Scan Magazine | issue 34 | October 2011 by Scan Client Publishing

SCAN

AQUA: CELEBRATING THEIR MEGALOMANIA VISIT STOCKHOLM – THE PEARL OF SCANDINAVIA NORTHERN LIGHTS ISLANDS: LOFOTEN AND VESTERÅLEN FALL IN LOVE WITH DENMARK THIS AUTUMN

PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

ISSUE 34

OCTOBER 2011

M A G A Z I N E

Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 8

Aqua

SPECIAL THEMES 41

For many of us, Aqua defined the 90s. The band not only sold 30 million albums but also created Barbie Girl, the iconic and most successful Scandinavian single ever. Reuniting in 2008, Aqua is now ready to release Megalomania, their first album in ten years.

8 52

FEATURE 12

TRAVEL THEMES 22

ISAK ISAK, the brainchild of Swedish designer and illustrator Sandra Isaksson, is a brand of design gifts and co-ordinated home accessories that will certainly bring a smile to your face.

Autumn break in Denmark The windswept North Sea beaches, Denmark’s breathtaking countryside and lush forests all provide perfect settings for long walks among a blaze of autumnal colours, followed by cosy evenings in front of the fireplace.

Copenhagen Design Week Visitors at the second ever Copenhagen Design Week were challenged to think twice and consider how design could improve life and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Lofoten & Vesterålen Crude and barren, yet breathtakingly beautiful, illuminated by the Northern Lights and adorned with jewel-like fishing villages: Vesterålen and Lofoten are Norwegian winter destinations with a difference!

DESIGN FEATURE 18

Stockholm Stockholm is widely celebrated as nothing less than one of the world’s most beautiful cities, built where lake meets sea on 14 islands, with nine centuries of history and culture. It is a city of contrasts – a cutting-edge metropolis that often comes across as stunningly contemporary.

The Scandinavia Show 2011 October is upon us, and The Scandinavia Show 2011 is finally here. On 8-9 October, Brompton Hall at Earl’s Court is showcasing the best exports that Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands have to offer, creating the perfect meeting and greeting spot for lovers of everything Scandinavian.

Scandinavian education In this issue, Scan Magazine has taken a closer look at Norwegian schools and institutions of higher education, as well as high-quality Scandinavian education available in the UK and Finland.

Kuopio & North Savo Top locations and conditions for all kinds of pursuits all year round await you right at the heart of the wonderfully scenic Lake District of Finland.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 14 72 82

Scan Business 61

BUSINESS FEATURE 86

Treston Treston, one of the leading technical furniture suppliers in Europe, has gained 40 years of experience in developing products that are not only functional and high in quality, but also designed to please the eye.

Hilton Malta hotel Discerning Scandinavian and UK travellers looking for their perfect holiday destination in the sun should turn their gaze towards Malta, and especially the luxurious Hilton Malta hotel.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 85

DUCC at The Scandinavia Show Key Note by Gunnar P Larsen, Managing Director, the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce

Dealing with the big boys, part 3.... By Paul Corren, Corren Troen Law Firm

Bubbly Aberdeen! By Annika Åman-Goodwille

89 92

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, October is here! And do you know what that also means? The long-awaited Scandinavia Show 2011 is finally taking place at Brompton Hall, Earl’s Court, on 8-9 October. If you have not booked your tickets yet, don’t worry, you will still be able to purchase them at the door. And if you do get the chance to come along, we promise you will not be disappointed. It is the only show in in the UK dedicated exclusively to showcasing the best brands and exports from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. This year, the exhibition areas will be divided into design & lifestyle, travel and food – there will be something for everyone. Check out the full list of exhibitors as well as the exciting entertainment programme on the show’s website: www.scandinaviashow.co.uk. Last year was a lot of fun, but I think this year, with a bigger venue as well as more exhibitors and performers, the general atmosphere will feel even more exhilarating.

Our October travel themes are bringing you the best bits of Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, the Norwegian archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, Finland’s lake district and autumnal Denmark. Furthermore, this month, we’re introducing our readers to the international and innovative nature of Scandinavian education. Please turn to our education theme for information on Norwegian and Finnish schools and institutions of higher education, as well as Scandinavian schooling available in the UK. I hope to you see you at The Scandinavia Show 2011!

Nia Kajastie Editor

Our cover feature this month is all about fun as well – it seems we’ve gone back in time to the late 90s! Aqua, known worldwide for their infectious hit Barbie Girl, are back with a new album and, seemingly, a slightly more grownup sound. To find out more, read our interview with the band, who seem to also have had a lot of fun during their chat with Scan Magazine.

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Issue 34 | October 2011

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Scan Magazine | Contributors

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

6 | Issue 34 | October 2011

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

Inna Allen is a freelance writer, translator and photographer whose passions lie in all things art and design. She moved to the UK from her native Finland in 2001 and has since developed a chronic yearning for sauna. Having travelled much of the world, Signe Hansen, MA graduate in Journalism and previous editor at Scan Magazine, is now back freelancing in London, where she writes on everything Scandinavian and her main passions: culture, travel and health. Ulrika Osterlund spent most of her life in London, but recently returned to Stockholm, where she is working as a journalist. She studied international business in Paris and journalism in London. She is also a budding novelist. Swedish entrepreneur Annika Åman-Goodwille Chartered Secretary (FCIS), and a multi-linguist, is the Chairman of Goodwille. She is a born business networker with a multinational academic and professional track record spanning the globe from the Swedish Foreign office to diplomatic postings in the Middle East. Bronte Aurell runs Scandi Kitchen in London, a Scandinavian deli/cafe. Bronte, who has studied in Edinburgh and has a background in investment banking, has lived in London for 9 years.

Scan Magazine | Feature | Aqua

Come on, Barbie, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go party

Scan Magazine | Feature | Aqua

The laughter bounces off the bare walls in the large grey room where I and the four world-famous members of Aqua have been seated for our interview. It does so many times during our talk, but this time the cause is my question regarding the quarrels that led to the band’s breakup. “Were there any difficulties in getting back together?” I ask. “A lot!” they reply almost simultaneously, and then the liberating laugh. “There is nothing not complicated in this band,” explains Søren Rasted, who, together with Claus Noréen, has written and produced most of Aqua’s songs. “But I always think that we reach something somewhere that I never expected to reach, and that’s the essence of why we are good together; we are all very passionate about our own things.” His wife, Aqua’s Norwegian singer, Lene Nystrøm agrees: “Music put us together and I don’t necessarily think that we would be friends if we did not have the music in common, but together the four of us can do something that nobody else can.” “But we are also more tolerant compared to the old days when we could snap in five seconds,” adds her co-lead singer René Dif. “Now...,” he hesitates, and Rasted quickly completes his sentence: “Now we still snap!” After the ensuing laughter, Dif gets a chance to finish: “Yes, now we snap within half a second! But we also respect each other more. We were a lot younger, and things were happening a lot faster at that time, so obviously we developed some kind of big-headed superstar syndrome.” Pop legends

