,” Koutonen states.

SnowCastle.

Icebreaker, anyone?

Having served as an icebreaker for the Finnish government for more than 30 years, Sampo, as the ship is called, is now retired and being used as a cruise ship in the Gulf of Bothnia. It is the world’s only cruise icebreaker, and with a capacity of

Sea Glass Villa from inside.

Sea Glass Villas.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 33

Sea Glass Villas with aurora borealis.

180, the steel vessel offers day cruises from December to April for holiday makers looking for a truly unique experience.

“Kemi is unique in the sense that it is one of the few places on earth where the sea freezes over completely. Sampo is like a moving museum as it has kept as much as possible of its original features and décor from the 1960s. Our guided English-language tours of the ship will share some of the ship’s history, and everyone on board will sense the bygone glory of the vessel, even today,” Koutonen says. For an added thrill, visitors can go

ice floating among the sea ice, broken

by Sampo. Wearing a special, padded floating suit, floating among blocks of ice in the open sea will be a one-of-akind experience.

ly extraordinary way to experience the Arctic nature, and an incredible icebreaking adventure, with the added experience of swimming among the ice,” the CEO says.

In addition to this, in the heart of the ship lies an atmospheric restaurant, as well as a souvenir shop and a café. There is also the possibility for a snowmobile icebreaker safari, which means a journey across the frozen sea towards Sampo, where it will be waiting for visitors in the middle of the Gulf of Bothnia. “Whatever package guests choose, this is a tru-

Kemi is also the home port of Santa Claus and Santa’s Seaside Office, where families are greeted by sailor elves, and visitors can stop for lunch and join in with activities such as the elves’ sailor school, for example – and to meet Santa, of course. “We are also a home to the world’s first ice-driving location on frozen sea. Visitors can take their pick

Sauna.

34 | Issue 118 | November 2018

Scan Magazine | Travel Profile | Experience 365 / Kemi Tourism

between a Tesla or a Lamborghini, and take the car for a spin on the frozen sea.

We also have snow shoes, skis, sledges… almost any snow accessory anyone could think of, we have it. There are ample chances for once-in-a-lifetime experiences here,” Koutonen enthuses.

Luxury villas by the sea Another big draw at the resort are the Seaside Glass Villas, located right by the sea. They offer stunning views across the archipelago through the glass roof and floor-to-ceiling windows. “A vast open field of frozen sea opens in front of the villas in the winter months. During spring, you can observe the fascinating transformation as nature wakes up after a long winter: the sea melts and birds return to Lapland in large flocks. The glass ceiling makes for a great way to watch stars and try to spot the aurora borealis, which can be visible from late August until late March,” explains Koutonen.

the whole city, but also completely surrounded by nature.

Lapland’s magic during the summer and autumn Despite the status as a winter wonderland, there is plenty to see and do in the region throughout the year. In the summer, the ‘white nights’ – when the sun does not go below the horizon – are a magical experience, giving tourists the opportunity to go on activities at any time of the day. From a sailing-boat trip across the picturesque scenery of the Bothnian Bay archipelago to white-water rafting on the largest free-flowing river in Europe, there are plenty of activities for every kind of visitor to choose from.

During autumn, the ‘ruska’, when the leaves turn into various shades of red, yellow, orange and brown, is a spectacular sight.

“We have built everything with our guests in mind: everything at the resort is within easy reach, making it easy for holiday makers to plan their activities and explore the town. The Arctic is often considered to be a cold, snowy and icy place – and it is that too, during the winter – but the different seasons all change the region completely. Whether it’s the summer’s midnight sunshine and surrounding green forest, or the autumn along with its changes in the colours of the leaves, or the northern lights brightening the sky during the dark and cold polar nights − there is so much to see.

With the whole host of activities we have on offer, once-in-a-lifetime experiences are guaranteed in Kemi – every day of the year,” Koutonen concludes.

Web: www.experience365.fi

The log houses, made entirely of Finnish wood, have a kitchenette and en-suite bathroom. Offering luxury accommodation throughout the year, the seaside location of the villas provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to start their activities right at their front door. Activities can be arranged so that the pickup is organised – for example, by snow mobiles or a speed boat – directly outside the villas. The central location of the villas also means that guests are among all the activities of the resort and

Snowy teepee.

Aurora borealis watching from villa.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 35

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Christmas Gift Special

At Buskerud Folkehøgskole, you can develop your creative interests while making friends to last a lifetime.

The year of your life at Norway’s school of pop culture At Buskerud Folkehøgskole you will find every creative soul’s paradise – whether you are a gamer, an animator, an aspiring author or a musician. Take the opportunity to learn from the very best of Norway’s creatives – developing new skills and making friends along the way.

By Julie Linden | Photos: Maria Vatne

Known as Norway’s ‘school of pop culture’, Buskerud Folkehøgskole provides a meeting point for creative students and practitioners alike, providing each student with the confidence, tools and mentorships to succeed in the creative industries. Featuring a long list of educators with successful careers as writers, artists, illustrators, and even professional gamers, Buskerud Folkehøgskole represents creative development in a welcoming environment.

A push in the right direction “Our teachers are rather atypical – definitely more like mentors,” says acting 36 | Issue 118 | November 2018

principal and creative gaming teacher Eivind Røbekk Hagerup. “They are all active in their respective fields, which provides an invaluable link to the chosen field of study for the student. The programmes come alive that way, and provide the student with a mentorship relevant to their field of interest,” he says.

Whether you are enticed by the prospect of writing your own novel or that of starting your own band, Buskerud Folkehøgskole will give you a push in the right direction. Offering six programmes – comics and illustration, creative gaming, film and animation, authorship, rock and

metal, and e-sports – the school lets you choose from a wide range of programme options, while maintaining a pronounced focus on the creative industries. No matter which programme you choose, you may also add electives to your schedule, with examples such as yoga, 3D-printing, culinary arts or theatre on the school’s list of elective subjects.

Norway’s only rock and metal programme “Our rock and metal programme is the only one offered in Norway,” reveals Røbekk Hagerup. “We’re proud to have seen some well-known Norwegian artists start their careers upon completing a stint at our school.” He explains: “We try to stay innovative and on the ball, offering programmes with the times. We’re very versatile that way, and try to offer something that’s not necessarily found at other schools.”

Scan Magazine | Education Profile | Buskerud Folkehøgskole

The innovative approach shows in the number of prospective students applying to the school each year. Each cohort consists of a maximum of 90 students, a number that is always met, according to Røbekk Hagerup. “For the past five years, we haven’t had a single spot to spare,” he says. “It’s great seeing the interest for our programmes.”

‘Proud to be nerds’ As for the popularity of the pop culture school, he thinks the combination of exciting programmes, a welcoming atmosphere, an advantageous location and top-of-the-line equipment makes for a winning recipe. Situated only an hour west of Oslo and close to the towns of Kongsberg and Drammen, the school is ideally placed for taking part in programme-related fairs, concerts, excursions and events. Furthermore, the school premises are modern with the very best of amenities and equipment – such as drones for filming, high-speed fibre internet (“especially popular with the creative gamers”), a gym and an art room. The school’s Eiker Scene, a concert- and theatre hall with space for 250 seated spectators, boasts brand-new lighting and sound equipment readily available for theatre students.

The rock and metal programme is the only programme of its kind in Norway, and has launched the careers of several well-known musicians.

While the school’s facilities are impressive, Røbekk Hagerup highlights the school’s social environment as particularly attractive to new students. “We have a motto – ‘here, you’ll find someone who’s weirder than yourself’,” he says, smiling.

“I think a lot of our students have looked for like-minded friends before coming here, but perhaps not found them. Here, they experience inclusivity and acceptance just by being themselves and nurturing their interests. We’re proud to call ourselves nerds!”

Personal development and social confidence Furthermore, the inclusive milieu promotes personal development and selfconfidence. “That’s the best part of the job,” comments Røbekk Hagerup. “Seeing these kids grow and find a sense of confidence in themselves and feel safe in a social setting – it’s truly awe-inspiring.

A year on one of our programmes doesn’t just offer the chance to develop one’s interests, but it can mean a world of difference for someone’s social skillset.”

– from classroom to dinner table. After all, it is outside the learning environment that a lot of memories are made, comments Røbekk Hagerup, adding that the school offers study trips to several locations in Europe, included in the tuition.

“The trips make great opportunities for the students to develop strong friendships and get to know their teachers even better. By the end of their year with us, students will definitely have memories to last a lifetime.”

Web: www.buskerud.fhs.no Facebook: Buskerud Folkehøgskole - Heimtun Instagram: @buskerudfhs

Add a state-of-the-art kitchen with homemade meals every day, with nocost-added vegetarian and vegan options, and you will feel well taken care of

Nurture the writer within at Buskerud Folkehøgskole’s authorship programme.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 37

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Christmas Gift Special

Kyst distributes a wide variety of Danish fish caught by Danish fishermen using sustainable methods.

Thinking outside the net Based on a love of the sea and its inhabitants, Kyst sources fresh, sustainably caught seafood for Denmark’s food industry. Founder Thomas Sekkelund tells Scan Magazine why it is important to think outside the net when it comes to choosing which fish to put on the menu.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kyst

With a decade of experience from the seafood industry behind him, Thomas Sekkelund decided in 2017 to set up Kyst, a fish wholesaler distributing fresh fish to all of Denmark. His motivation was to change what he saw as a lack of range and seasonal awareness within the industry. “We wanted to create a genuine and honest fish wholesaler, bringing Danish fish from Danish fishermen to the table,” 38 | Issue 118 | November 2018

explains Sekkelund. “What I found was missing during my years in the industry was a distributor that fully understood what the different seasons had to offer and took full advantage of the wide range of fish available in the Danish waters. A lot of people just think of plaice and cod when they think of Danish fish, but I want to expand that, bring in new sorts and a more sustainable way of sourcing fish.”

Focusing on the variety of the seasons, local fishermen and good customer service, Kyst has managed to do just that.

Since starting out last year, the company has become the trusted purveyor to around 200 big and small clients all over Denmark.

Kindness and quality Unlike most other fish purveyors, Kyst sources mainly from independent Danish fishermen who fish at the Danish coastlines (Kyst is Danish for coast, and the name thus refers to the company’s dedication to working with independent fishermen). The reason for this is not just that it is more sustainable, but also that sourcing from smaller boats means shorter

Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile | Kyst

transport times and fresher fish, explains Sekkelund. “We select the boats we work with very carefully; we know the fishermen, we know that they use sustainable methods, such as trammel nets, and we know how long they are on the water and how they treat the fish on board. This is very important to the quality of the fish, as shorter time in the net and on the boat means fresher fish of better quality,” says Sekkelund.

Another way of ensuring a more sustainable approach to fishing is to focus more on less popular breeds. Sometimes this means guiding the client to choose a less expensive fish, and that is part of Kyst’s unique service, explains Sekkelund: “The Danish waters are full of breeds that are not well-known but very tasty, and sometimes it’s our job to introduce our clients to the possibility of buying one of those rather than the most popular and expensive sort; we want to bring the full range of Danish fish to our clients.”

be on the floor myself, making sure that everything looks right,” says Sekkelund.

“We will go to great lengths to ensure that our clients receive the best possible service from us.”

Sekkelund’s close collaboration with the fishermen, as well as his knowledge of the variety of the different seasons, also gives him valuable information, which he does not hesitate to share with clients.

“I believe that one of the areas where we stand out is our knowledge and, not least, our willingness to share that knowledge with our clients. If, for instance, our client wants something like a cod, we can quickly present them with three just as tasty, lesser-known but cheaper alternatives.

That’s part of our service and something we have chosen to focus on, whereas most other distributors would most likely just sell the expensive fish,” he says and rounds off: “Being able to guide our clients to a better, cheaper and more sustainable choice is something we’re proud of.”

Better service Kyst’s clients are professionals working in all sectors of the food industry, from restaurants to nursery kitchens. The common denominator for them all is that freshness and speed are vital. That is why Kyst never stocks fish but always sources it fresh, to meet clients’ orders. After the fish is bought at auction in the morning, it is prepared, hand cut, packed down, and shipped off immediately. “Often, I’ll

Kyst is co-owned by Thomas Sekkelund and Jacob Pedersen, who run the company together.

Web: www.kyst.nu Bottom left and middle: Kyst is co-owned by the two fish enthusiasts Thomas Sekkelund and Jacob Pedersen.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 39

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Christmas Gift Special

Jens Skovgaard Pedersen and Flemming Villebro Jørgensen. Photo: Rais Foto.

Danish fruit wines ripe for the picking Danish fruit wine is making waves as far away as the US, bringing new and unexpected flavours to the table. “Fruit wines had gone completely out of fashion. In the countries where there has even been a tradition for fruit wine, they’ve had quite a poor reputation for being sickly sweet and ‘granny’s favourite’, and that’s been quite well-deserved,” says Jens Skovgaard Pedersen, founder and CEO of the prizewinning Cold Hand Winery. “No one has ever really made fruit wine with the same care, attention and quality as grape wine. Things are changing rapidly, though, as people across the globe realise how amazing they can be.”

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Cold Hand Winery

Jens Skovgaard Pedersen bought a little private orchard in 2006, just for personal enjoyment. His passion for apples soon grew out of control, however, and his orchard kept pace. What started out as a few litres of apple cider soon turned into giant crates of apple juice that Skovgaard and his wife had to frantically freeze to preserve. “By 2010, we didn’t really know what to do with it all,” Skovgaard recalls. And one day, he noticed a thick, sugary liquid dripping out of one of the crates. “I had a taste, and it was just delicious. Just like that, BAM, I knew what to do.”

40 | Issue 118 | November 2018

Skovgaard explains: “Fructose doesn’t freeze. So, while the water in the apple freezes, all the good bits of the fruit do not – instead, they turn into a highly concentrated and ridiculously delicious, thick liquid. We get freezing hands in the concentration process, but the results are worth it!” Skovgaard got together with a local apple farmer, Flemming Villebro Jørgensen, and began the process of apple wine production. Today, their aptly-named company, Cold Hand Winery, produces some of the world’s best fruit wines: many of their wines have won awards in and outside of

Denmark, including the Pomme d’Or for Malus Danica and Dansk Vinshow’s highest-ever score for Best Product in 2014, for their dessert wine Malus Feminam. Their apple wines have been joined by wines, dessert wines and sparkling wines based on pears, rhubarb, cherries and many other traditional Danish fruits.

The simple recipe for success “We aren’t trying to be a stand-in for grape wine; our fruit wines are lovely in their own right and make for a high-quality alternative for those who want a bit of an adventure,” Skovgaard explains. “However much we’d like it to be, Scandinavia’s weather just isn’t ideal for grape production: they do much better in warmer climes. The Danish climate, however, does wonderful things for many other fruits and berries.” The milder environment means fruit ripens over a longer period, allowing fruits and berries like apples and cherries to build up more complex, nuanced flavours. The

Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile | Cold Hand Winery

results make for slightly more acidic, fresh-tasting fruit with a larger range of flavour profiles.

“Our apples and other fruit have just as many variables and subtleties as grapes. For one, every apple harvest is as different as each grape harvest. We know each variety like we know our own children,” says Skovgaard. Cold Hand Winery grows more than 100 different varieties of apple and experiments extensively to get the best flavour combinations. “The ones that make the best wines for us, like Ingrid Marie and Filippa, are the hardy ones that are best suited to the Danish environment,” Skovgaard adds. “We’ve definitely been endowed with a sense of the New Nordic ethos of using those ingredients that are best suited to the season and environment in order to get the best result. We don’t want to emulate our southern neighbours anymore; we add value to the culinary world by experimenting with and introducing distinctly Nordic flavours. We’re constantly trying out new ingredients, like beetroot juice. Someday, we’ll add a fantastically earthy and very purple beetroot-apple wine to our repertoire.”

restaurants as far away as California.

On a recent trip to the US, Skovgaard was overwhelmed by the response to Cold Hand Winery’s sparkling rhubarb wine, Rheum. “It’s got a lovely, refreshing sharpness to it, which goes really well with salmon. It’s difficult to explain its flavour as people don’t really know what to expect, but that’s what’s nice about it too – our wines surprise people; they become an experience in their own right.”

Cold Hand Winery offers numerous tastings and tours of the winery, and they are

welcoming an increasing amount of visitors from Denmark and beyond. “We’re actually building a pop-up restaurant and visitor centre now. At the moment, we’re setting up these giant oak crates that will make up the seating areas. We’ll have visiting chefs come in and cook up a menu based off our wines,” Skovgaard reveals. “It’s really exciting for us to be able to show people how well these wines perform, both on their own and as a dinner companion. We love having people try our wines with us for the first time; it’s such a special experience.”

Web: www.coldhandwinery.dk Facebook: Cold Hand Winery Instagram: @cold_hand_winery

Sparkling success Their apple-based wines have reached cocktail bars in Berlin and Paris and

Malus Feminam.

The winery.

Rheum.

Malus Danica.

Founder and CEO Jens Skovgaard Pedersen.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 41

Scan Magazine | Design SpecialProfile Theme | | Multiform Swedish Christmas Gift Special

Ready hedge:

Save yourself at least five years of wasting time As the saying goes, there is nothing quite as excruciating as watching paint dry, although watching your hedge grow might come a close second – the rest of the garden is done, there is now only a four-year wait until you can no longer see the neighbour. PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® (PRIMA FÄRDIG HÄCK/PRIMA FERDIG HEKK) has come up with a solution to this, and, in fact, revolutionised the way hedges are bought and sold.

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK

Lars Strarup, the owner of PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK®, has since he was a young boy had a love and respect for plants, and in 1984, he set up his own nursery: Møllegårdens Planteskole, south of Odense, Denmark. It was here that an idea began brewing that would completely change the production from little hedge plants to mature and pre42 | Issue 118 | November 2018

grown hedges at 125, 150, 180 and 220 centimetres.

“I wondered why no one else had thought of it really. What I came up with was producing hedges that were bigger and older, so that people didn’t have to sit at home and wait for their hedge to grow, and instead could get a ready-grown

hedge and thus privacy from day one,” explains Strarup. PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® was developed in 1992, and the first hedges were ready to be sold in 1995.

Not just a case of growth It may seem a simple idea, but growing hedges that at a later stage need to be moved, actually requires a lot of hard work and ingenuity. Strarup came up with new methods and techniques to ensure that the root systems would be able to cope with being moved around and the plants would remain healthy.

Today, PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® is known for its high quality, and every single plant gets quality checked to ensure

Scan Magazine | Home and Garden Profile | Prima Færdig Hæk

it has the best chances of growing in a new environment. Each plant is also delivered with a growth guarantee and can be swapped for a new one within a year. “We love our plants, and we want to give them the best chance at life. If our customers see something wrong with it or it isn’t growing how it’s expected to, they can always give us a call or send an email with a photo of the problem, and we’ll help them to care for the plant,” says Strarup.

All in all, PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® does much more than simply deliver a finished hedge. They can be a partner throughout the process of finding out what kind of hedge to buy to ensure that the soil and garden are ready to receive it. The website offers legal advice on the Danish law about fencing, as well as

having a step-by-step guide on how to care for your plant. The company also has partnerships with local gardeners who can plant the hedges, so for those without green fingers, the hedge is given the best chance of life.

Variety is the spice of life PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® today offers over 40 varieties of big hedges, with everything from classics such as beech and privet to laurel and katsura. “People tend to go for the classics, but I think they’re also often surprised at how many types of hedges you can actually get.”

The hedges come in different sizes and heights to make it easy to fit them into any space. Alongside the PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK®, the company also offers a HERCULES HEDGE, which is the same

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 43

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Prima Færdig Hæk

plant but from crops that were a bit slower to grow and thus do not have the same volume as the PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK®. These are therefore also a bit cheaper, but will grow to become like any of the other hedges offered by PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK®. “The HERCULES HEDGE offer is great for those who want to save some money, who still want a hedge in place but don’t mind waiting a couple of years until it is fully grown. This also ensures that we’re utilising every plant we grow and not wasting anything.”

