Scan Magazine, Issue 120, January 2019 by Scan Client Publishing

JANUARY 2019 ISSUE 120 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

AURORA’S MUSICAL QUEENDOM NORDIC FESTIVAL SPECIAL LAHTI, TAMPERE AND TROMSØ TRAVEL GUIDES SWEDISH DESTINATIONS NOT TO MISS IN 2019

WHALE & BIRD WATCHING IN SPRING AND SUMMER The waters of Andenes are highly productive, attracting a great diversity of both baleen and toothed whales! The most common sightings in Summer are Sperm whales. It is the largest toothed whale in the world, growing up to 20 m and 60 tons! Get your camera ready to take outstanding shots of the Sperm whale fluke before they dive! You have also a great chance to see Pilot whales, Orca´s, Minke whales, dolphins and Fin whales. BIRD WATCHING ACTIVITIES AND SNORKELLING! Join our bird safari trips to watch white tailed eagles, gannets and puffins among other from our RIB! if you are lucky, we might also encounter harbour seals, harbour porpoises, otters or minks. During the trip we stop at one of the most famous bird colonies in Norway, with about 20.000 pairs of nesting puffins, auks and guillemots. Also we meet a colony of nesting gannets, seagulls and cormorants. We follow our code of conduct when we approach whales & birds. BOOK YOUR TOUR HERE! https://www.seasafariandenes.no/ or call for more information: 004791674960 post@seasafariandenes.no Follow us on Facebook or Instagram: @sea_safari_andenes

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 24

Aurora’s Musical Queendom

24 48

66 Animal Prints, Saris and Kind Fashion Whether you need hand holding at a sensitive fashion moment in life or just cannot seem to figure out how to wear the animal print trend, we have got you covered. Add organic wool mid-layers and interior items made from saris, and you are sure to feel warm and cosy this winter – inside and out.

SPECIAL FEATURES 16

Our Top Experiences in Denmark Why not get 2019 off to a brave start by rapelling down cliffs on the island of Bornholm? This, in addition to fascinating architecture, Jewish history and 19th-century sculptures, is among our favourite things to do in Denmark this spring and summer.

Nordic Festival Special Norwegian chamber music, world-class blues, Arctic marathons, Danish shellfish, Finnish lakeside classical tunes – whatever you are looking for in a festival event this year, our definitive guide will help you find it.

Visit Tromsø We are often keen to point out that Norway offers more than bucket-list items such as aweinspiring fjords and stunning northern lights, but if all you ever wanted was that textbook Arctic adventure – complete with boat activities, Sami culture, some midnight sun, yes, even snorkelling with whales – then look no further.

Old and New Ways of Healing

BUSINESS

SPECIAL THEMES 28

Visit Tampere Planning a trip to Tampere this year? We list our not-to-miss experiences, including awardwinning cheese, communist history, and a therapeutic cat café.

From personal development and hiking to bottled treats and modern medical expertise, this month’s special features share a theme of healing – be it in the most literal sense or a slightly beer-fuelled way.

Visit Lahti Swimming, nature trails, beautiful scenery, and a world-class university and innovative business to boot – Finland’s Lahti region is on the up, and Scan Magazine went to find out why.

DESIGN 6

Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019 Take everything you have come to expect from Sweden – great design, organic food and untouched nature – and add sea baths, fantastic skiing and fascinating history, and you will soon understand why this is a year-round destination for all kinds of visitors. Read on to find your Swedish experience for 2019.

When she was first asked about a professional career in music, Aurora said no. Luckily for us, she eventually came to her senses and realised that songwriting was her calling in life. Scan Magazine spoke to the Norwegian songstress about music as language, being an artist, and her new first-oftwo-parts album.

Know Your Networks, Bin the Jargon Keynote writer Simone Andersen helps you understand how different networks serve different purposes, while columnist Steve Flinders strikes a blow for binning clichés and jargon once and for all.

CULTURE 102 Choir Sounds and Ones to Watch We spoke to the main lady behind one of Finland’s most renowned choirs, while in-house Nordic music expert Karl Batterbee aka Scandipop puts all the cards on the table about whom to keep an eye out for on the Scandi music scene this year.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 6 88 95 98

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, Is it only me, or is there a shift taking place? Are we finally starting to move away, slowly but surely, from our obsession with online communities, in favour of in-person, in-nature experiences? I think I am seeing it happen, and I am welcoming it. Do not get me wrong: I love a good Facebook group as much as the next person – but I spent the festive break hiking through woods, running up hills, reconnecting with friends and playing board games with my children, and I am pretty certain that I am a better person for it. In fact, I have vowed to keep it up and make sure that it does not become a thing for holidays only. With this in mind, perhaps it comes as no surprise that the first Scan Magazine issue of 2019 runs with the theme of exploration and discovery, presenting endless options for those who wish to explore Scandinavian nature and culture this year. Like every January, we present our favourite Swedish destinations, including charming towns, refreshing sea baths and endless options for hiking and wholesome dining. In addition, choose between locations such as Tromsø and Tampere and get our top tips for pampering and pastimes in these beautiful parts of the northern hemisphere. Why not visit one of our favourite Danish museums, or perhaps make it two?

Our cover star this month, the fascinating Norwegian artist Aurora, is convinced that music is like a language – something she is not alone in. Her songs are certainly emotive and thought-provoking, but so are many of the festival experiences we have listed in our annual festival guide, presenting the very best from the buzzing Norwegian festival scene alongside a few picks from Denmark and Finland. I am convinced that I am not alone in concluding, after reviewing the year that has passed, that the highlights of 2018 had little to do with Facebook likes and clever Instagram Stories, and more to do with face-to-face meetings, offline settings and personal cultural experiences. Be it a festival, a fjord or a farm shop, I am confident when I say that I can promise that this issue of Scan Magazine presents ample opportunities to create many new, fulfilling memories for the year ahead.

Linnea Dunne, Editor

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4 | Issue 120 | January 2019

This magazine contains

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary… Animal prints have been a wardrobe staple for stylish and glamorous people for decades, but now we see the jungle fever really taking over the fashion scene. Do not be afraid to go a bit wild with your wardrobe this season and dress in prints like zebra, leopard, cheetah, tiger and snakeskin, to be on-trend. Here are some of our favourite pieces that incorporate the different animal prints. By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos

A timeless classic, the leopard print is perfect for instantly upgrading any outfit. Pair this cute high-waisted leopard mini skirt from Ganni with a cosy knitted jumper for a cool and laidback look. Perfect for any occasion and bound to make heads turn. Ganni, printed ‘Georgette’ mini skirt, £110 Ganni, brown knit pullover, £390 www.ganni.com

This little red bag is to go wild for. The o-ring chain crossbody bag from & Other Stories is available in a fiery red leopard print as well as a mix of snakeskindesigned textures. A great way to incorporate the trend this season in a subtle and simple way. & Other Stories, o-ring chain crossbody bag, £69 www.stories.com

Stand out from the crowd in this fun zebra printed shirt from Gestuz. The tie neckline and ruffles at the front give it a bit of movement too. Pair with a smart pencil skirt, cool skinny jeans or the matching skirt with an asymmetrical hemline for an even bolder statement. Gestuz, ‘Siwra’ shirt, approx £124 www.gestuz.com

Another great way to include the trend in your wardrobe this season is a pair of shoes. How about these low ankle snake-print boots from Custommade? Available in two gorgeous colours: blue and red. The perfect accessory to update any outfit. Custommade, ‘Abby’ snake boots £225 www.custommade.dk

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Embrace your inner rock ‘n’ roller in leopard print. Something as simple as this long-sleeved shirt from Only & Sons will make you look edgy and smart at the same time. Dress it up or down, depending on your mood. Only & Sons, printed long-sleeved shirt, £32 www.onlyandsons.com

When it comes to accessories for men, the handkerchief is a classic and easy way to add a little fun, printed element to a smart, simple suit. With this printed handkerchief in silk with an all-over tiger pattern, you will look dapper and chic. Tiger of Sweden, Tiger of Sweden, ‘Pavane’ handkerchief, £39 www.tigerofsweden.com

If you want to add a staple item to your wardrobe, we suggest these loafers with leopard-printed calf hair from Tiger of Sweden. Made in Italy, these striking shoes will make you look sophisticated and trendy. Tiger of Sweden, ‘Sartor P’ loafers, £399 www.tigerofsweden.com

Embrace the animal print trend in this funky blazer from Sand Copenhagen. Smart and elegant, this dinner jacket will certainly make you the talk of any party you go to this year. If you feel daring, mix it with a little scarf either in another animal print or in a different pattern. Sand Copenhagen, dinner jacket, £525 www.sandcopenhagen.com

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 7

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this… New year, new beginnings. The start of a new year is the perfect excuse to make some changes in your home. We have collected a few items that will help you update your walls, whether that means a new shelf, a minimal calendar for 2019, or even going a bit bolder and adding a fun wallpaper to liven up the space. By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos

Are you looking for a calendar for 2019? Decorate the walls with a poster that is not only beautiful to look at, but also practical. Desenio has many stunning posters, and we love this stylish black and white wall calendar with an elegant design. Its simple, minimal style makes it fit into any home and room. Desenio, 2019 calendar poster, £9.95 www.desenio.co.uk

The Pocket organiser from Normann Copenhagen is like a small pocket shelf that makes storage look beautiful. The clever Pocket has a variety of uses, ranging from a magazine holder and planter to storage for make-up, kitchen utensils, office supplies and lots more. The different sizes and colours available mean they can easily be adapted to suit individual needs and homes. Normann Copenhagen, ‘Pocket Organizer’, size 1, 2 & 3, £18 Normann Copenhagen, ‘Pocket Organizer’, size 4, £30.25 www.normann-copenhagen.com

Add a little confetti to your life with this sparkling and fun ferm LIVING wallpaper. It is well suited for bedrooms, living rooms and kids’ rooms, and depending on your desire for magic, you can add the wallpaper to a full room, a single wall or even just use a few sections to freshen up the hallway. Set on WallSmart wallpaper, this new generation of non-woven fleece wallpaper is easier and faster to hang. ferm LIVING, ‘Confetti’ wallpaper, £65 www.fermliving.com

A new wall lamp can make a huge difference in any space. Originally designed in 1952 by Birger Dahl, the classic modernist design wall lamp Birdy was re-launched by Norwegian company Northern in 2013. This well-loved light is available with a shade made of formed aluminium, while the body is made of steel with either a nickel finish for the white and grey shade or a brass finish for the black shade. Northern, ‘Birdy’ long arm wall lamp, £220 www.cloudberryliving.co.uk

Archetto is a small, wall-mounted shelf that offers a generous surface for your most precious items, designed by Note Design Studio. It can be used in a group to cover a whole wall or as a single feature piece, as a bedside table or as a display shelf anywhere in the home. Available in a range of lacquered and oiled woods. Fogia, ‘Archetto’ by Note Design Studio, £207 www.utilitydesign.co.uk

8 | Issue 120 | January 2019

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Skatka Mode

‘Being kind to yourself should be more in fashion’ With a strong, fashion-savvy team and an extensive collection of high-quality brands, Skatka Modelækkerier helps women look and feel their best when it matters the most. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Helle Thorngaard Jessen

Going to a party for the first time after a major life-changing event, like a divorce, can be daunting, especially if you are not confident in what you are wearing. This is why many women do not mind driving that bit further to get to Skatka Mode. They know that, whether they are looking to dazzle at a party or make an impression at work, the store’s founder Jane Skatka and her team will know exactly which pieces of clothing can achieve that goal. 10 | Issue 120 | January 2019

“It’s a matter of trust; we have had many customers come to us to help them find something they can feel good in after having had a mastectomy – those can be very emotional situations and can make a lot of women feel really down, so for them to put their confidence in us is a serious matter,” says Skatka. “Or it might be a woman who is going to her first party after her divorce and just wants to look the absolute best she can.”

To make sure they can achieve this, Skatka and her team all take time to try on any new items in the boutique’s collection. This means, Skatka explains, that when a customer walks in, the team knows exactly what items from the collection will complement her body type, size, and complexion.

It is a matter of trust When 50-year-old Skatka first came up with the idea for Skatka, a 180-squaremetre, high-quality fashion shop located “in the middle of nowhere”, not a lot of people believed it to be viable. However, eight years later, Skatka is attracting cus-

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Skatka Mode

tomers from as far away as Odense, and many guests from Norway, the UK and Austria have made a visit to the boutique a regular part of their annual holiday in the area. Some know Skatka from her previous jobs in the fashion and retail industry, while others have been drawn to the store more recently. Through the years, many have come to put all their faith in Skatka and her team to make them look and feel their best at work and in private. “A lot of our customers actually don’t like to shop. We have a lot of women who visit us two or three times a year; they just tell us what they’re looking for, then they go into the fitting room, and we help them

find what they need,” says Skatka. “We’re all grown women and we’re able to look at a customer – see what body-type she has, what kind of clothes she likes, and how much effort she likes to put into her wardrobe – and then dress her from top to toe. That’s how we make our living; it’s the quality of our service.” With many of her customers having come to her for years, Skatka also offers the service of sending individually selected collections of clothes to their home. They can then try them on and return whatever they do not want to keep.

Focusing on the best bits Having been in the retail and fashion in-

dustry for most of her life, Skatka has, she says, always loved working with people and quality clothing. But, if she could, there is one thing she would change in her customers: their tendency to obsess about their least flattering features. “There are a lot of women who are extremely focused on the parts of them that are the least flattering. It is a bit scary how much time they spend thinking about what they don’t find attractive about their body, rather than what they do find attractive,” she says. “That’s one thing we try to change when a woman comes in here – we want them to be kinder to themselves, and a way to do that is to help them focus on, and highlight, their best features.”

Facts: Skatka Mode is located in Rimmensvej 2, Aabybro, 9440, a 20-minute drive from Aalborg. Skatka presents around 30 different brands in sizes 34 to 46/48. Among the brands carried by Skatka Mode are: Annette Görtz, Bitte Kai Rand, Black Label, Gant, Lofina, Mac, Mansted, Masai, Oska, Trine Kryger Simonsen, Wolford, Billi Bi, Depeche, Wolford, Raffaello Rossi, Dip (Studio Rundholz) and Stenströms.

Web: www.skatkamode.dk Facebook: skatkamodelækkerier

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 11

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Quote Copenhagen

Giving Indian saris a new life in the north Charming plaids, colourful bags and stylish cushions – made from upcycled saris, all the products from Quote Copenhagen are truly one-of-a-kind. Behind the company is Danish Hanne Birkholm who, every half year, travels to India to handpick the traditional Indian saris for her designs.

wide range of home and garden accessories made from Indian saris, including mattresses, cushions, and bags.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Captured by Birkholm

When Birkholm arrives at Kolkata, in West Bengal, the locals know it is time to get out the saris – all of the saris. This is because the experienced entrepreneur is not content to have just any sari; she wants to sort and look through every single one of them herself. This way, she can ensure that the used saris she imports to Denmark are not just of the best quality, but also compatible with the distinct style of her popular home and garden accessories. This means that even though each product is unique and tells the story of its Indian life and use, the individual saris picked by Birkholm, and 12 | Issue 120 | January 2019

the way they are put together, give the designs a distinct Nordic character. “What’s important to me is that the products are authentic and each tell their own story,” says Birkholm. “In theory, everyone could find a manufacturer that could make some colourful prints in the desired colours and patterns – and many do – but every single thing we make is unique.” While Birkholm originally started out importing colourful plaids, Quote Copenhagen today makes and sells a

Birkholm.

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Quote Copenhagen

Taking matters into her own hands When Birkholm first began importing sari plaids in 2015, she, like most other western importers, bought the complete plaids from large retailers in Jaipur, India. However, she quickly realised not only that the plaids were of varying, and often not great, quality, but also that the colours and patterns were put together rather randomly. Consequently, she set forth to find a way of sourcing the saris before they were made into plaids – not an easy task, as information was hard to get. After some persistence and a trip to the other side of India, she ended up on the outskirts of Kolkata, in the state of West Bengal. Once there, she managed to set up a special arrangement with the owner of the company collecting the used saris, and today, whenever she arrives, Birkholm is met by heaps of saris stacked up on the ground for her to sort through. “I look for special colours and then pair the saris to match in quality and style. Normally, most products are put together by the locals, and they have more of a tendency to choose the really bright colours and the big figurative patterns, whereas I go for the dull colours and abstract patterns,” she explains.

100 per cent guarantee. The owner of the business, for instance, is very keen on making sure that the children of the women working for him get the opportunity to go to school, meaning that buyers not only enjoy the skills of the local women, but also the comfort of knowing that their purchase will support their children’s education.”

Web: www.quotecph.dk Facebook: Quotecopenhagen Instagram: @quotecopenhagen

Hanne Birkholm founded Quote Copenhagen in 2012. When Birkholm first founded Quote Copenhagen, she was importing vintage furniture, but soon changed her focus to sari products. As the items made by Quote Copenhagen are all made from vintage saris, every product is unique. Some products have little patches or other signs of their past lives. Quote Copenhagen’s products are sold via the website, as well as a number of interior design and accessory retailers in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Their distinct character has made Quote Copenhagen’s many accessories popular with the Scandinavians. Many use the cushions and plaids to add a warm and colourful touch to their terraces and balconies, while bum bags and make-up bags have become favoured gift items.

A business that makes a difference On top of the improvement to the quality and design of the final products, handpicking the saris that go into them also means that Birkholm gets to see the production and meet the people involved. Today, there are about 100 women sewing plaids and other products in a small village a couple of hours’ drive outside Kolkata. In a community where regular work is very hard to come by, the women’s income has a huge influence on them and their families’ lives, says Birkholm. “The women involved are treated very fairly – it’s something I can

Main image: Quote Copenhagen gives Indian saris a new life in the north, bringing a touch of colour and warmth to homes and gardens. Above: By buying Quote Copenhagen’s products, customers contribute to creating fairly paid jobs for the women who sew them.

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 13

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Tordyvel

Photo: Torydvel

Tordyvel — the stylish organic woollen mid-layer, designed in Sweden Malin Lundmark was looking for an alternative garment to the fleece she wore underneath her winter coat. An outdoor enthusiast, she had spent many years in the Swedish mountains and cycled to work whatever the weather. Having worked as a designer for over 15 years, she realised that the best way to find what she was looking for was to create it herself, and that is how the idea for Tordyvel’s organically produced woollen mid-layer garments was born. By Sofia Scratton | Photos: Jenny Leyman

Fleece from polyester has dominated the market for a long time and is what most people choose as a mid-layer underneath their coats in colder weather. But with increasing public awareness of polyester’s negative impact on the environment, Lundmark realised that more people were looking for an alternative – and this is where wool beats many of its competitors. “Wool is the perfect material for varied weather conditions. Here in Sweden, for example, the weather can vary hugely from north to south, and I wanted to create something that people could wear both in the damp conditions of southern Sweden and in the bitter sub-zero temperatures in the north. Wool is warm and 14 | Issue 120 | January 2019

stretchy, and it breathes. It is very easy to look after. Many people don’t know that wool only needs to be hung out to air for a few hours; it cleanses itself that way,” she explains. Lundmark had a vision for a favourite cardigan: warm, functional, stylish, and easy to wear underneath a coat or jacket, on the way to work in the city or while hiking in the mountains. She launched the first Tordyvel collection in 2017, all made from organic and ethically produced wool. The collection is small and non-seasonal, and Lundmark describes Tordyvel as “slow fashion”. “My customers should be able to wear a cardigan or a jumper for many

years without having to replace it. I want to inform people not just about the benefits of wool, but also about how to look after the material. Wool used to be the norm, but since we moved away from it, we’ve lost the knowledge of how to care for it. My wish is to inspire people, not just my customers, to make wool part of their everyday life. It is a mission I am very passionate about.” All Tordyvel’s products are made of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified wool. “GOTS enables me to guarantee my customers that the sheep in our wool production are well cared for, and that all staff who work in the production line are treated and paid fairly,” says Lundmark. “That is very important to me and has been absolutely vital for my business model since the day we started.” Web: tordyvel.com Facebook: tordyvelsweden Instagram: @tordyvel_sweden

Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Gumbostrand Konst & Form

All under one roof — see a new exhibition, buy art for your home, and enjoy a meal Gumbostrand Konst & Form is home to one of the largest art galleries in southern Finland, with a design shop, bistro and conference centre all under one roof. Their goal is to make buying art a less intimidating experience for the customer. By Sofia Scratton | Photos: Gumbostrand Konst & Form

“Many people outside the art world find buying art an uncomfortable process, and we want to remove that feeling of intimidation. For those who are new to the art-buying world, we are here to help,” says Charlotta Björkendahl, gallerist at Gumbostrand Konst & Form. Gumbostrand Konst & Form is home to one of the largest art galleries in southern Finland, inside the restored K. Hartwall factory, where ceramic bottle caps were once made. The production line is gone, and in its place, visitors can walk around the art gallery, visit the design shop, buy art for their home, and enjoy a meal in the bistro. Located in the countryside near the coast, only a 30-minute drive from Helsinki city centre, Gumbostrand Konst

& Form exhibits contemporary art from selected artists from the Nordic region. Their design shop is not a museum shop, but one where people come to find art or design for their homes. “Quite often, our customers are after something special for their home. Occasionally, they want something to make a statement and need assistance in finding that special piece. It could be a painting to be hung on a wall, or textiles, or ceramics. The collection in our design shop is carefully curated, and the items are often made by Finnish or Nordic brands and designers whose products are not available in high-street shops. We also offer a service to help our customers hang their newly purchased art on their wall,” explains Björkendahl.

Gumbostrand Konst & Form also offers corporate conference and event facilities to businesses wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The close proximity to Helsinki makes it an attractive location for events and conferences surrounded by inspiring art in a beautiful setting.

Gumbostrand Konst & Form is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 4pm, or by appointment. The art centre’s bistro has a seasonal lunch menu as well as a selection of cakes, coffee and tea. Brunch is available every Sunday between 11am and 3pm.

Web: konstoform.fi/en/in-english Facebook: konstoform Instagram: @konstoform

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 15

Scan Magazine | Education Profile | Gymnastikhøjskolen i Ollerup

Bringing sports, community and people into focus In 1920, Gymnastikhøjskolen i Ollerup, on southern Funen, opened its doors to its first students. At that time, it was the first højskole – a Danish folk high school – focused on gymnastics, and today, it continues to inspire, teach and engage students from across the world. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Gymnastikhøjskolen i Ollerup

Gymnastikhøjskolen i Ollerup is home to 200 students every year, aged between 18 and 30. There is a spring and an autumn semester, with the choice to stay for one or both. The school also offers an international programme, with students coming from 25 different countries to live and study alongside the Danish and Nordic students. “We think of it as an experiment in international living. We’ve had incredibly positive experiences, and our students gain a lot from living with each other across cultures,” explains Uffe Strandby, principal at the school. The students bond over their interest in sports and gymnastics. They can choose from a variety of core subjects within the fields of gymnastics, dance, parkour and fitness, as well as preparation for the Danish police academy. However, a 16 | Issue 120 | January 2019

typical day is filled with much more than just these subjects, as students are also engaged in talks, teamwork and lessons where they learn more about Danish, Nordic and the wider global society, ultimately helping them to become leaders in a globalised world.

An experience that lasts “We actively encourage our students to become members of organisations and to try to make a difference. Throughout their time here, they learn to work with new people, have open discussions and partake in their own well-functioning community across interests. That’s something our students take with them, and many of them end up working in national as well as international organisations and institutions,” explains Strandby.

He has become used to getting messages from alumni now on the other side of the world. “It’s fantastic to see the impact the school has. Whether it’s students simply going to visit one of their school friends who lives in Brazil, or working with an NGO in Australia, it’s nice to know we’ve helped to give them that interest in the world.” Gymnastikhøjskolen i Ollerup has a lot to offer. Its facilities are modern, boasting the latest equipment. The school is accommodating and ready to give the students an experience that will have a lifelong impact.

