Scan Magazine, Issue 86, March 2016

MARCH 2016 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA ISSUE 86

ULRICH THOMSEN – HOLLYWOOD DANE COMING HOME MADE IN NORWAY: BIG NORWEGIAN DESIGN SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF SCANDINAVIAN CULTURE 2016 NORWAY – FROM WATERSIDE TO MOUNTAIN TOP

FOTO: SIREN LAUVDAL // STYLING: KRÅKVIK&D’ORAZIO

WIK & WALSØE In spi red by S c a n di n a vi a n N a t u re

WWW.WIK-WALSOE.COM

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE

36

36 Ulrich Thomsen

– Hollywood Dane coming home Denmark’s Hollywood pride and joy returns to his home country for the release of director Thomas Vinterberg’s new film, The Commune. Eighteen years have passed since his breakthrough in The Celebration, the dogma creation by the same director. Ulrich Thomsen talks to Scan Magazine about coming home, playing villain Kai Proctor, and getting the bug for directing.

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49

From mountain peaks and Sámi traditions up north, to Viking roots and stunning castles down south, Sweden offers a multifaceted cultural spread bursting with life. Whether you are looking for the perfect spot for a day away with the kids or a contemporary arts experience out of the ordinary, our culture special has it covered.

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Culture in Denmark 2016 In a top-three of Denmark’s year of culture 2016, this feature shows options for the hungry, the sporty and the history enthusiast alike. Not that visiting a family farm with fluffy chickens and running the Telenor Copenhagen Marathon are mutually exclusive, right?

DESIGN 10 Putting a spring in your step It may be snowing outside, but we refuse to lose faith: spring is here – or at least it is meant to be. We found some perfectly understated pots and continental, comfortable garden furniture to get your outdoor space ready for the warmer evenings, adding some pick-meup posters, fashion that is all about the blues and beady beauty that is easy on the eyes and the conscience.

Culture in Sweden 2016

74

Experience Norway – a travel guide With some of the best fishing straits in the world and the most awe-inspiring of mountain peaks shooting up from the fjords up north, Norway is nothing short of a matchless holiday adventure.

This travel guide focuses on the pleasures of the great outdoors, whether you are looking to rent a cottage and indulge in some hunting or just get a break at a resort with views to die for.

FEATURES 39 Danish food and family This month’s features bring together the best of Danish family-friendly brands with our favourite new food discoveries, including chats with some Danes who are mad about seafood and the story of a toy retailer inspired by a rubber duck.

SPECIAL THEMES

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20

Made in Norway Of all the Norwegian designers we spoke to this month, most had one opinion in common: it is time to put Norway on the international fashion and design map. Boasting high-end knits, jewellery with a message and home styling items with a classic look, this is an ode to Norwegian aesthetics and creativity.

BUSINESS 91

My space, your space As business columnist Steve Flinders takes issue with the glorification of open-plan offices, keynote columnist Annika Åman Goodwille poses that arguing over space and borders – such as through the Brexit referendum – is a luxury.

CULTURE 106 A trampoline for everybody What better way to wrap up an issue full to the brim with culture than by putting the spotlight on some true defenders of democracy?

Learn about Denmark’s Trampoline House, a home for refugees and asylum seekers, in this month’s Scandinavian Everyday Heroes feature.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 6 We Love This | 8 Fashion Diary | 90 Conference of the Month | 92 Restaurants of the Month 95 Attractions of the Month | 100 Hotels of the Month | 103 Holiday Destination of the Month 104 Experience of the Month | 109 Humour

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, I grew up in a small town in Sweden called Sala. I haven’t set foot there in almost ten years. But this month, I spoke to one of the passionate people behind the town’s pride, the active tourist silver mine. Hearing someone talk about the buildings and the scenery, the café and the mine shaft was a wonderful but strange experience. Memory is funny like that: it brings back to life parts of the world you had forgotten even existed, and life comes full circle. I know how it feels to cycle up those gravel roads; I know every bump in the road, know what the light is like against the walls of the clock tower on an early summer’s evening, know what it feels like to knock three times on the wall.

“Know your past to know yourself” was a phrase we heard over and over this month, as we spoke to some of Scandinavia’s culture vultures, representing old castle grounds, art museums and children’s destinations throughout Sweden and Denmark.

From royal clocks and children’s literature adventure worlds to science museums and operas on tour, the culture offerings of our countries are so much more than just entertainment. As Sweden’s Minister for Culture, Alice Bah Kuhnke, writes: travelling is a way to grow as a human being. We can grow inwardly and outwardly, understanding ourselves and others better – and, sometimes, opening up to these impressions is humbling.

It is strange how a seemingly haphazard collection of themes and features – about design and culture, fishing hotspots and adventure destinations – can bring out such a clear theme. Norwegian designers, Danish democracy enthusiasts, Swedish museologists, business columnists, even this month’s Hollywood cover superstar, Ulrich Thomsen – they all agree: openness and respect are always the answer. Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in the drama of today that we forget how lucky we are to have been born where we were born, in my case in a Swedish small town with a fascinating history I am only now starting to understand.

Take this invitation to dig deeper into Scandinavia’s fascinating past and cutting-edge present with all your senses. Discover the local eateries, experience the live music and fulfil your bucket list adventures. And if at the end of it you are still not feeling the love, take actor and director Thomsen’s advice: have a hotdog, and embrace the sausage as a peacemaker.

Linnea Dunne, Editor

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4 | Issue 86 | March 2016

advertorials/promotional articles

Foto: Villa Andromeda, New Royal Edition

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Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary…

As we enter the first month of spring, the days get longer and the weather will hopefully get warmer. From now on the sky will only keep getting brighter, and so should your wardrobe. Celebrate the upcoming season and its beautiful blue skies by matching its refreshing colour.

By Vilde Holta Røssland | Press photos

Bomber jackets are really popular these days. You simply cannot go wrong with this one, based on Anerkjendt’s philosophy of making easy-to-wear, fashion-forward clothes.

Approx. £83 www.anerkjendt.dk

Mix it up with these trousers from Acne Studios. The bright blue will make you look like a superstar.

Aaron trousers, £210 www.acnestudios.com

The traditional denim shirt never goes out of style. Assuming you already have a few in your wardrobe, why not go for this to add a little twist? £122 www.whyred.com

6 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

This knitted sweater and leather skirt will work just as well separately as they do combined. Get dressed up for a night out or dress down for a casual day at the office.

Sofie Roll Neck Sweater, £170 and Simple Skirt, £190 www.2NDDAY.com

An orderly wallet with a special place for everything – oh, the peace of mind! Gather your money, credit card, driver’s licence and travel cards in this cute wallet from Whyred.

Approx. £57 www.whyred.com

Add just a little hint of colour to your outfit with this blue belt from & Other Stories. £25 www.stories.com

These sunglasses from Norwegian brand Kaibosh are hand-crafted and made from high-quality materials and components. With its essential round frame and blue mirror lens, there is no question that these add a touch of cool.

Round & Round, approx. £77 www.kaibosh.com

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 7

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this…

Where do you go when you need some rest after a long day? Sometimes the only way is straight to the bathroom for a nice bath or a refreshing shower. Surround yourself with calm, peaceful and beautiful décor, making your bathroom a stress-free haven.

By Vilde Holta Røssland | Press photos

Dim the lights, put on some relaxing music, light your favourite scented candle and take a well-deserved bath after a long day. Not only does this scented candle from H&M Home smell good; its rustic design makes it a piece of decoration in itself. £6.99

www.hm.com

This marble tray from Danish brand HAY will add a touch of exclusivity to your bathroom. Gather your scented candles or line up your favourite perfumes on it – a solid pick in all its modernity. Marble tray small, approx.

A towel ladder is the ultimate storage solution in your bathroom. It dries

£127, marble tray large, approx. £199

your wet towels and makes them easily accessible. Plus, if you got for this

www.hay.dk

one, it serves as a cool visual feature. £350

www.menu-design-shop.de/en/

In 1939, Holger Nielsen crafted a pedal bin for his wife’s hairdressing

Sara Larsson has designed this table mirror for A2 Designers. With a

salon. 77 years later, VIPP is still producing the ultimate bin, along with

drawer in the front and a secret compartment at the back, this mirror is

several other essentials for the bathroom. Pedal bin £199, soap dispenser

just as perfect when putting on make-up, shaving or fixing your hair, as it

£85, toilet brush £145 and hand towels £85

is for storage of your special belongings. Approx. £357

www.vipp.com

www.a2designers.se

8 | Issue 86 | March 2016

TAMPERE FILM FESTIVAL

WORKERS’ MUSIC FESTIVAL

TAMPERE GUITAR FESTIVAL

TAMPERE REGION FESTIVALS

TAMPERE MUSIC FESTIVAL

WWW.PIRFEST.FI

WORKERS’ MUSIC FESTIVAL

Tampere Region Festivals is a network of 36 festivals covering different areas of culture. Each one of these festivals offers authentic experiences for all those interested in music, theatre, dance, circus, literature, cinema and the visual arts.

Left: With her new poster collection Go Baby, designer Dorthe Mathiesen aims to visualise a feeling of dreamy nostalgia, serenity and freedom.

Visual dreaming Remembering a distant holiday or finding the inspiration to take one – with its dreamy and nostalgic motifs, ViSSEVASSE’s new collection of poster art encourages the viewer to think about, and take time out for, the things that make them happy.

thought it might be fun to have a stall of my own,” explains the 45-year-old, who has a career in fashion and design as well as graphic illustration.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: ViSSEVASSE

Inspired by the characteristic poster art of the 1930s, the soft colours and clean lines of ViSSEVASSE are easily recognisable. But, even though the graphic drawings created by ViSSEVASSE’s designer and founder Dorthe Mathiesen add both style and warmth to their surroundings, it is Mathiesen’s ability to capture a special feeling that sets them apart. “Our lives are full of work, digital input and a constant online presence, and I think it is important to create a counterweight to that. The art is about unplugging and disappearing into another world, an offline world. That’s what dreaming is and what I hope to visualise with my posters. I hope they will bring back memories of a spe10 | Issue 86 | March 2016

cial moment or make people remember to take a break and find that something which makes them happy,” explains the designer.

Places, feelings and dreams From the very first poster Mathiesen created it was obvious that her designs struck a chord with many people. Though the poster that depicts Langebro, one of Copenhagen’s iconic central bridges, was created without that intention, it became the first in a string of many equally striking motifs. “My first poster was created in connection with a market for upcoming designers, which I was responsible for organising. On a bit of a whim I

Experiencing great feedback with her posters, Mathiesen began developing a series of other location-based motifs and, in March 2013, the mother of three created her own brand, ViSSEVASSE. Featured in numerous design and lifestyle magazines, ViSSEVASSE’s posters have become popular with an unusually broad spectrum of people, including young and design-savvy women as well as men and elderly people. Although the designer continuously extends her range of themes, the soft colours and clean lines from her first poster still very much characterise her work. They make the perfect match for the dreamy nostalgia inherent in her new collection, Go Baby.

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | ViSSEVASSE

Go Baby With a variety of dreamy, uplifting and nostalgic holiday motifs, Mathiesen’s new collection aims to visualise a feeling of freedom and peace. “The motifs can work as a reminder to take a break from your everyday life once in a while or serve to bring back memories that give you energy. It’s about nature, moving, unplugging, getting away from the screen and finding a moment of Zen,” explains Mathiesen. “I think that many of the motifs embody the quote

by Kirkegaard which says that the goal is nothing and the journey is everything; it’s about enjoying the moment, feeling free and taking a time out.”

Celebrating her business’s third anniversary this month, Mathiesen has herself found a way to prioritise the things in life that make her happy. Not long after the launch of ViSSEVASSE, she decided to focus all her time on her new business and brought her partner Karsten Noel on board for the accounting and administration. The couple’s three daughters, their cousin, and Mathiesen’s sister also help out with the packaging, marketing and sales. “It’s a bit of a family business and, though obviously everything is not always rosy, so much good comes from spending the entire day with the people you love to be with,” says Mathiesen. “Before, Karsten and I would work all day in our individual places of work and not sit down together before 10pm, when the kids were in bed. We would be tired and have energy for nothing but TV. In our 25 years together, we have never before spent so much time together. It’s incredibly enriching, and I think that’s what it’s about too – finding the small things in the everyday that make you happy.”

Facts: ViSSEVASSE’s posters are sold through the company’s own website as well as 130 other outlets.

The web shop delivers worldwide.

For more information, new designs and ideas, please follow ViSSEVASSE on Instagram or Facebook and see the full collection at: www.vissevasse.com

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 11

Scan Magazine | Design | Street Style

Nordic humans of Miami Scan Magazine’s brilliant Sanna Halmekoski has hit the streets of Miami to find out what the Scandinavian fashion fanatics are wearing. Cool, sleek and full of statements, this is a little piece of Scandiland in the United States.

Text and photos by Sanna Halmekoski | Twitter: @suomigirl | www.suomigirl.com

Ilona Lallo, Finnish restaurant professional “In Miami people care a lot about their physical appearance, and my style has become more feminine here. On my arm I have a tattoo of Mymble, a character from the Finnish Moomins series.

My rings are by Kalevala, jeans and shirt by American Eagle, shoes by Steve Madden, and hat by Aldo.”

Iggy Ollsson-Cuba, Swedish interior designer and co-founder of Cuba-Fernandez Design (www.cuba-fernandez.com)

“My style is clean, simple and tailored.

My work is influenced by my Nordic background and I use a lot of grey and blue colours. My bag is a gift, shoes are by Nine West, dress and scarf are

by H&M.”

Hanna Olman,

Ilona Lallo

Swedish freelance production assistant (www.hannaolman.com)

“My style is quite comfortable. I love Nordic fashion with all the black. When in Sweden, I like to shop brands like H&M, Gina Tricot and Monki. My dress is vintage, jacket by Forever 21, and watch by Apple.”

Iggy Ollsson-Cuba

Hanna Olman

12 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Bergs Potter

Left: The new ‘Planet’ series is designed by Christian Buur Bangsgaard, a Danish ceramist who has received several awards for his work. Middle: Copenhagen. Right: Helena.

Pots passed on from one generation to the next Berg’s pots are more than just flowerpots. Each of them is handmade, unique and full of character – and the high-quality clay only makes the pots more beautiful over time.

each pot follows a little story,” Olinger says, adding that all the designs are historical patterns that have been put into production again.

By Sanne Wass | Photos: Tina Brok Hansen

Victor Berg opened his first flower shop in Copenhagen in 1942, and the small family business Bergs Potter (Berg’s Pots) has now lasted three generations.

Likewise, its beautiful, rustic flowerpots live on from one generation to the next. The high-density, high-quality clay makes them naturally sturdy, so they can survive for decades indoors as well as outdoors, in heat and frost, rain and sleet.

“We call them ‘generation pots’, because they can be inherited from generation to generation,” explains Martin Olinger, owner of Bergs Potter. “We often hear from people who have owned a Bergs flowerpot for decades. The high quality of the clay means that the pots develop a

beautiful patina over time, and so people tell us their pots only become more gorgeous for every day that passes.”

Olinger, who is a close friend of the Berg family, has been running the company with another friend, Frits Kattrup, since 2012. He remembers the first time he held one of Bergs Potter’s pots in his hand; only then did he truly understand how it was different from the massproduced pots on the market.

Because Bergs Potter’s pots are handmade, they have a rustic and imperfect look. “None of the flowerpots look exactly the same. You can see the pot’s personality, small flaws and soul, in contrast to a machine-produced pot. And with

When Olinger and Kattrup took over the company in 2012, they found themselves in the midst of a global financial recession.

Yet Bergs Potter only experienced growth, and its pots, which are made in Tuscany, Italy, are now sold in Scandinavia, Germany and the US, with more countries to follow.

“With the financial crisis we see how people increasingly want to go back to basics,” Olinger says. “They want handmade, traditional terracotta, and something that is produced locally. Instead of just making things cheaper, we think about quality, durability, sustainability and good working conditions.”

For more information, please visit: bergspotter.com

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 13

The Pure way to restyle your home Changing the style of your home does not need to be something you only do once in a decade. With simple, stylish additions of striking colours, different materials and eye-catching details, you can create a completely new look and feel without replacing or spending a great deal. Lone Christensen Tannebæk from Pure Culture talks to Scan Magazine about how to shake things up with the Danish design company’s Spring/Summer collection.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Pure Culture

Partners Lone Christensen Tannebæk and Jette Carlsen have led Pure Culture since 2011.

14 | Issue 86 | March 2016

A sharply shaped marble tray adding a stylishly romantic feel to your table top; a delicate white vase that, with a handmade flower protruding from its front, conveys a pure yet detailed elegance; softly shaped bamboo vases in a striking range of colours to match all moods and seasons – Pure Culture’s new collection combines stylish Scandinavian designs with a bit of inventive bravery and distinct colours. “First of all, our collection consists of things that we would like to put in our own homes – if we wouldn’t want it for ourselves, we don’t include it,” says Lone Christensen Tannebæk who is, together with Jette Carlsen, a partner at Pure Culture. They have run

the firm with director Bjarne Carlsen since 2011.

“It also has to be pure with a twist,” Tannebæk continues. “It’s important that it’s something that works with a Nordic style, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s Nordic – we also draw on special stories, materials and expressions.

Our customers don’t want to buy just one style; they want to be able to mix it to create their own, and that’s why we take a bit of everything: something Nordic, something exotic and something colourful.”

Through this approach, Pure Culture has, thanks to a small dedicated team, built a strong design profile and a loyal network of vendors all over Scandinavia.

Soon, the brand is set to expand further into Europe.

Small changes for big impact When every season sees trends spread like wildfire through the design sector, the market, especially a small one like

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Pure Culture

the Scandinavian, can seem saturated, perhaps even oversaturated with certain colours and materials. Through paying close attention to those trends, Pure Culture prioritises a more open and diverse approach and, for instance, always focuses on including its own colours beyond the usual trend spectrum. “Everybody within the sector goes to the same meetings and is told the same things about new trends, but we experience that people find it really refreshing that we do things our own way. We always think in colours and create our own colour themes which span everything from vases, cushions and textiles so that all products match,” Tannebæk explains.

“That also means that it’s easy to create a noticeably different look without making any major changes. Instead of painting the wall or getting a new sofa, you can create a new theme by introducing smaller items like vases, cushions and throws in the same colour theme. It means that you can change the expression of your home without spending a lot of money and without changing the essence. To be able to do that has always been essential to our design philosophy.”

Affordable and functional With many years of experience as interior design purchasers, both Tannebæk and Carlsen know exactly where in the world to go when looking for specific design items. Their extensive knowledge of different production sites all over the

world is also a great advantage when it comes to realising the more challenging designs made by their own design team. Among Pure Culture’s growing collection of designs is, for instance, a beautiful white ceramic vase with a delicately shaped handmade flower protruding from the front. “The flower is handmade by one of our producers in China, and that means that no two vases are alike – every vase is unique,” Tannebæk explains. “As I and our purchaser Majbritt Nørgaard have both travelled a lot for many years, we have an extensive network of producers and prioritise using the same producers to create strong collaborations and ensure that our production partners benefit and grow too.”

The close cooperation with production partners also helps Pure Culture keep the prices of products at a level that makes them both affordable and functional. “When we think of the type of home we make our products for, it is a Scandinavian home but also a home with lots of liveliness,” says Tannebæk.

“That’s also reflected in our prices. Our products should be things that the people who live with them can use; they should be part of their everyday life – not just for looking at.”

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

With Scandinavian designs, exotic materials and distinctive colours, Pure Culture has built a strong design profile in Scandinavia.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 15

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Kazuri Scandinavia

The distinct aesthetic expression, high quality and strong ethical profile of the Kazuri jewellery appeal to many Scandinavian women.

Small beads with a big impact Made in Kenya and inspired by Nordic fashion, Kazuri Scandinavia is loved for its high-quality hand-painted ceramic jewellery designs. But, even though the colourful aesthetic expression of the jewellery is what first catches the eye, the story behind the fairtrade brand is equally striking.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kazuri

For decades the small Kazuri beads have provided a strong fairtrade busi-

16 | Issue 86 | March 2016

ness model for mothers in Kenya to support their children. That is why, when former aid worker Gro Strømnæss decided to start up a Scandinavian branch of the jewellery brand, she was acutely aware that the success of her venture was not about quick profits but about creating a long-term sustainable design business.

“The women who make our jewellery typically come from two of Nairobi’s largest slum areas and they don’t have other job options, so, if I can help ensure that they will keep their job in the long term, that’s where I can make a difference,” says Strømnæss and adds: “That’s why, when I started out, it was very important for me not just to sell as much jewellery as possible in the shortest possible time.

I wanted to ensure that we don’t saturate the market with our products but rather build up a long-lasting demand, met by a number of carefully selected suppliers. I had offers from big chains that wanted to sell our jewellery, but I dared to say no.”

Her strategy has been successful. Kazuri jewellery is now traded all over Scandinavia in a select range of jewellery stores, galleries and art shops, as well as boutique fashion stores.

Handmade

Kazuri was founded in 1975 as an experiment with making ceramic beads by hand. Its founder, the late Lady Susan Wood, intended for the then tiny workshop to be a help centre for women in need, especially single mothers, who had no other source of income. Today, more than 300 such women are employed by Kazuri. The women apply their skills to produce unique and beautiful beads and jewellery shaped by hand. But even

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Kazuri Scandinavia

Small and beautiful Kazuri means ‘small and beautiful’ in Swahili, and the fact that each tiny bead is made by hand lends all the finished pieces their own exquisiteness, making for one-of-a-kind jewellery. “Everything is done by hand – the beads are rolled by hand, the holes done with a tiny pin, and then they are dried in the sun and finally burned before being glazed and painted.

I like to compare it to royal porcelain because it’s all done with small, delicate brushes and with individual patterns,” explains Strømnæss.

though the mission is, and has always been, to provide and sustain employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of Kenya’s society, it is the quality of the product that firstly appeals to buyers, stresses Strømnæss. “Though we might wish it would be the other way around, it will always be the quality that sells the product – not the story behind it – and that is also what the women at Kazuri’s workshop want to be known for: the quality of their work. But the fact that it is also a good workplace with a long and reputable history is obviously what makes a Kazuri piece more than just a piece of jewellery.”

The distinctive character of the jewellery has turned out to be a good match for many Nordic women, who prefer quality designs over the cheaper fashion pieces available in other sections of the market. Furthermore, the Kazuri Scandinavia collection is designed in cooperation between Strømnæss and the women at Kazuri, giving it a distinctive Scandinavian design DNA, which has made it popular not just in Scandinavia but also in Strømnæss’ newest market, Japan.

This also means that Kazuri Scandinavia is not, as Strømnæss insists, a charity project: it is a viable and sustainable businesses model that helps Kenyan women support themselves and their families.

The Kazuri beads are rolled, glazed and painted by hand.

Facts about Kazuri: The women employed by Kazuri receive a salary of 500 Kshs (Kenyan Shillings) per day for seven hours’ work. That is three times more than the average wage in Kenya in the agricultural sector.

Full medical cover is offered to employees and their relatives.

A clinic is located within the grounds of the Kazuri property for basic medical care, prevention of AIDS and family planning.

Through its social commitment and contribution in creating jobs for women in difficulty, the company enjoys the label IFAT (International Fair Trade Association).

The women employed by Kazuri enjoy a good salary, fair work hours, full medical cover and access to an onsite family planning clinic.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 17

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | B GREEN

Elegant and ethical When Erik Pedersen and Karsten Hansen founded B GREEN in 1989, little did they suspect that their humble flower business would flourish into Scandinavia’s largest flower pot wholesaler. Today, B GREEN are selling their wares at design fairs across northern Europe, and their customers cannot get enough of their natural and rustic style.

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: B GREEN

When you set off for the garden centre, chances are your mind is full of the beautiful flora you are about to adorn your garden with. The pot often becomes an afterthought, carelessly chosen for the simple fact that it will fit your shrub. The pot, however, will be just as visible as the plant, and an ugly pot can end up being the focal point for all the wrong reasons.

“Over the past decades, we’ve really seen people’s interest in the overall look of their outside spaces spike,” says sales manager Birgitte Hougaard. “They’re realising that plant boxes are an essential part of a garden’s overall aesthetic and atmosphere.”

Though they vary in style, the pots that B GREEN distribute have in common a rus18 | Issue 86 | March 2016

tic and calm minimalist exterior which ties in perfectly with the Nordic design tradition. The pots are exquisitely made and complement the space around them, adding something to the plants that they support. B GREEN specialises in pots that are good for the environment – both aesthetically and in terms of benefit for the planet. An innovative company with a green outlook, it carefully monitors its suppliers’ production methods to ensure that strict safe working criteria are adhered to, ensuring a high-quality, reasonably priced product without any bad aftertaste. A keen believer in corporate social responsibility, B GREEN supports a Vietnamese orphanage and strives to buy from small, family-run producers.

The pots are made from safe and natural materials such as clay, zinc and cement. One of the most popular ranges is B GREEN’s huge selection of real patina pots. Patina pots are covered by a layer of green, white or brown organic material, which slowly and naturally grows on the surface as the pot ages, giving each pot an individual character that playfully ties in the materialistic with its surrounding nature. “We’re currently really excited about our new Vintage series,” says Hougaard, “where cool old objects like archiving boxes and doors are given a new life outside.” Through doing what they love and sharing their expertise, the people behind B GREEN are helping provide a better environment for all – aesthetically as well as ethically.

For more information and to locate your nearest dealership, please visit: www.bgreen.dk

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Mr. Fredrik

Founder Fredrik Strömblad

A spot of colour for the outdoor space Mr. Fredrik is challenging Swedish design conventions by providing colourful garden furniture and standout interior details, inspired by Parisian park life and made from metals such as wrought iron, bronze and brass.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Mr. Fredrik

“Our inspiration comes from the Belle Époque in France, dated around 1890 to 1900,” says founder Fredrik Strömblad.

Imagine the Louvre in Paris and the nearby Tuileries Garden where Parisians went to promenade, relax and enjoy the fresh air and greenery in the comfortable seating next to the fountains. “This is the concept for our garden furniture, park life in Paris and the likes of Renoir, but in a slightly new form and with more vibrant colours.”

Born out of an interest in design, art and history, the company was founded seven years ago by Strömblad, who had the idea of providing limited editions of new designs and replicas with a modern touch. The whole range is available under three separate brands: Mr. Fredrik

offers interior and garden products such as furniture, sculptures and fountains; Gusums Messing, with a heritage dating back 460 years, includes traditional brass items such as vases, candelabras and lamps; and Oscar Borgström consists of bags and accessories made from leather and canvas.

Comfortable iron Strömblad explains his long-lasting passion for France and his mission to convince Swedes to use a more vibrant colour scheme in their homes and gardens. “Today we have moved the living room into our garden, and we need comfortable, high-quality furniture to fully enjoy it. Furniture can also be a statement, with a playful twist and bright contrast to all the greenery.”

