Scan Magazine, Issue 99, April 2017

APRIL 2017 ISSUE 99 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

ROLAND MØLLER – REJECTING THE VILLAIN OUR TOP SWEDISH FASHION PICKS UNMISSABLE ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES IN NORWAY FINNISH FESTIVAL SPECIAL

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Roskilde Cathedral inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1995

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 32 Roland Møller – rejecting the villain He ended up in the film industry by a complete coincidence after a film director contacted him to read his extensive notes and writings from time spent in one of Denmark’s most notorious prisons.

Scan Magazine spoke to Roland Møller about projecting feelings, being put in a box, and starring in an Oscar-nominated film.

32

DESIGN 6

Stripes, bold colours and cooking We share our top picks of the boldest and brightest fashion items this spring to ensure that the winter blues are a thing of the past, and look at how to lighten up the kitchen for some enjoyable spring cooking.

SPECIAL FEATURES 24 Fine food and lovely lodging

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Behold two of Norway’s most beautiful hotels – and trust us, there was no shortage to choose from – alongside two top-class Nordic cuisine strongholds.

SPECIAL THEMES 10 Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands Perfectly marrying proud traditions with pioneering new trends to create that Scandinavian minimalist chic, the Swedish fashion scene is booming. We spoke to everyone from renowned jewellery designer Efva Attling, to the man behind celebrated swimwear brand Panos Emporio, to get inside the Swedish design secret.

36 A Complete Guide to Danish Culture

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From architecturally fascinating cathedrals to medieval festivals, Denmark presents cultural experiences steeped in history. Mature scientists and young thrill seekers will all find something to enjoy.

50 Norway’s Top Three Culture Centres From Bærum just a stone’s throw from Oslo, to Honningsvåg, Norway’s northernmost town, the three Norwegian culture centres we have taken a closer look at this month are diverse in more ways

than one. Expect everything from chamber music and dramaturgical creativity to Elton John.

56 Our Favourite Finnish Festival Experiences Finland has a long-running and successful festival history, and this month we list some of our absolute favourites, including the Taste of Helsinki Food Festival and of course one of our old favourites, the Tampere Guitar Festival.

63 Sweden – A Children’s Paradise With the largest zoo in Scandinavia, wild moose and a brand-new trampoline park, there is no risk of being bored in Sweden this summer. Our guide tells you where to go, what to do, and why the kids will love it.

70 Top Attractions in Norway Fans of fishing, look no further. In fact, anyone with an interest in anything to do with wildlife and stunning nature could do worse than reading our guide to Norway’s most exhilarating attractions, including everything from sailing and whale safaris to experiencing the northern lights.

84 Experience Bodø Whether you are looking for the spa treatment of a lifetime or just a serene place to go, far away from your everyday duties and troubles, head north of the Arctic Circle and experience Bodø. Scan Magazine tells you how.

BUSINESS 93 What is the story of your life?

Our business columnist Steve Flinders introduces a curious approach to interviewing, while our keynote writer calls rational choice theory’s bluff.

Meanwhile, we discover how all good things come in threes with Denmark’s Triangle Region.

CULTURE 112 Getting to know Bearson Scan Magazine spoke to Norwegian DJ/producer Bearson about L.A., fame and electronic music, while resident music writer Karl Batterbee put together his essential Eurovision preview.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 6 Fashion Diary | 9 We Love This | 97 Hotel of the Month | 98 Attraction of the Month 99 Restaurants of the Month | 107 Experience of the Month | 108 Artist of the Month 110 Gallery of the Month | 111 Humour

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, To say that this is our rebel issue is perhaps to exaggerate a notch, but it certainly is quite bold; a bit like a child in a toyshop, unable to choose, drawn to everything that is bright and sparkly.

Not only did we speak to Denmark’s most-loved film villain, a former reallife criminal, now a celebrated actor and rising star; we also decided to truly look at the world from a child’s point of view, chat to some artists, and list the best festivals in Finland.

All in all, it is an issue bursting with adventure, curiosity and creativity. Our Swedish fashion special brings a bit of that nogender avant-garde while also presenting classic, Scandinavian minimalism. The Danish culture theme boasts colourful history and fun for the whole family, which there is plenty more of in the children’s special. As we went to explore the best cultural centres in Norway, we also found an infinite amount of adventure experiences and charming towns, so we decided to list the top attractions in Norway while we were in the swing of things.

jewellery designer, she never took much in life at face value, but decided to take destiny into her own hands – quite literally. In the case of the Copenhagen Medieval Market, it is the passion for getting every historical detail right that facilitates the exploration.

There is a lightness and hope about spring that contributes to making it the perfect, opportune time to explore and plan for new adventures; I always feel that sense of renewal, and an urge to discover something new. Whether you are looking for this year’s festival highlight, planning a family holiday or want to upgrade your wardrobe, I hope that this issue of Scan Magazine will inspire you.

Linnea Dunne, Editor

SCAN

Passion and exploration bring it all together. Roland Møller never trained as an actor – he ended up on a film set after writing extensively about his experiences while in prison, and then a passion and knack for storytelling meant that he fitted right into show business. As for Efva Attling, renowned Swedish

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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!

Last year Ross celebrated 20 years in business, and I have the honor of inviting you to make this year's most important phone call.

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Welcome home!

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

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary…

It is beginning to look a lot like spring and summer. The heavy winter coat has finally been ditched in favour of sunglasses and T-shirts. This season is all about bold colours, prints, stripes and florals, which gives you the perfect opportunity to add some brightness and excitement to your wardrobe. These picks are a mix of the classic Scandinavian style with some fun and colourful items to brighten up your outfit and hopefully your day as well.

By Heidi Kokborg | Press photos

xxxx It probably comes as no surprise that xxxxxx some of the best rainwear comes from Scandinavia. The Danish brand RAINS was founded in 2012 and interprets the traditional rubber raincoat in a novel way. With this coat you never have to turn up to work looking like a drenched dog – more likely, your colleagues will envy your cool coat.

Rains, approx. £80 www.rains.dk

This nautical T-shirt is perfect for a casual night at the bar with friends, a Sunday brunch at the local café or a relaxing weekend afternoon with your partner. We are going to see a lot of red this season, so this red-and-white-striped T-shirt is spot on.

Cheap Monday, approx. £22 www.cheapmonday.com

Everyone needs a cool bag in their life. This special edition of Kånken from Fjällräven is made entirely from polyester recycled from 11 plastic bottles and is cool enough to use for work and casual enough for a weekend trip.

Fjällräven Backpack, £75 www.fjallraven.co.uk

6 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

The calendar may say spring, but we all know the Scandinavian weather does not really care about that.

Rain gear is a must-have all year round when you live in Scandinavia, but why not choose a fashionable rain coat like this one from the Danish brand RAINS? With this coat, you will look urban, cool and stylish, even when the rain is pouring down.

Rains Long Jacket, approx. £80 www.rains.dk

Both florals and prints are going to be big this season. This floral printed top from Vero Moda will bring out your spring mood for sure. Wear it with flats and jeans for a day at the office or pumps and a skirt for a night out with the mates.

Vero Moda, approx. £21 www.veromoda.com

Wear these fuchsia sneakers and people will definitely notice you. The designer behind these bunny-inspired shoes says that life is too short to take style too seriously; style should be fun and enjoyable. With sneakers like these, your day is bound to be fun and creative.

Minna Parikka, approx. £240 www.minnaparikka.com

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 7

Scan Magazine | Design | Street Style

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

Text and photos by Sanna Halmekoski | www.nordichumans.com

Marianne Holtermann Norwegian art dealer at Holtermann Fine Art

Marianne Holtermann

Harri Lahtela Finnish tennis coach and business consultant “My style is informal, relaxed, and quite Nordic. Functionality is more important than luxury. I like to shop at the same places, mainly online at ASOS and TM Lewin. Today I am wearing the practical combo of a jacket by DKNY Jeans, shoes

by Selected, jeans by Pepe Jeans, and shirt by Sisley.”

“My style is tailored and classic. My wardrobe staple is a white shirt. For work I like to smarten up. Today I am wearing some chic heels by Gianvito Rossi, combined with an elegant skirt by Moschino and a watch by Tiffany & Co. Right now, I am at the Dutko Gallery, and my look is complemented by the works of sculptor Tony Cragg. I collaborated with the gallery on this exhibition, Tony Cragg: Primary Colours.”

Harri Lahtela

Malin Lindholm Swedish production and interior designer

Malin Lindholm

8 | Issue 99 | April 2017

“My style is eclectic and improvised. My style is often based on my current mood, and perhaps this is a reflection of my creative design job. Today I am wearing a vintage jacket by Joseph, combined with a long-sleeved top by COS. My shoes are vintage from Stockholm, and I bought the ring from a jewellery designer in India.”

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this…

The kitchen is known to be the heart of a house. It is where people gather to have a good time, where you can cook dinner while listening to jazz, drink a glass of wine with your spouse, or help your kids with their homework. The kitchen truly is a place for good conversations, fun times and, of course, eating. With these items, you will come to love your time in the kitchen even more, and eating and drinking will be even more enjoyable.

By Heidi Kokborg | Press photos

There is nothing quite like a relaxed Sunday morning brunch with freshly brewed coffee, bread straight from the oven, a newspaper, and a softboiled egg. These Kähler egg cups are made for Sunday mornings – whether you are enjoying your breakfast on the patio in the morning sun or hosting a big brunch.

Kähler Hammershøi egg cup two-pack, approx. £25 www.kahlerdesign.com

Who does not love a big, creamy, and utterly delicious bowl of pasta?

It is like a big hug from the inside. This Salcombe pasta bowl is perfect for a cosy pasta dinner – with friends gathered around the table or by yourself curled up on the couch. The bowl has a rustic yet elegant and contemporary look. Each one is handmade by expert potters to make every bowl unique.

Salcombe pasta bowl, set of two, blue grey, £35 www.urbanara.co.uk

There is something about having your drinks served on a tray that makes the drinks look even more classy. This gorgeous marble-inspired tray from Studio Formata is perfect for serving a pair of homemade daiquiris or two tall glasses of rosé.

Studio Formata Soft Islands Cocktail Tray, £19.95 www.husandhem.co.uk

We cannot get over how adorable this hand-cast porcelain lid jar is. The jar has a slightly worrisome expression, which makes it almost impossible not to get one. These cute jars are perfect for keeping sweets of any kind – both kids and grown-ups will smile when you put them on the table.

Bon Bon Drop, approx. £20 www.nordicelements.com

We can probably all agree that eating – and for some people cooking – is the fun part of dining. We are almost certain that doing the dishes is nobody’s favourite part. But with these pretty tea towels from HAY, doing the dishes will be a bit more enjoyable – and if not, at least you will have beautiful towels in your kitchen.

HAY Block Dots Tea Towels, set of two, £19 www.amara.com

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 9

SH I ED DS lT a W i S RAN ec P Sp TO N B R IO OU SH FA e:

m he

Left: This cool outfit is from AMA AWE – a Swedish independent fashion brand. Middle: Lazoschmidl’s new girlfriend jacket. Right: Erica Blomberg. Photo: Swedish Fashion Council.

Swedish fashion anno 2017 – unisex, sustainable and personal Fashion is built upon a promise of constant change. This year, however, we are seeing an increased focus on durability and longevity. Swedish fashion brands are focusing on a bigger system change rather than a simple trend, and the brands are all about no gender, unisex and sustainability. Scan Magazine spoke to Erica Blomberg from Swedish Fashion Council about these exciting changes.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Mathias Nordgren

“Swedish fashion this season is big on unisex and no gender, which we have seen before but not to this extent. There is a much bigger focus on identity and personality over the traditional gender focus.

This could be explained by the increasing use of data science, making it possible for the brands to customise each product to the individual rather than the norm,” says Blomberg, marketing coordinator at Swedish Fashion Council.

The Swedish brand HOPE just launched a new label system, which means that all tags show both ladies’ and men’s sizes, to emphasise that every piece could be worn by anyone. “It’s not about putting people in boxes anymore. We’re going to see technology evolve to cater more directly to the needs of the specific consumer,” Blomberg explains. “Nowadays, consumers are rarely loyal to one single brand; they mix and match to create their own 10 | Issue 99 | April 2017

unique style. Therefore, brands need to keep up and not put themselves in boxes.”

Sustainable fashion Another thing the Swedish fashion industry is highly concerned with is the sustainability issue. “Our biggest challenge in fashion is sustainability, and we collaborate with the Swedish brands to solve the issue. It is not just a brand specific issue; it is industry-wide, and we need to solve it together,” says Blomberg.

Mistra Future Fashion is a world-leading research programme that aims to close the loop in fashion and clothing – enabling a systemic change in the Swedish fashion industry. Swedish brands are also facing the challenge and responsibility to make the industry more sustainable.

Lindex increased their durable garments by 64 per cent in a year, and brands such as H&M, Swedish Stockings and Filippa K

are recycling clothes, which means that customers can hand in their old clothes and get a voucher to purchase new garments. From 2017, it is mandatory for big companies in Sweden to produce a sustainability report. Many fashion companies are affected by this law and are now working on their sustainability reports.

“We have to incorporate sustainability in every step of the supply chain, from the design table to the bin. We need to implement a circular system instead of the present linear model,” says Blomberg.

HOPE has just launched a system where all their tags show both ladies’ and men’s sizes.

Photo: Swedish Fashion Council.

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

Visit us!

Stockholm: Swedenborgsgatan 3 & Jakobsbergsgatan 9 | London: 79 Berwick Street | Gothenburg: Andra LĂĽnggatan 22 | www.sandqvist.net

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

The Eden headpiece from the wedding collection.

Organic earrings.

Three Shades Ear Onyx.

Lovely Leaves pendant.

Yes No cufflinks.

Pamper yourself With empowering messages and dazzling jewels, Efva Attling has been designing jewellery under the strapline ‘beauty with a thought’ for 20 years now. As the world faces continued turbulence, she insists that we need to pamper ourselves – and celebrities including Madonna and Meryl Streep agree.

By Linnea Dunne | Press photos

Attling is engrossed in the creative process of next year’s collection of glasses.

“I’m always way ahead with my work – it’s such a big operation at this stage, so I can’t just design a ring today and sell it tomorrow. Sometimes I can barely remember what’s out next because I’m so far ahead,” she says. “That’s what I loved about this T-shirt I made recently. I had a white T-shirt and wrote ‘Feminists take 12 | Issue 99 | April 2017

no shit’ on it with a marker, and everyone loved it and said they wanted one; so we made it and put it out and it sold out in a day! It’s nice to be able to be quick sometimes.”

One of Scandinavia’s best With 12 years of modelling and a number one pop hit in the bag, Attling found her way home with jewellery design some-

what by coincidence. She had studied as an apprentice with one of Sweden’s foremost silversmiths, Bengt Liljedahl, from the age of 16; but it was not until 27 years later, when interviewing a model who was off on a silversmithing course, that the penny dropped for her: jewellery was her thing.

Attling did well and was quickly showered with praise and awards and, in 1999, the ultimate compliment came when Madonna’s personal assistant called to say how much the singer loved the Homo Sapiens necklace. Since then, Attling has had the honour of designing both the Grammis award and the Polar

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

Music Prize, as well as working on assignments including spectacles for Swedish brand Synsam and wine glasses for crystal legend Orrefors.

Creative freedom “I decided early on to stick to silver, gold and gemstones. You can design jewellery out of pretty much anything, but I wanted to really define my expression,” says Attling. “Still, I’m lucky that I’m not limited to working exclusively with jewellery.

Like with that T-shirt, with the glass and spectacles work I’ve done – it’s a fantastic freedom I have.”

Last year, her website saw the addition of a wedding section with a range of timeless, stylish wedding dresses, two capes and a jumpsuit. “I wanted to branch out a bit – if someone likes my designs and they’re planning a wedding, I want them to think of me,” she explains. “I think everyone has their own design signature, like I, for example, always adored Tom Ford – he was my design god. With my designs, I think there are two aspects that speak to people: the expressions and boosts, about standing up for yourself, and then the sheer beauty and the people who just love the look of my designs.”

‘Go your own way’ Attling describes herself as a humanist and talks about the mottos and expres-

Efva wearing Shape of a Dream, Loop, and Day Pearl. Photo: Sanna Dahlén

sions on her jewellery as a way to provide hope. Previous collections have boasted messages such as ‘Knowing me’, ‘Go your own way’ and ‘Take no shit’, while Madonna’s favourite came with two pieces stamped with ‘Homo’ and ‘Sapiens’ respectively.

This idea of jewellery as boosters is nothing new, and it is being picked up widely across the industry. “Pieces of jewellery have worked as talismans since ancient times: one for the harvest, another one for lots of kids – I’ve just modernised the idea,” says the designer. “I want to push and boost people and encourage them to be brave. You just have to go your own way – you’ll only end up unhappy and miserable if you don’t.”

This spring sees a return to nature with the collections Organic and Lovely Leaves, both with a clean expression, made in silver and inspired by the garden and our surrounding nature. In addition, a range called Three Shades combines 18-carat gold with three precious stones: a pink sapphire, a light pink morganite and a clear crystal quartz.

this is why I want to spread some hope and joy with my jewellery; when the world seems crazy we have to hold on to the positive news – we have to be nice to each other and pamper ourselves.”

For some self-care of her own, she is just about to head off to Fotografiska in Stockholm to see an exhibition with fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier, and she talks about the chance to chat to people and exchange perspectives as important and inspiring. “To a great extent, my contact with the outside world is mostly through my jewellery and the stories I get from people who wear them, and they’re both sad and absolutely fantastic. Jewellery is deeply intimate. To think that people want to wear my designs 24/7 – it’s just ‘wow’!”

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

Intimate jewellery Based between Stockholm and New York City, Attling talks about recent events in world politics as strange and surreal.

“I still feel as if I’m watching a film – it doesn’t feel real at all,” she says. “But

Three Shades Ring Onyx.

Eyewear design.

Photo: Sanna Dahlén

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 13

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

Unique clothes created just for you Branting is not your typical fashion brand. The clothes are created with strong individuals in mind and do not necessarily follow current fashion. “I want my customers to feel that a certain garment looks good on them because it is created just for them and their body – not because the latest trend tells them so,” says Annette Branting, founder and chief designer at Branting.

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Magdalena Björnsdotter

In school, Branting was expelled from the craft and sewing class and she could not even draw a straight line – at least not until a job coach told her to nurture her artistic side. Branting did something many people would think impossible when she started her own fashion brand in 2000. With a can-do attitude and a unique sense of style, she has turned her self-named brand into an established fashion trademark.

Inspired by real people Each collection contains pieces for everyone and Branting has, on numerous occasions, seen a grandmother, mother and daughter shopping her collections together – an indication of the vast variety of clothes she creates. “My inspiration comes from people. I can see a woman and think that she needs something that matches her beautiful blue eyes, and then I go ahead and design that,” explains 14 | Issue 99 | April 2017

do not buy a piece of garment at any given time, it will most likely be gone by the next time. That’s why our clothes never make it to the seasonal sales,” Branting concludes.

Annette Branting.

Branting. While based in Spain for part of the year, she is also inspired by the Italians and how they use clothes to emphasise a beautiful body part instead of hiding something they are less proud of.

Branting clothes are available at many retailers across Europe (with Germany as the current main focal point), Japan and Australia – but not online. That is a conscious decision, and Branting explains why: “Buying our clothes should be an experience, and the knowledgeable staff at our retailers use their expertise to find unique garments for our customers. It is a craftsmanship per se, which we do not want to compete with by selling products online.”

The word ‘unique’ is one Branting comes back to, and it is also why she only produces her collections in small volumes.

“I want people to understand that if they

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

Watch out – time is of the essence TRIWA, an acronym for transforming the industry of watches, was founded by four friends who set out to do just that. Ten years on, the brand has a great deal to show for its effort, including flagship stores in Stockholm, Hong Kong and Tokyo, and the design and delivery of 35 city clocks on display throughout the Swedish capital.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: TRIWA

“It should feel like quality design when you see and experience the watch,” says Ludvig Scheja, co-founder and creative director, about TRIWA’s vision to ‘make details matter’. “It can’t just be about slapping on a logo – there has to be great design behind it. For us, every detail is important and we design every single thing ourselves.”

Scheja and his three friends had a shared interest in watches but were frustrated by an industry driven mostly by status and conservative masculine clichés. The watch had lost its importance as purely a time indicator and needed a facelift. “We wanted to make well-designed watches that are part of a style and more than just

a status symbol,” says Scheja. “So you could say that we take the old invention, remove anything that’s unnecessary and create a contemporary design. There’s something inherently Scandinavian about that, taking a product and remodelling it to export it again as an improved version.”

Inherently Scandinavian also perfectly describes the look and feel of TRIWA’s watches, inspired by the classic parts of Stockholm as well as its more contemporary, modern aspects. Additionally, the creative director explains, inspiration comes from beyond the watch industry, including architecture and furniture. “We look at classic shapes and make it more Scandinavian, a tad cleaner and sleeker.”

Recent additions to the TRIWA collection include sunglasses and bracelets, the latter a natural result of expertise in decorating the wrist. “It’s something we saw was missing – there was nothing with a real Scandinavian expression,” says Scheja. “Much of what we create comes from the inside and out; if we feel like trying out something, we will.”

From a tiny garage business steeped in passion, with the four friends heading straight from their day jobs to the post office to post out the initial run of 400 watches, to a pioneering design brand that elevates the meaning of quality and attention to detail, TRIWA is a force to be reckoned with on the Swedish design scene. Of this there is no doubt: the watch industry will never be the same again.

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

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 15

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

Patrik Nilsson, CEO of GANT.

Preparing for the third chapter Original American lifestyle brand GANT comes with heaps of European sophistication for style-conscious consumers with an active lifestyle. More than 50 years since its beginnings, the brand is preparing for the next chapter in their success story – GANT 3.0.

By Malin Norman | Photos: GANT

For GANT, it all started with shirts back in 1949. Founder Bernard Gantmacher came from Ukraine to Ellis Island, New York City, in 1907, with the hope of building his own American dream. He learned the craft of making shirts, built a business as a shirt contractor in New Haven, and eventually perfected the button-down shirts and brought them to the mass market.

Students at universities on the East Coast were keen to dress in a casual yet elegant way, with the GANT shirt as the main staple. This style became known as the classic Ivy League look, mastering the art of never looking dressed-up but always well-dressed. These days, GANT 16 | Issue 99 | April 2017

offers menswear as well as womenswear, children’s clothing, home accessories, footwear, eyewear and watches.

While the brand originates from America, the second part of the story involves Sweden. In 1980, Pyramid Sportswear of Sweden was given the right to design and market GANT outside the US and quickly grew the brand internationally. The company is still privately owned, with around 200 staff at the head office in Stockholm.

The next phase Now beginning its third chapter, GANT is aiming to reach the global market as the world’s leading lifestyle brand. The

plan is centred around consumers and innovation. CEO Patrik Nilsson explains: “Consumers are much more global these days, and ours are also very confident in their style. Many people are also conscious of sustainable fashion, and classic collections will never be out of style. Our mantra at GANT is ‘never stop learning’, and we want to bring another level of technical innovation that is relevant to our consumers.”

As part of the plan, the brand recently launched Tech Prep, which is a new collection with innovative materials designed for an active lifestyle. The range of men’s shirts are quick-dry, breathable and wicking and, according to GANT, also suitable for modern-day challenges such as the playfully named For a Fast Commute, In Meeting Mayhem and The Desk-to-Dinner Dash. These timeless shirts are still preppy but more technical, hence the name Tech Prep.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

GANT has also signed a three-year agreement with the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most renowned sports car race, as the official apparel sponsor. Similar to the brand’s other collections, this one is also shirt-centred but also offers outerwear, jersey, knitwear, blazers, jeans and accessories for men, women and kids.

The new GANT x Le Mans capsule collection will be available globally in May. Other high-profile sportswear partnerships include SkiStar Swedish Open and Ericsson Open, with a limited tennis collection.

Lifestyle over fashion The GANT Diamond G collection is modern, tailor-made and shirt-centric. Featuring graphic prints and high-quality

GANT X 24 HR Le Mans poster illustraded by Jonas Bergstrand.

Bernard Gantmacher, founder of GANT.

fabrics, it brings fresh life to the business traveller’s wardrobe with pieces designed for ease and elegance at the office and when travelling – plus off-duty essentials. The SS17 collection draws inspiration from abstract expressionism, and in particular the work of Jackson Pollock and other action artists. The focus is on movement, with a selection of blazers, slacks, crews and shirts that draw on classic sportswear and more luxurious apparel.

With a rich legacy and history of being the best shirt maker in the world, GANT has never stopped reinventing and always kept quality at its core. For instance, the patented button tab from more than half a century ago has regained its rightful place alongside other characteristic fea-

tures such as locker loop, box pleat, perfect roll and back-collar button.

The combination of impeccable sense for style and business has proved to be a winning formula. According to Nilsson, GANT’s consumers prefer a classic style over short-lived trends. “The American lifestyle preppy look will never go out of fashion. There is an incredible strength in this concept, consumers can feel safe in that GANT will always stay relevant. On top of that, we have added a more European touch and sophistication with even better quality, materials and fit. Innovation and renewal help drive us forward.”

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

GANT Diamond G SS17.

GANT x Le Mans capsule collection.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 17

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

Dughult of Sweden – inspired by Grandma New fashion brand Dughult of Sweden creates classic, feminine garments that are long-lasting and of the best quality for everyday use and special occasions – all made in Sweden.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Dughult of Sweden

The story of Dughult of Sweden started long ago. Though the brand was set up only two years ago, it has been inspired by the old Dughult farm outside Gothenburg. Founder Linda Jöfelt talks about how her creativity is deeply rooted in childhood memories. “The Dughult farm is still owned by our family. When I grew up, I spent a lot of time there with my grandmother Karin. We used to sew for hours. It was such a creative place, I loved it!”

