Scan Magazine | Issue 28 | April 2011

SCAN

JO NESBØ: THE SCANDINAVIAN CRIME WAVE CONTINUES TURKU – EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2011 TRAVEL GUIDE TO STOCKHOLM ÅLESUND – ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF THE FJORDS

PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

ISSUE 28

APRIL 2011

M A G A Z I N E

8-9 R E OC SE TO RV B E ET R2 HE 0 DA 11 TE !

8-9 October 2011

Earls Court, Brompton Hall, London

All the best of brand Scandinavia for you to taste, test and buy!

The Scandinavia Show will be returning on 8-9 October 2011 to the Brompton Hall at Earls Court London. Please reserve the date!

The Scandinavia Show is the only UK show dedicated exclusively to showcase the best of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. The show incorporates Scandinavian design, travel, lifestyle, fashion, culture and food.

All our exhibitors will have well-stocked stalls. So the best of Scandinavian fashion, food, furniture, design and holidays – everything can be purchased at The Scandinavia Show.

For further information, or to exhibit:

Call us on +44 (0)870 933 0423, email info@scandinaviashow.co.uk or visit www.scandinaviashow.co.uk

The Scandinavia Show will be the UK’s single most important showcase for Nordic tourism, food, fashion and design this year.

Design

If you love the bright and airy Scandinavian design, then The Scandinavia Show will be a can’t-miss event.

Travel

Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland are some of the greatest travel destinations in the world.

And The Scandinavia Show will be the UK’s single most important showcase for Nordic tourism this year.

Fashion

The Scandinavia Show will be the place to go for those who want to experience the latest fashions in the leading Scandinavian designer clothes.

Food

All the most mouth-watering specialities from the Nordic culinary table will be handed out or sold at The Scandinavia Show.

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 8

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Jo Nesbø Norwegian author of the Harry Hole series, Jo Nesbø is the Scandi crime writer of the moment. In his newest novel The Leopard, Nesbø pushes his anti-hero further into dark despair, as another string of murders unsettles Norway.

42

14

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Competition: WIN a set of cushions by ferm LIVING! ferm LIVING of Denmark, one of the hottest brands in home furnishings, are proud to be working with the world renowned Norwegian design duo “Darling Clementine”. Inspired by the Marionette collection, they have conceived 4 fantastic cotton cushions for all the family.

48

Odense Denmark's third largest city Odense, with a history dating back more than 1,000 years, is well worth exploring. With its central location in the heart of Denmark, Odense is an obvious destination for a city break or an outing.

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TRAVEL FEATURE 74

Flor & Fjære On an island, located 20 minutes northeast of Stavanger, lies a garden oasis and restaurant, where visitors can marvel at the colours of the rainbow reflected in the plants and flowers that surround them.

Svendborg Standing on the shore of the spectacular South Funen archipelago, the town of Svendborg is only a 30 minute drive away from Hans Christian Andersen’s birthplace, or half-way between Copenhagen and Legoland.

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Ålesund & Sunnmøre The art nouveau town of Ålesund could be taken right out of a fairy tale. The town’s unique location on the edge of the ocean, surrounded by fjords, islands and mountains, creates an almost unbeatable combination of culture and nature.

TRAVEL THEMES 15

Turku - European Capital of Culture 2011 Dating back to the Middle Ages, Turku is today the oldest city in Finland. In 2011, Turku will experience one of the biggest highlights of its entire history with the European Capital of Culture year celebrations.

DESIGN

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Stockholm Stockholm is widely celebrated as nothing less than one of the world’s most beautiful cities, built where lake meets sea, on fourteen islands, with nine centuries of history and culture.

FOOD FEATURE 78

North Road Danish chef Christoffer Hruskova opened the doors to his new restaurant North Road on St John Street, in London, in November 2010. Scan Magazine ventured to test it out a few weeks ago.

Västmanland Västmanland is Europe’s closest wilderness.

Less than an hour from the city of Västerås and only 90 minutes from Stockholm, vast landscapes and deep unspoiled forests offer great opportunities for visitors.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 12 76 99

We Love This | 13 Fashion Diary | 62 Hotels of the Month | 69 Attractions of the Month Bronte’s food column | 80 Restaurants of the Month | 86 Humour | 98 Scan News Music & Culture | 106 Culture Calendar

58 104

Scan Business REGULARS & COLUMNS 89

Is there still a bridge to growth for foreign companies in the UK?

90 91

Key Note by Gunnar P. Larsen, Managing Director, The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce

90

More Women on Boards and in Senior Management: Why it matters

By Annika Åman-Goodwille

Dealing with the big boys....

By Paul Corren, Corren Troen Law Firm

Conferences of the Month The best conference venues, events and congresses of the month.

95

Chamber News News from the Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Danish Chambers of Commerce for the UK.

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, The UK has recently embraced Scandinavian crime fiction, TV series and movies wholeheartedly. When I say recently, I mean pretty much ever since the Stieg Larsson phenomenon spread like wildfire. It did all seem a little sudden and out of nowhere. Don’t get me wrong, I’m hugely proud of the success of my fellow Scandies, but it does make me wonder: what makes us so special?

The same question came to mind while I was interviewing Jo Nesbø for this month’s cover story. The Norwegian crime author of the Harry Hole series is the next big thing to come out of the Nordic region. His novels are immensely captivating – his newest release, The Leopard, is a brick of a book, but you will be surprised at how quickly you get through it. I think the success has a lot to do with realistic characterisation and high-quality prose, but surely that’s not all. Nesbø makes a good point, when he says that people are probably fascinated by Scandi crime, whether in writing or on telly, because the crimes are so much more shocking and out of the ordinary when taking place in such seemingly well-adjusted societies. So perhaps it’s a mix of great storytelling with a fascination with the “unknown”. Find out more about Nesbø, the storyteller, and his writing ethos in our cover feature.

capital Stockholm, Ålesund municipality in Norway, as well as Turku, the European Capital of Culture 2011, in Finland.

We also had the chance to test the new Nordic inspired restaurant in London, North Road. Please read our review for more details, but in short: it’s definitely worth a visit. In addition, Lars Tharp delights us with another column, and this time he’s educating us about Viking history.

With Easter coming up soon, it’s a good time to remind you about the Easter Fair (15-17 April) at the Finnish Church in London. More details can be found in this issue’s profile of the church. You will definitely find me there, munching on cinnamon buns and perhaps also sipping on a “lonkero” (a gin long drink). Don’t worry if “mämmi” (a traditional Finnish Easter dessert, which often looks less than appetising) isn’t necessarily your thing, I can guarantee that many Finns agree with you on that one.

Last, but not least, if you haven’t found us on twitter yet, please do so now to get all our latest cultural updates: http://twitter.com/scanmagazine Enjoy the spring sunshine!

Nia Kajastie, Editor To step away from murder and mayhem (trust me, Scandinavia really isn’t that dark, gloomy or scary – especially in the summertime), we’ve put together another inspiring package of must-see attractions and top-notch holiday tips. In this issue, read more about the Danish destinations of Odense and Svendborg, the Swedish region of Västmanland and the

Scan Magazine Issue 28 | April 2011 Published 07.04.2011 ISSN 1757-9589 Published by Scan Magazine Limited Design & Print Liquid Graphic Limited Executive Editor Thomas Winther Creative Director Mads E. Petersen Editor Nia Kajastie Copy-editor Mark Rogers

4 | Issue 28 | April 2011

Contributors Julie Guldbrandsen Signe Hansen Yane Christensen Stine Daugaard Samantha Wong Anne Line Kaxrud Emelie Krugly Ulrika Osterlund Anna Lindgren Inna Hakala Anni Sahala Karin Modig Dyveke Nilssen Ingrid Marie Holmeide Charlotte Kany Lykke Fabricius Port Bronte Aurell Mette Lisby Maria Smedstad Annika Åman-Goodwille

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Camilla Waaden Karl Batterbee Sara Schedin Sales & Key Account Managers Cecilia Varricchio Emma Fabritius Nørregaard Anne Line Kaxrud Karoliina Virta Graphic Designer Svetlana Slizova Advertising marketing@scanmagazine.co.uk To receive our newsletter send an email to newsletter@scanmagazine.co.uk To Subscribe www.scanmagazine.co.uk/subscribe

M A G A Z I N E

Scan Magazine Limited Unit 4, Baden Place Crosby Row London SE1 1YW Phone 0870 933 0423 info@scanmagazine.co.uk www.scanmagazine.co.uk Next issue 9 May 2011 © All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Scan Magazine Ltd. Scan Magazine® is a registered trademark of Scan Magazine Ltd. This magazine contains advertorials/promotional articles

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Scan Magazine | Contributors

Regular Contributors Nia Kajastie (Editor) was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, and moved to London in 2005 to study writing. With a BA in Journalism & Creative Writing, she now describes herself as a full-time writer and grammar stickler.

Swedish Sara Schedin has lived in London for four years. She is currently studying Journalism in her third year at City University and is covering Scandinavian culture in the UK.

Emelie Krugly Hill has worked on a number of Swedish newspapers. After travelling extensively, she has been based in London since 2006. Her particular interests are news and current affairs within Sweden and the export of Scandinavian culture to the UK.

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. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

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 versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.

Karl Batterbee is devoted to Scandinavian music and knows exactly what is coming up in the UK. Apart from writing a monthly music update for Scan Magazine Karl has also started the Scandipop Club Night and its corresponding website: www.scandipop.co.uk.

Julie Guldbrandsen is Scan Magazine’s fashion and design expert; she has worked in the fashion industry for more than 10 years, and advised various Scandinavian design and fashion companies.

Besides, Julie has a BA in business and philosophy and has lived in Copenhagen, Singapore and Beijing before settling down in London.

Dyveke Nilssen from Norway fell in love with London in 2007. She has since finished her BA in Journalism at City University, and now works as a freelance journalist and photographer.

Lykke Fabricius Port is a Danish journalist, who lost her heart to London while finishing her degree at City University. Now she is a proud Scandinavian expat working as a freelance journalist, when she’s not busy blogging, cooking or experimenting with her camera.

Norwegian Karin Modig has lived in London since 1998: she arrived with the intention of staying just four months. She currently works as a freelance journalist and PR consultant, and is a keen handball player.

Bronte Aurell runs Scandi Kitchen in London, a Scandinavian deli/cafe. Bronte, who has studied in Edinburgh and has a background in investment banking, has lived in London for 9 years.

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Danish Yane Christensen has lived in London half her life.

She's a designer, illustrator and mother of twin girls. She also has an on-line shop www.fleamarketfloozy.com and writes to exercise her brain.

Stine Daugaard is a Danish journalist living in Copenhagen. She has a degree in journalism from the Danish School of Media and Journalism and City University and has been freelancing since 2007. Travel and tourism are close to her heart, and she is happiest when the next plane ticket is booked.

Anna Lindgren is a freelance writer, actress and director with her roots firmly planted in Gotland, Sweden. Travel and new challenges are high on Anna’s list in life, and she writes about anything and everything from volunteering in Guatemala to taking part in Triathlons.

Charlotte Kany hails from Copenhagen, Denmark, and has been residing in London since 2010. She has an MA in Communication & Rhetoric from the University of Copenhagen. She has gained years of experience within the media industry, and loves to travel and keep updated on all things cultural.

Ingrid Marie Holmeide came to London from Norway to study creative writing. She is currently working as a freelance writer and translator, while publishing her first novel.

Samantha Wong is a freelance journalist, who studied Icelandic Literature as part of her Literature and Myth degree which ignited her passion for Scandinavian culture.

She’s also a keen surfer, snowboarder and horse rider.

Swedish entrepreneur Annika Åman-Goodwille Chartered Secretary (FCIS), and a multi-linguist, is the Chairman of Goodwille. She is a born business networker with a multinational academic and professional track record spanning the globe from the Swedish Foreign office to diplomatic postings in the Middle East.

Photo: Stian Andersen

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Jo Nesbø

Jo Nesbø - A storyteller inspired by the essence of fear In his newest novel The Leopard, Norwegian crime (and, believe it or not, children’s book) author Jo Nesbø pushes his anti-hero Harry Hole further into dark despair, as another string of murders unsettles Norway. With his seventh novel in the Hole series, The Snowman, having created a lot of fuss and somewhat inevitable, yet superfluous, Stieg Larsson comparisons, Nesbø is the Scandi crime author of the moment.

By Nia Kajastie | Cover photo: Håkon Eikesdal

Already a household name back in Norway, the UK did not seem to clock on to his take of a darker Oslo and Norway, with its twisted underbelly of crime and murder, as well as his tormented sleuth, Harry Hole, until The Snowman hit the bookshelves back in August 2010. The seventh book in the series, but only the fifth to be published in the UK so far, The Snowman throws you right in the middle of Harry Hole’s life and troubles, but all books in the series can easily be read as standalone novels (as can be deduced from how big a splash the book made).

However, now the back catalogue of the series has also been given a new lease of life, as readers want to discover firsthand

the evolution of the complex man that is Harry Hole.

The Leopard, published in January, is another nail-biting experience, with a seemingly sadistic killer on the loose, and Harry Hole still traumatised by his last case.

The deaths are gruesome, the mood is often bleak and tense (especially for our ever-suffering protagonist), but at the forefront is the engaging story.

“What I found out after writing my first novel was that the crime novel is a great vehicle for storytelling,” says Nesbø, when I enquire about his choice of genre and the impetus behind it. With a smile in his eyes,

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 9

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Jo Nesbø

“When I was a kid, I was easily scared, and I think I can still revisit that fear that you outgrow at some age,” says Nesbø. “I don’t have any fear of the dark any longer, but I can recall it. And if I’m lucky, I can be scared of something. But I think fear is the fuel that you need to write a (crime) novel.

So the ideas come from my own fears.”

Photo: Cato Lein

The current success of Scandinavian crime fiction might not be directly linked to this dark subject matter, but perhaps there is something a bit more spine-chilling about murders in the cold north.

he continues: “You do need a format for telling stories; even people who write ‘proper’ literature have a format.”

For Nesbø, first and foremost comes the story. He is interested in storytelling, not so much crime writing specifically. Accordingly, this good story can come in the shape of a series of crime novels, a children’s book, a collection of short stories, or even his standalone thriller Headhunters.

Early success Journalist, economist and musician: these are some of the different guises that Nesbø has previously taken upon himself – and now a crime writer. He was not inspired by any iconic crime authors to go down this route; instead he has been influenced more by films and the graphic novels of Frank Miller.

“The reason I chose to write crime fiction was kind of a coincidence. I’d been asked to write a novel by a girl I knew, who worked at a publishing house. Probably because I was writing lyrics for my band, she had the idea that I could write a novel,” says Nesbø.

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“I’d probably been thinking about writing a novel for some time before she asked me. At the time I was taking a break from the band, and I was going to Australia, so I decided to take a laptop with me. I had limited time, only about five weeks, so I realised I’d have to write something simple, something that had a head and a tail. My experience was that most of my friends who started writing were never able to finish their work, because they started out writing this big European novel that was to be their masterwork at the first attempt.

So my idea was to just to take a simple plot and write an entertaining story.”

This was to become the first book in the line of the Hole series, The Bat Man, which went on the win the Glass Key Award for best Nordic crime novel (previous winners include Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson).

The Scandinavian frightener The dark themes and imagery in the Harry Hole series are often almost nightmareinducing: the thought of ingenious serial killers and gruesome torture devices might indeed keep you up at night.

“Hopefully it has got something to do with the quality of the writing,” adds Nesbø. “It is difficult for us Scandinavian writers to see exactly what it is that attracts all the attention. It may be the atmosphere, and they might find the Scandinavian landscape exotic. But it may also have to do with crime being more shocking in these well organised societies.”

From hardback to big screen Following the path of popular adaptations of Scandinavian crime writing, from Wallander to the Millennium trilogy, there has been a lot of interest in continuing the trend with Harry Hole.

“For many years I turned down the offers for TV series and movies, simply because I was still writing on the series and didn’t want anything to interfere with the process. But now I’m probably coming closer to the end of the series, so I accepted an offer from Working Title to do The Snowman. I don’t know what the progress is, but hopefully it’ll take a long time before I see the first Harry Hole movie,” Nesbø says with a smile.

Already on the way to the big screen is Nesbø’s Headunters, which has been produced by Swedish company Yellow Bird. It has already been sold for distribution in the US, the UK, Australia and many European countries. The film is expected to premiere in August 2011.

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Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this...

By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

Warming sunlight and the blossoming of nature are what April is all about. We have found a bunch of loveable items that will underpin the spring sensation in the home.

Pastel Throws Luxurious throws in mood-lifting spring colours by Klippan. Made from merino and lamb’s wool. Prices from £55, www.northlightdesign.co.uk

Tine K Home A pretty and versatile bunch of glazed ceramic pots with grooves. Use for flowers, fruit, kitchen utensils etc.

Prices from £18 for a set of two, Tine K Home, +44 7867507664

Wall Stickers Orange mushroom wall stickers for the kids’ room by ferm LIVING. Also available in red, green and blue. £34.95, www.95percentdanish.com

Hästens Proferia Bed The Proferia offers supreme natural comfort for the very best night’s sleep. Handcrafted from entirely natural materials, including hypoallergenic horsehair. Model (as pictured) is priced at £13,270, Hästens, Kings Road.

Granny-chic Bicycle Basket It is time to get the bicycle out. Be both chic and practical with this bike basket that also works as a shopping or picnic hamper. Available in green, white and black. £79.70, Design House Stockholm, 205 Kings Road.

12 | Issue 28 | April 2011

Kaiku Mug Woodsy and leafy porcelain mug by Finnish design company Marimekko. £13, www.marimekko.com

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary... April Style Revamp Springtime and renewal go hand in hand, not least when it comes to the catwalk. Here are a couple of ideas on what to change into now.

By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

An elegant high waist skirt in bright red

by Acne. Wear it with a lace top for an alluring evening look or a tee for a more casual cool-girl expression. £270, www.acnestudios.com

Lux sweatshirt with feather print and fold up sleeves by Heartmade. £140, www.heartmade.dk

Spring dressing is made effortless with a floral-print jumpsuit like this 70s inspired version by H&M Divided. £14.99, H&M. Cross-body bags are a big hit this season. This tasselled black leather version by Vero Moda Very is a great buy. £45, Vero Moda.

A light-weight slouchy cream jumper is a super functional yet stylish spring style item. This one by Vila comes in a lovely cashmere mix. £45, www.asos.com

Add a touch of A-list glamour with these cat-eye sunglasses by Cheap Monday. £22, www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 13

Scan Magazine | Design | Competition

Competition: WIN a set of cushions by ferm LIVING! ferm LIVING of Denmark, one of the hottest brands in home furnishings, are proud to be working with the world renowned Norwegian design duo “Darling Clementine”.

£19.95 per cushion x 4 = Prize Value £79.80 Available from www.95percentdanish.co.uk

Inspired by the Marionette collection, they have conceived 4 fantastic cotton cushions for all the family, kids and grownups alike - featuring Elle Elephant, Posey Panda, Aristo Katt and Frank Fox. Simply answer the question below to enter our draw: all entries will receive a 10% Discount Shopping Voucher.

Question: What is the capital of Denmark?

Email your answer and contact details to competition@scanmagazine.co.uk, and Scan Magazine will draw one lucky winner.

We must receive your answer by 1 May 2011.

The winner will be announced around 9 May.

STYLE our new contemporary furniture design complete with smart storage compartments, mirrors, lights and taps. Available from our showrooms throughout the UK. Call us or visit our home page for more inspiration on how to create your dream bathroom. www.svedbergs.com tel: 0808 234 2493

From top down: Odense Flower Festival Hans Christian Andersen’s House Munke Mose Left: The Woman with Eggs

SP OD ECIA EN L T SE HE ME :

Odense - go city, go shopping, go nature, go Hans Christian Andersen

By Visit Odense | Photos: Joan Jensen

Denmark's third largest city Odense, with a history dating back more than 1,000 years, is well worth exploring. With its central location in the heart of Denmark, Odense is an obvious destination for a city break or an outing.

just in terms of the pronounced 19th century atmosphere in the old quarter, but also concretely in the form of Hans Christian Andersen's House and the Children’s Cultural House - The Tinderbox.

Green oases Odense is known for its many green oases in the city centre. The river meanders through the city and creates an attractive framework for local activities and nature experiences. When you are full of impressions and your legs need a rest, find your own green spot and bring a picnic basket or let the river cruise carry you further on your trip around town.

World art and museums Art and past times come to life in the city's many museums and exhibitions. Brandt's sports three floors of art exhibits of high international level. The Time Collection provides a fun and lively insight into Danish daily lives over the last 100 years, while Odense City Museum and The Iron Age Village take you back even further in time.

Wander around the narrow streets of Odense's picturesque city centre, explore the side streets’ interesting shops with unique design and art, and then choose one of the many cafes with outdoor tables and enjoy the spring sun. If you prefer a delicious gourmet dinner, you will find both Oluf Bagers Gaard and Under Lindetræet close by the Hans Christian Andersen House.

Meet Hans Christian Andersen In the centre of Odense, you will hear the echoes of the city's famous writer, not

Child-friendly city break Bring your children along: Odense is a great place to find fun for the whole family. Throughout the summer you can see the Hans Christian Andersen Parade in Lotze's Garden, and on 1 June Odense ZOO opens a new Africa exhibit, Kiwara, where the youngest can try feeding a giraffe by hand.

For more information, please visit: www.visitodense.com

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 15

Bringing classical music to a broader audience

By Yane Christensen | Photos: Odense Symphony Orchestra

Odense Symphony Orchestra is a continuously developing and expanding modern symphony orchestra with 73 highly skilled musicians from 17 nations. It is conducted by the Russian maestro Alexander Vedernikov, a former music director of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

The orchestra is based at Odense Concert Hall (five minutes from the main station), and most of the orchestra’s concerts are given in the Carl Nielsen Hall, which has excellent acoustics and a seating capacity of 1,212. The orchestra performs concerts in company with soloists, representing the best of both Danish and international artists. Concerts and productions vary in terms of size and genre: from symphony concerts, opera and chamber music to children's concerts and contemporary collaborations. The Orchestra’s busy schedule comprises approximately 100 productions per year, including symphonic and opera performances, recordings and tours.

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One of the most popular events is the yearly Opera på Engen, where 20,000 people gather on the lawn to enjoy a free concert. The audience bring their own picnic and even white tablecloths and candelabras. “This is a hugely popular event, and most people leave whistling happily,” says Finn Schumacker, CEO. The event will take place on August 14, and this year the audience can expect an unforgettable concert to mark the 10th anniversary.

will find a biweekly food market, selling local produce. Shoppers are invited to enjoy a free concert. Could shopping be any more civilised?

The annual Carl Nielsen International Competition takes place in May/June. This year the chosen instrument is the organ, and participants from all over the world will play on the orchestra's large 46-stops organ built by Marcussen & Son, competing for the first prize of DKK 125,000.

Odense Symphony Orchestra is dedicated not only to preserving and presenting great classical music by great composers, but also to providing an exquisite experience for a broader audience. For more information visit the website below, where you can also purchase recordings by the orchestra.

Another popular event is the Vegetable Concert, which takes place throughout August. Just outside the concert hall, you

For more information, please visit: www.odensesymfoni.dk

Scan Magazine | Special theme | Odense

Contemporary opera with a classical twist

By Yane Christensen | Photos: Den Fynske Opera

Rose Cavalier.

Often the operas are chosen on the basis of audience requests. This regular event was originally held in the foyer, but has since become very popular,

Den Fynske Opera is a small opera company located right in the heart of Odense.

Its aim is to give the audience a unique opera experience, and the company is renowned for its contemporary opera productions as well as chamber interpretations of classic operas.

Den Fynske Opera uses young emerging talent mixed with more established singers and musicians. It is a Black Box theatre, which means that nothing is fixed, the space is completely flexible.

and is now in the main theatre, but the cafe concept remains the same.

Another concept is Total Theatre, where the audience is seated within the set, and the performers wander among the audience. From 29 April - 14 May, there will be ten Total Theatre performances of Madame Butterfly, where the theatre is transformed into a hotel lobby, complete with reception etc.

The current performance is Sigurd the Dragon Slayer, a contemporary opera for children. “We're bringing opera to the people,” says Jesper Buhl, CEO. “After all, the operas are just like the old folk songs, preoccupied with love and passion.”

Den Fynske Opera has developed a concept called The Opera Cafe, which is literally that: a cafe with opera performances. Due to limited capacity, rather than performing a whole opera, 5-6 singers and a piano player perform an hour-long medley of extracts from famous operas, such as La Traviata or The

For more information, please visit: www.denfynskeopera.dk

Walk in the footsteps of H.C. Andersen Explore the life of famous writer H.C. Andersen through 13 marked places in Odense.

By Stine Daugaard | Photos: Odense City Museums

Hans Christian Andersen's home city Odense has changed a lot since his childhood. But there are buildings and areas in the city that look exactly as they were during the poet’s childhood, and these can be discovered easily. In the city centre, you can find 13 granite squares, decorated with his paper cutting The sun as a face and set in the pavement, marking places connected to Hans Christian Andersen.

Pay a visit to the writer’s birthplace at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and see the exhibition on his fantastic life. The museum is located in the old quarter of Odense and presents exhibitions about the world-renowned author.

A step back in time Follow Hans Christian Andersen’s life from the difficult years as a son of a poor shoemaker to becoming the most recog-

nised author of the century. The exhibits take you back to the time when the writer’s works were created, and you will learn about the world in which Hans Christian Andersen lived.

Then make your way to the old precinct of the city to his small childhood home in Munkemøllestræde, and on to the places where Hans Christian Andersen found inspiration for his writing.

Also pay a visit to the open-air museum Den Fynske Landsby (Funen Village), where you can experience a Danish village as it was at the time of Hans Christian Andersen.

For more information, please visit: www.museum.odense.dk

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 17

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Odense

Once upon a time...

By Yane Christensen | Photos: The Tinderbox

The Tinderbox is an active cultural experience for children of all ages. Through theatre, storytelling, music and art, The Tinderbox takes you on a magical journey through the famous fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the most famous Danes of all time.

Visiting The Tinderbox is fairy tale fun for the entire family. Here you can enter a world of magic tales at your own pace. You can listen to the story of the Little Mermaid and find yourself transformed in the Magic Closet, where make-up, costumes, wigs, weapons and wands are ready for you. Parents are encouraged to interact with their children, and you can find costumes for adults as well as for children.

Go on an expedition through the enchanting Land of Fairy Tales, where the scenery lets you enter the story you have just heard or the ones you make up as you go along. Along the way the large scenographic landscape invites you to enjoy different types of playing that children of all ages will enjoy – for instance cooking in the galley of the large full-scale ship or trading fish at the Fisherman's Wharf. This is an opportunity to experience the universe of Hans Christian Andersen in a completely different way.

As an extra treat, everything you have seen, heard, felt and done can be relived and expressed through your own paintings, which you can create in the bright studio. And do not forget to bring your creations home, as something to remember the day by.