The range of garden products includes chairs, tables and a sofa in lively nuances such as yellow, lime green and orange. The trendy coffee table set was a bestseller from the start, with its chair, table and footstool. “When people see our furniture they are excited about the design but might not realise how comfortable they are. Despite being made from wrought iron, they are ergonomic and give the right support for the body.

They really are incredibly comfy!”

Mr. Fredrik will take part in Scandinavia’s leading garden show, The Nordic Gardens, which takes place on 21-24 April at Stockholmsmässan. The range of products is also available at select interior and furniture stores and from the online shop.

For more information, please visit: www.mrfredrik.se and follow @mrfredrik.se on Instagram.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 19

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Photo: Mattias Fredriksson

Plenty of other fish in the Norwegian Sea What is the first thing that pops into your head when you think of Norway? Salmon?

Check. Oil? Check. Beautiful landscapes? Triple check. But Norway also has a big role to play in the tremendously popular Scandinavian revolution within design and sustainability, and is definitely a player to take note of when it comes to a different side of the business coin.

By Mette Hindkjær Madsen

Way back in the day of pre industrialisation in Norway, the businesses ruling in the cold north were based on agriculture, timber and fishing. And though we still love that Norwegian salmon, today there is a great deal more to Norwegian businesses than the exceptional flora and fauna.

So as if you did not have plenty of reasons to visit the northern paradise already, in 20 | Issue 86 | March 2016

this special theme we will supply you with even more Norwegian greatness.

Sustainability beyond the fjords A new trend in the business world is one that is not going away any time soon.

Sustainability is the word on everyone’s lips, from the organic farmer to the eco-conscious CEO. Norway ranks as one of the most sustainable countries in the world, counting Trysil, Røros, Lærdal

and the UNESCO-protected Vega Islands among locations certified as sustainable, a certification that is an honour bestowed only on the very few. And for some Norwegian brands, design and sustainability are fronts united. Whether it is the soap in your bathroom or the sweater in your closet, age-old Norwegian traditions based on sustainable principles and long-term respect for nature are prevalent. Because even before it was cool, Norway made sustainability a priority to protect nature and community as well as business, securing it for future generations.

Transforming beauty When you live in a place as beautiful as Norway, the bar for your aesthetic eye is

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

set exceptionally high. Your visual presentation game has to be on point, and since not everyone is blessed with an immense sense of personal style on his or her own account, we need the help of some seriously skilled designers. Luckily some Norwegians with those skillsets have shared their talent for crafting beautiful design to create something that pleases even the most critical of aestheticians worldwide: necklaces, rings, bracelets and more exquisite jewellery to make you stand out and catch the envy of your office colleague. Norway has some of the best crafters in the business.

And jewellery is not the only accessory you need to represent your personal sense of style. To make your house a home, you have to make it ooze with your personal taste – and every detail counts, all the way down to your kitchenware.

Norwegian products exude the trademark Scandinavian minimalism that we all hold so dearly. Even your soap can look Scandinavian chic.

Knit up in the cold That the temperatures in Norway can drop below the shorts and sandals degrees is no secret. It has been cold in Norway since forever, so the Norwegians have had time to perfect the clothing to help you survive the cold weather wherever you are. We are of course referring to the warming knitted sweater.

But for most people, comfort is not the only aspect to the clothing you put on in the morning – it needs to make you look good. Some of the best at creating knitwear that treats both your cold winter body and your selective eyes can of course be found in Norway. From traditional to innovative, Norway has knitwear covered.

Photo: SECRETS by B

gian goods. The 21st century brought our saviour, the internet, where you will find all the Norwegian companies featured in this special theme, so that you can grab whichever slice of Norway you wish.

With top clothing brands, jewellery, soap, knitwear, even equipment to cut through your crab and so much more, you can trust Scan Magazine to guide you through some of the best things that are made in Norway.

Photo: Ilda Design

For more information, please visit: www.innovasjonnorge.no and www.visitnorway.com

Fish a piece of Norway wherever you are Even though you obviously have to pay the fjords a visit and take a bite of that delicious, fresh salmon straight from the Norwegian harbours, we realise you cannot always be in Norway to experience the perks first hand. If you cannot move there, there is still a way for you to get your hands on some trendy Norwe-

Knit Me. Photo: Mari Lauvheim

Photo: Terje Rakke

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 21

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

MaTilla offers feminine and classically cut designs made from high-quality materials.

Take charge and turn dreams into reality Growing up, Hilde Sævild Teige had one dream: to become a fashion designer and make her own clothes. In 2012, having carefully researched colours and materials, she finally felt ready to reveal her lifelong dream to the world and launch the fashion brand MaTilla.

By Andrea Bærland | Photos: MaTilla

The original MaTilla shop, and the heart of the brand’s online store, is located on Hilde’s home island of Sotra, just outside Bergen city centre. “I have four teenagers, two girls and two boys, who help me with packing online orders, so in a way MaTilla has become a family business,” the proud designer says.

And keeping things close to home is Hilde’s main business strategy. Anything she can do herself, she will do herself.

While the clothes are produced in Chi22 | Issue 86 | March 2016

na, it is Hilde herself who has chosen the factories and follows up their work several times a year. “While most brands leave the communication with the factory to an agent, I have chosen to do it all myself, which means that I’m making at least four trips to China every year to visit and work closely with the factories,” Hilde explains.

The close, personal communication with the factory gives Hilde the reassurance that the working conditions in her fac-

tories hold a satisfying ethical standard.

“And that,” she asserts, “is definitely very important to me.”

It is what you are made of In addition to an ethical production, Hilde is extremely passionate about the materials she chooses for the garments.

“I spend a lot of time choosing clean, natural fabrics. I use a lot of cashmere, merino wool, silk, cotton and tencel – a material made of cellulose. In addition to being clean and durable, the materials have to feel soft and comfortable against the skin. There is no greater joy than slipping into a silky blouse or a warm and soft sweater,” she says.

Another great passion of Hilde’s is working with colours. “Picking colours and

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

combining them in new and unexpected ways is one of my absolute favourite things in the world!” she says. MaTilla’s shawls in particular come in an array of colours, applied with many modern techniques. The brand offers both conservative solid block-colour accessories and shawls with fun splashes of colour.

Play to your strengths While the designer enjoys unexpected colour combinations, MaTilla designs remain both feminine and timeless. Hilde is also conscious of how new collections complement her previous work. “If you bought a MaTilla skirt two seasons ago, I want you to be able to find something that goes with it in my latest collection as well,” she explains. “I want to make clothes that are durable and lasting.”

“Some women spend a lot of time, when getting dressed, thinking about how best to hide what they see as flaws. I want more women to be body positive,

so I make an effort to make clothes that accentuate the features many of us are proud of, rather than hide the things we are less happy with,” Hilde says.

Looking to expand All the thoughtful hours of hard work Hilde puts in to MaTilla seem to be paying off, and she has many retailers across the country that return year after year to stock up on her wares. In the spirit of doing anything she can do herself, in the beginning she filled up her car and hit the road. Over the years the road trips have been replaced by visits to design fairs. In fact, some customers know her so well by now that they happily just pick up the phone. “Thankfully I have become so well known for choosing high-quality materials, that some of my customers don’t even feel the need to check the products in person before they order,” she smiles.

Now she hopes to be able to make her name and reputation for high quali-

ty known outside Norway’s borders. “I have thought a lot about taking the brand abroad, so I’m going to start by visiting international design fairs. I plan on making the Copenhagen fair next year my first stop,” she reveals.

So far, only women have had the pleasure of draping themselves in the soft garments of MaTilla, but one day even men might get the chance. As Hilde says, it would be a dream to expand her line even further. “But that idea is still very much on the drawing board,” she adds.

Hilde Sævild Teige has managed to take a dream and turn it into a business. Soon enough, if Hilde gets her way, the rest of the world will also get the pleasure of meeting MaTilla.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 23

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

Photo: Autumn Hansen.

Jewellery with a meaning “I became a goldsmith because I wanted to create something long lasting and meaningful,” says Camilla Johansen, the woman behind Ilda Design. “It is important to me that the jewellery I make has a story and a purpose behind it.”

By Vilde Holta Røssland | Photos: Students at Horten Videregående Skole

In 2004, Johansen established her first company, Goldsmith Camilla Johansen, making special orders and melting old jewellery into new pieces. “After nine years, the desire to express myself through the jewellery got too big to ignore, and I put Goldsmith Camilla Johansen behind me, establishing Ilda Design,” she says. 12 years on, the concept is right where the designer wants it to be. “I create the stories I feel are important to share, and at the same time I keep taking my handcraft further.”

“We are all creatures of habit, just following the stream. There are so many people with so much potential that is getting lost,” Johansen reflects. “Through my jewellery, I encourage people to do what 24 | Issue 86 | March 2016

they want to do. I hope I can inspire people to think differently and to go their own way.”

The jewellery from Ilda Design always has a meaning behind it, often inspired by how we live our lives. Johansen’s first collection, ‘Perfect Balance’, was created to remind us that being perfect is not the most important thing in life, even though it may often seem like it. Collection number two, ‘Square in the Eye’, is all about breaking out of everyday routines and ordinary patterns, daring you to step outside of your comfort zone.

In 2016, two new collections will be released. The first, ‘Unspoken’, is out on 5 March, inspired by the importance and

vulnerability of freedom of speech. With the current refugee crisis and disagreements in regards to immigration policy, the collection is highly relevant. “The project is in itself politically neutral, but I keep wondering what it would be like if we lost our freedom of speech simply because we were not open to other people’s points of view,” says Johansen.

In October, a collection digging deeper into Norwegian history and nature will be released. “I often find inspiration at my cabin, where there is peace and quiet, and I love being close to the water and the woods,” the designer explains. “Nature will play an important role in this collection, as Norwegian wood will literally be physically present in the jewellery.

It is an exciting project.”

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

Founder Caroline Heyerdahl. Photo: Julie Pike.

Making washing up chic and your skin feel like silk Did you think detergents were dull and bad for your skin? C household cleaners challenge this preconception by making soaps chic and good for you. The company produces washing-up liquids and soaps with a focus on what is excluded, in addition to stylish design and a smell to die for.

By Helene Toftner | Photos: Sveinung Bråthen | Styling: Christine Hærra

C household cleaners consist of a range of 30 products to clean your home, clothes and even your pet, and has taken the world by storm by showing even the least homely of us that cleaning appliances can be both stylish and useful.

“My aim was to create products that are cool and smell nice while doing good for the user and the environment,” says founder Caroline Heyerdahl.

After returning to Norway from New York, Heyerdahl soon realised that there was a big gap in the market of eco-friendly soaps. Coming up with everything from

formula to design, she started the company in 2014 with products ranging from hand soaps and all-purpose sprays to washing-up liquids. The winning formula was her emphasis on doing good while looking cool. With its sleek design, this soap does not need to be hidden under the sink, and customers previously troubled by itching and allergy from newly washed clothes experience a new life after changing to C household cleaners.

“Everyone washes themselves, their clothes and the house all the time, and it does not need to be as dull as it has always been in the past,” Heyerdahl insists.

She has succeeded with her mission: not only have her products made it into designer shops such as Bolina and lifestyle shops including Life, but she has also been mentioned by some of Norway’s most prominent trend bloggers.

C is currently only available for sale in Norway but, due to popular demand from Denmark and Sweden in particular, Heyerdahl is looking to expand. “I’m currently in the process of finding suitable collaborators in the other Scandinavian markets, and hopefully the products will be available there very soon.”

For more information, please visit: www.cheyerdahl.no, @cheyerdahl on Instagram and facebook/carolineheyerdahl.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 25

From Karasjok to Paris Far, far away from the catwalks of Paris, Milan and Oslo, in Karasjok on Finnmarksvidda, lives fashion designer Anne Berit Anti, the woman behind the brand Abanti. “I’m happy with being a little bit weird by choosing to live up here, rather than in one of the fashion capitals of the world. I have tried living in Oslo, but I am happiest here,” Anti says.

By Andrea Bærland | Photos: Abanti

Designer Anne Berit Anti

“Finnmarksvidda is an adventure in itself. Out here it is only me, the forest and the river, and I find plenty of inspiration in those elements,” the designer adds, while admitting that living so far north offers logistical challenges from time to time.

The fashion designer in Anti — who originally trained as a journalist — was born when she was gifted a sewing machine.

Though she did not know how to use it, she started making traditional Sámi 26 | Issue 86 | March 2016

clothing before moving to Oslo to study fashion design.

Merging cultures Anti’s fashion label, Abanti, is inspired by traditional Sámi clothing and the culture in the Saami region, making use of a variety of reindeer print and zigzags that are commonly used patterns in Sámi designs.

While animal print is currently on trend — and according to Anti you do have to pay attention to international trends to remain relevant on an international market — the reindeer print also has a personal connection as Anti comes from a family of reindeer herders.

“The Sámi culture is a treasure chest filled with identity and inclusivity, but it is also a vulnerable culture that has to be treated with respect when you merge it with western fashion the way I do,” Anti says firmly, and adds that she has declined offers to

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

make Sámi patterns for other designers’ clothes. “They wanted to use me as an alibi, but I of course said no.”

The garments, which are mostly made from wool and silk, mainly follow Abanti’s established colour palette of black, white, red and grey. “But I also frequently bring in other colours commonly seen in Sámi textiles, such as green, blue and yellow,” Anti says.

From the Opera House and abroad

also has two physical shops: one in her home town Karasjok, and the other in Kautokeino, and in addition there are retailers in Tromsø and Alta.

The productive designer, who presents collections for women, men and babies four to five times a year, is also set to launch a collection for little girls this spring and plans to expand into accessories such as shoes and handbags in the near future.

Anti has always been ambitious and since she abandoned her career as a journalist with Norway’s state broadcaster to become a designer, her goal has been to build a Sámi fashion house with an international presence. And since showing her final exam collection in the Oslo Opera House in 2011, the label has grown at warp speed, receiving support from both Innovation Norway and Sametinget (the Sámi Parliament of Norway).

Sámi ambitions

So far, Anti has managed to start production of her designs in Latvia and Lithuania and opened an online shop. The brand

“While it is a lot of hard work, it gives me so much joy to be able to realise my own dreams. When you can put this much

Anti has strong patriotic feelings for her home region. A few years ago, when she was offered to show her designs at Oslo Fashion Week, she prioritised the Sapmi Fashion Week which took place at the same time in Alta. One of her dreams for the future is to open a Sámi design centre featuring several Sámi fashion designers, but first she has an international design house of her own to build.

effort into something, which so far gives very few financial rewards – but feel happy and privileged, that is when you know for sure that you have made the right decision,” she says about her life as a start-up designer. Anti is very clear about the ambitions for her own brand’s future. She wants to spread her designs and open stores both nationally and internationally, and show some Sámi muscle by being present at the well-established fashion weeks of the world.

Abanti shops: – Karasjok, Grensen, about 16 kilometres from Karasjok city centre, close to Karigasniemi in Finland – Kautokeino city centre

Retailers: – Selskaps- og brudesalongen, Alta – Polaria, Tromsø – Tromsø Museum, Tromsø

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

Anne Berit Anti merges Sámi heritage with western fashion for her label, Abanti.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 27

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

Light up your home with a ceramic sculpture from the north

By Helene Toftner | Photos: ERT Keramikk

ERT Keramikk is the result of a fabulous fantasy and strong women. Artist Elin Rødahl Thingnes creates ceramic sculptures that will lighten up any living room, adding unusual textiles and materials to her designs.

The artist behind ERT Keramikk, Elin Rødahl Thingnes, has always been inspired by nature and strong women, a combination that is evident in her work. Mainly decorative objects for the home, her designs are mostly female clay sculptures decorated with leftovers from her grandmother’s lace curtains or materials from nature such as a leaf or straw. “My sculptures are largely results of my fantasy,” says the designer.

There is no need to worry that you might end up with the same piece as your neighbour, as all items are unique.

“That’s the beauty when everything is handmade,” Rødahl Thingnes says. Many of her customers are looking for exact-

ly that: something truly special, whether for a wedding present or a unique treat for themselves. “Every so often, men pop in as a last resort for a gift for the styleconscious wife,” she adds with a smile.

The products are available in selected galleries and shops from Honningsvåg in the north to Kristiansand in the south, but can also be purchased via the website. For special occasions, the designer also creates custom-made pieces on request.

For more information and to purchase ERT Keramikk pieces, please see: www.ertkeramikk.com and www.facebook.com/ERTkeramikk

Innovative knitting with traditional flair Driven by her passion for knitting and a dream to start her own business, entrepreneur and mother-of-two Trine Johnsen left her safe job as a marketing consultant with a large Norwegian retail bank, to start Knit Me.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Mari Lauvheim

Based near Trondheim, Knit Me offers packages containing knitting needles, yarn and scissors in addition to knitting patterns for simple, classical and easy clothing projects for women and children.

Today 30 retailers across Norway, mostly of yarn, sell Knit Me’s knitting products, and each of the components can be bought separately.

As the market responded positively to Knit Me’s untraditional product offer28 | Issue 86 | March 2016

ing, Johnsen identified an additional need amongst her customers. “When customers had completed their knitting packages they came back to me to request more yarn,” she explains. “Our two types of yarn are of the highest quality and specially made in Peru.”

The next step for Knit Me is to expand from yarn shops to other category retailers, as well as internationally. Johnsen is already an active user of social media such as Facebook and Instagram to raise awareness beyond Norway’s borders.

“I am keen to sell my products through less traditional channels, including fashion retailers, travel shops, book shops, cafes and kiosks. As the products are suitable for travel, airport outlets are po-

tentially interesting, and I am already in dialogue with a number of them,” Johnsen explains. “My vision is for this to serve as a stepping stone for international expansion.”

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

Designing your classic dress and home – all in one place You know that go-to dress that always makes you feel good and comfortable, even on the days you would prefer to stay in your pajamas? Florence Design takes great pride in making exactly that dress, as well as classic pillows and crockery for your home.

By Helene Toftner | Photos: Florence Design

Florence Design is celebrating ten years in the business of designing and producing top-quality interiors and clothing.

Over the years, the brand has become a well-known wholesale name in Norway, much thanks to its focus on quality and designs that can last for decades. “We are inspired by the Nordic lifestyle, characterised by classic designs and comfort,” says Lill-Ann Sunnvoll, one of the co-founders.

It all started when Sunnvoll and two good friends went to China and came across a brilliant producer of exclusive

fabrics. “The adventure thus began with bed linen and night wear and soon ventured into interior items for the kitchen, bathroom and living room,” Sunnvoll explains. The designs, whether lamps or kitchen cloths, are renowned for offering high quality at a good price. “People buy things for their homes as well as their mountain cabins.”

The focus is currently turning towards the clothing line, with collections launching twice a year. Having made an impact at Oslo Fashion Week on more than one occasion, the clothes are being snapped

up by clothing shops all over Norway in addition to more conventional lifestyle shops. “We have grandmothers and 17-year-olds wearing our designs, but our main audience is women aged 35 and up,” Sunnvoll says. “I believe the reason we appeal to all ages is the simple reason that the lines are classic and comfortable to wear while also being stylish and of high quality.”

Florence Design is available at selected shops all over Norway, as well as in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

“Due to popular demand, we are looking at expanding more on the international market, so it is indeed an exciting time ahead,” Sunnvoll says.

For more information and inspiration, see Facebook or www.florence.no

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 29

Julian Reed – re-defining the modern man Inspired by their newborn son Julian, Hugo and Nicole Reed founded the fashion brand Julian Reed in Oslo in 2013. With the addition of fashion mogul Ola Mæle in 2015, the design house is now all set to conquer the world.

By Andrea Bærland | Photos: Julian Reed

With the goal of creating a new and modern global fashion brand, the ambitious couple has targeted only the finest, highly selective retailers and special event pop-up stores to launch the brand Julian Reed to the world. One of the founders and an esteemed Norwegian designer, Hugo Reed is determined to turn Julian Reed into a force to be reckoned with on the global fashion scene, and every modern man’s first choice. Julian Reed is a brand that re-defines the global premium segment in the menswear market.

By combining Norwegian design with the renowned and highly respected tra30 | Issue 86 | March 2016

ditions of Italian craftsmanship, Julian Reed will find its place on the shelves and racks of the finest menswear stores around the world.

A dream come true After spending several years designing for others, the skilled designer is now ready to launch his own dream: a Norwegian design house with international impact. And Reed is not the only one who believes he will succeed. Ola Mæle, one of Norway’s most successful and sought after investors, with a wealth of experience in fashion, believes in him too.

Mæle describes Julian Reed as the fashion brand he has been looking to invest in for the past three decades. A better compliment is hard to find, insist the founders.

Together, the Julian Reed team has introduced the autumn/winter 2016 collection to buyers in Norway, their home market, and the response has been phenomenal.

When the leaves begin to turn orange and the air becomes just that little bit sharper, stylish men will get the chance to wrap themselves in warming clothing from Julian Reed, found at Høyer, Follestad and Steen & Strøm in Norway, to name a few.

“While all parts of the ready-to-wear collection have sold well, outerwear, jeans and knitwear have proved to be extra popular so far,” Reed says on the presentation of the brand and its premiere collection, held at The Thief, Norway’s edgiest hotel.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

Julian Reed collective In addition to Mæle, Reed has been able to recruit a Scandinavian fashion dream team. A collective of highly educated and talented people forms a team that brings with it years of experience of developing collections and brands for international fashion houses.

International ambition The long-term plans for Julian Reed have been carefully laid out. “Our first goal is to reach the top 30 to 40 menswear boutiques in Norway. We need to stand on solid ground here at home before we expand in Scandinavia, which it looks like we will be able to do this autumn. And then, we go for Europe,” Reed explains.

“It’s about time we have a Norwegian brand established at the top of the international fashion scene.”

Ideas for special event pop-up stores and flagship stores in major European cities are also on the drawing board.

The collective’s ability to combine Italian fabrics and craftsmanship with a Scandinavian silhouette has been greeted with great enthusiasm on the global fashion scene. “The Julian Reed collective will always keep the door open for highly qualified, talented and creative people and collaborations,” Reed adds.

Clean cuts and timeless design “Our collection is always designed with modern and detailed looks and of course fine, eye-catching craftsmanship. Clear and clean cuts dominate our garments.

We believe in timeless designs of the finest qualities, capable of outliving any brisk trends. Our label is all about seductive understatement and modern elegance,” Reed says of his vision for the brand.

The garments will be manufactured in Italy, and the materials used for Julian Reed will draw on only the best.

“We only work with premium materials, such as luxurious cashmere and highquality Italian denim,” says the designer. For the ready-to-wear collection, the fabrics have been carefully chosen and developed over time with partners from the reputable and exclusive Italian Loro Piana weavers.

Understated elegance will be the keywords that set the tone for the work of Reed and the newly recruited and well-curated Julian Reed designer collective – as well as for collaborations with niche designers and creative talents from the influential art scene. “Julian Reed sets out to re-define the affordable highend segment, and from this autumn/winter season onwards, our clothing will be what every modern man with exquisite taste asks for,” Reed concludes.

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

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 31

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

Enjoy your crab to the full – without the mess Ever had crab before, and ended up sitting with your lap full of sea water and leftovers? Many have been there, and only the most patient would be able to make it through the whole shell. Picture the excitement, then, when crab lovers encounter Pagurus’ crab cutlery, which promises to easily break the shell while keeping the mess to a minimum. Amazingly, what you see is what you get.

By Helene Toftner | Photos: Arkos

In the scenic fjord region in western Norway, where crabs are part of the daily diet for many and definitely a celebratory treat for special occasions, Pagurus crab cutlery was developed. From day one, it promised to make the experience 32 | Issue 86 | March 2016

smoother and less messy, and it has since taken crab-loving Norwegians by storm. “Before we came along, people used nut crackers or hammers to open the shells,” says Kjell Harald Aartun, managing director at Pagurus’ mother

company, Arkos. “We have revolutionised the way people eat crab in Norway, and we are now ready to take on the world.”

Centuries in the business As with most brilliant inventions, Pagurus was not developed overnight. The inventor himself, Jan Roar Storesund, had dreamt of working with crabs since he picked them up along the beach growing up. Then he came across Aartun, who ran one of Norway’s largest crab factories. “Together we had centuries of experience, and we were both amazed that

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

there was not an easy way to eat crab,” Aartun says. “After prawns, crab is the most eaten shellfish in Norway. But up until we came along, the most advanced tool people had at hand was the nut cracker.”

A revolutionary invention This begs the question: what makes the cutlery so special? Without going into too much technicality, there are three points that make it revolutionary. Firstly, it easily creates a gentle crack in the shell so that you can access the delicious meat without crushing it; secondly, it contains all the easy-to-use utensils you need to get much more of the juicy meat out of

the crab; and finally, it does all of this without the usual mess. “You can even wear a suit while eating crab these days,” Aartun smiles.

It may seem simple, and something you would expect from a market where crab is such a hugely popular food. But if you think about it, not even the fanciest restaurant offers the tools to make the experience as simple as Pagurus promises. “The feedback from customers and vendors has been overwhelmingly positive,” Aartun says, and a quick web search confirms this. Most reviews mention the lack of mess and how stylish the design is, and one notes, “I do not understand how we ever managed without it”. It is “a whole new way of eating crab”, others say.

Taking on the international market

The old way of eating crab.

Arkos has purposely maintained focus on functionality while combining it with a stylish design in stainless steel. It is so chic that many keep it up as decoration when not in use, and it has proven a popular present for special occasions. “Many

customers return after trying it, buying several more for their friends and family,” Aartun says. “It seems once you start, you certainly do not go back, and many want to share their experience.”

Pagurus is currently sold all over Norway, including hardware chain Jernia and design chain Kitchn. It is also possible to order the set online for international delivery, and the brand is looking to expand distribution abroad. “We have received several requests from international markets, as there is nothing similar out there,” says Aartun. “We are currently looking for the right international collaborators, so the tools will be out there shortly.”

Did you know… … that the name Pagurus is the Latin name for the most popular crab family in Norway?

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 33

Combining colourful gemstones and beautiful gold designs, Norwegian designer Benedikte Bruknapp creates a feel of glamorous vintage nostalgia.

Put your secrets on show Each carrying their own little secret, clothing and jewellery by SECRETS by B exude both elegance and glamour. The designs channel Norwegian designer Benedikte Bruknapp’s love for vintage glam, a love that has followed her since she, as a little girl, trawled through her grandmother’s wardrobe.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: SECRETS by B

Having designed jewellery for her own use for years, Benedikte Bruknapp decided in 2011 to put through a small collection to a couple of shops in her hometown of Lørenskog just east of Oslo.

