SCANDINAVIAN monthly │ Issue No.6 │ November 2021

SCANDINAVIAN Monthly 1

NOVEMBER | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Issue No.6 │November 2021

Special ROYAL Edition

QUEEN MARGRETHE OF DENMARK MAKES HEADLINES THE ROYAL TIARAS OF NORWAY

ROYAL DINNER IN DENMARK

and more...

ACCOMODATION ● ATTRACTIONS ● PEOPLE ● FOOD ● HISTORY FINE ART ● DESIGN ● BUSINESS ● SPORTS

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY CONTENT

Special ROYAL Edition The Royal Tiaras of Norway .................................................................. 4 Private Photos of Royal Danish Couple ................................................. 9 Queen Margrethe of Denmark Makes Headlines .................................. 13 Royal Residences in Stockholm .......................................................... 15 Royal Dinner in Denmark ..................................................................... 17 Scandinavian Royal Line .................................................................... 20 Accommodation A World of Wellness and Luxury .......................................................... 24 Attractions Visit Norway’s Oldest Ice .................................................................... 30 Kiruna in Sweden ................................................................................ 32 Views: Norway Seen From the Road ................................................... 34 Along the Danish West Coast of Funen ............................................... 35 People Portrait of a Norwegian’s Life on the Edge .......................................... 38 Food Scandinavian Dill ................................................................................ 39 History The Fascinating Story About Scandinavian Horses ............................ 42 Fine art Grotesque World Premiere ................................................................. 45 Oslo Welcomes a New Edvard Munch Museum .................................. 50 Design Norwegian Forest Lights .................................................................... 51 Business World’s First Fossil-Free Steel ............................................................ 53 Scandinavian High School Dropout .................................................... 55 Sports Rediscovering Scandinavia’s Golf Courses ......................................... 57

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Reader, It’s November and we are back swinging the Scandinavian hammer. As one of the few monarchies in the world and amidst the so-called post pandemic times, I wanted to pay attention to our royal traditions in this edition of SCANDINAVIAN Monthly.

Now for something completely different, I have published over 2,000 articles for Scandinavian Daily so far, and it is no aggregation to say that good stories have been served to me on a plate! There is an abundance of Scandinavian entrepreneurs out there for us to cover. Go to page 55 and read the report on the Danish high school dropout who started selling online tutoring and you will know what I mean. I find that Scandinavian people are full of good ideas and many have the bravery required to pursue them! What do you think? Is this a special Scandinavian trail? E-mail us your opinions and thoughts editor@dailyscandinavian.com For those readers who are set to go to Scandinavian countries during the winter, we will present a Holiday issue next month. Many of our readers, not being from Scandinavia, have good memories from their meeting with Scandinavian holiday traditions whether they’ve been staying in a hotel or private.

Finally, when winter and darkness coming up, I encourage you to have a look at the Norwegian Forest Lights on page 51. The Norwegian designer Cathrine Kullberg made her first forest lamp in 2007. By day, the fixture adds interest and a unique visual texture to any space. But at night, when lit from within, it’s pure magic.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

See you in December.

NYVÅGAR RORBUHOTELL

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Special Royal Edition

The Royal Tiaras of Norway Tor Kjolberg

The Norwegian Royal Tiaras reveal a wonderful snapshot of Norway’s history, some more than 200 years old and one just 20 years old. The tiaras also provide its close links with the country’s neighbors. Learn more about the royal tiaras of Norway.

The Emerald Parure is a magnificent tiara thought to have originated from Empress Joséphine, first wife of Napoléon. It was made by French jewelers Bapst and was given to her granddaughter, Queen Josephine of Sweden and Norway and was worn by her daughter-in-law and successor, Queen Sofia.

Princess Märtha of Sweden, who married her cousin, Crown Prince Olav of Norway, received the tiara as a wedding present from her parents, and, upon her death, it was handed down to Princess Astrid, who often acted as the first lady of Norway with her father until Sonja married her brother, Harald.

Related: A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II Since then, Queen Sonja has made it one of her most popular tiaras, being the only royal who currently wears it.

Despite its long history in the country, she is the first Queen of Norway to actually wear the Norwegian Emerald

Ferature image (on top): Queen Sonja of Norway (left) and Crown Princess Mette Marit. Photo: Sølve Sundsbøe / Royal court

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The Emerald Parure was made by French jewelers Bapst

Parure Tiara.

Queen Maud’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara was a wedding gift to the queen in 1896 from her parents Edward VII and Alexandra. The large piece features an intricate design on a base of collets between two rows of diamonds with diamond uprights, interchangeable with turquoises, on top.

It was worn by Queen Maud at the 1902 Coronation of her father, King Edward VII and it was one of her main tiaras after she became Queen of Norway in 1905. She wore it regularly until her death in 1938. It was held in the United Kingdom until 1953 (kept there for safety during the World War II). It was reunited with the Norwegian royals at a state visit to the newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Sonja wore the tiara regularly afterwards and sent it along with several small jewels to London to be cleaned at Garrard. It was stolen and Garrard had to create a replica that is now used by Queen Sonja and other women of the royal Norwegian family.

The replica worn as a bridal tiara by Princess Martha Louise in 2002.

Princess Ingeborg’s Boucheron Circle Tiara is a delicate tiara of interlocking diamond circles set in platinum,

with diamond and pearl button elements that were later additions to the piece. Made by Boucheron around 1900 and purchased by Prince Carl of Sweden for his wife, Princess Ingeborg.

Later passed down to her granddaughter, Princess Ragnhild, and now likely still owned by her descendants.

Queen Maud’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara was worn by Queen Maud at the 1902 Coronation of her father, King Edward VII

Worn by Princess Ingeborg of Sweden, Crown Princess Martha, Princess Margaretha of Denmark, and Princess Ragnhild.

Queen Alexandra’s Turquoise Circlet was left to Queen Maud, who wore it at the pre-wedding of her only son, future King Olav V, in 1929. While the Pearl Tiara, Maltese Circlet, and Vifte Tiara went to King Harald and Queen Sonja, the Turquoise Circlet Tiara was inherited by Princess Astrid in 1968, when her grandmother’s jewels were divided between the three children of King Olav.

This is Princess Astrid’s grandest Tiara, and worn for important occasions along with turquoise jewels that were a wedding gift to Queen Maud. Princess Astrid wore it in an

official portrait released to mark her 85th Birthday.

Related: The Norwegian Palace Park in Oslo The Maltese Circlet originated in the United Kingdom as a tiara for Queen Alexandra following the death of Edward VII. After Queen Alexandra died in 1925, the tiara was handed over to her daughter, Queen Maud of Norway. Queen Maud wore the tiara at the 1937 coronation of her nephew, George VI. The jewels were with her when she died the following year and did not return to Norway until 1953.

Now, Queen Sonja typically wears the intriguing tiara on special occasions.

When King Harald came to the throne in January 1991, his wife Queen Sonja bought back the glittering tiara from Norway’s first queen consort since

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some of the other of the queen’s tiaras with amethysts and diamonds in a traditional setting. Queen Sonja has worn it both as a tiara and a necklace.

The tiara has been loaned out to her daughter-in-law on an almost exclusive basis, but Princess Märtha Louise has also worn it.

Queen Alexandra’s Turquoise Circlet is Princess Astrid’s grandest Tiara

crisis.”

Princess Ingeborg’s Boucheron Circle Tiara was made by Boucheron around 1900

1938. Today, Queen Sonja has many spectacular tiaras at her disposal.

The history, however, leads way back to 1911, when the parure was lent to Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, Queen Sofia’s granddaughter-in-law, for the coronation of her cousin, King Geroge V in London. At her death in 1912, Queen Sofia left the Emerald jewel to her third daughter-in-law, Princess Ingeborg. In 1937. She loaned the parure to her daughter, who had become Crown Princess Martha of Norway. During World War II, when Princess Martha had fled to Sweden to escape the Nazis, Princess Ingeborg gave the parure to her daughter, telling her to “sell the valuable heirloom jewels if her family should face a financial

The tiara is said to be the grandest tiara in the Norwegian Royal collection, and today, Queen Sonja is the sole wearer of the piece and only wears it for the most important events.

Norwegian Amethyst Parure Tiara is another gift to Queen Sonja from her husband. It is a simpler design than

Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara is composed of floral motifs and laurel wreaths depicted in diamonds and mounted in gold and silver. It was depicted on Queen Josephine of Sweden and Norway in 1849 and might have been worn at her wedding in 1823.

In 1876, the Diamond Tiara was left to her granddaughter, who became Queen Louise of Denmark. Queen Louise left it to her unmarried son, Prince Gustav, who loaned it to his sister, Princess Thyra, and niece, Crown Princess Martha of Norway, eventually leaving it to her in 1944. It has also been worn by Princess Astrid, but since 1968 it has been worn exclusively (albeit rarely) by Queen Sonja.

The Vifte Tiara is a small fan-shaped tiara (vitfe is Norwegian for ‘fan’) that originates with Queen Maud. The future Queen of Norway reportedly received this tiara as an 18th birthday present from her grandmother, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and brought it to Norway upon her

The Maltese Circlet originated in the United Kingdom as a tiara for Queen Alexandra following the death of Edward VII.

Queen Sonja has worn the Norwegian Amethyst Parure Tiara both as a tiara and a necklace. Here, Crown Princess Mette Marit. Photo: Tiara Mania

Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara was depicted on Queen Josephine of Sweden and Norway in 1849 and might have been worn at her wedding in 1823. Photo: Tiara Mania

The tiny Vifte diamond tiara can be transformed into a necklace

Queen Sofia’s Gold Bandeau is a tiara made of gold and set with semiprecious gemstones, accompanied by additional coordinating pieces to form a parure

The Feather Aigrette is reportedly from the collection of Queen Maud

King Olav’s Gift Tiara was given to Princess Martha Louise as an eighteenth-birthday present in 1989

by King Olav V

The Modern Gold Parure Tiara was a 60th birthday gift to Queen Sonja from King Harald in 1997. Photo: Tiara Mania

Princess Astrid’s Ruby and Diamond Aigrette is a small aigrette of ruby and diamond “antennae” elements, worn atop a slim frame

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The Vasa tiara is made by C. F. Carlman and presented to Crown Princess Martha as a wedding gift by the city of Stockholm in 1929

marriage.

The tiny diamond tiara can be transformed into a necklace and has mainly been worn by Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit as such.

King Olav’s Gift Tiara is made of scattered diamonds ears of wheat, topped by a row of small pearls. It was given to Princess Martha Louise as an eighteenth-birthday present in 1989

by King Olav V. It has been worn by Princess Martha and Queen Sonja.

The Modern Gold Parure Tiara was a 60th birthday gift to Queen Sonja from King Harald in 1997. This modern tiara is a rarity with diamonds set in yellow gold with a detachable center piece with multiple parure sets to mimic the central stone. Queen Sonja has, so far, been the only Norwegian royal to wear this tiara, The Diamond Daisy Bandeau, a low-

profile tiara of diamond daisies set within individual diamond halos, was given to Crown Princess Mette-Marit as a wedding present in 2001 by King Harald V and Queen Sonja. The Diamond Daisy Bandeau was made ca.