For many of us, Aqua defined the 90s. The band not only sold 30 million albums but also created Barbie Girl, the iconic and most successful Scandinavian single ever. However, after their second album, the four pop treasures decided to split up; rumours as to what had caused the bestselling Danish band of all times to dissolve were inevitably rife, but whatever it was, it was not enough to keep them apart. Reuniting in 2008, Aqua is now ready to release Megalomania, their first album (apart from a greatest hits collection) in ten years. Scan Magazine had the privilege of speaking to Lene, Claus, René and Søren. By: Signe Hansen | Photos: Gudmund Thai

If the four musicians did develop some kind of superstar syndrome, it is hardly surprising. When Aqua released their first two singles Roses Are Red and My Oh My in 1996/1997, they broke various Danish records, went straight to the top of the Danish charts and stayed there for months; Aqua mania began to engulf Denmark - and the band. But it was the third single, Barbie Girl, that took the Aqua phenomenon abroad. Within no time, people in Japan, Australia, Europe and the US were all singing along and

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 9

Scan Magazine | Feature | Aqua

mimicking Nystrøm’s doll-face expressions. “It’s surreal to write something that goes around the globe on that scale,” says Norréen. In 2000, the band’s second album Aquarius was released, but although it produced several hits, it was not long before Aqua announced their split because “the sparkle had left.”

Seven years later at a BBQ party, the band sensed that the sparkle had returned and decided to reunite for a tour of Denmark. “We just have this very special energy together, and we missed each other as a band. It was not a calculated decision; it was just pure love for each other I guess,” explains Nystrøm. The tour was a success with both old and new fans, and the recognition led Aqua to release a greatest hits album containing three new songs, including Back to the 80s, which became the most played song in Denmark ever. Megalomania When I arrive for my interview at a studio in Copenhagen, the band is in the midst of shooting the cover pictures for their new album Megalomania. The first person I spot is Noréen - probably because of his conspicuous black feathery angel wings and shiny orange tights. Meanwhile, Nystrøm is the first to greet me; in a pair of incredible high heels, net stockings, a short

10 | Issue 34 | October 2011

green military jacket and a Mohican hairstyle, she looks every inch the sexy superstar.

We are in no hurry; we just want to find that sound and the good stories.”

Although they are slightly behind schedule, the atmosphere is very relaxed; as with the album, deadlines are not allowed to affect the process. Megalomania was

Although much has happened since Aqua left the Scandinavian pop scene, loads of enthusiastic Facebook and YouTube responses from fans prove that their reign

first expected in June, then August and now finally the release is set for October. “During the work process, we realised that although we could have finished in June, we were in no rush; we wanted to wait until we had a good feeling about the album,” explains Rasted.

has not ended. But competition is fierce. “Swedish and Norwegian songwriters and producers are some of the best in the world; there has always been a tradition for writing good pop songs in Scandinavia,” concedes Rasted.

Taking back the Scandinavian pop crown

As with the previous albums, Megalomania will be a mix of tongue-in-cheek songs like Barbie Girl and more serious songs like the recent My Mamma Said. Still, we should not expect the Aqua sound from the 90s to re-emerge unaltered. “We have developed our style, and we are probably a bit more aware of what we are today,” stresses Noréen - now without his wings. “We always had a lot of attitude, and on this album, we put in even more: more slam sounds, the energy from rock and a bit more guitar. But it’s not like we turned into a rock band all of a sudden.” “No,” Rasted continues. “It’s important to us that we have a very distinct sound; that’s why we spent a year in the studio.

So, how would Aqua’s top five list of Scandinavian bands look like? “Well, they all start with ‘A’, don’t they?” says Noréen. “So, Abba, Aqua, Ace of Base, Alfabeat and A-ha.” “But we would be at the top!” laughs Dif. “No we can’t rate ourselves; that’s unfair,” Nystrøm interjects. Having tried for a while to agree on a list, Dif shakes his head. “No, we would never be able to agree on this,” they all laugh. In reality, their place on the list will most likely be decided by what they have agreed on the 11 tracks on their third studio album Megalomania. The album is awaited with mixed expectations; many are eager to see if the Barbie Girl can keep the party going in a new decade. What about the band’s own expectations? Nystrøm smiles confidently: “They are huge; they always are!”

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Scan Magazine | Feature | The Scandinavia Show 2011

The Scandinavia Show 2011:

The Best of Brand Scandinavia – for you to see, test and buy October is upon us, and The Scandinavia Show 2011 is finally here. On 8-9 October, Brompton Hall at Earl’s Court is showcasing the best exports that Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands have to offer, creating the perfect meeting and greeting spot for lovers of everything Scandinavian. From innovative design to delicious food to pitch-perfect entertainment and top-end brands, the event has something for all tastes and preferences. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Press Images

Going into its second year, The Scandinavia Show has found a bigger venue and brought together a wider selection of design, lifestyle, travel and food exhibitors. Of course, we are also welcoming back some familiar faces from last year, including, for example, wellknown high-street brand Bang & Olufsen as well as foodie favourites To-

12 | Issue 34 | October 2011

tallySwedish, Madsen Restaurant and Danish Food Direct. Among the most talked about highlights this year are cooking presentations and culinary creations by Scandi chefs Signe Johansen and Trina Hahnemann, Nordic music ranging from folk to gospel, a chance to have your photo taken with

adorable huskies, and finally, adding some star power to the mix, an appearance by actors Sofie Gråbøl and Søren Malling, who are familiar to English and Scandinavian audiences from the Danish hit crime thriller The Killing. The leads are taking part in an informal and humorous question and answer session hosted by the BBC’s Lars Tharp, and do

Scan Magazine | Feature | The Scandinavia Show 2011

not forget to buy the DVD for The Killing and get it signed by the stars themselves. This time, the show is also offering more tempting shopping opportunities, as all exhibitors are stocking their stalls to the brim with great show offers. Of course, it is no secret that Scandinavia leads the world in quality design – and judging by the number and quality of exhibitors, The Scandinavia Show 2011 will not disappoint the design lover either. Why not head straight to the Icons of Denmark stand, which is showcasing sleek, contemporary furniture and textiles from HAY? Or perhaps you would like to test Skeppshult’s hand-built Swedish bicycles first? For your fashion fix, Scandinavian boutique Wild Swans is at the show with clothing by Day Birger et Mikkelsen, among other exciting brands. In addition, Swedish car manufacturers Volvo and Saab are presenting their stylish new models. The travel stands once again include the tourist boards for the participating Nordic countries as well as other exciting travel exhibitors, which are presenting the greatest travel destinations, hotels, trips and sights in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. As a new addition this year, the show also provides travel information on the Faroe Islands, and you can also visit the travel stage which will have on-going presentations from the various tourism exhibitors. There is even a play area with activities for children available all day, and the courageous Vikings are also present telling stories and teaching kids how to strike a coin. Children 15 and under have free admission, so there is no reason not to bring the kids and make a day of it. The Scandinavia Show is bringing you two great days packed full of wonderful Scandinavian brands and exciting entertainment. Come and join us for an exclusive look at the best of Brand Scandinavia!