Then as now, the collection reflected her love for colourful gemstones and vintage glam. “I just love the combination of gold and pale, beautiful colours. It is very important to me that the combination of gold, stones and glass is just right to bring out the lovely feeling of vintage glam,” says the designer. “I’ve always loved the vintage look – ever since I was a kid and trawled through my grandmother’s wardrobe; she was a real lady 34 | Issue 86 | March 2016

and had lots of wonderful things, fancy dresses and old jewellery.”

Elegant enough for everyday use and glamorous enough for a night out, the SECRETS by B collection became an immediate success with Norwegian women of all ages. The collection, which consists of necklaces, bracelets and earrings, is today traded in 120 different outlets all over Norway and Sweden and, in August 2015, Bruknapp expanded on the success by launching her first clothing collection. With a nostalgic look of elegance, lots of lace and long dresses, the clothing designs

perfectly complement the jewellery’s vintage glamour.

“Vintage clothing, especially from the ‘20s, has always been a huge inspiration for me. I love the fabrics, the dresses, the décor and the jewellery. The designs exude an understated and elegant feeling of nostalgia and exclusivity, but at the same time the price of both clothes and jewellery is at a level where people can buy and mix and match more different pieces,” Bruknapp explains.

This spring will see a SECRETS by B collection inspired by the ‘70s, with colourful full-length dresses and long necklaces perfect for creating a bohemian sun-kissed summer look.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

One-of-a-kind coolness

By Vilde Holta Røssland | Photos: Kuliku

Kuliku is a collection of exclusive and unique interior items made from the hides of Norwegian animals. Cool, right? That is just what Lisa Thon Gundersen thought when she started the brand and named it after its coolness factor. rior design and hobby of making things from scratch led to her establishing Kuliku, which translates as ‘cool in cow’.

“When I purchased my winter home in Geilo a few years ago, I knew exactly what kind of objects I wanted to decorate it with, but I couldn’t find them anywhere,” Gundersen says. And so she went on to make them herself. Her interest in inte-

The hues of the soft, beautiful hides from Norwegian goats and sheep fit perfectly with the existing interior trends in many winter homes across Scandinavia. “I love the shabby yet sophisticated interior style, and animal hides make the perfect addition to this,” says Gundersen. Hides from calves, goats and sheep are used in the collection, and no two items will ever be the same. All products, handmade in Bergen, are numbered and come with a certificate of origin.

You could either go for a modern and simple black and white calf hide, or you could go in a whole other direction with a hairy goat or sheep hide. “Because of

the differences in the hides, I can make something for everyone, making sure that it fits their personal style,” says Gundersen. And no matter what you get, it will be cool for sure.

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

Photo: Michel Sanville

Ulrich Thomsen with Helene Reingaard Neumann in The Commune. Photo: Henrik Petit

The cast from The Commune.

Photo: Christian GeisnĂŚs

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Ulrich Thomsen

Ulrich Thomsen

Hollywood Dane coming home Eighteen years since his breakthrough as Christian in the Dogma film Festen (The Celebration), Denmark’s favourite Hollywood star returns home for another Thomas Vinterberg production. Scan Magazine spoke to Ulrich Thomsen about playing crime lord Kai Proctor, the directing learning curve, and what sausages can teach us about racism.

By Linnea Dunne

“It was with Thomas that it all started for me,” says the now internationally celebrated Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen.

You may know him from the James Bond instalment The World is Not Enough (1999), or Killing Me Softly (2002), or perhaps as lead villain Kai Proctor from the Cinemax series Banshee. But it was with director Thomas Vinterberg’s 1998 Dogma creation, Festen (The Celebration), that Thomsen got his breakthrough as Christian. Thomsen’s character is a young man who attends his father’s 60th birthday party only to publicly accuse him of sexually abusing him and his twin sister, who has recently committed suicide. The film won countless prestigious accolades, and Thomsen was named Best Actor in a Leading Role twice.

This year, Denmark gets a piece of its hero yet again, as Thomsen stars in Vinterberg’s latest film, Kollektivet (The Commune). “This is the first thing we do together since Festen – and it’s been 18 years,” says Thomsen. “But it felt like it was yesterday. It was like returning home.” Kollektivet sees Thomsen play a man who, in the 1970s, inherits a house that his wife wants to turn into a commune. Sceptical at first, he agrees to give it a shot. “It’s about a family struggling to adapt to new times, and the pain of splitting up. But it’s also about the idea of living together, caring for each

other and letting each other in, which is something the world today needs to be reminded of,” says Thomsen, adding: “I sincerely hope it doesn’t take another 18 years for us to work together again, because I think we’re good together.”

From heightened reality to heightened poetry The past few years have seen Thomsen busy acting the bad guy as part of the action crime drama series, Banshee. His character, local crime lord Kai Proctor, has had a tough third season and faces season four, which kicks off on 1 April this year, having lost his mother, been locked up in jail, kidnapped and badly beaten. “He’s going through turmoil – life hasn’t turned out the way he expected it,” says Thomsen in an accent that could have been lifted from the series. “But he’s trying to get his life back on track.

It’s Banshee and it’s heightened reality, so there’s still going to be a load of fighting, drinking, girls taking off their clothes…” But Proctor is far more than tough, the actor insists. “The funny thing about this character is that it’s one of the most nuanced characters I’ve played. You only have to shoot someone and you’re a bad guy, but when that stops the screenwriter can play around with the character. Put Proctor in a film and he’ll only be a bad guy, but this is the beauty of a series: there’s psychology underneath.”

In addition to a new Banshee season and the release of Vinterberg’s latest film, 2016 brings Thomsen’s directorial debut with the film In Embryo, which he describes as “a heightened poetic take on the noir genre”. It is a love story of sorts, but a raw and gritty one. Sean and Lilly both carry a great deal of baggage and trauma, and they are desperate for intimacy. Through drugs and destruction, they start an intense relationship tainted by addiction, violence and painful wounds. “It explores what happens if you are exposed to violence or you’re neglected during your upbringing. It’s heavy, and it’s supposed to be – it’s not a Hollywood movie, it’s arthouse,” says Thomsen.

“I’ve got two kids of my own, and when I realised the huge responsibility of raising these curious, lovely people, that they’re so dependent on you and even if you’re an asshole they’ll still love you – it’s heartbreaking, they’d find logic in abuse.” He pauses for a moment. “This is what we’re dealing with now with the refugee situation. The first thing we do is we bomb them, but you know, war and violence create more war and violence.”

Writing is something Thomsen was always curious about. “I started when I was in acting school, just bits and pieces, but when you read a script you kind of stage the whole thing in your head anyway. Writing a script is like imaginIssue 86 | March 2016 | 37

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Ulrich Thomsen

ing a story and writing it down, and so I did.” All the work around it, however, was a steep learning curve for Thomsen.

He initially got some funding for the film to be produced in Germany, but when co-funding fell through it seemed like the total budget was far too big and the expectations to get famous actors too high. This was before Thomsen got the part in Banshee, so eventually he took a step back, decided to get some perspective, and ended up getting the role of Kai Proctor and heading to America.

Once the rights for the German project ran out, Thomsen went for plan B and called his old friend, indie producer Steve Bakken. “I said to him, ‘I can’t pay you or anything, but do you want to produce this with me?’, and he did. Then we Googled how to make an indie film. I was probably professionally ready by the time we were done – then I was like, ah, I get it now!” It seems apt to suggest that he was inspired by the Danish Dogma tradition. “I guess I am – I was brought up with it,” he ponders. “There’s never enough money for big-budget movies in Denmark, so over the years I think we perfected that arthouse thing.”

A sausage as a peacemaker The plan is to bring In Embryo to festivals this year, but Thomsen is already onto the next project after getting a taste for directing. “I’m working on a comedy actually, a script I wrote that I want to shoot this year. It’s about sausages and friendships, a sweet comedy about racism,” he explains, so excited he does not seem to notice how odd it sounds.

“There’s this guy who has a theory that the sausage is peaceful by nature, that you can’t fight when dealing with sausages. So he wants to open a sausage stand.”

Thomsen, it turns out, knows a lot about sausages, and he is convinced that the irrational anger and hatred that feed racism can be curbed using the sausage as a peacemaker. “Deep down, the movie is about racism,” he laughs. “When you see it, you’ll understand.”

There is a loud bang and Thomsen excuses himself. “Sorry, I have a thing with craftsmen. I don’t trust them, so when 38 | Issue 86 | March 2016

I hear drilling in my wall…” he says. He is back in his Copenhagen home where he lives with his wife and two children – when he is not away filming that is. “I guess it’s an agreement between me and my wife – I go away for five or six months, but then I’m back and I’m not really going anywhere at all. It’s what I do and what I’ve been doing my whole life. I can’t change that,” he says, matter-of-factly.

“Of course it’s fun as well, and when the kids were small they’d come to all these interesting places to hang out. It’s a nice way of living; I find it less of a problem and more of a great job with nice perks!”

Ulrich Thomsen with Trine Dyrholm in The Commune. Photo: Ola Kjelbye

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Restaurant Saaga

Bringing Lapland’s magic to the heart of Finland’s capital Inspired by Lapland’s nature and forests, Restaurant Saaga serves traditional Lappish dishes seasoned with Lapland’s exotic charm. Located in the centre of Helsinki, the restaurant boasts design and décor that reflect Lapland’s rich culture, bringing a piece of Lapland’s enchantment to diners.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: A&S Restaurants

Restaurant Saaga’s specialities include Nordic delicacies such as fish, reindeer, bear, elk, Lappish cheese, wild forest mushrooms and berries. The restaurant sources most of its ingredients from small producers in Lapland and Finland to guarantee the authenticity and excellent quality of speciality ingredients.

Saaga’s dishes are served on wooden platters and slate stones, in cast iron pots, ice and wooden ‘kuksa’ mugs – ancient wooden carved multi-purpose utensils – all of which help create a meal that appeals to all senses.

The inspiration for Restaurant Saaga comes from old stories and myths as well as the ‘magical madness’ of Lapland. From reindeer antler chandeliers

to skis and old pictures of Lapland’s landscapes decorating the walls and ceiling, every small detail in the restaurant’s interior is a nod to Lapland’s rich culture and exotic charm, and the work of artists and artisans from Lapland features strongly in the restaurant’s design. “Saaga means ‘story’,” says Heli Laakkonen, marketing manager of A&S Restaurants. “We want to stay true to Lapland and encourage customers to be a part of our story: our meals offer a combination of tastes, tales and sensations for those wanting to experience Lappish culture.”

Saaga is part of A&S Restaurants, a family-owned company that runs five other unique restaurants in central Hel-

sinki: Russian Saslik, Finnish Savotta, old storehouse restaurant Savu and two summer restaurants, Finnish Saari on the Sirpalesaari Island and Scandinavian Saaristo on the Klippan Island. “Catering for small, intimate dinners as well as larger parties, Saaga is located on two floors and can seat up to 120 customers,” says Laakkonen. “Our Shaman private room has seats for ten people and the ground floor dining room can accommodate private parties of up to 60 guests.

Excellent customer service is an integral part of our business: diners can expect friendly, personalised service here.”

Drawing inspiration from the beautifully rugged Lappish countryside and rich flavours, Restaurant Saaga aims to give customers a real sense of Lapland and conjure a bit of Nordic magic with good food, great service and a cosy atmosphere.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 39

Sourcing fish from the Danish fishing ports as well as auctions in Paris and Italy, Hav offers the most varied selection of fish and seafood in the north.

Copenhagen’s friendly fishmonger When it comes to seafood, few are as passionate and knowledgeable as Tommy Raabo Lund, the owner of Hav fishmongers. His passion for fish is not only channelled into his hugely successful fishmonger business, but also into the capital’s new fish and seafood eatery Restaurant Umage and the popular food market Torvehallerne.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kim Matthäi Leland.

With four generations of his family involved in the trade, Tommy Raabo Lund was never in doubt that working with fish and seafood was what he was meant to

40 | Issue 86 | March 2016

do. But after taking over his first fishmonger in Copenhagen, an almost bankrupt business of which he rose the profits sixfold, he decided that there was more to the world of fish than being a regular fishmonger in Copenhagen. Subsequently, he travelled to one of the largest and most famous fish markets in the world, the Pike Place Market in Seattle, where he got himself hired as a trainee. “All the colours, impressions, and different kinds of ingredients you get with seafood and fish are what made me become a fishmonger. I couldn’t be a butcher. Meat products just don’t have the same variation; you don’t have the substantial sea-

sonal changes that you have with seafood - it changes all year and there is always something different to look forward to in the next season,” says Tommy and adds: “Also, I love finding new produce and developing new concepts; we get a lot of different local produce from small independent Danish fishermen and try to entice people to try something new so it’s not just the usual salmon steak over and over again.” Not even when Hav sells salmon is it ordinary; it is a carefully sourced sustainable salmon from the Faroe Islands.

A haven for foodies When Tommy came back from his time in Seattle, he set up a new business through which he got to see more of the world and, inspired by his trips abroad, he developed a new dream. “Copenhagen was clearly missing a food market of the kind that you see in most other major cities, a place where you can walk

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Hav Torvehallerne

There is little doubt that Copenhagen’s friendliest fishmonger, Tommy Lund, enjoys working with fish and seafood.

in, touch and smell the produce, and talk to the traders,” Tommy says. As a result, the fishmonger became one of the first members of the founding commission for Torvehallerne, where he today has a hugely successful stand. “When Torvehallerne opened, I knew I had to go back to being a fishmonger and, as I had been part of the project since its very beginning, I was sort of first in line to get a stand,” Tommy laughs. “It all happened step by step – I hadn’t foreseen how big a success it would become at all, but it’s just super cool to have a shop where no matter how weird or different a fish you bring home, there will be someone who’s curious to try it.”

Today, Hav employs 54 people in Torvehallerne and has also opened shops in three other locations in the capital.

More than just salmon steaks Presenting the most varied selection of fish and seafood in the north and daring his customers to try out new forms of seafood and fish are some of the things that set Tommy and Hav apart from regular fishmongers. During his daily shifts in Torvehallerne Tommy enjoys passing on his tips and recipes to customers, and through the Hav2Go stand that serves and sells seafood takeaway he continuously presents new and delicious ways to prepare seafood and other seasonal pro-

duce. Run by head chef Sisse Bjørnum, a previous apprentice at the Michelin star awarded Red Cottage, the successful takeaway concept has increased its turnover fourfold since its first year in 2011.

“We’ve had several requests from shopping centres and similar who want us to set up something similar in their place, but the thing is, you really need someone who knows a lot about fish and produce to do it properly,” stresses Tommy.

Hav is located in the following locations in Greater Copenhagen: – Torvehallerne, Nørrebro – City2 Staderne, Taastrup – Kildegårdsvej, Hellerup – Madkaravanen, Frederiksberg

The focus on knowledge and well-trained staff within the fish industry led Tommy to become part of the initiative to set up Denmark’s first fishmonger training course in 2012. He is also the fishmonger who has trained the most apprentices in Denmark. “Today our young trainees know so much more about fish than us oldies; they go to auctions, go out with the boats and learn the Latin names of the fish,” Tommy enthuses. One of the first students to graduate from the programme now works at the successful Restaurant Umage. The fish and seafood restaurant, which is just down the road from Torvehallerne, was co-founded by Tommy and five of his friends equally passionate about good produce; and it is, of course, supplied with fresh fish by Hav. For more information, please visit: www.hav.dk

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 41

Six experienced and passionate foodies have joined forces to create Copenhagen’s new seafood venture, Restaurant Umage. Photo: Restaurant Umage

Serious about seafood Prenominated as the Breakthrough Restaurant of the Year, fish and seafood specialist Restaurant Umage has made a noteworthy entrance onto Copenhagen’s renowned gastronomic scene. Behind the success are no less than six experienced and passionate foodies whose professions and connections allow the gourmet restaurant to eliminate many of the usual intermediaries and consequently to serve cheaper and fresher seafood.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kim Matthäi Leland

One of the main driving forces behind Restaurant Umage’s opening in May last year was, as the name reveals (‘umage’ means ‘effort’ in Danish), the ambition to create a restaurant where guests feel that the greatest possible effort has been put into their meal. In their manifesto the six founders explain: “To make an effort is a calling; a calling that runs on passion and cannot be kept down.

When you make an effort, you are the best possible version of yourself. In our restaurant we make an effort to ensure that you, as our guest, get the best possible version of the ingredients – fish, seafood, meat, game and vegetables – which are procured to us by our trusted 42 | Issue 86 | March 2016

suppliers who, again, only supply to us because they make an effort.”

The founders’ shared passion for produce stems from each of their different backgrounds within the food industry.

Some have worked as chefs and sommeliers in prominent restaurants such as Geranium, Le Sommelier, Umami and D’Angleterre, and others supplying ingredients to them. In one way or another, all have become connected to Copenhagen’s popular fresh-food market, Torvehallerne, which is just down the road from Restaurant Umage. The restaurant receives its supplies on a daily basis from the producers there, most no-

tably from Hav, a well-assorted fishmonger owned by Tommy Lund, one of the co-founders of Restaurant Umage.

Passionate about produce Despite the differences of their respective fields, the owners of Restaurant Umage all agreed on one thing when the idea of opening a restaurant arose.

Co-owner and chef Steffen Bach, who was part of Restaurant Geranium’s Bocuse d’Or winning team in 2011, explains: “As a group of friends who all work with some kind of wonderful produce, we shared a dream of creating a place where we would have the chance to present this produce in the best possible way.”

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Restaurant Umage

Thanks to their combined skills, strong networks and shared connection to Torvehallerne, the six owners have managed to create a menu that delivers both top quality and reasonable prices. For instance, at 450DKK (approximately £45) guests can enjoy the tasting platter of the day, consisting of five small dishes such as oysters, cod ceviche with coriander and chili, squid with chorizo and cucumber, scallops with endive and mandarin, lemon sole with browned butter and celeriac, and other special delicacies made from the best seafood available on the day. The menu also includes a couple of quality options for non-pescetarians such a nice, juicy ribeye steak.

Fresh fish One of the six owners of Restaurant Umage is fishmonger Tommy Lund. As the fourth generation of his family in the trade, Lund has spent a lifetime exploring the world of fish. It was inspiration from his time abroad and markets such as the famous Pike Place Fish

Market in Seattle that led to him opening his current business, Hav, a fishmonger that sells a wide assortment of fish and seafood in, among other places, Torvehallerne. Lund’s extensive network and constant presence at Denmark’s fish auctions mean that Restaurant Umage always get the best of what is available. “The fact that Tommy is one of the co-owners means that we have access to fresh fish without all the intermediaries who usually get a cut of the cake and add on to the final price that guests pay in the restaurant,” say Bach. “Every day, Hav gets us the best fresh fish from auctions all over the country, and that means that we can offer fish of an unmatched quality and price. Also, to match the quality of fish with our wine we have Lau Christian Thorn, one of the country’s best sommeliers.”

The passion and expertise of the men behind Restaurant Umage are also reflected in the service and interior of the place, but it is presented in a down-to-

earth and light-hearted atmosphere. The tables are made from old bulwark timber from Kerteminde harbour and humorous assorted pictures of the six owners engulfed in their favourite element, food, prove that at Restaurant Umage they are not just serious about seafood; they are absolutely crazy about all food.

Facts: Restaurant Umage has been prenominated as the Breakthrough Restaurant of the Year by Den Danske Spiseguide.

The founding partners of restaurant Umage include Lau Christian Thorn (sommelier), Steffen Bach (chef), Claus Skjærbæk (head chef), Jan Jensen (charcuterie), Tommy Raabo Lund (fish), Henri Gordon Lee (meat), and Kaj Bigum Hilfling (hunter).

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

Photo: Restaurant Umage

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 43

On top of the many wellness experiences included in the admission to the Diamond Spa of Bornholm, guests can book a range of relaxing spa treatments.

Indulge in the beauty of Bornholm’s diamond Whether you are a dedicated spa enthusiast, a fan of Bornholm or just looking for a beautiful and relaxing holiday experience, you will love the Diamond Spa of Bornholm. Situated by the coastline of Rønne, the spa overlooks the Baltic Sea, where the special location and unique geology of the diamond’s home island are reflected in every bit of the carefully considered design.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Diamond Spa of Bornholm

Inspired by the landscape, legends and culture of Bornholm, the Diamond Spa of Bornholm offers a concentrated luxurious experience of the island’s famous craftsmanship and natural beauty. The spectacular features of the spa attract several dedicated spa goers, who travel to Bornholm specifically for this experience, but equally many guests drop by in connection with a conference, a private party or an island holiday. Visitors are introduced to the many offers and artful details through a free guided tour and, no matter what the main purpose for their visit, most are utterly enthused by the experience according to director Birte Jensen. “The feedback we receive 44 | Issue 86 | March 2016

from our guests is that the spa is one of the most beautiful and at the same time well-organised spas they have

With views of the sea, the outdoor Jacuzzi is one of the most popular of the many wellness facilities at the Diamond Spa of Bornholm.

ever visited. Many are amazed to find something like this on a small island like Bornholm.”

Guests can enjoy a visit to the spa on its own or as part of a weekend or holiday package at the four-star Griffen Spa Hotel, where the spa is located, or the nearby Radisson Blu Fredensborg Hotel.

Luxury the Bornholm way The many different spa experiences of the Diamond Spa of Bornholm are all named after, and inspired by, some of Bornholm’s best-known sites and rock structures. At the same time, different variations of Bornholm’s granite and art forms are utilised in the design. The result is a spa that naturally embodies the legends, mystery and natural forces of the island.

“What we wanted to create was a spa that oozes luxury and Bornholm. And truly what impresses most when they first visit is the beauty and atmosphere of the entire place,” Birte Jensen explains.

With a range of wellness experiences including saunas, cold, hot and warm water pools, a Turkish hammam, a massage pool, an infrared light therapy room and much more, spread over

Scan Magazine | Wellness Feature | Diamond Spa of Bornholm

1,000 square metres, the Diamond Spa of Bornholm is indisputably the island’s largest and most exclusive spa. The spa also includes an unsurprisingly popular outdoor Jacuzzi and saltwater pool from where guests can enjoy a captivating view of the Baltic Sea.

Diamonds and rocks Founded in 2010, the Diamond Spa of Bornholm is named after the island’s characteristic quartz crystals, known as the ‘diamonds of Bornholm’. The diamonds, which have been widely used for making precious jewellery, are today protected but guests can enjoy a display of their famous splendour at the spa entrance. Many other geological and natural particularities specific to the island have been used to inspire the different experiences of the spa. For instance, guests will find a plunge pool and cooling ice system inspired by Denmark’s largest waterfall in the Døndalen valley on Bornholm.

In addition to the many experiences included in the admission, the spa offers a range of individually booked massages and treatments for which therapists use Bornholm’s local skincare products, some based on the island’s characteristic red clay. Everything has been designed to give guests a peaceful and relaxing experience with hours of luxurious pampering surrounded by the beauty of the diamonds and natural wonders of Bornholm.

Facts: The Diamond Spa of Bornholm is located at Hotel Griffen in Rønne.

Address: Nordre Kystvej 34, 3700 Rønne, Denmark.

The spa is open all year.

Admission to the Diamond Spa of Bornholm: DKK 225 (children are not allowed in the spa).

Guests at Hotel Griffen and Radisson Blu Fredensborg Hotel have free access to the spa.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 45

Scan Magazine | Children of Denmark | Seeds

Seeds is keeping up with the rapidly changing trends within tween and teen fashion by sourcing the newest trends from all over the world.

Keeping up with the tweens Anyone who has children aged eight to 16 knows that tweens are far from being behind in the world of fashion. On the contrary, inspired by social media, friends and celebrities, they know exactly what they want. So does Seeds, Denmark’s largest chain of independent kids’ and tweens’ wear stores.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Seeds

With decades of experience within the kids’ and tweens’ wear sector and 16 stores all over Denmark, Seeds has proven to be at the forefront of the rapidly changing trends within tween and teen fashion. “With the tweens and teens especially, we work a lot with express orders to be able to meet the changing trends. For our next catalogue, for instance, which is out in April, we are still collecting the very last bits. We want to present the absolute latest within the sector as well as a range of basic items,” says director Flemming Jensen. “We can 46 | Issue 86 | March 2016

do this because we have strong collaborations with a wide range of the world’s best children’s wear manufacturers, and price wise we present a very wide spectrum of brands produced all over the world.”

Seeds publishes three catalogues yearly, distributed door to door in the 16 towns and cities where stores are located, and shoppers are always met by new collections and items. The collections include a broad mix of styles, ages and usages.

Some pieces adhere to the more func-

tional demands of the parents of younger tweens, while other items appeal more to fashion-savvy teens who visit the stores on their own. “The young teenagers are at least as fashion-conscious as their adult counterparts, if not more. And obviously, at that age, the parents don’t have a lot of say, and that goes for the boys as well as the girls – they are not far behind,” stresses Jensen. “Of course, for the younger kids it’s still the parents that get to decide, and for them there’s a strong focus on functionality, especially for outdoor wear, which we also meet.

But then when it comes to teens, we have to accept that functionality goes out the window for fashion.”

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

Scan Magazine | Children of Denmark | Andemors Verden

The joys of toys In 2009, Line Marie Wibroe was working as a headhunter when her husband, Peter, became seriously ill. In the middle of it all, the couple’s third daughter was born with life-threatening complications. Thankfully both are now thriving, but the events led Line to re-evaluate her life, quit her job, and set up a business selling high-quality toys in Scandinavia in 2011. Her new path, rather curiously, began with a rubber duck.

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Andemors Verden

“I realised we’re not immortal, and just how important it is to enjoy the little things in life,” Line says. “One day, I saw this giant green rubber duck, and I completely fell in love. I wanted to bring that joy to others.” Line set up her company, Andemors verden, which roughly translates as ‘mummy duck’s world’. She began to wonder why there are so few good, longlasting water toys, pushing parents to buy flimsy beach toys every season – especially in Scandinavia, where beaches, lakes and fjords abound. “It makes no economic sense. It’s terrible for the environment, and the cheap, breakable plastic can be dangerous for little feet and animals. Fun, engaging toys, however, can really help to de-mystify water for kids – and their parents.”

Line set out to find durable, safe and well-designed toys made by similarly minded people. One of her first finds was the foldable, lightweight Scrunch bucket, which easily fits in the suitcase.

“The people at Moluk and Quut also really understand how kids think and play,” she says.

Line is buzzing with enthusiasm for the products and brands she represents. “I also love the Tinti toys! They dye bath water in fantastically bright colours from safe, natural materials.

And there’s the SwimFin, which lets kids be sharks! And lots of other great stuff, like our Suki teddies, which admittedly don’t strictly go with the water theme, but I couldn’t resist them…”

For more information, please visit: www.andemors-verden.dk or phone +45 70 203 201

500

UNIQUE COTTAGES

2000 – 2016

laftekompaniet.no

& +47 91159600

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Article by: Minister for Culture and Democracy, Alice Bah Kuhnke | Translation: Julie Lindén

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is showing the exhibition We are Roma – meet the people behind the myth, which is based on interviews, photos and films made with or by people of Roma origin in Sweden. Here you can learn about 500 years of exclusion, nomadism, activism, joyfulness, tradition, music and hopes for the future.