1910.

Queen Sofia’s Gold Bandeau is a tiara made of gold and set with semiprecious gemstones, accompanied by additional coordinating pieces to form a parure. Originally owned by Queen Sofia of Sweden and Norway. Later in the collection of Princess Ingeborg of Sweden, and presently owned and worn by her granddaughter, Princess Astrid.

Princess Astrid’s Diamond Feather Aigrette is a small aigrette element of diamond-set feathered wings, worn atop a slim frame (also used with the Ruby and Diamond Aigrette).

The Feather Aigrette is reportedly

from the collection of Queen Maud.

Presently owned and wore by Princess Astrid.

Princess Astrid’s Ruby and Diamond Aigrette is a small aigrette of ruby and diamond “antennae” elements, worn atop a slim frame (also used with the Diamond Feather Aigrette). Presently owned and worn by Princess Astrid.

The Vasa Tiara is a diamond and platinum Art Deco tiara, featuring the heraldic symbol of Sweden’s Vasa dynasty, able to be worn both atop the head and low across the forehead.

The tiara is made by C. F. Carlman and presented to Crown Princess Martha as a wedding gift by the city of Stockholm in 1929. Later inherited by her daughter, Princess Astrid. Worn

by Crown Princess Martha, Princess Ragnhild, and Princess Astrid.

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Private Photos of Danish Royal Couple Text Tor Kjolberg

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark married Mary Donaldson on 14 May 2004 in Copenhagen Cathedral. The couple has four children, Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. We have collected a series of private photos to accompany a modern “fairytale” romance between a prince and a commoner. Se the private photos of the Danish royal couple.

Prince Frederik of Denmark was visiting Australia during the 2000 Summer Olympics there and met Donaldson at the Slip Inn Pub in Sydney. They conducted a longdistance relationship and Frederik made a number of discreet visits to Australia. On 15 November 2001 the Danish weekly magazine Billed-Bladet named her as Frederik’s girlfriend, and Mary Donaldson moved from Australia to Denmark in December same year.

Related: Scandinavian Royal Line A Fairytale romance The couple announced their engagement in 2003 after Frederik had presented her with an engagement ring featuring an emerald-cut diamond and two emerald-cut ruby baguettes, which are similar to the colors of Denmark’s flag and Donaldson started to study Danish as a foreign language in Copenhagen. The couple’s marriage in 2004 was extensively portrayed by Australian and European media as a modern “fairytale” romance between a

The Royal couple in their private balcony at the National Theatre, Copenhagen. Photo: Pinterest

prince and a commoner. “I am so happy that you swept me off my feet,” she said to her husband.

Donaldson wore a wedding gown

designed by Danish designer Uffe Frank and had a small bridal party which included her two sisters and her friend Amber Petty, a radio announcer on commercial radio in Australia.

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The couple lives in Frederik VII’s mansion in Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen. Photo: Pinterest

From Frederik VIIIs-mansion in Amalienborg Palace. Photo: Pinterest

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The Crown Princess and her family currently reside at Frederik VIII’s Palace, one of the four palaces

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark The Danish Folketing (parliament) passed a special law (Mary’s Law) giving Donaldson Danish citizenship upon her marriage, a standard procedure for new foreign members of the royal family.

Related: Super Model Prince Nicolai of Denmark Following the wedding the couple embarked upon a summer workingtour of mainland Denmark aboard the royal yacht Dannebrog, then travelled to Greenland and later to the 2004 Athens Olympics.

During a Council of State on 2 October 2019, the Queen’s request to appoint Mary a rigsforstander, a functioning regent when the monarch or the heir is out of the country, was approved by the government Photo: Keld Navntoft 2019/Kongehuset

Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador In 2005, during the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen, the royal family was involved in related events throughout the year. Frederik and Mary marked the The couple reportedly theirand anniversary in London,spent New York honeymoon in Africa. in Australia, where she was made Honorary Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador to Australia in the Utzon Room of the Sydney Opera House. In 2005 the royal family visited the Faroe Islands.

In September 2007, she formally established the Mary F oundation, with capital from public and private donations, to advance cultural diversity and encourage a sense of the right to belong and contribute to society for those who are socially

Crown-princess Mary of Denmark together with Crown-prince Haakon of Norway. Photo: Kongehuset

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Crown-princess Mary takes part in home defence exercise on Bornholm 2013. Photo: Kongehuset

isolated or excluded.

Related: Pomp and Circumstance in Norway Woman of the Year Mary was voted Woman of the Year 2008 by a Danish magazine, Alt for damerne, donating her cash reward to charity. Mary is an active patron of Denmark’s third-highest-earning export industry, the fashion industry, and is Patron of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit. She has been named one of the world’s most fashionable people in Vanity Fair’s annual International Best-Dressed List and has posed and given interviews for several international fashion magazines.

Since becoming Crown Princess of Denmark, H. H. Mary has made a number of international visits. In November 2009 Mary made a surprise visit to Danish soldiers in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

World Pride Patron In 2016, on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the Crown Princess gave a speech on LGBT rights at a forum in Copenhagen hosted by the Danish government. She called for an end to discrimination, oppression, and violence against people because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. She thus became the first ever member of the royal family to attend the Danish Rainbow Awards (2018). She also attended the awards ceremony in 2019, where it was announced that Crown Princess Mary will serve as the patron of World Pride Copenhagen 2021, making her the first ever royal to serve as patron for a major LGBT event.

became the first person not born into the royal family to assume the position

During a Council of State on 2 October 2019, the Queen’s request to appoint Mary a rigsforstander, a functioning regent when the monarch or the heir is out of the country, was approved by the government. After having sworn to respect the Danish constitution, she H.H. Princess Athena’s birthday 24 January 2020 (8 years)., (Photo: Kongehuset)

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The adorable snaps were taken by the proud mother, 47, over the past few months, presumably in Denmark

of rigsforstander since Queen Ingrid in 1972.

Adorable kids – private photos of the royal Danish couple Crown Princess Mary of Denmark recently shared four previously unseen photos of twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine to mark their ninth birthday. The adorable snaps were taken by the proud mother, 47, over the past few months, presumably in Denmark.

The Crown Princess and her family currently reside at Frederik VIII’s Palace, one of the four palaces that make up the Amalienborg Palace complex. From May 2004, they have also resided at the Chancellery House, a building in the park at Fredensborg Palace, during the summer months.

A Crown-Princess’ Life in Denmark In December last year, in a candid

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark recently shared four previously unseen photos of twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine to mark their ninth birthday

interview with Australian Women’s Weekly, the Crown Princess revealed that moving to the other side of the world was difficult.

‘I did experience a feeling of loneliness – short-term – when I first moved to Denmark. Moving to Denmark was a huge change in my life – a new culture, new language, new friends, and another way of life. So, I see it as quite natural that at times I felt quite alone or a little bit like I was on the outside looking in,’ she told the magazine.

Danish princess with horse

Private Photos of Danish Royal Couple, compiled by Tor Kjolberg

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Queen Margrethe Of Denmark Makes Headlines Text Tor Kjolberg

Netflix has hired Queen of Denmark as set designer on new Netflix film. She is, however, not the first royal to join the Netflix family – Meghan Markie and Prince Harr signed a multiyear deal with the streaming company last year. Learn more about Queen Margrethe Of Denmark making headlines.

Having celebrated her 80th birthday last year, Queen Margrethe of Denmark has no intention of retiring. Now, an exciting new side gig takes place in addition to her royal duties. The queen has been hired as a set designer for the upcoming adaption of Karen Blixen’s fantasy novel Ehrengard, overseeing scenography and costumes in the lead-up to its premiere in 2023.

Related: Super Model Prince Nikolai of Denmark Based on a 1962 novella by Danish author Karen Blixen (writing under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen), Ehrengard also has royal elements. The story takes place in the fairytale kingdom of Babenhausen, and follows Cazotte, a young “self-appointed expert on love”, who’s hired by the scheming Grand Duchess to help her secure an heir for the shy, awkward crown prince.

Naturally, the plan backfires, and an

heir ends up being conceived out of wedlock, forcing the royal family to go into hiding, and forcing Cazotte to acknowledge the limitations of his expertise on love.

Ehrengard will be directed by Bille August, the veteran Danish director of Pelle the Conqueror (which won both the Palme d’Or and Oscar for best foreign language film in 1988) and The Best Intentions (which won August a second Palme d’Or).

Ehrengard was first produced in 1982 by Italian film directed Emidio Greco. It premiered at the 1982 Venice International Film Festival.

However, due to the bankruptcy of the producers, it was not released theatrically until 2002.

Margrethe ascended to the Danish throne in 1972 and is commander-inchief of the country’s defence forces.

The queen has been hired as a set designer for the upcoming adaption of Karen Blixen’s fantasy novel Ehrengard

Feature image (on top) Photo © Kongehuset, Danmark

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Queen Margrethe painting by Andy Warhool

This is, however, far from the Queen’s first design job. She’s an accomplished painter and illustrator who’s designed costumes for the Royal Danish Ballet in the past, and contributed drawings to a 1970s Danish edition of The Lord of the Rings, and exhibitions at galleries including the Arken Museum of Modern Art in Ishøj near Copenhagen. She also has screen credits as a production designer on the 2009 fantasy fairy tale The Wild Swans, and a short film adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen in 2000.

Related: Scandinavian Royal Line

In a statement, Margrethe said: “Karen Blixen’s stories have always fascinated me, with their aesthetic tales, their imagination and their, to me, imagecreating worlds – and I’m very happy to be part of this project. I have tried to interpret Blixen’s fantastic universe in the creation of the decoupages and costumes and I’m looking forward to seeing the tale of Ehrengard come to life in this film.”

Related: Fairytale Castles in Denmark “The Queen has created the most fantastic decoupages for the occasion,

and they will be the dominant feature of the film’s overall scenographic expression,” director Bille August said in a statement. “‘Fantastic’ (in the most literal sense) is our starting point for the film; we wish to use humor and elegance to create a devil-may-care, burlesque, fabulous and autonomous visual universe.”

Queen Margrethe made headlines earlier this year when she became the first European royal to publicly receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Royal Residences in Stockholm Text Tor Kjolberg

The present Royal Palace (Kungliga Slott) was built in the site of the Tre Kronor Palace, which burnt down in 1967, some say not without the help of Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, who had already built a new northern wing and who obviously relished the glory of rebuilding the palace to his Renaissance designs.

years later. The palace comprises 608 rooms. Various suites are open to the public – the stunning Royal Apartments are what most people go to see – and the sprawling palace houses three museums. Lovers of military uniforms and marching can watch the 40-minute Changing of the Guard ceremony in the outer courtyard.

