Scan Magazine, Issue 94, November 2016 by Scan Client Publishing

NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE 94 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

LALEH IS IN CONTROL OUR TOP SWEDISH CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS BIG NORDIC EDUCATION SPECIAL OUR FAVOURITE NORWEGIAN PRODUCTS & DESIGNS

Handmade silver jewellery, designed and produced by goldsmith Merete Mattson in her workshop at Hemnesberget in Helgeland. Here you are welcome to savour the view of the fjord from the cosy gallery-café and enjoy unique design inspired by the landscape and culture of Northern Norway. Mattson’s tiara recently won a competition held by the Norwegian Association of Jewellery Designers; the challenge was to design new headwear on the occasion of King Harald V and Queen Sonja’s 25th anniversary on the throne. The tiara symbolises the dance of the Northern Lights above Stetind, the “National Mountain” of Norway.

Gullsmed Merete Mattson Sjøgata 4 | 8640 Hemnesberget |

+47 90 17 62 56 | gullblom@online.no | www.gullblom.com

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 26 Laleh – ‘You can’t define me’

Known for hard-hitting lyrics and a refusal of predefined genres, Laleh is back with her sixth solo album. Scan Magazine spoke to the Iranian-Swedish singer about her move to Hollywood, being a woman in a male-dominated industry, and being in control.

DESIGN

phenomenon, and every year we are equally impressed. Forget traditional grades and boring subjects; this is where students really flourish.

76 Nordic Education Special – Norwegian Schools N. F. S. Grundtvig, who inspired the folk high school movement, may have been Danish, but the school tradition in Norway has followed suit. Here are the most exciting, creative schools to keep an eye on for next year’s challenge.

11 Finding that Zen This month, we are going all in for that Zen spirit with unmistakably Scandinavian minimalist fashion finds, grey-scale interiors and our latest Finnish design obsession.

SPECIAL FEATURES

22 Food Glorious Food From the coolest streets of Grünerløkka to the best brunch in Copenhagen, we bring you three Nordic culinary experiences not to miss this winter.

SPECIAL THEMES 12

Norwegian Interior Design Experts Last month’s architecture special had us all inspired, and this month we set off to look inside the walls of residential houses and restaurants to learn more about how to marry chic with comfortable for the cold months ahead.

Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas Every year the same story: socks from the high street chains just will not cut it under the tree. Behold everything from certified organic scented candles to super cool posters and jewellery with a punch – all from our list of the best Swedish Christmas gifts this season.

67 120

Norwegian Handmade Delights Norwegian handicraft goes way beyond the traditional ‘bunad’ outfit. Think woolen lap warmers, sturdy ceramics and made-to-order wooden furniture.

Made in Norway In addition to the Norwegian craft tradition, we decided to celebrate all that is produced in Norway in the name of cutting carbon footprints. We discovered everything from quirky winter hats and stunning leather bags to even more organic skincare and a burgeoning Viking jewellery trend.

116 Danish Business Special While the Norwegians have been crafty, the Danes have been business savvy. The link is perhaps in real gold, as we spoke to the man behind a business offering advice and a helping hand when trading jewellery.

BUSINESS 114 From the Networking Expert This month sees the Scan Magazine debut of our new keynote writer, Simone Andersen. Every other month or so, she will share with us her expertise and tips on fruitful networking to help your business succeed.

50 Danish Culture What does the 2017 European Capital of Culture have in common with the world’s first flash mob courtesy of a philharmonic orchestra? Exactly: you will find them in Denmark.

56 Nordic Education Special – Danish Schools Every autumn, we explore the very special education model that is the Nordic folk high school

CULTURE 130 Nordic Takeover There is a Nordic takeover happening at the BBC, and we are not talking about Nordic Noir. Find out more by fast-forwarding to the culture section, where you will also discover that Santa Claus is in fact from Sweden.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, Laleh, our cover star this month, talks about life as a collection of crystals. She does not like to put things in a box in search for unity; she takes it song by song, embraces the moment. At the same time, she describes a world that she sees as becoming more and more like one big family. “It gives you a sort of carelessness but at the same time a respect for life,” she told me about growing up on the run from her native Iran, “having to continuously learn to coexist with reality and move around and learn new things.” I thought about this in relation to this month’s big education special. The Nordic folk high school model, inspired by the ideals of N. F. S. Grundtvig, is a lot like that: it is not so much about the facts and knowledge we can take for granted, but rather about looking inward to foster self-worth and inner strength to embrace those crystals and go out into the world as open-minded, tolerant global citizens. There is a lot to be said for that approach to learning, I think. At a time of endless information at the click of a mouse – or the touch of a tablet – we need mindfulness and resilience to avoid inner chaos.

kicks off yet again. With a commitment to sustainability, one foot firmly in the Scandinavian design tradition and another somewhere in the region of pioneering creativity, we have listed our top gift items from Sweden for a mindful and dare I say sensible Christmas. Over in Norway, artists and entrepreneurs contribute with another long list of inventions and indeed crystals to make this season count. For those who are less about material things and more about experiences, there are cultural happenings and culinary hotspots to boot – because who are we to tell you how to celebrate in style? As Laleh would say: “I’m not interested in knowing who I am; I want to make songs that I enjoy in the moment.” Why put things in a box? Keep your mind open, and have a wonderful Advent and build-up to the festive season.

Linnea Dunne, Editor

As Christmas approaches – yes, you heard me – the conversation about a less wasteful festive season and more thoughtful gifts

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4 | Issue 94 | November 2016

20-year anniversary

Foto: Exclusive design

Hello! My name is Pål Ross! Since1996 I have created hundreds of quality, life-affirming living environments. My award-winning, unique designs have lived up to my goal, which is to deliver and exceed the wishes and expectations of my clients. Most recently, in another first, I have become the first Swedish architect to receive the right to eco-label (SVAN) my projects; yet another step in securing one of the best investments you will ever make! This year Ross is celebrating 20 years in business, and I have the honor of celebra inviting you to make this year's most important phone call. It is about your new home! Book your appointment today at +46 8 84 84 82 or ross@ross.se.

Welcome home!

Awarded Sweden's most beautiful villa of 2009 Awarded best newbuilding in Jämtland in 2010 Gold winner at European Property Award 2013 Svanen Nordic Ecolabelling Licence 2015

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this… Chic, versatile, and modern: it is time to embrace the grey interior trend. Contemporary grey tones give your interiors a timeless and sophisticated touch, creating a relaxing yet stylish environment. The many shades of grey mean that you can mix and match, making the trend completely your own. There is no doubt that grey is here to stay. By Charlotte van Hek | Press photos

Danish brand HAY was founded in 2002 to bring Danish furniture design back to the innovation of the 1950s and 1960s in a contemporary context. This beautiful and timeless sofa designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec allows you to relax in style. It comes in seven different shades of grey for you to choose. HAY sofa, £1,135 Via www.reallywellmade.co.uk

PUSH is a characteristic coffee maker, designed by Mette Duedahl, with a contemporary Nordic design twist. A combination of natural materials such as stone and wood gives the coffee maker a stylish and pleasant touch. It is also perfectly suitable for tea or as a water carafe. Muuto coffee maker, price depending on retailer www.muuto.com

We love soft, sophisticated and Scandinavian. This Kalasi rug is made of 100 per cent wool and is handwoven in India. The fine stripy, high-contrast design will give any room an interesting edge without being over the top. Urbanara rug, from £169 www.urbanara.co.uk

Scandinavians light more candles than anyone else. There is no better way to create a winter season home than to fill it with candles, especially when they smell as beautiful as Skandinavisk’s. This RO candle represents peace, calm and tranquillity; is that not what we all need? Skandinavisk RO candle, £28 Via www.husandhem.co.uk

6 | Issue 94 | November 2016

A tipi is perhaps one of very few children’s toys that enhances your interior. This tipi in rose and grey deserves a prominent spot in your living room. Brilliant play time guaranteed, both indoors and outdoors. Roommate Danish Design tipi, £135 Via www.skandivis.co.uk

ristmas Time in Germany Discover Germany | Special Theme

| Christmas Time in Germany

WALLETS WALLETS

Now also with RFID block

N o r w e g iNorwegian a n D e s Des ign ign www.exentri.com www.exentri.com

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary… No one is as skilled in minimalistic design as the Scandinavians. In the land of less is more, all cuts are clean, colours are cool, and quality is high. Black and white are king and queen, with earthy colours as occasional guests. We declare your guilt-free shopping trip hereby started with timeless Scandinavian designs. By Charlotte van Hek | Press photos

Leading Scandinavian fashion brand Filippa K’s designs breathe style, simplicity and quality. This all-black look is as clean as it gets. Tuxedo jacket, £365 Strap plisée dress, £250 Tuxedo, £195 www.filippa-k.com

This is a classic every woman (and man) should have in their closet. Wear this oversized shirt to work, to dinner, on a date, to the park, to the pub, when on the couch, when travelling – you get the picture. Vila white blouse, £38 www.vila.com

Meet your new favourite neutral, the grey dress. Just like black and white, grey is a colour that you can wear forever. But grey is also versatile, ranging from silvery tones to an almost black shade. This knitted ONLY dress will be your new favourite anytime dress. ONLY knitted dress, £25 www.only.com

Classic with a twist! Helsinki-based Minna Parikka launched her footwear collection in 2005, the typical bunny ear design her signature. The almond-shaped toe and a sturdy block heel make this pair a classic, while the bunny ears keep the look fun. Who said that minimalistic was boring? Minna Parikka shoes, approx. £290 www.minnaparikka.com

8 | Issue 94 | November 2016

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Autumn is the perfect season for layering: a style that is fashionable and will also keep you warm. The right base for every layered outfit is a good handle on the basics. With black and white items, you can mix and match endlessly. Rick cool wool jacket, £280 Wool cotton sweater, £130 Paul stretch shirt white, £105 www.filippa-k.com Want to give your outfit something extra while keeping it clean? Earthy tones such as brown, camel and beige are the perfect alternatives to black and white, while maintaining the minimalistic character of your outfit. Daniel Wellington watch, £169 www.danielwellington.com

Buy now, wear forever. This medium-weight beauty has been knitted from a cotton and linen blend yarn to give the perfect trans-seasonal touch. Samsøe Samsøe jumper, £107 www.samsoe.com

Formal shoes are versatile when you know how to wear them. This pair from H&M are perfect to wear casually. Swap the suit trousers for jeans, put on a white T-shirt, top off with a nice blazer, et voilà! A low-key, yet impeccable look. H&M shoes, £50 www.hm.com

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 9

Scan Magazine | Design | Street Style

Nordic Humans of London Scan Magazine’s brilliant Sanna Halmekoski has yet again hit the streets of London to find out what the Scandinavian fashion fanatics are wearing. Cool, sleek and full of statements, this is a little piece of Scandiland in the United Kingdom. Text and photos by Sanna Halmekoski | www.nordichumans.com

Anna Kari Danish founder of MamaOwl

Anna Kari

(www.mamaowl.net) “I like to wear black, grey and mustard colours. I wear brands like Gudrun & Gudrun, from the Faroe Islands, and Cos. Today my shoes are by Camper. I started my children’s clothes business when I realised my favourite European organic wool brands were not available in the UK.”

Katrin Yr Oskarsdottir Icelandic musician (www.facebook.com/IntroducingKat, @Introducingkat) “I like urban style mixed with the ‘50s pinup look and chunky jewellery. Today I am wearing shoes by adidas, a bag by Michael Kors, and a T-shirt by H&M. I perform and write songs. My new EP, Heard it All Before, just came out and is available on iTunes and Spotify.” Katrin Yr Oskarsdottir

Fredrik Östlund Swedish founder of Edge of Belgravia

Fredrik Östlund

10 | Issue 94 | November 2016

(www.edgeofbelgravia.co.uk) “My style is traditional, and for work I like to wear a suit. My suit today is by Hackett, my shoes are by Charles Tyrwhitt, and my glasses are from a market in Shanghai. The Scandinavian in me loves good design. I created a series of chef’s knives that are not only excellent tools but also look like works of art.”

Scan Magazine | Design | YO ZEN

Eclectic, serene designs Inspired by an event that includes a swan named Jens, Paula Kouri and Kate Hulkkonen formed their design studio YO ZEN in 2011. Based in Oulu, Finland, the duo creates fun and fashionable jewellery designs as well as clothing – with the aim of spreading their wings even further. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Maria Lax

Phonetically, YO ZEN sounds like the Finnish word for swan, ‘joutsen’. There is a story linked to the brand name’s origin: “The winter of 2010 was a particularly cold one and temperatures dipped to below minus 30 degrees Celsius. We found an injured swan that we named Jens, and took care of it throughout the winter. In the spring, Jens flew away fully recovered. Jens definitely has a place in our hearts and we wanted to pay homage to him in our name, logo and designs,” explains Kouri, laughing. “The whooper swan is also Finland’s national bird so it fits perfectly.” YO ZEN’s brand balances two elements: YO being the cool, hip side and ZEN being a nudge to the simplicity and serenity of their designs. Kouri and Hulkkonen’s

main aim is to create affordable, fashionable yet timeless designs. “We want our designs to be fun and quirky, but they are also carefully designed so that they will stay relevant for many years to come. Our background in architecture has definitely influenced YO ZEN’s aesthetic. Our jewellery tends to be quite large and can be used as statement jewellery along with a simple outfit,” says Hulkkonen. As avid travellers, Kouri and Hulkkonen have been inspired by Japanese design and culture. “Our designs feature a lot of straight lines, and origami has been a big influence in our jewellery – with one of our collections even being named after it,” Hulkkonen says. YO ZEN’s designs are produced in Finland with a focus on durability and high quality. Their products

are available from the YO ZEN website as well as selected retailers across Europe. With a children’s clothing line set to launch next year, the best friends are full of ideas and always on the lookout for new adventures. “We aim to create and sell products that we would want to buy and wear ourselves. Our products are meant to be fun, just as the design process is for us, and we want to share our passion with our customers,” Kouri concludes.

For more information please visit: www.yozendesign.com

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 11

N IA G E IOR RTS i M W R ER PE NO INT EX N IG S DE m he

T ni

Designing everyday paradise The idea of creating paradise during your busy everyday life might seem too good to be true, but with some expert advice from Paradis Interiørarkitekter the dream is within reach. The Norwegian interior architects help you avoid costly mistakes and guide you towards the full potential of your room, house or office. By planning for perfection, they get it right – right away. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Paradis Interiørarkitekter

When we imagine paradise, most of us picture a place far away from home or work. Maybe you are daydreaming of a relaxing holiday somewhere tropical and colourful? Or conversations with your best friends over a glass of wine in a busy metropolis? Still, you are probably bound to spend most of your time in the same familiar rooms on a day-to-day basis. Perhaps 12 | Issue 94 | November 2016

it would be better to invest in improving those? Paradis Interiørarkitekter knows the importance of doing just that – and how to do it. The Norwegian interior architecture office, based in Asker right outside Oslo, takes on projects of all sizes but always begins by finding out who you are and what you want. “The first step is always to figure out what kind of person you are. What are

you dreaming of? What are your priorities? Some enjoy spending hours in the kitchen, while others value the children’s room above everything else. With the help of a trained eye, the result often becomes better than what you had in mind,” says CEO Kristin Bjørkavåg.

Save money by hiring pros Bjørkavåg explains that there is one common misconception holding people back from using interior architects such as herself and her two colleagues. They are afraid it will cost a fortune without giving the expected results. “People think they will save money by doing everything themselves, but the truth is actually the complete opposite. A nor-

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norwegian Interior Design Experts

mal mistake is to start an ambitious renovation project without having any real plan. Unfortunately, you often end up having to do things over, correcting unforeseen blunders and buying materials and furniture several times because they didn’t fit together. All that costs a lot of money,” warns Bjørkavåg, who is speaking from 17 years of experience. Another pitfall is being over ambitious – and this is no wonder when you have finally made the decision to make an upgrade. It is easy to think that a bunch of nice stuff will make everything feel better. Though that might be true for a while, a cluttered space will quickly feel messy and tiring. “Our job often involves moderating the client. They often want to include everything they love and end up styling things to death, but it’s essential to hold back. Then the space will slowly grow on you instead of tempting you to spend even more money on renovating yet again. I have the most fun when I get to push the client gently onto a slightly new

path,” says Bjørkavåg, convinced that her profession exists for a reason.

Designs that outlive trends Thousands of shops, magazines and blogs constantly try to inspire people to change their interiors in line with recent trends. When we are craving a change to our environment, it is often because we saw something more beautiful than what we already have. So, we copy the trend, and we are happy – for a while. If you hire Paradis Interiørarkitekter, however, you will get help to move beyond fashion to achieve a lasting result. That does not mean that they will neglect all trends in interior design, but they will make sure that the trends are not blinding you either. “Some trends are very striking and often disappear fast. Others, like white walls, are so neutral that it’s almost a way of chickening out. Neutral walls do last for a while, but we prefer to use slightly dirtier colours to make the atmosphere both comfortable and interesting,” Bjørkavåg explains.

The enthusiastic CEO’s bachelor’s degree in furniture design from the United Kingdom gives her yet another tool to make her clients happy in the long-run. “We tailor one-of-a-kind furniture for specific projects, but we don’t always start from scratch,” says Bjørkavåg. “Sometimes it’s enough to tweak standardised furniture, like designing some better doors for an IKEA closet.”

FIVE GOOD REASONS TO HIRE PARADIS INTERIØRARKITEKTER: - Good interior design improves quality of life. - Expert planning saves money. - Free inspection. - Pay per hour or choose between different price packages. - Tailored solutions to suit your needs.

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 13

All photos above: Christiania Teater. Photos: Marcin Ptak

The queen of sophistication, luxury and grace Since 1989, Anemone Wille Våge has created interior design so captivating that it has attracted some of Scandinavia’s wealthiest and most classy clients. Through her company Wille Interiør, Wille Våge and her competent team have left a unique touch on a long list of hotels, restaurants and private projects. The key to her celebrated style? Immersing herself in every new project. By Eirik Elvevold

Anemone Wille Våge has put her signature on interiors across Scandinavia, France, Britain, Spain and the United States in everything from traditional Norwegian mountain chalets to yachts, cruise ships, 14 | Issue 94 | November 2016

private jets, private mansions, royal palaces and hotels such as The Thief in Oslo and Hotel Post in Gothenburg. How does Wille Våge and her team make all these treasured spaces feel even more special?

“You have to have that sense. For me, interior design has always been a way of expressing myself, but I leave it to others to interpret my work. Colours, materials and lighting are important factors, of course, but anyone could tell you that. It’s all about the bigger picture,” Wille Våge explains. In working on such a wide range of projects, there is no standard approach or easy answer. Wille Våge’s first step is always to understand the client and get

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norwegian Interior Design Experts

to know the building. Then she immerses herself in the specific space and lets her imagination run wild. “I am easily inspired. After doing research on the building, I imagine people’s lives unfolding there: someone arriving to a hotel or coming home from work. It’s almost like theatre. Maybe certain colours or moods come to mind - an atmosphere or some part of the building’s history I want to emphasise,” Wille Våge reflects.

Modern Asia in downtown Oslo One of Wille Interiør’s recent projects was the two Asian restaurants Nodee Barcode and Nodee Sky, located in the Barcode Project in downtown Oslo. The former restaurant is found on the ground floor, while the latter is situated on the same building’s 13th and 14th floors overlooking the Norwegian capital. “We started completely from scratch, knowing that we were designing two modern Asian restaurants. Upstairs, in Nodee Sky, we gave the large terrace a warm atmosphere so that it can be used far into the colder seasons. Downstairs, in Nodee

Barcode, we used dark colours, couches, various types of chairs and transparent dividing walls to create depth and intimacy. We also designed a beautiful bar counter in walnut,” says Wille Våge.

old stone in stairs and columns, old railings and protected lamps. But we easily turned that into something positive. It was an honour to work with such an old, dignified building,” says Wille Våge.

She recently visited the newly opened restaurants and was delighted with the finished result. “I think I will become a regular. It was wonderful to finally see the restaurants full of people. We were allowed to influence the design process from the very beginning, and there was a great dialogue all the way. We love our job even more when the client dares to trust our vision,” she says.

The client had decided to keep using the historical theatre for Gala events and gatherings, while opening a new pizza restaurant with a glamorous yet casual and fun vibe.

Casual glamour at Hotel Christiania Teater In stark contrast to the work in the Barcode Project, another recent Oslo project came with a proud legacy. Hotel Christiania Teater, built in the very heart of the city in 1917, was listed and protected in 2015. Shortly after, Wille Interiør was hired to redo the hotel’s interior. “This was a totally different project, where we had to work with given elements like

“Dramatic lighting, shiny surfaces, velvet and gold leaf guaranteed some glamour. To tone it down a bit, we used a mix of chairs, quite low tables, pillows and some worn-out leather. Guests have to feel comfortable in a restaurant like that. If the interior is far too glamorous, it can easily topple over and come across as inaccessible. We’re always conscious of avoiding that,” says Wille Våge. For more information, please visit: www.anemone.no

All photos below: Nodee Barcode / Nodee Sky Photos: Studio Dreyer Hensley AS

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 15

Minimalistic design at Dalen school.

Design for public spaces The Oslo-based interior architecture firm CADI AS primarily focuses on public spaces – often schools and offices – and the goal is to find the best possible solution for every user of the building. Current projects range from nursing homes to Norway’s new National Museum of Art. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Espen Grønli

CADI is short for Contemporary Architecture, Design and Interior. Founder and co-owner Elin Bashevkin has been running CADI since the start in 2002, initially with another partner, and Kaja Kosonen Geiran came on board in 2013. “Our commitment is to work with public clients and spaces, and CADI has extensive experience from, for example, school buildings. I also brought in some other types of projects and today we have a wide range. We are now two partners 16 | Issue 94 | November 2016

with the same goal, but from slightly different professional backgrounds,” says Geiran, co-owner of CADI AS.

Room for the individual to thrive CADI has worked on schools for kids of various ages as well as offices for adults. Many of the same principles apply in the different environments – no matter if the workspace is aimed at students or office workers. In many of the cases, CADI has come in early to work with the client from the start.

“We do not come in at the end as someone who arranges cushions, curtains and furniture. We are involved right from the start and have created schools with solutions other than the typical ones,” says Bashevkin. The approach means the traditional classrooms are disappearing more and more, without making the space too open. Instead the firm works with defined spaces and smaller additional rooms for flexible use. The individual is always in focus and the goal is to create the best possible solutions for each and every one, considering everyone needs different things to thrive at school or in an office. “We all have different tasks and work in different ways, and we should make it pos-

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norwegian Interior Design Experts

sible for everyone to do their best and feel good about that. But it means the environment has to be very varied,” Bashevkin explains. “Making it possible for students to learn in different ways is something that characterises the new schools.” Geiran adds: “Some might want to hide, while some love to be at the centre of attention. We are also more mobile now, thanks to the technological development, so we can have another approach to the workplace no matter if we are pre-school children or adult workers.”

Early involvement is key A project that was just finalised is the renovation of an old industrial building for Riksteatret and Rikskonserterne in Norway, where CADI worked on the office floors. “We kept a dialogue with the building’s owner and their architect early on, so we have been involved in opening up between floors and major moves like that. That is the architect’s domain, but we gave feedback to get a better flow and

A mix of design classics and contemporary style for a private home.

coherence between the different spaces,” says Bashevkin. Another CADI project within the cultural sphere is the new National Museum of Art in Oslo, which will be a total of 54,600 square metres, to be finalised by 2019. It is located next to Aker Brygge and CADI is working in collaboration with Studio Kaels and the German architecture firm Kleihues + Schuwerk Gesellschaft von Architekten. “We work with what we call the back of house. It is the part of the museum that produces the exhibitions, conserves the arts and runs the building,” says Geiran about the prestigious project.

Wide range of projects While the firm focuses on the public sphere, it also takes on private projects ranging from complete home renovations to a new take on single rooms. “We enjoy that too, but it can also be quite demanding because you are in someone’s

Reading nook at Hønefoss Upper Secondary School. Photo: Terje Solvang

private sphere,” says Geiran and adds: “It is a balancing act to give good advice that suits them, but not make it too personal or impersonal.” When asked about the future, the duo says they want to stay focused, up to date and always remember to understand the client in order to create the best possible solution. But having a positive work environment at their own office is also something they have been working on since the start. “We spend a lot of time making sure everyone in our office is having a good time. It has been a focus for me ever since we started in 2002,” says Bashevkin. “Everyone in the office should smile and laugh every day. We can meet our clients, public or private, in a better way when we ourselves are feeling good.” For more information, please visit: www.cadi.no

A hideaway in the new office for Rikskonserterne.

Cosy and colourful interior at Rikskonserterne.

Room for the individual at Hønefoss Upper Secondary School. Photo: Nils Petter Dale

School corridor at Sørli school.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 17

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norwegian Interior Design Experts

Stylish rugs for your home.

Lovely hand soaps – good for your hands as well as nature.

Marius Fabre is one of only four companies to make genuine Savon de Marseille soap.

Bring a slice of France to your home Are you a fan of the French lifestyle and culture? Côté Sud Interiør imports classic French interior design to northern Europe, featuring a carefully selected range of textiles, candles and luxurious hand soaps. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Marinette Saint-Tropez/Marius Fabre

After holidaying for many years in the south of France and bringing back things she loved for her home, Eline Breien started Côté Sud Interiør, which imports classic French textiles and hand soap to selected interior companies in Norway. “I am simply obsessed with both France and interior design. The products are genuine and I feel really passionate about the French lifestyle,” she says. The handpicked selection includes flax linen tablecloths, bedding, cushions and of course genuine French hand soap – the Marius Fabre Savon de Marseille. “The Marius Fabre Marseille Soap is made from olives from the region and all ingredients are from the same area – the same way they make Champagne in Champagne, and Bordeaux wine in 18 | Issue 94 | November 2016

Bordeaux. It is completely genuine,” says Breien.

Riviera luxury or natural simplicity The selection is always tailor-made to the shop in question and the range stretches from the exclusive Saint-Tropez style to natural and organic. “It is important that our clients find a selection that works well for their store. I am a small operator, so our things are often unique,” she explains. Marinette Saint-Tropez and Marius Fabre are among the brands that Côté Sud Interiør is bringing to northern Europe. Both are family-run businesses with a long tradition. Marinette Saint-Tropez captures the exclusive Riviera style and makes all types of soft furnishings, nota-

bly the Boutis bedspreads, a popular type of quilt, while Marius Fabre is one with the countryside, featuring simplistic flax tablecloths and the Savon de Marseille soap. The company is one of only four to make the genuine soap in Marseille. It is 100 per cent natural and good for the skin as well as nature. The company has been around since 1900 and is today run by the fourth generation. Côté Sud Interiør has a showroom in the Oslo neighbourhood of Frogner, where retailers and shop owners can see the latest news. “My wish is to create cosy homes filled with genuine products that really give us that French feeling while at the same time being perfectly suited to a Scandinavian style and a minimalistic home – even though we are not very minimalistic ourselves,” says Breien.

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

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Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Kamai

Kamai – where taste knows no borders Located in Grünerløkka, Oslo’s most up-and-coming neighbourhood, Kamai serves up Nikkei-style cuisine twisted to suit its Scandinavian context. With the chefs keen on exploring new flavours, the seven-course menu is constantly evolving. A quick look around the project leaves an impression of its size, scope and ambition. Even if you are not in the mood for a two-hour taste exploration, but rather looking for a cocktail or a spot for sushi and bao, Kamai’s cosy café and cocktail bar have plenty to offer. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Kamai

For the last decade, Grünerløkka has been leading urban renewal in Oslo. Located just to the east of the river Akerselva, the area has traditionally been right on the border between Oslo’s primarily working class districts to the east and its middle and upper class districts to the west. Home to a large immigrant population, the breakdown of classes and cultures here has created a feeling of excitement 20 | Issue 94 | November 2016

somewhat similar to that found in other inner city crossroads such as Shoreditch in London and Kreuzberg in Berlin, and has acted as a catalyst for the gradual appearance of interesting boutique stores, cafés, bars and restaurants in this increasingly dynamic part of the city. “Our main inspiration is Nikkei cuisine, a form of fusion formed by Japanese immigrants in Peru, with a history going back many generations. But we don’t have a

crystal-clear style. We want to achieve intriguing tastes, and sometimes that involves an extra twist or two,” says Kamai’s general manager, Christer Magnusson. “When I opened Kamai with owner Jonathan Uy Romano and head chef Halvor Woll Sørlie, our goal was always to do something a little unusual on our own terms. Another goal of mine and the service team is that you will feel at home here. We wanted to prioritise professionalism, but at the same time deconstruct the formal nature of a lot of restaurants. Grünerløkka can be personal like that in a way. So that’s something we really wanted to emulate,” Magnusson explains.

A constantly evolving menu Kamai’s cuisine is unique in Oslo, with its own interpretation of the Nikkei kitchen. You will find familiar Nordic ingredients

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Kamai

dressed up in a new fashion using surprising elements from around the world. The savoury fifth basic taste – umami – is what binds everything together. “The umami taste is quite full and pleasant, which is typical for Japanese food. We use a lot of soy sauce and fermented vegetables full of umami flavours, but we’re not afraid of experimenting and thinking outside the box,” Magnusson affirms. The menu is based on the best daily ingredients, which means it will vary according to the seasons. While the summer menu will normally be full of fresh berries, autumn brings with it mushrooms and root vegetables to accompany quality meat and fish. Personally, Magnusson seems the most enthusiastic about head chef Woll Sørlie’s creative desserts. “Right now, the Norwegian plums are amazing, so we created a dessert with pickled plums, miso chocolate made from fermented

soy beans, salted caramel and hazelnut – matched perfectly with a umeshu plum sake. In the past we have also combined beetroot sorbet with licorice and chili – a good example of mixing untraditional flavours,” he points out.

