APRIL/MAY 2020 ISSUE 135 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA
SATU MAARANEN – DESIGNING A NORDIC ICON STYLE TRENDS: HOW TO SPOT A SCANDINAVIAN SWEDISH FASHION BRANDS – OUR TOP PICKS TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT: VISIT GREENLAND
Scan Magazine | Contents
Contents COVER FEATURE 30
As the head designer of iconic brand Marimekko’s ready-to-wear, bags and accessories, Satu Maaranen knows more than a thing or two about Nordic fashion heritage and trends. Scan Magazine caught up with the Finnish designer to talk about Marimekko’s story, sustainability in fashion, and the relevance of Nordic feminism.
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the more recent high-street giants. Read about our current favourites to find out how to stay comfortable yet sensual in your own home, how to make the most of the clogs trend without compromising your style, and the most fashionable and sustainable ways to take to the beach – once we make it that far again.
Satu Maaranen On the Future of Sustainable Fashion
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From the shores of Denmark and their dramatic past to the magnificent architecture of a royal castle and a well-preserved arts community on the Oslo fjord, read more about our favourite four Scandinavian culture highlights right here.
DESIGN 6
Organic Architecture and Fluffy Hugs Our favourite Scandinavian architect, Pål Ross, reveals why his firm was the first to get the Svanen eco label stamp of approval and what organic lines and movements have to do with it. Among our other Nordic design obsessions right now are a sturdy yet sleek backpack, earthy wool and ceramic interior items, and duvets as comforting as a warm embrace.
Nordic Culture Special
52
Visit Greenland Extreme weather conditions, dramatic nature and vast distances between key locations are among the distinguishing features of this rare beauty of an island. Discover the business landscape of Greenland or get inspired to plan for a very different, unforgettable kind of trip later this year.
BUSINESS
52
CULINARY SECTION 20
60
As the world faces the crisis of a century, keynote writer Nils Elmark ponders the kinds of values that should lead the way towards a new normal. A Danish business, meanwhile, makes sure that no one risks facing the new world order afraid of running out of battery.
Beer, Cheese and Bread You say lockdown, we say beer, cheese and bread. Be inspired by food columnist and bread lover Louise Hurst, find out which beer books to get, and discover Norway’s favourite cheesy delight. If there was ever a time to indulge, this is it.
SPECIAL FEATURES 23
A Lesson in Scandi Spotting If you’re curious about the Faroe Islands or happen to need a drone for event footage, read on. For more leisurely reading, look no further than our top ten Scandi-spotting secrets – from functionalist coats and bags to endless stripes. Ever heard of a ‘kulturtant’? Time to learn!
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Charge Your Batteries for A New World
CULTURE 71
Greta, Tove and Company Culture columnist Xander Brett reflects on the inspiring nature of a young, Swedish climate activist while Karl Batterbee a.k.a. Scandipop reveals what music will make the soundtrack to your lockdown. There’s absolutely no reason why social isolation needs to be quiet and dull.
SPECIAL THEMES 34
Swedish Fashion Brands – Our Top Picks Lace, silk, swimwear and clogs – Swedish fashion is about so much more than the old iconic classics and
REGULARS & COLUMNS 6 64
Fashion Diary | 8 Street Style | 10 Get The Scandi Look Restaurants of the Month | 66 Artist of the Month | 70 Humour
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 3
Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note
Dear Reader, There’s no getting around the fact that these are very hard, very strange times. In years to come, we will look back at 2020 as the year of the global pandemic, when what ‘business as usual’ looks like changed forever. What the new normal is, no one quite knows – but already, organisations and businesses everywhere are stretching and shedding, showing off their agility and dipping toes in new waters in a bid to demonstrate that they will be part of it, no matter what happens. While the Swedish approach to the coronavirus challenge has been notably different from that of most other countries across the world, including indeed the country’s Scandinavian neighbours, the impact of the crisis will be felt everywhere – and the entrepreneurs, designers, creatives and business leaders we’ve spoken to for this issue of Scan Magazine all have ideas and strategies for not just coping, but getting out the other end of the disaster strong, healthy and thriving.
to a few Danish and Norwegian cultural leaders about what’s coming next – even if they’re having to learn on the job about postponed shows and flexible opening hours. One fashion brand that sure has walked both strong and healthy (and colourful!) through plenty of ups and downs is Marimekko, the lead designer of which is on this month’s cover. And what better brain to be inspired by than that of a feminist, sustainability-mad designer who puts functionalism first and throw-away trends in the bin? I know I, for one, will take on board many of her sentiments as I try to make sense of what this tough time of turmoil means to me. Stay safe, and mind each other – at a safe distance.
Linnea Dunne, Editor
SCAN
As our Swedish fashion masterminds know, we will still need to get dressed even if our societies change – but our demands and desires may be different. In Greenland, with its vast landscapes, social distancing may be child’s play – but how are tourism managers and business leaders bridging those gaps? Our need for fun and entertainment sure won’t stop either, and we’ve spoken
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4 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
Fashion Diary… This season we are looking at the latest pastel trend, which is certain to spark lots of joy in your wardrobe. Go for a classic palette of sweet shades such as pink, yellow, blue and turquoise, and it will make you look Scandi chic while helping to boost your mood. By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos
We love this cute and eye-catching stripy jumper, from Danish brand Moves, in spring blue. It will keep you warm and cosy without compromising the beauty of the pretty pastel colour spectrum. Moves, ‘Damina’ jumper, approx £47.21 www.movesshop.com
Stay on trend while looking smart in this classic, feminine coat from Y-A-S. With its perfect pastel shade of pink and trenchcoat details, it will become a staple in your spring and summer wardrobe for years to come. Y-A-S, Feminine coat, £105 www.y-a-s.com A midi skirt is the perfect match paired with an over-sized, cosy jumper, and this satin version in pastel mint from Monki is a great choice. It gives you a feminine, fashionable look this season. Swap the jumper for an elegant top and you are dressed up for any occasion! Monki, satin midi skirt, £30 www.monki.com
For the less daring, a pair of shoes can be an excellent way to keep up with the pastel trend. These flat, slipper-style sandals from Ganni have a watery moire finish, as well as a square-shaped heel and toe for a unique look. If you feel like making a bold statement, match them with a head-to-toe pastel outfit. Ganni, slipper sandals, £195 www.ganni.com
6 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
With a relaxed fit and fine quality, the Ryan Polo 6311 from NN07 is knitted in an Italian cotton and linen blend with a light feel. This polo shirt strikes the right balance between sophisticated and practical everyday item. NN07, ‘Ryan’ polo 6311, £109 www.nn07.com
Pastel details are a great way to keep on top of the trend, and this Lee weekend bag from contemporary fashion and lifestyle brand Wood Wood has just the right amount of them. Bring it with you whether you are heading on a trip or going to the gym, and it will complement the rest of your outfit perfectly. Wood Wood, ‘Lee’ bag, £125 www.woodwood.com
For a preppy, formal outfit with a casual expression, we think these slim-fit chino trousers in pastel pink teamed up with a smart, blue blazer and suede loafers from Selected Homme are the way to go. Selected Homme, ‘Slhyard’ chinos, £55 Selected Homme, slim-fit blazer, £120 Selected Homme, suede loafers, £80 www.selected.com
Like sweets for your eyes, the Dot socks from Swedish brand Happy Socks are sprinkled with vibrant spots of mint green and blue for a look that is both classic and fresh. Slip on a pair and get ready to stand out this season. Happy Socks, ‘Dot’ sock, £11.95 www.happysocks.com
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 7
Scan Magazine | Design | Street Style
Nordic Humans of London Scan Magazine’s brilliant Sanna Halmekoski has once again hit the streets of London to find out what the Scandinavian fashion fanatics are wearing. Cool, sleek and full of statements, this is a little piece of Scandiland in the United Kingdom. Text and photos by Sanna Halmekoski | www.nordichumans.com
Michael Maximilian Moss Danish co-founder and CEO of an AI media tech start-up, @promomii.ai
Alexander Klingspor Swedish artist, @alexanderklingspor “I would call my style confused bohemian. ‘Confused’ because I have no idea what my style is. I usually wear jeans, T-shirts and trainers. I am also confused about how the paint got onto my jeans. I like to shop in stores, but sometimes I buy online. My shoes are by Saucony, the jumper is by Aviator Nation, the robe is by Black Ficus, the jeans are by Acne Studios, the jeans with paint are by Nudie, the T-shirt is by American Eagle Outfitters, the hat is from Union Square in NYC, and the glasses are by Warby Parker.”
“I have to make a lot of decisions every day for work, and deciding what to wear daily is not something I want to worry about. I have several similar socks, T-shirts, jeans and shoes. I travel a lot and try to dress as casually as possible while looking presentable. I often wear a white shirt and jeans, never a full suit. I wear my clothes for as long as I can and try not to buy unnecessary stuff. Today my shoes are by Hugo Boss, my jeans are by Armani, the jacket is by Mango, and the turtleneck is by Zara.”
Wilma Drots.
Wilma Drots Finnish barrista, @wilmadrots
Michael Maximilian Moss..
8 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
“My style is quite relaxed. I like to wear comfortable clothes, and I wear a lot of black. I like tattoos because they please my eye. I don’t wear very colourful clothes, so my tattoos brighten up the look. I try to mostly shop at vintage and second-hand shops. When I am in Finland, I often share clothes with my sister. My dress is from Oxfam, my shoes are by Vans, and the jacket is by Cheap Monday. The ring was made by my boyfriend in a workshop where we made rings for each other.”
Alexander Klingspor.
Scan Magazine | Design | Get the Scandi Look
Get the Scandi Look This month, we are obsessed with the minimal kitchen of München-based designer and interior blogger Sarah Van Peteghem of the blog Coco Lapine. Her simple, white kitchen with wooden and brass details is simply stunning. We’ll help you to re-create the look in your own home. By Ingrid Opstad | Press photos
As much as we love the wood details, the subtle marble texture also ties this space together nicely and adds a bit of character. The minimalist marble tray with raised edges from HAY is available in two sizes – square and rectangular. Not only is it practical, as you can place a few items on it to keep your kitchen worktop tidy, but it is at the same time very decorative. HAY, marble tray L, 54 x 25 cm, £259 HAY, marble tray S, 22 x 22 cm, £129 www.madeindesign.co.uk
The wood details in the form of cutting boards and trays in Sarah’s kitchen create a natural, Scandinavian feel. Find a few cutting boards to display on a shelf or the kitchen counter to get the same look, and if you need a new addition, we recommend the Sild tray from Skagerak, which functions as a cutting board and serving board at the same time. The composition of small wooden sticks in teak forms an elegant herringbone pattern, emphasised by the many nuances and grains in the wood. The word ‘sild’ actually means herring in Danish, which explains the name. Skagerak, ‘Sild’ tray, £135 www.skagerak.dk
10 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Scan Magazine | Design | Get the Scandi Look The Shell pot from ferm LIVING is shaped like a nautilus shell, merging natural shapes with contemporary design. With a matte outside and glazed inside, it adds a delicate detail to Sarah’s kitchen shelf. Its simple, sculptural shape can be used on its own as seen here, or filled with your favourite flowers. ferm LIVING, ‘Shell’ pot, £69 www.fermliving.com
If you are looking for an affordable, simple way to update your kitchen, the Swedish company Superfront is a great place to start. Not only does it design new doors and covers for your IKEA kitchen, but it also has a great range of handles and legs so that you can customise it. If you have white doors already, these Holy Wafer handles in brass will help you re-create Sarah’s minimal kitchen in a beautiful and easy way, without having to spend a lot of money. Superfront, ‘Holy Wafer’ handle, £13 each www.superfront.com
In addition to being a blogger, Sarah is also a designer who sells her own prints. Crinkled No.2 makes a great statement artwork in her space and is a quick way to get the same look. It has an interesting abstract formation of a crinkled linen fabric combined with a digitised vintage paper in soft blue and yellow hues, which complements the simple, white kitchen. Coco Lapine Design, ‘Crinkled No.2’ print, approx. £25 www.cocolapine.com
The Plug table lamp was designed by Form Us With Love for ateljé Lyktan. It is a solution to a problem many people face – a lamp with an added electrical socket on for when you need it! A decorative and functional lamp to have on your table. ateljé Lyktan, ‘Plug’ table lamp, £216 www.nordicnest.com
Sarah’s chairs are vintage and painted white, but if you are after a similar style, the J77 chair from HAY is a great choice. Designed by Folke Pålsson, it has a wide seat and curved spindle back for optimal comfort, while the slightly conical legs create extra stability. HAY’s relaunched version brings back memories for many people who have encountered this chair in summer houses all over Scandinavia. HAY, ‘J77’ chair, £149 www.skandium.com
The featured kitchen belongs to Sarah Van Peteghem. For more style tips, follow her blog, Coco Lapine. www.cocolapine.com Instagram: @sarah_cocolapine
We love the table in Sarah’s kitchen – a combination of the Mingle table top and table legs, both from ferm LIVING. In an elegant and contemporary play on colours, contrasts and textures, this round tabletop is crafted from oak veneer, which adds to the natural style of Sarah’s home. The brass legs add a modern feel and match perfectly with the handles and tap in this kitchen. ferm LIVING, ‘Mingle’ table top, 130 cm, £759 ferm LIVING, ‘Mingle’ table legs, £379 www.fermliving.com
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 11
Villa White. Photo: Ossian Tove
The Ross house: kind to its inhabitants – and the environment Along with greater global awareness of climate change comes an increased demand on the materials we use and the life expectancy of a product. For over 20 years, Ross Architecture and Design has been building long-lasting houses using environmentally friendly materials, without the need to compromise on style or functionality. At a time when these aspects are becoming more and more important, this is undoubtedly an architecture firm that will stand the test of time. By Pia Petersson
Perhaps it was Pål Ross’ strong relationship with his maternal grandfather that helped him to better understand the importance of future proofing all his buildings. “He taught me a lot of things, both directly and indirectly. I think it was he who made me understand how important it is to stay in a familiar environment when you’re growing old, instead of having to move to an unfamiliar place that’s deemed more practical for your needs,” Ross reasons. Additionally, during his student years, Ross worked in nursing homes – an experience that also taught him a fair share about future proofing. 12 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Hence, in order to as far as possible prevent people from having to leave their homes as they reach old age, all Ross houses come complete with a lift – or have been prepared to in the future be able to accommodate one. Future proofing and designing houses that will stand the test of time are essential components of the philosophy behind Ross Architecture and Design. This is one of many reasons why a Ross house is built to last at least 300 years. “It’s a scandal that most new-built houses only have an expected lifetime
of around 50 years,” says Ross, sounding genuinely flabbergasted. Moreover, there is of course a strong green argument behind his line of reasoning. It is rather self-explanatory that a house that stands for three centuries or more will create a lot less emission, waste and other environmentally unfriendly knockon effects than one that is only expected to last half a century. “Cheaper isn’t always better – or even cheaper, actually – in the long run. Just think about a nice coat you bought for quite some money say ten years ago, and compare it to a coat you might only have bought a couple of years ago but which is already starting to wear. What has been the cost per time you’ve worn each coat?” Ross asks rhetorically.
The Ross house recipe There are several aspects that make a Ross house what it is. What the customer can expect is a house that has been
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Ross Architecture & Design
cast on the spot, in order for the building to follow the terrain, instead of the other way around. “This means that our houses won’t rot, grow mould or blow away. In addition, the construction techniques we use can withstand the northern European climate and don’t run the risk of resulting in so-called sick house syndrome, just because it happens to rain during the construction period,” Ross explains. The way in which light and form interact is key to the appearance and feel of a Ross house. Throughout the house, LED lights contribute to an inviting atmosphere and define the smooth, curved internal walls. “The way we work with the lighting enhances the shape of the rooms and creates a form of light therapy during the long, dark winter in northern Europe,” the architect underlines.
