Scan Magazine | Issue 36 | Dec 2011/Jan 2012 by Scan Client Publishing

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ULRIKA JONSSON – FINDING HER TRUE VOICE FESTIVALS IN NORWAY 2012 EXPERIENCE WINTERTIME IN COPENHAGEN NORTHERN LIGHTS: MYSTERY IN THE NIGHT SKY

PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

ISSUE 36

DECEMBER 2011 / JANUARY 2012

M A G A Z I N E

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 8

Ulrika Jonsson From secretary to weather girl, TV host, Big Brother winner and now author, Ulrika Jonsson has certainly led a colourful life. The latest addition to her multifaceted career is her first novel The Importance of Being Myrtle. Scan Magazine caught up with Britain’s most famous Swede and discovered a whole new side of her.

8 29

TRAVEL THEMES 20

FINSK Shoe label FINSK, with its renowned wooden wedge design, is one of the coolest 21st century style icons. Launched in 2004 by London-based Finnish-born Julia Lundsten, FINSK has won numerous awards for its unique avant-garde designs and is now a firm fixture in the fashion world.

Northern lights A light-footed, elegant dance of green veils, so frail and light you can see the stars shine through: aurora borealis, the northern lights, is an unearthly apparition that leaves no one untouched.

DESIGN FEATURE 16

Festivals in Norway 2012 If you are looking for ideas on what to do in Norway, you should make it a priority to explore their varied festival offerings. You might be surprised by the wide array of different happenings taking place all year and spread all over the country.

Winter in Copenhagen Skating rinks, Christmas markets and exhibitions: Christmas in Copenhagen is magical. In December, you can experience true Christmas spirit at one of the many concerts, shows or markets that are on offer.

Eva Mork: Contemporary and timeless Norwegian design Playful, comfortable and functional goes a long way in describing the Eva Mork furniture design collection. The minimalism that Scandinavian design is known for is in evidence, but with the added extra touch that makes each piece really stand out.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 12 54 65

Scan Business REGULARS & COLUMNS

FEATURES 38

FISK FISK The Classic, first introduced in Denmark in 1999, is a hugely popular vodka drink that has taken both its homeland and neighbouring countries by storm. FISK has now also landed on the UK market.

The International School of London The International School of London (ISL) schools in London and Surrey, UK, and Doha, Qatar, educate an international community, supporting and nurturing cultural and linguistic identities whilst developing the attitudes, skills and understanding needed for active global citizens.

The Rezidor Hotel Group Introduces “Club Carlson for Business” Key note by John Kennedy, Vice President Marketing & CRM at the Rezidor Hotel Group

Dangerously in Love By Elizabeth Jones, Corren Troen

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

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

Issue 35 | November 2011 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, A few days into December, and although the Christmas spirit has not yet properly taken a hold of me, it’s still the time to start shopping for presents, drinking (too much) mulled wine, lighting (way too many) candles around the house, and, as a Finn, eating loads of “piparkakkuja” (gingersnaps) and “joulutorttuja” (the Finnish equivalent of mince pies). It’s probably also a good time to start making plans for New Year’s Eve. While you might not make it to Scandinavia for Christmas or New Year’s Eve this year anymore, if you start booking now that is, you can still make plans for an exciting winter trip, or perhaps start thinking about next year already. For inspiration, we have looked at all the different places you should visit in wintery Copenhagen, as well as amazing opportunities to catch a glimpse of the magical northern lights in northern Norway.

Gracing our cover this month is the UK’s favourite Swede, Ulrika Jonsson, who has recently published her very first novel, The Importance of Being Myrtle. In our cover feature, she talks about her inspiration for the story and characters, as well as discussing her frayed relationship with the media. I hope you enjoy our joint December and January issue; we will be back to business as usual next year, ready to start off 2012 with our February edition. From everyone at Scan Magazine, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Nia Kajastie Editor

Furthermore, we’ve looked at Norway’s 2012 festival season, which looks to be jam packed with loads of exciting events. From jazz to photography festivals, all areas of interest are covered, and festivalgoers are sure to be thoroughly entertained.

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M A G A Z I N E

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Welcome to Hotel

Stureplan, your choice in Stockholm! In the heart of Stockholm, Hotel Stureplan is placed in a beautifully architectural styled building from the 18 th century with 101 individually designed and decorated rooms. The hotel founder Jörgen Björnstad wanted to create the rooms to have a feeling of elegance true luxury while still in keeping the beauty of the building and keeping close attention to detail. His dream was to create a luxurious interior design throughout the rooms – an urbane relaxation where luxury is not highlighted, but just, subtle and obvious. I wanted to create a cosy, home-feeling layout throughout the room’s interiors. Whilst the restoration took place we kept great attention to restoring the exclusivity of the building interior architecture. In the classical rooms we kept the traditional Swedish architecture from the 17th century which included beautiful cornicing and stunning high ceilings with crystallized chandeliers, each room has its own unique features and different charms.

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The hotel is situated within walking distance to the very best of Stockholm. With shopping, theatres, museums, restaurants just around the corner and with a stone’s throw away to the wonderful, reputable archipelago. Jörgen highly recommends Sturebadets Spa and to go skiing and stay at the classical Björkliden Fjällby and Riksgränsen in the north of Sweden which will be a memory of a lifetime together with the eye catching northern lights and the one of a kind Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi. But, Hotel Stureplan is the opposite to the wilderness up north. You can feel the spirit of cosiness, hominess and pure luxury not to mention the shopping is a won competition for itself.

Scan Magazine | Contributors

Regular Contributors Nia Kajastie (Editor) was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, and moved to London in 2005 to study writing. With a BA in Journalism & Creative Writing, she now describes herself as a fulltime writer and grammar stickler. Emelie Krugly Hill has worked on a number of Swedish newspapers. After travelling extensively, she has been based in London since 2006. Her particular interests are news and current affairs within Sweden and the export of Scandinavian culture to the UK. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”. Julie Guldbrandsen is Scan Magazine’s fashion and design expert; she has worked in the fashion industry for more than 10 years, and advised various Scandinavian design and fashion companies. Besides, Julie has a BA in business and philosophy and has lived in Copenhagen, Singapore and Beijing before settling down in London. Sven Riis Houston has lived in Edinburgh for six years, having graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BA in Journalism in 2009. He currently works as a freelance writer and media researcher, and has an unhealthy interest in football. Linnéa Mitchell is a freelance journalist who came to London in 2003 as a TV announcer for Swedish TV3. She now contributes to English and Swedish publications, parallel to doing voiceover jobs as well as blogging for a children's/parents’ website.

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Swedish Sara Schedin has lived in London for four years. She is currently studying Journalism in her third year at City University and is covering Scandinavian culture in the UK. Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK. Karl Batterbee is devoted to Scandinavian music and knows exactly what is coming up in the UK. Apart from writing a monthly music update for Scan Magazine Karl has also started the Scandipop Club Night and its corresponding website: www.scandipop.co.uk. Danish Yane Christensen has lived in London half her life. She's a designer, illustrator and mother of twin girls. She also has an on-line shop www.fleamarketfloozy.com and writes to exercise her brain. Norwegian Karin Modig has lived in London since 1998: she arrived with the intention of staying just four months. She currently works as a freelance journalist and PR consultant, and is a keen handball player. Linnea Dunne has been writing professionally for over 10 years. Having started out on a local paper in Sweden, she is passionate about Scandinavian music and culture, and currently works in London as a full-time writer and translator. Based in Copenhagen, Kirstine Trauelsen contributes to Scan Magazine as a freelance writer. She loves travelling and is especially devoted to music and theatre. Kirstine has a Master’s degree in history and rhetoric from the University of Copenhagen and works in communication and PR.

Inna Allen is a freelance writer, translator and photographer whose passions lie in all things art and design. She moved to the UK from her native Finland in 2001 and has since developed a chronic yearning for sauna. Having travelled much of the world, Signe Hansen, MA graduate in Journalism and previous editor at Scan Magazine, is now back freelancing in London, where she writes on everything Scandinavian and her main passions: culture, travel and health. Bronte Aurell runs Scandi Kitchen in London, a Scandinavian deli/cafe. Bronte, who has studied in Edinburgh and has a background in investment banking, has lived in London for 9 years. Magnus Nygren Syversen is a Norwegian freelance journalist and feature writer, who graduated from Middlesex University with a BA in Journalism & Communication in 2010. Having left London and relocated to the other side of the world, he is currently doing his MA at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. Norwegian Didrik Ottesen is back living in London after a carefree time travelling around the world. He is currently doing his MA Journalism degree while also working as a freelance journalist and trying to play as much football as possible. Margrete Dybbroe is Danish born and bred, but has a very soft spot for London. With an MA in English and music from the University of Aarhus, she has worked as a copywriter at an advertising agency for a great many years. Today, she is on her own, working as a freelance writer and translator from her own one-woman company, Text it!

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Ulrika Jonsson

8 | Issue 36 | December 2011

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Ulrika Jonsson

Ulrika Jonsson – finding her true voice From secretary to weather girl, TV host, Big Brother winner and now author, Ulrika Jonsson has certainly led a colourful life, and the never-satisfied media have tirelessly fed our appetite for more gossip. Whether it is good or bad, we all have a strong opinion about the beautiful blonde television personality. The latest addition to her multifaceted career is her first novel The Importance of Being Myrtle. Scan Magazine caught up with Britain’s most famous Swede and discovered a whole new side of her. By Linnéa Mitchell | Photos: Celebrity Pictures/Alan Strutt

I bet I am not the only reader who set down The Importance of Being Myrtle feeling a bit quizzical. How did this story about Myrtle, a 58-year-old grey, flat and, frankly, boring woman, who suddenly loses her husband to a heart attack, come about from a woman whose life is quite the opposite of boring? Jonsson giggles at the question and goes on to explain that about six years ago she spoke to a lady who had just lost her husband. “I remember walking away thinking: gosh, what do you do if you are at that age having to start all over again somehow, when you have expected life to be pretty much what it is until the end,” says Jonsson. This turned out to be the seed that grew (after some spicy seasoning) into the story of Myrtle, who lives in a loveless marriage dictated by her psychologically oppressive husband Austin, and who suddenly has to take charge of her life for the very first time. But I am still puzzled as to how she can relate to a woman like Myrtle when her own life has been far from quiet and suppressed. “I think a lot of women can identify with Myrtle. I feel I can somehow identify with her in the way that I’ve been in relationships, although not as extreme, where the man finds it hard to accept a woman who thinks for herself, decides for herself, who has her own ideas and thoughts and who is colourful,” says Jonsson. Writing has always been part of Jonsson’s life. Ulrika started when her father brought a typewriter home from work

and has since used it as her outlet and her method of escapism. “I love writing, and I love the English language. So it felt right. It wasn’t part of a plan to expand the brand Ulrika Jonsson. It came from the heart.”

tions of becoming an actress after finishing school. Her mother was less enthusiastic and sent Jonsson to secretarial school in her gap year before she intended to take up a place at Goldsmith’s College, University of London. Having started off as a secretary, she shortly landed her first job in TV, presenting the weather on TVam as well as on Swedish TV3. Jonsson never had time to even consider university. Her natural charisma and energy led to several jobs in front of the camera, hosting one prime-time TV show after another, including Gladiator, The National Lottery, Eurovision Song Contest, Miss World and Shooting Stars. Adding reality shows such as Come Dine with Me and Dancing on Ice to the list, before winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, she has pretty much covered the entire spectrum of what you can achieve in an entertainment television career. The private life

From “teaterapa” to TV host Born in Sweden in 1967, Jonsson lived alone with her father until she joined her mother in England when she was 12. As a child she was described by her aunt as a “teaterapa” (theatre monkey, person who wants to perform) and had some aspira-

But what has spiced up her celebrity status that little bit extra is her private life, whether it is for dating fellow Swede and England’s football captain at the time, Sven-Göran Eriksson, or for marrying the bachelor Lance Gerrard-Wright from the dating show Mr Right that she hosted. And it is mainly due to her “Mr Rights” three of them now if you count her marriages - that she has been the target of many media-moans. “The attention is something I’ve never really understood.

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 9

The press feels that if you are famous you must be an egotist and therefore we shall punish you by criticising you and following you everywhere,” says Jonsson. A journalist once dressed up as a doctor to get hold of her medical journals whilst she was in hospital after her daughter was born with a heart defect. She is also involved in the phone-hacking scandal inquiry with News of the World. It does not take a genius to work out it must have been pretty frustrating, yet 23 years later, she is still here. “You have to be able to find a way to go on,” says Jonsson. “I’ve felt very helpless, and I don’t think that I’m a strong or brave person at all… but if you have two, four or even six little eyes that are looking up at you and asking ‘ok mummy, what’s next?’ then you really have to dig deep and have, according to my favourite Swedish ex-

10 | Issue 36 | December 2011

pression, ‘is i magen’ (ice in the stomach). I think it’s a calm and quiet strength that I’ve got that comes forward when it’s needed most.” For example when writing, I’m guessing, as she had to write half of the novel standing up or lying down due to a chronic back condition she has battled with during the last four years. The future So does she want to work as an author full time or will we see more of her on telly? “I’d love to write more, and I’ve already started thinking about the next book,” says Jonsson and explains further that she enjoyed taking a step back from TV, but that she has no plans to give it up completely. “After all I have four children to feed,” she laughs. “During these 23 years, I haven’t always known what’s going to happen next. I’ve never had a grand plan. My career has given me so many

opportunities to do so many different things, and every job has been to improve myself or stretch myself. Either I’m brave or stupid, but I’ve always wanted to do things that are a bit different. I’m not scared of that. I don’t live for my critics. I don’t think ‘oh I shouldn’t write a book because then I might get criticised’, but because I want to. Then, afterwards, I have to say, I might go ‘ouch’. But I think it’s so important that… well, we only live once, and we have one chance to take care of the opportunities we get.” Despite living most of her life in England, Jonsson is still close to her roots. “I feel one hundred per cent Swedish. There’s no question about that. I have never wanted to change my passport, nationality or anything. So I’m very Swedish. Apart from my terrible grammar,” she says, in perfect Swedish.

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Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this... Winter has arrived, and in true Scandi style, this compels an injection of new types of light and heat sources – be it tons of candle lights, the softest and whitest bed linen you can get your hands on, or the warmest slippers you can locate. By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

The deer bed linen from By Nord are a cool way to install a bit of Scandi winter chic into the bedroom. £92. www.nordicelements.com

A stylish little collection of silver metal decorations with black leather straps for the tree from by nord. Prices from £7.50 to £11. www.nordicelements.com

This quirky candleholder string by ferm LIVING could work as a traditional advent wreath as well as a year-round decoration. £99.95. www.95percentshop.co.uk

Warm quilts by Tine K Home in the textile of the season – heavy soft velvet. Available in four colours and two sizes. £115 - £170. www.tinekhome.com

Super-warm slippers are an absolute must for the winter season. These ones by Glerup are handmade, organic and very gentle to the skin. £65. www.95percentshop.co.uk

12 | Issue 36 | December 2011

Your chance to enjoy the classic hand-built, smooth-riding Swedish Skeppshult bicycle at 20% off RRP, for all orders placed by 31 December. Visit www.skeppshult.co.uk

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Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary... Velvet, glitter and luxe knitwear are keywords for chic winter dressing, and essential cues for working an effortless day to night elegance. Go for twinkly accessories when dressing up and combine with your fave cardigan for a cool on-trend look. By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

A casual luxe cardigan like this from Rabens Saloner is an absolute musthave for the colder months. £140. www.wild-swans.com

This beautiful top by Acne in sheer chiffon and drapey velvet is a cool and flattering evening style. £230. shop.acnestudios.com

This super elegant By Malene Birger dress exudes modern romance and elegance. £445. www.net-a-porter.com

Glitter trousers are a great wardrobe item for a party ensemble. These ones in silver by Malou Sander will look great with sky-high stilettos and a fitted jacket. £95. www.wild-swans.com

14 | Issue 36 | December 2011

Add some sparkle to your outfit with this statement necklace from Designers Remix, and go effortlessly from day to night. £52. www.designersremix.com

Gorgeous scarf by Rützou in the softest material will complement and balance a darker colour palette. £89. Call +44 (0) 208 960 6161 for stockists.

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Scan Magazine | Design | FINSK

Show-stopping shoe sculptures Shoe label FINSK, with its renowned wooden wedge design, is one of the coolest 21st century style icons. Launched in 2004 by London-based Finnish-born Julia Lundsten, FINSK has won numerous awards for its unique avant-garde designs and is now a firm fixture in the fashion world. By Inna Allen | Photos: FINSK

ite, divine and perfect”, Blahnik is amongst a growing fan base that also includes Lady Gaga and Rihanna. Latest collection Archi showcases sharp architectural shapes combined with soft tenable natural materials. The result is a modern and wearable collection of polar opposites such as thick raw edge straps placed next to beautifully pleated seams, or a blocky graphic heel together with a more organic natural leather upper. “There are two sources of inspiration for Archi – the Finnish Archipelago where I spend my summers conjuring an ambience of a calm, muted landscape, juxtaposing with the concepts of 1960s group of architects Archigram,” says Lundsten.

Ports 1961 and Basso & Brooke. A capsule collection for Urban Outfitters will be in stores soon and Spring/Summer 2012 will see the launch of a more affordable diffusion line called Skin by FINSK. Julia Lundsten

The distinct sculptured wooden heel that makes FINSK shoes so recognisable derives from designer Julia Lundsten’s passion for architecture. With an architect father and an interior designer mother, Lundsten’s creative roots and cultivated eye for design are clearly reflected in her work. “My designs are a contrast between the very clean Finnish landscape, with its natural colours and tones, and the busy, urban London life,” Lundsten explains. “My Finnish roots play a significant role in the FINSK aesthetic, although I think that all the places you live or work in and even places you travel to become part of you and will influence your designs somehow.” Famous fans and future plans Her individual style has not gone unnoticed. Lundsten has won the prestigious Manolo Blahnik Award two years running. Describing Lundsten’s shoes as “exquis-

16 | Issue 36 | December 2011

FINSK shoes are sold in selected boutiques worldwide. Lundsten has also collaborated with high street brands Topshop and Faith, as well as high-end labels

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

A unique collaboration in design and craftsmanship BY KARL LAGERFELD AND ORREFORS OF SWEDEN.

” I t ’s l i k e a f r e e s t a n d i n g g e o m e t r i c a l c l o u d . N o t a t a l l f u s s y. I t h i n k i t ’s p e r f e c t l i k e t h i s ” KARL LAGERFELD www.orrefors.com

Scan Magazine | Design | Eva Mork

Contemporary and timeless Norwegian design Playful, comfortable and functional goes a long way in describing the Eva Mork furniture design collection. The minimalism that Scandinavian design is known for is in evidence, but with the added extra touch that makes each piece really stand out.

With years of experience as an interior stylist behind her, Eva Mork started designing her own furniture out of a wish to create something out of the ordinary. Her aim is to create pieces that have “that little something that makes you fall in love with them.”

Norwegian nature provides much of the inspiration for Eva Mork. “I live in a wonderful place in Norway, close to the sea and mountains, and with a rich bird life,” she says. “My inspiration comes from the nature and culture that surrounds me, from the birds’ movements across the sky to the hulls of boats and everything in between.”

Her furniture has been described as both sculptural and alive, and it manages to flawlessly bridge the gap between decorative and practical. More than just pieces of furniture, the designs might well end up being the focal point of a room, yet are still comfortable. “For me, when I have managed to create

something of beauty that is also practical, I have hit the nail on the head,” she says. All the furniture in the Eva Mork collection is made to order and signed by the designer herself. She also makes commissioned pieces for those who want something truly unique.