His father, Nicodemus the Elder, had been architect to the old Tre Kronor Palace, and the grandson, Carl Gustaf, was responsible for supervising the completion of the new palace many

For more of Sweden’s aristocratic heritage head for the House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) on the nearby island Riddarholmen, built 1641 as a meeting place for the nobles. It is arguably the

most beautiful building in Gamla Stan, with two pavilions looking out across the water.

Inside, the nobles deliberated in the grandeur of the Main Chamber, watched from above by a painting of Mother Svea, who symbolizes Sweden.

On the opposite side of Centralbron is Riddarholmskyrkan, an iron-spired 13th century monastery church (the oldest in Stockholm) that serves as the burial place for Sweden’s monarchs.

Feature image (on top): The Blue Room, House of Nobility, photo: Henrik Sundholm (Flickr)

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The Royal Palace in Stockholm. Photo: Dick Norberg

House of Nobility, Etockholm (Photo Visit Sweden)

Riddarholmskyrkan, Stockholm (Photo: Wikimedia commons)

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Royal Dinner in Denmark Text Tor Kjolberg

The unique kitchen in the 800-yearold Dragsholm Castle, supervised by chef Claus Henriksen, is well worth a visit.

In 2014 Dragsholm Castle was acknowledged by the US food magazine Bon Appétit as one of the 11 best Food Lover’s Hotels outside the United States. Here landscape, gastronomy and history are united into harmony and you can experience the past, the present and the future in one setting.

Visitors who do not want a full evening at one pf the castle’s two restaurants can enjoy a glass or a light dish at the new food bar having a wonderful view to the Nekselø Bay.

Castle kutchen, Dragsholm castle

We enjoyed 16 royal dishes in the Castle kitchen

The castle’s gourmet restaurant “Slotskøkkenet” (The Castle Kitchen), however, belongs to the Nordic gastronomic elite. The castle itself is one of the oldest in Denmark in the beautiful countryside of Odsherred.

The big menu may vary from season to season. It’s called “Time and Place” and starts with six appetizers, served one by one. We had leaves of pickled majors with oyster emulsion, scallops with dried gooseberries, pancakes witch chicken skin and a delicious gazpachoque soup with cucumber and a few drops of smoked oil and corn.

Related: Luxury Spa in Copenhagen The castle kitchen is an innovative gourmet cuisine, where the basis is the castle’s history and seasonal produce from the Odsherred area. The past and

Claus Henriksen and hotel director Mads Bøttger

the future are thus united on the plate.

The name Dragsholm means “the islet by the drag”, where the “drag” refers to the isthmus that connected Odsherred with the rest of Zealand before the reclaiming of Lammefjorden (The Lamb Fjord).

After the appetizers an excellent

Chef Claus Henriksen

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Visitors who do not want a full evening at one pf the castle’s two restaurants can enjoy a glass or a light dish at the new food bar having a wonderful view to the Nekselø Bay.

The past and the future are united on the plates.

original palace, later the medieval castle and to the present baroque castle. There are guided tours of the castle all year round.

The dinner continued when a rolling table was place by our table, offering a boiled Thornback ray, whose meat was cut from the bone and served in an intense sauce of smoked butter, sunflower seeds, cider from Birkemosegård and pikcled pear flowers. The tasty dish was brilliantly accompanied by white Burgundy from Ballorin.

The next dish consisted of white rings of partly squid and partly large onion fried in the vintage fat from a cow shot in 2015, as well as bronze fennel. The Cuvée Castor wine from Champs Divin in Jura with a smooth bacon taste was perfect to the dish.

“Slotskøkkenet” (The Castle Kitchen), belongs to the Nordic gastronomic elite

sommelier and servant drove an oldfashioned meat grinder to the table to grind a lot of fresh strawberries, which were mounted on the spot with browned sugar and served with, among other things, currants, raspberries and sprouts, accompanying a delicious virgin lobster.

contains a selection of excellent wines, discovered during visits with wine growers, on vineyards and through numerous wine tastings by some of the best wine merchants in the country.

Wine plays a very special role at Dragsholm Slot. The wine cellar

The islet has been the site for a Dragsholm Slot, since the 1200s

Related: Copenhagen Gourmet

The following so-called “Intermezzo” consisted of two intermediaries, one of which was the evening’s most interesting dish, a regional dish from Seljrø, a kind of Danish dumplings or ravioli. The dough was made of soft oatmeal and the fillet consisted of veal and pork, served in an intense sauce consisting of whey, seaweed and pepper.

The second ‘between dish’ consisted of a bite of honey grilled lamb breast served on a marzipan spear of bird cherry.

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In the Castle Kitchen, the main course is always a pure vegetable dish. We were served a potpourri of delicacies from the castle’s own garden; sweet carrots, parsnips and parsley roots with flowers from all over the world with herbs and a sauce of ‘saved’ celery.

Before that we had a portion of monk-fish fried crunchy crispy and served with romaine salad, cream of romaine, rucola and egg added more crisp brown sauce made of the fish’s fried bones and red wine. The dish was served with a masculine Beaujolaislike red-.wine from Chateau de Lavernette.

Refreshing desserts consisted of lightly warmed blueberries with milky and crisp “bark” of baked parsnip and ice cream of green strawberries with various flowers.

The wine cellar contains a selection of excellent wines

16 servings later we were so pleased, not only by the food but the whole experience. The Castle Kitchen has one Michelin star. We think it deserves more!

Advance table reservation necessary.

There are guided tours of the castle all year round.

One of the ‘in between’ dishes

The big menu may vary from season to season

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Scandinavian Royal Line Text Tor Kjolberg

Monarchy is alive and well in Scandinavia. Sweden, Norway and Denmark all have royal figureheads.

Learn more about the Scandinavian royal line.

a referendum, following the dissolution in 1905 of the subsequent union with Sweden. The present king, Harald V, is the third of the modern line, the “V” notwithstanding.

Monarchy could hardly be more entrenched than in Denmark. Queen Margrethe II is the 53rd in an unbroken line of sovereigns spanning more than 1,000 years. She became Queen of Denmark in 1972.

Not a little craft has gone into keeping the Scandinavian monarchies in good health. When Carl XVI Gustav ascended the Swedish throne in 1973, the Constitution began with: “The King alone shall govern the realm…” Lest he got the wrong impression, this was hastily changed to: “All public power in Sweden emanates from the people…”

Sweden, too, has had more than 60 kings since 980. The present King Carl Gustav may be “XVI”, but his direct line begins with Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, the French marshal who became heir apparent in 1810 and Sweden’s king in 1818.

Norway’s royal line ceased when Norway became a Danish province and the monarchy was only restored, after

The king decided his own official motto ought to be: “For Sweden – in keeping with the Times.”

This was the cue for changing the rules of succession so that they no longer discriminated against daughters.

Consequently, next in line is Crown

Princess Victoria rather than her younger brother.

In 2010, the Swedish royal house had some dramatic highs and lows.

Princess Victoria married her beau Daniel Westling in a ceremony that drew crowds of half a million onto Stockholm’s streets. But later that year, revelations about Queen Silvia’s father’s Nazi connection came hot on the heels of a best-selling biography about the king, which contained details of his wild sex life.

Carl Gustav is also not averse to tearing around in a Ferrari, and was reported to the police in Denmark for doing an alleged 250kph (155mph) on the Copenhagen expressway.

In contrast, King Harald loves boats, representing Norway at the Olympic Games, and winning the European

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championship in 2005 – right after a heavy bypass. Unlike his Swedish counterpart, Harald would not be seen dead in a Ferrari. He uses public transport.

Queen Sonja is the daughter of an Oslo shopkeeper and their children went to state schools.

Fittingly, the Crown Prince found himself a bachelor flat in an unfashionable part of Oslo, but let the side down, as it were, by sharing it with a waitress, and her three-year old son by a man who was in prison for drug offences; they are now married and have two children of their own. Despite her fear of flying, the crown-princess has travelled the world with her husband Haakon, and has made official visits to India, United Kingdom and the United States.

Daughter of King Harald and Queen

Sonja, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, married a Norwegian disputed author, Ari Behn in 2002. They divorced in 2017, and Ari Behn died in 2019. Later, she faced criticism from her own family after she collaborated with an American clairvoyant who contacts the dead.

In August this year, Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria, 38, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, 42, who had a busy schedule returning from a family holiday in France – and despite pregnancy rumors – joined force in the picturesque town Halden to promote UN’s global climate change campaign.

If conscientious exercises in noncharisma go down well in Norway, Queen Margrethe could not hope to do the same in Denmark. She has been showered with academic honours from the likes of Cambridge, Oxford

and the London School of Economics.

While trying unsuccessfully to hide her distinguished output as a painter, writer and designer behind a string of aliases, she has at least persuaded her friends to call her Daisy. The Queen’s artistic works are represented at Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery of Denmark), ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, , and Køge Art Gallery Sketch Collection (sketches for church textiles).

Crown Prince Frederik, her heir, is not much better at disguise. Dressing down for a night on the town, he turned out so scruffy that the bar refused to let him in. As a trained soldier, no mean dancer and the leader of a huskydrawn expedition across Greenland, Frederik’s status as a dashing bachelor ended in marriage to Australian Mary Donaldson, with whom he now has four children.

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THE RESORT THE FOREST Just 15 minutes outside the city of Oslo, surrounded by trees, you’ll find Scandinavias largest Spa hotel – The Well.

A place dedicated for our guests to experience tranquility and wellness. Visit us for a day at the Spa or just enjoy a stay that is guaranteed to be remembered!

Welcome to a different world – right outside Oslo

Visit thewell.no

SPA • HOTEL • RESTAURANT

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Accommodation A World of Luxury and Wellness at The Well Spa and Hotel in Oslo Text Tor Kjolberg

Before 2015, Norwegian spas lagged way behind the likes of Hungary, Germany, Austria and Italy – countries where spa-going has been a part of the culture for centuries and taking a steam, sauna or cold dip (often in the nude, men and women alike) was the most natural thing to do. In 2015, however, the three floor, 10,500 square meter The Well Spa outside Oslo opened its doors. Six years later, in June 2020, the much-anticipated hotel at The Well could welcome its first guests, making The Well an exquisite boutique resort with a luxury vibe. Experience a world of luxury and wellness at the Well Spa and Hotel in Oslo.

One month after the inauguration of the hotel, we were welcomed by General Manager André Julseth. Just a 20 minutes’ drive from downtown Oslo, we arrived at The Well Resort in its beautiful wooden surroundings with a full range of world class indoor and outdoor spa facilities. The Well spa is in fact the largest, most comprehensive spa and bathhouse in the Nordic region.

Related: Swedish Spa Hotel Combining Art and Wellness Rooms at the Well Julseth tells us that there are no standard rooms among the 100 + rooms at the hotel. Ranging from Signature Rooms to the highly exclusive The Well Suite, all rooms are decorated with great variety, making each visit an experience of something new. The proximity to the forest has been an important element in the

entire development process and you can rest your eyes on the colors of nature just by entering into the hotel.

