Scan Magazine, Issue 100, May 2017 by Scan Client Publishing

MAY 2017 ISSUE 100 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MIKAEL PERSBRANDT A SPOTLIGHT ON DANISH APPS & SOFTWARE UNMISSABLE SWEDISH SUMMER EXPERIENCES NORWEGIAN DESIGNERS & DESIGN STUDIOS

Mary-Annâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Polarrigg - a somewhat different hotel

Longyearbyen, Svalbard | Tel + 47 79 02 37 02 E-mail info@polarriggen.com | www.polarriggen.com

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

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE

54 20

54 Exclusive Interview with Mikael Persbrandt

58 Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

From a long-standing role in Beck to significant roles in Academy Award-winning In a Better World and Alone in Berlin, Swede Mikael Persbrandt is no stranger to international audiences. This year, he stars alongside Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law in Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Scan Magazine spoke to the actor about falling for a ballerina, being a home bird, and finding himself on stage.

Lush gardens, royal history, untouched beaches and wildlife experiences – what more could you want from a Scandinavian summer holiday? Add award-winning culinary experiences and a touch of archipelago life, and you will see why Sweden makes for a dream destination this summer.

DESIGN 10 Danish Design Finds After a deep dive into blue fashion and a look at how to perfect your bathroom décor, we present our favourite Danish design brands right now, including joyful china and stunning coats.

SPECIAL FEATURES

72 Experience Norway Behind the beauty of the fjords are a long fishing tradition, plenty of seaside adventure expertise and a number of deeply passionate entrepreneurs. Scan Magazine shows where to go for an authentic Norwegian holiday experience.

82 Made in Norway While you are there, make sure to pick up a souvenir evidencing Norway’s handicraft and design expertise. Whether you need a headband for downhill skiing or want a tailor-made bracelet for someone special, Norway delivers the goods.

44 Next Stop: Food and Culture We continue our journey of discovery of the best restaurants Norway has to offer, while also exploring a couple of Danish culture hotspots with fascinating food experiences to boot.

SPECIAL THEMES 22 Norway’s Top Design Studios Swedish design and tech agencies have been raking in international awards for some time now, but they had better keep an eye over their shoulder. Behold Norway’s most innovative, forward-thinking design studios, boasting ideas and concepts that break the mould.

61 84

26 A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software From the best solutions for efficient business management, to innovative ways to pair up a flexible workforce with companies in need of temporary staff, our apps and software special explains why Denmark is leading the way in this field.

BUSINESS 88 Power and Influence – In Business and Gardening Learn from our expert on how to gain power and influence in work, and find out how one creative Dane set out to make gardening more accessible – all alongside other business news and events listings in the business section.

CULTURE 115 Eurovision for Europe Just in time for the big event, Scan Magazine’s Heidi Kokborg spoke to author Chris West about what the Eurovision Song Contest says about European relations. For additional escapism and summer fun, check out our culture calendar.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 5

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, This month, we celebrate our 100th issue of Scan Magazine. One hundred monthly magazines packed full of Scandinavian style and Nordic news – no mean feat, if you ask me! We have gone all in with an exclusive interview with Sweden’s own mysterious yet charming Mikael Persbrandt, who is currently on screens across the globe in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. In addition, we present a little bit of all the things Scandinavia does best: Danish business-savvy and technological innovation, Norwegian handicraft and nature experiences, and Swedish well-rounded holiday experiences featuring top-class food, unspoilt nature and charming towns. Together, this month’s special themes provide a snapshot of the discoveries and connections we have made over the past almost nine years, mapping out what makes Scandinavians proud of their heritage and others fascinated by it. Our 100 issues to date have featured cover stars including golfing legend Annika Sörenstam and ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog; world-class actors such as Mads Mikkelsen, Pilou Asbæk, Sofia Helin, Kristofer Hivju, Sidse Babett Knudsen and Lars Mikkelsen; author Jo Nesbø, singer/songwriter/producer

Robyn and TV and politics extraordinaire Sandi Toksvig. Our specials have covered the very best of Scandinavian architecture, the latest business news, the most stylish of Nordic fashion and our favourite hidden gems in terms of places to go and things to do in our beloved countries up north. If Scan Magazine’s job is to promote brand Scandinavia, I believe we are doing a pretty fine job, if I am allowed to say so myself. If technology is not for you, fast-forward to the Made in Norway mini theme; if you went to Norway last summer and want a change of scenery, our unmissable Swedish destinations are sure to inspire. Inspiration is infinite, much like our love for Scandinavia. It is our pleasure to share it with you. Here is to another 100.

Linnea Dunne, Editor

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6 | Issue 100 | May 2017

This magazine contains advertorials/promotional articles

Johan Sandberg

Lithography house, Villa Saturnus

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

Pål Ross, CEO, Founder & Architect SAR/MSA

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

Photos: Elisabeth Anker Jakobsen

Handmade silver jewellery, designed and produced by goldsmith Merete Mattson in her workshop at Hemnesberget in Helgeland. Here you are welcome to savour the view of the fjord from the cosy gallerycafĂ¨ and enjoy unique design inspired by the landscape, the Northern Lights, living organisms in the sea and the culture og Northern Norway.

www.gullblom.com

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary… Did you know that blue is most people’s favourite colour? Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable, calming and committed and comes in a whole palette of shades and nuances. This month, we encourage you to match your wardrobe with the clear sky and the beautiful ocean. By Heidi Kokborg | Press photos

If there is a brand that knows how to mix classic with sporty and modern, it is Mads Nørgaard. Every item seems timeless and classic, yet comfortable and modern. Wear them with confidence, and do not be afraid to mix a blazer and a sweatshirt if it makes you feel good! Mads Nørgaard sweatshirt, approx. £102 Mads Nørgaard blazer, approx. £231 www.madsnorgaard.dk

A short-sleeved shirt is a must-have in your wardrobe during the summer season. It will work pretty much everywhere. Drinks in town? Walk with the dog in the park? Garden party? Tick, tick, tick. This shirt from Won Hundred is both casual and cool. Won Hundred, approx. £124 www.wonhundred.com

We might as well be realistic: even though summer is only a few weeks away, we will be needing a light jacket most mornings and evenings – at the very least. This cool bomber jacket hits the spot. Cheap Monday bomber jacket, £100 www.cheapmonday.com

Summer calls for a pair of casual shoes you can use for work, the holidays and on a night out, and we think this suede pair from WHYRED makes the cut. They are classic, yet laid-back and cool. They will match with a work suit just as well as a pair of shorts for a more relaxed look. WHYRED shoes, approx. £188 www.whyred.com

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Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Everyone needs a pair of cool sunglasses for summer, and this pair from Cheap Monday makes the cut. These timeless black sunnies with dark-tinted lenses will add an instant coolness to any outfit. Cheap Monday sunglasses, £25 www.cheapmonday.com

If this cute skirt does not say spring and summer, we do not know what does. Style it with a pair of black pumps and a blazer, and you have got yourself a professional yet personal and girly look, or pair it with ballerinas and a cosy cardigan and you are ready for brunch and shopping. Nümph Angelika skirt, £35 Nümph knit top, £35 www.numph.dk

We cannot get over how cool this playsuit is. A playsuit is an absolute must-have this season. Wear it to all the summer festivals, weekend trips, to Sunday brunch with your friends, when you go shopping or just whenever you want to look casual. Wear it with heels to dress up for a night out or with flats and big sunglasses for a relaxed and cool look. Vero Moda, approx. £35 www.veromoda.com

Yes, bomber jackets are still in – but really, will they ever go out of style? This bomber jacket from mbyM, named Berlin Brush, has white stripes on both sleeves, creating a nice contrast to the classic navy colour. The feminine flower embroidery makes the jacket perfect for spring and summer. mbyM, approx. £85 www.mbym-shop.com

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 11

Scan Magazine | Design | Street Style

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

Tanja Konstenius Finnish artist and a photographer

Tanja Konstenius

“I like to shop on my travels, because my purchases become part of my memories of where I’ve been. I cannot buy shoes in Amsterdam because they don’t sell shoes smaller than size 38. Amsterdam has made my style more relaxed, but I miss Scandinavian fashion brands like Samuji here. My skirt is second-hand from Amsterdam Noord, my shoes are from Athens, and my bag is by Dutch designer Conny Groenewegen.”

Daniel Ivarsson Swedish founder and creative director at Hadaka Denim “I would describe my style as functional. Living in Amsterdam has not affected the way I dress. My jacket is made by me and loved for seven years by now. My shoes are vintage army, the bag is vintage Swiss army, and my trousers are of course by Hadaka Denim. The accessory I wear most is my dog, named Hummer.”

Edina Shelds Swedish marketing specialist

Edina Shelds

12 | Issue 100 | May 2017

“Today I am wearing my Sunday style, relaxed and messy. My look is partly inspired by California, where I lived before Amsterdam. There, I liked to shop on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. In Amsterdam, there are a lot of festivals, so I have more festival clothes in my wardrobe now. My leather jacket, green blouse, and shoes are from a shop in L.A.”

Daniel Ivarsson

Business or pleasure? BUSINESS AND PLEASURE!

Villa Källhagen is perfectly suited for well-travelled people with high expectations. You sleep well in comfortable beds and eat well in the classic restaurant or the buzzy lobby bar. Staffed around the clock and serving food every day of the week, Villa Källhagen will leave you well rested and rejuvenated to face the challenges of tomorrow. Situated within walking distance from downtown Stockholm, Villa Källhagen is easy to get to, with the bus stopping right outside the entrance, easy access to taxis, and excellent parking possibilities.

Villa Källhagen – a unique countryside feel in the heart of Stockholm.

Djurgårdsbrunnsvägen 10, 115 27 Stockholm villa@kallhagen.se • 08-665 03 00 • kallhagen.se

Photos: Jeanette Carlsen

www. karia nne g . c o m

KarianneG â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a Norwegian brand by Karianne Gundersen. Handcrafted silver jewelry inspired by the vikings. Jewelry with a timeless design.

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this… Have you ever thought about how much time you spend in your bathroom? It is easy to get tunnel vision and focus endlessly on making your living room, kitchen, office and dining room beautiful and reflective of your style – but what about the bathroom? Why not make the bathroom a pleasant, cosy and relaxing place with a touch of luxury? Add some fresh flowers along with a few of our picks below, and you will come to love stepping into the bathroom – even on early mornings. By Heidi Kokborg | Press photos

There is nothing like the feeling of stepping out of a long, warm bath and then wrapping a soft, snuggly towel around you. These beautiful bath sheets from Danish Georg Jensen Damask will make your morning showers much more enjoyable and luxurious. Georg Jensen Damask Terry Towels Limestone, approx. £28.50 www.damask.dk

The Vipp pedal bin has a fascinating story. The Dane Holger Nielsen designed it in 1939 for his wife, who was a hairdresser. She needed a practical rubbish bin, and after many days in his workshop, Nielsen came up with his Vipp. It was intended for Marie only, but many wives, doctors and dentists saw it in her salon and were keen to use it as well, and today the Vipp pedal bin is an international design icon. Vipp PEDAL BIN 8L, £208 www.skandium.com

Considering how many times you wash your hands every day, why not choose a hand soap that makes you smile? This hand soap from Meraki is gentle, effective and has a gorgeous scent of sweet fruit with a touch of citrus. Essential oils are added as well for both fragrance and effect. Meraki Hand Soap 500 ml – Silky Mist, £14.50 www.husandhem.co.uk

Imagine taking a bubble bath – or even just a regular shower – in candle light. Sounds good, right? These Kastehelmi candle holders are perfect for the bathroom and come in many colours. Kastehelmi means ‘dewdrop’ in Finnish and refers to the circular bubbles in the pressed glass of the votive. Kastehelmi Votive by Iittala, £10 www.reallywellmade.co.uk

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No one wants to look at dirty laundry all over the bathroom floor. Keep dirty washing out of sight with this beautiful laundry basket from Java. The basket is hand woven in Indonesia using rattan, a type of palm similar to bamboo. Java laundry basket, £85 www.urbanara.co.uk

.s v t t si

TROLLHÄTTAN - VÄNERSBORG Two cities. One destination

E 5S PE

S 95 PE

COME ALONG ON AN EXCITING ELK SAFARI

GO BIKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CARL LINNAEUS

On the plateau of Halle-& Hunneberg, through West Sweden´s most attractive landscapes. Internationally, the mountain is known for its elks and the Royal Hunt. We enjoy enjoy light refreshments in front of an open fire in a Laplanders cot, and visit The Royal Hunt Museum before we look for the elks. Plan and book at visittv.se

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

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | McVerdi

The feeling of being well-dressed No one could have anticipated what the result would be when the young designer Lotte in 1985 sat down at her sewing table in a petite studio in the heart of Copenhagen, with nothing more than 21 metres of soft rubber fabric, some strong zips and a passion-fuelled dream.

and knitwear. Every style is carefully designed and manufactured to please and accommodate the expectations of their loyal customers.

By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: McVerdi

Lotte Honoré has always been fond of nature and therefore takes great care to ensure that the manufacturing process is done properly and respectfully. This diligence has not only resulted in numerous close and long-lasting relationships with many of her suppliers and co-workers throughout Europe, but also in genuine friendships.

Relying on her hand skills and the natural will of the fabric, she started cutting. Soon after, the very first – and today somewhat iconic – McVerdi rubber coat with wool lining was born. For the past 30 years, it has been the preferred outerwear for many loyal McVerdi customers across the world.

Collections and evergreens It is not all about the coat though. “In each of McVerdi’s four annual collections, there are various evergreens to be found; styles are occasionally altered 18 | Issue 100 | May 2017

a little in colour, fabric or perhaps the length of the sleeve, but always without compromising on the discreet, natural and less-is-more fashionable McVerdi look,” explains Lotte Honoré. That is probably one of the reasons why McVerdi has enjoyed such success and growth over the past few years. Lotte Honoré now has three McVerdi shops in Denmark and an internationally popular webshop, all of which are filled with inspiring skirts, dresses, shirts, woolly coats, scarves, jackets, hats, trousers

Simply from the fabric Part of the McVerdi philosophy is to create styles that make women feel truly beautiful and at home in their clothing. It should not be possible to feel either overdressed or underdressed when wearing a

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | McVerdi

McVerdi piece. Instead, you get simplicity. Dress up a piece with a scarf or a necklace or dress down with wellington boots or a jacket over your dress. Whatever the occasion, a McVerdi piece will be comfortable and perfectly suited. The fabrics are sometimes simple, sometimes structured but always luxurious. They ensure the wellbeing of the wearer, as well as a delicate look. Importantly, it is the fabric that defines the shape of the clothes. “It makes for a very natural process. The different fabrics require different cuts, and by working with the fabric as a starting point, I’m assured that the end product fits and sits on the body perfectly,” says Lotte Honoré. Linen, silk, wool, cotton, cashmere and similar fabrics are regulars in the col-

lections. The clothes never need flashy details; instead they are elegant in themselves and stand out through simplicity alone.

in my mind that without the people I see every morning in the office, things would look very different today. We are in this together.”

Inspirational teamwork

12 dedicated women work side by side at the headquarters in northern Zealand. Everything from the initial design to the final production takes place here. Given their view across the sea, it is obvious how this Danish brand continues to be innovative within the realm of natural beauty. The location, the people, the family – there is plenty more to love about McVerdi than the wonderful design that first meets the eye.

By drawing inspiration from Scandinavian and Japanese aesthetics and adding her own ideas of what is beautiful and flattering, Lotte Honoré has created her own unique selling point and a brand that has stood the test of time. It is a brand that her daughter, Juliane, 27, now contributes to with her marketing skills and natural-born McVerdi flair for design. “At the end of the day, it all comes down to whom you work with. Our success is completely ours. I try to involve everyone and listen to all ideas. There’s no doubt

For more information and to browse the collections, please visit: www.mcverdi.dk

Juliane & Lotte Honoré.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 19

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Krasilnikoff A/S

Left: The designs are made to make you smile and give you a little energy boost. Right: Krasilnikoff launches two collections every year: a spring/summer collection and an autumn/winter collection.

Welcome to the Krasilnikoff world of colourful Danish design – products designed for everyday use and everyday joy Products designed for everyday use and everyday joy – that is the foundation upon which the Danish design company Krasilnikoff is founded. Krasilnikoff comprises three brands: Happy Mugs, Happy Stars and Happy by Krasilnikoff. The goal for all three is to brighten up your day. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Krasilnikoff A/S

In 2002, Susanne Krasilnikoff decided to take a leap and start her own design company. With a master’s degree in economics, French and English, she did not have any previous experience in the design industry, but she had always loved drawing and being creative.

Happy Stars is a collection of ceramic bowls for popcorn, chips and snacks, inspired by the classic American popcorn holder, while Happy by Krasilnikoff presents textile products ranging from scarves and bags to tea towels, napkins, aprons, cushions and quilts.

“I’m completely self-taught. I have a passion for creating things and making something beautiful that people love, but I honestly didn’t know much about the Danish design industry when I started,” says Susanne Krasilnikoff.

“The idea is to create beautiful pieces of high quality that don’t cost a fortune, and which people can use in their everyday life. Our products are not meant to only come out for the fancy family dinner once a year; they are meant to be used daily,” says Susanne Krasilnikoff.

Happy products Krasilnikoff is comprised of three brands: Happy Mugs, Happy Stars and Happy by Krasilnikoff. Happy Mugs is a line of mix-and-match porcelain mugs with and without statements, currently presenting more than 150 Happy Mugs complemented by travel mugs, spoons, bowls, teapots and much more. 20 | Issue 100 | May 2017

The rapid growth Krasilnikoff has enjoyed since the company was founded in 2002 was recognised by Danish newspaper Børsen, when the brand showed up at number 13 on Børsen’s Gazelle list of 1,790 companies in December last year. The Gazelle Award recognises Danish companies with a substantial growth in the past four years. “I was having my breakfast in a Starbucks in New York when I read it online. It is absolutely fantastic, and it proves that there is a high demand for our colourful and happy designs,” says Susanne Krasilnikoff. Susanne Krasilnikoff.

Germans love Krasilnikoff More than 98 per cent of Krasilnikoff’s products are exported, and Germany is the biggest market. “Germans love our colourful products. The Danes have been very minimalistic in their style, but we can see in our figures that it is slowly changing now,” says Susanne Krasilnikoff.

For more information, please visit: www.krasilnikoff.biz

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Louise Find Aps

Exclusive jewellery for luxurious needs Louise Find is a Scandinavian design company specialising in exclusive fine jewellery. The company has already made a name for itself in Paris, and now they are targeting the Danish market. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Louise Find

Most Danish design companies launch their first collection in Denmark and then see if they can take their business abroad. At Louise Find, they did it the other way around. The company, founded last year, launched a collection during Paris Fashion Week at the fair Premiere Classe. “I studied in both Paris and New York, and Paris in particular has always been a great source of inspiration for me with its classical architecture. The buildings are architectural pearls and possess such an incredible amount of details throughout their elements. I seek to incorporate some of that history and the feeling they evoke into my jewellery,” explains Louise Find, CEO and founder of the brand with the same name. Paris was a natural place to launch the first collection since the jewellery designs

are a tribute to the Haussmannian buildings in the French capital. “We work with 18-carat gold, and we constantly strive to create the best jewellery from the finest materials. High-quality diamonds, coloured gemstones and white gold are the essentials in our designs, and for that reason we are positioned at a higher price point. That said, hopefully the customer will find that they get not just an exclusive and extravagant piece, but also a piece that can be passed on over generations,” says Find.

inspired by architecture, the production process is inspired by the way we do it in the clothes industry. One could make it more cost effective by having the production in Asia, but I’ve chosen to produce it in Germany by a family-owned company that has done it for generations. This way, I am closer to the production and can be sure that the employees have good working conditions. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility have gained a lot of focus in the last couple of years in the clothes industry, but it still hasn’t really made it into the jewellery industry. Hopefully that’s about to change,” says Find.

Corporate social responsibility Before designing jewellery, Louise Find designed clothes. But even though she has now gone in a different direction, she has taken the core elements from the clothes industry with her into her jewellery company. “While my jewellery is

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 21

OP S T O i T Y’S DI in U A M W ST R N NO SIG DE m he

Bleed’s Vienna office has previously worked with Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, who passed away last year. Photo: Bleed.

Award-winning agency challenges conventional design The highly acclaimed Norwegian design consultancy Bleed is a multi-disciplinary studio working to question the definition of design, and striving to blur the lines between design, art and technology. By Line Elise Svanevik

Although its headquarters are in Oslo, Bleed opened a branch in Vienna six years ago, which has recently relocated to the eighth district in the Austrian city. Founded in 2000, the company is headed by some of the top talents in Scandinavian graphic design. Working with a broad range of clients, including Norwegian, Red Bull, Damien Hirst, Oslo National Theatre, Tom Wood, HYPEBEAST, Deutsche Bank, Studio Zaha Hadid, NRK and Innovation Norway, the agency’s main goal is to create strong 22 | Issue 100 | May 2017

identities, experiences and services that stand out in their field. “The diversity of clients, tasks, target groups and geographic challenges has given us experience and insight that is unique,” says creative director and founding partner of Bleed, Svein Haakon Lia, who is one of Scandinavia’s mostprized graphic designers. Bleed is also focused on challenging conventions across digital, physical and printed media. “We intend to solve more than

just a need; we want to achieve excellent results and work out every detail and potential,” Lia explains. “We are aware that creativity and innovation do not come by themselves, and therefore we spend a lot of time challenging our own thinking, with self-initiated projects or contributions to exhibitions and art projects.”

European Design Leader Throughout its 17 years in the field, Bleed has won more than 180 national and international awards and, for the past five years, the agency has held the title of European Design Leader – a highly coveted title that only a few studios around Europe hold. In 2016, Bleed took two gold medals in the Visuelt design competition, hosted by

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norway’s Top Design Studios

Grafill, and Awards for Design Excellence from the Norwegian Design Council. Additionally, it received several medals in the European Design Awards for a range of projects. Bleed is headed up by a trio of Oslobased graphic designers – Lia, Dag Solhaug Laska and Kjell Reenskaug – all from strong backgrounds in fields including interaction and service design, design strategy, developing identities and visual profile applications. The Vienna studio is run by design director Astrid Feldner, who regularly lectures at events and universities.

ships to young promising designers. In addition, we teach and provide classes at colleges and universities across Europe.” As one of the most-prized agencies in Norway, Bleed has recently signed a contract with Norway’s leading online bank, Skandiabanken, for the comprehensive rebranding of its all-digital bank.

Additionally, the agency is currently running a wide range of projects in fields spanning retail, fashion and luxury, architecture, media, corporate, arts, culture and travel. For more information, please visit: www.bleed.com

Who? Independent multi-disciplinary design consultancy.

“We are engaged in the scientific community and follow the ethical guidelines and industry standards that are encouraged internationally,” explains Lia. “Bleed is very much concerned with the subject’s development and offers intern-

The Bleed Manifesto:

What? Design of identities, experiences and products.

1. Be different

Where? Oslo, Norway and Vienna, Austria.

3. Share ideas

Clients: Norwegian, Red Bull, Damien Hirst, Oslo National Theatre, Tom Wood, HYPEBEAST, Deutsche Bank, Studio Zaha Hadid, NRK, Innovation Norway and more.

5. Believe the hype

2. Take chances 4. Have fun 6. Move in different directions 7. Be nice 8. Keep learning 9. Collaborate

Goal: Blur the lines between design, art and technology.

10. Bleed for the revolution

1. Bleed works with a diverse range of clients, including the Norwegian Public Broadcasting Corporation. Photo: NRK/Bleed. 2. The visual identity of fashion and jewellery brand Tom Wood was designed by Bleed. Photo: Tom Wood/Bleed. 3. Throughout its work with helping brands create unique identities, Bleed has won more than 180 national and international awards. Photo: NRK/Bleed. 4. The visual identity of Norwegian perfume brand Son Venïn was created by Bleed. Photo: Kai Myhre/Bleed. 5. With offices in both Oslo and Vienna, the agency works with international brands, such as French brand Clichér, on creating strong identities. Photo: Bleed.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 23

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norway’s Top Design Studios

Left: Marianne Vigtel Hølland is the founder of Slow Design Studio. Photo: Filippa Tredal. Middle: Working intuitively with everything from identity design to interiors, Slow Design Studio aims to create an understanding of how the consumer is part of the process. Photo: Filippa Tredal. Right: A profile design project for the South African Slow Wanderings. Photo: Hanlie Joubert.

Slow design: putting the ethics in aesthetics Imagine if you could trust that everything you bought was made with a conscious hand that prevented the suffering of humans, animals and nature. In a fast-paced throw-away culture with increasing demands for quick fixes, products are often created by compromising the welfare of certain groups – but some are attempting to slow things down.

things that have a longer shelf life and are more sustainable,” she says. “I want my work to be more of an inspiration or a guide to an alternative path.”

By Line Elise Svanevik

Oslo-based Slow Design Studio is one of the agencies that believe a slower pace of life holds more value. Led by Marianne Vigtel Hølland, the studio specialises in creative design in a variety of fields, ranging from brand identity to interiors. With an intuitive and earnest approach, Vigtel Hølland works with a range of clients whose common denominator is that they can identify with her way of holistic thinking and want to develop their own concepts – visually, content-wise or strategically. Through exploring and challenging thoughts and ideas, she is determined to find the right solutions and materials, entirely without shortcuts that compromise the welfare of anyone along the way. Although the concept of slow design has only been around for the past two 24 | Issue 100 | May 2017

or three years, it derived from the slow movement, which started with slow food in the ‘80s. It is founded on the basic idea of thinking holistically and remembering the consequences of our actions when it comes to nature, animals and people. Vigtel Hølland says: “I want to be an inspiration for consumers in the way they think, and help others who are working to promote the same values. For me, this is a lifestyle project, where business and pleasure melt into one, which feels like a very meaningful way of working.” There has recently been an increase in the demand for Vigtel Hølland’s slow design services, which she puts down to a growing interest for the concept itself. “You see the slow movement much more in the media now, and there is a lot more focus on these values – to buy and create

Slow Design Studio also designs furniture and lamps that are made with a closeness to the production process and the materials. Photo: Slow Design Studio

What is slow design? Slow design is a branch of the slow movement, which promotes a holistic way of life – to slow down life’s increasingly faster pace. It aims to be more sustainable by caring for people, animals and nature.