For more information, please visit: www.scandinaviashow.co.uk

Top: Furniture from HAY; below left: Signe Johansen; right: Sofie Gråbøl and Søren Malling from The Killing (© dr.dk); bottom right: Visit Faroe Islands.

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 13

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this... Add these design treasures to your home this month to create a warm and comfy autumn atmosphere. By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

The Lava candleholder can change appearance as it is used; candle wax can drip and run, generating soft, natural lava-like shapes. £69 for a set of three. www.designhousestockholm.com

'Caravaggio' hand-blown glass pendant designed by Cecilie Manz for Lightyears creates a soft, dimmed light. Several sizes available. Caravaggio Opal P0, £148. www.utilitydesign.co.uk

Lovely glasses by Tine K Home. Dishwasher safe and suitable for hot drinks. So pretty for your tea or latte. £8. www.tinekhome.com

The wooden family of BIRDs was designed in 1959 by Kristian Vedel, and recently re-introduced by Architect Made. Handmade and very charismatic. Small bird, £34.50. www.twentytwentyone.com

The Dahlia rugs by Normann Copenhagen are inspired by the flower of the same name. It is a new and modern interpretation of a traditional floor ornament. From £222 to £665. www.shop.normann-copenhagen.com

14 | Issue 34 | October 2011

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Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary... The new autumn collections are hard to resist. The mellow colours suit our cosy mood, and the denser fabrics invite us to cuddle up. Go ahead and be tempted by these Scandinavian fashion goodies... By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

Soft and super warm fleece coat with edgy leather trims and details by By Malene Birger. £289. www.my-wardrobe.com

The shirt-blouse is a new autumn essential; this one by Weekday will definitely add zest and interest to your outfit. £35. www.weekday.com

Versatile cable knit sweater; oversized and with short sleeves by Vila. Makes a cool companion to black skinnies or leather trousers. £48.50. shop.bestseller.com/vila

Elegant pencil skirt with satin hem by Muus Malou Sander. Style it with a menswear shirt for an on-trend look. £110. www.wild-swans.com

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A girl can't have enough bracelets to mix and match. This one by Pilgrim is gold-plated with black cord tie. £18.50. www.argento.co.uk

A beautiful pair of boots by Acne; they will make a great investment and add luxe to any ensemble. £570. shop.acnestudios.com

Scan Magazine | Design | ISAK

ISAK: Surround yourself with beautiful happy things ISAK, the brainchild of Swedish designer and illustrator Sandra Isaksson, is a brand of design gifts and co-ordinated home accessories that will certainly bring a smile to your face. The mix of Scandinavian clean lines and harmonious colour combinations, together with joyous splashes of inspiration drawn from Isaksson’s travels and heritage, forms playful designs that do not take life too seriously. With products by ISAK, you can surround yourself with beautiful happy things all day, every day. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: ISAK

As a 12-year-old girl, Isaksson already felt a desire to design things; she loved drawing and knew that she wanted to give her illustrations a shape and a function. After studying languages and travelling around the world, she finally pursued this dream by studying graphic design and illustration in Denmark. And after the birth of her sons, illustrating for children has been very close to her heart. While she takes on design commissions from all around the world, she is also the head designer and founder behind ISAK, a Scandinavian-British fusion brand, which sells products to lighten up the modern kitchen, lounge and kid’s room.

The look of her designs for ISAK pays homage to the 50s and 60s, as well as, of course, classic Scandinavian design traditions. “I think back to Sweden a lot for inspiration: my childhood, things that I miss. I indulge in the good memories. I’m also inspired by designs I saw growing up; I come back to Marimekko a lot, for example. I want to create everyday products that my children and I can use; it’s important that they are functional and look pretty at the same time,” says Isaksson. “My design world is very Scandinavian: very clean with sharp lines,” she continues. “The images are two

18 | Issue 34 | October 2011

dimensional and naïve, going to back to childhood again.” ISAK products are mainly made in Europe, and it is very important for Isaksson to use the best materials available, recycle as much as possible and treat people well, creating an ethical brand. For example, for the packaging of their trays, ISAK take advantage of reusable tote bags, and the boxes for cups are also made to look very nice so that customers would not just throw them away. Recently ISAK has started working with distributors in Europe, including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Benelux, Denmark, Norway, and the UK, where Northlight is their representative.

For more information, please visit: www.isak.co.uk www.northlightdesign.co.uk

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Scan Magazine | Design | Copenhagen Design Week

Designer Anna Haupt

Think Twice, Think Human, Think Danish Design Visitors at the second ever Copenhagen Design Week were challenged to think twice and consider how design could improve life and contribute to a more sustainable future. By Trine Daimi Kalliomäki | Photos: Nicolai Perjesi When your bread turns dry – do you throw it out, or do you think twice and try to reuse it? Reusing existing materials in new pieces of furniture was the challenge for 27 Danish design students and the theme of their exhibition “Think Twice” that was part of the outdoor Design Zone at Copenhagen Design Week 2011. The students came up with ideas such as a chair made from dry slices of bread and a resting chair made from an old dismantled TV set. Maybe not yet ready to use, but both remind us that we have no choice but to think twice and consider what role design may play in sustainable urban development.

An example of this is the concept Hövding that won the Index Award in the category Play. Every year, about 30,000 people are injured or die in bike-related traffic accidents in Sweden alone, yet only a third of bicyclists wear a helmet to protect their heads. Why is this? When asked, bicyclists say that a helmet is too expensive, impractical and that it messes up the hair. Swedish designers Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin set out to solve this problem and came up with something that was not just another helmet.

Think Human The Copenhagen Design Week offered an exciting programme all in a "Think Human" context that is typical in the Danish design tradition as well as the basic concept of Index Award, the world’s largest design award and one of the design week’s main events. Index Award design is not just beautiful, but actually also something that improves the lives of human beings.

20 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Hövding is a collar for bicyclists, worn around the neck.

Hövding is a collar for bicyclists, worn around the neck. The collar contains a folded up airbag that inflates to protect your head, but only if you have an accident.