Carrying on the heritage of the farm and Grandmother Karin’s work as a seamstress in the local factory, Jöfelt has created a brand based on honesty and passion for true craftsmanship. Set up in 2015, Dughult of Sweden launched its first 18 | Issue 99 | April 2017

collection for autumn/winter 2016 with a range of timeless, classic garments for everyday use and special occasions.

The collection consists of beautiful coats, jackets, skirts and dresses, all made of long-lasting and high-quality materials, and elegantly accentuating the female silhouette. According to Jöfelt, especially the coats have been praised – made out of 100 per cent wool, they are extremely warm and of fantastic quality. The dresses, with their perfect, feminine fit, are also popular.

A feminine collection Dughult of Sweden attracts confident women who want to wear clothes of better quality and with a beautiful, feminine shape. The garments are inspired by nature, made of natural materials and come in a limited edition, supporting a more sustainable fashion sense. But they also look different from mainstream brands and have caused quite a stir, for instance at a pop-up shop in Gothenburg before Christmas. In addition to being featured in fashion magazines such as Femina, Dughult of Sweden has also received attention from abroad.

“We have close contact and dialogue with our makers, and we can support a sustainable society,” Jöfelt says of the decision to keep the production in Sweden.

“We are also proud of creating new jobs here.” With its vision and craftsmanship, Dughult of Sweden stands firmly with both feet on the ground. Grandmother Karin would have been proud.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

As tough as old boots Take two tablespoons of bold, colourful Californian beauty and mix with a couple of splashes of Scandinavian functionalism and endurance. What you get is a pair of Blankens shoes. Loved by urban fashionistas as well as small-town retirees, the brand is going from strength to strength.

By Pia Petersson | Photos: Blankens

It is a tale as old as the hills that the key behind a successful business idea is to identify that sought-after gap in the market. This is exactly how Blankens came about. “I felt that there was a gap in the Swedish footwear market, between expensive designer shoes and impersonal and poorly made mass-produced varieties. In addition, I found the design of many Swedish shoes quite cautious, and the production and origin of the shoes wasn’t always clear,” explains founder and CEO Cecilia Blankens.

The move from Sweden to Los Angeles four years ago spurred the writer and journalist to turn her dream of founding a shoe company into reality. “The move became an opportunity for reinvention.

Inspired and motivated by LA residents and their ‘everything is possible’ men-

regardless of whether they’re 20 or 60 years old,” says the CEO. When it comes down to it, it really is quite simple. “The basic idea is to save humanity from boring, bad or excessively expensive shoes,” she concludes.

tality, it finally settled the matter and so I launched my shoe baby there,” she says.

A commitment to longevity and sustainability is paramount for Blankens. The shoes are made to last and are created with the intention to be worn over many seasons, which is why the design also needs to incorporate a sense of timelessness. “We make good shoes produced by skilled European craftsmen in a sustainable manner, using sustainable materials,” Blankens explains.

Blankens’ vibrant and classic design expression appeals to a mixed group of shoe lovers. “Our clientele is extremely diverse, and that’s something we are very proud of. I want our customers to be able to wear all our different models,

Cecilia Blankens

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

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 19

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

The Olympia bikini in nectarine.

30 years of Swedish beach fashion Can you really launch a successful swimwear brand in the cold north? Sweden is not exactly famous for long, warm summers; in fact, the country has one of the shortest beach seasons in the world. Yet, Panos Emporio has been creating swimwear from its Gothenburg base for 30 years now. Scan Magazine spoke to founder Panos Papadopoulos to find out the secret behind the prosperity.

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Panos Emporio

Greek immigrant Panos Papadopoulos started Panos Emporio after he studied the significance of fashion in the ‘80s nightlife of Stockholm for his university thesis in behavioural studies. He then realised that he wanted to create his own fashion collection focused on the beach – an environment close to his heart.

“Holidays are important to people and crucial for our wellbeing. They are often planned very early, sometimes years in advance; they are among the most 20 | Issue 99 | April 2017

important moments in our lives,” says Papadopoulos, founder and CEO at Panos Emporio. “What if I could be a part of this, brighten people’s holidays and give them peace of mind and body?”

The first collection launched in 1987, and Papadopoulos is proud of his long history in the industry, even though he tends to forget as time goes by. An anniversary celebration and exhibition opening at Fotografiska in Stockholm gave him an opportunity to look back, and he admits

that it was very emotional to be reminded of the first collection and everything the company has achieved since.

Bright, romantic or earthy?

Anyone looking for the perfect outfit for beach 2017 can relax – there is a range of styles to be found in the Panos Emporio look book. The collection is based on three main themes: Escape, Sense and Soul Safari. The colour palette stretches from vibrant to pastels and earthy, and the textures come in everything from romantic crochet to a raw texture.

The men’s collection is focused on shorts that can be used beyond the beach. “Men often want to wear the same shorts for swimming and walking on the beach as well as on their way to the hotel or in their spare time. That’s

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

why we’ve created swimwear that looks like city shorts, with a quick-drying material and a carefully fitted inner pant,” says Papadopoulos.

The Meander shorts are inspired by football players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo, with legs that can be rolled up to avoid tan lines. The international press has been giving the shorts good publicity, with The Telegraph calling them “the best men’s swim shorts for summer” and El País dubbing them the “new trend in swimwear”.

Inspiration from around the world Papadopoulos travels a great deal for inspiration before creating new trend themes for upcoming collections, and he bases his process on sociological marketing. “I analyse thoughts, dreams and needs and try to adapt my design and collections so that when a garment launches onto the market, there is already a need for it. Most brands create a collection first and then a need through

campaigns and marketing, but I work the other way,” he says.

All the impressions from travelling get to mature before he creates the new themes, and a collection is often in progress for two years before hitting the market.

Creativity and respect The collections are created with equal parts creativity and respect for the client’s body and personality, to add something without taking over. The swimwear is popular among all ages, which is not always a given when it comes to fashion. Papadopoulos describes his style as warm and with a big heart, and the feedback from clients is often that the garments ‘speak to them’.

“It sounds weird, but in some sense the garments come alive,” he says. “The passion that the brand and I have had for 30 years is so strong that it follows the garments.”

Meander shorts are the perfect combination of city shorts and briefs.

Right now, a great deal of effort goes into the global expansion planned for the near future, but new items close to the core business will also be added. “It will be accessories for both beach and leisure time, but also products in wellness and wellbeing,” says the CEO. The brand is already making light summer perfumes to go with your holiday mood in the same spirit as the beach wear – without taking over the wearer’s personality entirely.

Finally, the million-dollar question: where does someone who has dedicated his life to swimwear and beach life go on holiday? “I always go to warm countries; I am not a winter person,” Papadopoulos says. “I often head to the Greek archipelago, but I also like Asia and I love the variation of staying a few days here and there. I love movement – I always want to see more.”

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

The Carrie bikini.

Fragrances by Panos Emporio.

Panos Papadopoulos and model Victoria Silvstedt.

The Zoe bikini.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 21

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

Ship ahoy!

– accessories inspired by life at sea The design company James Barts, which designs and produces the majority of its products in Stockholm, is devoted to unisex accessories inspired by life at sea. Add a marine touch to your style this spring.

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: James Barts

Perhaps it was no surprise that the Franzén brothers would launch a brand inspired by a nautical style, as they have had salt water running in their veins since childhood. “We come from a family that loves the archipelago, and we grew up at sea. It is something we are very passionate about and I more or less live in the Stockholm archipelago during the summer,” says Johannes Franzén, co-founder and CEO of James Barts.

is directly inspired by the marine world, with colours such as blue, red and white.

The nautical style is always popular in Scandinavia, particularly in spring ahead of the boating season.

The design process is highly collaborative – with feedback from employees and the family – and followed by a hands-on

phase of creating samples in a variety of colours. A 3D printer is used to help visualise clasps and details in the process. The materials are carefully selected from vendors and manufacturers in Hungary, Italy and Asia – but the production is based in the Scandinavian capital.

Franzén sums it all up by explaining that the collections up until now have been about trying new ideas, but SS17 is focused on the best so far. “It’s stylistically pure and clean. Nearly all of our accessories are unisex and could be worn by men and women alike,” he says.

Without previous experience from the design industry and accessories market, the idea came to him and his brother while on holiday. “It may sound like a cliché, but we were on an island in the Caribbean and saw a guy sitting down by the beach making nautical bracelets, and we started talking about how they would be a hit on our degree of latitude too,” he says.

Six months later, in 2014, the first bracelet, Deckhander, launched and with it the start of the James Barts story. The style 22 | Issue 99 | April 2017

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Top Swedish Fashion Brands

Shine like no other

By Pia Petersson and Therese Wallin | Photos: Sporrong

Heritage, tradition and pride. A product from Sporrong as part of an outfit signals that you have achieved with excellence.

One of the oldest companies in Sweden, Sporrong has, since its inception in 1666, enjoyed a reputation for excellence in design, quality and customer service. From its foundation and onwards, it has stayed faithful to its fundamental values and honoured its heritage of true craftsmanship. “Sporrong is today regarded as a premier supplier of high-quality metal accessories and other tailor-made items used for a wide range of occasions,” says CEO Michael Englund.

Sporrong has full control over the design, manufacture and delivery of its products. “We meet each client and assess what they’re after. Identifying the customer’s needs, we design and manufacture the product in our own factories,” says Englund.

All of Sporrong’s factories are located within the EU, as the company’s commitment to the environment makes it important to ensure a local production.

Sporrong’s wide range of clients is a testament to the company’s ability to make products adapted to the wishes and needs of each client. “As the main producer of metal products in the Nordic region, we have worked within many different industries.

For example, we produce the majority of military badges and other items specifically designed for the armed forces,” Englund explains. Sporrong has also produced awards and medals for sporting organisations and events as well as charities. “Our customised metal products help our customers to reinforce their brand identity and show appreciation for work done among employees.”

Thanks to Sporrong’s commitment to excellence, the products are highly sought after. Indeed, Sporrong is one of the main producers of items for the Swedish royal family. Workmanship of the highest standard is a key component of the success story of

Sporrong, which continues to grow and succeed beyond the Nordic region.

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

SAINT ANNA–SWEDEN

A Scandinavian Wild Camping Adventure

Scan Magazine | Eastern Norway’s Most Beautiful Hotel | Finnskogtoppen SPA & Velværehotell

Finnskogtoppen SPA & Velværehotell is located deep in the Norwegian forests, with relaxation and wellbeing in focus.

Peace and quiet in the forest Finnskogtoppen SPA & Velværehotell is located in the deep forests of Norway – 460 metres above sea level with splendid views of the surrounding nature. Relaxation and wellbeing are in focus here. This is a place where you can truly unwind and just be yourself: listen to the sound of the forest – and your body – for a tranquil experience far beyond the spa trend.

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Finnskogtoppen SPA & Velværehotell

“We are focusing on the forest and the peace and quiet,” says Therese Eriksson, hotel manager at Finnskogtoppen SPA & Velværehotell. “It is not a spa hotel in a glamorous sense. It is more a natural luxury and cosy atmosphere we are after; you should be able to feel like home here.”

The hotel is located a few hundred metres from the Norwegian-Swedish border in Grue Finnskog, 460 metres above sea level, right next to the small lake Røgden.

Eriksson describes the hotel as Norway’s best and perhaps only ‘hytte spa’. The 24 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Norwegian word ‘hytte’ means cabin and refers to a treasured part of Norwegian lifestyle firmly rooted in nature.

The interior reflects the surroundings and peaceful atmosphere and is classic rather than trendy. The surroundings offer perfect conditions for hiking, and many guests spend plenty of time exploring the forest. “Many visitors want to go hiking as they come here to get away from the big city pulse. This is something completely different. Here, you don’t have any shops or restaurants around the corner. Some would say that it’s nice to go

away just because there are no must-dos – no cleaning, no laundry and so on. You get an honest chance to truly unwind,” she says.

Veggie-focused all inclusive Clean, natural and healthy food is in focus here. Many other chefs and restaurants may start with meat or fish – and then add a few vegetarian dishes on the menu – but the restaurant at Finnskogtoppen SPA & Velværehotell works the other way around. By thinking of veggies first, the focus is on vegetarian food with some fish and meat dishes also available. To make it easy, the concept is based on a buffet for every meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner and complimentary coffee, tea and fruit.

“It’s a feeling of having everything served up and getting back to the natural and cosy environment where you can feel

Scan Magazine | Eastern Norway’s Most Beautiful Hotel | Finnskogtoppen SPA & Velværehotell

comfortable and just like home,” says Eriksson.

Wellness inspired by nature Many of the spa therapists have been working here for more than 20 years and are experts in creating new treatments and bringing in elements from the forest.

“We work with the scents of the forest and try to add a twist to bring the hotel philosophy into the treatments too. We want to put our own touch on everything,” says Eriksson.

The two most popular treatments are called Finnskogtoppen Exklusiv and Skogens ro, which translates into ‘the peace of the forest’. The spa also offers

aqua aerobics, yoga and other forms of exercise. “We have guests who want to kick-start their training as well as those who feel it has been too much for them lately and need to recharge,” says the hotel manager.

There are plenty of reasons to come here, and guests include couples, friends and mother-and-daughter duos as well as people travelling alone. “We have guests who come to stay for a week and walk around in their dressing gown the whole time. They enjoy a cup of tea in front of the fireplace with a view of the lake and the sunrise. That’s the feeling we want to capture. You shouldn’t have to get up and get ready – you can just be who you are,”

says Eriksson. “There’s a wide range of opportunities, but you don’t have to do anything at all. You can just do whatever you feel like in the moment.”

Finnskogtoppen SPA & Velværehotell What? Spa hotel with 36 rooms.

Where? Grue Finnskog, Norway.

Location? 460 metres above sea level.

Good to know? Built in 1991, renovated 2013-2017.

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

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 25

Scan Magazine | Features |

Tørvis Hotell

The roots of Tørvis Hotell in Marifjøra, Luster, can be traced back to 1639.

Historical hotel with the fjords on its doorstep With a longstanding history dating all the way back to 1639, Tørvis Hotell in Luster, Sogn og Fjordane, has got both the Norwegian fjords and glaciers on its doorstep, making its location a popular destination for adventurers, hikers and families.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Ane Øvrebø

Situated within the old market town of Marifjøra, the hotel’s vibe fits perfectly with its historic location; the reception of the main house dates back to 1750 and the décor, though modernised, reflects the history and relevance of the building.

Directly in front of the hotel is the gorgeous Lustrafjorden in full view, known for its turquoise colour with a green tint from the glacier, and Jostedalen Glacier National Park is a mere 30-minute drive away. Excellent for the outdoor enthusiast, Tørvis caters for kayakers, hikers, fishers and museum-goers alike.

26 | Issue 99 | April 2017

“We have about 60 per cent Norwegian and 40 per cent international guests,” says Katrin Bunte, operations manager of Pure Hotels, a hotel franchise system of which Tørvis Hotell is now a member.

“The reason people choose to come here is because of the great food and ambience – we are located right by the fjord and only a short drive from the glacier.”

Bunte explains that there are rigid inflatable boat (RIB) safaris, bicycle hires and kayaks nearby, and the closest town of Gaupne is only four kilometres away. “We are also on the doorstep of Sognefjellet,

which is a beautiful drive through the mountain and perfect for hikes,” she says. Additionally, there is the option of booking a guided glacier tour to Jostedal and Nigardsbreen glacier, followed by a kayaking or canoe ride.

Environmentally friendly The food served on-site is predominantly fresh, local and sustainable, which is something they are passionate about at Tørvis. “We try to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible, which means using as much local ingredients as we can,” says Bunte.

The menu consists of Norwegian and international food that will be served in the à la carte restaurant, open daily from 6pm (with the kitchen taking food orders up until 8pm). A popular spot for a party,

Scan Magazine | Western Norway’s Most Beautiful Hotel |

the hotel is frequently used as a wedding venue throughout the season and for businesses and organisations in need of a meeting room.

There are also 28 recently refurbished double bedrooms at Tørvis, with either the option of double or twin beds. For those wanting to relax at the hotel, or on a rainy day, there is a library and a comfortable piano lounge. Despite its location near the country’s shortest highway, there is no traffic in the village of the hotel, which makes for a peaceful experience away from city life.

of visiting the chocolate factory and café, situated just across the road from the hotel in what used to be Marifjøra’s old convenience store, renovated with historical details. Visit Marifjøra Café and taste their homemade Marifjøra chocolate, or bring a sweet souvenir from Marifjøra to your loved ones.

Discover the history

“Our hotel offers the discerning traveller a distinct atmosphere and an authentic culinary experience,” says Bunte. “The original guesthouse dates back to 1689, and the 28 tastefully furnished guestrooms have recently been refurbished.

More recently, a modern and lofty board and conference room has been built.”

For the cultured looking to explore local history rather than climbing mountains or glaciers, or those needing a quick break from the activities, the Urnes Stave Church, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is only a short drive and brief ferry ride away from the hotel.

As if the fjords, glaciers and museums were not enough – Marifjøra is also situated in one of Norway’s wealthiest municipalities, Luster, which holds its wealth due to the numerous power plants that transform water into electrical power.

Alternatively, the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland is located an hour’s drive away. There is also the possibility

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

Tørvis Hotell

Things to do nearby - Visit Urnes Stave Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, Urnes is an outstanding example of traditional Scandinavian wooden architecture.

- Go to the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland, a one-hour drive from the hotel.

- Take a glacier walk on Nigardsbreen.

- Try a kayak trip on the Sognefjord.

- Enjoy fishing in Skjolden.

- Go hiking up Molden.

How to get there From Bergen Catch one of the daily buses by Norway Bussekspress, a boat by Fjord1 or a flight with Widerøe to Sogndal Airport (Haukåsen).

From Oslo Catch one of the daily buses by Norway or Nettbuss, or fly to Sogndal Airport (Haukåsen) with Widerøe.

Top left: Located by the glaciers and fjords, the hotel is also a popular destination for tourists wanting to explore the Norwegian nature. Middle:The hotel also features as a meeting room for businesses to hire. Top right: The hotel café features historical details from the local area. Left: There are 28 double bedrooms at Tørvis, with the option of either twin or double beds. Right: Guests can enjoy a local beer or two in the piano lounge.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 27

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature |

Ravelinen

Homecooked Danish food in cosy surroundings since 1942 Restaurant Ravelinen was originally part of an old fortification that surrounded Copenhagen, but from 1915 it was no longer needed. In 1942, Restaurant Ravelinen opened its doors. Here you will get delicious food made with Danish ingredients in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere in Christianshavn – one of Copenhagen’s most unique neighbourhoods.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Restaurant Ravelinen

When Amagerport Ravelinen was built in 1728, no one could have predicted that it would turn into a popular restaurant 214 years later. It was built as a military guardroom of sorts to defend Copenhagen’s city gate in case of war, and in times of peace it ensured that the correct taxes were paid when the farmers sold their vegetables in the city.

28 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Since the restaurant’s opening in 1942, it has been a place for the people.

“Ravelinen has always been a place for everyone, and we want it to continue to be that way. The atmosphere is relaxed and cosy, the location is beautiful, the food is made with love and passion, and our prices are fair,” says Preben Brink, who has owned Ravelinen since 1994.

Restaurant Ravelinen is located in the neighbourhood of Christianshavn and has a big garden right at the waterfront with a view over the old rampart. Both the building and its surroundings are protected. Surrounding the garden are two gazebos for the guests to sit indoors when the elements get too Danish and, when the weather allows, they can sit outside in the beautiful garden.

Danish ingredients Ravelinen mostly uses Danish ingredients according to season. “It will never be okay to serve frozen peas with a wiener schnitzel – or any other dish for that matter – just because peas are not

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature |

in season and you cannot get fresh ones.

Then you have to use something else.

Our sides always follow the seasons.

When peas are in season we serve peas, when asparagus is in season we serve asparagus, and when celery is in season we serve that,” says Brink.

Last year, Brink decided to change the entire kitchen staff to set new standards for how good the food could be.

“We needed some changes if we were to raise our standards even further. I believe in putting together a kitchen team that works very well together instead of a chef who decides everything. I think we are giving our guests a much better experience now,” says Brink. “All the ingredients are carefully selected and we only use the best. It is everything from buying our butter with sea salt from the small dairy farm to getting the meat for our wiener schnitzel specifically made for

us, buying the herring from Bornholm, using hand-peeled shrimps and serving meat from animals who spent their lives outside.”

The best restaurant of its kind Among others, the team consists of Jacob Hundsted and Mikkel Marschall – both of whom are constantly improving Ravelinen and making it an even better restaurant. “The restaurant has always been an advocate for Danish food, which we all know and love. But that is the only similarity with how the restaurant used to be. We want to be the best restaurant in the country that cooks Danish food – nothing less,” says Brink. “There is a thoroughness that has not been seen before, and a focus on Danish ingredients that has not been seen in the classic Danish kitchen before. We make all the traditional Danish dishes even better than you can imagine.”

Ravelinen

Two of the most popular dishes are the wiener schnitzel and the ‘fiskefilet’ – a flounder breaded in flour that gives it a fantastic crust. Alongside the amazing Danish food, the atmosphere is relaxed and cosy, with prices everyone can afford.

“Ravelinen is a place where you can enjoy a traditional Danish lunch with beer and schnapps but without fancy clothes. You can just come as you are and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and food cooked with love and passion,” says Brink.

Restaurant Ravelinen opened in 1942, and Preben Brink has owned the restaurant since 1994. The restaurant can seat 350 guests and is open every day from 24 March to 31 December.

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

‘Fiskefilet’ (breaded flounder) with shrimps.

Strawberries with cream – a traditional Danish summer dessert.

Rhubarb tart with vanilla ice cream.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 29

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Shelter

Bringing food and drink lovers together under one roof Shelter is a new and stylish restaurant located in an old warehouse in Helsinki’s Katajanokka harbour. The menu consists of modern Nordic dishes, and the staff are passionate about providing excellent customer service and working together while serving great food and drink, as well as shelter, to guests.

whole crew,” says co-owner Mia Stjerna.

“We also have a selection of alternating craft beers, organic juices, homemade lemonade and locally roasted coffee.”

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Johanna Taskinen

Laurell concludes: “We want to provide diners with a place where they can sit back and enjoy great food and drink in good company.”

Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5pm, Shelter is quickly becoming a favourite place to go among locals in Helsinki’s Katajanokka, a few hundred metres from the main Senate Square. From reindeer to vegetarian dishes, the emphasis at Shelter is on offering locally produced ingredients where possible.

The restaurant’s speciality is the three or five-course surprise menu that changes every few weeks and offers the best seasonal produce. “I’d describe our menu as modern Nordic cuisine with influences from all over the world, served with a relaxed vibe,” says Teemu Laurell, co-owner and head chef at Shelter. The restaurant’s trendy and cosy interior adds to the relaxed feel, with diners enjoying beautiful views of the Finnish archipelago a few steps away.

30 | Issue 99 | April 2017

“We get ideas for our menu from our travels around the world, and we always try to incorporate some of the things we’ve seen in our food. At Shelter, we believe in handicraft, sincere customer service and teamwork. Everyone is involved in the fine-tuning of our menus, and we discuss different options and ideas weekly with the whole team,” says Laurell.

Shelter also puts a great deal of effort into their drinks selection, offering a variety of world wines and craft beers. There are also carefully selected wine pairings, designed to complement the flavours of various dishes. “Our drinks are characterised by handicraft and personality, and they range from classics to new encounters we import ourselves. Like everything else we do, all items on our drinks list are picked together with the

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

February means romance. And so does JarlsbergÂŽ!

Treat your special someone to a home cooked meal.

Breakfast in bed, a romantic lunch or an intimate dinner.

Keep the meal simple and add the special ingredients - love and JarlsbergÂŽ.

www.jarlsberg.com

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Roland Møller

Roland Møller – rejecting the villain From time in one of Denmark’s most notorious prisons, to a leading role in an Oscarnominated film, Roland Møller has been on quite a journey. But, as the Danish actor tells Scan Magazine, the journey is far from over. With three big releases due out this year, he is looking to turn his back on the bad guy persona and broaden his repertoire.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Nikolaj Møller

“I don’t like to call myself an actor. I don’t act – I project feelings; I’m a storyteller on screen,” says Roland Møller. “I try not to be in my head, I just feel the scene and act from my gut, follow my heart. That’s when I really nail a scene.”

Of course he is an actor, at least in the sense of playing a major role in an Oscar-nominated film, but it is fair to say that he is far from the traditional type.

Not only does he lack entirely in formal training and qualifications, but he has also spent four and a half years in one of Denmark’s most notorious prisons.

“I was never really a bad guy,” he says.

“I was acting in a criminal environment.

I didn’t really like it but I needed action and got bored quickly, so when people challenged me to a fight I wouldn’t step down. With this position in the criminal underworld I acted like I was crazy and could explode at any time, but in real life I’m actually quite a nice guy.”

Back to Horsens State Prison That he found his way into the world of film was somewhat of a coincidence.

After writing extensively while in prison, mostly as self-therapy and initially with the plan to make a book out of it, Møller 32 | Issue 99 | April 2017

was contacted by Tobias Lindholm who had heard about the writing. “He told me he was making a film and wanted to read my notes, and then eventually he contacted me for help with developing the script,” says the Dane. “Then Horsens State Prison, the old prison I’d served time in, was emptied and became available – this place that would cost millions to build, with doors full of history – and then we bounced ideas off each other, got funding and help with casting and so on.” The now famous Pilou Asbæk got on board and Møller coached him in how to talk and walk and move as a villain.