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

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norway’s Top Design Studios

Norway’s bravest design agency When the Norwegian duo Bendik Bergh and Brage Brenna-Lund started the new design and communication agency Cure, they wanted to find a way to stand out from the crowd. With a unique concept borrowed from the legal field, known as ‘no cure – no pay’, the young entrepreneurs agree that they are Norway’s bravest design agency. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Francisco Munoz

Bergh and Brenna-Lund met while studying at Kristiania University College before deciding to take a double bachelor’s degree in art direction and graphic design at the renowned design academy NABA in Milan, Italy. Here, they experienced a wide range of competence within the design field and learned everything from animation and web design to 3D, photography, marketing and branding. “Our time in Milan gave us a great foundation for

Bendik Bergh and Brage Brenna-Lund.

building our own agency. Not only did we learn a bit of everything, but we also created a large network both abroad and in Norway, which is worth a lot in the industry,” says Brenna-Lund.

No cure – no pay Cure is today based in Nordnes in the centre of Bergen, where they work towards developing solutions that help companies get noticed, liked and heard. Even though the traditional Italian style has influenced them, they have retained the popular Scandinavian style with a timeless, stylish and professional graphic profile. “We want all businesses, not just the biggest ones, to be able to afford a great visual profile. We focus on helping small and medium-sized companies by offering zero financial risk through the ‘no cure – no pay’ concept,” Bergh explains. For

Cure’s customers, this concept means that they would not be obligated to pay for the work if they are not satisfied – a risky approach for a young company to take, but something that seems to be paying off. “There has been a ‘cure’ on all the projects so far, and it is very motivating for us to see how happy the clients are,” Bergh says proudly.

Diving into success The young agency has so far worked for a range of clients, such as PrivatMegleren, Øyo and NRK. “Our latest project, the European Junior Diving Championship, which takes place in Bergen this summer, has been very exciting. We were able to work closely with the client from the beginning, creating the whole visual profile for the event,” says Brenna-Lund. “What inspired us was the AdO Arena swimming hall as well as the different types of competitions and styles within diving. The end result symbolises the stylish, elegant and timeless sport perfectly.” For more information, please visit: www.cure.no

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 25

ON T H S ia IG PP E ec p L A S OT SH AR P I W S A AN OFT D S & em

h lT

Photo: Pixabay

Denmark’s booming software and app industry Smartphones and apps have become a part of daily life for many people, and Denmark is leading the way in the software field. In a US report from 2016, Denmark came in at number five in a list of the European countries creating the most jobs in the app industry. In terms of software development generally, Denmark is one of the leading European countries. By Heidi Kokborg

How many times have you used an app today? If you are like most Scandinavians, chances are you have already used several. Perhaps you read the news in an app while drinking your morning coffee, listened to music using an app on your 26 | Issue 100 | May 2017

commute, transferred money to a friend using an app, used a sleeping app, found a recipe for dinner in a cooking app, or used an app to listen to a podcast. The list of things we use apps for is endless, and most of the time we do not even

think about it. There is an app for almost everything, and Denmark is at the top of the app game.

In the top five According to a report by the American independent institute Progressive Policy Institute from 2016, Denmark employs about 33,000 people in the app industry. The number is based on analyses of online job postings compared with national numbers. The UK takes the lead in Europe with 321,000 app-related jobs. However, if you look at the numbers relative

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

to the countries’ populations, Denmark comes in fifth among the European countries with an app intensity of 1.2 per cent. It is not only in the app industry that Denmark takes a leading position; it goes for the software industry in general. In the last two years, several large foreign IT companies have either founded or expanded their development departments in Denmark. Furthermore, a report from Invest Europe shows that Denmark is the country in the north where investments from foreign funds make up the biggest part. The development is also evident at Danish universities, where an increasing number of students show an interest in software courses, and the demand for candidates who can work with software is growing rapidly. Unsure how to get started with your own software start-up? Well, there is an app for that…

Photo: Pixabay

Photo: Niclas Jessen/VisitDenmark

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 27

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

Victor Veloso.

Successful humans at work The leadership tool ActionPlanner empowers employees and makes plans come alive. Ensuring successful implementation of business plans and objectives, this is execution management at its best. By Malin Norman | Photos: ActionPlanner

Founder Victor Veloso has an extensive background in strategy implementation and business management. During his many years in management consultancy, he saw a gap between forming ambitious corporate strategies and translating them into action. “It’s easy to drown in operations,” says Veloso, elaborating on the execution challenge. “Many companies are struggling with mobilising their strategic plans. Basically, they don’t see the progress they want. This execution gap is a global issue and it caught my attention.” This is where ActionPlanner comes into the picture, translating good intentions into something more concrete – making plans come alive. The application converts strategic plans into visual roadmaps with tangible initiatives. It facilitates keeping momentum in both developing and running the business. 28 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Align, empower and progress Built around the Nordic leadership style and empowerment of employees, ActionPlanner turns responsibilities into initiatives and breaks them down into goals, milestones and deadlines. For instance, the Priority List is an interesting feature: this is a digital version of the typical to-do lists of employees, now visualising and making it easy to realign expectations. According to Veloso, the tool ultimately helps people be more specific in their communication, across organisational levels. “ActionPlanner creates transparency and alignment,” he says. “It gives a real-time overview of actions and reports, flagging potential challenges and giving employees the support they need. This is progress in an agile way.” ActionPlanner is particularly useful for companies with either multiple organ-

isational levels, a geographical spread or an ambitious transformation agenda that needs to be executed. The webbased system offers enterprise grade security for its clients, currently including prominent names such as Nordea, Danske Bank and MT Højgaard. “Because data security is paramount, we can even offer to host our application within the client’s firewall,” Veloso explains. Having purchased the software, clients will be supported in getting started successfully, including workshops with ActionPlanner certified trainers. Veloso highlights the importance of proper on-boarding: “At the end of the day, it’s not about software, it’s about people and helping them be more successful. Everyone wants to be successful. Achieving what you set out to achieve just feels great!” he smiles, as his personal motto is: “As happy as possible, for as long as possible.” For more information, please visit: www.actionplanner.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

Left: In 2016, there were an estimated 330,000 mountain bikers in Denmark. Right: When you press start on the app, it guides you around the track, tracks your distance and tells you if anyone else is on the track.

Find the official mountain bike trails with Singletracker Do you have mud in your blood, like being in nature and love the adrenaline rush you get from riding your mountain bike, but have a hard time finding good trails? Then Singletracker is for you. The free app shows you close to 200 official trails in Denmark, so get ready to dust off that bike. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Singletracker

Mountain biking is one of the most popular sports in Denmark, with about 330,000 riders. Nevertheless, it has been hard for bikers to find the official trails. With Singletracker, it has become easier. Simply pick one of the 200 trails sorted according to distance, press start, enjoy being navigated all the way around, and press stop when you are back home. It is simple and provides you with track times, the chance to review the trails and much more. Morten Kamp Schubert, founder and CEO of Singletracker, found the demand for the app to help systematise the sport obvious. “I wanted to create an app that could show bikers all the official mountain bike trails. Even the hidden trails out in the wilderness should be easy to find with Singletracker,” says Schubert.

“Moreover, we encourage the bikers to stay on the dedicated mountain bike trails in order to avoid conflicts with others who are out enjoying nature.”

Safety first Singletracker is also a great tool for landowners, municipalities and the government. “They can all communicate with the bikers via the app. They can send them messages and inform them that trails are closed due to hunting or bad weather, or if they need help with trail work. It is a great communication tool for everyone,” explains Schubert. Crucially, Singletracker puts the safety of the bikers first. “Mountain biking is a very individual sport, and most people ride alone. However, the sport is not entirely safe; you can easily hurt yourself in

an accident. Firstly, we always encourage people to bike together. Secondly, the app always shows if there are other people on the trail where you’re riding, so if an accident happens you’ll know that there’s someone there to help you,” says Schubert. “This summer, we are launching an extra feature so that if you have an accident, a message will immediately be sent to the other bikers on the trail.” There are trails for every level all around Denmark, and the app tells you how hard each trail is. In the future, Schubert’s hope is that Singletracker will be available in all European countries.

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 29

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

How to manage meetings the smart way The Danish IT Company AskCody specialises in increasing work pleasure and productivity. Its software platform helps companies to simplify administrative work processes and make daily life easier in terms of booking meetings and meeting rooms. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: AskCody

You probably know the feeling: what in theory should be a simple task ends up taking several hours when it comes to booking a meeting. You have to find the time, invite the guests, book the appropriate conference room, order food and arrange for guests to be picked up at the reception; perhaps you even have to sort out a parking pass. Afterwards, you have to invoice the correct cost centres for their service, so what initially was a onehour meeting has now become a threehour task. “We see this on an everyday basis in all companies. Booking a meeting should 30 | Issue 100 | May 2017

be something very simple, but it just isn’t. Surveys show that each employee during an average week spends up to five hours on administrative preparation for a meeting. That’s pretty much ten per cent of your working week out the window, and that’s ridiculous. So that is the problem we aim to solve with our platforms,” says Allan Mørch, CEO and founder of AskCody.

A complete solution The platform from AskCody has been designed to integrate with a company’s existing productive infrastructure, so if your company has, for instance, a

Microsoft platform, the AskCody platform goes on top of that and cooperates with it. “From your Outlook account, you are then able to book a meeting room, order the necessary IT equipment, order food and inform the reception about guests attending the meeting. The applicable organisational units automatically receive a notification on what is expected from their side and at what time – and because the system is similar to what the employee already knows, it takes almost no time at all to get familiar with it,” explains Mørch. Another advantage of the complete solution is that the platform collects data to show how to optimise the utilisation of the workplace. “Many companies fail to deploy the potential of their workspace. There is a great waste of resources when it comes to the way a workspace is designed. Our software provides the or-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

ganisation with data on how people cooperate, what kind of meeting room they need and what IT equipment should be there. We are a bit like Google Analytics when it comes to managing meetings, as our data helps the companies to optimise the way they arrange their workspace,” says Mørch. “Bigger companies are always changing, and with our software they can easily see how they should design their workspace in the future so that it matches their needs: how many meeting rooms should be there, how many desks, how they should be arranged and so on.”

Improving the meeting experience Minimising the time and frustration involved with arranging a meeting benefits both the employee and the organisation. The employee saves time on the administrative part of the meeting and can use those extra hours to be more productive,

which ultimately benefits the organisation. “By solving this problem, you also improve the experience and add extra value to the meeting for both the company and the guests. You could say that the functional benefit becomes an emotional reward as well,” says Mørch. AskCody has delivered platforms for clients all over Europe as well as the United States – an area where the company aims to expand in the years to come. “In recent years, we have seen a cloud readiness in Scandinavia and western Europe, and we are starting to see that in America as well now. Meetings are an integral part of the working world, and there will only be more meetings in the future, so it’s important to say that we are not trying to minimise the number of meetings; what we do is aim to minimise the time and frustration related to organising them,” says Mørch.

Meetings are a necessary part of business and an integral part of business life. What is not, is the amount of time spent arranging them. Statistics show that workers in large organisations waste up to 30 minutes a day searching for spaces to collaborate and available meeting rooms. Preparing for a meeting now takes more time than actually attending one. AskCody changes that and now manages more than one million meetings per month from its offices in Boston and Aalborg, Denmark. The AskCody platform helps you manage meetings in a smarter way and create a happier, more productive and efficient modern workplace, while optimising available resources and reducing costs.

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

Allan Mørch. Photo: Louise Dybro

Allan Mørch and Janos Flösser. Photo: Louise Dybro

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 31

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

The team behind 360 Business Tool has decades of experience developing and implementing business systems for some of Denmark’s largest corporations.

CRM turned upside down Customer relationship management (CRM) systems play an essential role in creating strategies, budgets and forecasts in most sales-driven companies. However, while invaluable to management, CRM tools only provide reliable data when used regularly and reliably by employees. This is why 360 Business Tool was designed from the bottom up, to deliver not just valuable data for the management but, equally, valuable tools for its users. By Signe Hansen | Photos: 360 Business Tool

The team behind 360 Business Tool has decades of experience developing and implementing business systems for some of Denmark’s largest corporations. But in 2010, Henrik Høyer, founder and director of the company, decided to do things differently. He wanted to create a subscription-based CRM tool tailored 32 | Issue 100 | May 2017

for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) on the Scandinavian market. Høyer and his team spent the following two years in a basement analysing their accumulated experience to identify the crucial components of an efficient CRM system. “One of the things I was frustrat-

ed with was that systems would typically be sold to the management of businesses on the basis of a lot of fancy charts and numbers, and then the users of the systems were often lost,” explains Høyer. “The CRM systems that ended up being successful were the ones that were useful in everyday tasks, and the ones that failed were the ones that were too ambitious and had no value to the end users. What we realised was that if we create a system that makes life easier for the people who use it, the data, budgets, and charts follow automatically.” Four years later, 360 Business Tool was launched, and today a string of Nor-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

dic SMBs including service companies, production and distribution companies, transportation and logistics companies, accountants, consultants, IT suppliers and pharmaceutical businesses use the system.

Keeping it real While many CRM systems might easily impress management at a sales presentation, creating a tool that combines advanced strategic features with everyday functionality is more difficult. If employees do not feel that using the tool makes tasks easier or saves them time, the risk is that they will neglect recording data or record it incorrectly. Many systems thus have great potential but fail because they never manage to get the users on board. Thomas Bomberg, co-owner and product manager of 360 Business Tool, explains: “We’ve prioritised creating a system that runs smoothly and quickly, and that means that users will, for instance, never have to wait for that well-known little cursor to spin around before a tool is ready to use. This is not something the management of a company would ever experience at a sales presentation of a system, but it is often the difference be-

tween a system that the users will employ and one that they won’t.” Getting employees to use the system by making it fast, time saving and visible is the key to the success of 360 Business Tool. As the tool becomes the users’ first choice for writing emails, creating offers, managing their time, registering and claiming transport expenses and so on, data and charts are collected and created effortlessly and reliably.

Continuous value To make 360 Business Tool accessible to businesses of all sizes, the system is sold as a subscription service. This means that rather than culminating its work in a one-off sale, the company continuously surveys the market, creates new functions and talks to clients about how to help them grow their businesses and meet specific goals. “What I’ve experienced earlier in the industry is that system providers are inclined to sell the most expensive solution and then use the least possible resources on the implementation and delivery. But with a subscription-based service, you automatically have the same interest as the client, because the only way to make

a profit is by keeping the client happy so that they stay with the service,” stresses Høyer. “We like being held to account every month, and that’s one of the reasons we made this shift. We want to generate happy CRM users who enjoy using their CRM system; satisfied customers who never want to do without us again.”

Facts about 360 Business Tool As 360 Business Tool’s name reveals, its functions cover all aspects of managing a company, including daily planning, time registration, sales, marketing, newsletters, budgeting, invoicing, reporting and more. The system is especially tailored with the Nordic market in mind. 360 Business Tool comprises both CRM and ERP and integrates a company’s existing services, such as email, calendar, telephones, documents, financial system, payroll, banking and more. The system is cloud-based and subscription-based, with a simple and straightforward fee structure.

For more information, please visit: www.360businesstool.com

Left: Based on his extensive experience of working with CRM systems, Henrik Høyer decided to turn things upside down and create a subscription-based CRM tool focused on functionality and practicality. Middle: According to Thomas Bomberg, co-owner and product manager of 360 Business Tool, the speed with which a CRM tool is operative is often what decides if it will be a success or not. Right: Business Tool covers all aspects of managing a company, including daily planning, time registration, sales, marketing, newsletters, budgeting, invoicing, reporting and more.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 33

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software Jesper Juel Jensen. Photo: Emma Pihl Pedersen

The small changes that make a great difference Collecting and sharing ideas within all layers of a company can be key to significant cost reductions, sales improvements and product developments. Despite this, many companies still do not have a specific tool to enable employers to put forward ideas and allow managers to respond with systematic feedback. Enter Ideanote.

Ideanote enables organisations to:

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Yussuf Ahmed

Managers in large corporations are often too detached from day-to-day operations to be aware of the small changes that can make a great difference. Hence, they need input from their employees – but unfortunately many companies have no procedure for submitting ideas, while others have procedures so complicated and bureaucratic that only the most tenacious persevere. In 2015, the three founders of Ideanote, Jesper Juel Jensen, Andreas Mehlsen and Rune Mehlsen, set forward to change this by creating the Ideanote service. “We began by talking to lots of employees, asking them what the problem was when it comes to contributing ideas,” explains Jensen. “One of the challenges we found was that a lot of employees felt unhappy because they weren’t listened to. It’s not about necessarily executing all ideas, but 34 | Issue 100 | May 2017

and Saxo as well as the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), which has just started working with Ideanote on a large project.

about providing regular feedback on the input that they come with.” By providing a simple, flexible and intuitive service for employees to submit ideas and managers to provide feedback, Ideanote allows for both general knowledge sharing and specific problem solving. One of the companies that have integrated Ideanote into the creative work environment is the mobile phone service provider Callme. “Ideanote made it easy for our employees to share ideas. They just have to write it and press send,” says Callme project manager Cindie Horn. “People are both motivated and inspired, and we can optimise our processes and ensure customer satisfaction at the same time. It’s a win-win.” Among other organisations to have integrated Ideanote’s service are Just Eat

- Invite their workforce to solve a set challenge or challenges. - Inspire ideation and innovation by creating a forum where everyone can and are encouraged to suggest ideas and changes. - Integrate idea and knowledge sharing in the everyday work life through a simple and intuitive tool. - Make the most of employees’ and managers’ skills and knowledge. - Evaluate ideas. Allow participants to rank, discuss and amend ideas. - Receive relevant feedback. With a few clicks, ideas can be shared with relevant stakeholders to allow for instant feedback. Ideanote is cloud-based, requires no installation and works on a subscription basis.

For more information, please visit: www.ideanote.io

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

Cluedin breaks down data silos by sharing and connecting data across different services and departments.

Breaking down data silos One of the greatest challenges for companies operating with different data services is the risk of knowledge becoming lost or invisible in a maze of data silos. With revolutionising new software, Cluedin provides an integration platform that seamlessly connects all your services in one place. By Signe Hansen | Photo: Cluedin

Cluedin is the solution to a problem experienced by many companies, the unintentional creation of data silos. Data silos are likely to occur everywhere where incompatible services based in separate clouds or on local servers are used, and cause problems for both managers and individual employees. CEO and co-founder of Cluedin, Tim Ward, explains: “In the organisations I previously worked in, there was always one thing that annoyed me: I noticed that knowledge sharing was never an inherent part of the work place. Neither employees nor teams or departments were fully aware or informed about the work

of others, and that’s why no one had the grand overview.”

Extensive knowledge hub Cluedin not only provides a softwarebased integration platform that enables employees to search for data across different services such as emails, calendars and online data services; it also creates a full overview of what is going on in an organisation. Moreover, it enables instant knowledge sharing, as all members of a team are informed when new relevant information is created. “As a knowledge worker, I need to know what’s happening in my team and organisation, because someone might have the exact information that

would enable me to produce a better piece of work more efficiently,” stresses Ward.

The right to be forgotten Data silos can also cause serious problems in relation to the new EU General Data Protection Regulation, including the ‘right to be forgotten’. This requires companies to find and delete all data on a client on request, something that can be difficult, if not impossible, to do in a maze of data silos. “We’ve had a lot of companies contact us regarding the ‘right to be forgotten’, since many see Cluedin as a possible solution as they can, say, search for a CPR number and immediately see all the data and tools that include it. That can be very valuable, as they can be financially penalised if they are unable to delete all information,” explains Ward. For more information, please visit: www.cluedin.com

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 35

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

CTO of Nows, Mahmoud El-Set, is also the man behind the successful Dalle Valle app. Here seen (right) together with designer of the Nows app, Ayub Beriev (left).

Fighting fake news with Nows By enabling users to stream and watch live breaking news from all over the world, the Nows app aims to redefine news. The app’s two Danish creators are not just aiming to give its future users a broader and more unbiased view of the world but also, by only allowing live content, to prevent the spreading of fake news. All they need now is the right investor to help them launch their news revolution. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Nows

Behind the Nows app are CEO Precila Birungi and CTO Mahmoud El-Set, also the creator of the successful Dalle Valle app. Birungi, a 25-year-old single mother, came up with the idea for the app when her own mother expressed regret about the delay and limited spectrum of news from their homeland of Uganda. “When we look at humans today, we all have a relationship to somewhere other than where we live, and that brings about a desire to be even more connected to the world,” explains Birungi. “Our vision is to change the way people experience news by enabling everyone to record live 36 | Issue 100 | May 2017

content on Nows. At the moment, the problem is that a lot of news video content is fake; it’s always difficult to verify a video from YouTube or on social media platforms like Facebook. Even regular TV channels struggle with verifying videos. But on Nows, people can’t upload anything that’s possibly been edited – they can only record live video and pictures.”

How it works One of the main defining features of Nows is that users are only able to share news. Any other content will be filtered out and deleted by a number of exclusive-

ly tailored algorithms. This differentiates it from existing media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube in that users will not have to navigate through a stream of cute cat videos to find, say, an earthquake update from Italy. Furthermore, Nows is different from more traditional news media in that it will have no specific target group or relevance parameters. Instead, users can search for news via locations as well as hashtags. “Via the hashtags you can, for instance, search for ‘car chase in Paris’, and then you’ll get all the different cameras available for that story. There might be a number of different headlines and angles for the story, and you can choose which one you want to follow,” El-Set explains. The app will also give a quick overview of the most-viewed news stories, which will be saved and available to view for 24 hours.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

Everyone can be a journalist By allowing everybody to stream news, Nows removes the predefined news values applied by traditional news media as well as popularity filters that determine which news users see first on social media. “We want to give everybody a chance to share their story. As it is now, it’s just a fact that some places get more attention than others. Hundreds of people might die in a distant part of the world and get no attention, but if two people die in Europe, it gets covered for weeks,” says Birungi. “If we can make the world smaller by informing each other, I believe we can make the world a better place.” Everyone, including professional journalists, can film and contribute to Nows on equal terms. At the same time, approved professional media will be able to access the app to buy user-generated

content, and all users thus can become paid news creators. The app also enables users to take and sell photos from their live stream.

for fake news, but it will require a lot of money and resources. We’ll not be able to eliminate fake news entirely, but we’ll be able to minimise it.”

A more truthful world

“In essence, the app presents news the way they happen – no journalistic angle and no prolonged reflection or analysis,” explains Birungi. “If I’m sitting in Uganda and you are in Denmark, from the moment I press ‘film’ you can follow my stream second by second, and when I stop filming that’s it. That’s what makes Nows authentic, new and real.”

While many unregulated online media featuring user-generated news struggle with an increasing amount of fake and fabricated news stories, the creators of Nows aim to get to the root of this problem by only allowing live streaming. “If you click into a breaking news story and see that there are 50 different people filming the same event from different angles, you automatically get more varied and reliable coverage,” explains El-Set. “Earlier, photos used to be the most authentic media. Then we had Photoshop, and video became the most reliable but, today, as video can easily be manipulated too, live video has taken that position. Yes, it’s still possible to create a set-up

Birungi and El-Se are currently looking for funding to finish and launch the Nows app.

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

Left: Nows will enable users to look at a map, swipe and select between a number of live news streams from people in that location. Right: CEO Precila Birungi was inspired by her mother to create the Nows app, which she hopes will one day be the world’s biggest user-generated news platform.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 37

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

Creating magical moments for customers Unhappy customers can be a deal breaker for many companies. So how do you keep your customers happy? Firmafon has developed a software platform that helps companies improve their customer relationships. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Firmafon

Customer is king. For many companies, a satisfied customer is what makes profit because a happy customer is a loyal customer who eventually becomes an ambassador for the brand. On the other hand, an unhappy customer is likely to take his business to the competitor. Nothing can make a customer more frustrated than a bad experience with customer service. “I think we’ve all experienced it. You call a web shop to ask about your order. First you have to wait for a long time, and when you finally get through, the representative asks you questions such as 38 | Issue 100 | May 2017

what phone number you’re calling from, if you can provide them with your booking reference and so on. It ends up being a bad experience for the customer, and subsequently for the company as well, as they might end up losing the customer,” says Peter Engelbrecht, CEO and founder of Firmafon. In 2010, he founded Firmafon with the intention to help companies build stronger relationships with their customers. The idea was to create a live communication platform that would provide customer service departments with the necessary

tools. Instead of having knowledge bases or robots answering emails, the focus has always been on the communication between two people, where the customer receives an instant reply to her request. “We want to help companies create this magical moment, where it feels like a system disappears and a person appears and solves the problem of the customer. Waiting a long time and answering silly questions kills the magic of the moment. You have to exceed the customer’s expectations to create this moment,” explains Engelbrecht.

Collecting information Firmafon delivers a chat and telephone platform that makes it much easier for companies to help their customers. One of the main features is reducing the wait-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

ing time. If there is a queue, the customer has the option to press 1 to receive a call when an employee is available. If there are more calls than customer service representatives, the call can also be put through to other employees in the company, who can act as back-up representatives. With the Firmafon platform, the employees can also see for how long the customer has been waiting, which gives them a better understanding of the patience of the customer. The most important function is perhaps the system’s ability to collect information from other systems. “Based on your phone number, our platform can find all the relevant information about your order. So, if a customer calls to ask about an invoice, the system will automatically gather all the invoices before the employee even picks up the phone. This way, the employee doesn’t have to ask who you are, where you’re calling from or what your booking reference is. They have all the information they need right in front of them, so they

can help the customer in a more efficient way,” explains Engelbrecht.