Villa Panaroma. Photo: Ossian Tove
Yet another defining, important ingredient of every Ross house is the flowy architectural movement present throughout the house, which aims to reconnect with nature and is part of the reason why the Ross design language can be described as organic. Part of what this means in practice is the avoidance of corridors. “They often turn into unnecessary transport areas that can in fact be eliminated, deploying different smart designs, at the same time as actually saving money,” Ross explains.
Climate smart and at the same time luxurious In a day and age when sustainability is high up on a lot of agendas and throw-
Villa Victor. Photo: Mikael Damkier
Villa Panaroma. Photo: Ossian Tove
Villa Victor. Photo: Mikael Damkier
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 13
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Ross Architecture & Design
Villa Spontan. Photo: Ossian Tove
away culture is deplored, what Ross Architecture and Design does is well sought after. This is because the firm has proven that it is possible to design a so-called passive house, which can be simultaneously climate smart, beautiful and luxurious. An example of this is Villa Äntligen (Villa Finally), a zero-net energy consumption house. A zero-net energy house is one in which the total amount of energy used is equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site. Most passive houses are built with small windows in order to release as little energy as possible, but this is not always necessary, according to Ross. Instead, the windows in Villa Äntligen are extremely well insulated. “We only work with the very best windows on the market. And in every single one of our projects, we use triple- and not double-glazing. Moreover, these windows are always laminated and hardened,” Ross points out as one of the reasons why it is possible to build a passive house without having to succumb to poky porthole-like windows. Further emphasising the seriousness with which Ross Architecture and Design 14 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
takes an environmentally aware approach to building methods and materials, is the fact that the firm was, for a couple of years, the only architecture firm in Sweden to hold the coveted Nordic Swan label – the official sustainability eco label for products from the Nordic countries.
An outdoor feeling – indoors Hand in hand with Ross Architecture and Design’s environmental consideration is a commitment to looking after and being kind to the people who are going to live in the house. “It’s always been key for us to not under any circumstances jeopardise our customers’ health. A person who moves into a Ross house can feel absolutely confident that they won’t be exposed to any building materials that will make them ill,” Ross explains. There are further health aspects that Ross takes into consideration, too. “It’s part of human nature to feel good and free while outdoors. That’s why we try to create a sense of freedom indoors. One reason why we feel free outdoors is because there’s no roof 2.4 metres from the floor. The body might fit in a 2.4- metre-high space, but the soul scrapes
Pål Ross. Photo: James Holm
Profile: Pål Ross – Born: 1961 – Background: Swedish mother, American father. Spent 13 of his childhood years in Spain. – Education: School of Architecture, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. – Family: Married to Deirdre (who also works at the architecture firm), four children.
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Ross Architecture & Design
the ceiling,” Ross finishes, using one of his distinguishing metaphors. As a result, Ross Architecture and Design extends the ceilings in all its projects to at least 2.7 metres – but up to as much as double ceiling height is a common characteristic in many a Ross house. This, of course, in order to make the soul of its inhabitants feel freer, calmer – and happier. Facts: Ross Architecture and Design – Founded by Pål and Deirdre Ross in 1996. – Out of 336 completed projects in five countries, 99.8 per cent of all customers have been satisfied with the end result. – The firm consists of seven dedicated full-time architects and engineers. It has a very diverse team with staff from Japan, the US, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Denmark. – An energy efficient Ross house is always free from materials that can cause allergies and asthma. – All Ross houses come with, or are prepared for a future installation of, a lift.
Villa Victoria. Photo: Ross Architecture and Design
– The firm has, among several other prizes, won Best Architecture, Single Residence 2009 for Villa Victor in Östersund, northern Sweden. – During its almost 25 years in the business, the firm has seen the realisation of projects not only in Sweden, but also in other corners of the world. Wherever the team operates, it always makes sure to forge contacts with local tradespeople in order to facilitate the construction process.
Contact details Address: Hertigarnas Stall Dragonvägen 1 178 93 Drottningholm Sweden
Villa Victoria. Photo: Ross Architecture and Design
www.ross.se Facebook: rossarkitekturdesignab Email: info@ross.se Phone number: +46 8 84 84 82
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 15
Sweet dreams with fluffy clouds Born out of a desire to get a good night’s sleep, new Swedish brand Happy Fluffy Cloud provides duvets that feel softer and fluffier than you could imagine – reminiscent of traditional down duvets in the Alps, like a warm hug easing you into a comfortable and dreamy night. By Malin Norman | Photos: Happy Fluffy Cloud
Behind Stockholm-based Happy Fluffy Cloud is daydreaming trio Stina Barkow, Anna Röstlund and Philip Björkqvist. “Between us, and based on our different personal experiences, we were talking a lot about the importance of sleep,” says Barkow. “Even though people have different sleep cycles, most of us long for a good night’s sleep. Our vision was to be able to fall asleep comfortably warm and tucked in like a child.” The trio were dreaming of a fluffy duvet, a cloud to embrace you in a big hug when going to bed. At the time, Sweden 16 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
did not have the pillow-like duvets without channel seams that they were looking for. Instead, they searched abroad and eventually found what they were looking for in the Alps: the much-loved traditional duvets with fantastic qualities that then became the inspiration for Happy Fluffy Cloud.
High-quality goose down Down is nature’s way of keeping ducks and geese warm, like a thermal insulator and padding. The loose structure of down feathers traps air, which helps to insulate the birds against heat loss. Goose down
is often chosen for its warmth, softness, resilience and insulating properties and is popular in, for example, jackets, sleeping bags, pillows and, of course, duvets. “Down is an incredible insulation material that also breathes and transports away moisture,” Barkow explains. “A high-quality duvet will keep warm during cold nights without losing that lovely, soft feeling.” The trio learnt about the traditional duvets and the importance of getting the mix of down and feathers just right. Happy Fluffy Cloud uses 50 per cent down and 50 per cent feathers from goose, a mix that makes the duvets warm yet soft and fluffy. Only European poultry is used, and production is strictly regulated with traceable farms and suppliers. Animal care is important for the team at Happy Fluffy Cloud, and they have made sure to
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Happy Fluffy Cloud
use feathers and down from birds that are to become food, which means that the whole bird is being used. At the end of last year, the brand’s first product was ready and received a positive response and plenty of orders straight away. Containing more filling than most other duvets on the market and with a weight of five kilogrammes, the duvet from Happy Fluffy Cloud is like a big, soft pillow, which brings a sense of comfort and relaxation – and ultimately better sleep. “It feels like being tucked in and going into hibernation,” smiles Barkow. “We have the duvets in our family, and nowadays nobody wants to get up in the morning!”
Dreaming of the perfect sleep When we sleep, our pulse goes down, we breathe more slowly and our energy consumption goes down, which makes our temperature drop, too. So-called heavy duvets have become trendy recently, for their claim to improved sleep. This impressive duvet from Happy Fluffy Cloud is a unique product on the market, naturally heavy with five kilogrammes of down and feathers, making it super soft without any added materials. A duvet from Happy Fluffy Cloud is an investment. If taken care of properly, it can last a lifetime. You can wash the duvet in 60 degrees and tumble dry with a few tennis balls. The duvets from Happy Fluffy Cloud are available in the web shop, which is open 24/7. “Early on, we discovered that a lot of purchases were made during the night, as people with sleeping problems came to us in search of a solution. So sometimes we keep our customer service open during the night too, and we have had a night campaign with a special discount between midnight and 3am,” Barkow says, and concludes: “Customers have come back and told us that they have finally found the solution to good sleep, and others love the duvet for the stylish look and the fluffy feeling it adds to the bedding.” www.happyfluffycloud.se Facebook: Happyfluffycloud Instagram: @happyfluffycloud
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 17
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Kintobe
Left: Kintobe is looking for new ways to be as environmentally friendly as possible. That’s why it uses 100 per cent recycled polyester from plastic bottles as its main material. 21 recycled 550-millilitre plastic bottles are used to make one Kintobe backpack. Top right: All Kintobe bags are waterproof and have movable straps so they can be worn in multiple ways. Bottom right: Interior zipper pockets, elastics and nets make the bags easy to organise.
Carry kindness Kintobe is an urban Copenhagen brand on a mission: to make bags that get people out the door easily so they can meet new people. The idea behind the brand – to get people to carry kindness – was born when life took an unexpected turn for the two founders. By Camilla Pedersen | Photos: Zane Kraujina
“Something changed when our little baby boy was born much too early. Looking at this fragile little human being who was hospitalised for the first seven weeks of his life, our busy career-driven lifestyle suddenly seemed foreign to us. We both knew that something had to change. Not just in our lives, but also on a wider scale,” says Anne Thorsø Sørensen, who founded Kintobe with her husband, Michael Bisgaard. The couple found that they wanted a different life, but they also wanted a different world – a kinder world revolving around human connection. Much to the surprise of family and friends, this realisation made them wave goodbye to the life that they knew – a life with good corporate jobs, pension schemes and nice holidays. Their safety net was gone, and Kintobe was turned into a reality – fuelled by all their savings and big ambitions to do good. 18 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Much more than a bag With Kintobe, the couple not only wanted to offer urban consumers practical, comfortable and stylish bags that epitomise Scandinavian aesthetics and functionality. Sustainability also had to play a big part in the make-up of the bag. “By 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish. This is a serious problem that needs to be solved. We want to do our part by making all Kintobe bags out of 100 per cent recycled polyester. A single backpack is made using 21 plastic bottles that would otherwise have ended up in the ocean,” says co-founder Michael Bisgaard. But the Kintobe founders also had ambitions for the bags to do good in other ways, and have launched various initiatives as a result, including the SAY HI programme, which connects people in
Aarhus and Copenhagen so that they can meet, get new perspectives and break down biases. “We realised that in order to make the world a better place for our little son and everyone else, we need to promote human connection and compassion – that’s where it all starts. And that’s why we wanted to create a brand that sheds light on the growing polarisation in the world, and maybe even does its humble part to change it.”
The founding couple behind Kintobe turned their own lives upside-down when they had the idea for the unisex bag brand designed to make life easier for the urban, style-conscious consumer. Photo: Kintobe
Shop Kintobe bags and learn more about the SAY HI programme on: www.kintobe.com Instagram: @kintobe_official
Scan Magazine | Design Profile | Aveva Design
Aveva Design creates original products for the home.
Eva Gassne-Jeckelmann.
Crafted design from Sweden’s south What started off as a hobby for designer Eva Gassne-Jeckelmann has in eight years grown into something much bigger, namely Aveva Design. Born out of a love to create, this brand is all about uniquely crafted designs that add real value to every home. By Emma Rödin | Photos: Caroline Tengen
Originally a one-woman band, Aveva is today made up of a whole team to make the most of the founder’s designs. And it’s a team where consideration is key, towards everything from people to the planet – something that might seem contradictory when considering consumerism and the actual need for material things in society. “That’s why we work hard to create products that we believe enhance people’s lives,” explains Christoph Jeckelmann, CEO at Aveva. “We work against mass production and only produce as much as we need through craft techniques, using natural and sustainable materials.” Wool and ceramics are the two materials predominantly used in the brand’s product range, the latter of which is proudly produced entirely in Aveva’s own Limhamn
studio in the city of Malmö. “Wool is a great material to work with as it’s 100 per cent natural, as well as biodegradable and renewable,” says Jeckelmann, “while ceramics are extremely durable and can be enjoyed by generations to come.” Also featuring materials like wood, cork and glass, Aveva products range from jars, baskets and pots to candle holders, bowls and even woolly posters, all underpinned by four brand keywords: colourful, useful, natural and happy. Although designs are made in-house, Aveva also works closely with external manufacturers and suppliers, always local if possible. “We choose our partners very carefully, making sure that they
share our values and care as much as we do about environmental and social responsibility,” explains Jeckelmann. “We strive for honest relationships and products for the heart.” Additionally, recycled paper is used for product tags and packaging – a smart and minimal approach that helps reduce overall waste. Those who are intrigued by Aveva can purchase items through the dedicated web shop or from selected retailers, both in Sweden and internationally. Perhaps go for one of the newly launched itty bowls or eva jars? Aveva also enjoys collaborating with restaurants and other companies, supplying them with original products that give them an edge. Thanks to the wide range of unique, handmade products, Aveva Design has quickly become the go-to brand for anyone looking to create good vibes at home. www.aveva-design.se Instagram: @avevadesign
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Scan Magazine | Food and Drink | Column
Photo: Unsplash
Louise’s Nordic kitchen: bread By Louise Hurst | Photo: Louise Hurst
Good bread in Scandinavia is a given. I grew up observing my Swedish grandmother as she kneaded, shaped and baked endless varieties of bread and buns. White bread is rarely eaten in Scandinavia, whereas wholegrain varieties, with a range of seeds, are relished daily in every household. In fact, children are taught about ‘de fyra sädesslagen’ (‘the four grains’) at school: wheat, rye, barley and oats. These four essentially made up the vast majority of what was originally eaten in the Nordic region, as they were the main grain crops cultivated and, unsurprisingly, the ones used in the bakeries. Although it’s now easy to transport foods around the world, the way we ate in the past has had a huge influence on how we choose to eat today. The culture of bread baking in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and, to a lesser degree, Finland was influenced in the Middle Ages by Germanic bread traditions. They were then adopted and adapted to the Nordic palette. Robust, earthy grains such as rye work incredibly well with classic Scandinavian food, such as smoked meat, cured or pickled fish, and vegetables. Although white bread has become more popular in re20 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
cent years, ‘smørrebrød’ – that’s open sandwiches – require a sturdy, wholesome bread base for generous toppings such as ‘gravad lax’, prawns with sliced egg, or beetroot salad with meatballs. Danish ‘rugbrød’ (rye bread) is universally enjoyed. However, the Danes also favour a flour-less bread: Nordic nut bread, or ‘Stenalderbrød’ (Stone Age bread), made with seeds, nuts, eggs and no yeast. And speaking of yeast, only fresh is used in both sweet and savoury bread, commercially as well as at home. However, ‘kavring’, a classic Swedish loaf – slightly sweet, moist and fragrant – often calls for bicarbonate of soda as the raising agent. I cannot fail to mention crisp bread, or ‘knäckebröd’. You can’t go far in the Nordic region without seeing these rye or wholemeal flatbreads. Their origins lie in Sweden and Finland, where they have been baked in their current form for around 500 years. Why the hole in the middle? Before the invention of the iron stove, baking these crisp flat breads was something people did in the rural communities, after the harvest and in spring. The hole in the middle was there to aid the drying-out, hanging and han-
dling of the bread on long wooden poles above an open fire. Now, if you find yourself in a bakery in Scandinavia, you should feel a little less overwhelmed by the choice of wonderful bread.
Cordon bleu trained food creator Louise Hurst marries her passion and professionalism to create stunning, stylish Scandinavian dishes. With a touch of love and a pinch of nostalgia, she brings a deliciously fresh approach to ‘husmanskost’ – traditionally homecooked Swedish fare – along with her own creations. Read more at www.nordickitchenstories.co.uk
Scan Magazine | Food and Drink | Column
Photo: Shutterstock
Beer appreciation in the world of books By Malin Norman | Photo: Malin Norman
People who see my stack of beer books are always surprised. Yes, there are quite a few about brewing techniques, the history of beer styles, how to taste beer, the craft beer revolution, and so on – you get the picture. My partner, who is a doctor, often tells his friends, jokingly, that “there are more books about beer than about medicine on our book shelves”. What is missing on the over-flowing book shelves, however, is beer books by Scandinavian writers. Just recently, I found out that Sweden in fact has some of the world’s best beer books. Peter Eronson has won a number of awards for his works, including gold and silver at the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards, for his Beer, Brewing & Bastards, co-authored with Jonas Darnell. Another interesting read would be Mikkeller’s Book of Beer by Mikkel Borg Bjergsø and Pernille Pang, from Denmark. It shows how to become a beer connoisseur and how to brew ex-
citing, great-tasting beer at home. Craft beer lovers are probably aware that Borg Bjergsø has an estranged twin brother, who is based in New York with his brewery, Evil Twin. And yes, of course, Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø has written beer books, too: his Where to Drink Beer lists more than 1,600 of the best places to go for a beer around the world, while Food & Beer, co-authored with Canadian chef Daniel Burns, describes great food and beer pairings. But there is a lot more! For instance, Gustav Foseid, Norway’s 2011 champion in home-brewing, has written Ølsmaking (Beer Tasting) and Håndbok i Ølbrygging (Handbook in Brewing). And Norwegian beer queen Sigrid Strætkvern has written the delicious Øl Med Kniv & Gaffel (Beer With Knife & Fork), which was nominated for Cookbook of the Year by Apéritif a few years ago. So the pubs and bars may be closed for the time being, but there is still a lot to discover in the world of beer.