“Then Tobias wanted me to play a part, I said ‘no way, gangsters don’t go out in the spotlight!’, but I thought maybe the girls would like me if I had a small part – that was my motivation.”

What he thought would be a small part turned out to be not so small in the finished cut of the film R, which earned him nominations for Supporting Actor at the Bodil Awards and the Danish Film Critics Association Awards. He went on to star in Lindholm’s next film, A Hijacking, as well as R co-director Michael Noer’s 2013 Northwest, and for the latter he finally won his first Bodil Award for Best

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Roland Møller

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 33

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Roland Møller

Actor in a Supporting Role. “It was when I won my first prize that I really thought that maybe there’s something I’m good at here,” says Møller. “I’d never dreamed of being an actor – as a kid I wanted to be a fireman!”

His first leading role also won him his first Bodil Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and a sniff at an Oscar.

Martin Zandvliet’s Land of Mine was nominated in the Foreign Language Film category for the 89th Academy Awards and lost out to The Salesman, but Møller was thrilled that the film was picked up.

“I didn’t see it coming at all, but I’m very happy for Martin. He really fought for Land of Mine. Photo: Christian Geisnæs

me. Investors and others were like, ‘why not Mads Mikkelsen or Nikolaj CosterWaldau?’, but I was his obvious choice – and with that in mind I’m very happy,” says the actor.

The film is a Danish-German historical drama telling the story of the aftermath of the surrender of Germany in May 1945, when prisoners of war were sent to clear two million mines in Denmark with nearly half of the 2,000 soldiers losing their lives or limbs. Møller plays the Danish sergeant Carl Leopold Rasmussen who oversees the dangerous work of the young Germans, whom he is determined to treat coldly and without an ounce of

sympathy. Møller thinks that one of the film’s strengths is its universal themes – a small story in a small country that is relatable globally.

“We may have issues with our neighbours, but when you sit down and talk to them and you look your enemy in the eye, you learn that you have more in common than that which divides you. Why do we fight?” he says. “Many films portray the bad guys as bad and the good guys as good, but it’s never really like that – we’ve all got demons we fight with. Rasmussen really works with that; there’s a scene where he kind of sees the light, and from that moment on he slowly tries to change to become better. I loved working with a character like that. A lot of us have walked in the darkness and we reach for the light. I was walking in the darkness once.”

Years of saying ‘no’ Does he feel he was put in a box because of it? “I definitely was, but I don’t blame them. I’m not an educated actor and they could only see me playing the villain who’s bad through and through,” he says plainly. “It’s been a long struggle from that first prison movie I did – I had years after that of only being offered roles as a hooligan, a gangster, some racist, and I just had to keep saying no. I had no money, so it was a hard time in my life, my but it’s during the hard times in your life that you learn about your strengths and weaknesses. Looking back, that made me stronger.”

Land of Mine. Photo: Framegrab, Nordisk Film

Land of Mine. Photo: Camilla Hjelm

34 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Moreover, it seems to have worked. This year alone, Møller will be seen in three very different roles. He will be starring in Atomic Blonde with Charlize Theron and James McAvoy, in The Commuter alongside Liam Neeson, and in the remake of Papillon, directed by Michael Noer. “I get a lot of scripts from Hollywood at this stage,” he says, but refuses to jinx 2017 as the year his career goes to the next level. “I’m just about to start a French film where I play a lead role, a prison guy but a very different kind of prison guy, and I’m currently reading a script about a dad with two kids, a family drama. All that turning villain jobs down is starting to pay off.”

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Roland Møller

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 35

DE E I em GU UR Th E l T ULT cia E e Sp PL H C M IS CO AN A D TO e:

Nyhavn. Photo: Kim Wyon

Have a ‘hygge’ holiday – minimalist design, happy people, good food and cycling The quality of life in Denmark is exceptional. The nation is regularly ranked as one of the world’s happiest, and Copenhagen has more than once been named the best city in the world to live in. Danes are experts in design, ‘hygge’, riding bicycles and, not least, world-class culture.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Visit Denmark

The country might be small in size and population, but the culture in Denmark is rich. The concept of ‘hygge’ was one of 2016’s most joyous trends, which has continued into 2017. Now everyone knows of the small country up north, and Americans no longer think of it as Sweden’s capital, nor that the Dutch and the Danes are one and the same. Hygge is the culture of cosiness, and the Danes master it like no other nation. Perhaps they in36 | Issue 99 | April 2017

vented the concept of hygge not to get depressed during the long, cold and dark winter months. Whatever caused them to be experts in cosiness, there is no doubt that everyone can learn something from Danish culture.

More than hygge Hygge may be what has put Denmark on the map, but the country has so much more to offer. It has a long and interesting

history. Non-Danes probably know about the Danish Vikings, but did you know that Denmark has some stunning castles that will make you want to explore the royal history of Denmark? Just 40 minutes away from vibrant Copenhagen, you will find Frederiksborg Castle, a beautiful castle in Hillerød – a historic and exciting city. Frederiksborg Castle is a lovely getaway from all the hustle and bustle.

The surroundings are peaceful and picturesque and the perfect place to bring a picnic basket, relax and soak up as much history as you can. While you are in Hillerød, why not visit one of Denmark’s largest forests, Gribskov, or go explore the par force hunting landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage list?

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Frederiksborg Castle.

Photo: Kim Wyon

Photo: Nicolai Perjesi

Costa Favolosa in Aarhus. Photo: Dennis Borup Jakobsen.

A great thing about Denmark is its small size. Indeed, this means that you can see a great deal of the country in just one holiday. A visit to Copenhagen is a must; the city is filled with beauty, history and style. But you may also want to pay a visit to Aarhus, one of two European Capitals of Culture this year. Aarhus – nicknamed Denmark’s City of Smiles – has prepared for the event for a long time, and its citizens will be delighted to welcome you to their city. It has an exciting art scene and is near several good beaches that are easily reached to by bike. You are, after all, in the country of cycling, so wherever you go you should hop on that bike.

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

Photo: Niclas Jessen

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 37

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Visit the world’s largest 3D atlas If you want to give your children a different experience, take them to the World Map

by Lake Klejtrup in Denmark. Søren Poulsen started creating the World Map in 1943, and the place has been a success ever since.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Verdenskortet

“The World Map is a journey around the world. It is fun and historic, and kids love to come here,” says Søren Cassøe, heir of the World Map. The World Map dates back to 1888, when Søren Poulsen was born on the farm

by Lake Klejtrup. In 1908, he moved to the States and worked as carpenter until 1929 when his parents died and he had to take over the family farm. Poulsen built a small marina but, in 1943, it was decided that the water height should be lowered and Poulsen’s marina had to go.

Stone shaped like Denmark “The legend has it that Poulsen was so angry about it that he went and kicked the dirt

by the marina. As he hit a stone that was shaped exactly like Denmark, the idea for the World Map came to him,” says Cassøe.

Poulsen got to work with shovels and a wheelbarrow and worked on the World Map until his death in 1969. “He was a very persistent man who didn’t give up,” Cassøe explains. “People thought he was nuts for doing this, but he didn’t care. He just went off and did his thing.”

In addition to the World Map, there is also a big park, a labyrinth, animals, mini golf, a café and a restaurant.

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

Søren Poulsen and his dogs.

Explore Denmark’s maritime heritage Det Gamle Værft is a museum dedicated to keeping the maritime heritage in Denmark alive and informing people about its importance. The museum is fun, interesting and educational.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Det Gamle Værft

Located in Denmark’s most well-preserved medieval town, Ærøskøbing on Ærø, Det Gamle Værft (‘the old shipyard’) could not ask for more fantastic surroundings to showcase this fascinating aspect of Denmark’s past.

“It is important that we preserve this heritage. It tells us about our history and where we come from, and we must know that to know where we are going. If we do not know where we started, how can we know where to go next?” says Christian Albertsen, general manager at Det Gamle Værft. “I am sure almost every Dane has someone in their family who either was a sailor or worked in the maritime industry. It is such an important part of Danish history.”

38 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Interactive museum Det Gamle Værft is not like other museums; it encourages its visitors to create when they are there. “For instance, children can make robes, keyrings and jewellery, and they get to take everything home. We are keen to get the visitors to participate in activities and do

things, which also means that people can easily spend upwards of four hours at the museum,” says Albertsen.

The maritime museum is a social enterprise, which means it must use its profit to create workplaces for vulnerable people or find solutions to challenges such as environmental and health issues.

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

While you visit Det Gamle Værft, you may also want to explore Ærøskøbing – a well-preserved medieval town.

The museum encourages you to use your hands during your visit.

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Top left: Tired of walking? Then go for a train ride and give the feet a rest. Left: View from the boat lake. Below: Madsbyparken also has a gym you can use during your stay.

Multifaceted culture for the whole family Want a different and active family holiday this year? Then Madsbyparken could be the place for you. Culture, the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ and plenty of activities are among what you and your family will experience when visiting the pleasure park in Fredericia in the heart of Denmark.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Madsbyparken

Most holiday and pleasure parks are fun for kids while, as a parent, you probably find yourself bored once or twice.

Madsbyparken is different. “Madsbyparken is for the whole family and not just the kids,” says Kim Ekstrøm, deputy director of the pleasure park. “There are activities that will suit kids, teenagers, parents and grandparents alike. In Madsbyparken, it is all about spending time with your family and experiencing the Danish concept of ‘hygge’.”

The 80-hectare park has close to 1.5 million visitors annually: citizens, locals and regional visitors and tourists from Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands. Madsbyparken offers accommodation at either the four-star Best Western Fredericia hotel or the local five-star Danhostel.

“The park being located in the heart of Denmark means that you are close to a variety of things. LEGOLAND is only 40 minutes away; Aarhus an hour. The Viking Centres in Ribe and Jelling are 40 minutes away and getting to Odense takes half an hour. You can easily stay in the park for four days and then take day trips without having to spend half a day getting there,” says Ekstrøm.

animals in their enclosures, row a boat, go for a ride on the Madsby Train, explore the local history in the historic mini town, enjoy the many free events at Legeparken, or simply enjoy the nature and a cup of coffee.

“The park is a place for the active family, for people who like to spend time in nature and for anyone who is interested in local Danish culture,” says Ekstrøm.

“Learn about the local history, do all kinds of sports, experience the Danish ‘hygge’ concept up close, and so much more.”

A park for active people Not that you would need to leave – there are enough activities in Madsbyparken to keep everyone happy and busy for days.

You can use all the facilities at the FIC/ Sports centre, such as a fitness centre and swimming facilities including a smaller tropical area; play mini golf, go bowling, go for a run, bring your bike and go mountain biking, say hi to all the farm

For more information, please visit: www.visitlillebaelt.com and search for Madsby Activity Park.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 39

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Kings and Vikings in Roskilde Roskilde, situated just 30 kilometres from Copenhagen, is a city rich in history, with everyone from the Vikings to the current Danish monarch having had an influence on the city. A visit to Roskilde’s Viking Ship Museum and Roskilde Cathedral will make a thousand years of Danish history come to life in an engaging, exciting and exhilarating way.

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Jan Friis

The Vikings are infamous for their fighting and pillaging, but most importantly their seafaring skills. Their longships allowed them to explore the world, including discovering Canada and invading the British Isles. The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde is a treasure trove of Vikings ships, where the Vikings’ relationship to the sea and their ships is still being explored.

An amazing find in Roskilde Fjord It had long been known amongst local fisherman that there were sunken Viking 40 | Issue 99 | April 2017

ships at the entrance to Roskilde Fjord.

In 1962, these ships were excavated and brought back to the surface. “The five ships were incredibly exciting as they represented a wide range of uses.

There’s everything from warships to merchant’s ships, so it was an incredible insight into Viking ships,” explains Rikke Johansen, the team leader for communication, marketing and sales at the Viking Ship Museum.

Finding five ships in close vicinity to each other might seem like pure luck, but it is

believed that the Viking ships were deliberately put there around 1070 to help defend the city of Roskilde. “By blocking off the entrance to the fjord, they effectively stopped anyone from getting too near the city,” says Johansen. The Viking ships were preserved in the mud before they saw sunlight again in 1962.

The Viking Ship Museum The museum was built to accommodate and enhance the five original ships.

Despite being nearly 1,000 years old, the ships are incredibly well preserved.

Their original shape is shown by a metal frame, on which the original wood hangs to give a clear representation of what the ship would have looked like.

“The ships are exhibited in such a way that they look like black silhouettes with the fjord acting as a vivid background,” says Johansen.

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It is easy to imagine how magnificent and imposing these ships must have looked on the horizon. It is even easier to imagine when you step out from the main museum building and see perfect replicas at the museum’s dock. “Each of the original ships has inspired a replica, which has been carefully built using traditional methods and tools,” explains Johansen.

“It has meant that historians have developed a much clearer idea of how the Vikings built their ships, and it’s really something that brings history to life.”

Sail like a Viking The museum is an interactive space with numerous videos, talks and exhibitions that explain the daily life, both on land and on sea, of the Vikings. From 1 May

to 30 September it is also possible to sail on one of the replica ships, where everyone on board is involved in the sailing, whether by pulling an ore or by hoisting the sails. It is the only place in the world where you can go from seeing an original Viking ship to then sailing on an exact replica of the same ship, giving a total experience of what it was like to be a seafaring Viking.

“The museum is a tribute both to the Vikings and to the modern-day historians and archaeologists who are trying to decipher this Viking world. The museum and the five original ships have paved the way for a new form of exploration and investigation into history, in which reconstruction and sailing is at the heart

of discovery.” The museum is the perfect place to discover more about these infamous Danes.

Roskilde Cathedral Situated a short ten-minute walk from the Viking Ship Museum is Roskilde Cathedral, an impressive brick building that is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to legend, Harald Bluetooth, the Viking king who christened the Danes and the namesake for the technology, was buried here in a wooden church around 988. In 1070, this church gave way to a cathedral built in limestone, at the same time as the Viking ships were being sunk into the fjord, making Roskilde a significant medieval centre of power and Christianity.

Photo: Roberto Fortuna

The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.

Photo: Vikingeskibsmuseet

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 41

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This position was further highlighted when bishop Absalon built the current Roskilde Cathedral around 1170 – a huge undertaking at the time, with 2.5 million bricks being formed, burned and stacked to form a significant landmark. Today, the cathedral is still of great importance as it is the Royal Burial Church of Denmark, while also playing an important role in the city.

“The cathedral is really exciting because it’s a building that’s continuously developed over the last 800 years to reflect the changing architecture of Europe,” explains David Høyer, the heritage and visitor manager at Roskilde Cathedral.

“Every Danish monarch since Christian III, who died in 1559, has been buried at Roskilde Cathedral. Some of them have their own burial chapel, which reflects the architecture and style of the time.”

Moving mother Roskilde Cathedral is built in the Gothic style that became popular in France in the 12th century, and it is likely that

The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.

Photo: Vikingeskibsmuseet

42 | Issue 99 | April 2017

it was the first gothic building outside of France. “The construction of Roskilde Cathedral had a profound influence on the spread of bricks as a building material throughout northern Europe,” says Høyer.

The cathedral has also had great social influence. Queen Margaret I (1353-1412) united the three Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden under Danish rule just before her death.

However, her foster son Erik struggled to keep the three countries together; he therefore moved his mother’s body from the small church she was buried in to Roskilde Cathedral, so that people could visit the uniting monarch’s grave.

Monarchical changes It was the burial of Margaret I that sparked the tradition of burying the Danish monarchs in Roskilde Cathedral.

Some Viking Age royals, such as Harald Bluetooth and Sweyn II Estridsen, known as ‘the last Viking king’, are also buried in the cathedral.

Queen Margrethe II, the present Danish monarch, is currently working on her final resting place, which is scheduled for completion in 2017. “Although it may seem very strange to plan your own burial and funeral, it’s incredibly important for the continuation of the monarchy. It’s a symbol of one monarch passing on the responsibility to the next monarch,” explains Høyer.

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The different monarchs have left their own impression on the cathedral, and there are many nooks and crannies to discover in the cathedral. A guide can help you to uncover everything the cathedral has to offer, or alternatively you can use the 50-page guidebook and explore the many details of the cathedral yourself.

UNESCO World Heritage site Roskilde Cathedral became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995 because of its splendid architecture and significant architectural influence on northern Europe.

It is one of few buildings that show how European architecture has changed over a thousand-year period.

Although the current cathedral was started in 1170, it was only completed a hundred years later. “The cathedral is constantly changing. It doesn’t look unfinished, but with every new monarch the cathedral is likely to change in some way,” says Høyer. It is a building full of life, where history seeps from the walls and where the grandeur and humility of the building mix to create a unique atmosphere.

Become part of history Roskilde is a city in which you can become part of and experience the significance of history. Both the Viking Ship Museum and Roskilde Cathedral offer exceptional perspectives into the dayto-day life of Roskilde’s and Denmark’s citizens over the past 1,000 years, with fantastic stories, interactive displays and a deep sense of history in the making.

Give yourself the time to explore this beautiful city and everything it has to offer. Sail out into the fjord and experience the Viking way of life or step across the threshold of the cathedral that is home to 39 kings and queens. Nowhere else will you get as comprehensive an insight into the story of the Danes as you will in Roskilde.

For more information, please visit: www.vikingshipmuseum.dk and www.roskildedomkirke.dk

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 43

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Guldagergaard, one of the world’s leading centres within ceramic research and training, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer.

Twenty years with the world’s leading ceramic talents This summer, Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Founded with the ambition to create an internationally leading powerhouse within ceramics, the centre attracts and develops some of the world’s leading ceramicists. But Guldagergaard, which is tucked away in a historic farmhouse in Skælskør, is a not just global but also local powerhouse that is cherished and supported by its local community.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Guldagergaard

Guldagergaard, visited by 200 of the world’s most talented ceramic artists each year, has maintained the reputation for excellence that was embedded in its institution by its founders, six female ceramists. Director Mette Blum Marcher explains: “Normally, in Denmark, we like all culture to be accessible for everyone, 44 | Issue 99 | April 2017

so in saying that this was an offer only for the international elite, our founders really went against the general conception of what a provincial art institution was supposed to be. But we’ve maintained that focus and still only attract the best of the best from all over the world. As practising ceramics who exhibited all over the

world, our founders were very conscious of the importance of having an international network.”

One thing the founders did not expect, however, was the great support and influence the centre would get from the local community. “It’s really amazing how local residents have embraced us.

At our last exhibition, for instance, for the opening night, we had around 400 visitors – I don’t think there are many galleries even in the bigger cities that can boast with that,” Marcher enthuses.

The day of the 20th anniversary, 8 July, will be celebrated with a festive event

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with food and entertainment in the sculpture garden. The evening will culminate in a large fire sculpture, which will be revealed through a performance by the Russian-born artist Sergei Isupov, assisted by Andres Allik. As a new sculpture has been created for the centre’s surrounding sculpture park each year since its foundation, the sculpture will be the 20th of its kind. The day also sees the opening of seven special exhibitions throughout Skælskør.

World-class facilities Guldagergaard has about 16 artists in residence every month. 80 per cent come from abroad and many go on to gain great influence in the art world.

For instance, last year’s Collect art fair at the Saatchi gallery, which exhibited art within all media, featured five artists who had been to Guldagergaard. “When it comes to ceramics, we are one of the eight leading centres in the world. Our artists in residence come here to find peace and time for immersion, but also because we have facilities that can’t be found anywhere else,” explains Marcher.

Most artists end their stay with a public exhibition at the centre, and many also

contribute to the centre’s permanent studio collection, which is the biggest in northern Europe with more than 1,000 pieces.

Two and a half hours from London One of the perhaps surprising features of Guldagergaard is its location, which is, at least in Danish terms, out of proximity to the country’s bigger cultural hubs. However, this has never been a problem in attracting international talent. For many of the international artists, who come from larger countries such as China and the US, Skælskør is not at all far away from anything. Located just about a 75-minute drive from Copenhagen Airport, many actually find it a convenient location to explore more of Europe. “One of the great things about being an international centre in a local setting is that you meet people who see Skælskør not as being at the outskirts of Denmark but as being just two and a half hours from London,” says Marcher.

For more information on the centre and the anniversary exhibitions, please visit: www.ceramic.dk or www.facebook.com/guldagergaard

Guldagergaard facts: - On 8 July 2017, Guldagergaard celebrates its 20th anniversary.

- Guldagergaard is a non-profit institution with state funding from the Danish Ministry of Culture and the municipality of Slagelse.

- Artists pay for their own stay at the centre.

- The centre’s ceramic facilities comprise a 720-square-metre studio building with gas kilns, electric kilns and wood fired kilns as well as glaze, plaster and mould-making workshop, slip-casting room, auditorium, library for research, photo equipment, 3D print workshop, silk screen print workshop and wood workshop.

- Resident artists can apply to exhibit in Guldagergaard’s gallery.

- Admission to exhibitions are free, as is admission to the centre’s beautiful surrounding sculptural park, which is open all year round.

- Guldagergaard also offers a string of workshops and university programmes.

The centre is located in the town of Skælskør, an hour’s drive from Copenhagen.

Top left: Guldagergaard’s anniversary will be celebrated within the centre’s beautiful surrounding sculptural park on 8 July 2017. Left: Guldagergaard attracts some of the world’s leading ceramic artists, who live and work at the centre for a month at a time. Right: Guldagergaard is headed up by director Mette Blum Marcher.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 45

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Complete Guide to Danish Culture

Photo: Gunni Grahn

Photo: Gunni Grahn

Photo: Tomasz Brodzikowski

Brave knights and family days Copenhagen Medieval Market takes you back from the fifth to the 15th century, when knights and Vikings did battle and mead was something you drank. It is a day out for the whole family, all historically accurate.

Grail? The explanation is that what people lacked in computer power in the fifth to the 15th century, they made up for in sharing traditions.

By Thomas Bech Hansen

At Whitsun this year, in Valbyparken in Copenhagen, a time machine will take you 1,000 years back in time – to the Middle Ages when knights battled, Vikings drank mead and maid servants cooked nettle soup. From 2 to 5 June, the 11th instalment of Copenhagen Medieval Market lets you experience it all first-hand. Consider it a fun day out, which conveniently serves as a thrilling history lesson as well.

or listen to minstrels playing medieval music, it is all as it were back then.

“We care a lot about the educational part,” says Dennis Fuller Møller, Copenhagen Medieval Market’s event manager. This means that when visitors look over craftsmen’s shoulders as they create armoury,

But how can we be entirely sure that this is exactly how it was done in the Middle Ages and not just a copy of Hollywood blockbuster A Knight’s Tale or, at a comical stretch, Monty Python and the Holy

46 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Historically correct “It is important that everything is historically correct. So the work you see craftsmen doing is based on the skills and techniques used thousands of years ago.

Everything is accurate, from tents to pottery,” explains Fuller Møller.

“A lot of the old recipes and methods used to be handed down through generations by word of mouth. Nowadays, of course, we write everything down. But really, we are fortunate that people back in those days cared about passing knowledge on to the next generation,” says Fuller Møller.

Role-play and re-enactments Knights ready to fight, fearsome Vikings, the sound of leather drums and flutes and the smell of roast suckling pig and fresh fish on skewers – this is the setting and atmosphere at Copenhagen Medieval Market. The real pull of the event, however, are the exciting fight shows, which

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are re-enactments of how knights and Vikings battled. They ride horses, wear armoury, carry weapons and get stuck in.

many different stalls and shows as well as produce available, all catering to different tastes and interests.

“I am fascinated by role-play and reenactment of medieval times in general,” explains Fuller Møller, revealing his personal passion behind the event. He believes that this specific period of time continues to inspire, not least because modern life still mirrors it.

Bows, arrows and beer

“A lot of computer games, for instance, are set in this world, like Assassins Creed.

The same goes for many TV series, like Vikings and King Arthur. In fact, the way we live today is more or less identical to how it was in medieval times. The way we build houses today is based on the same technique developed back then, by using compression of stones.”

The medieval market provides a great day out for the whole family, as there are

“It is a nice day out for the family. Kids get a great experience from seeing the role-playing, the use of bows and arrows, things like that. For grown-ups, there is a nice cup of old-fashioned mead or the specially produced medieval beer. This is a special edition from Herslev brewhouse, which is organically produced using ingredients that were also common in medieval times,” says Fuller Møller.

Getting there Copenhagen Medieval Market runs from 2-5 June from morning to evening.

It is set in Valbyparken, which can be entered via the address Tudsemindevej 39, 2450 København SV.

Photo: Gunni Grahn

Photo: Anders Jung

The Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted from the fifth to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery.

There were three classes in medieval society: those who prayed – the clergy; those who fought – the knights; and those who worked – the peasantry.

Source: Whitton, Society of Northern Europe

Remember the cash Many stalls stand by the fact that credit cards did not exist in medieval times.

So, remember to bring cash.

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

Photo: Kira Arsland

Photo: Gunni Grahn

Photo: Anders Jung

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 47

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Complete Guide to Danish Culture

Left: Guests at the Bakkehus can visit the authentic Golden Age home of the renowned Danish author, critic and publisher Knud Rahbek and his wife Kamma Rahbek. Right: Among the new additions to the Bakkehus are a romantic garden, an orangery and a museum shop where visitors can, among many other things, find beautiful boxes based on the designs by Kamma Rahbek.

A historic pocket of peace The Bakkehus museum, the authentic Danish Golden Age home of Knud and Kamma Rahbek – one of the most influential couples of their time – is reopening with a garden and orangery in May. A relaxed lunch, the recreation of Kamma’s romantic garden, and a string of events, including special exhibitions, open-air concerts and garden walks, will all be part of the old house’s new experiences.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Bakkehuset

The Bakkehus, considered the oldest building in Frederiksberg, became the home of the renowned author, critic and publisher Knud Rahbek in 1787. About a decade later, Knud married Kamma Rahbek and their home became a cultural meeting place for some of the period’s most influential people, including Hans Christian Andersen, N.F.S. Grundtvig and Adam Oehlenschläger.