The Tinderbox is located in the centre of Odense, next door to the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and also the house that was his birthplace. Your entry ticket to The Tinderbox will give you a discount on the entry to the museum. Also, in the adjacent park, there is a daily Hans Christian Andersen parade during the summer season, where local children in costume re-enact scenes from the fairy tales. So why not visit Odense and spend a fun day immersed in the magical world of Hans Christian Andersen?

For more information, please visit: www.fyrtoejet.com

18 | Issue 28 | April 2011

The Danish Railway Museum – a ride back in time

By Signe Hansen | Photos: The Danish Railway Musem

A visit to the Danish Railway Museum is a ride back in time, back to when impressive steam engines, conductors in black uniform, and polished wooden interiors were still part of a regular train ride. However, it is not all nostalgia: for the younger generation the museum presents an interactive and entertaining approach to history, using among other things voice controlled model trains.

tic pieces, models and recreations. “We are a unique museum - the only one of this kind in Denmark and the largest railway museum in Scandinavia,” explains Jørgen Larsen, the museum’s curator.

“You can get very close to all the original items we have on display. In many cases you can even enter the vehicles, try the wooden seats and investigate the engine room.”

The convenience of the railway

Visit from a British legend

Just a two minute stroll from Odense railway station and close to the highway, the Railway Museum is easily accessible from almost everywhere in Denmark. From Copenhagen a 75 minute train ride, with beautiful views across the Great Belt Bridge, will give you the best of modern railways.

The museum’s 90,000 yearly visitors consist of a broad mix of Danes and foreigners, families, singles and groups. “Because these magnificent machines have been part of everybody’s life, they mean a lot to ordinary people, and many people are fascinated by the technology,” explains Larsen. Some of the most popular attractions are the vintage train ride, which is run during high seasons, and the special exhibition on the Danish Royal family’s carriages. But during the high season and

At the museum, the history of the Danish railways, all the way back to 1847 and up to modern times, is told through authen-

holidays there are even more to choose from. An event that has proven very popular with the kids is the visit from the legendary British steam engine Thomas the Tank. This year, he will be visiting the museum from May 19-22.

For opening times, events and directions visit: www.jernbanemuseet.dk

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 19

Combining Classical with Contemporary

By Samantha Wong | Photos: First Hotel Grand

sions, and they can be booked through the hotel. First Hotel Grand also hosts weddings and conferences, with 10 charming conference rooms equipped to meet any business’s needs.

Steeped in history, First Hotel Grand in Odense is an impressive hotel that has recently been renovated to provide a stylish but comfortable stay for visitors to the region. The hotel retains the charm of the building’s 19th century structural design and yet fuses it with modern interior design, offering an inviting place to rest.

Dating back to 1897, First Hotel Grand has been part of the Odense scenery for over 100 years. Situated just over 500 metres from the train station and 11km from Odense airport, First Hotel Grand is ideally positioned for any travellers looking to stop off in Denmark’s third largest city. Part of the Nordic Hotel chain First Hotels, First Hotel Grand is one of Scandinavia’s most stylish classic hotels. “Our level of service is very high, and we are always trying very hard to combine our visitors’ stay with a bunch of surprising experiences,” explains general manager Jens Priegel.

First Hotel Grand is also part of the Global Hotel Alliance which includes 11 other in-

20 | Issue 28 | April 2011

dependent hotel brands. First Hotel has its own loyalty scheme called First Member that looks to pass on benefits to its customers, including free room upgrades when available, discounted rates in participating hotels’ restaurants and special offers.

“Here at First Hotel Grand we are always trying to offer unique moments for our guests,” adds Priegel. There are 137 rooms, all elegantly decked out with contemporary furnishings, including a luxury Jensen bed, flat screen TVs and free access to wireless Internet. Additionally there are Grand Suites which are individually decorated for those special occa-

Thanks to the recent renovation, First Hotel Grand now offers a delightful restaurant that serves classical bistro cuisine, and a cosy Salon bar that also houses a private library, in keeping with the hotel’s 19th century roots. A new cocktail bar is set to open, and the hotel recently hosted an intimate gig by Danish dance act Infernal.

Address: First Hotel Grand, Jernbanegade 18, 5000, Odense Contact: Phone: +45 66 11 71 71 Email: odense@firsthotels.dk

For more information, please visit: www.firsthotels.com/grandodense

SP SV ECIA EN L T DB HE OR ME G :

Svendborg – off the beaten track Photos and Text by Visit Sydfyn

When travelling, we often get the best experiences when making little side trips into the unknown.

Standing on the shore of the spectacular South Funen archipelago, the town of Svendborg is only a 30 minute drive away from Hans Christian Andersen’s birthplace, or half-way between Copenhagen and Legoland. So why not veer off the beaten path between the conventional tourist destinations and go get some very special holiday memories?

Exceptional landscape and maritime charm Ask any Dane what he thinks of Svendborg and the South Funen archipelago, and with a distant look in his eyes he will start telling you about its beauty. To the Danes, Svendborg and the islands stand for something very special – and for very good reasons.

Svendborg is a charming port set in a beautiful landscape which is perfect for

hiking or biking holidays or for sea kayak cruising. All through the summer it is bustling with yachts and picturesque old schooners, and from Svendborg you can go island hopping to the small and unique islands by ferry or by boarding one of the classic sailing ships.

Much more than just the village idyll Svendborg itself is a fine old trading town complete with crooked streets, half-timbered houses, shops, art, cultural and musical activities, and exciting little local

restaurants. Every year, people from far away gravitate towards Svendborg to participate in annual events such as the biggest slow food festival in Scandinavia in June, the classic ships regatta in July and the Svendborg Festival days in August.

Do you feel like getting off the beaten track? Go to www.visitsydfyn.dk to learn more about the experiences the Svendborg area may have in store for you.

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 21

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Svendborg

Gorilla Park – an exhilarating day in Funen’s forests

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Gorilla Park

courses (from eight years and up) and one children’s course, adding up to around four hours of exhilarating fun. On top of this a new extreme course will open this June.

“At the same time our new hammock accommodation will be ready, so visitors can spend the night here,” adds Anders.

Have you ever dreamt about swinging through the treetops like Tarzan? If so, Gorilla Park Svendborg, with more than 1,600 metres of high wire obstacle courses, some 16 metres above the ground, is a must try.

A burning desire for the extreme, however, is not essential to make a visit to the park worth it. Situated 100 metres above sea level, Gorilla Park presents some breathtaking views of Funen and the Langeland Belt. “It’s really for everybody who likes outdoor activities,” says co-founder and director Anders Christian Ulrich. “One of the most popular courses is one which goes through a beautiful beech forest, a large open area and pine forest as well. It has three very scenic and exhilarating zip glides.”

The courses vary in difficulty with activities including snowboarding, bicycling, base

Apart from being an obvious attraction for families and schools, the park can also be booked for teambuilding days and bachelor parties.

The park is open from 1 April to 23 October on weekends, holidays and school vacations. Special opening hours by appointment. jumps and Tarzan swings in the canopies.

For those who need a rest afterwards, a charming forest cafe offers refreshments.

At the moment the park has five adult’s

For more information, please visit: www.gorillapark.dk or call: +45 2916 7475

Svendborg Harbour – The Nordic St.Tropez

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Svendborg Harbour

As a thriving port for more than 1,000 years, Svendborg Harbour remains a centre for tourism as well as merchandise in southern Fyn. With seven ports they can offer ‘port-hopping’ in one of Denmark’s most scenic areas.

Svendborg is one of the most important maritime cities in Denmark, where the water remains a vital aspect of everyday life. “The city has a maritime identity, which is particularly visible by the harbour. It’s a unique atmosphere, and we often say we are the St. Tropez of the Nordic and Stockholm Light,” says harbour master Hans Soeby. In the harbours of Svendborg, you will find something for everyone: unique small islands and atmosphere, areas of natural beauty, shopping, gastronomy, and, of course, the true Danish ‘hygge’.

22 | Issue 28 | April 2011

As well as harbouring more than 10,000 visiting boats a year, they can offer a ferry service and the tourist boat M/V Helge, which take visitors to the surrounding islands, all influenced by the lively environment during the summer months.

These islands have 100 all-year inhabitants and are transformed when the tourist season sets in from early May until late September. “The small islands create a special atmosphere you will not find elsewhere. One island is inhabited by just four

people,” says Soeby. The area can therefore offer a holiday in relaxing surroundings, as well as a joyous life by the harbour. “The harbour is so full of life during the summer, with many music and culture activities around the different ports,” Soeby continues, and welcomes you to a good experience – in the middle of culture.

For more information, please visit: www.svendborg-havn.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Svendborg

Langelandsfort – see the Cold War from a new perspective In amazing natural surroundings lies one of the most important military monuments in Denmark’s history, Langelandsfort. The fortress, which is located at the southern tip of Langeland, became a vital part of not only Danish, but world history during the Cold War; today it offers visitors a unique insight into all aspects of the Cold War.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Langelandsfort

“We try to tell the story of the Cold War not only as a military conflict but also as a social event, a political struggle and an ideological battle between ideas - a struggle for the people’s soul,” says museum curator and Cold War expert Peer Henrik Hansen.

A vital location Because of Denmark’s vital location, which enabled it to control the Baltic Sea, the fortress became the gatekeeper between East and West during the Cold War. It was from this fortress that the Soviet ships carrying the rockets which led to the Cuban Missile crisis were discovered. After the Cold War, the fortress was turned into a museum on the initiative of the local soldiers who served there. “Today you can see all the original fortress buildings, underground bunker facilities, submarines and mine sweepers which were part of the conflict on both sides,” says Peer, who is re-

sponsible for two upcoming exhibitions. “In the new exhibitions, we try to tell a broader story about the Cold War, to make the history more alive and interesting by presenting things that people can relate to in their everyday life.”

History and natural beauty The island of Langeland is known for its beautiful coastal stretches, and with a large

preserved area around the museum, there are plenty of paths to walk around and from which to enjoy the stunning views. “A visit to Langelandsfort is a unique combination of a good day out in the country and an interesting way to acquire new knowledge about the Cold War,” says Peer. “People can get very close to the history; they can play with the guns and go onboard on the minesweeper and submarine. Instead of watching the exhibition behind a rope, you can walk around inside it.”

The fortress is open 1 April – 31 October, 10am - 5pm.

For more information, please visit: www.langelandsfortet.dk

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 23

: ME E TH ND L A I LA EC MAN P S ST VÄ

Suite at Sala Silvermine, 155 metres underground. Photo: Pappilabild

Become a Viking for a day. Photo: Kim Lill

Västmanland – The Essence of Sweden Västmanland is a region that is not very well known by name, but perhaps you have heard of the award-winning wolf howling safaris, the unusual hotel room 155 metres underground or the famous artist that built a hotel under water and in the trees – and is now planning to build a little Swedish cottage on the moon? Our region offers a lot of unusual and high-quality experiences, as well as the deep forests and beautiful lakes Sweden is so famous for.

Västmanland is Europe’s closest wilderness. Less than an hour from the city of Västerås and only 90 minutes from Stockholm, vast landscapes and deep unspoiled forests offer great opportunities for visitors. The region is particularly attractive for active holidaymakers. With hundreds of lakes and scores of nature reserves and national parks, beavers, moose, lynx and wolves can be found, and there are several companies offering safaris and canoe rentals. The Black River Valley area is famous for its wealth of bird species and offers great photo opportunities. The industrial heritage of the region also provides fascinating excursions. Visitors to the old silver mine in Sala, once known as "Sweden's treasure trove", can explore the mine 155 metres underground. Engelsbergs Bruk is listed on UNESCO’s

24 | Issue 28 | April 2011

Photo: Skogens Konung

Intro by Västmanland Association of Local Authorities and County Council (VKL)

World Heritage List, and the Lancashire forge at Karmansbo Manor is another good example of well-preserved history in the region.

Popular Strömsholms Canal is 100 km long with 26 locks – the rise through a series of locks at Hallstahammar is an impressive 50 metres!

Västerås, set on the shores of Lake Mälaren, is the county capital and is a popular summer destination in its own right. This is where you can test your limits at the Vertical Run adventure, visit castles or become a Viking for a day in nearby Frösåkers Brygga. Each year in July, the city attracts people from all over the world when the Power Big Meet festival with over 10,000 American cars creates a carnival atmosphere.

To experience the essence of Sweden make Västmanland your next holiday destination! We look forward to seeing you.

For more information, please visit: www.vkl.se www.vastmanland.se

Klackbergsgården – a peaceful and relaxing oasis Three-star resort Klackbergsgården in Norberg offers great quality at an affordable rate and is well located for you to discover an exciting region of Sweden.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Klackbergsgården

In the county of Västmanland, 180 kilometres north of Stockholm and close to the town of Norberg, you will find Klackbergsgården, a small resort by the beautiful lake Noren. This peaceful oasis with its exotic wildlife often presents the opportunity to spot the local fauna: owls, deer, moose, bears and even wolves have all been spotted in the area.

Klackbergsgården consists of a hotel, hostel, restaurant with conference facilities and a full-size sports hall, catering for a wide range of activities. The large sports hall is suitable for basketball, handball, and hockey, and is also used for team building.

A stone’s throw from the facility, you can find hiking trails and a small beach with

the possibility of fishing or enjoying a barbeque, for example.

The restaurant at Klackbergsgården serves traditional Swedish dishes, and there is a small pub near the reception.

Owner Mats Nilsson took over the premises four years ago. He enjoys the peaceful surroundings as well as meeting and greeting his guests from all over the world.

the early 16th century. You can even explore the caves and holes inside the Klackberg mountain, a relic of this early industry.

The hotel has 30 double rooms, all with showers and toilet facilities, and the combined hostel and hotel has 25 double and triple rooms. In addition, there are opportunities for youth camps and sports teams to stay in the hostel and stables; in total the facility has about 200 beds.

If you prefer bringing your tent or caravan - not a problem, there is also a camping site on the premises.

"The area in particular is well known for its former mining industries. For hundreds of years it was the lifeblood of Sweden, providing rich minerals and work for the locals," says Nilsson.

The mines of Norberg and Skinnskatteberg were set up in the 14th century, and the mine of Lindesberg was cultivated in

For more information, please visit: www.klackbergsgarden.se

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 25

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Västmandland

Above: Strömsholm Castle. Photo: Per Eriksson. Top right: Grand National. Photo: Kim Lill. Below: Concert at the Jazz Museum. Photo: Patrik Hedvall

Hallstahammar – Popular tourist destination in the Mälardal Region The municipality of Hallstahammar is a region where a combination of cultural heritage, history and nature attracts half a million visitors each year.

By Ulrika Osterlund

“From a cultural and natural historical perspective, there is forward thinking about how to be able to receive tourists in a good way,” says Mari Högkvist, tourist consultant.

Destination Strömsholm Along the canal that runs through the municipality lies the jewel in the crown of Strömsholm, the castle, which dates back to the mid 1550s when King Gustav Vasa had a fort built at the site. In 1669, Queen Hedvig Eleonora had the edifice reconstructed into a Baroque castle. Almost 300 years later, the castle was turned into a museum. Traditionally, horse races known as the Grand National take place annually on the grounds of the castle.

This comes as no surprise as Strömsholm is Sweden’s national centre of equestrian sports and training. The riding school has origins dating back 500 years. Today, trainers and riding instructors are edu-

26 | Issue 28 | April 2011

cated there. And the horses are aplenty; it is impossible to visit Strömsholm without running into a horse.

makes the locality very attractive to visitors who can just park their car and walk around,” adds Högkvist.

A hop, skip and a jump away, you will find the famous Jazz Museum, the only one of its kind in Europe. It boasts a collection of over 10,000 objects, ranging from pictures, posters and autographs to instruments, clothes and other memorabilia.

The museum organises and holds more than 50 outside concerts every summer.

You can enjoy them while taking in some Louisiana-style fare from the Royal Garden Café & Restaurant.

Åsby Home & Garden is not only popular with tourists; locals also flock here for flowers, plants and home interiors or to take a walk through the lush surroundings. For those with children, a great visit is the Mini zoo. The local hotel is Skantzen Brukshotel, where you can eat good food, enjoy a show, attend a conference or simply relax in the spa.

Åsby-Skantzen Region Further up the Strömsholm canal is Västmanland’s most visited tourist destination, Åsby-Skantzen, a nature and activity experience rolled into one.

“The great thing about this area is the geographical proximity of everything. It

If you still have the energy, there are plenty of activities left on offer. Why not go horseback riding, rent a canoe or bicycle or play a spot of golf.

For more information, please visit: www.hallstahammar.se www.destinationstromsholm.se www.asby.nu

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Västmandland

Västerås – a mix of old, new and the unusual

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Västerås

Västerås, located in central Sweden on the shore of Lake Mälaren, is one of the oldest cities in Sweden. Västerås offers a perfect mixture of medieval, industrial and modern sights, including the Västerås Cathedral from the 13th century, which has been awarded three stars

by Guide Michelin.

However, if you are looking for something a bit more out of the ordinary, then why not try the world’s first permanent Zipline, the Västerås CityZip. The 530-metre long ride starts from the roof of an 81-metre tall skyscraper and runs through the city’s most central squares – 40 metres above them, of course.

Lake Mälaren and the Västerås Archipelago offer a lot of great opportunities for nature experiences, so why not take a boat out to one of the surrounding 300 islands, or enjoy some swimming or water sports.

20 km outside of Västerås, you can also find a Viking village, which will take you on a trip back in time.

“Both the old and new parts of Västerås offer interesting things to see and do,” says tourism manager Pernilla Törngren.

“Everything is really close by, and we’re only an hour away from Stockholm by train. It is much cheaper to stay here, so you can just plan a trip to Stockholm from Västerås.”

Hotel Otter Inn. Photo: Michael Genberg

To create an even more “unusual” holiday for yourself, why not stay in Hotel Otter Inn, the underwater hotel, or Hotel Woodpecker, set in a tree house, both created by local artist Mikael Genberg.

For more information, please visit: www.vasterasmalarstaden.se

Skinnskattebergs Kommun – blossoming cultural life in the middle of the woods About two hours’ drive north of Stockholm, far into the woods and past numerous lakes, you find Skinnskattebergs Kommun.

The area is known for its outstanding wildlife opportunities, but recently its culture offerings have challenged the natural attractions as the area’s tourist magnet.

“We have a lot of nature, but with a worldrenowned art centre, Gallery Astley, and several new cultural institutions, we have more to offer,” says Marlene Carlsson, manager of tourism in Skinnskattebergs Kommun.

The municipality’s history as a mine and iron area still influences the surroundings, although the industry ended in the 18th century. Ekomuseum Bergslagen shows the history and culture of iron, while Kar-

mansbo Bruksmiljö, a well-preserved industrial area with a mansion, is today a hotel. “Although the industry has been down

Gallery Astley

for 300 years, there are many traces left over from the past,” says Carlsson. More visible nowadays is the blooming cultural life, where Gallery Astley is their pride.

Moreover, they offer a permanent culture

Text by Anne Line Kaxrud Photo: Skinnskattebergs Kommun

park, with various exhibitions, while concerts and plays take place all year long. “It is close to Stockholm, so we have day visitors, as well as families and business people coming to experience something different,” says Carlsson.

While many choose to have a wander through history and culture, others choose to make the most out of nature.

Fishing enthusiasts have a brilliant chance of catching a big one in one of the area’s 244 lakes, whereas the more daring may want to join a wolf or moose safari.

“We have something for all tastes,” says Carlsson.

For further information, please visit: www.skinnskatteberg.se

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 27

Famous pharmaceutical chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele

Kungsör, a former retreat of Swedish kings.

Arboga, a town full of medieval character.

Köping, a former cradle of industry, rebuilt after a large fire in 1889.

The region of Västra Mälardalen combines three picturesque municipalities:

Köping, Arboga & Kungsör Text by Nia Kajastie | Photos: Courtesy of Köping, Arboga & Kungsör Tourist Bureaus

Västra Mälardalen is a region full of nature reserves, beautiful lakes and interesting museums. The towns of Köping, Arboga and Kungsör have all this in common, but still differ in history, townscape and character. Each municipality offers travellers distinctive experiences.

The municipality of Köping has been strongly affected by its industrial history as well as the big city fire of 1889, which changed the face of the town completely.

Architect Theodor Dahl designed many of the magnificent buildings that now occupy the townscape. Köping is also wellknown for its collections of famous cars and motorcycles (Automobile and technical-historical collections), which attract a lot of visitors on their own merit. A famous contributor to the cultural landscape of the town is Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a pharmaceutical chemist who discovered

28 | Issue 28 | April 2011

oxygen and also called Köping home for the latter part of his life.

plunge into Lake Mälaren for a cool down on a warm summer’s day.

Arboga was a very influential town during the Middle Ages, and it has still preserved parts of its medieval character. It also hosts the exciting Medieval Days in August (10-14 August 2011). Hjälmare Canal, connecting Lake Hjälmaren and Arboga River, is Sweden’s oldest man-made waterway – learn more about its history at the museum at Hjälmare docks.

“People visit the region for its history, whether it is industrial, medieval or centred around kings, as well as the available nature experiences: canoeing, fishing, hiking and even mushroom picking,” says Pernilla Rönnlund, tourism advisor for Köping's Tourist Bureau. “We’ve also got really good connections to and from Stockholm; it only takes around 1.5 hours to travel to the region by train. For accommodation in Västra Mälardalen, you can choose from a large variety of hotels, youth hostels, B&Bs, farm stays and cottages for rent.”

Kungsör has a long and interesting history as a retreat for Swedish kings; the foundations of the community were laid by King Gustav Vasa in the 1500s. Like the rest of the region, Kungsör is surrounded by pastoral nature that invites visitors to explore it with a picnic basket in hand on foot or by bike, or why not go horse riding through the area, and you can always

For more information, please visit: www.koping.se www.arboga.se www.kungsor.se

Photo: SBR - Stockholm Visitors Board ©Jeppe Wikström/Johnér

SP ST ECIA OC L T KH HE OL ME M :

Stockholm – the Capital of Scandinavia Intro by Visit Stockholm

Stockholm is widely celebrated as nothing less than one of the world’s most beautiful cities, built where lake meets sea, on fourteen islands, with nine centuries of history and culture.

Stockholm is a city of contrasts – a cuttingedge metropolis that often comes across as stunningly contemporary. Still, its striking modernity coexists happily with ancient customs and traditions that many visitors find unique and exotic. Another quality that makes Stockholm so special is the city’s ability to live on nature’s terms. Vast green areas do not just surround the city, they permeate it. Few other places let you experience the pleasures and allures of nature, urban sophistication and cultural history, all in a single day.

ury, Tre Kronor Museum, Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities and The Royal Armoury. A city built on 14 islands must be seen from the water. So why not do some boat sightseeing in the city or in the archipelago, which comprises 30,000 islands and islets. There are some 80 mu-

Photo: imagebank.sweden.se © Lena Granefelt

Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan, is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centres in Europe. Here, you will also find The Royal Palace, the official residence of His Majesty the King of Sweden, and four additional museums: the Treas-

seums and attractions in Stockholm: the Vasa Museum; the only preserved seventeenth century ship in the world; the living history open air museum Skansen, with 150 cultural-historic buildings from all over Sweden; and a zoo with wild and tame

Nordic animals, amongst others – are all must-sees. They are situated on the island of Djurgården in the National City Park. If you are interested in art you cannot miss the Modern Museum, which is one of Europe’s finest, and the Nationalmuseum, with a large collection of older paintings and permanent design exhibitions. The latest addition is the Fotografiska, which is one of the world’s largest meeting places for contemporary photography. One of Stockholm’s landmarks is the City Hall, where the Nobel Prize Banquet takes place every year in December.

Stockholm has three sites on Unesco’s World Heritage list: the remarkable Woodland Cemetary “Skogskyrkogården”, the excavated Viking city Birka and the Drottningholm Palace, home of the Royal family, with a unique Palace Theatre, garden and Chinese Pavilion.

For more information, please visit: www.visitstockholm.com

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 29

Hotel J brings an American sailing paradise to Stockholm Located next to the Stockholm archipelago, Hotel J’s image holds true to its location. The maritime style reminds guests of an American sailing paradise and has put the hotel on the map of Design HotelsTM. “We have a very strong profile, where the design and name of the hotel, the food we serve and the activities offered are all influenced by the maritime style,” says managing director Maurizio Barberis.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Hotel J

The name of the hotel, J, derives from a type of sailing boat used in the America’s Cup and is considered to be amongst the best constructed boats in the world. The name was appropriately chosen when the founder opened the Newport-inspired hotel in 2000, and it has since remained one of the most design focused hotels in Stockholm.

The sea as an inspiration Due to its location, the sea influences more than just the design of the hotel.

Restaurant J’s (the hotel restaurant) menu is inspired by the fruits of the sea, and the guests can take a sightseeing trip out in the archipelago, hire a canoe or a catamaran, or a 15 minutes boat trip into Stockholm city centre. “The area has a lot to offer, whether you like walks in nature, sailing or just relaxing by the sea side.

We therefore attract many different types of guests, but what they have in common is that they would all like a special hotel experience,” says Barberis.

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Internationally recognised Hotel J is a member of Design HotelsTM, a handpicked collection of hotels from over 40 countries. The unique hotels are individually designed and popular among lifestyle travellers, guests that look for distinctive hotels rather than chains. Hotel J has thus attracted international attention, with The Sunday Times voting it one of the Top 100 hotels in Europe, while The Independent voted it one of the Big Six

Seaside retreats in Scandinavia and one of the Big Six Chic nautical hotels in the world. “We are of course very happy and proud about these recognitions, and the concept has turned out to be hugely popular,” says Barberis.

For more information, please visit: www.hotelj.com

SW PR ED IZ EN E-W 'S IN M NI OS N T GV B E IL AU LA TI FO FU L R HO M E Hello, my name is Pål Ross.

In the last decade I have designed and planned more than 185 unique, top-quality Scandinavian homes – each in harmony with their surroundings, and all environmentally sound.

Because my aim is to exceed your expectations, I accept only ten commissions per year. It takes time, expertise, and dedication to create a personal and worthy home. My colleagues and I are involved in any or all of the stages of production, from choosing the perfect plot to designing your interiors, making sure that the end result is an excellent investment, and a home that will enhance your life. For more inspiration and information visit our website, www.ross.se All the best,

Pål Ross, architect SAR/MSA Tel: +46 8 84 84 82 | E-mail: ross@ross.se | www.ross.se

Photo: ProfilHotels

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Central Hotel

Skansen

Dramaten Terassen

Profilrestauranger and ProfilHotels – Their strength lies not in numbers...

The philosophy behind Profilrestauranger is to have a smaller, yet hugely distinctive, assortment of renowned restaurants in its collection. The same way of thinking holds true for its partner firm, ProfilHotels, which, in Stockholm, specialises in just two hotels.

“The forte of Profilrestauranger is that we can offer guests a wide selection and have the possibility to take care of our guests in a professional manner regardless of whether it is a banquet for 1,200 people or a dinner for two,” explains Jenny Lagström, director of marketing.