Malin Norman is a certified beer sommelier and a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers. With a background in international marketing, she has a particular interest in consumer trends in the beer market. Malin writes about beer for Scan Magazine as well as international beer magazines, and also creates beer-related content for global producers.
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 21
Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile | Jarlsberg
Jarlsberg is the perfect cheese for a convenient, comforting or celebratory toastie.
Toastie takeover Jarlsberg has been a staple in Norwegian homes for over half a century, but the nutty, round and mild-flavoured cheese is becoming increasingly popular outside of Norway, also. It is already a regular feature on supermarket shelves around the world, and now, it’s aiming to conquer the toastie. By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Jarlsberg
Since its humble beginnings in the Norwegian village of Ås in the 1950s, Jarlsberg has become a Norwegian national treasure and a world-wide success. Invented by professor Ole Martin Ystgaard, the cheese is the result of a research project at the Dairy Institute of The Agricultural University of Norway. Though internationally famous for its flavour, its characteristically round holes and its compatibility with a multitude of foods, there are still new mar-
kets for Jarlsberg to conquer. Current ambition: replacing cheddar and other cheeses as the go-to cheese for toasties, or, as they’re known in America, the grilled-cheese sandwich. With its unbeatable ability to melt perfectly into stretchy goodness, Jarlsberg is as essential in a toastie as it is on the breakfast table. “It’s a cheese full of history and tradition,” says international marketing manager Silje Lindborg. “But this time, we’re reaching out to younger people.”
A humorous approach True to tradition, Jarlsberg is using humour in its quest for a piece of the toastie market. Through a series of videos, all in line with the brand’s famously cheerful and colourful style, Jarlsberg shows how a Jarlsberg cheese toastie isn’t just delicious and tasty; it’s also the perfect comfort food, whether you’re dealing with a break-up, injuries, bad decisions or the dog next door. And of course, it is just as appropriate for celebrations, as a snack, or enjoyed on the sofa snuggling up under a blanket. Aimed towards social media – and primarily Instagram – the Jarlsberg content is designed to stand out among other posts on people’s feeds. Each endearing video is a little story from everyday life, each making people a little bit more aware of Jarlsberg’s versatility, all in an entertaining, enticing and informative way – and, of course, inspiring creativity in the making of toasties, with recipes and tips. Read more about the Jarlsberg toastie campaign and watch the videos at: www.jarlsberg.com Instagram: @jarlsberg_
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Scan Magazine | Technology Feature | Book1Drone
The Denmark-based company Book1Drone films drone footage at cultural events such as horse races, fashion shows and concerts, and it is also used by companies to identify failures on buildings and power grid systems.
From fashion to transmission towers – drones deliver the big picture The drone company Book1Drone makes and edits drone footage for both authorities and organisers of cultural events. What started out as a cost-efficient way to identify failures on power grids for the Denmark-based company has developed into an expanding business that covers fashion shows, concerts and sports events, too. By Kristine Nødgaard-Nielsen | Photos: Book1Drone
The drone company Book1Drone makes and edits drone footage for both authorities and organisers of cultural events. What started out as a cost-efficient way to identify failures on power grids for the Denmark-based company has developed into an expanding business that covers fashion shows, concerts and sports events, too.
jobs he’s done as a drone pilot. His company initially started out using drones to inspect transmission towers for energy companies. Now, his drones are used for everything from fashion shows to horse races, both indoors and outdoors.
Last year, a Danish clothing brand decided to do a fashion show on a lake in the centre of Copenhagen. To be able to capture the models sailing in swanshaped boats forming a makeshift catwalk afloat the lake, it hired Danish drone company Book1Drone to film the event.
“Drones can create the coolest experiences. You never see that angle from above otherwise. It adds so much. It’s like being there yourself. Once, people used very expensive helicopters; now drones can provide the same viewpoint for much less money,” Iversen says. His drone footage has been used by Eurosport and he has flown drones all over Europe, from Sweden in the north to Cyprus in the south.
For Niels Winther Iversen, who founded Book1Drone six years ago, it was both one of the strangest and most exciting
Book1Drone can also deliver drone footage as a livestream. This is often an advantage to people who organise con-
certs and festivals and need to be aware of potential problems with crowds and congestion, and to companies that own windmills or power pylons and need to be able to identify failures on the system quickly. Niels Winther Iversen builds his own drones, which means he can adapt them to the tasks ahead. When he inspects power pylons, he uses a specially built drone that can get near high-voltage systems. When he covers sports and festival events, he uses a specially built drone that stays in the air for much longer than the average drone. “I can fly the drone in the morning and take it down in the evening. Normally, you need to take it down every 45 minutes,” he explains. The final material is often edited by Book1Drone, and some companies use it for advertising, while athletes often wish to analyse their performances based on the footage. www.book1drone.com
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 23
The restauration of Við Áir whaling station is expected to finish in 2025, but visitors can follow the work in progress on weekends during summertime. Photo: Aarhus School of Architecture, Jan Buthke & Robert B. Trempe Jr.
Stories of nature and culture woven together Waterfalls, steep cliffs, jaw-dropping views and grass roofed houses... The Faroe Islands are famous for being a feast for the eyes – and for having more sheep than inhabitants. Located in the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Norway, the group of volcanic islands is remote, but far from short of natural and cultural history to discover – a history that is carefully woven together by the National Museum of the Faroe Islands. By Camilla Pedersen
The museum lets the story unfold across different locations. “We offer visitors the chance to dive into various aspects of Faroese history, culture, geology and wildlife – all the things that did and still do shape the Faroese islands and their people,” says museum director Herleif Hammer. And new chapters are constantly being written. One of the projects currently in the works is the restoration 24 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
of Við Áir whaling station, which dates back to 1905. The restoration project is expected to finish in 2025, but is open on weekends from June until August to let curious visitors see how the restoration is coming along. “Whaling was the first commercial industry here on the Faroe Islands. It generated jobs, meat for the locals,
sought-after oil – nothing went to waste. This is the last Faroese whaling station standing out of a total of seven, and luckily, all buildings and machines are still there. But what makes it even more special is that it’s also the only one of its kind in the entire northern hemisphere. Though controversial, whaling has been an important part of our story – and that’s why the whaling station is worth preserving. The future museum will offer visitors a guided tour through the station, while also touching on the biology and life cycle of the whales.”
Faroese gold Sheep have been equally important to the survival of Faroese people, if not more – and not only because they mow
Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | The National Museum of the Faroe Islands
the grass-roofed houses. Through centuries, Faroese sheep have kept the nation warm and fed, yet wool as a commodity has also been essential to the economy and was one of the most important exports for centuries. “Wool is the gold of the Faroe Islands, as we say,” Hammer smiles. While fishery and salmon farming are by far the biggest export industries today, more and more wardrobes worldwide have been upgraded with a traditionally patterned Faroese fisherman’s jumper and other woolen luxury garments exported by Faroese brands, who also keep the locals and tourists warm. Photo: Ólavur Øster
“Wool used to be essential for the nation to survive, and now it has turned into a luxury. This development is part of the story told in our upcoming exhibition, 100% Wool, which takes off around 300 to 400 B.C., when sheep were introduced to the islands by early settlers. But it also weaves in the importance of wool in society – how Faroese women have been and still are meeting in their so-called knitting clubs on a weekly basis to knit, chat and drink coffee. The Faroese phe-
nomenon of knitting clubs is very trendy and brings women together across generations and communities. It’s a great way for women from foreign cultures to become part of the local community,” Hammer explains. “This cultural element is linked with the natural history, including how Faroese wool differs from wool that has other origins. Wool is one of our main pillars of society and has been so for centuries, from both a natu-
Photo: Erland V. Joensen
Photo: Erland V. Joensen
Bottom left: More than 150 local plants can be admired in the botanical garden in Debesartrøð. Photo: Annleyg Patursson. Bottom right: The original Faroese sheep were eradicated and replaced with sheep from Scotland and Norway, which were bigger and richer in wool, in the mid-20th century. Photo: Ólavur Reinert
ral and a cultural point of view – and this is what the exhibition will convey.” While sheep seem to thrive in their rocky surroundings, the plant life and lack of trees testify that the windswept islands are only for sturdier plants. A collection of these can be found in a garden that belongs to the museum, yet is located a short walk from the museum building itself, on the other side of the city centre of Tórshavn. The garden hosts over 150 different plants, all natural and wild, and all a living example of plants that originated locally. “It’s a small, but significant and very interesting botanical garden,” Hammer says. Also a short walk from the museum building is the open-air museum – a traditional Faroese farm, true to the 1920s, which demonstrates what farming life was like back then. But it is the permanent exhibition located in the museum building in Tórshavn that takes visitors back to where it all started, covering the volcanic geological origins of the islands, artefacts from the Viking era, original Faroese rowing boats, bird and mammal life, and much more. Every display has cultural and natural history woven together to paint a picture of the Faroe Islands and their people. Visit www.tjodsavnid.fo for more details and opening hours. Facebook: Tjóðsavnið
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 25
Photo: Alexander Hall, imagebank.sweden.se
Ten unmistakably Nordic fashion statements Scandinavians have a reputation for being effortlessly stylish and cool. But what are the secrets behind the Nordic look, and how can you spot a Scandinavian on the streets from miles away? We share the insider’s key secrets. By Linnea Dunne
1. Functionalism If you only learn one thing about Scandinavian fashion, let it be this: if it’s not practical, it’s pointless. This theme runs through the entirety of the Scandinavian design heritage, from the sleek but sturdy 1960s teak furniture to the durable outerwear and sustainable wool under-garments so disproportionately popular among Scandinavians. Start by making sure that you’ve got sensible shoes you can comfortably walk far in and a good raincoat for when it inevitably gets wet, and you’ll figure out the rest as you go. Just remember: there’s no bad weather – only bad clothes.
Photo: Amanda Westerbom, imagebank.sweden.se
2. The Kånken backpack This Fjällräven classic is loved by everyone from school kids and teens to mature fashionistas, and it embodies that functionalist-centric approach to fashion that’s at the very heart of Scandinavian design. Go bold and political with the rainbow version or back to nature with the classic forest green. Whichever one you choose, you simply can’t go wrong – and you’ll be in with the Nordic crowd in no time. 26 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Scan Magazine | Top-Ten Feature | Nordic Fashion Trends
3. Go all black What could be more in line with both minimalism and functionalism than making your capsule wardrobe allblack? Nothing ever clashes, and you can be sure that your outfit will never ever distract from the importance of what you’re doing and saying. A statement piece of jewellery or bright-red lips can add a touch of personality to your all-black outfit, but by going black from head to toe you’ll make your life, the morning wardrobe decisions, and laundry day oh so simple.
Photo: Dreamstime
4. Lusekofte This Norwegian classic might not fit the idea of the sleek, minimalist fashion sense you typically associate with your Nordic friends, but remember that they also tend to be keen on their heritage and that keeping warm the natural way is essentially considered an Olympic sport in this northern region, and the Lusekofte starts to make sense. Add wool and traditional patterns to your all-black outfit and Kånken backpack, and you’ll be Scandi-spotted before the day is over.
Photo: Shutterstock
5. Top bun
Photo: Dreamstime
Hair trends come and go, but the top bun rarely goes out of fashion in Scandinavia – especially since the super-cool singer Lykke Li popularised it around a decade ago. It’s low-maintenance and, as such, incredibly functional – so handy, in fact, that it’s become a key trend for men, too. Enter the man bun and a long list of fashion-forward professional footballers. If it’s good enough for Zlatan… Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 27
Scan Magazine | Top-Ten Feature |
Nordic Fashion Trends
6. Clogs Think clogs are uncomfortable? Think again. Think they’re merely for lazing around the summer house? Yet again, you’re wrong. Ever since Swedish Hasbeens put a heel on this old wooden shoe, Nordic fashionistas have been sporting them in all kinds of colours and designs to go everywhere from work to weddings. For a classic but fun take on clogs, check out Lili & Lala, featured in this issue of Scan Magazine.
7. All the stripes
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand, imagebank.sweden.se
Only insiders are aware of this, but Scandinavians have a deep love of stripes. It’s not unusual to turn up to the office in your nautical-style stripes only to realise your desk neighbour is wearing an almost identical top, and the people behind you are sporting stripes in other colours. This one’s hard to explain – it’s just a thing – but it might have something to do with Polarn O. Pyret nostalgia. Pair a stripy top with one of the other items on this list, and you’ll be sure to pass for Scandi.
Photo: Amanda Westerbom, imagebank.sweden.se
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Scan Magazine | Top-Ten Feature | Nordic Fashion Trends
Photo: Lindex Redesigned Clothing, imagebank.sweden.se
8. Upcycling If the Nordics are heading up the sustainability trend, it goes without saying that the fashion industry must follow. That’s why many of the big, well-known highstreet retailers have upcycling initiatives going on already and many of the big trend influencers are very good at sharing their vintage and second-hand shop finds as well as the top tips for tweaking and improving them. You don’t need to be Vivianne Westwood to pull it off – sometimes a piece of string or a pair of scissors is all it takes!
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Kristin Lidell, imagebank.sweden.se
9. Black, skinny jeans
10. The ‘kulturtant’ rebel
You might think that this would be covered in point three, but the black, skinny jeans are so important to Scandinavians that they need a point all to themselves. Black, skinny jeans are to Scandis what the little black dress is to many others. With a functionalist hat on, it makes sense: why invest in an impractical dress when you can get a super comfortable pair of jeans that work out in the woods and double up as party wear once you throw on some lipstick and perhaps a pair of high heels?
Now forget everything we’ve ever said (except the thing about functionalism, obviously). Perhaps you’re on the other side of the change, and you just don’t care about cool and collected anymore, or you want to emphasise your rebellious, artistic streak. Enter the ‘kulturtant’ look, directly translating as ‘culture lady’. Think big, flowy fabrics, clashing colours, natural materials and zero rules. This look is popular among creative women over 50, with brands such as Marimekko and Gudrun Sjödén contributing colours, shapes and patterns for endless bright and funky outfits. Comfortable, sustainable and expressive – who said there’s only one kind of functionalist? Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 29
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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Satu Maaranen
Satu Maaranen – Marimekko and the future of sustainable fashion The future of global fashion is heading down the road of sustainability, and Nordic brands are paving the path. With Stockholm Fashion Week famously cancelled quoting sustainability concerns, and Copenhagen’s Global Fashion Agenda releasing new biodiversity standards, it’s no longer about the production process but the fashion eco-system as a whole. Scan Magazine caught up with Satu Maaranen, the head designer of Marimekko’s ready-to-wear, bags and accessories, to discuss. By Marta Rusinowska, @a_girlwhotravels | Photos: Osma Harvilahti
Maaranen’s professional ambition is rooted in sustainability, and it’s no surprise that Marimekko makes her feel right at home. “Sustainability is a subject very close to my heart,” she says. “My job is to design long-lasting products that delight over and over again. At Marimekko, we don’t follow fashion trends. Instead, we focus on creating products that last and continue to inspire. Sustainable thinking in this sense is very important to us, and we work on developing this area more and more.” The machines at Marimekko’s textile printing mill have been rolling for nearly seven decades, producing one million metres of fabric every year, but the brand’s vision goes beyond colourful garments. “Our goal is to bring joy into the everyday life through functional, timeless design and bold prints, inspired by our Nordic roots,” Maaranen explains. “Throughout the decades, Nordic nature has been one of the biggest inspirations to Marimekko pattern designers. In Finland, we have a very strong connection to nature – the summer cottage culture, long walks in the forest… If you were to look
through our pattern archive, you’d notice that most patterns, even though they may look abstract, are inspired by nature.”