Every room comes with luxurious bathrooms, fluffy robes, coffee machines, aromatic The Well toiletries, B&O Bluetooth sound systems, mini bar and hairdryers. All rooms are decorated with an eclectic mix of luxury and comfortable coziness and gorgeous views.

Growing interest for wellness, fitness and mindfulness “Our insatiable interest for wellness, fitness and mindfulness is growing, especially in these times with homeworking desk-bent bodies and minds,” says Julseth and adds, “This has pushed spa-bookings as well as roombookings up considerably, and the hotel has proven to have a huge appeal to both loyal and new spa-goers.”

Art is an important part of your stay at the Well – ouside and inside. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

The Well is Just a 20 minutes’ drive from downtown Oslo

André Julseth studied hotel management in Australia. He was appointed General Manager for the Well one year before the opening and comes from a manager position at the Thief Hotel in Oslo.

“Here, the spa was built first and the hotel came later,” says Julseth. “The nakedness in the spa or using The Well’s own swimwear (the only type allowed) have both a hygienic and aesthetic function. A visit to The Well Spa feels comfortable for most people.

The “perfect-body-pressures” brought on by modern society vanishes almost instantly upon arrival in the spa, guests feel comfortable wearing swimwear or not.”

Abel, Sculpture by Gustav Vigeland in the reception area. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

Delicate natural colors in the reception.

Photo: Tor Kjolberg

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All rooms are decorated with great variety. Photo: The Well

Related: Norwegian Luxury Spa Hotel Directly on the Waterfront The Well Spa With its 15 different saunas and steam rooms, 11 different pools, more than 100 showers, waterfalls and 29 treatment rooms combined with its distinctive architecture and themes, The Well Spa creates a world of well-being. A Japanese bathhouse with an Onsen hot spring, Oriental Hammam, Rhassoul clay treatments and relaxation rooms are just some of the offers.

Embark on a 25- or 45-minutes’ treatment program with the encouragement of certified and

Every room comes with luxurious bathrooms and fluffy robes. Photo: The Well

talented therapists. The treatments in the Well Spa are immensely popular, so we recommend you to book your favorite treatments two to three weeks before your arrival. You can, however, visit the spa without being a hotel guest at a relatively moderate entrance fee. There are many regular guests, it is even possible to buy a frequent-visitor-pass.

The outdoor area of the spa features a large swimming pool, two whirlpools and a sauna built in a rustic style, nestled among rocky outcrops and pine trees. During the summer season the outdoor area features over 100 sun beds and a poolside bar serving refreshments.

A 300-meter-long lit path is under construction in the forested area on the resorts´ property. 20 full size art sculptures will be strategically placed and will adorn the pathway.

Related: Sound of Silence in Luxury Spa Hotel Outside Oslo Eat and drink at the Well Spa and Boutique Hotel In between well-being and relaxation, you can enjoy good food and drink in the spa’s Brasserie restaurant or the Mori top terrace restaurant where you can choose from a wide range of Asian fusion specialties prepared

by Hungarian chef Attila Havans or enjoy signature cocktails and drinks

Spa- as well as room-bookings have shot up abruptly this summer. Photo: The Well

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“Our insatiable interest for wellness, fitness and mindfulness is growing, especially in these times with home-working desk-bent bodies and minds,” says General Manager at the Well, André Julseth.

Photo: Tor Kjolberg

The Well offers a full range of world class indoor and outdoor spa facilities. Photo: The Well

at the Library Bar in the hotel. Mori is Japanese, meaning forest, and with the roof restaurant’s spectacular location, Mori becomes a destination in itself.

Except for the Brasserie, you can visit these facilities without staying overnight at the hotel.

At Mori we chose a quick starter followed by lamb chops and beef steak respectively, talentedly prepared in the open kitchen, accompanied by a bottle of Riocca red wine. We were professionally taken care of and waited upon by waiter Teressa Tomislava from Croatia.

fruits and freshly baked pastries, there is a small a la carte menu of hot dishes.

We ordered delicious poached eggs with avocado.

A World of Luxury and Wellness at The Well Spa and Hotel in Oslo – Conclusion Service at the Well Spa Resort is friendly, welcoming and professional.

It was also refreshing to experience a young and dynamic team of staff.

Indulge yourself in a world of luxury and wellness at The Well Spa Resort in Oslo.

The Wellness Pool. Photo: The Well

The Well Spa creates a world of well-being with its 15 different saunas and steam rooms, 11 different pools, more than 100 showers, waterfalls and 29 treatment rooms. Photo: The Well

An the Library bar we enjoyed signature drinks made by bartender Kim Sandström, one he called SISU (he is half Finnish) and another one named TILT (which is an acronym for “Tomorrow Is a Long Time”) He says it takes 6 hours to prepare the cocktail.

Breakfast is served in the Brasserie in the spa section. Choose to wear either your private clothing or spa bathrobe if you’re heading out to the spa facilities afterward. In addition to a buffet with everything you could possibly wish for, from cold cuts and cheeses to cereal, Food & Beverage Manager Maria together with ASndré Julseth. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

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Beef-steak. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

From the Mori restaurant. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

A quick starter. Ph

We were professionally taken care of and waited upon by waiter Teressa Tomislava from Croatia. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

The Library Bar. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

Bartender Kim Sanström prepa Photo: To

NOVEMBER | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Lamb shops. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

hoto: Tor Kjolberg

The Mori top terrace restaurant offers wide range of Asian fusion specialties prepared by Hungarian chef Attila Havans. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

aring one of his signature drinks. or Kjolberg

The Mori Restaurant at night. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

From one of the resting areas. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

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Attractions

Visit Norway’s Oldest Ice Text Tor Kjolberg

You do not always have to climb a mountain. Sometimes it can be just as nice to go inside it. When entering into the 7,000 year-old Klimapark 2469 in the Jotunheimen national park in Norway in the summertime, you have to shift from shorts and t-shirts to down jacket and wool socks. But the trouble is worth a visit to Norway’s oldest ice.

In 2006-07 increased ice melting revealed many reminiscences of ancient human activity around ice

patches near Mount Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s highest mountain peak. A public limited company “Klimapark 2469 AS” was established to develop a heritage interpretation product and to study climate change. A 60-meter long ice tunnel was excavated in the ice patch Juvfonna, where guided walks and a display presenting climate change, archeology, Norse mythology and glaciology are offered.

Experience the Poetic and Prosaic Edda

Some of the ice in the Juvfonne glacier has been dated to be 7600 years old, currently the oldest dated ice on mainland Norway.

Klimapark 2469 is based on collaboration between scientific institutions, public authorities, the National Mountain Museum, and private tourist companies. Some of the ice in the Juvfonne glacier has been dated to be 7600 years old, currently the oldest dated ice on mainland Norway.

Related: Secrets of the Ice in Norway Revealed More than 700 archaeological finds have been made in the area. Ice artist Peter Istad has been responsible for the layout. In Norse mythology, Mimisbrunnr is a well associated with the being Mimir, located beneath the world tree Yggdrasil. Minisbrunnr is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional souces, and the Prose

Boardwalking at Klimapark 2469

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the tunnel covers an astounding 375 square meters, filled with lights illuminating both the natural elements of the ice as well as sculptures carved out by artists

Reindeer at Klimapark 2469

Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson.

The well is located beneath one of three roots of the world tree Yggdrasil, a root that passes into the land of the giants jötnar. Odin once sacrificed one of his eyes to the well in exchange for a drink.

Part tourist attraction and part research center The number 2469 refers to the height of Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s highest mountain peak. Part tourist attraction, part research and historical excavation site, the tunnel covers an astounding 375 square meters, filled with lights

illuminating both the natural elements of the ice as well as sculptures carved out by artists. The ambition has been to combine science, environmental learning, interpretation, heritage tourism and local development, and all you have to do to experience this is to book a tour.

Related: Ice Age Scandinavia About 10,000 years ago, the ice in this area melted as the climate warmed, which was at its warmest between 7000-9500 years ago. The new results from Juvfonne suggest it might be possible to find ice from the last ice age in the high-mountain areas of

southern Norway.

Scaring speed of ice melting In Norway, there are two distinct terms to describe glaciers. An “isbre” is what most people relate to an glacier and “isfonn”, meaning a nonmoving glacier. The lack of movement means that when a tunnel is carved out it stays that way. A tunnel built in a regular glacier would lead to its collapse and be a dangerous place.

The speed of melting at Juvfonna has been formidable and scaring.

The amounts of new archeological objects have, however, given a unique possibility for improving and

Entering into the ice tunnel, you first have to pass through an air lock to prevent the outdoor heat from getting inside.

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The MK2469, with the ice-tunnel, is located a 45-minute drive away from this center, at Juvflya.

interpreting the story about the early inhabitants and users of these mountain areas. Among the finds are a leather shoe (3500 years old), a knitted tunic and tools for rein deer hunting in the Bronze Age. Related: Nocturnal Norwegian Ice Climbing 7600-year-old ice When the tunnel was chiseled into the ice at the base of the field, samples were taken out and sent to the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland for carbon dating. The results came back that the ice was 7600 years old.

Entering into the ice tunnel, you first have to pass through an air lock to prevent the outdoor heat from getting inside. Since the climate change is really making its mark at Juvfonna and the ice is shrinking every year, the ice tunnel will unfortunately not last forever.

Visitors are encouraged to start with an introduction and the exhibition “Out

of the ice” at the Norwegian Mountain Museum in the municipal center of Lom. The MK2469, with the ice-tunnel, is located a 45-minute drive away from this center, at Juvflya. There a guided walk is carried out along a carefully constructed 1100 meters long boardwalk over the scree and permafrost area, until the ice front.

The guided walk in the 60-meter -long ice-tunnel is the main attraction. The boardwalk is free for use by anyone, but the tunnel is only open to guided groups.

and humans seen in a long-term perspective. The purpose of such communication and experiences is to promote interest as well as understanding in terms of thematics, and to create increased levels of value and innovation.”

Creating increased levels of value and innovation All sculptures and art in the tunnel have been inspired by Norse mythology. In fact, the tunnel is actually more like an ice maze. The guidelines for Klimapark 2469 says it “shall, through attractions developed in collaboration with professional contributors and aimed at a wide audience, communicate interactive experiences of, and insight into, current climate processes and the interaction between nature

All images © Klimapark 2469

NOVEMBER | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Kiruna In Sweden Is About More Than Space Text Tor Kjolberg

The world’s most versatile space center, Esrage, is located in the very north of Sweden, above the Arctic Circle. The facility has been operational since 1966 and has access to a vast, unpopulated impact and recovery area. However, Kiruna in Sweden is about more than space.

Read on.

Esrange is located in the very north of Sweden, above the Arctic Circle and has access to a vast, unpopulated impact and recovery area. Presently it is used by the international scientific community for launching sounding rockets for microgravity and atmospheric research as well as high altitude balloons for astronomy, atmospheric research and drop tests of space and aerial vehicles.