This illustrates how design still provides users with what they never thought they could have. Think Danish Design Many homeless people never thought they could have a place to call home. Quite appropriate for maritime Copenhagen the trend of reusing shipping containers as architectural constructions was chosen as a recurring element in Copenhagen Design Week’s own “Think Twice” and “Think Human” exhibitions. This is also the case in “HomeLessHome” by Erik Juul Architects, which is a rough version of a minimalist home that contains all the basic functions, including a kitchen, a living room and a bedroom. Although the design has been cut to the bone here, the home demonstrates human resourcefulness and offers an aesthetic solution for a pressing problem - just like the majority of Danish design presented at Copenhagen Design Week 2011. For more information, please visit: www.copenhagendesignweek.com

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Issue 34 | October 2011 | 21

: ME E TH LM L A O I EC CKH P S TO S

Visit Stockholm

Skeppsholmen. Photo: Stockholm Visitors Board

The Capital of Scandinavia Stockholm is widely celebrated as nothing less than one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most beautiful cities, built where lake meets sea on fourteen islands, with nine centuries of history and culture. It is a city of contrasts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a cutting-edge metropolis that often comes across as stunningly contemporary. Still, its striking modernity coexists happily with ancient customs and traditions that many visitors find unique and exotic. Another quality that makes Stockholm so special is the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to live on natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s terms. Vast green areas do not just surround the city, they permeate it. Few other places let you experience the pleasures and allures of nature, urban sophistication and cultural history, all in a single day. With 80 museums and attractions, there are plenty of things to see and do in Stock-

holm. Here are a couple of things you cannot miss this autumn in Stockholm: World premiere of Inca gold in the cave galleries below Ă&#x2013;stasiatiska (opens Sept 10), Carl Fredrik Hill at Waldemarsudde (opens 17 Sept), Peredvizjniki (Russian paintings) at Nationalmuseum (opens 29 Sept), Dystopia at Liljevalcs (opens 1 Oct), Stockholm International Film Festival (9-20 Nov), Christmas markets (26 Nov-23 Dec), and Lucia (13 Dec). By Stockholm Visitors Board

For more events, please visit: www.visitstockholm.com/en And for more ideas on what to do visit our blog: http://blog.visitstockholm.com

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Hotel Stureplan: Stockholm’s new ‘Mini Grand’ Hotel Stureplan opened its doors in the summer of 2008 and has garnered an ever-growing international fan base. This small and elegant hotel with art nouveau styling is located in the heart of Stockholm. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Hotel Stureplan

Managing director Jörgen Björnstad is enthusiastic when talking about his “baby”, Hotel Stureplan, which he nurtured for some time before the opening. Born in the neighbouring country of Norway, he came to Sweden a number of years ago when he met his Swedish wife. Björnstad has worked in the hotel industry all of his professional life, and to use the word passionate would not be strong enough when describing his enthusiasm. “Most people have heard of Grand Hotel in Stockholm, which has a very strong reputation. We have become known as the ‘Mini Grand’, which is obviously very flattering. The big difference is that we are a much smaller hotel; we’re more anonymous, but what we do have in common is the Gustavian style with stucco features, generous high ceilings and glittering chandeliers constructed in the 19th century.”

Hotel Stureplan has 101 rooms with three different interior designs: classic rooms, loft rooms and also rooms without windows. “The classic rooms bear the hallmarks of traditional Swedish craftsmanship, all decorated in 18th century style, and unique in shape, size, colour and charm,” says Björnstad.

party, spa and shopping. The staff have great local knowledge and will happily guide you. The hotel is only a 15-to-20minute walk from the Central Station, where all the trains and buses from the airport arrive. The famous SPA Sturebadet is just around the corner, with which Hotel Stureplan has a special arrangement and offers for its guests.

“The service is personal and caring, you and your needs are key to us, and we aim to give you the best possible experience. You could describe us as a very private, discreet hotel with lots of personality.” Hotel Stureplan also has an excellent restaurant and has been reviewed in renowned magazines and newspapers. Stureplan is also one of the best spots when it comes to food, drinks, theatre,

For more events, please visit: www.hotelstureplan.se

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 23

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Left and top right: Marion’s Gastro Diner comprises a 200-seat diner and 16 bowling alleys. Bottom right: Wagamama noodle bar is all about positive eating and positive living.

Shakin’ things up: how Stockholm’s food scene got boppin’ By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Stureplansgruppen

With a reputation for taking perfectionism to the extreme, Stockholm has been dubbed a gastronome’s paradise more than once. What the Swedish capital probably is not known as, however, is the most rock‘n’roll place on earth – but with two recent success stories from the city’s restaurant and entertainment scene, this is about to change. Marion’s Gastro Diner Ever fancied yourself as a bit of a Pink Lady? Or are you more of a vintage car enthusiast, or perhaps a lindy hop pro? Either way, Marion’s Gastro Diner has a number of things you can be sure to appreciate: bowling, burgers, cocktails, milkshakes and endless bopping ’50s hits and ’60s soul. “We want to really shake things up here,” says operations manager Devrim Varhos. “This is a place where things happen; it’s something unique, very American, a place to go for your hen or stag party.”

24 | Issue 34 | October 2011

With 16 bowling alleys, a 200-seat diner two floors up and authentic ’50s interiors, Stockholm’s first ever diner will take you back to the era of Mad Men, inspired by one of bowling’s first fictional female super stars, Marion Ladewig. And all you have to do is get into that rock‘n’roll party spirit.

“Forget expensive, sterile and serious. Stockholm will never be the same again.” Wagamama A concept tested in numerous metropolises throughout the world, Wagamama is all about positive eating and positive living. As such, this stylish yet simple noodle hub serves up healthy food at reasonable prices – and fast. “It’s a crossover between a restaurant and a fast food place,” says manager Gary

Munslow. “It’s fast-paced and fun, highquality and freshly made food.” It is fastpaced indeed, as food comes out as and when it is ready and orders are noted down on paper placemats in front of the customers, but Wagamama’s secret recipe for success is one of consistent quality in everything they do. Try a warming ramen or some soba noodles on a cold winter’s day, or go for a super healthy salad with a freshly-squeezed juice to reenergize yourself. And do not forget to top it off with a white chocolate and ginger cheesecake – it is heaven on a plate. Forget expensive, sterile and serious. You read it here first: Stockholm will never be the same again. For more information, please visit: www.wagamama.se www.marionsgastro.se

W W W .S TO RY HO TE LS

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.C OM

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Mornington Hotel Stockholm City: A home away from home

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Mornington Hotel Stockholm City

Once a week, at the Tuesday Club, the hotel gives guests the chance to sample tasters from the restaurant menu, occasionally with a cultural talk or themed tasting event. It is the perfect opportunity for people who travel alone to relax and socialise with other guests.

After a nice break in the sauna, grab a book from the shelves and relax in the hotel lounge. Make yourself feel at home. That is what Mornington Hotel Stockholm City is all about. It will not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever been to Mornington Hotel Stockholm City that its owners love literature. “A hotel full of books was part of the vision of creating a hotel where visitors could really feel like home,” says Emma Andersson of Mornington Hotel. “As was the idea of the restaurant as more than just a gastronomic experience, but a place for socialising, where meetings between business travellers and Stockholmers alike take place.” Add to that an exclusive health club with friendly service, where gym clothes and tow-

els come free with the superior and executive room categories, and you can continue your routines just as if you were at home. Comfort is everything at this four-star hotel, where the newly-renovated rooms come with tea and coffee, a dedicated working space and a stylish en suite bathroom. Wake up to a big breakfast buffet with freshly made pancakes and homemade jam, or at the weekend, sleep in and start the day with a brunch that is well-known among locals.

As Andersson explains: “It’s all about creating that warm, familiar atmosphere.” Situated in the heart of Östermalm, only two minutes from the Central Station, Mornington Hotel is a home away from home.