Craft cocktails, superb sushi and tasty bao In the restaurant, guests can choose to trust the head chef and go with either the kaiseki menu, consisting of seven courses where each new dish is brought in to skilfully complement the last, the fourcourse menu, or order from Kamai’s à la carte menu. If you are feeling more like a quick snack, you can simply head back out through the backyard to the more relaxed drop-in café for some high-quality Japanese sushi or delicious bao. “Co-founder Jonathan has a background working at Alex Sushi, so we’re talking quality sushi here. The popular bao is a crunchier snack and even quicker if you

are on the go. If it’s raining and you want to stay at home, the Foodora bike delivery service will bring it home to you in half an hour,” says Magnusson. If you are only looking for a refreshing cocktail, Kamai has its very own cocktail bar with 15 seats. With its brick walls and modern design, it is a perfect way to start the night. Drinks are made by steady hands with an Asian and Nordic twist. The Avocolada, with flavors of shochu, yuzu sake, avocado and chili, is one of their signature cocktails. “The focus of the bar is to use as much Scandinavian spirits as possible and make new exiting creations. We only have vodka, gin and aquavit from Scandinavia,” says Magnusson.

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 21

Photo: Joakim Hovrevik

Olive trees, pétanque and a glass of pastis Boulebar might come from Sweden, but it is all about France. With a classic French bistro menu, 14 indoor pétanque courts and a rustic French set-up, Copenhagen’s first boule bar presents a fun and alternative setting for a laid-back weekend brunch with friends, family or colleagues. By Signe Hansen

With a menu consisting of French classics such as moules de frites and crème brûlée, olive trees scattered around the place and, of course, a myriad of pétanque courts, there is no denying that the people behind Boulebar are Francophiles. The inspiration for the first Boulebar originated during the Swedish founders’ travels around southern Europe, and the Copenhagen restaurant is specifically inspired by the rustic urban environment of Marseilles. However, when it comes to the Danes’ favourite weekend occupation, brunching, 22 | Issue 94 | November 2016

the boule bar is sure to fit into its new Copenhagen setting just as well. Every Saturday and Sunday, Boulebar presents a French-style brunch buffet (think fresh fruit, croissants and bubbles rather than bacon and eggs) and the possibility of bringing friends and family on to the pétanque courts for a lazy game of midday boule. Marketing manager Philip Spangfort explains: “Our weekend brunch combines a bit of everything: pétanque, food and perhaps a glass of bubbles or pastis – you can do whatever you feel like. We wanted to recreate the atmosphere of a laidback morning in southern France,

where everyone is hanging out at the table or around the pétanque court. I think it will be very popular with Copenhageners, especially to be able to enter this little piece of southern Europe now that winter’s on its way.” Opened just a month ago, the Boulebar in the old Daells Varehus in Nørregade is Copenhagen’s first. Meanwhile, Sweden already has six of its kind. The one in Malmö alone attracted 95,000 guests last year.

Danish pétanque champion Boulebar in Copenhagen is headed by the Danish pétanque enthusiast Kasper Miller. The 38-year-old Copenhagener has won the Danish pétanque championship no less than 23 times and is number nine in the ranking of the world’s best pétanque players. Eager to spread

Scan Magazine | Copenhagen’s Best Brunch | Boulebar

the joy of the game, Miller left his job in IT to open Boulebar. For those who lack his expertise in the game, Miller has hired a number of pétanque experts to help guests get a hold of the rules and techniques. The Geeky Boule Guides, as the restaurant calls them, will also make sure to smooth things over should things get heated – and to heat things up should some players need a little motivation to get the balls rolling with appropriate vigour. “Booking a guide is a good idea for bigger groups, especially if you want to play a real tournament. It ensures that there is someone to keep track of the points and create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Our guide Ibraham, for instance, is not just a pétanque expert – he is also really good at creating a fun

and competitive atmosphere while making sure that everyone feels part of the game,” says Spangfort.

Family, friends and colleagues With 1,400 square metres, two bars, and a restaurant that seats approximately 150 guests, Boulebar has room for everyone, whether it is a family looking for a fun and family-friendly activity after brunch, a group of friends wanting to hang out and share a bottle of wine at the pétanque court, a couple on their first date or a business seeking a special experience for its employees. “The setting is perfect for company events, and pétanque this way is sure to be something that people haven’t tried before. Also, it’s a rare opportunity to be in a place where you can do something that’s fun and slightly more sophisticated than most other company

activities while also enjoying a good meal, wine and drinks,” Spangfort says, adding: “It is all about enjoying a feeling of freedom and unity – and a glass of pastis.” Boulebar serves a buffet brunch on Saturdays and Sundays 10.30am to 3pm (225DKK). The brunch buffet can be combined with 90 minutes on the pétanque court (300DKK). Boulebar is open Monday to Wednesday 3pm to 11pm, Thursday and Friday 3pm to 1am, Saturday 10am to 1am, and Sunday 10am to 11pm. Boulebar is located in the old Daells Varehus in Nørregade.

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

Boulebar provides the setting for a fun and alternative day out with friends, family or colleagues. Photo: Joakim Hovrevik / Boulebar

Photo: Joakim Hovrevik / Boulebar

Boulebar’s menu is crammed with French classics such as moules de frites, tarte au citron, and pastis. Photo: Joakim Hovrevik

Photo: Joakim Hovrevik.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 23

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Damindra

Combining the Japanese and Sri Lankan kitchens with fresh Scandinavian ingredients, Damindra Tillekeratne continues to amaze and delight Copenhageners as his restaurant, Damindra, celebrates its tenth anniversary.

Celebrating ten years in a league of its own Having just celebrated its tenth anniversary, the Japanese gourmet restaurant Damindra and its owner Damindra Tillekeratne continue to surprise and astonish guests. From start to finish, a meal at the intimate and exclusive restaurant is saturated by the Sri Lankan chef’s open, creative and playful approach to food, people and life as a restaurateur.

all over the world. Today, ten years on, Tillekeratne continues to successfully combine the two to surprise and amaze guests.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Damindra

Located in the heart of Copenhagen, a short stroll from the buzzing Nyhavn strait, Damindra presents an extraordinary experience. What puts the restaurant in a league of its own is an intangible quality personified by Tillekeratne himself. His fingerprints are on everything from the Japanese-inspired ikebana flower decorations, which he makes himself, to the personalised service that often includes a visit by him at the table, and of course the restaurant’s delicate signature dishes such as the popular sizzling sashimi. “My passion is to show my guests new sides of Japanese food. It’s to make people happy and satisfied while they are at my restaurant. I want my guests to taste exclusive food in a kind, warm and welcoming atmosphere; I want to surprise them and give them more than they expect. That’s my responsibility, and it’s my dream come true 24 | Issue 94 | November 2016

when it happens,” says Tillekeratne, who is always at the restaurant. Damindra’s exclusive and intimate atmosphere and impressive wine menu have made it a favourite with a wide range of guests, from romancing couples to international foodies and local business people. Most important is of course the food. Several branches of Japanese cuisine inspire the menu, which presents an ever-changing selection of fresh delights in an array of colours and tastes prepared from scratch with fresh Scandinavian ingredients. “My passion for food started in the family kitchen in Sri Lanka, a place bursting with spices. Later, I became fascinated with Japanese cuisine and today I often combine the two,” explains the Sri Lankan-born chef, who founded Damindra in 2006 after working in various restaurants

For more information, please visit: www.damindra.dk and www.facebook.com/Restaurant Damindra

CRAFTED IN SWEDEN SOLD IN ENGLAND

OUR BEST SELLING BEER IS A CRAFT LAGER THAT LIVES UP TO ITS NAME, WHICH MEANS “GOOD LAGER”, IN SWEDISH. THATS WHAT YOU GET WITH THIS DEVINE UNPASTUERISED BEER. A SMOOTH TASTING DORTMUNDER LAGER WITH MALTY BISCUITY CHARACTER, AND RESTRAINED CITRUS NOTES IN THE BACKGROUND WITH A LIGHT BITTERSWEET FINISH.

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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Laleh

Laleh ‘You can’t define me’ From a political refugee fleeing Iran to a celebrated songwriter and music producer in Hollywood – Laleh Pourkarim has a great deal to be proud of. Scan Magazine caught up with the Iranian-Swedish singer on the eve of her sixth album release to talk about working in a male-dominated industry and being in control. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Lost Army/ Warner Music

Her mother was a literary scholar and mathematician and her father a poet, author and journalist whose political involvement forced the family to flee their home country for Azerbaijan and later on Minsk in the former Soviet Union. “It gives you a sort of carelessness but at the same time a respect for life – having to continuously learn to coexist with reality and move around and learn new things. I spoke a number of languages before I was eight; changeability has played a major role in my life,” she says. Pourkarim, better known simply as Laleh, came to Sweden and Gothenburg via East Berlin aged nine. Years later, in 2000, she became known to Swedish audiences when she starred in the lauded film Jalla! Jalla!, but it was not until another five years on that she truly won over their hearts. Her self-titled debut album went to number one in the charts and won three Grammis Awards (the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards) and two P3 Guld accolades. She has been heralded as one of the country’s true musical gems ever since.

Totally in control But while her raw talent and integrity were irresistible to most, some critics seemed to struggle with her refusal to be put in a box. The debut album, written and produced by Laleh herself, set the tone for what was to come: a brave mix of English, Swedish and Persian lyrics with potent pop sensibility alongside rockier influences, indie and folk. “You can’t define me – I don’t think you 26 | Issue 94 93 | November October 2016 2016

can define anyone, if I’m honest. We’re 360-degree beings, and our reality is constantly changing,” she reflects. “You might think by my sixth album I should know who I am, but I’m not interested in knowing who I am; I want to make songs that I enjoy in the moment.” She smiles: “It’s cool, just relax and enjoy what I’ve created. I know what I’m doing; I’m totally in control.” Often described as a control freak, Laleh does not just write and produce all her material herself, but she also plays the majority of the instruments on all the recordings. Some outlets have lauded her as a genius – but the praise can take on a patronising hue. “We’re raised to be achievers but when we do well we’re criticised – you can’t win,” she says. “But I think I’ve known from early on that I’m doing something that’s sometimes hard to digest. If your goal in life is to be understood you can end up quite unhappy, but I’ve never put the bar there – I’ve always taken it song by song.” The new album, her sixth, is named after this idea of each song as a gem of its own. Kristaller, meaning ‘crystals’, is a collection of, as she puts it, “glimpses of something”. If pop stars sing mostly about love, Laleh is a clear exception from the rule. She has written extensively about death and her 2012 song Some Die Young became an unofficial tribute to those who lost their lives or loved ones during the 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway, after she performed it during the one-year anniversary memorial.

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Laleh

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 27

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Laleh

Kristaller continues in the same vein, but the songwriter suggests that she never quite knows until afterwards what an album is really about. “Now that I look at it with hindsight, I can see that it deals with life and why we choose to go on; what it is about life that’s so fantastic that we long to wake up to a new day, why we want to wake up again at all. What makes a flower reach towards the light?”

‘I know what I’m doing’ When the first single from the album Bara få va mig själv was released back in April, it immediately became a theme tune for girls and women standing up for themselves. Instagram exploded with empowered posts praising the song with emojis of fists in the air. “It’s a reminder that I know what I’m doing. You just have to remember that only you know how to live your life, what shit you can take or not take, where to draw the lines for your own vulnerability and strength. It’s about the right to define yourself,” she says. “That the kids are now singing the song almost like an anthem is fantastic. It’s about daring to take up space, reminding yourself on your way to work not to take any shit – that’s what I want.” The track is a real pop pearl, complete with Laleh’s unmistakable vocals and some of that distinct Swedish production – almost like an ironic hint at Laleh’s recent move to Hollywood, where she works with, among others, Max Martin. “I’ve gone into this male-dominated industry as a producer, songwriter and sound engineer, and it’s interesting what

28 | Issue 94 | November 2016

kind of challenges and obstacles you encounter when you’re in the minority,” she says. “It’s a strange experience, an unnatural situation. It’s such a skewed representation of reality; it’s not like there’s a lack of talented women, it’s just a system failure.”

One big family Both Laleh’s parents have passed away – her father in 1994 and her mother just days after the album Colors was released in October 2013 – but their memory and legacy live on through the singer. “I’m a bit of an observer, and I got that from my dad who was an ethnologist and writer – I guess both genetically and through the conversations we had when I was little,” Laleh says. “My childhood has added like a philosophical-poetic compromise, making everything greyscale rather than black or white, and it’s more interesting that way; because of how much I’ve moved, I’ve become so aware of the bubbles we live in. I often laugh – a lot of people don’t realise how funny they are. And now, in the States, I get to discover what my own bubble is like.” It is coming up to two years since Laleh moved to Los Angeles, but she is not making a big deal of the move. “I’m working away in my own studio, like I always have done,” she says. Since joining forces with Max Martin and the like, she has written pop songs for other stars including Demi Lovato, Ellie Goulding and Adam Lambert. But the urge to express herself as an artist, to write the songs she describes as “a bit odd”, does not

go away. She is currently on a tour that is likely to see both fists in the air and rolling tears; such is the power of being yourself. “I think we’re affected by other people’s suffering, whether you want to view it as a biological fact or a thing of the soul, and we travel around the world and bring with us experiences in our suitcases; I think more than ever the world is becoming like one big family,” Laleh says about the current refugee crisis. “It’s not going to end well when the baby sister in the room is sick. We’re quite happy in

the west, but we can never be fully happy when other people are suffering. That’s not happiness at full scale.” Or, as the track Colors goes: “Just because it’s black in the dark, doesn’t mean there’s no colour.” She may be hard to pin down, and some of her tracks may be flirting with melancholy – but if integrity is anything to go by, she may be one of our finest artists yet. For information on tour dates and releases, please visit: www.laleh.se

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 29

A P M T a i TO IS ec R R Sp OU CH EAS SH T ID I ED GIF SW lT

m he

CEO Karin Johansson. Photo: Swedish Trade Federation

Frontrow. Photo: Patricija Dacic

Desenio. Photo: Desenio

Swedish retail: higher turnover but weakened profits Swedish retail is one of the best-performing retail industries in Europe. While European consumers have been hit by the financial crisis and the economic downturn, Swedes have been shopping like never before. By Karin Johansson, CEO of the Swedish Trade Federation and Svensk Handel

The financial crisis was met with tax cuts and lower interest rates, which made both shopping and saving possible for the Swedes. In the absence of growth in European retail, this has made international real estate owners and retailers go all in on the Swedish market and the number of shopping centres has increased rapidly. This development has boosted the turnover in Swedish retail, which has been growing – but it has also created severe competition and weaker profits. The main reason behind higher competition and weaker retail profits is the great digital shift that has changed the retail industry and the economy as a whole. We 30 | Issue 94 | November 2016

now watch old companies go bankrupt and fall like dominoes, and new business models are quickly emerging. One part of the digitalisation of retail is e-commerce, an industry that has been growing at a rate of 15 to 20 per cent per year. Online players now penetrate around 15 per cent of non-food sales in Swedish retail and continuous growth has been forecast. This Christmas, Swedish retail is looking forward to new records in sales, but the sales will most likely be driven by campaigns and low prices, making profits decrease. Consumers are getting used

to buying more and more during campaigns and less and less at full price. In a longer-term perspective we see how consumption and retail will grow, but the companies of today will probably be replaced by those with different business models that can keep up with the demanding digital consumer while meeting the desire for low prices. Concepts that can compete with high quality in service and knowledge and adapt to the new digital reality will be the winners. Kårby Organics. Photo: Philipp Gallon

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

Jim Rickey is characterised by a monochrome colour scheme, clean lines, good materials and carefully thought-out details.

Stylish sneakers from Scandinavia Look no further than sneaker and accessories brand Jim Rickey to give your wardrobe a cool Scandi facelift. From their headquarters in Stockholm, they have been focusing on the gap between sport and high-end sneakers for ten years. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Jim Rickey

The two co-owners, Patrik Lakso Svensk and Henrik Standerth, each had a clothing and shoe agency when they met in their early twenties at a trade fair. They got talking and that was the starting point for Jim Rickey. “We were missing something in between sports sneakers and high-end sneakers. That gap had nothing, so we were one of the first to make sneakers of that kind – dressed up sneakers have made up our brand DNA since the start,” says Henrik Standerth, co-owner and product director at Jim Rickey.

Sneakers for a smart crowd The style can be described as very Scandinavian and is characterised by a monochrome colour scheme, clean lines, good materials and carefully thoughtout details. The brand started out as a high-quality men’s sneaker brand but

has now extended into bags and a whole women’s line of both sneakers and bags – the latter an area where they see great potential. “Our typical consumer is between 25 and 35 years old and someone who likes fashion and enjoys getting dressed up in a sober yet trendy way. We mightn’t be for the bold fashionista but work more with clean lines and small details rather than a lot of strange colour combinations,” Standerth says and adds: “We have worked extensively with details like everything from the logo on the lace ending to packaging design. We always try to work with things that will last over time. It should be rather timeless.”

of around 800 retailers worldwide. Ten years flew by quickly for Jim Rickey and the crew, so where will another decade take them? “In ten years from now I hope we are well established in all the major markets around the world, and it would be fun to have flagship stores in cities like Stockholm, New York, London, Tokyo and Paris,” says Standerth.

Founders and co-owners Henrik Standerth and Patrik Lakso Svensk.

Flagship dreams Today, Jim Rickey is available in almost 20 countries including the UK, France and throughout Scandinavia, with a total

For more information, please visit: www.jimrickey.com/en

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 31

Feel the love – and wear it With a background in dance and a love of pretty things, Karin Andelius and Linda Gribbe set out on a mission to spread love and inspiration using beautifully and ethically designed jewellery. AndeliusGribbe quickly took Sweden by storm, bringing motivation and courage to minimalist jewellery fans and some stylish bling to the Crown Princess.

“Perhaps not everyone will agree with us in a Swedish context, but in other countries dance is a central part of social life, and that’s one tiny part of our mission too – we think dancing makes people happy.”

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Pelle Lannefors

A growing awareness

“It’s the same thing – it’s an aesthetic expression. It’s just the art form that’s different!” Karin Andelius insists when asked about the change from a career as a dancer to life as a designer and entrepreneur in the jewellery industry. Andelius and Linda Gribbe go back years, as did their urge to do something different together when, a couple of years 32 | Issue 94 | November 2016

ago, they started sowing the seeds for what was to become jewellery brand AndeliusGribbe. One of the bestsellers of the elegant minimalist brand is ‘Don’t forget to dance’, a bracelet bearing that very message. “We think dance is something universal, something we need,” Gribbe continues.

Making people happy – and making the world a better place – is both an important characteristic of the brand’s designs and one of the motivations behind it. Every piece comes with a message ranging from the Venus symbol to a bangle boasting ‘Courage dear heart’. The trend in political and motivational jewellery and fashion has seen a spike in recent years, something the two entrepreneurs think is

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

a positive sign of the times. “I think what coming generations will hold against us is the carefree, unsustainable way of life during the ‘90s and ‘00s – a selfishness in many ways,” says Gribbe. “But we’re definitely starting to wake up to a sort of consciousness; art everywhere is super political; everything is imbued with social values and there’s a growing awareness of the world around us.” Their passion for solidarity and collectivity is unmistakable. One of their pieces, available both as a necklace and as a bangle in gold or silver, bears the message ‘We Not Me’. “It goes for the big stuff as well as the small – the bearer decides,” says Gribbe. “It might be antiindividualist stuff, just like someone decides to go vegan for environmental reasons, or something private like someone giving it to their life partner. It’s that solidarity.”

‘We do everything together’ Unsurprisingly, the collective spirit is a very real consideration for the founders, who laugh when asking if they can both do the interview as they “do everything together”. This is one of the ingredients in their recipe for success. “When one of us is struggling, the other one’s always there to cheer on,” Andelius explains. “And in everything from ideas for Instagram posts to the design of a particular

‘One Love’ necklace.

piece or choosing an ambassador for a campaign, we can make good decisions because we always have someone to bounce ideas off – you think that too, right Linda?” Gribbe agrees: “Absolutely. Plus we’ve had lots of help from friends with business experience, whose advice has been invaluable.” The advice must have been sound, because in only a year AndeliusGribbe has grown into an incredibly strong brand with coverage in most major Swedish glossy magazines, including PLAZA Kvinna, Sköna hem, Femina and Mama. The jewellery is worn by celebrities such as Alexandra Pascalidou, Sanna Lundell and Crown Princess Victoria, and the praise is also mounting in the form of letters from happy customers who want to share their stories. “We had a letter from a woman who battled cancer and described how her piece of jewellery meant so much to her as a symbol of her fight. Another woman, who had struggled her entire life with an over-achievement complex, bought a bangle for her future child when she was pregnant as a promise not to pass that on. It’s just beautiful, and these letters and stories mean so much to us,” says Andelius.

An ethical statement One piece that sums up the brand succinctly is the ‘One Love’ necklace. It fea-

‘Courage dear heart’ bangle.

tures all the world’s continents and represents anything from a love of travelling and multi-culturalism to an appreciation of globalisation and that shared responsibility the founders talk about. Their new collection, designed in collaboration with super model and feminist Frida R Gustavsson, is due to launch in the spring and puts that global social responsibility at its core. “The collection was developed in aid of vulnerable girls in India,” Gribbe reveals. “We’ll be donating money of course, but more than that we’ll also give what we can of our time and skills to help out in a practical way.” Andelius adds: “It’s always been a big dream of ours to work ethically – and of course we do so in that all our jewellery is ethically and sustainably produced at small production sites in Sweden, but this project will take it to the next level, really rooting the brand in an ethical statement.” If you are feeling the love, perhaps an AndeliusGribbe piece will make the perfect Christmas gift for someone dear this festive season. Or maybe self-love is what you need the most, and a motivational boost. Whatever you do, do not forget to dance. For more information, please visit: www.andeliusgribbe.com

Founders Karin Andelius and Linda Gribbe. Photo: Erika Stenlund

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 33

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

This year’s perfect Christmas gift is a Scent Kit including reed diffuser, a travel candle and a vintage poster.

Organic scents with wellbeing and nature at heart After ten years in the skincare industry, Jon Kårby went on an adventure to India studying Ayurvedic herbology and dreaming about a range of products of his own. A few years on, Kårby Organics is an established lifestyle brand with wellbeing and nature at its heart. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Philipp Gallon

“In my line of work I’ve always worked with people and helped them feel good, but I wanted to bring that wellness into the home,” says Kårby. “I’m also into alternative medicine and really believe that we need to get closer to nature again. Studies have shown again and again how spending time in nature lowers our stress levels and prevents illness.” When Kårby realised that there were no fully organic scented candles on the market, he knew that he was onto something. However, finding a solution turned out to be anything but straightforward. “It was easier said than done,” he says. “See, many candles today contain soya, which is a natural ingredient but one that requires huge amounts of pesticides. Simply speaking, the process of making soya into wax is far from organic, so we want to distance ourselves from it. So we went on a search for more sustainable alternatives and started experimenting.” 34 | Issue 94 | November 2016

The result was a unique candle wax made of completely natural, plant-based ingredients free from petroleum-based products and certified organic by the Organic Soil Association. The palm oil comes from small certified organic farms in South America as opposed to deforested rainforests in Asia, and as Kårby wanted the candles to have a therapeutic effect, he has opted for essential oils instead of perfume. “We try to constantly keep reminding ourselves why this is important, why it really matters where the ingredients are from. That’s why we’ve incorporated a little drop in the letter å in the logo; we take responsibility for every drop,” Kårby says. With a love of people and a desire to help, Kårby decided to incorporate a consultation element into his brand. The recently launched website allows customers to answer questions to help them find the right scent for them, choosing from the

three categories: Relaxation, Energy and Harmony. “We want to help our customers choose a scent based on their current mood and needs, whether they need a daytime boost or something to help them relax in the evenings,” the founder explains. “I want to make products that not only have a nice scent but also help us be in the moment and break old habits that are affecting us in a bad way; products that inspire wellbeing and happiness.” Founder Jon Kårby.

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

EVERYDAY BAGS AND ITEMS

Visit us! Stockholm: Swedenborgsgatan 3 & Jakobsbergsgatan 9 | London: 79 Berwick Street | Gothenburg: Andra LÃ¥nggatan 22 | www.sandqvist.net

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

A poster says a thousand words From effective sound absorbers to modern design statements, Desenio’s posters add a trendy, personal touch to any living space. Whether you want a beautiful piece of photo art, an inspirational quote during breakfast, a map of your favourite city or a bold fashion statement, Desenio delivers without breaking the bank. Now, the Sweden-based company is taking on the world. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Desenio

It was 2010 and Martin and Helena Blomqvist had just built a house. The living room was spacious with high ceilings, and the couple realised that they would need some sound absorbers for the echo. But the market was disappointing; everything was dull. There and then, the idea to offer art with built-in sound absorbers was born. Desenio, the Blomqvists’ new company, 36 | Issue 94 | November 2016

adopted the canvas trend and soon became the biggest supplier of art on canvas to Gallerix, Sweden’s then main retailer for picture frames and posters. Still working with very small volumes, relatively speaking, Desenio took a hit when Gallerix, in the form it was known then, went out of business. The Blomqvists had to think outside the box, and posters became their solution.

Things started picking up again and the company’s growth since then has been somewhat of a phenomenon in business circles. “It was in 2014 that things started moving – nothing crazy, but the business reached a turnover of around 4.5 million SEK. And then last year, things really, seriously took off, with a turnover of around 30 million SEK – and we keep on growing at a fast pace,” says Fredrik Palm, who joined Desenio as CEO earlier this year, having worked in e-commerce for five years and in a range of other sectors before that. “Helena and Martin have a lot of relevant skills but needed someone who could come in and help bring the business to the next level. They’re still heav-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

ily involved with all the work – Helena is a part of the creative team while Martin works with business development and marketing,” Palm explains, humbly adding: “I’ve been on a number of interesting journeys to date and learnt more than a few things along the way.”

Trendy, affordable Scandinavian design Today, Desenio is one of the major players in the Nordics but also ships to Europe, Australia, Canada and the US. The brand is characterised by trendy design at an incredibly reasonably price, something instantly evident from the webshop. Photo art meets black and white prints as well as inspirational quotes and trendy posters for the children’s room, all presented against a white background with clear pricing. “Photo art is really growing at the moment, and that minimalist Nordic expression will always remain as a solid, reliable base. But now the trend is moving towards more colour

and bold prints as well,” says Palm and refers to the wider interior design trend of adding richer, more organic and snug environments to the current all-white interiors. Palm explains that staying on top of the latest design trends is crucial to the company, likening the brand to H&M in terms of positioning. “It’s really fashionable yet very affordable.”

The audience is growing, as is the collection, and Desenio is always expanding to new markets. The Blomqvists were inspired by their new home as a blank canvas; perhaps you will be too.

All Desenio’s posters are printed on 200-gram uncoated, FSC-certified, ageresistant paper with a matte finish. The design style is unmistakably Scandinavian, but the mostly minimalist collection is about to get a revamp – and not just more colour. “So far we’ve been quite niche – very trendy, mostly for women between 20 and 35. We’ll develop and grow this segment as well, but we’ll add more provocative and bold designs to the mix,” says Palm. “In addition, we’re adding more celebrity collaborations – think designs by well-known photographers and artists.”

The company prides itself on great customer service, speedy delivery and the highest quality.

ABOUT DESENIO Desenio AB is a Swedish company based in Sweden, founded by Helena and Martin Blomqvist in 2010.

Desenio’s hallmark design is sleek and trendy, fitting neatly into the Scandinavian design tradition. Among the bestsellers are prints of maps, inspirational quotes and fashion motifs. Desenio ships to all over Europe, Australia and North America.

For more information and to browse the posters, please visit: www.desenio.com

Fredrik Palm, CEO of Desenio.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 37

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

Unique design inspired by the international fashion scene Hanna Hult Eriksson, designer and entrepreneur, knows exactly what it takes to cater for an audience that desires fashion with attitude. With 20 years’ experience from the industry, Hult Eriksson creates clothes and accessories for Frontrow using only the finest materials. By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Patricija Dacic

“I get my inspiration from the international fashion scene, and our ambition is to always offer up-to-date looks,” says Hult Eriksson when discussing the success of Frontrow, which she founded just five years ago. The clothes are made in a range of different exquisite materials such as textile, leather and suede, and the design is characterised by interesting cuts and details. “For me, it is also important that the clothes I design are versatile so that each garment can be worn throughout the day – at the office as well as the dinner party,” the designer explains. Unique dresses, blouses, leather jackets, leather trousers and skirts are just a few examples of the rock-bohemian fashion pieces in Frontrow’s webshop. The webshop is regularly updated with news as Frontrow knows its style conscious clientele is con-

stantly searching for the latest looks. “We want to offer more than just one collection for each season,” says Hult Eriksson. Frontrow’s line is also available from a range of stockists across Scandinavia as well as Spain and Japan. EXCLUSIVE CHRISTMAS OFFER FOR SCAN MAGAZINE READERS Use the code “scan20” and get a 20 per cent discount in Frontrow’s webshop. Valid until 30 December 2016. Orders placed before 9 December 2016 will be delivered in time for Christmas.