Preserved to look much like it did when Knud and Kamma Rahbek passed away, the Bakkehus confers an authentic experience of its past owners’ extraordinary lives. Sidsel Galatius, project manager at the Bakkehus, explains: “Because of the intimate scale of their home, you get a very distinct feeling of sharing the same space and the same air as the many fa48 | Issue 99 | April 2017

mous people who were guests here. You can almost sense all the exciting things that took place in these old rooms, the exchange of ideas, discussions and arguments.”

In the old house’s new orangery, guests will be able to enjoy a relaxed tea, coffee or a seasonal lunch with inspiration from both New Nordic and 19th century cuisine.

The house will also have its own museum shop, offering, among other things, boxes based on the artistic designs that Kamma Rahbek was known for.

Another passion of Kamma’s was her garden. Having developed a passion for botany in her youth, Kamma devoted herself passionately to the cultivation of rare plants and beautiful flowers. Based

on Kamma’s letter correspondence, the garden, one of the first private romantic gardens in Denmark, has today been recreated to provide a charming outdoor area for guests to enjoy. “A visit here is going to be a complete all-round experience. Whether you want to try to see everything or just stop by for a lunch or coffee, before going for a walk in the large Søndermarken park or visiting the museum, we want people to experience what this place is: a timeless pocket of peace,” says Galatius.

Facts: The Bakkehus officially reopens with a special opening event taking place on 30 April.

The Bakkehus is part of the Frederiksberg Museums, which gives visitors the opportunity to purchase a ticket that gives entry to all five museums and exhibition spaces in the area for just £12.

For more information, please visit: www.bakkehusmuseet.dk or www.frederiksbergmuseerne.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Complete Guide to Danish Culture

Top left: One of the important annual informal physics conferences in the Niels Bohr Institute’s famous Auditorium A, 1933. Bottom left: Niels Bohr at the blackboard in Auditorium A. Right: The Niels Bohr Archive contains plenty of original archival material. Below: Today, Auditorium A is used by the archive and institute alike, not least for talks on the history of science, directed to the general public.

Experience the life of Niels Bohr Niels Bohr was one of the world’s most-renowned physicists and, to this day, he still inspires scientists. The Niels Bohr Archive in Copenhagen holds extensive archival material that documents the life and work of the Danish physicist, and you can experience it all for free by appointment.

Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, urging the creation of an open world to avoid an atomic arms race that could potentially destroy the planet.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: The Niels Bohr Archive

If you want to learn more about one of the world’s most-respected physicists, the Niels Bohr Archive is the place to go.

If you have an interest in science and physics, the Niels Bohr Archive will be right up your street. Over the years, the archive has established itself as a central institution for documenting the history of modern physics and its social and philosophical implications.

“It is mostly scientists and historians of science who visit the archive, but everyone is welcome. You can attend the open lectures announced on our website or get a tour of the historic rooms,” says Finn Aaserud, director at the Niels Bohr Archive.”We also have a collection of Bohr’s books and many others which you can read in our library.”

Globally respected physicist The Niels Bohr Archive has existed as an independent institution since Niels Bohr’s 100th anniversary in 1985, and its importance is growing. “The archive is very im-

portant for many reasons. Bohr was the greatest and most-important physicist in Denmark, and he is part of Danish history and culture,” says Aaserud. “Bohr was much more than a physicist; he contributed to philosophy, was politically engaged, and he was a central figure in Danish cultural circles.”

Not only was Bohr interested in things other than physics, he also differed from other scientists of his time. “Instead of sitting in his office with a closed door and thinking, he needed to discuss and share his thoughts and ideas with others. He even had people writing down his thoughts for him,” says Aaserud.

Bohr was in his late fifties when, at the end of World War II, he helped develop the atomic bomb at Los Alamos in the US. During the same period, he also had personal meetings with Franklin D.

The Niels Bohr Archive is an independent institution overseen by the University of Copenhagen. The archive is located at the Niels Bohr Institute and is currently working on expanding its archival resources and research activities.

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

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 49

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Do not miss out on the chance to experience Mjøsa on Skibladner when you visit Hamar. Photo: Frederik Garshol.

Cultural experiences with an urban touch in the Norwegian countryside Combine countryside bliss and urban experiences in Hamar, located less than an hour away from Oslo airport. With a beachfront location near Norway’s biggest lake, Mjøsa, Hamar invites to a delightful mix of beautiful nature, an urban feel and excellent cultural events.

By Karen Langfjæran

Set in the beautiful countryside in the region of Hedmark, just an hour and a half from the capital, the lovely town of Hamar is the perfect destination while also visiting Oslo. Hamar’s Mjøsa shoreline location is unique for the region and, in combination with the countryside setting, it contributes to a town feeling that few can compete with. With an exciting town centre and a range of exciting restaurants, you cannot go wrong with a trip to Hamar.

In the mood for culture Make sure you are in the mood for culture when you visit Hamar, as the town is constantly arranging cultural events and 50 | Issue 99 | April 2017

extraordinary gigs either outdoors or in the many venues. The centrally located Hamar Kulturhus recently celebrated its third year as a cultural institution, aiming for breadth and diversity in its programme. “We take pride in building an institution where there is room for all levels and all kinds of cultural expression,” says Terje Gloppen, managing director of Hamar Kulturhus.

The 15,000-square-metre building, designed by Tegnestuen Vandkunsten, beautifully incorporates 3,700 square metres of glass surface and has become an important piece of architecture as well as a home for culture. Every week, more

than a thousand locals walk through the corridors of the cultural centre, rehearsing in one of the many rehearsal rooms, some of which can easily be transformed into small venues for artists to perform to an audience. “Locals of all ages use our rooms to produce cultural expressions for the years to come,” Gloppen continues. In total, Hamar Kulturhus was visited by 530,000 visitors in 2016.

A broad professional programme Gloppen is enthusiastic about the extent to which Hamar Kulturhus has produced a programme with a touch of something for everyone. “Whether it is jazz, chamber music or on-trend artists, theatre, dance or family events, we aim to deliver for all! We are also proud to have a library within the building that is constantly hosting events for specific audiences, as well as a cinema and a gallery with a range of fantastic art on display,” he says proudly.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norway’s Top Three Culture Centres

“Our bigger halls are often visited by artists, comedians and theatre groups that attract big numbers of visitors,” says Gloppen. Hamar Kulturhus has previously hosted internationally acknowledged acts and artists, such as The Manhattan Transfer and Isac Elliot, and intends to continue for years to come. “Having just recently celebrated three years as an active institution, we are excited every year to produce our programme and take part in the annual festivals of Hamar, such as the AnJazz festival in May, this year presenting Level 42 as the festival headliner,” says the managing director. Hamar Kulturhus is now preparing to welcome Norwegian favourites Highasakite and will, over the course of the next few months, host several events a week as well as a recently launched art exhibition showcasing regional artists.

City of cultural importance Literature lovers will find the area particularly interesting, as important Norwegian writers such as Rolf Jacobsen and Knut Faldbakken grew up in the area, making it possible to walk in the footsteps of writers impacting Norway’s literary landscapes. Opera enthusiasts will appreciate experiencing the childhood home of the world-famous opera singer Kirsten Flagstad, the subject of an annual festival during summer. Music is a clear priority in Hamar, as the locals keep arranging wonderful gigs, including one with Sting last year on the

main square. This year, Elton John is, for many, the main event.

If you prefer theatre, you may be lucky to experience the regional Hamar-based Teater Innlandet, which has drawn much attention outside the region in which it has its base and its primary audience.

One of few theatres specialising in contemporary drama, it is currently touring its version of Sleeping Beauty and preparing for an Ibsen-inspired innovation based on the female characters of Peer Gynt. Hamar Kulturhus also hosts three to four plays each season by the travelling theatre Riksteatret, as well as a number of other plays for children and families.

Hamar – a lakeside city with much to offer The beautiful glass-framed building is located just a few streets from the pier and within walking distance of the outdoor recreation area, Koigen. A local’s tip from Gloppen is to visit the local gem and world-famous diving tower – an architectural landmark the locals have learned to love. “The diving tower served as a venue for a magical sunrise gig here last summer, with Hamar’s own trumpeter Ole Edvard Antonsen giving an extraordinary experience to everyone managing to get up before 5am,” he says.

In a wonderful mix of town and nature, you might find that Hamar ticks all

your boxes if countryside exploration and long walks in beautiful nature are high on your list. “You’re able to combine lake-gazing with shopping and café hopping in the town centre and, if you’re feeling adventurous, you have the beautiful highlands a short drive away, for hiking in the summer and cross-country and downhill skiing in the winter,” says Gloppen, pointing out a number of potential activities in addition to waterside walking, like kayaking, kiting and renting rigid-inflatable boats (RIB).

The cycling route Mjøstråkk is yet another top tip. “Cycling around Hamar is the easiest way of combining the town’s best features. Experience our wonderful landscapes, the historic town centre, and the medieval heritage in the museum area of Domkirkeodden – and, of course, Hamar Kulturhus and other cultural institutions,” says Gloppen.

Trains run hourly from Oslo airport and take less than an hour – just enough to get started on a new book if you are not fascinated by the lovely view from your seat. A number of hotels, museums and attractions await you in Hamar, with no time to waste.

For more information, please visit: www.hamar-kulturhus.no

Top left: Hamar Kulturhus holds its biggest events in the wonderful Kirsten Flagstad hall, named after the famous opera singer who used to live in Hamar. Photo: Lars Erik Nordrum. Left: Last summer, Sting had a gig just outside Hamar Kulturhus. This year, it is Elton John’s turn, but unfortunately the event has sold out. Photo: Frederik Garshol.

Right: 3,700 square metres of glass surface is beautifully incorporated into the stunning building designed by Tegnestuen Vandkunsten. Photo: Frederik Christensen.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 51

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norway’s Top Three Culture Centres

The scenic setting of Honningsvåg seen from Perleporten.

Northernmost amazement Perleporten Kulturhus in Honningsvåg is a rare gem, presenting a sincere fervour for the arts by preserving history and showcasing a northern way of life.

By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: Perleporten Kulturhus

Perleporten Kulturhus has been refurbished and is well looked after, but it did not start out that way. Birgit L. Johansen and Tore Fosse believed in the potential of the near-demolished house used as a gospel hall and accommodation for fishermen after World War II. It was one of the first houses built after the war, when the whole township was set on fire and burned to the ground. Only the church was left.

out the historic charm and character of the house. The goal was always clear: to construct a meeting place for cultural appreciation in the town centre.

Johansen and Fosse invested faith and plenty of elbow grease and made it happen. “We had some believers in our idea but, of course, not everyone had a great deal of faith in it becoming a sustainable livelihood,” Fosse explains.

The couple purchased it for next to nothing and began the long process of applying tender love and care to bring

The tiny town of Honningsvåg, next to the North Cape, is unique in many ways.

Firstly, the population is only 3,000 – but

52 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Tourist and musical mecca

during the summer it is one of Norway’s most popular cruise and tourist destinations, hosting more than 250,000 tourists in the summer season.

Fosse and Johansen share a background in cultural work as well as the enthusiasm for the field. The idea of presenting the history of the north by emphasising their way of life and cultural roots soon came to fruition. After enlisting scriptwriter and composer Øystein Skårset as well as other local forces, the result was Our Northernmost Life, a musical depicting the history and way of life up north. The best part? It is performed exclusively by youngsters aged 16 to 25, whom Johansen and Fosse employ all summer to put on shows for tourists twice a day.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norway’s Top Three Culture Centres

The reviews have been nothing short of amazing. TripAdvisor is flooded with goose bump-inducing reviews describing how moved audience members were and how it reminded them of their hometown. The universal elements presented in the show naturally appeal to everyone – pride in where you come from and the sentiment that there is truly no place like home. Travelling to new places and getting under the cultural skin of the town is what creates the most durable travel memories, and there is no doubt that Our Northernmost Life has done just that.

“We called in to see this show while visiting by cruise ship. The show was wonderful; we laughed until we cried. The four young people were so talented and pas-

sionate in telling us how and where they lived. Just wonderful, would highly recommend,” writes one enthusiastic visitor.

The actors all have musical and theatrical experience. The talent displayed by the performers is apparent, with one of them accepted to the renowned, sought after Norwegian Theatre Academy on the first audition attempt.

Tailored events Perleporten Kulturhus is also available to rent for events, and Johansen and Fosse can tailor events and performances to your liking. It is also a family business, and during the summer Simen, 24, and Lisa, 21, return home and host an informal Wednesday Jam, among several

other activities. Furthermore, throughout the summer the stage is set to plug in and play. Even international artists have stopped by to perform.

“I think most people believe that you have to live in urban areas to create something special, because that’s where all the opportunities are,” says Johansen. “I don’t think that is true. If you have the drive, enthusiasm and a strong will, you can create something special anywhere.” If anyone is a perfect example of how far hard work and dedication can take you, it is the Perleporten couple.

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

Birgit L. Johansen and Tore Fosse, the masterminds behind Perleporten Kulturhus.

The actors are youngsters aged 16 to 25, pictured here are Kati Heimen and Emil Elde Skårset.

The Honningsvåg bay area photographed by Kjell-Bendik Pedersen.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 53

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norway’s Top Three Culture Centres

Left: The Manhattan Transfer sold out and performed in March 2017. Photo: John Abbott. Top right: Al Di Meola. Photo: Jean Louis Neveu. Right: Baerum Kulturhus from outside. Photo: Baerum Kulturhus

A spring with stars in dance, chamber music and jazz Their specialty is to attract national and international stars in dance, chamber music and jazz. Bærum Kulturhus in Sandvika, which is close to Oslo, is urban, updated and stands out from the crowd with its specialties.

By Stian Sangvig

The venue houses five stages. Store Sal, meaning ‘Grand Hall’, is the main stage with 530 comfortable seats and excellent acoustics. “This stage is large and comfortable to accommodate for the best possible performances,” head of communications Karin Bugge explains. You will also find the smaller stage, Sandvika Teater, where local theatre plays can be seen. Another example of how the different rooms are put to use is Underhuset, where many of Bærum Kulturhus’ intimate jazz concerts take place.

The house opened in September 2003, designed by Norwegian architecture celebrities Snøhetta. The Snøhetta touch is present in the municipal building in Sandvika with its long lines, surprising angles and a use of glass and materials that adds a spacious feel. Snøhetta was 54 | Issue 99 | April 2017

subsequently awarded the task to design Oslo’s Opera House.

Showcasing local and global talent In order to stand out among a myriad of culture and entertainment, Bærum Kulturhus focuses in particular on dance, chamber music and jazz. As such, performers have recently included vocal group Manhattan Transfer, popphilanthropist Angelique Kidjo, violinist Sarah Chang, the Batsheva Dance Company and the late musician, singer and Grammy award winner Al Jarreau.

Several of Norway’s best artists visit the stages regularly.

At the time of writing, Bærum Kulturhus was just about to sign some famous international jazz stars. “It’s definitely worth to keep an eye on our website for

updates,” Bugge encourages. Autumn and early spring are the busiest periods, and this April and May famous names include American contemporary jazz guitarist Al Di Meola and a special version of Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

“We are also keen promoters of local talent,” Bugge continues, explaining that the venue encourages choirs, dance schools, theatre groups and school orchestras. Local politicians in Bærum have decided to offer these local groups discounts and special prices for putting on their Christmas and summer shows.

Bærum Kulturhus will continue to attract the best international and local talent in dance, chamber music and jazz. “With over 520 events and 350 rehearsal days a year, we are close to maximum capacity for our stages,” Bugge concludes.

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

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COME ALONG ON AN EXCITING ELK SAFARI

GO BIKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CARL LINNAEUS

On the plateau of Halle-& Hunneberg, through West Sweden´s most attractive landscapes.

Internationally, the mountain is known for its elks and the Royal Hunt. We enjoy enjoy light refreshments in front of an open fire in a Laplanders cot, and visit The Royal Hunt Museum before we look for the elks.

Plan and book at visittv.se

Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Linneaus bike path, where you will be biking in the footsteps of the Flower King. Two overnight stays including breakfast in country estate-like enviroment at Albert Hotell and Ronnums Herrgård. The trail is 70 km and you bike along the Göta Älv, Lake Vänern and the Ecopark Halle-& Hunneberg. Plan and book at visittv.se

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A picnic with a difference Taste of Helsinki dominates the beating heart of the city over four days in June. The restaurant festival focuses on the city’s gourmet food and wine culture, bringing some of the best Finnish restaurants and chefs to the table.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Taste of Helsinki

For the sixth time, Taste of Helsinki will take its visitors on a journey of exploration through the city’s flavours, serving up some of the best food in the country. The gourmet picnic brings together ten fabulous restaurants, seven from Helsinki and three from other cities including abroad.

The festival was established in 2012 by Barry and Mira MacNamara. Having been inspired by Taste of Dublin and its good food, wine and company, they wanted to create a similar event in Helsinki. “We 56 | Issue 99 | April 2017

were very lucky with the weather during that first year, and everyone had an amazing time,” says Barry MacNamara of the premiere. “Finns love traditions, and it’s great to see people coming back year after year. We believe passionately that the event can promote Finnish gastronomy, and each year we try to raise the bar and improve the visitor experience.”

Ten of the best Around 9,000 foodies come to the event every year. The four days have separate sittings for lunch and dinner, each with

a capacity for 2,500 people. The restaurants prepare a gourmet menu with four dishes, representing their food and culinary philosophy. MacNamara explains the concept: “Our guests come for dinner and get everything expected from a gourmet meal. But here they can create their own tasting menu from the participating restaurants and match with drinks from our beverage partners.”

This year’s restaurants include Grön from Helsinki, named best restaurant in Finland under the guidance of chef Toni Kostian. Another Helsinki classic is Savoy, dating back to 1937, with its renowned cuisine and spectacular views over the Helsinki rooftops, run today by chef Kari Aihinen. One of the international restaurants present is Noa from Tallinn,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Favourite Finnish Festival Experiences

which was listed as the best restaurant in Estonia in the 2017 edition of the White Guide, under chef Tõnis Siigur.

This year, for the first time, Taste of Helsinki will collaborate with four chefs to create a restaurant for the event, which takes inspiration and ingredients from Finnish nature. Anchor chef for this initiative is Sasu Laukkonen from Michelin-starred restaurant Chef & Sommelier in Helsinki.

Back to nature The Finnish food culture has had a renaissance in the last couple of years, with many new openings and an increased focus on wild ingredients.

MacNamara highlights the movement and support of small producers: “It’s great to see such a renewed interest in foraging, preserving and pickling – reconnecting with nature. This trend, and Finland’s rich natural larder, is evidenced by the growing interest in the country as a culinary destination.”

In addition to the restaurants, other buzzing hubs include a wine pavilion, an André Clouet Champagne Bar, the Electrolux Smoothie Academy, Sinebrychoff ‘House of Beer’ with local and international beers, as well as a café and tasting academy. Recommended is also the new Spirits Pavilion with four Finnish craft distilleries – Ägräs Distillery, Helsinki

Distilling Co., Kyrö Distillery and Lignell & Piispanen – presenting a unique insight into the world of Finnish spirits.

During the festival, visitors can also hone their own culinary skills at The Electrolux Chef’s Secrets cookery school, under the guidance of the Culinary Team of Finland.

“Around 600 people take part over the four days,” says MacNamara. “It’s fantastic to see people get so excited about cooking their own food!”

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

Opening times: 15-18 June 2017 Lunch Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Dinner 17:00-23:00

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Issue 99 | April 2017 | 57

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Favourite Finnish Festival Experiences

Left: Indie band Pariisin kevät (meaning ‘Paris Spring’) is all about love. Photo: Sony Music/Kerttu Malinen. Top right: So many saunas, so little time! Photo: Tähtisaunat.

Middle right: Frosty design in the hot room. Photo: Tulikivi. Bottom right: There are nearly 5.5 million people, 3.3 million registered cars and up to three million saunas in Finland. Photo: Iglusaun.

Hot in the city – together!

The ancient Finns were traditionally born in the sauna and it was – and still is – considered almost as a sanctuary. What better way to celebrate 100 years of Finnish independence in 2017 than going to the sauna? Aptly, the theme for the Suomi Finland100 is ‘together’.

bathrobes. However, do not worry – you can skip the bathing part, stay cool in your favourite outfit and just enjoy the summer, food, drinks and concerts.

By Taina Värri

Sunday will be the family day, but otherwise the festival is for those 18 and over because of the bar service.

A spirit of serenity is part of the traditional Finnish sauna culture, not to forget the ritualistic purification and relaxation after a hard day at work or straining sports activities. About two years ago, however, event producer Sander Mosel, a student without a project, had a closer look at the Finnish sauna culture. Why not take it a little bit further?

But Mosel, now with quite a remarkable team, did not settle for ‘a little bit’. This summer will see the most Finnish festival possible: the first Finnish Sauna Festival.

Top Finnish artists will play gigs that you can enjoy from your VIP sauna terrace, or you can sweat in the giant sauna with hundreds of other sauna enthusiasts.

Sauna yoga with a professional trainer will make you limber, and the stand-up 58 | Issue 99 | April 2017

comedian sweating through his act in the sauna will make you laugh.

Dressed to chill The Finnish Sauna Festival will heat up three different cities in June and August with dozens of different saunas, all different in size and design. In June, it will sizzle in Helsinki near the Olympic Stadium, and after that in Turku, by the Aura river and the old Turku Castle. In August, it is time for Jyväskylä where the lakeside location makes it possible to go swimming in the lake like a natural-born Finn and experience the floating boat saunas. For the daredevils, there will be an underwater sauna.

The best suit for this party will be a swimsuit, but the dress code also accepts

Janna will charm your socks off with her voice.

Photo: M-Eazy Music Live.

Helsinki: 8-11 June 2017 Turku: 15-18 June 2017 Jyväskylä: 10-13 August 2017

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Favourite Finnish Festival Experiences Sinfonity.

Photo: Tomi Tolvanen

Tune into world-class performances in a stunning setting On 3-11 June 2017, hundreds of people will be attending the annual Tampere Guitar Festival, filling the city with sweet melodies. Catering to a variety of music tastes, the Tampere Guitar Festival is raising the bar with an impressive line-up of worldclass performances this summer.

By Ndéla Faye | Press photos

“This is the 13th festival we’ve organised, and renowned international artists attend each year,” says Tomi Tolvanen, founder and director of the event. This year’s star performers include Yamandu Costa, the renowned Brazilian guitarist, as well as Sinfonity – Electric Guitar Symphony Orchestra. “Yamandu Costa is one of the world’s leading musicians specialising in Brazilian ‘choro’ music, and he is attending our festival for a second time. Sinfonity, the Spanish electric guitar orchestra, consists of ten guitar virtuosos who play everything from Bach and Holst to Vivaldi in a spectacular performance. Although the festival focuses mostly on acoustic guitar music, we have diversified in recent years to offer a variety of amazing music performances,” Tolvanen explains.

As well as concerts, there are many guitar courses and workshops available to those interested. In addition, the Tampere Guitar Festival organises cruises on the

Pyhäjärvi lake. The so-called Midnight Sun Guitar Cruise features a range of performances as well as dinner and drinks on the picturesque Finnish lakeside. “The surrounding nature is breathtakingly beautiful, and we’re lucky to be near such a stunning setting,” Tolvanen says. “Tampere is within easy reach of other big Finnish cities, and it’s a perfect location for a one or two-day stopover. There’s plenty to see here, and the lakeside offers the ideal introduction to Finland’s nature – and an opportunity to enjoy the nightless night, when the sun doesn’t set below the horizon during the summer months.”

The Tampere Guitar Show is a two-day sales exhibition that runs alongside the main festival event at Tampere Hall. “The Tampere Guitar Show is an ideal opportunity for music lovers, students and guitar professionals to mingle with guitar makers and enthusiasts – and test out

the handmade instruments,” Tolvanen explains. “We offer a wide selection of interesting music experiences to everyone visiting. The festival is not exclusive to guitar players: everyone who enjoys good music and great atmosphere is welcome. The beautiful surroundings come as a bonus and the festival is well worth a visit.”

Yamandu Costa

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

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 59

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Favourite Finnish Festival Experiences

Left: Olavinlinna Castle proudly hosts the Savonlinna Opera Festival. Photo: Tom Röllich. Right: The castle can also be accessed by boat. Photo:Timo Seppäläinen/ Itä-Savo. Bottom right: Kerimäki church. Photo: Soila Puurtinen, Itä-Savo.

The castle full of opera Savonlinna Opera Festival in the medieval Olavinlinna Castle will again be brimming with opera and its devoted fans from all over the world.

By Taina Värri

Aulis Sallinen’s world premiere of 2017’s The Castle in the Water is inspired by Finland’s 100 years of independence.

Kullervo, also by Sallinen, is a gloomy saga that is part of the Finnish national epic Kalevala: “Love may be a possibility in the world of a man cursed from birth and with a thirst for revenge, but can he see even a chink of light...?”

Founded in 1883, the YL Male Voice Choir is a pioneer in Finnish male choir singing.

The Tapiola Choir is an award-winning Finnish children’s choir of youngsters, aged from eight to 19 years, with an international reputation. These two choirs unite into a super choir to perform music from the Finnish national-romantic era. Pasi Hyökki will be conducting the evening in the Kerimäki church, the biggest wooden church in the world.

The new production of Die Entführung aus dem Serail, staged by a Finnish team, combines the Turkish instrumental tradition with a German singspiel to a fully 60 | Issue 99 | April 2017

fledged opera in German; suitable for audiences of all ages.