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

Junibacken – a world filled with stories, laughter and surprises By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Junibacken

Junibacken is a fantastic fairy-tale world based on Astrid Lindgren and many other famous Scandinavian authors’ books for children. Step into a colourful world full of fun and meet Pippi Longstocking, Madicken, Emil, Karlsson on the Roof and many others. Junibacken was established in 1996; the idea was developed by actor Staffan Götestam, who always thought that museums were boring as a child. He had a vision to build anything other than an ordinary children’s museum - something playful and interactive. He shared his thoughts with the late Astrid Lindgren, whose work he admired and wanted to incorporate and showcase. She agreed but on the condition that other writers and creators where involved as well. This children's cultural centre is a huge success, leaving generation after

26 | Issue 34 | October 2011

generation of families, from all corners of the world mesmerized. Here, it seems that the possibilities for adventure are endless; you can, for example, play in Pippi Longstocking’s house, Villa Villekulla, or catch The Story Train, which takes you on an exciting journey through Astrid Lindgren's magical fairy-tale world narrated by Lindgren herself. “The idea is to both encourage and inspire children to read more books. We have a wonderful children's multilingual bookstore that is very popular,” says Jenny Helldahl, communications manager. Junibacken is also the proud owner of one of Sweden’s largest children’s theatres with several performances daily. Currently, Junibacken is collaborating with Stockholm’s largest airport Arlanda, where a new children’s lounge recently opened in Terminal 5, based on Elsa Beskow’s much beloved children’s books.

In the lounge, children can crawl into a hat house, ride on a field mouse or slide down a giant mushroom.

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

Liljevalchs

Helvete exhibition; Glenn Brown, Ornamental Despair (Painting for Ian Curtis), copied from Asteroid Hunters 1971 by Chris Foss (1994). Cranford Collection, London. Photo: Peter White Photography

– Stockholm's most beautiful art gallery Liljevalchs is one of Sweden's most famous art institutions. Visitors from all over the world come to experience art and design in what has been described as Stockholm's most beautiful exhibition environment. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Liljevalchs Liljevalchs is Sweden’s first independent and public art venue for contemporary art, with a very proud history. It all began in 1916, making Liljevalchs one of the oldest art galleries in Europe. The ambition has always been to make art more accessible to all; focus is on contemporary art, but also craft attracting a wider audience and interest in particular artists.

that is open to anyone over the age of 18. Liljevalchs Art Venue is led by Mårten Castenfors, and it is a busy period for him and his team, as they gear up for the opening of their new exhibition “Helvete” (Hell), themed around the darkness that

Liljevalchs hosts at least four large and generous exhibitions per year. The building is located on the scenic island of Djurgården in the Swedish capital. It exhibits both Swedish and international art. Liljevalchs Art Venue is named after the successful businessman Carl Fredrik Liljevalch Jr, who made it possible to build the art gallery using money that was left in his inheritance. Since 1921, visitors have enjoyed the annual Spring Salon, where works from young up-and-coming Swedish artists are exhibited, attracting audiences of up to 50,000. Spring Salon is a juried exhibition

Dick Bengtsson, Edvard Hopper: Early Sunday Morning, 1970

art constantly revisits, from romantic 18th century paintings to Swedish and international contemporary art. There is a meeting with hell in a broader sense, with artists witnessing, exposed to and enticed by this darkness within and around us. A few of the artists the audience will experience are Tracey Moffatt, Dick Bengtsson, Markus Larson, Sun Xun, Francisco

de Goya, P.O. Ultvedt, Glenn Brown and Jenny Holzer. The exhibition runs until 8 January 2012. “This is in many ways my dream exhibition, an attempt to capture something that truly visualises the temperature of the times we live in; at the same time, we are also looking back and have found historical references. It’s not only dark, it’s powerful and beautiful at the same time,” Castenfors says. Liljevalchs has an ever-growing fan base; the Swedish rock band The Hives were so taken by the art venue that they decided it would be the perfect location for their music video for Tick Tick Boom in 2007, which gave Liljevalchs unique international exposure. Adjacent to Liljevalchs is the restaurant Blå Porten, which has received several awards for its outstanding cuisine. For more information, please visit: www.liljevalchs.se

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 27

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stockholm

Vår Gård – Care, love and warmth Vår Gård’s motto is “honesty, love and warmth”; here, passionate employees deliver great care, ensuring that you will have all your senses enlivened before the end of your stay. By Emelie Krugly | Photos: Vår Gård

This inspiring conference environment, located only 15 minutes from Stockholm City, is home to award-winning chefs that will tease your taste buds with mouth-watering delicacies. A highlight is that the chefs are happy to share their knowledge and guide you through the kitchen and techniques. The hotel's beach house has a cooking studio, where gastronomic activities for the guests take place. “Vår Gård has been organising meetings for nearly 100 years in an environment where modern design and Swedish art history converge," says Katarina Romell, managing director. “The original Vår Gård consisted of two villas built by the brothers Ernst and Arthur Thiel in 1892; this was known as their summer resort. They adorned the villas with art by Oscar Björck and J.A.G. Acke,” she adds. The Thiel brothers’ collection is the foundation for today's unique archive, which is home to hundreds of works ranging from Axel Törneman to Grünewald and Chagall. “Every day, I literally have to pinch myself; I’m truly privileged to be able to spend most of my waking hours surrounded by the works of our country's foremost artists," remarks Romell. Vår Gård is situated in Stockholm’s stunning archipelago; here, you are surrounded by magical oak and pine forests. The icing on the cake is a stunning Asian-influenced spa, the Thann Sanctuary, located on the waterfront, a first-class day spa that offers facials and body treatments. Vår Gård has a meeting capacity for 550 guests and has wellequipped, bright and efficient meeting facilities, with plenty of airy open spaces enticing you to unexpected locations, inspiring conversations and ideas. “Many of our guests return, and we occasionally ask them why; the reason they mention is that it’s the whole package: the art, the quality of food and drink, the beautiful natural surroundings, including the warm, personal and genuine service from the staff.” “It might sound a bit over the top, but we believe that the world would be a happier place if there were more places like Vår Gård,” says Romell.

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

28 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Vår Gård is located 17 kilometres southeast of the centre of Stockholm and 200 meters from the Saltsjöbaden train station. You can reach Vår Gård easily by car, public transport or by boat.

A four star hotel with five star service! A new hotel with modern design next to the pulsating city life of Stockholm Welcome!

elite eden park hotel Sturegatan 22, SE-114 36 Stockholm Phone +46 8 555 627 00, e-mail: info.edenpark@elite.se URL:www.elite.se

: ME ÅLEN E H R L T STE A I VE EC SP N & E OT F LO

Photo: Marten Bril

Photo: Inga Sami Siida

Northern Lights Islands of the Arctic By Knut Hansvold/Northern Norway Tourist Board

Crude and barren, yet breathtakingly beautiful, illuminated by the Northern Lights and adorned with jewel-like fishing villages: Vesterålen and Lofoten are Norwegian winter destinations with a difference!

the faint, illusive rays of the Northern Lights are of otherworldly beauty. Vesterålen and Lofoten are among the best places to view them, particularly from January to March.

