Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden
Wildlife safaris at Elk Hill At the Royal Hunt Museum – Elk Hill, fantastic nature is accessible only a short distance from Gothenburg. It is an ideal destination to explore, and a place to meet the wild creatures of the forest. West Sweden’s only eco-park is located close to Lake Vänern, and its mountains Halleberg and Hunneberg offer rare geology and biological diversity with fascinating wildlife. The Royal Hunt Museum – Elk Hill is ideal for families with children, with opportunities to smell, touch and explore – practical learning in a museum environment. There is an interactive display about Swedish nature and hunting history as well as the royal hunt, which was introduced by King Oscar II in 1885 and is still active today.
Photo: Elk Hill
A highlight is the popular wildlife safaris. From Midsummer to the end of August, visitors can take part in the elk safari on Mondays and Thursdays, with opportunities to see the impressive king of the forest. “The tour lasts at least three hours and also includes a visit at the museum, where we can show the elk up close,” says nature guide Ola Selin. On Wednesdays during the summer months, visitors can join the beaver safari with canoeing on the lake to get even closer. There is also great fishing here.
Photo: Roland Johansson
By Malin Norman
Hunneberg’s fishing waters include lakes with rainbow trout, and Selin recommends the waters with natural populations of perch and pike. “It should be easy to get outdoors,” he concludes. “Sitting in a small boat on a lake is peaceful – it shouldn’t be about what gear you are using. Here, you can get back to basics with a simple fishing rod and bait.”
The Royal Hunt Museum – Elk Hill is open all year round with plenty of activities throughout. Web: www.algensberg.com Facebook: kungajaktmuseetalgensberg Instagram: @kungajaktmuseet
Photo: iStock
Where art, nature and people meet On the island of Tjörn on Sweden’s west coast hides a cultural hub, namely Nordiska Akvarellmuseet (The Nordic Water Colour Museum). The museum, elegantly streamlined in line with its natural surroundings, attracts people from all corners of the globe through its world-class exhibitions and events, celebrating the beauty of water colour. By Emma Rödin
Since opening its doors in 2000, Nordiska Akvarellmuseet has welcomed over three million visitors to a range of exhibitions, including the works of Salvador Dalí, Bill Viola and Louise Bourgeois. In addition to displaying top-class art, the museum hosts attractive events such as workshops, lectures and concerts. Additionally, the museum has a strong relationship with other actors in the Gothenburg region, including local schools. Everyone is invited to explore and benefit from the museum’s wide offering. “The heart of our museum has always been our fantastic exhibitions. At the same time, we work hard to enrich these with activities around them. It heightens the 44 | Issue 122 | March 2019
experience,” says Bera Nordal, director of Nordiska Akvarellmuseet. Visitors to the museum also get to soak up the establishment’s stunning surroundings. “When you visit us, you get to be close to nature. There is the gorgeous sea and
smooth cliffs just outside, and there’s a wonderful balance between the land and the museum. Some would call it symbiosis,” says Nordal. In our modern, often stressful society, Nordal believes that people are simply longing for harmony. “We help them find that here, be it by looking at art or by creating it themselves,” she concludes. For a great dose of culture and an experience that feeds the soul, the choice of destination is clear.
Photo: Anders Arena Nordiska Akvarellmuseet is a leading museum in the realm of water colour art. Photo: Kalle Sanner
Web: www.akvarellmuseet.org