showcase - Scandinavia by Mary Harvey

an artistic outlook on travel

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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5 SCANDINAVIAN PHRASES

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5 SCANDINAVIAN STARS ART INSTALLATION AWARD

5 MUST GO’S TO VISIT

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SONISPHERE 2011

WHAT IS SCANDINAVIA?

STOCKHOLM FILM FESTIVAL

5 SCANDINAVIAN TRAVEL TIPS

EDITED: MARY HARVEY DESIGNED: MARY HARVEY PHOTOGRAPHY: MARY HARVEY As Asaatraveler, traveler,IIfound foundmyself myselfenjoying enjoyingthe thebeautiful beautiful views views and and personal personal experiences experiences of of Scandinavia. Scandinavia. Though Thoughmany manybelieve believethe thecountries countriesof ofScandinavia Scandinavia are are bitterly bitterly cold cold every every day day of of the the year, year, II came came to to find findout outthat thatisnt isntthe thecase. case.Scandinavia Scandinaviais isbeautiful, beautiful, no no matter matter which which season season it it may may be be and and you you can can and and will will be be able able to to find find the the beauty beauty of of it it every every step stepyou youtake. take.From Fromthe thecities citiesof of Oslo Osloto toHelsinki, Helsinki, you you will will find find yourself yourself diving diving into into centuries centuries of of art art and and music. music. This This is is only only but but aa small small taste taste until until you you can can get get out out there there and and experience experience it it yourself. yourself.

AN ART

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TISTIC

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LOOK ON TRAVEL

WHA SCAND 8

Scandinavia Scandinavia isis aa historical historical and and geographical geographical region region centered centeredon onthe theScandinavian Scandinavianpeninsula peninsulaof ofNorthern Northern Europe. Europe.Mainly, Mainly,Scandinavia Scandinavia isis defined defined as as the the three three kingdoms kingdoms that that historically historically shared shared the the Scandinavian Scandinavian Peninsula. They are represented by the Peninsula. They are represented by the countries countries of of Norway, Norway,Sweden, Sweden,Finland, Finland,Denmark, Denmark,and and Iceland. Iceland.

BY: TERRI MAPES

AT IS DINAVIA? 9

WHAT IS SCANDINAVIA? BY: TERRI MAPES

DENMARK:

The southern-most Scandinavian country, Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula and over 400 islands, some of which are linked to the mainland by bridge.Almost all of Denmark is low and flat, but there are many low hills as well.Windmills and traditional thatched cottages can be seen everywhere. Note that the Faroe Islands and Greenland both belong to the Kingdom of Denmark. Official language: Danish. Capital: Copenhagen.

NORWAY:

Also called“The Land ofVikings,and the Midnight Sun,” Norway is the northernmost country in Europe. Norway has a jagged expanse of islands and fjords.The maritime industry sustains the economy here. Official language: Norwegian. Capital: Oslo.

SWEDEN:

Sweden offers numerous lakes and is the largest of the Scandinavian countries - both in land size and population.Volvo and Saab both originated here and are a big part of the Swedish industry. Swedish citizens are independently minded and highly regard their people-oriented social programs, especially in women’s rights. Official language: Swedish. Capital: Stockholm.

ICELAND:

With a surprisingly mild climate, Iceland is Europe’s westernmost country,the second largest island in the North-Atlantic ocean.Flight time to Iceland is only 3 1/2 hours from the European mainland. Iceland has a strong economy,low unemployment and low inflation, and its per capita income is among the highest in the world. Official language: Icelandic. Capital: Reykjavik.

FINLAND:

Known as the Artic Circle, and where ‘Santa Claus’ lives, Finland is the most western of the five different Scandinavian countries.With over 300 lakes,Finland offers free health care,and cheapest liquours. Official language: Finnish. Capital: Helsinki.

PHRASES TO USE IN

SCANDINAVIA “HELLO, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?”

DANISH:

HEJ, HVORDAN HAR DU DET I DAG?

FINNISH: HEI, KUINKA VOIT TÄNÄÄN?

ICELANDIC: HALLÓ, HVERNIG ERT ÞÚ Í DAG?

NORWEIGAN: HALLO, HVOR ER DU I DAG?

SWEDISH:

HEJ, HUR MÅR DU IDAG?

The The 21st 21st Stockholm Stockholm International International Film Film FestiFestival val opens opens this this week week and and The The Local’s Local’s Peter Peter VinVinthagen thagen Simpson Simpson has has had had aa look look at at some some of of the the juiciest juiciest cinematic cinematic morsels morsels on on offer, offer, taking taking more more than than aa cursory cursory glance glance at at this this year’s year’s twin twin themes themes –– arthouse arthouse director director Gus Gus Van Van Sant, Sant, and and the the topic topic on on everyone’s everyone’s lips lips –– extreme extreme politics. politics.