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

Timeless headwear since 1885 CTH Ericson has been making classic, high-quality headwear since 1885. The company is family run and still located in Borlänge, in Dalarna in central Sweden, making timeless hats and caps for everyone in the family. “Carl Theodor Ericson came from a family of hatters and decided to start a hat shop, which he soon developed into his own production. He succeeded very well and in the 1940s and ‘50s the company had around 230 employees. During one period, it was also the largest single employer for women in Borlänge,” says Ann-Sofie Morin, CEO at CTH Ericson. Morin’s father bought the company at the 100th anniversary, so she grew up in the corridors long before becoming CEO. The head office is still located in the same location and the factory is now a museum. Current production is mainly based in Estonia and Poland. The materials are still carefully selected, such as Harris Tweed, a 38 | Issue 94 | November 2016

wool material from the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. “Because of our legacy we think a lot about all our products being classic and something that can be used from generation to generation,” says Morin. The collections are available for women and men as well as children from newborn to the age of ten, and the timeless style has spread far beyond Borlänge and Sweden. “I hope that Carl Theodor would be proud to see that people are wearing his caps around Europe and even as far away as South Korea,” Morin ends. For more information, please visit: www.cthericson.se

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: CTH Ericson

THE NEW PL ATTAN 2

A VERY NICE PIECE OF STOCKHOLM

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

Marvellous marbling In less than a year, Clara Bergman and her mother have gone from launching a new design brand to producing stylish but playful trays and coasters for sale in design boutiques across the Nordics, Europe, Australia and even New York City. The inspiration behind Studio Formata, the designer explains, is a love of paper and unexpected meetings of colours, shapes and materials.

the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. The link between the two disciplines is in a love of the abstract, of “creating unexpected meetings of colours, shapes and materials”, she says.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Erik Djurklou

That creativity and playfulness is very much evident in Studio Formata’s popular collection of trays, serving boards and coasters. “Our thing is to use old craft traditions and techniques in a new context,” says Clara Bergman. “To use abstract expressions and colour to invite our customers to mix and match and have fun.”

“I love design and architecture, and in our family we’ve always been crazy about paper, bought nice cards and paper in little boutiques in Italy where they demonstrate paper marbling and so on,” says Clara Bergman, the designer at Studio Formata. “I wanted to push the boundaries of what can be done with marbling. It’s such an old technique and I wanted to try to create something modern with it.” She learnt the craft and started producing modern design items with a historical touch, resulting in a collection of birch veneer trays with colourful marble designs. The trays are handmade using materials from certified suppliers and everything is made in Sweden. Keeping it local is in the brand’s DNA; Studio 40 | Issue 94 | November 2016

Formata is a family business run by herself and her mother. The reach of the products includes retailers as far away as Spain, France, Australia and New York City, as well as a wide range of boutiques throughout the Nordic countries and the UK. “It’s all happened really quickly – we had the first trays in our hands less than a year ago,” says Clara Bergman. “But the feedback has been great and we started getting orders really early on from lovely quality shops who had seen our products on social media. Social media really has been great for us.” Clara Bergman, who lovingly refers to her creative work as “spattering paint”, is also currently studying architecture at

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

WASHOLOGI by Viktoria’s fabric softeners and linen waters boast a pure scent and have been named to evoke emotions, such as Scent of DESIRE with Cotton flower and Scent of HIM with Bergamot.

Making the clothes last and the laundry segment stylish WASHOLOGI by Viktoria is the laundry product designer that teaches its customers to wash less often and use less detergent. Its mission is to produce stylish, effective and truly environmentally friendly laundry products – all in an honest, credible way. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Stefan Viklund

It all started when Viktoria Widengren wanted to create something of her own and started looking around to see what was missing on the shelves. She ended up befuddled by the laundry segment, which struck her as particularly unimpressive and boring. “Why were there no nice-looking bottles of washing detergent? We’ve got lots of nice packaging in the beauty segment, so why the conservative laundry products? I started think42 | Issue 94 | November 2016

ing about it and thought that you should be able to buy detergent where you buy clothes – but then the products have to look nice,” says Viktoria.

‘It has to be good stuff’ She quickly went from befuddled to determined. Her research around design made her realise how important the environmental aspect was, and she decided to try to create a product that was stylish,

effective and environmentally friendly. “Often when you buy the eco products they just don’t work, so then you don’t buy them again. It has to be good stuff,” she asserts. It was a learning curve for the former social worker, but she was clearly more than able for the task. She now talks about her niche segment as if she had never done anything else, clearly both passionate and incredibly knowledgeable. “I know everything about detergent,” she laughs. “I know how to produce labels, how to develop scents, how to sell. I want to know everything about the products because I’m putting my name to them. It all has to

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

be credible stuff based on sound values and environmental consciousness.” Viktoria describes some of the discoveries she made during her search for a truly environmentally friendly product. For example, many fabric softeners contain animal sebum, but for a few Swedish kronor extra she was able to find a plantbased replacement ingredient. Polycyclic musk, another artificial substance often used in perfumes to make the scent last longer, has repeatedly been found in the fish we eat, in breastmilk and in our blood – so Viktoria banned that as well alongside colourants and other unnecessary substances.

The study of laundry The result of all her hard work was WASHOLOGI by Viktoria, a brand with a range including five detergents and five fabric softeners. “Liquid detergents don’t have any optical whiteners in them, so why should people have to keep buying two different detergents for colours and whites?” she asks. “In fact, powder detergent for whites with bleach can make your clothes look yellowy-grey after a while as it drains the white colour out of the linens, which a lot of the time have actually been dyed white. As for sports-

wear, most detergents don’t remove the smell properly and the gear ends up with a sour smell very quickly, but my sports detergent cleans sportswear properly at just 30 degrees.” It is as if she is talking about the Tesla of laundry products. Who would have thought that the science behind washing detergents could be so fascinating? Then again, the woman who set out to bring a nice bottle to the shelves ended up doing so much more; it is not for nothing that the brand is called WASHOLOGI, the study of laundry. “The organic detergent is amazing,” Viktoria continues. “It’s made from all natural ingredients and is so pure that you can sit on the beach and wash your clothes in the lake and you’ll leave no trace behind.” Moreover, the brand launched a new innovative product last month with its first ever softener for functional wear that does not clog the fabric’s breathing mechanism.

Wash less, waste less WASHOLOGI by Viktoria also offers five different linen waters, a product the founder is clearly excited about. “I came across this little bottle in New York. It’s like ironing water; people use it a lot in the southern hemisphere,” she explains. “It’s

for freshening up that shirt or something that doesn’t quite need to be washed yet, or even to make the bed sheets smell nice. It’s a bit of a reminder that you don’t need to throw everything in the wash by default. This way, your clothes will last longer.” Turns out, if you ask Viktoria, washing less – and using less detergent – is a key teaching of WASHOLOGI by Viktoria. “The more I learnt, the more important it became for me to teach people to wash correctly: using the right detergents for the right fabrics and using the right amount,” she says. “A lot of people use way too much – you top it up to be sure. It’s bad for the clothes, bad for the environment, and bad for your wallet. I get thank you letters from people who think it’s funny that I’d be the one to teach them to use less detergent.” But the approach seems to be working. WASHOLOGI by Viktoria is growing at an impressive pace and the products are already available in stores throughout Europe. At the end of the day, it is all about credibility. “It’s not just about money,” says Viktoria. “It’s about the study of laundry, about sustainability and building credibility. That’s what’ll pay off in the long run.”

TOP CHRISTMAS TIP! The new Washologi linen water is available in small bottles of just 100ml, perfect for the hand luggage.

The 100ml bottle of linen water makes a great Christmas present - perfect for the hand luggage to freshen up during the journey.

THE WASHOLOGI BY VIKTORIA RANGE Five detergents: SPORT, WHITE & COLOR, DELICATE, GENTLE WASH, and ORGANIC. Five softeners: SPORT, HARMONY, DESIRE, PLEASURE, and SENSITIVE. Five linen waters: SPORT, HARMONY, DESIRE, PLEASURE, and SCENT OF HIM.

Viktoria Widengren

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 43

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

Organic skincare with a conscience Swedish brand Estelle & Thild encourages women to indulge in effective skin care with a conscience. The certified organic brand draws on cutting-edge scientific research and uses pure bio-active ingredients, providing toxin-free wellbeing for all. By Malin Norman | Photos: Estelle & Thild

Estelle & Thild was founded by Pernilla Rönnberg in 2007. As the former CEO of another skincare company, Rönnberg was aware of harmful chemicals and unnatural ingredients used by some brands and instead wanted to develop innovative skincare products focused on certified organic ingredients and high-impact results. The company is named after her two daughters, Estelle and Mathilde, and 46 | Issue 94 | November 2016

mulas, testing and production. Rönnberg explains the philosophy behind the toxinfree products. “Each Estelle & Thild range features a unique combination of active ingredients with proven results that target specific skin concerns. We are the new generation of certified organic skincare.”

has an ambition to help consumers make better choices for their skin, bodies and the environment – and ultimately to contribute to a better and more sustainable society.

Certified organic production by Ecocert

The brand is based on progressive values about equality and wellbeing for all, and its heritage is present in everything from sourcing ingredients to developing for-

All Estelle & Thild products are made using pure bio-active ingredients and exclusive raw materials, without compromising on the experience or the results. The innovative formulas are free from pesti-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

cides and toxic residues and are certified as organic by Ecocert. This is the largest independent organic certification organisation for sustainable development in Europe and the United States, and one of the most respected worldwide. As part of the certification process, all content, raw materials, the production process, packaging and text materials have also been examined and approved. To be certified by Ecocert, no less than 95 per cent of the plant extracts must be certified as organic. Also, no less than 95 per cent of the total content must be of natural origin, and no less than ten per cent of all the ingredients must come from organic farming. “We choose to certify all our products as organic by Ecocert to make it clear to the consumer that we are the real deal,” Rönnberg explains. “The industry can be vague and confusing, boasting natural ‘formulas’ or organic ‘ingredients’, but if an entire product is not certified it can be unclear what you are paying for.” All ingredients used in Estelle & Thild products are sourced from certified organic farms, as much as possible from the Nordic countries. The scents are extracted from natural components, carefully refined and developed after months of research, and of course also certified by Ecocert. For sensitive skin and customers with fragrance sensitivities, the

BioCalm series is 100 per cent fragrance free and allergy tested, and the BioCare Baby range is also fragrance free.

Effective skincare for every skin type The sophisticated skincare products are divided into four areas of concerns. Super BioActive is anti-ageing, BioDefense is age-preventing, BioHydrate is hydrating care for all skin types, and BioCalm is produced specifically for sensitive skin being fragrance free and allergy tested. Estelle & Thild also offers the advanced cleansing range BioCleanse, developed to purify and cleanse the skin while keeping natural moisture levels intact; the nourishing body care series in four lush fragrances with names such as Spring Rose Blonde and Sweet Vanilla Blossom; and the line of children’s products, BioCare Baby. The all-time best seller is the muchprized Super BioActive Age Control Serum in the high-performance antiageing series. Another product that stands out is the super-charged BioDefense Multi-Nutrient Youth Oil, which has recently received the prominent Style Beauty Best Buy 2016 Award – yet another proof of age-preventative certified organic skincare at its best.

vation and luxury packaging. “Consumers appreciate our look and attention to detail, combined with the fact that the products are certified organic,” explains Rönnberg. “Consumers are becoming more conscious and demand more from the products and brands they choose. This drives us to create even better products and experiences for them, while also working towards a more sustainable society.” Estelle & Thild’s wide range of certified organic skincare products can be found in over 1,300 stores worldwide as well as in the online shop. For more information, please visit: www.estellethild.se and follow @estellethild on Instagram.

Pernilla Rönnberg, founder of Estelle & Thild.

The brand is organic but with an apparent exclusive touch. While some other organic skincare products may look uninspiring, Estelle & Thild is at the forefront of inno-

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 47

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

Welcome to Santa’s world It is always Christmas in Örnaholm, Småland, where Åsa Götander has been crafting wool Santas and other mysterious beings since 1993. Scan Magazine spoke to the founder of Åsas Tomtebod about crafts, inspiration and what the perfect Santa should look like. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Åsas Tomtebod

A Santa born in Åsas Tomtebod is far from the apple-cheeked, American-style Santa Claus dressed in velvet, gold and glitter. Instead, the bearded Santa is simplistic yet mysterious, with a grey signature beard and a wool cap tucked down over his eyes. “Perhaps he doesn’t want to see all the misery in the world? Maybe that is why he pulled his cap down to cover his eyes. I worked a lot to get that particular shape,” says Åsa Götander, founder of Åsas Tomtebod. She discovered her love for crafting in wool after moving to the countryside in the mid-‘80s. In particular, it was the technique of mixing wool with soap and warm water to create felt, a method called ‘tovning’, that caught her attention. Götander started selling her Santas at markets and fairs, before scaling up 48 | Issue 94 | November 2016

production and opening up shop in a cottage in the countryside in 1993.

The big break In 2000, Götander decided to bring her designs to the Formex Design Fair in Stockholm, which turned out to be a significant decision. “I was really nervous! But it was nearly sold out on the second day and the fair lasted for four days. I wish everyone to experience such joy – we sold order upon order,” she says, recalling her big break. Today the company sells through retailers only but has expanded far beyond Småland and Sweden, and her Santas, gnomes, witches and other mysterious characters are found as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. Götander makes all designs herself, and most parts of the production are

still based in the very same cottage in Örnaholm, close to Gislaved, where it all started. However, today Götander also has support from Bosnia, where some of the sewing and the craft of ‘tovning’ to make the caps are done. After all, the company produces around 50,000 Santas in one year alone. The characters and materials are all inspired by nature. Natural sheepskin is used and no extra colour is added to the beards, making every Santa unique. “We make Santas after Christmas too. We make a lot of them, and towards the end of November we have usually sold out again,” Götander smiles.

Founder Åsa Götander is busy cutting leather for production.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Christmas Gift Ideas

Handmade jewellery with character Stockholm-based Gaudy makes exclusive jewellery of the highest quality. Every piece is custom made, crafted by hand into unique shapes with colourful gems. What was started by Monica and Eduard Gaudy as a wholesale business in 1975 has grown into an innovative and flourishing jewellery shop with ten employees. Daughter Natasja Gaudy has worked in the company for over 20 years and explains how the industry has changed. “Branded jewellery has been a big trend with high volumes and a focus on streamlined production, but recently we have seen a growth in bespoke designs, which is our field. Jewellery is very intimate – it’s not just a product, it needs to fit with the individual.” While many other Scandinavian designers work with silver and simple lines, Gaudy stands out with its use of other materials and techniques, and more colour. It has a more feminine expression yet is practical and wearable for everyday use. Gaudy also works with individual pieces rather than collections, which can be complicated and time-consuming but is what makes the

company different from its mass-produced counterparts. These unique pieces of jewellery require something more from the wearer, a certain sense of identity and attitude. Every customer request is considered a new project and the designer workshop must adapt and find new artistic and technical solutions. “Design is a matter of taste, an external factor. Our main focus is on the craft, regardless of artistic idea. We want to show that there is still room for craftsmanship in Europe. Goldsmiths are not only carrying out repairs; they can actually use their skills to make exciting jewellery.” Gaudy’s shop is located at Strandvägen 3 in Stockholm. Here, customers can get expert advice, browse and be inspired by beautiful jewellery. For more information, please visit: www.gaudy.se

Natasja Gaudy. Photo: Gaudy

Photo: Truls Nord, Gaudy

By Malin Norman

OF UR E in S ULT M O D C A SH NI A D iT

m he

ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Your Rainbow Panorama. Photo: ARoS, Aarhus Kunstmuseum

Entertainment and ‘hygge’ – from the stage to the town square From the concept of ‘hygge’ spreading throughout all corners of the globe like never before, to a peaking admiration of everything from Danish screen productions and cuisine to societal organisation, there is something about Danish life and culture that seems to just work. Next year, one of Europe’s two Capitals of Culture will be in Denmark. If you have yet to hop on a bike and try to enjoy life the Danish way, now is the time to do it.

as one step ahead of its Nordic counterparts. Copenhagen of course boasts the Tivoli Gardens in addition to the fascinating Freetown Christiania, and worldclass art abounds in museums and galleries such as the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.

By Linnea Dunne

Denmark may be known as a modern pioneer in a number of ways, not least in regards to that sleek, minimalist design we all know and love. But there is history to back up the country’s reputation as a cultural giant, too: think Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, political philosophy courtesy of Søren Kierkegaard and 50 | Issue 94 | November 2016

prose by Karen Blixen. More recently, there is of course also the Dogme 95 scene with directors including the hugely respected Lars von Trier. Then there is the entertainment – and we do not just mean the Danes’ sense of humour, even if that too is often hailed

But back to ‘hygge’. You do not need to go anywhere near a museum to experience the real charm of Danish culture. Just try out life the Danish way: travel everywhere by bike, leave work on time and light a load of candles – unless of course your bike takes you all the way to the nearest coast where you can enjoy a picnic facing a spectacular sunset.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | A Dose of Danish Culture

The Danes seem to have it all figured out, but perhaps the secret to happiness is more in their refusal to take things too seriously. It is more about enjoying the moment – whether you do so in Aarhus during its year as Capital of Culture or with a spontaneous visit to the theatre or the classical music performance of your life. Distortion festival, Istedgade, Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Photo: Kim Wyon

Culture Night, Copenhagen. Photo: Nicolai Perjesi

Frederiksberg Gardens. Photo: Stella Polaris

Jazz Festival. Photo: Kim Wyon

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 51

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | A Dose of Danish Culture

Copenhagen’s new 60-minute concerts actualise classical music with crossover collaborations with artists of other genres, including Mew, Efterklang, the Dessner brothers (of The National), Richard Reed Parry (of Arcade Fire), and Indians (pictured).

Flash mobs, virtual reality and warehouse concerts

– it is the Copenhagen Phil of today In the hands of classical percussionist turned pop phenomenon turned artistic director, Copenhagen Phil, the region’s 173-year-old symphony orchestra, is redefining its role. It is a process that is developing inside out and which has, among other things, resulted in the first ever flash mob staged by a symphony orchestra. Artistic director and CEO Uffe Savery talks to Scan Magazine about why virtual reality, flash mobs and warehouse concerts are all part of a day’s work in a modern classical culture institution. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Copenhagen Phil

As one half of Safri Duo, one of the world’s most esteemed classical percussionist duos and the group behind the mega dance hit Played-A-Live, it is not the first time Savery is working to expand the preconceived borders of classical music. However, it is the first time his ideas have been implemented by way of an ensemble of well-established classical musicians, as they have been since 52 | Issue 94 | November 2016

he became artistic director in 2010. You might think this would cause a challenge for someone who likes to innovate and shake things up, but that is not the case, he says. “The culture of this orchestra is amazing. It fits really well with my own values, which are about being ambitious, curious, having courage and the will to do something, to create sustainable and valuable cutting-edge experiences,” says

Savery. “Based on this I started a tradition of making a yearly workshop, and all the new things we’ve expanded with stem from ideas developed by orchestra members and admin staff.” This includes the flash mob, which the orchestra staged in Copenhagen Central Station in 2011. The flash mob, which was the first of its kind staged by a symphony orchestra, was followed by a second event in the city’s Metro. Together, the two unannounced performances attracted over 21 million views on YouTube. “It would take us about 400 years of sold out concerts to play for all of those people,” Savery points out when asked whether this format might cause disdain amongst traditionalists. “We’re redefining what it means to be a sym-

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | A Dose of Danish Culture

phony orchestra in our time, but we have the same respect for the work. Whether it‘s a two-hour concert hall concert or a two-minute flash mob in the Metro, we approach it with the same professionalism and aim to create something great on the specific premises.”

Seeking and leading new ways Savery refers to his position at the Copenhagen Phil as the third phase in his career. Already during the first phase he was challenging the conceptions of what was possible in the world of classical music by turning something as niche as a percussionist duo into a success. Then he entered the second phase. Combining the minimalism of acoustic percussion with electronic dance tracks, Safri Duo created a string of international hits including the insanely danceable PlayedA-Live (The Bongo Song). In 2009, after three albums, Savery decided it was time to enter a third phase and began studying for a master’s diploma in leadership in arts and culture. “If you take the word ‘to lead’ in Danish, it has a double meaning. It means both to seek and to lead the way. In English, it only has one meaning, but for me leading is very much about both. The seeking part demands the ability to be curious, to be open-minded and have your antennas up. That’s why I wanted to create a culture where people feel they can come to me with thoughts and ideas. The leading the way part is where it

demands the courage to trust your intuition, your gut feeling; to trust that this is actually the right thing to do even though no one has done it before, like creating a flash mob in the Metro,” he says.

From idea to practice Among the practical output of Savery and the orchestra’s ideas are a string of new concert formats: Open Orchestra concerts in warehouses, where the orchestra is spread out, allowing the audience to walk around and watch the individual musicians; virtual reality experiences, where school children can – thanks to virtual reality glasses – take part in the concert as one of the musicians; the takeover of towns, where the orchestra performs in a number of unusual locations such as care homes and local businesses; 60-minute concerts with crossover collaborations with artists representing other genres; and, naturally, wonderful classical symphony orchestra concerts. Finally, the orchestra has also been performing musical illustrations for concepts such as teamwork, creativity and other company values, something that has been a huge success with many large Danish corporations.

me that the last six years had been the most exciting years in his musical life. That really warmed my heart,” says the artistic director. After Copenhagen Phil’s iconic flash mob several orchestras have successfully followed suit, and this is not the only idea of Savery’s that might be a first – though he is reluctant to share what is next. “It is such a good idea, it would be a shame to reveal it now,” he teases. For more information and to listen to Copenhagen Phil’s most recent recording, the Beethoven Symphonies No. 1-8, please visit: www.copenhagenphil.dk

It is not just new audiences and younger musicians who feel that Savery’s ideas have revived the old orchestra. “Last year, a musician who was about to retire from the orchestra came to me and told

Top right: Virtual reality glasses help children experience what it feels like to be part of a symphony orchestra. Bottom Right: Copenhagen Phil’s flash mob performances in Copenhagen Central Station and the Metro have attracted more than 21 million views on YouTube. Left: Uffe Savery.

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Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | A Dose of Danish Culture

Left: Tree of Codes is a breathtaking, rhapsodic encounter between music, dance, light and structure. Brought to life by Jamie xx’s scintillating score, Olafur Eliasson’s dazzling visual designs and Wayne McGregor’s visceral choreography, Tree of Codes will be performed at Musikhuset Aarhus. Photo: Ravi Deepres. Top right: With 29 performances of the epic Viking saga, Røde Orm, 100,000 audiences will get the chance to experience this mega event in Aarhus 2017. Photo: Røde Orm: Aarhus 2017. Below right: British Rebecca Matthews, previous New York and global partnerships director for the British Council, is the CEO of Aarhus 2017. Photo: Michael Grøn/ Billedmageren.

Aarhus 2017

– rethinking the European Capital of Culture Being the European Capital of Culture is anticipated to change a city but, next year, the city of Aarhus is determined to change what it means to be a capital of culture. Together with the region’s 19 municipalities, Aarhus 2017 has been rethinking the very purpose of the prestigious project. The result is not just a year packed with cultural events but a programme which, as the result of a democratic and inclusive process, highlights many pressing global and local issues. By Signe Hansen

Fine art and popular art, global artists and local artists, huge free exhibitions and exclusive intimate performances; with more than 400 scheduled events, Aarhus 2017 will have it all. Overall the ambition has been to be as inclusive and democratic as possible in both process and result, explains Rebecca Matthews, CEO at Aarhus 2017. “Democracy is a very important part of Danish life, so in the bidding process we had a broad democratic consultation asking 10,000 people across the region what they expected from a cultural capital. The answer was that they wanted a broad and inclusive art and culture programme, but 54 | Issue 94 | November 2016

also a programme that looks at global challenges and issues that are pressing for us here in Denmark.” She continues: “So, we developed a programme that’s based on culture but also uses culture as a platform to rethink issues such as sustainability, globalism, localism, democracy and so on. That way our slogan ‘let’s rethink’ is more than a slogan; it’s a mindset, a progressive mentality that bids us to think and act smarter in the future.” The result is an exceptionally diverse programme that covers all the region’s 19 municipalities and includes 3,500

volunteers. Prominent events include Røde Orm, an epic Viking extravaganza performed on the grass-covered roof of Moesgaard Museum; The Garden, Aarhus and ARoS’s largest outdoor exhibition reflecting on humanity’s depictions and alterations of nature; and the internationally acclaimed ballet Tree of Codes, directed by Wayne McGregor and with a visual concept by Olafur Eliasson. “There will be a special moment for everyone, whether it comes through viewing an internationally exceptional performance in Aarhus, taking part in local community events, enjoying the sports, gastronomy, dance, theatre or educational offers – it’s culture in the broadest sense,” says Matthews.

For more information, please visit: www.aarhus2017.dk

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | A Dose of Danish Culture

Reviving the classics

By Susan Hansen | Photos: Husets Teater

A change in artistic leadership means that Husets Teater in Copenhagen’s trendy Kødbyen district is producing drama classics for diverse audiences. Renowned actor Jens Albinus became artistic director at Husets Teater earlier this year. Adding to the new identity and profile, current affairs play a determining role when it comes to getting a play to the stage. My van Dijk, communications manager, describes the current political framework as a fragmented Europe with citizens redefining themselves. “Our artistic director believes theatre can change by re-interpreting classics, using a different language, making them relevant again.” Engaging with the surrounding communities is key. While Kødbyen’s trendy bars mask another reality and other layers of society, the theatre venue has an intimate, inclusive vibe. Not speaking Danish should not make visitors shy away; with technology enabling the theatre to offer translation into Arabic and English, multicultural audiences can engage.

Ambitions are high, and appearances by some of Denmark’s leading talents including Ulla Henningsen, Tammi Øst and Claes Bang attract audiences. Upcoming productions include an eye-opening adaptation of Greek tragedy Medea, Norwegian writing tradition represented by Erlend Loe’s Status, and Whiteout is about Greenland’s culture and people.

“The play takes a look at European history to pinpoint what defines us,” says Van Dijk. The new Husets Teater style is more epic than ever before. “We have vision,” she continues. “At larger, conventional theatres, there can be restrictions on what might be explored creatively. Being independent gives us the freedom to experiment.” For more information, please visit: www.husetsteater.dk

Viking ships in Roskilde History for all the senses – year round

Experience five original Viking ships and see our impressive boat collection in the scenic Museum Harbour. Look, feel, smell - and try! The Viking Ship Museum focuses on the Vikings’ maritime craftsmanship and their impressive ships. Exciting exhibitions – Films about the Viking ships and Sea Stallion from Glendalough – Dress as a Viking Activities for children – Go on board Viking ships Boatyard – Museum Shop – New Nordic Viking Food Scenic harbour life with Viking ships and historical wooden boats. Go sailing on Roskilde Fjord: May 15 - September 30.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION 2014 The World in the Viking Age

– Seafaring in the 9th century changed the world! vikingshipmuseum.dk

Under the age of 18 admission free Open daily 10:00 - 16:00

(May 16 - Aug. 24: 10:00 - 17:00)

Transport:

Free car park. Train to Roskilde. From Roskilde Station bus route 203 or about 20 minutes’ walk.

Aalborg Århus

Roskilde

Odense

København

Vindeboder 12 • DK-4000 Roskilde • vikingshipmuseum.dk

N IO T h A ISH C lT a i U N ec ED DA LER Sp IC L – KO D R CIA RS O N PE TE S EF e:

Discover knowledge and make friends for life The ‘efterskole’ is a unique Danish independent and residential school for young people between 14 and 18 years of age. Currently, more than 27,000 students attend one of the approximately 245 schools spread across Denmark and the schools are open to students from abroad.

democratic citizenship. The efterskole has something to offer educationally as well as socially, because the students live together.

By Efterskoleforeningen | Photos: Faaborgegnens Efterskole

It can perhaps be said that the teachers who work at an efterskole are not entirely ordinary. They are prepared to involve aspects of themselves other than the professional, so that the pupils have a positive relationship with the teachers. The teacher is responsible for both teaching and supervision outside of school hours. This means that teachers and students are together all day from the time the students wake up until they go to bed. This often engenders a close, personal and non-formal relationship between students and teachers – something Grundtvig himself would most certainly approve of.

Historically and culturally, the efterskole is related to the Danish free school movement and is often regarded as a junior form of the Danish folkehøjskole (folk high school). It is closely related to the educational ideas of N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872), who wanted schools to provide enlightenment for life rather than formal vocational training. The first few efterskoler were founded about 150 years ago and, especially within the last 25 years, the number of students has increased considerably. Most efterskoler offer the same subjects and final examinations as state schools, but many focus on special subjects such as physical education, music or theatre, 56 | Issue 94 | November 2016

or offer various kinds of special education. Compared to a regular state school, the efterskole has substantial freedom in terms of, for example, the choice of subjects, the teaching methods and the educational approach. These vary in accordance with the school’s political, religious and pedagogical orientation. The freedom of the efterskole is assured by substantial state subsidies to both schools and students. Each efterskole is a self-governing independent institution, and they all deal with both the educational and personal development of the students. They embrace a common educational focus on enlightenment for life, general education and

For more information, please visit: www.efterskole.dk/english

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Efterskoler

The global efterskole of tomorrow As one of just a few efterskoler located in a major city, Risskov Efterskole offers a global, challenging and formative experience in an urban setting. Through seven different programmes, the Aarhus school seeks to equip its students with the skills needed as global citizens in an ever-expanding world. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Risskov Efterskole

Having grown, developed and renewed itself significantly since its foundation as a home economics school more than a century ago, Risskov Efterskole today embodies the message it is hoping to

convey to its students: in a quickly evolving global world, it is essential to be open to change and open to the world. Principal René Jacobsen says: “When we say that we want to prepare our students for

life today and tomorrow, it’s based on the belief that in the future we will all be living as global citizens. Hence, we work to prepare the young people of today with the academic, personal and social skills needed to live in a modern, globalised society tomorrow.” Today the school offers seven exciting efterskole programmes, such as dance, gastronomy, and international studies. Next school year, students will also Issue 94 | November 2016 | 57

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be able to choose Cambridge subjects in preparation for the International Baccalaureate following the Cambridge International Education syllabus.