Eco-innovation meets Nordic feminism While Marimekko’s vision retains a refreshing sense of continuity, its approach to market demand and sustainability continues to evolve, setting the bar, and expectations, high. The printing factory, one of the last of this kind to operate on a commercial scale in the Nordics, runs on biogas and renewable electricity, with Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) representing 88 per cent of all sourced cotton. With over two-thirds of products made in Europe and a focus on local production, Marimekko’s material strategy weaves innovation and eco-thinking into the mix. The results speak for themselves. Its recent collaboration with Spinnova introduced a bold innovation in sustainability, setting a new tone for the future of the textile market. “We worked closely with Spinnova to assist in the development and market enIssue 135 | April/May 2020 | 31
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Satu Maaranen
try of a completely new, wood-based textile,” says Maaranen. “The first prototypes showed a great deal of promise – we are very excited about them! The fabric isn’t available commercially just yet, but it’s still a major step.” The head designer admits that the passion for innovation has been fuelling the brand since the very beginning: “Marimekko’s founder, Armi Ratia, was a true visionary. She was a pioneer at a time when there weren’t many female executives in the Nordics. It was very rare to see a woman heading up a design house. The Nordic equality in that sense is very much in our DNA.”
ophy, what is the place for Scandinavian design in the modern world? To Maaranen, it comes down to simplicity. “Scandinavian fashion and design are the ultimate everyday luxury. Scandinavian design is for everybody, which is very much connected to functionality. When something is for everybody, the prices aren’t overwhelming, and the products are designed to make your everyday life better. That’s very much what Scandinavian luxury is about.”
The future of sustainable fashion in the Nordics
Since its conception in 1951, Marimekko has been recognised for its abstract patterns and vibrant colours, going against decades of restrictive fashion and giving women the confidence to express themselves outside of the status quo. Marimekko made waves thanks to its ‘anti-fashion’ attitude, which remains a part of its creative credo still to this day. Maaranen explains: “Timeless design thinking is the number-one drive behind everything we do, including our design decisions. Timelessness for me and Marimekko means that the design language lasts through different decades – that it’s not too trendy but functional, creating designs that are easy to combine with your wardrobe.”
The conversation inevitably turns towards the future. What does the new decade hold for sustainable fashion in Scandinavia and the Nordics? Maaranen is quick to reply: “The fast-fashion trend will get smaller and smaller, as customers become increasingly interested in products that last,” – an advantage, undoubtedly, for brands like Marimekko, whose identity is closely tied to longevity. “In the near future, big fashion shows will be fading away. There’s so much construction and material that’s immediately thrown away after the shows, and there has to be a more sustainable way of addressing this. All in all, local production will become more appreciated. Luckily, Marimekko has its own factory, which is a big plus for us. Most of our cotton is printed at our own mill, which makes it very special.”
With Nordic heritage taking centre stage in Marimekko’s product and design philos-
Maaranen indicates sustainability as the number-one challenge for modern de-
‘Anti-fashion’ as an ongoing trend
32 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
signers. “Sustainability should be everyone’s focus,” she says. “Everything else is secondary, because it is, in a way, linked to sustainability. The way we make our design decisions, the types of fabrics we use, where and how they are produced, the way we work with factories, and the subject of local versus global… all these elements are linked to sustainability. Ultimately, our mission should be to take care of the nature and the planet.” With sustainability increasingly in the limelight, Maaranen believes that the role of fashion designers will dramatically change, undergoing a shift from designing to re-designing – creating new pieces from already-existing products and materials.
Building a sustainable future Marimekko’s goals continue to be driven by the same ambition that had Armi Ratia famously say, “I really don’t sell clothes, I sell a way of living”, as the team is currently conducting studies to support the new sustainability strategy. With the future as bold and bright as the cult Unikko print, one thing is certain: Marimekko’s sustainability journey is just the beginning, and an indication of what’s to come – not only for the brand, but for the Scandinavian fashion industry as a whole.
www.marimekko.com Facebook: marimekkodesignhouse Instagram: @marimekko
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 33
S ON ICK I lT SH P P ia A c e F Sp H R TO S I U ED – O SW DS AN R B e:
m he
RAVE REVIEW AW20, Copenhagen Fashion Week. Photo: Andrea Adriani, Gorunway.com
Josephine Bergqvist and Livia Schück, founders of RAVE REVIEW. Photo: LVMH Prize
Shaping the future of Swedish fashion Increased awareness of the impact of consumption on the environment is leading to a transformation of the fashion industry. The Swedish Fashion Council is running a number of initiatives to help brands stay creative and competitive in the changing business environment.
streams and analysing and presenting them as a new tool kit, X-Forecast will help clients understand, choose and prioritise among trends and business systems from a Scandinavian perspective.
By Malin Norman | Photos: Jacob Landahl
“The fashion industry is going through a transformation,” confirms Jennie Rosén, CEO of the Swedish Fashion Council. “As one of the biggest and most creative industries, the world of fashion shows a desire to secure a healthy and sustainable future. We need to stay up to date and adapt to these new demands in order to remain at the forefront.”
It functions as a hub for creators and innovators, and the council provides business advice, access to national and international networks, and platforms to help brands define their vision and perform successfully on the global market. In 2020, the programme will relaunch with a stronger focus on sustainable business and brand development.
Established in 1979, the Swedish Fashion Council aims to promote, educate and innovate within the Swedish fashion industry to remain competitive and sustainable across all areas. The council runs and participates in research projects, education programmes and platforms to nurture international relations, and supports promising talent through a number of projects.
In 2017, RAVE REVIEW was selected for Swedish Fashion Talents. The brand was born from a firm belief that the textile industry needs to go through a makeover in order to survive, and its collections are made from existing materials, giving a unique, new expression. In 2020, RAVE REVIEW was presented as one of the finalists for the prominent LVMH Price, which awards young fashion designers around the world. A new initiative this year is X-Forecast, which combines business insights and design insights. By filtering information
Swedish Fashion Talents One such programme is Swedish Fashion Talents, introduced in 2005 to find and promote new fashion brands. 34 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Another project is Textile & Fashion 2030, established by the University of Borås on behalf of the Swedish government. Through this five-year initiative, the Swedish Fashion Council contributes with sustainable solutions and business opportunities for the textile and fashion industry. Rosén concludes: “This project unites the industry and creates a dynamic, strong community to reduce the environmental impact on a national as well as international level.
www.swedishfashioncouncil.se Instagram: @swedishfashioncouncil
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Fashion Brands – Our Top Picks
Sensual, comfortable and durable – these panties will make you feel prettier for longer.
Drastically democratising underwear in a shapely manner Lace Laboratory is a digital underwear brand founded in Stockholm, with a firm intention to shake up and pave a new way in the world of laced panties. On a mission to create sensual underwear made by women for women, the brand provides the perfect treats for every shape and form, which not only look and feel better, but also last longer. By Nina Bressler | Photos: Lisa Höök
“I found a gap in the lingerie market and decided to do something about it, so I quit my job and travelled around Europe and Asia searching for a suitable producer, eventually finding my match in Turkey,” says Faye Flensburg, founder of Lace Laboratory. Shortly later, another important piece of the puzzle came together, as co-founder Felicia Lönnqvist joined the business through a female online network. Lace Laboratory produces lace panties that are available in the brand’s online store, crafted with input from the most important people: the customers. Lace Laboratory has created a close relation-
ship and open communication with its clientele, with polls and interaction on social media shaping what new collections will look like – an important ingredient that generates anticipated pieces. “We are conscious of creating a sustainable production cycle, and this is one way to decrease environmental impact – we know what our customers want, and since we’re tailoring our panties based on their suggestions, it means that our collections are less likely to end up unsold, leading to minimal waste,” Lönnqvist says. Unused lace is also crafted into other objects, such as laundry bags, and the little packaging
tube is recyclable, with a multitude of second-hand purposes. Why not bring it as a travel kit or perhaps as a liquid container for hiking trips? Sensual comfort of high quality and made to last – these panties can be washed in washing machines at 40 degrees and currently come in one thong model and five basic colours. Additional colours and models are released upon request from the brand’s fan community, with the next collection including the ‘Brazilian’ model. “Our panties are created with every shape and form in mind. Our open community is our biggest resource, and we are so proud to finally be creating underwear that primarily puts female opinion first. Our mission is to create the perfect panties – by women, for all women,” Flensburg concludes. www.lacelaboratory.com Instagram: @lacelaboratory
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 35
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Fashion Brands – Our Top Picks
Colourful, classic clogs and clothes – made in Sweden Having started out in India with children’s clothes in natural materials, Lili & Lala is now making waves in Sweden and beyond – thanks to the unlikely fashion item of hand-made, colourful, comfortable clogs. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Lili & Lala
It all started in India in 2014, when fashion enthusiast and former marketing professional Alexandra Giertz noticed that the selection of ethically produced clothes in natural materials left a lot to be desired. She decided to take matters into her own hands and founded Lili & Lala. But it was only years later that the company’s pièce de résistance was born. Having moved from India to Dubai, Giertz came across a woman who sold clogs hand-crafted by her stepbrother in a village in the county of Skåne in southern Sweden. Fast-forward to today, and Lili & Lala works closely with the skilled cobbler Christian Stoltz, and its own, unique, fashionable clogs are a huge hit. “They’re closer to sexy than tired mum,” laughs Sofie Egebrant, now one of two co-owners of the brand, who ironically joined the business while on materni36 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
ty leave. “I heard about Lili & Lala and started selling the clothes in Sweden, and now we’ve moved the headquarters here and it’s me and Alexandra who together head up the business.”
Sustainable and ethically produced One central value for the fashion brand, and one that Egebrant thinks appeals to customers too, is sustainability. “You get a sustainable product that’s been made by hand in Sweden,” she asserts, explaining that the clogs are made with either linden or alder wood and leather. “The clothes, too, are ethically produced. They’re made in a small studio in the United Arab Emirates, run by a woman who trains other women in the trade to help them get a better life.” Moreover, Lili & Lala doesn’t do sales, but works with editions of products that can be combined. “Disposable fashion
isn’t our thing,” says Egebrant. “It’s a classic look, but not trendy. We’ve opted for modern rather than retro, shoes that fit our own clothes and our active, fun lifestyles. Energy and fun – that’s what we’re all about!” An active lifestyle – perhaps not the first thing to cross your mind when someone mentions clogs. But Egebrant promises that the shoes are extremely comfortable and can be worn day in and day out. “If people don’t know, they’ll simply have to try them!”
www.liliandlala.com Facebook: Lili & Lala Instagram: @liliandlalaclothing
Scampi’s effortless, classy Scandinavian look this year comes in iconic stripes and prints reminiscent of legendary swim resorts.
Swimwear that won’t wear out the planet Imagine lazing in the dappled shade of a palm tree on a tropical beach – in a flattering swimming costume, basking in the sun, listening to the waves of the deep turquoise sea rolling in. Then you realise: ‘Hang on – what about my carbon footprint? The flights? The strain on local resources? The sustainability of the outfit?’. Relax. Scandinavian company Scampi has created the climate-clever swimwear alternative, offering peace of mind. As Dory says in Finding Nemo: “Just keep swimming!” By Ulrika Kuoppa-Jones | Photos: Scampi
For Scampi CEO Emelie Olsson, 37, sustainable working and living go hand in hand. She left the hustle and bustle of city life in Stockholm to enjoy the serenity of nature in the famous ski resort Åre. Now she’s living the back-to-nature dream in Bali with her young family. “Life is simple; we live in tune with nature. We hardly shop, we eat vegan food, we surf and are involved in the local community. My kids go to an amazing sustainable 38 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
school here in the jungle. Working in Bali fills me with a whole new energy – we’re all tuned into an eco-friendly vibe here,” CEO Olsson smiles. Our lives have traditionally revolved around work and putting in the hours. But times are changing. Sustainable living is on everyone’s mind: to live and work with consideration for nature. “When I took over Scampi in 2016, my
Emelie Olsson, CEO.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Fashion Brands – Our Top Picks
vision was to make the brand fully sustainable. All of our swimwear is now made of reclaimed ghost fishing nets that drift in our oceans. But as I started hunting for the perfect materials for our swimwear line, I came across a thousand other ways of being climate positive and minimising our carbon footprint. It’s really exciting!” says Olsson. The company now incorporates sustainable thinking into every possible detail of its business. In addition to using reclaimed nets for the swimwear, it includes the durability of the fabric (long-lasting Lycra), the way the fabric is printed by laser (no water-wasting screen prints), the packaging and labelling (all biodegradable), the process behind it all (fair conditions and a sustainable production chain), and the ways in which the swimwear is being used (climate credits to benefit an Indian solar plant). The brand’s hallmark is great quality and fit, regardless of body shape. It’s a credibility not easily found on the market. “We make swimwear for ordinary people looking for support in a garment that makes us look great. Our swimming costumes and bikinis have hidden solutions that will hide, hold and cover the bits we want,” says Olsson.
But you can’t be passionate about the environment if you make a product that ends up as landfill within a year. That’s why long-lasting quality is so important. And versatility, as Olsson explains: “We work on sustainability in terms of quality, but also by design. We want customers to be able to hold onto a beloved top or bottom part of an outfit and match it with a new product. Our patterns will work for a long time, and they can be combined, season after season.” Longevity of the garment is the tricky part. Swimwear is made to hug our bodies tightly and, obviously, not fall off. Because of that, Lycra threads are key. For many of us, they’re known as unsightly threads that become fully visible in cheap swimwear, making the swimsuit feel like a stiff armour with a saggy, see-through bottom. Well, not anymore. Scampi has thought of that one, too. “It’s a bit of a mission impossible to create a product made to last through radiant sunshine, sunscreen lotion, salt and chlorine – the worst things you can put a fabric through. In cheaper swimwear, the thread starts to sag after as little as five hours in a swimming pool with chlorine. We’ve managed to source an Italian super-thread Lycra that doesn’t show damage even
after 240 hours! That’s a lot of laps!” Olsson laughs. The conventional way of creating patterns on textiles requires a lot of water. Screen prints waste thousands of litres. That’s why Scampi uses digital printing, an eco-friendlier process that saves water. But the most difficult part of trying to be fully sustainable is in offering a product on the market that, because of its very nature, will encourage you to fly to tropical destinations. “At Scampi, we want to offer Climate Compensation. When you buy from us online, you can make up for some of the emissions your flight will cause by supporting a really important solar power plant in India,” says Olsson. The ground-breaking Godawari plant in Rajastahn produces fossil-free energy used in the national power grid. It’s leading the way for renewable power in India. That’s swimwear that won’t wear out the planet – and it doesn’t cost the earth either. scampi.se/en Facebook: scampiswimwear
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 39
Sensual femininity for a new normal What happens to fashion when the world grinds to a halt and the shops close? We’re in the midst of a global crisis, and only innovative, truly valuable businesses will survive. With creativity, simplicity and a commitment to intimate comfort, Chambres shows the way. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Ewa-Marie Johansson
The streets are empty. Countless shops have closed, and airplanes are parked away and asleep. Covid-19 has left no one unaffected in her tracks, and the entire world has been brought almost to a standstill. The nations across the globe are taking a big, collective breath, asking: when will things go back to normal? That’s if there still is any such thing as normal, a fact more and more people are starting to question. One of them is Li Edelkoort, one of the world’s most influential trend forecasters, who in an interview with Dezeen while in self- isolation talks about “a quarantine of 40 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
consumption”, describing soon-empty shelves where once mass-produced shoes and clothes used to be. It’s a good point. We may not yet have come full circle with the acceptance of just how huge this shift will be. But soon, Edelkoort predicts, the impact will reach far beyond the stock levels of high-street fashion brands and into our homes, where “we will learn how to be happy with just a simple dress, rediscover old favourites we own, read a forgotten book and cook up a storm to make life beautiful”.