Mountain rewsearch in Malmberget. (Press photo)

Some 17km away in the village of Jukkasjärvi is the world’s original and largest ice hotel which first opened in 1990. A visit to the ice bar is a must.

Photo by Asaf Kliger – Nordic Choice Hotels

The Icehotel is nearby Some 17km away in the village of Jukkasjärvi is the world’s original and largest ice hotel which first opened in 1990. It gets remade each year using frozen water from the nearby Torne River, and from December to April is Abisko national park. Photo by Frederic Alm / Alm & ME /LKAB

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filled with lavish ice sculptures, the famous ice-bar and the very decent Icehotel Restaurant. It’s become a worldwide brand, but it’s no less impressive for it.

It’s got the world’s largest iron ore mine You can head 540m underground on a tour of Kiruna’s LKAB iron ore mine, a staggering place where 76,000 tons of iron ore are brought to the surface every day. At its deepest point, the mine goes down to 1,540m.

It’s near Sweden’s highest mountains, and one of Europe’s largest wilderness areas It’s about one hour’s drive to Abisko National Park, where you can hike the famous 440km Kungsleden (The King’s Trail) through one of Europe’s largest natural wilderness, taking in Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountains at 2,111m.

The activities are different If reindeer and dog sledding and snowmobile riding aren’t enough, there’s always snow golf – with orange balls and “whites” rather than greens, it’s often played in the evenings to coincide with Northern Lights. For more information go to Bjorkliden.

Hiking at Björkliden.

Skiing at Riksgränsen (border between Sweden and Norway). Phoito by Riksgränsen

It’s got skiing (and cars) Nearby Riksgränsen (country border) is not only one of Sweden’s top ski resorts, with skiing possible under the midnight sun – it’s also a testing point for European cars, which come to drive on snow-covered roads and frozen lakes.

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Views: Norway Seen From The Road 1733-2020 Text Tor Kjolberg

The Norwegian Road Administration has developed 18 national tourist routes in Norway. How have the numerous road developments, train lines and itineraries shaped the Norwegian landscape? These are questions that are answered with words and pictures in the book “Views: Norway Seen From The Road 1733-2020” published by foragetpress. no High mountains, narrow fjords, deep valleys. Norway’s views are national pride – and an international brand. It is, however, easy to forget that a view is not available to us without the road that brings us there.

Ever since the 18th century, the view of the Norwegian landscape has been inextricably linked to the various stages in the development of the Norwegian road network. The latest contribution to this development is National Tourist Routes constructed by the Norwegian Road Administration.

Picnic areas and viewpoints throughout Norway have been built to strengthen the travelers’ experience of nature and cultural landscapes.

Related: Norwegian National Tourist Road Initiative Contribute to increased Local Value The project has also become an important arena for Norwegian

contemporary architecture. National Tourist Routes is part of a long cultural-historical tradition for staging the Norwegian landscape.

For 300 years, painters, illustrators and photographers have documented dramatic stretches of road and magnificent nature.

Related: The Beautiful Tourist Roads in Norway

Picnic areas and viewpoints throughout Norway have been built by the Norwegian Road Administration to strengthen the travelers’ experience of nature and cultural landscapes.

The book «Views: Norway seen from the road 1733–2020» gathers some of the most important milestones among these picturesque stories. The result is a book that allows us to see both the road, the landscape and the country in a new way.

Related: New Spectacular Step Bridge in Norway A group of art historians, architects and researchers have contributed to the book becoming an exhibition, a magnificent book and a research project. “What we perceive as beautiful and what we perceive as landscape, are shaped by culture, ideology, politics, building customs and industrial practice,” says the book’s editor Janike Kampevold Larsen.

Original title: “Utsikter: Norge sett fra veien 1733-2020” issued in Norwegian only.

From Skjarvelandet. Photo: Dahlman

November sunrise

Feature image (on top): National tourist routes, Stegastein Aurlandsfjellet. Photo: Visit Norway.

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Along the Danish West Coast of Funen Text Tor Kjolberg

When exploring the island of Funen’s west coast, you’ll find the town Middelfart, where the Middelfart Church, dedicated to St. Nicolas, is located close to the harbor at the end of Algade. In this article, we’ll take you along the Danish west coast of Funen.

related to the history of the town.

On the road to Middelfart, a broad west-facing bay at Tybrind Vig is a site for underwater archeology.

Related: The Historic Harbors on the Danish Island of Funen

Related: The Two Peaceful Towns in South Funen, Denmark Must see in Middelfart The Middelfart Church, or St. Nicolas Church, was built in several stages and has a late Romenesque chancel, a tower first constructed in the 14th century. The richly carved altarpiece is from 1650. In Middelfart, you should also visit the Henner Friiser Hus, a halftimbered house dating from around 1575, and now a part of Middelfart Museum. It contains exhibitions

The Culture Island The Culture Island (Kulturøen) contains the public library, a cinema, a restaurant, a café and the tourist office.

North of Middelfart, dramatic steep cliffs line the shore.

The popular tourist spot Bogense The popular tourist spot Bogense is a town with half-timbered houses, narrow streets and a large marina.

The city is connected to Odense and Middelfart via buses operated

by Fynbus. About 3km (2 miles) east of Bogense is the castle Gyldensteen (feature image on top), a late Renaissance building with an impressive gatehouse (closed to the public). Here, Karen Blixen (pen name

Isak Dinesen), author of Out of Africa, wrote some of her books during the German Occupation of Denmark in World War II. Related: The Danish Fairytale City Walk to the island of Æbelø From Bogense, you can complete the Funen circle by touring along the sparsely populated north coast to the Hindsholm peninsula and Kerteminde.

At low tide you can walk to the island of Æbelø, an unspoilt landscape rich in wildlife.

From the Funen Open Air Museum.

Photo: Free Images

Feature image (on top): Castle Gyldensteen. © Visit Nord-Fyn

NOVEMBER | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

St. Nicholas Church in Meddelfart. Photo: Visit Middelfart

The Culture Island (Kulturøen) in Middelfart. Photo: Visit Middelfart

Bybækken i Bogense. Photo: Visit Bogense

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People

Feature image: Photo: Sindre Lundvold

Eskil Rønningsbakken. Private photo (Viking magazine)

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Portrait of a Norwegian’s Life On The Edge Text Tor Kjolberg

Egil Rønningsbakken has cycled on a line across the Lysefjord, stood on his hands on the edge of the Great Wall of China, balanced on the hood of a speeding car and stood on the edge of Trollveggen 1400 meters above the ground – on a one wheel bike.

Here we present a portrait of Egil Rønningsbakken – who has really lived a Norwegian’s life on the edge.

You may not know his face. Maybe you do not remember his name either. But when you feel your heart palpitations in your throat when watching the man standing on his hands on the top of four stacked chairs at the very edge of the Pulpit rock, or at the top of Svinesundbrua (the bridge crossing the border between Norway and Sweden), you know who he is.

A life on the edge Eskil Rønningsbakken has literally lived his life on the edge. He joined the circus at the age of 18 and later improved his craft under the tutelage of Moscow State Circus trainer Peter Jakob. Rønningsbakken practices yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques to stay focused, and prepares extensively for each act.

You may also like to read: Portrait of a Norwegian Star Photographer The balance artist from Norway has performed extreme balancing stunts atop dizzying heights around the world.

His first major performance took place at the Pulpit rock in Norway in 2001. But Norway was not challenging enough. After that, he’s been balancing atop Machu Picchu in Peru, Angel Falls in Venezuela and over the Aizhai suspension bridge in the Hunan province. The bridge has a main span

of 1,176 meters and a maximum height of 330 meters.

What’s really going on inside his head?

What’s really going on inside the head of this guy from Vallset in Hedmark, who has made it his livelihood to be on a hair’s breadth from death?

Eskil Rønningsbakken is not only Norway’s foremost balancing artist, he is also one of the world’s most renowned. In a book “På kanten” (On the Edge), the reader may experience the world’s most dangerous job, both in Norwegian nature and in the Asian metropolitan jungle. He does not call himself an extreme athlete, but an artist, who secures himself only with positive thinking.

“I primarily pick my inspiration from nature and within myself, asking what I most want to do and achieve in my life,” he once said in an interview with Viking Magazine.

You may also like to read: A View from the Top of the World – Cover Art from Norway Text and photo Author Randi Fuglehaug and photographers Knut Bry and Sindre Lundvold have followed Rønningsbakken from Trollveggen (The Troll Wall) to the Great Wall of China, and the result is the book “På kanten” («On the edge»). The main character had only one condition: “You must finish writing the book if I die,” he told Fuglehaug.

The story of Eskil Rønningsbakken is both about ups and downs, about being one of Norway’s first circus artists and about performing for royals

Author Randi Fuglehaug and photographers Knut Bry and Sindre Lundvold have followed Rønningsbakken from Trollveggen (The Troll Wall) to the Great Wall of China, and the result is the book “På kanten” («On the edge»).

and heads of state, and downs, about car accidents, suicide attempts and prison stays.

“Many people already know at a young age what they want most in life, but they’re usually raised in such a way as to deny their talents and follow the mainstream. I’m not trying to tell that everyone should balance at the edge of a cliff, but to be what we are made to be instead of what we believe society expects us to be,” he told the Viking magazine.

Portrait of a Norwegian’s Life on the Edge In China, Rønningsbakken also did tricks suspended from a hot air balloon near the bridge. Afterwards he said the performance was more difficult than usual because of the winds.

You may not know his face, Fuglehaug wrote in the preface to the book.

Neither will you after having read the book, because the portrait of Rønningsbakken was forgotten in the throng of spectacular stunts. We compensate for it here.

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Food

Scandinavian Dill Text Tor Kjolberg

Dill is the ultimate Nordic herb adding a special fresh and typically northern taste to almost every dish made with fish, shellfish, lamb and vegetables.

Learn more about Scandinavian dill.

Scandinavian dill cannot be replaced with anything else. If you must, you can try a mix of fennel, parsley and tarragon, but it will not be the same, though still good. Dill seeds are not a

successful substitute as they are more like caraway.

How it grows Dill is an annual and a very easy herb to grow, particularly in partial shade. Sow it in a shallow drill from April onwards, water well, then thin to 5cm. You can pitch the soft leaves, or wait for the flowers, lime green and lovely, which are a herb in their own right, with a

stronger, more caraway-like taste.

Culinary uses Dill is a prolific umbellifer, used for pickles, pickled fish, gravad fish, in mild spring stews with veal or lamb, and served with all kinds of fresh fish. It is perfect for boiling fish and shellfish and for marinating all kinds of vegetables. Spring or summer cabbage is lovely with dill.

Feature photo (on top): Flowering dill. Solhatt.no

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Lamb cooked with dill from Hedmark, Norway. Photo: oppskriftkroken.no

Lamb stew with loads of dill In this recipe, the dill penetrates the whole dish with a wonderfully, fresh green taste that Scandinavians love. You can add delicate spring vegetables, such as peas, spring cabbage, new carrots or asparagus, but it’s better to eat the vegetables on the side. In winter, you could add a root vegetable, such as scorzonera or salsify, parsley, or even celery.