In the centre of the world Set in green surroundings just ten minutes from the centre of Aarhus, Risskov Efterskole is one of just three efterskoler in Denmark located in a major city. Furthermore, the school will in 2017 reap the benefits of being located in Europe’s Capital of Culture. “One of the unique things we can offer is an urbanised efterskole environment in the middle of Denmark’s second-largest city – and in the middle of the world. We want to utilise that as much as possible; regardless of which programme students choose – sports, culture or design – the intercultural and international run as constant themes through the classes,” says Jacobsen. 58 | Issue 94 | November 2016

The school’s appealing location and international focus attract politically engaged and internationally explorative students from all over Denmark. One of them is Johan, who studies on the international programme and says: “We take part in the debates in the city, use the culture house Dokk1 and ARoS, and have done field work at Bazaar Vest. You won’t find that kind of scene in many other places, and that’s something that creates a lot of different possibilities during the course.”

Explore the world Regardless of which course students take, travelling abroad to explore their chosen subject will form an essential part of the learning experience. For instance, this year, students on the school’s basketball programme are travelling to New York to explore the roots of the sport; the SportXplore students are going on a div-

ing excursion to Malta; and the students on the international programme are visiting New York and Washington. Among the students who travelled abroad with the school’s international programme is Emil, who hopes to one day work beyond Denmark’s boarders. “I had no doubt that I wanted to do an international programme as I am very politically and culturally engaged, and this specific course attracted me because it included so many student trips.” To ensure that the school trips will provide students with more than just a superficial look at another culture from the outside, Risskov is working to establish a number of partner schools all over the world, from Kenya to New York. “We want the trip to be more than just an exclusive visit to somewhere exotic; we want it to

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Efterskoler

be an essential part of the school year, a unique experience that we can offer our students thanks to our connections with other schools and cultures,” says Jacobsen. He concludes with a vision of the efterskole of tomorrow: “We would love to have the efterskole regulations softened a bit so that we can send our students out 12 to 14 weeks a year and accept students from other countries in their place, to create a truly intercultural exchange experience.” FACTS: - Risskov Efterskole is located 15-20 minutes from Aarhus city centre by bicycle or bus. - Risskov Efterskole offers programmes in food and gastronomy, surf/ski, basketball, SportXplore, design, dance, and international (which will next year include the possibility of studying Cambridge subjects). - Risskov Efterskole was founded as an addition to Sansestormerne (which has functioned as a boarding school for adult home economics students for more than 100 years), 12 years ago. - From next academic year, Sansestormerne will be phased out and all of the school’s 1,600 square metres will be taken into use by the efterskole. - The school’s facilities include: fitness centre, sports hall, auditorium, design workshop, food workshop, and IT room. - Risskov Efterskole is located in green surroundings with the sea just around the corner. - The school’s facilities and location enable students to take part in a wide range of sports such as kite surfing, archery, football, diving, climbing, handball, and basketball. - All programmes include trips abroad twice a year: a subject-specific trip and a joint skiing trip. - Risskov Efterskole has around 125 students. The students share twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

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

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Two good friends and feeling secure Karise Efterskole has a clear vision of the basis for learning about life and academia when you are a young person with an intellectual disability. By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: Karise Efterskole

Leaving home for the first time can be an overwhelming experience for many young people. But if flying from the nest not only involves leaving family and home comforts behind, but also entails a whole new life approach, the task ahead is extra challenging. This is the case for many pupils arriving at Karise Efterskole – a boarding school in the south of Zealand in Denmark specialising in programmes for pupils with Down’s syndrome, ADHD, autism and similar conditions. “We believe that you can only learn once you have two good friends and feel secure. We try to help create this basis, and once it is in place they are ready to learn,” says the school’s principal, Nikolaj Rysager. “These youngsters come here thinking they cannot learn, and many never had a single friend. We believe that the reason they have learnt nothing is 60 | Issue 94 | November 2016

that they have been in the wrong environments, which haven’t taken their special needs into consideration.” Through conversation, being together a great deal and mixing academic education with physical activity and everyday chores associated with living under the same roof, the school emphasises a culture that builds bridges into adulthood for around 90 pupils per year. “As with any young person, they must leave their parents. Through shared activities and support and challenges in equal measure, they develop greater trust in the world. They begin to realise that they too can have good friends and positive experiences,” explains Rysager. The school offers courses of either one or two years. Drop-outs are rare and, afterwards, many pupils opt to continue

learning in a similar yet further advanced setting via the local upper secondary programme for pupils with special needs. According to Rysager, the aim is to give the pupils motivation and confidence to fulfil their lives, and to do so in a way that suits their talents. “We believe that, no matter who you are, you can contribute to society. It’s about valuing human qualities. The message we want to send out, in turn, is that society could and should open up and be more inclusive. Working 37 hours a week and being competitive with China is not the only way to be.”

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Efterskoler

Challenge life with the arts

By Susan Hansen | Photos: Viby Efterskole

Music, dance and drama are core disciplines at Viby Efterskole, a residential school on Fyn with 25 years’ experience in arts education for 14 to 18-year-olds. René Holm Hansen, headmaster, explains the school’s mission. “It is about challenge, artistically within music, dance or drama – but it stretches beyond education, including being social and one’s idea of the world. It is about challenging life,” he says. “Finding themselves in a class of like-minded people, students are inspired. It is important for development.” Throughout the year, studies in music, dance or drama are undertaken and a considerable number of students choose all three subjects. Viby caters to students of all levels with classes tailored from beginners’ through to advanced level. All teachers are well connected and know the creative industries well. Each spring, the students visit a European capital and in 2017 the destination is London. “Many consider the possibility of

working abroad – it can give them an idea of the range of opportunities,” says Holm Hansen. The students deliver an annual production for paying audiences over a sixweek period. Grease, West Side Story and Legally Blonde are among titles previously performed. It is a team effort and everyone gets to explore the fundamentals of arts production. Some discover they love it, whereas others realise they want to do something different. “Our success criteria are not about whether our students go on to music conservatories or become famous. It is about development, their personal journeys.” For more information, please visit: www.viby-efterskole.dk

A school year that will swish by If you are looking for a break from ordinary school life and love to see the world swish by from the top of a scooter, skateboard or BMX, Tjele Efterskole is the place to be. Located in central Jutland, the school, which also offers many creative subjects, helps youngsters from all over Denmark to ‘be outstanding’. By Signe Hanse | Photos: Tjele Efterskole

Founded in 1985, Tjele Efterskole’s main aim today is to enable students to ‘be outstanding’. It does so through a varied and action-packed programme and over the last few decades it has become known particularly for its wheel-based subjects. “The growing popularity of these subjects has meant that we have gradually expanded our expertise and facilities, since we first established our BMX race programme 14 years ago,” says principal Kim Hansen. Teachers include a previous world champion in freestyle BMX and a past national trainer in BMX race. Among other popular subjects are art and design, author, and performance. All receive special attention in their own way. For instance, all pupils take part in a big

theatre performance every year. The large range of subjects also means a great variation in ambitions and backgrounds amongst the school’s 105 pupils, explains Hansen. “It’s a very diverse group, and one thing we prioritise is that they learn from each other and their differences. Tolerance is a key word at Tjele Efterskole.” MAIN SUBJECTS OFFERED AT TJELE EFTERSKOLE: Art and design, artisan, animation, scooter, BMX race, author, table tennis, skateboarding, performance, BMX freestyle, and chess.

The school is located in Tjele, about 35 minutes by bus from Randers.

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

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Prepare for an international future It is no coincidence that as many as 97 per cent of students continue on to a postsecondary education after a year at SKALs Efterskole (SKALs International Boarding School). The school, which offers the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, strives to give its Danish and international students both a personal and an educational journey. The approach has earned it the highest grade average of its region. By Signe Hansen | Photos: SKALs Efterskole

Founded in central Jutland in 1990, SKALs Efterskole had the ambition to provide an alternative to the then majority of free boarding schools focusing on personal development and social interaction. SKALs’ founders wanted to combine these traditional efterskole ideals with more tangible preparation for students’ continued professional and academic lives. From this ambition the school’s 62 | Issue 94 | November 2016

current international profile naturally germinated, captured in the slogan “the world must be conquered every day”. “What we mean by this is that we have to relate to and choose how to relate to the world every day. As a young person today, you have to realise that you are part of a generation that, to a much greater extent than previous generations, must be able

to conduct themselves professionally and socially all over the world,” principal Sven Primdal explains, adding: “A cultural ABC, the ability to move in and understand different cultures will be essential, and requires two sets of competences: the academic – the languages, knowledge and so on; and the social – the ability to interact as an individual with people different from yourself. We want to give our students both.”

An international skillset Of the 150 students enrolled annually at SKALs, 50 per cent choose to study and take the examination in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). The class, which is approved by the University of Cambridge, gives ac-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Efterskoler

cess to the International Baccalaureate (IB) that is offered by 14 Danish gymnasia as well as numerous educational institutions all over the world. Furthermore, if students take the tenth grade IGCSE, the exam qualifies them to skip one year of the Danish three-year version of the IB. The IGCSE subjects are taught in English and the course is attended by both Danish and international students with global ambitions. The school’s growing number of non-Danish students, however, enrol in SKALs’ International Project Class, an exam-free, project-based class taught in English. “This ‘transition year’ attracts students of high academic levels from both Denmark and abroad, students who want to explore other ways to work with their competences and improve their media, communication and presentation skills,” explains Primdal, adding: “Our aim is to prepare our students not just for their further education but also for their role as global citizens.” The different programmes all take annual study trips to Cambridge/London, UK,

Dublin/Belfast, Ireland, Hanoi, Vietnam, Nepal, or Zimbabwe. Students from all classes travel together to Berlin.

Wanting to learn Students enrolled on SKALs’ regular ninth and tenth grade programmes are divided into several smaller sub-groups of varying academic levels and teaching styles across different subjects. All classes have a strong academic focus and aim to prepare students for the specific line of post-secondary study they wish to pursue. This does not, however, mean that it is all about books, stresses Primdal. “SKALs is not a rigidly academic school where we pace our students through hard subjects. On the contrary, it’s about involving both your head and your heart. Being a student here is not about being academically strong; it’s about wanting to be.” All students must spend at least one hour daily doing homework, but the school, which is located just a 15minute bus ride from the regional capital of Viborg, also offers a range of possible after-school activities including swim-

ming, kayaking/outdoor, soccer, fitness, body, mind and soul, media, eSport and gymnastics. AT A GLANCE: SKALs is located in Skals, a town of approximately 2,000 inhabitants, 12 kilometres from Viborg and 75 kilometres from Aarhus. SKALs’ 150 students share four-bed dormitory rooms; students can choose between single or mixed-gender floors as well as an English-speaking floor. SKALs offers a ninth and tenth-grade education based on the students’ different learning approaches and academic levels (Danish National Curriculum) as well as an Englishlanguage, project-based tenth grade with no examinations, and Cambridge classes (IGCSE/O-level). SKALs is among just a handful of schools in Denmark offering the entire IGCSE curriculum and, furthermore, is the Danish headquarter for IGCSEapproved education in Denmark.

For more information, please visit: www.skals-efterskole.dk

Above: SKALs Efterskole offers a variety of after-school activities such as swimming, kayaking, soccer, fitness, body, and mind and soul. Bottom left: Students at SKALs Efterskole prepare for their role as global citizens not only through their studies but also with annual study trips to Vietnam, Nepal, Zimbabwe, the UK or Ireland. Bottom right: SKALs Efterskole combines traditional efterskole values with more tangible preparation for students’ continued professional and academic lives.

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Efterskoler

From retiring to robust – a teenage journey BGI Akademiet specialises in top sports facilities and personal growth, from those first timid steps after leaving home to maturity in just one year. It is the start of a journey closer to adulthood. By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: BGI Akademiet

“If your dreams don’t scare you, dream bigger.” So goes the slogan on the website of BGI Akademiet, a boarding school in Hornsyld near Horsens and Vejle in Denmark. To many of the school’s new 64 | Issue 94 | November 2016

pupils, aged 15 or 16, moving away from home is scary enough. “When we welcome them here, they have just left their families. They have lived

and gone to school in the same place. This is the first time they have to forge new relationships on their own and take care of practical things themselves, and all this can be a massive challenge,” says Helle Vestergaard, the school’s principal. If initial insecurity marks the beginning, enthusiasm and curiosity usually follow. Then arrive bouts of homesickness and co-habitation struggles before the students end up having grown immensely.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Efterskoler

“It is the essence of going to a boarding school. Young people gain so much during just one year, both academically and personally. It is like falling in love – at first, everything is new and exciting, and then come the challenges. But if you can navigate your way through, you grow and improve. Encountering and dealing with difficulties is a good thing. You find ways out. You take different routes than you otherwise have done. It sucks feeling sad, but standing tall is worth it,” says Vestergaard. “Those who struggle the most are the ones who find it most difficult to leave us.”

25 sports combinations Sports is an integral part of the school, with 25 different combination options – from the traditional ones such as handball and football to more alternative choices including parkour and snowboarding. Five per cent of pupils do sports at elite level, while the rest take part at a range of different levels. Liking physical activity is key to enjoying a stay here; paramount to the school’s ethos, however, is that learning and personal growth come out of all activities. “We have sports every single day, sometimes several times a day. Being phys-

ically active simply makes your brain work better,” says Vestergaard. “And we try to work different personal aspects into sports, for instance learning to be a good team player and the value of working hard to make the most of whatever your talent is.” At BGI Akademiet, a year flies by because of all the activities that go on. On the other hand, it can seem like ages once the young people are ready to move on and stock is taken of the progress made. “Parents can expect to welcome back significantly matured children. We tell our pupils to get as much out of this year as possible, and it is such a pleasure to witness how they go from cautious at the beginning to robust in the end,” says Vestergaard.

Ready for more Leaving boarding school can be almost as traumatic as leaving the parents, but the benefits of the time spent at BGI Akademiet soon find their way into the next chapter. “Okay, some of them cry when they have to leave. But they stay in touch with each other. Plus, they quickly start using the things learned here in their new learning environment. We emphasise the need to prepare for fu-

ture studies, at upper secondary school and later university. Pupils here learn to stand on their own two feet – there is no parent to ask if they did their homework,” explains Vestergaard. Tears dried, it is time to dream once more. And bigger still. WHAT PARENTS SAY BGI Akademiet asked parents of former pupils at the school what changes they have noticed in their children after a year at the boarding school. They say that the young person…

- is more structured – also with homework and studies;

- has moved many levels up in his or her sport – and can even train their own team;

- is more independent, at peace with themselves and helps at home;

- is easy and pleasant to be in the room with again;

- and has got lots of good, new friends.

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

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An international experience Eisbjerghus International School offers its students a unique opportunity to acquire intercultural skills. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Eisbjerghus International School

Many future jobs will be in an international environment, which is why the continuation school Eisbjerghus International School has a special focus on giving students an international experience. “We believe it’s important that young people nowadays have an understanding of other cultures. Their future destination could potentially be anywhere in the world, so we provide them with an opportunity to acquire intercultural skills,” explains Mads Poulsen, principal at Eisbjerghus International School. When the students enrol, they each select the country where they want to do their exchange programme. Currently, the school offers exchange experiences in France, Spain, Japan, India and China. “The idea is that our students live with local families during their stay. This way they get an opportunity to really get a feel for the culture and everyday life in the host country. It’s important for us that it is an actual exchange programme and not just 66 | Issue 94 | November 2016

a holiday; you won’t get the same understanding of a country’s culture if you are just travelling as a tourist,” says Poulsen.

International environment The students have one hour every week where they are taught about the host country and preparing for their trip. The exchange trips last between ten and 12 days and the students travel with their classmates. Other than going abroad and living with a local family, the students also host foreign students themselves. “The student you are staying with during your exchange programme also comes to our school to stay with you, so our school is often full of people from other coun-

tries. This creates an international environment and helps the students improve their intercultural skills as well as their level of English,” says Poulsen. Name: Frederikke Friis Knudsen Age: 16 Nationality: Danish Why did you choose Eisbjerghus International School? I wanted to be a part of an international environment and have a break before the gymnasium where I could attend topics considering global perspectives and have the opportunity to go abroad and experience a whole new culture. What has been your impression of the school so far? Really good. The teachers are dedicated and great supporters on the personal level. My fellow students are involved and interested in the international environment – but also really good at including everyone at the school on the social life. There’s a good environment when it comes to teaching and learning, but also the relationship between the students.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Efterskoler

Individual creative forces are stronger together Making a contribution to the community and enjoying the benefits is key at Kastanievej Efterskole, where creative immersion and diversity are celebrated across discliplines. By Susan Hansen | Photos: Kastanievej Efterskole

Principal Karen Toftlund Krog explains Kastanievej’s ethos: “Our values are centred around the community and a sense of responsibility; an obligation to contribute to be able to reap the benefits.” Being a residential school located in central Copenhagen means that learning activities involving the city’s arts institutions can be integrated. Equally, on some week nights students attend educational talks at the school delivered by high-profile external speakers, or present their own art. Students come from many social backgrounds and have vastly different needs in terms of learning. “An ability to get on with someone else is a skill for life. It transforms the individual, gives a boost of confidence and self-worth,” says Toftlund Krog. The

community is important and tasks such as cleaning and tidying of communal areas can be an outlet for practice. Creative disciplines offered include photography, music, fine arts and film studies. Creating art of one’s own is encouraged. “We create things from scratch. Studying

music here does not mean playing cover versions – students write their own songs.” Focus is on the process, and on learning about something in-depth. Ceramics, for example, can be an outlet for expression and self-immersion. “It is a fantastic discipline, and students get to know themselves during periods of in-depth study. Creating a product, something tangible, is hugely rewarding.” For more information, please visit: www.kastanie.dk

N IO T h A ISH C lT a i U N ec ED DA ER Sp IC L – OL D R CIA SK O N PE ØJ S H e:

Imagine a school of life Imagine a school without tests, without a curriculum and without grades. A school where you learn simply because you have the desire to learn – a school that gives you the opportunity to learn more about yourself and the world around you. A school not just about teaching and theory, but where the reality of living with one hundred other students and teachers is a vital part of the experience.

holidays and include courses intended for families or seniors or dedicated to practising a special craft. There is something for everybody.

By Højskolernes Hus | Photos: Folkehøjskolernes Forening Danmark

We live together, learn together, eat, party, sing, laugh and cry together and we share our stories so that we become a part of each other’s lives. In other words, imagine a school of life. A folk high school in Denmark is where theory and books lend qualities to the conversations we have with each other, instead of just learning things by heart to pass an exam. It is a school where teachers do not hold the truth to the questions asked, but pursue it together with the students – a school where education is not solely about preparing for a job, but an essential part of being human. There are 69 folk high schools across Denmark, most of them situated in rural areas or smaller towns, and they are typically named after the local district. Some are quite old, others founded recently. Some are large and can accommodate more than 100 students, while 68 | Issue 94 | November 2016

others have room for only 30. Some are well consolidated, others less well off. Some are architectural gems, while most are characterised by stylistic confusion. However, the most important thing about them is not their appearance, but rather their atmosphere. As a teacher once said: “The task of the schools is to create a climate where culture is a reality.” The Danish folk high schools offer non-formal adult education. Most students are between 18 and 24 years old and the length of a typical stay is four months. You sleep, eat, study and spend your spare time at the school. There are no academic requirements for admittance and there are no exams – but you will get a diploma as proof of your attendance. That, and memories to last a lifetime. You can also join a folk high school for a short-term stay with a themed event schedule. These are often offered during

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Højskoler

Tired of exams?

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Egå Ungdomshøjskole and Ungdomshøjskolen by Ribe

New interests, friends, and knowledge; the results achieved by the 16 to 19-yearolds studying at Denmark’s only two folk high schools for under-18s are manifold, but grades are not one of them. With no exams and a range of original subjects, Egå Ungdomshøjskole and Ungdomshøjskolen by Ribe provide an antidote to the educational stress felt by many youngsters today. In an age when many young people feel pressured into rushing through their education, Egå and Ribe folk high schools provide a rare opportunity to explore and reflect. Erling Joensen, principal at Egå, explains: “A lot of our students choose a folk high school because they can’t quite figure out what they want to do after ninth or tenth grade. They need another formative year before progressing to the next step of their education. We also have quite a few who’ve already started a degree but changed their mind.” The two schools offer different subjects and settings. Located by the Wadden Sea, Ungdomshøjskolen by Ribe offers among other things many outdoor sports activities. Among the subjects offered by Egå Ungdomshøjskole, which is located just

outside Aarhus, is a range of creative subjects such as drama, film and design. Both schools have spaces reserved for international students and subjects offered in English, meaning that students are sure to make friends from all over the world. Subjects offered at Ungdomshøjskolen by Ribe: sport, outdoor activities and health, music and singing, art and design. Subjects offered at Egå Ungdomshøjskole: photography, music, politics, philosophy and psychology, sports, design, creative, drama and theatre, and film.

For more information, please visit: www.uhr.dk and www.euh.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Højskoler

Ski bums, pianists and movers and shakers Højskolen Østersøen is at the threshold between southern Denmark and the rest of the world, combining sports, languages and international development. By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: Højskolen Østersøen

“The whole rucksack.” Annemarie Morris, the principal, has a clear idea of what is in store for students starting at Højskolen Østersøen, the internationally oriented folk high school in Aabenraa close to the Danish-German border. “You get to study, learn languages, discuss and debate international topics and meet people of all different kinds of backgrounds. Plus, you get to put your ability to immediate use in a work environment,” she explains.

Ski bum in Austria International understanding and languages have been priorities at the school 70 | Issue 94 | November 2016

ever since it opened its doors in 1993 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, opening access to 16 million new Germans south of the border. If the classrooms and sports pitches are testing grounds, the outside world plays an equally prominent part in a stay at Højskolen Østersøen. As such, the autumn semester can include, apart from time spent in Aabenraa, a spell as a so-called ski bum in Austria working in sports equipment shops, as a waiter, in hotels or as a skiing instructor. “It becomes an adventure. All the competences and skills you gain at the

school, be it hard physical training, cultural understanding or new languages, you get to try out in practice and have a lot of fun at the same time,” says course administrator Karim Pedersen. The next skiing semester begins in August 2017 and concludes in December, at which time the adventure in Austria starts.

Piano lessons Another of the school’s main themes is culture, unfolded under the Culture Matters programme, which is also available in the spring course. There is also the option to focus on piano and singing lessons, which, according to Morris, are “aimed at the highest possible hobby level”. However, students who fancy themselves as the next virtuoso of the black

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Højskoler

and white keys can opt for an extra 14day course at the Princeton University in New Jersey. The only added cost is a return flight, as the folk high school will pay for the course in the US.

International mindset Højskolen Østersøen has diversity as a key value, which is reflected in the students’ backgrounds. People, usually in their late teens to early twenties, come from all corners of the world, particularly middle and eastern Europe, Canada and Ireland, to understand themselves and others better. “We believe in physical exercise as a natural way of life. And also, we focus on tolerance, the positive sides of being different. There are numerous ways to live. It is important that our students are exposed to the fact that everyone can live as they choose, and that they have a right to do so,” says Morris. In fact, due to its proximity to the border, the school is one of very few folk high

schools in Denmark to have been given exemption to the rule that half of the students must be Danish. International matters come to the fore in August 2017, as Højskolen Østersøen will host 100 young, selected talents from all over the globe as part of the UN’s Unleash project. On the agenda will be issues such as poverty, education and inequality as part of discussions on the UN’s 17 goals for sustainable development. “We are really looking forward to this,” enthuses Pedersen. “We are always eager to make positive changes to the world we live in, and to discuss matters that affect us, so our participation in the UN project is a natural continuation of everything we do year-round. Here is a chance for young people to actually make a difference in the world.” The event, sponsored by Danish businesses and organisations, comprises workshops at Højskolen Østersøen with

the school’s students also involved. It is yet another example of the contents of that well-stocked rucksack. LONG COURSE SPRING 2017 The spring course of 2017 takes place from 15 January 2017 to 27 May 2017. The price for the 19 weeks for international students is 1,000 euros for a shared double room. In addition, there is a price of 800 euros for a study trip to Malta. If you require a single room, there is an additional fee of 50 euros per week, or 950 euros for the entire 19 weeks.

THE SCHOOL’S MAIN CONCEPTS - An international melting pot of ideas. - Language skills promote good conversations. - A healthy body equals a healthy mind.

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 71

Sport, travelling and heavenly nature Located in an area renowned for its beautiful forests and stunning beaches, Idrætshøjskolen in Sønderborg (IHS) is the ideal folk high school for anyone looking for exhilarating experiences in blissful surroundings. The school programme, which includes several study tours abroad and a diverse range of sports, such as kite surfing, adventure racing and beach volley, attracts young athletes eager to explore their sports and the world. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Idrætshøjskolen in Sønderborg

Situated on approximately 13 hectares of beautiful parkland on the Sønderborg Bay, IHS is just a short walk from the beach where the school’s many aquatic activities such as surfing, sailing and kayaking take place. Sønderskoven, a large forest where students can take 72 | Issue 94 | November 2016

part in cross training, triathlon training and running, is also just one kilometre away. “Close to the sea, the forest and the town of Sønderborg, IHS is probably Denmark’s most beautifully located folk high school,” says school principal Michael Willemar.

But it is not just the school’s fortunate location that attracts students from all over Denmark. Founded as a traditional folk high school in 1952, IHS is built on strong values and ambitions. The school aims not only to develop and further students’ skills within their chosen sport but also, through the sport and the school’s strong sense of community, to allow the individual student to grow and develop as a person. Teamwork, friendship and personal development have been at the heart of the school since the beginning. “Sports are used as a platform for personal growth and professional development as well as an aid in developing your

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Højskoler

social relationships. Through our coaching tactics, we develop the student’s drive, and with the use of focused sports and training we compel the students to foresee, judge, decide and determine who they wish to be and become,” explains the principal. IHS offers both long courses, lasting between nine and 42 weeks, and short oneweek courses. The long courses (adventure, ski and snowboarding, and team building) are typically attended by young adults aged 18 to 25 and also include an international class.

Thrills and chills IHS offers an unmatched range of outdoor sports for those who love the thrill of working with and against the natural forces. Among the school’s most popular subjects is kite surfing, and with 200 kilometres of coastline and a nearby cable park the conditions for this awe-inspiring sport are perfect. Boasting Denmark’s largest beach volleyball compound and Peter Lyø, a former player on the Danish national team, as the instructor, IHS also provides excellent settings for students who want to develop their skills within beach volley. Adventure racing is another popular sport for which IHS offers top-notch fa-

cilities including a brand new high-rope trail. “The combination of multiple disciplines such as mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, running and orienteering, and not least teambuilding, has attributed to making adventure racing very popular. It’s all about teamwork, optimising your skills as a group and unique outdoor experiences,” explains Willemar.

while strengthening their social relationships and skills. It’s a chance to develop life-long friendships and get to know yourself better.”

An international perspective Even though IHS has spectacular surroundings and settings for outdoor sports, there are some experiences that can only be fully explored by travelling abroad. One of them is skiing, and every spring IHS takes all students on a oneweek skiing trip which will next year go to Valloire in France. For students specialising in skiing and snowboarding, the trip is extended to three weeks – and this is not the only international experience offered. In the beginning of the autumn term, the Greek peninsula is up for exploration, and at the end of the term students visit Zanzibar and Tanzania to explore the African culture, nature and society. The trips, just as the rest of the school experience, are all about giving students a chance to develop and mature while creating memories for life, explains Willemar. “Our strong focus on solidarity and teamwork gives every individual student the chance to develop individually

FACTS ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Location: IHS is located a 15-minute walk from the town of Sønderborg. Accommodation: Students share twin rooms. Number of students: Approximately 130. Age group: 18-25. Long courses: Teambuilding, sports and events, skiing and snowboarding. Subjects: Adventure, kite surfing, IHS 360, fitness instructor, volleyball, aerobic, beach volley, sailing, triathlon, diving, sports massage, shoot and eat, street art, creative workshop, strictly come dancing, musicals, handball, windsurfing, street performance, in the water, fitness performance, high intensity, football, beach games, MTB, sports manager, coaching and personal development, life values, around politics, body and culture. Special facilities: Aerobic and gymnastics hall, beach, beach volley, mountain bike track, football field, convention hall, park golf and frisbee golf course, sports hall, creative workshop, indoor and outdoor climbing walls, music room, petanque court, surf and sailing facilities, swimming pool, and fitness centre.

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 73

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish Højskoler

Mind the gap year Here is one gap not to be avoided. Vejle Sports School is where young people from Denmark and all over the world come to improve skills and gain a clearer idea of the future. By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: Vejle Sports School

Imagine you have finished high school, or similar, and the world is your oyster. But what should you make of it? How should you express yourself and put your talents to use? These are some of the questions an increasing number of students come to Vejle Sports School to find answers to. “Most often, people come here to have an experience, as part of a break, a gap year, to develop personal competences and better understand what the next steps in life should or could be with regards to career, studies and so on. And of course, they like to do lots of sports,” says Dina Knudsen, communications officer at Vejle Sports School, where the last couple of years have seen the number of international students rise from 15 to 30, with Danish students up from around 80 to 100.