Web: www.ollerup.dk

Scan Magazine | Travel Profile | STF Abisko

Photo: Peter Rosén

Photo: Gösta Fries

STF Abisko Mountain Station is the world’s best place to experience the northern lights. Photo: Chad Blakley

Home of the dancing lights Experiencing the magical phenomenon that is the northern lights has in recent years become a given on most people’s bucket list, causing curious crowds to seek out the tiny village of Abisko in Sweden’s far north. Here lies the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) Abisko Mountain Station, home to the globally recognised Aurora Sky Station and a sanctuary for anyone who wishes to experience the region’s captivating nature.

of beds in response to the area’s increased popularity, and the station is often praised for its friendly hosting. “We constantly look at ways to improve our service, standard and offering for our guests,” concludes Johansson.

By Emma Rödin

Whether visitors wish to tick the northern lights off their bucket list or just soak up the crisp, clean air, there is something about Abisko’s wild beauty that keeps them coming back for more. Johansson describes it as “a special impression that stays with you forever”. As a wise person once said: “once Abisko, always Abisko".

Although there has always been a general fascination with the rare northern lights that can sometimes be seen waltzing across the sky, interest soared to new heights when Lonely Planet named Abisko and its Aurora Sky Station as the world’s best spot from which to catch a glimpse. As a result, STF Abisko has seen a huge increase in international visitors in the last few years, with as much as 42 different nationalities visiting in January 2017 alone. “Historically, the station has had predominantly Swedish visitors who have come to breathe fresh air and experience the barren nature, but these days, the divide is more like 50/50, and a big reason for this is the northern lights,” comments Louise Johansson, finance and communication coordinator at STF Abisko.

Abisko and the Aurora Sky Station are nestled into the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains, in a so-called ‘rain shadow’, with as little as 300 millimetres of rain per year. In other words, the area sees mostly clear, blue skies, which are ideal for spotting the northern lights. “Abisko has actually been nicknamed ‘the blue hole’, because often, despite the surrounding areas being cloudy, a patch of blue can be seen above the village,” says Johansson. The northern lights may be Abisko’s main attraction, but the area is also known for its great hiking trails, skiing, the midnight sun and locally sourced food, and is easily accessible by both train and car, with two airports only an hour away. Additionally, STF Abisko has, in recent years, expanded its offering

Photo: Peter Rosén.

Web: www.swedishtouristassociation.com Facebook: stfabisko Instagram: @stfabisko

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 17

Scan Magazine | Brewery Profile | Bryggeri Helsinki

Showcasing the very best of food and beer pairings Following a longstanding tradition of brewing practices in the city, Bryggeri Helsinki manufactures its own beers on-site. The brewery-restaurant’s menu serves up everything from simple pub grub to three-course meals – and all dishes are designed with a beer to go along with it.

“We’re incredibly proud of the fact that we are able to recycle and reuse waste generated through the brewing process. This is what makes us unique,” Vavuli states.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Bryggeri Helsinki

Still upholding old traditions of Helsinki brewing practices, all of Bryggeri Helsinki’s own beers are manufactured on-site, in the Torikorttelit cellar. Bryggeri’s selection of brews, and its range of seasonal products, is in full view of visitors, who might be able to catch a glimpse of Bryggeri’s brew master busy at work. In order to get to the atmospheric cellar restaurant, diners have to pass the very large copper brew kettles – prominently displayed, serving as the heart of the establishment – that are being used for brewing. Bryggeri Helsinki also opened a venue in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg in summer 2018. The restaurant serves unassuming and uncomplicated pub food, and all dishes 18 | Issue 120 | January 2019

are designed to go well with a pint. In addition to the pub grub with a Nordic twist, Bryggeri also serves three-course meals in its cellar restaurant – and diners can also opt to book a special beer tasting and brewery tour. “Our food is made from fresh seasonal ingredients, and we cater to all events and occasions, from after-work drinks to a sit-down meal,” explains Elina Vavuli, Bryggeri’s sales manager. Perhaps its most distinguishing feature is that almost all of the mash – the by-product created in the brewing process – is recycled and turned into biogas, which is used to fuel Bryggeri’s brew machinery, gas hobs and gas heaters on the brewery-restaurant’s terrace.

Serving a wide range of various beer styles, the brew master carefully tailors drinks to suit the food served. “We develop new beers according to our seasonal menu, and base them on trends in the beer world,” says brew master Roope Lehtoranta. Bryggeri is currently working on a series of four beers, designed specifically for restaurants, pairing different beers with different foods. “We will also be publishing recipes to go along with our beer suggestions, and we want to showcase our talent when it comes to food, as well as beer,” the brew master concludes. Web: www.bryggeri.fi Facebook: BryggeriHelsinki Instagram: @bryggerihelsinki

Scan Magazine | Distillery Profile | The Helsinki Distilling Company

Photo: Mikko Rantanen

Distillery machine.

Helsinki’s premium spirits are taking the world by storm After an absence of over 100 years, The Helsinki Distilling Company is bringing distilling culture back to the city. Driven by passion and flair for their craft, the distillery’s handmade premium spirits have already won international acclaim – and the company is determined to make its whiskey among the best in the world. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: The Helsinki Distilling Company

The Helsinki Distilling Company’s distillery is located in the heart of Teurastamo, a hip and vibrant district in Helsinki, known for its rich gastro-culture. Teurastamo, which means abattoir in Finnish, served as the city’s slaughterhouse from the 1930s until the ‘90s. The distillery building opened its doors and started producing Helsinki’s finest spirits in 2014. In addition to housing the distillery, the two-storey historic building – previously used as a power plant and a soap factory, among other things – also has a visitor centre housing a cocktail bar, Tislaamo, which serves high-quality drinks and food in a relaxed atmosphere. There are guided tours taking visitors around the production facilities, and private tours and tastings can be arranged, offering a quirky al-

ternative to the usual tourist attractions, bars and clubs of Helsinki’s city centre. Run by three friends – Séamus Holohan, Kai Kilpinen and Mikko Mykkänen – the distillery produces premium gin, Helsinki’s first local aquavit, applejack made from Finnish apples, ‘lonkero’ grapefruit long drinks – and, most importantly, rye and single-malt whiskey. Many of the drinks have enjoyed major successes both in Finland and abroad: among other internationally recognised awards, the company’s Helsinki Dry Gin won the prestigious Spirit of the Year award in 2016 at Destille Berlin, the leading craft spirits fair and competition in Europe. In addition, the company’s distiller, Mikko Mykkänen, won the award for the Most Innovative Distiller in Europe in 2018.

The Helsinki Distilling Company’s pièce de résistance is their rye whiskey, available to buy from fine-spirits distributors throughout Europe and Japan, and released in small batches. “All our whiskey is made from local Finnish grains and distilled using Finnish water, which is known to be among the purest in the world. We want to make the best whiskey in the world, and showcase the brilliant raw materials available here,” says Holohan. “We have interest from all over the world, and our whiskey is gaining a bit of a cult following.”

Founders (left to right) Kai Kilpinen, Séamus Holohan and Mikko Mykkänen.

Web: www.hdco.fi Facebook: HelsinkiDistillingCompany Instagram: @helsinkidistilling

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 19

Scan Magazine | Health Profile | Privathospitalet Mølholm

Photo: Michael Ohrt Fernel

High professionalism and a homely atmosphere Shorter wait times, high professionalism, advanced technology and interdisciplinary studies – the structure of Mølholm Private Hospital in Denmark, where doctors and specialists are co-owners of the hospital, has plenty of advantages. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Hartmann Schmidt Fotografi

The patient is at the centre of attention. This is a phrase almost every hospital uses freely when describing their vision, but at Mølholm Private Hospital, with locations in Vejle and Aarhus, they do more than just use the phrase loosely. They live up to it. The structure of the hospital is rather unique, and it helps ensure an overall better experience for their patients.

patient and doctor closer and warmer than in many other hospitals, and I think this is one of the reasons why we are the only private hospital in Denmark to have received the Danish Health Authority’s quality accreditation and certification without any remarks since the accreditation scheme was introduced,” says Thorbjørn Sommer, chief physician at Mølholm Private Hospital.

“The fact that it is doctors and specialists who, in part, own the hospital has a lot of advantages. First of all, the level of responsibility towards one’s patients is higher, as you get to treat and follow your patient through the entire treatment process. This makes the relationship between

The hospital was founded in 1992 and has since become one of the country’s leading private hospitals, offering almost every kind of examination, treatment and operation. The many specialities ensure a short wait time for the patients, as the departments work closely together.

20 | Issue 120 | January 2019

High expertise across fields Usually, when a patient has a problem, they go to see a general practitioner, who refers them to a clinic. If the clinic then deems that there is nothing wrong with the patient within their area of expertise, they will then send the patient back to their general practitioner, who has to take another look before yet again making a referral to a new clinic. “It’s quite a time-consuming process that we can avoid here. If you come to Mølholm to see a gynaecologist, for instance, but they then find out that your problem actually has something to do with, say, your stomach, they can quickly get you an appointment with an abdominal surgeon,” Sommer explains. Another advantage of having so many specialities under one roof is the opportunity of interdisciplinary studies. Some clinics arrange common conferences

Scan Magazine | Health Profile | Mølholm Private Hospital

to share experiences and studies on a weekly basis. “Most of our clinic owners have been and still are involved in a lot of research. It means a lot to us that we have high expertise and professionalism, as well as ethics, when it comes to when and when not to operate. It’s important that our staff don’t just clock in and out, but that they take pride in what they do and that they are constantly eager to develop their skills and keep up with the latest developments in their respective fields,” says Sommer, and adds: “We offer our employees training, and each clinic has frequent meetings, where they debate relevant cases and look at new ways to improve. The interdisciplinary cooperation creates a special feeling amongst our staff, and that is a feeling that our patients can sense as well.” Mølholm Private Hospital is up to date when it comes to having the latest technology available, which ensures a keen focus on safety.

Operations abroad It is not only the structure, but also the surroundings, that create a special atmosphere at Mølholm Private Hospital. The hospital in Vejle is located in the heart of Denmark on a picturesque hill overlooking the town of Vejle. The hospital is made up of old villas that have been remodelled, and there is a garden for the patients and their loved ones to use when at the hospital.

The history of Mølholm Private Hospital: 1992: The hospital is founded in the autumn and the first operation takes place in January the following year. 1994: The owners are specialists who work at the hospital, which assures great commitment and faster decisions. 1996: Part of the lower floor in the main building is turned into recovery rooms, operating rooms and outpatient departments. 1997: The hospital expands with a clinic in Riskov near Aarhus, with treatments in the field of dermatology and laser, as well as pre-examinations for the other specialities of the hospital.

1998: Another expansion takes place as there is a demand for more beds. 1999: The rest of the lower floor in the main building is turned into recovery rooms, operating rooms and outpatient departments. 2000: Mølholm Private Hospital is the first hospital in Denmark to put a private MR-scanner into use. 2002: More space is needed, so the hospital buys the building next door and turns it into a department for organs and weight management. 2009: A new operating department with five brand-new operating rooms and four new rooms for patients is inaugurated.

A new MR-scanner is added and a new reception and waiting room see the light of the day. 2014: Mølholm Private Hospital takes over Ciconia Aarhus Private Hospital on 1 December. In doing so, Mølholm expands its market share in Aarhus and consolidates its position as one of the leading private hospitals in the country. 2016: An external investor takes over the majority of the ownership, so it is no longer owned entirely by the doctors. 2018: In the autumn, the hospital gets a new CT-scanner.

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Scan Magazine | Health Profile | Mølholm Private Hospital

“We often have patients tell us that it doesn’t feel like a hospital. Some even say that there is a homely atmosphere, and that means a lot to us. Besides guaranteeing good treatment, our surroundings are important as they help the patients to feel more comfortable during their stay,” says Sommer. Up until now, Mølholm has mostly treated patients from Denmark, but a new collaboration with the organisation Operations Abroad Worldwide will in the future help more patients from the UK to get their treatment and surgery at Mølholm. The collaboration will be initiated at the beginning of this year.

22 | Issue 120 | January 2019

Mølholm Private Hospital in numbers Founded in 1992 and located in both Vejle and Aarhus. The hospital in Vejle is less than 30 minutes away from Billund international airport. Over 30 specialities. 200 employees and 35 clinic owners. 30,000 yearly consultations. 5,500 operations every year. Mølholm Private Hospital is the first and only private hospital in Denmark to receive the Danish Health Authority’s quality accreditation and certification without any remarks since 2010, when the accreditation scheme was introduced.

Scan Magazine | Health Profile | Mølholm Private Hospital

Contact information: VEJLE - Brummersvej PRIVATHOSPITALET MØLHOLM Brummersvej 1, 2, 7 and 10 DK-7100 Vejle Phone: +45 87 20 30 40 HØJBJERG / Aarhus - Saralyst Allé 50 PRIVATHOSPITALET MØLHOLM / Højbjerg Saralyst Allé 50 DK-8270 Højbjerg Phone: +45 87 20 30 40

Web – Operations Abroad Worldwide: www.operationsabroadworldwide.co.uk

Photo: Mølhom Private Hospital

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 23

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Anja Pärson & Filippa Rådin

All Is Soft

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Aurora

Aurora

‘Music is the one language we can all understand’ To a lot of people in England, the name and voice of Aurora might feel like the sound of Christmas. Two years ago, the young Norwegian artist provided the music for the iconic John Lewis Christmas advert, with a cover version of Oasis’ Half the World Away. Scan Magazine caught up with the singer about her new album, music as communication, and becoming an artist. By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Petroleum Records, Decca Records

Aurora Aksnes has been an established artist for years, learning the piano at six, and writing her earliest Englishlanguage music at the tender age of nine. “I was very determined on writing in English,” Aurora explains over the phone from a car heading to yet another town in yet another country. “It’s a language for the world, so I waited until I knew enough words and my English was good enough before I started adding words to my songs.” But Aurora never dreamed of becoming an artist. She had no idea that music could be a real job, something she could do for a living. She wanted to be a scien-

tist and an astronaut. “Though that was only after I realised that I couldn’t be a Jedi,” Aurora laughs. She held onto the dream of science and astronomy until she was 16, when her management discovered her. At a tenth-grade assembly, Aurora was one of the students performing. “I had so many things to say,” she says. “All these big words and dreams about our future and the changes we were going to make to save the world. It was a long song, and nobody really liked it!” But a video of her performance found its way to Per Mygland from Made Management, who saw great talent in the young girl. “He Issue 120 | January 2019 | 25

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Aurora

asked me if I wanted to be an artist, and I said no,” Aurora laughs. “I didn’t have the need to be on a stage, or to show my music to anyone. But I realised that writing music is my calling in life. That’s when I feel content and happy with my own existence. That’s what I was born to do. So far, I am happy with my choice of becoming an artist.”

Queendom

Her debut album, All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend, was released in 2016 and became a huge success in her native Norway – an album full of selfreflection, of grand soundscapes and of haunting rhythms. It entered the Norwegian charts at number one, made it as high as number 28 in the UK, and also made it into the top 30 in several other countries. Singles such as Running with the Wolves, Runaway, and Conqueror led the way, showing an artist with a unique personality, style and vocal skills, who appeared more concerned with standing out than fitting in. Suddenly, the whole country was captivated by the little artist with the ethereal yet powerful Infections of a Different Kind

voice, who, with equal ease, could perform in a cathedral one day, and alongside Viking-style folk group Wardruna in a rough outdoor setting the next.

Music as language and therapy across borders Aurora herself observed the whole thing with wide-eyed surprise. “It was very strange,” she says. “Very nice, of course, but also very strange, that so many hearts can react to something that comes out of one heart. It just shows that music is such an important language. It’s the one thing we manage to have in common. The one thing we can all understand and share.” Aurora’s music, though catchy and radiofriendly, comes with hidden depths – layers underneath the surface, which connect people to the music and to each other, and which appear to resonate with people on a deeper level. YouTube comments and messages on her Twitter and Facebook page show an endless stream of people whose lives have been changed by her music. And she is very aware of 26 | Issue 120 | January 2019

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Aurora

Simultaneously ethereal and powerful, Aurora captivates her audiences with her music and persona. Photo: Morgan Hill Murphy

the responsibility that comes with that connection and with touching people’s hearts and lives in the way her music does. “I feel like all these people have found my music for a reason,” she says. “Some people won’t understand me and my world and just pass through, but others connect very strongly to it.” In September 2018, two years after her debut, her sophomore album, Infections of a Different Kind – Step 1, was released without warning, a complete surprise to almost everyone. The only people who knew that something was coming were her core fans. “I wanted to show them some appreciation, wanted to show them a very personal soundscape,” Aurora explains, “like a secret between them and myself. That way, they got to hear it before the rest of the world caught on.” The album name suggests that there will be a follow-up to the album in the future, but Aurora is not yet sure when. “The whole album is such a big process,” she explains, “both internally and externally.

This was the first step of that process. If you jump and swim deep into the name, Infections of a Different Kind, and you try to figure out what it means, you’ll find out what the first step is. But I want people to figure it out for themselves…” Initially, the album was meant as one 11-track record. It was not until after the production was done that Aurora decided to split it into two parts. The album had become bigger than planned and felt somewhat overwhelming. Splitting it would give the listener more time to take in each song, rather than it being heavy and time-consuming. “I’m still working on part two,” she says. “It’s very exciting that I can continue working on an album that has already been released! This is only the beginning.”

My Queendom come Aurora’s new album is as colourful, powerful and extroverted as her debut album was subdued, thoughtful and introverted. “I wanted my first album to cover the difficult sides of being a human

being,” she explains. “I wanted people to know that they don’t have to run away from pain, it’s okay to cry.” The album was released just as people started opening up about pain and problems without shame, and was an album that was needed at the time. Her new album, however, is more political, and with songs such as Queendom and the title track Infections of a Different Kind, it has a bigger, more global perspective. Aurora wants it to be empowering, to make people come together, grow stronger and to fight for good. And with her fans having adopted the terms warriors and weirdos, there is an increasingly powerful army behind the Norwegian artist, ready to take on the injustice and pain of this world. Infections of a Different Kind – Step 1 is out now.

Web: www.aurora-music.com Facebook: auroramusic Instagram: @iamAURORA

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 27

ES C em EN I Th i R K in M PE AR X E P ENM O T D R IN OU

Scan:Magazine | Mini Theme | Our Top Experiences in Denmark

Dive into Bornholm’s stunning scenery Bornholm is famous for its unique, rocky landscape, and what better way to enjoy it than backing out over the edge of a 40-metre-tall cliff and rappelling your way down? By Signe Hansen | Photos: Bornholms Outdoorcenter

Mountain biking, diving, kayaking, climbing and rappelling – these are just some of the adrenalin-inducing ways to get up close with the spectacular landscape of Bornholm. The activities are all offered by Bornholms Outdoorcenter, an activity centre owned and managed by local adventure sports enthusiast Anders Pedersen. As a keen rock climber, Pedersen was first attracted to the island for its distinct, rocky landscape. In 2012, he decided to move there, and, shortly after, he set up Bornholms Outdoorcenter. Today, he spends most of his time introducing the island’s many visitors to new and exhilarating ways of exploring the island’s land, rocks and waters. “I started out small but quickly had a growing interest from both Danes who visit the island regularly and tourists from abroad,” says the 29-year-old, who has worked as a professional guide and instructor for the last eight years. Many of the activities offered by Bornholms Outdoorcenter are guided by Pedersen himself, who has been a keen practition28 | Issue 120 | January 2019

er of various adventure sports since his teenage years. Thanks to the varied landscape of such a small island, he can introduce his participants to most aspects of it. “It’s a small island with various types of terrain, so you don’t have to drive far to find different experiences,” says Pedersen. “And, when it comes to diving, you will find that the water is clearer than most other places in Denmark, and there are a lot of cliff formations and wrecks around the island.” Web: www.bornholmsoutdoorcenter.dk

Facts: Having studied at Friluftsuniversitetet (the university of outdoor activities), Anders Pedersen has instructor qualifications in all of the activities offered by Bornholms Outdoorcenter. Bornholms Outdoorcenter has two fulltime employees – including Pedersen – as well as seven freelance instructors and guides. Activities are open to everyone with a normal fitness level and aged six years and up. Activities can be booked as one-to-one or group sessions of up to 30 participants. Activities include: mountain biking; diving; kayaking; rock, tree and wall climbing; rappelling; spearfishing; snorkelling and coast steering.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Our Top Experiences in Denmark

An architectural pearl

By Nicolai Lisberg

When architect Daniel Libeskind designed the Danish Jewish Museum, he wanted it to tell a story. That is why the story of the Danish Jews can be found in every little detail of the museum. In fact, it can even be found in the architecture itself. ‘Mitzvah’. It is a Hebrew word, which can be translated as ‘good deed’ – a word that has everything to do with the Danish Jewish Museum in the centre of Copenhagen, a museum designed by Daniel Libeskind, who was touched by the story of how the majority of Danish Jews were saved from Nazi persecution during the Second World War. “Libeskind always designs his work from a historical reference, and with our museum, he decided to focus on the escape in 1943, where 95 per cent of the Danish Jews escaped to Sweden and were saved due to the compassion of both Danes, who sailed them across the water, and their Swedish compatriots,” explains Sara Fredfeldt Stadager, curator at the Danish Jewish Museum in Copenhagen. The museum is the only building Libeskind has designed in the north. The word ‘mitzvah’

has become part of the museum’s logo; the corridor area is shaped in the form of the Hebrew letters from the word, and the wood used is from Sweden, as a tribute to the country’s good deed. “Every architectural detail tells the story of Danish Jewish history, and it’s also worth mentioning that the building the museum is set in – today the Royal Library – was built by King Christian IV, who was the first king to welcome Jews to Denmark,” says Fredfeldt Stadager.

Photo: Danish Jewish Museum

Web: www.jewmus.dk Facebook: jewmus Instagram: @thedanishjewishmuseum

Photo: Josefine Amalie

Denmark’s 19th-century superstar As one of the 19th century’s most famous artists, the artworks of Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen can be found in museums all over the world. However, only one museum shows the entirety of his talent: Thorvaldsens Museum in Copenhagen. Built and funded by the people of Copenhagen in 1848, Thorvaldsens Museum stands as a monument of love and admiration for the artist and his work. The museum was designed by Thorvaldsen’s close friend, Michael Gottlieb Bindesbøll. “The museum is Denmark’s oldest, and the building itself is a piece of art,” says Maria Horn Rasmussen, PR and communications manager at Thorvaldsen Museum. “All the floors and ceilings are hand-painted and decorated; it’s an explosion of colours, and in the midst of it you have Thorvaldsen’s art and the artist himself – he’s buried in the courtyard, surrounded by his art.” Born in 1770, Thorvaldsen grew up in Copenhagen in poor circumstances. However, he was admitted to Denmark’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts at a young age, and later given a scholarship to work and study

in Rome. Doing so for 40 years, he became one of the most famous artists of his time, known not just for his incredible talent and Neoclassical marble sculptures, but also for his enlightened views. “Thorvaldsen believed in the French ideal of liberty, equality and brotherhood, and his talent along with his equalitarianism – he insisted on shaking hands with everyone

By Signe Hansen

in a room – made him quite the superstar of his time,” says Rasmussen. His dedication to equality was also the reason why Thorvaldsen, before his death in 1944, chose to donate his work to the people of Copenhagen.