By Karin Modig Photos: Therese Sandnes

Customers in the UK, please contact Elin Sandal on 07767 827 830 For more information, please visit: www.evamork.com

Competition: IN A BETTER WORLD Courtesy of Axiom Films, we have five copies of the 2011 Oscar & Golden Globe Winner for Best Foreign Language Film, IN A BETTER WORLD, to give away. A gripping and beautifully constructed human drama about revenge and the power of forgiveness from acclaimed Danish director Susanne Bier (AFTER THE WEDDING). From the confines of a refugee camp in Africa, to the deceptively idyllic suburban life of two families in Denmark, Susanne Bier expertly paints a portrait of two fragile worlds inextricably linked by conflict and violence and the hard choices struggling to be made for life in a better world. DVD/Blu-ray bonus features include: • Feature-length commentary with director Susanne Bier and editor Pernille Bech Christensen • An interview with Susanne Bier • Deleted scenes

18 | Issue 36 | December 2011

• Stills gallery • Theatrical trailer IN A BETTER WORLD is on DVD/Blu-ray through Axiom Films from Monday, 9 January 2012 and further titles can be found at www.axiomfilms-shop.co.uk.

To win a DVD of IN A BETTER WORLD, please answer the following question: What is the original Danish title of the film? Please email your answer and contact details to: competition@scanmagazine.co.uk

We must receive your answer by 1 February 2012. The winner will be contacted directly.

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Festivals in Norway 2012 If you are planning on travelling to Norway in 2012 and are looking for ideas on what to do there, you should make it a priority to explore their varied festival offerings. You might be surprised by the wide array of different happenings taking place all year and spread all over the country. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Innovation Norway/Heidi Widerø

Whether you are interested in jazz, chamber music, indigenous culture or photography, there are events available for all tastes. You will also find events taking place during all seasons of the year; Norwegians are happy to celebrate all year long, under the northern lights or the midnight sun. At the end of January 2012, you could, for example, make your way to the Bodø Jazz Open, a festival returning for its second year with a great line-up of jazz as well as pop and rock artists. Around the same time, in the town of Kongsberg, Glogerfestspillene will present chamber music for the enjoyment of classical music lovers.

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In April 2012, the Norwegian coastal town of Kristiansund will be turned into a photographer's paradise in the form of the Nordic Light Festival, a gathering of renowned photographers and photography enthusiasts. And in July, the Riddu Riddu Festival in Kåfjord is going to celebrate the cultural heritage of indigenous people from all over the world. Just take your pick, and enjoy the cultural offerings of Norway to the fullest. Ranging from world-famous music festivals to small-scale events enlivening small Norwegian towns, you will be spoilt for choice.

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

MaiJazz. Photo: MaiJazz MaiJazz. Photo: MaiJazz

Valdres Sommersymfoni. Photo: Tom Henning Bratlie/Valdres Sommersymfoni Trondheim Kammermusikkfestival. Photo: Trondheim Kammermusikkfestival

Riddu Riddu. Photo: Marius Fiskum Operauka i Stjørdal. Photo: Thorbjørn Foss

Providing support to Norwegian festivals Every year, somewhere in the region of 900–1,000 cultural festivals are held throughout Norway, and it is estimated that one million people will have attended at least one of them during 2011. By Karin Modig

From small niche festivals to those that draw huge crowds - literature, rock music, theatre and classical music all feature on the cultural festival calendar. Offering a helping hand to festival organisers is membership organisation Festivals in Norway.

the festivals have shared interests and common goals, and also face the same challenges and obstacles,” says Ystanes. “It was these facts that led to the organisation being set up, and this is where we can help, by being a common voice for them all.”

“Geographically, our members are spread throughout the country, and range in size from some of the largest Norway has to offer to much, much smaller ones,” says marketing manager Tone Ystanes.

Norway has a whole range of unusual festivals, and Ystanes says that one key aspect is that nature is never seen as a barrier but rather as a resource. “As a people, we seem to thrive on the challenge of putting on a festival miles away from anywhere.”

Through the organisation, organisers can find out what is happening on the festival scene and get information on issues that are important to them. The organisation also provides marketing support abroad. “Despite their many differences, many of

In summer as well as winter, outdoor festivals are common, and both the endless summer nights and dark winter days are exotic experiences for many foreigners. Concerts on mountaintops and in other

unusual locations are not entirely uncommon either. Both as festivalgoers and as volunteers, the Norwegians are turning up in their thousands to these festivals, come rain or shine. “We are just very good at going to festivals,” says Ystanes. “The weather does not seem to matter, audiences appreciate the chance to experience culture outside the normal setting, and recruiting volunteers seldom seems to be a problem.” The Norwegian festival scene is in constant and rapid development, and there is a lot to look forward to in the coming year. For more information, please visit: www.norwayfestivals.com

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 21

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Festivals in Norway 2012

Classical chamber music for everyone

choices and paths we have available to us in this day and age mean to us, and for our happiness.

In 2001, Kongsberg Church’s Gloger organ was restored and played for the first time in a century. Built in the 1760s, it is an amazing cultural treasure. The restoration of the organ inspired the first Glogerfestspillene, a classical chamber music festival held annually ever since.

“We have a very exciting line-up of Norwegian and international artists,” says Boman. “There is Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop from Berlin, Norwegian tango musician Per Arne Glorvigen and Priya Mitchell from the UK, to name a few. There will also be musical talk shows, where the audience gets up-close to the artists.”

Glogerfestspillene, in the old silver-mining town of Kongsberg, is a five-day event in January, with 26 concerts planned for 2012. The 250-year-old Kongsberg Church, widely recognised as one of the most beautiful churches in Norway, provides an atmospheric main venue for the festival. “We also use some unusual venues, such as supermarket aisles and the ski jumping arena, and we arrange afternoon concerts, enabling people to have a musical experience on their way home from work,” say artistic leaders Isa Katharina Gericke and Olof Boman. “We want to challenge the perception that classical music is some-

By Karin Modig Photos: Vidar Skaar Borgersen

Over 100 volunteers contribute to the festival, and the energy can be felt throughout the town, as a wintery Kongsberg will be decorated in the colours of the organ.

thing highbrow and serious by making it accessible to everyone,” says Gericke. The 2012 festival theme is ‘Crossroads’ and will seek to explore what the endless

Glogerfestspillene takes place 25-29 January 2012. For more information, please visit: www.glogerfestspillene.no

A young festival in northern Norway leans on vast tradition Norway’s very first jazz band, the Bodø Jazz Band, was established as early as 1921. Bodø in northern Norway boasts a long historical connection with jazz, pop, rock and all kinds of popular music. Many musicians and bands have emerged and made the city known for its great music scene. Starting in 2011, the city now also plays host to an exciting new festival, the Bodø Jazz Open. Surrounded by mountains and the ocean, and visited by the spectacular northern lights, this modern city above the Arctic Circle will once again introduce great jazz and other musical highlights during four “hot” days on 25-28 January 2012. Artists for the second edition of the festival will include Larry Carlton Quartet, Jaga Jazzist, Marilyn Mazur, Audun Kleive, John Surman and Arve Henriksen, among others. Two of Bodø’s own jazz artists, pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff and trumpeter Tore Johansen also play an important role; they

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coming Your Headlights Are On and local hard-core band GABRIEL.

Photo: Carl Erik Nyvold

JAGA JAZZIST. Photo: Robin Ottersen

initiated the festival and contribute with new collaborations and projects. The festival takes another important step in 2012 by introducing the YOUNG BJO, giving attention to new directions and young promising bands. Norwegian electronica sensation 120 DAYS is fronting the YOUNG BJO 2012, in addition to up-and-

“We want to create an open musical atmosphere and environment for jazz, rock and related popular music. Our goal for the festival projects is to bring together the very best of national, local and international performers for collaborations, jam sessions and workshops,” explains festival head Jan Gunnar Hoff. “People normally stay at home in January up north, but the jazz festival makes them come out of hiding,” Hoff adds. And statistics prove him right: a 3,000-strong audience attended the very first Bodø Jazz Open in 2011, which was considered a great success. Text by Nia Kajastie For more information, please visit: www.bodojazzopen.no www.facebook.com/bodojazzopen

The festival’s artistic director Marianne Thorsen

World-class music in a world-class destination The month of March is a magical time in the town of Røros in Norway. Winter starts giving way to spring, the town is still covered in snow, but the days are getting lighter. “The fifth season”, as it is known locally, is when this UNESCO World Heritage site, voted Best Destination at the 2011 Responsible Tourism Awards, hosts a musical extravaganza. By Karin Modig | Photos: Svein Eggan/Vinterfestspill i Bergstaden

With its rich cultural history, it was only fitting that Røros should have a worldclass music event, and in 2012, “Vinterfestspill i Bergstaden” or the Winter Music Festival in Røros, will be held for the fourteenth time. “The festival grew out of a wish to create a musical event unlike anything else,” says festival director Dag Ådne Sandbakken. “It is primarily a classical chamber music festival, and has proved a great success. We are expecting 7,000-8,000 people to attend our 28 concerts in 2012.” Bergstadens Ziir, the white stone church and famous Røros landmark, is the main venue for the festival. The town is literally bursting with music in intimate – and sometimes – unexpected venues. One highlight is the Saturday afternoon “wandering concerts”, which travel across three venues from the old museum to the Salvation Army hall. Each year, the programme has an overarching theme, which is central-eastern

Europe for 2012. This will be represented through selected artists and composers from the region. Slovakian soprano Adriana Kučerová has performed all over the world and will be visiting Norway for the first time, as will the Katona Twins from Hungary, who have previously played at The Proms and are celebrated for their innovative guitar performances. “We also have a number of outstanding Norwegian artists on the programme,” says Sandbakken. “The trumpet player Ole Edvard Antonsen, the Trondheim Soloists, the Grieg Trio, and our artistic director and violinist Marianne Thorsen, to mention a few.” “The musicians that play here are top performers, and the Røros setting makes it a truly unique experience,” says Sandbakken. “Internationally renowned musicians are strolling on the streets together with locals and visitors, in an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.”

Bergstadens Ziir. Photo: Dag Ådne Sandbakken

The Winter Music Festival in Røros runs from 8–11 March 2012. For more information, please visit: www.vinterfestspill.no

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 23

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Festivals in Norway 2012

Feel the Passion with the world’s leading musical performers By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: Oslo International Church Music Festival

Since it first began in 2000, Oslo International Church Music Festival has grown to become Norway’s most prominent celebration of church music. Each year, it attracts some of the world’s leading artists, who are drawn to its intriguing themes and methods, which focus on fusing modern day music with material dating as far back as medieval times.

and internationally thanks to the wide range of music on offer. Folk, soul, jazz, pop and rock performances feature throughout, making it a varied event suitable for both older and younger generations.

The twelfth edition of this constantly evolving festival takes place between 9 and 18 March 2012. Each year features a different theme, and next year’s events will focus particularly on Passion music. The opening and closing productions will honour Johann Sebastian Bach, the legendary Passion composer, with performances by some of the world’s finest musicians.

“A goal of the festival this year, as always, is to render the unknown known and perhaps introduce new aspects and qualities into what we thought was familiar,” explains Oslo International Church Music Festival director Bente Johnsrud.

The aim of the organisers is to break down musical barriers and expose people to new sounds and influences.

Tickets can be pre-booked or purchased on the day, with generous group discounts on offer.

The festival has attracted in excess of two hundred thousand spectators and nine thousand performers since it first began, and is held in high regard both nationally

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

Cutting-edge jazz in rural Norway Innovative and intimate, the 39th Vossa Jazz on the weekend before Easter promises to be as exciting as ever. The internationally acclaimed festival is one of a few large, traditional jazz festivals in Norway, and has seen some greats acts perform over the years. “Our musical profile is naturally dominated by jazz, but world and folk music also feature heavily on the programme,” says Trude Storheim, festival director. She promises something for all ages: dedicated concerts for children, where they are active both on and off stage; UNGjaJAZZja with and for youths; and Eldrejazz aimed at the older generation. For the last four years, Ekstremjazz has been on the programme as well, a combination of extreme sport and jazz, with outdoor concerts in unusual venues such as in the mountains and on the water.

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Tomasz Stanko

Mathias Eick

“We are known for our innovative approach,” says Storheim, “and also for our

By Karin Modig | Photos: Geir Birkeland

commissioned pieces that we have every year.” In 2012, the audience can look forward to a new piece by Karl Seglem, a renowned Norwegian musician with a background in both jazz and world music. “To us, presenting new music is really important,” she says, “and we commission several pieces every year.” Vossa Jazz takes place between 30 March and 1 April 2012, and the small village of Voss, with its beautiful nature, provides the perfect location for an intimate and friendly festival. The festival programme will be revealed bit by bit throughout December in the festival’s own advent calendar, with the full programme available in January.

For further information and for the Vossa Jazz Advent Calendar, please visit: www.vossajazz.no

Joakim StrĂśmholm, Sweden, guest in 2011. Photo: Odd Inge Teige

Kristiansund, Norway. Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic Life AS/Destination Kristiansund & NordmĂ¸re

Lucien Clergue, France, guest in 2011. Photo: Wigdis Wollan

A photography festival unlike any other Once every spring for the last six years, the picturesque Norwegian coastal town Kristiansund has been turned into a photographer's paradise, with the world's top photographers meeting up to share their work, their experiences, or simply to share a glass of wine and a pleasant conversation at the Nordic Light International Festival of Photography. By Magnus Nygren Syversen

atmosphere here as similar to a rock festival. Our festival might not be the biggest in the world, but it's definitely the nicest."

Built upon four islands surrounding a lively harbour, with majestic mountains on one side and the vast Atlantic Ocean on the other, the colourful and exotic community that is Kristiansund provides the perfect setting for the Nordic Light Festival, an event certain to make a long-lasting impression on its guests. Going into its seventh year, the festival can already pride itself on gathering the biggest names in photography, among them Elliott Erwitt, Anton Corbijn, James Nachway, Don McCullin, Sarah Moon and Albert Watson. The peaceful and friendly streets of Kristiansund offer a relaxed atmosphere and an opportunity for its guests of honour to get close to their fans. This also means amateur photographers and students have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with their idols.

Coming in 2012: Gilbert Garcin, France. Photo: Gilbert Garcin - courtesy of Focus Gallery, Cologne

"This festival is a delicacy for photography lovers, but we make sure to appeal to a broad audience, both young and old, looking for new impulses," says Morten Krogvold, sales and artistic director at Nordic Light. "You can learn a lot by seeing the world through someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lens, and previous guests have described the

Despite the intimate arena, the Nordic Light Festival is still definitely a grand occasion. Three hundred volunteers drape the town in banners, and in the six years, since the festival was first introduced, the number of visitors has skyrocketed, from around 12,000 individual visits in 2006 to an impressive 90,000 in 2011. Next year the goal is to break the 100,000 barrier. And the 2012 guest list is as impressive as always. The festival runs from 24 to 28 April 2012. All exhibitions are open from 24 April to 6 May 2012. For more information, please visit: www.nle.no

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 25

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Festivals in Norway 2012

A jazz legend celebrates its 40th anniversary Celebrating 40 years of night-time jazz, Nattjazz (or Night Jazz) returns in 2012 in a new location with double the stage capacity of previous years. With around 100 concerts held over 11 days, northern Europe’s longest jazz festival will no doubt be both a jazz event and a birthday celebration to remember. By Karin Modig | Photos: Alain Gutierrez Having been held in the same venue since 1994, the festival is moving into the city centre next year, due to refurbishment. Bergen city centre is reasonably small, and the various stages will be in close walking distance from each other.

“We are moving to an area of Bergen that has been overlooked for some time,” says festival director Jon Skjerdal. “Up-andcoming with a real community feel to it, we think it will be the perfect setting for a lively yet intimate gathering.”

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As the name suggests, concerts are normally held at night time, with acts going on stage at around 9-10 pm. Next year, more day-time concerts will be added, including concerts for children. The fact that the festival is 40 years old will be celebrated with some free events, stand-up theatre and opportunities for everyone to experience great music. Jazz in many forms is at the heart of the festival, with a particular emphasis on improvisation and contemporary jazz. “It is very important to us that we present the newest and freshest music,” says Skjerdal. “Up-to-date music and innovative artists are at the forefront of what we offer, and we also commission several pieces from well-known and respected artists each year.” In addition to jazz, Skjerdal can promise world music, a touch of electronica and possibly some rock as well.

“The main venue in 2012 will be a church that we plan to turn into a jazz church à la New York in the 1950s. All in all, we will have around 10 stages, which is double the amount we normally have,” says Skjerdal. The official programme has yet to be announced, but if previous years’ line-ups are anything to go by, Nattjazz will not disappoint. From James Brown, via Joshua Redman, to Jon Balke and Jan Garbarek, most great jazz musicians have played here at some point. Natt Jazz runs from 23 May to 2 June 2012.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Festivals in Norway 2012

Three days of fish and music

ing acoustic blues at a local pub, or, in one of the traditional Norwegian fisherman's huts, to the swinging sounds of boogiewoogie blues on the main stage.

When picturing a typical blues festival, the interior of a traditional fisherman's hut in a tiny village on the Norwegian coast will probably not be the first scenario that springs to mind. At Codstock this is exactly what you get. Henningsvær is your typical fishing village in Lofoten in northern Norway, housing less than 500 residents. It is the kind of place you would see depicted on a postcard. But for three days each spring for the last 11 years, Codstock has turned Henningsvær upside down with the familiar sounds of blues pouring out into the streets.

Blues & Midnight Sun

“This is a rustic festival with an intimate atmosphere, where the artists and the audience all become one big family,” emphasises Larsen. “Our focus is on the wellbeing of our artists, our audience and our local community.” The festival combines blues with midnight sun, fishing culture and the food that comes with it, and on the last day, 50 guests get the ultimate Codstock experience as they are taken out to sea on an old boat to enjoy a nice fish dinner accompanied by a live blues band.

“Codstock is a festival for people who want to experience blues in a different setting from what they are used to,” says festival organiser Børge Larsen. The Codstock audience has the opportunity to experience everything from sooth-

By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Ole Johan Wiik

For more information, please visit: www.codstock.com Blues Cruise

OSLO CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL 10.–18. august 2012

Stolt hovedsponsor 2012

MORE INFORMATION: www.oslokammermusikkfestival.no E-mail: post@oslokammermusikkfestival.no Phone: +47 23 10 07 30

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Festivals in Norway 2012

An international cultural festival celebrating indigenous culture By Karin Modig | Photos: Ørjan Bertelsen

From humble beginnings in 1991 as a Sea-Sami cultural event, the Riddu Riđđu Festival in Kåfjord in northern Norway has grown into an international five-day festival celebrating the rich cultural heritage of indigenous people from all over the world. Through art, culture and music, Riddu Riddu shows the diversity particularly within the Sami population, but also within indigenous cultures in general. As one of only a handful of Norwegian festivals aimed at showcasing the rich heritage of indigenous people, it attracts up to 4,000 visitors every year. “We have a very varied programmme,” says festival manager Kirsti Lervoll, “and we pride ourselves on a high level of artistic quality throughout. We are showcasing artists from indigenous groups, but the quality of artists is always at the forefront.”

Previous artists that have performed include international stars Angelique Kidjo and Buffy Saint Marie, and internationally acclaimed Norwegian Sami artists Adjágas and Mari Boine. “This is a festival for the whole family,” says Lervoll. “On Thursday, Friday and Saturday,there will be music on our large concert stage, with artists from many corners of the world, including Russia, Canada and Greenland, taking part. There will be a special festival programme for children, and a youth camp with seminars and workshops as well as film and music.” The festival area is set among the steep mountains of northern Norway, and, being held in the middle of summer, at this festival the sun never sets. The Riddu Riddu Festival runs from 1115 July 2012, in Kåfjord, approximately a two-hour drive from Tromsø.