Positive feedback from the future generation Another useful functionality is the cooperation between the phone and the chat system. Younger people nowadays tend to text their friends instead of calling, and they want to approach companies the same way. “We aim to be at the forefront of the development, which is why the chat function is an integrated part of our live communication solution. Usually it’s a bit tricky for the employee to handle both the chat and the phone at the same time, as the systems come from different suppliers. That’s why we see a huge opportunity in having a system that connects the two – so if you called yesterday and use the chat today, both conversations are logged in the same system,” says Engelbrecht. After a call, the customer automatically receives a text message asking about

their satisfaction. This way, the employee will instantly learn whether the call was a good or bad experience, which can sometimes be difficult to tell. “This feedback mechanism has two purposes: it helps you learn from your mistakes, and the employee can call the customer to fix a problem right away. Customers who use this function have an average customer satisfaction rate of 90 per cent,” says Engelbrecht. Firmafon provides live communication solutions for 3,500 customers, but they are just getting started; according to Engelbrecht, there is still room for improvement for many companies. “It takes time to build customer relationships, but in the end it’s worth it. A connection is just the first step. Relationships are what matter.” For more information, please visit: www.firmafon.dk/scan Or call: +45 71 99 99 24

Peter Engelbrecht. Photo: Leitorp+Vadskær

Photo: Stocksy

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 39

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

Armstrong One delivers innovative insight-driven customer care and communication based on predictive analytics and artificial intelligence.

Intelligent communication with the flick of a switch With just the flick of a switch, Armstrong One offers companies a complete marketing optimising solution to match the service of an in-house data scientist. Combining the analytical power and artificial intelligence of its partner IBM with years of marketing experience, Armstrong One delivers innovative data-driven customer communications and interactions with time to market as low as 20 days. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Armstrong One

Due to the rising demand for data scientists, many companies struggle to recruit the in-house data expertise required to set up and maintain an intelligent datadriven customer communication service. These companies are becoming increasingly disadvantaged as their competitors 40 | Issue 100 | May 2017

ramp up their customer interactions and sales on the back of insight-driven customer communications. “From our customers’ point of view, what’s extremely attractive is the speed by which you can get to market and

start to perform better in communications. The companies that invested and implemented these processes in their organisation early on have accelerated their business, and they’ll continue to accelerate, so there are a lot of businesses, big and small, that need to catch up fast,” explains Jesper Valentin Holm, CEO of Armstrong One. “I talk to a lot of businesses that are desperately looking for an in-house data scientist, but while they’re looking we have a service that offers them 100 years of experience within data science combined into analytics, which they can start using without hav-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

ing resources in-house. It will get them started immediately, benefit their business hugely and educate them on what to expect from artificial intelligence and data science.” From the first case meeting with a customer, it takes Armstrong One as little as 20 days to collect and analyse data, tailor-make content and train the artificial intelligence modules that enable the cloud-based service to deliver innovative insight-driven customer communication.

Built on years of marketing experience Created by a team with extensive backgrounds within marketing and marketing technology, Armstrong One combines two core disciplines of digital marketing: the analysis of data to identify patterns and insights into customer expectations, and the capability to deliver personal and engaging communication with customers and potential customers. “The idea came from a discussion we had about combining those two core disciplines into a product that would be not just based on the analytical needs of businesses, but also easy for companies to implement,” explains Holm. “What we offer is strong experience within the field of marketing, combined with all the opportunities that new cognitive tech-

nology represents, packed into a service that can be applied by those who understand their business best.” The service focuses on specific customer touch points and predictive data analysis on data collected through them. By applying tailored algorithms, artificial intelligence components, to this data, Armstrong One identifies the most suitable media, timing and communication to contact the customer with and, most importantly, executes the communication through the chosen marketing channel.

A tactical service, not a strategic tool While built upon state-of-the-art technology from Armstrong One’s global partners, IBM and Agillic, the service is designed to fit the specific marketing needs of a business. This means that customers do not have to deal with individual technology components but can instead apply it straight away either as a tactical tool or as an overall marketing strategy. “We are often met with the question of how we compete with existing marketing technology, and it’s very simple – we don’t. This is not a strategic solution; it’s a tactical tool that helps a marketing director approach specific challenges and,

as it’s offered on a subscription model, once you’ve succeeded with whatever you set it up for, you can stop using the service or change the approach,” stresses Holm. The company’s unique offering is reflected in its impressive client base, which includes some of the biggest international corporations in Denmark and abroad. Facts about Armstrong One: Armstrong one is a subscription-based service. Armstrong comes with built-in connectors to most line-of-business systems, be it CRM, CMS, POS or ERP systems. Armstrong One prepares and analyses the customer data, trains the artificial intelligence models, adjusts the content and flow of communications (with the individual customer’s text, logo and style) and begins executing the marketing strategy within as little as 15 days. As the service is cloud-based, it requires no installation but can be launched with the flick of a switch.

For more information, please visit: www.armstrongone.io

‘What we offer is strong experience within the field of marketing, combined with all the opportunities that new cognitive technology represents,’ explains Jesper Valentin Holm, CEO of Armstrong One.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 41

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

Michael Kristiansen, head of sales.

Preben Kirkeby, founder.

Making excellent customer service easy Customer service is a quintessential part of any business, and every business owner is familiar with the importance of maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. Miralix makes achieving excellence much easier with its unique range of software and services. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Miralix

Miralix was founded in 1996 by Preben Kirkeby, initially focusing on providing telephone handsets for companies. Since then, it has evolved and now provides essential software for companies wanting to optimise their customer contact system. “What we’re actually selling is the opportunity to offer better customer service,” explains Kirkeby.

The software Miralix has created software that makes life much easier for companies, especially in company call centres. It efficiently redirects calls to available staff, thereby reducing waiting times. Miralix also provides an overview of whom the customer has spoken to previously, as well as the availability of that person. All this means that the customer is quickly and easily redirected to the right person. 42 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Furthermore, Miralix offers packages for mobile phones and Skype for Business, optimising the use of these for companies. “Importantly, all our products are customisable, which means that they can be optimised for each business,” says Kirkeby. The software provides a visual representation of the software statistics, making it easy for the company to change when, how or where they are using it.

met by a familiar language – regardless of the country the caller is calling from,” explains Kirkeby. Whether you have a small company or 20,000 customers, the products remain the same, and the 35 employees at Miralix are friendly and at hand to help with any needs you may have. The brand makes an excellent partner for any business, providing what is possibly the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way to improve your customer service.

The company Miralix is an established company that has changed with the times and is at the forefront of customer service. Their own customers are delighted with the support and service they provide, both on a national and an international basis, as well as the cost-efficiency of the products. “Our software comes in 26 languages so that every caller can automatically be

To find out more and get in contact, please visit: www.miralix.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Spotlight on Danish Apps & Software

Flexible staffing just got smarter “Our goal is to end youth unemployment,” says Michael Bugaj. He is the founder of meploy, a flexible staffing platform, and his vision is as bold as it is bright. “One in five secondary school graduates in Europe leaves school to face unemployment, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are endless businesses out there in need of an on-demand workforce, for instance to help with an unexpected restaurant booking or to cover when someone is sick or when an extra delivery run is required, but the agencies they currently rely on aren’t flexible enough. We want to join these dots,” Bugaj explains. meploy, launched in Denmark a year ago, allows students, graduates and freelancers to put themselves and their experience out there for organisations to search for all the temporary staff they need. Reviews aid the recruitment and in-app invoicing saves time at both ends, while a fixed hourly rate and a cap at seven

hours per booking prevent salary dumping. “We want to help – not contribute to exploitation,” Bugaj asserts. “We need to find solutions for the labour market of the future. With an increased level of automation, removing more and more jobs, we need to lower the entry barrier and find new ways of earning a living. We’re in continuous dialogue with trade unions and are doing everything we can to create a safe, solid alternative market.” The goal is simple: to expand across Denmark and then throughout Europe, where the demand seems clear and the solution perfectly applicable. In time, the entrepreneur envisages that workers will be able to travel the world while earning a living through meploy. Employment benefits including holiday pay and parental

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: meploy

leave may also one day become part of the package. “It’s a no-brainer. The flexible workforce is out there. We’re just connecting them with the employers who need them, in a quick and easy way.”

For more information, please visit: www.meploy.me

A helping hand for children with special needs tiimo is a smartwatch app developed for children with special needs due to, for example, ADHD, brain damage and autism. The app creates structure and an easier everyday life for the children and their families. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: tiimo

tiimo is like a friend on your wrist. The app gives children with ADHD, autism, brain damage and other diagnoses resulting in special needs more structure in their everyday life. “The smartwatch is a good platform because it accompanies the child throughout the day, and it vibrates when it’s time for a new activity,” says Melissa Azari, co-founder of tiimo. “Furthermore, there is a visual countdown ahead of the next activity, which helps the children understand how much time they have left of the current activity. This makes them more independent, because they don’t always have to ask an adult.”

writing their thesis on digital design and communication at the IT University in Copenhagen. “We aimed to design something that would make life easier for children with ADHD without making them feel different,” says Azari. As it turned out, the app also helped children with other special needs, for example

due to autism and brain damage, as they faced similar challenges. However, it is not only the children that are helped by tiimo. “When you have a child with special needs, it often creates conflicts in the home. But when tiimo is there to give the child reminders, it frees up time and creates peace in the family. The app helps the entire family, which is probably why it is so popular,” smiles Azari. For more information, please visit: www.tiimo.dk

Helps the whole family

Azari came up with the idea for tiimo together with Helene Lassen Nørlem, while Issue 100 | May 2017 | 43

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway

Visit Apotekergaarden – a homely restaurant and brewery in an old pharmacy Apotekergaarden is almost considered a cultural institution of Grimstad’s nightlife. What once was an old pharmacy is today a restaurant and brewery serving real love with a dash of nostalgia in this little maritime town in the southern part of Norway. Known for extremely good burgers, home-brewed beer, and a cool, intimate retro vibe, it is not difficult to see why this is a popular hang-out spot. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Apotekergaarden

As you step inside this old mansion, built in the beginning of the 1800s, you are greeted by a homely and sentimental feeling. The interior is a mix of styles and objects from the past, full of retro furniture and antique treasures. Guests can make use of the many living rooms available across the two floors, with a seating capacity of 600, as well as a cosy back garden hosting a selection of cultural events and concerts during the season. 44 | Issue 100 | May 2017

“We strive to serve delicious, real and uncomplicated food accompanied by quality drinks in homely surroundings. Our aim is to be at the forefront of the entertainment scene in southern Norway, a place you can come and feel at home and experience the full package! Stop by and enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere, whether it is a meal or a concert, or simply to chat with us about beer,” says Kjetil Røyset Jørgensen. He established

Apotekergaarden in 2001, after completing his hotel management studies in Stavanger, and has been the general manager for the last 17 years. “A lot has changed over the years, but the core idea of serving locally sourced and produced food has always remained.”

Local ingredients In Grimstad, Apotekergaarden is famous for its homemade and locally produced burgers. They use Hereford meat from Fiære farm, situated only three kilometres away, which is then slaughtered in Lillesand at Jens Eide and delivered straight to the restaurant. The cows are grass-fed, giving the meat a fantastic quality. Sustainability is crucial and, according to Røyset Jørgensen, the burgers

Scan Magazine | Best Restaurant in Southern Norway | Apotekergaarden

are ‘Norway’s most locally sourced burgers’, with all the ingredients from the same district. You always hear that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and here the core of the heart is the Josper Grill, fired with Argentinian barbecue charcoal, a method that adds a unique flavour, texture and juiciness to the meat. Aside from the 15,000 burgers served every year, customers can also find grilled fish, entrecote, Italian pizza, focaccia, side dishes and desserts on the menu, all homemade to perfection with the finest local ingredients. “I highly recommend trying our home-made Irish cream, prepared with fresh eggs, cream and spices for the perfect end to your meal,” says Røyset Jørgensen.

Home-brewed beer and naked wine What is a great meal without great drinks? Apotekergaarden understands the importance of beverages, and they

are passionate about their home-brewed beer. The brewery was built using old milk tanks and located on the second floor, a welcome sight for any beer lover! Here, customers can take a closer look at the brewing process, which takes place twice a week, or take part in beer tasting from the range available at the bar. “We have a variety of around 100 beer types, 20 of them on tap. Our close relationship with the city’s pride, Nøgne Ø, means that we serve everything they make, and you can always try their new beers here first,” explains Røyset Jørgensen. In addition to home-made beer and cider, the wine profile consists of mostly biodynamic and organic wines. All wine served is made with grapes produced by wine farmers who use organic and biodynamic principles in their production. The wine philosophy of Apotekergaarden is based on a close friendship with the renowned wine-importing company Nondos, which distributes naked and honest wine from

Meinklang in Austria. “We sell the most wine in all of southern Norway, almost 20,000 litres a year. Our customers know that they drink vintage wine without additives or traces of spraying agents. They get a good wine experience and less of a headache, as long as they practise moderation,” says Røyset Jørgensen. This summer, Apotekergaarden will be hosting The Lulu Show – life is a dance on interest rates, a one-woman show by Norwegian musician, songwriter and actress Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen. Her burlesque, jazzy and comic presentation of finance, debt and temptation premiered at Centralteatret in Oslo in November 2015 to stunning reviews, and is said to be an unmissable and fun experience.

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 45

Scan Magazine | Best Restaurant in Western Norway | XL Diner

The restaurant goes through 21 tonnes of klipfish every year.

Pinning bacalao on the culinary map In the very heart of the klipfish centre of Norway lies the longstanding bacalao restaurant XL Diner, with chefs whose veins are filled with the salted and dried cod and whose passion for bacalao has led them to put Norwegian klipfish on the international culinary map. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Tommy Rasmussen

Going back to 1999, restaurant entrepreneur and chef Ivar Breivik opened the doors of XL Diner in Ålesund, Norway, as his experience of cooking bacalao is deeply ingrained in his background as a chef. Little did he know that it would become one of the biggest bacalao restau46 | Issue 100 | May 2017

hometown. “That’s why I wanted to make a good klipfish restaurant that was going to take good traditional Norwegian food and mix it with influences from Brazil, Spain and Italy,” explains Breivik, who has travelled the world in his quest for the best bacalao recipes.

rants in the world – now going through 21 tonnes of klipfish on an annual basis.

A versatile dish

The city of Ålesund is built around klipfish, and today a whopping 96 per cent of the klipfish exported worldwide comes from this particular place – Breivik’s

But bacalao is more than just the red dish it is known as to most Norwegians. “The word ‘bacalao’ just means ‘cod’ in Spanish, but somehow Norwegians have created their own definition of it as the

Scan Magazine | Best Restaurant in Western Norway | XL Diner

red dish that many people are used to seeing,” explains Breivik. XL Diner features several types of bacalao on the menu, including a daily bacalao, which changes depending on the best ingredients available on the day. “We’ve got Parma bacalao, Portuguese bacalao – we’ve probably got around 100 different recipes for it, if not a thousand. It’s only the imagination that can stop you when it comes to it,” says Breivik. Though heavily focused on the salted and dried cod, the restaurant also features other meat and fish dishes, and tries to use local produce as much as possible.

Located on the historic harbour Skateflukaia, the restaurant boasts views across the sea – quite rightly so considering the menu. Starters include salmon and seafood mousse, pan-fried cod tongue and fish croquettes, poached klipfish, and then there is the soup of the day and main courses including panfried cod’s head.

Longstanding family traditions Both chefs at XL Diner, Breivik and Roar Aarseth, were born and raised in Ålesund. “Klipfish has been part of both our childhoods. My father had a fishing boat and I’m used to eating sundried klipfish the

Located on the historic Skateflukaia, XL Diner welcomes guests from all over the world.

Guests can enjoy the sea view when dining at XL Diner.

The traditionally Norwegian red bacalao dish is not the only version of bacalao out there.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 47

Scan Magazine | Best Restaurant in Western Norway | XL Diner

XL Diner is located right on the harbour.

old way,” explains Breivik. “Klipfish has been my signature dish since I became a chef many years ago, and I’ve travelled the world making it.” Restaurant Manager Aarseth has worked with klipfish since he learnt to walk and joined the XL Diner team in 2001, two years after they opened. Equally, Breivik has worked hard to put klipfish on the map by travelling through places

like Portugal, Brazil and Spain doing cookery shows and learning new takes on bacalao.

also adds that, traditionally, a Portuguese woman will not be married until she knows a new bacalao dish for every day.

“I met so many good old grandmothers who taught me all their tricks,” he laughs. “I learnt how they created their bacalao dishes, which were passed down through families, and I got a really good understanding of how they cooked it in the southern regions at a young age.” Breivik

“When I started out, 15 years ago, you couldn’t find bacalao and klipfish in Norway, but now it is almost like a national dish, which is really popular not just as an item on a restaurant menu but also in people’s homes. It’s the ocean’s Parma ham,” says the chef.

The food is prepared by chefs Ivar Breivik and Roar Aarseth.

What exactly is klipfish and bacalao? Klipfish is salted and dried cod, and bacalao is simply the Spanish word for cod. As a dish, the latter refers to a meal using klipfish – usually in a red tomato sauce, but there are thousands of variations of it, often passed down through generations. XL Diner What? Bacalao restaurant. Where? Ålesund city centre, Norway. What is on the menu? Mainly klipfish and bacalao, but also local meat and fish. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 5pm-11pm (kitchen closes at 10.30pm).

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

48 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Scan Magazine | Culinary Profile | Insekt KBH

Photo: Vika Marshalek

Photo: Insekt KBH

The FIFTEEN Crickets juice – challenging you to drink insects Jakob Lewin Rukov and Philip Price are on a mission: they want to introduce you to edible insects. Yes, you heard that right: insects – all with a juice called FEMTEN Fårekyllinger, or FIFTEEN Crickets.

support the company to develop and produce more juices. “We want to get out of our backyard and reach more people,” says Price.

By Heidi Kokborg

“Insects are actually very tasty and healthy, and in some parts of the world they are a normal part of the diet. We want to show people this, and we believe that a juice is a safe way to do it as it’s already a very popular drink,” says Price, co-founder of Insekt KBH.

ed to set up Insekt KBH. “I have a PhD in biology and own a cricket farm, and Philip has a background in marketing at CBS so we had a pretty good foundation for starting the company,” says Lewin Rukov.

Environmentally friendly production

But why do we need to start eating insects in the western world? Do we not have enough diet fads going around already? This is not about health or losing weight – but about the environment. “We are close to eight billion people on the planet and have a growing middle class. Research shows that when people get more money, they buy more protein, and this is taking its toll on the planet,” the founders explain. “To produce one kilogramme of beef, you need 15,000 litres of water. One kilogramme of insects only requires eight litres.”

Price got the idea for Insekt KBH a little over a year ago, and when he met Jakob Lewin Rukov at an insect event, they decid-

Insekt KBH has a Kickstarter campaign that runs until 28 May, where you can

Crickets – and insects in general – are highly nutritious and particularly rich in vitamin B12, which is one of the most important vitamins for the human body. You need vitamin B12 for conversion of fat and amino acids in the body, which comprise the building blocks of protein. A single bottle of FEMTEN Fårekyllinger will cover 50 per cent of your daily need for vitamin B12.

Co-founder Jakob Lewin Rukov’s cricket farm, Bugging Denmark. Photo: Emil Vinther, Vice Munchies.

Insekt KBH is a company that makes juice from insects. In Denmark and Norway, they are marketing their first juice, FEMTEN Fårekyllinger (or FIFTEEN Crickets), which is an appleginger shot with, as the name suggests, 15 crickets. In the near future, the plan is for the juice line to be expanded. Crickets contain 70 per cent protein and many vitamins and minerals.

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 49

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway

Huset-KBH exudes unique Copenhagen experiences From the 1970s up until this day, Huset-KBH (‘the KBH House’) has been the platform for all things cultural in Copenhagen. By Cheni Foo | Photos: Huset-KBH

Huset-KBH presents more than 1,500 cultural events for hundreds of thousands of guests every year, in old warehouse buildings in central Copenhagen. Squatters occupied the house in the 1970s and started a cultural movement that made the foundation for today’s active network of creative volunteers, entrepreneurs, co-creators and fierce enthusiasts. The bustling culture house, 50 | Issue 100 | May 2017

situated just a stone’s throw away from Copenhagen City Hall and the main shopping area, is worth a visit for its diverse selection of cultural events. “We believe that we offer unique Copenhagen experiences for the curious visitor,” says Jakob Kwedéris, head of Huset-KBH. “There is always something surprising going on here, and many events are completely free of charge.”

The house presents relevant and challenging events and activities for Copenhageners and visitors alike. The huge range of events covers film in the in-house cinema, theatre performances, concerts, stand-up and spoken word. Central to them all is that they challenge the cultural status quo. Though not rejecting the mainstream, Kwedéris says: “We give space to acts that are still experimenting and improving as a step on their way to bigger stages and theatres. You can find fresh talents from the promising underground, who are ready to show you what they have to offer. So, if we have a pop act

Scan Magazine | Culture Profile | Huset-KBH

Above: Huset-KBH hosts more than 1,500 cultural events annually, ranging from theatre performances and stand-up to concerts and film screenings in the in-house cinema. During the summer, the courtyard is open and offers both an open-air cinema and free concerts. Below left: Bastard Café takes up the ground floor of Huset-KBH and is Denmark’s first and biggest board game café. Indulge in a coffee or snack while you play one of the café’s numerous games. Below right: Spisehuset Fair is Huset-KBH’s newly opened restaurant, offering wholesome food at a good price. The restaurant promotes employment of disadvantaged youth and fosters their education.

on stage, it’s the alternative twist to pop that brought them here in the first place.” Upon entering the lively house, you will find a cobbled courtyard full of true Copenhagen atmosphere; the perfect place to enjoy a beer and feel the city pulse. Crossing the courtyard, you will find the board game café, which is a huge success with visitors. The café is run by some serious board game geeks and a number of enthusiastic volunteers. Named Bastard Café, it has a collection of 500 analogue board games, and people of all types and nationalities spend long evenings playing games here while drinking beer and coffee. The latest addition to the board game café concept is Downstairs Café, with extra room for board gaming, this time with a twist of gin of the quality sort. The gin and game café is due to open on 20 May.

Huset-KBH. They have an eye for developing new and fun gastronomic experiences for the people of Copenhagen, and they have a credibility that invites you to ‘hygge’ and enjoy your stay together with your friends,” says Kwedéris. “At the same time, they have an invaluable position as a social enterprise that supports disadvantaged youth to help them find a way into jobs and education. We wish to back these values as they complement what we’re about very well,” Kwedéris continues. “We are here to support the already active enthusiasts and the cultural creators of tomorrow, across different niches and genres.”

When asked what he is looking forward to the most as part of the summer programme, Kwedéris points to the festivals. “There are great experiences to choose from as the house enters the season of festivals at the end of May,” he says. The festivals in Huset-KBH cover gaming, H.C. Anderson experiences, a packed programme for Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2017, and a festival celebrating the underground music scene and summer in the city. Be sure to check out Huset-KBH’s event programme, or pop in and explore the building on your own during your stay in Copenhagen. For more information, please visit: www.huset-kbh.dk

Since the beginning of May this year, Huset-KBH has also been home to a social enterprise restaurant, Spisehuset Fair (‘the Eatery Fair’), which opened as a new part of the lively environment in Huset-KBH. Jakob Kwedéris is excited about the new co-player in the work for co-creation and creative growth in the city of Copenhagen. “We have chosen to cooperate with Spisehuset Fair because they are a quality-conscious restaurant. They will be providing services to the many hundreds of thousands of guests who enter Issue 100 | May 2017 | 51

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway

With a big focus on colour, Stoppested Verden transforms the festival grounds into a vibrant universe. Photo: Ida Christine Standerholen.

A vibrant cultural melting pot in Hamar Once a year, a local park in the eastern part of Norway, more specifically Hamar, turns into a huge, colourful and cultural melting pot for people of all backgrounds – a place where individuals come together to meet and connect on a human level, regardless of their race, gender and upbringing. By Line Elise Svanevik

Stoppested Verden (‘Next stop: the World’) is a free international children’s festival primarily aimed at kids and youngsters, hosted yearly during the first weekend of June. Since its inception in 2008, it has become a place for everyone and seeks to inspire, stimulate and build bonds of knowledge and understanding between its visitors. Unlike many festivals aimed at children, there is no consumerist focus that pressures the visitors into buying things. The 52 | Issue 100 | May 2017

only thing sold at the festival is food – and this is sourced from all over the world, making it part of the experience. “You won’t find a bouncy castle at our festival,” says Mocci Ryen, initiator and festival director of Stoppested Verden. “Through the arts, we want our visitors to interact with and experience a multitude of cultural traditions. Whether it is playing musical instruments like the harmonium from India, learning to dance Argentinian tango, or experiencing El Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), we want to build ac-

ceptance for the multicultural diversity that shapes our world today.” The festival’s main focus is antiracism, and Ryen is keen to explain that the work of the festival is not limited to the two days in June. “This is a continuous project that spans the whole year. We work closely alongside people who have just arrived in Norway, as either asylum seekers or refugees, and we want to engage them in the local community,” Ryen explains. “Through collaborations with asylum centres, embassies, cultural societies and NGOs as well as educational institutions and nurseries, we are able to involve people of all nationalities and backgrounds in a common goal: to build an arena of social understanding and ac-

Scan Magazine | Festival Profile | Stoppested Verden

ceptance, thus contributing to the future of our children and youth.” As a singer who has taken part in many musical projects throughout Pakistan, South Africa, Malaysia and Guatemala, to name a few, Ryen is determined to contribute to making the world a bit more accessible for people in the region. “You don’t have to travel far outside of Oslo before henna designs are looked upon as quite exotic. Beyond the metropolitan cities of Norway, there are few arenas promoting other cultural traditions, and we need to contribute by helping people to expand their horizon. This festival isn’t exotic, that’s not our aim – it’s about everything that people are, the whole spectrum of it. It’s a colourful melting pot,” says Ryen.