– At the Jewish Museum in Stockholm you will find many fascinating stories of how the Jewish national minority have played a part in building the fantastic Sweden we have today. Many Swedish-Jewish philanthropists played an important role in Swedish cultural life, for instance in the founding of the Concert Hall and through their support for famous Swedish artists.

Alice Bah Kuhnke, Minister for Culture and Democracy, Sweden Photo: Kristian Pohl, Regeringskansliet

Travelling can also be a way to challenge a preconceived image of the country or place you are visiting. You can do this by visiting places other than those first shown in the guide book in your bag.

A precondition for Swedish society’s evolution over the centuries has been openness. For many, as for me, tolerance, openness and solidarity with other people are the best things about being Swedish.

At a time when right-wing extremist forces are spreading throughout many other European countries, our country holds a wide support for all people’s equal value. Sweden is not just an elongated country in the north of Europe, it is also a country that welcomes those fleeing their homes. The Swedish people’s understanding and openness for

people who come here is amongst the highest measured in the world, and the benevolence has risen constantly during the time this has been studied.

There is nothing I am more proud of than this fact.

As the Minister for Culture and Democracy, I would like to give you some tips of places to visit in order to enjoy a greater view of Sweden than that which is typically narrated, of Vikings, ABBA and beautiful, blonde women.

– Just a few streets below the Royal Palace in Stockholm, you will find the Living History Museum. Students and teachers from all over the country come here to learn more about the Holocaust and communist crimes against humanity. Currently, for instance, the museum

i

LT al The ED UR me: EN E I 20 N 16

Welcome to Sweden!

And thank you for choosing to come here. Travelling is not only nice, it is also a way to grow as a human being. By exposing your brain to new impressions, you are compelled to think new thoughts and be inspired by others.

CU

– A very important part of Sweden is the indigenous Sámi people. In the northern city of Jokkmokk, you may not only see the beautiful northern lights and visit Laponia. You can also learn about Sámi history at the Ájtte museum. It is a shattering story of both exclusion and pride.

– Sweden is a multicultural society where people of different cultures and identities meet to build an even stronger society together. To learn more about this, I recommend a visit to one of our Museums of World Culture, in Gothenburg and Stockholm.

– Stockholm Metro is a 100-station-long art-themed journey where each station has been decorated by one or more artists. Stockholm Public Transport, SL, arranges guided art walks of the works.

As a bonus you get to see many more, and very exciting, parts of Stockholm than the city centre alone.

Sweden’s strength lies in its history of diversity. I hope you get to experience and take part in it during your stay.

Welcome to us wherever you are coming from.

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Moderna Museet. Photo: Miriam Preis

Photo: Rodrigo Rivas Ruiz

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Photo: Martin Svalander

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Mask by Saara Ekström, from upcoming exhibition at Bildmuseet.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

Photo: Astrid Lindgrens Näs

Photo: Moderna Museet

UNESCO sites, world-class art and traditional ‘fika’ From authentic indigenous Sámi tradition all the way up north, through all 1,574 kilometres down to the megalithic monument of Ale’s Stones down the southern tip, Sweden is dotted with historical sites, world-class museums and lively concert and theatre venues.

The Swedish cultural heritage includes legends such as ABBA and August Strindberg, not to mention the fierce Vikings, but there is more to Swedish culture than the historical events and art personalities that first spring to mind.

There are fascinating castles and stunning palaces, world-class art collections and inspiring local and regional theatres.

If you make it up north, an exploration of the Sámi heritage can keep you busy and intrigued for days on end, and the northern culture hub of Umeå boasts a number of highly regarded galleries and museums, including Bildmuseet.

Further south, and not far from the cap-

ital of Stockholm, you can pay a visit to Sweden’s oldest town, Sigtuna, which was founded in AD 980 and is full to the brim with medieval churches, ruins, rune stones and charming town buildings.

In total, Sweden is home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the cities present everything from some of the most renowned pieces of art to groundbreaking scientific laboratories.

Get your contemporary art fix at Moderna Museet or learn how the world became what it is today at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. If you want to make a day of it, head for Prins Eugen’s Waldemarsudde where you can soak up art

and beautiful architecture while surrounded by lush gardens with rare plants and species.

If literature is your thing but Strindberg is not, pay a visit to Junibacken or Astrid Lindgrens Näs, formerly the home of children’s book author Astrid Lindgren, and find out what made her stories so cherished on a global scale. To complete any cultural experience, pop into one of Sweden’s many picturesque and enticing bakeries or cafés for a traditional ‘fika’ – typically a cup of coffee with a top-up free of charge and a nice treat such as a freshly baked cinnamon bun – and let the day’s impressions sink in.

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

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Left: Paul Klee, Ad marginem, 1930. Courtesy of Kunstmuseum Basel. Bequest of Richard Doetsch-Benziger, Basel 1960. Photo: Kunstmuseum Basel, Martin P. Bühler. Middle top: Paul Klee, Kairuan, Before the Gate, 1914. (Kairuan, framför porten.) Photo: Moderna Museet. Below middle: Ivan Aguéli, Afrikanskt landskap, ca 1914. (African Landscape.) Photo: Åsa Lundén/Moderna Museet.

World-class contemporary art, open to everyone The most highly regarded art museum in the Nordics, and Sweden’s most visited, Moderna Museet in Stockholm is undoubtedly an essential destination for locals and tourists alike. Boasting an impressive collection containing some of the most famous contemporary artworks, it is accessible and open minded and, since January this year, admission is free.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Moderna Museet

“The fact that the environment is so permissive, that it’s so easy to pop in for a dose of art history or a coffee, or to chat to our guides for a bit more depth, that’s a real strength of ours,” says Nina Strollo, head of communications. With an inviting café just inside the door and a nice view across the water, this is a relaxing and indeed very popular place to meet – but the laid-back atmosphere comes with unquestionable gravitas. This is where, in 1968, Andy Warhol spoke those famous words: “In the future, everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes.”

The prominent permanent collection, which is among the finest collections in the world in regards to 20th and 21st 52 | Issue 86 | March 2016

century art, displays works by distinguished artists including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Louise Bourgeois and, of course, Warhol himself. The photography collection goes back as far as 1840.

“You can pretty much experience the entire contemporary art history here,” says Strollo.

One of the highlights this spring, running until 24 April, is the Klee/Aguéli exhibition. “This is quite an extraordinary meeting of these two painters, who lived at the same time but actually never met,” Strollo explains. An anarchist, Sufi and traveller, Aguéli’s life story is in itself fascinating, and this exhibition adds a peculiar aspect by mapping the two

artists’ destinies and finding touchpoints, not least in their inspiration from North Africa and the Middle East. “It is classic painting at its very best,” says Strollo.

For art aficionados as well as novices, Moderna Museet offers a full experience whether for a quick fix or a whole afternoon. Audio guides are available, and the knowledgeable exhibition guides are always keen to help put the art into context or discuss particular art scenes.

“Experiencing art is completely subjective, and there are no rights or wrongs,” says Strollo. “That’s what’s so great about art: it can mean different things to each and every spectator. We’re all about embracing that. If you want to read up, learn more and reflect, we offer the opportunity to do just that – but we’re not about the highbrow, elitist thing.

Everybody’s welcome.”

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Visit the childhood home of Astrid Lindgren Sweden’s most famous writer of children’s books found a great deal of inspiration in her childhood home, and the legacy still lives on today. This month, Astrid Lindgrens Näs in Vimmerby opens up for a new season packed full of stories and inspiration.

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Astrid Lindgrens Näs

Astrid Lindgren once said: “If I have managed to brighten up even one gloomy childhood – then I’m satisfied.” It is an understatement to say that she exceeded that goal by a mile. Her stories about characters such as Pippi Longstocking and That Emil have influenced children all over the world. And even though the author passed away in 2002, her legacy is flourishing.

far as I know, we have never had such an extensive programme before,” says Nils-Magnus Angantyr, acting CEO at Astrid Lindgrens Näs, adding that every corner of the garden and houses will be filled with stories, arts, sculptures and inspiration.

Busy season ahead

Astrid Lindgrens Näs is located on the outskirts of Vimmerby, around 3.5 hours south of Stockholm. The childhood home, restored to its original shape by Lindgren herself, is open for guided tours. The permanent exhibition, Hela världens Astrid Lindgren (The whole world’s Astrid Lindgren) can be found in the pavilion next door, alongside temporary exhibitions.

When Astrid Lindgrens Näs opens up its doors this month, it has a fantastic spring and summer ahead, with exhibitions, arts and a new summer café. “As

“In addition to all this, we are now opening the third and final part of the garden.

We have started new chapters annually

She found a great deal of inspiration in her own childhood home, where she was born in 1907. This is where you will find the world’s only permanent exhibition about her life and authorship.

Astrid Lindgren in front of her childhood home.

Photo: Vimmerby Kommun.

for three years, and it is all inspired by the atmosphere and details from Astrid Lindgren’s stories,” says Angantyr.

The last section of the garden is ready just in time for summer and deals with themes such as hope, courage and creativity, with something for the young and old.

For more information, please visit: www.astridlindgrensnas.se/en

Dates for your calendar: 2 March: Astrid Lindgrens Näs opens for the season.

5 March–28 May: Denna dagen, ett lif, temporary exhibition about Ellen Key. 18 April–8 May: Sculpture making by artist Patrick Dougherty.

11 June: The third chapter of the garden opens.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 53

Left: Bildmuseet at Umeå Arts Campus. Photo: Johan Gunséus. Right: Charles and Ray Eames, Stacking Chairs, 1957. Photo: © Eames Office LLC.

Local art champion that mirrors the world Housed in purpose-built premises right on the Ume River bank alongside the architecture, fine arts and design institutions of Umeå University, Bildmuseet is both a local champion and an international player. “Being a public museum for contemporary visual culture that belongs to the university makes us unique in Sweden,” says curator Brita Täljedal.

By Linnea Dunne

The seven-floor museum building with its eye-catching larch wood façade was designed by the Danish architect firm Henning Larsen Architects as part of the new Arts Campus that saw the light of day four years ago. Contemporary, cutting edge and confident, it embodies some of Bildmuseet’s defining characteristics.

There is no doubt that the connection to the university is a resource. “We’ve got access to the latest research and critical perspectives, not to mention an invaluable pool of talent for lectures and events complementing the exhibitions,” says 54 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Täljedal. Collaborations with academics ranging from political scientists to gender studies researchers are a central part of the package. But much like the academic institution, the museum has an international profile and is highly respected on the art scene abroad. No wonder that the Barbican Art Gallery jumped on the opportunity to host its Charles and Ray Eames exhibition here.

Eames: ‘Fiercely creative’ “While Charles and Ray were active primarily in the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, they are still hugely popular and feel very con-

temporary,” says Täljedal, who is the project manager of the upcoming exhibition. “The exhibition will display a large amount of their designs, such as the iconic ‘The Chair’, graphic design work, photographs, educational films, architectural drawings – including that of their own home – and a selection of personal letters. This of course feels apt, considering we’re smack bang in the middle of the art campus here, with design and architecture students next door.”

The exhibition, which opens on 17 April, is the largest showcase of the Eames’s work to ever make it to Sweden, and Täljedal is especially enthusiastic about the joyful creative energy it communicates. “It’s amazing how exuberantly imaginative the Eames were,” she says.

“They were fiercely creative and definitely ahead of their time, and their work was truly groundbreaking. Moreover, they

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Left: Charles and Ray Eames, Installation view of Think, IBM Pavillion at New York World’s Fair. Photo: Eames Office LLC. Middle: Charles and Ray Eames, posing with chair bases. Photo: Eames Office LLC. Right: Charles and Ray Eames, Eames House Courtyard. Photo: Eames Office LLC, Timoty Street Porter.

were pedagogues and social commentators in their own right, very socially conscious and working politically in an incredibly lustful, playful way.”

gramming, Bildmuseet hosts educational events and workshops for visitors of all ages, including a free, open pre-school play group and baby painting.

Where local meets global

The majority of the museum’s exhibitions are produced in-house, and some end up going on tour. The end of this year will see a brand new art exhibition exploring the subject of spent nuclear fuel storage. In cooperation with Ele Carpenter, guest curator of Perpetual Uncertainties, Bildmuseet has commissioned 25 international artists to investigate nuclear aesthetics, in what Täljedal describes as “a fascinating theme that deals with hugely important issues”. If you have come across Bildmuseet before, you will know to expect nothing less.

By means of first-rate artistic works, Bildmuseet gets to approach areas of great complexity. “We work on so many different and important subjects,” says Täljedal. “This year we’ve got a dozen exhibitions – so you learn something every day. Not to mention the fact that we get to work with eminent artists from all over the world.”

Museum director Katarina Pierre adds: “We have a lot of creative freedom. We always try to produce as urgent, and at the same time exciting, exhibitions as possible. It’s all about the place where the local meets the global – that’s what I love about Bildmuseet.” As part of the local pro-

For more information, please visit: www.bildmuseet.umu.se

Bildmuseet’s reception at Umeå Arts Campus. Photo: Wilhelm Rejnus.

Current and upcoming exhibitions Until 17 April – Julio Le Parc / Lumière This exhibition showcases Argentinian artist Julio Le Parc’s groundbreaking work from the 1960s. Using simple, reflective materials, he creates playful and entrancing installation where light is set in motion by lenses and built-in motors.

17 Apr to 04 Sep – Charles and Ray Eames The works of Charles and Ray Eames, two of the most influential designers of the 20th century, are displayed in this exhibition. Together they moved fluidly between the fields of photography, film, architecture, exhibition making, and furniture and product design.

12 June to 06 Nov – Saara Ekström / Alchemy Photography, video and installation art by Saara Ekström, inspired by Asian aesthetics as well as western 17th century nature morte tradition, bringing together contrasting phenomena such as pleasure and repulsion or life and death.

12 June to 06 Nov – Fouad Elkoury / Les plus beau jour A video installation communicating experiences of changing existence, through parallel stories of war and peace by photographer and filmmaker Fouad Elkoury.

27 Nov 2016 – 16 Apr 2017 – Perpetual Uncertainties An exhibition of contemporary art in the nuclear era exploring the complexity of knowledge and the unforeseeable time frame of radiation.

Works by 25 artists from different parts of Europe, as well as Australia, the US and Japan.

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Opera on tour, putting the story first With a mission to bring opera to the people, Skånska Operan takes classical operas, removes the grand set designs and performs in Swedish. The result is an intimate experience that puts the story first. “When you take opera on tour, you can’t have flying dragons,” says producer Åsa Jensen. “Everything has to fit in a van – we simply have to get to the core of the stories.”

A performance of Bizet’s Carmen from last year.

When Skånska Operan was founded in 1993 by Christian Fürst Myrup, it was one hundred per cent enthusiasm and not a whole lot of organisation. Then Åsa Jensen joined as producer, and things have steadily picked up since. Together with the artistic leader Ola Hörling, she has set a very clear goal: to make opera accessible to a wider audience.

This year, Askungen (Cinderella) will take to the stage. “We’ve talked a lot about the fact that today, more than ever, there’s a need for a story with a happy ending, a story where something real and genuine actually wins in the end,” Jensen explains. “This is a classic story, and our concept remains the same: an intimate chamber

By Linnea Dunne Photos: Håkan Röjder

performance which we hope will really move people.”

Powered by the passion of people who love opera and are happy to sacrifice big pay cheques for an intense learning experience, Skånska Operan takes issue with the idea that opera has to be performed in the original language. “If you want to tell a story,” the producer poses, “what good is Italian if the audience doesn’t understand it?”

With its headquarters in Malmö, Skånska Operan tours its home country every summer, this year with 22 performances from 2 July to 9 August across various castle grounds.

“Meeting the audience where they are, in a different environment, is our key strength,” says Jensen. “You get incredibly close.”

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

A world filled with stories, laughter and surprises Junibacken is a fairy tale world based on Astrid Lindgren’s and many other famous Scandinavian authors’ books for children. Step into a colourful world full of fun and meet Pettson and Findus, Moomin and many others.

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Junibacken

Junibacken was established in 1996.

The idea was developed by actor Staffan Götestam, who always found museums boring as a child. He had a vision to build a children’s museum that was anything but ordinary – something playful and interactive. He shared his thoughts with the late Astrid Lindgren, whose work he admired and wanted to incorporate and showcase. She agreed, but on the condition that other writers and creators were involved as well.

This year, Junibacken hosts an exclusive exhibition about Moomin and his family. “It feels very special to be able to offer a setting here at Junibacken based on the celebrated works by one of our biggest artists, Tove Jansson. We hope 56 | Issue 86 | March 2016

that a new generation of Moomin lovers will play, explore, get inspired to read and have a lot of fun,” says Maria Reuterskiöld, communications manager at Junibacken.

In addition to the exhibitions, Junibacken boasts a hugely popular multilingual children’s bookshop, and it is also the proud owner of one of Sweden’s largest children’s theatres with several performances daily.

If you are travelling to Stockholm by plane, you will have another opportunity to play with Moomin and his friends as Junibacken is opening a new children’s lounge at Arlanda airport in April. Other famous characters at the lounge will include Jerry and Maya from The JerryMaya Detective Agency.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Celebrating 70 years in the open air At Gamla Linköping Open-Air Museum, visitors can stroll around over 100-year-old wooden houses, cobblestone alleyways and gardens in the old town neighbourhood.

And with its small shops, cosy cafés and restaurants, and extensive programme of activities, this popular destination has something for everyone.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Friluftsmuseet Gamla Linköping

Being one of Sweden’s biggest open-air museums, Gamla Linköping is also the main tourist destination in Östergötland with around 400,000 visitors per year. “People appreciate the genuine setting and glimpse of Swedish culture and history,” says museum director Tina Karlsson. “The old city blocks have so many interesting places to explore. For example, Solliden house and garden from the 1920s is fantastic, and well worth a visit.”

Gamla Linköping is open throughout the year, with 20 separate museums telling the story of people’s everyday lives in the past. Visitors can learn traditional crafts such as rope making, try old-fashioned ways of cooking, and experience what

it would have been like to go to school or work in a town shop. Or, suggests Karlsson, take part in a guided tour of the authentic homes from the early 1900s.

Another popular family activity is a ride on the choo-choo train or the horsedrawn carriages.

Plenty to see and do A walk through the nearby Valla Woods nature reserve is also highly recommended, with the experiential Forest Path teaching curious explorers about animals and nature in their native environment. And at Valla Farm, visitors can see the railway and wagon museums and, of course, the farm itself with tractors and pony riding, as well as horses, goats, rabbits and other animals.

During the summer, the museum expands its programme and becomes a true centre for living history. Worth mentioning is the Garden Day on 1 May, an annual day themed around gardening, when fans of horticulture can buy plants and vegetables from the local farmers, get advice on gardening or take part in competitions to test their farming skills.

In addition to its usual activities this year, Gamla Linköping celebrates its 70th anniversary and on 21 May hosts an open day with a number of displays, performances and fun events for children and adults alike. And to top it all off, the museum collaborates with other cultural institutions in Östergötland on the theme of ‘Kitchen & Food’, with various events and exhibitions related to food typical for the area.

For more information, please visit: www.gamlalinkoping.info

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Take a tour of the Walloon estates

By Malin Norman Photos: Vallonbruken

The early 17th century wave of skilled Belgian immigrants from Wallonia introduced new methods for iron production in Sweden.

The Walloons also brought with them a wealth of culinary and cultural traditions still celebrated today.

Vallonbruken preserves and showcases the unique industrial community in Uppland, from its Walloon iron production techniques to the women’s history and the characteristic food and drink.

“I would recommend a tour of at least a couple of our 15 estates to get the full picture of this fantastic era,” says operations director Stefan Wårdsäter. “For example, why not pay a visit to the smithy in Österbybruk, combined with a guided tour of the Lövstabruk manor?” Österbybruk is the world’s only preserved operational Walloon smithy, dating back to the 17th century, and well worth a trip for its beautiful orangery and vegetable garden. The estate also celebrates Belgian traditions such as Knutsmasso, when locals would dress up in decorative costumes and take the opportunity for some mischief. Back in

the day, Lövstabruk was Sweden’s biggest ironworks and owned by the famous de Geer family. Visitors are welcome to see the impressive mansion and surrounding park, including an inn, church and garden.

A perfect opportunity to explore the area is during Vallonbruksveckan, on 6-14 August, a week fully packed with guided tours of the estates and ironworks, traditional entertainment such as concerts and storytelling, and plenty of other activities. This year’s theme is industrial with a particular focus on the production of charcoal, mining techniques and living conditions during that time.

Vallonbruken is located in a beautiful area close to Stockholm and Uppsala, ideal for a daytrip or a longer visit, with many excellent restaurants and comfortable places to stay the night.

For more information, please visit: www.vallonbruken.nu

Modern time travel in Östergötland Östergötlands museum has kickstarted the spring season with a culinary theme and an all-new exhibition for children, offering two great reasons to visit the Swedish city of Linköping this year.

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Östergötlands museum

“We have opened Viljans värld, a playful world where kids can play and learn about history,” says Olof Hermelin, managing director at Östergötlands museum.

The mysterious forest is part playground, part traditional exhibition, named after the gnome Viljan who tells the story of planet Earth. “It has a spaceship, an ant hill and a giant oak tree to explore,” says Hermelin and adds that real historic items are also on display.

Children aged three to ten make up 58 | Issue 86 | March 2016

the main target audience, although toddlers are welcome to join as soon as they know how to crawl.

This year, the museum also initiated a yearlong regional collaboration about food and will display culinary items from the collections, particularly focusing on the relationship between food and culture. On top of that, a castle run by the museum, Löfstad slott, offers a peek into the history of a noble home. “It is an authentic exhibition of what things looked like here in 1926,” says Hermelin and paints a picture of a Swedish Downton Abbey, complete with a downstairs kitchen and splendid drawing rooms.

The museum and the castle boast everything needed for a complete day

trip, including shops and restaurants.

“We want our visitors to see us as a living room where they can spend time and enjoy themselves,” says the director. “A good visit to the museum is one that is allowed to take up some time.”

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Top Left: Female glass artist group BOOM. Bottom Left: Glass sculpture by Ammy Olofsson at Konstfack.

Above: Dialogues With Light and Colour by Teresa Almeida. Below Right: The Glass Factory Hot Shop.

Hot blend of rock ‘n’ roll and girl power The Glass Factory is an interactive glass museum located in the middle of the Kingdom of Crystal in southern Sweden. Moreover, it is an energetic knowledge hub and a creative meeting place for international artists, designers and visitors alike.

By Malin Norman | Photos: The Glass Factory

The Swedish glass scene is changing, with new blood and heaps of energy. In 2009, Emmaboda municipality bought glass collections from renowned Boda, Kosta and Åfors glassworks, and created one of the biggest glass museums in Scandinavia with around 4,000 square metres of exhibition space attracting over 50,000 visitors per year.

“We work a bit differently, as we think it’s important to be brave and actually do things,” says museum director Maja Heuer, who has been part of the initiative since the beginning. “This is a young and dynamic environment, very much rock ‘n’ roll! Lots of famous and up-andcoming artists from all over the world take part, so there’s always something happening here.”

Fluorescent glass and passionate glassblowers There is no doubt that visitors at the museum get to see a great deal more than just vases. The Glass Factory has spectacular glass shows, a scientific glass lab and a special glass factory for children, a whole basement with a complete collection from the glassworks and, last but not least, live glassblowing at Glashyttan studio, the beating heart of the centre.

The Glass Factory is currently working with Swedish artists such as Åsa Jungnelius, Peter Hermansson, Olle Brozén, Tillie Burden and Fredrik Nielsen. Among the popular events on the programme of activities is the annual exhibition of final exam works by students at Konstfack (University College of Arts,

Crafts and Design) and Riksglasskolan (National School of Glass), open from 11 June to 28 August. And Johansfors Revisited, from 18 June to 4 September, is worth seeing for its unique collection of pieces from Johansfors glassworks.

Another highlight is Portuguese artist Teresa Almeida with the exhibition Dialogues With Light and Colour, from 12 March to 17 April. Her fluorescent glass is a true hybrid of science and art. Other strong female artists are BOOM members Sara Lundkvist, Matilda Kästel, Nina Westman, Erika Kristofersson Bredberg and Ammy Olofsson, who will showcase their work on 11 June. A must-see is the glass show Girlpower and Glassblowing on 22 April, a collaboration with studio Big Pink and artists Jennie Olofsson, Marte Kartfjord, Matilda Kästel, and Monica Alvestad Amundsen, showing their passion and skills in glassblowing.

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

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Photo: Mikael Axelsson

World-class science hub at your disposal Pomp and circumstance were key ingredients when a brand new building for the Swedish Museum of Natural History was erected in 1916, making it the largest museum in the country and a symbol of the greatness of science. 100 years on, the museum celebrates a century of ground-breaking research, a world-class natural history collection and a reputation as a pioneer in education.

By Linnea Dunne

“We’ve had a great laugh watching footage of a trailer with a stuffed rhino driving through the city,” says Martin Testorf, jubilee coordinator, about the move from the old premises in central Stockholm to the new building further out near Stockholm University. While the build can be said to have been somewhat of a vanity project, boasting highly advanced construction engineering with towers and domes made of bricks from Helsingborg and granite from Roslagen, the new location was met with scepticism. “People thought it was a catastrophe, moving the museum a few kilometres outside of the city centre,” says Testorf. “But we had 60 | Issue 86 | March 2016

around 50,000 visitors a year back then, and you can add a zero to that figure now, so it’s been far from a catastrophe.”

Science behind the scenes While the birthday celebrating 100 years, on 13 November, will be marked by a big party, a special jubilee tour will be held throughout the autumn, telling the stories behind objects from the permanent exhibition that have not been told before. “We want to show that we are so much more than stuffed animals,” says Testorf. “We’re a government agency with a very broad range of activities, including, for example, research around natural toxins.”

It was in part thanks to the Swedish Museum of Natural History that the negative impact of mercury on birds of prey was discovered and the substance was banned. Its environmental specimen bank contains samples from different parts of Sweden collected on an annual basis, so that researchers can go back to any given year to see where a specific toxin was found at that time. The bank is the oldest in the world of its kind and is home to samples from fish, bird’s eggs, DNA and much more. In addition, the museum boasts a world-class DNA laboratory which was the first to map out the DNA mass of the mammoth.