Photo: Thorvaldsens Museum Thorvaldsens Museum in Copenhagen is a monument of love and admiration to one of the 19th century’s best-known artists, Bertel Thorvaldsen. Photo: Sarah Coghill

Web: www.thorvaldsensmuseum.dk

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 29

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Our Top Experiences in Denmark

Photo: Julie Blicher Trojaborg

Photo: Vivi Lena Andersen

Photo: JAC Studios

The story of Copenhagen This summer, the Museum of Copenhagen reopens in exciting new surroundings near Christiansborg’s Slotsholmen and close to the National Museum and Rådhuspladsen. “We wish to bring the city into the museum and the museum into the city,” says the museum’s director, Louise Jacobsen. “We want to relate the overall story of Copenhagen and its inhabitants, but also to surprise Copenhageners with stories they’ve never heard before, people they don’t know and details and places they’ve never really noticed.” By Louise Older Steffensen

The museum, which formerly resided in Vesterbro, was shut down for major redevelopment three and a half years ago. “You know when you’re moving house and all sorts of random items and old memories turn up when you’re packing? That was a very exciting process here, if a bit overwhelming, as we moved our extensive storage facilities too. So many interesting things appeared, some of which we’ll be able to display at the museum, some digitally, and some at the new joint History & Art archives we’re also setting up.” During the move, the museum has retained its research and archaeological duties. As Copenhagen changes, it is the museum’s responsibility to inspect, protect and advise on the city’s archae30 | Issue 120 | January 2019

ological excavations. That includes the 1,000-year-old burial ground recently discovered during the metro expansion at Rådhuspladsen, which looks set to change our perspective on Copenhagen’s earliest history. “We’re very keen to draw in all the different areas we cover and present them in ways that’ll surprise and connect the modern city and the past,” Jacobsen explains. “We want the garden, for example, to be a natural meeting place for local people as well as being between the past and present Copenhagen, so we’re making it into a gentle exhibition space using seeds discovered at another recent dig-out to recreate the kind of environment that a Copenhagener might

have wandered through hundreds of years ago.” The late-19th-century building at Stormgade 18 has housed various administrative departments, but never been open to the general public before. “It’s a beautiful place with its own Copenhagen history that we’re keen to keep visible. One of my favourite parts is a glass mosaic by Agnes Slott Møller, which comments on women’s standing in 1902, 13 years before women’s suffrage. The building really lends itself to telling Copenhagen’s stories, both chronologically and topographically,” Jacobsen concludes. “We’re very excited to see what the public thinks of the new version of our beloved model of Copenhagen, and we’ll have lifesize details of Copenhagen scattered all over the museum to help people of all ages and interests explore their specific interests in the city.” Web: www.copenhagen.dk and kbhbilleder.dk Facebook: koebenhavnsmuseum Instagram: @koebenhavnsmuseum

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Norway :

L VA I i ST ec E p L F S C CIA I RD SPE O N m

e Th

Andy Fairweather Low has played with everyone from Bob Dylan and Roger Waters to Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Elton John and Jimi Hendrix, and will be on stage at this year’s festival.

Welcome to an intimate and unique blues festival Local heroes, top Norwegian names and international stars – Nidaros Bluesfestival has it all. With an intimate setting at a hotel in Trondheim, a fantastic atmosphere, and the chance to bump into your favourite artists at any moment of the day, the popular Norwegian festival has become the place to be for music enthusiasts of all ages who want to see old favourites and discover new artists. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Nidaros Bluesfestival

Two of the distinctive features of the festival are its location and its intimate concept. Taking place at the Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, the concerts are being held in the same place where guests are staying, and most of the artists are also based at the same hotel. “There is something unique and thrilling about staying in the same place as the festival itself. You can suddenly meet the big stars in the elevator or at breakfast, 32 | Issue 120 | January 2019

or you can have a glass with them in the bar. It creates an intimate and special atmosphere for everyone,” says festival manager Jan Engen. He started the festival in 1999 together with his wife and has seen it become an important part of the Norwegian blues scene. “It is great to see how the festival has grown into the significant, annual event it is today, slowly but surely. Now, we are

pretty much sold out every year,” Engen explains proudly. As a blues enthusiast, it was a natural choice when he decided to start a festival. The diversity in terms of genre, ranging from soul, rock, gospel and country to pure blues, makes for a much-loved happening for all ages, no matter what music they prefer.

20th anniversary The international blues festival in Trondheim is now in its 20th year, which will be marked with yet another almost sold-out event. With a number of exciting artists on the programme, the festival manager is excited to have so many great names on board. “The biggest draw this year is the amazing blues star Booker T Jones. He has been a central

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Norway

figure on the soul music scene since the ‘60s and is considered a legend, who has worked with Aretha Franklin among others,” he says. The festival also boasts other big names in the blues world, such as Andy Fairweather Low, Chicago-born Mud Morganfield, and Ruthie Foster. The latter, an impressive woman with a big, soulful voice, is a rare treasure regardless of musical genre. “We guarantee an experience you will never forget,” Engen enthuses.

Local, national and international artists In addition, there are a number of other great local, national and international artists on stage from 24 to 28 April, making Nidaros Bluesfestival a great place to see old favourites and discover new artists. The audience can buy a day pass, a weekend pass or a hotel pack-

age and walk around freely while enjoying the music they like. “Since our four different stages are so close together, it makes it easy to walk from one room to another and see as much as possible during the weekend,” says Engen, adding: “If you are in, you have access to it all! And our aim is that you can discover new, inspiring bands along the way.”

Children’s blues When it comes to entertainment for the kids, the festival puts as much emphasis on quality for the younger generation as for the older crowd. As well as local children’s choirs and theatre groups, this year, the sensational front-figure of the original Blues Brothers Band, Rob Paparozzi, will be performing on the family evening as a guest vocalist along with the Trondheim Big Band.

“To be able to experience Rob Paparozzi together with these 20 musicians performing their popular Blues Brothers Show in front of a large crowd of blues kids cannot be anything but amazing,” Engen smiles. “We take the kids seriously and believe they need to experience great music just as much as the grown-ups do.” Some of the artists performing in 2019: Booker T Stax Revue, Ruthie Foster, The Black Sorrows, Andy Fairweather Low, Roffe Wikström, Mud Morganfield, Eric Bibb & Staffan Astner, Scottie Miller, Guy Verlinde & The Houserockers, JJ Thames, Rob Paparozzi and more.

Web: www.nidarosblues.no Facebook: nidarosblues Instagram: @nidarosbluesfestival

Ruthie Foster and her wonderful voice are back again by popular demand. Photo: Riccardo Piccirillo

Booker T. Jones is one of the legends of soul music. Photo: Piper Ferguson

Mud Morganfield has performed at festivals and concert venues all around the world. Photo: Festival Summit

The Australian blues legends The Black Sorrows are back in Trondheim, three years after they performed a couple of fantastic concerts at the festival.

JJ Thames is young and has a voice and a way of communicating that will take your breath away. Photo: Didier Taberlet Fr.

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 33

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Norway The Scott Brothers.

Left: Music critic Magnus Andersson will be giving lectures during the festival. Right: The artistic director Arnfinn Tobiassen. Photo: Hans Knut Sveen

Stavanger Concert Hall.

Experience majestic sounds at the Norwegian Organ Festival Providing beautiful organ music to the audience since 1990, the Norwegian Organ Festival will once again bring together the best of international, Nordic and local musicians, to put the spotlight on this rich church music heritage. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy majestic sounds in a wonderful and intimate setting this September.

so-called master classes during the festival,” says Tobiassen. “Another interesting feature will be guided tours in Stavanger Cathedral, where one can get a closer look at the impressive organ and the carillon.”

By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Norwegian Organ Festival

The longest-running Norwegian organ festival has become one of the most popular festivals for classical music in the country; a place to discover the best of organ music, but also a great source of inspiration for music lovers. “Last year, we saw an audience increase of 32 per cent. We hope for an even bigger reach this year and welcome all church music enthusiasts and newbies alike to come and discover the majestic sounds of the organ,” Tobiassen smiles.

Taking place in the area of Stavanger and Sandnes in September each year, the Norwegian Organ Festival combines entertainment and art with knowledge through concerts, lectures, seminars and masterclasses. “We will, as always, offer several exciting concerts and performances for all ages. Our main event this year is a musical theatre piece aimed particularly at children called Do You Dare to Play, Christine? – a story dating back to 1729 about the cathedral’s first female organist, Christine Friborg Lund,” says Arnfinn Tobiassen, artistic director of the Norwegian Organ Festival. With the aim to please both the artistic and the conservative crowd, this year’s line-up will include the renowned Edoardo Bellotti and Magnus Andersson, as well as the 34 | Issue 120 | January 2019

Scott Brothers. “A number of famous artists have visited the festival throughout the years, and we are proud to have the versatile and skilled organist Bellotti with us this time. Specialising in old Baroque music, the famous Italian really knows how to convey this elegant music in a convincing way,” says Tobiassen, adding: “The Scott Brothers are known for being impressive and virtuosic, and for their wide range of colours, so I can guarantee a very intense and thrilling experience you would not want to miss.” The festival will also host classes, where the performing artists give lectures and also teach the audience. “If you already play the organ, you will also have the opportunity to play with Edoardo Bellotti and get feedback from him through the

The 29th edition of the festival will be held on 12-15 September. Tickets will be available from 1 March.

Web: www.orgelfestival.no Facebook: orgelfestival Instagram: @norskorgelfestival

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Norway

At the altar of Oslo

By Lisa Maria Berg | Photos: Oslo Internasjonale Kirkemusikkfestival

Bente Johnsrud had the idea for an international church music festival while crosscountry skiing back in 2000. In March, the artistic director opens the festival doors for the 19th time: this year, putting the spotlight on climate change around the globe. It is an act of transformation that takes place in the month of March in Oslo. The tiny capital nestled in the north is hit with a wave of internationally renowned artists. “We are bringing a piece of Europe to Norway,” says artistic director Bente Johnsrud, who has been turning up the music annually for almost two decades. In the 2019 edition of Oslo Internasjonale Kirkemusikkfestival, it will be with a par-

Dunedic Consort.

ticular focus on climate change and its effects. There are many highlights on offer this year. The opera Upon This Handful of Earth had its 2017 premiere in New York and will have its revival in Oslo in March. Composed by Gisle Kverndokk, it is a story of humans caught in the unapologetic repercussions of environmental disaster. It is one of several pieces where the audience will find the

KORK.

choir at the helm. This year, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir will be opening the festival with Arvo Pärt’s Te Deum. The festival’s success can in many ways be put down to Johnsrud’s far from commercial programming. “I want to challenge, surprise and delight our audiences. By putting household names next to up-and-coming new talent, we push the boundaries of what the festival can be,” she concludes. Web: www.kirkemusikkfestivalen.no

Voces Suaves. Photo: Markus Räber

A chamber of treats Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival (Stavanger Chamber Music Festival) is, this August, once again transforming Stavanger and its adjoining towns into a mecca of classical music. By Lisa Maria Berg | Photos: Peter Adamik

“The art is at the centre of what we do. We book musicians that could be playing at ours one week and then heading to Carnegie Hall the next,” says managing director Katrine Lilleland. It is only January, but Lilleland is, together with the artistic team, already planning for summer. They have a solid track record in putting together a top-quality festival. When chamber doors open in August, it will be for the 29th time. It is a deep love for classical music that has earned Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival its international reputation. “We want to bring the very best of national and international talent to Stavanger, delivering a programme of high standard,” Lilleland explains. The Grammy nominated Choirs of Trinity Church Wall Street and New York

Polyphony have both visited earlier festivals. This year, there is a particular focus on Nordic artists, and Det Norske Solistkor, made up of some of the leading voices in the country, will find its way to Stavanger in August. The festival has not held back in its choice of venues and has, throughout the

years, come to really spoil its loyal audience. Stavanger Domkirke (Stavanger Cathedral) is the festival’s flagship venue, with its 11th-century walls and central location – it is basically at the heart of the town – providing a concert hall with an atmosphere that could not be more fitting for classical music. What it lacks in raked seating and the ability to do a curtain call, the church more than makes up for in sheer ambiance. Web: www.kammermusikkfestivalen.no

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Norway

Left: Oslo Chamber Music Festival presents several genres of chamber music in stunning spaces. Top right: The festival brings together younger and more established musicians. Bottom right: The festival has something for everyone – both young and old.

30 years of world-class chamber music In August, Oslo Chamber Music Festival celebrates three decades of presenting world-class chamber music in Norway’s capital city, and you are invited! Festival audiences can expect varied and magnificent musical experiences in renowned and sometimes unexpected venues, including the Royal Palaces and Oslo’s medieval Akershus Fortress.

also use a number of different places, from Akershus Fortress and the Royal Palaces to private homes and other more intimate venues. The idea is to give the audiences as holistic an experience as possible.”

By Julie Linden | Photos: Lars Opstad

Founded by Norwegian violinist extraordinaire Arve Tellefsen in 1989, Oslo Chamber Music Festival was the first music festival of its kind in Norway. Tellefsen wanted to spread chamber music to wider audiences, and inspire musicians to come together to practise music in less formal settings than was common in more traditional concert seasons. A summer chamber music festival proved to be the perfect way of combining the two wishes. “We’re excited to be marking this 30th anniversary. It means a lot to us,” says Kristin Slørdahl, festival director. “Norwegian music has developed enor36 | Issue 120 | January 2019

mously over the last 30 years. We have some of the best musical institutions in the world, and we have municipal art and culture institutions across the country that have produced some of the best classical musicians in Norway.” The programme for August’s festival will be available on the festival’s website from the beginning of January. Within the scope of the 30 concerts planned for the jubilee festival, there will be something for everyone. “Audiences will be able to experience musical performances that bring together several genres, so this is a wide-reaching festival that suits young and old,” says Slørdahl. “We

Many of the planned concerts involve children and young people, and it is a goal of the festival to include younger generations of musicians playing together with more established performers. “Encouraging and supporting young people is a passion of our founder, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see so many young people who have played at the festival succeed as musicians later on, both nationally and internationally,” says Slørdahl. Web: www.oslokammermusikkfestival.no Tickets: www.ticketmaster.no Facebook: oslokammermusikkfestival

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Norway

An Arctic marathon

By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Eivind Bye

Almost as close to the North Pole as you can get, beneath Arctic mountains and surrounded by spectacular nature, Svalbard Turn arranges the world’s most northern marathon on solid ground. It takes place in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and the track runs through both the town and the surrounding nature. What makes it extra special is the unique wildlife that runners can experience from the track. “The wildlife around the track is spectacular. Runners can spot eiders, Arctic foxes, reindeer and geese. Last year, there was a polar bear walking by the track two weeks before the run, so runners could see polar bear paw prints on the track,” says Silje Hagen, marathon manager. “The chances of meeting a polar bear are very slim, but we care a lot about safety so there will be armed polar bear guards around the tracks, just in case.” Longyearbyen is situated at 78° north, and the weather conditions in June are slightly unstable. It is usually between zero and ten degrees. Fog, wind and rain are not

unusual, so it is recommended that participants bring windproof clothes, hats and gloves. The run takes place on 1 June, and runners can take part in a half or full marathon, a ten-kilometre run or a children’s run, so there are activities for every age group. “What previous runners have appreciated is that, during the marathon, the locals actively take part in the event by, for example, selling pancakes or waffles and giving out water. It gives the visitors a unique opportunity to experience the local community,” Hagen says. This year, Spitsbergen Marathon takes place for the 25th time. As the event gets bigger every year, this is the year to run if you prefer to take part in more intimate marathons.

Spitsbergen Marathon welcomes runners from all over the world.

Web: spitsbergenmarathon.no Facebook: spitsbergenmarathon Instagram: @spitsbergenmarathon

Race of a lifetime BMW Oslo Marathon prides itself on spectacular running terrain around Norway's capital, with a jovial atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. By Sunniva Davies-Rommetveit | Photos: BMW Oslo Marathon

Taking in all the main sights of Oslo city centre, from the government buildings to the trendy Aker docks area, BMW Oslo Marathon attracts around 20,000 participants each year from over 90 different countries. “People of all fitness levels can participate in the BMW Oslo Marathon,” explains marathon chief executive May Britt Dørum-Persen. “Whether you’re running on the day, or if you’re one of the 100,000 spectators, it’s a brilliant day out with lots of live music and fun activities.” The event’s inclusivity is well-illustrated by the sheer number of different races – from the mammoth Oslo triple, a 72-kilometre endurance run that combines a full and a half marathon, to the ten-kilometre race − all the way to shorter-distance runs for those just starting out.

Valuing health, wellbeing and the power of community, BMW Oslo Marathon combines fitness with the concept of giving back. For example, there is the ‘plogging’ fun run − a Scandinavian invention that combines a ten-kilometre jog with picking up litter. Another ten-kilometre run, called ‘10 for Grete’, is named in honour of Norway’s most successful marathon runner, Grete Waitz, who lost her battle to cancer in 2011. “This is what the BMW Oslo Marathon is all about,” explains Dørum-Persen. “We mix serious competitive long-distance running with various fun runs that everyone can partake in and enjoy.” BMW Oslo Marathon next takes place on 21 September 2019.

Web: oslomaraton.no

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 37

Photo: Thomas Rousing

Seafood flavours and street-party fun With a rich maritime heritage, more picturesque harbour towns than you could wish for, and a culture scene known across the globe for its cosy ’hygge’ and quality art, it is no wonder that Denmark also presents some truly memorable festivals. Photos: Visit Denmark

Roskilde may be the one that first springs to mind for most – but there is more to Danish festival fun than muddy fields and huge outdoor arenas. We picked our two current favourites: one boasting endless seafood and harbour flavours, and the other presenting buzzing, musical fun with streetparty vibes. How many Danish festivals will you tick off the list this year? Web: www.visitdenmark.com

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Photo: Robin Skjoldborg

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Denmark

Photo: Kim Wyon

Photo: Thomas Rousing

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 39

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Denmark

The shellfish capital of Denmark Nykøbing Mors is situated on the island of Mors in the northern part of Jutland, surrounded by the beautiful and bountiful Limfjorden. Limfjorden has some of the most exquisite shellfish and seafood to be found in Denmark, something that gets celebrated every year at Skaldyrsfestival, the shellfish festival, in Nykøbing Mors.

The festival happens this year from 30 May to 1 June, with over 16,000 people expected to join in across three days. Admission to the festival is free, although some things, like the shellfish buffet and sailing trips, require tickets. There is an abundance of food and drinks to try at the festival, with many stands offering some of the best produce to be found in and around Limfjorden. 40 | Issue 120 | January 2019

From fjord to chopping board

Throughout the festival, there are many stalls showcasing the best of the local region. From these, it is possible to try local delicacies, such as the oysters, which are a sought-after ingredient at the top restaurants in London, at incredibly reasonable prices. This is also one of the best opportunities to try a variety of fresh shellfish and seafood.

Skaldyrsfestivalen works closely with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), which puts on an event where kids and adults alike are allowed to play a little with their food and learn more about where it comes from. The kids can try frying jellyfish and can also pick out their own crab, which they then cook and eat. Limfjorden provides the perfect setting for this, as most of what they are handling comes straight from there, providing a good understanding of where the food comes from.

The festival is perfect for everyone, whether already a shellfish lover or a new explorer of the food. “We put the festival on for everyone, so whether you’re part of a family with young kids, coming straight from work, or you’re a group of friends, there’s something for everyone,” says Tang. “Last year, we even had two separate pairs of newlyweds who celebrated their weddings at the festival,

“The kids always enjoy that they get to try some unusual things, like dried seaweed and jellyfish. To connect them even more to where the food comes from, we also have a fishing vessel that people can go on to explore. We want to emphasise what’s in the backyard of the festival, and I think being right in the harbour really helps people feel close to where their food is coming from.”

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Skaldyrsfestivalen

“The festival was actually started by a local group of people. We wanted to showcase the food from the selfproclaimed shellfish capital of the world, and where better to start than with the fantastic shellfish itself?” explains Lars Tang, chairman of the festival. The first festival took place in 2005, and since then, its popularity has massively taken off.

one pair eating from the stalls while the other pair enjoyed the buffet.”

Something to discover

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Denmark

A buffet of dreams A highlight of Skaldyrsfestivalen, and something they have become known for, is the shellfish and seafood buffet. It has become so popular that it is now on for two evenings rather than one, so it is possible to try the best the sea has to offer on both the Friday and the Saturday. The buffet is developed by two local chefs, who make the most of the ingredients and showcase the best of the best.

Skaldyrsfestivalen in brief When? 30 May to 1 June in the harbour in Nykøbing Mors. What? A festival showcasing the best produce from the sea and the local region. Time? The festival is open from 10am to 5pm, and the buffet opens at 6pm on the Friday and Saturday. Top tip? Book your accommodation and tickets to events well in advance, as the festival is very popular.

The people of Skaldyrsfestivalen are still putting together the full programme and are always interested in hearing from people working with seafood, shellfish or local ingredients from Mors and the surrounding area, who may be interested in running a stall or collaborating with the festival. Make your reservation at: www.visitmors.dk/mors/skaldyrsfestival- 2019

On the Saturday evening, over 700 people sit down to enjoy the buffet; needless to say, tickets need to be booked in advance. During the festival, the stalls also sell seafood platters with a fantastic selection of seafood. “Both the buffet and the platters are a great way to try as much of the seafood and shellfish as possible, and just like the rest of the festival, we always ensure there’s an abundance of products and produce to try,” explains Tang. “If you can’t get enough of the shellfish universe, we also recommend the Oyster and Mussel Premiere 2019, held on Saturday 12 October in Nykøbing. It’s a chance to enjoy the start of the oyster and mussel season, with gourmet chefs as well as the Danish championships in Champagne bottle sabering and oyster opening.” Web: www.skaldyrsfestival.dk Instagram: @skaldyrsfestival

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 41

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Denmark

Photo: Astrid Maria Busse Rasmussen

The sound of Musik i Lejet In 2018, Musik i Lejet became one of the fastest-selling festivals ever in Denmark: in just half an hour, all tickets were gone – and that was before the line-up had even been revealed. Not bad for an event that will celebrate its ten-year anniversary in 2019. The summer festival in Tisvildeleje has hit a sweet spot of good food, great company and beautiful surroundings. “No matter what age you are, you go on full summer holiday mode here,” says Musik i Lejet’s co-founder, Andreas Grauengaard. By Louise Older Steffensen

As part of Denmark’s northern Sealand Riviera, the little town of Tisvildeleje has been a popular summer destination for centuries. Nowadays, the town swells in size in the summer when the former fishing village welcomes Copenhageners and many others to its beaches, forests and colourful streets. “It’s a great place to go to get away from the humdrum of daily life,” says Grauengaard, who is born and bred in Tisvildeleje. “We’re like those lazy, 42 | Issue 120 | January 2019

dreamy beachside holidays of your childhood, but we’re a modern and just utterly comfortable version of that.”

turns out, that was something that a lot of other people were looking for too.” Nowadays, Musik i Lejet joins together the locals, Tisvildeleje’s seasonal inhabitants, and anyone else who fancies a break in some of Denmark’s loveliest summer surroundings. “We’re sometimes seen as something of a ‘rosé’ event,” Grauengaard acknowledges. “And I like rosé, but I like a cold lager

Rosé and lager In 2009, Grauengaard and his twin brother, Kristian, hit upon the idea to gather a large group of friends for some food and good music to celebrate their hometown. “We wanted people to come together and just have a good, chilledout time with each other. Clearly, as it

Photo: Nicolai Hegelund Vilhelmsen

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Denmark

just as much. There’s space for all of that here. We want there to be all types; that’s what creates the lovely buzz of people chatting across groups; it promotes Tisvildeleje in a way that’s really healthy for the local region, and it gives the local community and visitors a reason and opportunity to get to know one another.” For three days in July, more than 10,000 visitors and 1,500 volunteers come together for the festival (the town’s off-peak population roughly equals that of the volunteers). “It’s a lot of people, but we’re spread over a large area by the forest and beach. Though we had to move the growing festival away from the town centre a few years ago, its proximity to nature and to the town means we’ve retained the lovely, intimate summer holiday feel that makes Musik i Lejet special,” Grauengaard says. “People get their ticket wristband, and then they can dip in and out of the festival zone, so they can go shopping or bathing in the middle of the event if they wish. People don’t have to be tied to a leaking tent and a dusty field for a week. That can be fun as well, but this is more like a big street party.”

Fancy festival flavours During Musik i Lejet, 40 Danish and international artists play a wide range of music across three stages, but even those who are not too keen on music festivals will find something to enjoy. “We’re proud to have been named the best festival for food by Gastromand,” he adds. “Food and drinks are an integral part of any get-together, and there are a lot of really exciting things you can do with grab’n’go food, which is proven time and time again by our excellent and varied vendors.”

Photo: Oliver Thorngaard

Hungry festival-goers can hunt down anything from traditional hot dogs or Cock’s & Cows burgers to the Michelinstarred restaurant Kiin Kiin’s Thai dishes. “It’s also a really important way for us to showcase all the excellent local shops and specialities we have here in Tisvildeleje, like the local butcher Kødsnedkeren and our excellent flæskestegssandwiches,” Grauengaard adds.