If a more mobile hedge is the better option, then the hedges are also sold in specially made boxes on wheels with a watering system, making it easy to create a room within a garden, take them with you when you move, or simply add some greenery to a space where it might not be possible to plant anything.

44 | Issue 118 | November 2018

500 kilometres of hedge Møllegårdens Planteskole is today home to 70 hectares’ worth of hedge production, growing over one million plants.

It is possible to visit the garden centre to get a close-up view of the many va-

rieties, but if you are not near Funen, a list of other garden centres offering the hedges can be found on the website.

The price of the hedges ranges from 500 (around 60 GBP) to 1,500 DKK per

Scan Magazine | Home and Garden Profile | Prima Færdig Hæk

metre, and no job is too big or too small.

“If you need just one plant, we’ll get you one plant, or if you’re in need of 300, then we can also manage that – as long as they’re not sold out,” says Strarup with a smile. PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® has recently finished a prestige project at Her Majesty the Queen’s garden at Fredensborg Castle in Denmark, delivering 650 beech plants.

PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® is a great way to finish off a garden and create a green space in a matter of days, rather than years. The hedges are available to buy internationally, and the company also has resellers in Norway and Sweden. It was the first to create a finished hedge for purchase and has remained the leader in the field ever since.

PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® is the Scandinavian leader in finished hedges.

There are over 40 varieties to choose from.

International shipping is possible and there are resellers in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The hedges all come with quality and growth assurance.

Web: www.primafaerdighaek.dk www.primafardighack.se www.primaferdighekk.no Facebook: primafaerdighaek Instagram: @primafaerdighaek

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 45

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Christmas Gift Special

Sustainable wooden houses in no time Green House has many years of experience in building sustainable wooden houses.

They make a virtue out of being flexible, using high-quality yet affordable material, and building the houses in just a few weeks.

By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Green House

Whether you are looking for a holiday home or a house you can use throughout the entire year, Green House has several solutions that will fit your needs. In fact, you can either choose a standard model or bring your own ideas and drawings if you want to build the house yourself.

“Flexibility is a keyword for both our customers and us. Some prefer our standard 46 | Issue 118 | November 2018

model houses, while others prefer to be more involved in the design and selection of materials. We do both, and we help and guide you all the way through the process, no matter which solution you prefer.

Sometimes, when building a house, you don’t have much of a say in how it should be, but with us, you can be as involved as you want. After all, it’s your house, so it only makes sense that you have some-

Scan Magazine | Home and Garden Profile | Green House

thing to say in the process,” says Niels Svendsen, manufacturer at Green House.

many years without you having to worry about reparations,” says Svendsen.

The wooden houses are produced at Green House’s own factory in Arden in the north of Denmark, to guarantee the quality of the materials. The wood comes from Sweden and is from either pine trees or fir trees. The glass for the windows makes them perfectly energy efficient.

Ready with a house in just a few weeks

“We only use Nordic types of wood. Our material is among the finest you can get, but that doesn’t mean that it’s overpriced. It is very sustainable compared to iron or concrete, so there is almost no maintenance at all once the house is done. If you give it the right treatment and the right paint, your house can last for Building opportunities: Build it yourself Prior to the first construction site delivery, a folder, containing the drawing materials and instructions, is sent out to you. In addition, Green House offers a construction meeting where they review the project together with the client.

Photo: Bjarne Hyldgaard.

It is not only the outside of the house that benefits from the sustainable material. The wood and the energy-efficient windows create an indoor climate without humidity, and which keeps the heat in. So not only is the house affordable; it also helps you save a lot of money on your bills.

Another advantage of choosing Green House to build your future home is the amount of time it takes from the moment they initiate their work until the house itself is finished. “Depending on what type of house we are building, we can have the

Build it together This solution is for those who might have some DIY spirit, but never really attempted a build before. A complete construction kit is provided at the agreed time and place, but Green House’s experienced workers will assemble the outside part for you, while you take care of the inside at a pace that suits you.

outside part ready in about three weeks,” says Svendsen. “Then you can finish the work inside at a pace that suits you, and you can order the material as you need it. We know that many of our customers need a house right away, so the time aspect is very important.”

Green House builds upwards of 50 houses a year, where the majority are houses you can use throughout the entire year.

The company is located in Denmark but also builds houses in Germany, Sweden, Norway and Greenland.

Green House has over 20 years of experience of building sustainable wooden houses. All the houses are produced at their own factory, where they have complete control over quality assurance.

Green House builds houses that can be used all year long, as well as holiday homes, and you can choose how much you want to be involved in the design and construction of the house.

Web: www.greenhouse.dk

Photo: Bjarne Hyldgaard.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 47

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Rhys

48 | Issue 118 | November 2018

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Rhys

Rhys

Taking The Stage After spending the summer touring and playing for increasingly larger crowds in her home country of Sweden, up-and-coming artist Rhys is ready to take on the world. Scan Magazine caught up with her as she was navigating her way through the busy streets of Stockholm, a few weeks ahead of the September release of her debut album, Stages.

By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Gustav Wiking

In the run-up to album release day, Rhys Clarstedt’s days are filled with meetings and last-minute decisions, making sure that every little detail is exactly how she wants it to be. “I want to make everything perfect,” she explains. “I don’t want to feel insecure about anything when I release the album.”

But even though Rhys might be a new name for some, the bubbly artist has spent most of her life singing and dancing: initially through being involved in musicals and theatre, then through talent shows, attending musical schools, and gradually developing as a singer and songwriter.

At the age of 18, she was introduced to Grammy-nominated Swedish songwriter and producer Jörgen Elofsson, and they began working together. The result so far includes five singles, an album, and the prospect of a very bright future. But this path even being an opportunity was not always something Rhys dared to dream of when growing up.

Born in Portland, Oregon, Rhys moved with her family to her mother’s native

home of Sweden at the age of ten. “My mum wanted to go back to Sweden,” Rhys recalls. “She had been in the States for 17 years and wanted to go home.” Ten-yearold Rhys did not at all agree with the decision, but was fortunate enough to make a friend on the very first day of school. “I was lucky, she took me under her wing.

But I didn’t speak Swedish, I wasn’t used to the culture, and I came from Portland where everyone is extremely friendly.”

The culture clash was difficult to process for the young girl. For the first time, she was introduced to the Scandinavian mentality of not immediately opening up to everyone you meet; to preconceptions of America; and to etiquette — how to be proper — using the right cutlery, notplacing your elbows on the table, andlooking people in the eyes and nodding whilst raising your glass during a toast.

Despite the move being difficult to process at the time, in hindsight, she sees that it was the best thing that could have happened to her. Even musically, she is aware of the benefits of starting out in Sweden.

Not only does the dual culture and background let her tap into two completely different sources of styles and sounds when creating music, but launching a career in Sweden gives her a very different reach than she would have had if starting out in America. “In the States, I feel like there might have been a smaller chance to get in contact with a big songwriter or someone who can help you with your career. It’s such a big country, and that makes it a lot harder,” she says. “Taking on Europe and America feels like the natural next step for me, so I just want to get good at what I’m doing first. I want to be prepared for when I take on that market.”

Some dreams do come true On the flip side, starting out as an artist in Scandinavia meant she had to deal with ‘Jantelagen’ — the ‘Law of Jante’ — the collective mentality that nobody should feel or act differently to, or better than, anybody else. Rhys says that it took some getting used to the idea that you should not stand out. If she told somebody that she wanted to be an artist, instead of the enthusiastic American response of ‘Go for what you want!’, people would ask: ‘Are you sure? Go for what you can get!’ “I was starting to question whether it ever happens to anyone,” she says. “Does anyone ever get what they want?”

But as it turns out, some dreams do come true, if you simply decide not to Issue 118 | November 2018 | 49

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Rhys

settle for what you can get. Rhys stood her ground, worked hard, and the results are starting to show. This past summer, while touring Sweden, she noticed people starting to sing along to her songs during the shows. “That’s kind of a new thing,” she comments eagerly. “I feel like that was when people started connecting my face to my songs.”

Going on stage can be nerve-wracking for any artist, however experienced, but Rhys feels like seeing the audience sing her songs and be familiar with the lyrics makes it all worth it. “I did about 30 shows over the summer, so I’ve kind of forced myself into their brains,” she laughs.

“They have not been able to avoid me!”

But even abroad, Rhys is starting to gain traction. Earlier this year, her song Maybe I Will Learn was used in the MTV reality TV series Catfish, a huge opportunity for an up-and-coming artist to be heard by millions of people all over the world. Making 50 | Issue 118 | November 2018

a career in music is difficult, and having that extra little bit of luck can increase your reach drastically. Sometimes, being featured on a popular TV show can be a doorway into a territory like America.

Mixing urban sounds with Scandinavian melancholy But however helpful a little bit of luck can be, it is not something Rhys relies on for success. Hard work is the way to go. In September, Rhys’ debut album, Stages, was released to very positive feedback from the press. It is a freshsounding album that has an upbeat sound and a production that embraces the urban, worldly feel of her American background, as well as the dark melancholy and sadness of the vast Nordic landscapes. Her music is a diverse soundscape that feels similarly familiar and new, with songs like Last Dance and Too Good To Be True having become massive radio hits in Sweden and achieving critical acclaim internationally too.

The duality of her sound is a recognisable signature that helps her stand out among all the other pop artists of today.

For Scandinavians, the urban part is exotic, and for the rest of the world, the Scandinavian sound is equally intriguing.

But with such a cheerful and outgoing personality, where does the melancholy in her lyrics come from? “I think it could be the weather and the fact that we have really long winters,” she muses. “That’s definitely when I write all my saddest songs, in the winter when it feels like there’s no hope and no light. But being sad is the best time to write a song!” she laughs.

Now, Rhys is ready to take on the rest of the world with that unique Nordic inspiration behind her music.

Stages is available now.

Facebook: socialrhys

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Rhys

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 51

e:

TS F I G N lT S cia e A EDE KS Sp M C ST SW PI I R M OP CH RO R T F U –O m he

I Love Design. Photo: Citronelles

Hansen & Jacob.

Photo: Oscar Falk

52 | Issue 118 | November 2018

Photo: CU Jewellery

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Photo: Mikael Sjöberg, City i Samverkan

Let the light guide you to world-class shopping Christmas is a holiday that lights up the darkness of the Swedish winter. In Sweden, we seize every opportunity that the darker time of year offers; we let the light create a warm and cosy feeling that takes over the country’s streets and squares. The month before Christmas, we turn on the Christmas lights and let the shopping streets light up several Swedish cities.

By Karin Johansson, CEO of Swedish Trade Federation and chairman of the board of Visit Sweden

In Stockholm, we turn on one million energy-efficient Christmas lights over 40 street locations and squares. Further north, those who visit Sweden may see the world-famous northern lights, a phenomenon that attracts visitors from all over the world.

When we travel, shopping is often high up on the list of priorities: we shop for ourselves and we buy presents for our loved ones. In Sweden, visitors can find world-class shopping. Sweden is wellknown for its many industry-leading

fashion brands, such as H&M, Filippa K, Nudie Jeans, Acne and Fjällräven. Many also choose to purchase design items from appealing brands such as Orrefors and Kosta Boda glassware, or Höganäs ceramics.

Now, thanks to our e-commerce, you can continue to shop Swedish brands even if you are no longer in Sweden.

Swedes are, traditionally, a digital population that has always been quick to embrace new technologies. It is therefore no surprise that we have many popular

cutting-edge online shops. Watchmaker Daniel Wellington, the Royal Design boutique and the fashion brand NA-KD are just a few brilliant examples.

Welcome to Sweden – let the light guide you to world-class shopping!

Web: www.svenskhandel.se

Karin Johansson, CEO of Swedish Trade Federation.

Photo: Björn Lofterud

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Walls of trends and beauty Founded in 2010, initially to help with sound absorption and acoustics, Desenio has grown to become a success story within affordable wall art. Today, it is the go-to hub for trendy prints, bold art and beautiful gifts, all born out of a passion for design and self-expression.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Desenio

“We want to be at the forefront when it comes to interior design trends,” says Annica Wallin, creative director at Desenio. She joined the company two years ago, tasked with finding a strong strategic direction for the assortment in line with the brand’s quick global expansion. “My job has been to interpret future and ongoing design and interior trends globally, in order to set the direction for our team,” she says.

It seems clear that Wallin has triumphed in her endeavour. Desenio is somewhat of a success story in the industry, and today, a creative studio brimming with expertise is at the heart of the company and all its work. “We have a team of pho54 | Issue 118 | November 2018

tographers, illustrators and designers, who create all our new designs and also style and produce inspiration materials – anything to help our customers with the latest in styling and interior design,” the creative director explains. “We’ve seen a real strength in this. We’re quick to put new art out there, quick to jump on trends – while many others have long lead times with purchasing and all that. Our strategy is to create almost everything in-house, alongside some hand-picked collaborations with selected artists.”

Affordable flexibility From day one, Desenio has had a distinctively Scandinavian expression, and

Wallin admits that there is a security in the company’s strong roots in the interior design industry generally and the Scandinavian design heritage specifically. Yet, flexibility has been central to the brand’s success, and that is unlikely to change. “We want it to be easy to change things up and replace art as and when our customers feel like it. You should be able to get both prints and frames at an affordable price,” Wallin explains.

“And it’s important to us to be able to offer something for everyone, regardless of age or your stage in life – everyone should be able to communicate their style or personality with our prints. That’s why we release upwards of 200 new motifs every month. We’re working actively with creating designs to suit different profiles based on different trends.”

That goes for geography too; the company might be Scandinavian through and through, but the range is always big and varied. “We release different collections

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

targeting different countries and do what we can to adapt our range to suit each market,” says Wallin. “In Scandinavia, for example, nature motifs in the blue-green colour range are currently very strong, while in Germany, we see a strong trend around romantic motifs, and in the UK, things are more arty and bold in terms of colours.”

But while the creative studio team boasts an enviable amount of expertise and experience alike, all of the above is backed up by data and nothing is left to fate. “We have tools that help us pinpoint trends and see what works for our brand. The data tells us what might work with our customers, what colour schemes are growing, what types of artistic expressions are on the up and so on. When we see that something is doing well, we can be quick in designing more along the same lines – but this also means that we can afford to be brave and experiment more,” Wallin explains.

News and trends Recent news in our assortment portfolio includes our own studio collections – bigger photo productions from ‘it’ locations throughout the world – and personal prints with tailor-made messages, which are proving very popular, not least as gifts.

As for trends, Wallin reveals that the Scandinavian trend of light and neutral homes with pink and earthy tones is strong, while darker, warmer colour schemes that flirt with the ‘60s and ‘70s are also making a comeback, albeit in a more luxurious suit. Wood furniture and wall panelling are big, and the recent green trend with big plants and a touch of nature is showing no sign of stopping.

In terms of motifs, line art and abstract, graphic prints are very on-trend, while photographic art and botanical and animal motifs are also remaining popular.

One trend that will likely never go out of style is that of environmentalconscious-

ness, something Desenio is very aware of. “If you’re working with paper and want people to have that option of replacing their art regularly, you just have to be environmentally conscious,” says Wallin, and reassures: “We work with eco-certified paper, and for every tree we use, we plant two more.”

About Desenio Desenio is a fast-growing design and e-commerce business that is market leading within posters and frames in Europe, delivering to more than 30 countries.

Desenio offers trendy, affordable prints and other wall decorations alongside fantastic inspiration and world-class customer service.

Web: www.desenio.com

Creative director Annica Wallin.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 55

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Through the rhythm of a beating hammer Wall scones, candlesticks, chandeliers and garlands… Malin Appelgren designs and crafts all of the above and more in her workshop in Österlen in southern Sweden, using nothing but her hands, her craft, brass and pewter – and, crucially, plenty of time.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Torbjörn Lagerwall

In front of Malin Appelgren in her workshop is a photo of her maternal grandfather, Karl-Erik Torssell. He taught her everything she knows. “I used to hear the beating hammer, a certain rhythm all the time, like a heartbeat,” recalls Appelgren, who spent her childhood summers with her grandparents.

“That rhythm stuck. There was a certain calm over it, and when I finally asked granddad to teach me, I already had the rhythm in my bones.”

Her grandfather, however, was initially sceptical; he thought the work was too heavy and not for girls. “I guess it is physical, so it’s associated with men 56 | Issue 118 | November 2018

– but there’s a special technique, a way to use the weight of the hammer rather than pure muscle strength, just so you don’t injure yourself,” Appelgren interjects. “And I do work to stay fit, to make sure that I am able to keep working like this. I teach a number of yoga classes every week.”

When, after endless nagging, her grandfather finally gave in, Appelgren was allowed to work with pewter but not brass – the latter was too hard. “I stole a piece of brass and went off and secretly made a wall scone, and it was terrible,” she says. “So I brought it back to admit my theft, apologised and gave it to grand-

dad. And he picked it up and studied it in detail, just like he does with every single scone he makes, and he said, ‘Malin, this is the most beautiful scone I’ve ever seen’. It was his way of giving me his approval, and that heritage means a lot to me.”

The importance of time A one-woman business, Appelgren makes around 800 products every year.

To her, time is as crucial an ingredient as the materials and craft – quite the radical attitude in an era of economic growth as the be all end all. “It takes time to create this product, and I hope that those who buy it can feel the time that’s gone into it,” she explains. “People are always onto me to make more, to hire someone – but no, I don’t want to grow. I make 800 products a year, and when they’re gone they’re gone. It’s not about money; it’s perhaps more of a lifestyle thing.”

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Simplicity and heritage

anniversary of her doing so – the 18th of it being her full-time occupation. You could forgive her for being somewhat of a control freak. “I get requests for new products, but I almost always say no,” she says plainly. “When I have time to make something new, I want it to come from me. The simplicity of creating one scone after another can be a good and a bad thing, but I’m a creative person and want to be allowed to let the lust lead the way.” As for trends, she admits to being able to tell whenever a shift from brass to pewter and vice versa is about to happen, but other than that she does not pay heed. “I want things to be simple and functional. We always try out new products at home before they get the green light,” she says.

If it seems as if she is quite the stubborn artisan, it is perhaps because she considers her work a vocation. She always knew that she wanted to work with her hands, and this year marks the 25th

Of course, there is a reason why the Appelgren product range has remained mostly recognisable for the entirety of the brand’s life. Back in the 1930s,

This attitude is reflected in every aspect of Appelgren’s work, from her solo workshop to the carefully selected retailers she chooses to distribute her work to. “I have retailers queueing to sell my products, which is nice as it means I can be selective,” she says, adding that it is also a case of minding her arm and avoiding too much stress. Working alone in her remote workshop has its pros and cons, she admits. “It gets lonely at times; I do miss having colleagues, but it’s just awfully noisy when I work! But recently I’ve been inviting my husband to work with me in the workshop. He works with metal and is good with welding, so it’s a new perspective as well as a new colleague.”

Karl-Erik Torssell designed the wall scone today known as Kungalampetten, The Royal Scone. The name points to the fact that the very first two scones of this exact design were sold to King Gustaf V, resulting in the company getting a royal warrant and, subsequently, Appelgren’s grandfather also working closely with Estrid Ericson of the legendary Svenskt Tenn.

It is hardly surprising, then, that Appelgren gladly continues to craft the scone, one of her best-sellers. With it, she is keeping her grandfather’s legacy alive, not just through the design and the light that shines from it, but through the gifts of time, craft, and the heartlike rhythm of a beating hammer.

Web: www.malinappelgren.se Facebook: pewterandbrass Instagram: @malinapp

Malin Appelgren in her workshop.

Photo: Malin Appelgren

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 57

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Kind weapons for the sisterhood

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Feministsmeden

It started with insufficient grades for art school and continued with a bit of a fluke.

Today, Nathalie Wåhlin’s feminist smith business is booming, with an employee helping her run the shop and a growing army of allies wearing her weapons of solidarity throughout Sweden and beyond.