Train journey through the world In the three weeks running up to the two-day festival in June, the park is transformed to take the shape of different countries and continents, with a train running throughout. “We present around

40 to 50 countries in the park each year,” says Ryen. “The idea is that you get on a train and stop off in Egypt to learn oriental dancing; then you jump back on the train and stop in Mexico, where you’ll get the opportunity to make masks inspired by Aztec Indians. Then you go to Somalia for some food, followed by a trip to Sri Lanka to participate in a bit of meditation or yoga.” Ryen explains the importance of learning about different cultures, particularly when people of various backgrounds get to do it together. “When your neighbour from Afghanistan and his family, who you hardly know or speak to, is learning salsa with you and your kids – that’s when you connect on a human level, and it might open up for conversations you wouldn’t otherwise have, thus expanding your horizon,” says Ryen. The festival focuses on treasuring individual traits and cultural differences, with the aim being to include rather than

exclude – to build a more open society free from prejudice and barriers. Using colour as one of its main tools, the vibrant energy found in the park during the festival is enough to make everyone leave with a smile. It is a blend of tastes, smells, people, colours and textiles that immediately jumps out at those entering the park. “One of the comments we often get is that it’s a shame you can’t rent a child for the day,” laughs Ryen. “Because being able to experience this through the eyes of a child is absolutely amazing.” What? International children’s festival focused on antiracism. When? 3-4 June, 11am-5pm. Where? Museumsparken, Norsk Jernbanemuseum, Hamar, Norway. Admission is free.

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

Top left: Art projects from nurseries in the region are sourced for the festival. Photo: Anna Krømcke. Top middle: Discover the world in two days at the international children’s festival in Hamar. Photo: Tuva Kleven. Right: The festival celebrates the uniqueness of each culture and is a place for people to meet and experience the world. Photo: Ida Christine Standerholen. Bottom left: The festival features a vast range of activities inspired by the cultures of the world. Photo: Ida Christine Standerholen. Bottom middle: Initiator and festival director Mocci Ryen has worked on musical projects all over the world. Photo: Tuva Kleven.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 53

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Mikael Persbrandt

Persbrandt starring in Nobody Owns Me. Photo: Alexandra Aristarhova

54 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Mikael Persbrandt

Exclusive interview with Mikael Persbrandt

‘I found myself on stage’ Mikael Persbrandt is internationally known for his starring role in the Academy Award-winning In a Better World, directed by Susanne Bier. In an exclusive interview with Scan Magazine, the Swedish actor describes his relationship with acting as a never-ending love story and talks about his hobbies of fixing cars and racing, why he is the owner of a theatre in Stockholm, and what it was like playing alongside Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. By Heidi Kokborg

“For me, acting is a love story. When I’m on stage, it’s an experience of love. I feel alive and good; it’s like therapy,” says Persbrandt. “It is hard to explain and put it into words. Acting is about emotions and expressing myself.” Persbrandt never went to acting school – in fact, he had never even thought about becoming an actor until a dance teacher suggested it. Originally, Persbrandt went to art school and, when he fell in love with a beautiful ballerina, he decided to pursue dancing. “I tend to do everything too much. When I fell in love with her, I started dancing instead of painting so that I could see her. I danced for eight hours every day for two years,” Persbrandt recalls. One day, his dance teacher told him that Sweden’s most famous director of all time, Ingmar Bergman, had an actor drop out and now needed a replacement for a show that was in just two weeks. Persbrandt immediately said he would

do it. “And that was it. I fell in love with acting the moment I stepped out onto the stage. I forgot everything about dancing, painting and my ballerina.”

Working with Guy Ritchie Since Persbrandt first set foot on stage in 1983, he has played Gunvald Larsson in Beck for almost two decades, purchased his own theatre, where he also acts, in Stockholm, and starred in multiple Swedish as well as international films. The most recent film, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, was directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is an adventure film about the legendary British leader King Arthur. Arthur is robbed of his birth right as king and rises to power the hard way from the back alleys of Londinium (the old Roman name for London). Once he pulls the sword from the stone, he is forced to acknowl-

edge his true legacy. Persbrandt plays the role of Kjartan. “It was a complete pleasure working with Guy, Jude and Charlie. They are all nice guys and very down to earth. All three are easy to work with and very determined to do a good job,” says Persbrandt. “It was actually quite easy to prepare for the part. In truth, I think the hardest part about acting is walking and talking at the same time, while still sounding believable.”

Far from Hollywood Previously, Persbrandt played the lead role in the Danish film In a Better World, directed by Susanne Bier, which won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. His role earned him a European Film Awards nomination for Best Actor in 2011. He has since been seen in The Hobbit, Alone in Berlin, The Siege of Jadotville and other international films, so it is safe to say that Persbrandt could easily have jumped on the Hollywood train and moved to L.A. However, that never seemed tempting to him. “For me, there’s no difference between playing in small or big films. A camera is a camera and a movie set is a movie set – and then there are 700 people at lunch instead of 35. I actually think I prefer the smaller productions; they are more fun Issue 100 | May 2017 | 55

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Mikael Persbrandt

and intimate. The big productions can almost become too big. But acting-wise, there is no difference,” he says. As for Hollywood, that never really interested him at all. “I never wanted to live in L.A. When I was young, Hollywood did not give a shit about me – I was just a random Swedish actor. It was not until I was 45 that they became interested, and then I honestly wasn’t interested in them. I never wanted to get on the Hollywood train.” Therefore, it probably comes as no surprise that his favourite film to have ever played in is a Swedish 2004 production, Day and Night. The film is about a father, his son, his cheating wife, his young mistress, his lonely sister, his dementiasuffering mother, a fantastic football coach, a pregnant sex worker and an angel disguised as an old man. “The script was just amazing,” he says. “I really had to work for my part, and to this day I still think I played it very well. It was just a great film.”

A true love story Persbrandt started out on stage, and even though he has played in many films and starred in the popular Swedish TV series

Beck – all with huge success – his love for the stage and theatre is as big as ever. “I always say the stage is my mother, and films are my mistresses. The stage taught me everything I know about acting,” says Persbrandt. “When I first started acting, I was a very shy young man. I had no idea how to express myself, but I found myself on the stage. It was an opportunity for me to get out all my emotions and express the inner feelings I had bottled up for so long. That’s what makes it such a beautiful love story – because I found myself on stage.” Therefore, Persbrandt did not have to think long or hard when he got the opportunity to buy his own stage, Maximteatern, in Stockholm. “I love having my own stage, because I can do whatever I want. It is my stage, and it is a fantastic opportunity. I absolutely love performing there,” he smiles. So, what does he love most, films or stage work? “I love both equally, and I consider myself a lucky man to be able to do both. The theatre is more work. I have to be on stage every night and tell the same story. When I play Macbeth, I prepare for

In a better world.

Alone in Berlin.

Beck.

56 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Nobody Owns Me. Photo: Alexandra Aristarhova

months. It is a much harder role to prepare for than, say, my role in King Arthur. In a film, you only have to get one good shoot. Being on stage is a more careful way of acting,” he explains. “But films require a certain kind of concentration when you are in front of the camera. They are so different, but I will never be able to pick just one of them.”

Persbrandt’s happy place When he is not on stage, on a movie set or preparing for a role, Persbrandt prefers to be on his horse farm in Stora Lundby just south of Stockholm. In particular, he likes spending time in the garage, where he fixes cars and bikes. “I grew up with cars and bikes. It’s my hobby. I think it’s cool to be around motor guys and girls and talk about petrol and engines – something that’s not related to art at all. I also race every now and then – there are some cool tracks around Europe,” he smiles and adds: “I love my horse farm and my garage, and I am very happy here.” Mikael Persbrandt is represented by INDIO Management, Kurt Selling.

February means romance. And so does JarlsbergÂŽ! Treat your special someone to a home cooked meal. Breakfast in bed, a romantic lunch or an intimate dinner. Keep the meal simple and add the special ingredients - love and JarlsbergÂŽ.

www.jarlsberg.com

LE ER B M SA e IS SUM CES Sp M H UN DIS RIEN E E SW EXP h

a ci

Kalmar Castle. Photo: Emmy Jonsson

A stunning summer in Sweden Design and innovation in all their glory – no summertime trip to Sweden is complete without historic sites and unspoilt nature. Photos: imagebank.sweden.se

From the flat fields of the island of Öland down the south-east, to Europe’s largest unregulated rapid up north, allow yourself to really experience Swedish nature on your next holiday. Combine days of sunbathing on the long sandy beaches of Öland with a day or two of hiking across the unique limestone plain of Alvaret, or head across to the hopping historical city of Kalmar. Explore world-class bulb and orchid collections and get some gardening tips in the celebrated botanical gardens of both Gothenburg and Uppsala, or opt for adventure and wildlife with some archipelago kayaking or moose watching. Across the country, Sweden’s royal heritage is evident thanks to well-preserved castles and estates. Come for the wow factor, stay for the award-winning food, 58 | Issue 100 | May 2017

and get well-kept gardens, history tours and royal fun for the kids as a bonus. If your timing is right, why not join in as the Crown Princess celebrates her 40th birthday at Solliden? Photo: Niclas Vestefjell

Swedes may not be known for boasting, but there is plenty to boast about: from manmade beauty to nature’s gifts, from the deepest forests to the endless views from Sweden’s tallest lighthouse, Långe Jan. What are you waiting for? For more information, please visit: www.visitsweden.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

Photo: Eva S Andersson

Rhododendron calophytum.

View from Håberget.

World-class wilderness and natural beauty Set on 430 acres of land in the heart of the city, Gothenburg Botanical Garden boasts a range of extraordinary collections and rare species. With art exhibitions and wild fauna to boot, it is a place bursting with natural exploration and beauty. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Gothenburg Botanical Garden

“This time of year, the Smithska Valley is at its most beautiful. The rhododendron is in full bloom, and we arrange guided walks through the garden through all of June,” says Anders Stålhand, head gardener at Gothenburg Botanical Garden. “What amazes many visitors is how close to wild nature you get here despite being in the heart of the city. The Smithska Valley is that wildness turned up to 11 – we’ve even had to reinforce the fencing to prevent wild boar from coming in and eating the bulbs and plants. We get the odd moose too.”

ed programme of events and exhibitions, as well as in essence of 1,500 species of tropical orchids, and you will see why botany and horticulture enthusiasts are impressed. This year sees two new exhibition efforts. Beyond Plant Blindness is the result of a research project exploring the complex social life of plants, where artists and researchers from institutions in Iceland, the UK and southern Sweden have collaborated to challenge the perception of plant life as static and quiet.

The Gothenburg Botanical Garden was founded in 1923 with the aim of presenting botany and biodiversity to the public in a beautiful way. Spread out across 430 acres, it boasts 16,000 plant species and hybrids – the largest collection of its kind in Europe – alongside one of the world’s greatest collections of bulbs and tubers. Add a spectacular waterfall, a herb garden, a Japanese valley and a multifacet-

“The other big exhibition this year is a collaboration with Not Quite, an art collective from the Dalsland forests, where they artistically interpret epiphytes – plants that grow on other plants without harming them,” Stålhand explains. “It presents 20-odd pieces of art in the gardens and green houses, using everything from metal and wool work to video art, so it’s a multifaceted exhibition.”

The head gardener himself is currently knee-deep in exciting behind-the-scenes work as part of a garden that never stops growing. For instance, new display green houses are in the pipeline, marking the first time for such development in Sweden in about two decades. British tourists, meanwhile, may be less focused on the extraordinary and more enthusiastic about regular Swedish fauna. “They’ve only got grey squirrels on the British Isles, so they love getting to see red squirrels here – something we can pretty much guarantee,” says Stålhand.

Beyond Plant Blindness: until 15 September The Epiphytic Society – Not Quite: until 30 September

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 59

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

Grafitti from 2016. Photo: Pärra Andreasson

Klänningar och collage. Photo: Britt-Marie Frennesson Proudlock

Eventful summer in Ronneby Ronneby Kulturcentrum in southern Sweden has an extensive programme of engaging exhibitions on offer this summer. Visitors can immerse in photographic art, archelogy and landscape work as well as graffiti and textile design. But there will also be time for Ronneby Kulturcentrum’s 30th anniversary celebrations and an assignment initiated by Region Blekinge. By Sara Wenkel

Archaeological investigations in an area from the Iron Age, located just outside of Ronneby, are the driving factor behind exhibition Vång, which will be on display from 17 June. The exhibition will focus on the meetings between archelogy, landscape and the people from the area. “We will highlight how cultural heritage, art and social issues could coalesce. Many different institutions at both local and international level have contributed, which makes it very exciting and interesting,” says Kirsti Emaus, branch head at the centre. Photo art created by Swedish photographer Gerry Johansson as well as Italian Allegra Martin and Stefano Graziani, with help from students from Milan and Venice, will be featured.

Andreasson. This summer, he will also host an exhibition under his stage name Ruskig Ångest, called S(KÖN), with the aim to encourage conversation around gender, sexism and racism. S(KÖN) will be open to the public 17 June to 3 September.

Graffiti and dresses with hand-printed fabrics

Assignment from Region Blekinge

Every year, the culture centre organises a graffiti week for teens led by artist Pärra 60 | Issue 100 | May 2017

This summer’s third big exhibition brings textile artist Britt-Marie Frennesson Proudlock back to her childhood roots. Frennesson Proudlock, who grew up in Ronneby, is now a successful artist in London and the exhibition Klänningar och collage (Dresses and collages) will display 25 of her dresses. Made out of hand-printed fabrics, the dresses are used as a means of expression to project fading memories.

“Excitingly, we have been tasked by Region Blekinge to strengthen artistic collaborations on a local, regional, na-

tional and international level,” explains Emaus. Additionally, the centre will aim to increase the general knowledge of art, offer artists residencies, and attract artists with roots in Blekinge to come back. “We already have a good working exhibition operation, and now we want all the rest.” This summer marks the centre’s 30th anniversary. Artist Rolf Palvén, who exhibited 30 years ago, will return and Ronneby Kulturcentrum will arrange talks, podcasts and training courses for art societies.

From the Vång exhibition. Photo: Gerry Johansson

For more information, please visit: www.ronneby.se/kultur

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

Photo: Sophie Håkansson

Sofiero hosts one of Europe’s most respectable rhododendron collections.

Europe’s most beautiful park Thousands of visitors come to Sofiero Palace & Park every year to explore the blooming beauty, the royal tradition and the wonderful view of Öresund. By Malin Norman | Photos: Sofiero Palace & Park

It all began when Crown Prince Oscar II and his wife Sofia of Nassau visited Helsingborg. The couple fell in love with the view and close proximity to Denmark, and decided to buy Skabelycke Estate, where they built their summer residence Sophie-Ro. It was later passed on to grandson Crown Prince Gustaf VI Adolf and his first wife Crown Princess Margaret of Connaught, who both had a keen interest in gardening and together created a stunning garden with extensive flowerbeds, greenhouses and pathways. These days, knowledgeable gardeners and garden designers work to preserve their heritage, with the same desire to experiment and try new compositions. Sofiero is striving to be a leader in modern gardening and has been selected as Europe’s most beautiful park. “It’s amazing to see how the work of the Crown Prince couple can be appreciated by

visitors still to this day,” says manager Annika Malmgren.

Rhododendrons in bloom King Gustav VI Adolf planted more than 400 types of rhododendron. Today, Sofiero hosts one of Europe’s most respectable collections, with more than 10,000 rhododendron bushes and azaleas, which blossom from mid-May to mid-June. “It’s an explosion of colours that everyone should experience at least once in their life,” says Malmgren, describing the popular attraction. This year, Sofiero presents the exhibition Rhododendrons – 110 Years of Fairytale Landscape from 20 May to 17 September, to mark the 110th anniversary of the first rhododendron planted in the park by Crown Princess Margaret. Another display is New Swedish Craft – Handmade Objects Inspired by Art, Fashion and Design from 20 May to 17

September, showcasing a mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern design. Every year for the past 21 years, the popular Grand Garden Festival has been attracting visitors during the last weekend in August. At the royal playhouses, Sofiero for Children is a place of fairy tales and uproarious fun. New in this area is Prince Oscar’s Enchanted Forest, an adventure with talking trees, which opens on 7 May. Malmgren also recommends Sofiero Palace Restaurant, which is rated as one of the top restaurants in Sweden and mentioned in the White Guide. “Everything is created from scratch, using local produce in new and unexpected ways.” Opening hours: Sofiero Palace and Park 13 April – 17 September Daily from 10am to 6pm

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 61

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

For the future of our animals Nordens Ark attracts heaps of curious visitors who want to learn more about our endangered species. Located in one of the most beautiful areas in Scandinavia, all is set for mighty meetings with some of the world’s wild creatures. By Malin Norman | Photos: Tom Svensson/Nordens Ark

Foundation Nordens Ark is a non-profit organisation working for the future of endangered species. The foundation runs a wildlife park, which has around 80 animal species, mostly from climates similar to Scandinavia, as well as old native farm breeds. Here, visitors can get up close with wild animals such as the world’s largest feline, the Amur tiger, and many other creatures including snow leopards, Pallas’ cats, wolverines, wolves, reindeer, birds, reptiles and amphibians. “We can see a growing trend with more visitors coming every year,” says CEO Mats Höggren. “This is not a standard zoo. We also have a huge eco-park with a fantastic range of wild species and habitats, and lots of exciting activities, and we’re located in one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful environments by the Bohuslän coastline.”

Popular wildlife park Höggren estimates that around 150,000 visitors will come this year, peaking in 62 | Issue 100 | May 2017

July. In addition to the many new animals born during the summer months, there is plenty happening in the wildlife park, including opportunities to feed the farm animals as well as hikes and guided tours, and of course the popular Midsummer festivities in June. In addition to running the park, the foundation is engaged in conservation projects, research and training for schools and universities, to increase public awareness of biological diversity. Since 2000, around 300 mammals and birds bred at Nordens Ark have been released into nature, for instance European wild cats in Germany, lynx in Poland and otters in the Netherlands. In Sweden, Nordens Ark has reinforced the peregrine falcon population with around 175 individuals and increased endangered amphibian populations in southern Sweden. Nordens Ark is located at Åby säteri, one of the oldest estates in Bohuslän. The nearly 400-hectare estate owned by

Foundation Nordens Ark also hosts a high-quality conference facility, restaurant and shop. Höggren recommends visitors to arrive by boat to experience the stunning coastline and, if they want, stay the night at the hotel, in a caravan or perhaps in one of the small cabins on-site.

Photo: Erik Edvardsson/Nordens Ark

Nordens Ark is open all year round, every day of the week from 10am to 5pm.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

The proof is in the pudding Imagine a table filled with at least 65 different types of cakes, biscuits, puddings and simply the crème de la crème of all things dessert. Just south of Stockholm, this dream becomes reality in a beautiful castle overlooking Lake Mälaren. It goes by the rather self-explanatory name ‘the cake castle’. By Pia Petersson | Photos: Taxinge Slott

Ask almost any Stockholmian for advice on where to go on a daytrip from the capital and they will suggest you pay a visit to Taxinge. Set in a stunning landscape dotted with old Viking graves, natural springs and leafy woodlands, this charming old parish is mostly known these days for its castle and its magnificent cake buffet. The last occupiers of the castle moved out in 1969 and, by the time CEO Anne-Marie Fimmerstad took over the maintenance in the late 1970s, the building was neglected and in dire straits. “It rained in and the water trickled down all three floors and made a mess of the lovely parquet floors,” Fimmerstad recalls. After a

lengthy renovation, the castle now looks as wonderful as it must have done when it was first built in 1813. Every year, the 200,000 visitors to the castle can, apart from eating cakes, take a walk in the parks, go swimming in the lake and pop into the old stables of the castle, which have been turned into striking art galleries. This summer, there is a number of special exhibitions to look forward to. Taking visitors on a scenic journey on Lake Mälaren before arriving in Taxinge, a steamboat departing three days a week from Stockholm is the transport mode of choice to reach this destination. The decision to focus on all things cakerelated came out of a personal passion

of Fimmerstad’s. “Me and my family have always been enthusiastic bakers, so it wasn’t difficult to take that interest into the business,” she says. Naturally, everything is baked on site by skilled pastry chefs. “We only use natural ingredients, and everything is made by hand, like you would do at home,” Fimmerstad explains. It does not come as a surprise that the ‘cake castle’ has been included in various lists of bakeries around the world to visit during your lifetime.

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 63

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

Get sensationally close to Olivia and her ten moose friends

By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Tobbe Lektell

Have you ever wanted to touch, feed and hang out with moose in their natural environment? This is exactly what you can do at Gårdsjö Älgpark. Close to several Swedish airports, it is the perfect summer experience. “As long as you stay on the carriage, the moose will come and greet you – on their conditions of course,” says Leif Lindh, also known as Leffe, who runs Gårdsjö Älgpark. The park, a fenced 25-hectare area, celebrates ten years this summer and is the home to 11 moose. Twice daily, Leffe takes groups inside the area to meet his giant friends. Most of them he has known since they were born and he often sleeps in the forest, which is why they have such a unique relationship. “Our guests can also experience sleeping in the moose park, but they get to enjoy our cosy cottage,” Leffe enthuses. Experiencing Gårdsjö Älgpark is a family affair, not only for your own family but also for Leffe and loved ones, whose

picturesque Swedish farm you visit. Even 82-year-old grandma Gull is involved and does most of the baking for the café, which is situated in a charming old wooden barn where Leffe used to play as a child. Most visitors take a break here after meeting Olivia, Holger and their other moose friends. If you go, do not miss the farm’s Santa Claus museum with more than 2,000 gnomes!

For more information, please visit: www.gardsjoalgpark.se/en

A summer dream worthy of royals For generations, Solliden Palace has been the Swedish Royal Family’s summer paradise. It is not hard to see why, as the surrounding park is an oasis of lush greenery, winding pathways and exciting stories from the past.

his sisters played as children. For hungry visitors, the picturesque Coffee Cottage offers home-cooked food and delicacies from its own bakery and crêpe shop.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Sollidens Slott

Solliden Palace was built on the island of Öland by Queen Victoria in 1906. Today, the stunning estate is owned by King Carl XVI Gustaf and is a favourite amongst members of the royal family, who regularly come to stay in the palace and its private guest houses. The surrounding park is open to the public and is a popular summer destination. “Solliden is amazing with its lush greenery and blossoms,” explains marketing manager Susanna Stenborg. “And we are fortunate to mostly have fantastic weather here!” The main attraction is the annual celebration of Crown Princess Victoria’s birthday, which has this year been moved a day to 15 July. “The Crown Princess turns 40, and we expect even more 64 | Issue 100 | May 2017

visitors than usual to come and celebrate with the royal family,” says Stenborg. Not to miss is the exhibition Idea Gardens, which opens on 1 July, with four nominated entries to be showcased in the old cricket field. One of the competing teams this year consists of renowned florist Gunnar Kaj and garden designer Kristina Björk. Other highlights include the harvest festivity Öland Spirar on 1214 May, the garden weekend on 27-28 May, and the exhibition The Royal Table, with table settings from the 1800s to the latest royal wedding in 2015. Solliden has a special children’s map for exploring hidden areas in the park, and the old playhouse will also be open to show where King Carl XVI Gustaf and

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

The pearl of Norrbotten County With 17 nature reserves and Europe’s largest unregulated rapid, Älvsbyn presents wild natural wonders, peace and quiet, and a personal feel that is hard to come by in the big cities.

listening to the rapids and watching ballet dancing or another show is quite the experience,” says Lundberg.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Marcel Köppe

The small town itself has everything you need, including independent boutiques with personable service. This, thinks the business developer, is one of the reasons why a number of high-profile films, both Swedish and international, have been recorded here. “It’s the nature and environment that does it, obviously, but I think they also feel how simple things are here,” she says. “People are friendly and always willing to help. It’s easy to be here.”

Situated 45 kilometres from the coast and a little further from Luleå Airport, the municipality of Älvsbyn has about 8,200 inhabitants but welcomes a huge number of tourists from near and far. The main attraction is Storforsen, Europe’s largest unregulated rapid, which draws around 150,000 visitors every year, across all seasons. “It’s a magnificent place,” says Sofia Lundberg, business developer at Älvsbyn municipality. “There are footbridges out to viewpoints where you can watch and really experience the rapids. Around midsummer, it’s at its most powerful with huge masses of water crashing down its 82-metre drop across a distance of five kilometres.” “Älvsbyn is known as ‘the pearl of Norrbotten County’ because of the bird’s-eye view of the town, surrounded

by high mountains and deep forests with an azure line running through it, much like a gemstone,” Lundberg explains. The metaphor works not just in a visual sense, but also to describe what to Lundberg herself is a hidden gem of a home. “You’ve always got nature around the corner, with peaceful pathways and stunning views.”