“Take a stone, and we can look at it and say how old it is and where in the world it’s from. We can even say what the planet Earth was like at the time of the stone’s creation,” Testorf explains about the geology laboratory. “We’ve now got access to a meteorite from Mars, so in

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Above: A gemstone flatworm from the Swedish west coast. Photo: Ulf Jondelius, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet. Right: The made-to-measure Swedish Museum of Natural History building, which opened its doors 100 years ago. Photo: Martin Stenmark.

that same way we can tell how Mars as a planet was formed. All known meteorites that have landed in Sweden are here in our cabinets.”

Educating for sustainability The mission of the Swedish Museum of Natural History is to educate the public and inspire a sense of responsibility towards the environment and for a sustainable development. This is what the fascinating items on display do so well – but it is the work behind the scenes that really puts everything into context, Testorf insists. “The museum is approaching 300 years old, and during all these years our researchers have been travelling the world on expeditions collating objects.

There’s nowhere in the world we haven’t been, and we discover hundreds of new species every year. There’s a mass extinction of species going on, and the mapping of biodiversity is crucial if we want to turn this around and preserve these species.”

ready-made teaching plans and ten classes of school children being guided around the museum every day, it has been celebrated for targeting children without being childish. This is one of its key strengths, if you ask Testorf. This year, a new feature has been introduced to attract young visitors outside school hours. Dino-Doris makes an appearance every weekend, and these dramatised tours have been hugely popular.

Add to this the super high-technological state-of-the-art IMAX cinema, Cosmonova, with a 760-square-metre screen, 262 tiered and tilted seats within a dome of 23 metres in diametre, able to reflect up to 35 billion colours, and you will likely be convinced that pomp and circumstance are the only way to represent this world-class science hub with architectonical measures. “When visitors are fascinated by nature, that can grow into dedication and lifelong commitment,” says Testorf.

“We’re hoping that, that way, we can contribute to a more sustainable world.”

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

Above: A stuffed rhino on a trailer going through the city of Stockholm when the Swedish Museum of Natural History moved into its brand new premises 100 years ago. Photo: Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet.

Among the more widely known aspects of the museum are ten permanent exhibitions, including Swedish Nature, which showcases a wide range of Swedish animals such as arctic foxes, moose and seals. Since last year, Fossils and Evolution has told the story of all living things – some no longer living – boasting hugely popular dinosaurs, plants and birds.

With exhibitions covering everything from underwater life and climate change to souvenirs and the impact of tourism, this is a perfect and complete science lesson.

Speaking of lessons, the museum is and always was a teacher’s best friend. With

Velociraptor from the exhibition Fossil and Evolution.

Photo: Simon Stålenhag

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 61

Above: The interior of the castle dining room. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman. Top Right: Prince Eugen’s Molnet, 1896. Oil on canvas, 119 x 109. Middle Right: The gallery terrace. Bottom Right: Museum director Karin Sidén.

The passion of a prince Between lush greenery and the waters of the Stockholm archipelago, a stronghold for culture and democracy presents world-class art, architecturally admirable reception rooms, rare flora and a fascinating past. All thanks to a passionate prince.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Lars Edelholm

On 17 June 1947, Prince Eugen, the fourth and youngest son of King Oscar II and Queen Sofia, wrote his will. “He wanted the buildings, art and green areas to not just be preserved, but made accessible in a dynamic way,” says Karin Sidén, museum director at Prins Eugen’s Waldemarsudde. “He described his vision in such an open and generous way. He didn’t want for this to be a mausoleum over his dead body but a vivid, lively environment that changes with the times and mirrors interesting artistry.”

Prince Eugen was a respected cultural figure, in addition to becoming one of Sweden’s most important landscape painters around the turn of the 20th century, and Waldemarsudde was his home. Both the castle from 1905 and the 1913 gallery were designed by architect 62 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Ferdinand Boberg in close collaboration with the prince himself, and the painter went on to buy an impressive amount of art, not least to support struggling artists. “He was a one-of-a-kind cultural personality with incredible contacts, not to mention his political dedication,” explains Sidén. “He supported our Norwegian neighbours during their struggle for independence, and he actively opposed the Nazi regime – a true democrat, highly educated and passionate about art.”

The most loved museum of Stockholm Now open to the public, Prins Eugen’s Waldemarsudde is one of Sweden’s most visited art museums and was this year voted as the Stockholm people’s favourite museum. “It is our breadth that does it,” says Sidén. “Waldemarsudde is a holistic

experience for all the senses. There’s the beauty of the art and gardens, the smells and the sound of the water and the birds…

We employ a gardener and a florist to look after the parks and decorate the museum using flowers we’ve grown here, including some very rare species.”

155,000 visitors came through the doors last year to enjoy exhibitions displaying Prince Eugen’s own work and collection as well as contemporary art. The current exhibition Ljusets magi (The magic of light) presents plein air painting from the 1870 to 1880s, with particular emphasis on women painters, and received an overwhelmingly positive review in national newspaper DN. This year will also see exhibitions of the work of contemporary artists including Max Book and Cecilia Edefalk – all presented with a backdrop of the Stockholm archipelago and oak groves, enveloped in the passion of a prince.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Our history told by thousands of objects and realistic sceneries In almost 140 years, the Army Museum has collected 100,000 objects that help us better understand our history and will take you further back in time.

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Armémuseum

The magnificent museum building from the 18th century is situated at Riddargatan in Stockholm. It was originally a repair shop for cannons but has functioned as a museum since 1879, with the task of exploring how wars have influenced our lives.

Peter Zander, head of public relations and exhibitions, explains the idea behind the exhibitions: “A war is spectacular, and the objects we display tell a story full of power and drama of the time when they were being used. Many weapons are carefully crafted with beautiful details, but as we don’t want to glorify wars – we also show the tragedy through various realistic sceneries.”

The most recent addition to the permanent exhibitions is called The Power and the Story. It discusses why certain objects end up at museums and what happens to the objects and stories that do not. Who has the power to narrate our history? “I would suggest walking through this exhibition before anything else in order to get a more critical approach,” says Zander.

The Army Museum has a popular lunch restaurant called Borggården where traditional Swedish food is served.

During the summer, the museum offers daily guided tours in English and there is no need to book in advance. And, best of all, admission is free!

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

Dynamic hub for form, design and architecture Many venues show art and design objects, but few open up for discussions on how they affect society. At Form/Design Center, questions of modern challenges and future opportunities are encouraged and openly discussed.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Form/Design Center

Founded in 1964, Form/Design Center is a non-profit association run by Svensk Form Syd with the aim to promote Swed-

ish design and architecture. Located in the old warehouse Hedmanska Gården in the middle of Malmö since 1974, this is also a central meeting place for discussing design and its possibilities for people, culture, society and businesses.

In addition to a series of lectures, workshops and seminars, visitors can see exhibitions on industrial design, crafts, furniture and textiles as well as architecture and urban planning, fashion, graphic design and illustration. With up to 120,000 visitors per year, this is a true design hub.

Birgitta Ramdell is responsible for the centre and talks about its main draws. “There are many reasons to drop by and we have quite an interesting

mix of visitors from all over the world.

Some come because they are interested in the exhibitions, others stop by for some work or take a break in our café, and we also have a great gift shop for Scandinavian design.”

A new exhibition this year is Ung Svensk Form 2016, open 2 April to 8 May. The show with 20 selected young designers is on tour and currently showing at Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. Another highlight is IMAGINE Open Skåne 2030, a competition in collaboration with Sveriges Arkitekter Skåne and Region Skåne, focusing on ideas for a strong, sustainable and attractive region. Entries can be submitted 8-15 April. And on 22 June the exhibition Roundabout Baltic will premiere, with a view on cultural similarities in the Baltic Sea region.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 63

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Left: Pablo Picasso’s Musical Fawn, part of Artist Textiles – Picasso to Warhol. Photo: Target Gallery London. Middle Above: Megaman II by Per Fhager, part of Game Over.

Photo: Carl Henrik Tillberg. Middle Below: Illustration by Karin Olsson, part of Stilmedveten. Right: From the new permanent exhibition, Textil Kraft. Photo: Jan Berg

Super Mario, Picasso and conscious fashion It looks like an exciting spring and summer is on the cards at the heart of the Swedish textile industry, with innovative computer games, embroidery, glimpses of conscious fashion trends and legendary artists on show.

By Malin Norman

Borås is the textile hub in Sweden and also the base for trendy design offices, online fashion and textile import companies. Located in the city is also the Textile Fashion Center, a cluster of forward-looking institutions including the Swedish School of Textiles, the Fashion Gallery, Smart Textiles and the Textile Museum of Sweden.

Open in this new location since 2014, the museum welcomes around 60,000 visitors every year, with textile collections dating from the 1870s to the present day, a treasure not only for the designs but also as an important source of knowledge about the technology behind them. “This is the only museum in Sweden focused solely on textiles,” says museum curator Eva Blomqvist. “The location is perfect, with the heritage of Borås, and as part of the Textile Fashion Center we also keep up with new research and trends.”

64 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Spring and summer highlights A hot topic is sustainable fashion. The ongoing exhibition Stilmedveten (Style Conscious) is open until 15 May and covers the current topic of over-consumption in the western world, including information on working conditions in the textile industry and facts and tips for sustainable consumption. The 162-kilogramme pile of clothes on display, representing how much Borås residents consume per hour, certainly provides food for thought.

The museum is constantly working on new additions. “We have several new shows in different genres. This will be a superb summer!” Blomqvist reveals.

First up is new permanent exhibition, Textil Kraft (Textile Power), opening on 19 March with a look at industry processes, impact and innovation. Another summer highlight is Artist Textiles – Picasso to Warhol, from 16 April. This private Lon-

don collection includes around 200 textile patterns from the ‘20s and up until the ‘60s by famous artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Chagall and Warhol. Showing retro computer game cross-stitch designs by Per Fhager, Game Over will open on 26 May. Do not miss this chance to relive the likes of Super Mario, Mega Man and Zelda.

In addition to its exhibitions, visitors can take part in lectures and workshops, experiment with their own designs or try on vintage clothes in the DIY area, or perhaps find a new gem in the design shop.

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

New temporary exhibitions: Stilmedveten 30 January – 15 May Artist Textiles – Picasso to Warhol 16 April – 25 September Game Over 26 May – 11 September

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Step back in time with Sweden’s most magical train experience

By Linnea Woolfson | Photos: Swedish Railway Museum

You do not have to be a train enthusiast to fall in love with the Swedish Railway Museum. There really is something for everyone in its fun-packed programme, which allows you to travel back in time, ride on steam trains – or even host your own wedding.

The Swedish Railway Museum’s astonishing vintage collection includes more than 300 vehicles, and it is proud to be ranked by many as one of the top five train museums in the world. Here you will find one of the oldest remaining steam engines: Swedish State Railways No. 3, Beyer, Peacock, 1856.

“Many of the visitors come from far away and we often meet people who have travelled across the globe to view our historic pieces,” explains Mikael Dunker,

head of marketing at the Swedish Railway Museum.

One of the highlights of the year is the Return to a Steamy Century day on 15 May, where the steam trains take visitors back in time, actors appear dressed in historic clothing and the visitors become part of the historic setting. The museum also offers drop-in weddings on this day.

Last year, they held weddings in the station building by the vintage locomotive.

The Swedish Railway Museum is located in Gävle, one and a half hours north of Stockholm, and is easy to get to by car or with direct trains from both central Stockholm and Arlanda Airport.

For more information, please visit: www.facebook.com/jarnvagsmuseum

For the diary: 15 May: Return to a Steamy Century Travel back in time and enjoy the turn of the century! Steam trains, market place and drop-in weddings.

20 June – 14 Aug: Vehicle Storeroom Experience more of the great railway collection!

20 June – 14 Aug: Linesman’s Cottage and Minitrain Catch the railcar to the museum! Playful learning for children.

Welcome to the home town of Volvo The Volvo Museum in Gothenburg is an unmissable experience not only for car enthusiasts. Enjoy a walk down memory lane in the home town of Volvo and explore its history from 1927 until today.

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Volvo Museum

“It is a piece of Swedish history and a walk down memory lane. You can see how Volvo has changed over the decades,” says Sören Nyeboe, director at Volvo Museum.

Everything from cars and engines to buses and trucks is on display at the popular museum, showcasing an impressive timeline all the way from 1927.

“I walked around the exhibition with my 90-year-old mother-in-law, and it brought back memories from her childhood,” says Nyeboe and adds that younger visitors might relate to models such as the Volvo 240 or 740.

Last year was an all-time high, with 76,206 visitors at the museum in Arendal on the outskirts of Gothenburg. In ad-

dition to arriving by car or bus, visitors can now, for the third summer, travel by vintage boat from the city. “You get a guided tour of the outer harbour at the same time, which is really nice,” the director says. The service that runs from late June to mid-August in collaboration with Gothenburg Harbour Tours and Maritiman.

The museum is larger than what many visitors expect, and you can also explore 2,000 square metres dedicated to Volvo Ocean Race. “If you are interested in cars – great! But I believe you will enjoy the museum either way. It is pure nostalgia and everyone has a relation to Volvo,” says Nyeboe.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 65

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

A celebration of Scandinavian photography Gothenburg Museum of Art on the Swedish west coast is currently showing Time Flies – Esko Männikkö and Deed, two parallel exhibitions focusing on the rise of Scandinavian photography.

By Ellinor Thunberg

“We live in a photo-obsessed time today more than ever,” says Johan Sjöström, curator at Gothenburg Museum of Art. Esko Männikkö has been a central figure in Scandinavian photography since the early 1990s, among other things famous for his colour photographs of Finnish bachelors. Time Flies is the first major retrospective exhibition of his work, ranging from 1981 to 2015 in a maximised presentation of 200 pieces of art.

“It brings together the neglected, the rugged and the ordinary and explores magic and sadness, in combination with a black sense of subtle humour,” he says. The photos are displayed edge to edge, climbing up the walls in an unconventional presentation, far from the classic ‘white cube aesthetic’.

Deed is the museum’s first large exhibition of contemporary photography from the collections. It displays the work of around 20 photographers with an emphasis on activity, participation and action, while at the same time contrasting modern day news photography.

“Many people have a great passion for photography and can immediately relate to it and start decoding it to create understanding,” says Sjöström. “We are really proud to present such an amazing spring programme at the Gothenburg Museum of Art.” Time Flies – Esko Männikkö 6 February – 8 May Deed 13 February – 10 April

Helga Härenstam, Photographing each other, 2009.

Photo: Helga Härenstam

Eritrean refugees photographed by Anders Kristensson for the series Spår av en befolkning, 1991.

Photo: Anders Kristensson

For more information, please visit: www.konstmuseum.goteborg.se

Playful centre at the birthplace of modern science Scandinavian eccentric Tycho Brahe was one of the most important scientists in astronomy. His planetary observations and measuring methods in the 16th century have been fundamental in creating our modern worldview. Brahe’s advanced research centre on the island of Ven is a treasure for curious minds.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Tycho Brahe Museum, Ven

The Tycho Brahe museum shows Brahe’s scientific achievements, but also where the brave scientist lived and worked.

Every year around 30,000 inquisitive visitors make their way to the island and its museum, including school classes, international research teams, and even NASA. The main exhibition tells the story about Brahe and his work, located in the former All Saints Church. Visitors can also see his castle, Uraniborg, and the surrounding Renaissance Garden, a reconstructed botanical garden with the same plants as those used in his medicinal work and prescriptions. “It’s a great experience, discovering Brahe’s curiosity in science, his interest in how everything 66 | Issue 86 | March 2016

is connected and also the methods used,” says museum director Nina Petersson.

“In the garden, you will even be able to pick up on some of the same scents as 500 years ago!”

Another of the highlights is the remains of the subterranean observatory Stjärneborg, which was built in 1584 and was the base for Brahe’s empirical research of the positions and movements of the different parts of the universe. Another interesting feature is the historical playground, showing the 16th century way of combining games and learning for children and adults.

The museum will host two new exhibitions this year, both located in the

Renaissance Garden and opening in June. One is a form and design exhibition around the themes alchemy, architecture and geometry. The other is a beautiful pavilion with decorations and music characteristic of that time period.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

Adventure and charm at 16th century state treasure Knock, knock, knock. Knock on the wall three times as you enter the mine shaft, and the Mine Lady will protect you…

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Sala Silvergruva

“You need to let her know that you’re on your way, the legend goes,” explains Christina Watkinson, head of sales and marketing at Sala Silvermine. “We also tell all school children that no shouting, swearing or spitting is allowed. Originally, this was because the miners would shout when the big basket was hoisted down so that the people down there would know.

If it was too noisy, they wouldn’t hear it.”

While the mine’s glory days were in the early 1500s, with King Gustav Vasa referring to it as the ‘State Treasure’, its origins are not as well documented. Documentation from the 16th century exists, but it is thought that some activity might have started centuries before that. “Legend has it that a local named Bråsta-Lasse discov-

ered something glittering on the horn of his cow, eventually finding silver below an uprooted tree,” says Watkinson.

Now an active tourist mine, Sala Silvermine hosts guided tours of the mine itself as well as walks around the picturesque surrounding area and traditional Swedish ‘fika’ and food at the coffee house and inn. Energetic visitors can take the stairs down to 60 metres below the ground, and by lift you can get all the way down to 155 metres. “This is right by the water so it’s really magnificent with huge halls and vaults,” Watkinson enthuses.

Other highlights include a high wire adventure track with a view across a 40-metre deep caved-in mine shaft,

and the chance to spend a night in the world’s deepest suite, complete with delicacies and Champagne. Charm and adventure abound in this significant piece of history right at the heart of Mälardalen.

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

2016 Calendar Sundays in March

Fridays in July

Afternoon Tea

Pub Nights

March 24 – April 3

Sundays in October

Easter Break Activities

Afternoon Tea

April 16

October 31 – November 6

Museum Summer Exhibition Grand Opening

Halloween Break Activities

April 30

December 8 – December 18

Children’s Spring Celebration

Christmas Dinners

May 21

December 10 – December 11

Lake to Lake Running competition – goal at the mine

Lucia Concerts and Christmas Market

July 2 – July 3

December 26

Silver Mine Days and Handicraft Market

Homecoming Brunch

www.salasilvergruva.se

It is an extraordinary experience to visit the exhibition at 12 o’clock when all the clocks strike at the same time. Photo, left: Alexis Daflos.

Time marches on In celebration of the King of Sweden’s 70th birthday later this spring, the Royal Palace of Stockholm will showcase the exhibition In Course of Time – 400 Years of Royal Clocks. “The idea behind the exhibition is a personal request from the King himself,” explains Lars Ljungström, head curator of the Royal Collections.

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Sanna Argus Tirén

clocks are of various sizes and shapes and have played different roles in the Royal Household – many of them working still today. The Swedish King, who has a personal interest in clocks, thought of the exhibition as a way of inviting the public and making it part of his birthday celebrations: a symbol for how time marches on.

Photo: Alexis Daflos.

More than 50 royal clocks are on display at the exhibition, which is currently open at the Bernadotte Apartment at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. The setting consists of three magnificent rooms, all filled with exciting objects dating from the 16th century to the present day. The 68 | Issue 86 | March 2016

An exhibition with great diversity Ljungström, who was the person responsible for assembling the exhibition, was happily surprised by everything he learned during the preparations. It gave him great insight into the versatility of the material on display. “The uniqueness of the exhibition is not one clock per se but the wide

The exhibition will be on display in the Bernadotte Apartment at the Royal Palace of Stockholm Tues-Sun 10am to 4pm, until 8 May 2016.

variety,” he explains. One aspect of the exhibition is the fine art and craftsmanship behind clocks, and another is how they became useful tools for coordinating work at the palace. For example, the exhibition includes the clock that governed the palace guards’ routines during the 19th century.

The exhibition is for anyone who is fascinated by cultural-historical objects. No prior knowledge is needed. However, an interest in the history of the Royal Palace would be beneficial. “I love being in the exhibition halls at 12 o’clock, when all the clocks strike more or less at the same time. It is a truly extraordinary experience, which I can highly recommend,” Ljungström concludes.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden 2016

The wilderness is waiting To have wildlife and outdoor activities at arm’s length may be considered a luxury for many. At the Royal Hunt Museum – Elk Hill, fantastic nature is accessible only a short trip from Göteborg.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Royal Hunt Museum - Elk Hill

West Sweden’s only eco-park is located close to beautiful Lake Vänern, and its tableland mountains Halleberg and Hunneberg offer rare geology, biological diversity with fascinating wildlife, in addition to plenty for young and old adventurers to explore. The Royal Hunt Museum itself has plenty to show including an interactive exhibition about Swedish nature and hunting history as well as the royal hunt, which was introduced by King Oscar II in 1885 and is still active today.

New this year is the Hunneberg Outdoor Show on 9-10 April at Bergagården, with local outdoor clubs presenting activities for people to try out, such as kayaking, cycling and orienteering. “Studies have shown that there is an increased demand for outdoor activities today and our wide

range of activities is very much in line with this trend,” says event and marketing coordinator Mattias Westerdahl.

Visitors are also recommended to join one of the elk safaris. Regular tours take place on Mondays and Thursdays during the summer, led by specially selected German and English speaking guides with knowledge about the area and its variety of wildlife.

There are also opportunities for private and customised tours and hikes.

Whether on a safari or exploring the area alone, you are in with a good chance of spotting a moose or two as they are being fed close to the museum. As Westerdahl puts it: “We have a diverse environment and densely populated animal life here on the mountains, without having to pre-package anything or use fences. It’s right here on our doorstep.”

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

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Like in the old days If you are into animal welfare, good food and beautiful nature, a visit to the family farm Hopballe Mølle in Middle Jutland might be just the thing. Guests can taste the main produce of the farm, happy, well-reared chickens, in the old mill’s restaurant and bring one home from the farm shop.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Hopballe Mølle

Located by the idyllic Grejs river between Vejle and Jelling – 30 minutes from the bridge connecting Jutland and Funen – Hopballe Mølle is surrounded by beautiful nature and farmland. The current owner, Brent Christensen, is the sixth generation of his family to own and run the farm, which included a corn watermill for almost 600 years. Today, the watermill has been turned into a hydropower station providing green electricity for the flourishing farm.

In addition to its agricultural holding of plant crops and forests, Hopballe 70 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Mølle produces 170,000 chickens yearly, and it is those Hopballe chickens that have made the farm renowned among quality-conscious foodies all over the country. The story of the special chickens started ten years ago, when Brent decided to convert what was then a traditional farm to one that puts the welfare of its animals first. “It’s a matter of conscience – it’s about making a product that I can be 100 per cent proud of,” says Brent.

Part of the plan was also to keep the price down by cutting out the extra costs usually added by intermediaries, by sell-

ing the product directly from the farm and its online shop.

Happy chicks The chicks reared at Hopballe Mølle are of a French breed that grows slowly and harmoniously, allowing the bone structure to keep up with the weight of the meat, something which, unfortunately, is

Sitting at the edge of the picturesque Mølle Lake, Hopballe Mølle’s restaurant offers fairy tale-like views.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark 2016 - A Top Three

The good quality of life not only benefits the chicks but also the buyers, who get a fuller and more juicy chicken.

most often not the case with conventional chickens. The slower growth also means that the chicks live twice as long as regular chicks before eventually ending up at the dinner table. The chickens do not only have a longer life than most in the roast chicken business but also, in many ways, a better life. Raised in a space with one square metre per five chicks – which is approximately four times the average allowed for chicks in Denmark – the young chickens have plenty of space to exercise and move around in. Furthermore, they get eight hours of beauty sleep every day, dine on Hopballes Mølle’s own feed mix and, when the end comes, are hand caught and manually slaughtered.

Improving the welfare of his animals was one of the main motivators when Brent began considering restructuring the farm. Another was the wish to be able to offer the consumers a better-tasting chicken. “I wanted to create a different kind of chicken – a chicken that tasted more like the old days, a chicken that had a better life and, in the end, a chicken that I would want to buy for myself,” explains Brent. “I want the animals to have a good life and I want our customers to enjoy the result of that.”

their purchases in the adjacent restaurant. Facing the picturesque Mølle Lake, the restaurant offers a lunch menu of homemade tapas, salads and cakes made from carefully selected produce as well as beautiful views. “Our food is made from the best possible produce, and using seasonal Danish produce is a natural part of the sustainable approach we have to farming. It’s all part of our ideology, which focuses on quality, traditions and the best values of the Danish society,” explains Brent.

During the weekends, Hopballe Mølle also serves a popular brunch, which includes a delicious buffet with various homemade chicken dishes, such as chicken liver pâté and chicken meatballs, as well as traditional Danish

Brent Christensen is the sixth generation of his family to own and run Hopballe Mølle.

breakfast treats and delicacies from the farm shop. For those who wish to come by at other times, the restaurant is also available for hire for private parties and events, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations. “We are very happy for people to come visit to see our shop and restaurant or just to enjoy what I think are some of the most beautiful surroundings in Denmark,” emphasises Brent.

The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday – during the week for lunch and afternoon coffee or cake and Saturday and Sunday also for brunch.

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

Lunch, brunch or party time Before or after visiting Hopballe Mølle’s farm shop, guests can enjoy a taster of Issue 86 | March 2016 | 71

Pace setters run with colourful balloons to mark different paces and help runners to achieve their desired goals.

Copenhagen Half Marathon 2016 Distance: 21.0975 kilometres

Run Copenhagen!

Running marathons is the new craze – and for good reason. When nearly 40,000 runners join Telenor Copenhagen Marathon and Copenhagen Half Marathon every year, it is not just because of the obvious reasons – exercise, motivation and competition – but also because of the buzzing atmosphere and picturesque running stretches.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Sparta

Every year in May and September, approximately 40,000 sports enthusiasts from near and far gather in Copenhagen to do one thing: run. Their reasons for choosing Copenhagen as the place to do this are, however, far from identical; locals join to motivate themselves to shape up, more experienced runners aim to improve their times, and others join just for a fun and different experience in a famous and wonderful city.

“Our two races are for everybody. For some people the challenge might be just to take part and for others it’s about improving personal records. Of course it is super cool that we have a lot of elite runners who come to improve their time in our races because of our level route but, on the other hand, the fact that it is a flat and easy route also means that it’s perfect for first-time runners,” says Tina Christensen from Sparta, the organisation behind the two races.

72 | Issue 86 | March 2016

While the first Copenhagen Marathon, which was run in 1980, attracted just 750 runners, today around 12,000 runners join the Telenor Copenhagen Marathon in May and almost 25,000 join the newly reformed Copenhagen Half Marathon in September.

And it is not just the runners who get involved. With about 40 power zones with music, cheerleaders and entertainment along the route, the entire city is invited to take part. “Our ambition has been to turn the marathon into a festival for all of the city, something that everyone enjoys,” says Tina.

Unlike other races, the Telenor Copenhagen Marathon does not ask runners to decide beforehand what time group they are running in, meaning that anyone could potentially go for the record. Instead, the runners can follow one of the 13 pacesetter groups, indicating their expected finishing time on coloured balloons.