If you ask your butcher to bone the lamb for you, make sure you ask to keep the bones.

• • • • • • • •

1 neck of lamb or large shoulder or leg, boned (approx. weight 1.5kg, including the bones).

1 large onion, sliced 2 garlic cloves 1 bouquet garni, consisting of the green parts of 1 leek, 2 celery sticks, the stalks from the dill (see below) and 1 sprig of fresh thyme.

Butter for frying Salt and one teaspoon whole black peppercorns 200ml white wine or cider A little plain flour for coating

to finish 200ml whipping cream 1 tablespoon cornflour 2 large bunches of dill, chopped Serves 4

Scandinavian dill cannot be replaced with anything else. Photo: frukt.no

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History

The Swedish Ardennes is a breed that is descended from the Ardennes. Photo: Rolf52/Shutterstock draft horses.

The Scandinavian coldblood trotters were brough Photo: MrsSpa Feature image (on top): Horses on a meadow in summer. Photo by Nilsgh / Pixabay

ht over by immigrants to Scandinavia in the 1700s. arrow/Wikipedia

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The Fascinating History of Scandinavian Horses Text David Garcia

Scandinavian horses have been spotted on the land since the last ice age. Various horse breeds have been used in farming, showing, and pleasure riding. Most of them make excellent companions because of their calm nature. In this article, we’ll explore the history of the most popular horse breeds from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Learn more about the fascinating history of Scandinavian horses Here’s a list of Scandinavian horse breeds that you should know about.

1. Swedish Ardennes The Swedish Ardennes is a breed that is descended from the Ardennes draft horses. This horse breed has never been used for military purposes.

Because it was deemed too small and weak to be of any use in war. The horse was bred in the 19th century for agricultural purposes.

This Scandinavian horse breed stands at 14 hands (56 inches) high but can grow up to 16 hands (64 inches). It weighs between 800-1100 pounds (360-500 kilograms) with an average weight of 900 pounds (400 kilograms).

The Swedish Ardennes is most known for their ability as an endurance runner. This horse breed’s running gait is so smooth that those who first saw them thought they were floating across the ground touching down on hooves!

Such horses are known as long-livers.

Their lifespan goes up to 30 years. If compare horse years to human years this is equal to an 88-year-old man.

The body is compact and hardy. The head is small with little eyes. The neck is thick and short. The legs are short and have feathering. The common colors are black, chestnut, and bay.

The Swedish Ardennes is intelligent and good-tempered.

2. Scandinavian Coldblood Trotter The Scandinavian Coldblood Trotter is a draft horse breed. Scandinavian Coldblood Trotters are descendants of the Friesian, Clydesdale, and Shire breeds. They were brought over by immigrants to Scandinavia in the 1700s. These horses were primarily used for farm work. Soon after, Coldblood Trotters became popular as harness racing horses during WWII when gas was limited.

Today, you can see the Scandinavian Coldblood Trotter outside their native countries. As the breed’s bloodlines have been exported throughout Europe and North America. Coldblood Trotters are usually bay, chestnut, or black. White markings on the face and legs are allowed by the breed’s registry.

The average height of the Scandinavian Coldblood Trotter is 15.1 hands (60.4 inches). The horse stands high at the withers (main ridge along the upper back). Scandinavian Coldblood Trotters typically weigh between 1000 and 1200 pounds (454-544 kilograms). They’re well proportioned with a long neck that’s slightly arched and deep through the chest. The head of a Scandinavian Coldblood Trotter is well chiseled with large eyes. Their small ears are set high on the skull and good width between each eye.

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SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | HISTORY

The Fjord Horse was developed in the mountains and coastal areas across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. Photo: Lotelien / Pixabay

The Dole Trotter is a Scandinavian horse breed from Norway.

Photo: Uhryn Larysa/Shutterstock

The Scandinavian horse breed’s temperament can vary based on their use in work or sport. Generally, these horses are intelligent, well-mannered, and willing to work. That’s beneficial for equestrians who’re looking for horses for long-distance races and endurance rides.

3. Fjord Horse The Fjord Horse was developed in the mountains and coastal areas across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. This cold-climate horse is known for its heavy build as well as an active temperament.

Fjord horses have been used to plow fields. They were first domesticated over 4,000 years ago. Nowadays, these Scandinavian horses are still utilized for farm work. But mostly, you’ll see a Fjord Horse being ridden during sports events. These include dressage competitions and long-distance races

like the Nordkapp ride (an endurance race from Paris to Northern Cape).

The Fjord Horse is defined by the thick winter coat. It covers the horse’s short legs with strong joints and good bone structure underneath it all. Fjords also come with broad backs and chests.

Their bodies are compact and strong.

All Fjord horses are of a dun color.

Fjord horses have an average height of 14 hands (56 inches) but can grow to 16 hands (64 inches) high. The average weight of the Fjord Horse is 880 to 1100 pounds (400-500 kilograms).

Being a hard worker with good instincts for farm work, the Fjord Horse is quite versatile. These Scandinavian horses enjoy human interaction and attention from their owners. Such horses are gentle, playful, and docile.

4. Dole Trotter The Dole Trotter is a Scandinavian horse breed from Norway. The Dole Trotter was developed in the 19th century. Local Nordic breeds were bred with Oriental horses such as Hackneys and Arabian Horses. This draft horse breed was used as a pack horse and for agricultural purposes.

The breed is known for its ability to work under harsh conditions and pull heavy weight.

The breed’s characteristics include strength, speed, agility, endurance, and intelligence. Dole Trotter is a versatile horse breed. It makes the horse suitable for harness racing and riding sports. The Dole Trotter took part in the creation of the North Swedish Horse. The goal was to develop a lighter horse that is suitable for harness racing.

As for the conformation, the head

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Especially in its legs which are free from featherings. However, the limbs appear quite bulky due to fleshy skin folds called boxy warts found around their knees above the cannon bones.

The Danish Warmblood is the most popular in Denmark and Sweden.

It’s known for its calm temperament and high spirit. Such a breed is easily trained. The common colors include black, bay, chestnut, and brown.

You may also like to read: Scandinavian Elk

The Danish Warmblood was developed in Denmark during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Photo: Anastasija Popova/Shutterstock

has a straight profile line without any dished face similar to the Arabians but smaller. The neck is of medium length proportionate to the body while being thick at the base (which differs from other Scandinavian breeds). The lower legs have feathering.

in Denmark during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was bred by crossing European stallions and Danish mares. The breed is used for dressage, show jumping, combined driving, eventing, and endurance riding.

The average height of a Dole Trotter is 14.1 to 15.3 hands (57 to 63 inches).

The weight ranges from 1190 to 1390 pounds (540 to 630 kilograms). Dole Trotters are quite intelligent and curious horses.

The Danish Warmblood has a strong square-built body with an average height of 15 hands (60 inches). The average weight is 880 to 1100 pounds (400-500 kilograms).

You may also like to read: Dances With Wolves in Norway 5. Danish Warmblood The Danish Warmblood was developed

The Fascinating History of Scandinavian Horses – The Final Word Horses are fascinating creatures, and no one knows them better than the people of Scandinavia.

The cultural heritage includes not only the Dala horse from Dalarna.

The history of Scandinavian horses goes back centuries before most other breeds were even discovered.

The equines have been used for farming, transportation, war, and companionship.

Some of the breeds are well-known all over the world. Due to their excellent temperament, Scandinavian horses are top-notch companions for humans.

You’ll find them advantageous in most aspects of our lives.

The head is straight or slightly concave on the profile with big eyes. The horse bears a thick neck without any crest at all. The Danish Warmblood features short sloping shoulders and a deep chest along with good bone quality.

The Fascinating History of Scandinavian Horses, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by David Garcia. David considers himself a huge fan of equestrian sports. Being born in a family of farmers, he was literally living at the ranch.

His first riding experience was when David was six. He was so fascinated with the grace and intelligence of horses so he decided to plunge into equestrianism deeply. Thus, he’s been participating in a range of horse races and shows where he often grabs medal positions.

David believes that we could be better by sharing our experiences. That is why he founded Horsezz – a blog that is dedicated to equestrian sports.

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SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FINE ART

Fine Art

Grotesque World Premiere In Bergen Norway Text Tor Kjolberg

Socially critical and groundbreaking works by Paul McCarthy and a largescale exhibition dedicated to Nikolai Astrup are among the highlights at KODE Art Museums and Composers Home in Bergen this autumn. In addition to old favorites returning after refurbishing, a grotesque world premiere in Bergen Norway is in the pipeline.

“The audience can look forward to being seduced, upset, provoked and outraged,” says director Petter Snare.

The program ranges from a researchbased exhibition about Astrup and Bergen’s interwar artists, to the first major exhibition by the British artist Paul McCarthy (b. 1945) in a Norwegian museum.

Related: The Silver Treasure in Bergen, Norway «With extraordinary allocations for art purchases from the Ministry of

Culture during the pandemic, I also look forward to display what we have collected in the last two years,” says Snare.

Works from KODE’s collection by Nikolai Astrup have this year aroused great success in the USA under the title «Visions of Norway». Now the art returns to Western Norway for the large-scale exhibition “Raw Nature” which opens on 15 October.

«This will be the largest Astrup exhibition in a long time in Bergen with almost a hundred works. The audience can look forward to a reunion with well-known, but also completely newly discovered works», says Snare.

The exhibition is curated by the British art historian Mary Anne Stevens.

Related: Beautiful Bergen: It’s Art and Artists

The exhibition “Bergen painters in Paris 1920” curated by the honored art historian Gunnar Danbolt opens November 12. It deals with how the stay of seven Norwegian artists with French André Lhôte (1885–1962) would affect the art life in Bergen in the interwar period.

For the exhibition, KODE has made several purchases to strengthen the collection of this important period in Bergen’s history.

World premiere: Paul McCartney solo exhibition In KODE’s series of exhibitions with central American art, the museum is proud to present a living legend this autumn. A comprehensive presentation of the artist Paul McCarthy opens on 19 November.

With highly socially critical and groundbreaking works, McCarthy has created disgust, protests and

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debate in the United States since the late 1960s. He is known for mixing grotesque and violent expressions with symbols from popular culture and the consumer industry.

«All the works in the exhibition are newly produced for Bergen and reflect the present in a completely unique way”, says Snare.

The exhibition consists of a video installation in a specially built room, a performance, and a wide selection of drawings and sculptures. The exhibition is curated by Philip LarrattSmith.

Norwegian contemporary art: New acquisitions On December 3, opens the extensive group exhibition «First the Good News».