Being diagnosed with asthma might not exactly sound like winning the jackpot, but if you are a goldsmith by trade and your job polishing jewellery turns out to be making you sick, it can actually be just the thing that makes magic happen. At least for Nathalie Wåhlin, now better known as Feministsmeden, or the feminist smith, it was. “The name had been obvious from the day a friend asked me if I could make her a Venus symbol earring in gold – I was a feminist and I was a smith,” says Wåhlin. “But when I got signed off sick, I was fired – and then I started researching it and realised all the feminist jewellery out there was quite tacky: it was big, mostly plastic, almost vulgar. Nothing in precious metal. So I started making more delicate pieces in silver and gold, selling them on Etsy, and things immediately took off.”

Now based in a workshop boutique just a stone’s throw from Stockholm’s central station, Wåhlin has a sustainable approach to her craft, creating everything by hand from recycled silver and gold. “I get to hear the most amazing stories. It’s everything from a seven-year-old who has saved up their pocket money to be able to buy the biggest Venus symbol, to retired women who know exactly what they want or perhaps are buying gifts for all their grandchildren,” she says. “I try to equip people with weapons – but kind weapons of confidence.

When someone opens a Christmas gift of a feminist piece of jewellery, it brings that conversation into the homes of people. And when we walk around wearing the Venus symbol, it shows how many allies we have – that together, we are strong.”

A touch of Swedish chic

Right: The Feminist Smith, Nathalie Wåhlin, in her workshop.

Feministsmeden / The Feminist Smith Kungsholmsgatan 4A, Stockholm

Web: www.feministsmith.com Instagram: @feministsmeden

By Liz Longden | Photos: Citronelles

Good food, good drink, good company, and snuggling in away from the cold, dark evenings − the festive season is when the home really comes into its own. So what better Christmas present than a piece of classic Swedish design for the home?

If there is one country that knows how to blend contemporary design and homely warmth, it is Sweden. And one design brand that has gained international attention for its stylish simplicity, combined with bold, joyous colours, is I Love Design.

The London-based Swedish brand has gained international attention with its FIKA collection, a playful homage to the Swedish love affair with coffee and cake. Like much of I Love Design’s work, the collection is based on a simple typographical motif, expressed in nine different colours, which gives it a universal appeal. Variations in bone china, and with an alternative typeface, have also been introduced, and the collection is available in both Swedish and English.

“Our aim is to make functional products that bring a little bit of joy and colour to everyday life,” says designer Caroline 58 | Issue 118 | November 2018

Silfverling. “The FIKA collection in particular is a design that’s both contemporary and classic at the same time, so it appeals to all ages and, of course, makes a really nice present.” Among other places, the FIKA collection can be found at Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) and Åhléns in Sweden, and is available in the UK from Totally Swedish.

I Love Design is represented in Sweden by Citronelles agency.

Web: www.citronelles.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Beli Sands’ collection of linen goods ties together Scandinavian design with Indian craftmanship.

Linen stories There is more to Beli Sands than just sophisticated linen textiles. Perhaps it is the fact that each piece tells a story that stretches across borders, encapsulating the successful marriage between Indian craftmanship and Swedish design, or maybe it is the inspiration of nature’s sheer simplicity and vibrant colours. Whatever it is, Beli Sands is a brand to know.

By Emma Rödin | Photos: Belinda Sandell

Founder Belinda Sandell spent 20 years working across Asia within sourcing and production in fashion, before launching Beli Sands in early 2017 – a dream she had long wished to fulfil. Sandell works mostly with linen, but also uses cotton with different washes to interact with the former and to create a lived-in look. “I love nature, and because linen is a natural textile used for centuries, it felt like an obvious choice – it’s very special,” says Sandell. Her choice of fabric and technical skills give her products a feeling of timelessness, while still carrying a modern feel.

Sandell’s collection includes sheets, table cloths, serviettes and aprons, and with roots in India, Sandell talks about

her creations as a bridge between her native country and Sweden. “My collection has a Nordic design but is produced in India through my contacts there. It is a great opportunity to work with people from two countries, to bring out the best of both and still have the privilege to keep my roots,” says Sandell.

She refers to her collection as ‘linen stories’, simply based on the idea of weaving age-old linen fabric into stories that suit every home at any given time.

“My stories are about love and dreams and are expressions of care, mutual respect and a passion for what we do,” the designer explains. “With Beli Sands, I want to share positive energy and harmony. We stand for sustainability and

social responsibility and the conviction that everyone who works with us should be able to grow both independently and together with us.”

Speaking of sustainability, Sandell talks about linen as a great textile due to its timid impact on the earth’s resources, using very little water in production.

Additionally, the Indian factory where the Beli Sands range is made oversees each piece from weaving to final product under one roof. The factory has its own wind power, bio-gas and water recycling facilities, which makes zero liquid discharge (ZLD) possible.

By offering products ideal for cosy gatherings, Beli Sands successfully caters for the season ahead and helps us create new stories with our loved ones.

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

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 59

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Photo: Jens Hilner

Swedish design, Italian craft In a fast-changing world of over-consumption, CU Jewellery wants to minimise our impact on the environment. The Sweden-based brand designs beautiful jewellery from recycled silver, which is later skilfully crafted in Italy.

By Malin Norman

CU Jewellery is the brainchild of Camilla Westergren, her partner Björn Broman and her former colleague Ulrika Hellmark. “We wanted to work with something a bit more long-lasting, such as silver and gemstones, instead of fast, commercial products,” Westergren explains about the idea for the brand.

Four years ago, CU Jewellery presented its first collection and it became an instant success.

CU Jewellery launches new designs twice per year − small batches which include additions to existing collections, again taking nature and sustainability into account.

“There is a fine balance between pro60 | Issue 118 | November 2018

duction and sales,” admits Westergren.

Since 2015, CU Jewellery has been working with recycled silver in order to reduce the impact on the environment. The small manufacturer in Italy, also a family business, guarantees that at least 70 per cent of its material consists of recycled silver.

This is an example of how craftsmanship and tradition go hand in hand with modern ideas of sustainable design.

“At CU Jewellery, we have a circular focus,” continues Westergren. “Our message is to protect the environment, and it has been our aim to make the consumer think a bit more carefully about their consumption.” As of this autumn,

CU Jewellery buys silver from consumers and retailers as a way of raising awareness about recycling as well as sourcing materials for new designs.

“Many people don’t know that they can actually recycle silver. You can hand in any old piece of silver jewellery to us, regardless of brand. And when you buy our new jewellery, that piece will have a story as it consists of material that has been used before.”

Designs inspired by nature Nature is obviously central to the brand, and also a source of inspiration in the actual design process. Westergren lives outside Gävle, and her designs have a sleek Scandinavian expression with plenty of references to nature. “We don’t understand how lucky we are in Sweden.

Here, I have nature around the corner and bring elements such as pine trees and lingonberry leaves into my designs.”

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

The all-time bestseller is Butterfly, symbolising happiness and rebirth, which was launched at the very start, four years ago. Another symbol is the stunning Dragonfly, with its significance of seizing the day. Fly comes with the message to remain a fighter and never give up, and two years ago, CU Jewellery launched Venus as a tribute to all strong women around the world, also a huge success.

Some of the designs are also influenced by symbols and traffic signs, as seen in the collection Signs, with shapes that we may see every day but might not think about, and the designs are also often influenced by travels. For instance, the collection Roof is inspired by the rooftops in Italy and Spain. “Actually, the shape in Roof is similar to a pine cone, so it all goes hand in hand – somehow it comes full circle.”

Collaboration with Sara Biderman and Josefin Dahlberg In addition to its own stylish designs, CU Jewellery also collaborates with external parties. The first collaboration with influencer and fashion blogger Josefin Dahlberg, who created Dream Big with the underlying message that nothing is impossible, was very successful. Another such partnership is with Sara Biderman, a Swedish stylist and somewhat of a guru in fashion. “We like to support young, strong women,” confirms Westergren.

“Both Biderman and Dahlberg are talented and ambitious. In our partnership, we have found a common path and been able to help each other.”

The Sara Biderman collaboration consists of two collections. The first, named One, sold out instantly, and the latest collection, called Two, was launched just a

Photo: Cina Persson

few weeks ago. It is inspired by vintage, where modern meets classic favourites.

“It’s a bit like diving into your grandmother’s jewellery box. Not everything matches, but it somehow works really well together,” smiles Westergren. This is central to the idea with CU Jewellery: you can find your own style with designs from previous and new collections.

At the end of November, CU Jewellery will also launch a unisex collection with rings, bracelets and necklaces, again with elements of nature. The collections are available at selected retailers and in the online shop.

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

Photo: Cina Persson

Collection Two by Sara Biderman.

Photo: Fabian Wester

Founders Camilla Westergren, Björn Broman and Ulrika Hellmark. Photo: Katarina Sahlin

Photo: Cina Persson

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 61

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Fox skull.

Färjil and the search for untraditional beauty Their collection includes anatomy, animal skulls, octopus’ tails and, most importantly, beauty derived from the most unexpected places. Lennart Tillander and Josefine Wallander of Färjil are passionate about customer service, finding motifs in the wild and raw, and creating special, but also affordable, jewellery.

By Hanna Andersson | Photos: Färjil

“We are fascinated by anatomy, animals, and nature, and this has inspired us to create this, perhaps not so traditionally beautiful, collection. We keep our eyes open for new motifs all the time; when you are passionate about something it’s hard to turn it off,” laughs Wallander.

Färjil keeps the products close to nature, and they are always up for new interesting motifs. “When we first start a new project, or create a new piece of jewellery, we draw the motif to make sure it looks good from all angles. All our jewellery is three-dimensional, and 62 | Issue 118 | November 2018

it is important that it works. That’s why we spend so much time doing research.

We often go to the forest to seek inspiration. A bug, the pattern on a piece of wood, leaves – it can all be part of our work,” says Tillander.

A special bond with the customer Färjil’s products are indeed exciting and beautiful, which leaves you wanting more. “Many of our customers get back to us saying how impressed they are with the work, that there’s more to it than what they could originally see in the picture. We don’t have a physical shop;

it’s all online, so we are entirely grateful that our customers keep in touch and let us know what they think about it.”

Färjil’s customer contact is very special, and this is because of their broad, but interesting clientele. Tillander explains: “Our jewellery attracts rockers, scientists, and bird watchers, but also people that have had injuries or illnesses connected to one of the body parts in our anatomy collection. One girl, who had a bad kidney, told us that she proudly carried her kidney necklace everywhere.

We have also received post, actual letters, from the other side of the world saying how happy customers are with the products. One time it was especially sweet, because we’d had contact online all the way through their purchase, but they wanted to send a proper letter to thank us. Sometimes we receive x-rays

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

that show where our customers have had an injury or illness. We have also had customers who’ve given one of our products as a thank you to a doctor – it is an amazing thing to be a part of.”

Beautiful anatomy The creatives behind Färjil are often asked to create tailor-made jewellery, and sometimes they can. “We were once asked to design a sphenoid bone: a small bone in the human skull, and it took us a long time to get it right. But we managed, and now it is one of our most popular products,” says Tillander. But the best-seller is, unsurprisingly, the anatomic heart. “It sells the best. It’s a strong symbol, and a bit different because it is so detailed – so it has become one of our favourites too,” explains Wallander.

The anatomy collection is powerful and can give strength to people in need as

well as connect people who are far apart, and Wallander knows exactly why she thinks anatomy is so fascinating. “The body is like a machine. All the little bits and pieces work together to help our body. And if you break it down, there are more little bits and pieces that create another piece of machinery. You can continue like this until you’re on a micro level, where you can find even more beauty.”

True companions Tillander and Wallander met at art school and soon became a couple. In 2013, the idea of Färjil came to life, and they became business companions. “We complete each other. We are a good mix of marketing, creativity, business savvy and ambition.”

In the future, the couple hope to open a physical shop, and a foundry, where they can meet their customers in person. “It

would be great if we could have our own foundry. Right now, we only have a workshop where we can create our pewter products, but we have to send our silver designs to Scotland where they are cast.

It would be amazing to be able to do it ourselves. We could have people visiting so they can see how much work actually goes into creating these pieces.”

Next year, Färjil is expanding and will start making a bronze collection. “Up until now, we have focused on so-called cold metal, like pewter and silver, but we have had a lot of requests asking if we can create some warmer designs, and this is what we will be doing next year,” says Wallander.

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

Anatomic heart.

Human skull.

Uterus.

Pelvis.

Josefine Wallander and Lennart Tillander.

Fossil.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 63

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Add some Nordic magic to your Christmas With its exclusive, characterful designs, guaranteed to appeal to adults and children alike, there are few brands that capture the cosiness of a Nordic Christmas quite like Swedish design company Nääsgränsgården.

have this process of dialogue and discussion ensures that we can guarantee the quality of the final product.”

By Liz Longden | Photos: Nääsgränsgården

It is not only Swedish homes that have fallen for Nääsgränsgården’s playful designs.

The brand currently has 2,000 stockists in over 20 countries, with large markets in Norway, Germany, Denmark and, increasingly, the UK. “There is something a bit special about the Nordic Christmas, which seems to appeal beyond the Scandinavian countries, a fascination almost,” Elled notes. When you consider the charm of Nääsgränsgården’s Christmas range, it is not hard to see why.

According to Nordic folklore, the ‘tomte’ is the elf-like creature who looks after a home and its inhabitants. It is an essential part of the Swedish Christmas tradition, but if your house or flat does not happen to have its own live-in elf, there is no need to despair: Nääsgränsgården has created a range of different ‘tomtar’ to suit all tastes, each guaranteed to bring a touch of festive cheer and magic to any home.

Nääsgränsgården has been producing interior design products for over 25 years. Its designs cater for every season and occasion, but the brand is particularly well-known for its Christmas range.

This not only includes decorations and ornaments, which can transform a tree or table setting, but also functional items such as lanterns, bowls and mugs for drinking ‘glögg’ — everything, in short, to create the perfect Christmas ambiance, not to mention great ideas for presents.

Owner and CEO Per-Anders Elled explains that, while some Nääsgränsgården 64 | Issue 118 | November 2018

products are classics, which continue to be in demand year after year, new items and collections are introduced every year.

He and his colleagues visit craft fairs all over Sweden to seek out and commission new designers, many of whom are craftsmen and craftswomen operating on a small scale. This network of independent collaborators ensures not only that the Nääsgränsgården range always contains fresh ideas and inspiration but also that its products are unique. “We work with our designers throughout the design process, so that the end product is something that we have developed together,” Elled explains. “Because of that, our products are exclusive to us. There is no one else who makes or sells them.”

This strong, personal relationship with its designers is also integral to the quality of Nääsgränsgården’s production. “For us, it’s very important that our production is of the highest standard, and that has to be taken into account even at the design stage,” says Elled. “So the fact that we

Web: www.naasgransgarden.se/en

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Annika Gustavsson designs innovative jewellery inspired by the nature of Gotland.

Jewellery beyond the ordinary Meet Annika Gustavsson, the renowned Swedish goldsmith who ditched a career in finance to embark on a journey in jewellery. Today, working from her Gotlandbased studio, she offers collections inspired by this native place, while also creating bespoke rings for special occasions. By always giving each customer a memorable experience rather than a one-off purchase, Gustavsson has earned a wide range of devotees who keep coming back for more.

By Emma Rödin | Press photos

While working in finance, Annika Gustavsson longed for a more creative and active spare time. So, she signed up for various evening classes, including furniture restoration and pottery, which eventually led her to study jewellery design in Stockholm and later join Copenhagen’s school for goldsmiths. “I got tired of working hard to reach other people’s goals instead of my own, so I decided to explore other routes,” says Gustavsson. During her four years of studying in Denmark, she set up her jewellery company on the side, and at the time of graduating, she had over 30 retailers already.

Yearning for home, Gustavsson returned to Gotland and set up shop in Visby, an ancient town that, along with the rest of Gotland, has become her main inspiration. Visby’s cosy alleyways, the atmosphere and history of the island and its

barren landscape − it is all in the jewellery. Gustavsson enjoys working with natural shapes such as coral fossils, which she has fond memories of collecting as a child and has made collections of in both gold and silver. “I love using the contrasts of nature and mixing shiny and matte textures, like pairing an oxidised surface with a beautiful gemstone. The contrasts give the pieces life,” she enthuses.

Apart from her collections, Gustavsson also works closely with clients who wish to customise their own engagement or wedding rings. “People like coming to the shop because I, in capacity of both goldsmith and designer, can help them find the perfect rings to enhance their individual personalities. They can make a decision in their own time and end up with something very special,” she explains.

Setting her apart further is the choice of

only working with recycled gold, as well as the fact that she masters the art of melting gold for reuse. “I love doing this for my customers. The joy in their eyes when they get to recreate something from past generations and then wear it in its new shape is incredible. Really, it’s the world’s oldest recycling business.”

When considering treating yourself or someone dear to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, Annika Gustavsson might just be the answer.

Annika Gustavsson in her showroom in Visby.

Web: www.annikagustavsson.se Facebook: annikagustavssonjewellery Instagram: @annikagustavsson_jewelry

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 65

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Reflections of light, inspired by the sea With a deeply rooted passion for the versatile material of silver, Elisabeth Bergstrand crafts beautiful and rare pieces of jewellery. The Swedish designer echoes a sense of happiness in the reflections of light and a love for the sea.

developed her knowledge of working with silver. “Owe has been incredibly supportive, steadily pushing me into believing in myself as a designer.”

By Malin Norman | Photos: Reflexion Silver

It all started some years ago, when Elisabeth Bergstrand joined a friend for a weekend course in silver jewellery design in Denmark and, quite unexpectedly, got hooked. What came about on a whim actually turned into her calling in life.

have never before experienced this sensation of being in a bubble, completely engulfed by something. It’s a fantastic feeling and I can sit for hours on end and just focus on what’s in front of me, nothing else exists.”

“Surprisingly, I felt that although my head didn’t know the craft of jewellery design yet, my hands did and it was easy to see what worked and what didn’t,” the silversmith elaborates on her passion. “I

With her newfound skill, the entrepreneur embarked on a mission as a jewellery designer. Over the last few years, she has been a trainee for renowned silversmith Owe Johansson, which has further

66 | Issue 118 | November 2018

Elisabeth Bergstrand.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Symbols of the seaside The jewellery brand Reflexion Silver was launched two years ago, taking inspiration from the sea and the west coast of Sweden, where the designer has spent many summers. For instance, knots and shells are symbols of what the west coast means to her: a sunny day by the sea, the salty breeze, the wind in her hair.

Inspired by these elements of the sea, the silver jewellery reflects the light but also a feeling of happiness. “The designs work as a recharger for me,” she says. “It makes me happy and I strive to transmit this joy and freedom that I feel to others.

It’s a privilege to create beautiful things that others can appreciate.”

Designs carry meaning The designer crafts her Reflexion Silver range of rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets by hand, in sterling silver, and introduces new designs bit by bit. The

collection is versatile and on par with what is currently in fashion. “Nowadays, there are no firm rules and people tend to combine different jewellery such as gold and silver, and they often wear several rings together, which can look really nice. This look works perfectly with my plain forged rings.”

Customers love the powerful design: elegance with a typical Scandinavian expression, yet with a twist. The knot rings are the most popular so far. “People recognise the shape of the knot from another context, and that brings an interesting element to their look. Take, for instance, my clove hitch ring – many customers are surprised at how elegantly it sits on the hand.”

Web: www.reflexionsilver.se Facebook: Reflexionsilver Instagram: @reflexionsilver

Elisabeth Bergstrand will be showcasing and selling her Reflexion Silver designs at the following Christmas fairs and markets in Sweden: Carlstens Fästning, Marstrand 8-11 November Bjersunds Tegelbruk, Bjärred 25 November Kulturen, Lund 30 November to 2 December Löberöds Slottskyrka, Löberöd 8-9 December Rotundan, Lomma 15 December The beautiful designs from Reflexion Silver are also available in the online shop.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 67

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Cups of joy

By Kristine Olofsson | Photos: Johanna Fond

Passion for colours, shapes and the meeting that takes place when enjoying a cup of coffee with a loved one, are the driving forces behind Design Lena Larsson. “I have always loved cups and the feeling connected to them, ever since I was three years old and drinking coffee with my grandmother,” the artist recalls with a smile.