Photo: Marius Fiskum

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

Exploring the cultures of indigenous people in the north By Karin Modig | Photos: Ørjan Bertelsen

An important partner for the Riddu Riđđu Festival is The Centre for Northern Peoples, an international centre for Sami and other indigenous people. The aims and missions of the centre and the festival reflect and complement each other, and many of the events will be held here. “Our mission at The Centre for Northern Peoples is to preserve the indigenous heritage of northern areas, and to teach people about the variety of cultures and traditions that exist,” says general manager Henrik Olsen. The centre is situated in stunning surroundings in new buildings in Kåfjord, and has both permanent and temporary exhibitions. “As well as art exhibitions, we have an extensive collection of traditional accommodation, fashion and crafts,” says Olsen. “Our kitchen serves up modern and traditional Sami fare made from local produce, which will be served to Riddu

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Riddu festivalgoers.” Sami traditions dominate the exhibitions, situated as they are right in Norwegian Sami heartland. One highlight, opened this year, is the newest permanent exhibition of Sami culture within the Nordic countries. However, there is much space dedicated to indigenous people from other areas north of the Arctic Circle as well, from Greenland to Siberia.“The temporary exhibitions reflect all the differences within the various indigenous cultures,” says Olsen. “Typically they feature ways of life or arts and crafts and other indigenous traditions from Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Russia.” The Centre for Northern Peoples is open year round and is situated in Kåfjord. For more information, please visit: www.senterfornordligefolk.no

Photo: Tom Melby

An extraordinary music experience in dramatic nature

By Didrik Ottesen

Nordland Music Festival is a music extravaganza. The combination of culture and nature makes this festival, based in Bodø in Norway, an exceptional music experience.

Having been around for 31 years, Nordland Music Festival has grown into a successful event; this summer, its inimitable way of combining live music concerts with spectacular nature settings attracted over 20,000 people.

summer, we had a concert on top of Keiservarden, which is 366 metres above sea level with extraordinary scenery and a fantastic view over Lofoten,” Larsen says.

“It is a special festival in special surroundings,” says André W. Larsen, director of Nordland Music Festival. “It is one of the biggest festivals in Norway, with a very wide spectrum as far as the programme is concerned.” Photo: Nordland Musikkfestuke

The festival is mainly focused around classical music, including several of their own productions; however, there are also quite a few other genres involved, including opera, folk as well as rock and pop music. “We also have a wide programme of jazz music,” Larsen explains.

This summer, 55 various events, including tango and other dance performances, were hosted during the ten days the festival lasted. The festival combines the best music from the international scene along with leading national and regional alternatives.

“The music festival tries to arrange music experiences in untraditional places, combining nature, culture and music. This

Nordland Music Festival was started as an Olsok festival, celebrating St. Olav, a former king and martyr of Norway; and

church music and concerts are still a large part of the festival’s classical programme. “There are several concerts all over the town, including church concerts,” says Larsen. “Next year, we will also have an old veteran ship that used to follow a traffic route up north in the 50s. In the 2012 festival, this will transport the audience out of town to the local coastline to watch an opera staged on an island; this is a classic and beautiful journey,” explains Larsen. “Nordland Music Festival is one of the most well established and largest cultural institutions in the northern parts of Norway, and the combination of culture and nature is really something very special,” Larsen concludes. For more information, please visit: www.nmfu.no

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 29

: ME TS E H H L T L IG A I EC RN SP THE R NO

Mystery in Norway’s night sky By Northern Norway Tourist Board | Photos: Arild Heitmann, www.arildheitmann.com A light-footed, elegant dance of green veils, so frail and light you can see the stars shine through: aurora borealis, the northern lights, is an unearthly apparition that leaves no one untouched.

chances are slimmer in late August/early September and early April. From midApril to early August, nights are too bright in the north to see the northern lights. How to see them

A moment of sheer beauty Flickering curtains, rolling smoke or twisting bands across the night sky: the northern lights are illusive, transparent and mysterious. The electric green colour contrasts markedly against rock-hard mountains and cold snow. Occasionally, the whole sky explodes in a corona of green, violet, pink and white. Spectators pinch their arms and question their eyesight. The best place on earth The northern lights oval passes just over northern Norway, making it the best area in the world to observe this phenomenon. On more than 80% of clear nights, there is at least something to be observed in northern Norway. When to see them The northern lights only occur in the dark. Between 6pm and 1am, the chances are at their best, with the time around 1011pm as the absolute maximum. Between mid-September and late March, it is dark all this time in northern Norway. The

30 | Issue 36 | December 2011

Make sure you are out under the night sky as much as possible between 6pm and 1am. Cross-country skiing or long walks are good ways, but most visitors find it easier to go on an organised tour. Dog sledding, reindeer sledding and snowmobiling provide a lot of fun while waiting. Aficionados go on dedicated northern lights safaris with high hit rates. Northern lights winter holidays The islands of Lofoten and Vesterålen are positively buzzing with colourful winter fishing in January-March. Tromsø combines good food, festivals and nightlife with many excellent excursions onto islands and fjords. The best snowmobiling and the fastest dog sledding goes on in Alta and Karasjok. In Kirkenes, you can fish for gigantic king crabs. The most interesting winter trips with the best aurora hit rate combine several destinations.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Northern Lights

Embrace the aurora at the gateway to the Arctic If you live “on top of the world” in Tromsø, northern Norway, you are bound to be fascinated by the flickering and sparkling northern lights dancing across the winter skies. Tromsø University Museum gives you a chance to take part in the science, history and myths of the aurora borealis, and even make your own lights, in the special tour Embrace the Aurora. By Linnéa Mitchell | Photos: Tromsø Museum Here at northern Norway’s oldest scientific institution (est.1872), Embrace the Aurora makes sure you can see the northern lights at any time of the year. The tour starts with the science behind the aurora in brief, as discovered by Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland more than 100 years ago. To understand further how the flow of charged particles from the sun, called the solar wind, affects the earth’s atmosphere and causes the northern lights, the museum has installed a plasma chamber. It looks more like a thick-glassed fish tank, but instead of fish there is a ball of steel, fitted with an internal magnet, representing a miniature planet. When operating, the chamber creates a near-vacuum pressure, just the right conditions for the northern lights, and here is where you can create your own. Leaving the more detailed science aside, the next part of the tour deals with some of the theories and myths that surrounded the aurora in the past. “In Greenland, they

believed that it was the dead children’s spirits playing football with a walrus skull,” says exhibition manager Per Helge Nylund. “Finnish folklore has it that a giant fox on the north pole causes the aurora. When it leaps happily around in the forest, its big fluffy tail brushes snow from the shrubs and bushes. The snow reflects light as it drizzles down, and these reflections form the northern lights that we can see.” The tour is rounded up by one or several picture shows, before the visitor can pick up a gift on the way out: a book based on the science performed at the University of Tromsø, for further indulgence in the aurora. As the snow already has arrived in Tromsø, and the hours of darkness have exceeded those of sunshine, chances are you might catch a glimpse of this phenomenon “live”. Either end your visit here or move on to one of the other exhibitions such as Sápmí – Becoming a Nation, which tells the story

of the Sami who lived in these harsh conditions already 2,000 years ago.

Tromsø Museum includes four locations: the main museum, the M/S Polstjerna (Norway’s best preserved seal hunt ship), the Polar Museum (portraying life in the Arctic and the surrounding oceans) and the Botanical Garden. The museum has 110,000 visitors annually.

For more information, please visit: uit.no.tmu

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 31

Tjeldsundbrua during northern lights

Tjeldsundbrua Sea Cabins

The gateway to the North offers natural beauty, comfort and fabulous cuisine Ideally situated at the heart of Norway’s northern tip, Tjeldsundbrua Restaurant & Hotel acts as the perfect base for visitors looking to explore the region’s renowned scenery, walking trails and fishing hot spots. Boasting 25 rooms, sea cabins and a restaurant serving local culinary delights, Tjeldsundbrua Hotel makes an excellent starting point for a northern adventure. By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: Tjeldsundbrua Restaurant & Hotel

In addition to the rooms within the main hotel, a further nine newly constructed luxurious sea cabins are also available. Located on a purpose-built pier, the selfcatered cabins sleep up to eight people and include balconies from which one can take in the view of the ocean. Tjelsundbrua Restaurant, or “Kro” in local terms, seats up to 200 customers and offers a varied, locally sourced range of meals. Specially designed menus are available for conferences and meetings which can be held in the hotel, while their catering service offers tailor-made options, which are ideal for special occasions and gatherings.

The hotel is located just 18 kilometres from the airport in Harstad, and is within close proximity to the beautiful Lofoten Islands. “We have an excellent strategic location, and we are very much the gateway to Lofoten and other popular areas in the region, such as the Coastal Heritage Road,” explains Tjeldsundbrua Restaurant & Hotel Manager Kjell Andreassen. “Along the Coastal Heritage Road, you can learn about our rich history, taste traditional food and hire a boat or try fishing to catch your own dinner,” says Andreassen. The area’s rugged terrain has made it a haven for hiking enthusiasts, while fishing is never far off the agenda, at sea and in

fresh water rivers and lakes. At night, the hotel can arrange for a guided excursion to the perfect spot from where one can observe the spectacular northern lights. The region also features an extensive contemporary art exhibition that comes with a twist in the form of sculptures being scattered across the area’s landscape. A total of 33 creations can be found, with 16 of them located in and around Tjelsundbrua and the municipality of Nordland. “The artistic creations really stand out in the terrain and add an extra dimension to the scenery, and I would highly recommend it to our visitors,” Kjell Andreassen says. The hotel and restaurant are open throughout the year, with more information on local events available on the website.

Tjeldsundbrua Hotel aerial view

32 | Issue 36 | December 2011

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

Magical winter lights in exotic Svalbard By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Constance Andersen

Would you fancy a winter break with a difference at, arguably, one of northern Europe’s most exotic archipelagos? If so, look to the Norwegian isles of Svalbard at the latitude of 74-81 degrees north of the equator, which almost lies halfway between Norway’s Northern Cape (71 degrees) and the North Pole (90 degrees). While most tourists go to Svalbard in late March and early April to enjoy the early days of the midnight sun, local tourism authorities would now like to encourage tourists to enjoy the magic lights of February. Discovered by Dutch explorer Willem Barentz in 1596 and having been sparsely populated by Dutch, Russians and Scandinavians, Norway gained sovereignty over the islands in 1920, albeit allowing fishing, hunting and mining rights to other countries. Coal had already been discovered, and today, a community of some 2,000 Norwegians (most of them in the settlement of Longyearbyen) and 400 Ukraini-

ans (most of them in the settlement of Barentsburg) operate coal mines run by Norwegian company Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani and Russian company Arctikugol. Longyearbyen offers several urban facilities, such as a hospital, school, university, shops, bars, hotels, guest houses and an airport. From most

of Europe, Scandinavian Airlines offer easy access and reasonable fares to Svalbard via the northern city of Tromsø. Across the islands that form Svalbard,the polar nights (when the sun does not rise

above the horizon) last from 26 October to 15 February, creating an exotic blue colour also reflected in the snow, making almost everything look blue. Sometimes on clear nights and days, the northern lights appear. As the polar nights slowly and gradually come to an end in February, tourism co-ordinator Kjersti Ellen Noraas explains that a pink colour is gradually added to the sky, adding to the natural beauty as the sun gradually begins to rise for the day. These magical and exotic phenomena can be experienced on snowmobile excursions or from husky sleighs. For more information, please visit: www.svalbard.net

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 33

Where the Arctic light takes the starring role For a holiday that will leave you relaxed and refreshed, forget spa breaks and yoga retreats and look instead to northern Norway. The resort Hamn in Senja, a northern paradise known for gorgeous nature and stunning light displays, fits the bill perfectly. By Karin Modig | Photo: www.hamnisenja.no

With an informal maritime atmosphere, a visit to Hamn is an opportunity to experience northern Norwegian nature and rare adventures, from the calmness of a beautiful sunny day to the roughness of the sea on a stormy day.

The northern lights above the Senja mountain range Okshornan, or The Horns of the Ox, also known as The Devil’s Teeth. Photo: www.senjafoto.no

“Hamn is one of those places where you instantly feel at home,” says marketing manager Kari Anne Fredriksen. ”The at-

34 | Issue 36 | December 2011

mosphere is peaceful and relaxing, and we see guests lowering their shoulders as soon as they get here.”

ular with both professional and amateur photographers, returning time and again for the never-ending colourful motifs.

Hamn is a historical fishing station from the 1880s and was once home to one of Norway’s largest fish processing plants. Since the early 1990s, it has been a tourist destination, and was last year voted one of the top 25 places to visit in Norway by Innovation Norway. It is situated at 69.4° north, along the scenic national tourist route, in rough yet idyllic surroundings.

“We also have a lot to offer in terms of experiences and excursions; body rafting in a maelstrom is both popular and unusual. There are also opportunities for Arctic bathing, kayaking, biking, hiking, hunting, fishing, fjord sightseeing and relaxing in an outdoor hot tub in a boat, to mention a few,” says Fredriksen.

“One of the things that really makes Hamn stand out is the astonishingly beautiful landscape, combined with the ever-changing, characteristic Arctic light, in summer as well as winter,” says Fredriksen. Hamn has little light pollution and is a perfect place to watch the stunning array of colours on display during the polar winter and to look for the spectacular northern lights; while summertime offers you the famous midnight sun. The area is pop-

Hamn is a popular venue for weddings and can also offer tailor-made conferences for up to 125 people, complete with activities and excursions. Senja is easily accessible from Tromsø, Bardufoss or Evenes airports.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Northern Lights

Located on the northern side of the island Senja, which is often called Norway in miniature, as it contains every beautiful aspect of Norwegian nature, is Mefjord Brygge, a place offering ultimate and authentic Norwegian experiences. Mefjord Brygge consists of three large piers and offers classical rorbu cabins or, alternatively, large apartments as a base for guests, who want to experience all the wonders of the area, including ocean fishing and white-tailed eagle spotting, as well as experiencing the northern lights. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ocean fishing is highly recommendable,â&#x20AC;? says Tommy Schanke Hansen, managing director of Mefjord Brygge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We provide solid boats with all the latest equipment, and this is an area with immediate access to one of Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest coastline fishing areas.â&#x20AC;? Including great opportunities for hiking, with the possibility of experiencing the

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An ultimate Norwegian experience

By Didrik Ottesen Photo: Mefjord Brygge

dramatic nature of the fjords, as the steep mountains meet the sea, Mefjord Brygge is also an ideal place to see the northern lights. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is where one can experience the northern lights in their right element: away form all the noise and lights of the city. One can just take pleasure in the calmness, which makes the experience optimal,â&#x20AC;? says Hansen. In addition to having its own restaurant, which serves local food and is decorated in a maritime style with museum artefacts from hundreds of years back in time, along with a sauna and heated outdoor pool (stamp), Mefjord Brygge can provide easy access to alpine activities as well as ice climbing. For more information, please visit: www.mefjordbrygge.no

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

Wintertime in Copenhagen is cool By Frederikke Møller Kristiansen, Wonderful Copenhagen | Photo: Cees van Roeden, Wonderful Copenhagen Skating rinks, Christmas markets and exhibitions: Christmas in Copenhagen is magical. In December, you can experience true Christmas spirit at one of the many concerts, shows or markets that are on offer. If you are up for an alternative Christmas experience, visit free-town Christiania’s Christmas market from mid-December. It offers everything from hand-knitted clothes, ceramics to exotic art and Christmas decorations. Other markets include the one in Tivoli, which is open for Christmas every year, and offers a rich atmosphere with elves, music, sweets, food and entertainment, to name a few. Also during November and December, Nyhavn is transformed into one of the city's centres for Christmas atmosphere. All along the water in the old harbour, stalls are set up and decorated offering traditional Danish Christmas specialties such as æbleskiver and glögg. At the Nyhavn market, you will find entertainment, food, crafts, Christmas brew and mulled wine. If you are in for some serious retail shopping,

department stores Magasin and Illum on the main pedestrian street Strøget are dressed up for the Christmas season and well equipped with Danish and international brands. However, if you are interested in smaller shops, taking a stroll along the many side streets around Strøget will offer everything from edgy clothes to jewellery and antiques. But winter in Copenhagen is not only about Christmas. The month of February is home to the winter festival Wondercool Copenhagen, which fills the city and its cultural scene with good vibrations. And it is both well-known successes and newcomers that have joined forces to make Copenhagen Wondercool happen in February: the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, the Danish Design Centre, Danish Architecture Centre, the Copenhagen Fashion Festival, Copenhagen Cooking, rock festival FROST and Copenhagen Art Festival will all offer new, standalone events as well as joint events. Visitors to Wondercool Copenhagen will have the chance to dig into nouveau Nordic cooking

with festival Copenhagen Cooking, listen to cool jazz and loud rock, or experience edgy art, architecture and design. Winter in Copenhagen is definitely cool.

For more information, please visit: www.visitcopenhagen.com www.wondercoolcopenhagen.com

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

Its prominent location and legendary yellow logo make the Hard Rock Cafe hard to miss when strolling around the centre of Copenhagen.

London, New York and Copenhagen – they all love it!

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Hard Rock Cafe

With its prominent location, iconic logo and buzzing atmosphere, Hard Rock Cafe Copenhagen is hard to miss when visiting the capital. The cafe not only attracts tourists but also many loyal locals, who come to enjoy the great food, drinks and rock history served inside. “What few people know is that our food is actually all homemade. We make all of our own sauces and dressings in-house and have our own smoker to make our trademark smoked barbeque ribs and chicken wings,” says David John McBeth, the cafe’s general manager. “We believe in quality. It is something that we are really proud of.” For a good cause Hard Rock Cafe opened up in its current location right next to Tivoli in 1995. The prominent location, however, has not only been a blessing. “Our location right next to Tivoli sort of meant that we got the reputation for a long time of being a bit of a tourist trap,” explains McBeth. Recently this conception has, however, turned partly thanks to a number of different

events and activities planned specifically for the local community. “Hard Rock has a long history of philanthropic activities; we raise money for great causes and have arranged concerts in support of numerous charities such as the Breast Cancer Foundation,” stresses McBeth. "It's something we’ve been doing right from the beginning.”

Metallica drummer, Lars Ulrich, or a pullover worn by Elvis Presley or even a pair of Mick Jagger’s trousers! A visit to Hard Rock Cafe Copenhagen is a must for any visitor to Copenhagen.

A rocking history When the owners of the first Hard Rock Cafe (still standing in its original location on Old Park Lane, London) received a guitar from one of their most loyal customers, Eric Clapton, in 1976, a unique brand attribute was born - and the beginning of a music memorabilia collection, that now holds over 76,000 pieces displayed in more than 163 Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels, Casinos and Live Venues, was created. “Our mission is to spread the spirit of rock and roll by creating authentic experiences that rock,” says McBeth. In Copenhagen, visitors can enjoy a great Legendary Burger in a fantastic rock‘n’roll atmosphere, while sitting next to the drums of world famous and Danish-born

For more information, please visit: www.hardrock.com/copenhagen

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 37

Visit Copenhagen’s stomach By Signe Hansen | Photos: Restaurant Maven

Located in the beautiful old Nikolaj Church in the charming centre of Copenhagen, Maven Restaurant and Wine Bar offers visitors an enchanting and relaxed dining experience. The restaurant, which serves a mix of French, Italian and Danish bistro dishes, was founded just three months ago by restaurateur and actor Thomas Gaarde, and his business partner Peter Bille. “I had been looking at this place for years, but my accountant told me there was no way I would get my hands on it. But then one day I saw an advertisement for it, and I just thought ‘let’s go for it’. It is quite amazing!”

food has to be good, and the wine and drinks have to fit the dishes, but the experience and atmosphere are also very important,” stresses Gaarde. And with classic furniture “of the kind you could find in your grandmother’s living room”, candlelight and informal table settings, Gaarde has indeed done his best to preserve the unique appeal of the old church. A recipe for success Despite successfully pursuing a career as a professional actor, Maven is not Gaarde’s first restaurant venture. Ten

years ago, he and a friend opened up a cafe in the then upcoming Islands Brygge area. The establishment was nominated as the best restaurant in Copenhagen thrice, and, judging by the feedback from guests, Maven is also well on its way to becoming a favourite among Copenhageners. “We have had a fantastic start, guests have been very positive, and we have had great feedback,” says Gaarde. Upstairs, the charming ground-floor restaurant and wine bar has two rooms that can sit 15 or 40 guests, available for bookings and parties.