Inside the music There will be prominent guest productions celebrating the Suomi Finland 100. Teatro Real Madrid brings Bellini’s I puritani and Sibelius’s Kullervo Symphony on the stage, the latter in collaboration with the Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir.

The Bolshoi Theatre presents two works

by Tchaikovsky: the opera Iolanta and a concertante version of Eugene Onegin.

On top of all this there will be a new version of Verdi’s Rigoletto, based on the direction of Sir David McVicar for the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London.

Beethoven’s Missa solemnis honours 50 years of unbroken chain of Savonlinna Opera Festival performances, although the festival itself was founded over 100 years ago.

The setting in the medieval Olavinlinna castle is a unique experience in itself,

but the real treat is the fact that you will be inside the natural sound system.

The stone walls produce an astonishing, unique acoustic sound without any electrical equipment in between.

However, on the last weekend of 2017 the Savonlinna Opera Festival will be electrified by three front-line Finnish heavy metal bands: Amorphis, Stratovarius and Stam1na.They will really rock the stones of the Olavinlinna stage.

The Savonlinna Opera Festival will run from 7 July to 4 August 2017.

For more information, please visit www.operafestival.fi

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Favourite Finnish Festival Experiences

A jumping success

By Ndéla Faye

With over 40,000 attendees, the Helsinki Horse Show is the largest indoor arena event in Finland. The annual show sees the world’s best horse jumpers compete for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Qualifier victory. This year, the 33rd show returns – bigger and better than ever.

The Helsinki Horse Show, held at the Helsinki Ice Hall on 18-22 October, hosts Olympic, World and European Champions in horse jumping. The jumpers compete for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Qualifier victory, as well as points in the Western European League. “In 1985, my colleague, Patrick Lagus, and I wanted to create the world’s best riding competition. 32 years later, the event is more successful than ever, with over 40,000 visitors attending annually,” says Tom Gordin, director of the event.

For two years running, Guilherme Jorge, renowned Brazilian Olympic course designer, has created the courses at the Helsinki Horse Show. “The riders, as well as the horses, love Guilherme Jorge’s

courses. They’re fluent, fair, challenging – and they give fantastic sport results,” says Gordin.

Tickets for the event are on sale until October, and there is a number of VIP packages available for those who want to pamper themselves. In addition to the main event, a Horse Expo is also held, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and boasting stands from 60 exhibitors from across the globe. “The atmosphere is great – this is a fantastic opportunity for horse enthusiasts and professionals to network,” Gordin concludes.

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

Top: Over 7,000 spectators watching the main competition, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Photo: Eeva Vaahtera. Below: A flying Finn, Niklas Aromaa, over the Longines FEI World Cup Helsinki fence. Photo: Satu Pirinen

Bringing contemporary talent to the idyllic lakeside For the 36th year running, Time of Music will welcome the best in contemporary talent to the idyllic lakeside scenery of Viitasaari in central Finland. With its wideranging programme of concerts and other performances, the festival is set to wow audiences with its high standards and bold approach.

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Ville Mattila

From 4 to 9 July 2017, Viitasaari will host some of the most notable composers and artists in cutting-edge contemporary music, along with hundreds of music lovers. “We’ve gained an international reputation as a courageous and border-breaking event,” says Vilja Ruokolainen, executive manager of the festival. The full programme of the Time of Music Festival will be published in May but, with a wide range of high-calibre performances, audiences are bound to find plenty to appeal to them in the festival line-up.

The festival also offers courses, lectures and workshops for young musicians. “This year’s summer academy includes a masterclass with conductor Susanna Mälkki, one of the best conductors in the world. To cel-

ebrate Finland’s centenary, there is also a special composition concert by young talent Sebastian Hilli. The courses and workshops are a great way for young musicians to mingle and create international connections with world-renowned music professionals,

as well as other students from Finland and abroad,” says Ruokolainen.

“In addition to the wonderful line-up at this year’s festival, Viitasaari in itself is also well worth a visit: with less than 7,000 inhabitants, this is the ideal holiday spot. With the many lakes of the area, as well as the midnight sun, a visit will be a great cultural experience,” Ruokolainen concludes.

For more information, please visit: www.timeofmusic.org

Performance by Aapo Juutilainen and Lauri Sallinen.

Harp Rally, concept by Salla Hakkola.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 61

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Favourite Finnish Festival Experiences

Experience the world’s most northerly Irish festival The Irish Festival of Oulu is not just the most northerly Irish festival in the world, but also the premier Irish festival in the Nordics. Comprising a myriad of events from concerts to award-winning theatre and storytelling, as well as various workshops, the festival has earned Oulu the title as ‘the Irish culture mecca of Finland’.

The Chieftans.

Photo: Kari Arontie

By Signe Hansen

Founded in 2006, the Irish Festival of Oulu today attracts around 8,000 visitors annually and has hosted performances by some of the top names in Irish music, including the six-time Grammy Award-winning band The Chieftains. The man behind the festival is Irish-American Brent Cassidy, who first came to Oulu as an exchange student in 1997. “The unique thing about this festival is how it brings people together. We’re in northern Finland, but festival visitors experience something culturally unique; it’s like a different place. It’s a really warm and welcoming atmosphere combining Finnish and Irish culture,” he explains.

After moving to Oulu, Cassidy soon met one of the pioneering local Irish musicians, Markus Lampela, with whom he and a few

other friends set up an Irish music society.

“When I said that I wanted to start an Irish festival, some of my closest friends said that it would never work because we’re so far north. But together with a core group of good friends, I set up the first festival and today, 12 years later, we’re still going strong.”

Below: Founder and director of the Irish Festival in Oulu, Brent Cassidy (far right) and his band Droichead. Photo: The Irish Festival of Oulu.

Practical information: Dates: 4-8 October 2017 Highlights of the Irish Festival of Oulu 2017: Altan, Dervish, Clann Mhic Ruairí, Ríanta, and The Man in the Woman’s Shoes (theatre performance).

Getting there: One hour by flight or from about six hours by train from Helsinki.

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

–A

S

pe cia CH IL SW l The DR E m EN DEN e: ’S PA RA DI SE

The family holiday that is easy to plan and enjoy A family holiday in Sweden can mean so many different things. A calm day crab fishing by the sea, an adrenaline-filled day in an amusement park, or a day spent indoors discovering in one of the many science centres are just some of the myriad of activities you can enjoy with your family this summer. All you need to plan the perfect holiday is some ideas – and the internet is a great resource.

By Jenny Forsberg, co-founder and co-owner of Barnsemester | Photos: Barnsemester

The active family has a great deal to look forward to. Try downhill mountain biking, summer toboggan, go karting, high-rope courses and indoor adventure houses. If you are looking for something a bit quieter, try hiking, fishing or just relaxing on the beach.

Barnsemester.se is the largest tourist guide for families in Sweden, and our goal is to make the planning of family holidays and excursions easier. We have gathered all the options for family activities and attractions and present them through

interactive maps and lists categorised by themes and areas. Select a country, region or city and you will be able to see all activities on offer in that area. Every attraction listed has its own page, where you can read more about it, grade it and comment on it, before finding out what other families have to say.

Enjoy your next Swedish family holiday!

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

Visit one of the many zoos or step into the land of fairy tales at one of the theme parks dedicated, for instance, to the stories of Astrid Lindgren, Santa Claus or cowboys and Indians.

You may already know where you want to take your family, or at least have an idea.

But do you know all the great attractions available along the way to your destination? Take a detour, make it a road trip, and experience Sweden’s full potential along the way!

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 63

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Sweden – A Children’s Paradise

Left: The animals in Peppy Pals are gender neutral and have different personalities just like humans, which makes them easier for kids to relate to. Top right: Rosie Linder (left), founder of Peppy Pals, and co-founder and CMO Paulina Olsson.

Peppy Pals teaches kids about social and emotional intelligence Social and Emotional skills (EQ) such as empathy, collaboration and problem-solving are increasingly important. The World Economic Forum stated that EQ will be among one of the top ten most-required skills in 2020. Peppy Pals is a series of researchbased apps and e-books designed to teach kids aged two to eight about emotions, empathy and friendship through storytelling and humour.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Peppy Pals

Rosie Linder founded Peppy Pals in 2013 as she was missing a similar product for her two daughters. “I wanted to teach them about EQ, but I couldn’t find a playful way – so I created my own,” says Linder. “My kids loved games, so I thought why not use the power of games for something more meaningful than shooting each other or putting make-up on Barbie dolls?”

Linder partnered with award-winning game developers with the aim of creating innovative games that could make a change. “There is a lot of emphasis on academic skills like math, reading and language. What many fail to realise is 64 | Issue 99 | April 2017

that these skills need to go hand in hand with EQ, a cornerstone for future success and wellbeing,” says Linder.

Universal skills Peppy Pals uses no text or language in the apps, making them available worldwide. Instead, the kids learn about EQ with the help of five gender-neutral animal friends: Sammy (a horse), Gabby (a rabbit), Izzy (an owl), Reggy (a dog) and Kelly (a cat).

“We always involve kids in the development and decided early on to use pets because all kids love them. Another important criterion was for the animals to

be gender neutral as it is important for kids to use their own imagination,” says Paulina Olsson, co-founder and CMO. “We do not use score stress or levelling because it would dilute learning and take the focus away from the body language and facial expressions.”

Peppy Pals has been downloaded in over 150 countries. “Emotions are universal.

Regardless of language, gender, culture or religion, we all experience the same feelings,” says Olsson. In the future, the plan is to expand Peppy Pals to also teach parents and teachers about EQ. “That way, they will be better equipped to educate more empathic future leaders,” says Linder.

For more information, please visit: www.peppypals.com To download the apps, please visit: bit.ly/peppypalsapps

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Sweden – A Children’s Paradise

Left: The women’s everyday nightie. Right: Dots for SS17. Bottom: Kids’ nightie in white.

A good night’s sleep When Susanna Leandersson’s first child was born, she looked everywhere for simple and organic sleepwear, but everything was covered in cutesy patterns and clearly branded for boys or girls. This inspired her to launch the sleep and loungewear brand The Sleepy Collection.

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: The Sleepy Collection

“I had a hard time finding sleepwear that was organic and not covered in everything from cars and boats to ribbons, so I designed a completely white collection in organic Pima cotton for babies and children up to age five,” says Leandersson.

The Sleepy Collection was founded in 2012 and the first collection received a great response for its minimalist, sustainable ethos and organic cotton garments produced in a small-scale factory in Peru. Clever details such as longer cuffs make the sleepwear long-lasting, and the unisex design also makes it easier to hand down to younger siblings.

Look good, feel good, do good It was not long before mothers started to demand the same simple and stylish sleep and loungewear for themselves.

Women were looking for comfortable clothes that made them look and feel good at home. Leandersson became

her own test panel and tried out various garments, materials and seams to make sure the garments were comfortable to sleep in. “There was a similar lack of women’s sleepwear without Snoopy or silk with thin shoulder straps to please men. They wanted something made by women for women,” she says.

autumn. Leandersson sees a huge difference in the interest for organic collections and points out that the past year or so has seen a sustainable trend, putting conscious choices in focus. The vision going forward is clear: “We want to be top of mind when it comes to organic sleep and loungewear, and we also want to be part of the journey to making even more people choose sustainable materials.”

This year, subtle patterns add to the basic baby and kids’ collections in white, grey and dark blue. But despite the patterns, The Sleepy Collection is still unisex and easy to mix and match. “We started with a Scandinavian style but now have the courage to develop the design a bit more with patterns, even though we always want to stay true to our identity,” says Leandersson.

The dots collection, released for spring, combines Scandinavian simplicity with playfulness, and new seasonal collections are released in both spring and

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

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 65

Get set for fun in the parks This summer will be nothing but spectacular in Sweden’s most popular wildlife and amusement parks. Buckle up for new thrills such as Ikaros free fall, Fireball boomerang rollercoaster, and Bamse’s Flying Carpet.

his friends, which became a huge success. New this season is Bamse’s Flying Carpet, a magical ride for small children.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Parks & Resorts

Expect a world of magic with fascinating and exotic animals, breath-taking and dizzy rides, great live performances and lots of other activities as Sweden’s most popular wildlife and amusement parks are getting ready for the season.

The owner of the five biggest destinations, Parks & Resorts, is making sure that there are plenty of new adventures waiting for visiting tourists and locals alike. “We invest all profit into developing our fantastic parks and building new attractions, to keep them fun and 66 | Issue 99 | April 2017

entertaining,” CEO Christer Fogelmarck explains. “This season we have some spectacular new rides, so hold on tight!”

Fly into the wild Kolmården Wildlife Park is one of Scandinavia’s most popular destinations for families. Every year around 700,000 visitors come to see more than 800 wild and exotic animals from all over the world. For its 50th anniversary in 2015, Kolmården opened World of Bamse, a theme park with stories centred around the world’s strongest bear, Bamse, and

For older adventurers, Wildfire is a real treat. The world’s greatest wooden rollercoaster has a top speed of 113 kilometres per hour, a drop angle of 83 and 12 airtime moments. Built with new technology for travelling upside-down while attached at the hip, it is a game changer. The Safari gondola is also a big hit, gliding silently above the ground and overseeing treetops, wild bears, giraffes and lions. Other highlights include the famous dolphin show Life, and also Tiger World with the beautiful, wild Siberian tigers. For those who want to stay over, Vildmarkshotellet is a

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Sweden – A Children’s Paradise

Africa-themed hotel with fantastic views adjacent to the park.

Fall into dizziness Beautiful and colourful Gröna Lund in central Stockholm has been a place of fun and laughter for more than 130 years. Sweden’s oldest amusement park is constantly evolving and has 31 exciting rides. Here, visitors can try the world’s tallest Star Flyer Eclipse and, if they dare, enter the haunted House of Nightmares. This season, Gröna Lund introduces Ikaros, the first of its kind in Europe. Inspired by Greek mythology, the tower rises 95 metres and at the very top tilts the chairs 90 degrees before falling flat towards the ground. Unsurprisingly, Ikaros is called the worst fall in history!

Gröna Lund is also Stockholm’s biggest music stage with over 60 concerts per season, ranging from Swedish superstar

Zara Larsson to international musicians such as Alice Cooper and Elton John.

Nearby, at Aquaria, visitors can follow the origins of water through a South American rainforest, a mangrove swamp and to the Baltic sea. With its convenient location, there is an abundance of other activities around the corner.

Travel backwards Another fabulous amusement park is Furuvik just outside Gävle. With its combination of a dizzy funfair, wild animals such as monkeys and camels, and a pool area, it has something for everyone.

Furuvik also hosts a great programme of live music events. New in the park this year is a special treat for Scandinavia: Fireball is a boomerang rebound rollercoaster that goes on a thrilling whirlwind ride through the woods until the tracks end in open air, only to fall back and return the same way but backwards – certainly not for the faint-hearted.

For those who want to get properly splashed, Skara Sommarland between Skara and Skövde is Scandinavia’s biggest action-packed water park with over one kilometre’s worth of waterslides.

For instance, Big Drop is Europe’s highest free-fall waterslide. Its entrance is through a telephone booth and after counting down to a beat, a trapdoor opens up for a breath-taking 25-metre free fall on the waterslide. Other unforgettable rides are rollercoasters Spinner and Tranan, and the 90-metrelong waterslide Racer. This water paradise also hosts around 800 spots for caravans and tents, 300 cabins and a few apartments.

Let those fun-filled adventures begin!

For more information about Parks & Resorts, please visit: www.parksandresorts.com

Kolmården opens on 14 April. www.kolmarden.com Gröna Lund opens on 29 April. www.gronalund.com Furuvik opens on 20 May. www.furuvik.se Skara Sommarland opens on 2 June. www.sommarland.se

Christer Fogelmarck, CEO of Parks & Resorts.

Aquaria is open all year round. www.aquaria.se

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 67

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Sweden – A Children’s Paradise

Ultimate bouncing fun

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Catalin Ionescu

A new trampoline park in Gothenburg will keep the whole family busy. The 1,000 square metres of fun contains 50 trampolines, including wall trampolines, a dodgeball field, a foam pit, and two basketball hoops.

Sarah Cojocaru is activities manager at AirHop Gothenburg, and she makes sure that there is always something going on at the trampoline park. Anyone above five years of age can join in on the wide range of activities in the extensive indoor arena.

“The most popular activity is dodgeball,” says Cojocaru. “Two teams line up on the field of trampolines with angled walls to face off with foam balls.” Another popular activity is AirFit. “It is a 60-minute intense fitness class with an instructor.”

AirHop also loves throwing children’s parties. Groups of up to 20 kids can be accommodated, and you get a dedicated party host who follows you around and helps arrange a dodgeball game just for your group.

After an hour of jumping, the kids can refuel in the AirHop café with hot dogs and ice cream.

Safety first AirHop has a strong focus on safety. “Everyone should feel that they are in a safe environment,” says Cojocaru. A safety briefing is held with anyone who wants to jump, and there are always park hosts around for assistance.

In April, an additional park will open in Uppsala, and there are also parks in Germany and England. It is highly recommended to book a slot before arriving at the park.

For more information, please visit: www.airhoppark.se or facebook.com/ airhopgbg

Meet the creatures of Elk Hill At the Royal Hunt Museum – Elk Hill, fantastic nature is accessible only a short trip from Gothenburg. It is an ideal destination to explore and meet wild creatures of the forest.

Whether taking part in one of the popular elk safaris or exploring the area alone, visitors have the chance to spot moose in their natural environment.

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

West Sweden’s only eco park is located close to beautiful Lake Vänern, and its mountains Halleberg and Hunneberg offer rare geology and biological diversity with fascinating wildlife, in addition to plenty for young and old adventurers to discover.

“The Royal Hunt Museum – Elk Hill is ideal for families with children,” says event and marketing coordinator Mattias Westerdahl. “A big part of the exhibition is interactive, with opportunities to smell, touch and explore. It’s practical learning in a museum environment.”

There is plenty to see and do including an interactive display about Swedish nature and hunting history as well as the royal hunt, which was introduced by King Oscar II in 1885 and is still active today. New this year 68 | Issue 99 | April 2017

is the enchanted forest, where the museum spills into the outdoors so that visitors can learn more about wildlife and have fun in the adjoining playground.

Another highlight is the beaver safari, with the opportunity to also join a guided canoe tour on beautiful Lake Eldmörjan. Lasting around three hours, this is an exciting activity for families with children aged around ten to 12. For those who want to try canoeing on their own, half-day and full-day rentals were introduced last summer and proved to be very popular. Mountain bikes are also available, with several routes starting at the museum and following the mountain.

The Royal Hunt Museum – Elk Hill is open all year around with more activities throughout, such as guided monthly hikes.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Sweden – A Children’s Paradise

A whole universe for the curious With a variety of fun activities relating to everything from planets and stars to the human senses, Kreativum is a creative universe to discover.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Joakim Lenell

The old cotton mill Strömma Bomullsspinneri in Karlshamn is a treasure. Today, the 2,000-square-metre building hosts Kreativum, a centre packed with exciting activities and more than 170 ‘try it out’ stations for exploring. Opened in 1999, Kreativum is a part of Swedish Science Centres, which aims to put young and old in closer contact with science and technology, ultimately encouraging curiosity and the desire to learn more.

New at Kreativum this year is the exhibition EnergiSnille, with much to learn about energy, such as what it really is, how it gets into our homes and how we can use it more sparsely. During the summer months, the outside area Kreapark, located on a small island, is ideal for picnics and fun features such as mischievous fountains, an adventure raft and the Archimedes screw.

Other challenges include, for example, a mixer table with more than 800,000 tunes and rhythms, paper manufacturing and a boat race where visitors build their own boats to race each other. On top of that, the area called KreaMake offers a virtual reality ride, origami, a range of games and programming such as the new LEGO concept WeDo 2.0, with the chance to create characters that are brought to life through programming. Visitors are also recommended to drop by Blekinge Exotiska Värld, an adventure through five continents including the world’s smallest crocodile and the world’s biggest snail.

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

Kreativum is open all year round, Friday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm, and during school holidays.

Remember to also check out the shop, Kreaffären, with plenty of clever things and books to buy, and café Kreaficum for some tasty treats.

S N O TI Y lT C a i ec RA WA Sp T AT NOR P TO IN e:

m he

The 52-year-old pool got a total makeover last year.

Photo: Drammensbadet

More than just a swimming complex As one of Norway’s biggest swimming complexes, Drammensbadet attracts visitors of all calibres – from babies to adults who cannot swim upon arrival, to gym-goers, hen-dos, business meetings and small parties in the spa area, which also features a licence to serve alcohol.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Tom Atle Bordevik

In other words, there is something for everyone to enjoy – whether they are a new or experienced swimmer, or just want to relax in the spa. Located in the south-eastern part of Norway, or more precisely the Marienlyst area of Drammen, with railway connections and motorways within walking distance, Drammensbadet’s pools are filled with a whopping 5.3 million litres of water.

There are four outdoor pools, which are open throughout the summer from the first weekend of June throughout Au70 | Issue 99 | April 2017

gust. These are a major attraction when the sun hits Drammen and, when a welldeserved break is needed from swimming, there are sunbeds and barbecue opportunities by the pool – all included in the price of the standard ticket.

While Drammensbadet has only been open since 2008, the outdoor pool has been around for 52 years, although initially it was more like a theme park. It was given a total makeover last year, which means that this year is the perfect time to enjoy its shiny new facilities.

On days when the sun is hiding behind a cloud or two, Drammensbadet boasts a wide range of indoor activities. Firstly, as the name suggests, it has five indoor pools that feature diving boards and slides, exercise classes in the water and swimming lessons for babies, children and adults.

For those less interested in the swimming aspect, there is a gym with fitness classes, bouldering, saunas, a spa, a café, sunbeds – the list is endless.

Passionate about swimming Drammensbadet and its CEO Kristina Vinda are incredibly focused on increasing the average swimming ability nationwide, which is why they offer tickets at the same price throughout the year, whether it is a weekday, weekend or holiday.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Norway

“We decided to offer great prices on our swimming tickets to boost the swimming abilities of people nearby, after recent research showed that only 50 per cent of the children in fourth grade, aged ten, knew how to swim,” says Vinda. “We didn’t think it was fair to raise the prices of family tickets – which are 400NOK and include two adults and two children – during holidays and weekends, when most parents are able to take their kids swimming.”

From April, Drammensbadet is opening an hour earlier on weekends, at 9am, to cater for families with young children.

“Kids are up early and many parents sit at home and wait until things are open, which is why we decided to open earlier on Saturdays and Sundays. If you have young children, they often nap around 10-11am, which means an earlier start is often more convenient,” says Vinda.

In keeping with the family-friendly tone, there is also the option of bringing your own lunch, even though there is a café on site (featuring a dry zone and a wet zone, which can be accessed straight from the pool). “We do want people to buy something in our café, but we’re much more

For those wanting to unwind, there is a spa with a private Jacuzzi and a licence to serve alcohol.

An aqua fitness class is a popular way to exercise at Drammensbadet.

The outdoor pool and slides are incredibly popular on a sunny day.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 71

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Norway

There are five indoor pools with both lessons and classes.

focused on increasing people’s ability to swim,” says the CEO. Vinda is the only person in Norway with a swimming hall attendant qualification, which she gained in Sweden in 1987 after two years of training. “All our staff are formally trained when it comes to lifeguard and swimming, which is something we believe is very important,” she says.

With a passion for teaching, Vinda has started a new project, in collaboration with Drammen municipality, to start swimming lessons from first rather than third class, which is the national average.

“We’ve had really good results with this. In Sweden, where I worked for 13 years, kids 72 | Issue 99 | April 2017

start when they are aged six, in reception or first class,” says Vinda. “We want everyone to learn how to swim – regardless of their background or resources.”

The place for a party Despite Drammensbadet being a great place for swimming enthusiasts, its spa also attracts hen parties, business meetings and adult birthday parties – many celebrating their 60th or 70th – alike.

“The spa area is for those aged 18 and above, due to our alcohol serving licence,” says Vinda. “Visitors pay less than 200NOK to rent a robe and towel, with their own private changing facilities and Jacuzzi. There are snacks available in the form of tea, coffee, nuts and bis-

cuits and, for those interested, there is also an infrared sauna where you sweat on the inside rather than outside – a popular choice amongst boxers who need to lose weight.”

Just a few doors from the spa area is a place dedicated to children’s parties, where kids are treated to their own table on the birthday balcony – though many are happy splashing around in the water for most of the day. “Our children’s parties are very popular,” says Vinda. “It’s nice for the kids to have an active party that doesn’t depend on the weather.”

The kids can swim to their heart’s content, with a one-hour slot booked at the birthday table where they are served piz-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Norway

za, soft drinks, slushies and ice cream.

There is also a present for the birthday boy or girl.

Focus on fitness The gym at Drammensbadet opens at 6.30am every weekday, which means that locals can get a class in before work, and is open until 9.30pm. With room for a lie-in on the weekend, the gym’s opening hours are slightly shorter – from 9am until 5.30pm.

There are senior classes, aqua classes and group fitness classes including yoga, pilates, spin, step, dance and body pump to name a few. Additionally, all members have unlimited access to training guidance on site as well, to help new members get started or to help with progress for the established gymgoer. There is not much you cannot do at Drammensbadet.

Facilities and activities Five indoor pools Four outdoor pools Diving boards Water slides Wave pool Infrared sauna Classic saunas Gym Fitness classes Aqua classes Bouldering Spa with alcohol serving licence Sunbeds Swimming lessons for all ages Café Bring-your-own lunch Birthday parties

Drammensbadet features fun slides for the kids to enjoy. Photo: Drammensbadet.

Drammensbadet is focused on increasing the swimming abilities of children in the area.

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

The spa can be hired for hen parties and business meetings alike.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 73

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Norway

Chill out on the deck and try to catch a bit of dinner.