The idea behind Larsson’s joyfully designed paintings and items sprung from happy childhood memories as well as positive feedback received in art school when painting cups in different shapes and colours.

The creative expression expanded from the canvas to actual designs, and today her ceramic products are made at Nittsjö ceramics factory in Sweden.

Characteristic for Larsson’s collection, I want more, are the round circles in bright colours placed on the inside or outside of her cups and bowls. “Sometimes we are introvert, and sometimes extrovert, a fact symbolised by the placement of the circles. A best-seller is the harmonic design with a circle both inside and outside, which is quite curious when you think about it,” Larsson reflects. “I want to mediate happi-

ness to people, and for my products to be used in many different ways. A cup can, for example, serve either as a breakfast bowl or as a mug for mulled wine.”

The road to success has been long, but decisions based on listening to the heart have worked out well. “I often ask myself where I get the energy from, and the answer is simple: I love cups and the emotions they can hold.”

Shop: Showroom: Södermannagatan 41 B, Stockholm, Sweden Liljevalchs Museum Shop, Djurgårdsvägen 60, Stockholm, Sweden Eskilstuna Art Museum, Portgatan 2, Eskilstuna, Sweden

Natural style for the whole family Who said that children’s bowls have to be gaudy and splattered with commercial prints? CINK’s bamboo-based dinnerware shows that the family dinner table can be both elegant and environmentally friendly.

Frustrated by the array of garish tableware available for children, Elena Holmberg took matters into her own hands and created CINK, a range of hardwearing, genderneutral bowls, cups and cutlery.

The brand’s name is a playful corruption of the French word ‘cinq’, meaning five, and is a reference to the five muted tones in which CINK products are available, each inspired by the beauty of the Österlen countryside and coast. Combined with the range’s elegantly simple design, its natural palette adds a touch of style to family mealtimes. CINK is about more than just aesthetics, however: made from organic bamboo that is recycled from the waste of chopstick production, blended with GMOfree corn starch and 100 per cent food grade melamine binder, and coloured with 68 | Issue 118 | November 2018

water-based pigments, CINK dinnerware is also an eco-friendly choice.

The current product range includes mugs, bowls and baby gift boxes — which comprise a mug, a ‘sippy’ cup, a spoon and a bowl — and next year will see the addition of plates and cutlery for older children. In fact, Holmberg explains, CINK’s products are designed to appeal to all ages and are also

Cups from the I want more collection.

Be with you cup, bowl and tray.

Web: www.designlenalarsson.com Contact: lena@designlenalarsson.se Facebook: designlenalarsson Instagram: @lenalarsson_design

By Liz Longden | Photos: Ulrika Nihlén

perfect for picnics and travelling. “Instead of something that can only be used for very young children and then has to be got rid of when they get older, our aim is to create stylish, hardwearing dinnerware, which children love and the whole family can enjoy.”

Web: www.cinkshop.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Mix and match

– elegant accessories, designed in Sweden With inspiration from men’s fashion, By Billgren offers a timeless collection of premium watches and accessories for any occasion. Whatever your look, there is a range of selected accessories to match.

By Malin Norman | Photos: By Billgren

Always driven by a desire to create, Johan Billgren is an artistic mind in music, fashion and the corporate world.

When talking about his accessory brand

By Billgren, he describes the ambition to offer “a timeless, comprehensive design solution for male accessories, inspired by men’s fashion”. His Scandinavian design effortlessly combines modernity and elegance. The watches and jewellery look great with a tailored suit, a an ‘older man with style’ look, or perhaps more casual with a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt. Young or old, any man can wear By Billgren.

70 | Issue 118 | November 2018

The contemporary collection includes premium watches as well as bracelets, necklaces, and rings. The watches are made of high-quality Japanese Miyota clockwork or Swiss Ronda Movement.

Available in three models with a range of bracelets to mix and match, the watches are designed to match the rest of the line-up of accessories.

Growing market In the market for some eight years now,

By Billgren is certainly a popular brand, also among Swedish and international celebrities. “At the moment, accesso-

ries for men is a fast-growing market,” Billgren reflects on the success. “Men have always worn jewellery, yet it has been an unexplored territory for a long time. Nowadays, men are getting used to wearing sets of jewellery and with By Billgren, they can mix and match different pieces at fair prices.”

In order to show men how they can wear and combine accessories, the online magazine, By Billgren Magazine, includes content such as trend reports and style tips from a fashion editor, not just about accessories but also about fashion in general. “Our new website is meant to be a source of inspiration,” says Billgren. “Here, you can read about what’s currently trendy and also book appointments with an advisor.” For instance, if you already have a watch and want

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

to match it with other accessories, By Billgren and its retailers can help.

“It’s not just about creating a high-quality product for a good price,” Billgren continues. “Everything around the product needs to be of great quality as well. Our website needs to be a safe platform for information and inspiration before making a purchase.

Many people also want to actually touch and feel the products before buying, so we want to be available in the best shops.

Ultimately, we want to be available where our customers happen to be.”

For a perfect world Founder Billgren is also dedicated to sustainability and creating a better world. “Accessories may seem superficial; however,

we try to make a difference for our nature and our animals,” he explains. As such, the brand works closely with The Perfect World Foundation (TPWF), a non-profit organisation established to raise awareness about animal and nature conservation projects around the world.

By Billgren has created two designs for the benefit of TPWF. The bracelet Save the Ocean, with unique gemstones and healing properties, has so far raised more than 300,000 SEK (around 25,000 GBP) for a project that aims to protect our maritime environment. The necklace Sudan, meanwhile, has raised around 100,000 SEK (around 8,500 GBP) for the project Save the Rhino, to raise awareness of endangered species.

“In our business, we take responsibility and do what we can to support these projects. In addition to the significant work of this non-profit organisation, it’s important for us that everyone we work with is feeling good – retailers as well as consumers. This is why we only work with fair partners.”

The next By Billgren collection will be launched in February. All designs are available at selected retailers and in the online shop.

Web: www.bybillgren.com Facebook: byBillgren Instagram: @bybillgren

Johan Billgren.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 71

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Have yourself a very stylish Christmas If you are looking for a Christmas gift for a discerning man in your life, look no further than Hansen & Jacob, the Swedish brand that has established itself as a byword for sophistication and quality in menswear.

By Liz Longden | Photos: OscarFalk

The festive season is soon upon us and, for those men who aim to see in 2019 in style, what better Christmas treat than an item of timeless sartorial craftsmanship?

Hansen & Jacob caters for modern men of all ages and, since its launch in 2006, has gone on to become a leading ultrapremium clothing brand in northern Europe. Offering products ranging from tailored jackets to distressed jeans, but with a particular emphasis on ‘smart casual’ wear, the company prides itself on producing men’s clothing of the highest quality, where detail is paramount and shortcuts are anathema.

72 | Issue 118 | November 2018

“We make our clothes, quite simply, for men who appreciate and understand high quality, and who like to be well-dressed, whether at work or relaxing. And we see them as classics — clothes which, thanks to the quality of our fabrics, design and production, will continue to look great over a long period of time,” says Hansen & Jacob’s founder and CEO, Johan Hansen.

Timeless collections Hansen & Jacob brings out two collections each year, autumn/winter and spring/summer, along with the smaller winter and summer sub-collections, and its product groups include trousers,

knitwear, shirts, suit jackets, coats and shoes. In addition to these staples, there is also a range of accessories including belts, bags, cufflinks and scarves, which make a perfect present for any style-conscious man.

Every piece is an example of individual craftsmanship, yet items in the collection are also designed to complement each other, enabling customers to easily match and combine. And while a timeless feel is achieved through the use of recognised colours and patterns, the brand is not afraid to be innovative.

The shirt range, for example, not only includes classic, business-style shirts, but also printed designs and shirts with contrasting stitching and sleeves.

In addition to the premium quality of fabrics and manufacture, Hansen & Jacob

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

also prides itself on its tailoring. “We’re renowned for the fit of our clothes, especially of our trousers and also our suit jackets, which have really grown in popularity in recent years,” Hansen notes. “It’s something which we feel distinguishes us as a brand, and which our customers very much appreciate.”

Meeting a global market Until now, Hansen & Jacob’s clothes have only been available to buy from selected premium stockists. However, this autumn the company launched an online shop, enabling both stockists and individual customers to explore the Hansen & Jacob range with ease.

“The premium retailers who stock our clothes obviously buy in elements of our collection that they feel fit in with their own style and clientele, but this has meant that individual customers haven’t

often been able to see our collections in their entirety,” Hansen explains. “Now, thanks to our online shop, we can bring our whole collection to the market.”

In presenting potential customers with another way to browse the brand’s collection, Hansen also sees advantages in the new online shop for existing stockists, pointing out that the price of products online is the same as when sold by retailers. At present, online purchases are only available to customers in Sweden, however the company plans to open up the web shop to a worldwide clientele within the year.

There is also good news for those who prefer to hold a garment in their hands before committing to a purchase. With year-on-year growth of between 15 and 20 per cent, and having already established itself in Sweden, Norway, Denmark,

Finland and northern Germany, Hansen says that the company is ready to expand into further export markets. The brand already has an agent in the Benelux countries and is now looking to secure agents in the UK, other regions of Germany and Canada.

“I started the company in 2006 because I felt there was a gap in the market for a very high-quality brand, aimed at discerning customers who appreciate craftsmanship, with clothing made without compromise,” Hansen explains.

“Our growth, in what is a really tough market, shows that demand for these premium products is there, and we will continue to develop to meet that.” Good news for discerning gents everywhere.

Web: www.hansenandjacob.com

Photo: Joakim Palm Karlsson

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 73

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Reinvented classic toys, made in Finland Lillagunga started from something broken. Founder Anton Stenfors wanted a swing for his two sons and bought them a standard plastic swing, as that was the only type he could find. Unfortunately, in no time, it broke.

By Sofia Scratton | Photos: Lillagunga

Stenfors returned to the shops to look for a practical wooden swing with longer durability, but the wooden swings he knew from his own childhood were just not available anymore. He went home empty-handed and decided to build his own swing, using a piece of wood and the rope that was left from the broken plastic swing. That is how the idea of Lillagunga (meaning ‘little swing’) was born.

Lillagunga launched in 2013 with their classic wooden swing and a vision of bringing reinvented wooden activity toys to the market. The Classic swing is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and has a patented mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat.

Since its launch, Lillagunga has developed a collection of high-quality, beautifully

designed products for all the family, which has since been shipped to happy customers all over the world: swings for adults, children and toddlers, as well as gymnastic rings and a rocking horse. All the products are made in Finland and made to last.

“Our products will be used by our customers’ children and maybe even their

grandchildren,” says Stenfors, explaining that the company’s mission is to encourage children to be more physically active, something he believes is increasingly important at a time when children are spending so much time on gadgets.

Lillagunga’s wooden swing and other toys can be purchased from the web shop as well as listed retailers.

Web: www.lillagunga.com Facebook: Lillagunga Instagam: @lillagunga

Classic and colourful with a twist Seven years ago, Mikaela Willers moved her shop from the Swedish capital to a historical estate next to the lake Siljan. With a larger creative as well as physical space, Mikaela Willers Ceramics developed into a well-visited experience revolving around the art and craftmanship of ceramics.

By Hanna Stjernström | Photos: Mikaela Willers

“It is all about the ceramics and putting it into a beautiful environment,” Mikaela Willers says, when asked about what the move to Vikarbyn in Dalarna meant for her company with the same name. Today, Blombergsgården in Vikarbyn is the home of Mikaela Willers Ceramics, and this is also where the primary workshop is located. “I have received a great deal of support here,” Willers says. “Here, I got the opportunity to grow.”

Inspired by a historical environment, nature and architecture, Willers continues to create new products that embody the brand’s characteristics. “I focus on classical products with a modern twist,” she says, and adds: “The products are made in a variety of 74 | Issue 118 | November 2018

colours that all harmonise with each other and are inspired by our present time.”

With a workshop and shop, Blombergsgården remains the heart of the company.

In the near future, Willers and her husband plan to develop the business. With ceramics

as a foundation, the plan is to also open a crêperie and an art gallery that make use of the inspiring surroundings. But despite the exciting expansion ahead, Willers is keen to make sure that she has time to create when inspiration strikes. “I want to make products that are functional but also bring joy to people when they use them.”

Web: www.mikaelawillers.se Facebook: mikaelawillersceramics Instagram: @mikaelawillers.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Swedish design crafted with Italian love With Italy as a second home and a huge passion for shoes, designer Malin Schauermann decided to take the step − most likely in stylish boots − and create Crude Boot Company. “The name says it all,” Schauermann explains. “Crude, or ‘crudo’ in Italian, refers to raw quality material, and this is what my shoes are all about: shoes designed in Sweden and skilfully crafted in Italy.”

By Kristine Olofsson | Photos: Fabian Björnstjerna

“During my trips to Italy, I used to buy shoes from this amazing designer in Ravenna, a well-established 70-yearold lady. I got in contact with the factory she worked with, and it was love at first sight,” Schauermann recalls. It turned out that the factory also created shoes for high-end brands such as Gucci and Missoni and shared Schauermann’s values around high-quality materials and handicraft. “The factory works with people who love the material and the handicraft, and it has done so for several generations,” Schauermann continues.

“Quality has dropped along with prices over the last 20 years here in Sweden, and shoes are being mass-produced. We work with recycled rubber and leather when possible; sustainable fashion is extremely important to me. A pair of boots from Crude Boot Company will last you forever − they are an investment. Some-

one has put love into the shoes, stitched and glued them together by hand.”

Boots made for walking

heels, and the answer is simple: quality shoes built for the feet.”

For the Fashion Line, Schauermann designs trendy models, which she updates after one or two seasons. “I travel regularly to Italy with a completely open mind, ready to be inspired. Going forward, I will continue building the brand, without compromising on exclusivity and quality, nor on sustainability.”

The Crude Boot Company has two product lines: the Classic Line and the Fashion Line. The Classic Line holds best-selling models such as Biker Girl − a feminine take on biker boots, perfect with either a dress or a pair of jeans − a Chelsea Boot with a slightly higher cut, and the unlined Rock ‘n Roll Bootie. Stilettos, sandals and pumps are also included in the line, for example Stivletoo, a stable and chic bootie.

“Once you’ve found one size that fits you, there is no need to try the other models. They are all constructed around the foot in the same way,” Schauermann explains. “I am often asked how I can walk in ten-centimetre

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

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Christmas Gifts from Sweden – Our Top Picks

Scandinavian maximalism Starting off as a small graphic-design studio focusing on wedding stationary, Pretty Paper has quickly become a paper goods hub for the inspiration-thirsty consumer.

Known for its bold colours and hand-painted patterns, Pretty Paper is, while still staying contemporary, the antidote to Scandinavian minimalism.

The Stockholm-based brand is run by sisters Cecilia Börjesson and Cathrine Hansen, who work closely together to influence each new collection. “We always choose a geographical location for inspiration, either from memory or from fantasy – one with characteristic scents, colours and vegetation. I like to describe each collection as a travel novel,” says creative director and pattern mastermind Cecilia Börjesson. She goes on to describe how the various patterns take shape organically, letting the brush lead and never knowing what the outcome will be. “It’s a very liberating process,” she adds.

Although wedding stationary is still part of the Pretty Paper assortment, other products have successfully joined in as well, including posters, journals, greeting cards and notebooks, with the latter two prov-

ing especially popular among customers.

Products sit under collection names such as ‘Pink leaves on blue’ and ‘Mint leaves on eggshell’ and have struck a chord outside of Scandinavia too. Börjesson talks about how curiosity from across the sea has allowed Pretty Paper to be snatched up by shops in Europe, the US and Canada. “We have grown fast but organically, just like our patterns!” she says.

By Emma Rödin | Photos: Ernst Henry

Growing steadily, Pretty Paper is now ready for the next step, and looking to partner up with like-minded businesses to further create in the wonderful world of patterns. Perhaps accessories, beach wear or tiles – who knows? The possibilities are anything but minimal.

Web: www.prettypaper.com Instagram: @prettypaper

Breaking point between contrasts The mission of the jewellery and watch designer Paula Hagerskans is simply to create works of jewellery art.

By Malin Norman | Photo: Hagerskans Jewellery

Sweden-based Hagerskans Jewellery was founded by designer Paula Hagerskans around ten years ago. Her style can best be described as evocative yet organic and with details not seen anywhere else before; the designs are like innovations. By transforming parts of nature, she creates works of art.

“I have a constant ambition to find the breaking point between contrasts,” says the designer and explains that she looks for that intriguing middle ground in between rough and beautiful, masculine and feminine. “I try to find a timeless approach that is still interesting, to go one step further and do things that don’t already exist.”

An example of the innovative approach is the watches in solid stainless steel and vegetable-tanned leather from Italy, with 76 | Issue 118 | November 2018

a diamond that rotates at the centre of the watch. “For every second, there’s a sparkle from the diamond. It makes the watch more like a piece of jewellery,” Hagerskans explains. Another inventive element of her designs is the mounting for the rings with

gemstones, which is shaped as seeds of a pine cone.

The Hagerskans Jewellery collection is available in selected shops in Stockholm and Norway as well as in the online shop, and has recently been launched in the USA. Web: www.hagerskansjewellery.com Facebook: designpaula Instagram: @hagerskansjewellery

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Choose (where you write) your words carefully In 1964, the Danish company Vanerum (then named Pentagon) produced its first ceramic steel chalkboards. Today, after a number of international mergers and expansions, the company is back doing what it does best: making adjustable, multifunctional boards produced and individually tailored in Denmark.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Vanerum

Vanerum’s chalk-, sash- and whiteboards are not just present in schools and at universities and companies all over Denmark. A strong focus on quality, flexibility and individual design has enabled the Danish company to export products abroad as well. In a global market with many players, the key to the competitiveness of Vanerum’s products is, says business unit manager Henrik Prang, the company’s local and flexible production. “Our strength is in the fact that we can easily adapt the boards to our clients’ needs, creating, for instance, big, adjustable, wall-mounted systems to fit the needs of large universities, and smaller transportable boards for meeting rooms. Our local production site and its flexible programming mean it’s easy to adjust to and implement individual requirements.”

Originally, in 1964, Vanerum’s ceramic steel boards were invented as a sort 78 | Issue 118 | November 2018

port approximately half of what we produce,” says Prang. “For instance, we have delivered a lot of adjustable sashboard systems to Singapore, where they are sold to some of the large American universities.”

of spin-off of the ceramic-coated steel architectural cladding produced by Pentagon’s mother company, Alliance Wall. Today, however, the boards are everywhere, and many products combine several boards, such as Vanerum’s versatile Xilo sashboard, whiteboard and smartboard, in one system. This allows the integration of technologies, such as LCD Touch screens and interactive projectors, into more traditional writing and display surfaces.

At the same time, the boards come adjustable in height and with various frame and design options. That is, says Prang, one of the qualities essential to large customers such as the University of Copenhagen, which bought more than 350 boards for its new KUA building. It is also what makes universities as far afield as Singapore invest in a Vanerum board. “Denmark and Sweden are still the largest markets, but we ex-

Web: www.vanerum.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special - Efterskoler

Discover knowledge and make friends for life The ‘efterskole’ is a unique Danish independent and residential school for young people between 14 and 18 years of age. Currently, more than 29,000 students attend one of the approximately 245 schools spread across Denmark and the schools are open to students from abroad.

By Efterskoleforeningen | Photos: Faaborgegnens Efterskole

Historically and culturally, the efterskole is related to the Danish free school movement and is often regarded as a junior form of the Danish folkehøjskole (folk high school). It is closely related to the educational ideas of N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872), who wanted schools to provide enlightenment for life rather than formal vocational training.