Preserving the charm of history Maven in Danish means “the stomach” and refers to the restaurant’s location in what used to be Copenhagen’s meat market and known among locals as “the stomach of Copenhagen”. Gaarde chose the name because he wishes to maintain the informal charm of the old market, but of course in a tidied up version. “Our goal is to take good care of our guests. The

38 | Issue 36 | December 2011

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

A little piece of France in the middle of Copenhagen By Margrete Dybbroe | Photos: La Galette

galette costs from four to twelve pounds with an average of nine pounds.

Bertrand Gautard is as French as they come, and so is his restaurant La Galette in the heart of Copenhagen. A galette is a French pancake made of buckwheat flour, as opposed to the sweet Danish pancakes that are typically made of wheat flour. Not surprisingly, galettes are the main issue at La Galette. A French galette is not a dessert. It is a main course served with a non-sweet filling and makes a light meal that is equally well suited for lunch and dinner. La Galette offers you a great variety of tempting fillings to choose between – from spinach and goat cheese to smoked salmon and caviar, and other such mouth-watering delicacies. The restaurant has all of 22 different galettes on the menu – plus the same amount of the Danish type dessert pancakes with sweet fillings like chocolate and almonds, chestnut custard, honey and walnuts, and so forth.

The restaurant has one speciality aside from pancakes, namely an original fish soup from Bretagne, where Bertrand Gautard comes from. La Galette is French to the bone: the menu, the owner, the milieu, the atmosphere. You hear nothing but French spoken in the kitchen, and the waitresses are all French students from the university. It is the real thing – and very popular. La Galette has been nominated for best inexpensive restaurant in Copenhagen for three consecutive years now.

The restaurant only uses top-quality fresh ingredients, but the prices are modest. A

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

Great food and wine with a conscience By Yane Christensen | Photos: Gustav’s Bistro & Butik

In Gustav's Bistro & Butik (shop) in Copenhagen, you can enjoy simple, tasty meals accompanied by organic French wine, while the sound of jazz streams from the speakers. As a former owner of a Michelin starawarded restaurant, Gustav Vilholm puts his extensive experience to good use in his newly opened bistro. According to Gustav, life is all about enjoying a great meal with loved ones, and in his bistro you can do just that without spending a fortune, as a three-course meal costs just Dkr. 300. All the meals are created from scratch, using organic or biodynamic ingredients from local farmers. Gustav does not just use organic produce in the kitchen – everything down to the cleaning products is environmentally friendly. This is all part

of Gustav's mission: he wants to prove that it is possible to combine sustainability with profitability. “Us westerners are obliged to show the rest of the world that sustainable living is possible,” Gustav explains. And he is a man who practices what he preaches: if Gustav buys a cow, he will make sure every part of it is used. Nothing is wasted. The shop sells imported organic wine from the cellar and delicacies from the

kitchen, such as rillette and terrine for guests and passers-by to take away. Gustav’s Bistro & Butik opened just three months ago. The fact that the tables are fully booked, even on weekdays, indicates that Gustav Vilholm’s concept is not just working – it is a success. For more information, please visit: www.gustavsbistro.dk

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 39

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

The new addition: The Paustian building was designed by famous Danish architect Jørn Utzon.

Danish cuisine at its best By Signe Hansen | Photos: Restaurant Paustian & Restaurationen

Located in the centre of old Copenhagen, Restaurationen has, with its elegant interiors and contemporary Danish kitchen, become an integrated part of the capital. The restaurant was opened 20 years ago by husband and wife Bo and Lisbeth Jacobsen - both experienced chefs. Recently, the couple added another budding classic to the city’s gastronomic palette: Restaurant Paustian in Copenhagen’s North Harbour. With the two original restaurants, the couple aims to treat foodies to the best of, what could very simply be described as, genuine modern and traditional Danish cuisine.

40 | Issue 36 | December 2011

“In Restaurationen, we do new Danish dishes; we experiment a bit and play around with the ingredients, but we don’t, as many other restaurants do at the moment, do ‘new Nordic cuisine’. We think there is plenty of great stuff to pick from in Denmark,” explains Bo Jacobsen. “With restaurant Paustian we wanted to introduce people to the original Danish kitchen. We are both from the 50s, so in a way this is the food from our childhood; we both grew up with mothers who were great cooks and always served fresh and home-cooked food.” Classic but not stiff With its mahogany floors, white tablecloths, silverware, and Royal Danish

porcelain settings, Restaurationen provides the perfect setting for a special night out with friends and family or clients and business partners. But while the setting is elegant and classic, the two restaurateurs have never in any way aimed for a particularly fancy or highbrow atmosphere. “Our main imperative has always been to create an enjoyable night for our guests; we want them to feel at home and welcome. That’s also why they won’t get a long lecture at the table about the food; we don’t think it is the role of a restaurateur to show off in front of the guests. No. Our waiters are told to act the way they would if they had guests in their own home,” explains Jacobsen.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

This does not, of course, mean that guests cannot get assistance with, for instance, choosing between the wine menu’s more than 1,000 wines or 100 different digestifs. And among the experienced staff, guests will also find Lisbeth and Bo, who are in the kitchen every evening. A new venture with old roots In January 2011, 20 years after their first joint restaurant venture, the Jacobsens got the opportunity to open up a new restaurant in the Paustian House in Copenhagen’s North Harbour. “After having run Restaurationen for 20 years, we felt like trying something new; we wanted to present Copenhagen to the traditional Danish kitchen and also spread our price level a bit,” explains Bo Jacobsen. But while the bright Uzton designed building is the epitome of modern Scandinavian design, the plank tables, friendly relaxed atmosphere and classic chandeliers are more telling when it comes to what you can expect on your plate. “There is so much hype about the new Nordic cuisine that the Danish kitchen has been quite forgotten, and we thought it was about time to bring back the good bourgeois kitchen from before the 60s,” says Jacob-

sen, but he also stresses: “It is not a museum kitchen, but we do try to bring back all the good stuff from that time like kale soup, homemade pickles and lots of fish.” Striving to leave an impression While Restaurant Paustian is not headed

Left: Bo and Lisbeth Jacobsen run two restaurants and a wine bar; they have been working together since 1987. Right: Ninety per cent of Restaurationen and Paustian’s ingredients are sourced locally in Denmark and according to the seasons.

daily by the Jacobsens, but by one of their experienced Restaurationen chefs, running two restaurants is, admits Jacobsen, more than enough to keep the couple busy 24/7. But that is not all: just 10 metres from Restaurationen, you will find the couple’s third venture, R Wine bar, a classic wine bar in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Though the wine bar does not serve warm food (it does serve a range of delicious cold bar snacks), the mantra here is the same as for the restaurants. “We do everything imaginable to make sure our guests have the best possible night out; a night where they enjoy our company and want to come back,” stresses Jacobsen. “Our kitchen is marked by our personal taste, and we feel that we actually cook the food that we would like eat; we don’t chase the newest trends to make the press happy, but focus on personal and genuine cuisine.”

For more information, please visit: www.restaurantpaustian.dk www.r-vinbar.dk www.restaurationen.dk

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 41

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

An exclusive night out in the heart of Copenhagen Put on your fancy dress, polish those dance shoes and make sure to check the spending limit on your credit card; you are going to need to do all three things before hitting Copenhagen’s new exclusive club The Lot. By Signe Hansen | Photos: The Lot

Recently reopened, The Lot is one of Copenhagen’s most exclusive clubs giving people in their late twenties and upwards the possibility of enjoying a good dinner followed by cocktails, music and dancing. The club is located in Pilestræde, Copenhagen’s social heart. “Our ambition has always been to combine nightclub and restaurant, to create a place where you could have a good dinner and continue the party afterwards,” explains club manager Christian Fredslund. “We provide an intimate, exclusive atmosphere for the picky audience, and you don’t have to worry about getting on the guest list somewhere to continue your night out.” The London way When The Lot was founded in 2008, it was partly inspired by the co-owner at the time

42 | Issue 36 | December 2011

Jeremy Solomon’s nightclub experience in London. “All this started with Konrad (one of the first places to offer dinner and clubbing in Copenhagen), which was a huge success, and we tried to keep that success

The inspiration for The Lot did, however, not just come from London but also places like New York and other successful Copenhagen clubs. “Some of the ideas behind the club, when it originally opened, were that it should have sort of a New Yorker style with a Scandinavian touch.” When the club reopened in January 2011, it was, however, not just with changes to the original decor, but also the original concept. Though the focus on the exclusive dining and clubbing experience remains the same, entrance to the club became less restricted and the focus on “thick wallets” a bit toned down.

going by creating The Lot,” explains Fredslund. “Of course Copenhageners have had do adapt to the ‘dining and drinking at the same place’ concept, but I think it has become very popular as in London.”

While you do not need to be a member or on any special list to get a table at The Lot for dinner, booking well in advance is a good idea, as the 150 seats fill up quickly at the weekend. Dining guests can enjoy a

Tequila Mojitos and Dom Pérignon

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

fairly priced à la carte bistro menu or a special three-course club menu, and while the food is not too pricy, there will be plenty of time to splash out later. The drinks menu contains an array of colourful signature cocktails like Cognac Espresso or Tequila Mojito, and the restaurant’s sommelier can guide you through a good selection of fine wines and, of course, Dom Pérignon. “We cater for an exclusive and picky audience, and due to our location, reputation and history, we are, of course, not the cheapest place in Copenhagen, but quality and price match; we give you good quality all the way from the kitchen to the bar,” stresses Fredslund. When you have booked your table, you automatically gain access to the club as well, meaning that you can avoid the queue which usually builds up at weekends. “We do let people in without a dinner reservation, but because we only have very limited space, we do have to close the doors at some point during the night, so the best thing is to book a table,” Fredslund explains. See and be seen With a huge outdoor area, which is open all year round (covered in the wintertime), a visit to The Lot offers plenty of opportunity to see and be seen by the many bar and restaurant goers in the bustling Pilestræde. Unlike many of its counterparts, The Lot has also chosen to indulge their smoking visitors by creating a heated outdoor smoking area, providing what many might find a welcome change to the frozen fingers smokers usually have to endure during wintertime. Inside, the venue is decorated in, what Fredslund calls, “a quite classic Scandinavian style with a minimalistic touch. We have a lot of dark colours, but it is still a laidback and cool place to be.” Besides the regular The Lot nights, the venue can also handle and cater for larger corporate presentations and functions. These take place in a backwards extension of the club which can include up to 500 people for dinner and dancing.

The Lot is open for lunch from Monday to Wednesday; lunch and dinner on Thursdays; and lunch, dinner and clubbing Friday and Saturday.

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

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 43

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

Using mother’s recipes

By Kirstine Trauelsen | Photos: Restaurant Cave

“It is important for us to give our guests a special experience coming here,” says Tepu Ashraf. “That is also why we have created our own 'Cave dressing', and our wine card is rich with white wine, rosé and cava, because we find this more fitting for the spicy Indian cuisine than red wine.”

In the centre of beautiful old Copenhagen, the brothers Tepu and Inam Ashraf run a restaurant that is everything but typically Danish. Since 2010, Restaurant Cave has tempted its guests with irresistible Indian cuisine in beautiful surroundings. The guests at Restaurant Cave do not get the standard fare, as the chef has more than 20 years of experience cooking Indian cuisine. “As the only place in Copenhagen, we also serve dishes from the south of India and not only from the north like other Indian restaurants,” says owner Tepu Ashraf. “We also have special 'Cave-dishes' on the menu, and we prepare everything from scratch. We even make our own spices.”

Being a guest at Restaurant Cave, one can choose to sit in the traditionally decorated Mogul Lounge, or in the more minimalistic part of the restaurant, which is decorated in black and white colours. But no matter where one sits, the Indian cuisine is the main focus. Many of the recipes used in the kitchen are those of the Ashraf brothers’ mother, and the ingredients are guaranteed to be fresh and organic.

Many of the regular guests at Restaurant Cave are Indian people working in Copenhagen, and they often say that eating at Restaurant Cave is just like having a little taste of India.

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

Tea can be so much more than just tea By Margrete Dybbroe | Photos: Sing Tehus

Sing Tehus is the first of its kind in Denmark: a modern teahouse based on the ancient traditions of Asian tea culture. Aside from being a serene meeting place where you can take a break over a nice cup of tea with sweets or sandwiches, it is a shop that sells all sorts of teas and tea-related paraphernalia. Sing Tehus was established in 2006 by Mette Marie Kjaer. Mette Marie had lived several years as a pictorial artist in Prague and New York, when she met a Japanese tea master who introduced her to the highly aesthetic Asian approach to tea drinking. She was intrigued. The Asian tea culture is very rich in philosophy, history, arts and crafts. It has time for contemplation and a world of wonderful teas to offer that the western world has never known before.

44 | Issue 36 | December 2011

Today, Sing Tehus has its own import of the finest Asian teas. Visiting the teahouse, you can get a demonstration of the authentic preparation of the Japanese tea matcha, which is the tea that is always used for the ritual Japanese tea ceremonies. Matcha is brightly green and thicker than ordinary tea, because the tea leaves are pulverised and left for one to drink. Consequently, a cup of matcha has a very high dose of vitamins A, E and C.

Also the appearance of Sing products is aesthetic and beautiful. The art director Richard Spencer Powell from Monocle Magazine in London has worked out an exclusive iconic graphic design for the Sing tins and packages.

For more information, please visit: singtehus.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen

Experience a new way of shopping in Scandinavia’s greatest shopping centre By Signe Hansen | Photos: Field’s

A visit to Field’s, with more than 140 shops, 3,000 parking spaces and a total of 115,000 square metres of shopping and leisure opportunities, is a visit to the absolutely biggest shopping centre in Denmark. But it is much more than that; with its ultra accessible location in Ørestad, unique brand approach and bright and modern architecture, Field’s is synonymous with a new way of shopping. “Our ambition was to create Scandinavia’s biggest shopping and leisure centre, and the first super regional shopping centre in Denmark and southern Sweden,” explains centre manager Lotte Eiskjær Andersen. “We wanted to create a Danish equivalent to the American mall, which has not been seen before in Denmark in either size or concept, but the architecture was also something new; the design is very Scandinavian with bright rooms, wide hallways and artistic decorations.” From near and far Located in Ørestad, ten minutes north of Copenhagen, Field’s can be accessed

from the capital by bus, train, metro or even bicycle. Just off the motorway, the centre is also within a 30-minute drive from Malmø in Sweden, and just five minutes from Kastrup Airport by train or metro. The unique location and long opening hours have made Field’s popular with everyday shoppers as well as tourists and, of course, Christmas and holiday shoppers. “We differ from other local shopping centres in that we are also a shopping destination for people who drive a long way and spend the whole day here,” explains Andersen.

ate unique shopping experiences for our customers by different kinds of decorations, exhibitions and activities - we like to surprise people in a good way.”

Field’s is open weekdays from 10am-8pm, Saturdays from 10am-6pm and “shopping Sundays” (check website) from 10am5pm.

Shop like crazy - then take a break While Field’s has Denmark’s greatest selection of sports equipment and electronics, and more than 80 fashion shops, play and relaxation areas also make room for a break from all the shopping. One of the relaxation areas is fully equipped with Arne Jacobsen furniture. “Of course, we could have had another shop there, but we like to create a different kind of atmosphere and do things a little differently,” says Andersen. “We continue to try to cre-

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

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 45

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

Hotel of the Month, Sweden

The world's deepest bedroom Fancy spending a night underground in the world’s deepest hotel room? A mine suite, 155 metres underground in the Sala Silver Mine in Sweden, attracts visitors from all over the world seeking an extraordinary experience. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Sala Silver Mine

The Sala Silver Mine is one of the world’s best-preserved mines. During the operation of the silver mines at Sala, some 40,000 tons of rock were excavated manually. The mine produced about three tonnes of silver per year. Most of the silver was used in manufacturing coins, but artefacts were also made. It was known as a treasure chest during its heyday.

the largest one seats 110 people; the smaller one, called the Festivity Hall, seats 60 people, and it is furnished with rustic pine furniture and decorated with lambskins and candles. Both halls have become popular venues for dinners, Lucia concerts, conferences, adventures, experiences, fun parties, art exhibitions and unusual weddings.

“Here, you will experience a whole new world,” guarantees Sofie Andersson, marketing manager at the mine. “You’ll find dark winding galleries, magnificent water-filled caverns. Everything is sculpted by human hands adding a sense of wonder. It’s a very calm, peaceful and meditative environment, and the air is clear, clean and fresh. It’s simply a multi-sensory experience: cold, damp and dark, and yet very beautiful.” The Ulrica Mine opened to the public in 2006. This level was created between 1690 and 1790, but when the pumps were shut down, the groundwater rose to this level. The result is a unique green lake named Christina. There are two halls at this level:

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18th century mining clothes. In the morning, a guide serves your breakfast before taking you to the ground level.” “We are featured on the website www.unusualhotelsoftheworld.com. Since then, the interest has been overwhelming; journalists from all over the world are coming to experience this unique accommodation,” says Andersson. “I would like to stress the fact that this is a unique opportunity to cut yourself off from the pressure of everyday life and simply enjoy the silence and focus on the company of your partner.” “Make sure you wear warm and comfortable clothes for the guided tour. It is only two degrees Celsius in the mine at all times of the year. The suite, however, is warmed up to 18 degrees, and the queensize bed comes with a thick cover and an extra pair of blankets.”

“Next to the Festivity Hall, you’ll find our exclusive Mine Suite, where you can stay for one night only. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a guided tour; refreshments are also served, including a basket with cheese, biscuits, chocolates and a bottle of sparkling wine. The guides are dressed in

Sala Silver Mine is truly one of the biggest attractions in the area. For more information, please visit: www.salasilvergruva.se

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Finland

Hotel of the Month, Finland

Find room for rest and relaxation in a historical setting Situated in Oulu on the island of Lasaretinsaari, Hotel Restaurant Lasaretti offers a historically and culturally significant venue for your holiday, conference or celebration. In a naturally beautiful parkland area, next to the Oulu River and within walking distance of the city centre, you are in a great spot for exploring Oulu and its many attractions. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Hotel Restaurant Lasaretti Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Hotel Restaurant Lasaretti, while not an old establishment in itself, is surrounded by history. Over the years, the island has played host to a royal distillery, governor’s offices, a provincial hospital and a military hospital; moreover, it has been visited by many notable figures, such as King Gustav IV Adolph of Sweden and Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Although originally built as an extension for Verve (formerly the Merikoski Rehabilitation and Research Centre), after a fire broke loose in one of the buildings, the plans were scrapped. Instead the free rooms and conference spaces were turned into a hotel. Today, Hotel Restaurant Lasaretti is extremely popular as a setting for meetings during the daytime and corporate or private parties in the evenings. The hotel comprises 11 single rooms, 38 double rooms and one suite, as well as a wide selection of conference rooms that

can accommodate anything from 30 to 350 participants. Lasaretti’s Aurora Hall, the largest room available, is exceptionally versatile, offering endless options for seminars, meetings, exhibitions and parties. Lasaretti Restaurant is frequented by both hotel guests and locals, and also caters for the events taking place at the hotel. “The restaurant makes use of high-quality seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers and prepares Finnish food with an international touch,” explains sales and customer manager Heidi Sarjanoja. In 2007, the international gastronomic society, Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, awarded the restaurant its valued escutcheons in recognition of the passion it invests in its cooking For leisure activities, guests are welcome to use the hotel’s sauna, swimming pool and fitness centre. “We’re also very close to many popular tourist attractions, such as the Northern Ostrobothnia Museum,

Oulu Art Museum, Hupisaaret open-air theatre and Tietomaa Science Centre,” adds Sarjanoja. Passionate about environmental issues and sustainable development, Lasaretti has been following its carbon footprint since 2008. You can even calculate your own carbon footprint on their website.