Photo: Nicolai Hegelund Vilhelmsen

Back in the summer of '09 Apart from the dulcet tunes, plentiful food and ample relaxation that Musik i Lejet provides, the festival plays host to a range of activities that can give your pulse a bit of a workout, from skinnydipping in the morning to ball games in the afternoons. One of the highlights is the five-kilometre ‘Devil’s run’ through the forest and across the beach, though others may choose to partake in the communal lunches instead. A lot has happened since 2009. “We were students at the time, so we didn’t really have any experience with event management,” Grauengaard says. “It went from a summer project to a long-term thing relatively quickly. The first year, 100 people came, all in all. Then over the next few years, we suddenly had to care for and lead an army of volunteers. It became a full-time job, which we’d never imagined, but it became my brother’s and my career. The festival has grown and changed along with us, but crucially, it retains that social, laidback atmosphere where people help clean up and just get along and soak up the sun.” Web: www.musikilejet.dk Facebook: Musik i Lejet Instagram: @musikilejet

Photo: Viktor Sylvester

Photo: Dennis Frandsen

Photo: Nicolai Hegelund Vilhelmsen

Photo: Astrid Maria Busse Rasmussen

Photo: Oliver Thorngaard

Photo: Dennis Frandsen

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 43

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Finland

A musical dinner will be served at the festival. Photo: Henrik Rajamäki

The Fabulous Bäckström Brothers. Photo: Alejandro Lorenzo

The Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra. Photo: Laura Luostarinen

A feast for the ears Mikkeli Music Festival, which takes place on 1-5 July, is the event of choice for classical music fans looking to hear top-notch talent at an idyllic Finnish lakeside location. By Hanna Heiskanen

For nearly 30 years, Mikkeli Music Festival has relied on a tried and tested formula: combining world-class musicians with an enthusiastic audience and some Finnish midsummer magic. From the get-go, the driving force of the event has been the Petersburgian Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, one of the icons of Russian culture, headed by conductor Valery Gergiev. Gergiev, whose calendar is ordinarily filled with appearances at the world’s most renowned concert halls, was a friend of critic Seppo Heikinheimo, the founding father of the event. “I wanted to preserve the heart of the festival while introducing a couple of new elements,” says its new festival manager, Teemu Laasanen. “The programme has always been varied to suit all tastes, and 44 | Issue 120 | January 2019

we’ve offered classical music from opera to ballet to symphonies,” he explains. “In 2019, we will of course host the Mariinsky again, but there will also be more lectures and seminars as well as lighter genres represented, including a concert by the famed Finnish jazz pianist Iiro Rantala.” Mikkeli Music Festival is one of the oldest annual classical music events in Finland and has a firm place on the Nordic music scene. Many fans return loyally to Mikkeli, located by the lake Saimaa about two hours from Helsinki, year after year. And no wonder: few events offer the opportunity to witness this level of musicianship this close up. It is also a chance for many future stars to prove their skills.

“Finland is well known for its high-quality music education. Quite a few of our numbers feature young musicians, including a dinner with entertainment provided by Piano Desperados. We also cater for families: they will, for example, be able to enjoy the classic Saint-Saëns piece, Carnival of the Animals,” Laasanen says. The musical dinner itself should be a feast for the tastebuds as well as the ears; local organic food will be served. In addition to his own performances, Laasanen is particularly looking forward to the performance by the winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition, which will finish right before the festival. “I’m very proud of what we’re putting together. We could never do it without the 50 or so local volunteers who help us every year. It’s at the same time international and truly local.” Web: www.mikkelinmusiikkijuhlat.fi/ en/etusivu

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Norway

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 45

TO 19 S N 20 h O lT I a i T IN A ec p S IN DEN T S E DE SW P TO IT IN S VI e:

Photo: Asaf Kliger

Photo: Karolina Friberg

A Nordic dream — Where to go on your 2019 holiday in Sweden Go north or south, to a city or the wilderness. Sweden boasts cold, stunning winters and sunny, relaxed summers. Here is our guide to the places not to miss if you want to visit Sweden in 2019, be it for wintery landscapes, a spot of culture, or a summer on the beaches around lake Vänern. Sweden is exceptionally beautiful in winter. Woods appear to be covered in mini crystals as the sunshine breaks through the branches of snow-covered trees, and fields get a soft, white duvet. Add cosy cafés with cinnamon buns, candles aplenty and beautiful lighting in every window, and you will see why a visit to Sweden in the winter can be incredibly soothing for the soul. But as the light returns and the temperature creeps up, Sweden sheds its winter wonderland costume and turns

into a summer haven in full bloom. From buzzy city festivals and cultural treats to endless untouched islands and cool cliffs by the wild sea, a summer in Sweden can be everything Astrid Lindgren wrote about and more.

Come for an active holiday full to the brim with sporting adventures and waterside fun, or explore the oldest towns, the cultural heritage, and the new, exciting food scene. Whatever you choose, you are bound to leave satisfied – with that spark ignited.

Season and weather aside, a visit to Sweden is sure to boast the best in design and modern comforts, in addition to efficient transport systems and worldclass cultural experiences. The countryside is vast and varied, while the urban regions boast multiculturalism, innovation and fabulous architecture. Åkulla. Photo: Christoffer Collin

Photo: Destination Sigtuna

46 | Issue 120 | January 2019

Photo: Anna Öhlund

For more information about top destinations, accommodation options and travel, please visit: www.visitsweden.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

Västervik — the true archipelago town The archipelago town of Västervik is located in the north of Småland, in the southeast part of Sweden, 280 kilometres south of Stockholm. The town has attracted tourists for decades, from both Sweden and further afield, and with its archipelago, it has been described as Sweden’s most beautiful town. Västervik also has a special connection to ABBA, as Björn Ulvaeus was born and raised here, is still very invested in the town, and has recently opened Västervik’s new meeting place. By Sofia Scratton | Photos: David Wall Denhef Digital

Västervik is a classic tourist resort, largely thanks to the archipelago being so nearby. The archipelago is made up of approximately 5,000 islands, and the sea can be seen whichever way you look. “Not many other towns in Sweden are this close to the archipelago, and this is what makes Västervik extra special. The archipelago goes right into the middle of town,” says Niklas Lind, marketing director at Västervik Framåt. The archipelago and the nature attract plenty of tourists during the summer months, from both Sweden and other parts of northern Europe. The archipelago islands are all easy to get to – either by ferry or by taxi boat. Kayaks, canoes and power boats are also avail-

able for hire, for those who feel a little more adventurous.

Musical heritage Björn Ulvaeus, the Swedish songwriter, producer and member of ABBA, spent his childhood in Västervik and still has strong connections to the town. His own project, Slottsholmen, was completed in 2018 – a meeting place where you can dine in the restaurant, spend a night at the hotel and spa, or enjoy a musical event. Ulvaeus’ own career started at the festival Visfestivalen, one of the oldest festivals in Sweden, just a stone’s throw away from Slottsholmen. The festival has been running every year since 1966 and always takes place during a long week-

end in mid-July. Almost every Swedish musician has at some point during their career been on the stage in the old castle ruin, where the festival takes place. Even Elvis Costello performed at Visfestivalen as part of his tour of Scandinavia in 1978. The festival is very popular and sells out every year, without fail. Moreover, Västervik is a true Swedish summer town with plenty to offer: walks by the sea, a day trip to one of the many islands, or a spot of shopping and a bite to eat in the picturesque town centre.

Björn Ulvaeus.

Web: www.vastervik.com Facebook: visitvastervik Instagram: @visitvastervik

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 47

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

Nature’s own spectacle — and a 375-year jubilee for a Sweden in miniature Boasting a Scandinavian Riviera, highly entertaining historical sluices, and a notable reputation within arts and culture, Trollhättan and Vänersborg together make a popular holiday destination for both water lovers and fans of technical and automotive design. Whatever you come for, you will be rewarded – and likely refreshed by the incredible power of water. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Visit Trollhättan Vänersborg

“Every day at 3pm in the summer months, the floodgates open and 300,000 litres of water per second is released. It’s quite spectacular,” says Maria Engström-Weber, CEO of Visit Trollhättan Vänersborg. “People come here to experience this alone.” Water has always been central to both Trollhättan and Vänersborg. In the case of the latter, an old marketplace, the waterway was key to the shipping and collection of iron found throughout the county, and the long beaches around Vänern – Sweden’s largest lake, techni48 | Issue 120 | January 2019

cally an inland sea – made it a beneficial place to stay from both agricultural and safety perspectives. The importance of the lake for the position of Vänersborg, which got its town privileges in 1644, as a meeting point and trading hub cannot be underestimated. This year, the town celebrates its 375th birthday. A regional capital boasting generous nature and wildlife, it is sometimes described as a miniature Sweden. In Trollhättan, it was the narrow water passages of the river Göta Älv that eventually led to what was to become

the town’s pride, also contributing to its name. These passages caused more than a few headaches, as goods had to be reloaded to continue transportation on land. But it was not until 1800, after a range of different ideas and more than a few failed attempts, that the first sluice in Trollhättan was completed. The creation was dubbed the world’s eighth wonder and immediately became a popular place to go for a combination of technical enlightenment and a romantic setting. And the name? People thought that there were trolls in the waterfalls, their bonnets (hättor) sticking out like mini islets.

Wild waterways and peaceful lake lands Many advancements later, both Trollhättan and Vänersborg still attract visitors thanks to their wild waterways and peaceful lake lands. “A lot of people

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

come here mainly for the peace and quiet,” says Engström-Weber. “Vänern has 22,000 islands, so people come with their own boats and are amazed that they end up having an entire island to themselves for a week.” Vänersborg boasts 100 kilometres of Vänern coastline with everything from sandy beaches to secluded cliffs, creating what is in summertime experienced as nothing short of a Scandinavian Riviera. Perfect for days of swimming and fishing, Vänern then transforms into a wonderland of winter fun as it freezes over to become a stunning crosscountry ice skating arena, complete with the chance to try some ice fishing. Water enthusiast or not, anyone fascinated with royalty will find the nature in Vänersborg of interest, as it is home to His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf’s hunting grounds, with uninterrupted views across all of Vänern from the plateau mountains of Halleberg and Hunneberg.

The chances of seeing another king, namely the king of the forest, are even greater, as 93 per cent of visitors to local elk safaris can attest to.

Entertainment, music and design Just ten minutes away, Trollhättan still centres around the falls and sluices, which attract visitors who sit down at the sluice café with an ice cream or shrimp sandwich, or stand right by the sluice to watch the spectacle ensue. “It certainly can be dramatic,” says EngströmWeber. “It’s a great laugh – let’s just say the communication is not always what it should be on board the boats!” But entertainment comes in dry form, too. Trollhättan is known as a media hub, with the chance of spotting celebrities every now and again thanks to the fact that many of Sweden’s biggest productions are filmed here. Moreover, the town has a reputation for producing great music talent, including international stars, and in the summer, you can

encounter spontaneous street entertainment everywhere you go. More part of the area’s past than its present, yet crucial to its identity, is the former Saab factory, now the Saab Car Museum. “Needless to say, it’s a must-see for car enthusiasts,” says Engström-Weber, “but also those with an interest in design will enjoy following the entire process here.” The urge to create, she insists, is integral to the identity here. And so is, it seems, the ability to entertain; from the use and enjoyment of water to the creation of art and culture, Trollhättan and Vänersborg promise a spectacle you are sure to remember for a very long time. Perhaps this year, it will be more special than ever.

Web: www.visittv.se Facebook: VisitTV Instagram: @visittv.se

Vänersborg town centre.

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 49

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

Photo: Lisa Wikstrand

Sea baths, saunas, and superb shopping in Helsingborg, Sweden's buzzing big town Charming, perfectly sized, and full of ways to just kick back and relax, Helsingborg is a large town at the foot of Sweden that truly offers the best of both worlds: urban shopping and dining experiences combined with sandy beaches, nature reserves and three popular sea baths. This is where culture vultures, nature lovers and weekend escapees meet to just unwind and enjoy life. By Linnea Dunne

“If you ask Swedes where they’d live if not in their current hometown, a huge amount of them say Helsingborg. And it’s funny, because some of them mightn’t even have been here – but there’s something about the location: the closeness to Denmark and the continent, and the fact that we’ve got a beach in the heart of the town,” says Helen Back, marketing coordinator at Visit Helsingborg. Complementing the town beach, and very much central to the town's identity, are three sea baths: Rååbaden to the south, the brand-new Kallis right by the beach in the town centre, and Pålsjöbaden slightly further north. 50 | Issue 120 | January 2019

“The sea bathing tradition here in Helsingborg goes back to the 1800s,” Back explains. “Still, early in the mornings, way into the late autumn and sometimes early winter, you’ll see people strolling down to the sea baths in their bath robes for a cold morning dip followed by a sauna. It has plenty of health benefits too; a cold bath has the same effects on the body as a five-kilometre run!” She pauses. “There’s something about the meetings that take place in our saunas… You’re offline and completely naked, it doesn’t matter what class you’re of or what clothes you have – in the sauna, everyone’s equal.”

In fact, nature lovers are spoilt for choice in and around Helsingborg, including plenty of options for raising the pulse and reaping all the benefits of both fresh air and an active lifestyle. “Because of our location down south, spring comes here before it comes to the rest of Sweden,” says Back. “And spring is a really beautiful time here.” If you are into walking, you will be able to really take it all in, thanks to the Kullaleden walking trail, which brings you all the way from Helsingborg up to Ängelholm. If you prefer wheels, try Kattegattleden,

Photo: Lisa Wikstrand

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

the 395-kilometre national cycling trail that was opened three years ago, stretching all the way up to Gothenburg, and named Cycling Trail of the Year in Europe in 2018. Or how about exploring the nature reserve Kullaberg and the Kullen lighthouse in Mölle?

A culinary and cultural buzz Do not be fooled by Helsingborg’s generous outdoor offering though; this nature mecca boasts all the culinary and cultural experiences of a small metropolis. Indeed, it is one of the fastestgrowing towns in Sweden. “It’s like a city, yet small – it’s very manageable somehow,” says Back. “The town centre is charming, the shopping streets atmospheric, and we have great shopping with a range of boutiques and independent designers. Moreover, Helsingborg is one of Sweden’s most restaurant-dense towns." Back talks about her hometown as having ‘extra everything’: a concert hall with its very own permanent symphony orchestra, an arena with countless big gigs and events, Dunkers culture house with everything from fascinating art ex-

Kullaleden. Photo: Mickael Tannus

Photo: David Lundin

hibitions to music and dance tuition – a buzzing culture offering, in other words. Culinary enthusiasts and those who like to kick back with a nice-quality drink will also be spoilt for choice, not least considering the surrounding areas boast vineyards and micro-breweries as well as farm shops. And that is in addition to everything Denmark’s Helsingør and surrounding areas have to offer, as the neighbouring country is just a 20minute ferry ride away. For a royal touch, head for Sofiero Castle, a popular visitor attraction and perfect destination for some lush springtime exploration. Think beautiful flowerbeds and breath-taking rhododendrons, all in addition to a castle dating back to the 1870s. Perhaps that combination of natural beauty and impressive, charming culture is exactly what makes not just Sofiero, but the entire area so memorable. As Back puts it: “Few cities have a beach in the middle of town, but we do. You can be shopping in the morning and just head straight for an afternoon on the beach – without leaving town. It’s quite special.”

Pålsjöbaden. Photo: Anna Alexander Olsson

Kallbadsveckan – ‘the sea baths week’: This year, from 31 January to 5 February, for the first time ever, Helsingborg presents Kallbadsveckan – a week wholly dedicated to the culture around sea bathing. Enjoy midnight bathing, an aufguss sauna ritual, yoga, and talks by experts including the current world champions in saunagus and aufguss. Find tickets and information in Swedish about the programme, at kallbadsveckan.se

Web: www.visithelsingborg.com Instagram: @visithelsingborg

Kattegattleden. Photo: Lena Evertsson

Photo: Lisa Wikstrand

Sofiero Castle. Press photo

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 51

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

Sigtuna — the medieval town where it all began Sweden’s oldest town, the picturesque Sigtuna by lake Mälaren, was founded by King Erik the Victorious in 970 A.D. He had a vision for a Swedish kingdom with a modern European town as an international meeting place. Today, Sigtuna is a popular tourist destination that retains its medieval charm.

more than anywhere else in the country. In the town itself, at least 20 rune stones can be read, with writings dating back to the tenth century.

By Sofia Scratton | Photos: Destination Sigtuna

The multiplicity of Sigtuna has four different castles for tourists to explore. Rosenberg’s Palace is a hidden gem, a royal palace built in the 1630s that contains some of Europe’s best-preserved empire interiors. The grounds and gardens are lovely for a picnic, or why not visit the palace café, open during the summer months, which also has an outdoor terrace? Wenngarn Castle, meanwhile, dates back to the 1600s and is open all year round. Steninge Castle was built by

Located only 15 minutes’ drive from Sweden’s largest international airport, 48 kilometres from the capital city of Stockholm, and 37 kilometres from the famous university city, Uppsala, Sigtuna’s location is perfect for tourists. “This is where Sweden begins, both historically speaking and geographically, for those arriving at Arlanda airport,” says Anna Lakmaker, CEO at Destination Sigtuna. 52 | Issue 120 | January 2019

“Sigtuna is the fourth-largest hotel destination in Sweden, with 886,000 overnight stays per year. The area has a rich history and four beautiful castles – there is so much to do and see here, and it is all very accessible to visitors.” Being the oldest town in Sweden, it has a particularly rich history. Within Sigtuna’s municipality there are 170 rune stones,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

the famous architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, who also built the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The castle itself is not open to guests, but the old stone barn has been converted into a unique place to shop and eat. Skånelaholm manor house, which dates back to the 17th century, is situated by Lake Fysingen, and guests can explore the manor house exhibition wing in the summer months and visit the grounds all year round. It is always a good idea to check the respective castles’ opening times with the tourist office, however, before visiting. For those who are looking for a more physically challenging holiday, Lake Mälaren offers many different activities. In the winter months, the lake freezes over and becomes a perfect place for ice skating. The annual ice-skating event, Sigtunarännet, takes place in February and starts and ends in Sigtuna. Participants can choose between two different distances: full distance (50 kilometres) and half distance (25 kilometres). Children can also partake and can choose between the Ice Cross Challenge (four kilometres) and the Treasure Hunt (two kilometres).

Sustainable charm For shopping and dining, Sigtuna’s picturesque town centre has lots of individual boutiques, cafés and restaurants and has kept its old market town style. It is

the perfect place to go for a wander and a bite to eat. Its close proximity to Arlanda airport also makes it an ideal destination for meet-ups and conferences, with many different hotel packages to choose from. As a growing tourist destination, Sigtuna is working hard for sustainability and has been recognised as one of the most sustainable destinations in the world, even being named one of the Global Top 100. “Our hotels and businesses collaborate to make Sigtuna a sustainable tourist destination. We put competition aside and work together to reduce our carbon footprint,” explains Lakmaker. The town is also a certified Fairtrade City and has received the Ecologist Award for its work towards protecting the environment. Sigtuna’s commitment to sustainability can definitely be spotted around the town; for example, the number of electric cars has grown, and there is also an increasing demand for electric taxis from Arlanda airport. Sigtuna is still a true meeting place – just like the old King Erik the Victorious dreamt of – and has managed to keep its medieval charm while working towards a sustainable future. Web: destinationsigtuna.se/en Facebook: Sigtuna Instagram: @destination_sigtuna

Photo: Fredrik Jonson

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

Sandviken is a mid-Sweden region brimming with culture and things to do.

A nature haven with a lot to offer There might be plenty of regions in this world brimming with culture and activities, but few of them compare to the incredible breadth offered in Sandviken and the surrounding areas. With a fascinating history and genuine vibe, this easy-on-theeye region is one you definitely do not want to miss.

is that all of this wonderful, local produce and talent sits under the brand ‘Made in Högbo’, which we are very, very proud of.”

By Emma Rödin | Photos: Sandviken

Högbo Bruk also hosts great mountain bike tracks, a picturesque lake for swimming, canoes for rental, high-quality

Being the birthplace of world-renowned engineering company Sandvik (perhaps the name gives it away), Sandviken has always enjoyed a noticeably worldly quality, though with visitors historically mostly stopping over for business rather than pleasure. Today, while the Sandvik group still plays an important role for the area itself, Sandviken has plenty more to offer families and adrenaline-seekers alike, and has in the last few decades experienced a spectacular transformation.

Made in Högbo Partly to thank for the region’s success is Högbo Bruk, historically known as the 54 | Issue 120 | January 2019

beating heart of Sandviken itself. Being the epicentre of iron forging for hundreds of years, it took a pioneering role in the industry in the 1800s. Fast-forward to today and Högbo Bruk is an outdoor paradise, loved as much for its beautiful nature as for its craftsmanship and food. “There is enough to see and do here to never get bored, and I think people really value that variety,” says Eva Hofstrand, head of tourism at Sandviken. “You can stroll around and visit little farm shops selling quality vegetables and cheese, or head to the glass-blowing workshop if that takes your fancy: and what’s more,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

forest tracks for running and skiing, and a gym – to mention just a few things. Then there is Högbo Brukshotell, which should also not be overlooked. Head to the spa to enjoy a relaxing treatment after a day packed with activities, or sit down in the restaurant for a gourmet dining experience made with local produce, perhaps finishing off with a taste of the restaurant’s famous dessert buffet. Aptly, visitors to Sandviken, which translates loosely as ‘sandy bay’, are likely to be seen soaking up the sun by Lake Storsjön in summer, but can just as easily be spotted skiing down the slopes of Kungsberget in winter. Kungsberget is Sweden’s fastest-growing ski resort and boasts an impressive 22 slopes, 12 lifts and nearly 2,000 beds. “Kungsberget manages to offer people that greatquality skiing they crave, but without much hassle to get there,” explains Hofstrand. “The resort is just under two hours’ drive from Arlanda airport, which is incredibly convenient for a lot of people.”

A cultural hub Another attraction that represents Sandviken well is Göransson’s Arena, which was financed and gifted to

Sandviken in 2009 by the Göranssonska foundation (originating from Sandvik founder Göran Fredrik Göransson). The arena can hold up to 10,000 people and is regularly used for events ranging from musical concerts to great sporting acts. Previous happenings include shows with Bryan Adams, 50 Cent and Scorpions, as well as the Sandvik Group’s 100year anniversary and the 2017 World Cup in bandy. “Göransson Arena has been a marvellous addition to Sandviken. It’s a great magnet for national as well as international visitors,” says Hofstrand. Göransson’s Arena is not the only place to enjoy music in Sandviken though. The region is well-known for its musical talent, annually presenting a popular jazz and blues festival as well as boasting its own symphony orchestra.