Dine like a king Fancy tasting the Nobel Banquet menu in its original setting? At Stadshuskällaren (The City Hall Cellar Restaurant), you do not have to be a Bernadotte or a visiting dignitary to experience this culinary feast, that is, unless it is 10 December, the day on which the annual gala has been held for well over the past century. Swedish dishes are also served in this beautiful locale, as well as a traditional Christmas buffet and other party menus.

At Haga Forum, located in Haga Park, just north of the city border, a glimpse of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel may be had, en route to their new home, the Haga Palace. Formerly a bus terminal,

32 | Issue 28 | April 2011

By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Profilrestauranger

Royal Dramatic Theatre where DramatenRestaurangerna include Restaurant Pauli, Frippe and DramatenTerrassen: Swedish culture at its best, served up with classical fare, in a building dating back to 1908.

Hotel Riddargatan. Photo: ProfilHotels

Haga Forum is now a modern conference centre and restaurant, well-known for its weekend brunches.

One of Stockholm’s most famous attractions, the Skansen outdoor museum, has three very differently styled eateries, collectively known as the Skansens Restauranger. There is the 18th century themed Tre Byttor (Three Firkins), the Solliden which serves a traditional smorgåsbord in the summer, and the Skansen Terrassen (Terrace). The location makes the restaurants the ideal place for a get-together, be it with family, friends or for business.

Another attractive scene with views across Nybroviken and Berzelii Park is Sweden’s

The Art of Hotel Living Concept “We have invested more in smaller hotels with a special feel and service. Choice of material, design, sound and light are all functions to make the guest feel exceptional,” adds Lagström. “The idea is to run comfortable and modern hotels for both the business and pleasure traveller.”

Hotel Riddargatan is located in the upscale Östermalm neighbourhood, near the financial district and shopping areas.

Central Hotel, as the name suggests, is in the centre of town, on Vasagatan, adjacent to the train station.

For more information, please visit: www.profilrestauranger.se www.profilhotels.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Elite Eden Park Hotel – Once you check in, you will never want to leave

By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Elite Hotels

Elite Hotels unveils its newest addition in the nation’s capital in June. Situated in the upmarket district of Östermalm with views across Humlegården, the Elite Eden Park Hotel aims to live up to its name by offering guests a touch of paradise.

“This will be a four-star premium hotel with five-star service,” says Susanne Karlsson, director of the hotel. “We want to deliver that little bit extra. Our guests should feel that they have our utmost attention.”

The converted building, built in 1958, accommodates the hotel’s 125 elegant rooms, which were designed by the highly acclaimed Swedish architect and designer Thomas Sandell. The interiors are exclusive without being flamboyant.

The Elite Eden Park Hotel endeavours to be Stockholm’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified hotel. A fitting feat indeed, as Stockholm was the European Green Capital of 2010. “The environment was kept in focus

throughout the planning process,” continues Karlsson. “From the materials used, to transportation, to energy consumption.”

Two restaurants are on offer, one fine dining, and while the head chef’s identity is still kept under wraps, it is guaranteed to put the hotel firmly on the gastronomic map. The other is Elite Hotels’ own gastropub the Bishop Arms, which has over 200 whisky varieties to choose from.

The hotel also has a modern gym, complete with relaxation areas and saunas: all you could need following a long day of travel and meetings or after exploring the city.

For more information, please visit: www.elite.se www.elite.se/edenpark

Owner and CEO of the Elite Hotels chain, Bicky Chakraborty, also has four other hotels in Stockholm: Elite Hotel Stockholm Plaza Located on the other side of Humlegården, with 143 rooms. Home to renowned restaurant Vassa Eggen.

Elite Palace Hotel The biggest of the Elite Hotels with 215 rooms. Houses a vast conference centre covering over 1,000 square metres.

Elite Hotel Arcadia The first hotel in the Elite Hotels chain.

The building formerly served as student housing in the 1950s.

Elite Hotel Marina Tower A full-service hotel in a fantastic location on the waterfront opposite Djurgården, with its own spa, pool and boat. Boasts a conference capacity of 400 seats.

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 33

Fotografiska – bringing photography to the masses Fotografiska, a centre for contemporary photography, is located in Stockholm by the seafront on Stadsgårdshamnen, between Birka Cruises and Viking Line boat terminals. Set in an industrial, art nouveau style building from 1906, the centre comprises 5,500 square metres altogether and 2,500 square metres of exhibition space, making it one of the world’s biggest forums of its kind. Fotografiska aims to awaken people’s interest in photography by exhibiting only the best contemporary work out there.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: © Fotografiska Opened on 21 May 2010, Fotografiska is still quite a new cultural hub in Stockholm. Its creation can be seen as a reaction to the lack of museums presenting great photographic exhibitions in Scandinavia. Fotografiska successfully combines its exhibitions with food and beverage offerings, creating an accessible and welcoming meeting place for visitors of all

ages and backgrounds. There can be up to five temporary exhibitions running at the same time, lasting between 1-4 months, with more than 30 different exhibitions shown per year.

“We aim to have a good mix of international, emerging artists from all over the world as well as many of the world's most

established and leading photographers, and, of course, the best of Swedish and Scandinavian photography,” explains CEO Charlotte Wiking. “We show all kinds of photography, including documentary, fashion, nature etc. The only important thing is that it’s the best of its kind. And we combine this with our restaurant, bar & cafe, lectures, workshops and artist talks.

Also, we don’t call ourselves a museum, just Fotografiska, a place for great photography.”

Fotografiska aims to create a welcoming atmosphere and a meeting place for anyone interested in photography as well as learning more about photography, digital image editing and visual communication

34 | Issue 28 | April 2011

with the help of the Fotografiska Academy, which hosts various workshops and courses.

With practical and stylish facilities as well as the latest technical equipment available for conferences and special events, Fotografiska can accommodate up to 300 people for a conference or around 200 people for a seated dinner. And one of the best things to experience on the side is the breathtaking view of Stockholm from their panoramic windows, facing Old Town, Djurgården and Skeppsholmen.

Work by fashion photographer Pauline Benthede

Burtynsky/Oil Exhibition Highway #1 © Edward Burtynsky, courtesy Stefan Röpke, Köln / Flowers, London / Nicholas Metivier, Toronto

Treat your friends to a cultural experience “We get a lot of foreign visitors, depending on the season, of course; a lot of Stockholmers introduce their foreign guests first to the Vasa Museum and then to Fotografiska,” says Wiking. “It’s an easily accessible place with a good combination of food, drink and content, of course. So it’s a nice place to stay at and to bring whoever you like with you.”

Fotografiska also offers guided tours; you can take part in a public tour open for everyone with the price of the entrance, or you could book a guided tour in Swedish, English or Italian, with a personal guide.

“The more knowledge you can gather, the more interesting your visit becomes,” adds Wiking.

Lennart Nilsson Exhibition Opening hours: Daily 10am - 9pm Closed on New Year’s Eve, Midsummer's Eve and Christmas Eve. Address: Fotografiska Stadsgårdshamnen 22 116 45 Stockholm

For more information, please visit: www.fotografiska.eu

Burtynsky/Oil Exhibition Jet Engines © Edward Burtynsky, courtesy Stefan Röpke, Köln / Flowers, London / Nicholas Metivier, Toronto

Current exhibitions: Sarah Moon (until 17 April 2011) Sarah Moon is one of France’s most renowned contemporary photographers, filmmakers, and artists. Over the past 35 years, Moon has created a pictorial universe comprised of a constellation of figures, animals, structures and environments.

Moon’s images reside in the mysterious space between waking and dreams, art and fashion.

Fotografiska is pleased to present Moon’s first exhibition in Sweden. The exhibition contains over 200 photographs and two video works entitled The Red Thread and Contact. Today Moon works primarily with creating her artwork and short films.

Albert Watson (until 12 June 2011) Albert Watson’s images encompass every conceivable genre and technique and have made him one of the greatest in history. For the first time in Sweden, Fotografiska is presenting a massive and intense retrospective of Watson’s oeuvre featuring 120 photographs in an exhibition that is an intimate and grandiose presentation of this international photographer’s life and work. The exhibition presents unique images that have moulded our perception of fashion, commercialism, celebrities, photography and music for four decades.

Robert Mapplethorpe Exhibition Ken Moody and Robert Sherman, 1984 © Robert Mapplethorpe

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 35

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Hotel Bema: an intimate hotel in the heart of Stockholm

By Anna Lindgren | Photos: Hotel Bema

In December last year, Hotel Bema Stockholm was taken over by new management with Mats Karlsson at the helm.

Since 7 January 2011, the hotel’s doors have been open with a newer and fresher look, along with higher standards.

minutes from one of the main shopping streets, Drottninggatan.

This charming little hotel offers perfect, price-worthy accommodation for anyone visiting the Swedish capital of Stockholm.

“We have guests from all over the world here, and our competitive prices mean we are very booked up throughout the summer,” says Karlsson.

Vasastan, the name of the immediate surrounding area, is full of interesting restaurants, potential sightseeing, and also lies within walking distance of the Old Town (Gamla Stan), museums and, of course, the water - one of the things for which Stockholm is famous.

Breakfast is served in the room whenever the guests wish, and the staff will always offer warm and excellent service.

Previous guests have enjoyed the slightly tucked away yet convenient location of Hotel Bema. The welcoming and helpful staff members, as well as the very reasonable prices, make visitors come back again and again.

Bema has 12 rooms and 23 beds (one family room, one room with three beds, four twin rooms, one double bedroom and five single rooms) all with en-suite lavatory and shower, TV, radio and telephones.

The hotel is situated in a truly desirable area of Stockholm, eight minutes from Arlanda Airport Express trains and three

For more information, please visit: www.hotelbema.se

The Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm: Serene location and spacious accommodation Located on Kungsholmen, an island in Lake Mälaren, the Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm is set in a residential area, only a short distance from bus stops, subway stations and the Stockholm central train station. With rooms among the largest in the city, this modern hotel offers a great base for both families and business travellers alike.

Opened in February 2010, the hotel was planned together with the surrounding residential accommodation. Because of the setting as well as the nearby lake and Rålambshov park, the atmosphere is different from your standard city surroundings, making the location very desirable.

The Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm comprises 278 rooms, none smaller than 26 square metres. The rooms have large

36 | Issue 28 | April 2011

windows for plenty of natural light and offer all the modern services such as free WiFi, a multimedia panel that lets you hook up your laptop to the television, tea & coffee making facilities and other conveniences. The rooms are offered at affordable prices and families can choose connecting rooms for more space. The hotel’s two studio rooms include large private balconies overlooking the park, a jacuzzi and great views (even from the bathroom). And to blow off some steam, you can always retreat to the hotel’s own fitness centre, open 24 hours and free of charge, of course.

“The standard of the hotel is very high in general. We also have a very flexible conference floor with state-of-the-art facilities.

Our popular restaurant, the BJORK Bar & Grill, is also well worth a visit. Here we have afterworks on Fridays with a DJ and brunch

By Nia Kajastie Photo: The Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm

on Sundays as well as the usual breakfast, lunch and dinner. What makes the atmosphere so nice is that it is popular with the local clientele as well as our hotel guests,” says director of sales Emmelie Jonsson.

The hotel is easily reached from both Bromma and Arlanda airport and boasts 50 secure underground parking places.

For more information, please visit: www.stockholmcourtyard.com

W W W .S TO RY HO TE LS

STORY HOTEL – RIDDARGATAN 6, 114 25 STOCKHOLM SWEDEN – INFO@STORYHOTELS.COM

.C OM

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Connect Hotels

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Connect Hotels

– Stylish and affordable accommodation in prime locations Connect Hotels is a five-year-old chain of four high-quality 3-star hotels that do not skimp when it comes to design and good materials. The fresh feel of their facilities is far beyond your usual 3-star standard, but the prices are still kept accordingly low.

The newest addition to their ranks is the Connect Hotel City located in Kungsholmen in central Stockholm. There are two other hotels in Stockholm, the Connect Hotel Arlanda Airport (which offers transfer services to and from the airport) and the Connect Hotel Stockholm (International Fairs), and one at Skavsta Airport, only 75 meters from the terminal, the Connect Hotel Skavsta.

Connect Hotel City comprises 86 stylish rooms in various sizes. The location is excellent, with restaurants, shopping op2

portunities and cultural venues close by.

Also included are a restaurant and bar, and a conference room for up to 14 people.

Each hotel includes a cosy public living room in the lobby, which is the heart of each establishment. And also available is a sauna in each property, which is free to use for overnight guests, as well as plenty of parking spaces. Connect Hotels have also received the Green Key award, as a tourism facility that takes measures to spare natural resources.

“At our hotels you get high-quality, lovely design at reasonable rates. We can offer rates 25% lower than our competitors. It’s definitely value for money,” says owner Finn Andersen. “We put a lot of effort into detail to make 3-star hotels with the quality of a 4-star hotel.” 2

Living room in Connect Hotel Arlanda

Living room in Connect Hotel City For more information, please visit: www.connecthotel.se

Welcome to Toyland Museum – a modern experience museum in the heart of Stockholm city.

Dreamlocation on Lidingö EASY - COMFORTABLE - CLOSE Breakfast included - Free Parking

A cool world of toys, fantasy, joy and nostalgia.

Stockholmsvägen 70, Lidingö Tel +46-8-54481300

Wallingatan 12, 111 60 Stockholm, Sweden

www.aristonhotell.se 38 | Issue 28 | April 2011

For all toy lovers - no matter what age! (at Drottninggatan near Norra Bantorget)

Phone: +46 (0)8 411 85 05 www.leksaksland.se

City Hotel Kungsholmen: a three-star boutique hotel with four-star facilities

By Anna Lindgren | Photos: City Hotel Kungsholmen

The former Aldoria Hotel in central Stockholm has had a recent and very successful makeover. Since the new management (including Klas Nygren) took over the premises at the beginning of 2011, great changes have been made to this establishment. All the rooms have been renovated and given a cool, upper east feel with continental beds and excellent amenities.

In April this year, the hotel will officially change its name from Aldoria Hotel to City Hotel Kungsholmen. The place has become more of a boutique hotel since the refurbishment with great breakfast and wonderful service being provided. It is now a stylish place you can enjoy during a business trip, a weekend break or a romantic getaway.

There are three suites available (the most exclusive has its own sauna for your enjoyment), and 21 additional rooms for single or double occupancy. All accommodation is equipped with flat screen TVs, DVD players

(with a rental service available at reception), desks and Wi-Fi Internet access.

restaurants. Kungsholmen, the area where the hotel is situated, is a stunning part of the city where parks and water are never far away.

The new manager explains: “We have decided to provide guests simply with what we believe to be necessary for a hotel stay, which enables us to keep our prices very competitive.” Staff will, of course, help those who are looking to obtain discounted entries to local health facilities as well as organising bookings for good restaurants if desired.

One of the main things this hotel has got going for it is the location. Stockholm’s tunnelbana (underground) is 5 metres away from the front doorstep. Nearby you can also find bus stops where you can catch the airport buses, as well as other local transportation and numerous

Judging by the online reviews and comments, the hotel has definitely made a successful transformation. For your stay in Stockholm it comes highly recommended for its convenient location, its welcoming service and excellent pricing.

For more information, please visit: www.city-hotel.se

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 39

Vår Gård Saltsjöbaden: A conference hotel where the focus is art

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Vår Gård Saltsjöbaden

15 minutes south of central Stockholm, in the picturesque archipelago, you find Vår Gård Saltsjöbaden. The conference hotel has an extensive art collection, which now takes a central part in the visitors’ stay. “We believe that the art enhances people’s creativity, which in term leads to more fruitful meetings,” says managing director, Katarina Romell.

The hotel is idyllically located by the seaside, and the relaxing atmosphere attracts

visitors who would like easy access to the city, while also being able to retreat to the harmony in the surroundings of Vår Gård.

While the location attracts many visitors, there is one distinguishing aspect that appeals to them: Vår Gård has brought art into the world of conferences, and the activities connected with it have proved to be popular among the guests. “People with an interest in meetings and art come here,” explains Romell.

An art collection out of hiding

Katarina Romell, Managing Director

40 | Issue 28 | April 2011

The hotel dates back to the early 20th century, and it was known amongst the employees that it housed an extensive art collection of well-recognised artists from Sweden and abroad. “The collection has been hidden away, which was a great shame. In the past few years, we have brought it out for our guests, and people have shown great interest in it,” says Romell. The hotel offers courses where the visitors can learn to paint, while others choose to attend lessons from art experts about the works of the painter

Grünewald and others. “Through art, people open up to different sides of themselves, which has a positive impact on their meetings,” explains Romell.

Become a king or queen of the kitchen Besides the art collection, Vår Gård offers a relaxing spa treatment at their Thann Sanctuary, while you may also learn how to become king or queen of the kitchen during their cooking courses at the Beach House. “Our hotel is a conference hotel, and so much more. We want it to be an experience,” says Romell.

For more information, please visit: www.vargard.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Maude’s Hotels: Where the atmosphere matters

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Maude’s Hotels

With extensive experience within the hotel trade, Maude Ärnström established the first of the two Maude’s Hotels in 2000. It was soon a great success, and the second one was completed four years later. It was Maude’s love for hotels that produced these establishments, and her passion is visible in the style and atmosphere of both hotels.

The hotels are located on the outskirts of Stockholm, and while offering visitors easy access to the city, they also provide the guests with a relaxed stay.

Maude’s Hotel Enskede Located only five minutes from the concert hall Globe Arena and Stockholm International Fairs, and 12 minutes from Stockholm centre, this hotel is an excellent choice for visitors wanting to experience the many internationally recognised concerts and fairs that are organised in

the area. “The hotel in Enskede is special in the sense that it is close to the centre of Stockholm, as well as offering a quiet and relaxed stay,” says hotel owner Maude Ärnström. With the image of a typical Swedish manor, it is popular among private guests as well as business travellers.

business hotel, it offers a blend of Scandinavian and Asian-style design, and includes the sort of lavish breakfast buffet that the stomach desires in the morning.

“The area is currently expanding, and we are excited about the future,” says Maude.

Maude’s Hotel Solna Business Park Maude’s other hotel, Maude’s Hotel Solna Business Park, is located only eight minutes by train from the city centre. As a

For more information, please visit: www.maudeshotel.se

LIKE A SWISS CLOCK BUT SCANDINAVIAN WELCOME ONBOARD EUROPE’S MOST PUNCTUAL AIRLINE Save time with SAS Most departures from UK Most departures within Scandinavia Online check-in Only primary airports

flysas.co.uk Source: Flightstats.com 2009 and 2010

1 : ME EAN E 201 E H P R L T URO LTU A I EC – E CU SP RKU L OF TU PITA CA

Opening Ceremony Turku 2011. Photo: Olli Sulin

Welcome to Turku, the European Capital of Culture Dating back to the Middle Ages, Turku is today the oldest city in Finland. In 2011, Turku will experience one of the biggest highlights of its entire history with the European Capital of Culture year celebrations. The year will be filled with great reasons – both ancient and brand-new ones – to visit Turku.

Intro by Turku 2011 Foundation

Turku's Capital of Culture year 2011 is one of Finland's most important cultural investments in decades. The programme for the year comprises 155 projects involving a diverse group of Finnish and international participants. Thousands of events will be launched during the year.

The Capital of Culture concept is understood widely in Turku, where different cultural fields are boldly merged.

"It is important for the Turku 2011 programme to be easily accessible to the general public and to offer experiences: the programme crosses borders, enhances communality and cooperation, and attracts new target groups to experience culture," says programme director Suvi Innilä.

Cafe, exhibitions and music at Logomo. Photos, left: Bo Stranden, middle: Susse Määttänen, right: Arto Takala

itive effect on people. Culture not only increases mental wellbeing, but research suggests it also promotes physical welfare," states Cay Sevón, CEO of the Turku 2011 Foundation, responsible for preparing the Capital of Culture year.

In addition to internationally acclaimed visual arts, Logomo also hosts immersive exhibitions for the entire family, where visitors are able to experience the works in completely novel ways. The event roster includes dance, theatre and music ranging from jazz to opera.

Logomo is the home of culture every day The programme seeks particularly to highlight the role of culture in the wellbeing of people and the environment, a message Turku wishes to spread to the rest of Europe.

"Our starting point is for the Capital of Culture year's programme to have a pos-

42 | Issue 28 | April 2011

The spectacular new centre for the Capital of Culture year activities is Logomo, an old railway engineering workshop renovated especially for this purpose. Located right next to the Turku Railway Station, Logomo hosts exhibitions that will be open throughout the year as well as being a venue for the major performance events.

Logomo, its café and shop are open every day throughout the year, including Sundays and holidays.

More information on Turku 2011 can be found at www.turku2011.fi/en

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Turku – European Capital of Culture

Sun and stars meet in Naantali The idyllic seaside town of Naantali, in south-western Finland, hosts its annual chamber music festival for the 32nd time this June.

Marking the start of the Finnish summer festival season, the highly acclaimed and persistently popular Naantali Music Festival includes over 30 concerts, from chamber music to orchestral and solo performances. Along with the main concert venue – Naantali’s stunning medieval convent church – various concerts are held all around the neighbouring island, parks and even restaurants. This year’s programme includes such world-class names as Krzysztof Penderecki, Okko Kamu and Fine Arts Quartet.

Founded in 1980 by the festival’s artistic director and an internationally renowned cellist, Arto Noras, Naantali Music Festival has been considered one of Finland’s most significant festivals right from the

beginning. This year’s speciality is an outdoor concert in the gardens of Kultaranta, the official summer residence of the Finnish President. This rare occasion, usually only experienced once in a president’s term, is held on Sunday 12 June at 3pm local time. “We have organized a very Photo: Esko Keski-Oja

By Inna Hakala | Photos: Naantali Music Festival

versatile programme for the day and can expect beautiful performances among others from Monica Groop, Jaakko Kuusisto and our very own Arto Noras,” says executive director Tiina Tunturi.

Another added bonus this year is the festival’s contribution to the Turku European Capital of Culture 2011 programme. On the midsummer week, the festival takes a musical cruise to the island of Utö, the southernmost year-round inhabited island in Finland, where three more concerts are held.

This stunning sunshine town does not only wow with its beautiful scenery, but also with the vast choice of high class services from accommodation to restaurants and attractions for anyone wanting to visit.

Top: Naantali harbour. Below left: Krzysztof

Naantali Music Festival 7.-19.6.2011 For more information, please visit: www.naantalimusic.com

Penderecki. Right: The gardens of Kultaranta

Les Misérables at Åbo Svenska Teater – experience the phenomenon been wonderful to see the recognition we’ve received from Finland and abroad,” says PR manager Sanna Sarelius.

Established in 1839, Åbo Svenska Teater (The Swedish Theatre of Turku) is Finland’s oldest functioning theatre. This beautiful old building hosts a varied programme for everyone, from musicals to drama and from opera to stand-up comedy. Since September 2010, audiences have been treated to one of the most successful and loved musicals of all times – Les Misérables.

The entire musical is also subtitled in both Finnish and Swedish, which is quite rare in Finland and a first for Åbo Svenska Teater.

It encourages the Finnish-speaking and hearing impaired audiences to attend and adds a new depth to their experience.

It is the first time in Finland that Les Misérables is performed in Swedish. The production is massive, with ambitious set and costume designs. Add to that a cast and crew of top-quality professionals from Finland, Sweden and Norway, and it is no wonder the success rate has been phenomenal; it is already the most popular production in the theatre’s 170-year history. ”We did have high hopes, but it has

Along with high praise from both press and public, the Les Misérables production and Åbo Svenska Teater received the prestigious Turku Touring’s ”Matkailun Oskari 2010” award for enhancing tourism in the Turku region. And with Turku being the European Capital of Culture 2011, Les Misérables will no doubt continue to maintain sold-out performances for all the drama lovers out there.

By Inna Hakala | Photos: Åbo Svenska Teater

Photo: Stefan Bremer

For more information, please visit: www.abosvenskateater.fi

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 43

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Turku – European Capital of Culture

Left: Lenin Love. Stalin Love. Photo: Vladimir Lopuvskoy; Top: Anna Karenina. Photo: Robert Seger; Below: Dance Theatre Minimi.

Photo: Petra Tiihonen/Studio Atlas Opposite page: Mormors svarta ögon (Granny’s black eyes). Photo: Roger Stenberg

Performing Arts in May – Turku, the European Capital of Culture 2011, invites visitors to experience

By Anni-Maria Sahala drama, dance and theatre Uma Familia Portuguesa, an award-winning and melancholic story by Filomena Oliveira and Miguel Real that explores the life of one Portuguese family through a culture-historical lens and fado-music; Lenin Love. Stalin Love., a touching and gruesome display of the Holodomor in the Ukrainian SSR in the 1930s; the familiar yet fascinating life of Anna Karenina with a contemporary twist; and a dance rendition of Juha, the classic novel on the heart-rending yearning of a Finnish man.

These are just a few examples of the shows that are part of Esittävän Taiteen Toukokuu (Performing Arts in May) – a three-week long theatre event at Turku City Theatre that kicks off on 2 May, as a

44 | Issue 28 | April 2011

part of the Turku European Capital of Culture 2011 theme. 16 different performances are crammed into the programme of shows that vary from traditional theatre to the celebration of different forms of performance through drama, dance, street and modern theatre.

Turku City Theatre will host guest performers from all over Finland and countries from near and far, such as Ukraine, Portugal, Turkey, Russia, Sweden and Norway. The topical performances are held on the theatre’s three stages, foyers and vicinity. Most shows touch upon themes familiar to the areas around the Baltic Sea, and Minna Jääskeläinen, information officer for Turku City Theatre, says the stories are what makes the fes-

tival distinct from similar happenings in Europe: “Esittävän Taiteen Toukokuu is a unique event that derives from the idea that Finland’s borders define Europe, and therefore we wanted to provide an avenue of expression for top performances from other border countries that are often overlooked in central European festivals.”

Raija-Liisa Seilo, the general director of Turku City Theatre and the artistic director of the event, has travelled around Europe to select shows most in line with the ethos of the festival. “We wanted to make sure Esittävän Taiteen Toukokuu only includes performances of utmost quality that together form a programme unprecedented in Turku and the whole of Finland,” continues Jääskeläinen.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Turku – European Capital of Culture

The festival is a huge undertaking for Finland’s oldest municipal theatre – the tight programme fits in up to five different performances a day. On the whole, all forms and methods of contemporary theatre are present, as the extensive programme includes theatre and dance shows, street performances and modern theatre, all of which comment on Europe from their own individual perspectives. The shows are acted out in different languages, depending on their origin, and subtitled in Finnish. Some performances communicate through universal body language, expressions and movement. For the most active visitors, interactive seminars and discussion groups are also available.

productions will only be performed once during the three-week period. Tickets for all performances in Turku City Theatre’s own programme are sold through Lippupalvelu (www.lippupalvelu.fi), tickets for the rest of the shows can be purchased through Lippupiste and Turku 2011 Kulma sales office. The Turku City website (www.teatteri.turku.fi) offers a comprehensive guide on each show and provides links to relevant online ticket stores. Some of the open air performances are free of charge.