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

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Hotel of the Month, Norway

New look, same perks: enjoy your stay in Stavanger to the fullest Originally opened back in August 2000, Clarion Hotel Stavanger has recently gone through a thorough renovation project, reinventing itself as a more comfortable, friendly and contemporary establishment. However, the same great location in the centre of Stavanger and the continuous high standard of service still remain intact. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Clarion Hotel Stavanger

Clarion Hotel Stavanger is located close to all city attractions, with great shopping opportunities, many theatres, restaurants and bars just minutes away. Only 100 metres from the Stavanger Central Station and with an airport express coach available on request, the hotel is easily reachable from almost anywhere.

taneously stepping away from the minimalistic and slightly impersonal style used before, and creating a more inviting atmosphere.

place designed for both local and visiting guests. Here, we offer an exciting atmosphere with a high focus on music, design and art. We have a very close cooperation with local partners within all these areas, which attracts leisure, business and conference guests.” Conference rooms suitable for all needs

For the last 10-11 years, it has been the preferred business and conference hotel in Stavanger. When it was originally built, the architect focused on sourcing materials from the local area of the hotel. The best bits of the Stavanger area were used, to reflect the typical Scandinavian lifestyle in the building. The recent renovation has kept these elements intact, while simul-

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“For the Clarion brand, it is important to create lively and inspiring meeting places,” explains general manager Laila Neverdahl. “Our Clarion Living Room is a

During the renovation, all 250 rooms, the bar area and restaurant, as well as the conference centre were fully renovated. Currently, you can choose between 15 different types of conference rooms, accommodating anything from 2 to 720 participants. Stavanger Hall, the largest room available, can also be divided into four smaller spaces, adding a lot of flexibility

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

and different options for the business clients. All rooms come with state-of-theart equipment, and the hotel works together with the best technical providers, securing a seamless conference experience for everyone. The staff are be able to create your perfect conference or private event, and the hotel’s chefs will create the perfect meal to go with your occasion. A popular choice for meetings is also the board room Perspektiv on the top floor of the building, with room for 26 people. It offers magnificent views of Stavanger, and on a clear day, you can even see the fjord and mountains. The top floor also includes a living room, suite, sauna and Jacuzzi, which can be combined to create a great setting for a party or get-together. Sleep, eat & live well The newly refurbished rooms, which are divided into suites, deluxe rooms and standard rooms, also boast great views of the city centre, as all rooms are located from the fourth floor upwards. With 24hour room service available for all guests, you technically do not even need to leave your room. But you should not miss out on the refurbished, welcoming restaurant, bar and coffee shop. “We’ve put a lot of emphasis on the restaurant and bar area; it’s important for us to have a good kitchen and excellent menus as well,” says Neverdahl. “For breakfast, the chef will be right there in the dining area to cook your omelettes and pancakes for you.” In addition to the location and the renovated areas, the hotel is also very proud of its staff. “We make sure to recruit the right people to keep up a high level of service throughout. And feedback tells us that we’re doing a good job at it,” adds Neverdahl. Another important part of the hotel’s heart and soul is the art by local painter Kjell Pahr Iversen, which can be found throughout the hotel. In the end, all elements of the hotel come together in a harmonious way; it is a great way to enjoy your stay in Stavanger to the fullest.

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

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From the outside, the hotel looks every inch the romantic fairytale getaway.

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

Romance, elegance and indulgence at the Danish seaside Rave reviews from Danish newspapers and an absolute fairytale-like setting have made Hotel Frederiksminde a favourite location for romantic and gourmet weekends. The hotel, which was built on the grounds of an old cloister in 1870, is located by the beautiful Præstø Fjord just an hour’s drive from Copenhagen. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Hotel Frederiksminde

In 1973, its original owners sold the grounds, and over the following decades, the hotel changed hands several times. In 2003, it was bought by the well-known businessman Hans Michael Jebsen, and today, it is run by Silje Brenna. With her, the hotel director brought first-class chef Jonas Mikkelsen and a wish to make all guests feel at home and spoilt in every possible way. “We are very careful about the quality of our service, our food and our rooms – it is about putting all the best components together to create a complete experience. Everything has to be of the best quality,” explains Brenna. Same quality, different price When food critics from two of Denmark’s competing national newspapers stopped

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are compared, both in the food and choice of wines, it is undoubtedly a top performance.”

by Frederiksminde Restaurant this summer, their verdicts were identical: six stars from both reviewers. Under the header “Sublime restaurant serves gourmet menu at half price”, Politikens’ reviewer went on to state: “The summer night does not come more beautiful, and Frederiksminde is the perfect place to enjoy it. When the price and standard

With dishes such as “Crayfish from Kerteminde” and “Goose from Gråsten” on the menu, it is no secret that the restaurant and its chef are fans of locally sourced ingredients. But even though the focus is on the new Nordic cuisine and Nordic produce, Frederiksminde is not religious in its approach. “We are focused on good Nordic ingredients and Nordic food, but we are not afraid to use some of the good stuff from abroad like Italian truffles or French delicacies for instance,” explains Brenna.“We are not a French restaurant, but we do use French procedures in our preparation of the food and our most im-

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

portant priority is that the quality is right all the way through.” A weekend of indulgence With just 19 elegantly decorated rooms, all guests at Frederiksminde Hotel are welcomed into a friendly and warm atmosphere. “The hotel is built up a bit like a home; the reception is my office and the rooms are the bedrooms. It is a bit like an English countryside hotel, which is not a very common concept in Denmark,” explains the hotel director. “We want all our guests to feel at home, comfortable and welcome!” Though rooms are individually decorated with classic interiors and antiquities, they also have all modern amenities such as B&O TVs and high-speed internet access. The indulgence of the beautiful seaside surroundings, the hotel’s romantic old park (which originates back to the 18th

century) and delicious food can be complemented by a private treatment at the hotel’s small but exclusive wellness facility. “As with everything else at our hotel, it is quite small but very special and romantic,” explains Brenna. Romance or business With its beautiful natural surroundings, fairytale-like white buildings and elegant interiors, Frederiksminde seems almost the epitome of romance. This has not gone unnoticed by amorous couples, and the hotel has justly become a popular venue for weddings. The restaurant has only 11 tables, but the largest dining hall of the hotel seats up to 150 guests, while a number of smaller rooms are perfect for smaller parties or for guests to stretch their legs or enjoy an after-dinner drink. For the big day, Frederiksminde offers a complete wedding package, including everything from welcome drinks to flower

decorations and spa pampering for the bride. “We have all kinds of parties here: birthdays, weddings and confirmations,” says Brenna. “But a lot of people also use our facilities for board and management conferences.The building is located by the seaside, and you have the most beautiful surroundings creating an inspired and peaceful atmosphere perfect for making important decisions, and we have a very loyal base of corporations who keep coming back.” So whether you are looking to celebrate a big event, have a weekend of perfect indulgence, spoil your employees or make some important decisions, Hotel Frederiksminde has what it takes.

Top: Frederiksminde Hotel’s interior is elegant and true to the hotel’s original style. Bottom: The hotel’s restaurant has received rave reviews and is known for serving gourmet food at half the price of other fine dining restaurants. For more information, please visit: www.hotel-frederiksminde.dk

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Iceland

Left: The outdoor hot tubs are perfect for romantic evenings. Top: Ranga is one of the best places in the world for seeing the northern lights. Bottom: All rooms are individually decorated in different themes.

Hotel of the Month, Iceland

Enjoy the wilderness of south Iceland - and a gourmet meal

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Hotel Ranga

Take a spin around Iceland’s most notorious volcano, enjoy a gourmet meal, or sink into a romantic outdoor hot tub, while the northern lights beam above you. As the only four-star country resort in south Iceland, Hotel Ranga offers myriad opportunities to enjoy and explore the area’s fascinating landscape just two hours from Reykjavik’s international airport Keflavik. Since opening as a small log cabin in 1999, Ranga has developed into a firstclass hotel with a unique selling point; according to The Times Travel Magazine (2010), it is “simply the most reliable place on earth from which to see the northern lights”. The age of the northern lights From 2009 to 2014, we are in what hotelier Fridrik Palsson calls the “age of the aurora” (northern lights are also called aurora borealis) because of the high level of solar activity creating northern lights. This, however, does not mean that there is a “northern light guarantee” at the hotel, but if you stay for three or four nights, chances are, says Palsson, very good. “We are located out in middle of nowhere; it is about seven kilometres to the nearest village. And in the winter, when we expect

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the northern lights, we can switch off the lights so we have no light pollution whatsoever, thus creating optimal conditions for viewing the northern lights,” he explains. “But obviously the sky has to be clear, and it has to be dark, which is why wintertime is the only time to see it here, as we have 24-hour sunlight during summer.”

Exploring a majestic landscape A lot of celebrities favour Hotel Ranga because of its secluded atmosphere; food and wine connoisseurs come for its renowned gourmet restaurant, couples for its romantic outdoor geothermal hot tubs, and families for the spacious deluxe rooms. But south Iceland’s amazing glaciers, waterfalls and, not least, the volcanoes are probably what attract most visitors. The area can be explored by car or super jeep, on snow scooters, horseback or foot. If you would like a 45-minute spin around the notorious Eyjafjalljökull volcano, which closed down most of Europe’s air traffic in 2010, a helicopter is also an option.

For more information, please visit: www.hotelranga.is

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Forum Horsens is the centre of many major cultural events attracting audiences from all over Denmark. The centre was built in 2004 as part of Horsens transformation into a hub for cultural and corporate events.

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

From prisoners to pop stars and EU ministers: Horsens has put its past in a museum By Signe Hansen | Photos: Forum Horsens

Not that long ago, Horsens was predominantly known as the home of one of Denmark’s most notorious state prisons, but not anymore. Since the closure of the Horsens prison in 1996, the town has managed to attract some of the most prominent cultural, political, and corporate events in Denmark.

provide catering for 2,500, but it has also become famous for its huge outdoor concerts with up to 80,000 guests. “Once you have the experience from one kind of major event, it is easy to transfer that knowledge to other types of events as well,” says Juul.

In 2006, pop star Madonna held her first ever concert on Danish soil at Forum Horsens, the conference and culture centre, which will be the site of the Danish EU presidency’s meetings in 2012.

While visiting Horsens, guests can enjoy the charm of town life in a charismatic coastal town with many recurring cultural events such as the Medieval Festival and Crime Fair. “We have a lot of great museums, and next spring, the old prison will open up for visitors again, which is expected to be a great attraction,” says Juul.

A new prison museum

“The reason we are chosen for these prominent occasions is that we are used to running large events, and we have the quality of facilities required. But the most important factor in our success is probably the fact that the whole town cooperates in the big events,” says director of Forum Horsens Jørn Juul.

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From big to bigger With its location on the east coast of Jutland, Horsens is within easy driving range of most major Danish cities, but conference and event guests need not leave the town to find accommodation. “We cooperate with all the major hotels in town and can take care of everything from accommodation to logistics,” explains Juul. Forum Horsens has the capacity to host conferences for up to 4,500 people and

For more information, please visit: www.forumhorsens.dk or www.visithorsens.dk

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Faroe islands

Attraction of the Month, Faroe Islands

Discover the diversity of the Faroe Islands By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kunningarstovan í Runavík

The combination of enchanting villages, mesmerising landscape and modern amenities has made Runavík Municipality one of the favourite destinations in the Faroe Islands. Located at the south end of Eysturoy, the second largest island of the Faroes, the town of Runavík is just an hour from Tórshavn and easy to reach. When you get there, the local tourist office, or Kunningarstovan as it is called in Faroese, is ready to assist you with the rest of your trip.

Faroese have started discovering the beauty of their country, but we also get people from everywhere else, Italy, Germany and Denmark.” Travellers exploring the area of Runavík will find an exciting combination of historical sites, enchanting villages, local art galleries and modern, thriving towns; all straightforward to get to by car or public transport. “It is very easy to travel in the Faroe Islands; the different areas are all very close and wellconnected through bridges and tunnels,” explains Jøkladal.

everything from treks to visits to attractions and cultural events in Runavík’s new culture house, Løkshøll. “We can help locate the area’s most interesting churches and art galleries and the best hiking routes, and we have plenty of good offers around Christmas and wintertime,” stresses Jøkladal. One of the most popular wintertime events is the visit of the Christmas boat, which brings Santa Claus to Runavík every year in December.

Wintertime in the Faroes “You will experience something all the time, because attractions are so close; it is a really intense experience,” says tourist director Herbjørg H. Jøkladal. Mesmerising landscape The prime attraction of the Faroe Islands is undoubtedly the scenery, and with its heather-covered hills and beautiful lakes, Runavík is no exception. “The nature here is magnificent,” says Jøkladal. “A lot of

Though many guests visit the Faroes during summer to go hiking and camping, wintertime also has its charms. In December, the most charming village of the Faroes is probably Æõvik, where locals get together to create enchanting Christmas decorations and offer weekend visitors a sweet treat. In Runavík, B&Bs and holiday houses provide a comfy base from which to explore the island, and Kunningarstovan can help visitors arrange

For more information, please visit: www.visiteysturoy.fo or call +298417060

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

Attraction of the Month, Norway

The ultimate museum experience at the top of the world Svalbard Museum, the award-winning museum located at the top of the world, has an exclusive way of telling and showing the history, nature, culture and human activity in the Arctic, as well as the relations between them for over 400 years. By Didrik Ottesen | Photos: Svalbard Museum

Opened for business in 1979, the Svalbard Museum has continuously developed in order to present the exhibitions in the most eloquent and impressive manner. The museum is today located in the idyllic setting that is Svalbard Science Centre. The museum offers expositions on nature and cultural history, and is aiming to spread wide and comprehensive knowledge on the history and nature of the Arctic treasure Svalbard. “We are really something extraordinary,” says Tora Hultgreen, director of Svalbard Museum. “Our

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exhibition called ‘Life in Light and Ice’ has received a marvelous response since its opening by Their Royal Highnesses, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, in 2006.” The museum also wishes to convey the sensitivity and vulnerability of the local nature and culture. “We express this in an entertaining and discreet manner; however, it is important to consider it all so that future generations can enjoy this stunning scenery as well,” says Hultgreen.

In Svalbard, tourists, who consider themselves lucky, can find artefacts from as far back as the 16th century; however, they are encouraged not to take these artefacts home with them. “We urge tourists to bring home memories in the form of photographs and thrills and leave the rest,” Hultgreen explains. The Council of Europe Museum Prize 2008 In 2008, Svalbard Museum won the Council of Europe Museum Prize, chosen from over 60 other museums from around Eu-

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

rope. In fact, the only other museum to have won that award in Norway is Bryggen’s Museum in Bergen. Representatives from the Council came on a one-day visit to evaluate the museum’s, at that time, new exhibition ‘Life in Light and Ice’ before deciding to present the 2008 award to the spectacular museum. “We were delighted,” says Hultgreen. “The committee said that we had managed to present our material in a oneof-a-kind fashion; and that we impart the vulnerability of nature’s delicate balance, and how we humans must contribute to it, not disrupt it, in a unique way.” Another integral factor for the award was the vast amount of international history connected with Svalbard, as whale hunting has always attracted interest from large European nations such as the UK, France, Russia and Germany. “The international arena is very important for the area and a great part of our history,” explains Hultgreen. “It is vital for us that this is displayed correctly. The delegation from the Council of Europe Museum Prize were very impressed with our way of expressing this.” Fridtjof Nansen as an artist The design of the building hosting over 3,500 artifacts is as untraditional as it is exquisite. Designed by the architects Jarmund and Vigsnæsin Oslo, the building now also hosts drawings by the famous explorer and 1922 Nobel peace prize winner Fridtjof Nansen. Svalbard Museum exhibits drawings made by the explorer on his trips to the Arctic. The chosen motives mostly show the ex-

plorer’s great interest in animals, nature and birdlife, with polar bears particularly represented. “In our building, we have some rooms where we change the exhibitions quite regularly and some rooms with more permanent exhibitions,” Hultgreen explains. “At the moment, lasting until the summer of 2012, we have the Nansen exhibition, presenting his work as an artist, not only as an explorer.” Any season is a good season In terms of visiting the extraordinary scenery that is the landscape and nature at Svalbard, Hultgreen thinks that every season has its own charm. “A summer trip is very nice, and the people visiting can

see Svalbard covered in green, not just ice and snow. Also there are great possibilities to travel around and explore the islands by boat, which is rather spectacular,” she says. However, in the winter months, Svalbard can also present itself spectacularly. “In February, the polar nights are starting to let go, and the chances of seeing the northern lights are great, and that is just truly beautiful,” Hultgreen says. “As a tourist attraction, Svalbard has a large amount to offer; and Svalbard Museum is a natural cornerstone and starting point in getting to know the area. The reception can provide information about any remarkable trip or sightseeing tour.” “With approximately 30,000 visitors each year, compared to the fact that Svalbard only has 2,000 inhabitants, one can safely say that Svalbard and the museum are well worth a visit,” Hultgreen concludes.

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

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Sweden

Marie Curie

Attraction of the Month, Sweden

The ideas that changed the world By Linnea Dunne | Photos: The Nobel Museum

The Nobel Museum tells the story of the ideas and people behind the Nobel prizes, but with devices quite different from those used to create traditional biographic exhibitions. “Using scenographic design and unexpected perspectives, we explore the lives of the Nobel laureates and look at how their ideas changed the world,” says Perina Stjernlöf, head of communications at the museum.

Marie Skłodowska / Madame Curie, one of the current exhibitions, depicts the extraordinary story of the first woman to ever win a Nobel prize, also the first person ever to be awarded a second prize.

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“Her life is almost as groundbreaking as her discoveries,” says Stjernlöf, who talks of Marie Curie as an icon in the world of science.

Photo: Per Erik Berglund

As the most prestigious award in the world in each of its five categories, the Nobel Prize is all about ideas that change the world. The Nobel Museum in Stockholm, then, aims to highlight these ideas and the people behind them in a playful, thought-provoking way – all in the name of the great innovator whose will led to the establishment of the prize in 1901, Alfred Nobel.

Through an exhibition divided into five main sections, we get to follow Curie through her laboratory, learn about her passion for radiation, ponder the implications of being a woman in a man’s world, look at what the awards did for her, and, finally, how her inventions changed the way we view the world today.

In addition to exhibitions about individual laureates, the Nobel Museum has a collection of personal items donated by the laureates on their visit to the museum during the Nobel week. “These are items that have meant a lot to them in their lives and during their research,” says Stjernlöf. “For example, Herta Müller writes poems using words and phrases cut out of different papers, which together create collages of new word combinations and images. She donated the nail scissors she used when she first started creating collages.” Whether you fancy yourself as the next Tranströmer or science is your thing, a visit to the Nobel Museum will teach you a lot – not only about the ideas that changed the world, but also about the lives behind them.