Adventure cruise on the fjords What if we told you there is a way to go on a safari, but instead of paving your way through the burning hot jungle, you would be in the fresh Norwegian air with a tailormade programme to suit you and your travel companions’ needs? Instead of walking, you would be on a luxurious yacht, joining adventurous activities along the fjords.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: SailSafari Adventures

SailSafari Adventures offers private cruises for the adventurous tourist, exploring some of the most scenic Norwegian nature. It takes guests on a journey through the renowned Lysefjord, located in southwestern Norway, with a focus on hikes up to the monumental views of both Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag.

“We offer a floating ‘apartment’, which brings our guests closer to the grand nature the fjord has to offer,” founder and 74 | Issue 99 | April 2017

general manager Atle Gundersen explains. “Lysefjorden has a wild, raw nature, and the feeling of becoming at one with it is incredibly special.”

Gundersen realised that there was a gap in the market for this kind of offering, which is why he established the company in 2014. “Our most popular product is the package including three days and two nights – the Lysefjord Adventure cruise – with a privately guided tour to the Pulpit

Rock and Kjerag, and potentially the Flørli stairs, the longest wooden staircase in the world.”

Exclusive expeditions Despite the extensive range of package deals, SailSafari Adventures has a strong belief in personally tailoring the experience for each individual group to maximise the experience of the visitor.

On the Lysefjord Adventure cruise, up to six guests will arrive at the Port of Stavanger in the morning, followed by two to three hours of sailing on the fjords.

After a spot of relaxation on the yacht, there will be a privately guided mountain hike to see the breath-taking views from the Pulpit Rock, taking up to two hours

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Norway

each way. Lunch will be enjoyed on the edge of the rock, for those brave enough to dangle their feet, followed by an outdoor barbecue dinner.

On the second day, guests will eat breakfast aboard the yacht while watching the Pulpit Rock from sea level, followed by feeding wild goats and another two or three hours of sailing. The main event of the second day is the two-hour guided mountain hike to Kjerag, followed by lunch at the boulder. On the third day, the real Norwegian safari takes place, and guests will be able to watch seals and birds of prey and participate in some deep-sea fishing.

Customised cruises SailSafari Adventures also offers tailormade trips for small companies and establishments, for team-building activities where business and pleasure truly go hand in hand. As well as being a floating apartment featuring three double cabins, the yacht, S/Y Athene, can also be

One of the major attractions of the cruise is climbing the Pulpit Rock.

Discover wildlife, such as sea eagles and seals.

used as a floating meeting room, with a large wall-mounted flat screen for presentations and Wi-Fi on board.

The food on board is described as ‘real Viking food served in real Viking surroundings’, which includes tapas-style food, the speciality being traditional Norwegian seafood. There is also the prime option of getting a customised cruise by cherry-picking your favourite activities, such as visits to art galleries, spa treatments, horse riding and private visits to the local chocolate farm Lysefjorden Sjokolade – including tastings, of course.

For those with less time, there are seven different options for day cruises, which start and end in the port of central Stavanger. These include a tour of Lysefjord, including a hike up the scenic Pulpit Rock, the archipelago for some ancient coastal culture, Ryfylke for some natural wonders and adventures, a Champagne cruise, a gourmet cruise and, last but not least, the Viking fishing cruise.

Enjoy a bit of kayaking in the deep fjords underneath the steep rocks.

Selection of activities and excursions - Sailing in the fjord - Mountain hiking, Pulpit Rock - Mountain hiking, Kjerag - Extreme stairs, 4,444 steps - Visit Flørli Power Plant - Kayaking underneath the Pulpit Rock - Visit local art gallery - Spa treatment in Frafjord - Horse riding in the mountains - Helicopter sightseeing - Swimming or snorkeling in the fjord - RIB/speedboat trip - Deep-sea fishing and picking mussels - Birds of prey exploration - Catch, prepare and cook delicious seafood - Visit Lysefjord chocolate farm

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

SailSafari Adventures offers its very own exclusive Champagne Day Cruise.

Food on the yacht is described as ‘Viking food by Viking chefs’.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 75

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Norway

Fish guarantee from Big Fish Adventure In the place where a world-record 47-kilogramme cod was caught just a few years ago, Big Fish Adventure combines friendly northern Norwegian hospitality with an exceptional location.

and Saab’s husband also tends to pop round to guests every day with freshly baked cake.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Big Fish Adventure

Offering hotel rooms, apartments and houses, a VIP lodge is now also being built, and 90 per cent of guests return within two years. “Our goal is to continue to offer visitors from around the world the fishing adventure of their lifetime, at whichever level of luxury they choose,” Saab concludes.

Big Fish Adventure is the name of a services portfolio offered by the Hasvik Hotel & Housing in Hasvik on Norway’s fourth-largest island of Sørøya. In western Finnmark, the island is located between Tromsø and Hammerfest, right at the edge of the Barents Sea in northern Norway. The hotel complex celebrates 40 years this year, and current owner and general manager Mona Saab and her husband took over from her parents in 2000.

“The sea around Sørøya provides a natural habitat to and is populated by large amounts of particularly large fish, such as cod, halibut, pollock and redfish spawn,” Saab explains. A couple of years ago, for example, a German tourist caught a cod weighing 47 kilogrammes, a world record still standing. The adventure is open for beginners and experts alike, as boats with or without guides are available for hire.

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“While fishing is possible all year round, we market the season from early March, when cod spawns, until early October, when halibut spawns,” Saab continues, explaining that the winter climate can be particularly rough. That said, the hotel is open in the winter for northern lights spotters.

Saab’s husband is also an experienced chef, and visitors are welcome to watch him in action and learn to prepare fresh fish the local way. Having a passionate chef in-house also allows guests to enjoy the culinary delights of fresh fish of the day, prepared as close as possible to perfection using only the finest seasonal and local ingredients.

“We are keen for tourists to enjoy northern Norwegian hospitality in addition to a fishing adventure,” says Saab. Northern Norwegians are known for being approachable, friendly, outgoing and warm,

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

Aurora Alps – at the edge of Tromsø

Your activity provider when visiting Tromsø and Lyngen Alps: – 50 min. transfer – soft adventure – good service – summer and winter

AURORA ALPS + 47 917 35 497

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post@auroraalps.no

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www.auroraalps.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Norway

Above: Steinetind towering at 509 metres above sea level. Photo: Thora Hamnaas. Below: Senja is the second-largest island in Norway.

Discover the magic of Norway – independent hiking, biking and skiing tours Discover Norway, formerly Norske Bygdeopplevelser, caters to outdoor enthusiasts who thrive in nature – by foot, on a bike or on skis. What makes Discover Norway so unique is the fact that their tours are mostly self-guided, but all logistics are handled by an experienced team in Lillehammer.

By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: Discover Norway

Despite the fact that the travel style appeals to independent travellers, the accommodation and the meals you enjoy are of a very high standard. The dinners are typically two or three-course meals and the hotels, mountain lodges and fisherman’s huts are run by hosts who care about every visitor and go to great lengths to give you a great experience.

Biking tours While the steep hills may not take your breath away, the spectacular beauty of nature will. Discover Norway offers biking trips in the north of Norway as well as along the fjords. In the northern part, you can experience Lofoten, Helgelandskysten and Norway’s second-largest island of Senja. Along the fjords, Hardanger and Sunnhordland are must-sees, starting and ending in Bergen. The self-guided bi78 | Issue 99 | April 2017

cycle tours include accommodation, food and luggage transfer.

Experience northern Norway, daylight 24/7 and biking under the midnight sun.

One of the most popular and scenic bike trips is the eight-day adventure on Norway’s second-largest island, which is arguably also one of the most beautiful. The views and nature vary, as do the places you stay, but they all have in common great quality with regards to both the culinary side and the comfort. Each leg leaves opportunities to discover the natural treasures along the route, and the trip starts and ends in Tromsø.

luggage transport, so you are able to enjoy the outdoors without lugging heavy backpacks and, if you want, without guides.

The hiking trips take place in many different parts of Norway, including the Pilgrim trail across Dovrefjell, Jotunheimen and Rondane National Parks, the Lofoten Isles and Senja – all available with or without a tour guide.

Discover Norway Phone: + 47 917 25 200 Email: info@discover-norway.no

Hiking in the Norwegian mountains Another mode of taking in the great outdoors is by foot. Discover Norway organises several different ways of hiking with

For booking and more information, please visit: www.discover-norway.no

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Dog sledding beneath Arctic mountains Experience authentic dog sledding beneath Norwegian snow-cloaked mountains.

Located in a valley just an hour outside Tromsø, Northern Light Dog Adventure offers memories for life in proper Norwegian style.

By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Martin Bendiksen

“When you’re in the wilderness of mountains, with only the dogs to take you forward through nature, you are alone but also so free. That feeling makes it magical to go dog sledding,” says Kay Even Bendiksen, who runs the dog sledding attraction Northern Light Dog Adventure with his family.

With 30 dogs living outside their family home and 16 years’ experience, they have turned their hobby into a livelihood, inviting

tourists from all over the world to join them for a true dog sledding adventure. “Because it started as a hobby, we have all the motivation and enjoyment required. This is definitely a 24-hour job,” says Bendiksen.

The family provides guided dog sledding tours throughout the winter season and has recently introduced an autumn tour called Dogsledding on Wheels. This year they will allow tourists to get even closer to their

lifestyle with the new product, Be a Musher for a Day, where visitors will get a tailored tour and take part in the work that goes on behind the scenes, including preparing for the trip and feeding the dogs.

“We only take on small groups. When there are only a few people, there’s less waiting and you don’t have to rush,” says Bendiksen. “We can go on better routes up in the mountains and have more time to cuddle and play with the dogs.”

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

Scandinavian simplicity Designed and handcrafted in Norway

www.freywood.no

@freywood.no Freywood

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Visit the charming fishing community of Ona.

A Norwegian adventure at sea Have you ever dreamed of exploring the wild Norwegian nature from another perspective? Perhaps by tailoring your own experience with the help of knowledgeable locals? Based at the heart of some of Norway’s most breath-taking natural wonders, Nordvest Opplevelser can help you do just that – with thrilling and unforgettable boat trips.

By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen | Photos: Christer Olsen

Located in the small village of Brattvåg just outside Ålesund in western Norway, Nordvest Opplevelser offers tailor-made boat trips for companies, groups and private individuals, both at sea and in the fjords. With its prime location next to the majestic North Sea and close to several of Norway’s picturesque fjords, few places serve as a better point of departure for exploring the rugged and untouched nature of the land in the north.

Growing interest in sea-based tours Nordvest Opplevelser is passionate about sharing the natural beauty of Møre og 80 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Romsdal county with visitors and locals alike. “We are extremely proud of our spectacular nature, and it’s something we wish that everyone could experience – that’s the reason we started Nordvest Opplevelser,” says co-owner and skipper, Stein Lystad.

The company was born in 2016 after Lystad and his partner, Lindis Flem Harnes, who both manage hotels in the Ålesund area, witnessed a strong interest for sea-based experience tours. “We increasingly had to say no to tour requests on the ocean due to the lack of boats and

resources that could organise trips, so it was clear that there is a strong demand for these kinds of experiences,” Lystad explains.

From airport transport to fjord cruises Today, Nordvest Opplevelser plans, organises and carries out everything from fjord cruises and lighthouse visits to fishing trips, bird safaris and airport transfers with the help of their two boats. The sea route has become a favoured way of travelling to and from the airports in both Ålesund and Molde as it makes for an excellent way of getting your sightseeing fix, as well as guaranteeing a journey free from annoying traffic stops.

Fjord cruises to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Geirangerfjorden, perhaps the most famous fjord in the world, have become extremely popular. Tourists

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Norway

from near and far flock to the breathtaking natural wonder to see dramatic waterfalls, towering mountains and abandoned farms clinging to the hillside.

Although several companies offer such cruises, few give the option to tailor the experience based on your own needs.

“Due to the boat capacity of 12 people, our tours are more intimate, and you will witness the wild and beautiful nature as you go through the fjord from a ringside seat. Departing from Ålesund also gives the opportunity to see a longer stretch of the fjord, and we are happy to arrange fishing on the way,” says Lystad.

the place to go. It is situated on an inhabited island with nothing but the vast North Sea around, and Nordvest Opplevelser can arrange for overnight stays at the lighthouse. “We offer exclusive packages with accommodation and your own chef and waiter, who can custom-make menus based on guests’ requests,” says Lystad.

“We also have a close collaboration with

Finnøy Havstuer and Brattvåg Fjordhotell and can tailor stays, meals and transport to these places. Whichever arrangements you choose, we will make sure it is a trip you will never forget.”

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

Fish, birds and lighthouses For those who wish to focus solely on fishing, Nordvest Opplevelser offers both deep ocean fishing and shellfish trap fishing. A local and experienced skipper will take you out on the open ocean and show all the best spots for fishing, while explaining about the area and what fish you can expect to get. “The ocean outside Ålesund is very good for cod fishing, and if you are lucky you might get to see eagles, seals and even whales,” Lystad affirms.

For those interested in bird watching, Lystad and his crew can arrange bird safaris to the species-rich bird mountain Runde, where more than 500,000 birds reside. Get a glimpse of the Atlantic puffin, or sea parrot as it is also called, a bird native to the North Atlantic region, as well as eagles and many other unique species.

In addition to allowing you to experience the beautiful nature, Nordvest Opplevelser can take you on tours that will give a glimpse into the traditional way of life in the area. Ona, a small fishing community with its charming red lighthouse towering over the few houses found on the island, is absolutely worth a visit. Savour traditional Norwegian cuisine made with the freshest ingredients from sea and land at Ona Havstuer, while enjoying uninterrupted ocean views.

If you prefer something even more serene, Flatflesa lighthouse, dubbed the most beautiful lighthouse in Norway, is

Located close to Ålesund, Nordvest Opplevelser is nearby some of Norway’s most spectacular natural wonders.

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Vesterålen

Whale spotting guaranteed “We will refund your whale safari trip if we fail to spot whales,” promises Geir Maan, general manager and owner of Hvalsafari AS.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Thorleif Lundquist

Hvalsafari AS is based in Andenes at the isle of Andøya, which is the northernmost island of the Vesterålen archipelago in northern Norway. It was founded

by Maan and his colleagues in 1989, following the discovery of a tribe of sperm whales in the waters off Andenes and successful trial whale safari trips. Since then, many thousands of visitors from around the world have spotted whales during thousands of trips from the company’s fleet of former fishing vessels.

“Our experience and knowledge of the local waters enable us to provide our ambitious guarantee,” Maan explains.

Sperm whales form the principal breed of whales and, while occasionally travelling as far as to the Azores, can be spotted throughout the year. These magnificent animals can potentially grow up to 18 metres, weigh from 35 to 45 metric tonnes, and can live for over 70 years.

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Other whales that may appear include killer whales, minke whales, humpback whales and fin whales.

Trips typically start at Hvalsafari’s Whale Centre at the harbour, where a large sperm whale skeleton is on display and a briefing on what to expect from the trip is provided. Guides, who are qualified and experienced marine biologists, accompany the tourists on the trip. Food and refreshments are brought along too. In addition to the guarantee of whale spotting, trips may well become eventful. “Whales are often intrigued by human presence and may not be shy of jumping out of the water close to the boat,” Maan explains.

Visitors can enjoy drinks and local food at Hvalsafari’s Riggen Restaurant. “We collaborate with local hotels, camping sites and car rental firms for accommo-

dation,” he continues. It is easy to get to Andenes with direct flights from Oslo during the summer, and the town is well connected with other airports during the rest of the year.

The future looks bright for Hvalsafari.

“A new Whale Centre has just been built and a new quay close to the town centre and the local light house is currently under construction for more frequent trips, greater flexibility and better experience,” Maan concludes.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Attractions in Vesterålen

Visit an authentic fish farm Norway is the world’s largest producer of Atlantic salmon, and around 14 million people around the world enjoy Norwegian salmon every day. Alongside fishery, aquaculture is the main industry in Vesterålen, providing valuable opportunities for employment and settlement along the coast.

Akvakultur i Vesterålen is an adventure centre for Norwegian aquaculture where you can gain unique insight into the production of salmon in one of Norway’s most beautiful regions. At the facility, you get to go out by boat to visit a real fish farm with salmon and trout, meet a real fish farmer and go on a guided tour of the intriguing exhibits, displaying aquacultural history ranging from the pioneer era in the 1950s to today’s highly technological operations. There are exciting activities for children, including films, an underwater camera and a 12metre-long map in glass, showing aquaculture expansion in northern Norway. The visit includes a delicious taste of smoked salmon or trout from the local production.

“We really want to show our visitors the great art of cultivating the ocean, the value

this has for food production and, in particular, the importance it has for the people living along the coast of northern Norway,” manager Marte Sørbo Hoholm explains.

“Aquaculture and fisheries create employment opportunities and give people along the coast endless opportunities.”

By Pernille Johnsen | Photo: Marten Blit

Akvakultur i Vesterålen is located in the small village of Blokken in Sortland municipality. It takes approximately 30 minutes to drive by car from Sortland. You can get to Blokken by car or private boat, and it is a short distance to both Sortland and Stokmarknes if you arrive by sea.

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

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A time warp in the north Anyone with a passion for the olden days would dream of a place that has been preserved perfectly since its origin, which is why Kjerringøy Trading Post in northern Norway has become such a historical landmark for tourists and historians alike.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Nordlandsmuseet/Ernst Furuhatt

Stepping into the best-kept trading post in northern Norway, a mere 30-minute drive from Bodø, is much like stepping into a time warp from the 1800s. The Parisian wallpaper from the 1840s that drapes the walls, original furniture and decorations have all been preserved in a way that makes you wonder if it was built and decorated 200 years ago, and was never stepped foot in again.

The museum does not have the classic museum vibe, according to department manager of the Nordland Museum, Erika Søfting. It was privately owned until 1959 and, in the ‘30s, the directorate for cultural heritage approached the owners to help preserve the estate, until it was sold to the county’s museum nearly 30 years later.

“When it was sold to Nordland’s County Museum in 1959, it was on the premise that as much of the furnishing as possible would remain,” says Søfting. “The own84 | Issue 99 | April 2017

ers took their private belongings but left almost everything else. After that, it has been preserved as a museum collection.”

Despite the museum label, Søfting stresses that Kjerringøy is anything but dry. “It’s a very exciting place to be, especially in the summer,” she says. “You don’t have the usual museum feeling where you stand around and read – it’s a completely different experience. You’re immediately drawn into the history, due to the preservation of the houses, and you get to see how people lived back then with the vast contrasts between the merchants and their servants.”

Focus on children This year, Kjerringøy will have an increased focus on families travelling with children. They are currently in the process of teaming up with travel app Bædi & Børdi – launched for children last

summer to give a guided tour of museums and attractions from a child’s perspective. The app is expanding to several destinations in northern Norway, which means that when children arrive at Kjerringøy, they can log on and see what the trading post has to offer, from an amusing standpoint.

The app is free to download, and is aimed at making culture and nature more exciting for children with the help of the two characters Bædi and Børdi, who speak a language children are more familiar with and will find exciting (ultimately letting the parents discover the cultural attractions themselves).

There will also be several activities for the children on Kjerringøy, including plenty of ancient games and activities such as walking on stilts and making ropes. Additionally, there is a museum café with good food and drink, which is a great pit-stop to make in between the activities.

The merchant’s widow One of the most-renowned characters throughout the island’s history is Anna

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Elisabeth of Kjerringøy. She lived at the trading post for almost 80 years, as her dad bought it the year after she was born.

“Through quite tragic circumstances, she became a widow and remained a widow for nine whole years,” says Søfting. “The remarkable thing about the merchant widows in those days was that when the merchant died, the widows took over all trading. There are several examples of this, and most of them remarried straight away, but Anna Elisabeth remained alone and in charge for nine years.”

She eventually married her much younger trading officer, Erasmus Zahl, who gave the Norwegian author and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Knut Hamsun, his first loan to go abroad and fulfil his dream of becoming a writer. Kjerringøy’s incredible archives feature the original letter that Hamsun, at 19 years old, wrote to Zahl, asking for a loan so he could travel. Zahl gave him 2,000 NOK, a substantial sum back in 1879.

Kjerringøy has also been used as a location for several Hamsun films. Due to the preservation of the buildings, furniture and décor, Kjerringøy is a remarkable location for films trying to depict the 1800s.

Additionally, the nature and landscape make it a sought-after location for filmmakers. “To combine a trip to the Hamsun Centre and Kjerringøy is absolutely perfect,” says Søfting. “You get to experience the literary part, and then you can explore the type of environment Hamsun described in many of his novels.”

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

Main image: Travelling to Kjerringøy is much like stepping into a time capsule. Above left: The furnishing in the living room at Kjerringøy has remained the same since the 1800s. Bottom left: Anna Elisabeth (right) is one of Kjerringøy’s most-renowned characters, and she married Zahl (left) after nine years as a widow. Bottom middle: This year, there will be an increased focus on activities for children. Bottom right: The staff are dressed to make the experience as authentic as possible.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 85

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Bodø

Tranøy Lighthouse is one of the beautiful places you can visit in Hamarøy. The lighthouse offers accommodation and has a nice restaurant that is open in the summertime.

The Hamsun Centre – a beacon of literature Explore the landscape that inspired the early modernist Knut Hamsun to write the Nobel Prize-winning novel, Growth of the Soil.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Ernst Furuhatt

Situated in Hamsun’s hometown of Hamarøy in the northern Norwegian county of Nordland, the Knut Hamsun Centre (Hamsunsenteret) rises as a beacon of literature and literature interpretation. Designed by renowned architect Steven Holl, the centre was completed in 2009 and offers year-round adventures and cultural experiences for visitors of all ages and interests.

books, including Growth of the Soil, are as painstakingly relevant today as ever.

Knut Hamsun is best known for his ground-breaking modernist novels and controversial political views, and many of the themes Hamsun explored in his

Hamsun left Nordland when he was 20 years old but returned to Hamarøy as an established author, living at Skogheim farm from 1911 to 1917 with his wife Marie

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Born in 1859 as Knud Pedersen in the Gudbrandsdalen district of Norway, Hamsun and his family moved to Hamarøy in 1862. Hamarøy became Hamsun’s childhood realm, where he grew up and the feeling of home took root; patriotism on a small scale, as he called it.

and their children. It was in this period he wrote the famous novel Growth of the Soil, published 100 years ago.

The building as a body Drawing inspiration from Hamsun’s childhood home, the grand landscape of Hamarøy and especially one of Hamsun’s most famous novels, Hunger, Holl designed the centre as an architectonic interpretation of the author’s life and novels.

“The building was created to resemble a body – a battleground of invisible forces,” says director of the Hamsun Centre, Bodil Børset. “Holl wanted the Hamsun Centre to be like a Hamsun character in architectonic terms – the dark wood being its skin and the staircase its skeleton.

He also carefully constructed the windows with the idea of using the light to cast in-

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Experience Bodø

teresting shadows on the walls. The shifting experience of space, perspective and light gives the visitor associations to the psychology of Hamsun’s characters, and provides interesting frames for exhibitions and activities.”

The building’s design generated considerable attention and debate in Hamarøy, Nordland, Norway and abroad. In 1996, MoMA in New York purchased the model of the building and, in 1997, Holl received the Progressive Architecture Award.

The Nobel Prize in Literature In 1920, Hamsun was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for Growth of the Soil (1917). The novel describes the development of the site at Sellanraa from a primitive smallholding to a fully working farm. Isak and Inger build the farm in the middle of the rugged Nordland landscape, where humans and animals live their lives in harmony with nature.

Yet, with its threshing machines, telegraph lines and its income from the mining business, the farm is dependent on

modern society. Finding inspiration in the northern Norwegian landscape and culture, Hamsun wrote parts of the novel at Kråkmo farm in Nordland, where he rented a room to write.

Hamsun had already been a candidate for the Nobel Prize in 1918, but he did not qualify. “The Nobel Prize was meant to go in an idealistic direction, but what Hamsun had written previously was far too controversial and experimental, and it did not go down the idealistic route,” says Børset. “But then came Growth of the Soil, and it quickly became apparent that he wanted to address his generation with an important message.”

On its appearance, Growth of the Soil earned the praise of every political camp as a message of peace and selfsufficiency at a time characterised by war and tension. The novel is read as a national epic, with Hamsun taking the role of literary leader figure. “It’s almost biblical,” explains Børset. “A lot of people could relate to the novel – they could find hope in it, regardless of class or status.

This is what the Nobel Committee saw, which is why they chose him in 1920 as the first author receiving the award for one book in particular.” Today, the novel is read with a view to its ambivalent idea of modern society and the whole notion of progress.

Hamsun quotes: “He’s a man of the wilds to his very marrow, a farming man and nothing but. Something resurrected from the past and pointing the way to the future, a man from the first of all farms, the settler, nine hundred years old and once more the man of the hour.” (Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil) “The long, long road over the moors and up into the forest – who trod it into being first of all? Man, a human being, the first that came here. There was no path before he came.” (Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil)

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

Top left: Hamsun briefly stayed at the farm Kråkmo behind the Kråkmo mountain in Hamarøy when he started to write Growth of the Soil. Middle: The Hamsun Centre overlooks the classic northern Norwegian landscape. Photo: Karoline O.A. Pettersen. Top right: Hamarøy is the home of Knut Hamsun and the place where he wrote the Nobel Prize-winning novel Growth of the Soil. Photo: Karoline O.A. Pettersen. Left: Designed by the American architect Steven Holl, the concept of the Hamsun Centre was the building as a body – a battleground of invisible forces. Right: Hamsun’s literary breakthrough came in 1890 with Hunger – a book that many regard as one of the most important novels of Norwegian and European literary history. Photo: Nasjonalbiblioteket.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 87

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Syvende Himmel – a unique spa gem

By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: Syvende Himmel A/S

Syvende Himmel is an expansive spa in Bodø, divided across two locations in the city centre. Services offered range from hair removal to luxurious massages but, regardless of your appointment, Syvende Himmel put the craftsmanship of the experience first.