Esittävän Taiteen Toukokuu will be a truly unforgettable three weeks, also acting as the sixth International Baltic Cities Festival. Combined with the Turku European Capital of Culture 2011 theme, it genuinely is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any culture lover – no similar event will be organised in Turku or anywhere else in Finland in the near future.

For more information, please visit: www.teatteri.turku.fi

Jääskeläinen assures that the spectrum of the shows is so wide that no visitor will be left disappointed: “We offer everything including the world premiere of Norwegian dance group Carte Blanche’s new choreography to Genco Erkal’s intimate interpretation of Nazim Hikmet’s poetry.

All forms and methods of theatre and performing arts are covered, and we are expecting a lot of visitors, especially from all over Scandinavia and the Baltic countries, and the programme reflects this.”

In addition to the aforementioned shows, the highlights of this unique performing arts festival include two different monologue interpretations of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, one performed by an actress, the other by an actor. The critically acclaimed Mormors svarta ögon (Granny’s black eyes) is Swedish actress Tanja Lorentzon’s personal and humorous exploration into being a Finnish immigrant in Sweden. Dance Theatre Minimi presents a comprehensive marketing pitch for Finland through Absolut Finland and provides a dancing style guide to passers-by in Manners of Success. Naturally, another must-see show is the theatre’s own production of Anna Karenina, a harrowing rendition about young love that is destroyed by desperation.

The complexity of the programme means that keen theatregoers should plan their schedule well in advance as some of the

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 45

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Turku – European Capital of Culture

Classical music meets modern technology

By Inna Hakala

One of the most highly regarded symphony orchestras in Finland, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra consists of 74 members fronted by chief conductor Petri Sakari. Next year will see Leif Segerstam – the renowned Finnish conductor and composer – taking charge as the orchestra’s artistic director.

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra performs most of its concerts at the Turku Concert Hall. Designed by architect Risto Luukkonen and built in 1952, it was the first concert hall in Finland and contains one au-

Photos: Seilo Ristimäki

Founded in 1790, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra is the oldest orchestra in Finland and in fact one of the oldest still performing orchestras in the world. The orchestra, which played Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven while the composers were still alive, was a private organisation throughout most of its existence until 1927, when it became a service of the municipal government. ditorium with 1,002 seats. Along with the usual symphony concerts, the orchestra’s programme includes anything from operas to film soundtracks and children’s music. Since 1979, they have also recorded several award-winning classical albums.

Although the best way to get to know the orchestra is to attend its concerts, you can now enjoy the musical experience also in a very advanced, virtual way. The orchestra’s homepage contains a web link that transports you directly to the auditorium.

“You can watch concerts live in HD-quality

and even chat about them via Facebook,” says chief executive Marja-Liisa Lieppinen.

“There are also virtual video postcards to send to your friends and family.”

This fabulous new service is all part of the Turku European Capital of Culture 2011 programme and will definitely attract a lot of music lovers to enjoy concerts, both in person and in cyberspace.

For further information, please visit: www.tfo.fi

Turku Music Festival lights up the European Capital of Culture

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Seilo Ristimäki

The 52nd Turku Music Festival, the oldest of its kind in Finland, will be celebrated from 5-18 August with a versatile programme of over 50 concerts that explores themes of light and shadow. The big finale to the events, the new Finnish opera Eerik XIV, will premiere 22 November 2011.

The Turku Music Festival is known for its impressive repertoire of international stars, with a programme including everything from major orchestral concerts to chamber music, jazz, concerts for children and other styles of performing arts, such as opera and dance.

“The festival’s current artistic director, tenor Topi Lehtipuu, is a renowned Finnish export, and he created this year’s exciting programme,” says executive director Emilie Gardberg. “He will also be

46 | Issue 28 | April 2011

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS The Giacomo Variations, Turku Concert Hall, 6 & 7 August John Malkovich becomes Casanova in The Giacomo Variations, designed by the duo director-screenwriter Michael Sturminger and conductor Martin Haselböck.

Mariinsky & Valery Gergijev, Turku Concert Hall, 11 & 12 August The world-renown Mariinsky theatre orchestra and director Valery Gergijev from St. Petersburg will give two magnificent concerts.

Top: John Malkovich in Infernal Comedy (2010) Bottom: Mariinsky theatre orchestra (2009)

performing at the opening and closing concerts, the latter together with celebrated soprano Soile Isokoski. Lehtipuu’s vision for the festival was inspired by the relationship between light and shadow, which works well with the culture capital theme of fire and light.”

Eerik XIV, Logomo Hall, 22, 24, 26 & 29 November The Cultural Capital year will culminate in a world premiere of a new Finnish opera, Eerik XIV, written by the celebrated Finnish composer Mikko Heiniö. The opera, telling the haunting story of King Eric XIV of Sweden, is produced by Turku Music Festival.

For further information, please visit: www.tmj.fi

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Turku – European Capital of Culture

Left: Otto Mäkilä; They See What We Do Not See, 1939, Oil on canvas.

Right: Otto Mäkilä; Self-portrait, 1929, Oil on canvas.

Photos: Vesa Aaltonen Above: Otto Mäkilä 1904–1955, Photo: Taito

Turku Art Museum turns its focus on beloved Finnish masterpieces and influential artists

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Turku Art Museum

The Turku European Capital of Culture year has given the Turku Art Museum a new impetus to display the best pieces of Finnish art from its own collection, in the Crème de la Crème exhibit. Also proudly on show is the extensive exhibition Otto Mäkilä – A Red Restless Spark, with Mäkilä being a part of the ‘Turku School’ of art that stood for a distinctive brand of modernism.

The national romantic style granite building, located on a parkland hilltop and visible when exploring the city below, was designed by Professor Gustaf Nyström and was completed in 1904. As a result, the Turku Art Society finally had a place to display their art collection, while Turku gained an important and influential addition to its cultural landscape.

The exhibitions are shown on two floors with different thematic exhibitions of their own art collection shown upstairs and three changing individual exhibitions per year downstairs. In the Darkroom, which has been in use for three years now, the museum explores video and media arts, while the Studio displays contemporary art exhibits.

Also part of the Turku European Capital of Culture programme is the Animate exhibition series shown in the Darkroom gallery at the museum in 2011. It explores the role of animation as an independent contemporary art form and as part of the visual arts.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS Otto Mäkilä – A Red Restless Spark, until May 2011 The exhibition features all of Otto Mäkilä’s (1904–1955) iconic pieces, such as Poésie (1938) and They See What We Do Not See (1939), but the 120 or so works on display also include paintings which have not been shown to the public for decades.

Crème de la Crème – Masterpieces from the Collection of Turku Art Museum, until 5 Feb 2012 Crème de la Crème presents masterpieces from the Golden Age of Finnish art (ca. 1880– 1910) in the collections of the Turku Art Museum. More than a hundred of the most famous and most cherished masterpieces are presented in the upstairs galleries.

STUDIO: Elliina Peltoniemi, degree exhibition of Turku Arts Academy, until May 2011

Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865–1931); The Defence of the Sampo, 1896. From the Crème de la Crème exhibition.

Photo: Kari Lehtinen

DARKROOM/ANIMATE: Turku Anikists: Tommi Juutilainen, Niina Suominen and Taru Varpumaa, until May 2011

Turku Art Museum Aurakatu 26 20100 Turku Finland For more information, please visit: www.turkuartmuseum.fi Taru Varpumaa; Edith, 2010. From the Animate exhibition

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 47

E E: MØR M N E TH SUN L CIA ND & E SP ESU ÅL

Boat trip on the Brosundet Canal in Ålesund Photo: Frithjof Fure/Destination Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Ålesund – Adventure capital of the fjords The art nouveau town of Ålesund could be taken right out of a fairy tale. A myriad of turrets, spires and imaginative ornamentation is just waiting to bowl you over. The town’s unique location on the edge of the ocean, surrounded by legendary fjords, countless islands and towering mountains, creates an almost unbeatable combination of culture and nature. Seize the moment and an adventure awaits you!

Intro by Marit Giske-Nilsen, Destination Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Destroyed by fire in 1904, the charming coastal town of Ålesund rose from the ashes and was built according to a singular art nouveau vision by a string of ambitious Norwegian designers and architects.

A century later, it remains picture postcard perfect as one of the world’s finest concentrations of art nouveau architecture. If you look up as you explore the town, you will discover an abundance of decorative ornamentation on the fronts of the buildings. Walk up the 418 steps to the top of Mount Aksla and you will be rewarded with unforgettable panoramic views.

Natural highlights Experience the teeming birdlife on the island of Runde and admire the picturesque Alnes Lighthouse. Experience the magic of the wild Norangsdalen valley and sail up the dramatic Hjørundfjord surrounded by the magnificent Sunnmøre Alps. The Geirangerfjord is so outstanding that it has been included on UNESCO’s World

48 | Issue 28 | April 2011

Jagged mountain peaks tower up from the fjord to heights of up to 2,000 metres, but there are also gentle trails that are suitable for families. In winter, skiing enthusiasts will find what they are looking for, whether it is the slopes of a pleasant ski centre or summit trips up snow-clad Fishing and diving at Ålesund and Sunnmøre. Photo, left: Terje Rakke/Nordic mountainsides. Enjoy the Life/Ålesund Reiselivslag/Fjord Norway. Photo, right: Per Eide/Destination Ålesund tranquillity of a kayaking & Sunnmøre trip and try your hand at Heritage List - join one of the many sightfishing in the bountiful sea. Get your seeing trips and see why for yourself! The adrenaline going on fantastic surfing sparkling blue glacier of Briksdalen and waves, on a bike or on a sea safari. Your dramatic roads such as Trollstigen and adventure starts here!

The Atlantic Ocean Road, are just a short trip away.

Adventure capital of the fjords Put on your walking boots and experience the seasons in the Sunnmøre Alps.

For booking and more information about activities and accommodation visit: www.visitalesund.com

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Issue 28 | April 2011 | 49

Photo: Katharina Schultz

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Runde Miljøsenter – A research centre with a difference Did you know that the world’s largest stock of herring spawn off the coast of Norway? Or that the bird cliff of Runde is home to a staggering 70 different nesting species? These are just some of the facts you can explore further when visiting the Runde Miljøsenter (Runde Environmental Centre), a research, information and conference centre situated in beautiful surroundings on the island of Runde in Møre og Romsdal.

The centre, which opened in the autumn of 2009, is dedicated to the environment, both in terms of research and information, and is popular with tourists and scientists alike.

“First and foremost we are a research centre dedicated to environmental research,” says communication manager May Britt Haukås. The centre has got its own laboratory, and several scientists work there on a fulltime basis. “We are also a research centre for wave energy, and our goal is to become the national leader in this field.”

“Secondly, we are also an information centre,” she says. “Our aim is to educate people about the amazing sea life in Norway, spreading information that is not very

50 | Issue 28 | April 2011

By Karin Modig | Photos: Knut Werner Alsén

well-known, and highlighting the importance of the sea life on the coast here.”

Using the importance of the Norwegian spring-spawning herring as an example of the sort of not very well-known information she is talking about, she says: “The largest herring stock in the world resides off the coast of Norway. It is in fact so large that when the spring-spawning herring come to spawn, the combined weight of their eggs is around three to five times the weight of the Norwegian population.”

The island is also where you can find the most southerly bird cliff in Norway, and is home to around half a million birds. It is easy to reach, and its most famous inhabitants are a flock of the Atlantic Puffin, often referred to as the “parrot of the sea”.

As well as the Atlantic Puffin, the cliff is

home to 70 different nesting species, with as many as 240 species having been observed there.

Documenting the importance of balance in nature, Haukås says that you can tell whether the herring spawning in one particular year has been normal by looking at the bird cliff. “The biological process of the herring is incredibly important,” she says. “The herring provide food for other fish and for sea birds, from when they are eggs until they die, and as such they are a key component of life in and around the sea.”

March saw the opening of an exciting temporary exhibition at the centre, “Rundeskatten” (The Runde Treasure). In 1725, the Dutch ship Akerendam set sail for In-

Photo: May Britt Haukas Photo: May Britt Haukas

Left: View from the auditorium. Top right: The entrance. Bottom right: Sitting on the bird cliff is a magical experience.

donesia to purchase spices, and was loaded with gold and silver coins. Tragically, it came across a hurricane and sank alongside the coast of Runde. The wreckage was found in the early 1970s, and the coins and other artefacts found have been kept at Bergen Sjøfartsmuseum (Bergen Maritime Museum) since 1972. Recently returned to Runde, the gold and silver coins form the backbone of this exhibition.

and dishwasher. The location also means that they all have beautiful views of the sea and the surrounding area.

All buildings at the centre are built with environmental solutions at the forefront.

In the autumn of 2010, Runde Miljøsenter scooped the VVS award, a bi-annual award given by the heat, ventilation and sanitation industries in Norway.

ues that do not damage the environment.”

Runde is popular with tourists, particularly in the summer months, and has between 30,000 and 50,000 people visiting the island each year. The centre is open for visitors every day from 1 June. Staff are available to hold talks and do tours for visitors, but these must be booked in advance.

Left: A model of the sunken ship Akerendam. Middle: Interior of one of the flats. Right: Bathroom in one of the flats.

With a large auditorium and a restaurant, Runde Miljøsenter can also cater for courses and conferences for up to 100 people.

Guests who want to stay overnight can hire one of eight new modern, self-contained flats. Each flat can accommodate five people, and is equipped with TV, fridge

The centre was awarded the prize for its environmental solutions, which include solar panels, heat pumps, CO2 controlled air conditioning and the reuse of water.

“We want to inspire others to use environmentally friendly solutions,” says Haukås, “and to prove that it is possible to have fully functional and modern ven-

The island of Runde is connected to the mainland by bridges and is around 25 kilometres southwest of Ålesund. The closest airports are Ålesund and Ørsta-Volda.

For more information, please visit: www.rundecentre.no

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 51

Sunnmøre Museum

Museum-hopping in the Sunnmøre region With fjords, mountains and waterfalls, the Sunnmøre district, located in the south-western part of Norway hosts some of the most stunning views in the world. The area’s main town, Ålesund, famous for its unique concentration of art nouveau architecture, is often called Norway’s most beautiful city.

By Inna Hakala | Photos: Stiftinga Sunnmøre Museum

Located in this picturesque seaside town is the Stiftinga Sunnmøre Museum – the base for a foundation, consisting of 13 museums in the Sunnmøre region. Highlighted here are three of the foundation’s most beloved attractions.

Sunnmøre Museum Sunnmøre Museum – the largest in the foundation – is a beautiful open air museum with over 50 distinctive character houses and a vast collection of boats that truly send you back in time. The main building’s exhibition on archaeology and culture provides a real insight into the area’s history. The surroundings are ideal for afternoon walks, and in the summer you can jump aboard the Viking ship Borgundknarren for a trip on the sea. “We always really look forward to the summer season, as the entire area offers so many outdoor activities and really brings that bit of added extra to the experience,” says marketing manager Siw Solvang. Ålesund Museum Beautifully situated right in the middle of the Ålesund town centre, the Ålesund Museum presents the town history in an ex-

52 | Issue 28 | April 2011

Ålesund Museum

Fisheries Museum

citing way through artefacts, photographs and paintings. A visit here will tell you about the devastating fire of 1904 which destroyed almost the entire town centre, while the impressive large-scale model of the town shows how it looked before its reconstruction in the art nouveau style it has today. In fact, a whole room is devoted to the central features of this highly decorative architectural style.

Fisheries Museum One building that escaped the great Town Fire is the restored old warehouse, outstandingly located at the old harbour. A true landmark of the town, Holmbua (The Holm Shed) now hosts the Fisheries Museum. The museum’s exhibitions educate

about the town’s production of dried cod and other fish products, and you can even learn about old trades such as barrel making that are practically extinct today.

With its colourful 18th century wooden buildings, historic churches and museums, and scenery that dazzles the eye, it is easy to see why Ålesund and the entire Sunnmøre area are such popular tourist destinations. Here you can escape the hectic modern lifestyle and jump back in time in the calming Norwegian environment.

For more information, please visit: www.sunnmore.museum.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Clarion Collection Hotel Bryggen

Quality Hotel Ulstein. Photo: Lasse Fløde

Choice Hotels in Ålesund and Ulsteinvik – in the region of Sunnmøre, in Møre & Romsdal

By Karin Modig | Photos: Choice Hotels

Nordic Choice Hotels is one of the leading hotel chains in the Nordic region, and in and around Ålesund no less than three Choice hotels are waiting to welcome you.

Clarion Collection Hotel Bryggen A “different type of first-class hotel”, Hotel Bryggen, set in an old converted warehouse, lies right next to Ålesundet, the canal running through Ålesund. “Our city centre location means that coffee shops, bars and restaurants are all on your doorstep,” says general manager Jan Erik Syversen.

Appealing particularly to frequent travellers, their “Feel at home” concept lays an emphasis on a homely, informal at-

mosphere. “As well as breakfast, we offer customers coffee and tea 24/7, Norwegian waffles in the afternoon, as well as a late evening meal,” says Syversen. The hotel has 85 rooms, meeting rooms, and a relaxation area with steam room and sauna.

The modern hotel is built with environmentally friendly solutions in mind, and takes inspiration from the traditional art nouveau style and from the sea. Meeting rooms will be available, with a larger conference area opening in November.

Quality Hotel Ulstein

Quality Hotel Waterfront Opening in July is the 196-room Quality Hotel Waterfront. The hotel benefits from a location that is in the city centre, yet moments away from nature. “We have the perfect location both for experiencing city life and for relaxing walks in nature,” says general manager Eva Hole. With a waterfront location, al fresco wining and dining will be possible, and Hole promises “food and service to match the view.”

A short ferry trip from Ålesund is the small town of Ulsteinvik, home to Quality Hotel Ulstein. Only a few years old, the hotel has a modern, maritime style and lies right by the water. Taking full advantage of having the sea on its doorstep, the hotel’s restaurant offers freshly caught fish and seafood.

The popular conference hotel benefits from their close ties with Ulsteinvik’s new “house of culture” that works closely with the hotel’s events team.

Quality Hotel Ulstein is also ideally situated for anyone wanting to visit Runde, home to Norway’s southernmost bird cliff.

Quality Hotel Waterfront

For more information, please visit: www.choicehotels.no

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Paddle the fjord

By Dyveke Nilssen | Photo: Coastal Odyssey

Coastal Odyssey is a specialist in sea kayaking adventures located on the picturesque Geiranger fjord. Since the 90s they have worked hard to reach their goal – to provide their customers with experiences beyond expectations.

“When you come to us you have an expectation of how it will be, and our target is to exceed this in every way, whether it be through customer service, the professionalism of our guides or the best possible equipment.”

It is more than 10 years ago that sea kayak specialist Jonathan Bendiksen first paddled the world’s most photographed fjord.

Returning from his trip, he instantly knew that he had to show the spectacular coastline adventure to others, and started what is now a ‘classic’ among international sea kayaking destinations.

Coastal Odyssey also offers a six-day paddling trip during July and August from Ålesund through Norway’s western fjords.

This is an all-inclusive catered sea kayak camping trip, for 8-10 people, suitable for all levels of paddlers.

“I had already been sea kayak guiding in the USA and Canada since the 80s, and after paddling the Norwegian coast, I found that the Geiranger fjord was the perfect spot for a European base. There were loads of tourists but few ways to really experience the fjord,” says Bendiksen.

He set up the Coastal Odyssey sea kayak centre in Geiranger to offer beginners and more advanced kayakers the opportunity to view the fjord from a close and personal level by paddling their way through the dramatic scenery on a guided tour.

“We have over 25 years of experience and we are one of the best sea kayak tour operators in the world. We are experts in kayaking and know the fjord intimately; we have chosen the best places to go,” says the specialist.

The kayaking season starts in May and goes on through to September. Trips sell out quickly so check the website for availability.

For more information, please visit: www.coastalodyssey.com

Stay awake on the coast of Sunnmøre

By Ingrid Marie Holmeide | Photo: Radisson Blu

At Radisson Blu Hotel in Ålesund, you find not only high-quality accommodation on the very shoreline on one of Norway’s stunning fjords, you also find adventures: on the sea, in the town or on the city’s mountain Aksla. You find history, architecture and fresh air. And you find Brain Food.

“Our hotel is chosen as the site for conferences and meetings because of its surroundings; there is so much to see and do in Ålesund,” director of sales Nina Viddal says. “And now we’re introducing Brain Food: food that helps the brain stay awake and alert during the whole day, as opposed to the after lunch drop of attention lecturers usually see.”

Brain Food is something the Radisson Blu Hotels are investing in and which will highly benefit their guests. Fresh raw materials, fish and meat with a low percentage of fat,

54 | Issue 28 | April 2011

with vegetables and fruit will offer the energy the brain needs to stay alert and healthy.

“At Radisson, we assist our guests in arranging everything from bicycle rides to trips out on the fjord. The city-walk is also a very popular activity, both for our international and Norwegian guests,” Viddal explains. Ålesund suffered a catastrophic fire in 1904 and was rebuilt with distinctive architecture: turrets, spires and ornamentation can be seen everywhere, Radisson Blu Hotel included.

“Our surroundings make us fortunate enough to be able to guarantee our guests a special experience, be that as a tourist or a participant in our many conferences.

Our beautiful pier, where you can enjoy some food, a drink or just the fjord and the mountains, provides a perfect end for the day when the sun sets.”

“At Radisson Blu Hotel, the competent and friendly staff strive to offer each guest a fantastic experience, and we aim for nothing but the best!” Viddal concludes.

Let the hotel and its wonderful collaborators welcome you to join them in Ålesund, to explore their city, to experience their fjords and mountains, and to have energy for it all through their Brain Food.

For more information, please visit: www.radissonblu.com/hotel-alesund

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Be overwhelmed in the magical Geirangerfjord Beautiful, stunning, breathtaking: words become small when the sun sparkles on the steep mountains and plunging waterfalls of the Geirangerfjord in north-western Norway. This 15km long arm of the Storfjord was in 2005 included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and was later described by National Geographic Magazine as one of the two best preserved sites on UNESCO’s list, along with another Norwegian fjord in Sogn. Fjordguiding will take you there.

By Ingrid Marie Holmeide | Photos: Fjordguiding

With three boats of high standard, each accommodating twelve people, Fjordguiding is ready to show you some of the most spectacular sights in the Geirangerfjord.

“We are open from May 1 to 31 October this year, with the high peak season between June 1 and 31 August,” owner Kjetil Hantveit says. Booking can be done as close as one or two days ahead. “Our boats depart roughly once per hour between 9 and 5.”

Fjordguiding works closely with the large cruise ships and smaller ships that stop by the Geirangerfjord on their voyages along the Norwegian coast. “Most of our passengers are people coming off the big ships to take a closer look at the waterfalls, farms and beautiful nature of the Geirangerfjord,” Hantveit says. “But we make sure one boat is free for tourists travelling by other means, meaning we always have two boats on the fjord and one docked.”

Along the fjord are a number of historical and beautiful farms, some of which are tourist attractions in themselves. As a part of the Geirangerfjord Safari, passengers are given the opportunity to disembark and make their way to the farms or sights on their own, and then be picked up at a later stage, or walk back across the mountain. “We try our very best to fit our passengers’ needs and are flexible on the tours we offer. We even plan individual trips for companies and larger groups; we cooperate with local restaurants and offer the possibility of bringing a chef out on a trip, should our passengers wish that, and we can also journey to some of the biggest cities in the nearby area.”

Yet should you not wish to participate in the larger packages, there is plenty to see and experience on the 90 minute trip through the Geirangerfjord. The two most famous waterfalls in the fjord are The Seven Sisters and The Suitor. The waterfalls face each other across the fjord and

The Suitor is said to be wooing the Sisters on the other side.

Should you be the exploring type, ready to embark on an experience of a lifetime, do not let Fjordguiding and the Geirangerfjord pass you by. Ready yourself for rough nature, steep mountains, roaring waterfalls and myths of old. And do not forget your camera!

For more information, please visit: www.fjordguiding.com

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 55

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Art nouveau, modern art and cake A devastating city fire in 1904, that left the city of Ålesund in ruins, came to define it, as the subsequent rebuilding created one of the most homogenous art nouveau style areas in Europe.

Paying homage to the city’s unique style is the Jugendstilsenteret (The Art Nouveau Centre). “Jugendstilsenteret is a national centre for the art nouveau style in Norway,” says director Nils Anker. “Inside, you can explore the interiors of the early 1900s, such as a dining room with seating for 20 people, complete with ornate Japanese wallpaper, hugely popular in that era.”

Several multimedia shows are also on the programme, with Art Nouveau and Society showing the extent of the style throughout Europe. “This exhibition is available with commentary in 11 languages,” adds Anker.

As well as the permanent exhibitions, two special exhibitions are on the pro-

gramme for 2011. Until the end of August, you can catch an exhibition of Norwegian and international art nouveau postcards.

Anker is also director of Kunstmuseet KUBE, a regional art museum. “KUBE has a wide range of modern art, coupled with some retrospective exhibitions,” he says.

“Most of the exhibitions are temporary, but we also have a permanent exhibition of works from the national romantic period.”

The museum boasts exhibitions ranging from modern furniture design to architecture. One major event over the sum-

By Karin Modig | Photos: KUBE

mer months will be Norwegian Wood, an exhibition showcasing modern Norwegian, environmentally viable building techniques, using wood.

In addition, there will be an exhibition on Norwegian contemporary art.

“We are very proud of both buildings and their varied art and culture programmes,” says Anker. “We also have a cosy café with amazing cakes, including a chocolate cake heralded in Lonely Planet’s guidebook.”

Jugendstilsenteret and KUBE Kunstmuseum are located in Ålesund city centre, and a joint ticket gives you admission to both.

For further information, please visit: www.jugendstilsenteret.no and www.kunstmuseetkube.no

First Hotel Atlantica: Design inspired hotel where ‘nothing is impossible’ Located in the heart of Ålesund, First Hotel Atlantica offers magnificent views of the surrounding fjords and Sunnmøre Alps, which are covered with snow even in summertime. A cosy and familiar hotel with a modern and inviting design look, First Hotel Atlantica will cater to your every need.

Facing the Brosundet Canal, which parts the town in two, the hotel is only a two minute walk away from the centre for art nouveau and Jugendstil - as well as houses built according to this style. The main bus station is located behind the hotel, and a shuttle bus to the airport only takes 20 minutes.

First Hotel Atlantica comprises 73 rooms in total, 17 already existing design rooms renovated in 2008, and in 3-4 weeks’ time

56 | Issue 28 | April 2011

all of the rooms will be freshly redone.

The look is fashionable, but still keeps to an intimate and cosy feel over all. The top floor has balconies with splendid views.

The hotel offers two conference rooms with capacity for up to 18-35 participants, as well as a third smaller room than can be included for extra space. The rooms have modern equipment and offer free wireless Internet, which is available throughout the hotel for all guests.

The hotel’s restaurant and bar (closed on Sundays) are both very popular. The restaurant can seat up to 65 people and offers a high standard of food, while the cocktail bar gets very busy on weekends.