Fishing, forestry and friendliness In addition to nature’s calm, Älvsbyn offers a range of activities, including different types of fishing, horse riding and white water rafting as well as a forestry and timber floating museum and a popular downhill skiing slope complete with a seasonal winter camp site. In the woods of the Storforsen nature reserve is a nature stage for summertime events and concerts. “Sitting in the great outdoors

For more information, please visit: www.alvsbyn.se/visit

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 65

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

Be the king of the castle this summer Looking to add a magical touch to your holiday this year? Interested in history and culture? Look no further, as there is a perfect place for you. Plonked in the middle of the countryside, not far from Gothenburg, you will find a fairy tale castle like no other. By Pia Petersson | Photos: Will Rose

Inspired by the British arts and crafts moveTjolöholm benefits from magnificent surment, Tjolöholm Castle was built at the turn roundings, and the opportunity to visit the of the last century by a wealthy merchant beach and go swimming in the sea should family from Gothenburg. In line with the not be missed. This summer, the youngarts and crafts movement’s ideas about est visitors can look forward to a numhigh standards of workmanship and design, ber of children’s theatre shows as well every single feature of this stunning castle as an interactive exhibition about Astrid has been carefully thought out. The result Lindgren’s mischievous character Emil. is an architectural triumph, open to visitors “We want to give visitors a holistic experiall year round. “There are unexpected and ence of Tjolöholm Castle. It’s our ambition imaginative details everywhere – I discovthat the environment, food, accommodaer something new every day,” says Karin tion, hospitality and service should all be Kvicklund, Tjolöholm’s culture manager. interconnected,” Kvicklund explains. Tjolöholm constitutes the perfect desThis summer will offer something quite tination for the whole family. Apart from special for fans of a certain British costume experiencing the castle and its beautidrama. An exhibition of original costumes ful garden, visitors can also enjoy dinfrom the TV series Downton Abbey opened earlier this year, Page and the ner at restaurant Storstugan. In addition, 2_1_Canodal_Advert_May_2014.qxp:Layout 6 29/4/15 12:25 1 gorgeous outfits

140,-

/week

will be available for admiration until the end of the year. “For those looking for wonderful cultural and nature experiences and curious about the history of the turn of the last century, Tjolöholm Castle is a must-visit this summer,” Kvicklund concludes.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences From Kalmar’s Stadsfest festival. Photo: Albin Rylander.

Öland beach. Photo: Öland.se

Contrasting beauty A small sound and less than half an hour separate the bustling historical city of Kalmar and the still fields of Sweden’s second-largest island, Öland. In south east Sweden, you get the best of both worlds. By Linnea Dunne

The small city of Kalmar is known for its pulse and vigour, for parties, music festivals and extreme sports events, yet the Renaissance castle is an ever-present reminder of a royal past and times of war. A visit to Kalmar is like an injection of strength and fun, surrounded by an authentic Swedish townscape.

Head across the sound and the stillness envelopes you. Öland’s nature is truly unique: it is striking, different, beautiful in its rawness. Here, the beaches are long and unspoilt and the fields flat and full of colour. Rushing is impossible; Öland gives you no choice but to unwind.

NOT TO MISS IN KALMAR: Renaissance fashion in paper This exquisite Renaissance costume exhibition by Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave is entirely made of paper and will be on display at Kalmar Castle until 11 September. A world of dinosaurs Discover Europe’s biggest dinosaur exhibition with 100 skeletons and life-size dinosaurs. Kalmar International Sand Sculpture Festival

a guided tour or come simply for the flora and fauna.

Watch incredible sand works develop as international artists come to Kalmar on 10-14 July for this annual festival of fantastic sand creations.

Långe Jan lighthouse

We love the ‘90s

When at Ottenby, do not miss ‘Tall John’ from 1785, one of Sweden’s most famous lighthouses and, as the name suggests, the tallest.

From Aqua and 2 Unlimited to Dr. Alban and Haddaway, this is a celebration of all things ‘90s. Bring dance-friendly shoes and head for Fredriksskans on 22 July.

World Heritage Site Stora Alvaret

The children’s castle

Ottenby Bird Observatory

This limestone plain in the south of Öland is a world-renowned attraction. There are endless hiking trails for exploring this unique medieval farming landscape.

Challenge the Black Knight or meet the castle’s very own princess. Children will have a blast at this royal summer treat, which is open from 26 June to 13 August.

The southern tip of the island of Öland is one of Sweden’s most famous bird habitats. Enjoy

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

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

NOT TO MISS ON ÖLAND: Hotell Borgholm With a Michelin star in the 2016 Nordic Guide and an atmosphere oozing of history and a slow pace, Hotell Borgholm is a treat both for the taste buds and for the soul. Solliden Solliden Castle and castle grounds are known as a treasured part of the Swedish royal and cultural heritage and an oasis for fans of horticulture and gardening.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 67

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

Explore the archipelago by kayak “You can find your own private island, even during peak season,” says Astrid Landgren Patterson, owner of Kajak & Uteliv. She is talking about the many possibilities of paddling in the Stockholm archipelago, an extraordinary resource with thousands of islands and perfect water for beginners and advanced paddlers alike. By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Fredrik Karlsson

Paddlers and curious explorers from all over Europe visit Kajak & Uteliv’s facilities every year. With great connections from both Stockholm city centre and Arlanda airport, it is a simple way to escape to nature to practise your paddling skills. “You will find us just where the leafy inner archipelago meets the barren outer archipelago,” says Landgren Patterson.

Kajak & Uteliv offers a range of courses and tours. A new course this summer is Kayak & Outdoor Techniques which, besides from teaching various paddling techniques, will focus on good practice when being outdoors, including finding the best spot for your tent, inspiration for cooking, how to store food for longer tours and much more. Photo: Mattias Frödin

Certified guides run all tours and the exact routes are decided while out on the water as they depend on the weather. Nevertheless, the best tour if you want a proper archipelago expedition is Dalarö to Gräddö. The five-day tour will take you through most of the Stockholm Archipelago. “There is normally a day or two when you paddle with open sea on the horizon on your right. That’s an incredible sense of freedom,” Landgren Patterson concludes. For more information, please visit: www.kajak-uteliv.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

Happy campers Located in a magnificent coastal landscape of cliffs, sun-warmed rocks and unspoilt nature, there is a cluster of charming little cottages and camping pitches. This place caters for those who want to ditch the conventional package holiday and go back to nature over the summer. By Pia Petersson | Photos: Ramsvik Stugby & Camping

“I can’t even remember the last time I was on holidays during the summer,” says marketing manager Annika Johansson and laughs. The lack of relaxing summer holidays for Johansson is rather understandable, considering that she runs Ramsvik Stugby & Camping together with her husband. During the busiest period in the middle of the summer, this unique destination welcomes upwards of 600 guests per night. Situated in the middle of a nature reserve in the region of Bohuslän on the Swedish west coast, Ramsvik is the perfect destination for those looking for a holiday close to nature, packed with excursions and explorations. “Our youngest visitors are especially fond of crab fishing. Quite often, they seem to spend the whole day doing it, from early morning to late

at night when they can hardly see each other, or any crabs for that matter,” says Johansson. If crab fishing is not for you, there are plenty of other exciting options. Why not rent a kayak and explore the gorgeous archipelago? Or perhaps go hiking in the wonderful nature around Ramsvik? Keeping in mind that all cottages are located within 100 metres of the sea, this is a paradise for all those who want to spend the majority of the holidays in the water. For the sportiest, something quite extraordinary is happening in early September, when participants from around 20 different countries gather at Ramsvik. Over the course of three days, they will challenge themselves by running and walking 72 kilometres over rocks, along the water and through little fishing villages.

Clearly, what is truly incomparable about Ramsvik is the stunning nature that surrounds it. The fact that the area has been voted one of the most beautiful in Sweden does not come as a surprise. “The nature here is so varied, and of course the closeness to the sea is really important. It really does feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness,” Johansson finishes.

For more information, please visit: www.ramsvik.nu

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 69

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences

Learn from Linnaeus’ green fingers History buffs and horticulture fans alike will come across fascinating finds at the Botanical and Linnaeus Gardens in Uppsala. This year, take the taxonomy father’s advice on self-sufficiency and learn to grow your own vegetables. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Uppsala Universitet

“Linnaeus did a great deal of experimenting with growing for self-sufficiency; he liked the idea of growing plants that were expensive to import and asked whether we couldn’t just grow our own bananas, coffee and expensive herbs,” explains Lotta Saetre, communications officer at the Botanical Garden of Uppsala University. Carl Linnaeus is of course mainly known as the father of modern taxonomy, due to his creation of a system for naming organisms, but it is his passion for cultivation and harvesting that has inspired this year’s programme. “For ten days in September, there’ll be an exhibition in the Orangery just about everything connected to growing and harvesting,” says Saetre, explaining that Uppsala will be full of interesting ways to learn, from a small stage with talks and performances at the central Fyris Square, 70 | Issue 100 | May 2017

to a multitude of pallet collars and other spaces for planting and harvesting throughout the city. “Our exhibition will be a treat for the eye as well, but our aim is to inspire and provide help for those interested in an environmentally conscious approach to growing vegetables. We’ll talk about ways to use weeds, how you can extend the growing season, and a long-term perspective for strengthening the soil from one year to the next.” The wider heritage of Linnaeus is naturally still present in numerous ways beyond the harvesting theme. The botanist first came to Uppsala mostly due to his fascination with the Linnaeus Garden, before it was named as such. Today, this garden is what Saetre describes as “a living textbook of Linnaeus’s sexual system”, perfect for history fans and Linnaeus nerds. This is also where the Linnaeus

Museum is located, in what used to be the Professor’s residence. It now boasts items and furniture from the 18th century and tells the story of the Linnaeus family as well as his work, much thanks to the Swedish Linnaeus Society, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. “You enter a complete calm – like taking a step back, going 250 years back in time,” says Saetre about the Linnaeus Garden, the oasis in the heart of the city so well hidden that many people cannot even find it. “The Botanical Garden is more varied – you can easily spend half a day here. Have a picnic, visit the Tropical Greenhouse, play hide and seek behind the hedges and enjoy the grandiose Baroque Garden next to the castle.” What do Linnaeus and Saetre have in common? They are both pedagogues at heart. Visit Uppsala’s beautiful gardens to soak up their green expertise. For more information, please visit: www.botan.uu.se

A WORLD OF THRILLING RIDES AND HAPPINESS!

e: m e E C Th l N ia IE AY ec R p E S

P RW EX NO

Preikestolen in Stavanger. Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic Life AS – Visitnorway.com

Norway: an unforgettable experience Long, white beaches, beautiful fjords, tall mountains and old wooden cottages – Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and it has some of Europe’s most charismatic wildlife. Boasting interesting museums and cultural events, the country is also full of activities for the historically and culturally minded. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Visit Norway

In Norway, you will find majestic mountains with waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides, and you will see deep fjords and a rich wildlife. The cities are modern and showcase design and architecture typical of the famous Scandinavian flair. Norway is a true mecca for those seeking a perfect combination of nature, adventure and culture. 72 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Norway is particularly incredible in the summertime. You can go hiking in raw, untouched nature, go summer skiing in the mountains, surf on the northern waves, or enjoy long, relaxing days in the sun-kissed city. Grill fish on a campfire in the forest, buy fresh prawns from fish markets, kayak down the rivers or take a walk on the roof of the Oslo Opera

House. The possibilities for summer activities are endless.

Pay Stavanger a visit When in Norway, do yourself a favour and visit Stavanger. The city is probably best known as Europe’s oil and energy capital. It is known for its importance in oil exploitation in the North Sea since the 1970s, and Norway’s largest oil company, Statoil, is based here. Because of the oil industry, Stavanger attracts many nationalities, making the city highly international. However, Stavanger is much more than just an oil city. Its old city centre

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

is home to some of the most beautiful and best-preserved wooden buildings in Europe, dating back to the 18th century. While you gush over the more than 170 white wooden cottages in the town, you can easily peek inside some of Stavanger’s museums, browse around the handicraft boutiques, or have a look in one of the many galleries. Among other things, you will also find the world famous Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) in Stavanger, named by Lonely Planet as the number one most breath-taking viewing platform in the world. It is located 604 metres above sea level and, as such, is the most-visited attraction in the country of Rogaland. For more information and to plan your visit, please read on and visit: www.visitnorway.com

The Reinefjord in Lofoten. Photo: Andrea Giubelli – Visitnorway.com

Beach at Ramberg in Lofoten. Photo: CH – Visitnorway.com

Hiking at Beitostølen. Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS – Visitnorway.com

Horseback riding at Beitostølen. Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS – Visitnorway.com

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 73

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

Knarren Brygge is located in the picturesque strait of Knarrlaget and offers accommodation, a restaurant, meeting and conference facilities and concerts and festivals year-round.

The place that has it all Tucked into the picturesque strait of Knarrlaget on the south side of Ulvøya island, outside Norway’s third-largest city, you will find Knarren Brygge. Surrounded by a stunning archipelago and stretches of sandy beaches, this buzzing retreat offers seaside accommodation, first-class entertainment and festivals, the freshest seafood you can imagine and spectacular nature experiences. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen | Photos: Knarren Brygge

With its idyllic seaside location, spectacular views and convenient proximity to Trondheim, Knarren Brygge has long been a loved holiday destination amongst visitors from near and far keen to experience the Norwegian coastal landscape, traditional food and charming seaside lodges. Starting out as a traditional tavern 25 years ago, Knarren Brygge has grown to become so much more than just a place to get a nice home-cooked meal. “Today we also offer accommodation for up to 35 guests, spread over an old converted dock building and two traditional fisherman huts, top modern meeting fa74 | Issue 100 | May 2017

cilities, customised activity programmes, a marina with boat spaces for rent and exciting festivals and concerts all year round – in essence, we have it all,” says marketing manager Bjørn Fjeldvær.

Top performers Other than the breathtaking natural surroundings, it is perhaps the concerts and festivals that are Knarren Brygge’s biggest draw – and with good reason, as several of Norway’s best-known artists and bands visit the seaside retreat regularly. It all started more than ten years ago, when Åge Aleksandersen, one of the

country’s most famous singer/songwriters, who has a cabin nearby and often spends his holidays on Ulvøya, took his band to perform at Knarren Brygge. “He has performed here every summer since, and our artist programme has grown each year. In the next few months we will have performances by Vamp, Hellbillies, DDE, Vazelina Bilopphøggers and of course Åge Aleksandersen, just to mention a few,” Fjeldvær explains.

Tasteful summer festivals The summer months are especially eventful, and July sees an influx of seafood lovers flock to Knarren Brygge for the annual seafood festival where food, drink and music are in focus. Starting on Friday 28 July and continuing throughout the weekend, it gives visitors a chance to enjoy local and freshly caught seafood, including crab, scallops, salmon

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

and local dried fish, as well as international dishes such as paella, sushi and bacalao. “Last year we served more than 5,000 portions of local, fresh seafood, and we are looking forward to welcoming even more hungry guests this year,” says Fjeldvær. If you are more into the liquid delicacies, Knarren Brygge will also be hosting a beer festival on 12 August. Now in its fifth year, the beer festival will see Knarren transform into a German-style beer haven comprising huge beer tents with tastings, ompa-orchestras and sing-alongs during the day, and performances by famous artists at night. Festival-goers worried about arranging a designated driver after all that beer tasting can relax: “In addition to our traditional on-site accommodation offer, we will be setting up a camping ground just across the street from the festival area,” Fjeldvær says.

modation and event spaces for private and business use all year round. With top modern business facilities and spacious meeting rooms, it is the perfect place to get work done in an undisturbed environment, while at the same time enjoying a maritime atmosphere and nature-based activities. Companies and private groups alike can take advantage of Knarren Brygge’s group packages, or have fully customised programmes with accommodation, outdoor activities, entertainment and tailor-made food menus. “We partner with several activity providers in the area and can arrange everything from kayak paddling to fishing and hiking,” explains Fjeldvær. “People are especially impressed with our sandy beaches and beautiful hiking trails, and we definitely feel very lucky to be surrounded by such beautiful landscapes, both on land and at sea.”

Group gatherings in stunning surroundings

Un-travelled food and singing waiters

In addition to the packed summer programme, Knarren Brygge offers accom-

The restaurant is open every day during the summer months and every weekend

for the rest of the year. Naturally, the focus is on delicacies from the sea. “The fish and seafood is so fresh that we are not only talking about short-travelled, local food, but in fact un-travelled food – as the ingredients come from the ocean right outside the door,” explains Fjeldvær. Last year, the restaurant also installed a 3,000-litre aquarium allowing guests to experience the species that live in the ocean outside up close and personal. Do not be surprised if you get a musical act with your meal – the waiters often spontaneously break into a tune in between servings. “People are usually very surprised as they don’t expect their waiter to sing to them, but it’s always very well received,” affirms Fjeldvær. “For us, culture and entertainment are part of our DNA, and we strive to give every guest an unforgettable experience.”

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

Marketing manager Bjørn Fjeldvær performing with the popular Norwegian band, DDE.

The retreat has a marina where guests can rent boat space, for both short and longer periods of time.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 75

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

Ringholmen has played a key part in the Norwegian fishing industry since the 1900s. Photo: Leif Inge Jørgenvåg.

Breathing new life into an old fishing village After a casual encounter with Ringholmen Seahouse during a family fishing trip, 25-year-olds Christopher Larsen and Julie Fauskanger decided to leave their old lives in Kristiansand behind and jump into managing the island’s guest houses, restaurant and café.

with you. It’s a home rather than a hotel, which makes the atmosphere very different. We want people to feel like they can relax and properly unwind.”

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Christopher Larsen

For the sea enthusiasts, Ringholmen boasts a list of activities, including kayaking, scuba diving and sea fishing, which can be experienced through guided tours with local captains who know the area well. Alternatively, for those who prefer land over sea, there are plenty of mountain walks to be experienced in Tustna and Stabblandet nearby.

Located a short boat ride away from Tustna in Møre og Romsdal, which is the northernmost part of western Norway, Ringholmen boasts a long history as a fishing village. It has been a central part of the fishing industry in the area since the beginning of the 1900s, starting up the Norwegian production of klipfish and stockfish. “There is a long tradition for stockfish and bacalao in Møre og Romsdal,” says Larsen. “Historically, Ringholmen was a meeting point for fishing boats when they came to deliver their fish, and the building they used to come to is the exact same building that you can now sit in and 76 | Issue 100 | May 2017

eat bacalao – the same walls and interior, just slightly modernised.” Visitors arriving on the island can expect to have dinner in the restaurant together with the new owners – followed by a night in one of the sea cottages, drifting off to sleep to the sound of waves and waking up seeing the sea straight ahead. “We want people to feel like we’re welcoming them into our home – which we are,” says Larsen. “It’s not a typical hotel where you’re greeted by a receptionist; the staff who come to greet you are lovely people who’ll sit down to have a chat

Young entrepreneurs Larsen had no prior experience of running a guest house. At 25, he had jumped back and forth between jobs until he started up his own company. “I hadn’t felt passionate about working before, but when I started my own company, I finally found something I enjoyed doing,” says Larsen.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

“But a year and a half ago, when my partner and I stopped by the island on a fishing trip, we met Værhøvdingen [the Weather Chief] who ran the island, and he said him and his wife had been running the place for 30 years and were getting tired. We sort of jokingly said we’d be interested in taking over, but that joke quickly turned into something more serious.” It was not long until Larsen and Fauskanger had quit their jobs back in Kristiansand, a seaside town in the south of Norway, and embarked on their journey to Ringholmen. With no prior experience in the field – Larsen’s business was in stonework and Fauskanger was a primary school teacher – they decided to jump on the chance at making a life for themselves on the island.

while, he will arrive on the island to hold lectures about Ringholmen and how he came to build it up, with 22 rooms across four sea cottages.

Located in Møre og Romsdal, Ringholmen helped start up the production of klipfish and stockfish.

“The lectures are held inside what’s best described as a sort of fireplace that can seat up to seven people,” says Larsen, who feels that taking on the island was a great decision. “Our motto is ‘nothing is impossible’ – if you get a chance, take it.”

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

25-year-old owners Julie Fauskanger and Christopher Larsen reopened Ringholmen this Easter.

“It’s been absolutely amazing – and more than we could’ve imagined it would be,” says Larsen. “We had so many people tell us that this would be difficult to do, as Ringholmen had been closed for a long time and it’d be a difficult project, but when we opened over Easter this year, it went brilliantly.” Although the Weather Chief has now left the island, he is not far away. Once in a Issue 100 | May 2017 | 77

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

Left: Located in the heart of Stavanger, Fish & Cow welcomes people of all ages and tastes. Photo: Fish & Cow. Top right: Fish & Cow is divided into a bar area and a restaurant area, which seats up to 110 people. Photo: Arne Bru Haug. Right: One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the steak. Photo: Fredrik Ringe.

Fresh food in the heart of Stavanger Modern brasserie Fish & Cow in the very centre of the south-west Norwegian city of Stavanger has a strong focus on fresh, good-quality and honest cooking – served up in hearty portions. By Line Elise Svanevik

“We want the ingredients in what we make to be a focal point, so if we serve a potato, we want it to look like a potato – not some fancy version that tries to be something it’s not,” says managing director of Fish & Cow, Tommy Oppedal Raanti, who has been with the restaurant for one and a half years. The menu is international, which means that it does not focus on a particular country; on the one hand, it features traditional Norwegian classics such as fish soup, but there are also non-Norwegian dishes such as steaks, burgers and, in the summer, American-style barbecue ribs. Much of the food is grilled using a Josper grill, which provides the meat and fish with a distinctive flavour and, in addition to the à la carte menu, the head chefs compile a weekly three-course meal made using seasonal ingredients sourced at the restaurant. Take for exam78 | Issue 100 | May 2017

being Lervig Brewery with its awardwinning beer. Each of the dishes on the menu has been carefully paired with local beers by the on-site sommelier for an optimal taste sensation.

ple a halibut sashimi starter followed by a main course of braised beef cheeks and glazed chocolate mousse for dessert. When it comes to the clientele, Fish & Cow welcomes people of all ages and tastes – be it a couple on a date night or those who are simply passing by and are a bit peckish. “On average, it’s probably mostly people aged 30 to 55, but we also welcome those much younger and older,” says Oppedal Raanti.

Local partners The ingredients are sourced from numerous places, but the restaurant tries to use local suppliers whenever possible. The menu changes according to season in order to make the most of the ingredients available in Rogaland specifically and Norway generally at any given time. Fish & Cow also partners with several local companies, one important partner

The chocolate fondant is one example of a classic topselling dessert. Photo: Fredrik Ringe.

Style: Modern brasserie Most popular dishes: Fish soup, burger, steak and chocolate fondant Opening: Monday to Saturday, 11am-1.30am (kitchen closes at 10pm) Seats: 110

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

Top left: There is a strong focus on high-quality food and drink at Spiseriet, which opened in 2012 and can seat approximately 80 to 100 guests on a daily basis. Left: The ingredients used in the dishes are sourced as locally as possible. Photo: Øivind Haug. Right: Located within Stavanger concert hall, Spiseriet welcomes a great number of concert goers.

Where foodies and musicians meet The Norwegian restaurant Spiseriet is located in Stavanger’s own concert hall, making it the ultimate place to enjoy a culinary feast of carefully selected fresh and local ingredients alongside a musical experience.

riors, including expanding the menu to offer both Sunday brunch and simpler dishes perfect for sharing, in addition to the regular menu.

By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Sindre Ellingsen

“Musicians are often very interested in high-quality food and drink, which is why the concert hall is a good place for a restaurant,” says Sigurdur Runar Ragnarsson, Spiseriet’s managing director. “We have many guests who come to eat before or after a concert, and because of the varied music at the venue, including rock, metal, classical, children’s music and symphony orchestras, our clientele is very varied.”

Fresh and local

vegetables and meat sourced from places including Sweden and Denmark. In addition to the à la carte menu, which consists of the restaurant’s most popular dish, halibut, as well as steak, fish soup, lamb burger and poached eggs, there is a surprise two-course meal that is put together by the head chef, featuring his best items. “He uses this as a tool to try out new dishes but, ultimately, the surprise dishes are the two items he is the proudest of that day,” says Ragnarsson.

But the star of the show is no doubt the food, with its quality ingredients and the restaurant’s experienced chefs. “Head chef Andrè Slettevoll is very much concerned with sourcing the freshest possible ingredients. If he can’t source it from the local area, he’ll go to the nearest possible place to get it,” says Ragnarsson.

In the evening, the chefs cook up a culinary five-course feast, with both wine and food that is, according to Ragnarsson, “finely tuned”. The wines have been carefully selected by the wine sommeliers on-site, making it a real experience for the taste buds.

At the moment, during the spring season, the lunch menu is very Nordic, with

Spiseriet is also currently in a process of upgrading both the menu and the inte-

However, those wanting to simply enjoy a proper cup of coffee, made by a barista, while soaking up the view of the fjords and mountains, are welcome to stop by too. “You don’t need to buy a five-course meal to come by – everyone is welcome,” says Ragnarsson.

The music at the concert hall ranges from classical to rock and metal.

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 79

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

The island is located just five minutes from Storhavet.

Adventurous sea fishing in northern Norway Five minutes from Storhavet (‘the big ocean’) in northern Norway lies Camp Andvika – a place where fishing enthusiasts gather in scenic surroundings for the catch of the day. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Vigdis Nordheim

In 2004, Vigdis and Mikal Nordheim took over Camp Andvika in Vikna, NordTrøndelag, which was previously run by an elderly couple who had been serving their guests homemade pizza every night. “They had taken very good care of their customers, which was helpful for us because it meant there was already a customer base,” explains Vigdis. Today there are six cabins, which can host approximately 45 guests, and the major attraction that brings people to Camp Andvika is the sea fishing opportunities it provides. “From March until September, when the weather is good, our boats go two hours straight out to sea,” says Vigdis. Camp Andvika is a particularly popular place for fishing for skrei, Norwegian 80 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Arctic cod, in the spring, and halibut, cod and mackerel in the summer. The skrei tradition goes back to the 1600s, when the fish used to travel from the north. “It’s a big part of our cultural heritage,” explains Vigdis. But you do not have to be a fishing aficionado to enjoy Camp Andvika. “We have many regulars, and what’s nice about that is that they often help our other guests with tips and advice when we’re not here,” says Vigdis. Vikna consists of around 6,000 islands and islets, and for those wanting to experience something other than fishing, there are several activities nearby, including moose safari, providing plenty of opportunities to feel part of the coastal culture.