Guri Andreassen co-founded Syvende Himmel 19 years ago with only four treatment rooms. Fast-forward to 2017 and the locations host 12 treatment rooms in addition to a skin care school, which opened four years ago. “Clients who visit the spa have high expectations of the treatments, and we pride ourselves on being the RollsRoyce treatment in skincare,” Andreassen explains.

Four years ago, Syvende Himmel expanded to include a school that provides a yearlong skincare training course. It is an intensive programme, and students come from all over Norway to participate. “It’s an industry that has grown exponentially in a very

short amount of time,” says Andreassen.

The school teaches between 17 and 20 eager students every year.

For booking and more information, please visit: www.syvendehimmel.no

Fine dining on the finest local ingredients The two founders of Restaurant Nyt were born and bred in Bodø, and they love good food and drink as well as their city of birth. “As such, we wanted to create a menu based on the finest local ingredients,” says owner and general manager Bjørnar Bakklund.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Restaurant Nyt / Bjørnar Bakklund

Like in many Nordic cities, the restaurant scene in Bodø in northern Norway is dominated by flavours from all the corners of the world. “At Restaurant Nyt, we want to give our guests an enjoyable experience along with a delicious meal,” says Bakklund. The graduate chef has ten years of experience, and 18 months ago he set up Restaurant Nyt with Håkon Eide Lindberg. The latter is a former apprentice under Bakklund’s supervision and a graduate chef.

Opening at 5pm and with 45 seats in the main restaurant, as well as 50 seats in a separate room available for rent, Restaurant Nyt is for diners looking for an evening with a special atmosphere along with fine local food and drink. From the menu, guests can choose combinations 88 | Issue 99 | April 2017

consisting of four to seven dishes. “Each dish has a manageable size in order for guests to enjoy different dishes during one sitting,” Bakklund explains. These can be accompanied by a glass of wine or beer recommended for each dish on the drinks menu. Each dish can also be ordered individually, and small changes are made to the menu every week.

So far, the restaurant is doing well and has exceeded all expectations. “As long as we keep giving our diners an enjoyable experience with a fine meal, we know we are on the right track,” Bakklund concludes.

For more information, please visit: www.restaurant-nyt.no

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The most beautiful hideaway Imagine a place so serene that the only sound is that of the waves splashing against the rocks; a place with no cars or shops, where your senses are enhanced and your mind is completely cleared. North of the Arctic Circle, you will find such a place: the small island group of Fleinvær. Fordypningsrommet retreat offers a tranquil haven where it is possible to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and truly be at one with the wild, rugged nature of northern Norway.

wegian composer and musician Håvard Lund’s long-time vision of creating a space so undisturbed, so in touch with nature, that visitors will find a completely new level of focus and perspective, inspiring them to embark on a creative and spiritual journey of a lifetime.

By Linn Bjørnsen | Photos: Kathrine Sørgård

At the mouth of the sea, 20 kilometres offshore from the town of Bodø, the nine picturesque wood houses that make up

Fordypningsrommet rise in the rocky coastal landscape. Opened in August last year, the retreat is the result of Nor-

Even though Fleinvær is located in Lund’s home municipality of Gildeskål, he first came to the islands in 1998. He felt an immediate spiritual connection to the place Issue 99 | April 2017 | 89

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Top: Fordypningsrommet offers stunning natural views over Fleinvær’s archipelago. Below, left: The retreat consists of nine houses, of which four are sleeping houses.

and it became his sanctuary for inspiration and concentration. “Coming out here does something to your body – not only spiritually, but also physically. There are no cars here, no disturbing noises. After a short while, you’ll notice your hearing abilities increasing. Similarly, low light pollution leads to enhanced vision. It affects all of the sensory system, leading to an unbelievable concentration and focus,” Lund explains. Ever since discovering these incredible bodily experiences, he knew he had to share it with other artists, as well as the public, and the idea of Fordypningsrommet was born.

Nature and architecture, hand in hand Fordypningsrommet, or ‘room for deeper studies’, consists of nine separate hous90 | Issue 99 | April 2017

es, all with different functions. There are four sleeping houses, a kitchen house, a bath house, a studio, a sauna and a ‘tower for big thoughts’. Designed by TYIN Tegnestue and Sami Rintala, one of Scandinavia’s most celebrated architects, the retreat is a representation of the coastal environment it is embedded in, and all houses are built in sustainable wood, sitting on top of angled steel feet in the rugged landscape.

“Our vision was to create a space that doesn’t disturb nature, but rather works in harmony with it. The architecture emphasises long lines and natural materials, resulting in a delicate and intimate aesthetic that complements the natural surroundings perfectly,” says Lund. The

unique architecture has not gone unnoticed. Last month, Fordypningsrommet won the Northern Norway Architectural Prize for sustainable and poetic meetings between nature, culture and architecture.

Higher perspective Since opening its doors in August 2016, Fordypningsrommet has hosted everyone from artists, companies and individuals seeking inspiration and focus, to yoga retreats and families and friends looking to disconnect from a hectic city life. The houses are available for rent either on a self-catering basis or with a host, and can fit up to 15 people.

There are no supermarkets or shops on the island, so guests who wish to stay on a

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self-catering basis will have to bring their own food to cook. “Many of our visitors prefer to stay here with a host, and we are happy to customise both food and experiences depending on our guests’ needs.

People often want to take part, especially in the cooking, and one of the advantages of our location is the easy access to fish and seafood. To be able to catch your own fish or pick your own scallops is an experience many appreciate,” says Lund.

whoever visits. “Whether you’re counting stars, watching the northern lights dance across the night sky, or just admiring the views of the Lofoten islands, mountains or the coastline, there is a form of cleansing taking place – you’ll leave with a new perspective,” he affirms.

Fordypningsrommet is open year-round and can be reached by a 75-minute ferry ride from downtown Bodø.

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

Below: Founder and artistic leader Håvard Lund has found his spiritual home at Fleinvær – and now he wants to share the life-affirming beauty with the world. Photo: Martin Losvik. Bottom: Fordypningsrommet was designed by award-winning architects TYIN Tegnestue and Sami Rintala, built in wood and sitting on top of angled steel feet. Photo: Martin Losvik

With its location just north of the Arctic Circle, the archipelago of Fleinvær offers breath-taking views of the dramatic northern Norwegian landscape. The area is perfect for hiking in untouched nature, scenic boat trips among small islands and islets, fishing as well as swimming. Here you will have the Arctic nature right in your face, and Fordypningsrommet’s location on top of the island gives a feeling of being able to see the whole world.

Lund is convinced that the mix of serenity and unspoilt nature transforms

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 91

A PASSION FOR FOOD SINCE 1940 The Assistent Original kitchen machine is handmade and individually controlled by Eva, Mats, Ann, Britt-Marie and the other co-workers in our factory in Ankarsrum, Sweden.

WWW.ASSISTENT-ORIGINAL.SE

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Too complex for comfort?

For a long time, one of the core beliefs of economists was that, given all relevant information, a person would make a rational choice when faced with different alternatives. Hence, the explanation for all irrational decisions made was that not all information was available. But the research by Kahneman and Tversky, the 2002 Nobel Prize winners in economics, demonstrated using prospect theory that even with all relevant information, even experts make irrational choices.

Kahneman and Tversky’s research attracted significant interest from the financial services industry, keen to improve its understanding of investment choices and decisions, and during the last few years research into behavioural finance has increased. Behavioural finance seeks to analyse and explain the typical mistakes – behavioural biases – made by investors.

Financial markets are complex and so is international business, where market developments are becoming more unpredictable and whole industries are being disrupted by new technology, different market models and innovative digital start-ups.

So how closely do investors monitor the behavioural biases in the decision making of senior management in global industries? To what extent do industry leaders

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By Lani Bannach

themselves take an interest in gaining insight into their decision making? Can they recognise their own decision-making shortcomings?

Essenta has conducted leadership decision-making research for the last two years, involving international top managers and their abilities to interpret complex information and how they use it in complex decision making. One aspect we investigated was the leaders’ own perception of their ability to interpret complex information and their decision-making ability. Unsurprisingly, we found a very strong illusory superiority, also known as the ‘above-average bias’.

Another aspect was how to interpret probabilities of different business alternatives and, thirdly, how to balance multiple pieces of information when making a decision. The results showed that less than 15 per cent of leaders accurately interpreted the numeric information, or reached an accurate decision when the number of pieces of information exceeded five items.

When great sums of money hinge on good decisions in complex business situations, a robust and detailed decision-making process can help improve the quality of decisions. Investors have known that top management and their decisions are key

ingredients for a successful stewardship of a company.

Perhaps the complexity of business and how decisions are made should become equally important for boards appointing senior management, and for any employee choosing a new employer. Decision making can be improved with training and by breaking complex situations down into smaller segments.

Too complex for comfort? It need not be.

Lani Bannach heads up Essenta – a company delivering organisational change, using neuroscientific and other scientific evidence-based techniques and tools, combined with business acumen and experience. www.essenta.dk

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 93

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | Trekantområdet

With its many beautiful towns, large green areas and cultural attractions, the Triangle Region is an attractive place not just for companies to settle but also for their employees and their families. Photo: Mikkel-Frost-Cebra

‘Our industry is a strength, not a burden’ As the oldest business region in Denmark, the Triangle Region (‘Trekantområdet’) has been working to create a fertile environment for businesses for decades. The result is a thriving industry that attracts and employs a diverse workforce from all over Europe. During the last three years alone, 3,000 new jobs were created.

By Signe Hansen | Press photos

Encompassing seven municipalities in central Jutland and on the island of Funen, the Triangle Region is one of great diversity but also great unity. Since the official creation of the business region in 1994, its board – which consists of the mayors of the seven municipalities – and directorship have created and executed an extensive joint strategy for business development based on the region’s many shared strengths, such as its extensive industry, central location in Denmark, and affordable quality of life.

Going against the trend By educating and re-training the workforce, promoting circular economy, and 94 | Issue 99 | April 2017

creating a streamlined administrative sector, the Triangle Region has succeeded in boosting its manufacturing sector significantly in recent years. This stands in stark contrast to the general trend in Denmark and the rest of western Europe, which has seen many manufacturing sites and jobs move abroad.

“It’s interesting because in Denmark, and the rest of the world in general, eight to ten years ago we began seeing the industry as something we should get rid of so that we could focus on knowledge and innovation,” says Morten Rettig, director of the Triangle Region. “But I think we’ve realised that the world just doesn’t

work like that; knowledge and production are interlinked, and that’s why it’s not impossible for us to compete with lowincome areas. We’ve always had a strong industry, and instead of seeing that as a burden we’ve seen it as a potential and, through that approach, have managed to create 3,000 new jobs in the last three years.”

Creating new jobs and new employees With an eight per cent increase in manufacturing jobs over the last three years, the Triangle Region is the area with the greatest industrial growth in Denmark.

To ensure that the industry can continue to grow and develop, the region has a joint strategy on a range of areas including workforce mobility, education and training, and innovation and culture.

“The greatest challenge, when things are going as well as they are in our region, is ensuring that our companies can recruit the employees they need. We work to se-

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | Trekantområdet

cure this in several ways, by working with the job centres, educational institutions and manufacturers to ensure a close collaboration between all partners,” explains Rettig.

Thanks to the region’s central location and relatively low living costs, it is also possible to attract a great number of skilled workers from the rest of Europe.

Out of the area’s entire workforce of 200,000, approximately 27,000 are from abroad. “Many come with their families and settle in the countryside areas where it’s affordable and convenient to settle with a family and, in that way, they help keep the countryside alive. But, of course, there are also some who work here during the week and then go back to their families during the weekend,” explains Rettig. “Our central location means that companies can recruit commuters from

Photo: CNC Teknologicenter

all over Denmark but at the same time, through our joint plan on culture, we also work to make the area more attractive for new workers to move here.”

Among the results of the joint plan is a yearly cultural week with more than 350 events, as well as a number of highprofile sports events. “Next year, we’re hosting the World Championships in Orienteering,” says Rettig and rounds off. “I think that’s a great sport for us to host, because it covers a great area and really shows off the unique composition of our region – thanks to our joint strategy and extensive collaboration, in a way you can see us as one large city divided across large stretches of green land.”

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

Photo: Fiberline Composites

Facts: The seven municipalities in the Triangle Region are: Billund, Fredericia, Haderslev, Kolding, Middelfart, Vejen and Vejle.

The area is home to 415,000 people and 22,300 companies in more than 70 different fields.

Among the many large corporations that have made the Triangle Region their home are: Danish Crown, LEGO, Siemens Wind Power, Eurofins, Carlsberg, Shell, Arla, Electrolux, Dong Energy, Dandy, Tulip and many more.

The municipalities in the Triangle Region have been collaborating on business development since the 1960s.

In 1994, the partnership was made official with a joint board and an extensive business development plan.

Photo: Lindab

Top, left, middle and right: 3,000 new jobs have been created in the Triangle Region’s thriving manufacturing industry over the last three years. Right: The Triangle Region comprises seven municipalities in central Jutland and on the island of Funen.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 95

Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar

Tell me the story of your life

By Steve Flinders

Some years ago, I was interviewed by a senior German HR manager. Much to my surprise, she only had one question: what’s the story of your life? She told me later that she found the answers she got to this opening gambit in recruitment interviews more revealing than any number of the standard techniques and rarely made a mistake in reading someone’s character.

It is true that she had more empathy in her little finger than many managers have in their entire bodies – and I recognise that this approach to interviewing would not work in large organisations that need standardised recruitment and assessment procedures across departments and countries. But it is also true that many such procedures are agonisingly bureaucratic and devoid of human spirit.

Since that illuminating moment, I have used the same opening countless times myself in one-to-one training and coaching, both to analyse clients’ needs and to build relationships. The results are always very revealing, both in terms of what people say and what they do not say. Some people can tell their life story in ten minutes, some take two or three hours without interruption. Some talk only about their professional life and say nothing about their personal life. Some start their story in their twenties; other tales begin before conception. But one thing that I have noticed frequently, and which still fascinates, concerns and rather baffles me, is how many people need little prompting to talk about their children and even household pets, but completely fail to make any mention of their spouse or partner.

I love talking to people and I believe strongly in what the Oxford historian, Theodore Zeldin, calls ‘the transforming power of conversation’. This is a great way to really find out about people and to start such conversations.

How would you reply?

Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.

Business Calendar Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month

By Heidi Kokborg | Photo: DUCC

Nordic Drinks Every Thursday of the month, members and friends of the Danish, Finnish and Norwegian Chambers of Commerce in the UK gather for drinks. This month the drinks will be held at SEB in central London. Remember to come early as the first 50 get a free drink!

Date: 27 April, 6pm Venue: SEB, 1 Carter Lane, London, EC4V 5AN www.ducc.co.uk

Entrepreneurship Forum 2017: Tech Outside the Box For the second year, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Entrepreneurship Forum. This year’s theme is ‘Tech Outside the Box’. You will hear three inspiring talks from leading tech innovators and investors. All three are examples of how the power of entrepreneurial thinking can have an impact where you least expect it. Sweden is quickly becom-

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ing one of the world’s IT hubs with almost as many tech start-ups as Silicon Valley, and high technology makes up over 15 per cent of its manufacturing export.

Date: 2 May Venue: Grange St Paul’s, 10 Godliman St, London EC4V 5AJ www.scc.org.uk

The DUCC Annual Dinner 2017 This year, the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Gala Dinner will be held at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, London. The guest of honour and dinner speaker is Vivien Life, director of Free Trade Agreements, Trade Policy Group, Department for International Trade.

Date: 11 May, 6.30pm Venue: Middle Temple Lane, London EC4Y 9BT www.ducc.co.uk

Danish Women and Danish Church annual bazaar Every year in May, Danish Women in England and the Danish Church in London hold their annual bazaar. Many Danes and Brits visit the bazaar for a festive day of fun and to buy craft, design, art and books. In the church and garden, there are food stalls selling drinks, hotdogs and classic Danish open sandwiches.

There will be children’s activities in the garden as well.

Date: 13 May, 11am Venue: The Danish Church, 4 St Katharine’s Precinct, London, NW1 4HH www.danskekirker.org

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Top left: All the hotel rooms have stunning views of the ocean or the town of Tromsø. Below, left: Guests can dine in Roast Restaurant, where all the food is grilled in an open restaurant environment. Right: Scandic Ishavshotel has an ideal location on the edge of the quay in Tromsø. Photo: Truls Tiller

Hotel of the Month, Norway

Chasing the northern lights With majestic mountains and ocean on one side and the picturesque city of Tromsø on the other, the views from Scandic Ishavshotel are so unreal you may feel the urge to pinch yourself. Witnessing the aurora borealis dance across the night sky while enjoying freshly caught seafood and local flavours makes a stay here a true delight – for your eyes as well as your taste buds.

By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen | Photos: Scandic Ishavshotel

Located on the edge of Tromsø quay, Scandic Ishavshotel is renowned for its stunning panoramic views of the wild, rugged northern Norwegian landscape.

Completely refurbished last year, the hotel offers modern and sleek accommodation, yet a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Here, you are in a unique position to explore both the natural beauty and the inspiring way of life in one of the world’s northernmost regions.

Breath-taking experiences Every year, people from all over the world travel to Tromsø for experiences of a lifetime – dog sledding, whale watching, mountain hiking, reindeer tours and kayaking – but in the winter months the northern lights are without a doubt the main attraction. At Scandic Ishavshotel,

you can enjoy the spectacular light show from almost anywhere in the hotel, with snow-covered mountains and Arctic oceans as a backdrop. “The northern lights are naturally a popular attraction, and guests have the opportunity to see them even from their rooms,” says general manager Poul-Henrik Remmer.

The hotel’s culinary offering is top-notch, and Roast Restaurant serves delicacies deeply rooted in Norwegian traditions.

“Our fish comes from the ocean you can see from the hotel window, and we use meat and produce from the surrounding areas. Everything is season-based and prepared by grilling it in our open kitchen,” explains Remmer. Guests can also wake up to a breakfast a little out of the ordinary. Crowned one of the best hotel

breakfasts in Norway, it boasts more than 100 different products – think fruit, mueslis, yoghurts, a variety of spreads, freshly baked bread and pastries, juices and coffees made by professional baristas.

In the heart of town With modern business facilities, ten meeting rooms and capacity for 450 people, the hotel is also a popular meeting and conference destination. It is easy to get inspired when the Arctic Cathedral, Tromsø Bridge and the ocean are laid out like a painting right outside the window.

Remmer believes that he knows the secret to success. “It comes down to location. Our guests, whether they’re travelling for business or pleasure, are amazed by the fact that they can feel so close to nature while still enjoying all the benefits of city life, like museums, cafés and restaurants right around the corner.”

For more information, search for Scandic Ishavshotel on www.scandichotels.no

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 97

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Above: Boat tours on the Frederiksborg Castle Lake are among the beautiful experiences offered by Hillerød Camping. Below: Hillerød Camping’s spacious comfort cabins are available to rent all year round.

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

Denmark’s most hospitable campsite Hillerød Camping offers a welcoming, green and versatile base for exploring the beautiful landscape and famous attractions of North Zealand. The campsite, which is connected to Copenhagen via the city’s S-trains, has been nominated as the most hospitable venue in Denmark.

North Zealand. There is so much to do and see, 14 days isn’t always enough for our guests!”

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Hillerød Camping

Since 2005, Hillerød Camping has been in the hands of Annette Quist, an articulate, warm-hearted and ambitious motherof-two. Together with her two teenage daughters, Elisabeth and Helena, and her Dutch partner Taco Folkertsma, she has turned the campsite into a thriving oasis of flowers, charm and open arms. So much so that the site was awarded the prize as Denmark’s most hospitable venue last year. Tina Olsen, a regular guest at the campsite, explains why she nominated the campsite: “The most hospitable place in Denmark must be Hillerød Camping.

You have the most amazing hosts and an extraordinarily charming campsite – just look at the kitchen, which is decorated in old-fashioned style with curtains on the cupboards, blue-glazed kitchen service and everything you could possibly need – plus a herb garden for free use.”

The communal kitchen and free herb garden are just a few of the benefits and 98 | Issue 99 | April 2017

improvements Quist has added to the campsite in recent years. Others include five new comfort cabins, free access to Hillerød indoor swimming pool, and a charming covered terrace bursting with olive trees, lemon trees and palm trees.

Together with its naturally convenient location, the campsite’s many new additions make it a perfect base for exploring the region for everyone from families and young couples to senior travellers.

Located within walking distance of the beautiful Frederiksborg Castle as well as Hillerød’s city centre and train station, all of North Zealand is within reach. “Within a radius of 40 kilometres you can pretty much get everywhere from here,” explains Annette Quist.

“You can visit Roskilde and its beautiful cathedral, Helsingør and the famous Kronborg Castle [the home of Hamlet], all of Copenhagen and the Danish Rivera with its beautiful white sandy beaches of

Facts: Hillerød Camping comprises 110 tent and caravan plots, 20 cabins and five 35-square-metre comfort cabins with room for up to six people.

The campsite is open 8 April to 24 September 2017.

The comfort cabins are available to rent all year.

For more information, please visit: www.hillerod-camping.dk

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden

Great meat, clean conscience At Svartengrens restaurant and bar in central Stockholm, you can be sure that you will know where each and every piece on your plate has come from. “We are in close and direct contact with all suppliers, from farmers to butchers and cutters,” explains Göran Svartengren, chef and co-founder of Svartengrens. The ever-changing menu only serves what is available on that specific day.

goes without saying – and Svartengren and his colleagues pickle, preserve and freeze what is harvested in the summer and autumn to make the most of vegetables and fruits.

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Erik Wåhlström

Right now, Svartengren is looking forward to the coming warmer months and to putting primeurs, sprouts and shoots on the menu. “Spring is the most beautiful season, and also a perfect time to visit Stockholm. Everyone is so relieved that winter is over, and we become much nicer,” he laughs.

Svartengren had been working in the restaurant industry for many years but never liked the workings of the meat industry.

Up until very recently, most restaurants bought their meat from big suppliers without knowing or considering the actual source. “When we started Svartengrens in 2011, we put a great deal of effort into developing direct contact with smaller businesses in order to be in control of the whole supply chain. Most of our meat comes from the archipelago just outside Stockholm,” says Svartengren.

The restaurant has been at the forefront of an important meat revolution, and Svartengren himself thinks that his guests appreciate the high quality of the meat he serves. “Our guests have no problem paying a higher price in order to eat great meat. As citizens of the world,

we must be aware of what we eat and the effect it has on our planet.”

A new charcuterie A few years ago, the restaurant invested in their own dry-ageing fridge for steak and charcuteries, and now they can finally share the tasty result. “Our head chef, David Bygdeståhl, helped us with this project, and we are very proud of the products,” says Svartengren. The charcuterie offers homemade cured ham and sausages, crafted with a south European technique but boasting Swedish flavours.

Svartengrens does not just care about meat; seasonal ingredients are another important aspect of the food as well as the drinks served in the restaurant’s award-winning cocktail bar. The ingredients are locally produced – that almost

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

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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

Playful flirt with Asian cuisine Oslo’s trendy waterside area Aker Brygge carries exciting influences from Asia.

Informal yet vibrant, ASIA Aker Brygge is a tasty mix of modern street food and traditional Asian dishes. With his creative ideas and exotic flavours, head chef Karl MacEwan has established this colourful treasure on the city’s food map.

their way of working with ingredients, and their social eating habits. At ASIA, it all comes together in a playful flirt with Asian cuisine.

By Malin Norman | Photos: ASIA Aker Brygge

Skilled London chef

The cool neighbourhood of Aker Brygge, just west of downtown Oslo, is known for its many bars and restaurants along the boardwalk, offering many opportunities for wining and dining as well as fashionable shopping and fun entertainment right next to Oslo Fjord.

Restaurant ASIA first opened its doors in this lively quarter in 2014. Located in a 100 | Issue 99 | April 2017

hip area and with an exciting menu, it has become a real hotspot for people to come and enjoy delicious food.

The young restaurant is an inspired modern interpretation of Asian eating experiences, based on the owners’ extensive travels in the region, where they fell in love with the culture and people,

Head chef Karl MacEwan is known from the food scene in London, with stints at Michelin-starred restaurants including the Glasshouse as well as large establishments such as Coya London. He was also involved in the high-profile openings of SushiSamba in Heron Tower and AquaShard in The Shard. MacEwan brings finesse and an eye for detail honed during his days at

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

the helm of some of London’s best and busiest restaurants.

According to the head chef, ASIA is an interpretation of modern food trends viewed through the lens of favourite Asian food experiences. “I’m inspired by creating an environment that is both lively and accessible to all, while at the same time being refined and taken seriously,” he says. “We want to stand out from the crowd but also be recognised as being warm and approachable. Asian food is experiencing a renaissance in the big foodie cities such as London and New York, and that is what is driving us.”

MacEwan explains how the vegan menu is central to ASIA’s philosophy. “Modern chefs need to act as educators and as stewards for the environment. It’s our responsibility to help inform about the food trends of the future.” Part of the legacy is being rated amongst the topfive places to eat vegan food in Norway, a great achievement that is putting ASIA

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ASIA’s head chef Karl MacEwan.

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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

at the forefront of a dynamic and evolving restaurant scene.