International students can now look forward to Danish lessons as part of their course. “Our international students have asked for it, and they get a perfect platform for learning Danish. While Danish is the main language, we offer a mix of English subjects or Danish lessons, which are translated,” says Dina Knudsen.

30+ SPORTS SUBJECTS Vejle Sports School offers sports courses in over 30 subjects with challenges for both beginners and advanced students. Discussions, creativity and general knowledge subjects are also important aspects of the curriculum. Courses are usually between 19 and 43 weeks’ duration.

For more information, please visit: www.vih.dk/english

Broaden and explore your Christian faith Many church communities are shrinking, but not the apostolic church in Kolding on which Kolding International Apostolic Bible College is based. Teaching students to put theory into practice, the folk school attracts people from all over the world keen to explore their faith. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kolding International Apostolic Bible College

The story of Kolding International Apostolic Bible College began back in 1929 when a large group of young Christians met for summer camps. As the years went by, the conference grew and, in 1939, the current folk school was founded. Today, the folk school runs two half-year courses as well as many shorter week and weekend courses. The courses explore all aspects of the Christian faith such as hymns, leadership, miracles and, of course, the Bible. Super intendent Ingrid Frederiksen explains: “We want to cover all of life, and an important part of that is faith; it’s a vital aspect of our humanity. That’s why the existence of God is not up for discussion at 74 | Issue 94 | November 2016

our school; it’s our frame of reference, our starting point. And, it’s not a God of the distant past or future but a God that’s present, relevant and useful here and now.” The practical implementation of theory is fundamental to this vision of God. Every week students are involved in different areas of church ministry in the local church. They participate in the Sunday services, take part in the church’s community work and travel abroad to meet and work with other cultures. For more information, please visit: www.iabc.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Danish International Schools

Making global citizens With an enviable location in the well-connected Aalborg and boasting the only international path in the region, Skipper Clement School is the place to be for future citizens of the world. By Jenny Rohd-Thomsen | Photos: Skipper Clement School

Skipper Clement School is a historic and a university city, well connected to Eulandmark school in the heart of Aalborg, rope as well as Scandinavia. It has an interDenmark. The oldest building dates from national reputation as a dynamic research 1873 and is situated a five-minute walk from hub for high-technology industries, attractthe central transport terminals and next to ing skilled workers from all over the world. a beautiful quiet park. Skipper Clement is In September 2016, Skipper Clement a bilingual school, in Danish and English, School obtained permission from Aalborg boasting the only international path in the Kommune to develop its new adjacent North Jutland region. Of 800 students, 225 sites and build. As a result, new developcome from all over the world and are edment plans are underway to modernise the ucated in English. The school emphasises school with new science laboratories, bigvalues such as academic achievement, reger classrooms and a new sports hall. spect for others, responsibility and equal opportunity for all. Aalborg, beautifully located on the Limfjord, is the capital of North Jutland and was in 2015 voted the happiest city in Europe by its 200,000 inhabitants. Not too big 2_0_3C_Online_Advert_half_page_Layout 2 07/05/2015 09:34 Page 1 and not too small, it is both an industrial

For more information in Danish and English, please visit: www.skipper-clement-skolen.dk

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N IO IAN T h CA EG lT ia U c W e ED OR S Sp IC – N OL D O R L NO CIA SCH E SP e:

Game development offers students an introduction to all parts of the process – from idea to finished game.

Prepare for a career in creative media, and life in general Danvik Folkehøgskole is famous for its professional training, relevant practice and invaluable contacts, giving young students a decisive advantage when entering the media industry. As a bonus, students get the chance to learn from the best in the business on trips to Hollywood, Paris and Berlin. They also learn to give back to those in need through a school project in India.

anthologies and photo exhibitions – all depending on which of the seven programmes they have chosen. In the core subjects, they will encounter interdisciplinary themes such as media ethics, history and advertising.

By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Peter Mydske

Danvik Folkehøgskole is an excellent example of how the Nordic folkehøgskole tradition helps young people get ready for the future. In addition to promoting important life skills and Christian values, the Norwegian boarding school has built a solid reputation by giving students a foot in the door of an increasingly competitive media industry. “Students usually have to be able to point to some media production when they ap76 | Issue 94 | November 2016

ply for higher education – not just grades. We teach them how to create both in theory and in practice,” affirms headmaster Willy Mangersnes. The education at Danvik is divided between programme subjects, core subjects, elective subjects, workshops and practice. Students will spend roughly half the year producing bigger projects such as short films, shows and documentaries for TV and radio, video games, plays,

“The core subjects are supposed to capture everyone. They give some insight into how the media industry works and teach some important values. The workshops, where students can try stuff from other programmes, are meant to break up their routine a little bit,” Mangersnes explains.

Learning from the best Danvik is located in the city of Drammen right outside Oslo, which means short distances to most of Norway’s most in-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Norwegian Schools

fluential media companies. During the year, students can take advantage of the proximity and do 40 hours of work outside the school. “People call Danvik a talent factory because of all the successful media people who have studied here. We collaborate with almost every notable company in Norwegian media and offer a unique second year with emphasis on practice in the real world. The second year smoothens the transition from education to work,” says Mangersnes. Sometimes the students travel way further than the capital to get their hands on the best knowledge. The photo students go to France to participate in Paris Photo, the film students visit the renowned Berlinale film festival in Germany, and every April, the whole school travels to Hollywood, where students are given rare access behind the scenes in the epicentre of global media.

“In recent years, the main trip to Hollywood has included meetings with Michael Jackson’s sound engineer and Beyoncé’s coach. The trip is voluntary, but two thirds of the school went last year and no one ever seems to regret it. What better way to understand what it takes to succeed?” Mangersnes poses.

and goal-oriented. They arrive with clear ambitions, knowing that Danvik has produced plenty of talent in the past. Others are full of anxiety and apply to get a break from grades and pressure, without any plans for a future in media, but often get surprised when they discover how capable they are,” he says.

A journey of self-discovery and solidarity

Values such as mutual respect and solidarity are actively taught to make the multitude of individuals get on. The same core values also guide Danvik’s solidarity project in India. “Last year, we started a school project in India to help children away from harsh labour conditions at the local stone crusher plants,” Mangersnes explains. “Danvik’s media experts will help the new school build studios and create education plans, and our students will teach the Indian students how to film for two documentary projects. It’s a very practical way of teaching them the Christian value of helping strangers in need.”

Danvik’s vision is not solely focused on the job market, however, but just as much on personal development and selfdiscovery. Headmaster Mangersnes, who has worked in the Norwegian public education system for several decades, has great confidence in the benefits of a year – or two – at a Norwegian folkehøgskole. “It should almost be mandatory. You build confidence and character, and you get to know both yourself and others on a whole new level. Some of our students are, truth be told, very dedicated

DANVIK FOLKEHØGSKOLE AT A GLANCE: - Located in Drammen. - 160 students. - Seven media programmes. - Well-connected in the Norwegian media industry. - Student-run radio channel. - Study trips to Hollywood, Berlin and Paris. - Charity project with a school in India.

DANVIK FOLKEHØGSKOLE’S SEVEN PROGRAMMES: - Film - TV - Photography and YouTube - Radio - Author - Acting technique - Game development

For more information, please visit: www.danvikfhs.no Top left: Students on the film programme develop their own creative vision to become the next generation of storytellers. Top right: Photography and YouTube is the programme for those who do not want to choose between photography and film. And why would you? Bottom: Acting technique involves everything from using your voice and your body to character work and improvisation – and, of course, relaxation.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 77

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Norwegian Schools

Photo: Magne Sandnes

Shaping the musicians of the future A new generation of aspiring musicians representing a wide spectrum of musical genres come together at Manger Folk High School. For one year they develop and progress their musical aptitudes. The size of the small, but ambitious, Norwegian school reflects its commitment to gathering young people from different backgrounds to work together, create unity and form friendships for life. By Ingvild Vetrhus

“Our school is for everyone,” says principal Geir Rydland, emphasising the importance of having collaborations and experiences across different musical disciplines, instrument families as well as religions, backgrounds and opinions. Being a relatively small school housing only 50 to 60 students every year, facilitating a strong sense of unity and togetherness has become a vital focus. The folk high schools of the Nordic countries are known for an alternative 78 | Issue 94 | November 2016

teaching experience, including educating students without exams and grades. Manger Folk High School focuses on the musical and social development of young musicians, vocalists and producers in the making. The school also offers a course for students with special needs. Manger Folk High School has a tradition of preparing ambitious students for important auditions. These auditions are potential tickets to higher education within the discipline of music. The

school equally welcomes those who aim to improve their musical skills purely at hobby level. “We have a high academic level of music education taught by experienced staff who also teach at higher educational institutions,” says Rydland. Some students go on to study at recognised institutions, such as the prestigious Grieg Academy in Bergen.

Inclusion Based on the idea of learning for life, Manger Folk High School does not provide any formal qualifications. This is an environment where students are given a unique opportunity to practise their niche skills together with other people, to develop valuable teamwork skills. The boarding school lifestyle emphasises and develops social experiences and skills,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Norwegian Schools

ranging from sharing a room with a complete stranger to becoming friends for life. The small institution creates a community where everyone knows everyone, unifying the students. Inclusion and tolerance are keywords that reflect the values of Manger Folk High School, which also provides a special programme for music enthusiasts with special needs, called Music, Living, and Leisure. “This programme has become a part of our identity,” explains Rydland. Music, Living and Leisure is designed to provide a sense of achievement through curricular and social activities. Special needs students are well integrated with the rest of the school, and a study trip to London is also arranged to introduce students to international music and travel experiences. Students of professional disciplines can learn a great deal from those on the special needs programme, Rydland suggests. Many students at Manger Folk

High School are highly ambitious and strive for perfection, he says. “I see the importance of having the young musical perfectionist appreciating the joy of another student’s basic skills and creating a wonderful musical experience.” The principal’s vision is that the students, by coming together to play music, gain respect and understanding for one another.

The brass enthusiast, the songbird, the producer and the rock star Manger Folk High School offers the only specialised brass band course in Norway, where performance in musical ensembles is in focus. Young people, who share a love of brass band music on all levels, come together to develop their skills and access a broad national and international network of guest specialists from orchestras to top brass bands. A visit to Yorkshire, “the brass band mecca”, as Rydland puts it, is also included in the schedule. The three disciplines of band, vocal and music production have individual focus

classes, as well as a close collaboration to create an understanding of the industry. By combining disciplines that complement each other, students can experience the reality of the profession. Access to the newest equipment and a field trip to New York’s influential production studios and concerts facilitate the students’ understanding of the whole music industry. Located close to the coastal city of Bergen, Norway’s second largest, there is easy access to influential concerts of all kinds for the students to attend. These experiences are integrated into the curriculum in order to expand their on-stage creativity. “You have a talent and you have ambitions. Our aim is to help develop skills, both in theory and in practice, of determined young people,” explains Rydland. For more information, please visit: www.manger.fhs.no

Brass band. Photo: Magne Sandnes

Trip to New York. Photo: Manger Folkehøgskole

Producer. Photo: Manger Folkehøgskole

Unleash your inner rock star at Manger Folk High School. Photo: Manger Folkehøgskole

Producer. Photo: Magne Sandnes

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 79

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Norwegian Schools

Left: Students who dream about a career in photography should choose the professional photography course. Photo: Professional Photography at Bjerkely FHS for #Tagyourshoes. Right: Want to create your own comic? Bjerkely Folkehøyskole has its own comics programme where you learn how to design characters and tell your story in the best way possible. Illustration: Sigrid Moe

Explore the visual in peace and quiet Are you bursting with creative ideas and searching for a place where you can bring them to life? At Bjerkely Folkehøyskole, you will find the knowledge you need to evolve as a visual artist and meet like-minded people in a safe and inclusive environment – in the middle of the Norwegian countryside. By Eirik Elvevold

In the idyllic Åsnes municipality in Norway, far away from the closest city, six buildings blend into a landscape of fields, forest and water. From a distance, it is hard to imagine that the buildings are brimming with visual arts, but Bjerkely Folkehøyskole is exactly that: 80 | Issue 94 | November 2016

a safe space where young adults come together to grow as people and develop their inner artists. “The school is not too big, so everyone gets to know each other quite quickly and becomes part of the community. The

students learn a lot from living together, and it’s often the best year of their life,” says headmaster Per Kristian Hammer.

Kickstart your photography career For the students who choose the programme professional photography, the year starts off with a two-week technique kick-off. In the spring, after the students have mastered the basics, they get the chance to learn from one of Norway’s true pros, Morten Krogvold, during an inspiring three-day workshop before travelling to the renowned

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Norwegian Schools

photography festival Nordi Light Event in Kristiansund. “If it is not too expensive, they can even travel to New York. Bjerkely has offered professional photography for many years, so the students will have all the necessary follow-up and equipment to start their career,” says Hammer.

Nurture your inner characters Bjerkely keeps adding to its list of visual programmes. New this year is Cosplay & Cons, headed by an experienced teacher who is used to bringing characters to life on the comics programme. Cosplay & Cons is the perfect choice for those who love dressing up as their favourite characters from films, games and books. “The students get to know themselves better by exploring their characters. They meet like-minded peers, make costumes together, visit Cons and learn to present what they’ve worked on to an audience. That builds confidence, also outside the mask,” Hammer explains.

More than silly games “Some parents might be sceptical when they hear about Cosplay & Cons, but they quickly change their minds when they learn more about it. The same goes for e-sports,” says Hammer. In addition to game development, where students are taught coding and animation to make ac-

tual video games, Bjerkely now offers a programme dedicated to e-sports. If you imagine a bunch of teenagers staying up all night staring at their screens, you are sadly mistaken. “First of all, they learn to be team players, not just in the video games but in real life. To be successful at e-sports, you have to know each individual player’s strengths and weaknesses. You also have to spend time on mental and physical training, eat healthily and get enough sleep. If you stay up all night, you simply won’t have the concentration to be the best,” argues Hammer.

help, but the students are very accepting,” says Hammer. True to Norwegian folkehøyskole tradition, Bjerkely’s students get the chance to travel abroad. Everyone who has ever gone on a student trip knows that it quickly brings people even closer together. “We offer trips to Estonia, Hungary, Denmark, Morocco, the United States and Northern Ireland. The latter is extremely popular, since we visit the set where they film Game of Thrones,” says Hammer.

Helping everyone blend in At Bjerkely, students become part of a community where people accept you for who you are – no matter what. Through the creative life learning programme, the school even integrates students who struggle more than the average, so that they can learn to function better in social settings and become more independent. “Bjerkely is full of people with niche interests, who are not ‘A4’, with whom people with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism can feel included. In the right amounts, social exposure is golden for them. Naturally, we have a dedicated support team who are here to

Below left: On the game development programme, students will learn to develop their own video games, like the game Helium Hank made by Jesper Guttormsen. Illustration: Jesper Guttormsen. Below right: The brand new Cosplay & Cons programme is perfect for those who love to dress up as their favourite characters from games, films and books. Photo: Daniel Johansen

BJERKELY FOLKEHØYSKOLE’S SIX PROGRAMMES: - Professional photography - Comics - Game development - E-sports - Cosplay & Cons - Creative life learning CHOOSE BETWEEN A WIDE RANGE OF ELECTIVES: - Ball games - Knitting - Boxing - PhotoPearls - Music - Myths and folklore - Skiing - Canoeing - Cooking - Climbing

For more information, please visit: www.bjerkely.fhs.no

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 81

Left: Professor Vuokko Hirvonen and Rector Gunvor Guttorm present the PhD programme in Sami language and literature. Photo: Gunnlaug Ballovare. Right: The MA in indigenous journalism has attracted students from countries such as Brazil, the Netherlands, the US, Finland, Kenya and Norway. Photo: Mattias Sikku Valio

A place to discover your identity “In addition to promoting our own culture, history and language, we hope to inspire other ethnic groups to do the same in their community,” says rector Gunvor Guttorm. By Stian Sangvig

The Sami University of Applied Sciences (SUAS) is a university college based in Kautokeino in the north-eastern Norwegian county of Finnmark. It is the only education institute in the world where almost everything is taught and communicated in the Sami language. Established in 1989, it has 188 students and five PhD students, this autumn mainly from Sami communities in Norway, Sweden and Finland, in addition to 52 faculty, technical and administrative staff. “The idea of setting up the university was to educate teachers in Sami in order to encourage Sami youngsters to appreciate their language and roots, as the Norwegian language was becoming increasingly dominant even in Sami families,” Guttorm explains. Most aspects of the Sami culture can be studied at SUAS. Study programmes, some of which go to PhD level, range from Sami language and Sami literature to Sami arts and crafts and reindeer husbandry. Sami language and Sami literature can be studied at PhD level for the 82 | Issue 94 | November 2016

first time in Sami from the autumn of 2016. Anyone interested in the Sami culture and language is welcome to apply. As most programmes are taught in Sami, students need to understand and be able to express themselves in the language, but Sami language courses at beginner level are available. International experiences are available to teaching students, who can spend part of the teacher practice periods at a primary and secondary school in the Sami part of Finland or Sweden. Thus, they can compare teaching methods and local attitudes to the Sami community between different countries. For the second time, however, a programme will next year be taught in English. “From spring 2017 students can take a master’s degree in Sami journalism from an indigenous perspective,” Guttorm explains. The course is open to international applicants with the goal of inspiring other indigenous communities to promote their culture and language in their own country, as well as learning about the Sami approach to journalism.

At SUAS, they believe that their mission is becoming more important than ever. “In a globalised world where indigenous languages are disappearing, we believe our job is more important than ever to save our own community and encourage others to do the same,” Guttorm concludes.

Students and teachers prepare food of reindeer meat and blood including sausages and boiled meat. Photo: Mattias Sikku Valio.

Bachelor students of reindeer husbandry learn to smoke reindeer meat. Photo: Mattias Sikku Valio

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Education Special – Norwegian Schools

Elverum Folkehøgskole – a year that lasts a lifetime Elverum Folkehøgskole offers a wide variety of year-long programmes, including one in Norwegian language and culture, so that young adults from across the world can find their path in life while having a blast. By Eirik Elvevold

When young students finish high school, they often move straight on to higher education or work without ever having the time to think about what they truly want in life. In the Nordic countries, however, a unique tradition makes it possible for them to take a year off at a folkehøgskole (folk high school) to do what they love and figure things out. At Elverum Folkehøgskole, located a few hours northeast of Oslo, students can do extreme sports, discover Africa, produce their own music or become better snowboarders. “As a supplement, they can also pick and choose from more than 25 elective subjects including kickboxing, photography and soccer,” explains headmaster Per Egil Andersen.

Creating better citizens Regardless of the programme, the friendly boarding school environment will teach students to communicate and re-

flect with other young adults from across the world – essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. “A year at Elverum Folkehøgskole makes them more democratic, engaged and curious human beings. They will have a lot of fun and make new friends, but the most important thing is their personal development – their personal journey – which will enrich their future lives both at home and at work,” says Andersen.

Norwegian language and culture for beginners Through its Norwegian culture / adventure programme, Elverum Folkehøgskole makes the great folkehøgskole tradition more accessible to foreign students. Since the Norwegian language might come across as a challenge at first sight, the programme is designed to make the learning process both fun and adventurous.

“We actively use the language by speaking, singing and playing games; it’s not just boring memorisation. The programme also includes trips to all of Norway’s 19 counties, which means that a student from South Korea or Poland ends up seeing more of the country than most Norwegians ever will,” says Andersen. DID YOU KNOW... … that the Norwegian parliament fled to Elverum Folkehøgskole when Nazi Germany invaded Oslo in 1940? The moment is portrayed in the new film The King’s Choice (Kongens Nei), which was partially filmed at the school.

Elverum Folkehøgskole’s nine programmes: - Norwegian – culture / adventure - Snowboard / twin-tip - Africa – aid and culture - Backpacker / extreme sports - Photography / experiences - Outdoor life / extreme sports - Art / experiences - Music production – live / studio - Theatre / musical

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 83

N HT A I G LIG cia E e W DE Sp R E NO AD DM N HA em

h lT

Photo: Nancy Bundt

From Norway with love, peace and a green ethos From traditional jewellery to pioneering health products, Norway’s creative scene is on the up. Scan Magazine spoke to some of the artists, entrepreneurs and designers behind the unmissable brands coming out of Norway right now. A country known for its stunning natural sceneries and the gifts nature brings, Norway is not just rich in outdoor adventure experiences and energy resources but also in nature-inspired arts, crafts and other products. The hugely popular ‘bunad’ – the traditional national costume owned by around half the Norwegian population – is intricately decorated, its colours and materials reflecting the county of origin. The homes, as part of a culture where entertaining does not take place in bars and restaurants, are decorated to express the heritage and identity of the families. From bunad manufacturers to silversmiths, weavers and wood carvers, Nor84 | Issue 94 | November 2016

As the mindfulness and wellbeing trend keeps on growing, perhaps the Norwegian way of life – and way of business – is on to something. Read on to find out more.

way boasts a wealth of craftsmen and women skilled at preserving the country’s cultural traditions and making the most of nature’s gifts. Those looking for a souvenir to take home will find everything from warming wool and fine metal designs to beautiful illustrations and ceramics. But the back-to-nature enthusiasm is not just alive and well in the most traditional circles; entrepreneurs and designers across the board are looking at ways to be more sustainable in their production, some even using nature alone as a source. Today, products including skincare ranges, jewellery and leather bags are benefitting from Norway’s natural riches.

Photo: Terje Rakke, Nordic life

Photo: CH - visitnorway.com

Playful illustrations with a sense of humour “I want my customers to feel my inspiration from Bergen’s colourful and historical Bryggen area in my handmade illustrations,” says Gunvor Rasmussen, owner of Gunvor Handmade Illustrations. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Gunvor Rasmussen / Gunvor Handmade Illustration

Gunvor Handmade Illustrations was formed in 2006 in Bergen, which is where Rasmussen was born and bred. Her company consists of both a shop and a design studio. Driven by a lifelong passion for illustrations and educated in visual communication and motion graphics, she knew she wanted to dedicate her career and life to illustrations. “After having my first office in the Bryggen area, I knew this was where I wanted to be based,” she explains. The area’s combined architecture, colours, history and scenery inspire her to create her illustrations. “This makes Bergen and Bryggen look like a fairytale place and a playful ground for humorous illustrations,” she says. Rasmussen’s target market includes organisations, publishing houses and magazines. Publishing houses often re-

quest illustrations for children’s books, microbiologists typically ask her to draw microbes, and heavy metal bands want illustrations that show who they are. Products include handmade illustrations on watercolour, T-shirts and, increasingly, cups and mugs. Whether adults or children, what most of her clients are looking for is playful illustrations with a sense of humour. “Many of our clients are adults sharing some of the playful mindset of children, and therefore they appreciate my illustrations,” Rasmussen says. Her work has been widely praised and she recently won two awards for illustrations in children’s books. The future is looking bright for Gunvor Handmade Illustrations. Continuing to be inspired by her surroundings at the Bryggen area of Bergen as a fairy tale

place, the illustrator is preparing a project related to a children’s book universe, which contains a fantasy world based on Bergen. “The goal of the coming fairy tales is to encourage us to view ourselves from the outside and to ask critical questions about ourselves,” she explains. The first story in the series is due out in December. “As Bryggen will continue to inspire me over the years I will simply continue to do what I do best, namely design playful illustrations with a sense of humour for my clients,” Rasmussen concludes.

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 85

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

Left: Linda Fausa’s passion for traditional Norwegian arts and crafts gave rise to Made in Fjords. She hopes the marketing channel can keep old techniques alive and meet the demand for authentic souvenirs. Here, Fausa is pictured in front of the Seven Sisters, a famous waterfall in Geiranger. Right: Made in Fjords’ pulse warmer, headband and boa, which is made from sheep from local farms, has a printed pattern from the Middle Ages. Photo: Hatlehols / Made in Fjords.

Norwegian heritage in a warm blanket Made in Fjords protects Norway’s cultural heritage by selling arts and crafts made locally on the country’s western coast. Materials such as wood, wool and stone tell a story through practical products including the bestselling warming package Viking – which has even made teenagers love traditional techniques. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Made in Fjords

Every summer, about one million tourists visit the deep-blue UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord on Norway’s west coast. This year, many of the visitors fell in love with a brand new store selling traditional arts and crafts produced in the region. “Made in Fjords is by no means mass produced. When the tourists enter my store, they notice that right away. None of the products are identical; they’re one of a kind – in clear contrast to many other Norwegian souvenir stores. We can tell 86 | Issue 94 | November 2016

customers how the products were made, who made them and where the materials came from,” says Linda Fausa, founder and owner of Made in Fjords. Fausa had long suspected that many tourists were looking to buy more authentic Norwegian souvenir products; something with meaning and a story. She created Made in Fjords as a marketing channel for local artists to bring traditional arts and crafts to a larger audience.

“We often invite the local producers themselves to demonstrate their skills outside my store in Geiranger. One week there will be a blacksmith, another week someone knitting. The tourists find it really interesting to watch the traditional Norwegian techniques up close,” says Fausa.

Wood, wool, stone – and youth Made in Fjords mainly sells unique warming packages in natural wool, functional items such as wooden picnic sets and stone watches, and paintings in the colours of the Norwegian nature. Most of the materials are sourced from local farmers, but many stones are found in secret spots in the mountains surrounding Geiranger. Regardless of the material, all products are meant to be both traditional and practical.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

“When you buy something from Made in Fjords in my shop, online or from a retailer, you get a product inspired by landscapes and lives that don’t exist anywhere else in the world. Norwegian heritage is dying, but you can still experience it,” says Fausa. The experience is not only in the products themselves. With help from local associations, Made in Fjords also offers mini courses in various crafts as well as guided tours in nature and on local farms. Fausa consciously uses young people, both in her store and as guides, to pass on important knowledge to the next generation. “It’s my passion to teach people about the typically Norwegian, but not only tourists. Our heritage is fading away with the older generations, so I’m trying to give the local youth a chance to learn at least. It’s incredible how eager many of them

are when they’re given the opportunity to learn and talk about how people lived back in the days,” says Fausa.

A warming Viking According to Fausa, the youngsters also like Made in Fjords’ bestselling warming package called Viking. The package consists of a cape, a ‘lap warmer’ and a seat pad – all made in tightly woven wool. A range of colours are available but sizes are standardised to fit everyone, including the outerwear. The whole package is delivered in a solid bag made from jute. “Many teenagers love the Viking package because it looks cool and is practical at outdoor events like festivals or football matches. They even carry it around in the jute bag. Many elders and wheelchair users have also found the package to be suited to their needs. Moreover, Viking

is perfect for tourists who want to stay warm on the deck of the cruise ship. I think our slogan says it all – ‘keep warm up north’,” says Fausa. The lap warmer, whose design is patented by Made in Fjords, is the most unique part of the Viking package. It is a small woollen blanket with pockets and a leather string used to tighten the lap warmer either on the lap or around the shoulders. “It’s hard to describe how practical this garment is. We have already made some lap warmers and capes for the different football clubs in western Norway with their logos on it. They prove that it’s possible to bring traditional Norwegian crafts into today’s society,” concludes Fausa. For more information, please visit: www.madeinfjords.no

Lap warmer.

Left and Middle: All products by Made in Fjords are made locally in solid materials and inspired by Norwegian nature and history. Right: Even Made in Fjords’ packaging is solid, like this jute bag. Below: The Viking warming package, which includes a cape, lap warmer and seat pad made in tightly woven wool, is Made in Fjords’ bestseller, perfect for cruise tourists visiting Norway. Photo: Hatlehols / Made in Fjords.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 87

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

Baby Shampoo.

Faceoil.

The founders of Neven, Mila Ducheva and Veli Nedev. Photo: Lila Zotou

Nothing but natural – for body and soul Neven Body Care handcrafts small batches of natural yet luxurious skincare products. The brand promotes the balance between nature and humanity as the key to social progress, peace and sustainability. By Malin Norman | Photos: Neven Body Care

The couple behind Neven, Mila Ducheva and Veli Nedev, started using essential oils and herbs to improve their own health and wellbeing. Their knowledge originates from life-long family traditions to use what the earth provides in a way that benefits people naturally. Having previously succeeded in their respective fields of design and management, Neven gives the pair a chance to combine their skills and powers into something greater than themselves. Based in Oslo, the couple established Neven two years ago and first introduced to the market cold-processed soaps based on recipes composed over more than a year. The product line currently includes shampoo bars, lip balms, body butters, face oils and healing balms. “A product is not a singularity,” explains Ducheva. “It combines the physical char88 | Issue 94 | November 2016

acteristics and unique properties of each ingredient in a way that enhances the overall quality of the end products.” Each product has its own identity imprinted with components and intended purpose. Although no two products are identical, they all share prerequisites that Neven has vowed never to change. All products are free of harmful substances, synthetic fillers, artificial colours and fragrances. Being ‘junk-free’ is what unites them. Neven’s products feel authentic and reflect the perspectives, individuality and moral values of its makers. “With every item we sell, we actually share a part of ourselves,” says Nedev. “The most rewarding aspect of our business, we experienced before we even introduced the products to the market. In the beginning,

we gave away almost three-quarters of our creations to friends, family and strangers. Their feedback gave us hope and strengthened our love for what we do and for all living beings.” The market for natural skincare is growing and consumers are choosing organic and locally sourced products more than ever before. The inspiration and motives of Neven mirror a modern Norwegian society where people are looking for a healthier lifestyle. “We compose our own formulas in tune with our values, to stay true to ourselves and what we believe in. Those who make products for people need to do so responsibly. Anything in frequent contact with our skin must not be harmful in any way.” Neven Body Care products are available in the online shop and at selected retailers in Norway. For more information, please visit www.neven-body-care.com and follow @nevenbodycare on Instagram.