Copenhagen Half Marathon is arranged with DAF, the Danish Athletics Federation.

Race record/women: Purity Cherotich Rionoripo (KEN) 1:08:29 – 2015 Race record/men: Bedan Karoki Muchiri (KEN) 0:59:14 – 2015 Participant record: 23,860 (2015) The race has just been awarded the Silver label from I.A.A.F., the International Association of Athletic Federation.

Copenhagen Half Marathon takes place on 18 September.

Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 Distance: 42.195 kilometres Race record/women: Coleen De Reuck (USA) 2:30.53 – 2010 Race record/men: Svend Erik Kristensen (DEN) 2:14.16 – 1987 Participant record: 12,644 (2010) Telenor Copenhagen Marathon takes place on 22 May.

For more information, please visit: www.sparta.dk www.copenhagenmarathon.dk www.cphhalf.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark 2016 - A Top Three

Immerse yourself in the Iron Age When was the last time you checked your phone? And before that? Maybe it is time to put it down and direct your energy towards cooking the old-school way, casting your own tin jewellery, or simply studying your way through Hjemsted Oldtidspark – all in the name of soaking up history.

By Mette Hindkjær Madsen | Photos: Hjemsted Oldtidspark

Whether you are with your family, friends, classmates or on a solo outing, the park in southern Jutland is the perfect place to let go of the stresses of 2016 and enter the technology-free Iron Age. “We provide you with an Iron Age hut and appropriate clothes and commodities for you to live exactly like they did in the Iron Age,” says Søren Hansen, head of Skærbæk Fritidscenter which runs Hjemsted Oldtidspark.

The Iron Age park takes you back not only in mind but in body as well, because this is not your average museum. It is also a place to live and get your hands dirty in

a different era. Be an archaeologist and dig for animal bones, shoot with a bow and arrow, cheer on a warrior fight and set up camp.

“Living it is a great way to learn about history, and you have to know your history to know yourself,” says Hansen.

You can visit Hjemsted Oldtidspark for a day or book a week’s stay from the beginning of May until the end of October 2016.

For more information, please visit: www.hjemsted.dk/en

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Experience Norway 2016: Harvest impressions and experiences in spectacular sceneries The outdoors is an important part of the Norwegian identity. Widely famous for its breathtaking nature and sceneries, Norway has it all. So what better way to embrace nature’s beauty than by immersing yourself in all the adventures it has to offer?

By Vilde Holta Røssland | Photo: Alex Conu/Visitnorway.com

If you want to experience Norway and its beautiful nature up close, there is nothing better than a ‘rorbu’. Fishermen traditionally used these small houses by the waterside as seasonal homes, and today many of them are used to house tourists who want to see a different side of Norway. The houses are typically located in fishing villages, giving visitors the opportunity to explore several aspects of Norwegian culture and tradition.

With rich fishing traditions, angling is an integral part of the Norwegian lifestyle.

Countless lakes and rivers and an extensive coastline make for several opportunities for getting that big catch. All of Norway is inhabited and largely accessible, and therefore there are myriads of 74 | Issue 86 | March 2016

possibilities for both deep sea and freshwater fishing.

At some point in life, everyone should try their luck fishing in northern Norway. Nothing compares to going to sea at night with the midnight sun present in all its glory. And while we are on the subject of northern Norway, we cannot help but mention the northern lights. Probably the most spectacular and fascinating natural phenomenon there is, witnessing the aurora borealis is an unforgettable experience.

If you want to make sure to catch the northern lights, you should go to northern Norway in the period from early September to early April, as the northern

lights are visible up to 90 per cent of all the clear nights in this period. Why not combine nature’s light show with another activity, such as an intriguing hike or a trip on a local fishing boat?

Nordland is located in northern Norway and has a coastline with several fjords, making it one of the most beautiful places in the country. No other place in Norway has deep water as close to the coastline as Nordland, and because of this, fishing is ideal and very popular. Lofoten, one of Norway’s most famous fishing spots, is located here.

We can harvest from nature not just fish, berries and flowers, but also impressions and experiences. And for this, Norway is perfect. Go explore!

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway 2016

Hunting in Norway When the land was once again revealed after the last Ice Age some 10,000 years ago, hunting tribes congregated at the foot of the melting glaciers in pursuit of reindeer. Tribes of hunters and gatherers were the first to settle in Norway, and Norwegians have been hunting and harvesting the bounties of nature ever since these primeval times.

Text and photos: Norges Jeger og Fiskeforbund

Today Norway holds over 500,000 registered hunters in a population of just over five million inhabitants. That is a whopping ten per cent!

Arrows and spears have made way for modernday equipment, but the national hunting culture still holds the age-old spirit of self reliance and putting food

on the table. A sparsely populated land with enormous wilderness areas and mountain ranges offers opportunities also for the contemporary hunter, both domestic and foreign.

There are many possibilities for the travelling hunter to seek the refreshing solitude of the grouse mountains: skilled and intense stag stalking or tip-toe sneaking when approaching the king of the forest – the moose.

Try the Norwegian way of hunting, with dogs, in teams while living in the terrain or very basic cabins. Brew your coffee black and strong on the midday campfire. Enjoy a quiet and simple experience. Enjoy the weather, be it hot or cold, sunny or pouring with rain.

Keep it simple – and enjoy.

If you do not know where to start looking to hunt, contact a hunting organisation and they can point you in the right direction.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 75

Trøndelag meets Bavaria Have a glass of wine on the pier overlooking the marina, take a hike and enjoy the panoramic view, go on a kayaking trip with good friends, or simply disconnect from the outside world for a little while. You can do it all at Aquarius Brygge.

By Vilde Holta Røssland | Photos: Aquarius Brygge

Located 120 kilometres outside Trondheim, you will find Fosen peninsula. Far west, beautifully located at the waterside overlooking the sea, Aquarius Brygge has its facilities. Surrounded by mountains, plateaus, a coastline, a vibrant boat life and a growing local community, Aquarius Brygge is the ultimate spot.

Something old and something new “My father found the wharf back in the ‘90s, and at the time his plan was to build a holiday house for the family. He had several ideas for the place while he was 76 | Issue 86 | March 2016

building it, including a pub, and it ended up as a place for people also to come to stay and take a break, and that is what we have chosen to continue to work on, including developing the restaurant,” says Ellen S. Thorvaldsen, who runs Aquarius Brygge with her husband, Oliver Zaulich.

The couple took over the business in 2011 when Thorvaldsen’s father retired.

Over the past few years, Aquarius Brygge and the area have grown both in size and reputation, and Thorvaldsen and Zaulich have exciting plans for the place. “At the

moment we are upgrading all rooms and apartments, and we will also build new double rooms in the coming years. As for the future, we really want to build a pool house, along with small houses on poles in the water,” says Thorvaldsen, adding that while they are inspired by traditional coastal architecture and the nature, a modern touch lends the perfect balance between old and new.

The area has always been known for its fishing activity. Lying on the water by the wharf is a large fish cage, in earlier times used for keeping live salmon underwater.

The cage has been converted into a floating patio, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy their meals as close to the water as they can possibly get. Because of the harbour’s well-protected location, no waves

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - By the Waterside

disturb the peace. The recycling of the old fish cage made it the perfect sitting area and part of the restaurant service.

A mix of nationalities Zaulich grew up in the German alps in Garmisch Parten Kirchen and Füssen.

His family was in the restaurant business, and Zaulich joined in at a young age. Thorvaldsen grew up in Trondheim and started working in tourism and trade by coincidence after first studying TV production. In 1996, the two met at a common workplace in western Norway.

Today, they combine their two cultures in the best way possible.

“We play around with the concept of ‘Trøndelag meets Bavaria’, as the differences in our cultures make for an exciting mix,” Thorvaldsen says. They make their own bratwurst, and their bacalao is made from all local commodities. Production of dried fish has always been a speciality in the area. Local products are well represented in the restaurant, including wild mutton from Harbak, veal from Åfjord, fish and scallops from the sea right out-

side Aquarius Brygge and vegetables and fresh strawberries from Linesøya.

There are also several cultural events going on at Aquarius Brygge, such as an annual spring concert, a Christmas market and, of course, a good old traditional Oktoberfest.

Single-tasking Aquarius Brygge has overnight accommodation for 30 guests, be it in one of the rooms, the apartments or the cottage – all with a sea view. “We would like our guests to take a break from their daily life. Everyone is so busy all the time, and we think it can be a good experience to move away from multi-tasking habits for a short period of time and do some single-tasking instead,” says Thorvaldsen.

There are several activities available in the area at all times, and the nature is appreciated by both locals and guests.

You can go for a hike and visit ‘Harbakhula’, a cave about a 20-minute hike up the mountains with a 40-metre high opening,

or visit other mountain tops with stunning panoramic views. If you want to stay near the water, you can go on boat trips, take a swim or go kayaking. The choice is all yours.

Aquarius Brygge is an ideal venue for a business conference. Conference rooms for groups of up to 20 people, fibre broadband, modern AV equipment, a good working environment and fun activities are all part of the package. Notice all your focus going into the work at hand, along with good company and great-quality food.

“We would like to help people find balance and discover something to stimulate each of their senses,” Thorvaldsen says. “When leaving, our guest will hopefully have had some fun experiences along with the opportunity to re-charge their batteries.

There is nothing better than going back to a busy everyday life feeling fully rested and ready to go.”

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 77

Husband and wife Frode Grønberg and Monica Brandtzæg run the bustling Båtsfjord Brygge.

The beating heart of Båtsfjord Centrally located in the marina of Båtsfjord in Finnmark, the town known as Norway’s capital of fishery, Båtsfjord Brygge, has been a local watering hole for fishermen, locals and tourists alike since the 1950s.

By Andrea Bærland | Photos: Båtsfjord Brygge

Båtsfjord Brygge was originally built as a home away from home for fishermen in 1958, a place to eat, sleep, do laundry and socialise while out at sea. “When my wife and I bought the building in 2013, we wanted it to continue as a place for people from all walks of life to meet,” says owner Frode Grønberg who, alongside his wife and seven staff members, now offers guests accommodation, entertainment and hearty meals.

A view of the Barents Sea Grønberg rents out three rorbuer, or fishermen shanties, with decades of fishing 78 | Issue 86 | March 2016

history oozing from the walls as they, up until just a few years ago, were used to prepare fishing equipment. The biggest rorbu, which houses seven people across three bedrooms, is named after the old fishing village of Makkaur, which was abandoned in the early 1950s.

The Makkaur fishing village is home to a characteristic light house and sports a colourful history as being a site for witch hunts in the 1600s and, in more recent history, as the location of a German coastal artillery battery, the remains of which are still there today.

The two smaller rorbuer, Syltefjordsauran and Skrovnes, have the capacity to house four people in one bedroom.

All three rorbuer were renovated last year and feature all modern conveniences and views of the sea birds and the Barents Sea.

Plans for expansion “Because it is such a large estate, we are looking to expand by adding an additional rorbu and ten regular hotel rooms in the main building,” Grønberg says, adding that he hopes to have improved the overnight capacity by this summer. For business-minded guests, they also offer a fully equipped conference room suitable for small conferences of up to 35 people.

The team at Båtsfjord Brygge have even more exciting plans for the coming sea-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - By the Waterside

son. “We hope to be able to offer boats for rent by the second half of this summer, so our guests can try fishing in the Barents Sea,” Grønberg says. Fishing is what Båtsfjord is all about, and wherever you turn at Båtsfjord Brygge, you will lay eyes on a fishing boat.

The taste of freshly caught fish Båtsfjord Brygge’s close proximity to the sea is also reflected in the menu offered in their restaurant. “We usually call up our providers and ask what they have caught, and plan our menus accordingly,” Grønberg explains. “We often serve fish so fresh that it is only three to four hours since it was taken up from the sea.”

Using fresh, local fish, Båtsfjord Brygge serves dishes such as boknafisk, grilled stockfish and cod tongue, as well as fish tapas with a touch of northern Norway. “We also use a lot of local meats,

such as reindeer, which has been iconic for our region for centuries. And we make an effort to use locally sourced vegetables and follow the changing of the seasons,” Grønberg asserts.

Live music in the marina If you are really lucky, you might get to enjoy your meal accompanied by live music. Båtsfjord Brygge has hosted plenty of musicians from near and far throughout the years. Everyone from local town troubadours to regional and national artists that pass through town on tour, and musicians of all genres, are welcome at Båtsfjord Brygge.

“We make every effort to have a live band at least twice a month,” says Grønberg. “It is usually more frequent than that, especially during the summer time when a lot of artists are touring to visit festivals all over the country.”

Located centrally in the archipelago, which is also a major part of Båtsfjord’s town centre, Båtsfjord Brygge has managed to remain a beating heart in the local community. With its weekly pub quizzes, warming fish dishes and frequent musical evenings, Båtsfjord Brygge has quickly become a favourite among the 2,235 inhabitants of Båtsfjord as well as the annual summer guests with cottages in the archipelago.

“It is very important for us to be able to offer the fishermen sent here for work a relaxing sanctuary along the shore, while still being a place to stay for tourists from faraway places looking for an authentic northern Norwegian experience, or for locals just looking to grab a quick coffee,” Grønberg concludes.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 79

Photo: Jerzy Jurkan

Exclusivity down by the Gaula river For the past decade, cousins Bjørn Arild Andersen and Morten Holt have been fuelling their passion for salmon fishing by running BAMO Laksefiske. They have found their fishing paradise in the river Gaula, where happiness comes in the form of friends, bonfires, stunning nature, and fishing for the huge, sought-after Atlantic salmon.

several rapids and pools. The beat offers a high level of privacy and is perfect for a relaxing getaway. The surrounding nature is stunning. “A true Norwegian experience,” says Andersen.

By Andrea Bærland

The second beat, Borten in Melhus, is 1,060 metres long and can accommodate up to ten fishermen. “Studio apartments are available 50 metres from the beat, or you can bring a tent if you want to set up camp on the river bank,” explains the fishing enthusiast. “Local fishing guides will help you unlock the secrets of the river and the salmon. Amenities such as restaurants and stores are found within walking distance. The beat is located close to the historical city of Trondheim, which is only a 20-minute drive north.”

BAMO rents out private fishing areas along the river Gaula in Sør-Trøndelag, considered by many to be the best salmon river in Norway. “The thought behind BAMO was that we wanted to fund our own fishing expenses. It has never been about making a large profit. For us it

is pure passion, all the way,” Andersen explains. He and Holt have secured the rights to rent out three fishing beats along Gaula, in Gauldalen, on behalf of their owners.

Exclusive access to Gaula “When you rent a beat from us, it gives you and your group exclusive access for a week, from Saturday to Saturday, during the salmon fishing season, 1 June to 31 August,” Andersen says.

Photo: Robert Selfors, Arctic Silver

80 | Issue 86 | March 2016

The Moe beat in Støren, the biggest and most luxurious of the three, features a cabin with all modern conveniences, 12 beds and 1,800 metres of fishing, with

Easy access The Grinde beat, about 20 kilometres upstream from Borten, is 600 metres long and renters of this beat will have access to a small four-bed cottage. The beat is

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - Hunting and Fishing

in close proximity to the Gaulfossen beat, the most sought-after and expensive beat on the entire river. Bathroom facilities are available at the adjacent farm, for those who do not want to take their morning bath in the clean and refreshing waters of Gaula.

“The accommodation in all of our beats come with cleaning included, so all our guests have to bring is their fishing gear and food. All the beats are easily accessible by car and located only one to one and a half hours from Trondheim International Airport, Værnes,” says Andersen.

While the BAMO beats are popular for corporate events, the majority of the renters are groups of friends. “The camaraderie of a fishing trip really is what salmon fishing is all about, at least for me,” says Andersen. “Getting a big catch is the cherry on top. Spending time with mates and having a first-rate nature experience is the essential ingredient.”

Big fish Gaula is known as the best salmon river in Norway and by 1 July, one month into the season, all 95 kilometres of the river are filled with salmon. While the average Norwegian wild salmon weighs six kilogrammes, salmon clocking in at 20 kilogrammes or more is not uncommon in Gaula. Each year 20 to 50 tonnes of salmon are caught on the banks of the river.

With preservation in mind, the government has restricted the amount of fish each fisherman is allowed to keep for a memorable meal each year. When the quota is reached, ‘catch and release’ is practised. According to Andersen, the fishing quotas have not killed the joy people get from salmon fishing – quite the contrary. He has observed a growing interest in ‘catch and release’ among Norwegian fishers. “Salmon fishing definitely isn’t an activity for those looking to fill their freezers with free fish. It has become a sport with a lot of passionate participants. In the rivers of Scotland ‘catch and release’ is the only legal option,” Andersen says.

Photo: Jerzy Jurkan

Booking for each year opens as the current season is closing, and many of BAMO’s loyal customers tend to re-book the same week year after year. While many weeks are booked early, there are still quite a few weeks available this summer.

“For the weeks the beats are not rented exclusively, we sell day passes to the more impulsive souls. Our main goal is that as many people as possible get to experience the wonderful nature of Sør-Trøndelag and enjoy a week of fishing and banter with their closest friends,” Andersen concludes.

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

Photo: Robert Selfors, ArcticSilver

Photo: Robert Selfors, Arctic Silver

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 81

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - Hunting and Fishing

An angler’s dream in picturesque Lofoten Far up north, above the Arctic Circle, you will find the majestic Lofoten Islands, renowned for their dramatic peaks shooting straight up from the ocean. While a natural beauty, the area has also been a favourite spot for professional fishermen for centuries, and the anglers are now catching on.

By Helene Toftner | Photos: Lofotbrygga

One of these fishermen is Geir Helland who, for more than 25 years, has been spending his days catching some of the best Arctic cod there is. So, when looking into retirement, it was hardly a surprise that he wanted to pass on his passion for boats and the sea to fishing tourists. “In the beginning it was typically the boys on holidays, but we now see the boys returning with their whole families,” says Helland, owner of Lofotbrygga.

Lofotbrygga is located in the traditional fishing village of Brettesnes and offers charming fisherman’s cabins and flats as well as full boat rental with fishing equipment. Together with his wife Bodil, 82 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Helland has been running the place for 11 years and aims to offer guests that little extra touch. “We aim to be available for our guests nearly 24/7 – we just need a few hours’ sleep,” he smiles.

To anglers, the most prestigious time of year is the skrei season, the months between February and April, when one can catch Arctic cod around the islands.

Fishermen from all over northern Norway are joined by anglers from all over the world, creating a unique atmosphere while waiting for the big ones to catch on.

“These months are incredibly popular, making for something of an iconic visit for many,” Helland says. Some stay for

one week, while others extend their stay to three weeks. “People are returning year after year,” says Helland.

New for next season is the possibility to hunt the mystical northern lights. Northern Norway is widely known as one of the best places in the world to spot the dancing light phenomenon, and Lofoten is the perfect place to combine the natural wonder with other activities during the day. “There is no light pollution, so the conditions are perfect,” explains Helland.

Lofotbrygga will run northern lights tours and whale safaris from November 2016. Located on an island in eastern Lofoten, the destination is conveniently located for Svolvær Airport and Evenes International Airport.

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

Namsskogan Familiepark:

Close encounters between humans and animals Imagine getting to experience the majestic lynx as she sneaks out of the woods – quietly and straight towards you! In the next minute you’ll get to stroke a hedgehog accross its back, feed an arctic fox inside its pen or scratch an elk on its nose! It is through these encounters that great and unforgettable memories will occur.

Foto: Kristin Smestad

Namsskogan Familiepark is the biggest wildlife park in the country when it comes to the amount of Nordic wild animals, with approximately 30 different species. The park is a wildlife park where the animals live as close to how they live in the wild as possible. They are living in large pens with natural vegetation. As a guest you can experience the animals on your own, or you can join the animal keepers when they walk around to feed the inhabitants in the park. Then you will hear stories and get some information about the various species whilst the animals are coming to get fed.

Foto: Tore Viem

Kids can be animal keepers alongside the animal keepers in the park.

Namsskogan Familiepark houses one of three governmental predator centers in Norway. It is especially informative to join the nature supervisor who tells you about «The Big Four» – bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine.

Children will be reminded of the value of nature in the magical play shown at the park. Here reigns Rebella herself – the rock and roll witch from Børgefjell – paired up with her best friend, the gracious Mikkelita Arctic Fox...

Foto: Tore Viem

The arctic fox is a trusting animal. Namsskogan Famliepark is organising information work about this endangered species.

Namsskogan Familiepark is one of the most important tourist attractions in Trøndelag.

In addition to the wildlife park there are numerous activities for both adults and children. Climbing park, zip line, crash boats, gold digging and much more...

The park is right next to the E6 road – right in the middle between Trondheim and Mo i Rana.

Foto: Tore Viem

Many guests wakeR up toK the FstayAovernight M in I theLpark.I It isEexotic P toA wolves howling or the sound of a bear tip-toeing outside your door.

www.familieparken.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - Nordland

Above: Island hopping by bike. Photo: Hanne Pernille Andersen. Below: Beautiful Leka. Photo: Steinar Johansen.

A fairy tale land of international significance “It is a fairy tale land in itself, a dream land.” The quote by famous polar explorer Fritjof Nansen perfectly sums up Trollfjell Geopark with its distinctive rock formations, thousands of small islands and white sandy beaches. The area is located in northern Norway and is said to offer the country’s best sea kayaking and island hopping, thanks mostly to its world-class geological heritage.

By Helene Toftner

The Helgeland Coast is located just below the Arctic Circle. Noted as one of the most beautiful coastal stretches in the world by numerous media outlets in recent years, it is like a fairy tale come to life with its thousands of islands and colourful mountains. It is little wonder then that Trollfjell Geopark was established to look after the area and promote activities and visits. “It is an outstanding place, and people come here from all over the world to take in the special rock 84 | Issue 86 | March 2016

formations and picturesque archipelago with thousands of islands and islets,” says Audhild Bang Rande, project manager at Trollfjell Geopark.

A place of international importance Without going into too much detail, a geopark is described as an area with an exceptional geological heritage of international significance, which tells the story of the evolution of planet Earth. “The area is absolutely outstanding also in an

international context, which is why we recently submitted an application to become a UNESCO Global Geopark,” Bang Rande says. “We want to teach people, particularly children, why there is a hole through the mountain Torghatten, and why the tiny islands have been inhabited throughout the centuries. Equally, we want people to get to experience the natural wonders we have up here.”

Parts of the geopark have in fact already obtained UNESCO status, namely the

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - Nordland

Vega Islands, which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Named one of the top undiscovered island gems in the world, the island group consists of 6,500 islands and reefs and is a haven for any bird enthusiast while also being a favoured cycling destination.

Join the nature Enjoying natural wonders is indeed on more and more tourists’ wish lists.

Travellers want to experience life in an authentic way, and few things are as authentic as kayaking between islets without another person in sight, or hiking up the iconic Torghatten mountain to take a selfie at the hole at the top. “Surveys show that the tourists who interact with nature, not just looking at it from a distance, are the happiest with their holiday,” says Bang Rande. “We have a wealth of activities from north to south, whether you fancy getting a big catch from a small fishing boat, hiking from peak to peak,

or island hopping around the more than 20,000 islands around the coast.”

An active day and top-notch meals The geopark’s unique landscape with close access to the sea and mountains also makes it one of the best places in Norway for local food, including seafood or berries. While you may spend a few nights in a charming self-catering cabin, where you can prepare the fish you caught during the day, other nights may be better spent at Vega Havhotell, renowned for its mix of creative dishes and Norwegian tradition. A lovely spot for lunch is Hilde’s Urterarium, a charming herb farm at the south of the park. Located on a rustic old farm, it boasts around 400 types of homegrown herbs and 100 varieties of roses, and the wine on offer is superb too.

A cycle trip to remember The most convenient way of exploring the geopark is by car, which leaves you flexi-

bility to explore the many hidden gems off the main roads. Still, if you are the sporty type, cycling is most definitely recommended as there are numerous camping sites for tents and small cabins along the way, and the roads are excellent for getting around on two wheels. Ferries run between many of the islands, so it is easy to get from the mainland to the archipelago. “There are many different routes to follow, from Leka in the south and up along the coast,” Bang Rande explains.

Leka is by many regarded as the highlight of the geopark, voted in 2010 the Geological Monument of Norway due to its very special geology. “It is a textbook example for those curious about geology,” says Bang Rande.

For more information and full overview of places to see and things to do, please visit: www.trollfjellgeopark.no

Photo: Kaja Skjerfstad

Above: Spend the night in an idyllic fisherman’s cabin. Photo: Rita Johansen. Bottom Right: The Torghatten Mountain is easily recognisable by the special hole through the top, and the view from the hole is awe-inspiring in itself. Photo: Anna Bergengren.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 85

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - Nordland

Experience Sulitjelma Once upon a time, Sulitjelma, with its rough climate and a population that peaked during the copper mining days of the village, was nicknamed the Siberia of the Nordics. Since the mines closed in the 1990s, the small community has been able to offer an uncontested and unique nature experience in the mountains of northern Norway.

local flora and fauna have to offer, and gives lectures teaching visitors which mushrooms are edible. The forest surrounding the tourist centre is ripe with berries and mushrooms.

By Andrea Bærland | Photos: Sulitjelma Turistsenter

Today, the village of Sulitjelma provides first-rate nature experiences throughout the year, while Sulitjelma Turistsenter offers visitors a place to spend the night and Fjellfarer takes guests on guided hiking trips in the majestic Sulis mountains.

Live close to nature Located next to Dajavann, a mere 90minute drive from the city of Bodø, you will find Sulitjelma Turistsenter, with a capacity to host 130 mobile homes alongside 12 cabins with all modern conveniences – including Wi-Fi – for rent. The two wood-fired hot tubs and the sauna are new for this year, available to rent to all guests who want to relax after a long day in the Sulis mountains. For the disabled, the tourist centre offers a 250-metre long wooden trail along the beautiful Emmavann nearby.

“We are also the go-to people if you want to rent any of the facilities belonging to 86 | Issue 86 | March 2016

the hunting and fishing association,” explains Bjørn Thomas Hansen who, alongside Laila Nilssen, has been running the tourist centre for the past three years.

He is referring to an additional three cabins, located at Dorro, Willumsvann and Fuglevand, as well as traditional fishermen’s shanties by Balvann and Sølvbakk and boats on the Rossna lake, one of Norway’s best-known lakes for trout fishing.

In the mountains surrounding the tourist centre, you will find 400 lakes brimming with wild mountain trout.

After all the fresh air the surrounding nature has offered, visitors should take the chance to sample dinner in the dining hall, which serves delicacies such as deer stew, finnbiff and fish baked in foil, all based on local produce. And anyone with a sweet tooth can round it all off with the local specialty, møsbrømlefse, a Norwegian close relative to the Mexican tortilla.