The first few efterskoler were founded about 150 years ago and, especially within the last 25 years, the number of students has increased considerably.

Most efterskoler offer the same subjects and final examinations as state schools, but many focus on special subjects such as physical education, music or theatre, or offer various kinds of special education. Compared to a regular state school, the efterskole has substantial freedom in terms of, for example, the choice of subjects, the teaching methods and the educational approach. These vary in accord-

ance with the school’s political, religious and pedagogical orientation. The freedom of the efterskole is assured by substantial state subsidies to both schools and students.

and supervision outside of school hours.

This means that teachers and students are together all day from the time the students wake up until they go to bed.

This often engenders a close, personal and non-formal relationship between students and teachers – something Grundtvig himself would most certainly approve of.

Each efterskole is a self-governing independent institution, and they all deal with both the educational and personal development of the students. They embrace a common educational focus on enlightenment for life, general education and democratic citizenship. The efterskole has something to offer educationally as well as socially, because the students live together.

It can perhaps be said that the teachers who work at an efterskole are not entirely ordinary. They are prepared to involve aspects of themselves other than the professional, so that the pupils have a positive relationship with the teachers. The teacher is responsible for both teaching

Web: www.efterskole.dk/english

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 79

SwedishEducation Christmas Gift Special Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Special - Efterskoler

At Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole, your world grows “Travelling is living,” said the famous Danish author H.C. Andersen many years ago.

It is a message that is more important now than ever before.

By Stine Enevold Valentin | Photos: Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole

Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole is an international school where travel, cultural exchanges and community are at the top of the list of priorities. The school helps shape the students’ futures by supporting them in becoming more globally minded world citizens.

One strong sentiment at the school is the belief that by meeting other cultures first-hand, students will break down preconceptions of other cultures, thus making them stronger human beings. In a constantly changing world, according to the school, it is very important that the youth of the future has a global perspective and views 80 | Issue 118 | November 2018

cultural differences as a strength rather than a challenge.

This is why Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole offers an international environment with students from many different places around the world, teachers with English and German as their mother tongue, and an international class where all subjects are taught in English. Additionally, all students take three trips to different European destinations, one being an exchange trip with students of the same age from another school in Europe.

“As a young adult today, it is necessary that you have a global point of view and

can react professionally and socially in a world that has expectations regarding language, knowledge and your ability to interact with people that are different to you,” says Brian Bastiansen, head master at Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole. “At Rejsby, we give our students a strong foundation to be able to embrace the world and all its opportunities.”

High academic level The school has a strong background in social studies that, combined with the in-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special - Efterskoler

ternational environment, suits students who go on to continue their education, helping them navigate an ever-changing world where there is often great pressure on students’ academic results.

Here, not everything is about books and sitting at desks. The classes watch the morning news every day and use current-day themes as a central part of many lessons. Conversation and debate are also integral parts of learning in the classrooms. Education takes place continuously all day long.

Strong community The most unique aspect of a so-called efterskole is its strong sense of community. At Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole

there is a focus on each individual student’s potential, so that everyone can flourish together as a community. It is the differences, and that special dynamic that is created when students discover the strength in these differences, that are so special from person to person and from culture to culture.

“The openness towards each other becomes gradually apparent as the school year goes on. The students thrive despite their different backgrounds, languages and ages, and that confirms how the community project of an efterskole binds them together. They become better equipped young adults that are carried by their curiosity and respect for others,” says Bastiansen.

School facts: Located in the small countryside town Rejsby, in the southern part of Jutland, near Germany.

The school has approximately 150 students.

Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole offers around 30 different elective subjects in different areas such as sports, creativity, music, e-sport, languages, media, and more.

Students get the opportunity to learn five different languages, in which the school works together with educational institutes in England, Germany and France.

The school offers teaching and exams in Cambridge English (IGCSE) and English as a second language.

Cambridge IGCSE is internationally recognised.

Students in the international class also take the Cambridge exams in mathematics, combined science, and global perspectives.

Web: www.rejsby.eu Facebook: Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole

taught all my classes in English so that I wouldn’t fall behind. So I jumped at the opportunity, and it has most certainly lived up to all of my expectations.

Meet a student

Maia Mote, 15 years old, from England: “I chose Rejsby Europæiske Efterskole because I’ve always loved Denmark and wanted to try immersing myself into the Danish lifestyle. My mum is Danish, so we have always had a connection to Denmark, but that was the extent of my relationship with the country. A year ago, I found out about this school and it sounded too good to be true. I would get to live in Denmark, learn Danish and understand the culture, while being

When I first joined, everything was a little scary. I was in a new country where almost everyone was speaking a different language, but very quickly I learnt that everybody at the school is so kind and willing to speak English to me the minute I ask. I have made some really lovely friends this way, but now I have learnt so much Danish that I can even try to join in some conversations after only being here for two months.

The efterskole concept is unique and different to anything I’ve seen or been a part of before, because you develop such strong bonds with the people you are sharing it with. These people become so much more than just some friends from school. They become your second family.”

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special - Efterskoler

Ranum Efterskole College offers an extraordinary range of co-curricular and extracurricular subjects allowing each of the 430 students to create their own schedule.

International studies your way With exams at IGCSE and AS level, Ranum Efterskole College is at the forefront of international studies for ninth- and tenth-graders in Denmark. Furthermore, the boarding school offers an array of subjects and different academic levels, creating a highly personalised learning experience.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Ranum Efterskole College

At the core of Ranum Efterskole College is the firm belief that interaction with different cultures ultimately strengthens the personal development of individual students. Consequently, tolerance, acceptance, curiosity and open-mindedness are seen as key elements in establishing 21st-century competencies. “We see many educational courses in Denmark being taught in English, and I’m sure this number will only increase in the years to come. However, international education is not just about speaking English – it’s about developing internationally-minded students who are skilled and ready to be part of a global society,” says principal Olav Storm Johannsen.

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For this reason, most academic subjects at Ranum Efterskole College are taught in English, and all students enjoy three yearly travel experiences to global destinations that challenge the students’ academic and cultural skillset.

430 individual timetables It is not just the international aspect that separates Ranum Efterskole College from other boarding schools. Based on the philosophies of ‘inclusive community and learning’ and ‘participatory democracy’, the school aims to provide a framework in which each of its 430 students can contribute to the development of school curricula and activities. “We watch

these young people mature a great deal in the year they spend here and strive to create an environment in which they feel safe, supported and encouraged,” says Johannsen. “Combining social and professional development and turning young people into responsible adults is a key aspect of what we do.”

In line with this ambition, the school boasts an extraordinary range of cocurricular and extracurricular subjects.

All academic subjects have different academic levels, from one to five, and, as the students can choose their own profile subjects, this means that all of the school’s 430 students have their individual schedules. Vice principal Joakim Philipsen explains: “For example, a student can take mathematics at level 1, English at level 3 and Danish at level 4.

This is possible because all subjects are taught at the same time. The student attends lessons together with other

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special - Efterskoler

students at the same level, and that helps them to progress.”

During the afternoon, students can choose one or two profile subjects such as music, sailing or dance.

A safe gateway to the world Ranum Efterskole College started its full international programme six years ago, and since then, the international focus has just kept increasing. In 2014/15, 45 students took part in the international programme; this year, the number reached 189 students from around 28 different countries. Many, like 16-year-old Nanna, who dreams of continuing her studies in India, are attracted by the combination of the broad variety of subjects and the international possibilities. “Before I enrolled, I did some research on different ‘efterskoler’. Ranum Efterskole immediately stood out because of its international profile and

the opportunities it offered in extension of this profile. I thought it sounded pretty interesting – and in addition, you get to go on three study trips during the year. I also chose Ranum Efterskole because of its many offers and activities,” she says.

Furthering the international focus, Ranum Efterskole College collaborates with schools and global educational institutes from all over the world. Among its partners are international organisations such as Cambridge Assessment International Education, the Nordic Network of International Schools, and UNESCO.

Summer school For young people struggling to decide where to continue their educational jourWeb: www.ranumefterskolecollege.com Facebook: ranumefterskole Instagram: @ranumefterskole

ney, Ranum Efterskole College offers a two-to-four-week International Summer School, giving students a taste of the efterskole life, before signing up for the full year. The summer school gives students a chance to challenge themselves personally and academically, and strengthens their social competencies. “It is a great opportunity to experience life at an efterskole, learn something new during your holiday, and make friends from all over the world,” says vice principal Joakim Philipsen and rounds off: “An ‘efterskole’ can’t be explained in words – it must be experienced!”

Next summer, Ranum Efterskole College will also be expanding with a one-week family folk school programme in July.

Ranum Efterskole College in numbers: 430 students, 101 employees, 51 teachers.

19,600-square-metre campus.

Students live in one-, two-, four-, or six-student apartments.

50+ extra-curricular subjects.

Four science laboratories.

Three music rooms.

Six specialist classrooms: design/art, craft, multimedia, e-sport, e-music, and IT. Four gyms and an outdoor sports arena.

21 profile subjects including adventure race, dance, drama, gastronomy, yoga and mindfulness, and street performance.

26 culture subjects including Cuba, Hawaii, China, Nepal, New Zealand, South Korea, and Thailand.

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special - Efterskoler

SKALs Efterskole focuses on giving pupils the social and academic skills needed to move in, and understand, different cultures.

Become a global citizen With four out of seven classes focused on international studies, SKALs Efterskole (SKAL’s International Boarding School) enables Danish and international students to acquire skills and qualifications essential to becoming global citizens. Offering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), the school is in the top five of the best-performing schools in Denmark.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: SKALs Efterskole

Founded in central Jutland in 1990, SKALs Efterskole was designed to provide an alternative to the many free Danish boarding schools focused predominantly on personal development and social interaction. SKALs’ founders wanted to combine these traditional ‘efterskole’ ideals with a more substantial preparation for its students’ continued professional and academic lives. This is an ambition that principal Nicolai Vangkilde Terp, who took over the post as head of the school in the beginning of 2018, shares. “It’s about combining the traditional ‘efterskole’ values with a more targeted academic ap84 | Issue 118 | November 2018

proach. Our school is a place where it’s okay to want to go to school, to like to go to school, and that’s a relief to many of our pupils; because being someone who wants to study and who wants to do good is unfortunately not cool in a lot of places today,” he explains.

Of the 160 students enrolled annually at SKALs, more than 100 choose either the ninth or tenth-grade IGCSE class or the International Project class. All the international classes are taught in English, and, since all important messages are given in both Danish and English, it is

not a necessity to speak Danish to study at SKALs Efterskole.

An international set of skills The school’s IGCSE pupils finish with an exam approved by the University of Cambridge. The exam gives access to the International Baccalaureate (IB), which is offered by 14 Danish gymnasia as well as numerous educational institutions all over the world, and that means that not just Danish pupils are attracted to the course. “We have more and more pupils coming from abroad to take the IGCSE – for many, it’s a good alternative to the boarding schools in their home country, and for some, with one or two Danish parents, it’s a way to get introduced to the Danish school system and open up for the possibility of pursuing further studies in Denmark,” explains Terp. Furthermore, if pupils take the tenth-grade IGCSE, the exam may qualify them to

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special - Efterskoler

skip one year of the Danish three-year version of the IB. SKALs’ International Project Class, on the other hand, offers a year free from exams and full of ‘real-life’ project-based learning experiences. This allows pupils to explore less traditional ways of expanding their competences within media, communication, teamwork and presentation. “As a young person today, you must be able to conduct yourself professionally and socially all over the world. The ability to move in and understand different cultures will be essential, and that requires two sets of competences: the academic – the languages, knowledge and so on; and the social – the ability to interact as an individual with people different from yourself. We want to give our students both,” says Terp.

The different programmes include annual study trips to different destinations, including the UK, Malawi and Vietnam.

Wanting to learn Students enrolled on SKALs’ regular ninth and tenth grades are divided into several smaller sub-groups of varying academic levels and teaching styles. All classes, however, have a strong academic focus and aim to prepare students for the specific line of post-secondary study they wish to pursue. As a matter of fact, 97 per cent of SKALs’ pupils continue onto a post-secondary education after a year at SKALs. This does not, however, mean that it is all about books, stresses Terp.

“SKALs is not a rigidly academic school where we put our students through their paces in hard subjects. On the contrary, it’s about involving both your head and your heart. Being a student here is not about being academically strong – it’s about wanting to be.”

While the international and academic focus is at the core of all activity at SKALs, like other ‘efterskoler’ the school also offers a number of subject lines such as football, media and creativity, which allows pupils to pursue their hobbies, sports and interests alongside studies.

Web: www.skals-efterskole.dk

SKALs Efterskole is academically one of the best-performing schools in Denmark. Pupils at SKALs Efterskole can choose from a number of different subjects and after-school activities, such as e-sport, kayaking and football.

At a glance: SKALs is located in Skals, a town of approximately 2,000 inhabitants, 12 kilometres from Viborg and 75 kilometres from Aarhus.

SKALs’ 160 students share four-bed dormitory rooms; students can choose between mixed-gender floors as well as a mixed English-speaking floor.

SKALs offers a ninth and tenth-grade education based on the students’ different

learning approaches and academic levels (Danish National Curriculum) as well as an English-language, project-based tenth grade with no examinations, and Cambridge classes (IGCSE/O-level).

SKALs is among just a handful of schools in Denmark offering the entire IGCSE curriculum and, furthermore, is the Danish headquarters for IGCSEapproved education in Denmark.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 85

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special - Efterskoler

Space to thrive Helped by the safe and beautiful surroundings on Denmark’s idyllic Ærø island, Ærø Efterskole has, since its establishment in 1989, provided a safe, supportive and fun environment for teenagers with learning disabilities who have previously struggled at school. “We focus on developing as individuals; on being part of something bigger and on practical learning through activities that the students choose for themselves,” explains principal Mette Bækmark.

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Ærø Efterskole

As with other Danish efterskoler, students learn much more than just traditional academic subjects here. At Ærø Efterskole, the school day is centred around seven practical workshops, allowing students to pick up new interests and skills with supervision from the school’s many teachers and support staff members. Traditional subjects, such as science, history and Danish, are brought in through themed days or as part of the workshops.

“Many of our workshops have commercial relevance, which means that our students pick up a trade or interest that they can pursue as a job in future. Our cooking team learns to work within a professional kitchen and prepare the meals that we eat at the school. Our handicraft group picks up skills like carpentry, painting and bricklaying, and has built 86 | Issue 118 | November 2018

several fantastic additions to the school over the years,” says Bækmark. “Other workshops, such as sailing, sports or riding, teach things like maintenance, movement and personal responsibility, which will be essential in adulthood.

What unites our subjects is that they focus on personal growth and practical learning – the pressure is taken off book learning and our students instead pick up skills like reading and mathematics through practical, real-life situations and with technological help if needed.”

Unlike other efterskoler, Ærø Efterskole often allows students to stay for several years, developing lasting friendships and close, supportive relationships with the adults at the school. “We get to know our students really well and care for them deeply. We often keep in touch after they leave the school too,” Bækmark

says. “Many of our students appreciate a little extra guidance in learning daily life skills.”

Students live together in houses and receive individual support from a regular contact person every day so that they gradually learn to live independently in smaller houses with a few of their friends. “What all of our students need most of all is a stable, caring, respectful environment, which gives them the space to spread their wings but has their back when they need it – together, the adults and the students at the school provide that for one another.”

Web: www.aeroe-efterskole.dk Facebook: aeroe.efterskole

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special - Efterskoler

Get a flying start in life With continuously expanding skate, scooter and BMX facilities, Tjele Efterskole has become the place to be for wheel-obsessed eighth, ninth and tenth graders. The Central Jutland school offers a range of co-curricular subjects, such as animation and table tennis as well as a vocational programme.

Founded in 1985, Tjele Efterskole’s main aim is to enable students to “be outstanding”. It does so through an action-packed schedule and a strong focus on health and exercise. “All our students, even those on non-sports programmes, learn about diet and exercise during their time with us,” says principal Kim Hansen. “But over the past few decades, we have become bestknown for our wheel-based subjects, like BMX and scooter.” The school first established its BMX race programme 15 years ago and has continuously been expanding its facilities since.

However, Tjele Efterskole is about more than skateboards and bikes. The school also has a number of creative subjects, such as performance and authorship. For youngsters looking to pursue a vocation-

al education, the school offers a unique craftsmanship class combining academic subjects with vocational skills and apprenticeships with local tradesmen. The big range of subjects makes for great variation in terms of ambition and background amongst the school’s 100 pupils. “It’s a very diverse group, and one thing we prioritise is that they learn from each other and their differences. Tolerance is a keyword at Tjele Efterskole,” stresses Hansen.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Tjele Efterskole

Main subjects offered at Tjele Efterskole: Art and design; artisan; animation; scooter; BMX race; BMX freestyle; authorship; table tennis; skateboarding; performance; e-sport.

The school is located in Tjele, about 25 minutes from Randers.

Web: www.tjeleefterskole.dk Facebook: Ta’ Te’ Tjele

With a wide range of facilities and co-curricular subjects, such as BMX, scooter, and skateboard, Tjele Efterskole has become a haven for wheel-obsessed youngsters.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 87

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Just like visiting your cool aunt In a shopping centre in the heart of Ålesund, you will find Tante Bruun, a homely café where guests can unwind in a relaxed atmosphere with trendy interiors, while enjoying delicious homemade food. Here, you are encouraged to pick up a magazine, get comfortable on the sofa with a coffee and a slice of cake, and simply feel like you are at home.

By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Tante Bruun Ålesund

This is not your average shopping centre, and not your average café. The building dates back to 1904, and what used to be old apartments has rejuvenated into the perfect setting for a modern feel-good café with a retro vibe. With its original Art Nouveau style, the space is full of old charm, something owner Camilla Stene was keen to embrace when she opened Tante Bruun in 2011. “The walls are full of history, and the different apartments and living rooms with old wooden floors, high ceilings and original features make it an interesting space to work with,” she says.

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The café has become her baby, and she believes in the importance of great food, service and atmosphere.

Making people feel at home Often referred to as Tanta, the name of the café comes from the Norwegian word for aunt. Stene created the persona of a hip lady that would capture the essence of the space, a fictional character that could be anyone’s aunt, which makes you feel like you are stepping inside some place familiar. “The concept came naturally; I just followed my heart and my initial gut feeling,”

she explains, adding: “It is all about creating a personal and friendly atmosphere, making people feel welcome, like they are when visiting their own aunt.”

Interior design has always been a big passion of Stene’s, something you can clearly see in the premises. Her eye for details and for mixing old and new has given Tante Bruun a unique look, making it a place to come and discover the latest trends in interior design. “I am constantly finding new furniture and decorative items for the café. You should see my garage – it’s full of cool vintage finds that I can’t wait to redecorate with,” Stene enthuses.

Healthy, fresh, homemade food Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Tante Bruun has quickly become a popular spot in Ålesund. Every month, around 7,000 customers come to visit, including

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Ålesund

everyone from students who stop by to grab a coffee and do some work in the evenings, to busy business men dropping by to enjoy avocado on toast for lunch.

“We want to be a place for everyone. As well as lots of different seating areas, we also have plenty of space for prams and a dedicated area for children to play,” Stene explains.

With a menu full of healthy, fresh food as well as small dishes, scrumptious cakes and a variety of hot and cold beverages, there is something to enjoy at any time of day. The dishes are a mix of Norwegian food and international trends. “We focus

on using clean ingredients – a lot of it is local produce – and pride ourselves on serving healthy, homemade food with a lot of flavour,” says Stene. With a menu that can change from one day to the next, she makes sure that regular customers always have something new and exciting to try. A shop section inside the café makes it possible for guests to buy spices and other ingredients to bring home with them.

The wow factor Stene has succeeded in creating a very special, warm atmosphere at Tante Bruun.