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

Photo: Mikko Nikkinen

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Finland

Maritime Centre Vellamo – building like a huge wave By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Timo Vesterinen

The Maritime Centre Vellamo opened its doors to the public in July 2008; a striking building with a wave-like roof and glistening glass surfaces, it is set in the heart of maritime Kotka, at the old City Port. A centre bursting with information and an inspiring place for meetings, it houses the Maritime Museum of Finland and the Museum of Kymenlaakso, as well as Information Centre Vellamo. Located in the Kymenlaakso region in southern Finland, Kotka is a well-known port city on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, hence also creating a perfect location for the Maritime Centre Vellamo. With the theme of synergy as one of the motivators behind the whole project, the centre was especially designed and built for the Maritime Museum of Finland and the Museum of Kymenlaakso; and that is not all, as it also includes excellent conference facilities, comprising a 200-seat auditorium; a learning and research centre; and a restaurant and museum shop.

Everything combined with the breathtaking architecture of the building, Maritime Centre Vellamo forms a must-see attraction. At the Maritime Museum of Finland, you can learn all there is to know about seafaring in Finland; whereas the Museum of Kymenlaakso delves into the region’s history, present and future, and also comprises the Coast Guard Museum. In addition, the centre includes a boat hall, as well as vessels moored to the museum pier and an outdoor exhibition area (both accessible in the summer). With around 5,000 square metres of exhibition space, it is almost impossible for visitors to see everything in one go; instead they can freely choose different parts of the collections to examine and thus create their own unique experience. “There is no laid-out chronological path that you have to follow,” says information officer Marja Puukka. “There are also a lot

of interactive elements to the exhibitions, and we’ve especially taken children into account, as you can follow the paw prints of our mascot Shipdog Vellu to find all kinds of fun activities.” Alongside its main exhibitions, the Maritime Centre Vellamo also hosts temporary exhibitions. Until the end of January 2012, you can see Ilya Repin and his Renowned Pupils, showcasing paintings by Repin and several of his students. The following exhibition, concentrating on the stories of two 18th century shipwrecks, the Vrouw Maria and the St. Michel, will open in April 2012. Photo: Jussi Tiainen

Attraction of the Month, Finland

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

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Attraction of the Month, Iceland

Discover the magic of winter in Iceland By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Iceland Travel

Called the land of northern lights in winter, and the land of the midnight sun in summer, Iceland is known for its breathtaking and contrasting natural phenomena, creating an unforgettable setting for holidays during all seasons. Why not experience the beauty and excitement of Christmas or New Year’s Eve in Iceland? Iceland Travel, established in 1937, is the leading travel agency, tour operator and destination management company in Iceland. A subsidiary of the Icelandair group, Iceland Travel comprises 60 full-time experienced and multilingual employees. All staff speak English, but you can also be served in most European languages as well as Japanese and Russian. The travel company assists around 40,000 tourists visiting Iceland every year. Iceland Travel offers six main service categories, namely FIT/individuals, groups, conferences, incentives, cruise services and luxury travel. Different services and holiday options for individual travellers in

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wintertime include northern lights and Christmas packages, as well as the opportunity to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik. Why not travel to the north of Iceland, just below the Arctic Circle, to experience the beautiful nature and aurora borealis dancing in the clear night sky, away from distracting street lights? Or perhaps you would like to enjoy a relaxing meal of Icelandic cuisine with your family or friends and then see the spectacular display of fireworks over the capital on New Year’s Eve? With frequent flights available between the UK and Iceland, you can be there in

less than three hours. “And we will take care of all of your needs once there: from inland transport to accommodation and tours,” explains Margrét Benediktsdóttir, sales and marketing representative for the UK and North America. And if you are still not convinced, then you should definitely check out Lonely Planet’s publication Best in Travel 2012, where Iceland and Reykjavik were chosen as the best country and city in the Travel Readers’ Choice award. Iceland is definitely one of 2012’s hottest (or coldest, depending on how you look at it) travel destinations.

For more information, please visit: www.icelandtravel.is For general or booking enquiries: Tel. +354 585 4300 or email bookings@icelandtravel.is

W W W .S TO RY HO TE LS

.C OM

STORY HOTEL – RIDDARGATAN 6, 114 25 STOCKHOLM SWEDEN – INFO@STORYHOTELS.COM Issue 36 | December 2011

| 61

Scan Magazine | Food | Bronte’s Column

Santa Claus is coming to town Why the Scandies know that the path to real Christmas cheer is in a bowl of rice pudding.

Column by Bronte Aurell

There are many unanswered questions in life. Some of these arise every year when we try to persuade our little folk that Santa is real, and when we try to work out how he manages to service 98.1 million households with presents in less than 24 hours. So, who is the real Santa? How did he become that nice old man with the beard and big belly? Does he really like sherry or does he prefer rice pudding? Is it true he lives in Greenland and not in Lapland? Who are those elves, and why are they enslaved in a toy factory (and should someone alert the authorities about this)? The background to the Scandinavian Julemand/Jultomte (literally “Yule-man”) has nothing to do with mince pies, nor presents (we were present-less until about 80 years ago). Back in the day, way before Coco Cola decided to launch a soft drink that is favoured by a rotund man with a beard, a character did exist in Scandinavia that looks quite a bit like the Santa we know today. Except he was a lot smaller and lived in a barn: Santa was a hob (some would say a gnome – but the real word is a hob, from the word hobgoblin). The Scandinavian hob had nothing to do with the Catholic Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus, or Sinterklaas) – except that he had a white beard and looked rather fetching dressed in red-coloured warm clothing. He wasn’t even part of anything Christian: he was one of the old mystical creatures of Scandinavia and is still one of the most recognisable figures in old Scandinavian folklore. A hob in Scandinavian is a “nisse” or “tomte”. The nisser are solitary creatures, often living in the most unused part of the house – such as a loft or stable. The nisse looks like an old man with a white beard – and he’s about four to five inches tall. Back in the day before Christianization, the tomte was perceived to be the soul of the first farmer who inhabited the farm – and he was very easy to offend, so the people on the farms were always careful not to do so. The early nisser in Scandinavia were also said to be able to turn themselves invisible. Handy, if you don’t want to be seen by sober people. The nisse’s job was to take care of the animals and house – and the soul of the farm. If the people around him showed disrespect, he’d punish them by hiding things or even ruin the harvest. In fact, he was a rather rude little hob,

62 | Issue 36 | December 2011

who was in a bad mood about a lot of things. As the years went on, commercialisation meant he chilled out a bit, got himself a loving wife (nissemor) and a large family of offspring with pointy ears and red hats. He still lives in the barn or the loft, and still he is the one we take care never to offend – especially at Christmas. One way to get on the nisse’s good side is to give him a good portion of rice pudding on Christmas Eve. Every Christmas Eve, across Scandinavia, people still put a bowl of rice pudding with cinnamon and butter up in the loft or barn to make sure the nisse remains happy and doesn’t hide the remote control too often. As if by magic, every year, the tomte eats his rice porridge. Christianization in Scandinavia was tough: the Nordic people didn’t really want to let go of their own traditions (such as Yule Tide being the celebration of the end of the cycle; nor did they like to let go of the nisser, in case it meant bad harvests for the forthcoming year). But they needn’t have worried, the festive seasons of Christianity just happened to be around the same time as those old Scandi traditions, so everyone was happy. After the Second World War, Coca Cola and general commercialisation ensured that tomten became a bit more like ‘new Santa’. The fact that he dresses for the cold and has a herd of reindeer must mean he lives somewhere up north. The Danes are sure he lives in Greenland, whereas the rest of northern Europe thinks it is more likely he lives in Lapland. In America, they think he lives in Alaska (but also that he has an ongoing TV commercial contract and drinks Coca Cola, so that ruins that theory). When it comes to food, the Scandinavian Julemand knows what he likes – and it isn’t a mince pie and sherry. The Scandinavian Santa likes a beer and a bowl of warm rice pudding with melted butter and loads of cinnamon and sugar. Come to think of it, so do most Scandinavians at Christmas time, which is handy. Whatever you choose to believe, you better watch out: Santa is coming to town. And he’s Scandinavian, and he likes rice pudding. And his elves are not his toy factory slaves; they are little nisse or tomte creatures to be respected all year round – and fed on Christmas Eve. Or else, well, you know who to blame next time you have a drawer full of odd socks.

Recipe for Scandinavian Rice Pudding (Serves 4-5) 200g pudding rice (rinsed) 1 litre of whole milk 200 ml water Pinch of salt Sugar to taste Vanilla pod Bring rice and water to the boil in a thickbottomed saucepan. Let it boil for a few minutes. Add the milk and half a vanilla pod (whole) and simmer for about 10 minutes on the hob, stirring frequently. Pop the lid on and leave to simmer on the hob (still stirring from time to time) for about 20-25 minutes. If the porridge is too liquid, leave to cook for 5 more minutes with the lid off – if too thick, add more water. Season with salt and sugar to taste. Remove vanilla pod before serving. Serve with a teaspoon of butter in the middle and dusted with a good layer of cinnamon sugar (1 part cinnamon to 3 parts sugar). Ris a la Mandes: the traditional Scandinavian Christmas dessert Make a portion of rice pudding and leave to chill overnight in the fridge. Firmly whip 500 ml of whipping cream with 50 grams of icing sugar and a pinch of vanilla. Fold in with rice pudding; add a handful of chopped almonds and only one whole almond and leave to set in a bowl. Serve with warm cherry sauce or orange segments. The person who finds the whole almond gets a prize, usually a marzipan pig. Oink, oink.

Bronte Aurell is the owner of Scandinavian Kitchen, a shop that stocks all the traditional Christmas foods from Sweden, Denmark and Norway. She always puts a treat out for nissen on Christmas Eve and therefore only owns paired up socks and can always find her keys.

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland

Restaurant of the Month, Finland

Rustic, seasonal food for health and comfort By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Gustav Wasa

Scandinavian food is on the up. All the latest culinary trend reports agree: the rustic simplicity of Nordic gastronomy is a must-try. At Restaurant Gustav Wasa, that is great news, as representing Finland’s Ostrobothnia on a plate, with whatever seasonal delicacies the surrounding nature has to offer, is the mission statement. “We’re aiming high,” says restaurateur and head chef Kim Hellman. “Using seasonal local produce is not as easy in Ostrobothnia as it might be in London or even Stockholm, but we want to make great food for the people of Vaasa. That’s our thing.” This means, for example, that asparagus is only on the menu three weeks of the year: the three weeks when it is available fresh in the area. But adapting to the seasons does not only affect the produce; at Gustav Wasa, you can really tell the difference. Expect rich, warm dishes during the winter and lighter

dishes in the spring. Hellman aims to serve up the body’s seasonal desires to keep you warm, comfortable and healthy.

Kim Hellman

Situated in an old coal cellar, the restaurant, which takes its name from the Swedish king who founded the city, embodies cosiness. It is dark and relaxed, still with the fine dining elements of white linen table cloths and candles. And then there is of course the icing on the cake: a good old Finnish sauna. “There’s a big sauna culture in Finland,” says Hellman. “You sit in the sauna for a

bit, then have a beer, maybe pop over to the restaurant for a meal…” At Gustav Wasa, offering the facility of a sauna is a matter of great service, as is the conference space on the floor above it. There is no excuse for a failed meeting: you can eat, relax, and have meetings together, all in one place. With Christmas coming up, there is indeed something special at this Scandinavian food haunt. Behold the traditional ‘julbord’, or Christmas dinner, with a twist – or, as Hellman explains: “The classic buffet served on a plate, the way we want people to experience it.” But no matter what time of year, mark our words: with a menu that changes daily, this is a place to return to.

For more information, please visit: gustavwasa.com

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 63

Jeff Scott Foster

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Restaurant 5 and the reinvention of gourmet dining By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Restaurant 5

Located in an idyllic setting right by the harbour in the town of Svendborg, on the island of Funen, Restaurant 5 asserts a simple yet effective message of sustainability, quality and passion. With a keen eye focused on gourmet cuisine created from local produce and an open-minded approach to fine dining, the restaurant resolutely steps away from notions of exclusivity. Jeff Scott Foster, the brains and heart behind the operation, has been working in gourmet restaurants all his life. Starting off in London, working alongside the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Antony Worrall Thompson, at establishments such as Michelin-starred Le Gavroche, Foster then relocated to Denmark to continue on a similar path. About eight years ago, he

decided to open up his own gourmet restaurant, but eventually gave it up to establish Restaurant 5 instead. “I wanted to follow the times,” Foster explains. “There was no need for a top-end restaurant in provincial Denmark. Instead I wanted to continue creating gourmet food, following the trend of only using local produce, but in a rustic, down-to-earth atmosphere, lacking all snobbishness.” Indeed Restaurant 5 encourages jovial interaction, with the noise level rising above the usual clinking of cutlery in fine dining establishments. The price range is also set to a standard, which gives everyone a chance to take part in the fun.

“The prices are quite low for eating out in Denmark, especially when you get such good quality food. It’s a restaurant for everybody; we even arrange special activities for children, which are always somehow related to their meal and experience at the restaurant,” says Foster. Although the restaurant opened its doors just a week before the financial crisis hit home, it is still going strong, and Foster knows it is important to keep the restaurant busy and to make sure people will want to return and spread the word. And everywhere the restaurant saves money (for example, through scrapping tablecloths altogether), the customers save on the price of their meal. “We want to exceed people’s expectations, as when stepping in they might not be sure what kind of restaurant we are,” he says. And at the very heart of this mission is, of course, the food itself. With 90% of the produce sourced from the surrounding area, where the postcode still starts with a 5, sustainability is among the main messages of the restaurant. Foster’s objective is also to create top-quality food, fit to be served at any gourmet restaurant in a big city, but with a provincial twist, as well as a positive take on people’s expectations when it comes to gourmet dining.

For more information, please visit: restaurant5.dk

64 | Issue 36 | December 2011

Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour

IS IT JUST ME...

By Mette Lisby

Who has any respect for December weekends? No, of course nobody does. Any sane person will shiver at the sheer thought of weekends in December. They imply Christmas drinks. And of course the inevitable Christmas party at work. You know all too well what that means: At some point in December, you will wake up, dazed and confused, aware that yesterday involved bucket loads of alcohol (probably literally) at a party with your co-workers, but the details keep evading you. It’s all hazy… What you did… What you ate… When you came home… How you got home… and maybe even WHERE you work. Fear kicks in. Fear of what you did exactly. Fear if you even HAVE a job anymore? You have reason to be afraid. You are dealing with your worst enemy- yourself! Countless Christmas party incidents have shown that you cannot be trusted.

And then the hammer of guilt hits you. You probably did something stupid! Maybe you blurted out a profane secret - possibly on the public speaker system at work. Guilt gives way to a sudden bombardment of flashes. Painful images hit you: you on the dance floor. Your arms are raised unnaturally high above your head because the drunken version of you KNOWS that you’ve got rhythm! And it’s all in your arms. Shake them. You can’t entirely dismiss the possibility of your having begged the DJ to play Macarena and forced everybody to dance through it. Thanks to technology a whole new level of embarrassment is possible: digital guilt. Who did you drunk-dial? Why are there 163 photos on your cell phone of a shawarma meal? Why is the last photo of Brian and Elsie from accounting eating the shawarma meal? Why are there

New Year’s Truce

The baby-craving gene seems to have bypassed most female members of my family and has instead been replaced by a dogcraving one. Consequently, when my ageing mutt Jake had to have an operation one New Year’s Eve a while back, it put an anxious dampener on my holiday. Luckily the operation went well, although it left Jake a pretty sad sight to behold, with his shaved

scraps of sharwama on your chin? And you hit rock bottom, when, in your pocket, you find a photo copy of a hairy bum. And it isn’t yours. Even if all of the above match exactly how you feel, don’t panic! Everyone was just as drunk. Everyone has the same photo copy. Maybe even yours.

Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.

By Maria Smedstad

patch, and his nose miserably poking out through a buster collar. But it was a huge relief to have him home, just in time for our village church bells to start their festive pealing. In this village – as in countless other parts of the country – the church serves not only as place of religious ceremony but also as a general meeting place, an art gallery, a music venue and occasionally an outlet for the locally made ‘champagne’. Even heathens like us were welcomed. And so as our neighbours started sliding past our house, wine bottles in hand, making their way to the church, we joined them. I couldn’t bear to leave Jake and snuck him with us, only to find that the church was full of dogs. This included our neighbours’ Dalmatian, and Jake’s firm enemy, Spike. Strangely, on this particular night, Spike and Jake politely exchanged sniffs and then sat calmly, as the rest of us ‘sang’ along to Auld Lang Syne. It felt like being part of a magic Christmas tale where all of us, hea-

thens, Christians, Dalmatians and mutts alike, managed a moment’s truce. Or maybe Spike just thought Jake looked too daft to mess with. Or possibly I was just drunk. But in either case, I will remember this New Year’s Eve as a triumphant moment of British tolerance. And with that, I (& Jake) wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!

Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 65

Scan Business | Key Note | The Rezidor Hotel Group

Scan Business FISK 68 | The International School of London 70 | Conferences of the Month 73 | The Scandinavian Chambers of Commerce 76

The Rezidor Hotel Group Introduces â&#x20AC;&#x153;Club Carlson for Businessâ&#x20AC;? By John Kennedy, Vice President Marketing & CRM at the Rezidor Hotel Group

In order to extend our offerings to a wider audience, we have introduced Club Carlson for Business, targeting small to medium enterprises (SME), which do not have a global or national sales agreement with Rezidor or Carlson. With immediate effect, participating SMEs can save on their travel budgets, receive points awards for their company, and benefit from the recognition and rewards that Club Carlson offers at 1,000+ hotels worldwide. We believe that this new programme, Club Carlson for Business, offers great value to small and medium-sized businesses. At the same time, the programme helps us to build loyalty within these key segments.

During the launch phase, our hotels set up accounts in participating countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, the UK, Germany, France and the US. The way it works is quite straight forward. SMEs which enrol in the programme at www.clubcarlson.com/business earn points for their businesses and travellers for each hotel booking, and benefit from a 5% discount at Radisson Blu, Radisson Edwardian, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, and Country Inns & Suites hotels across the globe. They can redeem their

Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London. Photo: The Rezidor Hotel Group

collected points for a menu of redemption awards, including Award Nights. We continue to extend the programme to more countries and add new functionalities to reward our guests and make them loyal to our brands. www.rezidor.com

John Kennedy, Vice President Marketing & CRM at the Rezidor Hotel Group. Photo: Jean-Yves Limet

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 67

Scan Business | Profile | FISK

Enjoy the refreshing taste of Scandinavia’s favourite shot By Nia Kajastie | Photos: United Drinks A/S

FISK The Classic, first introduced in Denmark in 1999, is a hugely popular vodka drink that has taken both its homeland and neighbouring countries by storm. Usually served as a well-chilled shot, FISK has now also landed on the UK market, ready to become a favourite among British consumers looking for a smooth and refreshing drink with a kick. Owner and CEO Thomas Anthon, together with his son, marketing manager Christian Anthon, heads UNITED DRINKS A/S, which on top of FISK is also known for producing GA-JOL shots under license of Toms Confectionery (Anthon Berg Choco-

lates). After gaining a lot of experience in the liquor industry, Thomas Anthon created FISK to give the Scandinavians their own refreshing shot, similar in style to the herbal liqueur Jägermeister, but with a unique, more dry flavour created from a blend of natural ingredients like eucalyptus, menthol and liquorice.