“It is very important to us that every aspect of our guests’ visit to Sulitjelma is a positive experience, whether they come to experience the northern lights or the midnight sun,” assure Hansen and Nilssen.

“But if you’re more of a hunter you can practise your shooting on the hunting and fishing association’s shooting range,” says Hansen, adding that the shooting range is a popular training venue ahead of the hunting season.

For the more domestic guests, Nilssen offers classes in cooking with what the

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - Nordland

The sound of silence Fjellfarer, which was founded in 2015 by Mona Mosti and Thor Åge Jensen, offers a variety of guided hiking trips and experiences in the mountains of Sulitjelma, all the way towards the Swedish border.

Sulitjelma, but are also happy to create custom-made hiking or experience-based trips of the surrounding mountains.

All photos on this page: Mona Mosti

The mountain guides are located in the old mining town of Jakobsbakken, five kilometres south of Sulitjelma. Between 1890 and 1968, Jakobsbakken was bustling with mining activity, but when the mines were closed down the workers moved back to Sulitjelma. The workers’ housing has remained and today serves as popular holiday homes. Additionally, Fjellfarer is working to rebuild the barrack Titanic, originally built the same year as the ship, which burnt down in the 1960s. Once Titanic is rebuilt, Fjellfarer will be able to offer overnight stays and dining in Jakobsbakken.

According to Mosti, general manager of Fjellfarer, one can, from the opposite valley, see straight into a mountain range with summits that are among the highest in the northern hemisphere, including Koppartoppen, Kokedalstinden, Vardetoppen, Stortoppen, Otertinden, Vaknachokka, Kjærtoppen and Saulotoppen. “And from this side of the valley you can see the Sulitjelma Glacier and the Blueman Glacier and even glimpse the mountain Suliskongen,” Mosti explains.

Mosti and her team have prepared a number of routes for the guests of

“Whether you’re here to chase the northern lights, the endless summer nights, feel the rough weather and adventure against your skin, or gaze at the stars to the sound of silence in the northern Norwegian mountains, I am sure we can find the right experience for you. After all, we have the best starting point in the world,” Mosti concludes as she plans her next ascent into the magnificent Sulis mountains.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 87

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway - Nordland

Arctic wildlife done spectacularly From a wolf lodge to wolf watching, Polar Park offers a brand new way to encounter Arctic wildlife, including the opportunity to spot over 40 animals on an area equivalent to 1,100 football pitches and taking the world’s longest zip line across the animal park.

By Didrik Ottesen | Photos: Tommy Simonsen, Polar Park

The world’s most northern animal park, based in Troms, Norway, offers exclusive new ways of experiencing Norway’s most famous predators and, due to the size of the park, it is like encountering them in their natural habitat.

A new attraction at the park, the WolfLodge, offers a rare chance to live among the predators. Based for one night in a cabin in one of the enclosures, you can see the wolves, and the wolves can see you.

“I recommend looking at some pictures and reading more about it on our website, as it really is a spectacular experience and, as far as I know, not possible to experience anywhere else in the world,” says Heinz Strathmann, CEO at Polar Park.

“Another new attraction is the world’s largest zip line, transporting you above and across the enclosures of deer, wolves and a lovely landscape,” Strathmann continues. “Additionally, the Wolf Visit is highly recommended, where people are guided through the wolf enclosures and provided with the chance of meeting the wolves, experience a ‘wolf kiss’ and walking unprotected through the wolf area to establish contact with the animals.”

Particularly stunning with the northern lights dancing across the sky, Polar Park hosts bears, lynx, wolverines and Arctic foxes as well as deers, moose, reindeer and muskox.

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

Scan Magazine | Business | Keynote

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Is the referendum a luxury we do not need?

By Annika Åman Goodwille

The other day I had lunch with a Lebanese friend who now lives in Qatar. We discussed the tragedy of the situation in the Middle East. Then he asked me what I thought about the impending Brexit referendum. “Don’t you think,” he continued, “that it is rather a luxury to have this sort of discussion when there is so much turmoil in Europe: the refugee crisis, the Euro crisis, worldwide recession and the war in Syria?” I could not help but feeling that he might have a point.

The bigger question is, if there is a Brexit, will the European Union break-up result once more in a fragmented and fractious Europe? One person, of course, would be delighted if that happened – Mr. Putin. He is obviously overjoyed with the European refugee and border turmoil, the Euro crisis and the global recession – all of which can only make Russia look stronger. With a potential Brexit and the possible disintegration of Europe after one of its biggest members quits, he is laughing all the way to the next election. NATO’s strength as a united force will be weakened, border security will be increasingly problematic and sanctions more difficult to enforce. Mr. Putin has to do little to come out a winner.

Seldom mentioned on this side of the Channel is the main reason the Europe-

an Union was created in the first place.

Remember that it was to bring peace to Europe after 200 years of almost nonstop war. On that issue, the European Union has succeeded – thus far.

With my friend’s point of view still in mind, I cannot but feel that even if the Brits vote to stay in the Union, there will have been enormous upheaval for very little gain.

I think most people agree that a major overhaul of the European Union’s undemocratic administration is needed.

The UK clearly does not want to be part of an ‘ever closer union’ dominated by Brussels and Berlin. But would it not be better to reform it, all members together, given that there is so much disgruntlement among so many other countries?

Therein lies the problem, of course: with 27 countries, all with different ambitions, it is extremely difficult to get the essential consensus.

Yet nothing could be more important in today’s world than Europe and the rest of the world living in peace. And we are not going to resolve that problem until we get an end to the atrocities in the Middle East. With this in mind, and with what is at stake, one could possibly argue that the referendum is a luxury indeed.

Annika Åman Goodwille CEO of Goodwille Limited All you need to set up and run a company – from bricks and mortar to people and processes.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 89

Scan Magazine | Conference of the Month | Denmark

Conference of the Month, Denmark

Grab a bite of history with your colleagues More than 430 years of history have played out within the walls of Næsbyholm Castle. From King Frederik IV to Baron and Baroness Holcker, Danish royalty have wandered the halls of the castle since it was built in 1585. The property is so well kept, some say you can even stumble upon some previous residents during your discovery of Næsbyholm.

By Mette Hindkjær Madsen | Photos: Sandra Åberg

Driving along the one-kilometre avenue, making your way to the majestic castle of Næsbyholm, is like transitioning into a different era. By the time you reach the front door a soothing calm will have completely surrounded you, but the stunning scenery is just one of the perks of visiting this castle.

When you book a conference here, you get much more than a meal and a whiteboard. Because for Næsbyholm Castle it is all about the full experience. “This doesn’t look like your average place for a conference. We set up the rooms to fit each individual group that comes through our doors and give you a slice of 90 | Issue 86 | March 2016

history to go with it,” says Morten Lund, director of the castle.

Of course, access to a castle is far more exclusive than a trip to your regular conference centre. Usually you will only get to flip through these pages of a real-life history book when invited to a big celebration, but a conference at Næsbyholm Castle can be your foot in the door to experience something quite different while achieving your work goals.

“We always offer our guests a grand tour of the castle with stories from when it was built and up until the last Baroness left her chambers. We have stories of

what has happened in each of the rooms and even rumours of a ghost still roaming around in one of them. In an old place like this, one must expect that over time some interesting things have happened here,” explains Lund.

The combination of modern conference facilities in historic surroundings makes Næsbyholm Castle a success with the biggest fish in the Danish corporate sea, which has made director Morten Lund set the bar for what they offer extremely high.

Conferences can be booked at the castle for a day meeting, extended with dinner, or with an overnight stay. Næsbyholm has 30 double rooms, and if your group counts more than 30 people, you can have the entire castle to yourselves.

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

Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar

‘Open’ plan? Let me out of here I read recently that Facebook have created the world’s biggest open-plan office for its workers. It is 40,000 square metres – the size of 40 large football pitches. Does this news make your heart leap with joy? Do you wish you were there? No doubt there are people who love openplan working, although I do not recall ever meeting one. Rather, it seems to me to be evidence of two depressingly enduring but mistaken management principles through the ages: firstly, thinking about the costs, not about the people; and secondly, that treating everyone identically is the best way to get the most out of them.

I realise that this is a sensitive subject since so many people spend so many waking hours in this kind of workplace and can be quite touchy and sometimes defensive about it. And yet the physical environment in which we work seems to me to be one where disempowerment is at its most acute, since so few working

By Steve Flinders

spaces have been designed with the interests of their occupants in mind.

I believe that employees should be given a big say in how their workspaces are designed, and that workspaces should cater for the needs of different kinds of people – such as introverts and extroverts – and for a range of different kinds of interaction.

There should be spaces where you can work on your own, as well as opportunities to work from home, spaces for informal small group encounters and for more formal encounters in larger groups. Some spaces should be serious, while others should be fun.

Facebook may think that they are saving money with their big plan, but I wonder if they factored in the proven drain on productivity of excessive multi-tasking, interaction and stress, not to mention the psychological costs of working in a place where you feel you have no control.

Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com; www.coachingyork.co.uk/item/steve-flinders

Scandinavian Business Calendar

By Vilde Holta Røssland

Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month Meet Marcus Svedberg The Swedish Chamber of Commerce invites you to an event aiming to shed some light on modern economic dilemmas. Marcus Svedberg, chief economist at East Capital, will talk about the macroeconomic and political situations of Russia and the emerging markets. East Capital is an independent asset manager specialising in emerging and frontier markets. The event is free for members, £25 for non-members.

Date and time: 17 March, 6pm–9pm Venue: 4 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AU www.scc.org.uk

Economic Update 2016 The Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Nordea, invites you to the Economic Update event of 2016. This event will look into what lies ahead in the economy in 2016. The head of research and chief econo-

mist at Nordea Finland will share his insights on key economic trends and developments for the economy in 2016.

Date and time: 17 March, 6pm Venue: Nordea offices, 5 Aldermanbury Square, London EC2V 7AZ www.fbcc.co.uk

Nordic Drinks Members and friends of the Norwegian, Finnish and Danish Chambers of Commerce in the UK gather for Nordic Drinks every last Thursday of the month. This time the Nordic Drinks will be held at Skandium, at their Fritz Hansen store. Bring your colleagues and extended network along, as this is a great place to meet new people.

Date and time: 31 March, 6pm–8pm Venue: Skandium – Republic of Fritz Hansen, 13 Margaret Street, London W1W 8RN www.ducc.co.uk

Walpurgis Ball at the Savoy Traditionally a feast to ward off winter and evil spirits, the Walpurgis Ball seeks to celebrate the arrival of spring. In Sweden, Walpurgis Night is celebrated all over the country, with people singing traditional songs of spring. This year, 2015 Eurovision Song Contest winner Måns Zelmerlöw will be joining the celebrations in London.

Date and time: 8 April, 7.30pm–midnight Venue: The Savoy Hotel, Strand, London WC2R 0EU www.scc.org.uk

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 91

At 199DKK (£20) Spisestedet Feed’s tasting platter tempts with a bit of everything: beef carpaccio with truffle crème, tomato bruschetta with smoked scamorza cheese, stuffed mushrooms with goat’s cheese, and homemade gravlax and salmon tartar.

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Feed on the passion of Copenhagen’s new young chefs With the energy and passion of its owners, two 21-year-old food enthusiasts, saturating its every nook and cranny, the small café Spisestedet Feed has become a big success. The new café in Nørrebro offers a carefully selected range of tempting dishes and everything from crostini to crème fraiche is homemade daily.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Spisestedet Feed

When entering the small Spisestedet Feed on the lower ground floor, guests are immediately introduced to the passion of its two owners, Christoffer Schwarz-Nielsen and Jacob Balslev

Jørgsholm. As part of a distinct but stylish interior, spectacular wall paintings reveal the food visions of the two owners, who started their food adventure when they were just 15.

Last summer, one month after they took over what was then an old shisha bar, they opened Spisestedet Feed. Thanks to a small but delicious offering on a menu with reasonable prices, the restaurant has climbed right to the top of review sites. Guests not only praise the food and atmosphere of the restaurant,

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but also the enthusiasm of the owners.

“Christoffer and I are in the restaurant every day and talk to our guests to make sure that everyone gets the best possible experience. When you have a small restaurant like ours, it’s important that you go that extra mile, and I believe that’s why we have been so successful,” says Jørgsholm.

Freshly homemade With dishes such as chocolate ganache, beef carpaccio with truffle crème and parmesan crostini, and penne pasta with fillet of beef, mushrooms and white wine sauce, the two young foodies behind Spisestedet Feed have aimed to create a slightly different and, most importantly, 100 per cent homemade version of the regular café menu. “It’s very important to us to use only fresh ingredients and that

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

everything on our menu is homemade. We sour our own crème fraiche, cure our own gravlax, make all our dressings and sauces from scratch and bake our own malt focaccia bread every day,” explains Jørgsholm and adds: “We spend a lot of time preparing our food and our main ambition is for our guests to be able to taste the extra time we’ve put into making everything in our own kitchen.”

The extra preparation time is, however, not reflected in the price level of the menu, which among other things offers a daily three-course set menu at 249DKK (£25).

A passion for food One might question how the two young friends behind Spisestedet Feed, both of whom are more or less self-taught, have gathered the skills and know-how to earn them the enthusiastic reception they have received. But actually, though only 21, both restaurateurs already have half a decade of experience working with food.

It all began when Jørgsholm, having proclaimed that his biggest dream was to become a chef, was offered the chance to cater for a wine and dine event at a local wine store. Calling in his friend SchwarzNielsen for back-up, Jørgsholm managed to impress both the owner and the guests of the event so much that the two students could, soon after, set up their own catering business alongside their studies. A few years later, after finishing school, the pair went their separate ways to explore the world of food. Jørgsholm travelled the world working as a chef and SchwarzNielsen was accepted as a trainee chef at the Michelin-star restaurant Søllerød Kro. He, however, soon realised that the training was not for him and instead went on to work as a waiter.

When Jørgsholm returned from abroad, the lads were set on opening their own business and saw no reason to wait around. “I landed back in Denmark at the end of April; in May we took over the premises and, as we’d had to take out big loans with high interest rates, we decided to open as soon as possible. We built and painted everything in the restaurant ourselves – for a month we were so focused on getting the old smoke-

stained room turned into a restaurant that we didn’t even think about what to do next. We just worked 24/7 to get everything finished.”

One month later, the foodie friends hosted their opening reception and, when the guests left, went straight to the kitchen to prepare the food for the following day.

“We were so tired that neither of us can remember anything from the reception, and then we spent the entire night cooking for the opening the next day,” laughs Jørgsholm. “When you look back at how we just jumped in at the deep end of this project, you might think that we were being rather irresponsible. But the truth is that we never had any doubts that this would be a success and a viable business and, as it has turned out, it is.”

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

Behind Copenhagen’s new café, Spisestedet Feed, are two 21-year-old food enthusiasts, Jacob Balslev Jørgsholm (left) and Christoffer Schwarz-Nielsen.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 93

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland

Restaurant of the Month, Finland

Old Russian charm Located in the heart of Helsinki, a stone’s throw away from the impressive Uspenski Cathedral, Bellevue is the oldest restaurant serving Russian food in the city. A favourite among many locals, the restaurant has amassed a rich and colourful history during its nearly 100 years in business.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Roni Tamminen

The timeless décor in Restaurant Bellevue is a mixture of cosy and classy: from crystal chandeliers to waiters wearing Russian-style outfits, Bellevue oozes old-time Russian charm. Bellevue’s specialities include Russian delicacies, such as chicken Kiev, roast bear, borscht soup and blinis, served according to traditional recipes. On Saturdays, Bellevue serves zakuska, or ‘little bites’, which are a selection of traditional Russian dishes.

Bellevue was first established as a café by an Estonian man named Grigori Pavloff in 1917. When Pavloff became a Finnish citizen, he changed his name to Reko Paulo, and Bellevue Café became Restaurant Bellevue. In addition to his successful career as a restaurateur, Reko Paulo also had occasional run-ins with the au94 | Issue 86 | March 2016

thorities. “During a raid on the Bellevue during the prohibition era, the police found stacks of illegal goods stashed in the restaurant’s cellar. The seized goods included 135 bottles of spirits, 17 kilogrammes of coffee, 20 packs of pipe tobacco, 40 cartons of American cigarettes – and 38 pairs of silk stockings.

To this day, the tunnel through which goods were smuggled from the marina into the restaurant remains open,” says Päivi Holmberg, restaurant manager at Bellevue.

According to another story, whenever Finnish field marshal Carl Gustav Mannerheim wanted to enjoy Russian seljanka at his favourite hotel, the Savoy, the soup was brought to him by horse and carriage from Bellevue.

Since 1974, Bellevue has been managed by the famous Finnish restaurateur, Ragni Rissanen, who also owns Rivoli, a French-style restaurant specialising in fish dishes, and Trattoria Rivoletto, an Italian restaurant. “We have a loyal customer base, and some families have come here for several generations,” Holmberg says. “Some Russians have said that they can get better traditional Russian food at our restaurant than in their home country,” the manager says, laughing.

“All of Bellevue’s dishes are prepared fresh on site, using old, traditional Russian recipes and our head chef, Kari Pasonen, sources most ingredients from small suppliers,” says Holmberg. Along the years, Bellevue has established itself as one of the most notable restaurants in Helsinki, and has remained faithful to its origins – and Reko Paulo’s vision.

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

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

Vitensenteret Sørlandet aims to spark an interest in science through activities and interactive installations.

Attraction of the Month, Norway

The wonderful world of science “Our mission is to spread excitement for science among people of all ages,” says Kine Wangerud, manager at Vitensenteret Sørlandet in Arendal, one of nine science centres scattered across the country.

But she adds that children are not a prerequisite, and that they have observed a trend among young adults stopping by for a fun day out.

By Andrea Bærland | Photos: Haakon Sundbø

exhibit has an installation where you can follow the food travelling around the body, with all accompanying bodily sounds. It’s a big hit among our youngest visitors,” Wangerud smiles.

“We have many school classes and preschools taking part in our educational outreach programme, and we also hit the road and visit schools on request. But Vitensenteret Sørlandet is also a place where the entire family can have fun together!” Wangerud says, speaking of the exhibition area space brimming with fun, interactive installations and experiments in Arendal’s city centre.

Vitensenteret has four permanent exhibitions covering topics such as energy, maritime technology, mathematics, and body and health. “Our body and health

Another big hit with the younger crowd is donning lab coats and making their own slime in the chemistry lab. And for those eager to replicate the child-friendly experiment, Vitensenteret even sells professional lab kits to take home. “Because we use lab equipment on a daily basis, it is important for us that it is of high quality, and it is the same equipment that we sell in our gift shop,” says Wangerud.

For the team at Vitensenteret, it is of the utmost importance that everyone, regardless of age, enjoys the hours spent in their realm. “We like to call it grandpa’s paradise, as we strive to be a place you can take your entire family to, and the toddler and the teenager will have just as much fun,” Wangerud explains.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the temporary exhibit changes twice each year. This spring/summer season, the temporary exhibition space has been dedicated to retro TV and video games. “It will include all the classics and will be a real trip down memory lane for the dad generation,” insists Wangerud.

During the summer months, Vitensenteret is open seven days a week and arranges a number of special activities, including their very popular space film in 3D. Featuring images from NASA, it has been described as the closest experience to going on a space mission, and for many the film alone is worth the admission fee. “But we do hope you stay a little while longer and take the time to explore all the wonders the world of science has to offer,” Wangerud concludes.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 95

Cold War Claxon. Photo: Jeppe Carlsen

The Victorian Rampart

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

Play your part in protecting Copenhagen In 2001, the Danish military authorities finally gave up a top-secret bunker west of Copenhagen which had been mystifying the general public since the beginning of the Cold War. Though conspiracy theories and guesses multiplied, few local residents in Rødovre suspected that the old Victorian rampart was actually hiding the main anti-aircraft operations centre supposed to protect the capital and country in case of an attack from the East.

so important to modern Denmark – it’s so important that no one knew about it,” Jespersen says. “Now we want everyone to experience this vital piece of Denmark’s history.”

By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Kim Matthai Leland

The Experience Centre is much more than a traditional museum. “We want people to immerse themselves in the events that unfolded here,” Jespersen explains. “As well as information, we want to convey the excitement and emotions from ages past.” Visitors are encouraged to enter into history, reliving important decisions and jobs as they explore the museum.

The centre uses multiple layers of storytelling, ranging from information signs to apps and interactive games. One of the most fascinating of the games has visitors hunt down a spy during the Cuban Missile Crisis using the museum’s iPods and QR codes. Five suspects are gradually revealed through the chase, but the spy

When the Ejbybunker finally opened to the public as the Vestvolden Experience Centre in 2012, the scale and importance of the bunker and the surrounding 14-kilometre West Rampart became apparent. The Ejbybunker itself, which spans two floors and 1,300 square metres, had been built in secret in the middle of the old Victorian rampart. If war had erupted, the bunker would have been the headquarters controlling the anti-aircraft defence of Copenhagen.

It is a story which the centre’s museum director, Martin Jespersen, is keen to broadcast.

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“The crew constantly had to be within 30 seconds’ reach of their post in case the claxon sounded, and during the ‘50s and ‘60s, the bunker was manned by 30 people 24/7,” he explains. “Denmark was so close to the Eastern bloc that nuclear bombers could reach Copenhagen within ten minutes. Being here really makes you realise how close Scandinavia was to the Cold War tensions – both physically and psychologically.” The rampart itself played an equally important role in its day: it protected Copenhagen from very different enemies in the runup to the First World War. “This place is

Interactive history

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

does everything he or she can to sabotage your mission. “We also offer more traditional guided tours in Danish and English, which must be booked in advance. A lot of families find that a mix works very well, also for birthday parties and across generations.” Everything is available in English as well as Danish.

Enemies from the west The surrounding West Rampart is just as interesting to explore. When the rampart was constructed in the 1880s as part of the Copenhagen Fortifications, it was the result of 20 years of deliberation and political dispute following the crisis of 1864, when the Prussians conquered almost one third of Denmark. “In the years that followed, there was a very real and legitimate fear that the rest of Denmark would be taken in another war,” Jespersen says, “and it wasn’t just the Germans. The Brits and the Russians could be interested too.” This was largely thanks to Denmark’s position at the

mouth of the Baltic Sea. Dominance over the straits of Øresund and the Great Belt meant access to the Russian Empire, a fact that would come into play again during the Cold War. In light of this, the minority Conservative government (Højre) decided to pour all resources into protecting the capital. Understandably, the Liberals (Venstre), who then represented farmers and their interests, were far from keen on the capital hoarding all troops and defences. After two decades of dispute, however, this 14-kilometre embankment was built to the west of Copenhagen. “Vestvolden is the perfect symbol of the national divisions at the time,” Jespersen notes. “It became the most debated building project in Danish history.” Today, you can explore the political tensions and see how you would have reacted at ‘the engineer’s drawing board’ at the museum, where you will need to find crucial information and the best solutions to construct the fort.

Active history In the First World War, as many as 65,000 Danish soldiers were called up to defend the capital – the largest gathering of Danish troops the country had ever seen.

Denmark never actually participated in the war, but soldiers remained stationed at Vestvolden throughout, causing tensions with local communities who had to feed them. Although warfare technology such as airplanes and radar soon overtook the old rampart, it remains a powerful symbol of the alternative histories that could have been. It is now Denmark’s largest protected historical structure and makes for interesting nature walks right by Copenhagen. A bike track has also been constructed along the entire rampart, letting you explore this crucial piece of history at any pace you like.

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

Top left: The building of the Victorian Rampart.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 97

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Photo: Art Bicnick

Photo: Elli Thor Magnusson

Photo: Norbert Van Niemann

Attraction of the Month, Iceland

The adventure of your lifetime awaits Adventure is hard to avoid in Iceland. Volcanoes constantly rumble, hot water shoots from the steaming earth and drama dominates the landscape. The experienced outdoor enthusiasts at Arctic Adventures know how to maximise your Icelandic adventure, while always ensuring your safety and showing respect for nature. Take a tour with them and you will be sure to go home with a story worth telling.

By Stephanie Lovell

Iceland is currently experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom with a record 1.5 million people expected to visit this year. As a result, tour operators are

Photo: Norbert Van Niemann

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springing up left, right and centre across the country, and it may seem impossible to know which one you can rely on. With over 30 years’ experience in the business, Arctic Adventures have established themselves as leaders in recreational tourism in Iceland, offering an array of action-packed trips that will leave you with lifelong memories.

“What sets us apart from your average tour operator in Iceland is that we offer far more than just sightseeing. On each of our tours – whether it’s a day trip or a multi-day tour – you will take

part in some kind of activity and have a real adventure,” explains Jón Thór Gunnarsson, CEO of Arctic Adventures.

“Over the years, the company has expanded and now encompasses a number of sub-branches, enabling us to offer a whole range of activities, such as river rafting, glacier walks, mountain hikes, snowmobiling, snorkelling and diving.”

Experience the wow factor One of the main draws to Iceland is undoubtedly its unmatched nature. Arctic Adventures allow you to dive into nature – sometimes literally – and experience it to the full. “If you’re looking for that real wow factor, nothing beats our snorkelling and diving tours in the Silfra fissure, or our glacier walks on Sólheimajökull glacier,” recommends Gunnarsson.

The Silfra fissure is found in the continental rift valley between America and

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Europe in the heart of Thingvellir National Park, meaning you will be diving or snorkelling right where the two continents are drifting apart. The water comes from the nearby Langjökull glacier, arriving in Silfra so pure and so pristine that visibility is up to 100 metres.

A mesmerising underwater wonderland will reveal itself, full of spectacular blues and incredible rock formations.

Back above ground, but no less breathtaking, are Arctic Adventures’ glacier tours. Depending on your abilities and endurance, you can go glacier hiking, ice climbing or ice cave excursions, which depart from Reykjavik as well as two south coast locations: Skaftafell national park and Sólheimajökull. Although Arctic Adventures provide all the equipment you need to stay sure-footed on the ice, nothing can prepare you for the sheer wonder you will experience standing atop a glacier, one of nature’s most impressive phenomena.

Although the end of winter is near, there is still time to catch a glimpse of the northern lights this year, with the prime season lasting until early April. Increase your chances of seeing them by booking a tour with Arctic Adventures. They will take you out into the wilderness in custom-built 4x4 super jeeps, which are able to reach locations that larger tour buses cannot. If you will be visiting in the warmer months, it is well worth considering one of Arctic Adventures’ hiking tours. On the six-day trek along the 55-kilometre trail from Landmannalaugar nature reserve to Thórsmörk valley, you can see all the natural wonders that Iceland is renowned for: glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, black sands and geothermal hot springs.

Photo: Elli Thor Magnusson

and the elements. Safety has to be numbers one, two and three.”

Respect for the environment forms another core value for Arctic Adventures.