A wiser way Meanwhile, a Swede with a past as the owner of a popular lifestyle salon in the
heart of Stockholm, Sandra Näsström, is shaking off the world’s worries and creating a whole new normal – far
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Fashion Brands – Our Top Picks
from the norms of throw-away fashion and the shallow values so often associated with it. In fact, the creation of her lingerie loungewear brand, Chambres, was a result of the sheer comfort and feminine appeal of an underdress on the catwalk during a fashion show she organised years ago, which became so popular all the models wanted to wear one on their night out afterwards. Natalie, the underdress named after the model who wore it that night, is still one of Chambres’ best-sellers. With luxuriously silky kimonos, dresses and loungewear, Chambres is all about that feeling: a sense of ease and feeling elegant and sensual even at home, when nobody’s watching. The natural fabrics are lush yet light, enclosing your body without restricting it. “I usually say that Chambres is like a second skin. Clothes should embrace you and make you relax and feel beautiful and sensual,” says Näsström. The picture of a new normal starts to take shape, juxtaposing an old normal of the huge majority of products being made in China from oil-derived substances and selling on busy streets with in-your-face signs and posters. Näsström explains a model where everything is made in a handful of family-owned businesses
throughout the Baltics – not because it’s cheaper that way, but because it’s safer and wiser, she says. “In an increasingly anxious world, it is wiser not to veer too far from home to find sustainable collaborations.” Part of the Chambres approach is to make everything Easy Care/Easy Wear, making all garments comfortable and glamorous regardless of the context. A Capsule Collection concept means that four or five items should be enough to create a functional, enjoyable wardrobe; as such, many of the designs can be worn in a multitude of ways to make for flexibility and an element of renewal and surprise. Imagine a nightdress so beautiful and well-designed that you can pop over to the neighbour for a nightcap without changing? That’s Chambres in a nutshell.
Sensual femininity for the future As early as in 2015, Chambres was nominated Designer of the Year by Habitat, but Näsström sees that the world has never been as ready for the concept as it is now. “There’s a great demand for elegance and sensual ease in 2020,” she says. “People appreciate easy-to-wear, comfortable garments that work anywhere, all the time. We call it ‘loungerie’, like lingerie that’s stepped out of the bedroom.”
In Näsström’s native Sweden, Chambres is represented at the highend department store Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) in both Stockholm and Gothenburg, and as of this autumn, the brand will also start a collaboration with the suitably renowned boutique Ströms in the capital. But the sensual femininity of the garments is loved and esteemed far beyond Sweden’s borders, with celebrities including Mariah Carey and Petra Marklund among known fans. “We’ve been told that Tilda Swinton’s boyfriend received one of our kimonos when it was sent to the actress as a gift from a friend, and said ‘Well Tilda, you ain’t getting this beauty back’ and kept it for himself!” Sandra smiles. “True or not, boyfriends and children alike have been known to fall for the luxurious fabric.” What defines success in a post- coronavirus world? Perhaps values that survive when we close the door and stop the rushed, mindless living are at the heart of it. Perhaps, in the words of Edelkoort, there’s something to the luxurious simplicity of learning to be happy just with a simple dress… English web shop: chambressweden.com Swedish web shop: chambres.se
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 41
Photo: Daniel Ohlsson
Fashion for modern-day explorers Coloniaire is a new premium lifestyle brand with elegant yet functional clothes and bags in exceptional suede and leather, inspired by an era of expeditions and adapted for modern-day explorers – stylish and ready-to-wear, both in the city and the countryside.
designer. “My philosophy is to constantly challenge myself and the world with my designs,” says Dahl. “I’m driven by curiosity and I like to push the boundaries.”
By Malin Norman
Two directions: smart casual and countryside
Gothenburg-based brand Coloniaire was established by award-winning Swedish fashion designer Henric Dahl last year. The founder has more than 20 years’ experience from Sweden and internationally, having set up brands and boutiques within both fashion and textiles. During his design journey, Dahl has been working at, for instance, department store Harrods in the UK, Italian fashion 42 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
houses Dolce & Gabbana and Giorgio Armani, and Swedish fashion brands J.Lindeberg and Atlas Design. Dahl was named Swedish Fashion Talent of the Year in 2014 by the Swedish Fashion Council in cooperation with Peugeot, for his previous brand Castor Pollux, and he has received several other nominations and prizes as a
The curious designer has been inspired by cultures and traditions from his many travels abroad. Dahl is fascinated by the iconic style of adventurers of the past such as explorers, officers, hunters, pilots, correspondents and photographers, and with Coloniaire, he has created a premium brand with a timeless mix of urban elegance and countryside functionality.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Fashion Brands – Our Top Picks
Coloniaire’s urban range includes classic garments but with a modern take. The smart casual line consists of blazers, overshirts, jackets and coats in subtle colours, inspired by British, French and Italian sartorial traditions. “The concept is certainly fashionable but not too trendy,” elaborates Dahl. “You can wear these clothes every day, at work or at home, or for special occasions.” The countryside collection is more outdoor and workwear focused, with hunting-, safari- and aviator-inspired designs. “This is utility fashion with functionality at the core. The suede has been treated for different uses and seasons, from safaris in the tropical heat to expeditions in the Arctic wind and cold.” Coloniaire also has an assortment of stylish bags, ranging from briefcases to backpacks, with contemporary and utilitarian design elements.
Photo: Peter Nilsson
Coloniaire partnerships and Made to Measure The reception to Dahl’s new brand with reinvented classics has been incredibly positive, with a lot of publicity in both international and Swedish press. The designs have been worn by TV celebrities and appeared on the cover of a number of trendy magazines, for instance Café Magazine and QX.
Photo: Peter Nilsson
With a strong B2B focus, Dahl has established a partnership with Lexus, which is providing Coloniaire bags as giveaways and prizes in competitions. Others include Ramsbury Brewing & Distilling
Photo: Daniel Ohlsson
Photo: Peter Nilsson
in the UK and TV4 in Sweden. The brand also offers private label with the opportunity to add a company logo to selected garments, and a Made to Measure service and customised designs for private customers as well as retailers. Those who would like to co-design their own unique jacket, hunting vest or other garment also have the opportunity to do so. The brand is growing steadily. “The plan for next year is to work with agents and investors to establish Coloniaire in markets such as Germany, Benelux and the UK,” says Dahl. “And we will also continue to develop our own web shop, with free deliveries worldwide.” Coloniaire’s collection is available at selected fashion and lifestyle boutiques in Sweden and Norway, and can be ordered in the brand’s own web shop.
Photo: Caroline Benilton
Photo: Caroline Benilton
www.coloniaire.com Facebook: coloniaire Instagram: @coloniaire
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 43
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Fashion Brands – Our Top Picks
Swedish beach fashion for the world Even after more than 30 years in the swimwear industry, Panos Emporio maintains its position as a key player. Always designing with comfort and style in mind, the brand has earned love from fans all around the world – and it always has more to give.
ue to do so,” says Syversen. “In August this year, we’re launching a beautiful men’s underwear line where fit, comfort and sustainability are central.”
By Emma Rödin | Photos: Panos Emporio
Panos Emporio was founded by Panos Papadopoulos after he emigrated from Greece to start a new life in Sweden. Feeling as though the Swedish swimwear market was lacking in something, Papadopoulos set out to make a change and to show that colour, fit and choice of materials could, and should, be greatly improved. The brand was an instant success, partly thanks to the ahead-of-its-time use of influencer marketing. Other than working with it-models like Victoria Silvstedt, the brand hired drag queen star Rickard
Quality swimwear with style and comfort.
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Engfors to model one of the lines. “To Panos, Rickard represented a culture that challenged conventions in a way to be admired and respected,” explains Hans Erik Syversen, partner at Syversen, which owns Panos Emporio. “He really wanted to share this message of love being limitless.” Something else that’s helped boost the popularity of Panos Emporio over the years is the brand’s Scandinavian roots. “Scandi brands generally have a good reputation, so when a Swedish swimwear brand pops up, people really stop and listen,” explains Syversen. Although the main focus lies on women’s swimwear, there are also products for men, as well as accessories. Previous collections have been inspired by southern Europe, while upcoming lines will have a more Nordic feel, including the new set of men’s swim shorts for SS20. “We’re putting increased focus on men’s products this year and will contin-
Whatever the product, everything created by Panos Emporio is of high quality and designed to last. By choosing sustainable materials where possible and carefully considering the choice of suppliers and packaging, the brand is constantly looking for ways to do good for the planet. Also aiming to do good for people, Panos Emporio is all about happiness, love and quality. The products are designed to make people feel relaxed and beautiful, whether that’s on the sunny cliffs of Sweden’s west coast or on a white beach in the Maldives. “Swimwear is usually worn on holidays, when people are enjoying their most memorable moments,” says Syversen. “Wearing Panos Emporio helps them feel comfortable and present, letting them be fully engaged in the moment.” www.panos.com Facebook: panosemporio Instagram: @panosemporio
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Jutland’s last royal castle With its unique royal history and magnificent architecture, combining the past with the present, Koldinghus offers something for everyone. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Koldinghus
Throughout more than 750 years, Koldinghus has played an important part in the history of Denmark, serving as fortification and royal residence. The castle is located in picturesque surroundings in the heart of Kolding and is the last remaining royal castle in Jutland. Erik Glipping built the first Koldinghus in 1268 to defend the kingdom’s southern border, primarily against the dukes of Schleswig, and several kings and queens have used the castle as a residence or to convene important meetings since then. “If you are into history, and in particular royal history, this is the place to be. It 46 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
is a story about how a fortification became a royal castle, then a castle ruin after the disastrous fire in 1808, and now stands as an architectural monument,” explains Nanna Ebert, director at Koldinghus. After the fire, the castle stood as a ruin for many years, until the restoration carried out by Inger and Johannes Exner began in the late 1970s. They chose to keep the ruins and rebuild the new castle around them and, in doing so, keep over 750 years of history alive. “With the mantra ‘let the past speak and the present live’, they managed to preserve the castle ruin and still turn
Koldinghus into a modern museum. The different material used for the restoration makes you aware of the structure of the old ruin. When you walk around Koldinghus, you can see glimpses of what the castle was once like and relive history just by looking at the ceiling and the walls. It’s a special experience to walk around an old ruin, which at the same time is a modern architectural monument,” says Ebert.
Something for everyone Koldinghus is also home to Denmark’s biggest collection of silver, as well as the Danish Arts Foundation’s Jewellery Collection, which includes 300 pieces of art jewellery. Furthermore, the old dungeon, as well as the castle’s location in the middle of Kolding with a view over the fjord from the tower, make it an ideal place to visit for all age groups.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Culture Special – Denmark
Current exhibition: ROYAL HISTORY with Jim Lyngvild In collaboration with the well-known fashion designer Jim Lyngvild, Koldinghus has created an involving, engaging and unusual exhibition, where past kings and queens are presented as what they were: human beings of flesh and blood, with feelings and dreams, strengths, weaknesses and flaws. On all weekends and public holidays from April to October, children can become part of the exhibition and talk to the actors who portray the kings and queens.
MADKÆLDEREN In the cosy, old basement below the southern part of the castle, you’ll find the restaurant MADKÆLDEREN. Every day for lunch, MADKÆLDEREN serves a traditional buffet with a wide selection of the very best of traditional Danish cuisine, prepared with local, seasonal ingredients. You can also try the evening concept every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
After the visit, you can have lunch at the castle’s cosy restaurant or take a walk around the sea that surrounds Koldinghus. “A large part of our 150,000 annual guests come in groups. It’s a social experience to visit Koldinghus, which is why it’s important for us to make sure that there is something to suit all ages and tastes, from those interested in history, architecture and jewellery to children who can dress up in the old costumes. Koldinghus simply has something for everyone,” concludes Ebert.
Bearing in mind the global Covid-19 crisis, please have a look at the website to make sure that the museum is open when you plan to visit.
www.koldinghus.dk Facebook: koldinghus.dk Instagram: @koldinghus
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 47
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Culture Special – Denmark
Some of the biggest Nordic talents perform at Spot Festival, which each year lets the music industry and other music enthusiasts discover promising musicians from the Nordic countries.
Discover new Nordic artists in Denmark’s music capital This spring, the Danish town of Aarhus will be turned into a music haven, with venues all over the town showcasing the best of new Nordic talent at Spot Festival. Every musical genre is represented when the music industry, locals and tourists gather to discover up-and-coming bands and artists from the Nordic countries. By Kristine Nødgaard-Nielsen | Photos: Morten Rygaard
When artists get on the stage at Spot Festival, it’s both a concert and an audition. Tourists and locals attend to enjoy emerging musicians, but more than 1,500 representatives from the Danish and international music industry descend on the festival as well, looking for new talents to sign. “This dynamic creates an excellent experience for both the audience and the artists,” says Gunnar Madsen, director of Spot Festival.
The musical talents are handpicked from the Nordic countries to perform at Spot Festival in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, which for the past 50 years has been known as the country’s leading music hub. “For most people, the highlight of Spot Festival is discovering good music that they never listened to before. People are often surprised to learn how much they like music they didn’t know beforehand,” Madsen says.
While the concert goers might not know the bands, they can be certain the bands will be performing at their absolute best, since representatives from the music industry in Europe and the US are in the audience, and a good performance can be a stepping stone to an international career.
Over 300 bands and artists perform everything from pop to metal and electronic music at the festival. Concerts take place at music venues around town, on the little canal that runs through Aarhus city centre, and even in shops. Several concerts around town are free, while a festival ticket also provides ac-
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cess to performances at the many music venues. “There is a special atmosphere at Spot. You’re a first mover, and you take part in discovering new music of high quality. Many people like the feeling of being part of a music experience no one has been part of before,” says Madsen. Spot Festival first took place in 1994, and since then, some of the biggest Nordic music stars have started out their career performing here. The Danish pop star MØ has been part of the line-up, and bands such as The Raveonettes and Mew also had their breakthrough at the festival. Spot Festival This year’s festival has been postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis. Please keep an eye on the website for an announcement about the new dates.
www.spotfestival.dk
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Culture Special – Denmark
In 2019, Strandingsmuseum St. George was nominated for European Museum of the Year and awarded the prestigious Stiletto museum prize at the European Museum of the Year Awards for its multifaceted, multi-layered storytelling and close engagement with the local community. Photo: Jens Bach
Photo: Henrik Vinther Krog + COMPLOT
Welcome aboard The sea by the west coast of Jutland has always been a busy thoroughfare, and its perilous shores have claimed countless lives and ships across the ages. They were particularly devastating on 24 December 1811, when two ships of the line, HMS St George and HMS Defence, crashed onto the western Jutish shores on their way home to Britain. Of almost 1,400 sailors onboard, only 17 survived. Strandingsmuseum St. George tells the story of these seamen, and the Jutes who rescued the survivors, through a unique collection of artefacts recovered from the ships. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Strandingsmuseum St. George
“The story we can tell here is one-ofa-kind,” curator Helle Henningsen explains. “The two ships were recovered in the 1980s and ‘90s, and though what they portray is a devastating tragedy, they also give us an almost perfect glimpse of life aboard a huge, British ship of the line during the Napoleonic war. We’ve got a moment frozen in time here, from the massive cannons from the gun deck to tiny pepper corns from the galley.”
gangs and forced to live and work on the ships for years and years,” Henningsen says. “Conditions were crammed and dangerous. Boys as young as 11 worked as so-called powder monkeys, darting around carrying buckets full of gunpowder during battles, and there was a real upstairs/downstairs situation going on among the sailors. On top of that, you had the marine soldiers and the officers, the boatswain and the surgeon, whose operation tools are on display.”