Stepping though the doors, you forget that you are inside a shopping centre. “When I

was contacted by the owner of the centre with an offer to open a café here in this amazing space, I fell in love with it and could not turn down the opportunity. My aim from the very start has been for it to be a place where people come in and think ‘wow’, where they can let their hair down and just enjoy themselves,” says Stene and smiles. And it is this wow factor, which Stene has so brilliantly created, that makes Tante Bruun such a unique and inviting place to visit.

Facebook: tantebruunalesund Instagram: @tantebruunibyen

Owner Camilla Stene.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 89

The ocean platter Ålesund is spread across the mainland and several islands on the west coast of Norway. With the North Sea all but pouring in the door, it is a place with a close relationship to the ocean and everything it has to offer. Klippfiskakademiet has, over the last six years, turned this relationship into not only a business idea, but a way of life.

from seafood to all things green. Our region is full of local treasures supplying us with the best produce a chef could get,” says Nerbø.

By Lisa Maria Berg | Photos: Kristin Støylen

Back to Nerbø and her team at Klippfiskakademiet: it is a fascinating and diverse set-up that they have got going on.

Situated on top of Atlanterhavsparken, the aquarium in Ålesund – indeed, very fitting – delivers not just dining experiences, but truly any food-related experience their clients might wish for.

“We do a lot of things. We teach, cook, and invite people to dine and learn new cooking skills, have a good time and, most importantly, learn about food and enjoy the best produce this region has got to offer.” Cecil Elisabet Nerbø is passionate about food and, with her colleagues at Klippfiskakademiet, is determined to spread the love for all things gourmet. “We basically live in the middle of a smorgasbord of seafood. It makes for a great deal of good dishes,” she continues. And at the heart of this west coast cuisine is ‘klippfisk’ – clipfish.

A long history The tradition of clipfish – dried and salted fish, most commonly cod or pollock – 90 | Issue 118 | November 2018

goes back hundreds of years. Like with smoked salmon and ‘rakfisk’, salting and drying was a vital way of conserving food so that it would stay edible for longer. Already in the boat on the way in from sea, fishermen would prepare the fish and place it in salt, and when they approached land, women would stand on the beach ready to wash, prepare and get the fish out to dry. It was, during peak season, a job for the whole community, and every generation would be involved.

Today, the techniques have modernised, and clipfish is now made all year round, but the process is essentially the same.

So too, is the quality of the product. “Good produce is at the heart of what we do –

The academy

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Ålesund

“We do everything from cooking classes to team-building experiences and tasting sessions. We can have a group come in and get a glass of something nice to drink, to then embark on a cooking competition, which can get somewhat heated, before we all gather around the table for dinner. It is a lot of fun,” Nerbø enthuses. Not only does she and her team meet guests at the Klippfiskakademiet headquarters, but they do pop-up visits at various locations too. “We bring our experiences to wherever a guest would want us,” Nerbø smiles.

Worldwide Norway exported almost 90,000 tonnes of clipfish last year. That is a lot of salting and drying. Some might know the fish as one of the vital ingredients in the Portuguese dish bacalao – a dish that has found its way back to Norway. “Last summer, we opened up for tourists with

something called The Bacalao Tasting Experience, telling people about the history of clipfish, followed by a delicious meal – and it went down a treat. I think it’s a good example of taking something that is known to people outside of Norway’s borders and bringing it back to where the produce originates,” says Nerbø.

The bacalao journey is not the only example of Klippfiskakademiet’s international perspective. “We use recipes from all over the world. Our seafood is so versatile and it can be cooked in so many different ways. I think our clients appreciate seeing dishes they know well dressed up in a new suit, or perhaps tasting something completely new,” Nerbø continues.

Outreach Alongside the dining experiences, Klippfiskakademiet also runs several outreach programmes in the region. “We

Photo: Klippfiskakademiet

focus heavily on reaching out to children and young people. We want to expand their knowledge of food and promote a healthy diet; teach them where our produce comes from and how it can be prepared. I think a lot of young people today think that fishcakes come from the store.

By letting the kids themselves take part in preparing fish and meat, and cooking and tasting it together, they can bring that knowledge with them when choosing what to study, where to work or just how to cook dinner at home,” Nerbø explains.

Klippfiskakademiet brings its knowledge to schools and kindergartens all over the region, handing the tradition of clipfish over to a younger generation. No doubt, it bodes well for the future of salted and dried cod.

Web: www.klippfiskakademiet.no

Photo: Ingebjørg Sporstøl

Photo: Trine Klemetsen Bypatrioten

Photo: Klippfiskakademiet

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 91

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Ålesund

A cosy terrace for warm summer nights.

The perfect venue for any type of event.

Alnes Brygge is located right by the sea.

Planning your event from A to Z Right by the seaside, surrounded by seagulls, Alnes Brygge hosts every type of event, from weddings to conferences, taking care of everything and letting the hosts enjoy the party without a single worry.

do, we make sure that the food is of high quality and try to hire great, local chefs and crews,” says Juelsen.

By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Georg Michaelis

Alnes Brygge can offer any food the customer wants, but they specialise in fresh seafood. They also offer homemade cakes, and picking drinks that go well with the food will also be taken care of by the venue team. “Who hasn’t experienced being so caught up in hosting that you miss your own event? At Alnes Brygge, we tailor-make the event for our customers and plan it from A to Z so that the host can enjoy the party,” Juelsen concludes.

Alnes Brygge is a modern venue with space for up to 70 guests, boasting gorgeous views over the sea with full views of breath-taking sunsets and magnificent storms alike. “You don’t just get a party-planner service; you get an experience. The venue is located right by the harbour and you can see Alnesfyret, a famous lighthouse, from the window, which is quite the tourist attraction,” says owner Erik Juelsen.

Juelsen owns the company alongside his wife, Tone Juelsen, and in the past year, Tone’s sister and brother-in-law have also become joint owners. Her son-inlaw, Jesper Norgren, works for the company, and daughter Helle Juelsen has been responsible for the interiors along with interior architect Therese Knutsen.

Customers can expect close, personal dialogue to ensure that all their wishes and ideas will be taken on board. The 92 | Issue 118 | November 2018

venue will then fix everything from food to transport to and from the venue. Situated close to Ålesund airport as well as Ålesund town, it is a convenient destination as it is easy to get to.

“When it comes to food, we make everything from scratch and use no readymade products. Like with everything we

The interior is modern and welcoming.

Contact information: booking@alnesbrygge.no 0047 98466611

Alnes Brygge sorts out everything from table setting to food. Photo: Amaline - Amalie Storøy

Web: www.alnesbrygge.no Facebook: AlnesBrygge Instagram: @alnesbrygge

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Ålesund Symphonic Orchestra aims to offer quality and a wide range of music.

Attraction of the Month, Norway

A musical powerhouse in the Ålesund region In the coastal town of Ålesund in the west of Norway, Ålesund Symphonic Orchestra aims to be a centre for musicians and music fans. As a semi-professional orchestra with a mix of professional and amateur musicians, they carry the legacy of classical and modern music on to new generations every day.

By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Johanna Veiberg, Smiilfoto

Founded in 1945, the nearly 75-year-old orchestra is a constant and strong force in the local community in Ålesund, and its approximately 65 musicians play a big part in the musical and cultural aspect of the town. Each year, they play somewhere between seven and ten concerts, from old classical works to film music and premieres of brand-new works, and even pop music by artists like Helene Bøksle and Bjørn Eidsvåg. The orchestra 94 | Issue 118 | November 2018

has also worked with some of the biggest names in classical music, such as Håvard Gimse, Charlie Siem, Truls Mørk, Ann Helen Moen and Henning Kraggerud.

Lars-Thomas Holm has been the artistic leader since 2015 and is a generator for the artistic and musical development of the orchestra. “Ålesund is the biggest town between Bergen and Trondheim,” manager Astrid

Josefine Eide says, “so we’re an attractive region in that sense, and we’re very grateful for the collaborations we get to do. They help us increase our audience and visibility. The Ålesund region is growing in size and numbers, and we want to attract new audiences, both young and old, through quality and a wide range of music.”

But the orchestra is also looking to expand the number of musicians, both professional and amateurs, and encourages musicians in the Ålesund area, as well as those who might be looking into moving to or studying there, to get in touch. In addition, they collaborate with Ålesund ballet school and Ålesund arts school,

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

hold conductor seminars and do open auditions for new members.

Nurturing new and young talent is important for the orchestra, and in March they are arranging a concert conducted

by Bjarte Engeset and featuring Birgitta Elisa Oftestad, a young cellist who won Virtuos 2018 and represented Norway at Eurovision Young Musicians 2018 in Edinburgh.

Several nationally and internationally recognised musicians started out in Ålesund Symphonic Orchestra, and they are proud to be a stepping stone for local up-and-coming talent. “The orchestra is run by volunteers, which is somewhat unique for an orchestra with such big productions,” says Eide – evidence that its aim to be a force in the local community has been a success.

A multitude of productions With six or seven different productions each year, some with several performances, the orchestra is keeping busy.

Their 75th anniversary is coming up in 2020, and preparations for the anniversary season have already begun.

There will be the premiere of a commissioned piece by composer Morten Christophersen, an oratory about the local historical figure Rollon (Gangerolv), whom people might recognise from the TV series Vikings. The concert is planned and performed along with local choirs and local soloists.

The town of Ålesund is recognised nationally and internationally as a town architecturally influenced by Art Nouveau, and the orchestra plans on celebrating this through concerts with music in the very same style. This is a collaboration with Jugendstilsenteret, an Art Nouveau centre located in central Ålesund.

In addition to this, the orchestra is working on the third and fourth installations of the Ulfrstad project, a concert series called Klangen av Sunnmøre. The project was started in 2015 to shine a light on the musical and biographical heritage of local composer Marius Moaritz Ulfrstad (18901968), an important Norwegian composer in the post-war period. The concerts in this series take place every October. In addition to the musical aspect of the tribute, the orchestra has commissioned a bust

of the composer to be placed in the town park, as well as a biography.

In January, the orchestra is putting on two concerts focusing on the golden age of Hollywood, which will see them perform film music from the early 1900s, and for Norway’s constitution day on 17 May they are playing Edward Grieg’s concert version of the classic Peer Gynt, a big event featuring local musicians, actors and dancers.

Upcoming events: 24-25 November 2018: Christmas concerts with Hovedøen Social Club 19-20 January 2019: New Year’s concert: Golden Age of Hollywood 24 March 2019: Symphonic Concert: Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 and Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E-minor 17-18 May 2019: National day celebration concert: Peer Gynt, concert version by Edward Grieg.

Web: www.aaso.no Facebook: alesundsymfoniorkester Instagram: @alesund_symfoniorkester Email: post@aaso.no

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 95

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Faroe Islands

Top left: Edward Fuglø, Colony, 2006. Photo: Per á Hædd. Below left: Exterior. Photo: Ingi-Joensen. Right: Sámal Joensen-Mikines, Færøsk dans, 1944. Photo: Per á Hædd.

Attraction of the Month, Faroe Islands

Listasavn Føroya

– a small gallery with great national awareness Faroese art is much younger than the landscape or traditions it portrays, but has now evolved into a central part of the nation’s identity. Listasavn Føroya is the only art museum in existence created solely to represent the art of the islands.

By Jane Graham

Listasavn Føroya, the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands, is one of the few places in this archipelago where you can find yourself surrounded by trees. The attractive building is inspired by the traditional Faroese boat houses and is situated roughly 15 minutes’ walk from the centre of Tórshavn on the outskirts of Viðarlundin, the biggest plantation on the islands.

“It’s a beautiful place to visit,” confirms the director of the National Gallery, Nils Ohrt. “Not only because of the trees, but also due to the building’s well-lit exhibition rooms with wooden tiles – and naturally, the collection itself.”

Listasavn Føroya opened its new building in 1993, but the collection itself dates back to World War II, when Faroese ties to Denmark were suddenly severed.

“During the war, Faroese citizens, including artists, were isolated in German96 | Issue 118 | November 2018

occupied Denmark. To help the artists and to establish a national collection, the Faroese Art Society was founded in Copenhagen. After the war, the Faroese nation also started collecting art, until the two collections were merged into the museum in 1989,” explains Ohrt.

The rise of a national Faroese identity Fine art was unknown in the Faroe Islands until the founder of Faroese painting, Sámal Joensen-Mikines, began his career in the 1930s. In addition to being one of the first native artists to depict Faroese life – in times of grief as well as celebration – he was also instrumental in attracting others to follow in his footsteps. These included Ruth Smith and Ingálvur av Reyni, the former an outstanding colourist and the latter the first abstract painter in Faroese art, who built upon the powerful naturalism of Joensen-Mikines to develop a radical expressionism.

“There has never been any kind of art academy here, so in the early days, most of the artists were educated in Copenhagen,” says Ohrt. “It’s surprising that so many excellent artists appeared within a tiny population, but I think this is connected to the rise of a national Faroese identity.”

To this question of identity, contemporary artist Edward Fuglø – also well represented at the gallery – responds with humour and irony. His depictions of Faroese sea birds dressed in suits and ties reflect the encounter between the islands and the globalised world.

Across all styles, however, Faroese art has apparently resisted the urge to be overly experimental. “And this makes it very accessible,” maintains Ohrt. “You can see what it portrays. In that sense it’s old-fashioned – in a good way.”

Web: www.art.fo Facebook: ListasavnForoya Instagram: @listasavn_foroya

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | xxxxxx

Scan Business Keynote 97 | Business Column 98 | Business Calendar 98

97

98

Why networks and networking?

Sometimes it is easier to identify the advantages of networking by focusing on what you lose by not having an active network. In a worst-case scenario you will see others grab the best jobs, win promotions, attract exciting new customers and become successful.

In an effective network, your contacts will be loyal to you, recommend you for jobs and to customers and friends, and share knowledge with you. They will offer you influence and opportunities.

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By Simone Andersen

An ideal network is a place in which you can be yourself and be respected for your attitude and behavior. It is a place in which, through words, behavior and attitude, you are able to cultivate your untapped potential and experience the joy of enriching others’ lives and helping them exploit their own potential.

In short, you have to get going – whether you start from scratch or do some serious work on your current network.

Network versus networking A network is something you establish.

Networking is when you develop and make use of your network.

Exercise: 1. If you have never before worked on the task of building relationships, describe in three bullet points what you would like to achieve through networking.

2. If you are already a networker, describe in three bullet points what you would like to achieve through a more goalorientated approach to networking.

Simone Andersen is a journalist with a master’s degree in media science. She worked for many years at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) as an editor and talk show host and is an expert in business networking and building relationships. She is also a speaker and author of the bestseller The Networking Book, 50 ways to develop strategic relationships.

This column is from her book, which is now published in English as well as Danish and available to buy in online shops.

sla@strategisk.dk www.thenetworkercompany.com

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 97

Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar

Managing the UK’s future Like many others, I am getting tired of the surreal Brexit farce being played out in British politics and the media.

Two years after the vote, there is a belated recognition that the rise of populism in Britain results from widespread anger with a self-serving elite more interested in benefiting itself than the wider society. Working poverty, job precarity, food banks, the severe lack of affordable housing and so on, make many people feel that things are getting worse, not better. Older people who feel their identities threatened by bewildering change seek security in imagined past certainties.

Growing inequality and insecurity is as much the responsibility of business as of the political class. Business leaders pay themselves obscene multiples of their employees’ average wage. Employee representation has been emasculated. Employers’ organisations pay lip service to concepts like servant leadership but do nothing effective to challenge the status quo.

Countering populism requires urgent action in the workplace as well as in the community. We need to reverse the shift in resources from labour to capital so graphically described by the French economist, Thomas Piketty – by taxation and other means – so that all may benefit from wealth creation, not just the relative few.

We need to legislate against current high levels of executive pay. Employees need better protection against the exploitation to which they are vulnerable in the gig economy. Employee representation needs to be strengthened, on boards and in the workplace. A mass training programme would help managers to ask more and tell less, to coach and develop rather than command and control. We need to invest hugely in supporting people to deal with change both inside and outside the workplace.

By Steve Flinders

This is not socialist fire and brimstone.

Theresa May claims to agree with a lot of it.

Brexit is a distraction. We need more fairness. We need radical solutions. We need them now.

Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.

Business Calendar

By Sanne Wass

Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month Talk by Solveiga Pakstaite Solveiga Pakstaite is an award-winning inventor and entrepreneur, and the founder of food tech start-up Mimica Labs. She is also the creator of Mimica Touch, a tactile, bio-reactive food freshness label that aims to tackle the average UK household’s annual 470 pounds’ worth of food waste. Pakstaite will talk more about her work, including the large-scale trial that Mimica is running together with Arla, the largest producer of dairy products in Scandinavia.

Date: 20 November 2018, 7-9pm.

Venue: Dyson Building Library, 25 Exhibition Road, London SW72DB, UK

PayPal business breakfast The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK invites you to a roundtable breakfast this November together with PayPal, one of the world’s leading online payment systems.

Guest speaker Neil Cassley, senior communications manager at PayPal, will discuss the 98 | Issue 118 | November 2018

challenges that PR and marketing professionals will face in the coming year.

Date: 22 November 2018, 8-10am Venue: Aster, 150 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5LB, UK www.eventbrite.co.uk

Slush start-up event The organisers of Slush describe the event as a “collision of a festival and a conference” for entrepreneurship. Over two days in early December, Slush will bring 1,800 investors and thousands of start-ups to Helsinki. The aim is to facilitate founder and investor meetings and build a worldwide start-up community. Founded in Finland, the event has over the past seven years grown from a 300-person gathering to a global organisation hosting more than 75 events around the world.

Date: 4-5 December 2018 Venue: HelsinkiExpo and Convention Center, Messuaukio 1, Helsinki, Finland www.slush.org

Offshore Wind 2018 The Offshore Wind Seminar is returning to London this year. Hosted by the Danish Embassy in London and the Danish-UK Association (DKUK), the event gives an overview of the current state of affairs and future developments in the UK offshore wind industry. Speakers will look at specific projects in the market and provide answers in regards to what to expect in the areas of policy development, market opportunities and technical advances.

Date: 6 December 2018, 10am-4pm.

Venue: 55 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SR, UK www.dkuk.org

Grini hjemmebakeri specialises in the Norwegian traditional cake, ‘kransekake’.

Their ‘Almond Rose’ is one of the finalists in the competition Det Norske Måltid 2018 (The Norwegian Meal). ‘Kransekake’ is very popular for Christmas. You will find this traditional cake at their Christmas booth at Christmas in Winterland in Karl Johan Street and at other events in Oslo and Trondheim.

For more information, see: www.grinihjemmebakeri.no

Grini Hjemmebakeri • Griniveien 159 • 1359 Eiksmarka • @grinihjemmebakeri

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland

Restaurant of the Month, Finland

A floating seafood restaurant with panoramic views of the city and the sea Specialising in seafood, Meripaviljonki – meaning sea pavilion – is a unique floating restaurant in Helsinki, Finland. The restaurant has anchored itself as one of the go-to spots in the Finnish capital for the freshest seasonal delicacies, surrounded by the sea and the city.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Ravintola Meripaviljonki

Located in Hakaniemi, in the centre of Helsinki, the Meripaviljonki restaurant, opened in 2015, is the result of an exciting and long process that stretched over ten years from planning to completion.

Through many twists and turns, planning permission was finally granted to build a floating restaurant, overlooking the Eläintarhanlahti bay.

The venue, designed by architect Simo Freese, is built on steel pins and moves along with the tide. Meripaviljonki’s facade is made of glass from floor to ceiling, offering panoramic views of the cityscape and the sea from each table.

“Our restaurant is an excellent example of Finnish know-how, and a real piece 100 | Issue 118 | November 2018

of architectural art. We have managed to carve ourselves a spot as part of the trendy and exciting cosmopolitan Helsinki, and we are very proud of what we have achieved,” says Jani Korpihete, Meripaviljonki’s manager.