The Ma Tilla philosophy is to design quality clothing and accessories for women of all ages

Ma Tilla use quality materials such as cashmere, merino wool, lambswool, silk and cotton, which are all natural. We produce high quality products with a good fit, that feels great on the skin You can find us on: FACEBOOK - Matilla INSTAGRAM - matillanorway WEB PAGE - www.matilla.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

Left: Alveland’s famous cloudberry soap. Right: Alveland’s boutique.

Adding less is key to good skincare Rita King started making soaps and spa products for her own use around the year 2000, without any intention of making it into a fully-fledged business. Fast-forward a decade, and Alveland has been her work, passion and sole income ever since she set up the company in 2006. By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: Alveland

The key to Alveland’s success is the absence of synthetic and artificial additives in all its products. The only ingredients that go into the mixing bowl are those that will benefit you and your skin in one way or another. Rita’s main pride and joy is the soap containing cloudberries, which has a host of beneficial qualities, especially for people suffering from eczema and psoriasis. Sami people used the berry for skin ailments that would not heal as it has anti-inflammatory qualities. A surprising add-on to the business came about when the family went looking for a venue to host King’s soap workshop, boutique and café. An old house built in 1913, belonging to the county’s policeman, was vacant. Purchasing the house in 2009 opened up for different business ventures, as the family now 90 | Issue 94 | November 2016

not to become too large a company,” King explains, “as the soul of the company remains a small boutique-style production and store.” Presently, King has one full-time employee in addition to help from her husband and seasonal extra help in the summer.

rents out rooms on the top floor as well as hosting a café on the entrance level. King explains that, in addition to locals, tourists travel substantial distances to visit her spa imperium, and a customer favourite is her homemade cinnamon rolls that are also free from unnecessary additives. The process of making soap is similar to making cheese. From the mixing bowl to the shelf, a bar of soap takes about six weeks to completion. Mixing the ingredients cold preserves all of their active substances. Blueberries, lingonberries, goat’s milk and nettles, all from Andøya, find their way into Alveland’s soaps, in addition to cloudberries. The no-additives approach has secured Alveland clients all over Scandinavia as well as a couple in the US. “The aim is

Rita in the middle of a soap-making process, which takes six weeks.

For more information, please find Alveland on Instagram, Facebook and www.alveland.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

Lovable pottery in the heart of Oslo

By Stian Sangvig

Beautifully situated in Hegdehaugsveien close to Oslo’s Palace Park is a small pottery shop called Embla Keramikk. It is a pottery collective that has been around for 25 years, creating pottery based on traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. Embla Keramikk has experienced and artistic people forming clay the old-fashioned way, giving all wheel-thrown and sculptural ceramic pieces a personal touch. While ceramists Siw Heier and Anne Udnes have different styles, they share the goal of producing pottery with quality, longevity and a fresh Norwegian design. Several of these items also go to local gourmet and Michelin-starred restaurants in Oslo, and the interest in handmade pottery has increased. “I am very happy when the three-star restaurant Maaemo presents its wonderful dishes served on my handmade plates and bowls,” Udnes says. “Having done this for 25 years, I am also pleased to see a younger generation paying more attention to quality and craft than perhaps their parents would.

There is something more personal with a long-lasting handmade item of clay than a mass-produced one,” she continues. At Embla, they are optimistic about the future of pottery and happy with how their client base and relationships are growing day by day. Visitors are intrigued by watching a ceramist and one of the world’s oldest crafts in action. “Our focus will be on combining our attention to classical techniques with the ability to reinvent ourselves for the better,” Udnes concludes. Discover an inspiring visit to the workshop at Embla Keramikk.

Light vase approximately 50 com made by Anne Udnes. Photo: Anne Udnes Ceramist Siw Heier in action. Photo: Mats Dreyer

For more information, please visit: www.embla-keramikk.com and www.anneudnes.no

Carpentry tailored with passion For Kevin Masters, woodworking has always been a big part of his life. In 2012, he set up Kevin Masters Møbelsnekker AS in Drammen, Norway, creating custommade wooden furniture and fittings. Customer satisfaction and building good-quality pieces that last a lifetime are essential. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Kevin Masters Møbelsnekker AS

“Even as a child, I always loved the smell of wood, and knew I wanted to become a woodworker from a very young age,”Masters says. Starting his career in England, Masters has now settled in Norway with his family. Masters’ clients range from individuals to private and public companies, and his work includes everything from bathroom and kitchen fittings to intricate furnishings, stairs, and large tables and chairs. “My Instagram account showcases the various projects I’ve worked on well. Variety is key to me – it keeps things interesting and fresh,” Masters laughs. “These days, it seems that people are ready to pay a lot of money for furniture that’s not necessarily good quality. I want to offer my customers

custom-made pieces that will last a lifetime.” It is evident that carpentry is very personal to Masters; his passion for his trade shines through. “I design and create everything from start to finish. Customer satisfaction is the most important thing to me, and I offer them a one-to-one service. Everything is tailored for them specifically, and they can have as little or as much input into the process and final product as they like,” he concludes.

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

Kevin Masters.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 91

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

From the new Dandelion range.

Photo: Tønsbergfotografen.

Handmade pottery for life “My goal is to create pottery with a local and personal touch, which has the quality to be used daily and to last a lifetime,” says Ingrid Kristine Lund, owner of Ingridk Keramikk.

explains. Blessed by the speed and low cost, Lund uses Instagram and Facebook for marketing and her number of followers on both continues to grow.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Fotograf Sjølie AS

Pottery has always formed part of Lund’s life, as her mum was a professional ceramist. While studying for a degree in social studies at university, Lund concluded that she wanted to follow in her mum’s footsteps. Following graduation, Lund received formal training by her mum before she set up her business in 2010. Based in Åsgårdstrand, less than two hours south west of Oslo, Ingridk Keramikk designs cups, plates, saucers and vases using light colours to provide a local and personal touch. “I started off designing my pottery for children, as customers often look for long-lasting and memorable baptism and birthday presents,” says Lund. Later the design broadened to include the whole family, and her pottery is sought after as presents for weddings and family occasions too. 92 | Issue 94 | November 2016

When creating her pottery, Lund uses earthenware to allow for a broad spectrum of colours. She applies décor, dry clay with added dye and water, which is painted on to the clay before drying and burning. “These techniques and raw materials generate the kind of quality that lasts for life, which allows my pottery to be used daily and to be cleaned in dishwashers,” Lund explains. Initially most of her pottery was tailor made to individual requests, but now she is established enough to allow for standard product ranges. Lund’s pottery is for sale online and in a few local showrooms. November will see the launch of her new Dandelion product range. “Inspired by children and their optimism, I thought I’d focus on a flower loved by children while viewed as weed by adults,” Lund

The goal is to continue to grow the business and perhaps expand geographically too. “It would be great to expand to elsewhere in Scandinavia and perhaps further beyond,” Lund continues. Thanks to the internet and social media, such a plan could be more achievable than ever before. Ingrid Kristine Lund

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

Charlotte K. Lund.

Photo: Inger Cecilie Weedon

Handmade chandeliers with a personal touch “My objective is a return to basics, offering genuine Scandinavian handcrafted products of quality and integrity,” says Charlotte K. Lunde, owner of CKL Interiør, about the chandeliers they make. By Stian Sangvig | Photo: CKL Interiør

Having worked in the tourism industry for many years, but wanted to start her own business for a long time, Lunde realised her dream in 2010. Since then, CKL Interiør has offered a broad range of chandeliers and lighting solutions with the objective of creating a business rooted in quality and lasting values. “In order to deliver on our objective, I believe we need to make our products by hand from scratch at our workshop in Sweden, using the finest raw materials,” Lunde explains. Brass, for example, is considered more appropriate for crystals than cheaper light metals. The product range includes chandeliers of classic styles such as baroque, antique and empire, as well as ceiling, outdoor and table lamps for homes. While there are standard models available, CKL Interiør is happy to rise to the

challenge of individual requests. “Our largest chandelier to date measured six by three and a half metres,” Lunde says. Renovation of old chandeliers can be done too. A growing number of clients also request chandeliers of a more modern design. “As long as we can apply our principle of quality and longevity based on good materials, we are happy to accommodate individual requests and adapt to changing trends,” she continues. From a marketing perspective, CKL Interiør’s strategy ensures repeat business as customers trust the products to last. While some antique shops occasionally buy chandeliers, Lunde prefers to sell directly to consumers. “I enjoy listening to customers to understand their needs as well as telling them about the chandelier they are buying, where it is from and how it is made,” she explains. Thanks to the immediacy and low cost of

social media, Lunde finds that her message spreads rapidly. Lunde has already had customers from abroad. “My goal is to continue to grow internationally,” she concludes. In a world where quality sells and the message spreads at the speed of a mouse click, CKL Interiør’s future looks bright.

CKL Workshop.

For more information, please visit: www.cklinterior.com, www.facebook.com/cklinterior or www.instagram.com/cklinterior

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 93

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

Adding luxury to your morning routine Sometimes it is the small things in life that make you feel spoiled and happy – like a gorgeously scented soap or a scrub that leaves your skin glowing. This is the aim of Ninks soaps, the company that makes natural soaps in colours and scents that add a tad of luxury to any morning routine.

the soaps to give the same feeling, and Saltstraumen offers fantastic salt typically used at gourmet restaurants. If it’s good enough to eat, it is good enough to put on your body,” says Kristiansen.

By Helene Toftner | Photos: Ninks

Ninks is founded and run by Nina Kristiansen, who after a career in IT took the somewhat surprising jump to soap making. In a short time, she has made her mark with beautifully scented soaps in attractive shapes as well as body butters, scented candles, scrubs and lip balms. While the look is undoubtedly important, the key to her success lies in the natural healing power of her soaps. “I noticed after using it a few times that my skin got much softer and healthier looking, which I suppose makes perfect sense as the soaps are made solely by natural products,” Kristiansen says. The good news spread fast, and she soon had orders coming from near and far with customers admitting to be swinging 94 | Issue 94 | November 2016

by the bathroom more regularly just to get another dose of the lovely smell and swearing by the soap as a miracle product that makes a difference after just a couple of uses. The testimonials illustrate exactly what she has wanted with Ninks: to create natural soaps that look and smell wonderful. With an array of colours ranging from the bright yellow Bali to the sophisticated and elegant Paris, she has something to suit everyone. The most exclusive product currently on offer is her range of soaps with salt from Saltstraumen, the strongest tidal current in the world, situated high up in the Arctic. “You have probably noticed how good your skin feels after a dip in the sea. I wanted

The soaps are currently only available online, but Kristiansen is hoping to distribute to shops across Europe soon.

For more information and purchase, please visit: www.ninks.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights

Bodil Vestvik.

Exclusive set in genuine 925 sterling silver and many glittering Swarovski crystals.

Homemade jewellery for any occasion “I believe jewellery makes the overall outfit in most cases,” says Bodil Vestvik, jewellery designer, intensive care nurse, fitness instructor and mother of three.

from anywhere in the world through her website.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Torunn Fasting

“Potential customers can call me to arrange a time at my shop, or I am happy to show my jewellery in your home or office to you and your friends or colleagues,” says Vestvik. “My passion is in jewellery and I am happy to help customers with new pieces for any occasion or to redesign something that has been in the drawer for a long time.”

Passionate about jewellery and having designed it for herself for many years, Vestvik set up Bodil Smykkedesign in 2011 near Trondheim. She decided to start off by running her business on a part-time basis, remaining on her fulltime day job. The idea came from requests from others. In addition to delivering on these requests, she started to follow trends and gradually developed her own style. Vestvik’s goal is to offer a broad range in order to suit the tastes of as many as possible. Based on an outfit consisting of, for example, a simple black dress or sweater one can shape the overall outfit based on the bracelets, necklaces and earrings of choice. “I love using Swarovski crystals in my jewellery. They have a lovely sheen and give the jewellery an exclusive look. I also use glass pearls, rock crystals, fresh water pearls and other crystals,” Vestvik explains.

The Bodil Smykkedesign collection includes designs for any occasion, ranging from slightly rougher necklaces for everyday use to glittering cocktail jewellery for formal occasions. “I also design jewellery to go with wedding and cocktail dresses at weddings, and I work closely with a local bridal salon,” Vestvik continues. She works with a handful of local retailers as well as having her own workshop and outlet at home, and is happy to help customers with broken pieces of jewellery, either for repairs or to make a new piece with pearls the customers bring to the shop. In addition to word of mouth locally, social media such as Facebook and Instagram are Vestvik’s best friends in terms of marketing what Bodil Smykkedesign has to offer. While two additional jobs do not allow for regular opening hours of her shop, Vestvik is flexible in her spare time, and her jewellery can be bought

Bracelet in grey colours and silver. These bracelets come in different colours. Pearls are held by a strong string and can easily be put on and taken off.

For more information, please visit: www.smykkebodil.no, www.facebook.com/bodilsmykkedesign and www.instagram.com/ bodilsmykkedesign

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 95

AY RW

ia ec

â&#x20AC;&#x153;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.â&#x20AC;? Benedikte Bruknapp

Clothing and jewellery designed by Benedikte Bruknapp.

Everyday elegance and glamour SECRETS by B represents classic elegance with a twist. Each piece, be it clothing or jewellery, ought to feel very special – as if you are carrying a secret. By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: SECRETS by B

This ethos led Benedikte Bruknapp to establish her own online store in 2011. It is a combination of vintage glamour and elegance, and the collection consists of clothes and jewellery. SECRETS by B is a jewellery collection consisting of 18carat gold-plated necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

credibly intriguing,” she says. “It is such fun to be involved in all facets of the business.’’ Starting as a one-woman show, SECRETS by B has grown to include two full-time employees. This is something Bruknapp is especially grateful for as it gives her companions in the creative process, which can be a lonely endeavour.

Starting her own business

Materials at the core

Bruknapp previously managed and ran two interior design stores, but felt the urge to start her own business. Having worked for herself since 2011, Bruknapp manages all aspects of the business and deals with the accompanying set of challenges present throughout any endeavour.

Choosing materials for clothing design is the foundation for any successful fit and design. “My favourite materials include matte silk, cotton and mohair, which creates luscious clothing,” Bruknapp explains. She gathers inspiration from almost everywhere. “Especially vintage stores, but also nature at large and the vibrancy of colours, even the shape of a leaf can inspire me,’’ she says. SECRETS

“My favourite aspect is the design process, as well as marketing, which is in-

by B is available at many other online and physical stores all over Norway, as well as a few in Sweden and Ireland. The brand is experiencing strong and consistent growth and is looking for partnerships with resellers of all shapes and sizes.

18-carat gold-plated luxury.

For more information and to buy, please visit: www.secretsbyb.com Also follow the designer on Instagram and Facebook at @secretsbyb.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 97

Spreading the joy of jewellery The affordable and trendy Norwegian jewellery brand JoyTag is suitable for all occasions and specifically designed for the natural style of Nordic women. Entrepreneur Lisa Kvam Viksjø does almost all the work herself and regularly visits her loyal customers to keep the business down to earth. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: JoyTag

Are you one of those active women who always buzz around from place to place? Then JoyTag is the ideal jewellery for you. The simple, clean and elegant design is guaranteed to give you that extra touch, whether you are at home, at work, out travelling or meeting your friends. The woman behind the Norwegian jewellery brand, Lisa Kvam Viksjø, is definitely in the target group herself. Viksjø loves to visit her customers across the coun98 | Issue 94 | November 2016

try and is almost constantly working on a new JoyTag order – especially after she launched her new online store. “I’m probably working way too much, but I love what I do. A niche brand like JoyTag relies on good customer relationships, which suits my extroverted personality well. There is so much free inspiration and knowledge in meeting face-to-face with all the women who are selling my products on a daily basis. They put in the

effort and know what works and what doesn’t,” says Viksjø.

Started at the right time Viksjø started JoyTag back in the year 2000. After she gave birth to her third child, she decided to quit her job as an economist at a large bank to do something more creative. “For a long time, I tried to adapt to the conformity of working in a large organisation, but in the end I grew tired of it and wanted to use my education to start a creative business of my own,” Viksjø explains. Jewellery was a natural choice. “Jewellery has always been a passion of mine, but the Norwegian market was not very developed back then. My mother sold

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some, but it was mostly through home parties. When I think about it, the trend really started changing right around that time. It has been interesting to see how mixing and matching jewellery and accessories with different outfits has exploded – my timing was very good in that sense,” asserts Viksjø.

Designs for the Nordic woman In Viksjø’s experience, many Norwegian women still have a slightly rougher style than for instance southern Europeans, and prefer decorating themselves in a more low-key fashion. JoyTag’s designs, mostly made from materials such as steal, pearls, crystals and rocks, are therefore meant to strike a balance between trendy and natural. “All my customers are different, but many Norwegian women don’t have a

very conscious relationship with fashion. They love quite simple, beautiful objects – especially if it has some meaning or a story behind it, like a fun little detail you can tell your friends about,” says Viksjø. She thinks women without a pronounced passion for jewellery still love receiving it as a gift. “When I was visiting a store recently, I met a woman who had no real interest in my products. I still offered her to look through my stuff, just to see if she could find something she liked. When a pair of earrings caught her attention, I decided to give them to her as a gift, and she became overwhelmed with joy,” says Viksjø.

Keeping business hands-on and personal Despite experiencing steady growth, Viksjø is satisfied with the current size

of her business. She does not want to risk compromising the relationships she has established with her costumers, her family and the work itself. “I do a lot of adapting, tailoring and adjustments by hand when the jewellery comes from production. I have the chance to work a lot from home, which means quality time with my family. And I’m able to maintain a human image towards my customers, which is really important to me,” Viksjø admits, before quickly adding: “I’ve realised that I can’t focus on everyone, so I prioritise loyal, positive customers and living a happy life. That’s the best part about JoyTag, spreading my genuine joy for jewellery to other people.” For more information, please visit: www.joytag.no

“I have a very patient husband and talented children who have helped me build competencies in advertising, sales, social media and photography,” says Lisa Kvam Viksjø (pictured, left), founder of JoyTag.

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Spicing up a white winter day with colourful hats Winter tends to be characterised by a lack of colours, and not least the cold. With this in mind, it is easy to see why Vera Bing is becoming a hit in Scandinavia. The brand specialises in colourful yet elegant hats that shield your ears even on the coldest days. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Frauke Böttcher

Vera Bing was founded by Frauke Böttcher, who after years of exploring her creative side through photography, design and sewing finally started her own brand in 2010. Initially specialising in colourful and stylish hats for women, she has now expanded into children’s wear, women’s wear and accessories. “I like to call the style relaxed elegance, where the wearer stands out without being over the top,” Böttcher says. Despite a variety of products on offer, there is no doubt that her claim to fame came thanks to the hats. In six years, she has built a customer base all over Norway 100 | Issue 94 | November 2016

and she is now taking on the rest of Scandinavia. “People appreciate that they are elegant but also very practical. Up here in Scandinavia we certainly need to cover our ears for most of the winter months, but we still like to look good,” she smiles. She adds that most of her customers are women who like to stand out by wearing something no one else has. “All the hats are different with various patterns and striking colours. They are perfect for spicing up an otherwise dull winter day,” Böttcher says. “I have had many ladies tell me that they can’t wear hats, but somehow these hats fit heads and faces of most sizes and varieties.”

All products are made by Böttcher herself, from initial design to sewing. While most of her products are ready made, she also takes custom orders on request. The products are currently only available online but can be shipped all over Europe.

For more information and to purchase, please visit: www.verabing.no and www.facebook.com/verabing.no

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Old patterns from the Norwegian fjord country brought back through modern 3DP knitting Sometimes going back to the roots is exactly what we long for, be it with food, art or clothing. Add to this the needs and wants of today, and you have a winning formula. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Sefar

That is precisely what Sefar found when introducing knitted sweaters, ponchos and scarves based on century-old patterns from Nordfjord to modern-day Norway anno 2016. The products are made from Norwegian wool, which means fine-knitted wool. This results in tight knits and lighter garments for more versatile use. The sweaters and garments are offered in eight different colour combinations. For more information and to order, please visit: www.sefar.no

Grid

Ingunn Bakke www.ingunnbakke.com

axGallery, Kirchstr. 25, 10557 Berlin www.axgallery-berlin.com OPENING Fr 24. 6, 18 - 20 Exhibition 24.6- 24.7 Tir - Fr 11 - 5 pm, Sa 2 - 6 pm

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A Nordic touch

– jewellery collections inspired by the Norwegian highlands Linn Sigrid Bratland established her studio and jewellery design company in 2007, but it was not until 2014 that things turned a corner and propelled her into international success. As it turns out, having kids directly after starting a company gives you the space to work out ideas and an overarching strategy – and get to work once the kids are old enough.

her online store received a makeover, which spurred on substantial growth, and she has been working consistently with social media channels such as Instagram and Facebook.

By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: Aliona Pazdniakova

Bratland’s work is heavily featured at Norway Design, a boutique in Oslo and Trondheim, as well as independent goldsmiths and stores.

Bratland’s jewellery design is the sum of her plentiful education and experience, focusing on tradition and pure craftsmanship. Bratland holds a bachelor’s degree in folklore as well as a master’s degree in traditional art with a focus on metal. Today, outsourcing production eastward is financially beneficial, but Bratland is adamant about producing her creations in her studio in Vinje, Telemark, which she says provides a sense of meaning by keeping the production so close to what inspires it. “It is a rural and remote part of Norway; the landscape is unforgiving and the elements make it scarcely populated. This rawness and natural beauty is my 102 | Issue 94 | November 2016

most prominent source of inspiration as it is where folklore and old traditions still prevail,” she explains. She combines old craftsmanship techniques with a specific use of enamel; all pieces of jewellery are unique and made in her silversmith studio in the little village of Edland in Vinje.

From Telemark to Milan Fashion Week Bratland was headhunted to exhibit her jewellery at a display organised by Artistar Jewels in Milan in 2016 as one of two Norwegians represented there. She is returning to Milan in 2017 to showcase her creations during Milan Fashion Week. 2016 also marks the year

Necklace from the collection Rom.

For more information, please visit: www.linnsigridbratland.com/en and find her as ‘linnsigridbratland’ on Instagram and Facebook.

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Stylish design that makes you feel good Shopping is many people’s guilty pleasure, so Freywood is a welcomed brand to many. The design company offers high-quality household designs with a sustainable footprint, so you are basically doing a good thing by indulging in their stylish wooden handicrafts. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Freywood

Freywood is one of very few design companies that has kept its production in Norway, focusing on local produce and labour. On this basis, they have built a reputation over the past two years for sustainable design with a modern look. “When starting the company, I simply wanted to create something that gave me a good conscience at the end of the day,” says industrial designer and owner Marianne Nagell. At a time when more and more people are rebelling against mass-produced copies manufactured many time zones away, she hit the nail on the head with her new brand. Using mainly wood, she designs new takes on traditional chopping boards, serving trays and trivets to mention some. The production is outsourced to independ-

ent craftsmen and various rehabilitation companies across the country, taking in people who for one reason or another have fallen outside of traditional employment. “As a buyer you are doing good while also

Viking heritage revived

getting a product that will hopefully last you a lifetime,” Nagell says. “The style is very much about Scandinavian simplicity in that it focuses on functionality while remaining stylish.” The Freywood products are currently only available online, and they ship all over Europe. For more information and to purchase, please visit: www.freywood.no

By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: Alvestein Vikingsmykker

The Alvestein Vikingsmykker team is composed of a husband and wife specialising in making jewellery with specific emphasis on Viking history. Svava Birgisdottir and Sigurbjørn Reynisson hail from Iceland but have lived in Norway since 1996 and run their well-oiled operations from Kopervik. The production and subsequent sale of Viking-inspired jewellery started as a hobby for the couple, but has since turned into a serious business. As technology prevails, the couple does not have a bricks-andmortar shop but distributes their creations through an online shop only. They import the different materials from Germany, Scotland, Sweden and Denmark as well as locally sourced goods. The most popular product is Tor’s hammer in various forms such as bracelets and a necklace with pearls – especially Icelandic lava pears. In addition to jewellery, the website also distributes a range of books as well as artworks of different kinds about the Viking Age, enabling full immersion for hobby enthusiasts.

“Our Nordic ancestry had an affinity for pearls and used them a lot, so we are trying to revive the tradition,” Sigurbjørn explains. The name of the company, Alvestein, is closely related to Iceland as many believe in ‘alver’ – fairies who live out in nature, especially beneath large stones and cliffs. Viking history and a close relationship with nature are of paramount importance in both Norwegian and Icelandic culture, which Alvestein Vikingsmykker represents with craftsmanship and quality.

For more information, complete collections and to purchase, please visit: www.alvestein.no

Alvestein’s signature lava pearls – frequently used in necklaces.

Example of the intricate details in all of Alvestein’s creations.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 103

Norwegian design by Evy Natural clothing made of bamboo and viscose http://www.stripete.no/

Unique, environmentally friendly accessories made of wood. http://www.treklokker.no/

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Practical eye candy Combining nice design with practicality is not always easy; you probably know from experience that your most stunning glassware is more for show than use, while your best tea cup never comes out in front of guests. But grokeramikk, the ceramics producer that values functionality and beauty equally, rewrites the rules.

shop as I want all my customers to touch and feel the products. While they are good for the eye, people tend to be sold when they realise how well it sits in the hand,” she says.

By Helene Toftner | Photos: grokeramikk

With its sweet serving bowls and cups, grokeramikk has been a welcome addition to the handicraft scene. The woman behind the company, Gro Kjellnes Løvik, is a pottery maker by education; an education so rare in Norway it recently became a listed subject. “I am craftswoman first and foremost, but I like to add modern and nice designs to my works,” she says. By combining a focus on user-friendliness with beautiful design, she makes bowls and cups with her very own hands. Characteristic for her work is how well the cups and bowls fit the hand, as well as the very Scandinavian simplicity and lack of colours, which Kjellnes Løvik explains

with an urge to focus on the shapes. “Because they are all handmade, they are all slightly different with their own tiny imperfections. It would be a shame to cover them in paint,” she says. One very successful concept that did call for surface decorations is that of applying words and proverbs such as ‘Optimist’ and ‘Unique’, all small things that make you smile when enjoying your daily cup of coffee. “I have been careful not to go down the cheesy road, but kept to small inspiring sayings,” she says. grokeramikk is available at select shops across Norway, with focus on the fjord region, which Kjellnes Løvik calls home. “I have chosen not to have an online

For more inspiration and to see her works, please visit: www.grokeramikk.no or www.facebook.com/grokeramikk

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 105

Soaps good enough for a Michelin-starred restaurant.

RÅ products are made with care for mankind as well as nature.

A special cream recommended by dermatologists for atopic eczema.

Skincare products that truly do your skin good Torhild Næss started making natural skincare products after developing a perfume allergy and raising two children with atopic eczema. With clean living on the up, her brand RÅ Organic Skincare is on to a winner. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Camilla Waage

Most people know that tingling, itchy feeling after applying a certain body lotion, not to mention a facial moisturiser. Some acclaimed beauty brands add elements to their products most would never go near if they knew the real contents, 106 | Issue 94 | November 2016

but to date they have dominated the beauty industry. But things are changing. The shift in the skincare industry is taking place thanks to those who had bad reactions to the brands on offer and by

the women who simply wanted their products to be natural and healthy. Norwegian Torhild Næss is one such woman. She effectively revolutionised the beauty market in her homeland with RÅ Organic Skincare and is now taking on the rest of Europe. RÅ Organic Skincare can in the simplest way be described as a skincare line committed to making high-quality products that are clean and natural, completely

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free from harmful ingredients. “Most people do not have skin problems by nature; however, many develop sensitive skin and allergies from using products and perfumes full of harmful chemicals,” says Næss, founder and owner of RÅ Organic Skincare.

Trend of cleaner living Næss knows what she is talking about, having developed a strong perfume allergy after working in the perfume manufacturing industry for years and raising two daughters with atopic eczema. As with many successful start-ups, she set up the company to meet her own personal needs. “I found it incredibly difficult to find products we could use,” Næss explains. There is clearly a market for clean, natural products as, two years on, she is selling her products all over Scandinavia and looking to expand to Germany and eventually into the UK. “It is part of the whole trend that people want to live cleaner and are more aware of what they put not just in their body, but on their body,” Næss says. “Customers are more critical of what they buy and want to know exactly what they are offered. Our clean, natural products have nothing to hide.”

An entirely natural beauty regime RÅ Organic Skincare boasts an extensive range of 78 different products, from facial creams for those with atopic eczema to body lotions and hair oils for sensitive to normal skin. “There is something for everyone, and not just for those with specific skin problems,” Næss emphasises. What makes the brand so special is that the formulas consist solely of exclusively handpicked, carefully chosen ingredients and all plant oils are organic. “73 of our products are 100 per cent natural, while the remaining five are especially adapted for atopic eczema, consisting of a synthetically preserved product,” Næss explains. While all 78 products are worth a mention, there is one in particular that really stands out: a soap and cream made of Norwegian forest oil. While one of the main ingredients in all the products is oil, Norwegian forest oil is somewhat of an exotic ingredient. “The oils are from the forests in Alvdal and Tronfjellet, and the results are fantastic,” Næss enthuses. “In fact, they are so good that we currently sell soaps and creams to three-starred Michelin restaurant Maaemo in Oslo, among other high end establishments.”