BY: PETER VINTHAGEN SIMPSON

STOCKHO FILM FESTI

OLM IVAL

STOCKHOLM FILM FESTIVAL BY: PETER VINTHAGEN SIMPSON

It is no secret that Swedish actors, film, and filmmakers have been making a splash of late among American audiences and over the next eleven days in Stockholm, the film world and Sweden stand to get a closer look at each other. Swedish movies such as The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Snabba Cash and Let the Right One In are being remade into English language versions, while their directors and stars are starting to emerge in international films.

This year’s spotlight on extreme politics places the Swedish discourse in a global context, coming less than two months after the far-right Sweden Democrats stormed into the Swedish parliament. The festival has selected ten ”audacious” films from around the world which discuss the origins and consequences of extreme politics. ”The films show a strong trend within film this year where films from the whole world depict how marginalization

“Sweden Sweden is is starting starting to to make make aa name name for for itself itself”

However, Sweden is also starting to make a name for itself in more hard hitting work such as Videocracy by Sweden-based director Erik Gandini, and Metropia, starring Vincent Gallo and Juliette Lewis. This recent success of the Swedish film industry provides the backdrop as the Stockholm International Film Festival comes of age at 21. But the festival has no intention of resting on its laurels and with the invitation sent out to hip US arthouse director Gus Van Sant and a spotlight theme focused on extreme politics, organisers have shown that they have their finger on the pulse of the cinematic discourse.

encourages people to extreme movements and actions – regardless of whether they are terrorists, Sweden Democrats, Christian monks or antifascist clowns,” the festival explains. Among some of the films on offer are Chris Morris’s terrorist satire Four Lions adressing the subject of the 7/7 London bombings. The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu and Draquila – Italy Trembles look at how whole populations can be brainwashed by the abuse of the media and restrictions on freedom of speech. Jahmil XT Qubeka’s A Small Town Called Descent looks at the xenophobic legacy of apartheid.

Van Sant, who has made a name for himself with films such as My Own Private Idaho, Elephant and Milk, visits Stockholm this week to receive the festival’s Visionary Award.

The festival is more than a feast of film however, with a series of seminars on offer, some in English, which focus on subjects such as ”Swedes on the International Scene”, film production.

KNOWN STARS THAT COME FROM

SCANDINAVIA DENMARK:

HANS CHRISTIAN - Author

FINLAND: JOAN MIRÓ - Artist; Sculpture

ICELAND: BJORK - Musician, Composer, Designer

NORWAY: EDVARD GRIEG - Musician, Composer

SWEDEN:

ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD - True Blood

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With the the Swedish Swedish winter winter inin full full swing, swing, With an interactive interactive installation installation isis shedding shedding an some light light on on the the darkness darkness –– as as well well some as on on Stockholmers’ Stockholmers’ state state of of mind. mind. as BY: CHARLOTTE WESTE

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INTERNATIONAL ART INSTALLATION BY: CHARLOTTE WESTE

With the Swedish winter in full swing, an interactive installation is shedding some light on the darkness – as well as on Stockholmers’ state of mind. Earlier this week, the project received both a silver and gold distinction at the London International Awards, an international competition recognizing exceptional creative work in advertising, design, and digital media. For the second year in a row, artist Erik Krikortz has invited the city’s inhabitants to participate in his Emotional Cities lighting exhibition.

He says that Emotional Cities is an experiment, not only in exploring the crossroads between art and psychology, but also as a hybrid between different media and modes of expression.

Anybody can register their current emotional state by answering the question “How are you today?” on the website www.emotionalcities.com.

“Light is a fantastic medium for communication and to tie together the Internet with the urban environment,” he says.

Visitors to the site report how they are feeling using a scale of seven faces, from frowning to smiley, each coloured to represent a point on the spectrum from violet (sad) to red (happy).

“Art most often occurs in closed spaces, but I think it should be available for the public...That’s why I always try to work in public spaces, both on the street and online. In addition, the city needs more art and decent architecture as a counterweight to all of the advertisements around us.”

The shade of the lights projected on the facades of the five towers at Hötorget changes according to how Stockholmers rate their mood on the website.A median value is calculated for the city, which in turn determines the lights’ colour. In Stockholm, the lighting installation is constantly updated with a median value for the last 60 minutes (e.g. at 3:42 pm the interval is 2:42-3:42 pm). 22

“‘How are you?’ is an unbelievably simple but important question that is often thrown around rather carelessly. With Emotional Cities, I want to contribute to a collective discussion about how we are feeling. The idea is that people should ask themselves how they are feeling, but also how others around them feel and our state of well-being as a whole,” says Krikortz.