Serving fish, shellfish and lobster from their very own tank, Meripaviljonki’s versatile menu also features a number of vegetarian and meat dishes. The restaurant is deeply rooted in water, and their menu boasts the very best quality in seafood dishes and seasonal ingredients. “Our dishes are inspired by pure and authentic Finnish and Nordic flavours. We are one of the few restaurants in Helsinki that serves fresh lobster. All

our seafood is fresh, and we use local ingredients whenever possible. We believe a first-class service, delicious food and carefully selected wines in a unique milieu make the ultimate recipe for our success,” Korpihete states.

On Sundays, the venue draws in the crowds with its renowned brunch. The restaurant can also be booked for private events, and next spring, Meripaviljonki will open a new 150-seat terrace. While the venue’s facade has a copper tint glistening in the sunshine, the terrace will undoubtedly be a hit among locals and tourists alike. “The unique milieu, paired with our high-quality dishes and drinks, means a meal at Meripaviljonki will be an unforgettable and enjoyable experience,” Korpihete concludes.

Web: www.meripaviljonki.fi Facebook: ravintolameripaviljonki

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden

Photo: Joakim Wijk

Restaurant of the Month , Sweden

A tapas restaurant out of the ordinary This trendy tapas and pinxos haven in the heart of Stockholm is true to its name, Boqueria. With inspiration from the buzzing market in Barcelona with the same name, and a wide range of high-quality tapas on offer, this is more than just a restaurant. With a diner, a bar and a plaza that during the weekends merge into a club, Boqueria is the perfect hangout spot and ideal for people watching.

By Kristine Olofsson | Photos: Felicia Yllenius

“Boqueria is a living concept, a Spanish tapas bar out of the ordinary, where people come together over food and drinks.

It’s all about the concept of sharing small portions - ‘raciones’ - and hanging out and having a good time,” says Napolyon Surer, owner of Boqueria. “The atmosphere makes it feel like a home away from home, and whether you want to enjoy hot or cold tapas, such as pulpo frito, paella or charcuterie, in the restaurant, or sip a gin and tonic in the bar in the plaza, this is the hottest place to do it.”

what really makes a restaurant successful,” he says. With fresh ingredients directly imported from Spain, and a touch of local, seasonal products, the tapas, plates and pinxos at Boqueria offer exciting and unexpected taste combinations.

“During the mushroom season, we may serve a carpaccio with chanterelles, or a brunch dish on crystal bread topped with chanterelles and truffle,” Napolyon explains. “We try to work as much as possible with seasonal products, since they come with the best flavour and quality.”

Inspiration from near and far

The inspiration for the menu is collected during his many regular trips across Spain to gastronomic hubs such as San Sebastian, Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona.

Accompanied by other chefs, he tries to experiment with different dishes and in-

Napolyon himself has a long and passionate background in the restaurant business. “I started doing the dishes at my father’s restaurant as a teenager and worked my way up, learning the hard way

gredients. “It’s always been important for me to stay up to date, to improve and bring fresh tastes to our guests,” Napolyon elaborates. “What keeps me going is the contact with the guests. When they appreciate the food and the service, it’s been a successful day, and I know I have a good night’s sleep ahead of me.”

Photo: Joakim Wijk

Web: www.boqueria.se Facebook: boqueriastockholm Instagram: @boqueriastockholm

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 101

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Christmas Gift Special

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Discover the best Vietnamese restaurant outside of Vietnam Vietnamese cuisine, known for fresh ingredients, unique dishes, and an array of tastes, has been gaining popularity all across the globe. It is considered one of the most varied and seductive kitchens on the planet – a delicious mix of the food of its colonial visitors and age-old native flavours and techniques. Many forces of climate, trade, history and immigration have influenced Vietnamese cuisine.

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: depositphotos.com

Just by Det Ny Teater at the southern end of Copenhagen’s famous three lakes lies a little piece of Vietnam. Run by Truc Quynh Tran Choleva and her mother Loan Nguyen, the restaurant Bonjour Vietnam has won several international awards over the past few years, for the authenticity and quality of its North Vietnamese cuisine.

The restaurant provides pleasant surprises for all the senses. Its warm, bustling atmosphere is apparent even before you step through the door. With its excellent, authentic food and atmosphere, Bonjour Vietnam brings you a little piece of Vietnam − at prices that can102 | Issue 118 | November 2018

not quite compete with Vietnam’s, but are very reasonable indeed for a highend restaurant in Copenhagen. Main courses are little more than 150 DKK (around 18 GBP), while the three-course theatre menu comes in at just 249 DKK. Open and welcoming of everyone, it fits in well with the trendy Vesterbro setting as well as tourists and traditional theatre-goers, without compromising on its distinct identity, carried by the talented ladies at the helm.

Loan Nguyen, who has more than 30 years of experience as a hotel chef in Vietnam, runs the kitchen with a loving but strictly traditional hand. “I may be

biased, but I think what my mother does exceptionally well is picking out subtleties of flavour,” says Quynh Choleva. “We have been to many Vietnamese restaurants across Europe, and some of their dishes were quite tasty, but my mother will insist that there’s just a little bit of this or a pinch of that missing. Everything has to be done just right, and exactly the way she used to cook it back in Vietnam.

That’s what gives her cooking the edge.”

Loan Nguyen (left) and Quynh Choleva (right).

Photos: Bonjour Vietnam

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

An authentic taste of North Vietnam Since opening in 2011, restaurant Bonjour Vietnam has become almost fully packed seven days a week. The restaurant was deemed Europe’s best Vietnamese restaurant by the Luxury Restaurant Awards in both 2017 and 2018, and this year, LUX Magazine named Bonjour Vietnam the ‘most outstanding Vietnamese restaurant outside of Vietnam’. The restaurant boasts the best Pho bò − an aromatic rice noodle soup − in Copenhagen and an extensive northern Vietnamese menu, which can also be sampled as take-away if the need arises.

Vietnamese food is all about light, clean flavours: fresh herbs in summer rolls, silken Pho and thin slivers of chilli. “It’s hard to talk about Vietnamese food without mentioning French colonisation, which began in the 18th century and didn’t end until 1954,” Quynh Choleva says. “Clearly, it had a lasting effect on our country, our people, our architecture and our food flavours − though Vietnamese cuisine has its own distinct expression, there are dishes, ingredients and ways of doing things that you’ll recognise from the French kitchen. That’s evident in my naming of the restaurant too.”

Vietnamese food is renowned for its freshness, evident in the use of raw vegetables and for its brilliant balance of aromatics, heat, sweetness and sourness. Sauces are one of Loan Nguyen’s specialities, and they play strong and important roles in Bonjour Vietnam’s classic dishes, such as Bò né (sweet and sour veal served on a hot plate), the fried Vietnamese spring rolls Cha giò, also known as ‘nem’, and their fresh cousins, Goi cuôn.

Rice is part of almost every Vietnamese meal, whether it appears as steamed rice, noodles, rice paper, vinegar or wine. Fish and meat come in all shapes and sizes, from the Hanoi favourite Cha cá (grilled sea bass served on a sizzling skillet plate with dill, sliced onion and Vietnamese pickles) to Goi gà, a refreshing chicken, mango and papaya salad. “Vietnamese cuisine relies heavily on herbs, aromatics and spices to create heavenly flavours. It’s very healthy thanks to its simplicity, its minimal use of oils, and its fresh ingredients,” Quynh Choleva adds.

Saigon, and then to Denmark, they keep in touch with both the culture and cuisine of Phu Lý, donating parts of their profits to Ha Nam Hospital as well as food and necessities to those in need through a newly opened ‘give-away shop’ in the city. Bonjour Vietnam is an homage to Vietnam. With their close connections to modern Vietnam, Quynh Choleva and Loan Nguyen make sure modern Vietnamese dishes are represented too: the menus are changed seasonally to allow regular guests to have a new experience every time they visit, though the classic and favourite dishes always remain. No matter who you are, the restaurant makes sure that every visit is a colourful and tasteful celebration of Vietnam and its delicious cuisine.

Address: Vesterbrogade 44, 1620 Copenhagen V., Denmark Web: www.bonjourvietnam.dk Facebook: BonjourVietnam.dk Instagram: @bonjourvietnam

Loan Nguyen and Quynh Choleva are originally from Phu Lý, a city just south of Hanoi. Though they later moved to

Photo: Bonjour Vietnam

Photo: Bonjour Vietnam

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 103

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

A unique dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere With the aim to inspire and surprise you with fun dishes, Hildr Gastro Bar offers a varied menu that mixes international influences with local produce. Situated right near the sea in the north of Norway, where the polar nights last all winter long, this friendly and relaxed restaurant has quickly become the place to go for unique food experiences in Tromsø.

By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Eva Stensland

“Many people say that coming to us is like fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, which I think is a nice way to put it,” says co-owner Bjørn Pettersen. He set up the restaurant in April 2015 along with four good friends who were united by their love for food. Now, Hildr has become a popular place in town for everyone – a place where guests can truly feel at home.

The Norwegian city of Tromsø is a place with unlimited access to fresh seafood 104 | Issue 118 | November 2018

such as salmon, cod, halibut and king crab. When visiting the restaurant, one can not only taste what the Arctic Sea has to offer, but also a great selection of light snacks, sharing dishes, delicious cocktails, and carefully selected wines and beer.

With a menu that changes continually with the seasons, current trends and the chef’s mood, Hildr caters well to its diverse clientele. Pettersen stresses the impor-

tance of providing the best-quality food by choosing locally produced ingredients as often as possible, while being inspired by international cuisine. “The stockfish, for instance, comes from our local supplier Halvors, which we then give an Asian twist and also turn into our own version of the British dish fish and chips.”

Like coming home to your grandmother’s house The restaurant is located in the old part of Tromsø, inside an old, renovated house full of character. In fact, the name Hildr comes from a book by the local author Bernt Lie, who used to live in the building, and not from Iceland or old Norse as many might assume. As the building itself has been in Skippergata since 1833, it is full of history, something that is reflected

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

in the interior and carefully selected décor. By mixing traditional and modern elements, this has become a unique and cosy place where guests feel welcome. “Our intention has always been to create a warm, intimate atmosphere, somewhere as cosy as coming home to your grandmother’s house,” Pettersen explains.

Not only is the furniture a mixture of retro finds and original pieces, everything down to the tableware has soul. When sitting at a table, guests might all have different plates and cups, which adds to the charm of the space.

Food, drinks and the northern lights With Norwegian delicacies such as reindeer, salmon and stockfish on the menu, all served with a twist, there is something for every taste bud. Choose a five-course meal if you want to make a full evening of it, some lighter snacks if you simply want to enjoy a beer or a cocktail from the bar, or a few sharing dishes if you want to socialise with friends while trying out a range of different flavours.

On the drinks menu, Hildr has a varied selection of classic cocktails and new concoctions, as well as wine and local beer. “We are proud to serve beer from both Graff Brygghus and Brewery 13, two micro-breweries from the north of Tromsø,” says Pettersen.

And as if quality food and tasty drinks were not enough, Pettersen can tempt guests with the possibility to step outside and experience the unbelievable colours of the aurora borealis dancing across the sky right outside the restaurant. “On a clear evening during the polar nights, you might be able to observe the spectacular northern lights in our own backyard, a wonderful experience we are happy to give our customers as a little bonus,” he smiles.

Stockfish.

Photo: Hildr

Discover Burgr This new adventure from the same gang who opened Hildr takes you back to the ‘80s, as the space is equipped with a great selection of retro games.

With the slogan ‘come hungry, leave happy’, Burgr serves homemade burgers, milkshakes and local beer in a relaxed and fun environment right across the street from Hildr – well worth a visit on your next Tromsø trip.

Location: Skippergata 11, Tromsø, Norway

Location: Skippergata 6, Tromsø, Norway

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

Web: www.burgr.no Facebook: burgr Instagram: @instaburgr

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 105

Experience of the Month, Denmark

Host your next company event or meeting among bison Whether you are bringing your family, arranging a team-building trip, or looking for a place to have your next meeting, Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm offers an extraordinary experience in natural surroundings.

By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm

Imagine hosting a meeting, and right outside the window you see bison walking around in the wild. That is the scenario at Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm, the biggest bison farm in Europe – a place that received its first bison in 1993 and has since made a virtue out of creating unique memories for its guests.

The farm has almost 400 American bison, and since May this year, their guests have had the opportunity to spend the night in one of the farm’s brand-new prairie cot106 | Issue 118 | November 2018

tages, which can also be used as conference rooms. “Often, companies choose to have a meeting in classic conference rooms, but why not have it here instead?

If you really need to discuss something or enter a creative mode, what could be better than having a meeting in natural surroundings, while you see bison walking right past you? The open nature and the animals make you calm and help you relax and focus on the task at hand,” says Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm’s owner, Niels Henrik Ove.

The farm is situated in idyllic surroundings, which can feel other-worldly to some, but the fact is that it is easily accessible. Located just 15 kilometres outside of Odense, it is only five minutes from the highway, 30 minutes from the Great Belt Bridge, and 20 minutes from the Little Belt Bridge. “It’s easier to get out here than to the centre of Odense, and there is no need to worry about parking. We’re close to everything, but still far away from your everyday life,” says Niels Henrik Ove.

An ideal place for team building Other than just having a meeting, companies can host their next company event at Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm. You can get a guided tour of the prairie in prairie wagons that take you to the middle of the bison herd, or

Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Denmark

you can feel like a star of a Western with the many outdoor activities on offer.

“When companies arrange team-building weekends, it is often something with bowling or go-karting, but we offer something else. We have a variety of activities such as archery, lassoing, javelin throwing and pistol shooting, which gives you a different, memorable experience. If you want a bit more action, we rent out mountain bikes that you can take out on some of the best mountain-bike tracks of Funen, located just five minutes away,” Niels Henrik Ove says and adds: “We also have three different halls with space for 100, 80 and 40 people respectively, so regardless of the size of your group, we can arrange a complete company day that fits your needs.”

A majestic animal Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm also has many families and couples visiting the farm, and Niels Henrik Ove hopes that the bison help make for an experience they will nev-

er forget. “It’s a majestic, proud animal that isn’t afraid of anything, but on the other hand, it’s very playful, which you will be able to see for yourself up close. On the farm, everything is about the bison. They are the main attraction, and our restaurant serves bison meat, which is among the tastiest and healthiest meat you can eat. In our farm shop you can buy some bison meat to bring home.”

The bison have spent their entire lives in open fields in social interaction with animals from a similar species, and they are slaughtered in the pen without being stressed by transport to the abattoir.

The good conditions that the bison enjoy at Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm recently resulted in Niels Henrik Ove being nominated by Dyrenes Beskyttelse (Denmark’s largest and oldest animal rights organisation) as this year’s bridge builder for his commitment at the farm and for helping to build bridges between humans and animals.

“Whether our guests are coming for a meeting, for a company event, for a bit

of a holiday or an excursion, I hope we will exceed their expectations and they will be just as excited about the bison as I was the first time I saw them,” says Niels Henrik Ove. Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm is Europe’s biggest bison farm, with almost 400 American bison.

It got its first bison in 1993, and today it offers the following services: Meeting rooms Company events Farm shop Restaurant Parties Outdoor activities Guided tours Overnight stays in prairie cottages or shelters

Web: www.ditlevsdal.dk Facebook: ditlevsdalbisonfarm Instagram: @ditlevsdal.bisonfarm

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 107

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Christmas Gift Special

The translucent facade and red floor of the sports hall give Nobis a warm, inviting glow.

Architect of the Month, Denmark

Bringing the vision to life A striking light design, a colourful floor, and old wall bars turned into beautiful wall panels – at Laungaard Arkitekter (LAARK), small details come together to create big architectural visions. In recent years, a number of remarkable renovation projects have earned the small Copenhagen firm much recognition for its passionate conceptual designs.

ees and take on further similar projects.

Currently, the firm is working on the renovation of the KVUC building – a centre for secondary education for adults – in central Copenhagen.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Laungaard Arkitekter

A dialogue between the new and the old

Founded by Michael W. Laungaard in 2010, LAARK has experienced increasing attention and acclaim in recent years. In particular, the acclaim stems from the company’s renovations of educational institutions such as Efterslægten, a more than 200-year-old school in west Copenhagen. Reviewing the project, the national newspaper Politiken gave the renovation five stars and praised LAARK for its “architectural respect for the past and artistic imagination”. And, it is exactly this desire to dig into the heart of the building and tell its story that drives founder of LAARK, Michael W. Laungaard. “There has to be passion be108 | Issue 118 | November 2018

hind the work, a desire to create stories and poetry through architecture,” he says. “Finding that story, the essence of the building, and turning it into an architectural concept is the most important thing in the whole project; it’s what connects everything and enables us to manage 20,000 square metres. It takes time and work, and it requires a client who is on board, but it’s what we have done, and it’s the reason we have achieved the results and recognition we have.”

Efterslægten was LAARK’s first major renovation project, and it enabled the firm to expand to its current six employ-

When LAARK was first hired by Efterslægten, it was to build a new sports hall to complement and further the old institution’s foundational belief that a strong body leads to a strong mind. Nobis, the new sports hall, was to replace the original hall built in 1939, which LARK subsequently transformed into new educational facilities.

With a partially transparent facade, the otherwise grey, monolith-like new sports hall gives off a warm glow in the night. Indoors, the mesh-like facade and ceiling segments create a constant soft light complemented by beautiful wood

Scan Magazine | Architect of the Month | Denmark

panels and a remarkable red floor in the main sports hall. Built across from the old hall, the location of the new hall has created a new schoolyard environment.

At the same time, the previously closedoff institution has been opened up to the surrounding neighbourhood.

“In the evening, when both buildings are lit up, they talk to each other – one with the light streaming out from old sash windows, and the other through translucent polycarbonate and stretch metal.

It’s a reinterpretation and a conceptual mirroring of Efterslægten [Efterslægten translates as ‘the next generation’],” explains Laungaard. “It’s this idea, fundamental to the whole education system, of trying to pass something on to the next generation without ever getting to see or experience the result.”

KVUC.

From old floor to new walls Transforming Efterslægten’s old sports hall into new classrooms, a library, and meeting rooms, LAARK reused and recreated parts of its original materials and interiors. Floors were turned into striking wall panels, wall bars were built into soundproofing, and new furniture was created in the shape of sports equipment. However, the heavy and strict structure of the old sports hall has been challenged by a number of round structures, split levels, and smaller study and meeting rooms.

KVUC reception.

“Some of the things we find ourselves coming back to in our work are light and contrast. When we have something large and robust, we contrast it with small, light structures. We also play with light and darkness, openness and reclusiveness,” About Michael W. Laungaard: Before becoming an architect, 41-year-old Michael W. Laungaard worked as a construction architect for AA Architect and Arkitema. In 2007, he joined the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture to learn more about the creative, conceptual side of architecture. He describes his work as conceptual architecture driven by passion.

The design for a teacher and student lounge at KVUC.

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Scan Magazine | Architect of the Month | Denmark

At night, LAARK’s new sports hall as well as the original hall light up across from each other, symbolising the dialogue between the new and the old.

Efterslægten Friday bar.

Nobis dance hall.

110 | Issue 118 | November 2018

LAARK reused or recreated materials and interiors from the old sports hall to create new classrooms and office spaces for Efterslægten.

Scan Magazine | Architect of the Month | Denmark

says Laungaard. “I see that very much in Nobis; when you look at it from the outside, it can look a bit closed-off, like a big monolith, but when you enter, it just opens up; the red floor almost invites people to come and sit on it and, together with the sound-absorbing materials, creates a warm and friendly atmosphere.”

Playing with light Currently, LAARK is undertaking the renovation of KVUC’s central Copenhagen spaces. The ongoing renovation highlights the original features of the building and combines them with improvements to lighting, acoustics and climate. In the new reception area of the centre, for instance, the building’s original arches have been exposed, circular lamps add a soft and welcoming light to the light marble floor, and a large mirror reflects the meeting between the old entrance, the new reception and the arriving individual. Creating an immediately defined atmosphere, all the small details are the result of doing things in what Laungaard calls “the old-fashioned way”.