“At our hotel, our guests are ‘family members’,” says Gertrud Furnes, who is one of the front desk personnel. “We say ‘nothing

By Nia Kajastie Photo: First Hotel Atlantica

is impossible’, as we can always do what the customers ask from us, it might just take a little longer.”

“Your second home is FIRST - We look forward to seeing you in Ålesund.”

For more information, please visit: www.firsthotels.com/en/Our-hotels/ Norway/Alesund/First-Hotel-Atlantica

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Dine in tradition Would you like to embark on a journey where your palate is the main guest? Where you will discover history and tradition in the food you eat? Would you like to see the place where words like playful, seductive, cold and calculating all describe the menu?

Then let Anders Adolfsson and his staff invite you to C&C Restaurant in Ålesund.

By Ingrid Marie Holmeide | Photos: C&C Restaurant

“Our philosophy is to offer the absolute highest standard when it comes to the food we serve. We mix Nordic raw materials with food from our local suppliers.

This enables us to call ourselves a ‘clean company’, meaning our food travels short distances only,” Adolfsson explains.

C&C Restaurant have more to offer than just in-house lunching and dining. They host and cater for parties and conferences, offer catering and delivery services, including waitresses and waiters if that is required. They also offer food classes, tapas being the most popular, and a fantastic experience in their own wine cellar. “In the wine cellar, our guests can pre-book an evening, choosing between a buffet, or a 3, 5 or 7-course meal that is served for them while they them-

selves wander among the shelves to pick the wine they wish to try.”

One of the most important goals C&C Restaurant are working towards is establishing a restaurant where the food is the main focus and the absolute best from the Nordic kitchen, a place with a welcoming and happy atmosphere where people feel at home, and to manage all this within a reasonable price limit. “We want our restaurant to be a place people choose because of our great menu, but we also want them to afford coming here: excellent food at reasonable prices!”

In a bustling seaside town like Ålesund, a conference, a dining experience, a cooking class or a party can be combined with other interesting activities. C&C Restau-

rant has its own history to tell as one of the city’s most well-known food-historical houses. Having been a brewery, a slaughter house and a delicacy store, the building is perfect for keeping alive traditions and history.

Offering lighter lunch food during the day, C&C transforms to an à la carte restaurant at night. “We want to give our guests an experience where they notice that the dishes and quality of the food we serve is important to us. I think we succeed in that,” Adolfsson says.

So should you want to treat yourself to the best that Nordic food has to offer, an adventure in the wine cellar, laughs in the tapas class, a distinctive conference or just a lovely evening with fantastic food in a homely atmosphere, then C&C Restaurant is the place for you. “And should you want to arrange something more specific or a special occasion, don’t be afraid to throw us a challenge,” Adolfsson concludes.

For more information, please visit: www.cateringogconsulting.no

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 57

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Cylindra Gallery – experience the function, beauty and inspiration of Cylindra furniture objects

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Cylindra Gallery

work with the most famous designer in Scandinavia, so I feel very privileged,” says Tusvik, who also owns Cylindra workshop and gallery in the village of Tusvik, where the objects are made. At the 100-year-old workshop, inherited by Tusvik from his grandfather, cabinets and other objects designed by Opsvik are handcrafted in solid wood by skilled workers. And with the beautiful setting between the mountains and the fjord, Tusvik says “inspiration comes easily”.

With Norway’s beautiful mountains as backdrop, Cylindra objects materialize in the picture almost as a part of a mythical landscape. And in a way they are: many of the pieces are inspired by the stunning wild nature in western Norway and Ålesund in particular.

“Mountain Peak - chair, table and cupboard, are inspired by the landscape of this area. They look like sharp, craggy mountain peaks. As with the other pieces in the series, the top of the cupboard represents a majestic range of mountain peaks, which in this case rises up to two metres in height,” says its renowned creator Peter Opsvik.

The gallery At Cylindra Gallery in Ålesund, visitors can experience not only the objects, but also the landscape they are inspired by. “Even

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if these objects are meant for indoor use, I like to bring them out into nature because it creates some very beautiful photos,” says Kjellbjørn Tusvik, owner and cabinetmaker, who founded Cylindra Gallery in Ålesund, four years ago. “Peter and I have been working together for almost 23 years now - the best period of my life. Not everybody gets the chance to

From barrel to furniture Cylindra was founded to produce the wooden barrel inspired furniture by Peter Opsvik in 1989. The idea for the unique design came about when Opsvik was experimenting with the cylindrical shape in the beginning of the 1980s. “When I worked in graphic art and paintings on paper or canvas with only two dimensions, I often

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

wished to have a basic form which could be shaped freely and yet be functional,” says the artist. “The solid wood-cylinder made my wish come true. If we roll up a sheet of paper or a canvas, we get a cylinder. The surface has no end horizontally, only vertically.”

In 1984, Opsvik’s desire was fulfilled when a Norwegian barrel maker contacted him about a furniture venture. Instead of using the barrel shape, Opsvik crafted the straight cylinders that are still the foundation for his playful, slightly provoking, yet functional designs. “Most of the things we surround ourselves with, should be designed for use. But in a hall, for instance, where you sit down and tie your shoelaces every day, you don’t need an ergonomic chair. It is more important that this chair bids you welcome home, like the Embracement chair,” stresses Opsvik.

In 1989, Opsvik teamed up with Tusvik and the development of 30 objects, such as chairs, tables, cupboards and wardrobes, started. Today the cylindrical furniture’s combination of artistic expression and practical function is renowned all over the world, with objects exhibited at museums and art shows in cities such as Chicago, New York and London.

An extraordinary experience At both the gallery in Ålesund and Tusvik, visitors can buy many of the pieces on exhibition, for instance the Two Servants a wardrobe that consists of two vertical boards, taking the form of the human body. But the galleries are not just about buying objects, stresses Kjellbjorn Tusvik: “We have always had a dream about having our own galleries. A place where we could meet people with an interest in our furniture objects, listen to their opinions and test our theories on how to work with our pieces. You see, working with objects that are both art and furniture is something special. We are not offering just an object; we are also selling a story.” Another popular item for tourists to bring back home is the Keybox, a unique piece which you can use for hiding your keys or just as an eye-catcher on the wall.

To complement the stories of the furniture objects, Tusvik arranges many different happenings at the workshop and gallery.

On 1 April, the gallery has a retro dinner party with live music for 120 guests, and later in the year a jazz concert with Peter Opsvik, who is also a jazz musician, will take off. “Combining a tour around my

workshop with short mountain hikes, live music and dinner at the gallery has also been very popular,” says the gallery owner. So whether you are looking for a new unique furniture object, an inspirational art exhibition or a different evening out, Cylindra Gallery might be just the place.

Cylindra Gallery in Ålesund is open Monday – Friday 9am - 6pm and Saturday - Sunday 12 - 4pm Cylindra workshop and gallery in Tusvik is open Monday - Friday 10 am - 4pm

For more information, please visit: www.cylindra.net or www.cylindra.no

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 59

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

The Ivar Aasen Centre – a language lover’s dream

casing the foundations of the language that has become a natural part of everyday Norwegian life and is today the first language of at least 600,000 Norwegians.

Opened in 2000, in the small town of Hovdebygda, in Norway’s south-western district of Sunnmøre, the Ivar Aasen Centre is a national centre for documenting and experiencing the Nynorsk (New Norwegian) written language. It is also the only museum in the country devoted to its founder, Ivar Aasen's life and work.

Photos: Ivar Aasen Centre

Consisting of five buildings spanning four centuries, the centre is situated on the farm where Ivar Aasen (1813-1896) was born and raised. Aasen, a language researcher, rewrote Norwegian history and laid the foundations for the New Norwegian language based on a variety of dialects. He also wrote some of Norway's most popular folksongs.

The spectacular main building on the dramatically steep hillside, designed by Norway's leading architect Sverre Fehn and boasting Norway’s most prestigious architectural award, holds a large perma-

nent exhibition on Ivar Aasen and the New Norwegian literature along with other languages. “We are a museum that works with language in a broad sense. The Norwegian language is the basis for our work but our exhibition presents languages from other parts of the world as well,” says administration manager Gaute Øvereng.

Presenting a varied cultural programme all year round, the centre offers lots to see, from an indoor amphitheatre to a computer-based Dialect Game, all show-

The centre also hosts an annual celebration with guest authors, live music and unexpected works of art. The Festival of New Norwegian Literature, Art and Music is held over the last weekend of June.

With stunning views over the valley, ingenious Scandinavian architecture and plenty of information on Norway’s important piece of history, this place does not fail to impress.

For further information, please visit: www.aasentunet.no

Borgund folkehøgskole – an adventure of a lifetime Located in the heart of Sunnmøre between the mountains and fjords, Borgund folkehøgskole is a school with a difference: its objective is to expand students’ experiences by teaching them about personal development, social interaction and a travel destination of their choice, which they will also journey to for a period of 3-4 weeks.

Originally based on the educational concept of Danish pastor and philosopher N. F. S. Grundtvig, this Norwegian “folk high

By Inna Hakala

school” offers 19-20 year old students invaluable practical knowledge and social experiences, without being tied down by a strict curriculum or grades.

“The school will have its 100th anniversary in three years’ time, and for the last 10 years we have profiled it as a ‘travel school’.

Our principal slogan is ‘give yourself a journey of a lifetime’,” explains teacher Ottar Myrseth. “We take this into consideration in three different ways: firstly, through a personal journey of finding yourself; secondly,

By Nia Kajastie Photos: Borgund folkehøgskole

through a year-long social journey, as you will be living in a dormitory, socialising with all the other students; and thirdly, by travelling out into the world, as all students have chosen one of six travel target classes from all continents.”

While the students learn about the culture and history of their chosen travel destination, they can also choose different classes to further fulfil their experience, such as sports, outdoor life, music, crafts, theatre and so forth.

For two months of the year, in June and July, the complex turns into a B&B, perfect for families looking for a place close to Ålesund and with loads of opportunities for outdoor activities.

For more information, please visit: www.borgfhs.no

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Ålesund & Sunnmøre

The Happy End – Only the beginning The community spirit is alive and kicking in the small village of Norddal, where a number of businesses have joined forces to create local jobs, whilst offering visitors an authentic slice of village life.

By Karin Modig | Photos: The Happy End

Norddal, with its 140 inhabitants, is home to a rather extraordinary project that proves just how far you can get with a little bit of cooperation and joined-up thinking.

“The tourist industry is a secondary industry for the majority of our local businesses, most work full-time in the farming sector,” says Petter Melchior, a farmer himself, who is currently at the helm of the project. “The Happy End was born out of a desire to utilize the possibilities and the people within the area.”

The organisation started out as a development project connected to the millennium celebrations. Norddal arranged a

three-day festival, Midtsommer Dagene (Midsummer Days), that has gone on to become an annual event with dancing, concerts, food stalls and theatre performances. “The festival really made us realise the potential of our little village, and what we have to offer,” says Melchior.

For a place with so few permanent residents, having 15 thriving businesses cooperating must be considered an achievement. “There is a strong network between the people here, enabling us to offer activities and experiences involving several businesses. It’s a win-win situation,” he says.

“For a few years now, we have offered package deals that include B&B, guided

walks, tasting of local delicacies, and an introduction to local, traditional arts and crafts techniques.”

“Visitors can choose between a number of different accommodation options, from the local guest house with all its mod cons, to back-to-basic traditional cottages in the mountains, where animals go to graze in the summer.”

The Melchior farm is one of three goat farms in the area, and tours are arranged to see the goats roam among the steep mountains and impressive waterfalls.

Other offerings for visitors include a gourmet tour, where you get a chance to visit the local farms to sample and buy local produce, such as honey, jams and the famous dry cured meats.

Norddal is easily accessible from Ålesund and Vigra, and with its active mountain summer farms and Kallskaret nature reserve, it is an important part of UNESCO World Heritage site the Geiranger Fjord.

For more information, please visit: www.thehappyend.no

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 61

Hotel of the Month, Sweden:

Sankt Jörgen Park Resort, Gothenburg Surrounded by enchanting forest, a golf course and a magnificent view over the Gothenburg skyline, Sankt Jörgen Park Resort is more than just a place to stay, it is a place to relax.

By Emelie Krugly | Photos: Sankt Jörgen Park Resort

Recently Sankt Jörgen Park Resort celebrated three years of operation. Since its ambitious conception, this unique venue has become the talk of the town. Sankt Jörgen Park Resort has already won numerous awards, last year "Spa of the year".

The resort is considered to house one of the most luxurious spa hotels one can find in Sweden. The 2,000 square metre spa includes indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, hot springs, snow machines, and offers a wide range of activities, cures and treatments. At Jos Bar, you can enjoy freshly pressed juice and wholesome food.

Put simply, Sankt Jörgen Park is a spa for all the senses, and for you to regain energy and find peace.

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”We have introduced new thinking to our spa rituals. Each one has its own purpose: relaxation, vitalisation or a pure energy boost. We promote the Indian socalled Ayurvedian way of thinking, which is a concept of a balanced life creating positive energy, and we blend the Nordic spa philosophy into this," says Lisa Thoren, head of the press department.

A tempting array of warm and cool pools and saunas await you with different heating zones and fragrances, so that you can customize your own spa experience from the treatments and activities available, or choose a standard package.

"Sankt Jörgen Park Spa is an adult spa, where guests are guaranteed a peaceful

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

experience. Children between 13 and 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult," says Thoren.

The resort is situated on Hisingen, the fourth largest island of Sweden, just 10 minutes from the Central Station and Gothenburg City Airport. Flights to London Stansted are frequent, as they depart from Gothenburg's international airport, a further 15 minutes away by car or bus.

The hotel has a total of 82 rooms and suites; the interior design is stylish and proudly Scandinavian. There is also a refreshing and well thought out meeting venue with a creative meeting room, a boardroom and a Prisma Cinema for presentations, TV broadcasts and launches.

This makes it the perfect setting for conferences. The resort also offers facilities perfect for exhibitions, fairs and customer events.

Sankt Jörgen Park Resort is also a popular wedding venue and offers a high level of catering.

Restaurant Garden Café and the Restaurant Greenhouse at the golf club both serve delicious fare. The lobby bar, called Bula Bar, serves lighter snacks and drinks.

"Our hotel restaurant offers fine dining or ‘fun dining’, as we call it. We create innovative dishes with flare; all made using the finest locally produced meat, fish and vegetables. The result is a diverse range of beautifully presented contemporary, international dishes. The club house restaurant at the golf course offers more of a classic range of Scandinavian cuisine," says Thoren.

greens. Standard benefits for guests are a reduced green fee and the possibility to book your tee off when you check in.

Guests at Sankt Jörgen Park Resort receive free access to the spa and sports club, offering gym facilities and various treatments. Hotel guests can also take advantage of the various discounted golfing offers and packages. The highly praised 18-hole course, known locally as the Sankt Jörgen Golf Club, is only a three minute walk from the hotel, known in particular for its fine finish and exciting

Guests travel from all over the country to experience a dose of this extraordinary resort, and many of them return. Thoren stresses that customer service is something they take very seriously, offering their clients a top-quality experience from check in to check out. The greatest proof and a compliment to the level of service is time and time again seeing familiar faces returning through the doors.

For more information, please visit: www.sanktjorgenpark.se

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 63

Hotel of the Month, Denmark:

Schackenborg Slotskro – a right royal treat Schackenborg Slotskro is a charming 300-year-old inn, situated in the southernmost part of Denmark, close to the German border. It is a small, historic inn with 25 individually designed and elegantly appointed rooms, spread over four listed buildings.

By Yane Christensen | Photos: Schackenborg Slotskro Despite the historic feel, Schackenborg Slotskro is also a modern conference venue with all the latest technical facilities. It is run by husband and wife team Henning Kohl and Lise Overgaard Lauritsen, who both have several years of experience working in large conference centres. They have brought their expertise to Schackenborg Slotskro, where they put the emphasis on personal service and flexibility. Clients often book the whole venue, in order to create a completely tailor-made conference.

The one common thread is the gourmet experience: whichever package you choose, you can expect to be impressed by the cooking. “We always spoil our guests,” says Kohl. The cuisine is a fusion between modern Scandinavian cooking and French and Italian, using seasonal, local produce, whenever possible.

Schackenborg Slotskro is situated by Vadehavet, a protected nature reserve of outstanding beauty and rich wildlife. This

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marshland is the largest bird sanctuary in Denmark, and it is an internationally important site for migrating waterfowl and waders. The low waters are also a breeding area for many fish species, and the area is hugely popular among fishing enthusiasts. The inn's management organises guided trips to the marshland, both for private guests and as well as part of a conference event.

The local area is steeped in history. Due to its proximity to the German border, the area has been fought over on numerous occasions and has alternatively belonged to Germany and Denmark. This fascinating history can be examined in the local museums. Visitors interested in the Viking period, will also find plenty of interest in local museums, and, of course, there is South Jutland's Museumof Art which focuses on Nordic art from the 20th century.

Schackenborg Slotskro's nearest neighbour is Schackenborg Castle, the residence of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim, who happens to be part-owner of the inn. The beautiful castle garden is open to the public and guided tours are available.

So, for a right royal treat – why not visit Schackenborg Slotskro?

For more information, please visit: www.slotskro.dk

Hotel of the Month, Faroe Islands:

Escape to the Countryside Tucked away in the Faroe Islands in Gjógv is Gjáargarður, a charming guesthouse. Operating with just 10 members of staff in the summer, Gjáargarður offers a friendly and personal service to guests staying on the island, looking to experience the stunning countryside.

By Samantha Wong | Photos: Gjáargarður unique location, set in the relaxing but inspiring environment of the Faroe Islands, for companies to negotiate business plans or for team building sessions.

Gjáargarður offers a range of accommodation to suit everyone’s needs. The main building offers charming en suite double rooms, and the top floor contains 10 distinctive Viking-style alcoves, serving as bed and breakfast rooms with shared bathroom facilities. In the recent extension to Gjáargarður, there are 12 luxurious flats each with combined bedroom and living space along with a private bathroom and internet access. Despite being spread over several storeys, Gjáargarður is wheelchairfriendly with disabled access available to every floor and throughout the building.

“Gjáargarður has a cosy, friendly and relaxing atmosphere giving guests the feeling of home, despite being far away,” says manager Eirik Suni Danielsen. The guesthouse is an ideal starting point for exploring the stunning landscape of the Faroe Islands, and the hotel also offers bicycles for hire to guests. Visitors staying at Gjáargarður are also treated to traditional Faroese cuisine, often comprising locally sourced fish and lamb.

The Faroe Islands offer stunning countryside for nature lovers to explore. And being the first Faroese hotel to be awarded the Green Key, an international eco label for tourism facilities, Gjáargarður is passionate about nature and the environment. As guests stay in the guesthouse and explore the country’s striking landscape, they will also be supporting eco-tourism.

Contact: Gjáargarður, FO-476, Gjógv Faroe Islands Phone +298 42 31 71 Email: info@gjaargardur.fo

Businesses can also make good use of the guesthouse’s conference and seminar facilities, which include use of AV equipment, buffet, and tea and coffee. Catering for both small and large groups, Gjáargarður is a

For more information, please visit: www.gjaargardur.fo

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 65

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Hotel of the Month, Norway:

Hotel Union – Nature experiences and spa pampering in Geiranger The family-owned Hotel Union has been run by the Mjelva family since 1899. Currently at the helm are Monja and Sindre Mjelva, hosts and managing directors, and fourth generation proprietors.

Built in 1891, the hotel was originally built in wood and in a style closely related to art nouveau architecture. Having been extended and rebuilt several times over the years, the hotel today has just under 200 rooms, including a new penthouse floor with 13 suites.

With an on-site spa, a kitchen serving up great Norwegian produce, and plenty of space for tailor-made conferences, it is hardly any wonder they are busy.

Situated in Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and often named ‘the most beautiful fjord in the world,’ the influence of the location and surrounding nature

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Breakfast at the Union Spa. Photo: Rune Hagen

can be seen and felt throughout the hotel, and plays a big part in both the food and activities on offer.

A contemporary kitchen creates local food with a modern twist. “The kitchen’s phi-

By Karin Modig | Photos: Damian Heinisch

losophy is to make everything from scratch, using local produce,” says Monja Mjelva. “We have relationships with many local meat producers, and the meat we use comes from animals that have been grazing in Geiranger,” she says. “We also have our very own smoker, where we smoke salmon, and an in-house pastry chef.”

The main restaurant is a buffet eatery, and in addition, there is an à la carte restaurant, a café, and places to have light bites. “We can also offer some pretty special experiences to our guests, like catering outdoors on one of the many farms by the fjord, or cooking according to local

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

historical traditions on an open fire,” says Mjelva.

There are also several bars in the hotel, the nightclub has a band and dancing six days a week, and the Saloon Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea while looking out at the fjord.

Breathtaking views are also on offer in the spa. Built in 2008, it is “1,500 square metres of bliss”, and the large windows allow you to fully take in the view of the surroundings. “With our location and with an on-site spa, we can offer visitors the chance to combine activities out in nature with a visit to an international spa,” says Mjelva, “and I think that is something a bit different and special.”

The Spa. Photo: Terje Rakke, Nordic Life

terfalls, and the Fjellvandrerdraumen (The mountain hiker’s dream) body wrap.

“We have several different pool and bath options,” she says, “with both an indoor and an all-year heated, outdoor pool. Guests can also visit the sauna, have a Japanese bath or a steam bath with eucalyptus.”

For those who really just want to ‘get away from it all’, rest and relaxation is of high importance here. A relaxation area and a library are part of the experience, and so is a small café where you can enjoy salads, drinks and light bites in your bathrobe and slippers. “The whole concept of our spa is that it is meant to be an oasis of peace and quiet,” says Mjelva, “and provide people with an opportunity to get their energy levels back.”

“Our guests can also indulge in treatments like massages, manicures or facials.” Treatments have both been inspired by, and named after the local area.

On the menu is both Brudesløret (The Bridal Veil), a 55-minute facial named after one of Geiranger’s most famous wa-

The spa is built according to feng shui principles, optimizing the natural energy that exists in Geiranger. And with another nod to the local area, building materials include both local stone and wood from old farm buildings, with outdoor plants and flowers used for decorations.

Hotel Union is one of the largest providers of courses and conferences in the region.

With smaller meeting rooms suitable for anything from two people and an auditorium that seats 600, they can cater for a wide variety of events, from informal business meetings to big weddings. “All conferences are tailor-made to that particular client’s requests and needs,” says Mjelva, “and we employ event planners that plan the clients’ experience with us from beginning to end.”

Individually planned conferences and events are often combined with activities on offer in and around Geiranger. “We do a lot of team building activities, where nature and culture play an important part,” says Mjelva.

“Groups can start their experience as soon as they step off the plane, with the two-hour boat journey here. Once here, we can offer walks in the mountains or by the fjord, abseiling, Nordic walking tours, fishing competitions, climbing and many other activities.”

Hotel Union and all its facilities are open to visitors all year round.

For further information and online booking, please go to: www.hotelunion.no

Spa Suite. Photo: Terje Rakke, Nordic Life

The reception. Photo: Damian Heinisch

Nordic Walking in Geiranger. Photo: Rune Hagen

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 67

Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel

Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs

Restaurant YläBörs (in Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs)

Hotels of the Month, Finland:

Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs & Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel – Your base for enjoying Turku, the European Capital of Culture 2011

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs / Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel

Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel and Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs (as well as the hotels Sokos Hotel City Börs and Sokos Hotel Seurahuone) are working together with different venues in Turku to create the perfect holiday package and European Capital of Culture 2011 experience. With various hotel and ticket packages on offer, there is something for all budgets and tastes.

Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs is located right in the centre of Turku, by the Market Square and comprises 346 stylish rooms, meeting facilities and a great selection of restaurants. This popular hotel has been a legend among city hotels since 1904,

with its latest renovation in 2006-2007.

The establishment is part of a large Finnish hotel chain, which adheres to high international standards. Rooms are designed by local architects and the furnishings partly originate from local design companies.

Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, as all Radisson Blu Hotels, has a 100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee, together with a multitude of other benefits. Beautifully situated on the banks of the Aura River, the hotel includes 184 baroque-style rooms, two restaurants, a bar, and a conference and banqueting department for events of up to1,000 people.

Here is a very small sample of all the things the European Capital of Culture 2011 programme in Turku has to offer: Logomo Exhibitions

Eerik XIV

16 Jan – 18 Dec 2011, every day 11am – 7pm (including Fire! Fire! – step into the world of flames)

22 – 29 Nov 2011, Logomo An opera about a young king, his headstrong queen, imprisonment and madness. This threeact opera has been commissioned by the City of Turku from composer Mikko Heiniö and librettist Juha Siltanen in honour of the Capital of Culture year.

Cirque Dracula 23 June – 14 Aug 2011, Mannerheim Park Magical variety show of a vampire crazy in love. International circus performers will passionately present the Count’s story using spectacular somersaults, acrobatics and kung-fu.

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Turku, the former capital of Finland, is bursting with events, happenings and exhibitions, just waiting to be explored and experienced by culture lovers from all over the world. Among other things, new Culture Centre LOGOMO (an old train engineering workshop) is holding an interactive exhibition on fire that also touches upon the Great Fire of Turku in 1827. It explores the element from different angles and reveals how the destructive fire changed Turku as a city.

For reservations, please contact: Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, Turku Tel. +358 (0)20 1234 710 sales.turku@radissonblu.com Sokos Hotels in Turku Tel. +358 (0)2 337 3800 sales.turku@sokoshotels.fi

For more information, please visit: www.sokoshotels.fi/en/leisure/turku www.sokoshotels.fi/en/hotels/turku www.radissonblu.com/hotel-turku www.turku2011.fi/en/travellers/ hotel-packages

Attraction of the Month, Sweden:

Gothenburg Botanical Garden

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Gothenburg Botanical Garden

Spread over 20 acres, the Gothenburg Botanical Garden is the largest in northern Europe and houses 16,000 different plant species and hybrids. In the greenhouses, you will find the largest collection of tropical orchids and a fantastic environment in which to relax and while away the hours.

Founded in 1923, the garden is not far from Gothenburg's city centre and is a must-see for all lovers of the natural world. This extraordinary park features a kitchen garden, a bulb garden, a herb garden, a Japanese valley, and a famous rock garden with 5,000 species and an impressive waterfall. The greenhouses include the largest collection of orchids in Sweden with 1,500 species.

"During the spring, and particularly in April, large quantities of wild bulbs and tubers will bloom; they are collected by the botanical staff during expeditions around the world. This season, the spectacular dove tree (Davidia) is in bloom. It attracts thousands of visitors every year," says public relations officer Agneta Green.

Every year or so, the organisers invite an acclaimed landscape architect or gardener to create their own and unique garden. This year English-born gardener and designer, Simon Irvine has built a threemetre high hall at the entrance to the garden, where a network of wires carries a mix of useful plants and ornamentals.

Irvine has named his garden Lövkapellet ("The Leaf Chapel"), which will open to the public in June and will stay open until the end of 2012 .