Life aboard the ships was tough. “Many of the seamen had actually been snatched by
One of the walls of the museum lists the names of the 1,360 crew members
likely to have been onboard. On top of that were an unknown number of women and children. One survivor recounted how he saw the carpenter’s wife and young daughter make it up to the deck of HMS St George in the chaos after its wrecking. They didn’t make it off the ship. Those who did were nursed back to health by the local Jutes, whose lives were in turn shaped by the sea and the treasures it sent them with every wreck, an equally interesting part of the museum. A new sensual exhibition lets visitors experience and understand the west coast’s volatile weather conditions, while along the coast just outside the museum, the final resting places for countless sailors await, still ominously known as the Dead Men’s Dunes. www.strandingsmuseet.dk Facebook: Strandingsmuseum Instagram: @strandingsmuseumstgeorge
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 49
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Culture Special – Norway
Photo: Tom Atle Bordevik
Photo: Fossekleiva Arts Centre
A delicate mix of Norwegian culture and nature Dreaming of experiencing art, history or nature this summer? Fossekleiva Arts Centre and Berger Museum tick all the boxes. Housed in the buildings of Fossekleven Fabrik, a disused textile factory from 1889, the arts centre is characterised by the rich history of the premises, spiced up with contemporary art and numerous activities.
permanent, open ateliers at Fossekleiva Arts Centre, including sculptor Marit Wiklund, potter Ingrid Rauer and the artists Kikki Hovland and Helle Bingen.
By Åsa Hedvig Aaberge
Fossekleiva Arts Centre and Berger Museum are open all week except for Mondays. The weekends are especially eventful – often with live music on Saturdays, ranging from jazz to funk and Norwegian folk. “On Sundays, we arrange art workshops for kids with professional artists as tutors. Children are invited to explore drawing, sculpture and land art,” says Aarflot.
The arts centre and museum are situated in the village of Berger, one of Norway’s best-kept industrial communities. Today, the area is a living hamlet of fruit production, art and beautiful nature. “Hop on the bus, in the car or on the bike if you wish, and after a short drive from Drammen or Sande, you will find yourself in Berger. The journey here is a sight in itself – a beautiful ocean drive with beaches, fruit farms and scenic nature along the way,” says Franzisca Aarflot, managing director at Fossekleiva Arts Centre.
Min Tanka dancing on the roof of the new National Museum in Oslo. Photo: Aske Dam
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This summer, in addition to the permanent exhibitions, guests can experience new work from the Norwegian sculptor Marit Wiklund and various work from artist Aske Dam at the museum. “Both artists have been a part of Fossekleiva since the early 1980s. They were among the first artists present in the old factory building,” says Aarflot. In the summer exhibition, Marit Wiklund will showcase a new wood sculpture as well as a series of work in plaster and canvas. Artist Aske Dam’s works include clay, photography and digital media, and this summer Dam’s work can be seen in photos, video and ceramics. “Throughout the summer, Dam will also host a series of events linked to the exhibition – such as screenings and lectures,” adds Aarflot. The art scene in Berger is vibrant and diverse. Several Norwegian artists have
And if you get hungry after taking in all the art, nature and culture, Café Jebsen is open daily except for Mondays. Maybe a cold glass of wine and a light meal, or a cup of coffee with a slice of freshly baked cake is what you need? Here, you’ll find it. Summer exhibition: 13 June to 16 August Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12-5pm
www.fossekleiva.no www.bergermuseum.no
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Taking care of Greenland’s business Greenland Business Association (Grønlands Erhverv/Sulisitsisut) has been taking care of business since 1966. Connecting companies, professionals and politicians inside and outside Greenland, it represents companies responsible for approximately 80 per cent of the country’s total business turnover. “Greenland is undergoing a lot of exciting change and opening up to global business,” says Brian Buus Pedersen, general manager of Greenland Business Association. “There’s a lot of potential up here, and we look forward to what the future brings.”
“One of the main reasons that we’re facing a shortage of qualified workforce is the level of Greenland’s ‘folkeskole’: currently, almost 70 per cent of pupils leave school with at least one mark preventing them from entering higher education. Clearly, that needs changing.”
By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Jørgen Chemintz
As part of their efforts to rally the future workforce of Greenland, the association connects schoolchildren and businesses, giving students the chance to see for themselves what opportunities are out there for them. “We love these kinds of initiatives. With a population of 56,000 people, it’s vital that we rally together. It is thoroughly encouraging to see that the
“Things are changing – societally, economically and geographically. The mining industry is in exponential growth. Tourism is – outside of the dip as a result of the coronavirus – rapidly on the rise, and Greenland’s infrastructure is already being improved to support this growth with initiatives like two new international airports in Nuuk and Ilulissat expected to open in 2023,” Buus Pedersen says. The population pattern looks set to be heavily impacted by urbanisation. “Young people are moving to the cities, mainly Nuuk, to study, but overall, they aren’t returning to their places of origin anymore. They settle to live and work in the cities, which necessitates some big-scale thinking from the politicians’ side in areas such as education, health and social welfare. And then there’s the climate, of course, which brings with it its own set of changes for business on Greenland. 52 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
These developments cause disruption, but that disruption also brings with it incredible opportunities for development, growth and new thinking.”
Making connections “Greenland’s businesses will be vital in providing the jobs and the economic growth we’ll need to accommodate these developments, and at Greenland Business Association, we are doing everything we can to provide long-term solutions and support for corporations and businesses, which will help Greenlandic society long-term too,” Buus Pedersen continues. At the moment, 62 per cent of the association’s members are facing a shortage of workers, a long-term problem that has led Greenland Business Association to build a close partnership with the nation’s teachers’ association. “We’re working to change the state school system,” Buus Pedersen explains.
Brian Buus Pedersen. Photo: Lars Salomonsen
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Visit Greenland
efforts we’re making are already making a difference: close working relationships such as these can lead to sustainable, long-term change. We’re a very small, close-knit community here in Greenland, which means that improvements started by just a few people can have a quick, far-reaching impact.”
Greenland in a sustainable, global world The association consists of four separate departments, which nurture and support different aspects of Greenland’s corporate life: an employers’ organisation, a service organisation, an interest group and a development group. Its members consist of everything from one-person sole proprietorships to large, international corporations and come from all types of industries. “It’s crucial that we keep on top of everything that moves in Greenland as well as in the outside world, and that we’re able to support both new, small-scale start-ups and the big, traditional powerhouses of Greenland’s economy,” says Buus Pedersen.
The fishing industry continues to dominate Greenland’s economy, making crucial contributions to Greenlandic society in terms of both employment and tolls and taxes. Spearheaded by the seafood giants Royal Greenland and Polar Seafood, the seafood industry has been at the forefront of innovation and modernisation, and Greenland now has the most advanced trawler fleet in the world. All fishing that takes place around Greenland is traceable and sus-
Photo: Ulrik Bang
tainably sourced, and all Greenlandic seafood is MSC-certified. The world’s largest island is also the world’s biggest exporter of cold-water prawns, serving the UK and the rest of Europe as well as China and Japan, helping to open up Greenland to the rest of the world. Of course, Greenland Business Association has close ties to Denmark’s political landscape and business world, too. Its partners include Dansk Byggeri, Dansk Erhverv and Dansk Industri, and it maintains a running dialogue with Greenland’s two members of parliament as well as relevant Danish politicians. “Our members are not only able to take advantage of our business network abroad and here on Greenland; through their membership, they also get to actively contribute to and influence the positive development of Greenlandic society over the next ten, 20 and 50 years. We’ll assist our members in small, practical matters as well as the big things, such as legal enquiries and financial planning,” Buus Pedersen explains. “We’re working to make the future of Greenland the best it can possibly be, and part of that is being open for business in this global world of ours – while protecting the beautiful, unique island we have up here. Anyone or any organisation with an interest in making this happen is more than welcome to contact us, inside or outside of Greenland.” ge.ga.gl and www.futuregreenland.gl Facebook: sulisitsisut Twitter: @brianbuus
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The large distances and special geography of Greenland mean that reliable IT solutions are crucial.
‘We were astounded to learn that many small Danish businesses don’t even have firewalls’ Having thrived in Greenland’s highly competitive IT market for nearly two decades, Comby A/S has provided security services and data handling systems for a highly diverse range of organisations. Now, the company is ready to take its expertise to Denmark, where many small businesses lack the security that is standard for their counterparts in Greenland. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Comby A/S
When Cisco told Brian Torp, founder and CEO of Comby A/S, that in Denmark, 50 per cent of all small companies don’t even have a firewall, he did not believe them. “At first, we just laughed and thought – of course they do, because in Greenland all companies have a security system. But then we started contacting a number of small companies in the area of our new office in Denmark, and no one did,” he explains, still with an astounded 54 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
laugh, and adds: “One day, in the yard behind our office, I was chatting to a neighbouring carpenter, and I asked him how he handled his customers’ personal data, if his system was compliant with the new data protection laws – he had not even thought about it.” Established mainly because a valued employee had to move back to Denmark, the Compy A/S office in Slagelse was
originally intended to support the Nuuk office’s services in Greenland. However, soon after the new office had been set up, Torp was made aware of the situation described above, and plans for a much bigger expansion quickly took shape.
With clients weeks of travel away, reliable solutions are an extreme necessity Since Comby A/S’s foundation in Nuuk in 2000, new flight connections and an expanding mining industry have meant a continuous growth in Greenland’s IT market, but also an increasingly competitive market; the country now has more IT companies per client than Denmark. This, combined with the country’s unique geography, means that clients require
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Visit Greenland
an extreme level of reliability from their solutions. “One of our clients is the municipality of Sermersooq, which stretches from the east to the west coast of Greenland, an area the size of France, and that means we have to sail or fly to get to a site – it takes us two weeks to get to some of the most remote villages! That’s why we have to be 100 per cent sure that when we provide a solution, it is reliable and can be serviced and manned remotely. Of course, that’s a focus in all of the world, but here it’s founded on an extreme necessity,” stresses Torp.
With 100 per cent Greenlandic ownership, Comby A/S has a strong focus on social responsibility and executes a conscious strategy of employing and training local technicians and consultants.
Among the solutions provided by Comby A/S was an ESDH data handling system for the municipality of Sermersooq to securely organise and store its citizens’ personal data. “We started by doing an analysis of all the personal data the municipality comprised, from schools, administration, nurseries and so on – it was a huge project, finding everything whether it was on paper or online,” explains Torp. “Then we located the places where they had issues with the laws on personal data, and we initiated an awareness campaign to highlight how employees should work with the system to make sure it complied with legislations. It was an extremely complex job, and through it we gathered a lot of experience which subsequently benefitted our clients on the private market.”
New solutions for the Danish market Today, Comby A/S offers a full range of hosting, consultancy and managed services, as well as internet, phone and hardware solutions. Furthermore, the company continues to build onto its strengths, especially within managed services such as back-up, compliance, security and traffic management and mobile device management. “We’ve been refining our managed services since 2011, and today, we deliver all our managed services in clearly defined packages, making it very clear what’s included and what’s not,” explains Torp. “By combining different packages, our clients can achieve an all-inclusive IT package where we take care of everything within the service. That’s an area where we really stand out today – our service packages and the way we deliver them,” says Torp. Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 55
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Visit Greenland
Facts: – Comby A/S was founded by Brian Torp in Nuuk in 2000. – In 2001, Comby A/S merged with A-Team Greenland, a local division of a large Danish provider of consultancy services and training. – Today, the company is co-owned by Brian Torp and Michael Colling, the founder of A-Team Greenland. – In 2006, the company expanded by acquiring Sermit A/S, a previously publicly owned IT specialist with proven expertise within process management and internal quality control. – In 2019, the company opened up an office with two employees in Slagelse. – Today, the office employs six people, and it is expected to expand to 50 people by 2023. – The office in Nuuk employs 22 people.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Visit Greenland
Comby A/S is co-owned by Brian Torp (left) and Michael Colling (right).
When it comes to the small Danish companies which Comby A/S is aiming to reach with its new office in Slagelse, however, the approach will be based on individual needs and individually tailored solutions focused on security and flexibility. “The majority of our clients in Greenland are businesses of that size, and as such we are used to analysing each business and establishing what’s relevant and what’s the best and financially most beneficial solution for them,” stresses Torp. “I think the reason that a lot of businesses haven’t had that service yet is that there’s a gap in the Danish market. The IT market is dominated by very big service providers and tiny companies, neither of which suits the specific needs of small independent businesses.” Comby A/S currently employs six people in its Danish office, but is expanding and expecting to have 50 employees within the next three years.
Socially and environmentally sustainable solutions The Danish office will be based on the same values that have driven Comby A/S to success in its home country. Among them are a strong focus on both social and environmental responsibility. In Greenland, this is demonstrated through, for instance, a conscious strategy of employing and training local technicians and consultants. “We’ve always focused on training our employees and ensuring that they can develop both personally and professionally. We spend a large share of our surplus on training our local employees, rather than hiring in experts from other parts of the world,” says Torp. “There are many reasons why that makes sense: it’s my conviction that our local employees will stay with us for longer if they feel they keep growing in their job, and obviously long-term employees are better for our business, so it is not just CSR – it’s also good business sense.”
On the environmental side of things, Comby A/S was the first company in Greenland to offer a return service for toners and to ensure their environmentally responsible disposal. Building on to the goal of environmental responsibility, the company has recently become the sole trader in Greenland of products from Circular Computing, a producer of remanufactured carbon-neutral computers. “When I first heard about the company, I immediately thought it sounded interesting. This is an example of people who have innovated and put their heads together to create a product that’s as good as a regular product, but protects the environment while also saving the customer money; it’s something that we’re very proud to represent,” says Torp.
www.comby.gl
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Visit Greenland Photo: Henry Schmidt
During the winter months, Hotel Sisimiut offers guests the chance to experience a range of spectacular winter adventures, such as dog sledding (from January to May) and the northern lights (September to April). Photo: Regitze Berg
After their adventures, guests can rest and recharge while enjoying the local culture, food and nature at Hotel Sisimiut. Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Hotel Sisimiut
Photo: Lisa Germeny
Where the adventure begins Hike on the legendary Arctic Circle Trail, dog-sled through Greenland’s majestic wilderness, and watch the northern lights dance in the night sky – located in Sisimiut, Greenland’s adventure capital, Hotel Sisimiut offers much more than just a place to rest your head. By Signe Hansen
As a tour arranger, conference venue, spa and restaurant, Hotel Sisimiut is the natural starting point for any kind of visit to Greenland’s captivating Sisimiut region. But not only does the hotel invite its guests to explore the country’s magnificent surrounding landscape and nature; its distinct features have also been incorporated inside the hotel. “When I took over the hotel ten years ago, I started renovating to create an interior that was faithful to the region,” explains hotel owner Anette Lings, who has lived in Sisimiut for most of her life. “We’re located in Greenland, surrounded by stunning, rocky wilderness, and I want that to be evident in every single room.” The local culture and nature are also reflected on the menu of the hotel’s restaurant, which serves a string of distinctly local products, such as reindeer, snow crab and musk ox. 58 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Not just for fun With flexible four-star conference facilities, Hotel Sisimiut is not just a popular venue for the travellers, adventurers and sports enthusiasts eager to explore the surrounding landscape, but also for companies looking to provide employees with a one-of-a-kind experience. “Many companies visit in connection with a strategy meeting or conferences; some start the day with a hike and then begin brainstorming and so on, or they do it the other way round, with a hike or another activity in the afternoon,” explains Lings. Among the many hikes starting more or less on the doorstep of the hotel is Greenland’s most popular trail, the 165-kilometre-long Arctic Circle Trail from Sisimiut to Kangerlussuaq. But the area also boasts an array of shorter trails, leading trekkers past current and
past settlements, stunning viewpoints, and angling spots. Among other popular activities arranged and guided by Hotel Sisimiut’s in-house tour department are dog-sledding, angling tours, snow scooting, mountain safaris and whale safaris. All can stretch from a casual afternoon of sightseeing to days of exploring. Upon their return to Hotel Sisimiut, weary explorers can rest and recharge with a bit of well-deserved indulgence in the hotel’s endorphin-inducing Arctic Spa. In other words, Hotel Sisimiut not only provides a starting point for the adventure – it offers to complete it. Summer in Sisimiut offers opportunities for stunning hikes and captivating wildlife experiences. Photo: Henry Schmidt
www.hotelsisimiut.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Visit Greenland
The restaurant that was never meant to be Wilhelm and Vijayanthi Gemander never intended to open a restaurant. Neither of them was trained in the business, and it was never a dream of theirs. Nevertheless, here they are today: owners of Inuit Café, a successful restaurant in Ilulissat, Greenland. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Inuit Cafe
Some years ago, when Wilhelm Gemander, the owner of the tourist boat M/S MAYA, had a few months off from his seasonal job, he started building what is today his wife’s café and restaurant. “It was just a fun project and never meant to be a dining place. I wanted to build something nice, because I like to work with my hands,” says Gemander, who is a qualified engineer.