He adds that the participation of the public is what makes Emotional Cities special. “How the work of art is used is the deciding factor for its content and development. I hope the project will awaken your care for yourself and others, and contribute to the reflection over life.”

MUST GO’S

TO VISIT

SCANDINAVIA DENMARK:

TIVOLI GARDEN - Copenhagen’s very own theme park! With rides, great meals accompanying all national foods, you are bound to have fun at Tivoli Garden.

FINLAND: KIASMA - Helsinki’s Contemport Art Museum, right in the heart of the Capital. With famous artists and sculpture, you’ll sure not want to miss out in such a lovely event.

ICELAND:

EYJAFJALLAJOKULL - The volcano that paused the entire country of Europe. Though its beauty is far more amazing and is a must see for anyone.

NORWAY:

FROGNER PARK - With over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, walk through this park that tells the story of birth, childhood, adulthood, as well as love and death.

SWEDEN:

ABSOLUT ICEBAR - In the middle of Stockholm, there lies the Icebar. Completely made of ice, enjoy some of ABSOLUT’s best mixed drinks. But dress warm, its -5C in there. 25

TheSonisphere Sonispherecinecast cinecastfrom fromthe theSofia, Sofia, The Bulgaria leg leg of of the the touring touring rock rock festival festival Bulgaria wasseen seenby bymore morethan than100,000 100,000fans, fans,acacwas cording to to promoter promoter Stuart Stuart Galbraith. Galbraith. cording BY: ANDRE PAINE

SON 201 26

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2011

SONISPHERE BY: ANDRE PAINE

The global June 22 cinecast featured the ‘Big Four’ of metal - Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax and was beamed via satellite in HD to cinemas. It was distributed globally into hundreds of cinemas by New York-based BY Experience. In the U.K. it was screened in 79 cinemas. “At the Odeon in Leicester Square in London there was a mosh pit, and at the end of the show they had a stage invasion, which is just phenomenal to even think about,” says Galbraith. “Not only are we hitting the territories that we’re playing with this tour, [with the cinecast] we’ve taken the Big Four and Sonisphere into countries we haven’t been able to get to this year.”

A DVD of the cinema presentation is set to be released later this year. TV deals have also been struck for sets from Sonisphere and in Britain ITV2 will screen highlights from the U.K. festival. VH1 will show Sonisphere in the U.S. While the Big Four did impressive numbers in cinemas globally, the Sonisphere festival launched this year with close to 100,000 tickets sold for just one event at Bemowow Airport in Warsaw, Poland on June 16. It was the first time the four metal bands had shared a concert bill.

Sonisphere has also called at Jonschwil in Switzerland, Prague, Sofia and Athens. It is now in Bucharest and Istanbul (both June 25-27) and then travels to Madrid (July 9-10), Stockholm (Aug. 7) and Pori in Finland (Aug. 7-8). It wraps up with two nights at the 50,000-capacity Knebworth (July 30-Aug. 1). Rammstein and Iron Maiden headline with Anthrax, Pendulum, Alice In Chains, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue and Slayer also on the bill. Iron Maiden will be playing three Sonisphere dates in August on the eve of the Aug. 15 release of their new album, “The Final Frontier” (EMI). “It’s a great launch for them for their album, in the U.K., Sweden and Finland,” says Galbraith. It will be Maiden’s only shows in those territories in 2010. At Knebworth, Rammstein play their first ever outdoor show in the U.K. Metallica played all dates last year but it will not be appearing at Knebworth or Madrid in 2010. Overall,almost 600,000 tickets have been sold for 19 days of Sonisphere at 11 sites in 2010, compared to 290,000 for seven days at six locations last year. Tickets in eastern and southern Europe tend to sell nearer the date than in western counties.

TRAVEL TIPS

TO USE IN

SCANDINAVIA RESEARCH COSTS OF SCANDINAVIAN AIR PASSES: Using a SAS Visit Scandinavian/Europe Air Pass can save you money on oneway travel between and within Scandinavian cities and some European cities. ROAD CONDITIONS: Road conditions may be unpredictable in some remote areas, especially in Sweden, northern Norway and Finland. Expect highland and mountain roads to be closed in winter. Inform others of your travel plans when driving through remote areas, especially during winter. BOOK YOUR ROOM: Book your room in advance whenever possible.Vacationing Europeans fill even the countryside inns. SUNGLASSES: Bring dark sunglasses and an eye mask. Be aware that sunrise is sometimes at 4 a.m. The sunlight slants at a rarelyseen angle because the area is so far north on the globe. TAX-FREE: Enjoy tax-free shopping. Show your foreign passport to avoid paying taxes on major purchases. Inquire about the tax-free policy when you purchase 50 SF or more. 31

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