Next to the Botanical Garden, you will find Ängårdsbergen's nature reserve with its heather moor land, which is impressive given the large number of unusual trees

on show, trees not normally found in Sweden.

The Botanical Garden is open all year round, and the best time to visit is, of course, from early spring to autumn, although, according to Green: "All seasons have a charm of their own." In May and June, the Rhododendron valley is an attraction at which to marvel. “Autumn is a beautiful time in the Botanical Garden; the perennial and annual borders are in bloom, and we organise exhibitions of fungi and fruit. The Christmas exhibition is also another popular occasion," Green adds.

There are always many reasons to visit the garden, so why not bring coffee and sandwiches and have a picnic on one of the many lawns, or enjoy a wholesome lunch at the restaurant. In the shop, you will find maps and information in English; alternatively you can download an audio guide from the website.

The garden is open all year round from 9am until the sun goes down; admission is free, but donations are welcomed.

For more information, please visit: www.gotbot.se

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 69

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

Attraction of the Month, Norway:

Ulriken643 – A mountain experience in the city Western Norway’s Bergen is known as the city of seven mountains. The tallest, Ulriken, at 643 metres is easily accessible from the city centre and well worth a visit. “From the famous Fisketorget (the Fish Market) you can catch a double-decker bus to a cable car that will take you straight to the top,” says Eirik Hokstad, general manager of Ulriken643, a joint venture between the businesses of Ulriken.

By Karin Modig | Photos: Ulriken643

An à la carte menu is served until 5pm every day, while the evening menu is a set three-course dinner for 643 Norwegian kroner. The seasonal menu changes on a regular basis, and typically features a lot of fish and seafood in the summer, with an emphasis on game in the winter months.

From the last weekend of April, evening concerts will be held in the restaurant.

Once at the top, you have plenty of opportunities to experience the stunning views of the city from the comfort of the viewing platform, or experience the beautiful nature of the area in a more active manner.

“Ulriken is the starting point for many great walks,” says Hokstad, “and from the middle of May we offer guided mountain tours with experienced walkers in several languages.”

At Bergen Base Camp, Ulriken’s mountain shop, you can pick up suitable clothing for your walk, get advice on the route, and find out how to get involved with activities such as paragliding, climbing and abseiling. A souvenir shop as well, this is the place to buy bottled fresh Norwegian mountain air!

Restaurant sky:skraperen (“The Sky Scraper”), the highest restaurant in

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Should you be in the mood for a more intimate dining experience, you can hire one of the cable cars for a three-course dining experience for two.

Bergen, offers unparalleled panoramic views of the city, as well as locally produced food. “All the produce we use at the restaurant are from places you can see from Ulriken,” says Hokstad, “so there is most definitely a focus on local produce.”

The restaurant can also cater for large groups and, not surprisingly, is a particularly popular spot for weddings.

For further information, please visit: www.ulriken643.no

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Left: Horsens Museum. Middle: The former Minister of Justice, Peter Adler Alberti, who was prisoner no. 75. Right: Horsens prison as it looked like when Alberti was an inmate.

Below: The toy printing kit that Alberti used for his fraud.

Attraction of the Month, Denmark:

Get locked up in Horsens Museum

By Charlotte Kany | Photos: Horsens Museum

In 2010, Horsens Museum acquired a huge collection of objects from the first prison in Denmark, built in the city of Horsens in 1853. For more than 100 years, the city was famous for holding one of the biggest prisons in Denmark, and with its closing down in 2006, Horsens Museum was given a collection of more than 10,000 items, some of which are now available for visitors to explore in an innovative exhibition opening 22 June 2011.

Horsens Museum brings into focus the concept of prison life, giving guests a unique opportunity to find out what it is like to be an inmate in a world of crime.

With the incredible story of the former Minister of Justice, Peter Adler Alberti, who himself became a prisoner convicted of fraud and falsification, enriching himself with millions of DKK, the museum welcomes you to investigate a famous crime adventure that made the headlines in 1910, when Alberti was sentenced to eight years in prison.

For a man of justice, this was without doubt a tremendous fall from grace. Ironically, whilst holding the position of Minister of Justice, Alberti had tightened up the life of a prisoner, as well as implementing corporal punishment.

Grab the chance to explore Alberti almost as a living person in a stunning 3D hologram, where he will tell his unbelievable story to you. Visitors will be able to see hundreds of fascinating and intriguing objects that illustrate the life of a prisoner in the year 1910. The death penalty was not

yet repealed and all sorts of punishment methods seem quite frightening compared to our modern conceptions.

“On two big touch screens, visitors can explore the prison as it looked back in those days and scoop out great stories in all the cells, corridors and yards of the former prison,” explains curator Anne Bjerrekær. Through the new portal (www.faengslet2.dk), this will without doubt be an extraordinary experience; from 25 March you will be able to experience this in your own living room.

Horsens Museum is located in a beautiful scenic park and boasts a range of other captivating exhibitions from ancient times to the middle ages. There is a definite guarantee of being entertained and informed whilst visiting this museum.

For more information, please visit: www.horsensmuseum.dk

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 71

Attraction of the Month, Faroe Islands:

RIB62 – discover the breath-taking Faroe Islands from the seaside The Faroe Islands offer a spectacular experience in themselves, but discovering the Atlantic group of islands by boat adds a whole new dimension and reveals places you cannot access from dry land. Whether you prefer a peaceful sail among seals and rare birds or a roaring high-speed adventure, RIB62 does the planning and provides all the necessary equipment.

By Lykke Fabricius Port | Photos: RIB62

To experience a hidden paradise is on top of most travellers’ wish list, and that is exactly what you get if you take a boat trip around the Faroe Islands in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. With scheduled daily departures from the capital Tórshavn in the summer period, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a maritime adventure.

“The view of the islands from the boat is truly spectacular, and you see things you are not able to access from dry land. It’s an unforgettable experience to sail through the narrow caves and watch the light playing on the walls, and there’s a good chance of spotting seals as well,” says Sigmund Signarsson, manager of RIB62, who, be-

sides the prescheduled trips, designs special voyages for individuals and groups into the ravishing Faroese nature.

The boat tours are, furthermore, perfect for a memorable teambuilding trip for companies, and RIB62 offers fully arranged packages with sailing, rappelling and culinary experiences outdoors.

“Safety is always our number one priority, but as long as that is taken care of we’ll do our best to meet people’s requests. We provide flotation suits, hard-hats, safety glasses and gloves, so all you have to think about is enjoying the trip,” says Signarsson.

There is a trip to satisfy everyone’s need, even for the more adventurous types who revel in a short high-speed journey with loud music pouring out of the waterproof speakers.

When asked, Signarsson has his favourite tour from Bursatangi in Tórshavn to the island of Hestur.

“If the weather is good, we sail into the deep caves in the south-western part of the island and move as near as possible to the rich bird life. The trip is perfect in the evenings when you can enjoy the beautiful sunset as you exit on the western side of the cliff. If you can’t fall in love with one of RIB62’s trips, you might consider that you’re wasting your money travelling at all.”

The itineraries run from early May to the end of August 2011 and last from 10 minutes up to a whole day.

For further information, please visit: www.rib62.com

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Attraction of the Month, Iceland:

Iceland Symphony Orchestra Hits The Right Note The Iceland Symphony Orchestra might not be on top of the shopping list for the ordinary tourist travelling to Reykjavik. Yet something that might seem a relatively undiscovered gem to a visitor is in fact a well-established and critically acclaimed institution and a must-visit attraction to any classical music lover. The ISO will hit a huge milestone by moving to Iceland’s first full-scale concert hall, the Harpa, in May.

By Anni-Maria Sahala | Photo: The Iceland Symphony Orchestra

music: “Audiences in Iceland have never been able to experience what this orchestra can really do, due to the poor facilities and dull acoustics in our current home in the University Cinema.

Harpa will be a concert hall for everyone and our programme reflects that.”

For a country with only 300,000 inhabitants and a relatively young history in classical music, the extraordinary quality of the ISO keeps astonishing visitors and critics from near and far. Over the years, its complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies under the direction of Petri Sakari has received praise all over the world, and its Grammy-nominated recordings of the works of Vincent d’Indy have been widely recognised.

However, the best acknowledgement for the orchestra’s quality is the endless flow of some of the world’s most renowned musicians and conductors collaborating with the symphony orchestra – these big names include Daniel Barenboim, Joshua Bell and Evelyn Glennie.

Programme director Árni Heimir Ingólfsson says the 2010/2011 season has already been a huge success: “Both the artistic quality and the attendance have been tremendous, and the opening concert conducted by Ilan Volkov even led to him agreeing to take on the post of ISO’s music director.”

The programme begins with Welcome Harpa, by Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson, followed by Grieg’s piano concerto. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony will be performed by an outstanding cast of soloists and choir – all under conductor laureate Vladimir Ashkenazy’s direction. The grand finale will see a concert together with Iceland’s favourite pop artist Páll Óskar. The programme proved so popular that most tickets were sold out within days – but Ingólfsson assures more concerts have been added to accommodate the huge demand.

With just six weeks remaining in the current season, the 85-player ensemble starts May with a big bang. The ISO will move to its new home, the Harpa, and Ingólfsson says the opening of the new concert hall will all but transform Icelandic

More information on the Iceland Symphony Orchestra programme and tickets can be found on www.sinfonia.is/english.

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 73

Flor & Fjære – Experience the colours of the rainbow in a garden sanctuary On an island, located 20 minutes northeast of Stavanger, lies a garden oasis, where visitors can marvel at the colours of the rainbow reflected in the plants and flowers that surround them. It is an inspiring wonderland, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxation, a special occasion or even a business meeting. So hop on the boat from Stavanger, take in the splendour of the garden and then sit down for a mouth-watering buffet meal.

Sør-Hidle, a once barren and wind-swept isle, is now home to an array of exotic plants as well as a cosy restaurant serving food made from the freshest ingredients possible. When Åsmund Bryn originally bought the deserted farmstead on Sør-Hidle in 1965, he was actually looking for a summer cottage for his family. Managing the family-owned nursery back in Stavanger, he had an excellent grasp of gardening knowledge, but he probably did not imagine how much he would be able to do with his new land. He had no prior plans to make it into a garden, but one of the first things he did on the wind-swept island was to plant 3,000 pine trees to act as a wind barrier. This would eventually

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become the main secret behind the success of the garden oasis.

The garden has been open to guests since 1995 and celebrated its 15th anniversary last summer. And with a generation handover currently taking place at this family business (Endre Bryn is taking over as general manager from owner Siri Lærdal Bryn), Flor & Fjære are eager to emphasise how much has changed over the years.

“The property has grown and developed a lot,” explains Siri. “The area is larger, and we are able to do more familiar, specific-style gardens. Our newest section is

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Flor & Fjære

the Cloister Garden with scented roses and herbs, inspired by the monastery gardens of the Middle Ages. We’ve also included focus areas like the bonsai area, for example. And a new spot that’s not quite ready yet will include rugged nature, a waterfall and sea views. A lot of things are happening here, and we want people to realise that it is very different compared to the early days or even five years ago.”

Why not take your work with you to the “Garden of Eden”?

While the island offers a memorable venue for any celebration or social function, Flor & Fjære can also make your

business meeting, seminar or conference extra special. If you are looking for an exceptional atmosphere for your meeting as well as an exciting day out in an inspiring sanctuary, then this is the perfect place for you. With improved meeting facilities and updated audiovisual equipment, Flor & Fjære are able to host professional and tailor-made conferences for up to 100 people as well as evening events for up to 300 dinner guests in their largest dining room. There is no doubt that a business meeting on

the island would be an occasion to remember.

Pleasure, recreation and inspiration This year, Flor & Fjære opens to the public on 7 May, and 50,000 newly-planted flowers will be awaiting visitors, bursting with colours and beautiful smells. Even if you have visited the island before, it is worth seeing how much things have changed and expanded over the years.

“Our guests come for two different reasons: some come to visit a restaurant in a

lovely setting, while others want to admire the garden and have some food on the side. We’re a restaurant with an exotic garden, and we want to share it with our guests,” explains Siri.

The Italian-inspired menu, created by chef André Mulder, will now also be enhanced by the herbs from the new Cloister Garden.

So the buffet meal will be fresher and more natural than ever. At Flor & Fjære, your senses will be overwhelmed by the multitude of striking colours, aromas and tastes!

The 2011 season lasts from 7 May - 20 September.

The garden is open Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays.

All visits must be pre-booked by phone, e-mail or web booking.

Contact details: booking@florogfjare.no Tel. +47 51 11 00 00

For more information, please visit the revamped website: http://florogfjare.no

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 75

Mamma Mia Meatball

By Bronte Aurell | Photo: Dreamstime

Everybody’s “Mamma” makes the best meatballs. There is no doubt that somewhere deep inside us, we have a gene that dictates that Mamma’s food is always better than anyone else’s, even if she buys it ready-made from Aldi and cooks it in the microwave. Still, when it comes to meatballs in Scandinavia, things get a bit more complicated: it can get political, and it isn’t always about Mamma knowing best.

It’s highly unlikely that we can credit the Nordics with inventing the humble meatball. Research shows (and yes, there are such people as meatball researchers) that we need to head south to the Romans and the Arabic countries to find the origins of the kofta (derived from Persian: meaning to grind and beat, or simply, meatball).

Don’t even bother asking why they are called meatballs (it’s because they are made of meat, and they are round). Trav-

76 | Issue 28 | April 2011

elling back across the continents, we find that most countries indeed have their own version of some form of meatball – from the Hungarian fasirt to the Spanish albóndigas to England, where traditional meatballs are known as faggots.

Meatballs differ not only according to the hands that make them, but also by country – and you don’t have to travel across continents to see the cultural changes that have shaped the humble meatball.

Even between the Nordic countries, meatballs vary enormously both in size, makeup and ambition to take over the world.

Take Sweden, for example: a country of unassuming, peaceful people. Not so their meatballs. There, the tiny Swedish meatball has been ambitious and has travelled surprisingly far, despite its slight stature.

There is hardly a country today where your

everyday man and woman do not know what a Swedish meatball is. In fact, in the TV Series Babylon 5, all the aliens eat Swedish meatballs, and each alien race has their own version.

The Swedish meatballs are tiny little ½ inch balls made from ground beef and pork and heaps of ground allspice. For years, poor housewives slaved over a hot pan, frying hundreds of small meatballs to satisfy the hunger of their broods, until one day someone decided enough was enough and introduced a company to make them en masse. Hello to readymade small meatballs, bye-bye to the nitty-gritty work. During the eighties and nineties, kids got used to the taste of the convenient (and still excellent) meatball, and Agneta Svensson is no longer a slave to her cooker. Homemade meatballs in Sweden now are not as common - and a lot of people now prefer the ready-made

Scan Magazine | Scan Food | Bronte’s Column

taste, seeing as this is what a generation grew up with. Yep, the Swedish meatball always had big aspirations, big plans for world domination and, with the love of IKEA, it has certainly travelled far across the world. Still, nothing beats a homemade meatball, and next on the list for the Swedes is to re-introduce Mormor’s meatballs on a more regular basis.

In whatever shape or form the Swedish meatball is made, it is always served with a good mashed potato, thick cream gravy and a dollop of lingonberry jam. Similar to this, in Norway, the kottkaker are also served with lingonberry jam – and boiled potatoes. The Norwegian kottkake (literally “meat cake”) couldn’t be further from a Swedish meatball. It’s a lot larger in size and is usually made from ground beef.

While it is a nice daily dish, it hasn’t moved beyond Kristiansand and has no plans to even go on holiday. Its roots are Norwegian, and it isn’t about to shout or make a fuss.

Back in Denmark, meanwhile, the Danes were having none of this teeny meatball trend either – and the Danish frikadelle sit, as the Danes usually do, firmly in the middle between Norway and Sweden with a good medium-sized meatball. Not too big, not too small. In Denmark, meatballs are made from a mixture of minced pork and veal. Readymade meatballs are available in Denmark, but most people still make their own, and it is a popular weekday dish. In Denmark, meatballs are enjoyed with boiled potatoes, good thick brown gravy and not much else. It is husmanskost at its most basic, although you may well see some variations where meatballs are served with potato salad – and even once in a while on an open sandwich. But that is about as exciting as it gets. It is doubtful that the Danish meatball will ever reach international acclaim or fame, but it is so good just the way it is: a simple meatball, with little aspiration to go international; it is happy to sit at the weekday dinner table and be appreciated

by Gitte, who works at the local bank, and Preben, who fixes cars. It’s a good, hearty everyday meatball. It deserves a place in Danish food culture, and sometimes it de-

serves to be tarted up with a bit of pickled red cabbage.

Whatever way you like your meatballs, the essential bit when cooking them is that you start from a good basic recipe and then add your own touch. This can be extra spices, or it can be choosing a different meat altogether (venison meatballs, anyone?). Perhaps you love your salt, perhaps you prefer to use some extra butter.

Below you will find a good basic recipe for Swedish meatballs. Try it out – when you have made the meat mixture, fry a meatball or two in a pan and taste it – you can

Swedish Meatballs with mash, cream gravy and lingonberry jam Most would say that a dish of meatballs, mashed potato with cream gravy and lingonberry jam is about as Swedish as things get. It’s up there with ABBA, Volvos and Wallander.

Serves 4-6 For the meatballs: • 700 grams lean minced beef AND 500 grams minced pork (min 10% fat) • 1 onion, grated • 60 grams porridge oats • 2 eggs • 350 ml stock (chicken stock works well) • 2 ½ tbsp plain flour or corn flour • Spices: 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp ground allspice, ½ tsp ground black pepper, 2 tsp ground white pepper For the cream gravy A knob of butter (approx. 10g), a heaped tablespoon of plain flour (10 g), water from the potatoes, 50 ml of cream.

Lingonberry jam (we recommend Lingonsylt from either Tillmans or Felix, both available at www.ScandiKitchen.co.uk).

1. Soak the porridge oats in water for fifteen minutes. Whisk the eggs together and mix with the oats. Add onion and spices and mix well.

2. Mix the meats together in a mixer to ensure they’re thoroughly mixed. Add the egg mix and flour. You should be left with a mouldable, but sticky, mixture.

then add your own touches from there.

Hurdy-gurdying like the Swedish chef from the Muppets is entirely optional.

Bronte Aurell is the owner of Scandinavian Kitchen, a cafe and grocery store for Scandinavian foods in Central London and online. Here, all Nordic meatballs are equally loved and appreciated.

For further information, please visit: scandikitchen.co.uk

3. Roll the individual meatballs in your hands and leave ready to fry. It helps if your hands are damp. Each meatball should be around 2 cm in diameter – or larger if you cannot be bothered making 80 meatballs.

4. Melt a knob of butter in a frying pan and once hot, carefully add meatballs.

Shake the pan gently to ensure they don’t stick and keep them moving as they fry – thus ensuring their “roundness”. You will most likely need to do two batches. Fry until done – for around 5 minutes. Keep in a warm oven until needed.

5. Add a knob of butter to the meatball pan over medium heat. Add flour to form a roux and whisk. Add the water from the potatoes bit by bit and let it boil to thicken. Once at desired quantity and thickness, add the cream. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Serve meatballs with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and the gravy, with lingonberry jam on the side.

Notes: This is a base recipe for meatballs. Add stuff to make them “yours”, to taste. You can add chopped sprats (ABBAS Anchovies), you can use water instead of stock, and you can replace the oats with potatoes or even breadcrumbs. No two homemade recipes taste the same and nor should they. Once you find “yours”, you’ll know.

If you are scared of making cream gravy, we recommend Blaa Band’s version to buy.

It’s very nice and takes only a minute to make.

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 77

North Road – Nordic cool meets British produce

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: North Road

Danish chef Christoffer Hruskova opened the doors to his new restaurant North Road on St John Street, in London, in November 2010. Having received his training back home at renowned establishments, such as Michelin starred King Hans restaurant, Hruskova aims to create an innovative, northern influenced menu put together from the best British produce available. Scan Magazine ventured to test it out a few weeks ago.

Clean and crisp, like a clear winter’s day in the cold North, the restaurant’s interior radiates Scandinavian cool from the moment you step inside. It is minimalistic, yet homely, and greets us with a warm and calm atmosphere, as we enter the restaurant on a Thursday evening. The service feels genuinely welcoming and does put us at ease straight away.

A first look at the à la carte menu intrigues us, but you can clearly pick out the influence of Hruskova’s Danish cooking heritage blended in with the British, highquality produce, from Norfolk venison to Cornish squid. However, many dishes sound almost experimental, as the emphasis is often laid purely on Nordic cooking practices (burnt hay, slow cooking, and smoking are some examples), which is not a usual treat when eating out. The Scandi kitchen might not have the same long-lasting reputation as the French or Mediterranean one, but more and more people seem to have recently found delight in the light, earthy flavours of Nordic cuisine. Take for instance Noma in Denmark, named the best restaurant in the world.

Danish chef Christoffer Hruskova

78 | Issue 28 | April 2011

For starters, we end up choosing the raw cured Scottish langoustines, with jelly,

mayo & crispy rye, and the warm spring vegetable salad, with hay smoked cheese.

After some tasty amuse-bouches (including pickled quails’ eggs) and bread with divine caramelised butter, we are presented with two beautifully constructed plates of food. My langoustines and crispy rye are stacked on top of each other, and I must say I have never had better “crisp bread” in my life. My dinner guest was especially fond of the flavours of the smoked cheese in his dish.

For my main, I decided on the Cornish monkfish & alexander, with samphire, squid ink & winkles. My guest’s first choice, the wood pigeon, was unfortunately all out, but instead, as an infrequent meat eater, he was offered a medley dish of root vegetables, which he was very happy with in the end. Although my choice included some previously unknown flavours to me, the fish was lovely and altogether the dish worked well.

Perhaps a highlight of the whole experience was the dessert. The buttermilk, carrot & liquorice, with ice cream sponge & jelly did originally sound like a daring choice, but it was absolute melt-in-yourmouth bliss – the combination of flavours worked (surprisingly) well.

If you are unfamiliar with Scandinavian cuisine, then Hruskova’s mix of Nordic inspiration and excellent British produce is definitely a great place to start (your new obsession, perhaps?).

For further information, please visit: www.northroadrestaurant.co.uk

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Stor nyhed... All your favourite traditional treats are now available, fresh, hand packed and delivered direct to your door. Choose from a wide selection of Danish food and drinks including Stryhns Langelænder – (red hot dogs), Stryhns liverpate, Onkel Kras (very strong cheese) and many more traditional cheese’s, over 15 types of herrings, Danish salami, remoulade, liquorice, marzipan and chocolate.

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Seasonal items like rullepølse, hamburgerryg, pork loin and Easter eggs are also available.

Call us on 01234 888 788 or go to www.DanishFoodDirect.co.uk/scanmag

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Coming soon – our new extended range of Nordic foods, fresh and straight to your door!

Drive to Sweden with Stena Line Let Stena Line help you take the strain out of driving to Sweden.

With a choice of short routes with frequent crossings and longer routes with overnight journeys we can help to make your journey more relaxing and convenient Onboard our ships you will find a range of facilities all designed to make your crossing as comfortable as possible. Remember to book early for our best fares.

Welcome onboard!

www.stenaline.co.uk or call 08447 70 70 70

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland

Restaurant of the Month, Finland:

Restaurant Kuu – serving honest Finnish food since 1966

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Restaurant Kuu

Located in the borough of Töölö, only a short tram ride or walk from central Helsinki, Restaurant Kuu has served as a popular eatery for locals since 1966.

Serving authentic Finnish food without minimalistic tinkering, the establishment has also been able to attract travellers in search of the pure taste of Finnish produce.

“The restaurant has long traditions and has always been serving classic Finnish dishes,” explains restaurant manager Eija Tuohinen. “Although we’ve been doing it for a long time already, it’s currently very popular and ‘in’ to offer local food and traditional Nordic cooking. We’ve always worked along these lines, but we’ve also modernised our take on it over the years.

It’s great to hear patrons tell us how their grandmothers or mothers have frequented us before, and now they’ve continued the tradition.”

The food is cooked with produce sourced from small, trustworthy local producers, and the main focus is always on pure, authentic tastes. “It’s honest Scandinavian

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food without unnecessary trickery, and people really appreciate that. “ Restaurant Kuu's wine list brings a lot of added value to their offerings, as they import several of their own wines, allowing the dining experience to be easier on the pocket and more varied. The wines range from trendy, preferably always one step ahead, through to the main focus of the list, the archetypical classics. Ravintola Kuu's revolutionary pricing strategy means you can enjoy a bottle of Grand Cru Chablis or Grand Cru Bordeaux without the bitter aftertaste that so often comes with the bill. In March, Californian sommelier Elijah Nelson joined the team, bringing fresh ideas of a more exciting selection of wines.

With 60 seats, Restaurant Kuu is an intimate and homely place to visit, with caring service and Finnish design setting the mood. Due to its long traditions, the restaurant is a popular choice for locals and tourists alike, as they can always rely on the high quality of food, wine and warm hospitality.

Contact details: Ravintola Kuu Töölönkatu 27 00260 HELSINKI Tel. +358 (0)9 2709 0973 ravintola@ravintolakuu.info

For further information, please visit: www.ravintolakuu.info

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden:

Sjögräs – a place for gourmands and rum connoisseurs Situated in Stockholm’s relaxed and eclectic district of Södermalm, Sjögräs is a high-end restaurant that exudes a laid-back and welcoming ambience. Recommended by the Michelin Guide (Bid Gourmand) as a restaurant offering good food at moderate prices, Sjögräs will introduce you to a blend of French and Scandinavian cooking as well an extensive collection of rums.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Anna Huerta staff, who despite a more laid-back approach have a vast knowledge when it comes to food and drink. The restaurant and bar are not directly connected and often attract different types of clientele; however, you can easily move from one to the other. Whether you are looking for a night out in a stylish bar with a light menu and good music, or a pleasant evening at a relaxed restaurant with great rum and imaginative dishes, Sjögräs can provide you with both.

Established 1994, the restaurant introduced the first open-air kitchen to an eatery in Stockholm and Sweden. With award-winning timeless design, the establishment has a cool and minimalistic Scandinavian feel to it. And to add to the coolness, you can enjoy some reggae music in the bar area with a glass of excellent rum.

“We have one of the largest rum collections in the world. We have aged rum that we sell and do tastings with, and you can also sample some chocolate from Sweden’s only cocoa farmer’s Tobago plantation,” says managing director Hjalmar Litzén. “We offer 400 kinds of rum, with everything from regular pouring rum to 100-year-old rum.”

Scandinavian twist. It is all about clean tastes (created from produce sourced from local suppliers), and eye-catching dishes that are not too heavy. “We’re trying to interpret old chef Karl Blunck’s recipes from the 30s and 40s by bringing them to the 21st century,” adds Litzén.