A sight to remember Another place worth experiencing when spending time in Sandviken is the Färnebofjärden National Park, a unique river landscape in a remarkably beautiful part of the lower Dalälven river. Here, lakes, rapids, wetlands and forests form a mosaic of special environments that

has been rewarded with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), due to its high biological and cultural value. It is a stunning area where marshlands and evergreen forest meet the southern deciduous forests with hints of oak and linden trees, while also enclosing more than 200 islands and skerries. The national park is rich in birds and fish, and from a nature conservation standpoint, there is no question why this area is one of the most valuable of its kind in Sweden. With an already well-established cultural and natural scene, Sandviken always strives to improve and expand, while continuously maintaining a sustainable and genuine approach. This year will see the launch of Högbo Bruk’s own bakery and butchery, and there is currently an electric road for cars being tested, which has the potential to expand further. All in all, Sandviken has a great deal to offer within close proximity of many key transport points, and once there, it is all right at your doorstep. So, what are you waiting for? Web: www.sandviken.se Facebook: sandvikenskommun

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 55

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

For many, Båstad is the home of Swedish tennis. Photo: Karolina Brunström

Sample the good life all year round Visitors have been entranced by Båstad’s stunning beaches and forests for over a hundred years. Today, with its unsurpassed hiking and cycle trails, golf courses and sailing opportunities, combined with top-class restaurants and spa facilities, Båstad is the perfect destination for an active break in an unforgettable setting. By Liz Longden | Photos: Båstad Tourism and Business

Båstad lies on the Bjärehalvön peninsula in western Skåne, midway between Gothenburg and Malmö. It is a geographical area that has long been renowned for its beauty, but Båstad is much more than just a pretty place. As Annika Borgelin, project manager at Båstad Tourism and Business explains, the unique profile of the area’s natural landscape also provides the perfect setting for a comprehensive range of outdoor leisure pursuits. “Bjärehalvön has such a varied landscape. It’s surrounded by the sea, so we have a very diverse coastline, and there’s the Hallandsås horst, which means that you can climb up high and get some fantastic views of the surrounding area,” she says. “And then we have forests, ravines, and pretty much 58 | Issue 120 | January 2019

anything else you could wish for. So it’s a natural environment that gives almost limitless possibilities for relaxation and recreation.” These include numerous beaches and sites perfect for outdoor bathing, snorkelling, or swimming with young children; 12 different road cycle routes, and excellent terrain for mountain biking, including a downhill course with cycle lift; and innumerable hiking and running trails, which run through the area’s many nature reserves, along the coast, and up the Hallandsås. Golfers, meanwhile, will feel immediately at home, with 126 holes available within a 15-minute drive, including Sweden’s second oldest 18-hole

course, while those who enjoy sailing or fishing have the North Sea and Bjärehalvön’s picturesque coastline at their disposal. And for anyone who would like to venture a little further out to sea, how about a trip out to the island of Hallands Väderö, an unpopulated nature reserve prized for its quiet beauty and wealth of flora and fauna? “You can enjoy just about every activity you can think of here,” Borgelin says. “And all in the midst of incredible natural scenery.”

Quality down-time Of course, after exercise must come recovery, and after a day out in the open air, Båstad also has everything visitors could need to rest, rejuvenate and relax. Thanks to a mild climate and its rich, fertile landscape, Bjärehalvön is renowned for the high quality of its produce. Visitors with an interest in food and drink will enjoy whiling away many happy hours exploring the area’s farms and local producers. The peninsula also has a wide range of restaurants, many of which are proud to serve up local ingredients. For those who like their

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

relaxation to involve a touch of luxury, meanwhile, at Hotel Skansen, Torekov Hotel and Lanthotell Lögnäs Gård, Båstad boasts no less than three highclass spas. There are plenty of cultural highlights, too. Anyone with an interest in botany and history will find a treat in store at Norrviken, a ‘living garden museum’, founded in 1906, and famous for its stately home and innovative and elegant themed gardens. Classical music lovers, meanwhile, can explore the home of legendary opera singer Birgit Nilsson, which is now a museum and café.

Something for everyone For many people, Båstad is synonymous with tennis, and the town has hosted the Swedish Open tennis tournament since 1948, welcoming such legends as Björn Borg, Stefan Edberg and Rafael Nadal.

Norrviken.

Båstad can lay claim to some of Sweden’s most beautiful landscapes. Photo: Torbjörn Lingöy.

Tennis, however, is only one element of Båstad’s sporting calendar, which attracts visitors from across Europe. Others include the Båstad Horse Show, the Swedish Padel Open, Båstad Marathon, Sailing Week, Båstad Hiking Festival and the Torekov Swimrun and Open Water Swimming races. “We have things going on all year round,” Borgelin explains. “Lots of sporting events, but also concerts and cultural events, and festivals and events celebrating the area’s rich gastronomic heritage. So there really is something for everyone.” This diversity of events and activities that Båstad offers is one reason why the area remains popular with so many different guests, from families, to couples, to groups of friends. Yet, wherever they come from and whatever age they may

be, all are guaranteed a warm Skåne welcome. “Hospitality is the art of making people feel welcome, and that has been a part of Båstad’s culture and heritage since the late 19th century, when tourists first started to flock to the beaches here,” says Borgelin. “People here are incredibly proud of their home and their food and the local landscape, and they love to show it off and share it with visitors.” Web: www.bastad.com

Hotel Skansen.

Photo: Johannes Persson

Photo: Louise Nordström Pettersson

Bjärehalvön boasts 126 holes within a 15-minute drive. Photo: Mikael Tannus

Hotel Skansen outdoor terrace.

Hotel Skansen winter garden.

A mild climate and fertile soil mean that Bjärehalvön is renowned for the quality of its produce.

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 59

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

The public, open-air sea baths, Kallbadhuset. Photo: Mikael Pilstrand

Varberg — a unique ocean vibe Varberg is a coastal town in the southwest of Sweden, 40 minutes south of Gothenburg, which has been a tourist destination since the 1900s. These days, the health resort is popular not only because of its perfect seaside location but also because of its close proximity to the forest, hiking paths, and diverse countryside. This thriving town was named Sweden’s Best Town Centre in 2016 and is something of a hidden gem, well worth visiting. By Sofia Scratton

Varberg has more spa hotels than anywhere else in Sweden. The first visitors were city dwellers seeking rest and relaxation, but today, in addition to its spa town spirit, Varberg offers a range of physical activities for those who like to combine relaxation with exercise. You can start the day with a hike in the forest or a swim in the sea, followed by relaxation at one of the town’s many outdoor saunas or fa60 | Issue 120 | January 2019

mous spa hotels. Getting to Varberg is easy, as it is just a 40-minute train ride from Gothenburg and the international airport Landvetter. Two hours from Malmö and Kastrup and four hours from Stockholm, it is indeed very well connected. People swim in the sea all year round in Varberg, even during the cold winter months, and it could not be easier as the

town centre is right on the coast. After a walk along this beautiful coast, why not pop into Varberg’s most photographed building, Kallbadhuset, the beautiful, public open-air bath built on pillars in the sea. It is open all year round and popular with both locals and tourists, who visit to swim in the sea and then warm up in the sauna with spectacular views of Kattegat, the sea area bounded by the Jutlandic peninsula in the west, the Danish straits and islands to the south, and the Swedish provinces of Västergötland, Skåne, Halland and Bohuslän in the east. The public bath was built in 1903, and there are separate saunas for men and women. Swimmers must get in the sea nude – swimming with clothes on in the winter is much colder! For those who do not fancy a swim,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

the café at Kallbadhuset is in itself well worth a visit, as you can enjoy a coffee and a snack with beautiful views as well as spectacular architecture. A common sight in Varberg is people in dressing gowns walking through the town down to the public bath. The beautiful pedestrianised promenade is 2.5 kilometres in length and popular with walkers, cyclists, and joggers. Along the promenade, you will find several spots for swimming, and where saunas have been built into the cliffs. The historic fortress in Varberg is a prominent landmark, also located right by the sea. The new swimming pier, Fästningsbadet, is located next to the fortress, which it deliberately resembles. It is a good spot for sunbathing and swimming and also has a diving platform.

and hiking in the forest,” says Thomson. Åkulla forest is only 30 minutes east of the town centre, covering 50 square metres of magnificent hiking trails, nature reserves, and lakes. Åkulla is very accessible from the town, with a daily hop-on/hop-off bus from Varberg central station between May and September. The area has plenty to offer, and in addition to the hiking trails and spectacular natural beauty, you can also visit vineyards, cafés, and spas. Do you like market towns? Well then, Varberg most definitely has something to offer in that respect, too. It has one of the largest market town squares in Sweden, and its market, open Wednesdays and Saturdays, is considered one of the best in the country. A good selection of cafés, restaurants and bars are scattered around the square and the nearby streets.

Varberg is also a cycle-friendly town and very easy to get around thanks to the town’s many cycling routes. Monark bicycles was founded here in 1908 and is still here today, known as Cycleurope and producing modern electric bicycles. Sweden’s first national tourist bicycle route, Kattegattleden, runs through Varberg and is popular with visitors from Sweden as well as abroad. The route, which starts in Gothenburg and follows the west coast through Varberg down to Helsingborg in the south, was awarded Cycle Route of the Year in Europe 2018.

Web: www.visitvarberg.se and www.visithalland.com Facebook: VisitVarberg Instagram: @visitvarberg

“Varberg is Sweden’s surfing mecca,” says Magnus Thomson, destination manager. Surfers visit Varberg all year round to catch the waves, which get better when the temperature drops. Windsurfing, kite surfing, and stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding are all popular sea sport activities. The sandy beach Apelviken, three kilometres south of Varberg is particularly popular among surfers. Here, you can swim, surf and relax on sun loungers. The beach is also home to a number of cafés and restaurants.

Woods, cycling and market charm “Varberg isn’t just a coastal town, it is also a paradise for those who enjoy exercising

Kites and surfing at Apelviken. Photo: Owe Olsson

The promenade by Varberg's historic fortress. Photo: Mikael Pilstrand

Åkulla. Photo: Christoffer Collin

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 61

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

A city in transformation With only 25 minutes to the international airport Landvetter, Borås is climbing up the ranks as a top destination in Sweden. With a booming tourism scene, the city offers something for everyone: the aesthete, the nature lover, and the young, aspiring zoo keeper. By Hanna Stjernström | Photos: Borås

Did you know that Borås is one of the largest centres for e-commerce in Scandinavia? Guided by the three keywords design, culture and textile, the city has a long history of commerce and manufacturing. Borås is historically known as ‘the textile city’ and has carried that heritage through centuries. Today, the city remains a frontrunner within design and textiles and hosts some of Sweden’s leading schools in textile design. “Even if we lost a lot of production during the 1970s, we still have a high level of competence and research here,” says Helena Ransjö Alcenius, CEO at Borås TME. “For instance, the world’s first product made of 62 | Issue 120 | January 2019

additions to the cultural sphere. One of these is the nine-metre-tall bronze sculpture, Pinocchio – Walking to Borås by Jim Dine, which stands in the middle of the city.

The outdoor city 100 per cent recyclable cotton was invented here in Borås.”

The aesthetic city Along the streets, there are donated sculptures, installations and urban mural paintings that are on view for both residents and visitors 24 hours a day, all year round. “Design, culture and textile are all artistic expressions that are important for us. They are ways of constantly trying to challenge, improve and create,” says Ransjö Alcenius. There is currently a drive and an urge to be creatively brave, and during the past few years there have been numerous

There are 13 nature reserves in the region, with opportunities for everything from a brisk walk to an outdoor adventure. The closest is Rya Åsar, a nature reserve located about ten minutes north of Borås, with a varied landscape and animal life. Every year, the nature re-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

serve welcomes thousands of national and international participants for the largest hiking event in Sweden. LinnéMarschen, which is named after the Swedish botanist Carl von Linné, will be held for the 43rd time in April 2019. The event both challenges and entertains participants on multiple routes of various levels of difficulty. Because of the varied landscape in the reserve, both experienced hikers and families with children can enjoy the event via different routes. “We are surrounded by parks and green landscapes,” says Ransjö Alcenius. “We are so lucky to have nature just around the corner.”

Three Bs not to miss:

A day in Borås

Balenciaga – Master of Couture

Morning

Until 21 April 2019. On a visit from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, this exhibition discovers the world of haute couture through the eyes of the legendary fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Start the day with a walk along the river Viskan, called Viskanpromenaden (see main image), in the heart of Borås. Here, you can look at mural paintings along the water. When lunch is approaching, visit one of the cafés located along the walk with views over the water.

Banksy – Without limits Mid-September to mid-November 2019. The unique exhibition Without limits displays the famous artist Banksy’s satirical and political work.

Borås Zoo 40 hectares of wilderness allow animals to live together in this one-of-a-kind animal park in Europe, which continues to be an appreciated destination for the entire family.

Afternoon Visit the Textile Fashion Center that hosts Navet, a science centre, and the Textile Museum of Sweden, where you can create, discover and experience textiles in all shapes and forms. When you have found your inner designer, walk down the main street to the city centre. Here, you can explore the restaurant scene with food cultures from all over the world.

The animal-loving city She continues to talk proudly about how important both nature and animals are to Borås, and highlights the city’s zoo, located only a short distance from Rya Åsar. Borås Zoo was the first park to allow animals to walk freely in enormous spaces and is still working hard to preserve threatened species and develop further knowledge. The park hosts almost 600 animals, with approximately 65 species, and is specialised in African animals and Nordic wild animals. “This is a city in transformation and we are always trying to develop and be better,” Ransjö Alcenius concludes. Web: www.boras.com

Evening gown and cape, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, 1967 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Borås Zoo.

Dovima with Sacha, cloche and suit by Balenciaga, Café des Deux Magots, Paris, 1955. Photograph by Richard Avedon © The Richard Avedon Foundation

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 63

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

Visit Trelleborg — Sweden’s starting point When you first arrive in Trelleborg during summer time and travel along the coast, you will reach a road lined with palm trees – an unusual sight in Sweden. “Trelleborg is often called ‘the city of palm trees’. We have 100 palm trees around the city, mostly along the avenue leading into central Trelleborg, that are planted every summer. When you see them, you know you’ve come to Trelleborg,” says Petra Strandberg, marketing director at Visit Trelleborg.

turn the Danes to Christianity,” explains Strandberg. And indeed, you recognise the king’s name because of the wireless sharing and communication technology we all have in our phones – it was named after him.

By Hanna Andersson | Photos: Jenny Brandt

A quarter of the fortress has been reconstructed and is now an open-air Viking museum, where the event Battle of Trelleborgen is hosted during the second weekend of July every year. Meet the Vikings, visit the market, attend a Viking wedding, and climb the fortress to look out over the society that king Harold once ruled over.

After you pass the palm trees, you are greeted by the town centre that follows the coast, on the same ground where Vikings once walked. In the late 1980s, a sensational discovery was made in Trelleborg: the remains of a Viking Age fort. It turned out to be a so-called ‘trelleborg’, a circular fort, with the word ‘trelle’ referring to the slanted timber staves that support the palisade. The discovery 64 | Issue 120 | January 2019

solved the mystery of how the city got its name. The Viking king Harold Bluetooth built many circular forts in Denmark and southern Sweden in the late tenth century and, so far, eight of them have been unearthed. “We believe he built them to defend his kingdom, maybe to form a communication system, collect taxes and

Peacocks, golf and farm shops Trelleborg has always been a town con-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Destinations to Visit in Sweden in 2019

nected to the world, and it is sometimes referred to as the cradle of the shipping industry. “The harbour is a big part of Trelleborg. We have up to 15 arrivals and departures to Germany by ferry every day during the summer. If I look out my window right now, I can see one of the ferries leaving,” says Strandberg. Trelleborg is also known for its public art and beautiful gardens. The City Park boasts more than 100 different kinds of trees as well as bird ponds – do not be surprised if you run into a peacock out for a stroll. Right by the train station, you will find the starting point of the regional hiking trail, Skåneleden, and a new national biking trail following the coastline will open this summer. Another notable aspect is the mild climate on the south coast of Sweden, which means a long golf season, sometimes lasting all year round on the 13 golf courses in and around Trelleborg. The south coast also offers beautiful views, nature, beaches, small harbours and cosy fishing villages. “The

area is also ideal for cycling, since it is so flat and the distances short,” says Strandberg. Yet another main attraction in the area is Smygehuk – the southernmost point of Sweden. “55 degrees, 20 minutes and three seconds is as far south as you can get in Sweden. You will find yourself standing on a platform built to mark this special point. After you’ve visited the point, you can go to the local tourist information bureau and get a certificate saying that you have been there. It will be signed by a local Smygebo – a person living in Smygehuk,” laughs Strandberg, and continues: “It is also in Smygehuk that Nils Holgersson ends his journey through Sweden in Elsa Beskow’s beloved fairy-tale.” Another viewing point well worth a visit is Smygehuk’s old lighthouse. “On a clear day, you can look out over the flat landscape, the relics, the agriculture and the sea. When the rapeseed fields bloom it is almost ridiculously beautiful,” Strandberg enthuses.

If you approach Trelleborg not from the water, but instead from the north, lush forests and scenic slopes of the gently rolling landscape meet the flat southern plains with relics, 31 churches, cafés, galleries, country shops, and old family farms with a new line of business. Strandberg elaborates: “There are farms that have found a new way of operating and attracting visitors. For example, there is the Raspberry Farm, which is now focusing only on raspberries. They offer self-picking, a café and a shop with products all based on the sweet berry. They even have a raspberry ketchup! We also have Hällåkra Vineyard, with about 20,000 vines that have developed here since 2003. Hällåkra produces a variety of wines and offers personal and intimate tasting sessions, along with beautiful local food.” Trelleborg and its surroundings are truly worth a visit. After all, this perfect spot for exploring the south coast of Sweden was even good enough for a Viking king! Web: visittrelleborg.se

Photo: Hällåkra

Photo: Petra Strandberg

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 65

Scan : Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Lahti

TI H i M LA T SI VI ni

Padasjoki, Päijänne National Park, Kelvenne Island. Photo: Hannu Vallas

The gateway to the Finnish lakeland A real wonderland for outdoor activities, the Lahti region is a place where visitors can recharge their batteries while enjoying southern Finland’s nature and stunning lake scenery. With several national parks, numerous nature trails, extensive waterways and top-quality shopping and dining opportunities, whether you are after relaxation or an activity-packed holiday, this is the place to be.

months, there are ice-fishing opportunities as well as a number of winter activities: from snow mobiles and snow shoeing to cross-country skiing and visiting a husky safari, open throughout the year.

By Ndéla Faye

On the culture scene, Lahti is perhaps best-known for its annual Sibelius festival, held each September. Lahti’s Sibelius Hall is consistently ranked among the top ten music halls in the world, and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra has gained international acclaim under some of the

Lahti – meaning bay in Finnish – is the capital of the region of Päijät-Häme, situated around 100 kilometres north-east of Helsinki. Home to the second largest lake in Finland, the Lahti region is surrounded by water, and perhaps bestknown for its longstanding history of winter sports. From winter to summer, there is an array of activities and places to attract visitors, from sporty types interested in fitness and hiking, to those looking for a quiet haven to switch off from their busy lives and enjoy authentic Finnish cottage life.

Experience the lakeside 66 | Issue 120 | January 2019

Lake Päijänne extends from the Lahti region all the way to Jyväskylä, covering over 1,100 square kilometres. The lake provides fresh drinking water for over a million inhabitants in the Helsinki region, and it is some of the cleanest water on the planet. The Päijänne National Park also offers plenty of things to do: from nature trails ranging from steep rocks to sandy eskers, isolated lagoons and small islets, visitors can take in the scenery either by foot, canoe, boat or lake cruise. Naturally, the lake also provides ideal fishing spots for keen anglers, and local guides can show visitors the best places to catch pike, perch and trout. During the winter

Lahti's Sibelius Hall in the evening. Photo: Sibelius Hall

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Lahti

best conductors in the world. “We know how to throw a party to remember. In addition to the long list of sports events, the city’s culture calendar is filled with music, art and city festivals throughout the year,” says Anu Huusko, head of production and sales at Lahti Region Ltd.

A different kind of accommodation For tourists looking for different kinds of accommodation, the Lahti region has just the thing: it is well-known for its manor houses – and many of them offer guests a quirky alternative to a hotel stay. For example, the Töyrylä manor hotel, located an hour’s drive from Helsinki and 30 minutes from Lahti, offers luxury accommodation for guests. The antique interior oozes the romanticism of manor life and days gone by, and the building also boasts event and meeting spaces, available for hire. “Visitors can choose between a romantic couples’ vacation and family holidays in a cosy Bed & Breakfast, or stylish city hotels. There is also a range of rental cottages on the shores of Lake Päijänne

and other lakes, varying from very basic cottages to well-equipped villas,” Huusko explains.

Pure food with a regional twist For foodies, there are a number of highquality restaurants offering the very best of local produce and dishes in the area. From atmospheric independent cafés to popular lunch and dinner spots, such as restaurant Roux, Popot or Taivaanranta, there is no shortage of choice. Lahti is located in the Päijät-Häme region of Finland, which has its own menu, Vellamomenu, served in seven restaurants across the county, aiming to promote appreciation for the traditional regional food culture and showcase local, high-quality ingredients. In addition, the vicinity to some of the cleanest water in the world means that distilling is booming in the area, and the region is making a name for itself as a top location for whiskey distilleries and micro-breweries.

Authentic Finnish sauna experiences Saunas are such a big part of the coun-

try’s culture, so for visitors wanting to understand what an authentic Finnish sauna experience encompasses, the smoke sauna is most definitely something to try. Smoke saunas are special saunas without a chimney, where wood is burnt on a stove until smoke fills the room. There are several places also offering traditional Finnish sauna treatments. Lahti’s proximity to the capital means it is a perfect spot for day trips – but for those wanting to delve deeper into Finnish life, there are ample opportunities to rent a cottage on the lake and experience the region’s charm. “What makes us unique is how the region is able to effortlessly combine city life and nature. Where else can you swim in a lake that is almost pure enough to drink, less than one kilometre from the city centre? Nature is a big part of Lahti’s soul,” Huusko concludes. Web: www.visitlahti.fi and www.visitpaijanne.fi

Photo: Visit Lahti

Photo: Petri Koivisto

Lahti ski jump towers. Photo: Niklas Rekola

Smoke sauna at Hollolan Hirvi. Photo: Antti Ratia

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 67

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Lahti

Left: The new LAMK campus is built in a newly renovated furniture factory. Top right: RDI director Kati Manskinen. Bottom right: 'I studied energy and environmental engineering at LAMK, where circular economy was closely related to my studies. After graduation, I was lucky, and I got a job at LAMK as a project worker. It is my dream job as I can work towards a better future for us all,' says Niklas Kaikonen.

Boosting the business with circular economy New solutions aim to boost business and growth through innovation and to combine both environmental and financial goals. By Mari Koskinen | Photos: LAMK

“Limits or lack of natural resources force us to find new solutions,” explains Kati Manskinen, director of research, development and innovation at Lahti University of Applied Sciences (LAMK). “At LAMK, we invest in research to create new innovations to shift us towards a circular economy and a sustainable urban environment.” Manskinen continues: “We have 25 circular economy projects at the moment. The projects have public funding, for example, from Business Finland and the EU.” The local companies also participate in the projects by bringing in their own expertise. LAMK aims to create new business solutions that are not just environmentally friendly, but also economically profitable. “There is significant business potential in circular econ68 | Issue 120 | January 2019

omy – an estimated 2.5 billion euros in Finland,” the director explains.

From innovation to business plan “We work to create new innovations first, and then we build a business case around it,” Manskinen continues. One of the successful projects was a digital mobile application, RESELL. It aims to speed up the recycling of discarded electrical and electronic equipment. “Today, 50 per cent of electrical and electronic waste is not recycled through appropriate channels,” project manager Niklas Kaikonen says about the background of the project. “Basically, it is a mobile app; you take a photo of your old computer and post it in the app. The companies who recycle that type of equipment then contact you directly and come to collect it from your

address.” The app helps the recycling companies increase their material flows and streamline logistics, hence improving profitability. The app is ready to be launched later this year in Finland and after that, throughout Europe.

About Lahti University of Applied Sciences (LAMK): LAMK is a multidisciplinary higher education institution providing degree education both in English and in Finnish. LAMK has four faculties and offers a variety of high-quality bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes: - Faculty of Business and Hospitality Management - Faculty of Technology - Faculty of Social and Health Care - Institute of Design

Web: www.lamk.fi Social media channels: @LAMKfi

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Lahti

Theatre mask, aluminium.

3D-printed light diffusers.

3D printing is changing manufacturing By now, most of us have seen images of desktop 3D-printers extruding and sculpting a small object. However, at Materflow, 3D printing happens on a different scale. In their 300-square-metre work space, the huge 3D-printers can massproduce objects at a steady rate. By Mari Koskinen | Photos: Materflow Oy

Mark Poutanen, one of the founders of Materflow, has been intrigued by computers and technology since he was a toddler. He studied media technology at Lahti University of Applied Sciences, and there he was introduced to 3D graphics and 3D printing. He and his fellow students saw the opportunity in 3D printing, and they started the company in 2013. Today, Poutanen is the CEO and coowner of the company. “Our customers are both small and medium-sized companies, as well as large production factories and shipyards,” he says. A regular consumer can have seen 3D-printed products, for example, at dentists’ or on a shelf in a furniture shop. IKEA, for example, recently launched its first ever massproduced 3D-printed product, the handshaped OMEDELBAR wall decoration. “We offer new manufacturing choices for companies in many industries; localised

printing on demand helps to minimise stock and the risk of unsold products,” explains Poutanen. “Cost-efficiency is also key, and we try to maximise the number of products printed simultaneously”. It is also possible to print one-off objects, like spare parts, for example, for industrial machines. “With on-demand spare-part printing, the customer can shorten the maintenance period and get the machines back up and running more quickly.” Materflow is also participating in research projects with Aalto University and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. In the past decades, the materials used for printing have changed considerably. “Plastics and nylons specifically designed for 3D printing are suitable for many objects, but we can also print metals such as stainless steel, or even superalloys like cobalt-chrome,” says Poutanen.