Stark and rugged

Bright and mild

Jagged peaks in bizarre shapes, islets and rocks randomly strewn across the waters, steep cliff sides rising directly from the sea, boulders and ravines, all in a violetblack colour: the islands make a bare and strikingly beautiful first impression.

Between December and January, the polar nights loom over the islands. However, from mid-January, the sun is back, and by February, you can expect longer days, snow, good weather and daytime temperatures around freezing. Spring can be expected from April. The Gulf Stream ensures the world’s mildest climes at this latitude.

Friendly and hospitable At second glance, you find forested valleys and snow-covered meadows along the inner waterways. Fishing villages with sculptural fish racks, warehouses on stilts, houses in vivid colours and wooden churches are inviting and warm.

See, do, eat & drink:

• Fly SAS to Bodø from around the world

• Eat and drink: A surprising number of good

• Fly on to Røst, Leknes, Svolvær, Stokmarknes

islands, including rustic eateries in the

• Alternatively sail in style and comfort aboard

villages and local specialties served on

Lofoten is a 100 km/60mi long chain of islands jutting out into the Gulf Stream just north of the Arctic Circle. Vesterålen is a cluster of islands yet further north. Harbouring a fishing culture rich in traditions, the islands are today central in Norway’s thriving, modern fishing industries. Well educated, multilingual and experienced fish traders and active patrons of arts and culture: the islanders are by no means lost in time.

Stamsund, Svolvær, Stokmarknes, Sortland

30 | Issue 34 | October 2011

restaurants can be found in towns across the

or Andenes with Widerøe www.wideroe.no the legendary ships of the Hurtigruten to

A luminous shade of green, often complimented with bright pink, violet and white:

For more information, please visit: www.lofoten.info www.visitvesteralen.no www.northernnorway.com

Transport:

A maritime hothouse

In the Northern Lights Belt

Fishing industry In January to April, the world’s biggest cod fisheries are located just off the islands. Fishing villages are teeming with life as fishing boats bring in their catch. The traditional way of eating cod is by boiling cod roe, liver and meat in the same pot. Cheeks and tongues are also delicacies. More conventional cod dishes are also available, though.

and/or Risøyhamn www.hurtigruten.no • Inter-island transport: Easy, given the short distances and the frequent bus and ferry departures. www.177nordland.no • Rental cars are easy to come by in the low season. Winter tyres allow for safe winter driving.

Accommodation: • Mid-range hotels are found in towns across the islands. • Traditional, rustic rorbuer, fishermen’s huts, are found in traditional villages. • Guesthouses and campsites with winterheated huts are in rich supply.

organised tours. • Activities in winter: Deep-sea fishing, off-piste skiing, Northern Lights watching, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and surfing. • Sights: Picturesque fishing villages, weatherworn old churches, the Hurtigruten Museum and the Lofotr Viking House. • Nightlife: Watch out for those fishermen’s shacks recycled into intimate bars. Expect nothing fancy, but all the more welcoming! • Shopping: Art, glassware, candles and garments from the numerous art galleries and craft centres across the islands; food specialities like caviar and prepared fish.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Lofoten & Vesterålen

Aqua Lofoten – the complete coastal experience Lofoten’s spellbinding scenery is sure to captivate any visitor, but for a truly memorable insight into the area’s history and wildlife, both on and off land, it would be wise to enlist the services of the outdoor experts at Aqua Lofoten Coast Adventure. Having formed the company in 2007, Therese Amalie Nilsen now runs it with her husband Lars-Åge Larsen from their base in the village of Reine. By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: Lars-Åge Larsen

A variety of adventure packages are available, all of which showcase the spectacular marine life, which lies beneath the surface of the fjords. Dive above shipwrecks, take in the dazzling kelp forest and observe the vast array of aquatic creatures that live in the crystal-clear waters. All this forms part of unforgettable trips, which include lodging, expert advice and essential equipment. Snorkelling is also available: an ideal way of exploring the amazing sea life with the help and advice of a fully trained local guide. “We offer a great variety of ways to explore the area, and next year we will introduce additional day trips to remote islands,” explains Therese Amalie Nilsen. They are also in the process of securing apartments which will be available for

rent from the spring of 2012 onwards, enabling visitors to fully immerse themselves in the local area with an extended stay.

Next year will also see the introduction of an authentic Lofoten fishing vessel, in which visitors can be taken on guided trips to some of the region’s fishing hot spots. The new features will further enhance Aqua Lofoten’s already established services, of which the Boat Safari ranks among the most popular. The safari takes you to the island of Moskenes, which features coastal caves dating back to the

Stone Age, complete with spectacular cave paintings. The island of Værøy and its surrounding beauty spots also form part of the boat trips, which is of particular interest to those wanting to spot seabirds, eagles, seals and the occasional whale. A full overview of the tours on offer can be found on the Aqua Lofoten website, as well as transport information, with the option of an airport pickup service available. Aqua Lofoten Coast Adventure is open all year, with a visit in the May to July period recommended for those wanting to experience the wonders of 24-hour daylight. For more information, please visit: www.aqualofoten.com

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 31

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Lofoten & Vesterålen

Røst – life on the edge

By Sven Riis Houston

The Lofoten region is epitomised by its rugged landscapes and abundance of islands, but few locations are as remote as the community of Røst. Found on the tip of the Lofoten Islands, with 25 kilometres to its nearest neighbour and a further 100 kilometres to the mainland, Røst ranks amongst Norway’s smallest municipalities with just over 600 inhabitants. Take into consideration the 1.5 million seabirds that live there, however, and it soon becomes a densely populated paradise for bird enthusiasts. Daily flights and ferry services have enabled this small fishing community, which has been populated for over one thousand years, to open its doors to visitors throughout the year. The summer season is ideal for fishing, while the teeming birdlife can be enjoyed all year round. Kaikanten Rorbuer (Cabins on the Pier) offer accommodation as well as guided fishing and bird spotting trips aboard au-

Photos: Jan Erik Wessel

thentic Lofoten fishing vessels. Single and double rooms are also available, as well as fully equipped cabins sleeping up to four people. Alternatively, Røst Bryggehotell provides superb seafront views, as well as a restaurant renowned for its fresh, locally

sourced dishes. In addition to boat trips, the hotel can also arrange for a guided bus tour of the island. Whether you choose to spend your time on shore or at sea, Røst offers an authentic insight into northern coastal life complete with ever-changing weather, midnight sun and unrivalled natural beauty.

For more information, please visit: www.rost.kommune.no www.rostbryggehotell.no www.kaikant.no

World Championship in cod fishing – Extreme fishing in Lofoten

The location could not have been more suitable, as the North-East Arctic Cod spawns in March and April along the north Norwegian coast. Coordinator Sten S. Sortland has been involved in the competition since 2007 and

Boats getting ready to go out to sea

32 | Issue 34 | October 2011

organizes both the many volunteers and the fishing boats. “The Championship is run solely by volunteers,” says Sortland, “and the event is completely reliant on the people working before and during the event.” The competition is open for everyone, with prizes being given in three categories: men, women and junior. Prizes, ranging from artwork to fishing equipment, are given to competitors with the single largest fish as well as the biggest overall catch.