The menu, on the other hand, includes classic French cuisine with a Swedish or

The relaxed style of fine dining promoted

by Sjögräs is emphasised by the cheerful

Contact details: Sjögräs Timmermansgatan 24 118 55 Stockholm hjalmar@sjogras.com Tel. +46 (0)8 84 12 00

For further information, please visit: www.sjogras.com

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 81

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark:

Rudolf Mathis – Danish seafood at its very best Located at the water’s edge in Kerteminde Harbour, Rudolf Mathis, with its towering whitewashed walls and black beams, is the very epitome of sophisticated Danish seaside charm. However, it is not the building’s distinctive features but the restaurant’s reputation for serving world-class seafood that entices people from far and near to visit.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Restaurant Rudolf Mathis

The many people enchanted by its flavours include the famous Danish TV chef and food critic John Price. In a review for the National Danish newspaper Politiken he wrote: “We are here in the super league of restaurants in Denmark: that small, exclusive handful of eateries that maintain a completely outstanding standard in the kitchen...”

the uniquely friendly atmosphere, for which Rudolf Mathis is also well-known.

“One of the reasons people come here is that we always do our very best to provide outstanding service,” says Larsen. “We love it when people come to try our restaurant, but we make our living from people who come back, and that is why it is so important to us always to give people the best possible experience.”

A family business Rudolf Mathis was founded in 1985 by its current owner Puk Larsen, who is also the head of the skilled team of kitchen staff. In the restaurant his wife, Ursula Plato, is part of the efficient and service minded group of waiters responsible for

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Larsen, who is from Kerteminde himself, started the restaurant after a three year stint in Copenhagen working for the wellknown Kong Hans Kælder. When returning to Kerteminde, the lack of good restaurants in the area convinced him to

set up his own. He did so from the very ground having the unique white building constructed on the base of an old fisherman’s cottage. The cottage had belonged to Larsen’s grandfathers Niels Mathis and Hans Rudolf Pedersen whom the restaurant is named after. Since then more than 25 years have gone by, and by now Larsen has built a reputation as the chef and owner of one of Denmark’s best seafood restaurants.

Some of the best seafood in Denmark The dishes on the restaurant’s mainly seafood-based menu are, Larsen says, a result of cooperation with all of the kitchen staff. “The dishes we serve are typical French kitchen but with Danish produce.

Obviously Kerteminde is a harbour town so we get much of our seafood from here and most else from the rest of Denmark.”

For lunch, there is a set menu of two to four delicious dishes which can, as with the dinner menu’s four to seven courses, be accompanied by a wine menu specially picked out by Larsen and the staff. “Just as with the food menu, we all get together to do tastings and pickings for the wine menu. Being able to have just one glass of wine that is specifically chosen for the course instead of having to go for a whole bottle is very important to many of our guests,” explains Larsen.

The menu consists of mouth watering dishes such as clams on grilled celery and artichoke betony in consommé with truffle; and caviar and lightly salted cod back with lime marinated stem turnip and avocado. Though most guests come for the whole menu of four or more courses, it is also possible to scale down a bit and have just the main courses.

says Larsen. “We also have many sailors who harbour here as a part of a trip around Funen. Sometimes, when it is very busy, and if people like to, we can serve the food directly to people in their boats.”

While the restaurant has many seasonal visitors, it also has a great share of loyal regulars. “After 25 years in business, we have worked up a good reputation that convinces people to give us a try, and many come back. We have people driving all the way from Sealand and back just for a visit to our restaurant.”

Rudolf Mathis is open Monday to Saturday (closed in January and February).

For further information, please visit: www.rudolf-mathis.dk

Summertime charm With the Danish sea next door and a beautifully located, spacious terrace just on the water’s edge, summertime is the liveliest season at Rudolf Mathis. “We have guests coming from all over the world; some come after a visit to one of the nearby attractions in Odense, and many combine a visit to our restaurant with a visit to Kerteminde’s art museum,”

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 83

Restaurant of the Month, Faroe Islands:

T.F.Thomsen – Local flavours in historical surroundings

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: T.F.Thomsen

T.F.Thomsen is situated at the harbour of Tvøroyri and is the first place visitors come to upon arrival, as you have to access the island by boat. “It is a little difficult to get to our island, but we have small boats from all over northern Europe visiting during the summer,” says Thomsen. The place has been in the hands of her family since the 19th century, and while it used to be a centre for shipping, it is now a place where visitors and locals alike go for a relaxing time or meal.

Specialities you cannot get anywhere else In the little town of Tvøroyri, on the most southern island of the Faroes, you find T.F. Thomsen. The history of the pub and café dates back to 1856, and it has been a vital place for shipping and merchandise. Today, the owner Anna Kirstin Thomsen welcomes guests from near and far to an authentic taste of the Faroe Islands.

84 | Issue 28 | April 2011

“I make anything our guests want. I like to show them our local food though, which often contains fish. You may say I’m a fish woman,” says Thomsen cheerfully. The Faroese cuisine is influenced by the closeness to the sea, although lamb is particularly popular. If sheep’s head is not your cup of tea, however, Thomsen also offers fish’n’chips. “We try to show foreigners

what we eat, but many are a bit afraid,” says Thomsen.

“A Live Museum” While T.F.Thomsen takes pleasure in offering the best of the Faroese kitchen, you have to notify them about your visit. “On the Faroe Islands, there is no tradition of going out for a meal, hence we do not know how many to cook for. But we love to cook for people, and in the summer time the restaurant is full,” Thomsen continues. Beyond the food, Thomsen emphasises the atmosphere of the place.

“T.F.Thomsen consists of six buildings, and we have saved all the old things from our ancestors, so many guests have a wander around. The place is full of history and is in a way like a live museum,” Thomsen concludes.

For further information, please visit: www.tfthomsen.com

Restaurant of the Month, Iceland:

Við fjöruborðið – A lobster experience to remember

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Við fjöruborðið

Við fjöruborðið is renowned for its highquality lobster menu and attracting tourists as well as Icelandic inhabitants to the charming seaside village of Stokkseyri. Starting out as a small coffee shop 15 years ago, the restaurant can today host 270 guests in three halls.

About 45 minutes drive from Reykjavik, you will find the cosy village of Stokkseyri.

Although the village itself is known for its stunning scenery, most visitors come for the famous lobster restaurant Við fjöruborðið. Meaning by the seaside, the restaurant is true to its name, which means that the produce is fresh from the ocean just off the village coast.

Secret recipe Initially, the restaurant started out as a coffee shop 15 years ago. However, with a lobster factory next door, they soon began to serve simple lobster dishes that became hugely popular with the visitors.

“The restaurant was the first of its kind in Iceland, where you could buy lobsters by the pound. It has since grown to triple the size and has become popular with tourists and companies from all over the world,” says general manager and owner Róbert Ólafsson. He has been in charge for six years and remains loyal to the initial menu. “The concept was brilliant and only needed some polishing. The menu has otherwise been the same, which cannot

really go wrong, as we are only dealing with top-quality products,” Ólafsson continues. However, there is a secret recipe behind the success, involving garlic, butter, herbs and their own mix of spices. “It remains a company secret,” Ólafsson says cheerfully.

Part of the Golden Circle While the restaurant attracts visitors from near and far, Við fjöruborðið is located on the path of the Icelandic Golden Circle, a popular tourist route covering about 300 km from Reykjavík into central Iceland and back. The three primary stops on the route are the national park Þingvellir, the waterfall Gullfoss and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the one and only Geysir. The lobsters at Við fjöruborðið have thus become a part of the Icelandic experience.

For further information, please visit: www.fjorubordid.is

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 85

Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour

IS IT JUST ME...

By Mette Lisby

Who can’t resist giggling when IT-industry employees present their overly pompous job-titles?

I just find it hilarious when a grown man, equipped with both a mortgage and a receding hairline refers to himself as “Webmaster”.

It sounds like something out of Star Wars. A job that as a bare minimum requires a cape.

Despite what you would think Webmasters are not running around fighting light sabre battles on a daily basis. Instead they spend ALL their time sitting in front of computers, and “Webmaster” is a pretty flashy name for an occupation that is 100 % sedentary and physically undemanding.

This urge to make their activities sound a lot more adventurous than they are is characteristic of the computer industry. It is obvious that the IT-landscape is filled with potential daredevils - guys who would have had much more adventurous jobs - had it

Organisers

Unless you’re dead you’ve probably noticed that this is the month of the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. I live in the centre of a small town that most definitely has noticed. In fact, not long after the wedding date was made public, a neatly folded green slip of paper was passed through our letter box, an-

86 | Issue 28 | April 2011

not been for the asthma and general lack of social skills holding them back.

For instance, “IT support” gives “over-urgency” to a title that might as well have been “guy who fixes your computer when the hard disc is jammed”.

Like the phrase “surfing the Internet” which totally oversells the activity of browsing your way through page after page on the Internet.

How did that occur? Was it sometime around 1995, that two bespectacled geeks got each other worked up? Having spent the greater part of their lives in front of their computers, stimulated only by Coke (the drink) and an occasional glimpse of female breasts, one of them looked around the dark basement and exclaimed: “My God, Timmy, this is fun!” and Timmy, elated by yet another Coke yelled “Yeah! It’s almost like

we’re doing something real. Like surfing.”

Even the word “Cyberspace” sounds a lot more interesting than it really is.

In reality surfing in cyberspace is a tad less action-packed than being a librarian. Or “Bookmaster”, as the appropriate title would be, should it match the hype of the IT world.

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 versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”. Mette currently lives in London.

By Maria Smedstad

nouncing that on the happy day arrangements have been made to shut off our street. Yes, that’s right, it’s a busy through road and we’re shutting it off. To have a royal wedding party, complete with a fancy dress competition, live music and a full buffet. For this buffet the organisers of the event have been scouting the street for volunteer cooks. I don’t know if you’ve ever come across the kind of people who jump at the chance to organise something like this, but if you have you may recognise the following: it’s not so much that you can’t say no to these people, but more a case that you somehow say yes without noticing. Loaded with British charm and what appears to be idle chitchat about the weather, these natural born persuaders gently lead you to the point of no return, where suddenly you’ve signed up for tombola duty, or you’re head of bunting, or in charge of charring 500 frozen burgers beyond recognition in a feeble attempt to feed the masses. A

few years ago, I innocently went along to a charity wine tasting evening, only to find myself being recruited – high heels and all – by the church gardening team. This time round I’m keeping a low profile. So for now, here’s a discreet cheer for William and Kate from behind closed curtains. I won’t be leaving my house until May. 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. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

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Scan Business | Key Note | A bridge to growth for foreign companies in the UK?

Scan Business Ullevi - a conference centre with unlimited potential 91 | The Nordic House 92 | Schur Conference Centre 94

91

92

94

Is there still a bridge to growth for foreign companies in the UK?

By Gunnar P. Larsen, Managing Director, The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce | Photo: Courtesy of DUCC

What do you do when you as a Danish business come to the UK for the first time and want to set up and sell your products to the Brits?

Historically, the Danes have seen Great Britain as great opportunity for trade, and voluntarily or not the Brits have embraced it. Bacon is pretty synonymous with Danish, and you can hardly say butter without asking for Lurpak, and when the kids want toys LEGO is still much sought after.

Britain is still the third largest export market for Danish companies and, vice versa, Denmark ranks high as an export destination for the UK. It is encouraging to see that despite the hardship that has faced companies over the last couple of years, investments and exports are still moving. Cases such as Carlsberg outperforming market trends, jewellery company Pandora expanding across the UK, and home furnishing retailer JYSK recently opening its fifth store in north-west England and planning on more, are just some of the visible signs.

Many companies and business people find their own ways across the North Sea. Many seek business networks like the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce for people that can help open the right doors and to understand how to do business in

the UK or in Denmark. Many seek advice and assistance from government agencies like UK Trade & Investment and the Danish Trade Council.

It was a blow to see the scrapping of the regional development programmes and agencies across the UK. For many, including Danish exporters and businesses setting up in the UK, there were programmes that made the transition easier and indeed possible in the first place. For many regions of Britain it made it possible to attract much needed jobs and growth (technological and economic).

As a bilateral business chamber between the United Kingdom and Denmark, it is close to our hearts to think about how business can grow international trade in both directions. For the SMEs in particular, business support can be the start for export and can potentially make a big difference between success and failure. Through the collective knowledge and experience of the chamber members it is possible to profit from this. This spring, amongst others, we are focusing on how you do business in the Danish-UK business sphere.

Together with The Chancery Partnerships, we look at how you pitch for contracts in the UK and prepare yourself as a foreign business in the UK. Together with EBS Ltd,

DELACOUR DANIA and The British Chamber of Commerce in Denmark, we are looking at the UK Market Access Programme and how Danish companies can profit from that. The UK is often one of the first business destinations for Danish companies. It will remain so for the foreseeable future, I believe, much due to its proximity, but also indeed because it represents a bridge to global markets.

Gunnar P. Larsen, Managing Director, DUCC. Photo: Magnus Arrevad

www.ducc.co.uk

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 89

Scan Business | Column | Annika Åman Goodwille

More Women on Boards and in Senior Management: Why it matters

By Annika Åman-Goodwille

In recent weeks, news reports and on-air discussions have been increasingly filled with the debate about why the boards of major companies still have so few women. And why the percentage of women in senior managerial positions can vary so much internationally. Did you know that Thailand tops the list? There, 45% of senior managerial positions are filled by women. The most common senior company position for a woman is CFO. According to the Davies report released in February it will take over 70 years at the current rate of change to achieve genderbalanced boardrooms in the UK! This is alarming when one looks at the growing body of evidence. It is reported that companies with more women on their boards were found to outperform their rivals with a 42% higher return on sales, 66% higher return on invested capital and 53% higher return on total capital. This surely illustrates the positive impact a woman’s contribution can make to a

company’s financial bottom line.

Studies clearly indicate that companies with 30% or more women at board level or in senior management produce the best financial results. Women now form 51% of the UK population and 46% of the economically active work force. They are estimated to be responsible for about 70% of household purchasing decisions and to hold almost half of the UK’s wealth.

With this background, it is quite staggering that only 12.5% of the board members of the FTSE 100 companies are women.

The two key issues the report points out are: the lack of flexibility around work/life balance – particularly around maternity leave and young families; and the general acceptance of a traditional male-based cultural environment, the old boys’ network, and the lack of networking opportunities for women. Interestingly enough only 11% of the women interviewed in the report recommended that quotas be introduced.

With this background, it is obvious that the UK economy is missing out in a big way. Per-

Dealing with the big boys....

In a series of articles Paul Corren, managing partner and head of the corporate team at Corren Troen, talks about managing the sale of a private owner/managed company or business to a very large listed buyer. The articles will follow a recent case that the team has dealt with over many months, and this is the first in the series.

We often say in the office that if the splitting up of two business partners is more like working on a ‘divorce’ then bringing two business partners together in the form of a sale and acquisition is very much like a ‘marriage’. In the business world the statistics for a successful ‘marriage’ hover below 50% or, put another way, over half of all Merger & Acquisition activity ends in failure.

I read a recent survey carried out by a rather well respected business school and noted that the primary reason for these failures was not the legal agreements reached or indeed the commercial tapestry that had been woven between the two parties – no, the primary reason was cultural differences manifesting themselves not only in difficulties with communica-

90 | Issue 28 | April 2011

tion but also permeating the expectations of the parties at the outset and on signing. Something that even the most skilled lawyer cannot capture!

It follows therefore that the most successful Seller/Buyer unions are those that share similar philosophies, outlooks and values, in other words there is a cultural or at least an ideological connection that speaks to the success of the marriage. One of the key issues that we like to address early is the question of how the transaction will operate in practice.

This is to ensure that both parties have a clear understanding of the decision-making process on both sides and the steps that need to be taken in order for a point to be dealt with or agreed on. Typically, private managed/owner companies have less formal steps, and indeed often the ability to agree on an issue in terms of decision making can be very quick with relatively few reporting requirements. Contrast that with a FTSE 100 company, and you may as well be comparing a leisure craft with an oil tanker.

The ability to do anything quickly may simply not be possible. You might as well talk about it and deal with it, rather than ignore this most

sonally, I have always felt that women should be elected to the board on their merits rather than getting there through enforced quotas. But can we really wait 70 years? NO! So, maybe quotas will be the only way to propel the necessary changes. Will attitudes and practice change quickly enough otherwise?

Blog: godigitalordie.blogspot.com Twitter: @agoodwille Email: annikaa@goodwille.co.uk LinkedIn: Annika Aman-Goodwille Facebook: Annika Åman Goodwille

By Paul Corren, Corren Troen Law Firm obvious ‘cultural’ difference between ‘Mr And Mrs’.

In fact we have recently invited the head of legal of a FTSE 100 company to come into the office just to explain how the internal process actually works: why 25 people will be on every conference call and why even a relatively small change in the agreement can trigger a ‘ripple’ of enquiry right through the organisation.

So first rule in the ‘big boy’ play-ground: know who you are playing with and why they look and act the way they do...

Corren Troen has a number of Scandinavian clients with businesses in the UK and regularly advises on employment related issues. For more information please contact Paul Corren on 020 7592 8900

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Ullevi

Conference of the Month, Sweden:

Ullevi - a conference centre with unlimited potential

By Anna Lindgren | Photos: Ullevi & Rasta Group

Ullevi is so much more than an arena: the doors are open all year-round, and it provides a perfect location for various events. With boundless potential, only your imagination will limit your choices.

With excitement in his voice Ola says that, “Helicopters have landed, filming has taken place, tents have been set up in the arena area as part of occasions organised by our team.”

Located on the west coast of Sweden in the second largest city, Gothenburg, this is a great place to enjoy not only what the arena and the surrounding facilities have to offer, but also a chance to take in some of the beauty and architecture of this charming city.

Ullevi‘s capacity is currently 60,000, and it is soon to become Sweden’s largest multisport stadium. Following works starting this summer, the arena will be able accommodate up to 75,000 audience members from mid 2012, making it the biggest of its kind in the country to date.

What makes Ullevi such a great venue for events, business meetings and/or happenings is its versatility. The arena’s event side is run by Rasta Group, and sales manager Ola Nordlund tells me that the staff will do everything and anything to accommodate their clients’ wishes. Each company will be welcomed and each occasion will be designed according to the customer’s needs.

There are 14 high-tech conference spaces at Ullevi with a top capacity of 400 audience members. Smaller group rooms are available for more intimate gatherings.

And for complete convenience, Rasta Group can also help organise accommodation within the same group.

There are three different restaurants here (Pylonen, The Restaurant on the 3rd floor and Ullevi Lounge), serving anything from

snacks to exquisite, gourmet food. Tailormade menus with a wide range of choice to meet each client’s requirements are on offer by all three venues.

Why not turn to Ullevi and Rasta Group to book your next conference and add some excitement to the event by letting the experienced team organise a wine tasting, a company soccer match or perhaps a concert with a megastar!

For more information, please visit: www.rastagroup.se

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 91

Conference of the Month, Faroe Islands:

The Nordic House – A place for inspiration, beauty and professionalism

By Signe Hansen | Photos: The Nordic House

The mythical architecture of the Nordic House in Torshavn and the amazing views of its surroundings may be enough to convince most that this would be the perfect location for their next conference – but there is so much more to be said.

In a review of the house British government advisor and writer Simon Anholt wrote: “The Nordic House has got to be one of the most spectacular conference and cultural spaces that I have ever visited.”

A unique location The Nordic House is partly funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, and with

92 | Issue 28 | April 2011

room for up to 650 guests and in-house interpretation systems, it is the largest and best equipped conference centre in the Faroe Islands.

“The Faroe Islands are not a place where people would typically go, so taking your conference to Torshavn is a good opportunity to go somewhere unique and somewhere where you can totally focus on the conference,” says director of the Nordic House Niels Halm. “And in any spare time, it is possible to enjoy the beautiful nature and the fact that you are in what is, with only 22,000 inhabitants, probably the smallest capital in the world. It is very

cosy, completely safe and has a great atmosphere.”

The small scale of Torshavn means that everything including restaurants, accommodation and free outdoor sport facilities and hiking treks are within walking distance.

However, conference guests need not even leave the house to be diverted. As the Faroe Islands’ leading culture and conference centre, with more than 200 events each year, the Nordic House boasts great expertise when it comes to putting together cultural programmes which they

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Faroe islands

offer specially tailored for conference guests. Besides, the house also continuously hosts exhibitions with some of the leading artists from the Nordic countries which all guests can enjoy.

Professionalism and that little extra With eight different-sized and equipped conference rooms, the Nordic House is well prepared to house any kind of conference, meeting or workshop. The centre’s largest room is the Høllin hall; it seats 420 people and can be connected with the third largest room to make a total of 550. The other six rooms seat from 8 to 206 guests. “All the rooms have astonishing views with the sea just outside, and all have the relevant equipment,” says Halm. The house’s unique setting and outstanding services have in recent years brought quite a few major international conferences to the centre. Some of its more prominent key note speakers have for instance included Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

Hosting major conferences, of course, includes many challenges. But with nearly 30 years of experience since its opening in 1983, everything is taken care of professionally in the Nordic House. “We have very skilled employees who are completely focused on doing the best they can for the participants. For instance they help set up and operate all the equipment that is necessary today for a conference to be held in a professional atmosphere,” stresses Halm.

All facilities are up-to-date modern; four of them part of an extension built five years ago when the house celebrated its 25th anniversary. “It was nice to do something like that instead of just having a party, something which will last after the anniversary and after my time here as well,” explains Halm.

Beyond the usual Built with stone, tree and glass materials, and covered in lush grass, the Nordic House, which was designed by the Norwegian architect Ola Steen and Icelandic Kollbrún Ragnarsdóttir, is definitely among the most beautiful buildings in the

north. It blends perfectly into the Faroese landscape almost so as to entice its guests to further explore the wonders of the islands, something which Halm highly recommends. “Hiking here is astonishing. You have 18 islands, and when you hike around to some of the highest places, you can see six or seven of the other islands; it is extremely beautiful,” says Halm.

If guests feel like a real rush after a long day indoors, there is also the possibility of exploring nature in more challenging ways like rock climbing and rappelling down cliffs 200 metres above the sea. One thing is for sure: if you want your guests to make the most of a conference visit to the

Nordic House, remember to remind them to pack wisely. The Faroese weather is, says Halm, as unique as everything else on the Faroese Islands. “In one day we can have the most beautiful sunshine, wind and rain; the sudden shifts in the weather are very inspiring.”

Inspiring weather, amazing architecture, unique landscape and the highest professional standards, there is really only one more thing to say – try it!

For more information, please visit www.nlh.fo

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 93

Conference of the Month, Denmark:

Schur Conference Centre – Personal conferences with a gourmet twist

By Stine Daugaard | Photos: Schur Conference Centre

All food is made from scratch and flexibility is paramount at Schur Conference Centre.

Situated close to Horsens Fjord on the peninsula Borre Knob by the eastern coast of Jutland, Schur Conference Centre offers a rare combination of an elegant and professional setting with a cosy and personal touch.

“We are a small place, which gives us the opportunity to offer great flexibility and close, personal contact,” says managing director Søren Mandrup.

phasis on offering only the best. The team is dedicated and works hard to cater to the guests’ every need.

“We only buy the best ingredients, and we cook everything from scratch. We even bake our own bread and do our own marmalades,” Mandrup explains.

To accompany the gourmet fare, Schur Conference Centre has assembled an impressive wine card with wines far beyond the range usually found at a conference centre.

“We even offer a Flor de Pingus on our shelves,” Mandrup says proudly.

Gorgeous gourmet food and an impressive wine card

Broad range of teambuilding events

A main focal point is the kitchen, as Schur Conference Centre places a great em-

The conference centre offers 26 rooms and is available for both day meetings for

up to 100 people and smaller overnight arrangements. ”We can cater for a range of different needs. We even offer a broad variety of teambuilding activities,” Mandrup says listing off-road go-carts, archery, mountain biking, water sports and many other opportunities. “We arrange everything ourselves which makes it more flexible – and cheaper as well.”

It is not only business people who can enjoy the gorgeous setting and top-notch food, as Schur Conference Centre also happily arranges weddings, birthdays and any other kind of parties.

The setting close to the water and the beautiful fireplace lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the view over Horsens Fjord is a real attraction along with the food and personal touches which imbue all arrangements at Schur Conference Centre.

For further information and inspiration, visit www.schurconferencecenter.com

94 | Issue 28 | April 2011

Scan Business | News | Chambers of Commerce

Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce serve the best beer in the world...well, probably.”

The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce is hosting its AGM & Annual Dinner on 12 May 2011 in the beautiful surroundings at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London, and we are pleased to announce the guest speaker for the evening: Jørgen Buhl Rasmussen, president and CEO of Carlsberg Group.

The CEO of Carlsberg UK, Dr. Isaac Sheps comments: “Ever since it was founded, Carlsberg has been committed to improving the quality of its products and this is still just as important. Our extensive research and development facilities, based in Copenhagen and Strasbourg, allow us both to improve our existing portfolio and ensure that we have a pipeline of exciting new innovations to launch across our markets.

The DUCC welcomes all members and friends of the chamber to join the Annual Dinner. Please go to our website to read more and buy tickets: www.ducc.co.uk

UPCOMING EVENTS Jørgen Buhl Rasmussen, president and CEO of Carlsberg Group

You will hear more of this on 12 May 2011 when I am delighted that Jørgen Buhl Rasmussen, president and CEO of Carlsberg Group, will be the guest speaker at the Annual Dinner.

7 April

Pitching for work in Britain by Chancery Partnership LLP 12 May AGM & Annual Dinner at Merchant Taylors’ Hall 26 May Investor Seminar (IT) at the Royal Danish Embassy 26 May Nordic Thursday Drinks

It goes without saying that Carlsberg UK will sponsor the event and promise to

Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce | Phone: +44 (0) 20 7259 6795 | Email: info@ducc.co.uk | www.ducc.co.uk

Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce Join us on 11 May for our Offshore Conference: Operational Challenges in the North Sea.

tional costume the ‘bunad’. Representatives from the Norwegian-British Chamber will of course be present!

The offshore industry is not only key to Norway; it is also an industry which brings many Norwegian and British companies together. At our May conference we will discuss challenges and lessons learnt in relation to topics like safety, regulation, oil recovery and the handling of mature fields. We will present high level speakers representing operators, drilling companies, regulators and others. Frank Ketelaars, associate director and head of London Solutions at DNV, will moderate the discussions. The conference is open to members and contacts of all the Nordic Chambers of Commerce and you can sign up on our website.

On 18 May, the Chamber will host networking drinks in conjunction with the Aberdeen event ‘All Energy’. Visit our website www.nbccuk.com for more information about this and other events.

Photo: Øyvind Hagen / Statoil

17 May is a familiar date to all Norwegians. Otherwise known as “Constitution Day”, “National Day” or simply as “Seventeenth of May”, the day is celebrated by Norwegians all over the world.