Flavours of the east The well-balanced menu is a cross-over between the cuisines of several countries, with plenty of fresh ingredients and exotic flavours. Imagine tasty wonders based on exotic spices, coconut, lime, chili, lemongrass, noodles, curry and wok. The courses are served as sharing sizes so that guests can try a little of everything.

ASIA has an extensive list of wines and cocktails as well as a selection of Asian beers and Norwegian beers with an Asian touch.

Alongside its vibrant restaurant and bar, and a second-floor terrace with stunning views of the Oslo Fjord, ASIA offers the new Chambre Separee for groups of 60 to 90 people. ASIA is also

planning to open a new bar called Pop-in and will soon be offering takeaway. Oslo is undoubtedly a fantastic, international gastronomic city, and ASIA is here to stay on the culinary map.

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

Guests can create their own meals or go for one of the tasting menus. Currently, the most popular are the delicious taquitos, which are small Asian taco shells with fillings such as lobster or salmon and tuna with avocado and jalapeños, and there is also a vegan alternative. ASIA was the first restaurant in Oslo to put taquitos on the menu, and curious foodies come just to try them.

Another mouth-watering treat is the bento box, which comes with a selection of Asian dishes such as rice, fish or meat in a box-shaped container. There are also several fresh salads to choose from, such as Thai mango salad, and why not try the new crispy chicken bao bun?

In addition to an excellent food menu,

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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland

Restaurant of the Month, Finland

Somewhere to be found Antique furniture and small, quirky details dotted about the place add to Lost in Helsinki’s unique feel. The restaurant and bar strives to offer locals and tourists a place where they can feel at home, while leaving something behind – and gaining something in return.

Leaving your mark

– and even a wall-mounted bicycle – are dotted around the place, and small details decorate every room in the vast space. There are several rooms, each with their own vibe. Depending on the guests’ mood, they can choose to lie back and relax in an area full of soft sofas, or opt for the perkier dining chairs if they fancy it. Alongside the vintage furniture and antique items, there are also paintings and photographs by local artists displayed on the walls.

The restaurant’s décor is best described as vintage, but with a mixture of strange and ordinary items everywhere. Old typewriters, telephones and cameras

“Everywhere you turn, there is something new to see and explore. Our guests are also encouraged to leave their mark in

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Ann Wikström

Located in the heart of Helsinki, the restaurant and bar opened in August 2016 and has taken the city by a storm.

Along with its quirky décor, excellent food and great service, Lost in Helsinki is one of the top places to venture to on a night out. “The idea is for diners to jump headfirst into a Finnish restaurant setting – with a twist,” explains Katja Takanen, 104 | Issue 99 | April 2017

restaurant manager at Lost in Helsinki.

“We wanted to create a massive space where no one would feel lost.”

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland

Lost in Helsinki. They are welcome to leave something behind: perhaps a hat or any small item… Or they can mark their height and initials on our measuring wall, along with a little message. There’s also a world map, where customers can pin all the places they’ve been lost in before,” Takanen explains. “It’s a fun, relaxed place where people can come to have a laugh and enjoy great food and drinks.”

Uncomplicated, authentic food The food menu features a selection of traditional Finnish dishes, along with a few surprises. “Our specialities are reindeer burgers and sautéed reindeer, a very traditional Finnish dish. Our food is cooked using organic ingredients where possible. We want our diners to experience Finnish delicacies by serving carefully crafted dishes made from the freshest ingredients,” Takanen states.

“From salmon to meat dishes and a selection of vegetarian options, the

kitchen team has selected and designed the best dishes to showcase and capture the simple and authentic feel of Finnish food, using ordinary ingredients and creating extraordinarily good dishes – at prices that don’t break the bank,” she adds. The cocktail menu has also been designed with Helsinki in mind: the drinks are named after all the city’s boroughs. In addition to cocktails and food, there is also live music on the menu weekly. “Lost in Live, the Friday-nightly live music session features local musicians and draws in quite a crowd,” says Takanen.

A Kaurismäki-esque vibe “Lost in Helsinki has an Aki Kaurismäkiesque vibe to it – we even have the famous Finnish film director’s films playing on a loop in one of the rooms,” Takanen laughs. “We wanted to create somewhere with a strong legacy. And that’s exactly what we’re doing here: it’s a place where people can come together and instantly feel connected, like they

belong.” Part of the concept is also selling Lost in Helsinki merchandise, meaning that customers will bring part of the place with them, wherever they go.

“Our customers have sent us pictures from all over the world wearing our T-shirts, so the word is spreading across the globe,” she says.

“Whether our customers are looking for a lively night out, a lovely dinner in an interesting setting, or an evening enjoying good food and drink while listening to live music, we cover all the bases,” the restaurant manager assures.

“By offering something for everyone, we hope that our guests will feel welcome, and be able to get a feel of Helsinki.

Lost in Helsinki is trendy, quirky – and undoubtedly Helsinkian. It’s an adventure not to be missed.”

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

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 105

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Right: Pondus is owned and run by René and Louise Mammen. The couple is also behind Restaurant Substans, one of three Michelin-star restaurants in Aarhus.

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Organic, no-frills Nordic bistro in the heart of Aarhus With a relaxed atmosphere, organic food and affordable prices, Pondus bistro has become the everyday alternative to its popular Michelin-star sister establishment, Restaurant Substans.

and focus on the things we like, while our guests can kick back and bring the whole family along for an affordable Sunday dinner with lots of good food and wine.”

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Pondus

When Pondus was established in 2013, Aarhus was the home of a number of Nordic gourmet restaurants and French bistros. But when it came to places to enjoy Nordic food in the same relaxed settings as the French, the market was scarce. Consequently, René and Louise Mammen, the owners of Restaurant Substans, decided to create Pondus – a Nordic bistro. “We wanted to create a down-to-earth establishment of the kind that we would like to go to after work ourselves, a place where you can just relax, kick back and forget about everything but the food,” explains chef René Mammen.

The couple, however, did not found Pondus only to provide a more relaxed and affordable alternative to their successful gourmet restaurant, which is one of just three Michelin-star restaurants in 106 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Aarhus, but also to test the feasibility of running an organic quality restaurant in the city. It turned out to be very feasible indeed; today, Pondus has been awarded the Silver Label (and Substans the Gold Label) for organically sourced produce.

The silver label testifies that between 60 and 90 per cent of the food and wine on the menu is organic.

Furthermore, the ingredients in the restaurant’s cuisine change daily, allowing the chefs to take advantage of the best local produce according to season. “The garnish changes every day according to what we find and what we like. That’s the kind of freedom you have when you’re running a place like this,” says Mammen and rounds off: “It’s as relaxed and downto-earth as it gets, and that means that we have space to play around with the menu

Facts: The Pondus menu consists of an à la carte menu as well as a daily set threecourse menu with or without wine (285/595DKK).

Pondus is located at Åboulevarden 51, Aarhus.

The bistro is open every day 5.30-11pm.

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

Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Norway

Top left: Go on a Whale Safari cruise for some close-up whale action. Bottom left: Chase the northern lights with one of Arctic Explorer’s northern lights cruises. Right: Arctic Explorer takes adventurers on several types of cruises, including whale-watching, fjord and ski cruises. Photo: David Gonzales.

Experience of the Month, Norway

Explore the Arctic by sea Discover whales and the northern lights in autumn and winter in Tromsø, and visit the abandoned Soviet ghost town of Pyramiden, on Svalbard, in the summer with the Norwegian company Arctic Explorer AS, which takes travellers on fjord cruises with views of glaciers, mountains and arctic wildlife.

boat trip with a rigid-inflatable boat (RIB), and the company also provides northern lights trips, ski-by-boat, and all kinds of customised transfer cruises.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Liga Sirava

The Norwegian Arctic both on Svalbard and northern Norway has breath-taking nature, crisp and clear waters, friendly people and a variety of activities.

From the middle of May to the middle of September, Arctic Explorer will be running fjord cruises in Isfjord on Svalbard, the archipelago between Norway and the North Pole, where they offer an exclusive day cruise visiting three different towns.

It starts in Longyearbyen and follows the coastline to Barentsburg, then back to Longyearbyen before finishing with a stop at the mining ghost town Pyramiden.

On the way to Pyramiden, those fortunate enough to be there at the right time might discover polar bears and the big blue whale. The stunning arctic landscape, however, is guaranteed. The Russian town is an adventure in itself; almost abandoned overnight in 1998, everything was left behind – even the flowers in the

windows. Only a few people live there for maintenance and guiding, and they also offer accommodation at the local hotel Tulpan.

Whale safari and northern lights With the passenger vessel Aurora Explorer, the company offers whale safari in the fjords around Tromsø. For the past five winters, Tromsø has been the centre of a nature phenomenon where big groups of humpback whales and orcas come to feed on the local herring. From October to February, you can take part in this and have the experience of a lifetime.

Additionally, Arctic Explorer offers personalised cruises on their boats. The thrill seekers are offered a high-speed

Types of cruises: - Svalbard and Tromsø - Whale safari - Northern lights - Fishing - Fjord - Ski by boat - Bicycle - Transfer - RIB

For more information, please visit: www.arcticexplorer.no and www.facebook.com/arcticseaexplorer

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 107

Norwegian artist Lone Slydahl opened up her very own gallery in Tromsø, Norway in April 2016.

Artist of the Month, Norway

When painting heals the artist Norwegian artist Lone Slydahl won a five-year battle against illness by dusting off her paint brushes and following her childhood dream of becoming an artist and opening her own gallery – a dream she never dared to think would materialise.

sparked any joy, until one night on maternity leave she sat down and dusted off her old paint brushes.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Truls Melbye Tiller

In many ways, this night marked the beginning of her road to recovery. Although she did not realise it at the time, painting would become the thing that saved Slydahl and brought her the immense joy she had been missing for so long.

Slydahl treasures those rare moments when she manages to shut the world out and just be with herself and her art, which she creates with high-quality acrylics on canvas. “The days when I feel like the paint brush takes over and I’m merely a spectator – those are the days I feel like I create something real,” says Slydahl.

Born and raised in the northern Norwegian city of Tromsø, Slydahl worked as a hairdresser for seven years before diving into the world of arts full time. “I’ve always loved painting and drawing, and in school, the teachers encouraged me to 108 | Issue 99 | April 2017

pursue the arts,” she explains. “Back then, I chose to go down the safe route, but being an artist was always a distant and romantic dream. In the end, I lost myself completely.”

Saved by her own art Slydahl became very ill in her early twenties and battled both bulimia and depression, which deeply affected her whole life and wellbeing – and painting was suddenly a thing of the past.

She attempted counselling, read selfhelp books and even tried travelling the world, but none of these external factors

“I didn’t paint for the five years I was ill and, with hindsight, I’ve realised that I lived on the outside of myself, and that’s why it was completely unnatural for me to create anything real,” says Slydahl. “I became more ill by the day and pushed myself away from my true self.”

That first evening when she started painting again, she was suddenly overwhelmed

Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

by the stream of happiness that rushed through her body and into the deepest corners of her being. “That feeling was so remarkable that I had to do it again and again. And after that night, I didn’t put the paint brushes down – and I never will. I rediscovered myself,” she says.

Captivated by nature With a passion for contrast, her artwork spans both landscape and abstract – with the latter being closest to the artist’s heart. “My paintings change in style and theme along with my inspiration and my mood,” explains Slydahl. “But the same calm, contrasts and strong and hopeful light are recurring themes. Considering I’m from the north of Norway, it’s easy to let myself become captivated by the

magical nature here, and that’s something you’ll see in my motifs.”

more about taking a break to enjoy the contact with my inner self,” she says.

Not necessarily striving to be particularly unique in her style, Slydahl is more concerned with letting her artwork speak from one soul to another. Despite not being formally trained as an artist – though she did a short stint at an art school that ended abruptly due to illness – she insists that she has paved her own way, and in turn this has become her strength.

Exactly a year ago, in April 2016, Slydahl opened her own gallery in the centre of Tromsø. It is located in the building where the internationally acclaimed Norwegian author Knut Hamsun’s first novel was published in 1877, and the artist explains that the response to it has been better than she ever could have dreamed.

Slydahl describes her work as a form of meditation, or therapy even – a wish to feel that life has much more to offer. “My inspiration is just there. It doesn’t matter too much what or who inspires me – it’s

Looking forward, Slydahl’s plan is what it always has been: to live in the moment and let the art and life lead the way. Because her favourite part of the work that she does is creating happiness for herself – and being balanced.

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

Rokken by Lone Slydahl.

Slydahl paints her abstract and nature paintings using acrylics.

Slydahl uses her gallery as a space to both paint and exhibit her art.

Sjelefred (‘peace of the soul’) by Lone Slydahl.

Slydahl creates both abstract and nature paintings.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 109

Scan Magazine | Gallery of the Month | Norway

Left: Our Day, nursery embellishment by Marit Bergem. Right: Marit Bergem. Photo: Paal Andre Schwital

Gallery of the Month, Norway

Colourful paintings inspired by childlike simplicity “Inspired by the endless treasure chamber of nature and the simplicity of children’s expressions, I aim to convey a personal message,” says painter and gallery owner Marit Bergem.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Galleri M

Bergem founded Galleri M, located centrally in Sandefjord on the western side of the Oslo Fjord, in 2006 to exhibit and sell her paintings. Rather than being inspired by other painters, Bergem was driven by an inner desire to express herself. “I was always creative as a child,” she explains.

Ideas for new paintings may appear in her mind at any time, for example while noticing colours of fabrics, animals and people, hearing particular words or even waking up from particular dreams at night. “Following moments like these, I sense an urge to start sketching immediately, in order not to lose the idea,” she continues.

Bergem lives for the moment and lets her mind carry her away, often not knowing how a painting will end up when she 110 | Issue 99 | April 2017

starts painting it. Her paintings often find themselves at the crossroads between joy and vulnerability, and the titles tend to bring the spectators new perspectives. “I also enjoy being surprised by the perceptions of other people, which may vary from mine,” says Bergem.

After years of painting in her spare time, she exhibited and sold paintings at an exhibition for the first time in 1994. She was warmly received and her work sold well, and many successful exhibitions followed.

In 2000, she moved to Sandefjord from her native Sunndalsøra west of Trondheim.

Health challenges prompted Bergem to leave her nursery job and provided her with the opportunity to open her own gallery in 2006.

Bergem frequently participates in exhibitions and holds private viewings. One of her current projects is the embellishments of the children’s area and meeting rooms of a nursery close to her hometown.

“This project allows me to continue my focus on the simple and direct communication of children,” she says. Her plans for the future simply consist of continuing to inspire people with her colourful, almost childlike paintings.

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

Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns

IS IT JUST ME…

By Mette Lisby

Who, when it comes to cooking for dinner guests, swears to a repertoire of a few reliable classics – courses that I trust myself to do remarkably well?

‘A few’ might be an overstatement. Actually, I have one. Luckily, so does my husband. That means we can only have people over and dazzle them with our cooking skills twice.

Hard-pressed for a third option, we have managed to successfully pull off our ‘tapas menu’, simply because it is not so much about cooking stuff, but instead buying a wide selection of cheeses, ham and chorizos, putting them on plates, and proclaiming: “We sooo love the Spanish cuisine.”

Cooking is one of those areas where we just did not grow up. I do not use recipes per se; I am still ‘trying out stuff’, like when I was 19 and in college. I tell people that I cook to ‘enjoy the process’, which in reality means sipping wine and listening to music while stuff I have put in pots boils over. Where focusing on the process might be worthwhile when practicing a hobby, it is highly unreliable when applied to something that must yield an acceptable result,

like whipping up something that can pass as an actual meal.

Meals suffer spectacularly when ‘in the process’ I choose to boil the pasta for 35 minutes instead of 12, simply because I just had to listen to the live version of Uptown Funk five times before dinner. In the light of this, it is hard to keep a straight face when our guests praise my cooking skills. I look down and blush sheepishly, feeling like a cheat – a culinary one-trick pony, a phony TV chef.

Of course, I do not have to feel so bad about that. There is a sure end to the praise; we only have the two courses – two and a half if you count the ‘tapas menu’. After that, praise of our cooking comes to a staggering halt.

We talked about expanding our repertoire, learning to cook new courses. But it requires hours of dedication, recipes and focusing on the actual cooking. So,

Slippers “Is there anything in particular I need to bring?” asked my Swedish friend before a weekend visit. Already fretting about the state of our house, I tried to think what would make his visit more comfortable. “No, but I’ll buy you some slippers!” I promised. Our kitchen has no heating, and a tile floor that is colder than the Siberian tundra. Walking barefoot on it is equivalent to licking a lamp post mid-winter. Slippers seemed like the perfect welcome to England gift – until my friend told me the size of his feet.

Swedish feet – it appears – are not catered for by English shoe shops. When I eventually found a pair, I stared at them in stunned disbelief, suddenly realising the full scale of the problem. English slippers do not accommodate average-sized Swedes, nor – as it turns out – do cars. This became obvious when I went to collect my friend, who only just managed to fold himself inside our UK city-friendly-sized car.

we decided that it is easier to just get new friends. So far, we have lived in three different countries. I am thinking we might move to Spain soon. As you know, we are quite keen on tapas.

Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish version of Have I Got News For You and Room 101.

By Maria Smedstad

ligatory British carpet, since my attempt at Scandifying the house.

“Come and visit us in Sweden soon!” were his parting words at the end of the weekend.

“We don’t really have a toilet, so you’ll have to wee on the lawn.”

This cheered me up. All places have their quirks, whether they are old and narrow or have au-naturel toilet experiences. No country is entirely perfect, which in turn – at least to me – is what makes them so perfect.

Once inside our house, I handed him the aforementioned slippers, which presented the next problem. Standing in our Victorian hallway, my friend did not have enough space to bend down to put them on. I spent the following 48 hours worrying about him crashing through our rickety wooden stairs, which are not even held together by the ob-

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 99 | April 2017 | 111

Scan Magazine | Culture | Bearson

with your head. I don’t love attention but tend to stay away from it. I love making music and being the nerd sitting in the studio. I don’t care about being famous.”

On favourite places to play “I like the west coast around L.A., San Francisco and San Diego. The love for electronic music is big there.”

On inspiration “I am inspired by other producers and songwriters I’ve worked with. It inspires me to see how they work and make music.

I work with a lot of people who have been in the industry for much longer than me, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from them.”

On One Step At A Time “The song took a long time to finish because we had to find the right singer.

Luckily, Natalola was a perfect match when we found her. I like to include some weird elements in my songs, and on One Step At A Time the weird element is the sound popping up in the beginning and then playing throughout the song. The sound is a violin that I sampled and manipulated.”

On Norway “I think Norway has influenced me in the sense that I care more about the melodies than the lyrics. In Scandinavia, we tend to focus more on the melody than the lyrics, and that has stayed with me.”

Bearson: ‘I don’t care about fame’ Having peaked at number one on the Hype Machine and received millions of plays on Spotify with his newest single One Step At A Time, 21-year-old Jakob Bjørn Hansen, better known as Bearson, is someone to look out for. Scan Magazine had a chat with the Norwegian Los Angeles-based DJ/producer about music, fame and the City of Angels.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photo: Shane McCauley

On electronic music

On fame

“It was so fresh and new to me when I discovered it. Also, electronic music is easier than playing an instrument. Everyone can make it.”

“I think many people think of famous people as being special or extraordinary, but once you meet them you realise they are like anyone else. Fame can really mess

112 | Issue 99 | April 2017

On L.A. “I moved here to be closer to the industry and like-minded people. In Norway, there’s not a big community for electronic music, and people don’t like to collaborate. L.A. is the complete opposite. L.A. has taken some time to get used to – but once you find your place, your people and your spot, it becomes good.”

On 2017 “I will be performing at Coachella, and then I’ll soon release a new single.

For more information, find ‘bearsonmusic’ on Facebook and SoundCloud.

Scan Magazine | Culture | Column

Scandinavian music Next month sees the return of the annual Eurovision Song Contest, with this year’s event taking place on 13 May in Kiev, Ukraine. As always, all five of the Nordic nations will be represented – that is, if they can all make it out of their semi-finals and into the weekend’s final. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland have all hosted their own national selections earlier in the year to choose their entries. As ever, the five Nordic songs flying their flags are among the most fancied by fans.

Once again, most eyes are on Sweden. In the last six years, they have been placed in the top five a whopping five times, winning twice. This year, they are already second favourite to win with the bookies, behind only Italy. Representing Sweden is the devilishly handsome Robin Bengtsson with I Can’t Go On – a funked-up, souled-out pop tune with a big chorus and an even bigger stage show.

At Eurovision, one should never underestimate a crafty display of choreography and an effective visual gimmick. The

Swedes know what they are doing at this game more than anyone else and, remarkably, it seems like they could feasibly win the whole thing again.

Iceland has failed to qualify to the final for the last two years, but in May they are back with the very strong Paper by Svala. The song should stand out amongst the 42 other songs, as an ice-cold, Nordic Noir slice of moody electronica. Svala delivers it via some intriguing choreography for that added visual element that is essential at Eurovision these days.

Finland has been equally as unlucky as Iceland in recent years, and will attempt to counter that fate this year with Blackbird. It is a stark and atmospheric ballad performed by male/female duo Norma John – definitely one of the stronger ballads at Eurovision this year, but then there are plenty of ballads in the line-up. So the Finns may struggle yet again; though not as much as neighbouring Denmark and Norway, two recent winners who this year contribute to the contest a

By Karl Batterbee

pair of contemporary yet largely forgettable songs that will most likely get lost in the desperate shuffle of their respective semifinals. That is Grab the Moment by JOWST and Where I Am by Anja Nissen, should curiosity get the better of you…

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

Awe s o m e d e s i g n s fo r yo u r m i n i

SweetMini, you look awesome!

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Jelling Musikfestival. Photo: Frank Nielsen

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

Lindex Spring Collection Launch (20 April) This event is for all fashion lovers. In collaboration with Lindex, the Swedish and Finnish Chambers of Commerce in the UK are celebrating the Spring Collection for 2017. The event will take place in one of the Lindex stores, and there will be 114 | Issue 99 | April 2017

bobbles and sweet surprises and you will get a first glimpse at the new collection.

Guests get 30 per cent off everything and a chance to win £100 to spend at Lindex.

6.30 pm. Lindex, First floor, Westfield, Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush, London, W12 7GF www.scc.org.uk

By Heidi Kokborg

Finland100: Chester Philharmonic Orchestra (29 April) This year is the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence and the Chester Philharmonic Orchestra has been appointed as official partner by the Finnish government in their anniversary celebrations. The orchestra will be perform-

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

ing a programme of exclusively Sibelius pieces. Italian Marco Bellasi will conduct the concert. Chester Cathedral, St Werburgh St, Chester, CH1 2DY www.finemb.org.uk

BBC Symphony Orchestra. Photo: Sim Canetty-Clark

SPOT Festival (4-7 May) For more than 20 years, SPOT Festival in Aarhus has been a platform for both the Danish and the wider Nordic music scene.

Each year, around 8,000 guests visit the city to experience between 100 and 200 concerts from new as well as more established bands and artists from the Nordic countries.

Issue 99 | April 2017 | 115

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Lindex Spring Collection 2017. Photo: Lindex

Sakari Oramo. Photo: Benjamin Ealovega.

116 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Vester Allé 15, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark www.spotfestival.dk

Uusikuu – Finnish tango (5 May) As part of the OUTBURST festival, Uusikuu will be playing their crossart programme HOME/LESS with the Palestinian author Ahmed Masoud.

Uusikuu are known for their original and interesting interpretations of the Finnish tango, which is an important part of the Finnish culture and identity. 7.30 pm.

Pegasus Theatre, Oxford, OX4 www.finemb.org.uk

Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra (7 May) The Finnish orchestral conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra this May. Salonen is currently the principal conductor for London’s Philharmonia Orchestra. The concert is a part of the

Salonen/Aimard: Inspirations series.

7.30 pm. Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, SE1 www.finemb.org.uk

Trondheim Jazzfestival (9-14 May) Since 1980, Trondheim Jazzfestival has been delivering first-class jazz experiences to the people of Trondheim and all who visit. The festival focuses on Norwegian, Nordic and European jazz and boasts between 60 and 70 concerts at every festival. Jazzfest, Dokkparken 4, 7014 Trondheim, Norway www.jazzfest.no

Esa-Pekka Salonen. Photo: Suntory Hall

Academy of Tal R (20 May-10 September) This exhibition at Louisiana will allow you to get to know the Danish artist Tal R, who is now in the middle of both an international career and his life. Tal R has, since the 1990s, been showcasing

The Philharmonia Orchestra. Photo: Felix Broede

The sculpture park at Louisiana. Here you see the old house from the park.

Photo: Poul Buchard/ Brøndum & Co, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

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Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Uusikuu. Photo: Matthew Leake.

his work all around the world, and his art is a part of many important collections.

This exhibition proves that Tal R from the get-go has been creating art with an eye for the overlooked, the hidden and the suppressed in modern life. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Gammel Strandvej 13, 3050 Humlebæk, Denmark www.louisiana.dk

Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra (24 May) Sakari Oramo is the chief conductor of both the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The Finnish conductor won the Royal Philharmonic Society Conductor of the Year award in 2016. 7 pm. Barbican, Silk Street, London, EC2 www.barbican.org.uk

Jelling Musikfestival (24-27 May) Jelling Musikfestival was founded in 1989 and has since then become one of Denmark’s most-renowned festivals.

Last year, 38,000 people visited the festival, and it has sold out more than once.

This year, among others, you can hear L.O.C., Kim Larsen, D-A-D and Carpark North. Mølvangvej 66B, 7300 Jelling, Denmark www.jellingmusikfestival.dk 118 | Issue 99 | April 2017

Oumou Sangaré, Trondheim Jazzfestival. Press photo

Valby Parken Copenhagen June 2 to 5 2017 W W W.K MM.DK

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