Three of the winning fish

Early spring, against the stunning backdrop of the Lofoten Islands, the World Championship in cod fishing is held. From humble beginnings in 1991, the event now attracts between 500 and 600 keen fishermen from several countries annually.

By Karin Modig | Photos: Magnar Jakobsen

“We organize all the fishing boats for the participants,” says Sortland. “Normally we have around 80 boats out at sea, at varying distances from land.” Competition is stiff; the event has grown steadily throughout the years, with more participants, more countries taking part and more fish being caught. “Last year was a record year for us, with 4,000 kg of fish caught on Friday and 10,000 on Saturday,” says Sortland. The two-day event will be held on March 23 and 24, 2012, starting on Friday with the Norway Cup and finishing on Saturday with the World Championship. Early booking is advisable.

For more information, please visit: http://vmiskreifiske.info

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Lofoten & VesterĂĽlen

Torghatten Nord adds value to tourism, commerce and the environment with four new ferries TromsĂ¸-based Torghatten Nord ASA with its 650 employees is an operator of ferries and catamarans across large parts of the counties Nordland, and Troms and Finnmark in northern Norway, connecting local communities on the islands and otherwise off track to main roads along the coast, benefitting local residents as well as commerce and also tourism. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Roy GrĂ¸ttem & Frithjof Fure

Recently the company decided to invest in new ferries running on gas, which will benefit the environment in addition to tourism and commerce. The first of the four new ferries will arrive in June 2012, followed by a new ferry every two months until December 2012.

which means nearly double capacity, resulting in significantly reduced waiting times for tourists and commuters. This will be particularly attractive for visitors to the Lofoten Islands, which form one of Norway's largest brands as well as a famous tourist destination.

Instead of traditional and less clean diesel and/or maritime bunker oil, and more recently floating methane, the new ferries, currently under construction at a shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, will run on a new Liquefied Natural Gas LNG. This will cut CO2 emissions by 25% and emissions of nitrogen oxides by 90%. Tourism will benefit from the new ferries too. The vessels are between 50 and 100 per cent larger than the current ones,

experience in making gas ferries), all maintenance can be completed at local docks in northern Norway. A local distribution network of gas needs to be built too. This will secure local employment in the region for many years to come. The new gas tanks will be large and Torghatten's new ferries will only need to use half of the gas provided, which means additional operators of gas vessels in the future will have access to a local distribution network of gas. Torghatten Nord ASA's CEO Bjorn Laksforsmo says everyone at the company is excited about the coming improvement provided by the new ferries.

While the new ferries will be built abroad (thanks to the combined low cost and strong

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 33

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Lofoten & Vesterålen

Heaven on Earth, Inge Mahn, Germany. Ballangen.

Untitled, Dan Graham, USA. Vågan.

Artscape Nordland – Art meets nature in northern Norway A magnificent art project, Artscape Nordland is a collection of artworks spread across an area of over 40,000 square kilometres in the northern Norwegian county of Nordland. By Karin Modig | Photos: Vegar Moen/Skulpturlandskap An art exhibition that is open 24/7 and with no entrance fee is a rarity in any case, but add to this wild nature and uninterrupted daylight for part of the year, and you are onto a winner. An innovative collection of sculptures, this art project is a welcome addition to the natural beauty of the land.

and from the launch of the idea until the unveiling of the first piece, more than a decade passed.

Altogether 35 works by famous artists, both Norwegian and international, form the current collection, which provides an interesting alternative to traditional art museums. The idea for the project came from Norwegian artist Anne Katrine Dolven at a seminar in 1988, while the initiation and execution have been a joint effort between Nordland county council and participating municipalities. The project has not been without its share of controversy though,

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“Many people were initially very against the idea of having artwork in nature. They were worried about the impact it would have on the surroundings and were very vocal about it,” says Torill Ueland, project manager for Artscape Nordland. “Since then though, as people have gotten used to the idea and seen the artworks for themselves, locals tend to be proud of ‘their’ artworks. It has also proven immensely popular with visitors from around the world.” A different type of art experience

The Man from the Sea, Kjell Erik Killi Olsen, Norway. Bø.

“Firstly, what is really special about this project is that Nordland county council erected all these artworks,” says Ueland. “The whole process, right from the very beginning, has been very democratic, with the individual municipalities deciding whether they wanted to take part or not.” 33 of the 45 local municipalities said yes

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Lofoten & Vesterålen

initially, with more having come aboard in later stages. “What we have found,” says Ueland, “is that much of this initial resistance has disappeared, and when people see that the artwork is not in conflict with the natural surroundings, they tend to rather like it. Several municipalities which originally did not want to take part changed their minds after seeing the initial installations.” “Secondly, the artworks are not randomly placed out in nature. After a planning committee decided on which artists to invite for participation, the artists themselves picked a spot for their artwork.” Norway has no particular tradition of artwork out in nature, and it goes some way in showing the interest of artists when looking at who chose to take part. Of the 35 artists that currently have pieces on display most are international and hail from a variety of countries, from neighbouring Sweden and Finland, to Brazil, Turkey, Japan and the USA, among others.

Internal follows external, Per Inge Bjørlo, Norway. Rødøy. Photo: Inge Ove Tysnes/Skulpturlandskap

“The idea is that the artwork becomes a part of nature, and that it creates a new space, rather than adding to a space that is already there,” says Ueland. “It is the artists themselves who come up with the idea both for the artwork and the location where they want it to be placed.” Initially, the project was due to end with the placing of the 33 artworks and the launch of a book celebrating it. However, because of its success, in 2005, a new offer to participate in the project went out to the municipalities which had declined the first time.

Some places accepted the second time around, and more sculptures were unveiled in 2009 and 2010. In 2012, the island municipality of Træna is set to get its own artwork as well. What can you expect? The locations of the sculptures vary; some are very easily accessible and close to roads, while others require a bit more effort to get to. They are to be found by the sea, on islands and in the mountains, some are close to local communities, whereas others are further away from where people live.

The Eye in Stone, Anish Kapoor, England. Lødingen.

It is impossible to choose one highlight, as the artists have contributed very different works in terms of size, shape and materials, as well as location. There is Markus Raetz’s Head, an iron and granite sculpture, the 4.3-metre tall cast iron and crystal The Man from the Sea by Kjell Erik Killi Olsen, and the aluminium wall reliefs Laurel Leaves – Moskenes by Cristina Iglesias, to mention a mere few of the artworks that have found their home amidst northern Norwegian nature. With the artworks spread across the length and breadth of the whole county, the distance between the southernmost and northernmost pieces is more than 500 kilometres. Seeing them all in one go could prove a challenge, but art and nature lovers would do well to spend a few days in Nordland, taking in the nature as well as the art.

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

Head, Markus Raetz, Switzerland. Vestvågøy.

Havmannen, Antony Gormley, England. Rana.

Three Flames, Hulda Hákon, Iceland. Vefsn.

Head, Markus Raetz, Switzerland. Vestvågøy.