In London, the celebration will take place in Southwark Park where between 2,000 and 3,000 Norwegians are expected to attend, many wearing the traditional na-

UPCOMING EVENTS 11 May 18-19 May 25 May 26 May 16 June

Offshore Seminar at Radisson BLU Portman Hotel NBCC at All Energy in Aberdeen Annual General Meeting Nordic Thursday Drinks (venue: TBC) Thames River Cruise

Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce | Phone: +44 (0) 20 7930 0181 | Email: info@nbccuk.com | www.nbccuk.com

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 95

Scan Business | News | Chambers of Commerce

Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK Taking an interest in larger structural and cultural changes in society, those that influence the way we live, consume, and innovate, now and in the future, can change your business radically. Sofia UlverSneistrup holds a PhD in Business Management and Consumer Research and is a senior lecturer at Lund University, Sweden, and will speak about 11 mega trends in consumer society at a chamber event on 7 April. These mega trends already are, or are increasingly becoming, important for most industries to contemplate and take into consideration when thinking new or rethinking old.

April marks another event in the Next Generation and JCC Management Forum series with recently appointed President & CEO of Tele 2, Mats Granryd, as keynote speaker, most welcome to this event. April also marks the return of the annual tax seminar: hosted in cooperation with Erik

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1906 and has around 400 Member companies, representing not only Swedish companies but also British and European companies interested in strengthening their existing ties with Sweden and the UK or expanding into new markets.

UPCOMING EVENTS 7 April Penser, Bankaktiebolag, Staffan Andersson, senior tax advisor, and a tax manager from PwC in London, it will address “voluntary disclosure and updates on the UK tax regime for Swedes living in the UK”, claimed still to be favourable but getting tougher. On the other hand, for those interested in British culture and sports instead, why not join us for the rugby event in Richmond, hosted in association with McGuireWoods on 16 April.

Mega trends thriving in consumer society 13 April Voluntary disclosure and updates on the UK tax regime for Swedes living in the UK 14 April Mats Granryd, president & CEO, Tele2 16 April Rugby event with McGuireWoods – Richmond FC vs Henley Hawks More events will be listed on www.scc.org.uk

Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK | Phone: +44 (0) 20 7224 8001 | Email: info@scc.org.uk | www.scc.org.uk

Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce It is already April and summer is getting closer. FBCC has some very intriguing events to offer over the following few weeks.

April is an exceptional month for the FBCC. Finland will hold parliamentary elections on 17 April. The Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Finland will organise a joint election evening on 7 April. The theme will be “Finland Elections 2011 –Will Finland Follow the European Trend?” We are pleased to present well-established speakers including Markku Mantila, currently editor-in-chief of Finland’s fourth largest newspaper Kaleva. The speakers will bring up all the facts, analysis and forecasts regarding the parliamentary elections and the current political situation in Finland. The European political situation, especially in regard to the recent suc-

izations on computer security issues, including IBM, Microsoft, FBI, US Secret Service, Interpol and Scotland Yard. Mr. Hyppönen and his team have also been profiled by Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, New York Times and Newsweek.

To find out how FBCC can make a difference to your business please contact us at info@fbcc.co.uk. cesses of the populist parties, will also be discussed.

FBCC will also host an event regarding an extremely burning topic, online security, on 13 April. FBCC is delighted to have Mikko Hyppönen, the chief research officer at F-Secure Corp speaking about various online security threats and problems including smart phones. Mikko Hyppönen has analysed viruses since 1991 and consulted several high-profile organ-

UPCOMING EVENTS 7 April “Finland Elections 2011 –Will Finland Follow the European trend?”

13 April Online Security with Mikko Hyppönen 18 April FBCC Annual General Meeting & results of the Finnish Business Survey 2010/2011 by ActiveInspire

Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce | Phone: +44 (0) 20 8741 6352 | Email: events@fbcc.co.uk | www.fbcc.co.uk

96 | Issue 28 | April 2011

“It’s a great relief to be in control of inheritance planning – we set up a family trust that will secure the wealth for future generations” John, 65, retired Doctor, International Private Banking client

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International Private Banking is a service for clients with high income or wealth, who have chosen to live outside the Nordic countries. You and your family are assigned an Executive Wealth Manager – a financial specialist – who can guide you on your overall private finances.

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To become an International Private Banking client, visit our web site www.danskebank.lu or call us in Luxembourg at telephone +352 46 12 751.

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Scan Magazine seeks Freelance Journalists We are currently looking for qualified journalists on a freelance basis. We are looking for journalists with Danish, Swedish, Norwegian or Finnish background. You need to be confident in English as well as at least one of the Nordic languages.

To apply, please email your CV to Thomas Winther at thomas@scanmagazine.co.uk or call 0870 933 0423

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 97

Scan Magazine | News | Scandilicious

Secrets of Scandinavian food – Scandilicious When people think of Scandinavian cuisine, they often think of Danish pastries, herring and meatballs. However, Nordic cuisine is so much more, with seasonal food and good local quality ingredients.

The food is relatively simple and stressfree to prepare which goes perfectly with Scandinavians’ love of spontaneous gettogethers.

Signe Johansen has written a fresh and inspiring introduction to Scandinavian cooking. Scandilicious brings you mouthwatering recipes for healthy breakfasts, lazy brunches, light lunches and delectable dinners.

2

This Norwegian cook grew up in Norway but now lives in Bloomsbury, London. She is a talented young food writer and anthropologist who trained at Leith’s and has worked in kitchens, including Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck in Bray. Signe is also a co-writer of The Ultimate Student

By Camilla Waaden

Cookbook and her blog, signejohansen.com, specialises in modern Scandinavian cooking and baking.

Scandilicious is made up of over 100 recipes using fuss-free ingredients.

It hosts some traditional recipes, such as smoked trout salad and home-made gravlaks, but it also has the unexpected – roast allspice chicken and macaroni and cheese with a Scandilicious twist. Baking Signe Johansen. Photo: Debi Treloar enthusiasts will also discover some World’s Best Restaurant. Scandilicious is, treats – cinnamon chestnut bread, Jarlsthen, the perfect cookbook for home berg and fennel muffins, and there is a cooks who want to learn more about whole chapter on the queen of comfort Scandinavian cuisine. The book is a celefood – cake. bration of the pleasure of sharing good food with friends around the kitchen table.

Signe’s cookbook is beautifully photographed, and it is a book no kitchen should be without. Scandinavian cuisine is Saltyard Books ~ an imprint of Hodder currently enjoying some overdue aware& Stoughton, Hardback, £20 ness as the Danish restaurant Noma in Publication date: 12 May 2011 Copenhagen was recently crowned the

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Scan Magazine | Culture | Graceland Randers

Graceland Randers – the King moves to Jutland The word has spread like wildfire: the Guardian, the New York Times and most Scandinavian media have all carried the story. And now it is just about to become reality; on 15 April, the first ever replica of Elvis’s home in Memphis is to open in the Danish town of Randers.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Visit Randers

ready booked as far ahead as 2017, and Visit Randers estimating that Graceland Randers will have more than 75,000 annual visitors, prospects are looking good. “This is going to be huge for the whole town,” says tourist director AnneMette Knattrup. But what would the King himself think? “I will tell you what Priscilla [Presley] said,” says Knudsen. “When I met her privately in Memphis, I told her Legendary radio presenter Jørgen de Mylius is handed the Graceland about the project; she confided to Graceland Randers started out as Randers Legacy Protector diploma by Henrik Knudsen (right). me that Elvis would have been one of Knudsen’s extreme ideas at very, very proud to see that somea museum meeting in 2005. one was doing something like this.” before, but this is extreme. I think it’s beThough the idea was, admits Knudsen, Though Knudsen has a lot at stake, he cause it’s sort of on the borderline of laughed at quite a bit in the beginning, seems calm: surely with the blessing of crazy, quite kitsch and in a way a bit things got a lot more serious when he the King (or as close as it gets) it cannot funny,” he admits. was granted a 26 million DKK loan to go wrong. carry out the project. “Attention became The house now stands almost ready with completely crazy after we officially anthe original museum in the basement, a nounced the project. People have sent us For more information, please visit: huge merchandise shop and an AmeriTV-cuts about us from countries like www.gracelandranders.dk or can diner on the ground floor, and a ballJapan and Australia,” says Knudsen. “Of www.visitranders.com room upstairs. And with the ballroom alcourse, we have had some press coverage

Some might struggle to realise the connection between Randers or Jutland and “the King”. But to true Elvis fans the town has been known for quite some time as the home of one of the world’s most extensive Elvis museums. The museum was founded by fulltime fan Henrik Knudsen, who started collecting the Elvis memorabilia on exhibition at the age of 13.

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 99

Scan Magazine | Culture | Lars Tharp Column

The Gokstad Ship. Photo: Johan Berge/Innovation Norway

Ships, currents and compass

By Lars Tharp

Last year, whilst recording an Antiques Roadshow on the forecourt of the British Museum, my producer asked me to nominate an object which had changed the world, my personal pick inspired by Neil MacGregor’s BBC radio series A History of the World in One Hundred Objects. He allowed me to select something from outside the BM: “Choose something modern,” he said. As a former student of the Old Stone Age, for me anything from the last three hundred years is “modern”. So

100 | Issue 28 | April 2011

I went back 190 years – barely yesterday from the stone age perspective – and nominated Michael Faraday’s Induction Coil (1821)1, an unpromising iron ring, wrapped in wire, with which Faraday demonstrated the mutual influence of magnetism and electric fields, a relationship which led directly to the harnessing of electricity.

– 1851), described how a compass needle (i.e. a magnet) is deflected by an electric current; it was this and the subsequent experiments of Michael Faraday (1791 – 1867) moving observation into concrete formulae, which form the basis of the entire electrical world, including TV’s Wallander, Forbrydelsen and The Antiques Roadshow.

And the Scandinavian link? Before Faraday, a Danish physicist, H. C. Ørsted (1777

These men were still unknown to me when, as a young lad growing up in

Scan Magazine | Culture | Lars Tharp Column

1950s/60s Copenhagen, my grandfather, archaeologist H. C. Broholm (yet another Hans Christian) dragged me around all the capital’s museums, including his own Nationalmuseum. The day he gave me his own boyhood’s pocket compass was when he told me about a fellow Fynbo2, H. C. Ørsted.

At the time, the artefact which most captivated me, however, was the Viking Ship.

Morfar and I visited the Ladby ship burial (circa 950AD, also on Fyn) several times.

Among its flattened timbers lay the bones of the deceased chief’s dogs and his team of horses, sacrificed for his use in the afterlife. Years later, in a newly created Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, I was present when the first preserved planks from the six ships were carefully fixed onto elegant, ship-shaped metal frames; these elliptical skeletons traced the outlines of six Viking ships scuttled one thousand years ago further up the fjord.

Several years later still, when I first started giving talks on cruises, I finally got to see the great Viking ships familiar to me from boyhood through books and photographs: the Oseberg and Gokstad ships. They are housed in a wonderful, custom-built museum (1927) on Bygdøj, a

villa suburb on the Oslo fjord, a ten minute boat-hop from the city centre quay.

These high-prowed ships, sleek curves cutting through open seas, so feared by the monks of Lindisfarne, are among Scandinavia’s most breathtakingly beautiful artefacts. These are the vessels in which inhabitants of the Nordic countries reached and linked the British Isles, the Faroes, Iceland, Greenland and the northern shores of America; these are the ships which headed northward along Norway’s Atlantic seaboard, over North Cape and on into the White Sea; these are the vessels which penetrated inland, upstream along the rivers of the Baltic, reaching Novgorod, Kiev and even beyond (via land) to the Caspian and the Black Sea, and south to Byzantium (Istanbul). Here they joined up with Mediterranean Viking traders and converged with another great human trade route, the Silk Road, bringing goods from China and her satellites. And here, surely, is the answer to the riddle of the so-called “Buddha-bucket” from the Oseberg ship-burial, dating to the mid 830s. When you next visit Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum, take a close look: the overhead handle swings from a pair of metal escutcheons cast with identical crosslegged figures wearing jackets enamelled

with a cross within corners containing four mirrored swastikas. There can be no doubt that the image is that of Buddha, seated cross-legged; the swastika motif, though found in many parts of the world, in China has a long association with Buddhism, denoting the Numberless, the Infinite – and the Heart of Buddha. Though we may not yet know where this group of enamelled bronzes were made (one possibility being Ireland, another part of the Viking world), the fact that the younger of two female skeletons buried on board has yielded DNA pointing to the Black Sea/Iran, further demonstrates how cultures and peoples were conducted by remarkable ships, ships leading directly to the creation of William the Conqueror’s fleet – and all achieved without the aid of a compass…

One of the two “Buddha” escutcheons on the Oseberg bucket - linking Vikings and China’s Tang Dynasty?

1 It can be seen, along with other Faraday material in the Royal Institution Museum, Marlborough Street.

2 Ørsted was actually from Rudkøbing, on Langeland, just south of Fyn.

Lars Tharp is the BBC Antiques Roadshow’s only Dane. Some years ago he teamed up with compatriot Sandi Toksvig on a Celebrity Great Antiques Hunt, beating June Whitfield and Tim Wonnacott by bribing the audience with Rød Aalborg (akvavit).

The Oseberg ship. Photo: Johan Berge/Innovation Norway

Lars Tharp

Lars was born in Copenhagen and educated in England. Emulating his Danish grandfather (Nordic Bronze Age Lur specialist H C Broholm), he studied the Old Stone Age at Cambridge University. But jobs for Palaeolithic archaeologists are scarce, so he joined Sotheby’s to become as a specialist in Chinese works of art, becoming a director and auctioneer with the firm and joining the Roadshow in 1986.

Today, as well as broadcasting (and writing the occasional column for Scan Magazine), he runs his own art consultancy business (www.tharp.co.uk).

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 101

The Finnish Church in London – where Finnish language and culture live and breathe The Finnish Seamen’s Mission was established in the UK over 130 years ago, and since 1958 the Finnish Church in London has been located in Rotherhithe. With its sauna, library, shop and cafe serving traditional Finnish food and snacks, the church has created a comfortable living room, where Finns (and friends of Finland) can come and relax and feel thoroughly at home.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Silje Glefjell

From 1875 onwards, the mission played an important role in taking care of Finnish seamen, often posted at English ports for months at a time. The church was first set in Hull, but was quickly relocated to London, which was the biggest port in the world at the time. Although their first objective was to take care and lend support to the seamen, when more Finns started making a home for themselves in the UK, the focus started slowly shifting onto the expatriate communities.

The present building is the third one to be used as the Finnish church in London.

Designed by architect Cyrill MardallSjöström, it was purpose-built after the war to house the Finnish church.

102 | Issue 28 | April 2011

“It might not look like your typical church from the outside, and you can also tell that the building was never solely meant for ecclesiastical use,” explains Rector Teemu Hälli. “We’ve always had the cafe and library, and downstairs we naturally have our sauna, which is a normal part of any Finnish seamen’s church around the world. Of course, we have our own church hall, but we try to be as versatile a meeting place as possible as well as a haven for the Finnish language and religion. We’re here to serve the Finnish community and any friends of Finland who visit us.”

cafe, reading the Finnish daily papers with a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun, while meeting other Finns,” says service manager Ismo Peltonen.

Language, food and comfort

Of course, there are numerous different church events, activities and groups available as well. From toddlers to pensioners,

“I have a feeling that a lot of our visitors just enjoy coming by, having a seat in the

Scan Magazine | Culture | The Finnish Church

there is something for everyone. Among other things, the church includes a choir, theatre group, Saturday school, art group, literature club and so forth.

“We offer people the opportunity to socialise with one another, and accordingly promote the well-being of the community, so nobody feels alone. Of course, the sauna is very important; we have some very active sauna-bathers. The shop is one of the reasons many people visit us, as this has for a long time been the only place where you could get Finnish rye bread, chocolate and ‘salmiakki’,” says Hälli.

“Our different fairs and bazaars also attract people from all over the country,” adds Peltonen.

With concerts, plays and art exhibits dotted throughout this year’s event calendar, the church is turned into a real cultural hub. “On top of all the events, the Finnish language is also of great cultural significance for the church. We mainly speak Finnish here, which is especially important for families with children, who might feel a bit alone with their language in London.

Even though it is nowadays easy to access Finnish material online or keep in touch by phone or Skype, it is still very important for many people to be able to go to a place, where they can use the language in person. Mass and other services are mainly conducted in Finnish here. It’s our duty to be more Finnish than a church in Finland.”

UPCOMING EVENTS Easter Fair, 15/4 – 17/4 Fri noon-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm Pick up your favourite snacks and drinks on the weekend before Easter.

The shelves will be filled with “mämmi”, Easter eggs, Finnish icecream and many other treats. You can also sample Finnish sausages, sautéed reindeer and a selection of alcoholic drinks from “long drinks” to salty liquorice vodka.

Election Night Party, 17/4 6pm onwards May Day/Labour Day Celebration, 30/4 5pm onwards

Support the Finnish Church Unlike its counterparts in Finland, the Finnish Church in London does not benefit from taxes and accordingly has to procure its own funding.

“The best way to support the church is to take part in our activities. Come visit, join the events, buy from our shop and cafe, and we are always delighted to receive donations. We also have a £20 membership fee, which gives you some small discounts for our services (in the shop, for example).”

The church also offers accommodation for travellers at a very affordable price.

Please see the website for more details.

Contact details: Finnish Church in London 33 Albion Street London SE16 7HZ United Kingdom Telephone: +44 207 2371261 E-mail: lontoo@merimieskirkko.fi www.facebook.com/ LontoonMerimieskirkko

For more information on events and donations, please visit: www.finnishchurch.org.uk

Issue 28 | April 2011 | 103

Scan Magazine | Culture | Melodifestivalen 2011

Eric on stage with the dancers, after their win was announced.

Eric holding the Melodifestivalen trophy, with the song's composer, Fredrik Kempe.

Melodifestivalen 2011 Melodifestivalen 2011 took place last month. To most people, this is the Swedish contest for finding the country’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest every year; but any Swedes reading will know that Melodifestivalen is actually far bigger in Sweden than Eurovision itself. For a start, it gets far more viewers than Eurovision anyway, making it the biggest music and television event in the country every year.

By Karl Batterbee | Photos: Niklas Thorsell After a critical panning in 2010, Swedish broadcaster SVT brought out all of the big guns for the 2011 contest. Amongst the 32 competitors, we had songs composed by Red One (Lady Gaga, JLo, Enrique Iglesias), Desmond Child (Aerosmith, Bon Jovi), and Alexander Bard (Army of Lovers, Alcazar). Although perhaps to demonstrate how contrary the Swedes are when presented with songs that SVT would like them to vote for, none of these tracks progressed to the grand finale! We also had hugely successful artists like Melody Club, Dilba, Christian Walz, Le Kid, and Linda Sundblad compete. But again, all of these were eliminated in their preliminary heats.

Instead, the final was made up simply of songs that the Swedish people liked, with no particular concern afforded to what they thought would work best on the international stage of Eurovision.

That attitude has been a huge annoyance to the Swedish press, but I like it that way.

It makes Melodifestivalen what it is – a genuine song contest. And it’s also per-

104 | Issue 28 | April 2011

haps why it’s now got such a big cult following internationally too. Over the weekend, Stockholm was awash with international pop fans in town for the festival. And Swedish pop stars were genuinely shocked

by how many people were speaking English to them at the special signing sessions and shopping mall gigs. Even the iconic UK pop website Popjustice commented on the winner the following week, comparing it supportively against their less favoured choice for the UK – boyband Blue.

In the end, the contest turned into a two horse race between Eric Saade and his song Popular, and Danny Saucedo with In

The Club. And while there was only one winner, it actually turned out that both got what they wanted. Eric Saade told me back in December when his participation was first announced, that he wasn’t competing just to win Melodifestivalen, but also to be victorious for Sweden at Eurovision too. So he’ll have been happy with his triumphant finish in first place. Danny Saucedo thus finished as runner-up, but that was also genuinely the result that he’d wished for.

With tour commitments and an album to promote in Sweden, Eurovision would have been an unwelcome distraction for him. All Danny wanted out of Melodifestivalen was a hit single, a hit album and a chance to reestablish himself as a solo artist after the last few years spent in a band. And he got all three. So clearly, like the viewers, Danny sees Melodifestivalen as something far bigger than Eurovision too!

www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com

Scan Magazine | Culture | Immanu El

IMMANU EL: Scandinavian post-rock meets a UK audience

By Emelie Krugly Hill

"One of the biggest Swedish pop-hopes right now,” wrote Metro in a recent review. Experimental pop band IMMANU EL will soon to be touching down on British soil. The UK tour starts in Southampton on 8 April.

It all began in a barn in southern Sweden in 2004, when twin brothers Per and Claes Strängberg and three friends got together to experiment musically. The result, a post-rock band named IMMANU EL, has since gone from strength to strength.

Their first album They'll Come, They Come, released in 2007, and the follow up Moen from 2009, caused a stir both in Sweden and internationally.

"The big breakthrough for us was when we got the chance to play a set on the 'Rookie Stage' at the Hultsfred Festival in 2005; it’s an opportunity for unsigned bands to perform at what used to be Sweden's biggest music festival," says guitarist and vocalist Per Strängberg. "It gave

us a chance to reach a larger audience. It opened up opportunities such as supporting bands as Logh and Loney Dear, and we also started touring extensively.”

With more than 150 concerts in 23 countries over the last few years, the five members, Claes and Per Strängberg, Jonatan Josefsson, Emil Karlsson and David Lillberg, have gained a growing reputation for being one the most promising bands to emerge from Scandinavia today.

Today, IMMANU EL are signed to independent record label And the Sound Records, and they are fully in control of their own brand and take many important decisions relating to their promotion.

IMMANU EL’s third album will be released in the autumn of 2011, followed by another big tour, including Europe, Asia and, they hope, America.

"Touring has always been the foundation for the band and absolutely the best way for us to find our audience. We are still unknown in some parts of Europe, in particu-

Photo: Immanu El

lar the UK,” says Per Strängberg. "It's exciting for us to explore new territories and we are always looking for new opportunities to create new fans and get more exposure."

UK Tour dates 2011: 08/04 - Southampton - Hamptons 09/04 - Sunderland - Independent 10/04 - Birmingham - Roadhouse 11/04 - Bristol - The Tunnels 12/04 - Leeds - The Well 13/04 - London - Troubadour

For more information, please visit: www.immanu-el.com

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Scan Magazine | Culture | Music & Culture Calendar

Scandinavian Music Last month I wrote about an electropop duo from Denmark, Electric Lady Lab, and their fantastic debut album Flash.

This month, however, it’s the turn of Norway to present their electropop pairing: Eva & The Heartmaker have released their third album Dominoes. It’s short, at only eight tracks, but very sweet! Instant highlight is the current single Gone In A Flash. It sounds like early Madonna and mixes those obvious eighties influences with another forgotten trademark from that decade – the cheesy stadium rock

guitar solo during the middle-eight! It’s simple, but actually borders on genius.

You might not believe it (or want to believe it!), but nineties bubblegum pop legends Aqua are back! The demented Danes released new single How R U Doin last month, and you will actually be surprised at what it sounds like. Barbie Girl has been replaced by Ke$ha, and Doctor Jones has been forgotten in favour of David Guetta! Those new influences aside, though, they haven’t dropped their skill for crafting a catchy chorus, but they really have brought their sound right up to date.

Staying with Denmark, a new star is born with Oh Land (aka Nanna Øland Fabricius). Well, actually, that star was born quite some time ago, but it’s only now that it’s starting to finally shine with her second album. The self-titled LP has just been released in the US to gushing critical

By Karl Batterbee

acclaim, and the UK is now starting to sit up and also take notice. She has the looks of a young Brigitte Bardot and the sounds of a more cinematic Björk. My favourite on the album is the song Lean – a luxurious exercise in merging heavy string sections with dreamy vocal sequences. But the whole record is seriously lush.

There’s no more room to elaborate on them further here, but you must also check out Margaret Berger’s In A Box (melodic pop from the quirky Norwegian), The Ark’s The Apocalypse Is Over (swansong from the legendary Swedes) and Stella Mwangi’s Haba Haba (Norway’s African inspired (!!!) entry to the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest). www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

APRIL Lykke Li (April) Swedish popster Lykke Li tours the UK with her new album Wounded Rhymes. The 25-year-old entered the world stage in 2008 with her acclaimed debut album Youth Novels. www.lykkeli.com

Rotten Sound (April)

Nina Stemme in Fidelio (Until 16 April)

This Finnish grindcore four-piece has been around since 1993 and are now touring the UK with their new album Cursed. www.myspace.com/rottensound

Swedish soprano Nina Stemme sings in Beethoven's only opera Fidelio at the Royal Opera House. Stemme, who has sung at all the leading opera houses and concert halls in the world, won an Olivier award for her appearance in Tristan und Isolde last year. The Royal Opera House, London, WC2E. www.roh.org.uk

Faroe Islands born singer-songwriter Teitur will play his elegant, acoustic folk-pop at venues in London, Leicester and Birmingham this month. www.teitur.com 106 | Issue 28 | April 2011

Oblivia: Entertainment Island 1, 2 and 3 (14 and 15 April) The Finnish performance company Oblivia's trilogy explores the world of popular culture and entertainment. The trilogy is shown over a full-length evening. Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow, G2 3JD. www.cca-glasgow.com

Nina Stemme © Tanja Niemann

Lykke Li

Rotten Sound © Mira Born

Teitur (April)

By Sara Schedin

Scan Magazine | Culture | Music & Culture Calendar

til 17 April) As part of the group exhibition Roulette Norwegian contemporary artist Viskum showcases his “dead hand” paintings in East London this month. The controversial artist actually owns several dead hands which he uses to paint with. The Vegas Gallery, E2, London. www.vegasgallery.co.uk

Ludvig Löfgren (Until 21 May) Ludvig Löfgren, who is Kosta Boda's new glass star, is exhibiting his vibrant and youthful work at the Vessel Gallery in London. He draws his influences from the tattoo parlour, rock music and horror films, creating a beautiful contrast between his material and subject matter. The Vessel Gallery, London, W11. www.vesselgallery.com Ludvig Löfgren

Friska Viljor © ChristianRockstrom

Morten Viskum at the Vegas Gallery (Un-

Bass Johann Tilli and the Northern Beauty in the Beast by Anna Tham (Until

Lights Symphony Orchestra (23 April)

17 April)

A classical evening with the Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra and, among others, Finnish bass Johann Tilli. They will perform Mozart’s Requiem and Tuomas Kantelinen’s Adagio. St John's, London, SW1. www.nlso.org

Swedish Anna Tham has lovingly restored gems found at junk shops and turned them into costume jewellery. Once forgotten objects have been transformed into necklaces and objets d'art. Shepherd's Bush Library, London, W12. www.annatham.com

Axel Antas (Until 30 April) Friska Viljor (21 April) Swedish indie rock band Friska Viljor will play tunes from their new album the Beginning of the Beginning of the End at Bush Hall this month. Bush Hall, London, W12. www.friskaviljor.net

At his exhibition at the Rokeby Gallery, Finnish artist Axel Antas explores the relationship between man and nature. His major new work Untitled (Sketch of a Tree) is a long-term project in which Antas investigates what is to be considered the world's oldest tree. The Rokeby Gallery, London, EC1N. www.rokebygallery.com

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