RÅ Organic skincare is currently available at select dermatologists and shops in Norway, along with online shops for all of Scandinavia. A launch into Germany and Austria is just around the corner, while Næss is hoping to enter the UK market over the next year. “We are currently looking for collaborative partners in the UK and hoping to be available at online shops across the country shortly.” RÅ Organic Skincare started in November 2014. 78 different products – including facial cream, body cream, lip balm, hand and foot cream, soap, hair products and cream for atopic eczema. All organic plant oils are certified by the UK Soil Association and Norske Debio. Currently available in Norway, Sweden and Denmark (cocapanda.dk) with Germany and Austria around the corner. Looking for resellers in the UK.

For more information and to buy, please visit: www.råorganicskincare.no

Soaps available at Michelin-starred restaurant Maaemo and top hotels around Norway.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 107

Smart luxury for smart women Hippi Grace is the new talked-about Norwegian brand specialising in premium leather handbags and boots: luxury pieces with a twist – and at affordable prices. It is smart luxury, loved by smart women. By Malin Norman | Photos: Lena Saugen

Founder Toril Opsal Thorp wanted to build her own company in the new economy and worked to become a designer and start a business with a holistic perspective. With her extensive professional background in retail and fast-moving consumer goods, marketing, banking and finance, she eventually set out on the new adventure and launched Hippi Grace in 2013. 108 | Issue 94 | November 2016

goods at affordable prices. I strongly believe that every woman deserves to carry a good-looking leather bag, without having to pay a fortune for it.”

Scandinavian role model The business structure is lean, making use of new digital solutions and with a focus on low costs and efficiency. Hippi Grace is sharing an office with other entrepreneurs in a space named Only Good People, located in an old barn with its own electricity from the roof. “I wanted to follow a dream I had for many years,” explains Opsal Thorp. “The idea was to find new ways of making luxury leather

The idea is for Hippi Grace to offer a range of designs and leather materials to fit different uses and states of mind. Sometimes customers want to feel more hippie chic and bohemian, and other times they want to look sophisticated and graceful. Regardless of stylistic expression, the design is always top quality and functional, and available at affordable prices. It is the ultimate in smart luxury.

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The modern Scandinavian woman is Hippi Grace’s role model, and buzzing cities such as Barcelona, Tokyo and Sydney also provide inspiration. According to Opsal Thorp, women in Scandinavia know exactly what they like; they are very practical in their purchases and classic colour choices, but also proud to wear native designs. Among its many loyal customers is Victoria, the Crown Princess of Sweden, who has been spotted wearing the classic Hippi Grace New York bag. This best seller is big enough to fit a laptop and is suitable for a busy cosmopolitan lifestyle and when travelling. Hippi Grace 3in1 is also a showstopper, with three different ways of wearing it: across the body, as a clutch, or over the hand. “Scandinavian women tend to love crossover bags in particular, so that they can have their hands free for other things,” says Opsal Thorp. The brand is admired not only by royalties. Hippi Grace doubled its sales last year and is continuing to grow this year,

with plenty of attention also in the press. Since August, the company has produced a whopping 4,000 bags. “Hippi Grace is growing very nicely in popularity and we get such lovely feedback from our customers who appreciate the high quality and functional design. Some even claim to have developed an addiction to bags!”

Traditional leather craftsmanship Opsal Thorp is a keen traveller and set out from the beginning to work with artisans in some of her favourite countries in Europe. All goods are developed in cooperation with specially chosen tanneries and the bags are handmade in Spain, where the premium leather craftsmanship is at its best. Hippi Grace also works actively with suppliers for custom-made lockers and other details for the handbags and shoes. A horse lover, Opsal Thorp has even found a Spanish family who makes braided leather parts for the bags. “We have a fantastic leather industry in Europe, and this tradition and craftsmanship is important for us to maintain,” she insists.

This year’s autumn collection comes with a range of new, functional and fabulous models in high-quality materials and inspiring colours. The Hippi Grace Milano Weekend, for example, is vintage khaki green and made of nubuck with special treatment to get the exact colour especially for the brand and the Scandinavian taste. “We continue to work on new ideas and designs, with a constant focus on the traditional craftsmanship,” says the founder. “A fantastic handbag is an important part of a woman’s outfit; it gives an impression of who she is. And nobody knows Scandinavian women better than Hippi Grace!”

Hippi Grace leather products are available at selected retailers and in the online shop.

For more information, please visit www.hippigrace.no and follow @hippigrace on Instagram.

Toril Opsal Thorp, founder of Hippi Grace

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 109

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Work out in style Most people work out to look and feel good. With We Are Fit’s colourful and perfectly shaped outfits, you can now work those abs in style. The Norwegian brand has developed a varied range of fitness and lifestyle clothing for women, characterised by its striking designs and great quality. By Helene Toftner |

Photos: We Are Fit

Since the company saw the light of day two years ago, it has taken Norwegian women by storm. Girls and women of all ages and shapes have fallen for the eye-catching designs characterised by their colourful patterns, ranging from flowers and animal prints in bright pink and blue to more sober clothing in line with the Norwegian seasons of summer, autumn, winter or spring. “We were so tired by the same black and blue workout clothes that dominated the market,” says product manager Espen Evensen. “In our 110 | Issue 94 | November 2016

opinion, clothes inspire action and we are firm believers that bright blue tights will make it slightly easier to make it to the treadmill after a long day at work than boring black ones will.”

Something for all ages and shapes To date, the company has focused on a range of workout and lifestyle wear for women, including everything from tights, sports bras and shorts for the gym to jumpers and jackets for a sportier look out on the street. “Our products are

available for everyone, regardless of age or size,” Evensen says, explaining that they have customers ranging from age 14 and well into their seventies. “It is also worth mentioning that the sizes range from XS to 4XL as we want everyone to feel inspired to work out.” With a range of colours and patterns there is something for most tastes, whether you prefer a subtle, soft pink or a more eye-catching flower print. “Our most popular product is without a doubt the LaceUp, a pair of tights with lace print. This is certainly a product we are likely to stick to for years to come,” Evensen says. A quick look online and you will understand why they have become a hit. Words just do not do these lacy tights justice; delicately designed in a shade of

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grey with white lace patterns. Judging by the pictures, they do magic for the figure.

Quality and style Of course, while it might sound like a cliché, it is not just the looks that count but also what is inside. This is also the case for We Are Fit as, while the stunning designs are their main selling point, they boast incredible quality as well. “We have record low complaint levels, which is due to our indomitable focus on quality along the whole production line, from the selection of fabrics to the stitching. Everything is by imprint, which means that we avoid the otherwise common annoyance of colours and prints coming off after a few washes,” Evensen explains. Another truly impressive point is in regards to the brand’s green footprint, with

73 per cent of the fabric being from recycled plastic bottles. “You are pretty much making the world a better place by using our clothes,” Evensen smiles.

Taking over Europe We Are Fit is currently available all over Scandinavia, but the company has great plans for expansion. “Within two years we are aiming to be available across 90 per cent of Europe,” Evensen says. It might sound optimistic, but the brand certainly seems to be onto something. In most countries, fitness and healthy living is very much on trend, but all too often the fact that people like to look good while working those weights and crosstrainers is forgotten. “We are now looking for shops and online shops across the continent to collaborate with – places

that are recognised for their high-quality brands similar to ours,” says Evensen. We Are Fit started in 2014. Products include tights, sports bras, shorts, jumpers and jackets. Sizes from XS to 4XL. New product launches every other month. Currently available all over Scandinavia via their webshop and resellers.

For more information and to buy, please visit: www.wearefit.no Resellers, please contact product manager Espen Evensen: espen@ bodyshapes.no, +47 466 50 005 or +47 902 45 000

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 111

KYSS is Lykke by Julie’s newest product. The lip balm contains natural alternatives to petroleum wax and lanolin.

Lykke by Julie

– happy skin through an honest approach Faced with a myriad of lofty promises, Julie Ringnes was still unable to find a functioning skin product for her own child. She then began a personal quest to discover the secrets to healthy skin, which resulted in the all-natural, nutrient-rich product line Lykke by Julie. The Norwegian entrepreneur does not promise eternal youth but knows that real, visible results make people far happier. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Karoline Billehaug

We are all bombarded on a daily basis with the beauty industry’s endless promises of renewed youth – and we often fall for the hype. We buy in to the latest cosmetic trends, hoping that this time it will bear fruit and make us look young again.

own child’s problematic eczema, she opted out and started making her own natural skincare treatment at home. Astonished by the results, Ringnes then decided to spread the knowledge by starting the product line Lykke by Julie.

Unfortunately, countless people end up disappointed time and time again but remain unable to break the cycle. Julie Ringnes, on the other hand, decided to take matters into her own hands and try something different. Confronted by her

“I was fed up with false promises, so I dived head first into the material and started reading. I discovered that the skin is our biggest organ, but also the organ that receives nutrition last, so I wanted to find a way to provide my child’s skin, and

112 | Issue 94 | November 2016

my own, with nutrients from the outside,” she explains.

Harnessing the power of plants Around the same time, Ringnes turned 40 and started questioning how she was using her time. Was she really spreading happiness through her work, like she had always wanted? Was the goal really to look half her age? She concluded that she wanted to dedicate herself to developing an alternative skin treatment based on honesty and natural ingredients. “That’s when Lykke by Julie was born. Lykke is Norwegian for happiness and represents my wish to look healthy and happy – not necessarily like a wrinklefree teenager again. I used my newfound knowledge to shop for ingredients and started experimenting in the kitch-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway

en. I tried to find formulas that actually worked and smelled good, without using dead chemicals. The best results came from using skin oils full of vitamins and fatty acids,” says Ringnes.

so I use oil from the seeds as a natural moisturiser and to protect from UV light,” says Ringnes.

but it’s suitable for everyone. There are even quite a few men who use it, which makes me very happy,” she admits.

SKÅNE, SKURE, GLØD and KYSS

On Lykke by Julie’s products, ingredients are not listed in the form of complicated codes. Customers are presented with understandable information so that they can easily figure out if the product is for them. In the bottles, made from environmentally friendly glass and pine, they will mainly find a mixture of oils from around the world, including some from the Nordic fauna.

So far, Lykke by Julie consists of four different products – all carrying Norwegian names. The all-round oil that Ringnes originally created for her child got the name SKÅNE, which means spare, shield or guard. She later made a healing oil named GLØD, meaning glow, for more mature skin; a konjac sponge named SKURE, meaning rinse or wash; and recently a lip balm bearing the Norwegian word for a kiss.

“Blackcurrant seed oil boasts an optimal combination of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which balances the level of moisture in the skin. Nordic plants have evolved to tackle a harsh climate, something we can take advantage of to protect our skin. Cloudberries, for example, are able to survive under the midnight sun,

“I’ve been developing KYSS for a while. I’ve made it a bit difficult for myself by not using petroleum or lanolin; I have to be so precise on the temperature. GLØD prevents your skin from becoming unhealthy, so don’t wait until you’re 80 years old before you start using it. SKÅNE is perfect for kids and teenagers with acne,

Ringnes is still planning to make a few more products but has realised that she cannot please everyone. Instead, she wants to keep her target group satisfied while expanding internationally. “In Norway, there is not a long tradition of using skin oils. Some Norwegians are afraid of getting greasy skin, but in southern Europe and especially in Asia and Africa people have been using oils for millennia. Soon, I’m travelling to Bologna in Italy to spread some happiness at the international beauty fair Cosmoprof,” says an optimistic Ringnes. Use the discount code ‘Scan16’ and enjoy 20 per cent off. For more information, please visit: www.lykkebyjulie.com

Left: SKURE is a bio-degradable konjac sponge that removes dead skin cells, moisturises and preserves the skin’s pH balance. Middle: GLØD is a skin oil specifically developed for mature skin. Right: SKÅNE was the first skin product Julie Ringnes developed. Originally meant only for her own child, it has become an all-round skin oil for everyone. Bottom left: Julie Ringnes started Lykke by Julie because she was tired of unfulfilled, lofty promises made by the cosmetics industry. Ringnes does not promise eternal youth, but real, visible results and healthier skin. Bottom right: The Norwegian skincare product line Lykke by Julie is all natural and rich in nutrients.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 113

Scan Magazine | Business | Keynote

Scan Business Keynote 114 | Business Column 115 | Business Calendar 115 | Danish Business Special 116

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Strategy around networking Most of us let chance decide what our networks should be like. It means that we establish the contacts we come across by chance. In short, we lose control of our goals and effort. When we are not focused, we tend to establish lots of accidental contacts that are not very close. Two important things about networking: it takes time to build good relationships, and you have to cultivate your important contacts. With too many contacts in your network, your guilty conscience is bound to come up – and that is not very nice. You will be running out of steam very soon because the time you spend on networking sessions, follow-ups and taking care of relationships exceeds your possibilities, and consequently your network will become inefficient. What should we do? Recent research shows that we cannot handle the great number of contacts we establish. A loose, extensive network has a paralysing effect, which is why we have to prune it. First of all, we now know that most people can handle a maximum of 100-230 contacts. In return, networks this size can establish deep and close relation114 | Issue 94 | November 2016

ships, which, according to experts, will give you far better quality. Secondly, we should not let chance decide our networking. Therefore – create a vision for your network. Find out what you want to use your network for and how it can help you. By creating a vision, your work will be focused. You will know what to go for and you can sort out what you do not need more easily. Your wish for networking will grow because the strategy works, and your results – be it job opportunities, promotions or establishing businesses – will begin to show. Moreover, you will see that smaller efforts can result in greater output. Life as a conscious cognitive networker is fantastic – when you see your goals being achieved. Simone Andersen is a journalist with a master’s degree in media science. She worked for many years at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) as an editor and talk show host and is an expert in business networking and building relationships. She is also a speaker and author of the bestseller The Networking Book, 50 ways to develop strategic relationships. sla@strategisk.dk www.thenetworkercompany.com

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By Simone Andersen | Press photos

Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar

A waste of time and money

By Steve Flinders

This is the true story of how an otherwise cost-conscious company has wasted oodles of money because of poor international communication. A German company is building a big industrial installation in North America. German engineers and technicians make frequent trips to the site to transfer expertise to their local counterparts. They have all done extensive language training, have learnt a great deal of the specialised technical vocabulary in English, and have also learnt strategies for dealing with possible areas of cultural difference. Nearly all of them can understand a native speaker who delivers slowly and clearly in International English. They also need to understand local safety rules, so an American safety expert travels to Germany to deliver his standard three-hour, 200-plus slide presentation to a group of about 50 Germans. The American has delivered this talk many times. There is no interaction and the Germans sit passively and listen.

The American speaks fast and has a reasonably strong accent. He does not speak a foreign language himself so has little or no idea of the difficulties involved for nonnative speakers in following a densely packed presentation with slides overloaded with text for a whole afternoon. Initially he is asked if he could speak more slowly. He does for about 30 seconds and then reverts to his normal machinegun style. The second request fares no better, so the Germans sit there waiting for the end. The average level of comprehension of what has been said is about 20 per cent, which is not enough for any meaningful learning to have taken place. I will leave you to work out the cost of flying someone across the Atlantic to waste 150 expensive man hours – and all the American needed to do was to speak 25 per

cent more slowly. I was told later that he does not have time for that; the company has decided instead that the Germans need more language training.

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.

Scandinavian Business Calendar By Thomas Schroers | Photo: DUCC

Industrial Forum with Helena Stjernholm For the return of the industrial forum, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in London has found a very exciting speaker. Ms Helena Stjernholm, president and CEO of AB Industrivaerden, will give a speech on ‘Industrivaerden: Challenges and Opportunities in a Globalised World’. The industrial Forum itself is an exclusive event, hosted by the Swedish Ambassador, and a great stage to connect with new people and discuss important matters. Date: 16 November, 6.30pm–10pm Venue: The Ambassador’s Residence (by invitation only) www.scc.org.uk

Food matters live 2016 With over 10,000 visitors, this is the largest annual food and drink event in the UK. It is also a unique showcase for brands from all over the world. Included are dedicated country pavilions, and one of them is celebrating innovation from Denmark. This is your chance to

take part and experience the diversity of Danish food and get access to buyers from leading retailers, manufacturers, distributors and food service providers. Date: 22–24 November Venue: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL www.ducc.co.uk

SLUSH 2016 During the darkest time of the year in Finland, Slush is a glowing light for enthusiastic entrepreneurs from around the world. At its core, the event, which includes a variety of high-profile speakers, is facilitating founder and investor meetings with the goal of building a world-wide start-up community. In past years, it has grown exponentially to having more than 15,000 visitors, 1,700 start-ups, 800 investors and 630 journalists. Date: 30 November–1 December Venue: Exhibition and Convention Center of Helsinki, Messuaukio 1, 00520 Helsinki www.slush.org

Christmas Luncheon First introduced over 30 years ago, the Christmas Luncheon is a must in the Swedish Chamber of Commerce events calendar. Over the years it has attracted thousands of businessmen and women and is always bound for exciting conversations. It is a networking opportunity like no other and just a lot of fun. Of course, it also includes the traditional Swedish julbord. Date: 2 December, 12am–3.45pm Venue: The Landmark London, 222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ www.scc.org.uk

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 115

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Business Special

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Improving design for life In the increasingly globalised world of product development, Valcon Design specialise in engineering tools for improving mechanical design. Their Six Theta Method is proving highly effective for a diverse range of technical enterprises.

erage of 20 per cent in cost reduction and in some instances as much as 40 to 50 per cent. Implementing the process for a client takes roughly three years.

By Susan Hansen | Photos: Valcon Design

The company is part of the Valcon Consultancy Group. When it was founded nine years ago, it partnered up with some of the world’s biggest companies, with brands such as Vestas, Novo Nordisk, Jaguar and Danfoss popping up as part of their client portfolio. Janus Juul Rasmussen, founder and CEO, explains how a unique business opportunity presented itself, which then led to the foundation of the successful and rewarding consultancy service. After identifying a blind spot in product development and design they came up with the Six Theta Method, a tool for measuring and improving design quality. “Very often high-quality products are delivered, but it can come at a heavy price and end up being expensive for the business, wasting a lot of resources due to how the product is designed,” the CEO explains. 116 | Issue 94 | November 2016

The ability to measure product development efficiency has been an area of neglect. Smaller, more effective design efforts can benefit customers; this can increase innovation levels, more products can be launched and money can be saved. The timing seems to be just right for Valcon. “The world we live in now is much more globalised; there is a greater urge for things to be developed and produced anywhere in the world,” says Juul Rasmussen. “It is not only about delivering quality – customers expect products to appear instantly on the market, and that creates more pressure. As an enterprise, it is more than possible to say your own organisation is a world-class leader in something while other enterprises can say the same, but that does not make it measureable.” The success of the method means that Valcon are seeing clients achieve an av-

Students can take a Six Theta graduate certificate at the Technical University of Denmark. “Technical organisations have long been eager to improve. Rather than looking to the product designers, much has been invested in management training and appointment of external consultants,” Juul Rasmussen says. “A lot of those same companies are really pleased that we are focusing on this area, and that is really good to see.”

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Business Special

Going for gold Transforming the culture of their industry and placing themselves at its forefront, jewellery traders Vitus Guld provide extraordinary experiences for businesses and individual customers. As part of their services they offer gold investment and a drop-in ‘clinic’ for customers.

when we tell people something is more suitable for an auction house, they might find the idea off-putting if they just want the money – but at least we are being totally honest.”

By Susan Hansen | Photos: Vitus Guld

Based on the outskirts of Copenhagen, the company has been going since 2010 and has rapidly built a solid position in the industry. “Honesty, openness and transparency are absolute key to what we do here,” says Christian Klingenberg, founder and managing director. One part of the business is a drop-in service where customers can get their gold or silver valued and sold. Another part of it is a gradually expanding gold investment service. In complex political times, where strong economic peaks and troughs are part of the everyday, Vitus Guld see a clear impact on their gold investments when things change on the international markets. They experienced a strong increase in their sales of investment gold following Brexit. It is beyond doubtful that they have a substantial business model in place. “Our reviews say that we are professional in terms of the way we treat our customers, we have strong people skills, and we

know how important it is to be spoken to as an equal,” Klingenberg says. Buying and investing in gold and silver, Vitus Guld give expert advice and make sure the customer’s jewellery is properly assessed so they know its worth and can make plans about what needs to happen to it.

The future is looking bright and high-tech for Vitus Guld, who recently invested in a digital piece of quipment for analysis and valuation of gold and silver. In addition, they are hoping to open another branch as well as grow and develop the gold investment side of the business.

On average, as many as 20 customers pop in daily to get their items valued. These include the young, the elderly, and the wealthy as well as those less welloff or coming from abroad, who might be selling large quantities to perhaps afford a house. Equally, the amounts traded can vary between 200 and 300,000 Danish kroner. Everything counts and no one is being judged. If a customer brings in gold or silver more suitable for other trading circles, rather than taking the money Vitus Guld will offer neutral advice. “Honesty gets you much further in the long-run,” says the managing director. “Sometimes

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 117

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Business Special

Online advertisement is pristine, fertile ground Green Click helps businesses get ahead by switching the advertisement budget even more from offline. By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: Green Click

Unused potential. According to Kenneth Jørgensen, founder of Green Click, these two words sum up the status of the online marketing landscape and how businesses are using it to reach out to potential customers and partners. “Clients researching services and products are online and mobile, but marketing budgets are not following this trend. Surprisingly large amounts of money are spent offline,” says Jørgensen, referring to the fact that only 45.7 per cent of Danish companies’ total ad budgets are being spent online, according to a survey by e-Marketer. “It is great to be visible across multiple platforms, but budgets could be spent more wisely.” He emphasises platforms such Google, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram as places to market a product or service or simply raise brand awareness. “If you 118 | Issue 94 | November 2016

want to get your name out, think mobile, and make sure your website is responsive to mobile platforms. Think in terms of key words or search terms and make video content, because people see this.” Green Click helps companies achieve visible and attractive positions online. As part of a cooperation, companies can expect a process where Green Click share their expert knowledge in a straight-forward way so that the company fully understands how they work to promote the business. Firm knowhow of online marketing is at the core of Green Click’s approach, and they continuously stay alert to the latest trends and intelligence. As such, they are one of just two Danish premier Google partners – a status achieved by meeting criteria such as the level of exposure earned. This means access to extensive opportunities and market data.

“We can help you reach exactly the demographics you wish, no matter if you are a b2b company or selling to customers. We distribute content for you and report the effects back to you. If you are not confident making online content, we are also happy to refer to partners in our network who can help with this,” says Jørgensen.

88 per cent of Danes are online several times a day, which is higher than the global average. 48 per cent use tablets, 74 per cent smartphones and 86 per cent computers. Online video, search engines and social networks are the most common online activities when Danes use their smartphones. Source: Consumer Barometer 2015 report.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Business Special

A robot fairy tale A focused strategy has helped the city of Odense regain momentum after the global financial crisis, positioning the city as a leading place for robot technology.

of moving it to Asia as we have witnessed before,” says Wolmar.

By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: City of Odense

When the financial crisis hit back in 2008, Odense, as almost every other city, faced significant challenges. The shipyard closed and many jobs were lost, so they had to come up with a new strategy to attract new companies, growth and workplaces. “One of our responses was to focus on robot technology, striving for critical mass within a high-potential growth area,” explains Bjarke Wolmar, executive vice president responsible for growth at the city of Odense. In close collaboration with the growing robotics cluster, the university and local trade organisations, among others, in the city of Odense aim to retain and attract the best companies to locate their business in Odense. One such company is Universal Robots, which is the only company from

Scandinavia that made it to MIT’s list over the most innovative companies in the world in 2015. The robot capital of Europe The ambition is to become the future robot capital of Europe and Odense seems to be on the right track. Today, the more than 80 companies make Odense the world’s third-largest robotics cluster. “We have managed to become a success because important local players have joined forces to realise this strategy from the beginning. The robots that the robot companies focus on are very small and flexible and can do many of the manual jobs. This helps keeping the production here instead

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

Creating the Davos of business thinking Thinkers50, Denmark’s third-largest city and the world’s leading business thinkers, are joining forces in a ground-breaking partnership set to bring more growth and innovation to European businesses.

get inspiration and knowledge on how to innovate and grow,” Wolmar concludes.

By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: City of Odense

The city of Odense is perhaps best known as the birth place of the world-famous fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. But soon corporate Europe will also know Odense as home of the annual Thinkers50 European Business Forum. The ambition is to gather Europe’s leading business executives and the world’s foremost business thinkers for an annual discussion of pressing business challenges. The first forum will be held in May 2017 and will focus on growth and innovation. At the city of Odense, Bjarke Wolmar, executive vice president with responsibility for growth, makes no secret of the fact that the forum is also intended to put Odense in the limelight, creating new opportunities for the local business life and attracting new companies to the city. “A city rises and

falls with its companies. We want to give our companies the best possible opportunities to rise and stay high,” says Wolmar. Meet Michael Porter One of the speakers at the conference will be Harvard Professor Michael Porter, who is regarded as the father of modern business strategy and renowned for his work on competitive strategies and positioning. “Competitive edge is something both companies and cities need. It’s no longer enough just to have the right services and competitive cost levels. You need to create additional value. And this is what Thinkers50 is all about. In Odense, we are good at collaborating and creating networks. Now we utilise this to ensure that businesses can come to Odense from all over Europe and

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

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 119

In Nodee Sky, you can experience the Japanese wa-shoku kitchen high up in the Barcode project in downtown Oslo.

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

Japanese wa-shoku at the top of Oslo The newly opened Norwegian restaurant Nodee Sky takes you on a journey through the UNESCO-protected Japanese wa-shoku kitchen. Its location high up in the central Barcode project, with unmatched views of Oslo, makes it a perfect place for dinners out of the ordinary, inspiring lunches or impressive business meetings. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Nodee Sky

Oslo is no stranger to Japanese cuisine. The Norwegian capital is full of sushi, Asian fusion and crossover restaurants that make daily life more interesting. The brand new Japanese wa-shuko restaurant Nodee Sky, however, is something different. The first thing that sets Nodee Sky apart is its central location and breathtaking views. The restaurant is located on the 13th and 14th floors in one of the iconic high-rise buildings in the Barcode pro120 | Issue 94 | November 2016

ject – right between Oslo Opera House and Oslo Central Station. While many guests enjoy lunch or dinner at the sister restaurant Nodee Barcode on the building’s ground floor, others now enter the eye-catching glass elevator for a 360-degree perspective of modern Oslo at Nodee Sky. “People are normally stuck on the ground, so when we get high up, in a plane or tall building, it does something to us. I get a very special feeling up here.

It feels very calm,” says Karoline Foyn Karlstad, Nodee Sky’s customer relations manager. “When the owners of Nodee Sky, who have already been successful with other Oslo restaurants like Dinner and Sudøst, got their hands on such an amazing space, they decided to go all in with something a little bit more unique: a modern Japanese wa-shoku restaurant in a fantastic location.”

Welcoming wa-shoku Wa-shoku literally means ‘food of Japan’. Obviously, Japanese cuisine is hugely varied, but respect for nature is a fundamental principle. This means changing seasons influence the chef’s choice of ingredients, leaving you with a slightly different tasting eight-course menu now that autumn gives way for winter.

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

“Wa-shoku is both simple and complex. It’s not the spiciest of food, but very clean, healthy and delicious – you can really taste the ingredients,” says Foyn Karlstad. “Many guests love the sushi component of our menu but also fall in love with courses like wagyu beef served with eggplant, Yakiniku sauce and garlic sprouts or duck breast served with white truffle kabocha pumpkin purée, green bean pods and wild cress.” At Nodee Sky, the wa-shoku is presented in a traditional Japanese form of fine dining – kaiseki. Head chef William Araujo, who has worked in some of the world’s greatest Japanese kitchens, aims to bring out the ingredients’ natural tastes while making sure all the courses look stunning. “I want my food to speak to you, to tell you about my love for food and also make you

feel it. I want you to trust me and know that this meal is made especially for you and that I gave it my very best. I go to work every day with this as my goal and I hope this is translated successfully in my cooking,” Araujo explains.

Making everyone feel like a VIP Nodee Sky’s location makes it ideal for exciting lunches or impressive business dinners. Just imagine arriving in Oslo for a meeting when your Norwegian business partner takes you straight from the train to Nodee Sky’s elegant and calm 13th floor bar for a refreshing cocktail above the Oslo Fjord, before moving on to the 14th for a meal you will never forget. “You will get a special feeling at Nodee Sky, no matter who you are. We are surrounded by a lot of business activity, but it’s a restaurant for everyone. We want all our guests to feel welcome and taken

care of. We are developing a new menu now so that the guests that don’t have three or four hours to spare can come in for a quick dinner and order from our à la carte menu. We’re always listening and adapting to our customers,” asserts Foyn Karlstad. Nodee Sky even has an exclusive ‘chambre séparée’ for up to 13 people, with more privacy and a view of the entire city. “If you wish we can host wine or Champagne tastings here before dinner, but naturally the room also has all necessary technological equipment for a business event. The view through the large windows is nothing but magical, especially during the sunset,” Foyn Karlstad concludes. For more information, please visit: www.nodee.no/sky or e-mail nodeesky@nodeesky.no

Nodee Sky’s head chef William Araujo goes to work every day wishing to convey his own love for food.

The wa-shoku cuisine at Nodee Sky is served in the form of kaiseki. A series of dishes tastefully complement each other.