Next time you are out with your friends, why not check if there is a FISK ice shot machine visible on the counter, as it is the perfect way to sample your first refreshing sip of ice-cold FISK The Classic. Another popular way of enjoying the drink is by ordering a FISK Bomb, for which a shot of FISK is dropped into a glass of Red Bull. So why not give it a shot?

“I knew how much the Danes, Swedes and Finns love shots, so I thought why not make something in the same category as Jägermeister,” explains Thomas. “And thanks to a lot of support from the Danish underground, it has been extremely popular for the last 8-10 years. We introduced it in Finland and Sweden in 2004-2005, and although we only brought it to Norway 3 years ago, it has really taken off there as well.” In addition, Iceland, Greenland, Germany, Spain, France, Thailand and the Baltic countries, among others, have embraced FISK. The UK, as the latest market, has also shown great interest. “It has been developing much better than we could have hoped for,” says Thomas. “KC Brands has done a great job of introducing FISK to the London area; however, Scotland seems to be the place where they really love to try out new shots.” FISK The Classic is now stocked in various clubs, pubs and bars throughout Scotland, especially in Edinburgh, as well as select places in London, Yorkshire and Wales. You can also buy it online at Fine Wine Sellers.

68 | Issue 36 | December 2011

For more information, please visit: www.fisk-shot.com www.kcbrands.co.uk www.finewinesellers.co.uk

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International Primary and Secondary Education with Integrated Mother Tongue Literacy By Nia Kajastie | Photos: ISL

The International School of London (ISL) schools in London and Surrey, UK, and Doha, Qatar, educate an international community, supporting and nurturing cultural and linguistic identities whilst developing the attitudes, skills and understanding needed for active global citizens. ISL was one of the first schools to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, celebrating nearly 35 years of successful Diploma delivery. In line with the mother tongue and language emphasis, this past year, ISL London celebrated over twice the worldwide average of IB Bilingual Diploma graduates. Whilst the language of instruction is English, students continue with mother tongue literacy throughout their stay in the school. As necessary, English as an Additional Language (EAL) is provided. Presently, the ISL Group teaches students of 80 different nationalities and offers tuition in 19 different languages (other than English), including Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish. Although not every school covers the same languages, the

70 | Issue 36 | December 2011

ISL Group is ready to accommodate newcomers and find a suitable language teacher within the international community in the UK or Qatar. The Qatar and London campuses are authorised IB World Schools, offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and IB Diploma, which is quickly becoming one of the most respected qualifications worldwide. ISL Surrey currently offers the International Primary Curriculum through grade 5 and is working towards IB certification for the Middle School and, ultimately, the IB Diploma.

communicators able to work comfortably within multicultural environments. Our bilingual IB Diploma graduates have just these attributes,” explains Group Marketing and Admissions Officer Heather Mulkey. Looking towards this future, ISL Surrey has pioneered a Middle Years Open World Experience designed to extend learning beyond the classroom through real life experiences. For example, the first visit to the BBC Shepherd’s Bush studio taught students about television production, giving them a better understanding of what skills are needed for such a career.

Preparing for a bright future Students at the ISL schools are the children of internationally mobile parents, who have high aspirations for their children’s education, aiming their children towards attendance at world-class universities. Increasingly, however, these families are realising that their future employers are looking for more than just a good degree. “They are looking for additional skills – independent learners and multilingual

For more information, please visit: www.islschools.org or email hmulkey@islschools.org

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Scan Business | Column | Corren Troen

Dangerously in Love As couples in both England and the Scandinavian region are becoming increasingly secular, they are more often choosing to buy a house together but remain unmarried. However, in the event that the relationship breaks down and the couple has not sought adequate legal advice, the fairytale often turns into a lengthy battle. While in Scandinavia, the general view is that property bought in the joint names of an unmarried couple will be divided by way of a 50/50 split, the position is more complicated in the UK. As recent case law suggests, if couples want to avoid the court system in the event they split up, they need to agree how common property is to be owned when times are good, just in case. The recent Supreme Court judgment in the case of Jones v Kernott gives some indication of the legal minefield that can ensue in the absence of such pre-emptive agreement. The facts of this case are, in brief, that in 1985 J and K purchased a house in their joint names (“the Property”). The purchase was funded by the proceeds of the sale of J’s mobile home and an endowment mortgage in their joint names. K

By Elizabeth Jones, Corren Troen

moved out of the Property in 1993, and in 1995, a joint life insurance policy was cashed in order to enable K to put down a deposit on his home. J remained living in the Property with their two children, paying the mortgage and all other expenses. Indeed throughout that time K made very little contribution to the upkeep of the children. This situation continued for some 14.5 years. At the heart of the case brought by the parties was the question of how much equity each party was entitled to from the Property. At first instance the judge accepted J’s assertion that when the Property was purchased it was the intention of the parties that the property was to be held in equal shares, but that intention had changed once the parties had separated. The Judge in the first instance held that J was entitled to 90% of the equity in the Property and K to 10%. K appealed the judgment and the Court of Appeal rebutted this, awarding each party 50%. However, on appeal, the Supreme Court reverted to the original decision, justifying this by the parties’ conduct and the facts of the case. All this goes to show that while love can be fickle and the courts sometimes unfair, the

Scan Events specialises in the design, planning and management of corporate entertainments, exhibitions, conferences and meetings. Our services include: • • • • • • • • • • •

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only way to avoid the possibility of a potentially lengthy and costly legal battle is to seek advice early and to create a legally binding document that the parties agree with. Any agreement reached should be regularly reviewed by the parties in the light of changing circumstances. This course of action will minimize any uncertainty between the parties.

Corren Troen regularly advises Scandinavian clients living in the UK on Private Client issues. For more information please contact Elizabeth Jones on 020 7592 8900. www.correntroen.com

Scan Magazine | Conference of the Month | Sweden

Top left, right and bottom: Lindholmen Conference Centre. Left: Chalmers Conference Centre

Conference of the Month, Sweden

Make things happen where science meets business By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Chalmers Konferens & Restauranger

A technology geek’s haven or a trade fair Mecca? Both ring true in relation to Chalmers Konferens & Restauranger, though both fail to mention stunning design and a kitchen with a difference. But as Marcus Danielsson explains, it is all about conferencing that exceeds your expectations. “The more our customers challenge us, the better we get.” Marcus Danielsson is deputy CEO of the centre, and he is never content. “Everything can always be done a little bit better.” As one of the most highly technological conference centres in the world, accommodating up to 1,000 guests, the venue at Lindholmen Science Park certainly bene-

fits from that mind-set. With brand new, inspiring premises offering smartboard equipment, Wi-Fi of 600 Mbps and intuitive customer service, it is in a league of its own. While Chalmers Conference Centre, the sister venue at Johanneberg, specialises in AGMs and congresses, Lindholmen Conference Centre benefits from being nestled in with an array of businesses at the forefront of R&D. “These are businesses that are constantly looking towards the future, that are constantly asking us questions we’ve never been asked before,” says Danielsson. But there is another perk to this sciencemeets-business location bang in the mid-

dle of Gothenburg. Owned by Chalmers Student Union’s business group, Chalmers Konferens & Restauranger wants to give something back to the students. With L’s Kitchen serving up student and business lunches alike, this is a platform where meetings happen and students can sow seeds for future work placements. Danielsson has been involved since Lindholmen Science Park opened up its doors in August last year, and there is no doubt that Lindholmen Conference Hall is his pride and joy. “It’s an empty exhibition hall, but a great-looking one and all the technical equipment you could ever dream of is available – and included in the price.” This urge to exceed expectations permeates Chalmers Konferens & Restauranger, from the most affordable of lunches to the way a 12-course meal is served, from the service-mindedness to the design of the spaces. Perhaps it is not a business model as much as a way of life, as Danielsson says: “We try to do everything just a little bit better than we have to.”

For more information, please visit: chalmerskonferens.se lskitchen.se

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 73

Clockwise from left: Jyväskylä Workers' Club. (Photo: Alvar Aalto Museum, Maija Holma); University Main Building. (Photo: Solja Ryhänen); Alvar Aalto. (Photo: Alvar Aalto Museum) and the city of Jyväskylä. (Photo: Jussi Peltonen)

Conference of the Month, Finland

Celebrating over 30 years of architecture and design in Jyväskylä, Alvar Aalto’s home city Jyväskylä, located in Central Finland, is often regarded as the home city of famed Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto. Since 1979, the city has also been host to the International Alvar Aalto Symposiums on Architecture every three years, later followed by Design seminars and Meetings on modern architecture to fill the gap in between. With assistance from the Jyväskylä Convention Bureau (JCB), the city’s design and architecture heritage is further amplified by the annual events. By Nia Kajastie

The JCB is an organisation that helps bring large congresses and conferences to the city, by providing cost-free assistance and advice to the organisers. “Jyväskylä is an active congress city,” explains JCB’s marketing manager Jaana Ruponen. “And we do feel like we are the home city of Alvar Aalto. We’ve got the largest amount of buildings designed by him; hence you could even call the city an ‘outdoor museum’. Aalto also went to school here; his first office was located in Jyväskylä; and you can see the evolution of his style, with buildings representing his work from the 20s up to the 80s.” In August of every year, the Alvar Aalto Academy holds one of the following events: an International Architecture Symposium, a Design seminar, or a Meeting of

74 | Issue 36 | December 2011

researchers on Modern Architecture. The Alvar Aalto Academy, which operates in conjunction with the Alvar Aalto Foundation, forms an international discussion forum focusing on environmental culture, architecture, product design, as well as relevant research and training. “The Symposiums, Seminars and Meetings add a lot of extra significance to Jyväskylä as a city of architecture and design,” says the director of the Alvar Aalto Academy, Esa Laaksonen. “And they are getting more and more popular by the year. No other symposium in the world can boast such a long history either.” Jyväskylä, as a hub for both sport and culture, is fortunate to cover a wide array of meetings and congresses, offering high-

quality accommodation and facilities, such as the versatile Jyväskylä Paviljonki - International Congress and Trade Fair Centre, and the University of Jyväskylä, which also hosts the events held by the Alvar Aalto Academy.

Upcoming event: CRAFTED - architectural diversity The next Alvar Aalto Symposium will be held 10-12 August, 2012, in Jyväskylä, Finland.

For more information, please visit: www.jcb.fi www.alvaraalto.fi

Scan Magazine | Conference of the Month | Denmark

Conference of the Month, Denmark

Intelligent service: the way to do it By Signe Hansen | Photos: Pharmakon Conference Centre

When it comes to service, Pharmakon Conference Centre is on top of its game; the centre is continuously ranked among Copenhagen and North Sealand’s five best service providers in its category, and has, in addition, become famous for its home-cooked food.

for a run in the forest, and we have many other activities such as team building, golf, salsa and archery on offer,” says

the centre’s 14,000 square metres comprise 135 rooms put together to meet the needs of overnight conference guests, which, for instance, means that all rooms have a backup internet connection should the first one fail. A healthy treat Pharmakon focuses solely on conferences, seminars, and meetings and is thus, says Poulsen, very dedicated to exactly that. But that does not mean that they cannot stretch out a little when their guests require it. One of the extra services they have added is, for instance, a recipe newsletter. “We have a fantastic kitchen which cooks amazing food, and on top of the traditional conference package, we have made a healthy package which aims to keep up guests’ energy levels throughout the day, with six small and healthy home-cooked meals,” explains Poulsen.

The success is based on what centre director Lene Schade Poulsen calls intelligent service. “Intelligent service is a service which you will not notice until you see it happen. When we discover a situation where a need arises, we take care of it before the guest notices it himself. In other words: the guest will not notice his need before we fulfil it.” A stay with content Located on the outskirts of Hillerød, Pharmakon, which can accommodate conventions of up to 150 people, is just half an hour from Copenhagen by train or car. But with the Hillerød Forests and Fredriksborg Castle just around the corner, the surroundings and possibilities are quite different. “Many of our guests go

Poulsen. “We aim to give our guests a stay with content and give our customers an even better experience than they expect.” Besides modern meeting facilities,

For more information, please visit: www.pharmakon-konferencecenter.dk

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 75

Scan Busines | News | Chambers of Commerce

Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce

By DUCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Managing Director, Gunnar P. Larsen

Network will play a vital role in 2012 to move beyond the financial doldrums

members playing a valuable role in, for example, lobbying in political and economic areas of common interest.

The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce is a private organisation, with members spanning from the Danish Embassy in London to the British Embassy in Copenhagen, and with over 130 corporate members (up over 25%), we have seen a very positive trend in the way business professionals are seeking to leverage their networks through the chamber.

2012 will be no different, and the network will play a vital role for our members, and we see an increased role for us in promoting this. We would like to welcome you to be part of it!

As well as our networking events, we are increasingly helping to open doors through one-on-one introductions. Tapping into the resources and know-how that members collectively represent is of increasing value for SMEs and also larger companies. We have examples for even the largest of companies amongst our

UPCOMING EVENTS 2012 26 Jan

26 Jan

Advisory Board Dinner, The Royal Danish Embassy, London, Nordic Thursday Drink, Radisson BLU Portman Hotel, Portman Square, London

Gunnar P. Larsen at the London Stock Exchange event 2011.

Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce | Phone: +44 (0) 20 7259 6795 | Email: info@ducc.co.uk | www.ducc.co.uk

Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce Season's Greetings The holidays are coming up, and the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! The chamber would also like to take the opportunity to welcome anyone who is interested in Norwegian-British business relations to join the chamber at events both in London and Aberdeen in the New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2012!

NBCC offices in London and Aberdeen Several Norwegian companies have either recently set up offices in Aberdeen or they are planning to expand existing operations. The Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) will, in 2012, therefore arrange even more business networking events in the city, which is known just as much for its granite buildings as for being a major hub for the offshore industry. The events will range from networking drinks and dinners to conferences and seminars, and there will also be a Norwegian evening in May. The NBCC is headquartered in London, and in the capital there will be a great offering in terms of networking opportunities, company presentations, product launches, networking drinks, advisory board dinners, seminars and conferences.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2012 26 Jan

NBCC London Headquarters by Piccadilly Circus

Check out the NBCC website to stay updated! You can also find the NBCC on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Nordic Thursday Drinks at Radisson BLU Portman Hotel 23 Feb Nordic Thursday Drinks at North Road Restaurant Feb Shipping dinner, Tbc 15 March Nordic Career Forum 2012 at Radisson BLU Portman Hotel 29 March Nordic Thursday Drinks at Hyatt Regency Hotel

Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce | Phone: +44 (0) 20 7930 0181 | Email: info@nbccuk.com | www.nbccuk.com

76 | Issue 36 | December 2011

SCANDINAVIAN AUDITOR, ACCOUNTANT AND BUSINESS ADVISOR IN THE UK Krogh & Partners Ltd. can assist with the following services: • • • •

Audit / Accountancy Corporation Tax Personal Tax advisory Business advisory

www.kroghandpartners.com info@kroghandpartners.com Telephone +44 (0)207 256 8800

Scan Magazine | Business Directory

Scan Magazine seeks Freelance Journalists We are currently looking for qualified journalists on a freelance basis. We are looking for journalists with Danish, Swedish, Norwegian or Finnish background. You need to be confident in English as well as at least one of the Nordic languages. To apply, please email your CV to Nia Kajastie at nia@scanmagazine.co.uk

Spring season full of colourful concerts and fabulous feelings! The Best of Ballet, Great Opera Choir Scenes, St Matthew Passion, Violin Competition… www.jyvaskylasinfonia.fi

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 77

Scan Busines | News | Chambers of Commerce

Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK On 2 December, it was once again time for the Annual Swedish Christmas luncheon, which is the highlight of the AngloSwedish social and business calendar for many, attracting hundreds of senior business people every year, for almost thirty years now. In 2011, the event was hosted at the exclusive and glamorous Landmark London Hotel, opposite Marylebone Station. The luncheon included a classic Swedish smorgasbord with herring, salmon, meatballs and Jansson’s Temptation. There was also the famous grand raffle and much singing and entertainment. The Christmas preparations continued with Lucia celebrations both in Birmingham and in London. On the morning of the 13 December, SCC members were treated to a light breakfast buffet, as well as traditional Lucia features, such as glögg (Swedish mulled wine), lussebullar (saffron buns) and ginger bread cookies.

in the seminar. Business Meets Politics is a forum for British and Swedish business people, politicians and other influential individuals to share experiences, inform about their respective areas and countries, and to bring about high-value networking. For more information about our upcoming events, please visit our website www.scc.org.uk or contact us at 020 7224 8001. Photo: Helena Wahlman/imagebank.sweden.se

UPCOMING EVENTS 2012 Looking at the new year, all focus is on Business Meets Politics, where the 2012 edition will be focussing on the issues of public vs. private ownership, within the health and education sector, drawing on experiences from business and politics, in Sweden and in the United Kingdom. Great names such as Mona Sahlin, Thomas Berglund and David Mobbs will take part

31 Jan 2 Feb

6 Feb 20 Feb

Business Meets Politics 2012: Public vs Private Ownership Joint SCC/JCC event - Preview H&M Spring/Summer 2012 collection Welcome to the United Kingdom - in Stockholm Meet Stefan Ingves, Director of the Swedish Central Bank

Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK | Phone: +44 (0) 20 7224 8001 | Email: info@scc.org.uk | www.scc.org.uk

Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you again soon!

Late November and at the beginning of December, the Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce starts celebrating the coming Christmas Season. First, we enjoyed the Little Christmas Party with glogg, Xmas nibbles and shopping at the Marimekko shop at St. Christopher’s Place. Then, we stuffed ourselves with traditional Finnish dishes and sang carols at the Christmas Lunch in the beautiful surroundings of the Ambassador’s Residence. It has been a very good year for the chamber with one new patron member and an outstanding 11 new corporate members! During 2011, the FBCC organised 30 events, some of those Joint Nordic. We want to thank all our members and partners participating so actively and making the events successful. Planning for an Events Calendar for 2012 is underway; we

FBCC is constantly animating the FinnishBritish business networking scene. For more information about our upcoming events in the beginning of 2012, please browse our website www.fbcc.co.uk or contact us info@fbcc.co.uk

UPCOMING EVENTS 2012 Photo: VisitFinland

will continue organising networking events, key note speaker events, VIP events for patrons, fundraising events and business support events. Should you have any interesting topics in mind, please let us know!

26 Jan 23 Feb

Nordic Networking Drinks Radisson Blu Portman Nordic Networking Drinks North Road Restaurant

Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce | Phone: +44 (0) 20 8741 6352 | Email: events@fbcc.co.uk | www.fbcc.co.uk

78 | Issue 36 | December 2011

Scan Magazine | News

New look for meeting facilities at Radisson Blu Portman Hotel

The Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London, has announced a fresh new look for its meetings and events space, giving the area an updated, contemporary look and feel. The recently completed work includes the restyling of all 11 meeting rooms, all public areas and the events space. An additional meeting room - known as the “Mod-

ern library-W1” - has been introduced to provide a much needed addition to the indemand meetings facilities at the hotel. The Modern library offers natural daylight and can comfortably accommodate 15 people. In addition to a new dedicated cloak room, the entire meetings floor and all meeting rooms have been re-carpeted, and new digital signage has been installed outside all meeting rooms.

Set in Portman Square, the Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, with its central location and large meeting facilities, including a ballroom for up to 700 people, remains a popular choice for meeting planners looking for a convenient setting combined with high service standards. www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-london

Scandinavian Design By Johanne Sofie Nygaard

Carlton Books are pleased to present their new book, Scandinavian Design, illustrating every aspect of Nordic lifestyle from fashion to food, by respected design commentator Ingrid Sommar.