“The audience can look forward to being seduced, upset, provoked and outraged,” says KODE director Petter Snare,here in front of a painting by J. C. Dahl

For KODE, the pandemic’s extra funding has quadrupled its procurement budget, and for the first time an opportunity to make broad purchases from the contemporary art scene. The works are primarily purchased from local exhibition venues and artists associated with Western Norway.

«We have taken a critical approach to identify shortcomings and skewed representation in the collections”, says Snare.

Related: Old Bergen Stock Exchange Converted into Boutique Hotel A large selection of what has been acquired through purchases, deposits and gifts in recent years will be displayed. Among them, installations

by Siri Aurdal and Bergen artist Toril Johannessen, paintings by Ida Ekblad, central court drawings by Esther Maria Bjørneboe and art by Sami Britta Marakatt-Labba.

The audience success “Paul Cézanne: Masterpieces from the Courtauld” will

Raw western Norwegian nature and the French heritage

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SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FINE ART

also be shown throughout the autumn, until 12 October.

About KODE KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes in Bergen is one of the largest museums for art, craft, design and music in the Nordic countries.

KODE has a unique combination of art museums and composers’ homes, of contemporary art, historical objects, concerts and parklands.

The museums stewards almost 50,000 objects ranging from paintings, works on paper, sculptures, installations, videos, musical instruments, furniture and works of fine craft and design.

These objects can be experienced in four museum buildings in Bergen city centre (KODE 1, 2, 3 and 4), and in the homes of the composers Ole Bull, Harald Sæverud and Edvard Grieg.

Grotesque World Premiere In Bergen Norway, based on a press release from Kode Bergen.

A comprehensive presentation of the artist Paul McCarthy opens on 19 November.

KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes in Bergen is one of the largest museums for art, craft, design and music in the Nordic countries.

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Oslo Welcomes a New Edvard Munch Museum Text Tor Kjolberg

The new Edvard Munch Museum, located on Oslo’s waterfront alongside the Oslo Opera House and the award winning Deichman – Oslo Public Library, has been exquisitely designed by the Spanish architect practice Estudio Herreros. The new museum opens its doors on 22 October. After a planning and building period of 12 years, Oslo now welcomes a new Edvard Munch Museum.

The new MUNCH Museum will be able to display more of Edvard Munch’s art than ever before in one of the world’s largest museums devoted to a single artist. “Munch gave a huge gift to Oslo.

Soon we will share this gift with the rest of the world in a framework that truly does Munch’s art justice,” said the Governing Major of Oslo, Raymond Johansen, at a press conference called

to announce the opening date. “The whole world is welcome to a worldclass cultural attraction», he added.

Governing Major of Oslo Raymond Johansen.

Photo: Tor Kjolberg

“Edvard Munch is Norway’s most important contribution to art worldwide, and the museum’s collection is in great demand internationally,” says the museum’s director Stein Olav Henrichsen.

“The new MUNCH will be a cultural powerhouse for the city, the country and the world,” said Vice Mayor in Oslo for Culture And Sport, Omar Samy Gamal.

The loneliness of the soul An exhibition by British artist Tracey Emin, who was a major influence for Munch, is among the highlights of the opening program (from October

Vice Mayor in Oslo for Culture And Sport, Omar Samy Gamal Photo: Tor Kolberg Feature image (on top) Photo by Tor Kjolberg

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SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FINE ART

22, 2021 through January 2, 2022).

Tracey Emin is one of the UK’s most celebrated and controversial contemporary artists. In the exhibition “The Loneliness of the Soul” visitors can experience Emin’s wide-ranging artistic practice and gain rare insight into her long-standing fascination with Edvard Munch.

Visiting the new MUNCH will be like a journey of discovery in Edvard Munch’s art. In the opening exhibition named “Infinite” the museum invites visitors to discover the richness of Munch’s work – the themes and motifs that the artist explored repeatedly during his entire life, and that continue to touch and inspire people today.

In the coastal town of Åsgårdstrand, where he often spends his summers, he meets Milly Thaulow who is four years older and married. Their secret relationship fills him with lust and love, but also shame and ambivalence.

In the spring of 1889, Munch rents a space in Kristiania and fills it with his own paintings. It is the very first solo exhibition in the city, a bold move which helps him secure a scholarship for a one-year stay in Paris.

“It didn’t stop – it did-t stop”, painting by Tracey Emin. Photo: Royal Academy UK.

A vertical museum The MUNCH Museum is a vertical museum, 58 meters high, with 13 floors and 11 exhibition spaces and will for certain put the museum as well as Oslo on the map. The translucent, perforated aluminum façade and the towering top section that bows towards the Oslo fjord make the building highly visible and recognizable from all angles.

Press conference in the tower. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

Regarded internationally for his exploration of humanity’s darkness, Norwegian artist Edvard Munch is best known for his iconic four versions of The Scream, which depicts an agonized figure against a fiery sky.

Portrait of Edvard Munch.

Photo: Edvard Munch Org

A quick run-through of Edvard Munch Today, Edvard Munch (1863-1944) almost needs no introduction.

Nevertheless, here’s a quick runthrough: Edvard Munch was the son of Christian Munch, a military doctor, and his wife Laura. He spent his childhood in Kristiania, today’s Oslo, where the family liveed on his father’s meagre doctor’s salary.

As a child, Edvard was sick and close to death more than once. At 17 years old he writes in his diary: “It is my decision now to become a painter.” Munch’s youth is shaped by the religious rigour and emotional instability of his father, but also by the creative home environment. At the age of 22, thanks to a scholarship, Munch finally travels to Paris where he stays for three weeks. For the first time, a bigger world beyond Norway opens up to him.

In 1885 Munch has his first love affair.

Portrait of Edvard Munch.

Photo: Edvard Munch Org

Munch and his association with Berlin artists In 1892 Munch is invited to exhibit his pictures at the Association of Berlin Artists. Munch’s art polarizes opinion among the members of the Association and shocks the German public. After only one week the show is shut down. However, he makes new friends in Berlin, among them the Swedish writer and artist August Strindberg, the Polish author Stanisław Przybyszewski and the music student, Dagny Juel.

They gather at a wine tavern which Strindberg names ‘The Black Piglet’.

It is a place of excess, freedom and intellectual sparks, with energetic discussions about life and art, accompanied by heavy drinking. In this period Munch creates some of his most famous motifs, including The Scream (pastel version), Vampire,

NOVEMBER | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Puberty and Madonna.

In this period, he also first discovered printmaking. He used various techniques before finally trying his hand at woodcuts, which perhaps gave him the greatest freedom for exploration. The audience is invited to try their hands at one of his motifs in a special workshop.

Edvard Munch spent his last 30 years of his life at Ekely, his estate just outside Oslo. He died peacefully in his sleep on the 23rd of January 1944.

His life’s work was bequeathed to the city of Oslo. 77 years later, Norway’s capital city will finally have a museum big enough to showcase the entire collection.

bough works by Munch but gradually broadened the scope of his collection.

Visitor’s will now have the opportunity to experience Munch in company with works by other important Nordic artists collected by Stenersen.

“Nothing is small, nothing is great” is a quotation from one of the biggest mysteries in Munch’s collection. No one really knows why Munch assembled this album but it draws attention to the diversity of the collection he left behind.

Black Metal meets Munch. Photo: Tor Kjolberg

Large scale paintings In a dedicated double-height space you can experience some of the largest paintings ever created by Edvard Munch, the largest measures approximately 50 square meters, are versions of the paintings made

by Munch for the University of Oslo’s Ceremonial Hall.

Edvard Munch had close relationships with a number of supporters, including the art collector and business man Rolf E. Stenersen. Initially, Stenersen only

1880s. The exhibition THE SAVAGE EYE focuses on the relationship between Surrealism and some of the most important Symbolist artists, including Paul Gauguin, Odilon Redon, August Strindberg, Edvard Munch and Auguste Rodin.

Drawing by Sandra Mujinga.

Photo: University of Lund

The Ekely villa was demolished in 1960, but in a new exhibition “Shadows”, Munch’s home has been reconstructed in a multimedia installation that uses light, sound and moving images to tell stories from his life.

The Sun, by Edvard Munch. Photo: Wikipedia

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Coming 2022 The Norwegian black metal band Satyricon meets Edvard Munch’s art in the exhibition “Satyricon & Munch” which explores the intersection of black metal and visual art, where a specially composed musical work is connected with a selection of Edvard Munch’s images.

SOLO OSLO is a series of exhibitions featuring young Oslo-based artists supported by Talent Norge and Canica AS. The first exhibitor is Sandra Mujinga (born 1989), a Norwegian artist and musician who works with sculpture performance text, electronic music, photography and video, often all combined in a single work.

Munch is often associated with Symbolism, a movement in literature and the visual arts that emerged in the

Eat, Drink and Enjoy The MUNCH Museum is also a place to eat, drink and enjoy. Past the museum’s lobby you will find Munch Dell & Bakery. On the 12th floor you will find the bistro that leans on continental traditions with a smile.

The view from the 13th floor can be enjoyed best with a good pillow in the back and bubbles in the glass while you look down on the city and the fjord.

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SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | DESIGN

Design

Norwegian Forest Lights Text Tor Kjolberg

The Norwegian designer Cathrine Kullberg made her very first Norwegian Forest Lamp in 2007, made by natural or white ash and birch and assembled by hand from her studio workshop in Oslo. When sales volume increased, the license to produce and distribute her lamps was given to the lighting company Northern Lighting.

Read more about the Norwegian Forest Lights.

Nordic romantically, “Norwegian forest” is a lamp made by hand following the Scandinavian tradition processing techniques. Thin strips of

natural birch translucent or white ash, together with carvings are delicately laser-cut into forest motifs, then carefully bent to form a shade. The double layered 0,9 mm veneer was custom made for the collection. The shade is hand-sewn onto a white steel frame using natural leather string creating a rich pine forest and animals.

Related: Oslo Wood Lamp in New Colors By day, the fixture adds interest and a unique visual texture to any space. But at night, when lit from within, it’s pure

Oliver Dupon found 75 leading artisans from Europe, Australia and the USA, including Cathrine Kullberg

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Nordic romantically, “Norwegian forest” is a lamp made by hand following the Scandinavian tradition processing techniques.

magic: the entire shade takes on a warm glow, while points of bright light peek through the carved treetops.

The lamps have been sold in almost 30 countries and lighting many homes and public areas with its warm glow of light through the cut forest contours.

In 2020, the lamp was included in the permanent collection of National Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Trondheim (Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum), as well as in the Norwegian National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design.

According to the author of the book

Cathrine Kullberg

“The New Artisans – Handmade Design for Contemporary Living”, it’s time to blow the dust off the term ‘artisans’. Oliver Dupon found 75 leading artisans from Europe, Australia and the USA, including Cathrine Kullberg. “Functional art” is the term Dupon prefers, whether the objects have a purely artistic purpose or are utility objects.

Related: Norwegian Designer Makes Traditionally Knitted Reading Lamps Cathrine Kullberg was born in 1971 in Norway. She has a Master’s degree in Political Science and Esthetics from

the University of Oslo and a Master’s degree in Design from the Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in London.