The company’s future looks very bright indeed. They have landed big business deals and plan to make large-scale investments in machinery to upscale the production. “The goal is to increase our production capacity tenfold with these new investments, and we are currently looking for new investors,” says Poutanen. This will certainly give Materflow a real boost for the future.

3D printing of plastic.

Lampshade.

Web: www.materflow.com Facebook: MaterflowOy Instagram: @materflowoy

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 69

RE E P M A T

m he

T SI I V

Left: Herkkujuustola’s cheese enhances the flavour of any bread. Top right: Peter Dörig comes from a family of cheesemakers. Bottom right: PunaHeidi won the award for Finland’s Best Blue Cheese at the 2012 Suomen parhaat juustot (the best Finnish cheeses) competition.

Say cheese If you are a cheese aficionado and want to witness your cheese being made firsthand, head to Herkkujuustola in Sastamala, south-western Finland. Not only does the company give you the opportunity to observe the production line and buy a little something to take home with you; it is also about to open a restaurant that serves even more cheesy delights. By Hanna Heiskanen | Photos: Herkkujuustola

“A journalist who visited us said, ‘cheese that takes up to a year to mature is about as sexy as food can be’,” says Herkkujuustola’s founder and director, Peter Dörig. Originally from Switzerland, Dörig moved to Finland in 1996, after receiving a job offer for a year – and never left. Life in his new home was good, but soon enough, he began to miss the many Alpine quality cheeses. “My dad ran a cheese business for decades in Appenzeller. I couldn’t find any of the strong-flavoured, locallyproduced cheeses here that I was used to back home. Naturally, I resolved to make my own, and to master Finnish on the side,” Dörig explains. Herkkujuustola, founded in 2002, now employs five staff in addition to Dörig and his wife, who keeps check on the quality 70 | Issue 120 | January 2019

of the produce. The company produces a handful of different types of cheese that take from three weeks to a year to mature. Everything begins with milk from surrounding dairy farms. Multiple steps are required for the cheese to take shape: the milk is pasteurised before the lactic acid bacteria kick in. The bulk of cheese is then cut, stirred, heated and rinsed with salty water until squeezed into a mold and left to mature. “It’s a lengthy process and a craft, which means we can’t compete on price – for us, it’s all about quality and the ‘wow’ factor,” says Dörig. Even if the cheeses are inspired by Switzerland, Dörig praises the raw material, Finnish milk. “Nine months of the year it’s freezing outside, which keeps it exceptionally fresh. I also like the fact

that cows here are still treated responsibly, and many even have a name.” Herkkujuustola’s PunaHeidi, a red mouldy cheese, won the award for Finland’s Best Blue Cheese at the 2012 Suomen parhaat juustot (the best Finnish cheeses) competition with a full 100 points – only the second time the score was reached in the 100 years of the contest. Dörig himself was the cheesemaster of the year in 2016. His favourite way of devouring cheese? Get it up to room temperature, then eat it with good bread and a good drink, in good company.

Web: www.herkkujuustola.fi

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tampere

Mia Heinimaa, senior researcher, inspecting items from a Soviet home.

Photo: Visit Tampere Oy, Laura Vanzo

Lenin Museum — a significant place in history The Finnish Lenin Museum has a unique story. It is where Lenin and Stalin met for the first time, in December 1905, in a secret meeting of the Bolsheviks in Tampere. By Mari Koskinen | Photos: Lenin Museum

In that same room, the Worker’s Hall of Tampere, the Lenin Museum was opened in January 1946. “It has stayed open throughout the decades, only being closed recently for a complete renovation,” explains Mia Heinimaa, senior researcher at the Lenin Museum. “After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, it was, for some time, the only open Lenin Museum in the world.” Earlier, the museum concentrated on Lenin and his political career. Today, it offers a much wider view to the relationship between the Soviet Union and Finland, and then Russia and Finland. It gives an interesting view on how the ordinary people in these two neighbouring countries were affected by the political climate in and between different crises.

Heinimaa has always been intrigued by Soviet history and has first-hand experience of it herself. “I stayed in the country for 15 years. I moved there during the Brezhnev era and moved back in the Yeltsin era,” she explains. This background gives her excellent insight into the daily lives of Soviet citizens. “The new exhibition presents the shared history of Finland and Russia in a touching and critical way,” she explains. “It covers the events of the Russian revolution, Stalin’s Gulag, World War II, Finlandisation and the collapse of the Soviet Union.” The museum has always attracted a great deal of interest and many visitors. It has also had several famous visitors, including many Soviet leaders, such as Nikita Hruštšov and Leonid Brezhnev,

and also the first man in space, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The next exhibition, open this spring, will cover the postsocialism time: how it echoes in the lives of the people who were born in the midst of the Soviet Union collapsing and Russia becoming a sovereign and independent state.

Web: www.lenin.fi Facebook: Lenin-museo

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 71

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tampere

A purrfectly relaxing café Located in an idyllic historical building by a picturesque park near Tampere railway station, Cat Café Purnauskis is an oasis of serenity in the middle of a busy city. Scan Magazine spoke to its owner, Tiina Aaltonen, about what makes the café a must-see, and about its sweet, purring residents.

café’s sweetest cat,” Aaltonen smiles. Bringing to the public eye diversity among cats and not leaving any animal unloved are also key priorities at Purnauskis.

By Maria Pirkkalainen | Photos: Kissakahvila Purnauskis

With their tasty baked goods, relaxing atmosphere and friendly cats, Purnauskis truly is an experience that will brighten any moment of your holiday. Loved by locals, the café has won many prizes and has also expanded to Helsinki, with the equally unique Cat Café Helkatti.

With a vintage interior décor that was once voted the best in Tampere, Cat Café Purnauskis truly stands out with its light and airy space, high ceilings, wood furnishings and eye-catching purple carpet – and, of course, the purring of ten fluffy cats that surround the café’s excited customers. “Purnauskis is not your standard café. We aim to have you feeling like you would have just spent a relaxing afternoon at a friend’s place,” owner Tiina Aaltonen says of the idea behind Finland’s first cat café. It is hard not to feel relaxed when you step inside Purnauskis. Using soft materials and peaceful acoustics, the café is a relaxing place for both its customers and its feline habitants. “We also bake everything in-house, from fresh Finnish ingredients. Our popular new products include strawberry-spruce cake and dan72 | Issue 120 | January 2019

delion jam with a cheese platter,” Aaltonen reveals. The incredible level of attention to detail continues down to the smallest things, like the coffee art being shaped like cats.

Loved by both visitors and cats The inspiration for Purnauskis came from a love of cats and wanting to develop more respect for them. Purnauskis works closely together with a local cat shelter, and each cat is first trained at Aaltonen’s own home. “Purnauskis is a family-friendly place, and it’s our utmost priority that the cats get along well with our customers as well as with each other,” Aaltonen explains. The stories behind the café’s purring residents are incredible as well. “For example, Hugo here, he was found by a riverbank three years ago but is now the

Web: www.purnauskis.fi Facebook: KissakahvilaPurnauskis Instagram: @purnauskis Twitter: @purnauskis

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tampere

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 73

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tampere

Meet at the Tampere Market Hall Located right by the city centre, Tampere Market Hall is your one-stop shop for everything you need on your next visit to the buzzing Finnish city. Scan Magazine went to explore the sounds, the lovely scents and, of course, the flavours of this unique and thriving palace of Finnish treats and delicacies.

been sourced from the Market Hall itself, for example, from the fish shop right next door. You can also purchase quiches and sausages from their own small deli.

By Maria Pirkkalainen | Photos: Laura Vanzo

With something unique for everyone to discover, exploring Tampere Market Hall truly makes you feel like a local. Prepare to visit this place many times on your next holiday to Finland.

Opened in 1901 and located in a gorgeous Art Nouveau building, Tampere Market Hall has grown to be the biggest indoor market in the Nordic countries. With its 40 vendors, the Market Hall offers everything from fresh fish and produce to cheese, pastries and local delicacies. In the mood for a tasty lunch? Look no further than the bistro treats of Restaurant 4 Vuodenaikaa. Want to surprise som one with a gorgeous bouquet? The Market Hall is your answer. With so much going on, it is incredible how peaceful and unwinding a visit to this place can be. The Market Hall is truly at the heart of the city, which is evident from its clientele: here, families, students, foodies and long-time regulars all mix. Every first Friday evening of the month, the Market Hall turns into a buzz74 | Issue 120 | January 2019

ing late-night event with a DJ and sees locals coming in for a tasty meal and a bottle of Finnish craft beer.

Only the best When strolling around Tampere Market Hall and its great vendors, do not leave without stopping for lunch at its famous Restaurant 4 Vuodenaikaa. Meaning ‘four seasons’ in English, this bistro-style lunch restaurant has made its way into the famous White Guide as well as onto the list of the best restaurants in Finland. “There are many people who travel to Tampere just to try their dishes!” says Emmi Nuorgam, head of marketing at Tampere Market Hall. Set up by restaurateur Yoni Ichtertz over a decade ago, 4 Vuodenaikaa prides itself on using local ingredients that have often

Web: tampereenkauppahalli.fi/ tampere-market-hall Facebook: TampereenKauppahalli Instagram: @tampereenkauppahalli

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Brewing with passion

By Mari Koskinen | Photos: Plevna

The Plevna brewery pub and restaurant celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Since its opening, Plevna has been one of the most popular meeting places for local people and visitors alike. “We have been brewing our own beer right from the start,” explains Marika TähtinenHakala, CEO and co-owner of Plevna. “We have our own regular and seasonal beers, as well as ciders and brewery mead.” The restaurant also serves lunch and offers à la carte dining. The menu lists the perfect choices to go with a beer, including everything from antipasto plates to proper meals like delicious sausages with tasty trimmings, as well as many Finnish specialities. They are continuously developing the brewery and the restaurant. Last year saw the opening of a large glazed terrace, which is heated all year round. “We use the waste heat from the brewery’s refrigerators to heat the terrace, so it is very ecological too,” explains Tähtinen-Hakala. The terrace allows the customers to enjoy the beautiful ambiance of the historical

surroundings in the old cotton mills area. Another big investment was the brewery’s own bottling machine, which made it possible to sell their own beer at the restaurant. “For years, our customers have wanted to take home our beers, or buy them as a gift or souvenir, so this has made many customers very happy,” says Tähtinen-Hakala. This year, they celebrate their 25th anniversary. “There are a lot of surprises and new products to come,” says TähtinenHakala. “What I can reveal now is that we will finally get our legendary Tähti beer in bottles, and also a unique local speciality on our menu!” Web: www.plevna.fi Facebook: panimoravintolaplevna Instagram: @panimoravintolaplevna

You can choose your own favourites to build your own six-pack.

Scan : Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tromsø

SØ M i M RO T T SI I V ni

Arctic adventures With their fleet of vessels and a wide range of destinations and boat-based activities, Arctic Expedition and its team are dedicated to giving guests from all over the world the experience of a lifetime through Arctic wildlife, nature and adventures. By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Arctic Expedition

When people hear the word ‘Arctic’, their thoughts usually go straight to the never-ending winters, brilliantly colourful northern lights tearing up the night sky, frosty nature, deep fjords and steep mountains covered in snow. While all these things are true, and just as fantastically brilliant in real life as in people’s imagination, there is a lot more to be experienced above the Arctic Circle. One company dedicated to giving people a taste of the Arctic and all it has to offer is Arctic Expedition, a boat-based 76 | Issue 120 | January 2019

company letting people experience the mythical and magical north in all its glory. “We are in business all year round from our base in Tromsø,” says CEO Stein-Are Blæss Paulsen. “We have northern lights cruises between September and March, our whale safaris start in October and go on all the way through January, and we also do fjord cruises around Tromsø.” But even though most of the experiences are boat-based, some of them include land-based activities as well. Between February and October, the boats

will take you to the astounding nature of the Arctic mountains in Tromsø or Svalbard, where you can try your hand at ski mountaineering, and go on expeditions or hikes. “Arctic mountaineering is pretty new in Norway,” Blæss Paulsen says. “In France, they’ve been doing this for decades, and the Alpine part of it is particularly popular, whereas Norwegians have traditionally stayed away from mountains when there’s a lot of snow.” The thing that sets Troms and West Finnmark apart from other destinations is their sea-to-summit opportunities. There are no ski-lifts or roads; you walk straight from the sea, climb upwards of 1,300 metres up a mountain, and then ski back down in pure, untouched powder snow.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tromsø

The company also has an expedition boat, which does Hidden Fjords tours between Bodø and Alta from October until April, where whale spotting and the northern lights are among the experiences on the menu. The boat used for this tour has 26 cabins and can accommodate 54 passengers, perfect for larger parties. “We do so-called expedition cruises, where we have several smaller boats that can travel out from the bigger one, meaning we don’t need a harbour to make stops,” Blæss Paulsen explains.

served on board, while lunch and dinner will be booked in locally at the places they visit throughout the cruise. That way, the guests feel more welcome at the places they visit, and they also give back to the local communities. “We don’t want to just use the areas we visit – we want to spend time with the locals,” says Blæss Paulsen.

To read more and book an adventure of a lifetime with Arctic Expedition, visit: Web: www.arcticexpedition.no E-mail: info@arcticexpedition.no Phone: +47 91 800 000 Facebook: arcticexpedition.no Instagram: @arcticexpedition.no

Dancing with whales With five larger boats and northern Norway’s two speediest RIBs (rigidinflatable boats), Arctic Expedition can tailor each adventure to the passengers’ requests. A trip from Tromsø to see the whales can be done in a day, whereas the expedition tours can last anywhere from four to ten days, depending on content. During the longer trips, they take their guests through several ports, towns and cities on their journeys around the north, but unlike ships like Hurtigruten, with set locations and timetables, the crew at Arctic Expedition is completely free to go wherever they want, whenever they want. “A new thing we’ve offered this year is snorkelling with whales,” Blæss Paulsen says. “We basically do the same trip as we do with our ski tourists, but we switch the skis out for snorkelling gear.” This is an experience on offer from October through to January, and is not for the faint-hearted. Whales are amongst the biggest mammals on earth and will make anybody feel very small. No qualifications are needed to join, only the courage to get into the water next to an actual whale. “I’ll stick to being the captain,” Blæss Paulsen laughs, “but I have to admit, the sight of it is very impressive.” The Arctic is renowned for its winters, and most tourists will inevitably plan their trips with winter sports and activities in mind, but Arctic Expedition also offers adventures in the summer half of the year. From the summer of 2019, you can discover Lofoten by bike on their Hike & Bike cruises. Breakfast will be Issue 120 | January 2019 | 77

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tromsø

From early September to early April, you can see the northern lights from your own balcony.

Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø is located by the ocean in the fishing village of Sommarøy.

Midnight sun and northern lights on your doorstep If you visit Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø in the north of Norway on a summer’s day, you would be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere in the Caribbean. The coral beaches and turquoise ocean appear to belong in a much warmer climate, and only when you step into the water do you realise that you are actually in the Arctics. By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Goran Mikkelsen

This has earned the destination the reputation as ‘the Arctic Caribbean’, though with yet another major difference: the midnight sun. From the balcony of your hotel room, you get to experience the neverending summer nights, where you see the sun setting and then rising again without ever touching the horizon. From mid-May to mid-July, there is constant daylight, and with Sommarøy among the last pieces of land before you reach the open ocean, there are no mountains blocking the view of the sun. In the winter, the northern lights are right there on your doorstep – no safari, hike or outdoor sleeping necessary. Thanks to the lack of light pollution on the scarcely populated island, you can step onto the balcony with a cosy blanket and enjoy a hot drink while watching the colourful lights dance in the sky. 78 | Issue 120 | January 2019

The scenic route Sommarøy is located only an hour’s drive away from Tromsø Airport and is so small, you can walk around the edges of the island in a couple of hours. Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø aims to use as much local workforce as possible. As a result, the hotel offers homemade food from local sources and, in addition, the hotel offers high-quality organic wine specially imported from a vineyard near Verona. But Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø does not only cater to tourists and holiday goers; it also hosts conferences and meetings. A total of 11 fully equipped meeting rooms can accommodate anything from two to 200 people, and if your company would like to travel to the hotel via the scenic route by boat rather than by car or coach, the hotel is happy to arrange the transport from Tromsø city to the island.

The hotel itself comprises a variety of accommodation options. There are the standard hotel rooms, of course, but they also offer seaside cabins, fishermen’s cottages, and apartments. Amenities include a wine lounge, a sauna, a Jacuzzi and a seaside bath house. Sommarøy has crystal clear Arctic coral beaches.

The archipelago around Sommarøy is a paddler’s paradise.

Web: www.sommaroy.no Facebook: SommaroyArctic Instagram: @sommaroyarctic

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tromsø

Promoting knowledge and understanding Located at what can be considered to be the top of planet Earth, Tromsø University Museum explains the fascinating flickering of the northern lights, the history and heritage of the Sami people, and the development of their culture until modern times. By Marte Eide | Photos: Tromsø University Museum

The winter months may be dark and cold in the northern parts of Scandinavia, but tourists do not stop visiting – quite the contrary. “January is one of the best months to observe the northern lights. On clear nights, the view from Tromsø city is spectacular, making it a popular destination,” says exhibition manager, Per Helge Nylund. Many visitors choose to attend guided expeditions to observe and photograph the northern lights. Theories and myths about the lights have existed since the Viking era and beyond. An excellent way to gain insight into and understanding of the beautiful natural phenomenon is a visit to Tromsø University Museum. “One of our permanent exhibitions explains the northern lights and the many myths and stories surrounding them,” says Nylund. “Just over a hundred years ago, Norwegian professor Kristian Birkeland

demonstrated his auroral theory by using plasma chambers. Our visitors can operate a replica plasma chamber to create their own northern lights.” The museum also provides a guided tour of the exhibition, Discover the Aurora, including a film screening, a mini lecture, and a book about the aurora borealis. “We run them almost every day during the winter, but recommend people to book at least 24 hours in advance,” says Nylund.

Sami history and Polar science Another big part of Tromsø University Museum is the history of the Sami people and their cultural adaptation to modern times in northern Scandinavia. “It is important to tell the story of how the Sami people were treated,” says Nylund. The exhibition, Becoming a nation, presents the Sami culture after 1945, highlighting

oppression, political uprising and the development of their own parliament and political representation. “Our new exhibition, opening at the end of January 2019, focuses on Elsa Laula Renberg, a Sami activist and politician and an important historical figure,” Nylund explains. Tromsø University Museum strives to be a source of knowledge and, “being a part of the Arctic university means that we are always up to date on the latest research developments,” says Nylund. One of the most popular branches is the Polar Museum. “We want the museum to be interactive and provide a good learning experience for both adults and kids,” the exhibition manager concludes. Tromsø University Museum is northern Norway’s oldest scientific institution, established in 1872. The branches consist of Tromsø Museum, The Polar Museum and MS Polstjerna.

Web: www.uit.no/tmu Facebook: tromsouniversitymuseum

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 79

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Visit Tromsø

An Arctic gem Nestled between a spectacular fjord and dramatic mountain range, Total Adventure offers stunning accommodation and Arctic adventures for those looking to escape the stresses of urban life completely. By Sunniva Davies-Rommetveit | Photos: Total Adventure

An hour's drive from Tromsø, guests are quickly enveloped by nature – from the clear waters of the Ullsfjord, to the astounding peaks of the Lyngen Alps. “We offer our guests unique and thrilling trips into this Arctic paradise, plus exclusive accommodation in the heart of northern Norway," explains Total Adventure founder Turid Andresen. The adventure packages offered change with the seasons: in winter, there is a rare chance to go ice fishing on a frozen Norwegian lake, as well as evening walks in snow shoes in search of the aurora borealis. Guests also enjoy a variety of activities throughout the summer months – from mountain hiking to seeing the rare midnight sun in all its glory. Whatever the season, visitors can choose

80 | Issue 120 | January 2019

to stay in an exclusive Arctic dome, presenting incredible views of the midnight sun or the northern lights. Total Adventure also offers a typically Norwegian seaside cabin, which looks out onto the full splendour of the snow-capped Lyngen mountains. In the age of mass tourism, Total Adventure is a rare gem, offering visitors a unique slice of northern Norwegian culture and nature. “Guests can visit the real north with us,” Andresen explains, adding: “They are able to meet locals and learn about Sami culture, all while being totally immersed in the wild nature on offer.” Total Adventure offers accommodation for up to six people and adventure packages for up to 16.

Web: www.totaladventure.no Contact: post@totaladventure.no Instagram: @totaladventure

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | xxxxxx

Scan Business Keynote 81 | Business Column 82 | Business Calendar 82

Types of network It is important to identify the resources to which you have access, and where you can find them. Generally, you can work with three different types of network:

matters than those in your professional network. They represent multiple competences and resources.

Here, you find people with whom you share professional interests. These are often like-minded people with similar educations, job functions and workplaces. It is an important network, because it offers you feedback and the security you need to feel at ease at work and in your personal life.

The contacts in your business network are important in your personal life, your career and your company, partly because these relationships tend to be the ones that direct you towards your goals, and partly because development and progress are often generated through cooperation with people who possess different competences and perspectives to you.

Your business network

Your personal network

This network includes relationships outside of your professional network. These contacts are relevant people too, but may have different approaches to business

Here, you find your family and friends – people who are close to you. If you only want to use your network for personal development, this network should be your priority. If you are focusing on your professional development, you should not spend too much energy on this network as, in my experience, efficient professional help is seldom found in a personal network.

Your professional network

It is natural to spend time with likeminded people, but development and results are often achieved by cooperating with different types of people, with different skills and qualities. sla@strategisk.dk www.thenetworkercompany.com

By Simone Andersen

Take a moment to ask yourself these questions: 1. In which types of network do you have active contacts? Name the last two contacts who helped you on the way towards your goals. 2. In which of the three types of network were these relationships established? Are they good enough for you and your ambitions?

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.

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 81

Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar

Have a jargon-free new year When someone asked to reach out to me the other day, I had to quickly suppress the mental image of my reaching out to him and locking my fingers round his neck. I do not reach out to people, I contact them. Nor do I touch base, since I do not know the rules of baseball. And I would have about as much of an idea about where to look for a left field as the average Scandinavian would know what to do with a sticky wicket (it is a cricketing expression, let me explain ... no, let us not bother). I hated it when the bright young marketer said we needed ‘thought leadership’ on the website of the company I used to work for. I get grumpy when I look through business magazines. In People Management, voice of British HR, I read that managers at a big oil company have ‘had feedback around the need to show vulnerability’. There is no further elaboration. My dictionary tells me that vulnerability means ‘the ... state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed …’ which cer-

tainly does not chime with my view of the management role. Or does it mean that oil bosses should admit to making mistakes? Or show their feelings? I really do not know. In Edge, the Institute of Leadership and Management magazine, (‘Inspiring Great Leadership’), one article is headed ‘Embrace failure, gig workers and robots’. Since the CEO of Ted Baker has gotten into trouble recently for ‘forced hugging’, I shall keep a safe distance from the next guy who delivers a pizza, and I do not know any robots yet, so that leaves me with failure. I have read the article, and honestly, there is no explanation as to what this means. Maybe admitting to making mistakes? Supporting under-performers? If you know, please tell me. People talk and write like this to impress – they do not; and to obfuscate – they do.

By Steve Flinders

Lazy language and lazy thinking are natural companions, and they are dangerous. So let us all cut down on clichés and jargon in 2019. At the end of the day, you know I am right.