The distinctive designs of the Nordic nations have for a long time been taken for granted; the clean design values of the North have given us the familiar blonde wood and cool, airy spaces. This book presents the best of Scandinavia’s creations, covering a varied cross-section of disciplines, from architecture and furniture to fashion and graphics. This updated edition includes more pictures throughout, in addition to having a stronger emphasis on green issues and sustainability in design. Beautifully pre-

sented and illustrated, the book sits easily alongside the glossy magazines that support young Scandinavian designers.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, a new generation of Scandinavian designers has appeared, seeking international approval. Once again, well-known Scandinavian designers pushed the boundaries of modern design and innovation to give us the immaculate results we recognise today. The Nordic countries’ approach to everyday living has had a vast influence on contemporary lifestyle; Scandinavian Design presents this expertise in a spectacular and comprehensive overview of modern design from the five northern countries. Ingrid Sommar is a writer specialising in design and has been published in many journals and periodicals, including Form, Arkitektur, Graphis and Elle Decoration.

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 79

Scan Magazine | News

Danish Food Direct: Put in your order for cheese, chocolate and lobster before Christmas Danish Food Direct, your favourite online Danish deli, has recently come out with three new product ranges that will surely excite lovers of quality cheese, chocolates and even lobster. If you are a bit adventurous with your cheeses (and everyone should be really!), why not try out the Finnish Silva range of cream cheese spreads? With wonderful flavours such as black trumpet mushroom, wasabi and reindeer, there is something for everyone. Silva is also known for their delicious hummus. “We were a little dubious about taking on the hummus as there are so many hummus products in all the shops,” admits managing director Stephen Briggs. “But this is really

good! These spreads are also a lovely partner to the sweet/savoury and unique whole-rye bread Malax that Danish Food Direct launched last month.” Another excellent Finnish product range, especially made for people with special dietary requirements, is Dammenberg Chocolates. The entire range is free from nuts, gluten, egg and GMO; you will find them kosher and suitable for vegetarians. Dammenberg also includes products that are dairy-free, lactose-free, sugar-free, vegan, fair trade and organic. The third new range is lobster products from Canada. “We have been importing

Village Bay lobster oil for the last few months, and it is building in popularity, as more and more people try it and find that the real flavour of lobster infused from the lobster shell tastes more of lobster than lobster,” explains Briggs. There are three new products available from the range: a lobster pate, lobster butter and lobster caviar. Available just in time for Christmas as an ideal gift for a loved one or for you to enjoy as a treat, these ranges can be ordered online now at www.DanishFoodDirect.co.uk. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Danish Food Direct

The prestigious Kaj Franck Design Prize, awarded this year for the 20th time, is highly respected in the design field and greatly popular among the media and the general public in Finland. This year’s prize was presented to professor and interior architect Simo Heikkilä. Established in 1992, The Kaj Franck Design Prize is awarded annually to a Finnish or Finland-based designer or a team of designers working in the spirit of the late Kaj Franck (1911-89) – one of the leading figures of Finnish design. Chosen by a prize jury, the recipients represent the cream of Finnish design from the fields of furniture, fashion, textiles, ceramics, glass and industrial design. This year’s recipient, interior architect, designer and lecturer Simo Heikkilä has achieved widespread recognition and won

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By Inna Allen

numerous prizes for his work. Carrying on the tradition of uncluttered Scandinavian design, Heikkilä has boldly combined different materials and created honest products where structural details are often clearly visible. He has acted as the Head of Wood Programme at the Furniture Design Department of the Aalto University and is also an acclaimed exhibition designer. Internationally well-connected, he has contributed to several design happenings both in Finland and abroad. The prize sum of 10,000 euros is funded by the Finnish Fair Foundation. The Kaj Franck Design Prize also includes the Kaj Franck Medal, designed by Tapio Junno, and a prize exhibition, held at the Design Museum.

Photo: liisa Valonen

– celebrating Finnish design

Photo: Simo Heikkilä’s archives

The Kaj Franck Design Prize

Kaj Franck Design Prize 2011 – Simo Heikkilä Exhibition 11.11 - 23.12.2011 Design Museum, Korkeavuorenkatu 23, Helsinki, Finland

For more information, please visit: www.designforum.fi/kajfranck

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Gardar Thor Cortes

The James Bond of Opera back in the UK for a concert

sary celebration of Phantom of the Opera, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall. On 8 February next year, the prominent and well-respected singer has once again been invited back to the UK, where he will perform as the special guest tenor in concert with popular English soprano Lesley Garrett. The classical concert is part of a series with the highly-regarded Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Fairfileld Halls in Croydon. The box office is now open on 0208 688 9291.

Being described as the James Bond of Opera, Gardar Thor Cortes is one of his country’s best-known musical exports. The Icelandic tenor already has a number one album under his belt and still holds the record for the fastest-selling CD in Iceland. Cortes’s first CD in the United Kingdom, titled Cortes, topped the classical charts for three weeks as well as being runnerup for the Classical Album of the Year. Cortes began his career in acting, appearing first in West Side Story, and then going on to win the lead role of Raoul in Phantom of the Opera, performing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. Cortes then secured a scholarship at the Royal Acad-

emy of Music in London alongside Katherine Jenkins. Having once played Raoul, he was invited back this October to play several small parts in the 25th anniver-

Scandinavian Music It’s Christmas time, and the party season is upon us. And Scandinavia is churning out floor-filler after floor-filler in anticipation of all this celebration. So let’s get straight into what’s on offer. The current soundtrack to nights out in Copenhagen is a gem of a song called Walking In The Sun by Dex featuring Cille. The most endearing feature about the Danish song is that it samples 90s super hit Children by Robert Miles. But the next most endearing thing about it is that it really does create a brand new song out of the sample, rather than relying too heavily on the orig-

By Rikke Oberlin Flarup

inal. And it’s a cracking new song at that. Norwegian soul chanteuse Winta has released Just For Tonight, an urbanflavoured dance track. It’s a sexily subtle number in that it doesn’t grab you intrusively with an obvious hook. But leave it on in the background while you go about doing your daily chores, and it’ll still be in your head after it has finished playing. Then on the second or third listen – THAT’S when it clicks. Swedish superstar DJ and producer Avicii is back with a “new” single, Levels. The original backing track leaked online around a year ago. But he has finally presented the finished and official radio edit of it. Even if you haven’t frequented an actual club all year, you will still probably be familiar with this song. It’s been the subject of television syncs, radio began playing it prematurely to its release, and it’s actually already been sampled! Flo Rida samples Levels (which itself samples

For more information, please visit: www.fairfield.co.uk www.gardarthorcortes.com

By Karl Batterbee

Something's Got a Hold on Me by Etta James) on his track Good Feeling. So yes, as dance tracks go, it’s been pretty much inescapable all year. Finally, trendy Swedish duo Rebecca & Fiona have melted some of their electro cool and set fire to the dance floor on their latest musical outing. They’ve collaborated with Kaskade on Turn It Down.Their detached vocal charms suit Kaskade’s brand of electro house immensely. It’s a brilliant fit. Turn It Down is the type of song that impresses with its production more so than with any melodies. But something about Rebecca & Fiona’s voices on the tune make the top line just as special as the music.

www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 81

Mats Lidström

Forsberg Bengt. Photo: Arto Tulima

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | From Sweden Productions

Sofie Haag. Photo: Jeff Gilbert

Margareta Bengtson. Photo: Ewa-Marie Rundquist

Where passion meets the sounds and smells of Christmas She has 15 years of opera, music and theatre production in her bag, part-time marketing management, and plenty of international contacts in the corporate world. It is a good time to be an entrepreneur, if you ask Sofie Haag, managing director and founder of London-based From Sweden Productions. “Swedish artists are hot at the moment, both on stage and on screen. The aim of From Sweden Productions is to promote and support Swedish performing arts in the UK and abroad.” By Linnea Dunne

“We offer a unique platform where we, in close collaboration with Anglo-Swedish partners and sponsors, are able to present exceptional Swedish and British artists and productions at top London venues,” Sofie Haag explains. She arrived in London with her family five years ago. Her background as a producer at the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the Drottningholm Court Theatre and the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm made setting up her own production company seem like the obvious choice. “We have a lot to be proud of,” she says of her Swedish heritage. With Christmas around the corner, Haag is busier than ever. Christmas From Sweden, the concert that brings the best of Swedish Christmas to a music-loving London audience, is about to return to the prestigious Wigmore Hall for a second year. It promises to be another soldout triumph, with acclaimed soprano Margareta Bengtson, by critics hailed as

82 | Issue 36 | December 2011

a Nordic cool Ella Fitzgerald, performing together with renowned musicians Bengt Forsberg on piano, Mats Lidström on cello, and the choir from the Swedish Church in London, conducted by Carina Einarson.

“We offer a unique platform where we present exceptional Swedish and British artists and productions at top London venues.” In addition, the evening offers a guest appearance by West End actor Robert Maskell, also known from film and TV. “Artistic director Mats Lidström has done a wonderful job with the programme, which has something to offer for everyone.

We are also hoping to raise some muchneeded funds for the renovation of the facade of the Swedish Church in Marylebone.” At 7 pm on 23 December, in partnership with principal sponsor SEB, The Swedish Embassy, Visit Sweden and Musik i Syd, to name a few, Christmas From Sweden kicks off the holiday season with seasonal folk songs, jazz tunes and classical pieces, as well as English and Swedish carols. Swedish mulled wine, or glögg, and gingerbread will be served during the interval. This will be the moment when you finally realise that Christmas has arrived. You would be foolish to miss it.

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

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Scandimaniancs are back

Scandimaniacs are back The one and only Swedish theatre company in London, Scandimaniacs, or, as they like to introduce themselves, the Second Best Band in the World, stars Sara Lewerth and Emil Lager, who have charmed UK audiences since 2009. These two vibrant performers and their show, Take Me To Hollywood, have received great reviews from Time Out. We caught them in between performances at the King's Head Theatre in Angel. By Emelie Krugly Hill

production of Lucrezia Borgia at the ENO. Emil also has a solo music project, although he is currently entirely focused on Scandimaniacs.

Scan Magazine first met the duo in 2009, when they had first arrived in the UK to launch their cabaret in English. Their show, a blend of absurd humour and a diverse and eclectic array of influences, ranging from Bob Dylan to Outkast, Shakespeare and Ingmar Bergman, first took shape at the Blue Elephant Theatre in Camberwell, south London.

“It’s great to meet our audience again, and we’ve received a great response,” says Sara. Emil and Sara met in Paris while studying physical theatre, music and improvisation. They lived in an old, soon-tobe-demolished house in the French capital. They began composing songs and experimenting with words, culminating in their first cabaret show in French at Club Chat Noir.

“The Brits differ from the Swedes; here one expects almost a kind of cockiness, that you will enter the stage and instantly deliver. Swedes are perhaps more cautious and a little more apologetic; you need to be more thick-skinned here, yet also humble. But we share the same cynical and sarcastic humour, Brits and Swedes,” said Emil Lager back then. They soon received impressive reviews in Time Out, receiving four stars and being Critic’s Choice more than once. Fringe Review gave them another five stars, with the praise: “Clever, ironic, passionate and with a hint of indescribable genius.” Since then they have toured Cornwall, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and been part of a variety show at the

There is also a deeper message in all of their songs; add subtle comedy, catchy music and witty improvisation to that, and the end result is very much a unique brand of musical comedy. Wilton Music Hall and Salong Giraff. Emil also plays Django Reinhardt in Martin Scorsese’s latest film Hugo and has a part in Cheerful Weather for the Wedding directed by Donald Rice. In the meantime, Sara has had a leading role in the first stage adaptation of Fernando Pessoa’s novel The Book of Disquiet, and recently, she has been under Mike Figgis’s direction both in an independent film and in his

“A few people in the audience told us that they have seen us several times. That is the finest compliment one can get,” says Emil.

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

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 83

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Kristian von Hornsleth

A Morgan 4x4 sports car, which Hornsleth painted. It has been exhibited at the Milan Design Week and Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Fun, Fame & Fortune: A conversation with the Danish artist Hornsleth Scan Magazine met the flamboyant and controversy-pursuing artist Kristian von Hornsleth in his Kensington studio for a colourful talk about making interesting art, British culture and future projects. Originally an architect, Hornsleth broke through as a provoking painter in Scandinavia in the mid-90s. Drawing on, often distressful, images from popular culture, art history and news media, his works on canvas combine photoshopped imagery, with painting and unruly text lines, such as “f**k you art lovers”. It is vital to Hornsleth that his art mirrors what is going on in the world. His notorious signature, which is proportionally huge and always placed centrally in the image, suggests a massive ego, but is, in fact, a parodic gesture. This parody and humour has always been central to Hornsleth: “It is a form of commu-

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nication that makes it easier to talk about the big problems. Irony and humour have always been a door that opens up to more complex issues.” Hornsleth was born in Edinburgh and grew up in Denmark. Two years ago, at a time of having achieved great recognition and commercial success in his home country, he made the bold move to relocate his life and art practice to London. He was drawn by the rich culture in the UK and anticipates that the change will bring him “fun, fame and fortune”. He states this yet again in an ironic way.

By Julie Guldbrandsen

Hornsleth has since been involved in numerous conceptual projects in the UK. The artist made an appearance at the Lord Mayor’s Parade, London 2010, painting a series of Morgan sport cars, and recently contributed with a huge installation, consisting of 220 works, at the Playtime Gallery & Bar in Islington, London. In 2006, Hornsleth sparked huge controversy with his Village Project Uganda, where he offered poor villagers a live pig or goat in exchange for adopting his surname. He was consequently met with

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Kristian von Hornsleth

stark criticism about the supposedly unethical dimension of the work. Conversely, Hornsleth explains that the work is a comment on the western world’s hypocritical conduct towards the third world. “I don’t want to get too explanatory about what is behind the work; I want to keep some things uncertain. It changes all the time, and there are many meanings in play. Maybe this is also why it works so well. You can read many things into it: identity, conceptual art and politics. But in the end, no one seems to be interested in poor African people,” the artist clarifies. Enthused by this audacious Uganda venture and the man behind the idea, scriptwriter Jakob Weis composed the critically acclaimed play Kill Hornsleth. The storyline is centred on Hornsleth and his artistic practice, and won two Reumert prizes – the most prestigious Danish theatre recognition. Hornsleth Arms Investment Corporation is yet another playful and borderline corrupt Hornsleth invention. The artist has set up a hedge fund that invests in the weapons industry. He sells 1% stakes in the fund, and the investors receive an artwork that integrates the legal share document. The profit is reinvested in peace promoting and environmental projects. “It’s hedge-fun,” Hornsleth smiles. “London is like the Titanic – they sing while they are sinking.” What is next for Hornsleth? Currently, he is working on what he calls The Vote Acquisition Project. The basic idea is to buy votes from less privileged people living in council estates. As in all his work, Hornsleth wants us to experience something uncomfortable and uncertain. His art is about criticism, but also, it is a means of reaching out to us, and forcing us to think about the world we inhabit, and the way we are positioned within it. “I don’t care if it’s art or if it’s something else, as long as it is interesting and can stimulate thinking - spur a reflection.”

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

Paintings clokwise from the top: Hold my hand; Blessings; Hedge Fun; Go to school (featuring Helena Christensen).

Above: An 8m x 8m x 8m Deep Sea Storage sculpture - an international sculpture project Hornsleth is working on.

Issue 36 | December 2011 | 85

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

Ian Garlant at Andipa Contemporary (Until 17 Dec) Ian Garlant, who is half Norwegian, swapped a career in haute couture for 25°C Norwegian winters to create his new work of art. His inspiration comes from the wilderness, power and immensity of the Norwegian landscape. The exhibition Synthesis is showing at Andipa Contemporary, London, SW3. www.andipa.com Ibsen at the Print Room (Until 17 Dec) Judgement Day is Mike Poulton’s new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s final play When We Dead Awaken. It is set within a Nordic mystical landscape and is one of the Norwegian dramatist’s most deeply personal works. The play offers an explicit and merciless self-portrait of Ibsen as an aging artist: restless with his art, his homeland and his married life. The Print Room, London, W2. www.the-print-room.org Time and Memory: Cecilia Edefalk and Gunnel Wåhlstrand (Until 12 Feb) An exhibition dedicated to two Swedish contemporary artists, Cecilia Edefalk and Gunnel Wåhlstrand. Edefalk’s paintings emerge as a network of repetitions, reproductions and historical memory. Memory is at the core of Wåhlstrand’s work as well. Her photo-realistic black-ink drawings are a deeply private and meticulously reconstructed documentation of her personal history. Parasol Unit, London, N1. www.parasol-unit.org Svein Flygari Johansen (Until 12 Feb) Am I making up what really happened? is the name of Norwegian artist Svein Flygari Johansen’s first UK solo exhibition. His work links themes of indigenous culture, capitalist meltdown, patriotism and global politics with materials ranging from sticks and stones to complex computer

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programming. Beaconsfield, London, SE11. www.beaconsfield.ltd.uk

Yard, London, SW1P. For further information and tickets contact Richard Stokes: richard.stokes@dial.pipex.com

Amaranthe (12 Dec) Swedish/Danish power-pop/metal band Amaranthe will be playing tunes from their 2011 self-titled debut album at Borderline, London, W1. www.amaranthe.se

Teuvo Tulio’s Lost Masterpieces (16-22 Dec) In Finland, film director Teuvo Tulio is celebrated as a national treasure, but in the UK his films are still tragically unknown and unseen. Thanks to the release of four of his seminal works in the Europe’s Finest classics catalogue, the ICA will screen the films this month. Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, SW1Y. www.ica.org.uk

The Bollywood Trip (12-18 Dec) What happens when a Bollywood star winds up in a psychiatric ward in Denmark? Chaos, comedy, music, love and spectacular Bollywood dancing. The Bollywood Trip is a musical drama performed by Danish actors, Indian dancers and a band of international musicians. Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, SE1. www.southbankcentre.co.uk Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra (16 Dec) An evening of music by Sibelius, Bartók and György Kurtág, conducted by Finnish Jukka-Pekka Saraste, featuring Japanese violinist Hiromi Kikuchi and violist Ken Hakii. Barbican, London, EC2. www.barbican.org.uk Saraste by Thomas Kost

Katarina Karnéus in concert (16 Dec) As part of the Westminster School Song Series, Swedish mezzo soprano Katarina Karnéus and British pianist Joseph Middleton perform masterpieces of Scandinavian Song. Up School, Little Dean’s

In the fields of dreams by Tulio

December 2011

By Sara Schedin

Christmas From Sweden at Wigmore Hall (23 Dec) Come and celebrate the run up to Christmas with a cornucopia of seasonal music from Sweden and Britain, when the popular Christmas From Sweden concert returns to Wigmore Hall. Featuring critically acclaimed Swedish soprano Margareta Bengtson, pianist Bengt Forsberg and cellist Mats Lidström. Swedish mulled wine and gingerbread will be served in the interval. Wigmore Hall, London, W1U. www.wigmore-hall.org.uk

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar

January 2012

Margareta Bengtson by Ewa-Marie Rundquist

FORK at London A Cappella Festival (13 Jan) A Finnish rock show that reinvents a cappella - FORK will perform rock and pop covers and recreate everything from the pumping baselines to the rock guitar riffs into a magnificent concert. Hall 1, King’s Place, London, N1. www.londonacappellafestival.co.uk

The Lahti Symphony Orchestra comes to Birmingham and London (26 and 27 Dec) Finnish conductor Okko Kamu, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra and violinist Elina Vähälä will take their audience on a breathtaking ride through the works of

Sibelius. The first concert will be at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and the second at Cadogan Hall in London. www.thsh.co.uk www.cadoganhall.com FORK

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