The elegant atmosphere, coupled with amazing views, makes Nodee Sky an ideal place for special occasions.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 121

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Traditional food in beautiful surroundings Restaurant Den Gyldne Hane in Kolding boasts a magnificent location and makes a virtue out of serving good, traditional Danish food – and plenty of it. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Restaurant Den Gyldne Hane

With a half-timbered house, a big outdoor terrace and green areas surrounding it, Restaurant Den Gyldne Hane is idyllic. The owners, Liselotte and Jan Kirkely, took over the place 20 years ago and have made it their mission to maintain that idyllic atmosphere ever since. “We serve traditional Danish food, with everything made from scratch. The bread, the sauce, the beetroots – everything is made from scratch. Of course, we also have other things on the menu, but it is our traditional food and the fact that we always serve plenty of it that has made us well known. No matter if it’s tenderloin or fried pork you can always be sure that 122 | Issue 94 | November 2016

there will be more than enough,” says Liselotte Kirkely with a smile. The restaurant is relatively close to the city centre but surrounded by green areas, which makes it a perfect place to celebrate your next event. “We have a big botanic garden right next to our restaurant where our guests can enjoy a walk. There are no cars driving around, so the parents don’t have to worry about their children running around and playing outside,” she says.

A friendly and familiar face Restaurant Den Gyldne Hane is open all year round, except for the holidays be-

tween Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and people of all ages visit the restaurant. “We have a lot of regulars, which is terrific. Some restaurants and hotels talk about how many clients they have, but we would never consider referring to them as clients. They are guests. We know a lot of them and we have a good relationship with them and want them to feel welcome and at home when they come here to eat,” says Kirkely.

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

Scan Magazine | Inn of the Month | Denmark

Inn of the Month, Denmark

Commitment, professional service and a familiar atmosphere Many things have changed with Herløv Kro since it opened over 150 years ago, but the values are still the same. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Herløv Kro

Whether you are staying at the hotel or just eating at the restaurant at Herløv Kro, you are guaranteed professional service and a familiar feeling. The professional service comes from many years of experience, and the cosy atmosphere is simply part of the DNA of the place. “In this area there are a lot of international companies, which means that we are often housing guests who are travelling a lot. They need to feel at home when they are here, and we make sure they do so,” says Jette Christensen, who together with her husband Leslie Christensen owns Herløv Kro. The couple took over the place in 1994 and are very conscious of creating the right atmosphere and showing the right

commitment themselves. “It is a lifestyle for us to make sure both our guests and our employees are enjoying life here. We have to be sure that when we for some reason are not around, our employees carry on the spirit and the values. If our employees are happy to be here, they are more likely to make our guests happy while being here. No one is stronger than the weakest link and, luckily, we don’t have a weak link,” says Christensen and smiles.

things. “We have a lot of weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and such at our premises, because we are one of the few places in this area where you can still get good, traditional Danish food. However, the kitchen also makes more modern food, so to speak. We have young chefs who bring with them their own ideas and we let them explore freely and try to strike a balance between modern and traditional food and values. And it seems to be working very well,” says Christensen.

Modern traditions Many of the employees have worked at Herløv Kro for over a decade. The matron has been there for 16 years and one has even celebrated her 20th anniversary at the place. These people are the key to honouring the traditional way of doing

For more information, please visit: www.herlev-kro.dk

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 123

Fru Haugans Hotel is located on the banks of the river Vefsna and surrounded by the spectacular nature of the Helgeland Coast. Photo: Morten Eriksen

Hotel of the Month, Norway

Rest up at northern Norway’s oldest hotel Looking for a Norwegian hotel with history and tradition on the Helgeland Coast? Fru Haugans Hotel is the oldest hotel in northern Norway and has been run by the same family for 130 years, leaving you in the most hospitable of hands. Take time to relax and reflect in the hotel’s shielded salons, have a drink by the river Vefsna, take a stroll in the picturesque town of Mosjøen or discover centuries of history in the unique hotel museum. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Jon Ongkiehong

In 1884, a young Norwegian woman named Ellen Haugan discovered an advert in the newspaper for an old hotel, dating back as far as 1794, in the town of Mosjøen. Haugan decided to rent the hotel unseen and left for Mosjøen with her three daughters. When she arrived, there was plenty of work to be done. The building had a dirt floor and an open fireplace, but Haugan was not planning to let that stop her. The following year, Haugan opened a hotel bearing her own name. Fru Haugans Hotel (Mrs. Haugan’s Hotel) quickly gained a reputation for its tasty food and 124 | Issue 94 | November 2016

warm atmosphere. Today, guests from all over the world, many of them arriving by car along the National Tourist Route on the Helgeland Coast, still visit northern Norway’s oldest hotel. “When tourists stop in Mosjøen, they see Fru Haugan’s Hotel right by the river, surrounded by picturesque wooden houses and spectacular mountains – quite an exotic experience for many visitors,” says hotel manager Ellen Løvold Strand, who is Ellen Haugan’s great-great-granddaughter. “Our family has been running the hotel for more than 130 years. I’m the fifth generation to

uphold Ellen’s legacy and spirit. I’m even named after her,” says Strand.

Best of both worlds Fru Haugans Hotel has naturally been renovated and modernised since Ellen Haugan arrived for the first time. New buildings in different architectural styles have been constructed, making room for 129 hotel rooms, two restaurants, two bars and an outdoor serving area with a magnificent view and a green garden. Even though the old dirt floors are long gone, history has been kept alive in the oldest buildings, while the most modern wing – finished in 2015 – has rooms and conference facilities that are completely up to date. “We have two luxurious suites that are particularly worth mentioning: one in the historical part, where we’ve kept the antique style and intimate atmosphere, and another one that is completely modern. That way, guests can pick and choose the

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

atmosphere they prefer during their stay. Bridal couples should probably pick the historical suite though, since it’s so romantic,” Strand recommends.

Hospitality on normal days and special occasions Weddings are far from a rarity at Fru Haugans Hotel. For locals in Mosjøen, the hotel has become an institution for bringing people together in all phases of life. When children are baptised, couples are married or people pass away, the trusted establishment is a natural choice. “Our biggest restaurant, Hagestuen, is best suited for large parties and events, while restaurant Ellenstuen is cosier. We work with locally sourced ingredients in both of them, so if you’re having fresh lamb, dried fish or my great-greatgrandmother’s legendary caramel pudding, it’s top quality,” says Strand. But the hotel is not exclusive to life’s biggest rituals and ceremonies. It is also popular for everyday get-togethers, business meetings and afterwork fun.

Every weekend, friends of all ages meet up for dinner, drinks and perhaps some dancing. “It’s often crowded on the weekends. People stay here all night moving through the hotel, going from bar to bar, often ending up outside by the river. Our two bars, Fruen Bar and Hjørnet Bar, play different music, so they don’t end up competing with each other. We even have our own house band called The Drunken Sailors,” says Strand.

A peek at the past With more than a century of hospitality tradition in her family, the hotel manager knows how to please a crowd. She promises that the Christmas season will be packed with a wide range of Norwegian entertainment. If you still feel like moving outside, Mosjøen is worth discovering. “The hotel is located at the end of a charming street named Sjøgata, which is full of restored wooden houses from the 19th century. It’s a must see,” she says. “Mosjøen is also ideal for fishing, hiking and cave exploration.”

If you are mostly fascinated by Fru Haugans Hotel’s long history, there is a very special treat back at the hotel. In one of Norway’s few hotel museums, you can get an up-close look at the objects of hospitality history. “Many of the women who worked here were not so good at throwing things away, so we’ve found a lot of items in cabinets and in the attic – and we keep adding things to the collection whenever we buy something new,” says Strand. FIVE FACTS ABOUT FRU HAUGANS HOTEL: - Opened in 1885, dates back to 1794. - 129 rooms. - Two restaurants: Ellenstuen and Hagestuen. - Two bars: Fruen Bar and Hjørnet Bar. - Outside serving area with stairs down to the river Vefsna.

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

Left: Locally sourced ingredients are essential to make the Arctic cuisine in restaurant Ellenstuen taste just right. The restaurant is named after the hotel’s founder, Ellen Haugan. Middle: The historical Fruen Bar is perfect for intimate conversations over a cool drink. Right: Even though Fru Haugans Hotel is the oldest hotel in northern Norway, its modern suite is brand new. Below left: In the historical suite at Fru Haugans Hotel, guests can pamper themselves while dreaming back to the time when Ellen Haugan arrived at Mosjøen. Below right: In the hotel museum, guests can discover treasures from Fru Haugans Hotel’s long history.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 125

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

Attraction of the Month, Norway

Stop the world going under from a tech virus Stop the world going under from a tech virus – or prevent yourself being the main course on a cannibal’s menu. These are the two scenarios facing visitors at House of Secrets in Oslo. The purpose is to solve practical and theoretical tasks in less than 60 minutes while kept in captivity in so-called ‘escape rooms’. Competing against friends as well as the clock, the winning team is the one that solves the tasks the fastest and with the fewest hints. By Helene Toftner | Photos: House of Secrets

‘Escape rooms’ have taken Europe by storm and spread from city to city at a high speed. Over just a few years they have become among the most popular team-building exercises around as well as a hit amongst stag dos and pals’ nights out. To understand the phenomenon, Scan Magazine spoke to Morten 126 | Issue 94 | November 2016

Andre Lindquist, the creator and owner of House of Secrets in Oslo, an escape room venue that opened its doors just over a year ago. “The games are for absolutely everyone regardless of age, physical ability or education,” he says. “At House of Secrets, we have had visitors as young as eight and as old as 80.”

The versatility can probably explain why so many people are loving the escape rooms, but there is no doubt that the adrenaline kicks play a part too. At House of Secrets, two different games are currently available, and one more is due to follow in December. The first is named Stop the Virus, based on a scenario where a computer hacker has sent a virus to infiltrate all technological gadgets. The group has 60 minutes to search his home for clues on how to stop it, or the world will erupt into chaos. The second, and somewhat more morbid, game is Urban Cannibals. The name gives it away, as the game revolves around

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

being caught in a slaughter house, with 60 minutes to escape before becoming the main course on the cannibal’s menu. “Throughout the hour, the group is given tasks and clues to point them in the right direction of escaping,” Lindquist says. The third game, The Inventor’s Legacy, is set to launch in December, and while Lindquist keeps the cards close to his chest he can reveal that it is about a mad inventor and that the users have to unveil his secret to stop him from destroying both them and the world. The games can be played by groups of two to seven participants, and bigger groups can compete against each other using both games at once. “The games are equally difficult, challenging logical thinking, memory and physical agility, so everyone will have a strength to play on,” Lindquist says. “For that reason it has become a very popular team-building exercise, as groups have to work together and appreciate each other’s skills to reach a shared goal, just as in real life.”

‘Imagination is the only limit’ A quick look on TripAdvisor attests to its popularity, with the company given

five-star reviews along the lines of “so much fun, but also challenging” and “a lot of difficult challenges for people who like puzzles”. While the reviews speak for themselves, Lindquist takes particular pride in comments from experienced players noting that House of Secrets is one of the best escape rooms venues they have ever been to. “We create the games ourselves, so there is no chance you will come across or have experienced the same challenges before. Because we create them ourselves, we are completely free to amend and develop them as we see fit. As such, we can learn and adapt according to what our customers actually want, while many other similar companies are part of a chain and thus restricted to using their games,” he says, adding: “Our games are characterised by humour, although obviously deadly serious for the guests.” Lindquist and his business partner Glenn Steinmoen have backgrounds in engineering, gaming with development of crosswords and other puzzles, and electrics. While the three may not necessarily go naturally hand in hand, they make the perfect fit for developing escape rooms.

Having started out in a big empty warehouse on the outskirts of central Oslo, House of Secrets is expanding in December and is unlikely to stop there. “Our imagination is the only thing limiting further games,” Lindquist says excitedly. The games can be solved both in English and in Norwegian, with the actual games in English but the hints available in both languages. For Christmas, consider the gift card offerings – an excellent alternative to the good old jumper.

FACT BOX: Two games currently available: Stop the Virus and Urban Cannibals. A third game, The Inventor’s Legacy, is launching in December. Time: Each group has 60 minutes to solve the task. Teams can range from two to seven people.

For more information and to book, please visit: www.houseofsecrets.no

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 127

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

Danish art history and a contemporary edge At Kastrupgårdsamlingen in Copenhagen, visitors are in for a complete experience as the museum hosts the finest works across disciplines challenging conventional perceptions of graphic art and lithography. By: Susan Hansen | Photos: Kastrupgårdsamlingen

Another benefit is the news that admission will be free from January 2017. “We are very excited about this and it’s against the current trend and climate of our sector,” says Rasmussen.

Kristian Rasmussen, curator, explains how graphic art continues to make up a significant part of the commissioned exhibition portfolio: “There is perhaps a tendency to view graphic art and lithography as second to painting. Our aim is to try to redefine the conventional perception to ensure they are integrated.”

Formerly an old manor house, the museum is in beautiful surroundings in an area with a social democrat tradition. “It is one of our priorities; we are financed by the council, and being able to offer free admission is a way of demonstrating our political position,” the curator explains. “It is a true gift from the local politicians.”

Keen to outline the development in Danish contemporary arts and display the works of established artists has led the museum to host a wide range of exhibitions giving a nuanced and general overview of Danish history of modern art. The often simultaneous developments across forms allow the museum to present multi-disciplinary displays of painting, installation and graphic art along with scientific illustration and research into a diverse range of art movements.

Graphic art and prolific names The focus of the permanent collection is graphic art, but the museum hosts on av128 | Issue 94 | November 2016

erage four exhibitions featuring prolific, leading names in contemporary painting each year. In addition, the old part of Kastrupgård holds a permanent exhibition showing the works of Danish painter Theodor Philipsen, a local resident of Amager during the 1890s. Focusing on the here and now, the current exhibition, Vibeke Tøjner’s The Face of Camus, features paintings and works of paper and runs until 19 February 2017. Tøjner is one of the recommissioned artists at Kastrupgårdsamlingen. Critically acclaimed and well established, she is a good example of the calibre sought by the museum.

‘A gift from politicians’ The location on Amager in the south of Copenhagen would previously have meant attracting a core of local visitors. However, the launch of Copenhagen’s metro station and subsequent fluctuation of commuters has increased diversity in attendance, attracting different crowds.

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

Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns

IS IT JUST ME…

By Mette Lisby

Who thinks this rating thing has gone completely overboard? It seems like whatever you do these days, you are instantly asked to “rate this experience”. How do you rate this website? This booking? This photo? This delivery? This meal? This song? It seems like the whole world has turned into a needy boyfriend who – at every movement – asks: “How was this? Did you like it? Really? How much did you like it? Like five? Or just four?” Not only are you asked to rate your every experience, but also the transportation that gets you to it. Yes, really! With Uber, a five-minute car journey is now subject to evaluation. It has become impossible for the 21st century Homo sapiens to do anything without letting the rest of world know what he or she thinks about it. It is not just annoying; it also – if you are a somewhat polite person – by default becomes utterly obsolete. Polite consumers undermine the whole rating system, the general idea of which I assume is that three is ‘good’, four is ‘great’ and five is

‘outstanding’. But I, and I’m sure many other good-hearted people, leave the Uber car thinking: “Well, there was nothing wrong with that, except that the car was dirty, the driver ran a red light, the air-con was too cold, the driver hell-bent on over-sharing, and maybe I didn’t need to know the names of all of his cats – but it wasn’t bad.” So, I give him a five-star rating for something that is clearly a two to three-star experience. To polite people, a fivestar rating simply equals: “I didn’t get killed.” It gives companies a false impression of satisfied customers and it gives customers a false sense of getting great service. When I look back at my day I seem to have had an endless stream of five-star experiences, except they don’t really feel like five-star experiences, but more like I’m running around trying to praise everybody for just doing their friggin’ job without getting me into any major emergencies, from my transportation to my

Optimistic resilience By Maria Smedstad The UK is a place of optimistic resilience. Brits can endure hardship with enviable cheerfulness and never is this better demonstrated than on the various forms of public transport. Like many British commuters, I rely on a service that attempts to pack half the population of the west into an hourly relic of inadequate capacity, loosely referred to as a train. As you can imagine, getting a seat on one of these involves stealth, luck and circus skills. If you do manage to sit down, the etiquette is to smile at the passenger next to you in a way that communicates your shared discomfort, before politely averting your eyes to your phone or book for the rest of the journey. This is unless a further inconvenience occurs, as happened to me last week. The train went through a particularly ferocious rainstorm and

the windows – left open to allow small amounts of oxygen to filter in – became like a ship’s portholes. Obviously the first correct British response to this was to ignore it. Attempts to close the windows followed and failed. Then optimistic resilience kicked in. “Rather wet than too warm!” the woman next to me chirpily announced. On seeing that my laptop was getting soaked (her own newspaper

lunch at the Thai place to the delivery of the book I bought on Amazon. Rating is completely overrated! Please rate this article ‘five’ if you agree!

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.

had returned to pulp form by this point) she offered to erect her umbrella over the two of us, which in turn made me enter full on British thank-you-I’m-fine-but-thank-you-thankyou mode, insisting that I too found the rain ‘uplifting’. She nodded approvingly and dug inside her handbag, pulling out a can of gin and tonic. “Could be worse!” she smiled and returned to peeling her sodden newspaper pages apart, sitting in a growing puddle and drinking her warm gin with two hours of cattletransportation-like conditions to go – one happy, resilient Brit. 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.

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 129

Scan Magazine | Culture | Nordic Takeover at the BBC

Thomas Søndergård. Photo: Betina Skovbro

Nordic takeover at the BBC orchestras As anyone with access to the BBC Four television channel will know, the British Broadcasting Corporation has something of a soft spot for Scandinavian creativity right now. But this autumn, the BBC itself makes Nordic history. By Andrew Mellor

From September to June, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Glasgow celebrates the inaugural season of its new conductor, a Dane, Thomas Dausgaard. Nothing particularly exceptional about that – apart from the fact that Dausgaard happens to be one of the most effective conductors around. Rather more significant is the fact that Dausgaard forms the fourth and final piece in an unprecedented jigsaw. The BBC runs four symphony orchestras, all of which have conductors from either Finland or Denmark as of this season. Thomas Søndergård from Denmark has been chief conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for four years. Meanwhile, Finns hold posts at the BBC’s two symphony orchestras in England: Sakari Oramo as chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London 130 | Issue 94 | November 2016

since 2013, and John Storgårds as principal guest conductor at the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester since 2012. Dausgaard’s arrival in Glasgow seals the Nordic stronghold over all four of Britain’s broadcasting orchestras. BBC Radio 3, the primary sponsor and partner of all those ensembles, has been a paid-up member of the Nordic fan club for some time. It dedicated the whole of last December to examining Nordic music, literature and philosophy on the airwaves. But why have Danish and Finnish musicians found such a fruitful home at the Corporation? Is it indicative of a general surge in classical music talent from the Nordic countries right now?

Quiet leadership Plenty of indicators would suggest so. Particularly interesting, however, is a

general shift in orchestral politics away from the famous ‘dictatorships’ of the 20th century, when the maestro ruled with an iron fist. These days, conductors work far more collaboratively and respectfully with their musicians. The general consensus is that performances are better as a result. “You may have read about the recent trend for ‘quiet leadership’, and I think you see that in Thomas [Søndergard],” says Michael Garvey, director of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Cardiff. “Thomas brings the musicians alongside him; you don’t need to be a firebrand in order to extract artistry from members of the orchestra, and he knows that.” As controller of BBC Radio 3, Alan Davey is responsible for the station’s output and has overall responsibility for its performing ensembles. He points to parallels in Nordic life in general. “If you think of a Nordic society where people live and work in an effective way – something you see even in the Icelandic sagas – that kind of thing works in an orchestra,

Scan Magazine | Culture | Nordic Takeover at the BBC

which is a community of musicians. That is one reason why there are so many effective Scandinavian and Finnish conductors out there.”

A rationality and lack of pretense Davey has theories about how Nordic conductors interpret music too. “I think they have been popular in Britain because they bring with them an analytical approach that can allow big moments in a piece of music to blossom. But at the same time, they’re not entirely driven by emotion,” he says. “In other words, there’s a certain rationality there, on the surface at least. Thinking back to the Icelandic sagas, I think it’s the same – there’s something buttoned within.”

Orchestra. “What is so attractive about Thomas is this extraordinary energy and curiosity he brings to everything he does.” Offered a run-down of some stereotypical Danish character traits – directness, a lack of pretense and a basic summary of ‘Janteloven’ – Reid responds: “I absolutely recognise those qualities in Thomas.” Of course, we can point to more concrete reasons why Nordic musicians are so well equipped: the region’s ex-

cellent education systems, flourishing amateur music scenes and an environment in which music by living composers has far greater currency (the latter is particularly relevant given the BBC orchestras’ remit to play new music). But Britain’s fascination with the north right now certainly helps. “The Nordic aesthetic and approach to life have gripped the public’s imagination in this country,” says Davey, “and that’s a good thing.”

Thomas Dausgaard at the Proms. Photo: BBC Chris Christodoulou

An analyst might say that the profusion of Finnish and Danish musicians working at the BBC goes hand in hand with the longstanding British interest in Nordic classical music. But these conductors do not just play their own country’s music. Sakari Oramo conducted the very British Last Night of the Proms to a worldwide audience of millions in September, while both Dausgaard and Søndergård have an uncanny ability to make old warhorses from all over Europe sound fresh and engaging. “I heard Thomas [Dausgaard] in London last week conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and I can honestly say that I heard things in his performance that I’ve never heard before,” says Gavin Reid, a former orchestral trumpet player and director of the BBC Scottish Symphony

Thomas Søndergård. Photo Betina Skovbro

Sakari Oramo at the Proms. Photo BBC Chris Christodoulou

Issue 94 | November 2016 | 131

Scan Magazine | Culture | Columns

Scandinavian music Norwegian house trio Seeb are back with their first new single since the massive Breathe was released earlier in the year. They are out with What Do You Love, featuring British singer Jacob Banks. It is a modern dance number in the sense that it is more pop than dance – and with a soulful undercurrent, it is as tailor made for radio playlists and singles charts as it is for dance floors. The three Norwegians recently provided the radio mix on Mike Posner’s global smash, I Took a Pill in Ibiza. After a couple of years releasing funkedup pop jams, Danish artist Christopher has served us a big ballad as his new single Heartbeat. It is a beautiful track that builds and builds into an orchestral finish – all via the slightest of RnB flavours. Given his looks and his penchant for up-tempo bangers, it is sometimes forgotten what an impressive set of pipes Christopher has on him, but this new single showcases his vocal capabilities brilliantly.

By Karl Batterbee

Norway’s Atella have recruited fellow Norwegian synth-pop hero Frøder on their brand new single. Closer To Life is an exceptionally well-produced and captivating track that serves twists and swerves on its four-minute journey through a cosmic dance floor. Delightful! Comparisons to Röyksopp are inevitable but fair, and Closer To Life genuinely stands up alongside the best output from their fellow Norwegian electro-pop pair. Two young Scandinavian talents have joined forces for a superb new track that I have been loving over the past few weeks. After a few years working as a producer for other acts, 24-year-old Swedish (now living in Norway) chap Robin Veela releases his debut single as an artist. The track is called People, and on it he has nabbed the singing and songwriting talents of 20-yearold Norwegian lass Kazi (Karoline Skjærvik Slemmen to her nearest and dearest). It is quite the banger this one. It is one of

those songs that just sounds like a huge hit waiting to happen.

www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@gmail.com

Swedish survival guide: Father Christmas is Swedish By Joakim Andersson

A common misconception around the holiday season is that ‘Jultomten’, or Father Christmas, lives in the North Pole. Some say that he lives in Finland. This is all wrong. He lives in Sweden, and let me tell you why. Sweden has a rich folklore, which not only includes a naked fiddler sitting in a brook luring children down to drown, or a beautiful woman with the tail of a fox singing to attract men to get lost in the vast dark Scandinavian forests; it also includes house and garden gnomes, who, if you treat them well, help you with the hard work around the cottage or farm. These gnomes are believed to have pointy hats and long beards, just like modern ceramic garden gnomes you see all over the world today, and just like the modern Father Christmas, whose appearance slowly began to merge with the 132 | Issue 94 | November 2016

American Santa Claus about 100 years ago. Even the Swedish word ‘Jultomte’ reveals where I’m going with this: this is a compound word consisting of ‘jul’ (Christmas or yule) and ‘tomte’ (gnome) but which, if you look further back, comes from the Swedish word for back garden, ‘tomt’. In the 19th century, a Swedish artist named Jenny Nyström drew Christmas cards and illustrations to go with some Christmas poems by Viktor Rydberg. The illustrations were inspired by what people thought those mythical garden gnomes looked like and helped start the transformation of the new gift bringer on Christmas, Saint Nicholas, borrowed in from Germany, to resemble a Swedish gnome. Other artists developed the idea further and in America, where Saint Nicholas also was the gift bringer

at Christmas, this new concept began to merge with the old one. With some help from the Swedish-Finnish advertisement artist Haddon Sundblom, he also got his red clothes and eventually the modern Santa Claus was born. The Americanisation around the 1950s then brought back this semi-new character to Europe.

Joakim Andersson is a Swedish musician, YouTuber, podcaster, and entrepeneur who calls himself an enjoyer of life. He is the founder of Say It In Swedish, which is a podcast, web and mobile app, and YouTube channel that teaches modern Swedish in a fun and easy-going way for free. Check it out at www.sayitinswedish.com

Wardruna. Photo: Astrid Tonella

Stockholm Christmas Market. Photo: Michael Caven

The Finnish Church in London. Photo: Adam Burt

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Wardruna at the Union Chapel (17 Nov) Started by Einar Selvik in 2003, Wardruna is a musical project based on Nordic spiritualism. Somewhat like Nordic folk, the soundscapes are often ambient and dark but always unique. On stage and in the studio, Wardruna use only the oldest Nordic instruments while many lyrics are written in proto-Norse tongue. The concert at the Union Chapel will be a very special event and follows the release of Wardruna’s latest record Runaljod – Gap Var Ginnunga in October. 7pm. Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UN. www.unionchapel.org.uk

Finnish Christmas Fair (16-20 Nov) The Finnish Christmas fair is an event organised by the Finnish Embassy in

London. It is a unique experience of all aspects that make up a Finnish Christmas. You can expect much from the culinary side of the event, which will serve Finnish treats from the cafeteria and grill. Finnish food will include rye bread, pea soup and cloudberry jam, and it will be complemented by Finnish sweets such as Fazer chocolate, salt liquorice and much more. Wed-Thu 12pm-8pm; Fri 11am-8pm; Sat 10am7pm; Sun 10am-5pm. Finnish Church, 33 Albion Street, London, SE16 7HZ. www.finemb.org.uk/en

Swedish Christmas Fair (17, 19-20 Nov) This year, as every year in November, the Swedish Church in London’s Marylebone will put on an atmospheric Christmas

By Thomas Schroers

Fair for Londoners and homesick Swedes to soak up that festive spirit, enjoy some ‘glögg’, stock up on the Scandinavian Christmas essentials and mingle with other expats. Thurs 11am8pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 12-5pm. The Swedish Church, 6 Harcourt St, London, W1H 4AG www.svenskakyrkan.com/london

Old Town Christmas Market Stockholm (19 Nov-23 Dec) This is the perfect way to get to know Swedish Christmas traditions, as the origins of this market date back to 1837. At the Stockholm market, you will not only find sweets, smoked sausages and elk meat, but also handmade knitted caps and a wide range of Swedish handicrafts. In total, there are more than 40 stalls to Issue 94 | November 2016 | 133

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

explore. Open every day 11am-6pm. Main Square, Old Town, Stockholm. www.stortorgetsjulmarknad.com

Sweden International Horse Show (24-27 Nov) A magical ambiance and fantastic sport make this annual event an international highlight in equestrian sports. Including numerous competitions with participants from several countries, the show spans four days and kicks off with an action night. Fans of equestrian sports will witness a dressage competition, the Sweden Grand Prix and much more. Additionally, the name of the arena, Friends Arena, is more than just a slogan

as the show is regularly praised for its wonderful atmosphere. Friends Arena, Råsta Strandväg 1, 169 79 Solna. www.swedenhorseshow.se

can be seen at Tanner & Lawson. MonFri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm. 7 Milner Street, London, SW3 2QA. www.tannerlawson.co.uk

Paintings by Brita Granström (Until 1 Dec)

Baritone Tommi Hakala in concert (4 Dec)

Capturing intimate everyday moments, Brita Granström is inspired by her own life and the landscapes of the Scottish borders. Born in Sweden in 1969, Granström has lived in the UK for more than 20 years. Her roots are quite evident in her paintings, which she makes on location both indoors and outdoors, no matter the weather conditions. A current exhibition titled Nocturnal Swimmer

Finnish operatic baritone Tommi Hakala will be interpreting pieces from Tchaikovsky in a one-of-a-kind concert at the Royal Festival Hall. Conducted by Jac van Steen and accompanied by soprano Veronika Dzhioeva, the pieces will include Polonaise, Letter Scene, Waltz and excerpts from Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, making for a festive atmosphere. 3pm-5pm. Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London SE1. www.finemb.org.uk/en

Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra (7 Dec) In December, renowned Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste will be orchestrating an invigorating concert with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Featuring the world premiere of a Concerto for Brass and Orchestra, Haydn’s Symphony No. 83 and Stravinsky’s epic The Firebird, the concert will take the audience on an exciting, colourful journey. 7.30pm9.30pm. Barbican, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. www.finemb.org.uk/en

Tommi Hakala. Photo: Stefan Leitner-Sidl

134 | Issue 94 | November 2016

Jukka-Pekka Saraste. Photo: Felix Broede

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