All their trips have been designed to enable you to experience Icelandic nature without causing it any harm. Before every trip, you will be given guidelines on how to enjoy your surroundings, while leaving nothing but footprints behind and making nothing but memories.

“As tourism erupts in Iceland, Arctic Adventures is serving an ever increasing number of clients. Nevertheless, we are still able to guarantee an unforgettable experience and world-class service on every single one of our trips,” says Gunnarsson. “Above all, we want everyone to have fun, stay safe and embrace the adventure!”

For more information, please visit: www.adventures.is

Have fun, stay safe Whatever tour you choose, you will be guided by knowledgeable and experienced staff who are all experts in their field. “Our guides lead fun, action-packed tours, while always ensuring the safety of all participants,” says Gunnarsson. “This is of course vital on any adventure trip in Iceland, where you are constantly at the mercy of nature

Photo: Norbert Van Niemann

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 99

Hotel of the Month, Norway

A big piece of Norway in just one stay You may have seen a typical postcard from Norway, with dramatic mountain peaks, scenic fjords and a varied wildlife. In the village of Ørsta, the postcard idyll comes to life, and you can spend every day hiking the surrounding mountains during summer and ski all the way down during winter. Hotell Ivar Aasen is at the heart of the adventures, offering top-notch accommodation for the tourist and explorer alike.

By Helene Toftner | Photos: Ivar Aasen

In the 1800s, British lords such as Slingsby and Mohn discovered the charming village of Ørsta, located in majestic Sunnmøre on the west coast of Norway. While the fjords were attracting visitors from afar already, the lords discovered excellent climbing spots and hiking routes to boot. Some of the mountains are in fact named after these nobilities, for example Mohns Topp.

More than 200 years on, people come here for the exact same reasons – but the visitors are no longer limited to the nobility. “It is an adventure playground, 100 | Issue 86 | March 2016

but it will never be crowded,” says Vivi-Ann Teige, managing director at Hotell Ivar Aasen. “You will likely feel like you have the mountains to yourself, just like the lords did centuries ago.”

Hotell Ivar Aasen is a modern hotel located at the heart of the adventures, and while offering a comfortable bed for an exhausted hiker, it also boasts a great kitchen based on Norwegian traditions with international influences. “The hotel is a popular base for visitors who come here for pure leisure and business alike,” says Teige.

Activity haven The fjord region is widely known as an activity haven, offering kayaking, fishing, hiking, climbing, running and skiing. Ørsta is located in the north west in an area often referred to as the adventure capital of Norway. “The high peaks make the area perfect for hardcore hikers and climbers during the summer, while eager skiers set in during the winter season. Nothing beats the view that greets you when you reach the peak and overlook the many surrounding fjords,” says Teige.

But the area is not just for the daredevil, as it offers softer hikes and smaller peaks, as well as yoga in the wild. “We can arrange for guides to take you or your group to the most untouched places,” Teige adds.

You may already have the feeling that this is a little piece of Norway in a nutshell,

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

and that is before we mention the man behind the name of the hotel. Hotell Ivar Aasen sparks associations for most Norwegians, as Ivar Aasen is famous for having assembled dialects from Norwegian districts, creating one of the two official Norwegian languages: Nynorsk.

“Ivar Aasen grew up in Ørsta, so by naming the hotel after him we wanted to bring the hotel back to its roots,” explains Teige. “The Ivar Aasen Centre, where Aasen lived, is located nearby and should not be missed. It is one of the world’s oldest language museums, named Museum of the Year in 2015.”

Something new for the conference In addition to offering local quality food and a comfortable bed to sleep in, the hotel has excellent conference facilities for groups of ten up to 140 people.

Every meeting room is named after a famous peak in the area. “We are also working with the incentive industry,

where we combine modern meeting facilities with the activities outside our doorstep,” says the managing director.

“The largest conference room is named after the Skårasalen peak. It’s a winner every time, beautifully decorated with pictures of the view from the top of the Skårasalen Mountain, showing the surrounding mountain tops.

The hotel is relatively small, with 73 rooms, and conveniently located five minutes from the local airport in Ørsta with numerous daily flights to and from Bergen and Oslo among other places. Ålesund International Airport is only an hour and a half away, operating direct flights to Copenhagen, London and Amsterdam. “As with most places in the fjords, it is practical to have a car, so I would suggest bringing your own or renting one at the airport. Alternatively, there are hourly buses running between Ålesund and Ørsta,” says Teige.

While a stay in Ørsta itself comes highly recommended, Hotell Ivar Aasen also makes a great base for your exploration of the wider fjord region. With close proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Geirangerfjord, the art nouveau city of Ålesund and the Nordfjord area, you can easily explore some of the biggest gems of the region in one stay.

For more information, please see www.hotellivaraasen.no or contact the hotel at resepsjon@hotellivaraasen.no or on +47 70045100.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 101

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

Comfort, convenience and care at The Mayor Hotel Best Western The Mayor Hotel is based in the centre of the City of Smiles: Aarhus, Denmark. You will be met with open arms at reception while your senses come alive in this family-run hotel.

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: The Mayor Hotel

antee a good start to your day. You can also enjoy the exquisite Italian-inspired cuisine in Restaurant GÄST, which is frequently visited by locals as well as hotel guests.

Convenience

Freshly baked, organic bread in the morning, a soft bed, and food cooked by fantastic chefs are just some of the perks of staying at The Mayor Hotel. “We want our guests to have a special experience based on comfort, convenience and care,” says Dina Evar, hotel manager and co-owner.

just the right atmosphere and comfort.

The focus is on awakening all the senses of the hotel guests and caring for them as soon as they step through the door, with high-quality experiences and homemade products that are both organic and sustainable.

The hotel is conveniently located in the centre of Aarhus, only a few minutes’ walk from the central station, art galleries and museums. For those looking for a productive stay, the hotel offers four meeting rooms where packages can be created to suit your specific needs.

Simple luxury

The Evar family

“We started by getting specially woven bed linen, which our guests often ask if they can buy, large showerheads and ultra-soft towels. Foodwise we chose to focus on quality, organic and locally sourced products both for breakfast and dinner. We try to make every experience as enjoyable as possible,” Evar explains.

Experience this beautiful city, taste the local delicacies, smell the coffee, enjoy the spectacular views from the rooms and revel in everything this hotel experience has to offer. At The Mayor Hotel you can indulge your senses while having a memorable stay in a cosy, comfortable and convenient hotel where your needs are always cared for.

The hotel has been owned by the Evar family since 1996, when it was bought and restored by Jacob Evar and subsequently leased three years later. In 2014 his children, Benjamin and Dina, and brother, Samson, took over the operation of the hotel and gave it a new lease of life.

The new concept is based on many of the personal values of the family, who have worked closely with designers to create 102 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Breakfast is included and the selection of freshly baked, organic bread and cakes by the in-house baker, speciality roasted coffee and freshly squeezed juice will guar-

To find out more and book your stay, please visit: www.themayor.dk

Scan Magazine | Holiday Destination of the Month | Denmark

Holiday Destination of the Month, Denmark

In the darkness you see the lights Normally when the sun sets, this puts an end to spectacular sights and experiences – but not at Møns Klint Resort. The holiday centre is, together with the rest of the small Danish island of Møn, on its way to becoming Scandinavia’s first IDA-certified Dark Sky Park. This means that guests can enjoy a stunning view of the night sky on top of the island’s dramatic landscape.

indoor and outdoor experiences ensuring that, even on a rainy day, you can explore the amazing nature, history and geology of Møns Klint.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Møns Klint Resort

For many people, darkness is unpleasant or even scary. Ole Eskling, on the other hand, loves it. The manager of Møns Klint Resort is one of the initiators of the Dark Sky project, which is aimed at optimising Møn’s natural potential for stargazing.

“With the dramatic nature that surrounds us comes a natural darkness. By reducing artificial lighting and setting up an outdoor star lounge and star cabins with telescopes, we have chosen to use the darkness to highlight another dramatic sight: the starry sky.”

Seeing the innumerable lights of the night sky, the Milky Way and the star constellations is not something many people get to enjoy on a nightly basis. In fact, only 15 per cent of Denmark’s population are likely to see the Milky Way from where they live. Therefore, the Dark Sky experience has already attracted many guests to Møns Klint Resort’s stunningly locat-

ed campsite. One of them is photographer Anders Brinck Meyer, who said this about his visit: “The atmosphere at Møns Klint Camping is amazing – especially at night time. Next year, I want to do much more camping.”

In January 2016, the Dark Sky concept earned Møns Klint Camping an award from Germany’s biggest camping organisation, ADAC. The award, in the Active Holiday category, also establishes that Møns Klint really is one of Denmark’s absolute top destinations when it comes to active outdoor holidays. The landscape, which is defined by spectacular 75million-year-old chalk cliffs, is arguably Denmark’s most breathtaking natural experience. It can be explored by horse, bicycle and foot or, in summertime, by kayaking around the imposing cliffs. Besides, the nearby Geocentre Møns Klint offers a range of active and educational

An IDA International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) is a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/ or public enjoyment.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 103

Carnival groups from all over the world are invited to take part in the International Parade.

Experience of the Month, Denmark

Carnival the northern way Northern Jutland might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of carnivals, but Aalborg, the regional capital, is actually the home of Northern Europe’s largest carnival. With 75,000 active participants, three large parades and 200,000 spectators, Aalborg Carnival has become the local event of the year, drawing participants from near and far.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Jacob Kildehave

Known for its beautiful waterfront, charming cobblestoned shopping streets and lively bar environment, Aalborg constitutes a worthwhile destination any day.

But on 20-28 May, when the city explodes with colours, costumes and music, it of-

104 | Issue 86 | March 2016

fers something out of the ordinary. With three major events – Stjerneparaden, the main parade; the children’s carnival; and the International Parade, a parade for carnival groups from all over the world – the carnival is by far Denmark’s biggest.

“Right now, we are one of the ten biggest carnivals in the world, and that is all thanks to our visitors spreading the word and bringing along their friends. The carnival has become one big festival for the city; it’s a week when everyone, children and grown-ups, has fun and party together. Even the police have a good

time as crime rates are actually lower than during a regular week,” enthuses Kresten Thomsen from the member-driven organisation behind the carnival.

To be part of Aalborg Carnival you just have to show up, but most guests buy the carnival’s loyalty wristband. This shows loyalty and support and allows access to the carnival after party, held in Kildeparken in the heart of the city, as well as access to extra toilet facilities and the children’s parade, which is also followed by a party and entertainment in the park.

A party for the entire city When Aalborg Carnival first came about, it was thanks to a small group of locals who, having experienced the carnivals of Nice and Tenerife, decided that their hometown needed something similar.

Despite the down-to-earth approach typ-

Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Denmark

ical for the region, the carnival idea immediately gained a foothold with locals, attracting 5,000 participants from all over the region in its first year. “Since then, the event has just kept growing gradually without anyone making a big fuss about it. Today the only similar event in Denmark which draws more people is Distortion [Copenhagen’s Dance Music Festival], and we’re quite proud of that,” says Thomsen.

The event has also become an acknowledged advantage for the city’s retailers and hotels, all of whom enjoy an increased turnover before and during the carnival. “Before the festival you see myriads of young people out and about shopping for their festival costume and, because we have been here for such a long

time, the carnival has become a big part of the city’s image,” explains Thomsen.

Furthermore, many local organisations get a boost to their finances when taking part in the organisation and execution of the event, as they are paid for their work throughout the carnival.

Once upon a time Every year, Aalborg Carnival is given a new theme to inspire carnival goers who want to dress up. This year the theme is ‘Once upon a time’ and Thomsen is looking forward to seeing what this will bring about. “Last year the theme was ‘taboo’, and we were a little anxious to see what that would result in, but it was all innocent and fun. Of course there were quite a few erotically themed costumes, but

that’s also part of it. Carnivals are about liberty and openness; it’s a chance for everyone to put on a mask and live out their fantasies,” he stresses.

Another tradition is the appointment of a Carnival King or Queen, who leads the parade in an impressive King float decorated with a three-metre tall golden crown. This year the Carnival King will be signer Johnny Reimar who has, through a string of iconic pop hits, achieved cult standing in Denmark. “What we look for in a Carnival King is someone who embodies the spirit of the carnival, someone who has contributed with colours and energy to the public life. There is no doubt that Johnny Reimar has done exactly that, so we are very happy to have him on board this year,” says Thomsen.

Aalborg Carnival in brief: Aalborg Carnival takes place 20-28 May. Participation is free but carnival goers are encouraged to support the event by buying a loyalty wristband.

The wristband costs 150 DKK (approx. £15) on presale and 250 DKK (£25) if purchased at the event. It gives access to the party in Kildeparken, the children’s carnival, the following children’s party, extra toilet facilities, free water and free transport on public buses in the region.

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

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 105

Scan Magazine | Scandinavian Everyday Heroes | Trampoline House

My house, your house With its resolute, democratic ethos, Trampoline House has become a beacon of support, purpose and equality for refugees and asylum seekers in Denmark. Knock on the door and you will be welcome. It does not matter who you are, where you are from or what your situation is. You are now a citizen of the Trampoline House.

By Maya Acharya | Photos: Trampoline House

Before becoming co-founders of Trampoline House, artists Morten Goll and Tone Olaf Nielsen were living in Los Angeles. Inspired by west coast grassroot organisations, which were mobilising to pursue justice for their communities, the couple set out to do just that: promote a sense of community and belonging, except in their own 106 | Issue 86 | March 2016

home country of Denmark - and during challenging times.

Their first objective was to organise a workshop with asylum seekers in 2009, where they asked them for their expert opinion on what it was actually like to live in an asylum centre. “After a lot of talking, we boiled it down to three main prob-

lems: poverty, isolation and mental paralysis. And from what we know, these issues are still felt in the Danish asylum system today,� says Goll, who has been director of the Copenhagen-based house for over five years.

A remedy for disempowerment Trampoline House started as an antidote to these issues. At the house, asylum seekers and refugees can take language classes, have a hot dinner (cooked by volunteers, including asylum seekers themselves), learn practical skills such as sewing, cleaning and hairdressing, get free legal aid and partake in all sorts

Scan Magazine | Scandinavian Everyday Heroes | Trampoline House

of activities. And of course, every Friday night after the communal dinner, there is a big party where everyone can bust their moves on the dance floor.

Jude Tadeo Odida, a 37-year-old from Uganda who now works with fundraising and publicity for Trampoline House, explains how important the house is in empowering those who use it. “Before I got my asylum claim approved, I was living in a centre with no idea of what my future would hold. I was depressed and frustrated; I was going to lessons, but my mind was not in class,” he explains. “Having a place like Trampoline House opens you up to hope. It also gives you a platform to exploit your potential. This is really important, to feel that you are appreciated by others as someone with skills and capacities. To be seen, and loved by others, by people from the Danish community.

This is how you recover from isolation.”

Since becoming a representative of the house, Odida has met with political parties, diplomats and NGOs and recently discussed his opinions on national television. “Getting this exposure and the opportunity to have my voice heard has really helped me personally,” he says.

Bad charity Democracy is at the heart of the house and something that Goll is intensely passionate about. Everyone who uses the house knows that they are part of a democratic contract; they are expected to contribute in that way, and they get something in return.

“I am not here to save asylum seekers,” Goll stresses. “I am interested in saving the Danish democracy, and the only way we can do that is by ensuring a democratic education that goes both ways.”

In Goll’s view, Danish asylum centres mostly create passive subjects who are likely to become clients of the welfare state. The centres are “client factories”, he says. In these places, where asylum seekers may wait for years for their claim to be processed, people live in a state of limbo, with no right to work and a minimal allowance.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 107

Scan Magazine | Scandinavian Everyday Heroes | Trampoline House

“The centres effectively tell asylum seekers that ‘you can’t do anything, we don’t need you, we don’t want you’,” says Goll. “It then becomes like a perverted kind of charity, that only focuses on the receiving end. By including and empowering people, making them feel useful, we want to achieve true integration.”

Bouncing back In five years, Trampoline House managed to become a vital political and social voice for asylum seekers in the capital. Its inhabitants have

108 | Issue 86 | March 2016

raised important discussions related to integration and the wellbeing of those in asylum centres. And, more importantly, it has taught both Danes and non-Danes about how to live together.

Despite this, the house has recently faced severe financial cuts. However, both Odida and Goll are positive that these setbacks will not affect the spirit of the house.

Goll recalls the workshop that led to the creation of Trampoline House, in

which he asked asylum seekers about the problems they faced. “I remember asking, ‘what can we do about it?’ and someone said: ‘don’t leave us’. That was an incredibly powerful moment that I will never forget, because to me it meant that we cannot walk alone, we cannot separate our freedoms; we need to do this together.”

For more information and to make donations, please visit: www.trampolinehouse.dk

Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns

IS IT JUST ME…

By Mette Lisby

Who thinks that the parents of today’s teenagers have turned into overly enthusiastic cheerleaders? Seriously – these parents seem super impressed with their offspring’s minor accomplishments.

I have seen parents cheer their teenage kids on, encouragingly, for making themselves a sandwich. I have heard parents of teenagers brag for hours on end that their 17-year-old got to school all by himself.

I know quite a few 20-year-olds whose parents have to wake them up every morning to go to school or work because they simply cannot manage to get out of bed on their own!

“He just can’t get out of bed,” their mums (usually) say with a hint of pride that they, the mums, are still needed. One of them, afterwards, even dropped a casual “Did you know Einstein didn’t know how to drive a car?” But I am telling you, these kids are not unpolished Einsteins, incapable of managing ordinary daily tasks due to their sheer genius. They are downright lazy.

Is it that the kids grew up on Britain’s Got Talent and therefore believe they deserve a round of applause just for trying? Are they suffering from the misconception that they only have to be good at something for a mere two minutes

Surströmming My mum is an accommodating and inclusive person. Therefore, upon finding out that my partner, Nick, had never tried the northern delicacy of Surströmming, she took it upon herself to buy some especially for his next visit to Sweden. To those of you unfamiliar with this, surströmming is fermented Baltic Sea herring. As you can imagine, this is a terrible thing. It comes inside a tin – the metal of which is often just about capable of containing its vile, gas-bloated content. “Sounds like fun,” Nick said, his eyes full of fear.

You cannot open the surströmming inside. It might explode, and if you get exploded surströmming on your walls you might as well burn the place down. So for this special occasion, I went at the tin with a tin opener in the garden, over a newspaper to ‘protect’ the grass underneath. As the tin finally cracked open, a cloud of noxious gasses fizzed into the air. This woke up the family dogs, who came bounding across the garden, keen to follow their wolf instinct and roll in whatever was causing the cadaverous stench.

and then it will turn into instant fame? Or was everything just too accessible to them?

I often envy the fact that they grew up having information available at their fingertips while the rest of us had to go to the library to find relevant material for whatever we were interested in. But today’s teenagers seem interested in absolutely nothing, and the world of information they have at their disposal lies wasted and unused by them.

Remember when teenagers used to be rebels, challenging the status quo? Or, for that matter, be a member of a band with the same name? Today’s teenagers cannot muster the energy for that, and the only thing they seem interested in challenging is the limits of their parents’ patience. Teenagers used to be at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of culture and fashion (not always for the better – just look at the ‘80s) and eagerly engaging with and questioning society. And no, I do not mean asking: “When will I be famous?” (Thanks to Bros – just Google them.)

By Maria Smedstad

Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish version of Have I Got News For You and Room 101.

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

We brought the whole thing inside, and as the smell intensified in the enclosed space, I thought I could detect an odour above the usual one, which did not quite seem right. Ignoring this, the surströmming was served with much ceremony and pomp. Nick was first to try. He shoved a piece in his mouth and fought hard not to throw up, as my family congratulated him on his bravery. Mum went next. “This isn’t right,” she frowned. “The rotten fish has gone off.”

And so Nick was the first and last to try the surströmming that day – much to his disgruntlement and to the amusement of the rest of my family.

Issue 86 | March 2016 | 109

Scan Magazine | Culture | Scandinavian Music

Scandinavian music Danish duo Electric Lady Lab has spent a good portion of the last half a decade being one of the absolute best sources of pop music. They have taken some time off, but are now returning with a knockout of a comeback, the brilliant Love is War. Starting off as a dark and grungy retro club track, it soon ascends into a euphoric and psychedelic pop song – with two choruses! It is the first single to be taken from one of two EPs, which will be arriving later this year. And the song is so good they have released two versions of it. The alternative edit is the T-Rex to the radio edit’s Girls Aloud.

By Karl Batterbee

has worked with producers Øystein Skar and Odd Martin Skålnes, who were recently behind music by her fellow Norwegians Highasakite and Aurora, respectively.

Eternally awesome Swedish duo Icona Pop are back with a brand new single.

It is called Someone Who Can Dance and sounds like first album era Icona Pop re-emerging from a cryogenic tank and being plonked right into 2016. And that sounds fantastic – quite possibly a subconscious response to the criticism they had for trying to emulate I Love It ever since it became a monster hit back in 2014.

Norwegian artist Thea Stapnes has just released her new single, Follow the Rivfirst. Mark her down as one to continue listening out for in 2016. A very exciting I fell a little bit in love with er. It is a change in sound for her, in that addition to the pop landscape.

Stockholm-based artist LNKAY late last it is a foray into the electropop genre. year when she released her debut sinShe has embraced her new synth style gle, Hurricane. This month she is back by pairing a folk-pop melody with some www.scandipop.co.uk industrial electronica, and it is extremewith its follow-up single, Overload, and, scandipop@gmail.com 2_0_Subscribe_Quarter page ad:Layout 1 27/3/14 17:07 Page 1 2_1_Nordfyns_Museum_Ad_1-4p_NEW_SIZE:Layout 1 26/7/12 ly sonically endearing. On the track, she delightfully, it is even better than the

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Nordfyns Museum The history of the town of Bogense and North Funen, in words, artifacts, paintings and pictures.

Nordfyns Museum Vestergade 16, DK-5400 Bogense, Denmark Phone: +45 6481 1884 E-mail: nordmus@mail.tele.dk www.nordfynsmuseum.dk

12:29

Enough said.

www.greendog.no

Moonsorrow. Photo: Mikael Karlbom

Reckless Love Photo: Ville Akseli Juurikkala

Villa Stenersen Nasjonalmuseet Photo: Annar Bjørgli

Scan Magazine | Culture | Scandinavian Culture Calendar

Danish Design Now. Gustavbike. Photo: Coh & Co.

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

Reckless Love (March) Finnish band Reckless Love will treat Europe to their glam rock tunes this month. www.recklesslove.com

Danish Design Now (From 11 March) Designmuseum Danmark will be focussing on the contemporary Danish design scene with its new permanent exhibition, Danish Design Now. Visitors can explore a condensed universe of design, ranging from ceramic super objects to hardcore industrial design, and become acquainted with some of the most innovative, beautiful and startling designs to come out of Denmark in the 21st century. The exhibition will be updated on an ongoing basis, so visitors can expect that it will live up to its name. Tue-Sun 11am-5pm,

Wed 11am-9pm. Designmuseum Danmark, Bredgade 68, Copenhagen. www.designmuseum.dk

De Montevert (March/April) Swedish singer-songwriter de Montevert is touring Europe with her newly released self-titled album. www.demontevert.se

Karl Holmqvist READ DEAR (26 March-6 June) Swedish-born, Berlin-based Karl Holmqvist is one of a current generation of artists working with language and text as a sculptural or performative material.

He uses a wide range of formats – poetry readings, installation and sculpture – to bring out the primal qualities of lan-

By Sara Schedin

guage. He blends poetry with pop music and his texts, composed of anecdotes as famous as they are diverse, exploring the theme of communication and language, are the linchpin of his work. TueSun 10am-6pm, Wed 10am-9pm. Camden Arts Centre, London, NW3 6DG. www.camdenartscentre.org

Moonsorrow and Korpiklaani (April) The two Finnish folk metal bands Korpiklaani and Moonsorrow will embark on a European tour this spring. korpiklaani.com moonsorrow.com

Agit-Cirk: Sceno (12-13 April) As part of CircusFest 2016, the acclaimed Finnish company Agit-Crik Issue 86 | March 2016 | 113

Scan Magazine | Culture | Scandinavian Culture Calendar

presents their joyous new show Sceno, which is a display of skilful acrobatic movement, strongman tricks and juggling, framed with live music and video.

Jacksons Lane, London, N6 5AA. www.jacksonslane.org.uk

Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra (13 April) Finn Sakari Oramo conducts Elgar’s ground-breaking first symphony and Bax’s luminous tone poem, The Garden of Fand. Australian composer and violist Brett Dean plays his viola concerto.

Barbican Centre, London, EC2Y 8DS. www.barbican.org.uk

Zero Gravity & WHS and Hanna Moisala (15-16 April) Also part of CircusFest 2016, Pinta by Zero Gravity & WHS is an exceptional solo performance focusing on vertical rope acrobatics, performed by aerial acrobat Salla Hakanpää and directed by Ville Walo. With her body, a tightwire and physical composition that draws on the Japanese art of Kinbaku (Shibari), Hanna Moisala’s WireDo tells a gripping story of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Jacksons Lane, London, N6 5AA. www.jacksonslane.org.uk

Villa Tugendhat and Villa Stenersen (Until 24 April) Villa Tugendhat (1928–30) in the Czech Republic is the most well-preserved example of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s early functionalism. It is regarded as one of the world’s most important manifestations of villa architecture and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe seems to have inspired the Norwegian architect Arne Korsmo, who designed Villa Stenersen on commission for the noted art collector Rolf Stenersen. There are several similarities between the two houses, such as their floor plans, construction and material choices. The exhibition Villa Tugendhat recounts the history of the house and documents the extensive restoration work carried out in the period 2010 to 2012. A similar restoration is slated for 114 | Issue 86 | March 2016

Karl Holmqvist, I‘m With You in Rockland, 2012, Neon, 128 x 112 cm. Digital Image © 2013 The Museum of Modern Art, New York_Photography by Thomas Griesel

Villa Stenersen. Sun 12 noon-4pm. Villa Stenersen, Tuengen allé 10, Oslo. www.nasjonalmuseet.no

Cult of Luna (April/May) Swedish seven-piece rock band Cult of Luna will be playing tunes from their latest album Mariner at various venues across Europe this spring. www.cultofluna.com

Villa Tugendhat. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Photo: David Zidlicky.

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Private dining | Conferences | Meetings | Events Restaurant Umage is a gourmet fish and seafood restaurant located in the heart of Copenhagen For private dining, lunch meetings with clients or colleagues, an event or conference, we offer: • A meeting and dining room for up to 50 people

• Our restaurant seats up to 65 people

• Meeting preparations includes tea, coffee, and fresh fruit

• A la carte, 3 course lunch and 5 course dinner menu or a menu based on your preferences

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Restaurant Umage | Frederiksborggade 20 | 1361 Copenhagen K | +45 7020 3099 | info@umage.dk