Now in its 13th year, Camp Andvika welcomes roughly 750 guests annually. “When we think about the fact that 750 people take their holiday on our island every year, it’s very motivating and definitely makes us want to carry on doing what we’re doing,” says Vigdis. From Camp Andvika, guests can see the Norwegian cruise Hurtigruten every night. “Even though I’ve lived here for 14 years, I still love seeing it,” says Vigdis. Fishing is a big part of Camp Andvika and its history.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Experience Norway

Camping beneath the midnight sun Located by the beach, behind Arctic mountains beneath the eagles, there is no doubt that Stave Camping boasts spectacular nature experiences. This rebuilt farm in Andøya, northern Norway, offers whale and puffin safaris along with several beautiful hiking routes, all within walking distance. By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Stave Camping

Inger Anne Frøyesdal and her partner, Ronny Kjenstad, moved to Andøya a year ago and fell head over heels for the beautiful northern nature. With the midnight sun during the summer and northern lights during the winter, it is not difficult to understand why. “I am very interested in hiking and experiencing the nature, so it’s amazing that I can just go hiking in the mountains right outside our door,” says Frøyesdal. Guests can walk to the famous mountaintop Måtind, and if you want a change of scenery from the sand beach right outside the cabin window, you can walk to a hidden beach, surrounded by mountains and only reachable by foot.

All guests who go swimming in the Arctic Ocean receive a diploma as proof of their endeavours. It might sound unbearably cold, but luckily the camp offers both a sauna and hot pools, perfect for heating up after a cold swim. “The beach kind of looks like southern Europe, but it’s not nearly as warm,” Frøyesdal laughs. Stave camping not only offers cabins and apartments, but guests can also opt to stay in caravans or tents. Kayaks are also on offer, and they are planning to introduce more outdoor activities. “It’s beautiful here, both when it’s sunny and when it’s stormy. They are both charming in their own way,” says Frøyesdal.

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

AY RW O N

m he

E AD M

Every day is a party for Mauritz If you are after unique bowties for children and adults, Mormora til Mauritz (meaning ‘Mauritz’ grandmother’) is the brand to look out for. “We want to make everyday life a little more marvellous with our enchanting bowties. Why go to a chain to buy a bowtie everyone else has, when you can buy a special one from us?” says founder Hanne Bie-Lorentzen Schultz. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Mormora til Mauritz

Bie-Lorentzen Schultz started the company along with her mother, Nina Bie-Lorentzen, as a hobby while on maternity leave. Now the two ladies are looking at the possibility of making it their full-time priority. Bie-Lorentzen Schultz became a mother to little Mauritz in January last year. “We were invited to a party when Mauritz was a couple of weeks old, and I want82 | Issue 100 | May 2017

ed to dress him up. I searched all over Grimstad for a little bowtie he could wear. This proved very difficult, so I decided to ask my mother, Mauritz’ grandmother, if she could create one for the occasion,” she recalls. The little bowtie became quite popular, and she soon started gifting them as maternity presents for her friends. Suddenly all the dads asked for matching bowties for Christenings and other special occasions, and things took

off. Today, the family business is known far beyond Grimstad’s borders. Mormora til Mauritz has now created over 300 different patterns and styles, all handmade. Everyone in the family is involved; dad created the website, mum takes photos for it and sources the fabric, the grandmother assembles and sews the bows, and little Mauritz is in charge of quality control. Mauritz is, in fact, the fifth generation in his family to be in the fashion industry at their clothing store G. Gundersen in Storgaten. “We put a lot of effort into creating the bowties and try to come up with different and unique designs for each person who gets one. A popular gift is a customised

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway

bowtie, showcasing the receiver’s hobby or interest so that it is extra special for them,” Bie-Lorentzen Schultz explains. Most of the fabric is printed especially for each customer, with different themes such as fishing, music, cars and more. Whatever you want on a bowtie, Mormora til Mauritz can make it come true! May is a busy period for the business, as many of its customers want to dress up for the Norwegian National Day on 17 May with that little extra something. “The most popular design right now is one we created with the Norwegian flag on it, perfect for the upcoming festivities. But we also see a big trend in the maritime look here in the southern part of Norway,” says Bie-Lorentzen Schultz. May is also the time for celebrating confirmations in Norway, and there has been a big increase in young boys who want to wear a cool bowtie in connection to that. For this younger generation, popular

patterns include everything from mobile phones and mopeds to their favourite football team.

A big hit on TV Quite a few celebrities have been spotted wearing these fun, quirky accessories, the biggest fan being Norwegian Shall We Dance? judge Tore Petterson, who was seen sporting a different bowtie on each Saturday night show during the whole season last autumn. Petterson also made an appearance on the Norwegian reality show Farmen, wearing an appropriate bowtie with animals on, created especially for the occasion. The popular bowties have also been worn at the World Chess Championship, as well as by high-profile blogger Pappahjerte. “When I went on their Instagram, I wrote ‘Did I die and go to heaven?’,” says Tore Petterson. “I have always loved bowties, but it is difficult to find unique ones. Suddenly, these beautiful creatures ap-

peared with bowties in all colours and patterns, and it made me so incredibly happy when they asked if I wanted some. I have become so fond of them and use them as often as I can, also in private. People message me daily wanting to know where I got the bowties, and I’m glad to tell them where they are from and proud to be putting bowties on the map! I am forever grateful that Mormora til Mauritz exists.”

Mormora til Mauritz’ unique and colourful bowties can be purchased from their online store, as well as a selection of stores in Arendal, Grimstad and Lillesand in Norway.

For more information, please visit www.mormoratilmauritz.no and follow them on Facebook by searching for ‘mormoratilmauritz’

Top left: Mauritz, three and a half months, celebrates his first 17 May (Norway’s National Day) in his great-great-grandfather’s hat. Bottom left: Tore Petterson wearing bowties by Mormora til Mauritz. Here from Shall We Dance?, broadcast on TV2 last autumn. Right: How the bowties are made at home at Sløyfesnekkeriet.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 83

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway

Colourful headbands inspired by nature Inspired by the raw Norwegian nature, hiking and skiing enthusiast Linda Törner turned her love for mountain fashion into a stylish and colourful headband range. Through her brand TRNR, she hopes to inspire others to get outside and enjoy nature – while keeping warm. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen | Photos: TRNR

As an eager hiker and ski tourer, Linda Törner can tell you first-hand how important it is to wear proper clothes when out in nature. “What you wear is crucial. Inappropriate clothing and feeling cold can quickly turn a good experience into something negative. Keeping your head warm is especially important to maintain the right body temperature and produce much-needed energy,” she says. With this in mind, combined with a passion for colourful mountain fashion and a love of working with her hands, TRNR was born. The stylish headbands are hand sewn in Telemark County in Norway 84 | Issue 100 | May 2017

and come in a range of bright colours and patterns. The headband adventure started after Törner got inspired during a series of ski touring trips in the Norwegian Sunnmøre Alps. “I have always had a love for beanies and headbands, but when hiking uphill I would often get too hot wearing a beanie. The solution became headbands. I struggled to find a decent selection in shops, so I decided to design and make my own instead,” she explains. With Törner’s deep passion for the mountains as well as skiing, splitboarding and hiking, the vision behind the brand is to in-

spire people to get out and explore nature while being visible and safe. “It is important to travel safely in the mountains, and wearing bright colours will make it easier to be spotted if something happens or in cases of emergency,” says Törner. If you need motivation to get out more, a visit to TRNR’s online store is exactly what you need. Stunning images sporting breathtaking Norwegian nature and a blog with inspirational hiking tips and tales will make just about anyone want to get outdoors. “For us, quality and functionality are important, but our products also allow you to be fashionable and stand out at the same time – which I believe is why customers have come to love them,” Törner affirms. For more information, please visit: www.trnr.no

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway

Top left: Susan outside her shop in Bryggen, Bergen. Left: Susan’s mother, Inga Fosse, and grandfather, Jon Fosse, skiing in Norway in the early 1960s. Middle: Susan Fosse Knitwear is made from 100 per cent wool, using Norwegian pewter hooks and buttons. This is the Glesver unisex sweater. Right: Kvam unisex cardigan and Mulen ladies’ cardigan. Photo: Arne Beck.

Keeping tradition alive with functional and timeless designs Inspired by her Norwegian heritage and love for the country’s west coast and its breathtaking nature, Susan Smallwood left England and returned to her roots in Bergen to launch her own design brand, Susan Fosse Knitwear. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen | Photos: Susan Fosse Knitwear.

For more than two decades, Susan Fosse Knitwear has been offering stylish and functional knitted 100 per cent wool garments for women, men and children, drawing on patterns and designs deeply rooted in Norwegian tradition. The collection, ranging from sweaters and cardings to scarves, mittens and hats, has been designed with traditional patterns in mind, and with the purpose to stand the test of time. “Due to the cold weather and sometimes challenging natural elements and lifestyle, Norwegians have been dependent on warm and durable clothes to keep warm. The idea behind our designs is that they should be classical, functional garments that will last for years – not the kind of fashion that needs to be replaced every season,” says Susan.

Growing up in England, but with a Norwegian mother, Susan spent her summers in Bergen, developing a love for traditional Norwegian patterns and design. After finishing a degree in fashion and textile design, specialising in knitwear, she decided to move to Bergen. Inspired by the landscape of Norway’s west coast as well as the city of Bergen, she started Susan Fosse Knitwear. Each design is named after a place she holds dear, such as the Fløen or Sandviken cardigan, or the Nordnes vest, reflecting different neighbourhoods in Bergen. For Susan, the knitted garments have a deep personal value and she reminisces back to her childhood summers in Bergen, with her grandparents wearing

beautiful knitted sweaters with traditional patterns. “For me, knitwear represents family, tradition and belonging. It is these values I wish to convey with my designs,” she explains. After selling garments from a stand at Bergen’s famous wharf for 25 years, Susan Fosse Knitwear now has a store in one of the city’s most historic areas, Bryggen – tucked away in an alley dating back to the 1400s, where her family once traded in fish. But the brand is far from commercialised. “It is extremely important for us to offer something unique, something you can only find in our store,” says Susan. “Time and time again, we see our clients appreciate having a piece of clothing with a meaningful history and a quality that means it’ll last for years.”

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 85

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway

Helica jewellery – handcrafted in Norway It all began when Helene Flatby discovered a bracelet she desired and decided to attempt to create one of her own. After handcrafting more pieces as gifts for friends and family, she was soon receiving requests from people wanting to purchase these unique bracelets. What started as a fun hobby finally turned into her own business and a full-time priority. The word Helica is a combination of her name, Helene, and the beads used in her eye-catching creations, Delica. In fact, these particular beads are what make her bracelets so unique. Miyuki Delica are 1.6-millimetre-wide Japanese glass beads, perfect for creating delicate patterns and designs given their small size. The designer has more than 250 different colours to choose from, and she often adds beads coated in 18-carat gold, as well as crystals from Swarovski for a luxurious look. All bracelets are fastened with a strong magnet, making them easy to put on and take off.

“I’m always working on new designs, and I find a lot of inspiration in old Norwegian patterns as well as the Native American style,” says Flatby. In addition to the large selection of bracelets and earrings found in her online store, customers can order customised pieces. Among other

By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Helene Flatby

things, she has created items matching a particular dress, a ring or a company logo. Customised bracelets to go with the Norwegian bunad have been in high demand, adding a modern twist on this traditional garment. The possibilities are endless and Flatby is happy to create personalised pieces tailored to any style and wish.

Helica will be attending this year’s Design By Me at the Norwegian Trade Fair on 22-24 September. For more information, please visit www.helica.no and follow on Facebook or Instagram at @helica_bracelets.

Bamboo is the new sustainable cotton Environmentally friendly, super soft and comfortable, temperature-regulating, bacteriostatic – what is not to love about bamboo? Norwegian clothing brand Badaboom is aiming to get everyone wearing bamboo to benefit from its distinctive qualities. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Kind Norway.

After buying some bamboo underwear many years ago, co-founder of Badaboom, Britt Ingelin Rongve Hillestad, was hooked and decided to start designing and selling bamboo clothing and bedding for the whole family, alongside her business partner Hege Marie Sørensen. “It was the best material I’d worn and I couldn’t find it anywhere else, so I realised there was a gap in the market,” says Hillestad. Six years have passed since the company was set up. Its most recent loungewear collection was meant as a sleepwear collection, until a keen user called the owners and said they had to change the name of it “because you can’t wear pyjamas to the shop”, says Hillestad. 86 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Bamboo features many of the same qualities as wool, in the sense that it is both temperature-regulating – meaning it is warm when the weather is cold and vice versa – and bacteriostatic, meaning it prevents bacteria from reproducing. The production of it is also much more environmentally friendly than cotton, which requires a great deal of soil and water. The brand won a gold medal for the design of its packaging at Visuelt Festival in Oslo, hosted by Grafill, a Norwegian organisation for visual communication. “Each item is packaged in the same bamboo material we use for the clothes and bedding, which means that what you see is what you get,” says Hillestad.

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

Photo: Victoria Nevland / Design: Bjorvand & co

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Scan Magazine | Business | Keynote

Scan Business Keynote 88 | Business Profile 89 | Business Column 92 | Business Calendar 92

Give other people value – and win power and influence! The way we communicate often decides how big a slice of the cake we get. Does this seem a bit exaggerated? That may well be the case, but it does not make it less true. Moreover, the more you become an empathetic and intelligent networker, the more people will allow you to obtain power and influence!

tance to take a sincere interest in your conversational partner. Be a good listener and ask about your partner’s context and challenges. It pays off because very few people are used to being met with interest and curiosity.

The right to power, influence and opportunities is not a right you possess or take: it is a right other people will have to grant you. Your success depends on whether you have an attitude that your surroundings find useful to honour. If you do, they are going to support you and open networking doors for you.

Good networking is about ‘social indebtedness’. You must treat somebody to something and create a favourable situation for them if you want them in your trusted network. When you give somebody something, this person will in most cases feel flattered and obliged to repay your service.

But exactly what kind of attitudes can pave the way for you to become an attractive person?

You can hand out many different things:

1. Make room for your conversational partner When trying to contact another person, many people make the mistake of talking a lot about themselves or their business. Funnily enough, most people are aware that it feels wrong – but end up doing it anyway! Of course, it is fine to introduce yourself but, after that, it is of paramount impor88 | Issue 100 | May 2017

By Simone Andersen

2. Value comes from ‘social indebtedness’

- Your knowledge, which the recipient may use to further develop his or her skills, earn more money or gain higher status. - Good contacts, which can be used to make new acquaintances and build fruitful relationships or to establish a more favourable position on the job market. - Your friendship and company. But remember: action brings about change! If you do not do anything, nothing is going to happen and everything will remain as it is.

Simone Andersen is a journalist with a masters degree in media science, who worked for many years at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) as an editor and talk show host. She is an expert in business networking and building relationships, has just written the bestselling The Networking Book, and gives talks on this subject.

Contact: sla@strategisk.dk +45 26161818 www.thenetworkercompany.com

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | DYKON

Ringsted Dun produces everything in Denmark and are very proud of it. Thanks to IT optimisation, it now takes less than five minutes to make a duvet that used to take 20 minutes to produce.

The Rolls-Royce of duvets How much do you care about your duvet? If you are like most people, probably not much – but considering you sleep for one-third of your life, you might want to pay more attention to it. This year, Ringsted Dun celebrate their 70th anniversary, and they are passionate about your duvet and sleep. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: DYKON

Ringsted Dun’s history began in the little town of Ringsted in Denmark. It was here that Ringsted Fjerfabrik was established in 1947 as a subsidiary of Ringsted Andels-Fjerkræslagteri (1932-1980), with the purpose of utilising down and feathers from the slaughterhouse to produce duvets and pillows. This year, Ringsted Dun – which was bought by DYKON in 2003 – celebrate their 70th anniversary. “All the downs and feathers we use are from Europe and carefully selected. In Europe, the ducks and geese live longer, which means their down insulates better,” says Rikke Gosmand, PR and marketing officer at DYKON.

Sweet dreams Most people know that sleep is important; however, not everyone is aware of the importance of having the right duvet and pillow. “It’s so important for your

sleep that you use the right duvet and pillow. The wrong duvet can ruin your sleep,” says Gosmand. “We often hear about people waking up covered in sweat or freezing in the middle of the night. That shouldn’t be the case, and it might very well be because they have the wrong duvet.” Many people use the same duvet all year around, but Gosmand explains that you should actually have two. “Just like you don’t use your winter coat in summertime, you shouldn’t use your winter duvet in the summer.”

Rolling with the big cars Every person is unique and has unique needs. Therefore, DYKON has a Sleep Laboratory that researches sleep and customised products. “In the future, we’ll most likely see iPads in stores, where we can type in all our details and the iPad

will tell us which duvet and pillow are right for us,” says Gosmand. Last year, Ringsted Dun was contacted by Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club because of their Diamond jubilee. “Ringsted Dun was chosen to be represented in a Special Edition book, which will be given to the club members and all RollsRoyce and Bentley owners all over the world,” Gosmand smiles. We spend one-third of our lives sleeping. Every night, we give off more than half a litre of liquid, some via exhalation air, but most in the form of perspiration. Avoid covering the bed with a bedspread immediately after getting up in the morning – otherwise the duvet cannot get rid of the moisture it has absorbed during the night.

All Ringsted Dun products comply with the European NOMITE classification, OEKOTEX® class 1 and Downafresh, which means they are allergy-friendly.

For more information, please visit: www.ringsted-dun.dk/en

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 89

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | STAC Technology

Making cold air with hot water Utilising the hot water from district heating to run air conditioning units might seem counter-intuitive, but it can in fact reduce energy consumption by up to 90 per cent, and CO2 by 85 per cent. Scan Magazine talks to Poul Christoffersen, co-founder of STAC Technology ApS, the Danish company that has taken a twodecade-old discovery and turned it into a brand-new solution for companies and home owners wanting to keep cool and cut their CO2 footprint.

anywhere that needs cooling, like for instance a supermarket that needs a green cooling solution, an office with large windows that needs cooling in the summer and heating in the winter, or a production site that needs hot water in production and a refrigerant later in the process.”

By Signe Hansen | Photo: STAC Technology

With estimates predicting an alarming global increase in the use of air conditioners (reports estimate 700 million new air conditioners, with an energy consumption equalling that of several countries, will be installed by 2030), a technology that can turn the heat down on the cooling industry is much needed. Christoffersen, co-founder of STAC Technology, explains how his company aims to do just that. “STAC Technology’s main idea and ambition is to provide a global sustainable refrigerant solution using hot water from the district heating system to create cool air. Our turbine solution might be described as a modern steam engine in which water is heated up to run a turbine that pulls the energy out of the air via a process that creates cool air or another form of cooling. It can also be used to produce hot air in the winter.”

to fill specific site requirements and even be moved without any great expenditure,” says Christoffersen. “The cooling solution can be implemented when establishing district heating, but is especially suitable for implementation on an existing district heating system. It could be

The hot water that runs the STAC turbine can derive from various sources on top of district water, such as solar energy or excess heating from fuel-fired engines. For more information, please visit: www.stactechnology.com

The technology, which uses no harmful chemicals and only uses water as a refrigerant, was first invented by Danish engineer Gunnar Minds in the early ‘90s, awarded the European Better Environment Award in 1996. However, despite having run a major industrial refrigeration plant at LEGO for 20 years, the technology has so far been considered too expensive and impractical to be utilised on a commercial scale. But by marrying the discovery with new technology and utilising existing sources of water, such as district heating, which is widespread in many parts of the world including Scandinavia and China, STAC Technology is ready to change that. “STAC’s system is flexible and can be set up in no time, within 24 hours. Besides, as it’s a modular system, it can be scaled 90 | Issue 100 | May 2017

STAC’s district cooling solution uses the existing grid and requires no additional infrastructure investments.

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | Floragora

Thomas Pedersen hopes that, in the future, Floragora will be available in countries across the world where gardening is popular. The name Floragora is a mixture of flora, meaning ‘plants’, and agora, meaning ‘market’, in Latin.

An online marketplace for green-fingered people Do you have flowers in your garden you no longer need? Or are you in need of some new plants? Then Floragora is for you. Floragora is an online marketplace where you can find and meet fellow gardeners and swap flowers, seeds and bulbs. The website is already a success in New Zealand, and the hope is that it will be just as successful in Denmark starting this summer. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Kia Eg

When Thomas Pedersen bought his summer house in Denmark a couple of years ago, he also got his first garden – and he wanted to make it beautiful. However, he quickly realised that gardening can be quite an expensive hobby, and he had to come up with a solution for getting his plants other than going to the garden centre. “I found a couple about 90 kilometres from my summer house who had the plants I was looking for in their garden, and they basically just wanted to get rid of them in exchange for some pocket change,” Pedersen recalls. “I was surprised that a marketplace for plants

didn’t exist for those of us hooked on gardening, so I started considering creating one myself.” Pedersen could not let go of the idea. Floragora.dk was finally launched just before winter last year, and the gardening season in Denmark came to an end. “I thought, ‘why not create a version for a place where it is actually summer during the Danish winter season?’, and I set up a version of the service tailored to New Zealand,” says Pedersen. “However, I expect that Floragora will be quite the success in Denmark this summer, as well as in many other countries in the years to come.”

Your own colouring book Pedersen did not always love gardening the way he does today; it was the purchase of his summer house, which gave him his first garden, that sparked the passion. “Now I absolutely love it. It’s so relaxing to look at and smell the flowers. It just makes me feel good – it’s almost like a kind of meditation. It is wonderful, and I encourage all urbanites to get even just a small place where they can do some gardening. It is both fulfilling and meditative,” Pedersen smiles. “It is also a creative process. It is like having a blank canvas that is all yours to fill, or like seeing a colouring book come alive.” It is free to swap flowers, seeds, plants and bulbs on Floragora. However, if you are only looking to sell plants, you must pay a subscription fee. For more information, please visit: www.floragora.com

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 91

Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar

Here is a neuromyth that can be useful Two articles I saw recently both questioned the validity of the theory of learning styles – the notion that teaching children according to their individual ‘learning style’ achieves better results. This is an article of faith for many teachers worldwide, despite researchers failing to find evidence either that learners cluster into learning-style groups or that they can identify their own learning style. What does this have to do with business communication and leadership? Despite the debunking, it is still useful for people at work to think about how they and their colleagues take in information and how they learn. Understanding something about learning styles can help us do this. It is really a question of self-awareness. Howard Gardner distinguishes between different ‘modalities’ of intelligence, including visual-spatial, linguistic and interpersonal – encouraging for those of us who may not

By Steve Flinders

be so strong in the traditionally recognised logical-mathematical sphere. Then there’s VAK(OG), the notion that each of us has a dominant representational system – visual, auditory or kinaesthetic (or less commonly, olfactory or gustatory), which influences the way we learn and speak. At the very least, this can help us organise better meetings. Getting people up and moving about – the kinaesthetic element – can be a great relief from sitting and looking at interminable slideshows. Another model is Honey and Mumford’s four learning preferences. ‘Activists’ learn by doing, ‘Reflectors’ learn by watching others doing, ‘Theorists’ want to know the rules and ‘Pragmatists’ want to practise applying the rules. Basing teaching on learning styles may be flawed, but it is good to vary the way you communicate information.

Teaching and learning are at the heart of management. By thinking about our learning preferences, we can understand more about how we learn and how we can learn more efficiently. And by learning about their people’s learning styles, managers can build more effective teams as well. Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.

Business Calendar Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month By Heidi Kokborg | Photo: DUCC

Link Up Tasting at 28°-50° The Swedish Chamber of Commerce invites you to their Link Up Drinks with a range of tastes and flavours that are not typically associated with Sweden. There will be gin from Ragnarök Gin, rosé wine from Bodvár of Sweden provided by Vinterest, and whisky from Mackmyra. The venue is located in Central London and the drinks reception will take over the downstairs area with an adjoining garden. Date: 17 May, 6.30pm Venue: 28°-50°, 17-19 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2QH www.scc.org.uk

Life Science Forum 2017 – Cancer Care As the risk of developing cancer increases, the demand for effective treatment is growing too. Therefore, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce has made this Life Forum about 92 | Issue 100 | May 2017

cancer care and treatment. The event will bring together members of the Chamber who specialise in this field and experts outside the Chamber. The event will give you a chance to network with both members and nonmembers. Date: 1 June, 6pm Venue: The Shard, Greenberg Traurig LLP, 8th floor, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG www.scc.org.uk

Nordic Drinks Nordic Drinks is a chance to network with members and friends of the Danish, Finnish and Norwegian Chambers of Commerce in he UK. Every last Thursday of the month, they gather for drinks in a nice venue in central London. Make sure to come early as the first 50 get a free drink. Date: 25 May, 6pm

Venue: Frasers Hospitality Ltd, Fraser Suits Queensgate, 39 B Queensgate Gardens, London, SW7 5RR www.nbccuk.com

Oil & Gas event NBCC welcome you to their annual oil and gas event in London. This year, the event will concentrate on digitalisation in the oil and gas industry. There will be a presentation, a Q&A and, lastly, time for networking, drinks and canapés. Date: 23 May, 6pm Venue: Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, 22 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 7BG www.nbccuk.com

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

Designed by the American architect Steven Holl, the concept of the Hamsun Centre was the building as a body – a battleground of invisible forces.