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. Business breakfast: Nordic private equity The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK will focus on Nordic private equity for its first business briefing of the year. Guest speaker Jonas Wikmark, head of Nordic corporate finance and M&A at JP Morgan, will explore current trends in the Nordic finance and M&A market in 2019, and touch upon how to win an auction process. The discussion will be chaired by Mark Florman, CEO of Time Partners, a merchant bank in London. Date: 31 January 2019, 8-10am Venue: Linklaters, One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ www.scc.org.uk

Economic Update 2019 With Brexit fast approaching, the Finnish British Chamber of Commerce and Nordea look at what lies ahead in the economy in 2019. The event will present a forecast and analysis for the year, with Sanna Kurronen, senior analyst at Nordea, sharing her insights on key 82 | Issue 120 | January 2019

economic trends. At Nordea, Kurronen helps Finnish firms to manage their foreign exchange related risks. Date: 23 January 2019, 6-8.30pm Venue: Nordea, 5 Aldermanbury Square, London EC2V 7AZ www.fbcc.co.uk

Brexit actually: Insurance Insurance is one of many sectors that will be keeping a close eye on changes coming with Brexit. This half-day conference delves into the insurance aspects of the UK-EU divorce, presenting the stories of eight different insurance actors in dealing with their business before the impending change. This includes a keynote speech by Sir Mark Boleat and a presentation by Carsten Prussog, Munich Re’s chief executive for the UK, Ireland and the Nordics. Date: 1 February 2019, 9.30am-12.30pm Venue: Plantation House, 30 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3AD, UK www.eventbrite.co.uk

Nordic HR Tech Days 19 Technology is redefining HR, and the future success of HR departments now depends on their ability to adopt tech to embrace employee experience and digitise work processes. It is in this rapidly changing market that the Nordic HR Tech Days have emerged. A leading HR tech conference in the Nordics, it creates a forum where Nordic HR professionals can meet vendors and domain experts and gain insight into the latest HR and communication technology solutions. Date: 6-7 March 2019 Venue: Scandic Copenhagen, Vester Søgade 6, 1601 Copenhagen, Denmark www.nordichrconf.com

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

The neighbourhood restaurant with city-wide reach In the heart of the buzzing area of Tøyen in Oslo, popular neighbourhood restaurant Grådi has become one of the most popular new hotspots in the Norwegian capital. With its fusion menu, location and innovative take on familiar dishes, Grådi invites people to visit, enjoy, and be a little more greedy. By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Natalia Tunheim

Grådi opened its doors two years ago, in January of 2017, after a year of development and concept building. It was set up after its founders, Julia Holmboe and Natalia Tunheim, found a commercial space on Facebook, and in the spur of the moment decided to start a restaurant. Neither had any previous experience 84 | Issue 120 | January 2019

of founding restaurants, but they had previously worked together for years at Delicatessen tapas bar, founded by Øystein Gjerde. He became their mentor and role model in terms of how to run a restaurant with the people, the team and the community as the centre point. “We both had a wish of keeping

Grådi founders Natalia Tunheim (left) and Julia Holmboe and their team are the heart and soul of Grådi.

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

the heritage and values we’d learnt at Delicatessen alive. This was our chance, so we grabbed it,” says Tunheim. Though the original commercial space turned out to be too pricey, the girls soon found a new location at Sørligata 40b, in a worn-down 250-square-metre large space. With a readily built concept and a manifesto stating ‘At Tøyen, with Tøyen for Tøyen’, they won against other concepts competing for the same space, and a year later, the restaurant opened its doors to the neighbourhood and the city. By that time, kitchen manager Christian Rognmo, who has previously been involved in starting several new restaurants in Copenhagen, had joined the team. “He took a massive chance on us,” says Tunheim. “He quit his job in a canteen to start working with two utterly inexperienced restaurant owners. He had just moved back to Norway with his wife and three kids, dreaming of a calmer life.” Tunheim continues: “Christian is the backbone of the restaurant, and a giant part of the Grådi soul. He has neverending energy, is chock-full of ideas, and rarely makes it out the door on time when he’s telling us stories of his days in Copenhagen.” Consisting of a multinational team, Grådi is a melting pot of flavours, ideas, expe-

riences and backgrounds. The team, which Tunheim says is the number-one reason they have made it this far, consists of people from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Thailand, Indonesia, Poland, Peru, the Philippines, Sweden, Britain, Germany, Nepal, America and Norway. Their differences, similarities and unity are clearly reflected in the menu, which often combines familiar dishes with brand-new combinations of flavours and ingredients. Instead of tortillas or bao, they will make Norwegian-style potato tortillas with pulled pork. “We love strong flavours,” Tunheim says, “with downto-earth no-frills ingredients.”

Be a little more greedy The double meaning of the name is another part of the concept: Grådi, a reworked version of the Norwegian word ‘grådig’, meaning ‘greedy’, is what they want their customers to allow themselves to be when they visit the restaurant. “We play with the deadly sins,” Tunheim explains. “We want people to allow themselves to be greedy, to indulge and not always worry what others might think. It is a strength to want a lot from life, and to want it all at the same time.” The names of the dishes are also a distinctive part of the Grådi personality. “There are no rules, other than having

fun,” Tunheim continues. “We want the dishes and the drinks to have personality.” The finished concept is clearly one that appeals to the Oslo soul. What started out as a neighbourhood restaurant has become a highlight for the whole city. The immensely popular brunches instantly set them apart from other restaurants, as one of the first brunch spots in the capital. Inspired by brunch trends in Copenhagen and New York and worldwide breakfast trends, they draw people in from the whole city with their spicy cheddar waffles with fried chicken and jalapeno sauce, pulled Hitra-crab toast with dill mayo, and burnt avocado on Danish rye bread. The weekends are buzzing with the sounds of families with toddlers and children, large groups of friends celebrate their birthdays here, and tourists find their way here in the summer, when the warm breeze makes the trees sway lazily and the streets are quiet and relaxed. Visit Grådi at: Sørligata 40b, 0577 Oslo, Norway

General opening hours can be found on: Facebook: gradirestaurantogbar Instagram: @gradi_restaurantogbar

Kitchen manager Christian Rognmo is the backbone of Grådi.

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 85

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

A taste of Italy in the middle of Copenhagen Back in 2011, childhood friends Morten Kaltoft and Emil Alsbo decided to take the leap and open up an Italian restaurant in a former tanning salon cellar in Vesterbro, realising a dream that the chef and the artist had shared for many years. Today, they are the joint owners of three Italian restaurants in Copenhagen – Pizzeria 54, Osteria 16 and Spaghetteria – and that is just the beginning of their dolce vitae. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Pizzeria 54

“Morten has trained in Italy, and we’ve both travelled there extensively,” Alsbo explains. “We love the Italians’ relaxed, casual approach to food as well as to life more generally, and it was something that we wanted to bring to Copenhagen. The food scene here has been excellent for many years, but it tends to get caught up in the nitty gritty and obsess about fine dining. Here, we want everyone to just relax and enjoy some good food and company.” The restaurants are related in their culinary styles and simple decorative approaches, but each comes with its own twist. Antipasti and pizzas are in focus at Pizzeria 54, while Spaghetteria offers diners a set course of antipasti offerings before a concluding pasta dish, all of which regularly change in accordance with the seasons and trends from Italy. Osteria 16, meanwhile, pro86 | Issue 120 | January 2019

vides a more casual dining experience but boasts an equally kaleidoscopic menu. Like its siblings, it is the benefactor of ever-changing dishes and seasonal ingredients imported directly from Italy: one of the pair’s latest ventures was the acquisition of a vineyard in Piemonte, the fruits of which are naturally also served at the restaurants in Vesterbro. “Managing the vineyard and having to source all our ingredients in Italy is a great excuse for us to go there often,” Alsbo admits, “but the full, sunsweetened Italian flavour palette really is integral to our restaurants. Morten’s dishes capture the simplicity and honesty of the traditional Italian kitchen, and they simply wouldn’t work as well with Danish ingredients: the colours, smells and simple elegance of Italian dishes are little artworks in themselves.”

A few favourite dishes have become steadfast placements on the menus, including Alsbo’s recommendations of bitter puntarelle salad and squid-based polpo carpaccio. New thinking both inside and outside the kitchen is key to the pair’s success, however. “Continual development is what continues to make it fun both for us and for our regular customers,” Alsbo concludes. “There’s always a new dish or a returning seasonal favourite to look forward to.” Pizzeria 54: Web: www.pizzeria54.dk Facebook: pizzeria54 Instagram: @pizzeria54

Spaghetteria: Web: www.spaghetteria.dk Facebook: Osteria 16 / Mercato / Spaghetteria

Osteria 16: Web: www.osteria16.dk Facebook: Osteria 16 / Mercato / Spaghetteria Instagram: @osteria16

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden

Tapas with a different beat Offering innovative flavour combinations, a combination of seasonal Swedish ingredients and global influences, and a grill serving world-class meat, Stockholm’s Las Brasas, which opened its doors in September last year, is a long way from your typical tapas restaurant. By Liz Longden | Photos: www.post-mortem.se

Whatever comes to mind when you think of the word ‘tapas’, it probably is not frogs’ legs with chimichurri and grated cauliflower, or Wagyu sliders with truffles and Comté cheese. How about tartare of Swedish calf, with baked egg yolk and avruga caviar? Yet these are just a small selection of the dishes that can be sampled by visitors to Las Brasas, the Stockholm restaurant with a new take on the classic Spanish appetiser. “It’s tapas, but without limitations,” explains Andreas Johansson, co-owner and head chef. “We want to push the boundaries and create new combinations that surprise and maybe challenge a little bit.”

proud of the meat we serve too. It’s pretty unique,” Johansson says. “We serve a Swedish entrecote, for example, that no one else in Sweden has.”

In addition to Las Brasas’s next generation of tapas, the restaurant also has a grill and prides itself on serving up the highest-quality meat. “Most people come for the tapas, but we’re incredibly

So what is it about Iberian and South American dining that fires Johansson’s imagination? “We love the flavours, and the possibility of being able to experiment, of course, but we also really like

Las Brasas is an exciting new venture for Johansson and his co-owners, but the team are no dilettantes when it comes to Spanish and Latin American cuisine. They cut their teeth a decade ago with the restaurant El Diablo, which established itself as one of Stockholm’s hottest hang-outs, and the adventure has continued with the Spanish-inspired Bar Nombre, which lies just around the corner from Las Brasas.

the culture of tapas — the whole idea of sharing food between friends just feels really nice. It’s a bit more accessible than traditional fine dining.” Accordingly, in place of white tablecloths, Las Brasas’ dark and intimate décor is accented by splashes of colour and atmospheric lighting. Loud music and a lively bar — which caters for drop-in guests as well as diners — also help to create a unique, laid-back atmosphere. “Our aim is to create a place where the focus is on simply enjoying great food with friends, without the formalities,” says Johansson. Judging by Las Brasas’ full tables, it sounds like a recipe for success.

Web: www.lasbrasas.se

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 87

Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile of the Month | Denmark

Culinary Profile of the Month, Denmark

A new dot on Denmark’s food map Praised by national media, Støberiet in Holsterbro has become a new must-try destination for foodies from all over Denmark. With 12 new hotel rooms conveniently located next door, guests can enjoy all that the restaurant and wine bar has to offer, without worrying about the journey home. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Støberiet

Founded and owned by Michael Lehm, a former sommelier at the Michelin-star restaurant Kong Hans, Restaurant Støberiet offers an experience that pays attention to both wine and food. This, paired with a dedication to good service, has made professional critics and regular guests sing the restaurant’s praise. In fact, in April 2018, the national newspaper Jyllands-Posten praised Støberiet 88 | Issue 120 | January 2019

the experience of the guest’. The review gave Støberiet five out of six stars and thus equals the enthusiasm of regular visitors, who have given the restaurant top marks on sites such as TripAdvisor.

A young chef with ambitions for pretty much everything from its service and kitchen to food presentation and attention to detail – even the temperature of the wine got a word of approval. Calling one of his seven dishes ‘a stroke of genius’, the reviewer went on to write: ‘I left Støberiet happy that day. Everything went off without a hitch both in the kitchen and in the restaurant, and it’s always a pleasure to visit a place that focuses on quality and has an eye for

While Støberiet started out as a brasserie-style eatery in 2011, Lehm

Michael Lehm.

Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile of the Month | Denmark

soon decided to take a turn towards a more restaurant-like set-up. “I’ve always said that if I were to open up my own place, it would be in Holstebro, where I grew up, and that was also one of the reasons I started out with a style that was more tilted towards a brasserie than a restaurant,” explains Lehm. “I was afraid that I’d scare off the people from the area if I aimed too high. But, eventually, I came to the conclusion that if you believe in what you do and you deliver a consistent level of both service and food, people will come no matter what, even if they have to drive to get to you.”

himself. However, despite the bigger and broader menu, guests will still find sensibly-priced wines on the menu. “There is something for everyone,” promises Lehm. Appropriately, he has at the same time expanded the restaurant’s adjoining accommodation, which now includes 12 new hotel rooms as well as a three-room hotel flat and four B&B rooms with shared toilet facilities. In other words, like with the food and wine, the focus is on providing everyone with a good experience. Web: www.stoberiet.com

Facts: Restaurant Støberiet is located in Holsterbro, an hour’s drive from Billund Airport and an hour and 45 minutes from Aalborg Airport. Prices: Four-course menu, 498 DKK (approx. £60), matching wine menu, 398 DKK; à la carte mains, 278 DKK. The restaurant comprises two private function rooms: one next to the wine bar for up to 20 guests, and one upstairs for up to 60 guests. The restaurant itself can be rented for private functions of up to 60 people.

The real change happened when, a year ago, Lehm managed to recruit Karina Thorstensen as head chef. A former chef trainee at Støberiet, Thorstensen was keen to take the restaurant to the next level of gastronomy. “I fought to get her back, and one of her demands was that she wanted to take the gastronomic level up another notch, and she did. It’s been a big leap since she came onboard and earned us that five-star review in Jyllands-Posten,” stresses Lehm. “I definitely have no regrets.”

A warm welcome Put together by Thorstensen, Støberiet’s menu allows guests to choose between a set four- or seven-course menu or à la carte. The mix means that the restaurant can satisfy the preferences of a broad range of visitors, from local couples to business people and visiting foodies. “Our guests are approximately half private and half business, and we like that mix. It creates a nice atmosphere and keeps things from getting too pretentious,” stresses Lehm. “I have no interest in creating a fancy business restaurant, like some of the places I’ve previously worked at; I just want our guests to be met by a welcoming and attentive host, and I make sure that we always have enough staff to do that.” When Thorstensen upgraded the food menu last year, Lehm chose to expand and upgrade the wine menu accordingly. Today, it contains a broad selection of wine, including Champagne and wine from Bourgogne, imported by Lehm

Located in Holsterbo, Støberiet attracts foodies from all over Denmark. Photo: Mejls Foto

A year ago, owner of Støberiet, Michael Lehm, hired Karina Thorstensen as head chef, and since then, the restaurant has taken a big leap, receiving a five-star review in Jyllands-Posten.

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 89

Scan Magazine | Brewery of the Month | Denmark

Brewery of the Month, Denmark

Denmark’s history in a bottle If anyone thinks of beer as a relatively new drink, or a man’s drink, Bryggeriet Skands is here to prove them wrong. In collaboration with the National Museum of Denmark, the Danish brewery has created a range of beers based on ancient recipes and inspired by strong Nordic women. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Bryggeriet Skands

In 2011, the National Museum of Denmark contacted master brewer Birthe Skands, the founder of Skands, to ask if she could help recreate the 3,500-year-old brew found in a Bronze Age grave. She did, and the result was Egtved Girl’s Brew, a modern beer based on Denmark’s, and perhaps the world’s, oldest beer recipe. Ernst Kristensen, one of the company’s two current co-owners, explains: “Through the analysis the National Museum had done on the dried 90 | Issue 120 | January 2019

precipitate found in the grave, they had identified the different components of a 3,500-year-old beer, and they wanted us to try to recreate that. We did so, creating a beer with the same ingredients, but using modern brewing methods.” The beer is one of four historic beers brewed by Skands, and one of 20 specialty beers. In total, Skands brews approximately 400,000 litres of beer a year at its brewery in Brøndby; most of this is sold in the capital region.

Continuing the journey When Birthe Skands, a brew master with 25 years of experience, founded Skands in 2003, her ambition was to bring back the old craft of brewing. Taking over in 2017, Kristensen and his co-owner, Søren Truelsen, have striven to carry

‘It’s slow brewing. Our beer is beer that gets the time it takes for it to mature,’ says co-owner of Skands, Ersnt Kristensen (centre).

Scan Magazine | Brewery of the Month | Denmark

on that ambition by focusing on quality over quantity and speed. “It’s slow brewing. Our beer is beer that gets the time it takes for it to mature. The yeast needs to ferment naturally, and that takes the time it takes – it takes a month to make a batch of beer,” explains Kristensen. Today, the brewery releases two new beers every year, and continues to research and improve recipes, including those for non-alcoholic beers. However, unlike other specialty breweries, the beer is not targeted at a small, beerfanatic audience, but aims to please a broader clientele. “Our beer doesn’t provoke; it’s not seeking to be extreme – some specialty beers are targeted at beer nerds and specialists, but that’s not us,” stresses Kristensen. “We guarantee a good taste experience, which will please around 80 to 90 per cent of regular beer drinkers.”

Strong women After its foundation, Skands quickly gained a strong reputation for the craft and skill embedded in its brewing process. That was the reason why the National Museum turned to Skands when historians decided to try to recreate the beer found in the grave of the Egtved girl. The Egtved girl, one of Denmark’s best-known and best-preserved pre-

historic finds, was buried in the Bronze Age approximately 3,500 years ago. In her grave, next to her remains, archaeologists discovered a small birch bucket with a fermented drink. “Microscopic analysis of the dried precipitate in the bucket shows that the beverage was a beer-like drink made of wheat, cranberries or lingonberries, and honey,” explains Kristensen. Named after the Egtved girl, the recreated beer became a great success. It was followed by the Juellinge Woman’s Brew, a brew based on the dried precipitate from a bronze kettle found in the Juellinge woman’s Iron Age grave. Both beers were based on the old recipe but brewed using modern techniques. Based on the same method, a Viking brew, Lagerthas’s Brew, and a Middle Age brew, Margrete 1’s Brew, were also created.

Facts: With 25 years of experience as brew master and product developer at Carlsberg, Birthe Skands set up Skands in 2003. In 2017, as Skands wished to retire, Ernst Kristensen and Søren Truelsen took over the brewery while Skands moved to a consulting role on the brewery’s board. Skands is located in Brøndby, where all beer is brewed. Skands continues to develop and research new recipes, releasing two new beers every year. Skands is available in retail from Irma and Meny, mainly in the capital area, as well as in numerous restaurants and bars, including Meyers restaurants.

Web: bryggeriet-skands.dk

“The Viking and Middle Age finds show the changes and the refinement of the beer as ingredients like hop began to make their way into Denmark from Germany,” explains Kristensen. “And, after the first two brews, it was natural to continue the story and let the following few be inspired by two other strong women from Denmark’s history.” The four historic beers are all created in collaboration with the National Museum of Denmark.

Skands brewery strives to bring back the old craft of brewing.

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 91

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

Considerate Copenhagen comfort in familiar surroundings In an age of chain hotels and fast travel, many travellers appreciate a calm and warm environment to return to at night. Copenhagen’s Absalon Hotel has been a home away from home for guests since 1938 and in the Nedergaard family for just as long. Over the years, the hotel has expanded from just 11 rooms into two separate boutique hotels, including Andersen Boutique Hotel on the other side of the street, but the family’s commitment to great service, friendly luxury and relaxed comfort remains as strong as ever – at surprisingly reasonable prices. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Absalon Hotel

Absalon Hotel is one of the oldest family-run hotels left in Copenhagen. “I remember the hotel from my own childhood – in fact, I spent the first five years of my life living here with my parents back when my grandparents were 92 | Issue 120 | January 2019

in charge,” says Karen Nedergaard, who took over the running of the hotel from her father and uncle in 2002, having been trained in travel and hotel management in Switzerland and London. “I still have weekly meetings with my

Karen Nedergaard.

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

uncle Mogens, though, who likes to keep a bit of an eye on all of us.” At the moment, Nedergaard’s son works parttime at the hotel as a piccolo, so for the moment at least, four generations of Nedergaards have worked at the hotel.

Stylish service Just five minutes from Copenhagen’s Central Station, Tivoli, and the cool meat-packing district, the sibling hotels straddle the border between the old, established Copenhagen and the trendy cafés and bars of Vesterbro. The old and the new meet in exciting ways both inside and out: the two hotels are located in lovely, classic late-19thcentury Copenhagen buildings, which have been thoroughly modernised. The smaller Andersen Boutique Hotel was opened in 2012 and named in honour of Karen’s grandmother, Erna Andersen. Its interior style is slightly more young and playful, and Andersen features a complimentary Danish wine hour and organic breakfast. Both hotels also offer the unique CONCEPT24 service, whereby guests may keep their room for the full 24 hours regardless of check-in time. Absalon, too, offers up a host of traditional and unusual services, from babysitting to breakfast and bike rental. Room service can be supplied by two neighbouring restaurants. In 2014, Absalon Hotel closed down for six months in order to make way for an intensive renovation, which looks to have ensured that the hotel will thrive

for many more generations to come. The renovation reduced the number of rooms from 189 to 161, making way for a full set of very spacious, inviting ensuites. “It was very important to us that the hotel retain its unique character and the rooms their personality, but at the same time, we needed to move with the times and ensure that we are able to accommodate the requirements of our visitors as they are now – and will be in ten years’ time too,” Nedergaard explains. “For both hotels, we found the perfect partner in Tricia Guild and her Designers Guild expertise with boutique hotels in London. We’ve ended up with a look that is true to the hotel’s history but modern; elegant but characterful; and a beautiful mix of Danish design and something a little different. We’re simply thrilled with the outcome.”

Love and care in every detail The rooms have been dressed in warm shades of either green, blue or purple, and richly nuanced textures and surfaces make exploring each room a little adventure in itself. “It’s something we’ve put a lot of thought and effort into,” Nedergaard notes. “We’ve made sure that the hotel engages all the senses – we’ve even got specially made scents that aren’t overpowering but provide an extra layer of relaxation and comfort.” The communal areas, including the lobby, breakfast area and backyard, make guests feel equally welcome. “A boutique hotel has to provide more than just a bed to sleep in,” says Nedergaard. “We must

provide an experience and an enjoyable, comfortable space to live in when travelling, yes. But boutique hotels are also a space where lots of interesting people from all across the world converge, and we find that most of our guests enjoy interacting with us and meeting each other. So we’ve made sure that we have room and opportunity for that, too.” Reviews and guest ratings, which average 4.5 stars, almost always mention the friendly and considerate service that Nedergaard and her team provide. “I still love the work that we do and the interesting people I get to meet through the hotels – both those that visit us and the people who work here. We employ a great team of people from across the world, and at the moment, I think we represent about 20 nationalities between us.” In 2018, the hotels won the first prize for smaller companies in the Best Place to Work Awards, where they also received a special award for being Denmark’s best employer for young people. It seems that happy employees make for happy and attentive staff, and good staff makes for happy customers. Web: www.absalon-hotel.dk and www.andersen-hotel.dk Facebook: Absalonhotel and AndersenHotelCopenhagen Instagram: @absalonhotel and @andersenhotel

Issue 120 | January 2019 | 93

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Photo: SE Knoff

Hotel of the Month, Norway

A modern hotel in picturesque nature Located on Dovrefjell in Oppdal, in the middle of Norway, Quality Hotel Skifer is mere steps away from all of the experiences that nature has to offer, from skiing in the winter to gorgeous hikes in the summer. By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Martin Innerdal Dalen

The hotel is easily accessible thanks to train connections to Oslo and a two-hour drive from Trondheim, making it suitable for conferences, family weekends, romantic getaways and weekends away for anyone who would like to spend a few nights surrounded by astonishing nature. “We have a lot to offer, all year round. There are conference facilities for 400 people, a restaurant, a bar, and also a little wellness department,” says Marit Sæteren, sales and marketing manager. “There’s a broad spectrum of activities to enjoy around here. In the winter, it’s skiing season, and we are just around the corner from a ski resort. The rest of the year there are many beautiful hikes and other nature experiences.”

ing here. The first ski lift opened in 1952, and the resort is one of the reasons why Dovrefjell is now Oppdal’s most popular winter destination. There are also good opportunities for cross-country skiing, with 180 kilometres of skiing trails.