She went to work at the renowned Thomas Heatherwick Studio as a designer and project manager. Upon her return to Oslo, she worked as project leader at Norsk Form at the Norwegian Centre of Design and Architecture.

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SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | CATEGORY HERE

Business

World’s First Fossil-Free Steel From Sweden Text Tor Kjolberg

Without use of fossil fuels, Sweden has delivered the world’s first shipment of steel delivered to the Volvo group. This is a major milestone on the road towards cutting carbon emissions from industry. Learn more about the world’s first fossil-free steel from Sweden.

The HYBRIT project is owned by SSAB, Vattenfall and LKAB, and it looks to revolutionize an industry where just 553 conventional steel plants worldwide account for about 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The HYBRIT projects was set up in 2016 and started test operations at its pilot plant for fossil-free steel in Lulea, northern Sweden, a year ago. It’s hoped that an industrial scale can be reached as early as 2026. The IEA forecasts that steel production globally will grow by a third through to 2050.

Related: Norwegian Zero Emissions Ship Without Crew

The whole country of Sweden produced just over 45 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2020, but across all its operations SSAB was responsible for almost 9 million.

HYBRIT claims that by eliminating fossil fuels from the steelmaking process, it could reduce Sweden’s total CO2 emissions by “at least” 10%.

“The first fossil-free steel in the world is not only a breakthrough for SSAB, it represents proof that it’s possible to make the transition and significantly reduce the global carbon footprint of the steel industry,” Martin Lindqvist, SSAB’s president and CEO, said.

Speaking at a press conference, the Swedish minister for business, industry and innovation Ibrahim Baylan said he was “happy to be minister for enterprise and energy in a country where industry is bubbling with energy for a [green] reset.”

The HYBRIT

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Related: Norway – The Poster Child For Electric Vehicle Adoption According to the International Energy Agency, the iron and steel sector is responsible for 2.6 gigatons of direct carbon dioxide emissions each year. In 2019, this figure was greater than the direct emissions from sectors such as cement and chemicals.

Anna Borg, CEO of Vattenfall, which

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is also responsible for some of Europe’s largest wind farms, said HYBRIT “shows how partnerships and collaboration can contribute to reducing emissions and building competitiveness for industries.”

production. Another, H2 Green Steel, plans to build a steel production facility in the north of Sweden that will be powered by a “green” hydrogen plant. H2 Green Steel claims it will be up and running by 2024.

Related: Danish Scientists Unravel Occurrence of “Impossible” Crystals

Volvo said in April it would start production this year of prototype vehicles and components from the green steel.

HYBRIT is not the only project looking to mitigate the effects of steel

HYBRIT claims that by eliminating fossil fuels from the steelmaking process, it could reduce Sweden’s total CO2 emissions by “at least” 10%.

project is owned by SSAB, Vattenfall and LKAB

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SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | BUSINESS

Scandinavian High School Dropout Has Sold Online Tutoring for $360K Text Tor Kjolberg

Danish Philip Rossen believed high school wouldn’t get him too far in life.

So, he decided to build his own future.

More specifically, a platform that would achieve a higher purpose. That of connecting people from all over the world while learning a new language.

It was his way to make up for the lost time and prove to the world that personal initiative is king. Read more about the Scandinavian high school dropout who gas sold online tutoring for $360K. The fewer resources he had, the higher the aspirations would be. The most important thing was to live life on his own terms. So, he gathered over three hundred qualified tutors from all over the world and gave them a platform to manifest their love for teaching.

In a much more rudimentary way, he tried the method himself. Because he didn’t have much money to pay a private tutor in Denmark and his friends and family would want him to be on his own, he found a lecturer online and passed his German exam.

This experience also helped him refine his idea, particularly the fact that the platform shouldn’t be free, that users should pay the price for the language lessons because, with Justlearn, he

The most important thing for Philip Rossen was to live life on his own terms.

wanted to make it loud and clear that paid means high quality. That doesn’t mean it should be expensive. It means a rigorous schedule, the desire and willingness to achieve much more than you think you’re capable of. In the

end, that’s what talented tutors should instill in students every day.

Related: How to Schedule Learning Swedish

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The onlne platform The online platform Justlearn has an intuitive interface to ensure students don’t miss a lesson.

The company has been valued at +$1 million.

From the beginning, the company has been growing slowly and steadily until it reached a valuation of $1.26 million.

All those ambitious plans Philip had when he started to dream big panned out. Part of the recent increase in revenue has been generated by the global COVID-19 crisis when many people had the chance to reevaluate their priorities and decided that learning a new language is part of them.

Related: On Learning Norwegian EdTech has changed learning forever With the current trend of global education reform, EdTech companies are in full effect. The EdTech industry is now valued at $74.64 billion and will grow to $318.8 billion by the year 2027. With today’s technological advancements, companies like Justlearn can provide more affordable, convenient, and personalized education to the masses with the push of a button. We expect to impact over 200.000 students worldwide by 2025.

The Scandinavian educational system promotes experimentation Part of the company’s success is determined by the fact that the

educational system in Denmark encourages an experimental approach.

It’s ok to dream big, fail, and start again. You don’t have to get everything right from the get-go. The website is and will be for a long-time workin-progress. Only through a series of iterations will the platform serve as many people as possible and will reach a level of accuracy that will serve its purpose.

Related: 5 Most Common Mistakes Scandinavians Make When Speaking English Personalized, convenient, and affordable Learning a new language is difficult.

When a student is new and struggling, it’s hard to get feedback and support.

With Justlearn, students have access to a community of like-minded people who support and help each other with conversations and lessons. Justlearn offers a team of professional tutors available 24/7 to help students improve their foreign language skills. We also have a one-of-a-kind online immersion program for learners who wish to study in-depth.

All of this adds up to better education and a brighter future.

About EdTech EdTech is the new

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frontier in education. This industry has grown exponentially in recent years.

It is now valued at $74.64 billion and will increase to $318.8 billion by 2027.

Schools are starting to shift their focus from traditional lectures to interactive, engaging learning experiences driven by augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and more. The growth of EdTech can be explained by the following key factors: cost, availability, and accessibility of EdTech tools, new ways to learn with technology, and new generations who are used to using technology for learning purposes.

In the world of entrepreneurship, EdTech start-ups are transforming the way we think about education.

Through our platform, we offer various solutions, such as personalized education, adaptive learning, and gamified learning, to help meet the educational needs of learners of all ages and circumstances. Our company’s vision is to create an inclusive and personalized learning experience for everyone. With our products, students get the personalized help they need, and teachers can tackle more students.

Scandinavian High School Dropout Has Sold Online Tutoring for $360K, based on a press release from EdTech.

Philip found a lecturer online and passed his German exam.

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SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | SPORTS

Sports

Rediscovering Scandinavia’s Golf Courses as Gems for Golfers Text Jordan Fuller

While primarily famed for its stunning landscapes, rich Viking history, and impressive breweries, you’ll be surprised to know that Scandinavia is also a go-to destination for golf enthusiasts. This European region is home to some of the most renowned courses that have to make it onto your bucket list. Here we’re rediscovering

Scandinavia’s Golf Courses as Gems for Golfers.

If you haven’t yet discovered the irresistible charm of Scandinavian golf courses but are already getting your car ready and revved for the road trip of a lifetime, here are a few clubs you’ll want to throw into your itinerary.

Stiklestad Golfklubb – Norway Located in central Norway, the Stiklestad Golfklubb doubles as a hiking and recreation area. It is rife with lush greens, breathtaking scenery, and all the facilities an avid golfer needs. Plus, history buffs will get a kick out of the stunning views of Trondheim Fjord, the third-largest inlet

Feature image (on top): © Bro Hof Slott Stadium Course – Sweden

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The Stiklestad Golfklubb doubles as a hiking and recreation area. Photo: Stiklestad Golfclub

in the Norwegian Sea.

terrain.

While the temperature typically drops low, you’ll catch a generous glimpse of the sun on these rolling hills, so don’t forget a golf hat!

The Scandinavian – Denmark Home to two golf courses, the Scandinavian in Denmark is just a stone’s throw away from Copenhagen.

Both courses are highly varied, making them an excellent destination for practicing various difficulties.

Related: Norway Bucket List: Check out these golf courses in the land of the midnight sun Oslo Golfklubb – Norway Established in 1924, this once ninehole course is now 18 holes long and Norway’s oldest golf course!

Nowadays, it’s home to the Norwegian Masters and Ladies European Tour, so don’t be surprised if you encounter budding professionals!

Each of the two also consistently ranks for Europe’s best golf courses, so you can rest assured you’ll get the challenge you need! Plus, its natural environment is awe-inspiring and a

magnet for tourists from all over the world.

You may also like to read: It’s All About Well-Being at Swedish Spa Hotel Falsterbo Golfklubb – Sweden This golf course, established in 1909, is the oldest in Sweden and has stood the test of time for good reason. It is remote, unspoiled, and right next to some of Sweden’s most beautiful beaches.

It currently ranks among the Top 100

When in Norway, don’t forget to check out these other must-see golfing destinations!

Great Northern Golf Club – Denmark When in Denmark, you can’t miss out on the Great Northern Golf Club. This remote course is not just a prestigious golfing destination but also boasts a unique Nordic design. Surrounded by clear blue lakes, you’re likely to stumble upon a picture-perfect moment with every hole.

Overall, this 18-hole course is also one of the most challenging in the country, so you may want to pack along a more forgiving driver until you perfect this

The remote Great Northern Golf Course is not just a prestigious golfing destination but also boasts a unique Nordic design

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Golf Courses and neighbors many highly-rated BNBs where you can retire after a long day under the sun.

Bro Hof Slott Stadium Course – Sweden This tournament-grade golf course isn’t just renowned for its challenging holes—it’s also home to a lavish castle!

While this course is relatively new, it’s won a multitude of accolades since its grand opening in 2007.

Those who love a good challenge can take on this 8,000-yard course while enjoying an entire afternoon of picturesque views and rolling hills.

You may also like to read: Proper Workout at Elegant Swedish Yacht Club Rediscovering Scandinavia’s Golf Courses as Gems for Golfers – The Bottom Line When in Scandinavia, you’ll get your

fair share of standout golf courses no matter where in the country you are. If you’re shopping for golf balls in preparation for your European trip, don’t forget to give these must-see destinations a peep!

Rediscovering Scandinavia’s Golf Courses as Gems for Golfers, compiled

by Jordan Fuller.

Home to two golf courses, the Scandinavian in Denmark is just a stone’s throw away from Copenhagen

The remote Great Northern Golf Course is not just a prestigious golfing destination but also boasts a unique Nordic design

NOVEMBER | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Falsterbro Golf Course, established in 1909, is the oldest in Sweden

The Bro Hof Slott tournament-grade golf course isn’t just renowned for its challenging holes—it’s also home to a lavish castle!

Photo: Lennart Hyse / Bro Hof Slott GK

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