Attraction of the Month, Norway

The Hamsun Centre – a beacon of literature Explore the landscape that inspired the early modernist Knut Hamsun to write the Nobel Prize-winning novel, Growth of the Soil. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Ernst Furuhatt

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

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

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

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

94 | Issue 100 | May 2017

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

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

The building as a body Drawing inspiration from Hamsun’s childhood home, the grand landscape of Hamarøy and especially one of Hamsun’s most famous novels, Hunger, Holl designed the centre as an architectonic interpretation of the author’s life and novels. “The building was created to resemble a body – a battleground of invisible forces,” says director of the Hamsun Centre, Bodil Børset. “Holl wanted the Hamsun Centre to be like a Hamsun character in architectonic terms – the dark wood being its skin and the staircase its skeleton. He also carefully constructed the windows with the idea of using the light to cast in-

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

teresting shadows on the walls. The shifting experience of space, perspective and light gives the visitor associations to the psychology of Hamsun’s characters, and provides interesting frames for exhibitions and activities.” The building’s design generated considerable attention and debate in Hamarøy, Nordland, Norway and abroad. In 1996, MoMA in New York purchased the model of the building and, in 1997, Holl received the Progressive Architecture Award.

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

modern society. Finding inspiration in the northern Norwegian landscape and culture, Hamsun wrote parts of the novel at Kråkmo farm in Nordland, where he rented a room to write. Hamsun had already been a candidate for the Nobel Prize in 1918, but he did not qualify. “The Nobel Prize was meant to go in an idealistic direction, but what Hamsun had written previously was far too controversial and experimental, and it did not go down the idealistic route,” says Børset. “But then came Growth of the Soil, and it quickly became apparent that he wanted to address his generation with an important message.” On its appearance, Growth of the Soil earned the praise of every political camp as a message of peace and selfsufficiency at a time characterised by war and tension. The novel is read as a national epic, with Hamsun taking the role of literary leader figure. “It’s almost biblical,” explains Børset. “A lot of people could relate to the novel – they could find hope in it, regardless of class or status.

This is what the Nobel Committee saw, which is why they chose him in 1920 as the first author receiving the award for one book in particular.” Today, the novel is read with a view to its ambivalent idea of modern society and the whole notion of progress. Hamsun quotes: “He’s a man of the wilds to his very marrow, a farming man and nothing but. Something resurrected from the past and pointing the way to the future, a man from the first of all farms, the settler, nine hundred years old and once more the man of the hour.” (Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil) “The long, long road over the moors and up into the forest – who trod it into being first of all? Man, a human being, the first that came here. There was no path before he came.” (Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil)

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

Top left: Hamsun briefly stayed at the farm Kråkmo behind the Kråkmo mountain in Hamarøy when he started to write Growth of the Soil. Middle: The Hamsun Centre overlooks the classic northern Norwegian landscape. Photo: Karoline O.A. Pettersen. Top right: Hamarøy is the home of Knut Hamsun and the place where he wrote the Nobel Prize-winning novel Growth of the Soil. Photo: Karoline O.A. Pettersen. Left: Tranøy Lighthouse is one of the beautiful places you can visit in Hamarøy. The lighthouse offers accommodation and has a nice restaurant that is open in the summertime. Right: Hamsun’s literary breakthrough came in 1890 with Hunger – a book that many regard as one of the most important novels of Norwegian and European literary history. Photo: Nasjonalbiblioteket.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 95

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Photo: Susanne Mertz

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

A different kind of spa Sofiebadet in Copenhagen is a preserved and renovated bath house with a focus on ecology, sustainability and social responsibility. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Sofiebadet

If you are tired of every spa looking the same, you owe yourself a visit to Sofiebadet in Copenhagen. The bath house dates back to 1909 and was renovated in 2009, but has preserved the original interior. “Our spa is very different from other spas. The tiles and floor are made of marble, which gives the place a special and authentic feeling,” says Anne Poulsen, managing director at Sofiebadet.

building that we wanted to use. Now we have all kinds of people coming here just to try this special treatment. Not long ago, we had a woman from New York visiting who said that Sofiebadet was one of her two favorite spa places in the world. People are so relaxed after getting a hamam treatment,” says Poulsen.

The bath house offers a wide range of treatments and baths, but is probably best known for its hamam treatment. On the navel stone in the hamam, guests are resting on a bed of suds and completely covered by a layer of foam from the organic olive soap. The body is massaged and then scrubbed with a ‘kese’, before the body is finally rinsed.

Another aspect that makes Sofiebadet stand out is its sustainability and cultural profile. All toilets in the building use rainwater for flushing; the heat in the hamam room is reused as much as possible; all cleaning products are organic, and the next project is to install solar cells on the roof.

“We came up with the idea for a hamam because there was an old chimney in the 96 | Issue 100 | May 2017

possible for guests to book the place for themselves for a few hours if they have a private event. “We have a lot of bachelor parties here, as it’s very convenient. We provide towels and so on, but they can bring their own Champagne and snacks if that’s what they want to do. Our guests come here because they can relax, but also because we have a clear position on sustainability,” says Poulsen.

Concerts, private events and sustainability

The bath house hosts intimate concerts, lectures, midnight bathing and joined hamam sessions, and on Saturdays it is

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

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

Hotel of the Month, Sweden

A feast for the senses Öland’s Hotell Borgholm is particularly famous for its tasty cuisine by renowned chef Karin Fransson. With her exceptional culinary skills and creative flair, she has built a Michelin-star temple of gastronomy. By Malin Norman | Photos: Hotell Borgholm

The beautiful island of Öland is a popular tourist spot in southern Sweden, especially during the warm summer months. But there is more to this destination than sun, sea and sand. It has an appealing mix of fantastic nature, interesting heritage and contemporary culture.

chef and food author Karin Fransson, has overseen the restaurant. She is one of Sweden’s culinary superstars, known for her love of herbs and spices, and continues to develop the gastronomic concept with local specialities and nothing but amazing flavours.

Take for instance Hotell Borgholm in the picturesque town of the same name. This traditional inn, dating back to the mid-1800s, has developed into a modern gastro hotel that attracts enthusiastic foodies all year around. “Our restaurant is a hotspot for gourmets from all over the world,” says owner Owe Fransson. “The combination of high quality, long tradition and creativity brings life to our cuisine. We have lots of returning guests throughout the year, which is fantastic and great evidence of their trust in what we can offer.”

The restaurant was awarded a welldeserved star in the Michelin Nordic Guide last year, and Hotell Borgholm is also listed in the White Guide as one of the country’s best restaurants and wine cellars. Karin Fransson herself is somewhat of a celebrity chef, appearing regularly on TV and radio, and has received prominent awards such as the Swedish Gastronomic Academy’s gold medal, Werner of the Year and the Grand Food Prize by the respected food magazine Allt om Mat.

Great taste at the core For 25 years, Fransson has been running the hotel while his wife, award-winning

In addition to its modern gastronomy focus, Hotell Borgholm also offers great taste in design, with contemporary rooms and furnishings by the likes of Mario

Bellini, Giandomenico Belotti, Philippe Starck, Arne Jacobsen and Yngve Ekström. The hotel also boasts a lovely garden and courtyard and, according to Fransson, the venue is increasingly popular for conferences. “Having the opportunity to enjoy our award-winning cuisine during conferences and other meetings is definitely a bonus!”

Hotell Borgholm’s renowned chef Karin Fransson.

For more information, please visit www.hotellborgholm.com and follow @hotellborgholm on Instagram.

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Hotel of the Month, Norway

An Arctic gem of stories and peace Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø boasts a setting stunning enough to attract visitors from across the world, and plenty of exciting Arctic activities to boot. Yet it is the stories of the old locals, the passion of the people behind the hotel, and the intimacy you experience there that make it the Arctic gem it really is.

scenery. “We wanted to build one of the best coastal hotels in northern Norway, and the feedback we get suggests that we’ve achieved that goal,” says Hveding.

for the admiration of the northern lights. A room called ‘the Circle of Friends’ boasts a 6.5-metre-tall wall made entirely of glass, where groups can enjoy wine tastings and learn all about the hotel’s very own vineyard in Italy. “Storytelling is really important for us,” says Hveding. “This is a real, living coastal community with an active fishing industry, a grocery store, a beautiful church – and people really feel at home when they come here.”

Having spent 110 million NOK, the build was completed in April 2017, resulting in nothing short of world-class facilities. The hotel itself boasts 74 rooms, 43 of which have balconies, with an additional 80 rooms in seaside cabins alongside hot tubs and Jacuzzis as well as a sauna built

If Hveding’s tales are anything to go by, that is hardly surprising. Not only does he clearly have a knack for storytelling; he also undoubtedly cares about his work. “We want to give our guests an authentic coastal experience – the best of local food in the north, the best from

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø

“When we first built the hotel in 2001, we had five meeting rooms that had to be turned into a restaurant every evening. We were very good at moving chairs,” host Kjell-Ove Hveding jokes. Since then, Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø has changed significantly. There are now 11 meeting rooms, the biggest with a capacity of up to 200 people, and the venue can serve up to 250 guests for dinner. Outside is a pier perfect for barbeques, and wherever you look there is beautiful 98 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

local drink suppliers. And we made a conscious decision early on to work with people who do it by heart, who have expert knowledge. We offer fishing trips, whale safaris, eagle safaris, an activity park, an aurora borealis experience – and storytelling is central to everything,” he says. “There’s Olivier, for example, who had been working in the Arctic for 20 years across Greenland, Canada, Iceland – and when he came here, he decided to stay for the rest of his life. He now has a 72-foot sail boat, in which he takes 12 passengers out on sailing safaris, bringing them out to small islands with coral beaches where we have chefs cooking them fresh fish when they arrive. Olivier also runs the only place in Scandinavia where you can go sailyaking.”

On the edge of the country Located only 45 minutes from Tromsø Airport, Sommarøy Arctic Hotel is easy

to get to yet amazingly remote. This, Hveding suggests, is one of the reasons why world leaders including UN and NATO and a wide range of conferences come here. “When you’re here, you stay together,” he explains. “You can’t go to another bar or club. It’s a marvellous place to come and just be together.” Whether it is the fresh Arctic air or the beauty of the tightly knit local community, it is clear that visitors to Sommarøy tend to let both shoulders and guards down. “You’re out on the edge of the country with open sea views and beautiful scenery all round. People who come here tend to almost immediately say ‘Oh – now I can relax, now I feel peace’,” the host explains. The hotel can also take groups for dinner, storytelling and great views from the 1859 lighthouse, the oldest active lighthouse in northern Norway, which welcomes guests from

the middle of May to the middle of September. Traditionally a popular winter destination, Tromsø is growing in popularity across all seasons and Hveding is keen to convey what a fantastic place it can be during the summer. Perhaps you wake up in the morning and pop down to the small village café, where you can listen to the old locals sharing their stories, or you might just head straight down the pier and jump into the Arctic Ocean for a refreshing swim. Whether you come for work, on a retreat or on a family holiday, you can be sure to find breathtaking nature, warm hospitality and a real sense of peace. “You get warm in your heart,” says Hveding. “I’m so proud of being here.” For more information, please visit: www.sommaroy.no

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Scan Magazine | Activity of the Month | Denmark

From The Iron Age Village.

Activity of the Month, Denmark

Travel through thousands of years in twenty-two miles A journey through Vejle River Valley is a journey through time. Extending 22 miles into Jutland from Vejle Fjord, the valley presents an extraordinary combination of scenic landscape and historic attractions. Visitors can, among other things, experience the remains of Denmark’s greatest bridge from the Viking Age, a reconstructed Iron Age village, and a mummified bog body from 200BC. By Signe Hansen | Photos: VejleMuseerne

Spread across the town of Vejle and Vejle River Valley, VejleMuseerne (The Vejle Museums) comprise ten historic and cultural experiences unique to the area, which contains historic remnants from all epochs of Danish history but is especially known for its Viking and Iron Age attractions. “You can travel through time in Vejle River Valley. Since humans first began to settle in Denmark, people have been living here and you’ll find remnants from all of the significant stages of Danish history – the Stone Age, the 100 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and the Viking Age. It’s quite extraordinary,” says Rikke Hedman from VejleMuseerne. “The whole area is a bit of a secret gem.”

Mysterious ladies from the past One way of exploring the river valley is on foot or bicycle via Bindeballestien, a 22-mile-long trail starting behind the culture museum Spinderihallerne in Vejle. One of the main attractions of the museum is a more than 2,000-year-old mummified bog body. The body was so

well preserved that, when it was first discovered in 1835, some historians initially misidentified it as the body of Viking Queen Gunhild, who lived more than a thousand years later. Archaeologist and museum curator Charlotta Lindblom explains: “The bog bodies are quite astonishing, a bit scary but also curiously fascinating to most people – I think because of the fact that you can look right into the face of someone from the Iron Age.” The woman was around 40 years old when she was put in the bog. Though she is believed to have been an ordinary woman, analysis of the strontium level in her hair shows that she had travelled to central Europe shortly before she died. But she is not the only woman from the area to have puzzled historians. In 1921, a local farmer discovered the burial site

Scan Magazine | Activity of the Month | Denmark

of the Egtved girl, a Bronze Age girl believed to have lived around 1370 BC. The girl was buried in an unusually decorative dress made from wool from outside Denmark, and had the cremated bones from a five or six-year-old child buried with her. Tests on the level of strontium in the girl’s teeth and hair showed that she was probably born in southern Germany. “Before this, we had no idea that people from The Bronze Age travelled this extensively, but they did,” explains Lindblom. Considered one of the best-preserved Bronze Age finds in Denmark, the girl is today exhibited at the National Museum. At the grave mound in Egtved, visitors can see the reconstructed burial mound in its authentic setting and visit a small museum about the girl’s puzzling history.

Industrious Vikings Six miles further up the valley, more than 2,000 years later, the Ravning Bridge, another remarkable historic site, was created. Built by the Viking King Harald Bluetooth in 980, the bridge was 760 metres long and five metres wide. “Ravning is a fantastic place to visit. The nature is stunning and the history is fascinating; up until 1935, when the Lillebælt Bridge was built, the Ravning Bridge was the

biggest bridge ever built in Denmark,” explains Lindblom. “It was enormous and, when you think about how and why the bridge was built at the broadest part of the river valley, as well as the fact that it was apparently only in use for five to ten years, it’s really mind-boggling.” Today, the main part of the bridge is underground, but a small part has been uncovered and preserved next to a small copy of the entire bridge.

Lunch in the Iron Age A couple of miles down the river, the Vingsted Iron Age Village allows visitors to not just observe but live the life of the Vikings’ ancestors. With a string of reconstructed buildings from the Iron Age, live farm animals and workshops, the village sets the scene for numerous extraordinary events, including a big festival on 20 May 2017. Throughout the year, more than 5,000 school children visit the village to learn about life during the Iron Age. In July, the experience is open to everyone, and you can book an authentic Iron Age holiday in the village. Even when the village is not open for activities, it is worth stopping by. “The area is always open. Even when the village is not in use, visitors can pop by to enjoy the

beautiful scenery. In general, I would always recommend bringing a picnic basket and just going out to explore,” says Hedman. “Vejle River Valley has so much to offer. It deserves more visitors – and more visitors deserve to experience it.” VejleMuseerne’s ten attractions: 1 - The culture museum Spinderihallerne, Vejle 2 - Vejle art museum, Vejle 3 - Vingsted Iron Age Village, Bredsten 4 - Randbøldalmuseet, Randbøl (interactive family museum on the historic production of clothes and paper) 5 - The grave of the Egtved Girl, Egtved 6 - The sculpture park by Robert Jacobsen and Jean Clareboudt, Egtved 7 - Vindmøllen (the windmill), Vejle (Vejle’s landmark) 8 - The Ravning Bridge, Bredsten 9 - Bindeballe Station, Randbøl (historic train station) 10- Munkenes Teglovn (the monks’ tile oven), Vejle All of Vejlemuseerne’s attractions are free.

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

Top left: The more than 2,000-year-old bog body of a 40-year-old female was so well preserved some historians initially mistook it for the body of Viking Queen Gunhild when it was discovered in 1835. Left: Around five metres wide and 760 metres long, the Ravning Bridge crossed the widest part of the Vejle River. Most of the bridge is underground today. Right: The Iron Age Village in Vingsted takes its visitors, many of whom are children, back to a time with no phones, computers or TV. In July, you can book to live in the village.

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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden

A space for origin With the utmost respect for quality ingredients and a no-fuss approach to accessible dining, Portal Restaurant has become a much-loved, vibrant local in the heart of Stockholm’s Vasastan. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Markus Crépin Sundström

that with me. I also work very closely with suppliers, we grow our own vegetables at Ingarö in the archipelago, and the food we serve is very much based on these quality ingredients.”

When Klas Lindberg was tipped off about the old Chinese at St. Eriksplan in Stockholm coming up for sale, he immediately saw potential. It boasted high ceilings, huge windows and a great location – but it would require lots of work. “My old ice hockey buddies came along and chucked away about 62 tonnes of stuff. I can’t say I wasn’t stressed when I realised how much work was involved, but it feels good now to know that the restaurant is in perfect nick and we’ve only got ourselves to blame if something goes wrong,” says the chef.

With everything from the interiors to the food on the plate, Portal Restaurant aims to provide a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable experience. The décor is soft, the service friendly and relatable. “It doesn’t challenge you too much – we want to provide an atmosphere you can rest in,” says Lindberg. “Same in the kitchen: we’ll play around with and try out new things, but it’s all with a safe base. With extremely qualified staff, we can provide a holistic experience with snacks, starters, mains and desserts in addition to well-matched drinks, all at very sympathetic prices.”

Inspired by Småland Portal Restaurant opened its doors last summer, serving 92 guests on the first 102 | Issue 100 | May 2017

night and presenting a deeply considered interior with beautiful details and soft hues. Having stripped the venue back to its bare, original state before filling it with design items from his home county of Småland as well as locally sourced quality ingredients, Lindberg talks about his restaurant as “a space for origin”, also using Rörstrand china originally produced just up the road. “We’ve decorated the big windows with original 1950s lamps that I’ve been storing in my attic for years, just waiting to put them to use in the right place one day,” he explains. “We’ve put a lot of thought into this. My childhood home is right between the Kingdom of Crystal and the furniture design hub of Småland, and I’ve brought

An accessible local The holistic experience means that service starts for lunch, with the restaurant

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden

staying open from noon until midnight every day. “We’re a real local – and we’ve had endless people stopping by to thank us for what we’ve done for the neighbourhood. That feels really good,” says Lindberg. In staying open all day, Portal allows guests to pop in for anything from a simple quality lunch or coffee to a few after-work drinks or a three-course meal. “We’re all about easy-going hospitality – a quick greeting the moment you step inside the door, and then you get a glass of Champagne and we’re off.” The menu is international with a clear French touch, inspired by Lindberg’s stint at a renowned Michelin-star restaurant in Paris, and is perhaps best described as rustic with finesse. Think scallops with apple, horseradish and soy sauce, followed by spring lamb with potato croquette, tomato and smoked onion. By keeping things simple and cutting out unnecessary frills, the restaurant

can keep prices down while at the same time bringing in fine-dining elements, such as a blackboard presenting different meat cuts served by the gram. “It’s straight-forward and clear, no fuss,” says Lindberg. Complementing the food is a wellstocked wine cellar and a knowledgeable team that puts more emphasis on what works and why than on naming districts and grapes. “What’s interesting is why something works – whether the tannins match the dish or the acidity is what does it, and what accentuates the flavours of the food,” the chef continues. “I’ve really invested in that, and the whole team has been educated – the kitchen staff too.”

Chef of the Year Back in 2012, Lindberg was named Chef of the Year in Sweden and, while he is not really interested in talking much about himself and his career, he admits that the

accolade has been a blessing. “It’s had a huge impact on my professional life. It created the platform for me to do this, gave us the media attention and meant that I could open up my own restaurant and be fully booked on the first night. I’m incredibly grateful for that – but I’ve also worked like a dog for it.” He started his first job as a chef aged 13 and has since been perfecting his craft in places including Oslo, the US and various locations throughout Europe. This, combined with extensive experience from many competitions, helped him build resilience and find the personal style that would eventually be realised in Portal. How long he has known that he wanted to be a chef? He answers, without a second of doubt: “Always.” For more information, please visit: www.portalrestaurant.se

Klas Lindberg.

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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

The chambre séparée.

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

Oslo’s finest izakaya lounge was made for sharing In less than a year, Tatakii Asian has established itself as a popular izakaya-style restaurant on Oslo’s west side. Japanese ‘tapas’ and fancy signature cocktails are coupled with a hefty Asian fusion menu in a classy and relaxed lounge environment – only metres away from the monumental Frogner Park. So, call a friend or 30, come as you are, kick back and share the love. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Tatakii Asian

Japanese izakayas are often compared to western pubs and taverns and their shareable dishes to tapas and meze. But these after-work hangouts come with a special flavour. Originally developed as watering holes for sake lovers, Japan’s izakayas started serving snacks sometime in the 18th century. Since then, many have become full-blown gastro pubs with vast menus drawing inspiration from all over the world. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the Japanese tradition at Tatakii Asian’s elegant 104 | Issue 100 | May 2017

and peaceful premises at Majorstuen in Oslo. It is far away from the bustling streets of Tokyo, but only a stone’s throw away from the world-famous sculptures and roses of the Frogner Park, one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions. “Tatakii brings all types of people together to eat, drink, unwind and reconnect. All the traditional izakaya dishes come in two servings, so they’re ideal for sharing!” says restaurant manager Michael Wu. “We’ve united tastes from all over Asia, which means that you can order Japanese sashimi, maki or gunkan

alongside a Thai salad and a Chinese wok or crispy duck. You’ll also discover hints of Korean and Vietnamese flavours.”

Start with a Funky Tatakii Tatakii Asian is the newest addition to the Dinnergruppen group – a successful family of Oslo restaurants. Joining the ranks of renowned Asian spots such as Dinner, Südøst, Nodee Sky and Nodee Barcode, Tatakii gained a quality stamp from the get-go, but the stamp of approval also brought with it certain expectations in terms of quality, service and atmosphere. To deliver a unique dining experience and stand out from the other family members, the Tatakii team decided to embrace the izakaya concept and opt for a stylish, but relaxed interior. “As soon as you enter, you’ll see that you can relax and be yourself. Tatakii has that

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

calm, smooth lounge vibe from the bar through to the dining area as well as the chambre séparée, which holds up to 30 people. Our large outdoor terrace is open all spring and summer. It’s equipped with a roof, heat lamps and its own bar, to get the same atmosphere outside. It’s all about getting comfortable and indulging,” says Wu. That often means starting off with a refreshing drink. Ten signature cocktails are always present on Tatakii’s menu, on top of a solid selection of wines and soft drinks. Crowd pleasers such as Funky Tatakii and Ginger Mojito are permanent options, while five fresh summer cocktails have just been added to the menu.

popular choice. It’s based on the very foundation of Tatakii and includes some of the best food from every segment, but the specific dishes keep changing every second week or so. That way, you can return and be surprised time and time again,” says a hopeful Wu. First up is always some sashimi and maki. The exact types, however, are not set in stone. Perhaps a Spicy Tuna Tartar salad with coriander, shallot, chives, garlic, radish, coriander cream, wonton chips and tobiko? Or a Spicy Salmon Tartar tempura roll filled with cheese, avocado, cucumber and topped with spicy salmon?

Regardless, something fried and crispy, like the delicious Moneybag, comes out next, followed by a traditional izakaya dish and the local favourite, Crispy Duck Superstar. “Moneybags are essentially pouch-shaped spring rolls filled with savoury beef, aromatic mushrooms and Thai parsley. They’re fantastic! We finish off the menu with a dessert combo. The name’s a bit mysterious on purpose, because we combine our finest ingredients to whip up a magical treat. You won’t be disappointed,” Wu promises. For more information, please visit: www.tatakiiasian.no

“Among the newcomers are Pink Maiko, named after the word for an apprentice geisha; Painappuru, which is the Japanese word for ‘pineapple’; and Drunk Rabbit, based on delicious carrot juice and decorated with a baby carrot,” explains Wu.

Next step: EAT ME When you have chosen your cocktail, you face the joyful challenge of selecting the first dish. To ease the process, the waiters will suggest a popular five-dish set menu, named EAT ME, which contains a bit of everything. “EAT ME is the most

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Molskroen is located in beautiful surroundings ten minutes outside of Ebeltoft.

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Bringing new energy and beautiful food to the table Steffen Villadsen took over the role as head chef at Molskroen with a mix of dread and determination to prove himself worthy. A year later, the determination has prevailed; Villadsen has swayed both critics and guests with his beautiful dishes, creativity and passion. Scan Magazine talks to the 35-year-old about the challenges and joys of taking over one of Denmark’s most-renowned gourmet eateries. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Molskroen

When Villadsen took over the kitchen at Ebeltoft’s beautiful old Molskroen inn last year, he stepped into the shoes of some of Denmark’s best-known chefs. But despite, or rather because of, his lack of fame, the new head chef has managed to make quite a splash. Indeed, it is starting to look like Villadsen’s tenure as head chef might end up being a 106 | Issue 100 | May 2017

defining phase not just in his own career but in the history of Molskroen too. “I think one of the most significant changes the owners of Molskroen made when they offered me the job was that they chose to go with a head chef who was younger and less well-known,” explains Villadsen. “The other, more

well-established, names had nothing to prove when they started here, whereas I had everything to prove.” The result of Villadsen’s energetic and passionate attitude has been not just happy guests but also rave reviews. The Danish White Guide, for instance, describes a visit to Molskroen as “an all-encompassing experience that beautifully combines the classic virtues with the contemporary and trendy”.

Respect and inspiration It is not the first time Villadsen has been working in one of Denmark’s top gourmet restaurants. Before deciding

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

to return to Jutland, where he is originally from, he was part of the kitchen team at the Michelin-star Red Cottage in Copenhagen. When he approached Molskroen, however, it was not with the head chef role in mind. In fact, his initial feeling when he realised that Michel Michaud, Molskroen’s iconic head chef at the time, had resigned and he was offered to step into his shoes, was mainly dread. But after three months of working alongside the French chef, Villadsen felt confident that he had something to bring to the table. “I realised that it wasn’t as terrifying as I had thought at all and that I even had something to contribute, but it was still with a lot of awe and respect for the inn’s long traditions that I took the job,” says Villadsen. “It has been a big change to go from being part of a kitchen team at the Red Cottage to having all of the responsibility on my own. But it’s also been very inspiring to get to create the way I want to. It’s a feeling of freedom, which is enhanced by the surroundings out here; there are a lot of good things to say about Valby [the part of Copenhagen Villadsen lived in when working at the Red

Cottage], but it’s not exactly inspiring. Here, I live close to the sea and the nature, and that gives nourishment for new thoughts and ideas.”