The thought of running a restaurant had never even occurred to the couple, but friends kept telling them that the building and the location would be the perfect place for a café. Inuit Café had a bit of a bumpy start, and a bit of trial and error was necessary in order to to find the key to their increasing success over the years. “Today, we have a lot of regulars dining here, and we have
really come to love our little business,” the couple say happily. You can choose between Sri Lankan and Asian-inspired cuisine (Vijayanthi is from Sri Lanka) and, of course, a variety of local food from Greenland, like whale, muskox, reindeer, shrimps, snow crab, mussels and halibut. The Gemanders still have their tourist boat, as well. If you ever find yourself in Ilulissat, at Inuit Café you can enjoy both: delicious food and an unforgettable boat trip among giant icebergs and whales.
Facebook: Inuit Café
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New values when the crisis is over By Nils Elmark
The coronavirus crisis has taken us on an escalator trip down Maslow’s pyramid of needs. The very self-actualisation that used to be of great concern for most modern people now seems irrelevant in a closed-down world. So is the next step, esteem. Who cares about how successful you are when thousands of people are being killed daily by a virus? We land on the middle layer: love and belonging. We have missed that for a long time, haven’t we? In our quest for success and individuality, we have forgotten that we all need to belong to a community. The funny thing is that the crisis has actually brought love and belonging back to us. We are in this together. For the first time in as long as I can remember, the entire planet has the same agenda. Eight billion people struggle to fight the same disease, and for a moment humanity is united. As we take the next step down the pyramid, we find safety, which we – not least young people – have taken for granted, but the corona virus is teaching us differently. Safety can only be created if we all contribute. 60 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Finally, at the bottom is physiological needs, such as food, drink and medicine. Billions of people now fear that the crisis will prevent them from covering these basic needs. The crisis has turned our value system upside-down. We will get through, and we may forget; humans have a short memory. But I don’t think we will this time. I believe the world we create when the Covid-19 disaster is over will be a new and better world. Our old values from the 20th century have been measured and found wanting. We no longer want growth at any cost. The crisis revealed blue sky over formerly polluted cities, Venetians experienced clear water and even fish in their once dirty canals, and we have felt the joy of belonging to communities we thought didn’t matter. We have also learnt to use social media in new and constructive ways and discovered the flaws in our supply chains. Have this new scenario in mind when you prepare what to do when the Covid-19 pandemic is over.
Nils Elmark is a consulting futurist and the founder of Incepcion, a London-based consultancy that helps organisations develop new and braver dreams.
Scan Magazine | Business | Column/Calendar
The business of opera Opera can be a spellbinding experience – as can opera broadcasts to cinemas, with their luscious, wrap-around sound, dramatic close-ups, and total ban on popcorn. By Steve Flinders One downside to broadcasts from The New York Met, however, is the Bloomberg sponsorship ad. It’s very clever: two parallel sequences from the worlds of opera and of international business, accompanied by rousing orchestral music. We see the singer in her dressing room, then the executive in his hotel room adjusting his tie. The singer walks up the tunnel to the stage; the exec’s tunnel leads to his flight. Next, a key moment on stage as the singer belts out an aria; switch to an exchange of tense looks in the negotiation in the top floor suite. Then the applause and bouquets on stage, and the handshakes on the deal in the boardroom. Opera and business – both worlds of high drama. Except that I can never stop wondering what the execs are negotiating: an Arctic oil-
field? A supply chain involving semi-slave labour somewhere in Asia? Software to spy on our online searches? Increasingly, I distrust big parts of a global business culture intent on the enrichment of a relative few to the detriment of the many and of the planet. Yet putting on opera is an expensive business, especially in the extravagant style favoured by The Met, and much of the cost is borne by business. Perhaps I should be boycotting these productions rather than lapping them up. Moreover, many argue that opera is so elitist as not to warrant any kind of public subsidy. The power of opera is too important to sacrifice so tritely. It can and should be brought to a wider public, and arts organisations can seek more ethical sources of sponsorship,
as the Greenpeace campaign against BP is trying to demonstrate. So I’ll go on watching opera, but also press for opera companies to stop taking dirty money. And maybe Bloomberg could change its ad.
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 Jo Iivonen
Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month DevOps 2020 Although public events in Finland, like elsewhere, have been put on hold due to government regulations over the Covid-19 crisis, this three-day Helsinki tech conference is going ahead – just as an online-only event. The organiser’s decision to convert the event into a virtual format at short notice highlights the innovation that also underpins this year’s theme: matters of cloud, data and security within the software industry are the focal point of DevOps 2020. Date: 21-23 April Devops2020.com
Nordic Media Days 2020 The Nordic region’s largest media conference is scheduled to take place on the heels of the worldwide health crisis that has highlighted the need for open communication and impartial reporting – all founding principles of any publication, but how well are the guidelines being adhered to and what can be learnt from
the past few months? The events of recent months will no doubt feature high on the agenda – including the role of the media in times of global uncertainty. Date: 6-8 May Venue: Grieghallen, Edvard Griegs plass 1, 5015 Bergen, Norway. www.nordiskemediedager.no
Nordic Game 2020 As the region’s leading event dedicated to the Nordic gaming sector, this annual conference gathers together developers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. This year, the conference will be held in two parts: in addition to the raft of speakers lined up to explore business, emotion and knowledge at the May edition, a follow-up is scheduled for 25-27 November. Date: 27-29 May Venue: Slaghuset, Carlsgatan 12E, 211 20 Malmö, Sweden. conf.nordicgame.com
BNCC Summer BBQ By late June, Nordic natives tend to flock en masse to the summer cottages scattered around the lakes, forests and seaside up north. This informal event, organised by the British-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, offers a taster of Nordic Midsummer celebrations in the middle of London. In addition to barbeque treats and a prize raffle, expect plenty of networking opportunities with the capital’s Norwegian business community. Date: 23 June Venue: St. Olav’s Square, 12 Albion St, Rotherhithe, SE16 7LN London, UK. www.bncc.no
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Mobile chargers and power banks can help keep guests, users and customers happy in a wide range of venues, from hospitals to sports centres and cafés.
Power up without being tied down With a string of new, innovative solutions, the Danish company Charging.dk is revolutionising the way students, café guests and conference members can power their laptops and mobile phones. Among the many products new to the Danish market, you’ll find charging lockers for phones, portable power banks for laptops, and much more – in short, products that enable everyone to power up without being tied down. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Charging.dk
Two years ago, at a planning meeting for the new Campus Bornholm, Ruben Kofod, the founder of Charging.dk, had a realisation. “The school was presenting all these amazing layout ideas, flexible classrooms, little alcoves and sofas for the students. It was all very cool, but at one point, someone asked: ‘How will students charge their laptop? Because the way it is now, some areas are completely inaccessible – it’s one big jungle of chargers, extension cords and coats’. 62 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Then the whole concept of flexibility faded,” Kofod explains. “I was astounded to realise that, in 2020, we still can’t charge a laptop without having to draw an extension cord through the room – and that’s when the idea took off.” In search of more innovative solutions, Kofod travelled to China, where he found a number of new products developed for – and tested on – the American market, but new to the Danish market. Having
secured the import rights, he founded Charging.dk.
Safe phone, free mind One of the first places where Kofod tested the viability of one of his new products – a mobile phone charging station with individual lockers for each phone – was a local after-school institution. The feedback he got was that not only did the charging station allow the children to ensure that their phones were powered up at all time; the product also freed them both physically and mentally to take part in other activities. “Many children get their parents’ old phones, and that means that they quickly run out of battery, but they become really dependent on the phone; many have their travel cards on it, need it to call their parents and so on, so it’s a big worry
Scan Magazine | Business Profile | Charging.dk
for them. Normally, what they would do would be to charge the phone using a normal plug, but that would mean another worry – whether or not the phone was safe. Many of them would sit with the phone to make sure it wasn’t lost or stolen. Now, according to the feedback we got, as the kids feel they can safely leave their phones in the locked charging station, they take part in other activities much more and sometimes forget about their phone altogether for hours in a row.” The charging stations are equally advantageous to the users and guests of venues such as sports centres, shopping centres, airports and more. In cafés and other places, where guests may prefer to keep their phones with them, another alternative is a charging station with individual power banks. “This enables guests to keep their phone with them, stay in contact with their friends, upload pictures to social media, and maybe stay for one more cup of coffee while doing so,” explains Kofod. “All solutions also provide the benefit that employees don’t have to handle customers’ often bacteria-ridden phones when asked for a charge, a noteworthy advantage in these times.”
For bars and conference centres, there is another, perhaps even more handy solution, namely bar tables and stands with built-in charging stations. For bigger institutions, like shopping centres or universities, charging stations can be combined with an LCD screen, which can finance the station through individually tailored advertising. The charging stations and power banks all come with the three most common chargers, so no one will have to suffer the all-too wellknown and annoying situation of having a power outlet but no charger.
Bring the plug to you While most people have used or seen some sort of mobile phone power banks or charging station, the idea of a power bank with 230-volt outlets from which you can charge both laptops and phones confuses many. “It’s like a plug that you can take down off the wall and bring to you,” says Kofod. “But what confuses many is that there is no wire – because there isn’t! Whether you’re just going to the back of the classroom or into the wild, you simply take the power bank with you and, depending on the size, you’ll have power for everything from mobile phones to laptops, LCD
screens, cameras, drones, electric tools and so on.” The power banks vary in size from allround 1,000-watt power banks to the small ‘portable plug’, which is small enough to fit in a bag and can be used as a regular plug for everything from laptops to lighting. The plug can be bought as a singular power bank or as part of a charging station with three mobile plugs/power banks. “This is ideal for schools, where you can mount the charging station on the wall, and pupils can simply take out a ‘plug’ and bring it to their desk, avoiding the mess and tripping hazard of having a wire dragged through the room,” Kofod explains. “When they are done, they simply place the power bank back in the charging station, and it’ll be ready again in two to three hours.” The mobile plug is the first of its kind in Denmark, but more than 500,000 of them have already been sold worldwide.
www.charging.dk
As they can be recharged through solar panels and other alternative energy sources, Charging.dk’s power banks can be used even in remote locations.
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 63
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden
Photo: Mooncake
Mooncake offers Asian food with a twist.
Restaurant of the Month, Sweden
Flavour and flair in a food love affair Fancy a taste of fusion-style Asian deliciousness? Then head to Mooncake in Stockholm’s Kungsholmen district – a curiously named restaurant, yes, but throw a glance at its menu and you’ll quickly realise where the true excitement lies. By Emma Rödin | Photos: Lennart Stenberg
Mooncake is somewhat of an establishment on Stockholm’s restaurant scene. The eatery was founded back in 1997 but has been residing in its current venue on Bergsgatan 33 for the past ten years – a jubilee that will be greatly celebrated come summer. “We’ll be closed all of July but are launching a special menu in August, which will be available until the end of the year,” says Edmond Lau, restaurateur and owner of Mooncake. The food served here is all about authentic Asian flavours wrapped up in original concepts. Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Korean dishes all feature on the menu and offer an explosion of traditional flavours, made with local produce. “We’re a close-knit team here, all equally passionate about great food and service,” 64 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
says Lau. “We like to keep things simple but elegant, and I think that’s what makes people come back time and time again.” Mooncake is open for both lunch and dinner, with lighter dishes available during the day and a more extensive offering – including a tasting menu – added in the evening. While vegetarian and vegan options are available, by far the most popular dish is the Peking duck. Served glazed and sliced with steamed pancakes, spring onion and vegetables, it was described by one guest as “Chinese duck burritos of the finest order”. Other dishes in high demand include the seared scallops accompanied by sharp ginger and lemongrass, and the grilled tuna, which is covered in a spicy blanket of wasabi and sesame seeds.
And why the name Mooncake? The answer takes us back to 1280-1368 AD, when China was controlled by the Mongolians. Unhappy with the situation, the Chinese wanted to rebel but struggled to coordinate an attack. A rebel advisor noticed that the Mongolians didn’t eat mooncake, a Chinese delicacy, and so special cakes hiding messages of the revolution were distributed among the rebels, ultimately helping them take back power. “Guests sometimes ask why there’s no mooncake on the menu,” says Lau. “But it’s something we only eat during the autumn festival, as a sign of great respect.” So, while you wait for the next one, enjoy some of Stockholm’s best high-end Asian food, and get ready to be blown away.
www.mooncake.se Facebook: mooncakerestaurang
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
Nyhavns Færgekro is located on the sidewalk of Copenhagen’s picturesque historic Canal Nyhavn. At Nyhavns Færgekro, guests can enjoy a range of dishes and drinks from the traditional Danish kitchen.
Restaurant of the Month, Denmark
A taste of Danish tradition and history Food like your grandmother used to cook it (if your grandmother was Danish), history, and all the maritime charm of Copenhagen’s picturesque Nyhavn – if you are looking for a quintessentially Danish experience, Nyhavns Færgekro might just be the place for you. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Nyhavns Færgekro
Copenhagen is not short of restaurants offering sleek, modern interiors and New Nordic Cuisine; but if you are, on the other hand, looking for a taste of Denmark’s traditional kitchen, historic settings, and a quintessentially Danish charm, Nyhavns Færgekro is one of the few places to go. “As a restaurant, we take pride in the Danish kitchen, in quality, and in making our guests feel at home,” says restaurant manager Bolette Andersen. “That’s also reflected in our menu: it’s not hugely complicated, like those of many other Copenhagen restaurants, but you will get what you expect – when you order an open roast-beef sandwich, it will be good-quality, classic Danish smørrebrød.”
Set in Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s popular 17th-century canal and hospitality district, the two historic buildings that today house Nyhavns Færgekro have a long history of providing a wide range of services, some more glorious than others. An importer of exotic animals, a hairdresser for the rich and famous, and a seafarers’ tavern with upstairs hotel rooms – rented by the hour – are all among past businesses to have been housed in the buildings. Maritime memorabilia, a cosy fireplace and dark wooden beams keep the ambiance of the place’s history alive. Meanwhile, outside on the restaurant’s large terrace, which stays open all year, guests can enjoy the beautiful views and buzzing atmosphere of modern-day Nyhavn.
Tradition and history are on the menu also when it comes to the food itself. One of the most popular offerings is the restaurant’s herring lunch buffet, presenting a dozen-odd different varieties of the traditional Danish smørrebrød topping. Guests can also enjoy a long string of traditional Danish dishes, like ‘frikadeller’ (pork meat balls), ‘tarteletter’ (patty shells filled with creamy asparagus and chicken) and, of course, ‘smørrebrød’ (open sandwiches). To round it off, you can finish with an apple crumble or lemon mousse, desserts that will induce a distant nostalgic glimmer in the eyes of most Danes. “It’s the desserts our grandmothers used to make for us, and that’s how we want our guests to feel – like they’re back at their grandparents’ place,” says Andersen.
www.nyhavnsfaergekro.dk
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 65
Alone together.