Skiing is one of the main attractions, and there is a long-standing culture of ski-

Recently, they opened a terrace where they serve drinks and nibbles. Here,

94 | Issue 120 | January 2019

During other seasons, visitors can enjoy cycling in the mountains, a zipline, rafting or even a muskox safari. The hotel also offers abseiling from its very own roof. “The wellness department consists of a relaxation area with views over the mountain. Guests can book different types of massages, and we also have a sauna and a steam room – so there is always something for our guests to do,” says Sæteren.

guests can sit outside and enjoy the stunning views all year round. In the restaurant, they serve local products such as lamb from farms nearby and fresh fish from the coast of Norway. “One thing that runs through the hotel is slate, which is why the hotel is called Quality Hotel Skifer – ‘skifer’ means slate in Norwegian. The slate we use is actually from Oppdal and is called Oppdalskifer,” Sæteren explains. “It’s the atmosphere in the hotel, combined with the beautiful nature, that makes this place so special.”

Web: www.skiferhotel.no Facebook: skiferhotel Instagram: @qualityhotelskifer

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Sweden

Attraction of the Month, Sweden

An all-round nature experience Sitting on the edge of three national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Site Laponia with its breathtaking scenery, the Saltoluokta Mountain Station is truly abundant in its offerings. By presenting the perfect balance of grand Swedish wilderness and great activities, food and culture, Saltoluokta guarantees its visitors an authentic adventure all year round. By Emma Rödin | Photos: Anette Andersson

Although only reachable by boat in summer and by skis or snowmobile across the ice in winter, Saltoluokta is surprisingly accessible while still being at the heart of one of Sweden’s greatest mountain ranges. Visitors come to walk or ski the well-known Kungsleden trail and to indulge in its beautiful surroundings. “The nature here allows you to see miles and miles away without actually being at the top of a peak, something you won’t experience in, say, the Alps,” says Emma Frisell, site manager at Saltoluokta Mountain Station. “Here, people get to be near the mountains without having to go on a long hike. They can enjoy nature without much effort, and still feel like they are in a very special place.” The Saltoluokta station dates back to 1912, when it consisted of just one small

cabin. More houses were eventually added, and today’s main building was built in 1918. Original furniture has been kept in use since and plays a big part in maintaining the station’s genuine touch, something visitors greatly appreciate. Another aspect that makes Saltoluokta attractive is the great food on offer. Guests can enjoy a three-course dinner made with local produce, as well as an extensive breakfast buffet each morning, which also works as a make-yourown-lunch option for bringing a packed lunch on tour, ideal for one-day trips. While Saltoluokta and the surrounding area has a great deal to offer in summer, its winter skiing invites practitioners to experience another dimension of nature. “Some people only visit in summer, as they are not comfortable enough on skis. That’s why we offer basic cours-

es, a rental service, and knowledgeable guides to show people the best of the best,” says Frisell, adding: “We want people to realise how easy it can be.” Visitors to Saltoluokta range from families with young children who might be getting their first taste of hiking or skiing, to more experienced guests who frequently return to soak up Saltoluokta’s unique atmosphere. With more and more people realising the unbeatable sensation of being one with nature in the great outdoors, Saltoluokta Mountain Station is there to support their journey.

Web: www.saltoluokta.se Facebook: svenskaturistforeningen Instagram: @stfturist

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Scan Magazine | Architect of the Month | Finland

Architect of the Month, Finland

A sauna like no other Taking the sauna experience to the next level, Hallaus Architects’ new innovation, Zenestar, mixes a traditional sauna with other wellbeing essentials and smart tech. Scan Magazine spoke to the CEO of the company, Susanna Halla, about what is next in line for the award-winning start-up. By Maria Pirkkalainen | Photos: Zenestar

Imagine a private space of sheer luxury, where your wellbeing is the number-one priority. A smart-tech exercise mat plays music, while a virtual personal trainer is there for you at any time of the day. Natural cosmetics, a non-alcoholic sparkling drink made of hand-picked spruce sprouts, and other Finnish luxury goods are always available – and in true Finnish style, you can also use the space as a traditional sauna. Zenestar is a wellness space solution created by Hallaus Architects, a Finnish interior and product design company specialising in wellness and healthcare and led by CEO and interior architect Susanna Halla. “When it’s not being used, a sauna doesn’t usually have a function, and they are often almost entirely identical to each other. With Zenestar, we wanted to diversify the idea of a sauna as a wellbeing space and make it a true healing environment,” Halla explains. 96 | Issue 120 | January 2019

Combining Nordic wood design with technological solutions, physical exercise and the finest Finnish products, Zenestar pampers all of your senses. Not too familiar with how to use a sauna? There is even an instruction video for that. With Zenestar, your comfort and privacy are everything.

saunas. In turnkey style, everything will be designed, delivered and installed on behalf of your company. Having just won the Idea Mining business competition of the city of Heinola, Hallaus Architects is currently looking for new investors and interested in bringing more awareness to Zenestar, with a launch at the Expo 2020 Dubai as their next big goal.

A solution for your every need Zenestar is currently targeting hotels and spas in the United Arab Emirates, with ski resorts around the world being another potential client. “It’s a really great initiative for hotels, as it brings something new to their usually empty, characterless gyms,” says Halla. Zenestar comes with two different but equally handy solutions. If you do not have a sauna cabin to start with, Cabana is the package for you, while renovation solution Reno gives you the option to add a Zenestar wellness experience to already existing

Web: www.zenestar.fi

Scan Magazine | Gallery of the Month | Denmark

Ink painting by Mette Helmig.

Keith Richards and Einstein by Jürgen Wölk.

Gallery of the Month, Denmark

Showcasing artistic diversity GALLERI BREDGADE 22 will begin its eighth season in Bredgade, Copenhagen’s most spectacular gallery street. The gallery, which is owned and run by the couple Mette Helmig and Morten Pflug, still manages to stand out, however: exhibitors rent the space and manage it themselves, which makes for an unusual and untraditional gallery experience for the artist as well as the audience. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: GALLERI BREDGADE 22

The concept has proven to be sustainable in the long-term and a highly interesting experience for everyone involved. “It’s a great pleasure for us and for the gallery that so many artists of all kinds get in touch and show interest in meeting and talking to the people who frequent this exciting street face to face,” Pflug enthuses. “The amount of interest allows us to showcase a great variety of exhibitors, including both self-taught artists and those trained at the royal academy and other schools, as well as an increasing amount of international artists looking to get their foot in the door of the Danish art scene.” For about four weeks a year, GALLERI BREDGADE 22 makes use of the facilities themselves, mainly for philanthropic exhibitions. “One of our favourite 2018 projects, for example, was helping some

excellent, newly qualified textile designers and musicians gain exposure during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival,” Helmig explains. “And for the first time, we had the honour of hosting 19 Danish artists and artisans for an unusual exhibition in support of the nationwide Knæk Cancer 2018 charity fundraiser.” Helmig, who is herself a painter, also makes use of the exhibition space for about a month a year, either on her own or in conjunction with other artists. “I love colours and special or unusual figurative expressions and the use of acrylics or ink – and, crucially, there should always be a touch of humour in the art,” she says. So far, 20 exhibitions have been planned with Danish and international artists for 2019 – in fact, the 2019 exhibition year has already had a powerful start, with

the colourful International POP ART exhibition, featuring contributions by Norwegian artist Espen Eiborg, painter Jürgen Wölk from Germany, and the Dutch painter Eduard Wilting. The exhibition remains open until 15 January, after which visitors will be able to explore the quirky and fantastical works of Danish oil painter Susanne Aamund. “We’d love to welcome you to our gallery here in 2019,” Helmig and Pflug conclude.

GALLERY BREDGADE 22 during Knæk Cancer 2018.

Address: Bredgade 22 1260 København K Phone: +45 2244 3444 Web: www.bredgadecph.dk Facebook: Galleri Bredgade 22 Instagram: @Bredgade22cph

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Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

Chris Reddy is known for his chalk art on the pavements around town.

Artist of the Month, Norway

Reddymade — art with a playful energy For Norwegian artist Chris Reddy, his art is about lines, shapes and the energy they bring. “In my childhood, I had intense migraines. When these attacks came, I had to be in silence and darkness. With eyes closed I saw a universe of lines, shapes and incredibly strong contrasts. This shaped my artistic expression,” Reddy explains. “My art is a manifestation of energy and a reflection of the time we live in.”

and mesmerises the audience. Through murals, gallery shows, street art, live drawing performances and even fashion, the artist shares his observations and thoughts with the world. “Inspiration

By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Chris Reddy

Drawing was a passion of his from an early age, and Reddy played with lines and colours throughout his childhood, which later resulted in him being one of the absolute first graffiti artists in Norway in his early adolescence. “Graffiti ended up being too restrictive for me. I needed to have a broader and more personal expression,” the artist says. 98 | Issue 120 | January 2019

This change in direction resulted in him studying at the Norwegian Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo, as well as art history at the University of Tromsø.

Playful, colourful and symbolistic abstract expression With a playful, colourful and symbolistic abstract expression, Reddy captivates

Chris Reddy (right).

Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

comes to me in different forms, whether that is through sounds, text, people or things I observe around me. The bright primary colours you see in my art are important, because they bring a vibrant and positive feeling. I like to have a limited and well-defined palette,” he says.

have something in common, no matter where we are from, and it is important that we do not put labels on each other, but keep an open mind,” he says. This freedom and independence are significant elements reflected in his artistic expression and person.

“Everything I create is based on line drawing. It can be done by chalk on the pavement, pen on paper, canvas or digital – still it always holds that playful energy,” Reddy explains. Street art in the form of chalk drawing is temporary, and a way for the artist to share the energy they have with the people who are not lost in the screens of their smartphone. “I love to randomly encounter new art on the street myself. It makes cities and spaces come alive. And art really does not have to be permanent.”

Putting his stamp on the town

The importance of no labels His South African roots also played a big part in shaping Reddy as the artist he is today. “Growing up with a South African dad and a Norwegian mum, I always felt like I was first and foremost a human being living on this planet, instead of belonging to a specific culture or country. In my mind, we all

In 2014, the artist had the opportunity to literally put his own stamp on his hometown, during the chess Olympics in Tromsø. He thought it was a golden opportunity to reach out to many people. “It was an amazing experience to be the official Chess Olympiad artist. I basically had the whole of Tromsø town as a canvas. To discover that people from completely different parts of the world could relate to my art as something that belonged to their own culture was just beautiful,” he says. Although many of these artworks are now gone, Reddy is proud to still find some of his early graffiti, dating back all the way to 1986, around town. Following the success of the chess Olympics, Reddy opened his own shop, the Reddymade Art Shop, in Oslo in 2015. It was a temporary project space

where the artist showed his work and engaged the local community. This resulted in collaborations with artists and writers in the area.

Reddy for the future Since 2015, Reddy has created murals, street art and gallery shows across the world, from northern Norway and Germany to New York, Miami and Los Angeles. His work is currently on display at Soli Brug in Norway and in various other galleries and art shops. Reddy has now relocated from Oslo with a new home base on the Lofoten islands. The new location is a former fish reception place, with huge potential for making and displaying art. Keep a keen eye open to find out when the next chapter in the life of Reddy starts – to be continued in the far north of Norway, where the polar bears sing under the aurora borealis skies. Web: www.reddymade.com To find out the latest news, or to purchase or commission work, follow Chis Reddy on Instagram: @reddymade_

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Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Finland Tuuli Meriläinen. Photo: Suvi Komsa

Artist of the Month, Finland

Portraying the softness of nature Finland-based artist Tuuli Meriläinen uses bold colours and soft brush strokes in her paintings, inspired by wildlife. Growing up near the untouched forests of North Karelia has shaped the way she sees the world, and Meriläinen wants to capture nature’s beauty in her works. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Tuuli Meriläinen

“I take a lot of nature walks, and take photographs while I’m wandering in the forest. I often use the pictures for inspiration, or use them to help me in the composition of my works. I live in Lieksa, in North Karelia, where nature is a big part of the town. There are several nature trails and parks on my way to work, and being in nature helps me reset my mind before returning to the office,” Meriläinen explains. Growing up in North Karelia, the surrounding nature and hunting were part of everyday life. During her childhood, in the autumn hunting season, Meriläinen would join her father on hunting trips in the forest. “A big part of hunting is silently observing the surrounding nature, usually before dawn. I used to watch the sun rising over the swamp 100 | Issue 120 | January 2019

my old paintings, leaving layers visible. I always allow room for errors, and sometimes ‘mistakes’ can be the best part of my work,” the artist concludes. Solo exhibitions

and swamp lake, and these memories shaped my childhood strongly. Although I don’t go hunting anymore; perhaps it’s because of my childhood experiences that it is so important for me to portray the anatomy of the animals I paint correctly,” she says.

3-16 June 2019: Galerie Pleiku, Berlin, Germany

All of Meriläinen’s paintings are available for sale directly through her website, or from the online art shop, Taiko, which also ships abroad. Working mainly with acrylic colour, Meriläinen uses colour study and light as sources of inspiration in her work, and she is interested in all living and moving things. The artist uses strong colours in her works, but in a way that still conveys calmness and softness. “My method is based on trial and error. Sometimes my colour combinations can be really bold, and I often paint on top of

1 September 2019: Karuselli exhibition, tm Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

December 2019: Kellokas Gallery, Äkäslompolo, Lapland, Finland Other exhibitions 26 July to 3 August 2019: Popup gallery at Lieksa Brass Week, Finland

13 September 2019 to January 2020: Mitä! modern art biennale, Kuopio, Finland

Web: www.tuulimerilainen.com, www.lieksa.fi and www.taiko.fi Facebook: merilainen.tuuli Instagram: @tuuli.merilainen.artist

Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns

IS IT JUST ME…

By Mette Lisby

Who this Christmas started to question the concept of Santa? An old man showing up out of nowhere (or at least in Scandinavia he does – show up in person, that is!), insisting children sit on his lap, obsessed with whether anybody has been ‘naughty’? Creepy, right? In my family at least, the youngest generation shares my view. This is in contrast to Santa’s very successful visit to my sister’s house last year. That he bore a strange resemblance to my sister’s husband went unnoticed by my five-year-old niece and nephew. They could hardly contain themselves with joy when Santa arrived, my niece literally jumping up and down with excitement during the whole ten-minute visit. This year, we wanted to prepare their younger brother for the fun of Christmas, so we showed the video of Santa’s visit to the toddler boy, and this is where things took an unexpected turn. He screamed with horror. And that did not change, no matter how many times my sister tried to tell him that Santa was good.

Hoping to rectify this, we brought him to an event that boasted a ‘visit from Santa’. The toddler started crying the minute he saw him – but just as my sister turned the stroller to take him home, he eyed Santa’s bags of sweets, and you could immediately see his dilemma: facing the biggest fear in his young life – but for sweets. This, I would argue, would provide a good insight into who this young man is: is he a go-getter, brave enough to face his worst fears to go and get what he really wants? Or is he a healthy young man with boundaries, concluding that no temptations from the outside world are worth compromising on your inner voice, telling you to get the hell out of there? Of course, he could also just be a calculating, lazy kid, thinking ‘nahhh, if it’s too much of an effort, I’ll just wait – I’ll get sweets later at home anyway’. It was actually pretty amazing to watch him in that moment. Shaking with fear, tears streaming down his cheeks, he went

2019 2018 started with Storm Eleanor in January and did not really slow down after that. As a European in the UK, 2019 is likely to bring more storms and some complicated uncertainties. Will I stay or will I go? If I do go back to Sweden, how would I cope with readjusting? Some things that I would welcome back into my life: salty liquorice, doors that open outwards, taps that do both hot and cold water, snow at Christmas. What would I miss about England? The list is too long. I moved to the UK when I was 15 – a morbidly timid, chubby-faced loser with absolutely zero interest in starting afresh. Out of sheer necessity, I tried to adjust, taking on a weird Swedish/Kentish accent, learning how to tie a school tie, then slowly making friends through a shared love of The X-files. If you have ever moved country, you will

to Santa and got a bag of sweets. For all other kids, it is a sad day when they realise Santa is not real. For my nephew, it was a traumatic day when he realised that he is. 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

However, once you feel accepted into a new society, it is hard not to fall in love. It took me a while, but I got there in the end, and now, of course, I am head over heels. Can you love two places at the same time? Of course you can. Can that kind of love be undone? My wish for 2019 is that none of us will have to find out.

know how difficult it can be. No matter how lovely the new place is, there will be moments when you find yourself standing in a post office, or at a petrol station, feeling completely out of your depth. Which counter do you go to, how does the pump work, what is that food?!

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

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Scan Magazine | Culture Profile | Fermaatti Choir Photo: Ida Kupari

Bright Nordic sounds During its 40 years of existence, the Fermaatti youth choir has had hundreds of girls from Kalajoki, Finland, sing for them. The choir has travelled across Europe in various competitions – and four decades later, the ensemble shows no signs of stopping. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Fermaatti

“Kalajoki is a very small town, located in the Northern Ostrobothnia region of Finland, and being part of a choir is such a formative experience. The choir members form such a close bond, and it feels like we are a family. Fermaatti also offers young people a great opportunity to travel: our girls have performed in Hungary, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan and France,” says Soili Autio, the choir’s director since 1979. With their song repertoire ranging from old Latin church music to modern gospel and folk songs, Fermaatti is proud of its clear sounds. “In an age where so-called ‘easy music’ is everywhere, simpler a capella songs might not be very ‘in’ – but we are proud to showcase beautiful, clear and bright Nordic sounds that are 102 | Issue 120 | January 2019

reminiscent of a river flowing through a mountain,” Autio proudly describes. The Fermaatti choir currently has 32 singers, aged ten to 19. The choir has taken part in numerous competitions and performances around the world, and they have won gold at three major European music festivals: in the Netherlands in 1995; in Fivizzano, Italy in 1998; and in Calella in Spain in 2013. In 2000, the Finnish Broadcasting Company chose Fermaatti as Youth Choir of the Year. “In addition to the parish of Kalajoki and the local college, one of the most important backers of the choir has been the Fermaatti Choir Support Organisation, which consists of some of the girls’ parents and which does selfless and invaluable youth work in the local area,” Autio explains.

This spring, Fermaatti will be performing special concerts to celebrate its 40 years – and the concerts will also be Autio’s last few before stepping down as director and passing the torch onto an ex-Fermaatti singer, Emma Räihälä. “Directing the choir has been rewarding and joyful; I also direct two adult choirs, so choirs are a big part of my life and I have a deep passion for my work. I get strength from the endless energy of the young people,” Autio concludes.

Web: www.fermaatti.fi

Scan Magazine | Culture | Music

Scandinavian music January is a month in which we are all more likely than usual to take on the new, the fresh and the future; to switch it up and to welcome in change with open arms. And the Nordics have got a full line-up of brand-new artists ready to take advantage of your open-minded listening habits right now. Maria Træbakken from Norway released her first single earlier this month. Unnskyld serves as the best possible introduction to a new artist, in that it sounds absolutely nothing like anything else out there at the moment. It defies genre and commands repeated listens. Sticking with Norway, you should also get acquainted with Ruben. The young gent has just released Lay by Me: a stark and soulful ballad that sounds like the kind of thing the rest of the world would lose its collective cool for, had it been put out by someone like Sam Smith. Expect that rest of that world to be cottoning on to Ruben at some point in 2019.

Over in Sweden, The Lovers of Valdaro are a new synth-pop duo already making waves thanks to their debut EP, Euphoric Melancholic Electronic. If that title did not already spell it out for you, their impressive cover of ‘80s classic I Promised Myself demonstrates precisely what colours they are nailing to their mast! With Sebastian Walldén, Sweden has got more excitement in store. The Gothenburg talent won Idol just last month, and is already one of the most promising winners that the TV talent show has spawned in recent years, with many of Sweden’s finest writers and producers already clamouring to work with him. The obligatory winner’s single Everything provides a peek into what he is capable of, but it will be very interesting to hear what he cooks up in the studio with even more time afforded to him. Finally, if there is one debut single you should be getting into right now, it is Groundhog Day by Swedish band Archi & Pelago (do you see what they did there?) –

By Karl Batterbee

a relentlessly catchy number about being stuck in a rut, but which ironically makes you very excited about a future with these lot in it. Web: www.scandipop.co.uk

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

GusGus. Photo: Kjartan Hreinsson

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Louisiana on paper: Dea Trier Mørch (17 January-28 April) The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark opens the year with a presentation of graphic works from Danish artist and writer Dea Trier Mørch’s own archive. Trier Mørch (1941-2001) was a significant political artist whose illustrations of everyday Danish life remain an important artistic contribution today. The series is based on her novel Vinterbørn (Winter’s Child) from 1976. Louisiana, Gammel Strandvej 13, Humlebæk, Denmark. www.louisiana.dk

Åke Hodell and Maria Horn (20 January) East London’s hip music venue Café Oto will put on a special matinee show 104 | Issue 120 | January 2019

By Sanne Wass

featuring works from Swedish experimental text-sound composer and writer Åke Hodell, in what would have been his 100th birthday year. It will be followed by a live performance of pieces by Maria Horn, a Stockholm-based composer whose work focuses on the manipulation of time and space through sonic extremes. 2pm. Café Oto, 18-22 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL, UK. www.cafeoto.co.uk

Azadeh Ghotbi: The Nature of Light (21-24 January) Azadeh Ghotbi’s latest photography series, The Nature of Light, is shot entirely in Norway. The exhibition examines the alchemy and interplay between light, time, movement and space.

Dea Trier Mørch, 1979. Photo: Andreas Trier Mørch

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Ghotbi, an Iranian artist, is married to a Norwegian and has spent years exploring the country’s stunning landscapes, this time around Valdres, a district in central, southern Norway. Herrick Gallery, 93 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NQ, UK. www.herrickgallery.com

An evening of Danish crime noir (6 February) Chipping Barnet Library invites you to an evening all about Danish and Nordic noir crime, thriller and culture. Three Danish authors – Heidi Amsinck, Lone Theils and Lotte Petri – will talk about their books and what inspires them to write such gripping stories. The event is moderated by Anne Grydehøj, who works in the department of Scandinavian studies at the University of Kent. 6.30pm. Chipping Barnet Library, 3 Stapylton Road, Barnet EN5 8SG, UK. www.eventbrite.co.uk

Jonesing Jams presents Kaleidobolt (23 February) Kaleidobolt, a Finnish stoner-rock trio, will come to London for an intimate one-off UK show. The gig is organised by Jonesing Jams, a music promoter specialising in improv jam nights and psych, heavy and ‘70s influenced rock shows. “This will be louder than legal so

Lone Theils. Photo: Hazel Thompson

pack your earplugs,” warns the organiser about what will be an evening “fuelled by Nordic darkness”. 8pm. Helgi’s, 177 Mare Street, London E8 3RH, UK. www.eventbrite.co.uk

GusGus in Ireland and the UK (26-28 February)

Stockholm fire and ice skating. Press photo

GusGus will embark on a three-day tour through Dublin, Glasgow and London in late February. GusGus started in Reykjavík, Iceland, in 1995 as a film and acting collective, but are today known worldwide for their electronic music. The band has released ten studio albums, with the latest record, Featherlight, being about the group’s origin and present sound. www.facebook.com/GusGusOfficial Issue 120 | January 2019 | 105

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Stockholm fire and ice skating (until 9 March) Spend an evening ice skating on natural ice just outside of Stockholm. This series of events in the dark will take you through a beautiful track lit-up by fire. The night will end with a cosy campfire with hot dogs and a hot blueberry soup. 4.30pm. Department from Adventure Café, Kungsbro Strand 21, Stockholm, Sweden. www.stockholmadventures.com

Stockholm fire and ice skating. Press photo

Maria Horn. Press photo

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Kaleidobolt. Press photo

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | xxxxxx

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