“If you look inside our office, the walls are littered with sketches. That’s something I took with me from the academy of architecture – sharing and criticising each other’s work. Today, to some extent, that’s been lost in many places, as everything is on computers,” Laungaard explains. “Of course, we also use computer designs, 3D projections and films – we use everything – but we throw it all up there for all of the team to analyse and work on. That’s when something special arises – when the whole office is sat down trying to work our way into the essence of the project – and it’s when all the small details, which highlight the story of the building and add that something extra to the client’s project, come into existence.”

Making the transformation part of the story In the KVUC renovation, little details such as exposed ceilings, wooden wall panels and beautiful lights create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in classrooms, hallways, and the lounge area. The lights in the classrooms allow

for different settings, something that not just allows students to experience the room in different ways, but has also been proven to further learning.

Meanwhile, in the teacher and student lounge, which is not yet realised, beautiful lamps, a slightly elevated floor section and mirrors come together to create an atmosphere more like a stylish restaurant than an educational institution. “It’s the details that allow us to reveal and preserve the soul of the institution and create a sort of nostalgia around its history – it’s a way of making the transformation itself a part of the story,” says Laungaard, and rounds off: “That’s an exclusivity that can only be created when you dig into the very heart of the client. That’s where that little extra comes from, and that’s what makes us different – it’s a lot of small things, but they build the big vision.”

Web: www.laark.dk Instagram: @laungaard_arkitekter

About LAARK: LAARK was founded in 2010 by Michael W. Laungaard.

The firm comprises six to eight architects.

LAARK specialises in learning environments and residential renovations.

Nobis changing rooms.

The LAARK office.

Efterslægten class room.

LAARK is located in Valby, Copenhagen.

Nobis facade.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 111

Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

Left: Dream: the importance of having both legs on the ground while not dreaming of the unattainable. Middle: Solitude: be aware that we must take responsibility for shaping our own lives. Right: In One With Nature: we are part of the creation and must take care of everything around us.

Artist of the Month, Norway

Art shaped by meditation Norwegian artist and healer Siri Bjotveit creates art that touches people’s souls and is not afraid to portray a range of emotions that come to her through meditation. “It warms my heart when people visit my gallery or see my art and can feel something in my paintings. It can bring silence, sometimes tears or smiles from the onlooker,” says the artist.

By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Siri Bjotveit

“The motifs of my paintings are based on the energy I get through meditation. The messages are about our action patterns towards ourselves as well as everyone else on this planet. Sometimes it lacks understanding and willingness to let go of comfort, which can be devastating to our planet. The energies from the ‘other side’ are constantly trying in different ways to awaken us to cooperation with mother earth,” Siri Bjotveit explains.

The messages she gets are concrete, and she then expresses them with her paint brush on the canvas. “This process can take a long time. It is educational, frustrating sometimes, but always rewarding.”

The painter has her atelier in Stabekk, west of Oslo, where she also displays her work. With a focus on the meaning as well as nature, she takes inspiration 112 | Issue 118 | November 2018

from her surroundings and while on walks with her dogs. Her use of strong, vivid colours reflects the different moods she is portraying in a vulnerable way. “My connection with nature, the colours I find around me, old trees and birds… it all gives me so much,” says Bjotveit.

With experience in the fields of both direct healing and remote healing, Bjotveit is also passionate about helping her fellow human beings and animals to a better everyday life. “Shamanism is an important aspect of my life. It is the oldest healing method found to convey the belief that all things have soul, something close to my heart and found in my art,” she smiles.

See Siri Bjotveit’s art in her gallery, by appointment.

Web: www.galleri-siri.com

Left: Collaboration & Communication: being present for each other, listening and giving each other attention.

Middle: Self-esteem: be in balance and empathise with others. Right: Forgiveness: being conscious of how we treat our surroundings.

Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Finland

Left: Dreamsand (100x130cm), Oil, 2017. Middle: Captured Letter (Totem). Right: Asphalt Light, glass sculpture.

Artist of the Month, Finland

Using art to build bridges Soile Yli-Mäyry is a Finnish painter and doctor of social sciences, with over 35 years’ experience in the art world. With over 300 private exhibitions in 30 countries under her belt, the artist keeps going from strength to strength, continuing to take her art to four continents.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Soile Yli-Mäyry

With a busy schedule, and solo exhibitions booked all the way up until 2021, Yli-Mäyry shows no signs of slowing down. From Shanghai to Beijing to São Paulo, Yli-Mäyry’s paintings have been displayed in all the major art museums all over the world. “I’ve always taken risks, and have funded every single one of my exhibitions myself – with no grants or sponsorship from the government – and I am incredibly proud of this,” says Yli-Mäyry. In November 2018, her work will be displayed in Singapore, in December in Dubai, and in March 2019, she will open her 16th exhibition in New York, then in Tokyo in April 2019.

With her main tool, the palette knife, Yli-Mäyry uses paint in three ways: by painting a thin, even coat, creating thick lines, and scraping lines onto the painted surface, in order to create a threedimensional look. In addition to paintings,

she has been making glass sculptures for the past ten years, in Venice’s Murano.

The main theme in her work is people’s increasing alienation from nature in the urban, digital world. “Our digital world means the whole planet is interconnected, but people’s individual experiences are being stifled under the weight of the massive information load, resulting in an identity crisis. The more information we have, the lonelier we feel, regardless of our cultural background – and this phenomenon can be witnessed across the world. Having travelled the world with my art, I’ve been able to build bridges between these shared human experiences,” Yli-Mäyry explains.

In 1993, Yli-Mäyry built her own art hall in the small village of Mäyry, where she was born. The art hall is open every summer for three months. She has also bought a

castle, Soile Yli-Mäyry’s Art Castle, located in Orimattila, less than an hour’s drive from Helsinki, which hosts a permanent exhibition of her paintings and glass sculptures. The castle is open throughout the year on Sundays, and other visiting times are available on request.

“I feel lucky I am able to travel the world and meet audiences across the world, from different cultures, in different countries. Could an artist ask for any more? I don’t think so,” Yli-Mäyry concludes.

Soile Yli-Mäyry.

Web: www.soileyli-mayry.com Instagram: @ylimayry

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 113

Scan Magazine | Humour |

Columns

IS IT JUST ME…

By Mette Lisby

Who has noticed what is surely an alarming discrepancy within each and every one of us?

I am guilty of it, everyone I know is guilty of it, and I am pretty sure you are too. In fact, I am also pretty sure you will recognise the following scenario all too well.

My Facebook and Twitter feeds are overflowing with posts and memes of love and understanding: save the planet; save the world; help each other; please donate to my birthday fundraiser for a rescue dog shelter; #bekind.

Each of these little posts blasts of triumph of the human spirit and generosity in a way that leaves me warm and fuzzy inside like I had just mentally had a cup of warm cocoa. Obviously, getting this great feeling from being on Facebook requires that you skip the posts from your annoyingly perfect friends and their annoyingly perfect meals (they eat a lot for being that skinny, don’t they?), but if I focus on the heart-warming videos and the overall sentiment, it leaves me feeling very good about humankind.

Then I leave my house. I get in my car and I go out in traffic. This is a completely different experience.

Here, I see people yelling at each other, impatiently honking if they have to wait two seconds for someone to move. People cutting in and out in front of you, changing lanes, oblivious to the nuisance they apply to others and unreasonably furious when someone brings it to their attention. People furiously rolling down their windows throwing rude hand signs at others like a rap video gone mad.

What is making us all so angry? Where did these intolerant, spiteful, short-fused bastards even come from? It is the same people who were just on Facebook half an hour ago spreading loving messages, which is what I find so mind-boggling.

It is not just the startling anger; it is also the staggering intolerance, impatience with others and plain rudeness that, to be honest,

Call of nature Here is a question for you: How many different types of toilet can you name? To a Brit, this may seem like a trick question. A Swede, however, may actually attempt to give you an answer. In a country where many homes are off-grid, it is often necessary to be inventive.

We experienced this first-hand recently, while visiting friends who have converted an old summer house into their permanent home. Being handy Swedish types, they did most of the work themselves, including rebuilding large parts of the house. However, when it came to sewage, their options were limited. On arrival, we all crowded inside their bathroom so that our hosts could explain how to correctly use their incineration toilet. (It does exactly what you imagine it does.) Despite the undoubted efficiency of this, our friends recommended using the great Swedish outdoors where appropriate.

Not one to miss an opportunity to reconnect with my country, I obliged. Stepping outside, 114 | Issue 118 | November 2018

I think each of us has been guilty of one time or another in traffic. And then, of course, there is the grave ignorance that is every bit as dangerous: people who move around in traffic while staring at their phones.

But, who knows? Maybe they are on Facebook or Twitter desperate to restore their faith in humanity after having to deal with other people in traffic.

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

confidently into the night. Did I mention that my friends rebuilt most of the house themselves? Well, in my moment of returning to my roots, I forgot. Failing to notice that the step I descended onto was not actually a step yet, I fell flat on my face in the pitch black. Another memory from childhood resurfaced. While answering the call of nature in nature, remain on your feet at all times, and definitely bring a torch.

during our first night, I experienced a deep sense of serenity. There were all those familiar sensations of my childhood, the smell of pine trees, the reflection of the moon on still water, the hoot of a Swedish owl. ‘Yes’, I thought, ‘I am a true Swede after all’! Embracing this sense of belonging, I proceeded

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

Scan Magazine | Culture | Music

Scandinavian music As the last couple of months of every year approach, record labels have traditionally used the period to launch new singles and albums from their absolute biggest-hitting artists in an effort to capitalise on giftbuying season. But while no one is really buying CDs anymore, mercifully this has not ground my favourite Christmas tradition to a halt. The big guns are out in force this winter.

Two of Scandinavia’s biggest exports of the last few years are both out with brand new tunes. Zara Larsson launches her new album with the release of Ruin My Life, a relentlessly catchy song in which she beckons heartbreak into her life, so long as she can experience all the good stuff that happens before it. Tove Lo, on the other hand, teams up with Major Lazer for Blow That Smoke. As if we were in any doubt before, we now all know Tove’s preferred way to relax and unwind.

The next wave of Nordic exports is also out with new music to charm even more of

the rest of the world than they already have.

Norway’s Sigrid does not mess around with the sucker-punch of a chorus contained within her new single, conveniently titled Sucker Punch, while Finnish artist Alma switches up her sound and style to an even more radio-friendly one than before, on her new track Cowboy.

Two recent Scan Magazine cover girls are not resting on any laurels, and have commenced the last quarter of the year with two of their strongest singles to date. Astrid S and Tove Styrke are out with Emotion and Vibe respectively, with both songs well worth setting aside some of your time for this season.

And finally, I will switch to albums but stick with the women – for no other reason than the undisputed fact that they simply do it better in Scandinavia than the guys.

Danish artist MØ has finally gotten around to releasing her sophomore album, Forever Neverland (head to Sun In Our Eyes on there for the big highlight). And Sweden’s pride

By Karl Batterbee

and joy, Robyn, is out with her first album in eight years, Honey.

Now that should be enough to give you enough of a break from the endless rotation of the same old Christmas tunes, I hope!

Web: www.scandipop.co.uk

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Orkid. Press photo.

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

Norway and Scotland: Poetry and music (18 November) Edinburgh’s Christmas invites you to an evening of poetry, spoken word, story116 | Issue 118 | November 2018

telling and music to celebrate the historic and cultural ties between Norway and Scotland. Chaired by Donald Smith, a Scottish storyteller and novelist, the

By Sanne Wass

free event will feature Norwegian author Odd Magne Goksøyr and Scottish poet Christine De Luca. They will be joined from Norway by folk musician

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Benedicte Maurseth and jazz guitarist Stein Urheim. 7pm. Festival Square Spiegeltent, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, Scotland. www.edinburghschristmas.com

Scandinavian Christmas market (23-25 November) Yes, it is already that time of year. The Scandinavian Christmas Market is returning to Rotherhithe, London, and will be the perfect place to feel the unique Scandi-style Christmas vibe, connect with Scandinavians and enjoy traditional Nordic drinks and food. Albion Street, Rotherhithe, London SE16 7HZ, UK. www.scandimarket.co.uk

Emma Ainala: Soft Hardcore (until 25 November) Emma Ainala’s latest exhibition at Helsinki Contemporary explores a plethora of themes: being a woman, sexuality,

Benedicte Maurseth.

Photo: Anders Bergersen.

Luster. Press photo.

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Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

human relationships and power structures, social roles, the meaning vacuum, escapism, consumerism, the effects of individualism, longing for love and fear – all framed by the world of social media. Ainala is a Finnish artist who lives and works in Savonlinna, Finland. Helsinki Contemporary, Bulevardi, Helsinki, Finland. www.helsinkicontemporary.com

Ja Ja Ja Nordic: Amanda Tenfjord, Orkid and Luster (29 November) Ja Ja Ja Nordic rounds up its autumn season with three emerging artists from Scandinavia. Among them are Amanda Tenfjord, a Norwegian superstar in the making, and Matilda Melin, who, after taking part in Swedish Idol in 2013, returned to the country’s pop scene as Orkid last year. They will be joined

by Luster, a Danish band headed by Jacob Haubjerg, the bass player of several prominent Danish groups, including Savage Rose, Sleep Party People, Masasolo and Palace Winter. 7.30pm.

The Lexington, 96-98 Pentonville Road, N1 9JB London, UK. www.billetto.co.uk

this November. Based on Swedish author Fredrik Backman’s bestselling novel, the film is a moving and funny tale of a suicidal Swedish mechanic being helped by his Persian neighbour. The screening is organised by Arts for Hungerford, a new initiative to bring high-quality art to Hungerford and the surrounding communities. The Croft Hall, Hungerford RG17 0HY, UK. www.artsforhungerford.com

Lucia in Stockholm Cathedral (11-13 December) Alongside Midsummer, Lucia is one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, dating back to medieval times. Taking place every year in mid-December, you will find celebrations in every town and village across the country. One place to go is the Stockholm Cathedral, where visitors can experience over three evenings the special atmosphere when the lights are dimmed and the sound of singing children fills the room. Stockholm Cathedral, Trångsund 1, Stockholm, Sweden. www.visitstockholm.com

A Very Very Very Dark Matter (until 6 January 2019) Set in the Copenhagen townhouse of Hans Christian Andersen, the renowned Danish teller of children’s tales, this play is about the secret inspiration and – as the title suggests – the darker story behind some of our most beloved fairy tales. It is written by multi-award-winning British playwright Martin McDonagh. Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park London SE1 2SG, UK. www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

The Art of the Gestetner (until 26 January 2019) A new exhibition by Norwegian art group Alt Går Bra explores the political and social history of the world-famous Gestetner duplicating machine. Featuring over 100 artefacts from Haringey Archive and Bruce Castle Museum, as well as those uncovered from local Gestetner users, it will reveal how the device revolutionised the office and empowered political activism. Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, London N17 8NU, UK. www.haringey.gov.uk

Jóhann Jóhannsson: Last and First Men (1 December) This concert will pay tribute to Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, who passed away in February. Jóhannsson wrote music for a range of theatre shows, dance performances, television and films, and was perhaps best known for his score to the Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything, which won him a Golden Globe in 2015. The Barbican Centre will present Jóhannsson’s breathtaking multimedia work, Last and First Men. 8pm. Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS, UK. www.barbican.org.uk

Film screening: A man called Ove (23 November) A Man Called Ove, an award-winning Swedish comedy-drama film, will be screened at the Croft Hall in Hungerford 118 | Issue 118 | November 2018

Jóhann Jóhannsson. Photo: Donald Christie.

ScanScan Magazine Magazine | Special | Culture Theme | | Calendar xxxxxx

Amanda Tenfjord.

Photo: Thomas Rosserl.

Issue 118 | November 2018 | 119

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the hedge plant before it goes on sale. If the hedge has been produced at great speed to achieve quick selling you will see that are large spaces PRIMAaFÆRDIG HÆK®height, has been produced over 4 -there 7 years, depending on the and height the hedge.

PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® its roots between thespecies branches in theofplant, which means that you willhas have thin,trimmed transannually, thatnot the plant grows slowly, guaranteeing branching. We guparent plants which so does provide much privacy in yourdense garden. arantee a consistent density by pruning the hedging plants several times during the growing season.

PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® has been produced over 4 - 7 years, depending on the species and height of the hedge. PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® has its roots trimmed annually, so thatBranch the plant grows slowly, guaranteeing formation at the base of thedense hedgebranching. We guarantee a consistent density by pruning the hedging plants several times during One of the criteria that defines a fully-grown quality hedge is that the plants the growinghave season. branches at the base to provide you with a hedge that offers screening

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from top to bottom. If the plant does not have these branches at the base when you buy the hedge, they will most likely never appear, which can cause major irritation in terms of both privacy and appearance.

2. Branch formation at the base of the hedge

One of the PRIMA criteriaFÆRDIG that defines fully-grown quality hedge the plants HÆK®atakes quality very seriously, and is asthat Scandinavia’s leadingat producer of finished hedges, we with constantly work to giveoffers our customers the have branches the base to provide you a hedge that screening know-how in these the decision-making have from top to greatest bottom.reassurance If the plantand does not have branches at process. the baseWe when further formulated quality standard (number you buy thetherefore hedge, gone they one will step most likelyand never appear,a which can cause majorof branches, width, etc.) for our best-selling beech and privet hedges, So that the irritation in terms of both privacy and appearance.

PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® is produced on Funen in Denmark, minimising the transport time from production to the hedge owner in Scandinavia. This location guarantees, among other things,hedge that the plant’s roots will nothedge dry out under Root-balled finished vs. bare-root transportation so that the hedge is healthy and vibrant when delivered. A quality PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® is produced on Funen in Denmark, minimising the finished hedge is naturally delivered with roots wrapped in a ball. The volume of transport to the hedgecan owner Scandinavia. active rootstime in thefrom ball ofproduction soil secure that the hedge quicklyinabsorb nutrientsThis location other things, that the plant’s roots will as not dry out under andguarantees, establish itselfamong at the planting site. Bare-root hedges have far from many roots, which is why requireis a supporting fence. transportation sothey thatoften the hedge healthy and vibrant when delivered. A quality

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finished hedge is naturally delivered with roots wrapped in a ball. The volume of IT’S ASroots EASY AS THIS active in the ball of soil secure that the hedge can quickly absorb nutrients PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® offers 40 different types ofhedges hedge in heights of as many and establish itself at the planting site. Bare-root have far from 125, 150, 180isand 220 cm.often You can order ayour new finished hedge from all roots, which why they require supporting fence. leading garden centres in Denmark, Sweden and Norway or from the webshop primafærdighæk.dk, primafardighack.se and primaferdighekk.no – deliIT’S AS EASY AS THIS very direct to the garden gate all over Scandinavia, and you choose the date.

PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® offers 40 different types of hedge in heights of 125, 150, 180 and 220 cm. You can order your new finished hedge from all leading garden centres in Denmark, Sweden and Norway or from the webshop primafærdighæk.dk, primafardighack.se and primaferdighekk.no – delivery direct to the garden gate all over Scandinavia, and you choose the date.

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consumer preciously knows what he is buying.

PRIMA FÆRDIG HÆK® takes quality very seriously, and standards as Scandinavia’s leaWe naturally guarantee that our hedges meet these when they are ding producer of finished hedges,inwe constantly work give our delivered to customers Denmark, Sweden andtoNorway andcustomers we are the the only producer inand Scandinavia that has a transparent quality-guarantee likeWe this.have greatest reassurance know-how in the decision-making process. therefore gone one step further and formulated a quality standard (number of branches, width, etc.) for our best-selling beech and privet hedges, So that the consumer preciously knows what he is buying. primafardighack.se · primafærdighæk.dk ·

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We naturally guarantee that our hedges meet these standards when they are

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primaferdighekk.no

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