Artist of the Month, Norway
In conversation with Marius Schultz Using his photography as a means for exploration, award-winning art photographer Marius Schultz captures and immortalises the world around him one photo at a time. Always focusing on what’s in his immediate surroundings, Schultz’ photos are intimate revelations of nature, change and the familiar. By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Marius Schultz
Ever since he found an old camera in the attic at around the age of ten, Marius Schultz has been fascinated by the art of photography. Now 57 years old, he reminisces about the discovery of the device that was later going to be the tool of his craft. His first-ever pho66 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
tos were taken at his family’s summer place, pictures of all the things surrounding him: the trees, the flowers and his own family. “I had no idea what the photos were going to look like,” he muses. “An uncle helped me load film into the camera, and to develop the
film once I was done photographing. Out of 36 photos, six were successful,” he smiles. Still, the interest in and fascination with photography were awakened, but growing up he never imagined it could ever be anything other than a hobby. That is, until he, in his early twenties, travelled to America where he was introduced to photography studies at Brooks Institute of Photography in California. He completed his studies there, but photography never turned into
Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway
Reeds.
a commercial business. Commissioned work, whether for commercials, media or fashion, just didn’t interest him. It had no freedom of expression, and too many rules and limitations. “I just want to explore,” he says, comparing his work to throwing a rock and then exploring the area where it lands – to really sense the reality and experience of that moment and then moving on by throwing the rock even further. In his 2003 black-and-white photography project Waves, he explored the similarity of faces, how all humans are somehow alike. “I’m very fascinated by water,” he explains. “I’ve noticed that when close to water, all humans have the same behaviour, like a universal language. By the water, we’re all the same – disarmed.”
A dialogue with people Though Schultz initially photographed mainly in black and white, he eventually transitioned to colour photography – a transition that sounds easier than it is. Colour photography is an entirely different medium, with a larger spectrum of nuances, tints and temperatures. At first, Schultz was surprised that he mastered the technically challenging medium, but when he put together an exhibition and all the photos were sold before the exhibition had even opened, he knew he was heading in the right direction. “It’s always a dialogue, with people,” he says. “I’m not alone in this. I take pictures because I like doing it and it is something that moves me, but when you get a response, you realise that you’re onto something.”
The Reeds exhibition consisted of photos of reeds and water shot at Schultz’ own cabin, where he had grown up and spent every summer as a child. This marked the beginning of Schultz’ biggest project to date: A Conversation With Nature. It wasn’t intentional, nor was it a conscious project from the start. Instead, it brought a sense of focus to Schultz’ photography. Instead of taking pictures all the time, he started asking himself ‘why’. “It wasn’t interesting to just take pictures because I thought they’d be beautiful,” he says. “I had to ask myself why: Why did I take that picture? What made it different? Why nature, why not the city?” He started exploring all the different nuances, components and details that make a difference. What makes you Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 67
Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway
comfortable where you are comfortable, what makes you feel at home? “The people around you are just part of it,” he explains. “But it’s also the light; it’s the intensity of the light, the seasons of the year, so many things that make you feel at home, and when all those things match, you’re in balance. That balance is what I’m looking for when I take pictures.” These components became Schultz’ main goal. The near and the why; the immediate, mixed with philosophy.
Throwing the stone further Though A Conversation With Nature mainly consists of nature, trees and water, a couple of characters are recurring in his work: two girls with golden-red hair, seeming as much a part of the surrounding nature as the trees themselves. They’ve grown up alongside the project, and their changes reflect the changes of the world around them. “And then it’s up to the public to interpret the changes happening,” Schultz explains. Wonder.
Appletree in the summer.
68 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
The project, as well as Schultz himself, has been recognised both nationally and
Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway
internationally through exhibitions and awards. And even though the Norwegian part of A Conversation With Nature is done, it’s now time for the stone to be thrown further. Next stop: Asia. Schultz’ upcoming exhibition is inspired by a painting found in his attic, which in a strange twist of fate turned out not to be just another inherited souvenir. Instead, the painting, Chicken Under the Bamboo (1942) was a priceless piece of art by Xu Beihong, the man considered to be the father of modern Chinese painting. The piece had been brought back home by Schultz’ grandfather, who worked as a doctor in China after the war. Schultz’ journey to Hong Kong to sell the painting at an auction not only gave him an appreciation of Asian and Chinese art, but also opened his eyes to the nature, trees and water, as well as the people and their ways of life. In turn, it also made him reflect on his own life, his ancestry and where he came from. The stone has been thrown again – not far, but with far-reaching consequences. His grandfather brought home a cultural treasure, and three generations later, Schultz gets to tell the story
Crossing-Reeds.
Marius Schultz.
to a wider audience. Still asking why: Why did his grandfather choose to go to China? Why Xu Beihong?
and similarities between Asia and Norway. The near and the far, in eternal conversation.
In his new project, with the working title Asia – Death and Beauty, he wants to bring Asia to Norway. He seeks to explore the continent, its art and its people; their relationship to beauty, life and death, as well as the contrasts
The exhibition will be held in the autumn of this year, at Galleri Semmingsen at Tjuvholmen in Oslo. mariusschultz.com
White dress on a blue day.
Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 69
Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns
IS IT JUST ME…
By Mette Lisby
… who feels that the definition of ‘personal space’ has been sliding for quite a while now? Before the coronavirus made ‘social distancing’ a thing, we had spent years practising the opposite: ‘social un-distancing’ – being increasingly more private in the public space. The enabler was the mobile phone. First of all, people started to conduct private conversations in public, and secondly, ‘selfies’ changed our view of how private you can be in our collective space. Putting on your ‘selfie face’ is actually quite an intimate thing; I feel like I’m witnessing something a little too personal when I watch people pout and turn their face to hit just the right angle for a selfie. My point is that most people have become way too comfortable being way too private in public – an observation I thought peaked a year ago, when I was on a plane and, in the row next to me, two middle- aged men changed from regular socks into compression socks while casually chat-
ting, as if changing socks was a completely normal thing to do in public. However, this was topped on my most recent flight in the not-so-distant past. I was flying back to Los Angeles, placed across the aisle from a woman in her early 20s. Not only did she take her shoes and socks off; she took out lotion and gave herself a 15-minute foot massage. She proceeded to give herself a face massage and then took out a mirror and tweezers and started removing facial hairs. Talk about being comfortable doing private stuff in public. Now, with populations around the world told to self-quarantine, privacy is sent back home where it belongs, and we are faced with the opposite task: to socialise from home. That’s why clothing shops report an uptick in sales of tops and blouses – items that make you look good from the waist up. With meetings reduced to conference
Border control My native accent is from the north-east coast of Sweden, slow and broad, with thick Ls and elongated vowels. My English accent, on the other hand, is generically southern. The south is where we moved as a family in 1994, and is consequently where I’ve stayed. My older sister largely bypassed England, instead moving to the US in her early 20s. There, she divided her time between Oklahoma and Oregon, sharing flats with Australians and Danes along the way. As a result, her English accent is – well – all of that. When we travel abroad together, our mish-mash of accents has a tendency to confuse people. On sight, people often assume correctly that we are Scandinavian (or Dutch); however, our accents are anything but. At best, this leads to friendly banter with a waiter in Portugal. At worst, it holds us up at a national border, as happened once in the US. At the time, we were rattling across the Canadian/US border in 70 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
calls and social gatherings taking place on Facetime, your lower body is private even when you’re not, and should you wish to change socks or give yourself a foot massage during a social event, it will be below the camera angle, in private – just like it’s supposed to be.
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
British accent so good?” was a question that could not be answered with a thrilled “Why thank you!”. The state of the Volvo was also the cause of some unease. This was entirely justifiable – my sister had likely been overcome by some form of wild childhood nostalgia when purchasing the clearly unroadworthy 1980s model. We didn’t admit to this, though. You don’t diss your national brand of car unless you really have to.
my sister’s old Volvo, causing ourselves to be pulled over for some stern questioning. Apparently, two Swedish citizens travelling in a car with an American number plate, one with a Tulsa/Adelaide accent, the other one speaking Kent, was entirely incomprehensible and decidedly suspect. “Why is your
Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. Maria writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.
Scan Magazine | Culture | Column
The girl in the yellow mac By Xander Brett | Photos: Dreamstime
It’s 10am, and turning onto Whiteladies Road, it’s clear that the whole city is heading in one direction. A Mexican wave of raincoats, umbrellas and placards are making their way down the hill to College Green. In front of City Hall, a small podium has been put up overnight, and a string of young, nervous campaigners climb it to address the crowd. Reporters give their pieces to camera; radio crews scour the crowd. As a police escort arrives, the crowd pushes forward. Greta Thunberg, a guiding light for millions, emerges from a hideout in the cathedral, avoiding eye-contact with swarming reporters as she makes her way to the podium. The speech lasts just six minutes, and it is not revolutionary, though Thunberg takes care to mention local issues. Rather, it is her presence that is so inspiring. Disembarking the platform, she walks, hands grasped to a ‘Skolstrejk för
Klimatet’ banner, slowly, stoically, on a loop through the city centre. The shops around are empty. Office workers emerge on balconies, men in suits wave from their windows, youths in tracksuits climb atop bus stations. They shout, and Thunberg, unfazed, waves back. We are all, young and old, captivated by a tiny girl in a yellow mac and bobble hat. How is it, we wonder, that such a physically small figure has inspired such an enormous global movement? Her friendship with David Attenborough unites the generations; her public speaking has struck fear into the US President. That this young girl with Asperger’s from Stockholm has brought, in just one week, over 20,000 people onto the streets is a feat in itself. That this is repeated in other European cities is very moving. As Thunberg boards a train back to London, the city is left in a strange sense of calm. People who have travelled from
Birmingham, Edinburgh and Liverpool head home. It is as if, when Thunberg leaves, the drive leaves too. But though all that remains to the eye are trampled banners and mud, the ideas she preached remain too. The girl in the yellow mac really is an unstoppable force.
Xander Brett is the editor of Fika Online, a blog dedicated to Nordic lifestyle, culture, travel and more. fika-online.com
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Scan Magazine | Culture | Music
Scandinavian music By Karl Batterbee
Let’s kick off with a cross-Nordic lovein this month, as Norwegian producer Kygo pairs up with Swedish artist Zara Larsson (with a little help from US rapper Tyga) on a new track, Like It Is. It’s Kygo’s first new music since last year’s global smash with Whitney Houston on vocals, Higher Love. Like It Is is just as instantly feel-good as its predecessor, and the “I’m just telling it like it is” chorus riff sounds all set to be one of the most sung-along-to lyrics emanating from radios in the coming months. 18-year-old Danish talent Elliot earned critical acclaim last year upon the release of his debut EP I Don’t Like To Have Fun. He’s back now, with new single Drown. On it, he’s drawing comparisons to Billie Eilish at her Bond-theme best. It’s a dark and downbeat ballad that plays out like the highlight from your favourite film soundtrack, and gives the listener bags of drama, to boot.
In Sweden, we have legends supporting legends right now, in the form of Tove Lo paying homage to Veronica Maggio. With Lo’s new single I’m Coming, she’s turned in an English-language cover of what is perhaps Maggio’s most iconic hit from nine years ago, Jag Kommer. She elevates the song into a pulsating electro-pop number, the kind that wouldn’t sound out of place on an album by another Swedish artist from that same tier – Robyn! Finally, an exciting artist emerging from Denmark right now is Maddy. She’s just released her debut single, Island, and it’s a remarkable song not only thanks to its top quality, but also due to its structure. It’s a one-listen-and-you’re-in affair that segues from being a piano ballad that laments the sudden kill of a social buzz, into being an uplifting anthem about the realisation that actually, you’re perfectly happy on your own, thank you very much!
I’m sure the timing was wholly accidental, but I think we could all do with a highly topical empowerment aid right now.
Web: www.scandipop.co.uk
Finlayson Art Area. Photo: Ryhmä Puiras
Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Helsinki Coffee Festival (new dates TBC) With small roasteries popping up left, right and centre, the Finnish coffee scene is buzzing – and you will be, too, after a tasting tour at this three-day event. The global coronavirus scare may have pushed back dates, but we wouldn’t expect the event to be held off for any longer than absolutely necessary – after all, Finland has the world’s highest per-capita consumption of coffee, and it’s not a matter to be taken lightly here. helsinkicoffeefestival.com
Stockholm Culture Night (new date TBC) The Swedish capital is a cultural hotspot anytime of the year, but especially so in April, when the annual culture night adds a layer of artistic flair and all-around creative buzz. No doubt due to the event’s heavy emphasis on social interaction, the organisers have been forced to call it quits this April – to remain in line with the Swedish government’s guidelines about
the importance of limiting the spread of Covid-19. The Nordic countries have been leading the way in remote working and online events, but much of what’s on display at the annual event relies on the physical realm and human presence. kulturnattstockholm.se
Copenhagen Architecture Festival (23 April-3 May) Due to take place across Aalborg, Aarhus and Copenhagen, this two-week-long architecture extravaganza is a must for anyone looking to stay tuned in to Nordic design trends. But there’s more – thanks to a tie-up with local film, the festival is back for another year of events that span the broader scene comprised of architecture, housing and cinematography. Multiple venues across the host cities. cafx.dk
Supermarket 2020 (23-26 April) This independent art fair is among the many that have decided to call time
By Jo Iivonen
amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and health scare. But whether the exhibition will kick off in April or August this year, you can count on discovering the hottest trends within art outside of the commercial mainstays. With a bunch of not-for-profit collaborators set to take part, we look forward to another experience of independent art at its finest. www.supermarketartfair.com
Paintings of the North (23 April-3 May) Norwegian composer Knut Rygnestad is no stranger to innovation. Having created over 100 arrangements for London’s leading alternative choir, London Contemporary Voices, Rygnestad is a well-versed composer- pianist with a track record of works that capture the essence of cultural concepts through music. Paintings of the North focuses on those of Nordic origins, albeit filtered through a London realm that will bring the audience together in different ways too. Issue 135 | April/May 2020 | 73
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
7pm, Holy Spirit Church, Narbonne Avenue, SW4 9JU London, UK. www.knutsmusic.com
Valborg (30 April) Labour day celebrations are a major event in the Nordic calendar. The festivities taking place around 1 May are founded on the concept of workers’ rights. While plenty of work remains to be done on this front, there is a special sense of unity this time of the year across Finland and Sweden in particular. If up north, get ready to take to the streets in a carnival mindset – provided Covid-19 allows so, safely, of course. The Anglo-Swedish Society’s Valborg Reception has been cancelled due to the pandemic, but stay tuned and check online diaries for any new happenings that may pop up.
Arto Korhonen, Caps, watercolour on paper, 2017. Photo: Anna Autio
Finlayson Art Area (multiple dates from May) The entire neighbourhood around Finnish textile pioneer Finlayson’s old factory will be transformed into a theme park of art and design once this multi-phase event gets under way. Building upon the area’s working-class roots and artisan heritage, Finlayson Art Area 2020 is a must for anyone interested in Finnish design and the community spirit that continues to weave together people from all backgrounds. Multiple venues in Tampere, Finland, all free to attend. finlaysonartarea.fi
Bergen International Festival (20 May-3 June) Come May, Bergen will be amidst yet another festival that highlights the Norwegian city’s uniquely strong cultural buzz. Bergen International Festival will take place hot on the heels of the global coronavirus pandemic, but perhaps the set-up will prove fertile ground to explore the recent experiences, collectively. If not, the programme features an entire year’s worth of cultural stimulation – in keeping with tradition. Multiple venues around Bergen. www.fib.no 74 | Issue 135 | April/May 2020
Finlayson Art Area. Photo: Kyllikki Salmenhaara
The Knight of the Burning Pestle company. Photo: Johan Persson