A warm welcome Villadsen also finds inspiration in the green region’s produce and has built an extensive network of local producers who provide him with first-class seasonal ingredients. “When I talk to the local producers about their products, the ideas start pouring in. I have to limit myself a bit, but I will never run the same menu twice – I want to keep improving. I want to keep it fresh and creative in a way that gives the guests something they know but which also provokes and pushes the boundaries a bit once in a while,” stresses Villadsen. It is not just in the kitchen that the young head chef has high ambitions. Spending much of the evenings presenting the food and talking to guests, his ultimate goal is to ensure that everybody feels welcome and looked after in the inn’s classic and elegant restaurant. In this endeavour, he is joined by his husband of five years, who is part of Molskroen’s much-praised team of waiters and sommeliers.

“The inn itself is such a wonderful and beautifully decorated place. The surrounding nature is beautiful, and the garden is always well kept; it all contributes to a feeling of exclusivity, but at the same time we want people to feel welcome. We strive to deliver the best in food and surroundings, but we do it in a down-to-earth manner. I guess you could say it’s the Jutlandish way,” says Villadsen. Facts about Molskroen: Molskroen is located at the foot of Mols Bjerge, a beautifully hilly area six kilometres outside Ebeltoft. Most of the inn’s 18 suites and double rooms have beautiful sea or garden views. From May onwards, Molskroen is open for lunch and dinner (set menu or à la carte) seven days a week. There is a helicopter landing site nearby the inn.

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

35-year-old Steffen Villadsen took over the role as head chef at Molskroen’s renowned gourmet restaurant last year.

Inspired by the local area’s nature and produce, as well as Molskroen’s strong traditions, Villadsen’s dishes bring a beautiful combination of classic elegance and creativity to the table.

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Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

Artist of the Month, Norway

‘Art is something I have inside me’ By continuously exploring new subjects, forms and dimensions, Aino Jensen has expanded the boundaries for what can be done using the most fragile of media: glass. The Danish-Norwegian artist, whose distinctive sculptures adorn the Norwegian Prime Minister’s office, talks to Scan Magazine about the inner yearning that drives her to keep creating. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Jørn Grønlund

It took 50-year-old Aino Jensen 30 years to find an outlet for her creative urge, but once she did, there was no stopping her. The media was glass, and, though the then 30-year-old mother of two (today three) had no training or qualifications, it was, she explains, love at first sight. “Art is not something that I’ve become interested in; art is something I have inside me. Ever since I was a young girl, I have had this desperate desire and longing to create and express myself through art. I had so much inside me that I wanted to let out, but I couldn’t find the right outlet. When I stumbled across glass art 20 years ago, it finally happened. It was love at first sight, and the passion and joy of creating have never diminished.”

Just a year into her learning process, Jensen had the idea of creating a large waterfall put together from small pieces of glass. As the sculpture was too big for her to keep at home, she promptly

marched up to the nearby Kongsberg Maritime and sold the work to their new head office. Shortly later, she visited a gallery and convinced them to take in her work for their next exhibition. “I’ve always loved selling and I’ve always been good at it too. The managers of the gallery actually told me later that the only reason they accepted my work was that I was so enthusiastic about it, but then they ended up selling the whole lot and I’ve been exhibiting there ever since,” Jensen laughs.

Though originally Danish, Jensen has been living and working in Norway since the age of 18 when she met and fell in love with her Norwegian husband, Jan Jensen.

Setting free the artist within The defining moment for Jensen as an artist came when a visiting friend from Denmark showed her a homemade glass bowl. Immediately, she knew that glass was the medium she was supposed to work with. When pregnant with her third child, her husband gave her a small oven to start producing her own work, and the hobby quickly became a full-time occupation. “I started with small sculptural pieces, birds, reliefs and also plates – though back in Denmark so many people were making plates that I sort of had too much of that. I learned by doing and by making mistakes – I made mistake after mistake,” Jensen admits.

For 20 years, 50-year-old Aino Jensen has been exploring and expanding the boundaries for what can be done in the medium of glass.

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Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

‘Every time I make a human sculpture, a new expression comes out, a new personality, a new surprise – a life story,’ says Aino Jensen.

The combination of creative passion and tenacity has been defining for Jensen, who continues to explore both the practical and the creative boundaries of working with glass.

From necessity to strength One of the defining features of Jensen’s art is that it is not created with glass prefabricated for art, but with regular window glass – a choice that was originally based on financial necessity. However, while working with window glass creates challenges and limitations, Jensen has turned those limitations into strengths. 110 | Issue 100 | May 2017

“My approach to working with glass is very crude; I love roughness and the story that it tells. The nice and purely aesthetic is not for me. I make art for my own fulfilment, and that means that I can be faithful to my own values, keep my own expression, go my own way and tell the stories I’m passionate about,” she stresses. The human figures and masks Jensen is currently focussing on are the result of a process that takes several months. First, a model and a pose are chosen, and then a cask of plaster is made. When the cask is ready, it is covered with glass

interspersed with metal and colours and burnt in the oven. The process, which softens but does not melt the glass, takes about 20 days, during which the glass is heated up and gradually cooled down to ensure it does not break. When the glass is out of the oven, Jensen works manually to remove any leftovers of the cask, polish off protrusions and give the work its final expression. Everything must be done with extreme caution as the glass might splinter at any time during the process. “Every time I make a human body sculpture, a new expression comes out, a new personality, a new surprise – a life

Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

story,” says Jensen. “I’m completely in my own world when I work on a piece – you can’t talk to me and when I’m done I’m exhausted.”

Butterfly Spirit Although Jensen’s work is distinguished by a striking raw yet fragile beauty, her purpose as an artist is not only to please the eye. Having created numerous works for different public institutions, including several mental health centres, Jensen recently teamed up with Norwegian singer Sissel Gjerland Ekra to create Butterfly Spirit, an exceptional art performance exploring the many serious issues young people face today. “Inspired by our encounters with young people, Sissel and I had been working on the same theme – how many young people struggle to cope with issues such as anxiety, insecurity and suicidal thoughts – in each our own medium. Nothing is more sad than seeing a young person who can’t find a purpose in life,” says Jensen. “The performance is a new way of communicating and sharing information about mental health. We hope that it may help break down barriers and prejudice that prevents openness,

and give those who need it a way of talking about their issues.” The artwork’s initial performance in Kongsberg was watched by Mental Helse Ungdom, a national mental health organisation, which was so impressed by its potential that it applied for state funding to take the performance into Norwegian schools.

A never-ending drive As the mother of three grown-up daughters, aged 19, 21 and 23, Jensen has been combining her passion for art with mother-hood ever since the beginning. She never found that the two different roles were detrimental to each other – on the contrary. “When they were small, I used to give the girls a piece of clay and they would play alongside me while I worked. To me it’s about having the energy and joy to do both,” she explains. Still, when asked if she is ever afraid of losing this exceptional drive to create, she replies without a moment’s hesitation: “Yes! I’m terrified of losing that spark, because that’s what drives you as

an artist. But at the same time, I have ideas for at least two years of production, so I don’t see that happening any time soon. As long as I take care of myself and my loved ones, I think the passion and joy in creating will be there.” More about Aino Jensen and her work Aino Jensen creates her work in a 100-square-metre workshop in Kongsberg. She has three computerised ovens to control the complicated process required for working with window glass. The Danish-Norwegian artist has done about 50 exhibitions all over Norway, of which 26 were solo exhibitions. She has also created more than 20 individual works for private and public institutions, including the Prime Minister’s office. Her largest work is a 14-metre-tall column that describes the life cycle from beginning to end.

For more information, please visit: www.aino-jensen.no. Or Facebook: Glasskunstner Aino Jensen

Aino Jensen’s human body sculptures are the result of an intense month-long process, which starts with finding the right model.

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 111

Scan Magazine | Gallery of the Month | Norway

Left: Works of art are displayed on the top two floors at Kunstgalleriet. Right: Japansk Dukke by Erling Valtyrson, who will be exhibiting his artwork at Kunstgalleriet this autumn. Photo: Kunstgalleriet.

Gallery of the Month, Norway

Accessible art for the people When Elin Halvorsen opened art gallery Kunstgalleriet in Stavanger, Norway, in 2000, she did it to make art more accessible for the people – to show that art does not need to be understood to be enjoyed. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Jan Inge Haga

the ground and first floors. In addition to the exhibitions, the gallery often hosts smaller events, including ‘meet the artist’ sessions and workshops by artists explaining how they create their graphics.

“We don’t want people to feel like art is something they don’t understand. We want them to just come in and feel like there are no restrictions and we want there to be a certain openness that welcomes them in,” says Halvorsen.

The gallery is also focused on creating important discussions and debates, and making people more observant. “We want to contribute to the world moving forward, as history and art go hand in hand,” says Halvorsen.

The gallery represents both Norwegian and international contemporary artists and features individual and group exhibitions. This autumn, Kunstgalleriet will be exhibiting the works of Anita Tjemsland, Magne Furuholmen and Erling Valtyrson, the latter having previously exhibited his work at the gallery in 2008, when Queen Sonja of Norway bought several of his mezzotint pieces. Many galleries come and go in Stavanger, but Kunstgalleriet is one of the few that have remained. Now in its 17th year, it employs four staff, including Halvorsen’s husband and co-owner of the gallery, 112 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Arnfinn Hanssen, framer Lena Mjelde and Ann-Kathrin Andersen. “We don’t want people to be sceptical about art; we want them to just come in. That’s why I put weekly artworks on our Facebook page and Instagram to show what we are doing, which has been a huge success,” says Halvorsen.

Everything in one place What makes the gallery so popular is the notion that you can get everything in one place – there is high-quality art by formally trained artists and, in the basement, there is a framing workshop led by a framer with an art school qualification, making her exceptionally well-suited for the job. The layout of Kunstgalleriet stretches over three floors, with the framing workshop in the basement and the gallery on

Each piece of art is carefully considered by framer Lena Mjelde.

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

Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Denmark

With a cool urban setting, relaxed atmosphere and live music every Sunday, Kødbyens Mad & Marked is the perfect place to hang out. Guests will find a wide variety of foods, from Asian delicacies to meatball sandwiches.

Experience of the Month, Denmark

Copenhagen’s coolest summer market A buzzy open-air food market is taking over Copenhagen’s trendy old meatpacking district every weekend this summer. Combining a raw, industrial setting with international street food, Danish lunch traditions, pétanque, wine and jazz, Kødbyens Mad & Marked has quickly become Copenhagen’s coolest summer market.

taste,” says Mosegaard. “There is room for everyone – families enjoying a day out, elderly couples browsing, and students recovering from a night out.”

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kødbyens Mad & Marked

This year, as a new addition, the market will have live jazz music every Sunday and, every last Sunday of the month, guests can create and enjoy a delicious brunch platter put together with food from many of the market’s stalls.

Street food, something most Danes traditionally know from abroad, has become increasingly popular in the Danish capital in recent years. However, open-air markets are still a rarity, and that is one of the reasons why Kødbyens Mad & Marked has quickly become Copenhagen’s coolest summer attraction. “Once summer finally arrives, all Copenhageners flock outside. It’s an amazing feeling and it was this buzzy urban summer atmosphere that generated the idea for the market,” explains marketing manager Lea Emilie Mosegaard. “We wanted to create a cool open-air market in a raw, urban atmosphere, a place where people could get together, smell, taste and feel the food,

and the setting here in the meatpacking district was just perfect for that.” The market, which is running for a third season this summer, comprises 35 stalls where guests can enjoy everything from fresh Vietnamese food and burgers to smørrebrød, the traditional Danish open rye bread sandwiches, and local beer. The stalls keep changing throughout the summer, and many special themes and events, including wine tasting and smørrebrød days, ensure a continuously new experience. “We wanted to create a place where everybody would feel welcome, and the theme days help ensure that everyone can find something to suit their

Kødbyens Mad & Marked is located in Copenhagen’s old meatpacking district, just behind Copenhagen’s Central Station. Kødbyens Mad & Marked is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, April to September.

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

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 113

Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns

IS IT JUST ME…

By Mette Lisby

Who has become wary of our obsession with food? I was never a foodie. I just never had time to spend a jolly six hours a night at restaurants, where people with concerned facial expressions do not enjoy food because they are too busy judging it. As fun as that sounds, I have got stuff to do, like, you know… work and such. That being said, I love a great meal as much as the next person. Thus, I was excited when friends asked us out for a full gourmet experience at this amazing restaurant that served a 15-course extravaganza menu. We did not eat for days and eagerly sat down in the elegant booth, drooling excitedly as the first plate came in. Served on a rustic chopping board was a teaspoonful each of two different types of mousse, a slice of glazed ham, a sliver of tuna crusted with something fancy and a piece of lettuce sprinkled with licorice dust. It was delicious! And how gracious to serve a small taster plate, we thought. Little did we know that we had just – in less than five minutes – devoured the first five courses. Now, there must be some kind of universal agreement, a law, like in physics,

that states the minimum size of ‘a course’. Seriously, the Michelin Guide people should stop handing out stars willy-nilly and focus instead on what determines ‘a course’, because that term is thrown around very loosely. For instance, a leaf of salad is not a course – no matter what you sprinkle it with! The whole scenario became Monty Python-esque, when the waiter put the entrées in front of us. Starving at this point, we wanted nothing more than to dig in – however every time we were about to eat, the waiter presented something new on the plate. First the meat, then the potatoes (or, potato – nothing in this place was in plural). Then the one asparagus was presented, as if it was Cher entering a stage in Vegas. I started dreading a PowerPoint presentation of the sauce, but given the waiter’s euphoric enthusiasm I realised that a full-scale pro-

Make-up Yesterday, due to leaving my washbag behind while travelling, I arrived to work without make-up. My colleague quickly pointed out that I looked “proper hanging”, which made me reminisce about what life was like before concealer and mascara. As a teenager, I was a late bloomer, and while my friends in Sweden spent hours experimenting with exciting layers of glitter and bronze, I shied away from it all. Then I moved to England and was told by my new school that make-up was banned. This changed things; no one was going to tell me what I could or could not put on my skin. So I marched to the nearest Boots, armed with a newfound sense of courage – and there I stopped. Because while my friends had explored every nook and cranny of Body Shop in search of the perfect shade of lipstick, I had remained in a corner, sniffing vials of Dewberry. 114 | Issue 100 | May 2017

duction of ‘Presenting the Bread-roll – The Musical’ was more likely to kick off. So here is my tip to the Michelin people: if it takes longer to present a course than it does to eat it, it is not a course. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish version of Have I Got News For You and Room 101.

By Maria Smedstad

With the new (bad) make-up came the sudden feeling of belonging, which was followed by the confidence to make friends. Before long, I had acquired a fake ID and a taste for dream trance. In other words, I had become a normal teenager. I am sure this would have happened sooner or later in Sweden, but every time I pause over a twoquid tub of rainbow glitter, I am grateful to the UK for giving me the leg up I needed.

I had no idea where to begin, and no money to spend on the express trial period that was required. Which is where England saved me. Because while make-up had been expensive in Sweden, I discovered that here, a fiver could buy you half a stand’s worth. I started out with clear gloss and subtle shades, but was soon dipping into iridescent turquoises and bright reds. I was transformed.

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

Scan Magazine | Culture | Column

Scandinavian music P3 Radio in Sweden has been all over a pretty phenomenal new track that has come hurtling out of the Nordics. It is The Box – the new single by Swedish duo Snow Culture. That is Ana Diaz (indie darling of last year) teaming up with Oskar Sikow from Kate Boy (indie darlings of the year before). The track is a perfectly crafted piece of music that switches from genre to genre, from pace to pace, without ever veering away from sounding anything other than brilliant. Songs like this do not come along all too often. Get acquainted. Norwegian outfit Highasakite had a pretty good 2016, and they are back this month with a brand new single, 5 Million Miles. They have roped in fellow Norwegian pop legends StarGate for production duties, and the resulting tune is a well-crafted electro ballad with a glorious four-minute soundscape. After making some classic tunes during his time in both Aqua and Hej Matematik, Søren Rasted has now launched his latest project, Slotown – and the debut single

Exhale. What first appears as a pretty lowkey and deep chill number reveals itself to be a relentless earworm of which only one listen just will not do. Swedish artist TOFFE has just debuted with his first single, Painting Pictures, and is already chalking up some big British fanfare in the form of Music Week magazine. Citing “legends such as Peter Gabriel, Frank Zappa and Genesis” as his influences, he promises a fusion of musical styles in his songs – all of which he writes and produces himself. “To paint a picture, think both electronic and organic, topped with seamless synth layers, pop hooks, irresistible melodies and stirring lyrics.” Painting Pictures is an exciting introduction to the gent from Kalmar – with an endearingly epic chorus on it. My favourite song of the year so far is… odd. It is the first single from the new pairing of Swedish artist Cazzi Opeia and Korean producer Jin x Jin, called Batman & Robin. Sensationally bonkers but mercifully brilliant at the same time, it has so many catchy

By Karl Batterbee

hooks contained within that you would have to be pretty numb to pop music not to find something to love. Cazzi sings of being double teamed by Bruno Mars and Nicki Minaj, while wishing that it was actually Batman and Robin. Haven’t we all at some point…

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Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | TBC

Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013. Photo: Sander Hesterman (EBU).

‘ABBA reinvented the Eurovision Song Contest’ Chris West has always loved the Eurovision Song Contest, so when he wanted to write a book about the history of modern Europe, it made sense to do it from a Eurovision perspective. According to the author, the Eurovision sends a political statement about how Europe ought to work – and now, he says, it is more political than ever. By Heidi Kokborg

Chris West’s first memory of the Eurovision Song Contest is from 1967, when he and his family were gathered around the black-and-white TV. “I really enjoy watching the Eurovision. I think most of the songs are good, and it’s a nice occasion and a marvellous European event. I feel a sense of belonging in a very divided 116 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Europe when I watch the contest,” says author Chris West. When he wanted to write a book about the history of modern Europe, he knew that he had to write it from the perspective of the Eurovision Song Contest, and the book Eurovision! A History of Modern

Europe Through the World’s Greatest Song Contest was born.

Ground-breaking ABBA One of the most famous songs to have ever participated in the Eurovision is probably the winning Swedish band ABBA’s Waterloo from 1974. “ABBA completely changed the whole thing. The band was purely European and not American at all. They brought in new music to the contest – until ABBA, rock ’n’ roll had been excluded from the Eurovision. They were ground-breaking at the time; ABBA reinvented the show. New viewers start-

Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | Europe & The Eurovision

ed watching it, and the group was just so much better than everyone else,” says West. Perhaps ABBA is the reason why Scandinavians love the contest so much – or perhaps the answer is elsewhere. Nevertheless, Scandinavians are known to be Eurovision mad. “I think Scandinavians

like it so much because they are really good at it. Especially Sweden is amazing, and they care so much about the competition – perhaps it all started with ABBA, but Sweden really is a superpower in the Eurovision context,” says West. “Sweden just knows how to play the game, and they make some marvellous music. And then Scandinavians seem nice, and they

are not afraid of showing emotions, and they don’t take themselves too seriously.”

Good nationalism As Europe is becoming increasingly divided, West suggests that the Eurovision is more important than ever. “Europe is falling apart, but the Eurovision reminds us that we have a shared heritage. Polit-

Chris West. Photo: Imogen West.

Chris West’s newest book, Eurovision! A History of Modern Europe Through the World’s Greatest Song Contest. Press photo. Swede Måns Zelmerlöw, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. Photo: Andres Putting (EBU).

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 117

Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | Europe & The Eurovision

Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, part three, 2016. Photo: Anna Velikova (EBU).

ically, the Eurovision is more important than ever; in my opinion, Europe needs to be kept together in a way that works, and I think that the Eurovision Song Contest shows us how it can be done,” he says. “The Eurovision engages people – it’s popular and people are interested in the contest. People care so much about the Eurovision they actually pick up the phone and vote. It is the total opposite of the EU.” In West’s opinion, the EU could learn a great deal from the Eurovision in regards to nationalism and how to bring Europeans together. “We have good and bad nationalism, and the Eurovision shows us the good kind. The EU wants to make everyone think of themselves as Europeans, and the fact is that people don’t want that. We think of ourselves as Danish, English, Italian and so on – the EU is not 118 | Issue 100 | May 2017

in line with the population. It leaves no space for nationalism, which means that they push people too far, and people turn their back on the EU,” says West. “If we do not find a good way to do nationalism, people will find a nasty way – and that is what’s happening in Europe now.”

Making room for weirdness

that’s just great. It’s also about letting it all go and not hold back your emotions. The Eurovision is open, a little over the top, and makes room for everyone,” says West. “The Eurovision sends out a message about how Europe should be. It’s a political statement. It’s liberal, and they let people be who they are.”

West explains how the Eurovision shows that nationalism can be done in a good way: we all hope that our country will win, which is nationalism, but we are friendly and we all like each other. Moreover, West believes that the popular song contest boasts some values that the EU can learn from.

Chris West is a British author. He has written 20 books, and his latest book, Eurovision – A History of Modern Europe Through the World’s Greatest Song Contest, was published in April 2017. He lives in North Hertfordshire with his family.

“The Eurovision rises the flag for inclusivity, and it tells people that it’s okay to be yourself. If you are a bit weird, well,

For more information, please visit: www.chriswest.info

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Agnes Obel will be performing at NorthSide this year. Press photo

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Untold stories (18 May – January 2018) In March this year, it was 100 years since Denmark sold the US Virgin Islands to the United States of America. Therefore, the National Gallery of Denmark decided to

explore all the untold stories from the colonial time at the Virgin Islands. In collaboration with the Royal Library and Malmö University’s project Living Archives, the gallery tells the overlooked stories about

By Heidi Kokborg

the black servants and slaves who worked for Danish families on the US Virgin Islands. National Gallery of Denmark, Sølvgade 48-5, 1307 København www.smk.dk Issue 100 | May 2017 | 119

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

The National Museum in Stockholm. Photo: Hans Thorwid/Nationalmuseum.

Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra (24 May) The Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo won the Royal Philharmonic Society Conductor of the Year award in 2015, and he is the chief conductor of both the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. His Turangalîla Symphony is a vibrant and colourful celebration of all-consuming love, loosely based on the Tristan and Isolde story. 7.30pm. Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2 www.finemb.org.uk

Osmo Vänskä conducts the Curtis Symphony Orchestra (26 May) Finnish Osmo Vänskä has been the music director of the Minnesota Orchestra for over a decade. He is recognised for his compelling interpretations of repertoire from all ages, passionately conveying the authentic message of the composer’s score. Curtis Symphony Orchestra debuts at Cadogan Hall when Vänskä 120 | Issue 100 | May 2017

conducts them. 7.30pm. Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ www.finemb.org.uk

Distortion (31 May – 4 June) This is one of Copenhagen’s most popular festivals. Distortion turns Copenhagen into a party haven during the festival days. It will be a week of massive daytime street parties, underground night club events and the grand two-day finale Distortion Ø at Refshaleøen and the Copenhagen harbour. You can experience artists like Maceo Plex, Mura Masa, ABRA and many more. www.cphdistortion.dk

Toril Johannessen at ARoS (June – September) The Norwegian artist Toril Johannessen works across many artistic platforms. This is clearly showcased through the many expressions of her installations, which consist of photos, sculptures,

drawings and text. Johannessen’s work has been displayed on several international art scenes. Aros Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark www.aros.dk

Nordic Matters: Finnish food at Southbank (9-11 June) For the first time, there will be a Finnish stall at the Southbank food market this summer. Traditional Finnish food such as reindeer burgers and salmon soup will be available, organised by the Finnish Church in London and part of Nordic Matters – a year-long festival at the Southbank Centre. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 www.finemb.org.uk

NorthSide (9-11 June) NorthSide is a Danish music festival that has taken place in Aarhus since 2010. Last year the festival attracted an audience of 35,000. One of the core values of

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

Sakari Oramo. Photo: Benjamin Ealovega

NorthSide. Photo: Peter Kirkegaard

Issue 100 | May 2017 | 121

Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar

the festival is sustainability and, as such, they focus on waste management, energy and ecology. Among others Agnes Obel, MØ and Phlake will be performing this year. NorthSide is held in Ådalen, a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Aarhus. www.northside.dk

A Place to Be. Contemporary Norwegian Architecture 2011-2016 (9 June-19 November) What characterises Norwegian architecture today? This exhibition at the National Museum in Oslo showcases new trends and developments, including younger architects with a clear sense of social responsibility and an interest in the public space. St. Olavs plass, N–0130 Oslo www.nasjonalmuseet.no

Michael Johansson – Site-specific installation (20 June – 27 August) Swedish artist Michael Johansson combines well-known everyday objects such as domestic appliances and suitcases with caravans, containers and tractors in his series of sculptures and site-specific installations. Kulturhuset Stadsteatern, Sergels torg, Stockholm www.nationalmuseum.se

Tinderbox (22-24 June)

Osmo Vänskä. Photo: Greg Helgeson

Tinderbox. Photo: Morten Rygaard

122 | Issue 100 | May 2017

Tinderbox is a relatively new festival in the Danish city of Odense. The festival has been a big hit since its opening in 2015, its slogan being: “Where words fail, music speaks. Please don’t pee in the tree. Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up.” Tinderbox takes place in Tusindårsskoven in Odense. www.tinderbox.dk Distortion. Photo: Jacob Schjørring

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