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 35

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Lofoten & Vesterålen

Finvåg – Coastal history and fine wines Friendly and welcoming Finvåg lies on the island of Nærøya, in the heart of Vesterålen. A modern coastal hotel at an historical site, it is an excellent base for exploring the nature and culture of Vesterålen. By Karin Modig | Photos: Asle Sørdahl

The hotel and conference centre has 11 rooms, all with their own design and style, and can sleep 18 people. In addition, the top floor of the old barn has been converted into a modern conference room, providing meeting facilities for up to 40 people.

to learn about Vesterålen’s fishing history. “Visitors can visit old boat huts, see a 33-

Guests are picked up from the airport on arrival, and in the evening, they are treated to the first of three Arctic Cuisine dinners. “The menu focuses on local food,” says Asle, “and can typically include grouse, reindeer, various types of fish and local berries.”

It is run by husband and wife Asle and Unni Sørdahl, who take pride in welcoming guests with traditional Norwegian hospitality. They offer local food, including tapas with an Arctic twist, and a qualitydriven European wine list. “In addition to accommodation and conference facilities, we offer many experiences in the local area,” says Asle Sørdahl. “There is a lot to see and do around here, and we try to offer activities in combination with historical information, giving people an insight into northern Norwegian culture and history.”

foot long fishing boat from the 1800s and try their hand at rowing old fishing boats.” In 1994, The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage awarded Tinden listed status for its historical buildings and the rich cultural heritage. Many of the buildings have since undergone work to be restored to their former glory.

An old trading centre from the 1500s, neighbouring Tinden is the perfect place

One very special offering from Finvåg is the four-day Cruise in Vesterålen. A jour-

36 | Issue 34 | October 2011

ney through arctic cuisine, art and history, it promises to be a treat for all the senses.

The following days are filled with experiences: art at Gallery Arctic Seasons, a hiking trip in the beautiful scenery and the chance to get to know this beautiful part of Norway. Finvåg can cater for all-day conferences and smaller meetings, and all can be combined with a variety of experiences.

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

Foto: Ernst Furuhatt, Nordlandsmuseet. Design:

The Knut Hamsun Centre is dedicated to the Norwegian author and Nobel Prize winner Knut Hamsun (1859-1952). The award-winning building is designed by the famous architect Steven Holl, and it is situated in spectacular scenery on the banks of the tidal river Glimma in HamarĂ¸y, Nordland. The large, diverse exhibition about Hamsunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and work is both entertaining and challenging.

www.hamsunsenteret.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Lofoten & Vesterålen

‘A fashionable exhibition of unfashionable times’ By Didrik Ottesen | Photos: Trondenes Historical Centre

With its main focus on the Viking as well as the Middle Ages, and surrounded by spectacular nature only the northern parts of Norway can provide, Trondenes Historical Centre is truly an extravagant museum experience. “We’ve got an inimitable compilation of original objects all of which, along with audio guides available in numerous languages, assist in telling the local history from the Stone Age up until today,” explains Ingrid Skjonhaug, marketing and service director with Trondenes Historical Centre. Several visitors choose to take advantage of the exceptional transport, in the form of Hurtigruta, in making their way to the museum located three kilometres north of Harstad town centre. “The museum is particularly proud of its exhibition which, with the use of realistically looking puppets, original artefacts, sounds, smells as well as

lights to create the desired atmosphere, chronologically explains the local cultural heritage,” Skjonhaug tells. “A highlight for several visitors is the very convincingly portrayed Battle of Stiklestad, from the year 1030, the legendary battle featuring Saint Olav versus the local

Trondenes Historical Centre

'Bjarkøykjelen' is an authentic bronze kettle. Can contain approx. 250 l. From around year 250-300.

Aquaculture in Vesterålen

Viking Tore Hund,” Skjonhaug continues. Idyllically and perfectly located, a trip to Trondenes Historical Centre can also be combined with a recommended walk in the local area to see one of the world’s biggest land-based cannons, the Adolf Gun, remains of Viking graves, and to visit the church of Trondenes, the world’s most northern stone church from the Middle Ages. “This truly is a historical experience with zest and pas- Thore Hund was the local Viking chief who sion,” Skjonhaug con- fought against St.Olav at the Battle of Stiklestad. cludes. For more information, please visit: www.stmu.no

By Karin Modig | Photos: Aquaculture in Vesterålen

- Getting up close and personal with Norwegian salmon A new visitor centre, celebrating Norwegian salmon, opened this summer: Aquaculture in Vesterålen seeks to highlight the significance of the fishing industry in these parts, both past and present. “It is a particularly real experience in that you visit a working fish farm,” says project manager Kine Anette Johnsen. “Visitors get to meet the people who work with the fish on a daily basis and experience the fish where it lives.” Norway is a leader in salmon farming,

supplying around 65% of the farmed salmon in the world. Blessed with wellsuited natural surroundings, it is known for high-quality fish and long fishing traditions. “Apart from the actual farm, we have several exhibitions,” says Johnsen. “Children can play interactive computer games and crawl through a tunnel with live underwater images, creating an impression of being under the sea.” The exhibitions, set in an old dock house, invite visitors to learn about aquaculture through history, modern-day farm-

ing, and social, economic and environmental issues connected to the industry. There is also the chance to marvel at a 12metre long artwork in glass, depicting the entire coastline of northern Norway. “It was important to us to have an emphasis on the exhibition as well as the fish farm,” says Johnsen. “Norwegian salmon is a very well-known brand, and foreign tourists particularly are excited to learn about our traditions.” Having only been open a mere few months, the centre has already proven a hit, with high visiting numbers since day one. Aquaculture in Vesterålen is open by prior appointment throughout autumn.

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

38 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Top right: Gallery shop that sells copies of Eva Harr’s paintings, along with knitted garments, books and locally produced crafts and designs.

Reine Kultursenter: An arena of artistic talent Located in the heart of a region famous for its fishing and dramatic landscapes, Reine Kultursenter offers an alternative experience in the form of cultural and contemporary art exhibitions. By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: Reine Kultursenter The centre, located in the charming village of Reine, was converted from an old school building in 2007 and is now a prominent local feature, which attracts upwards of five thousand visitors during the summer months. Popular with tourists and artists alike, it pays tribute to Nordic art and literature with a mixture of permanent and seasonal displays. The paintings of Eva Harr are a constant feature in the gallery, as well as the impressive multimedia exhibition of author and photographer Frank A. Jenssen. Both highlight the creative diversity in the region which has attracted artists from far and wide since the 19th century. The annual Lofoten International Festival of Literature, ‘Reine Ord’, is a key event at Reine Kultursenter, featuring a wide range of authors and published works from across Scandinavia. Live music, presentations and interviews also form part of this popular occasion every June.

Further exhibitions are scheduled to take place in the near future, with the display ‘Nye Trykk’ running in the period 19-27 November. April 2012, meanwhile, will see the gallery filled with the works of Grete Prytz Kittelsen, who was one of Norway’s foremost artistic designers.

to anyone wishing to visit, subject to prior arrangement. The gallery also includes a shop that sells copies of resident artist Eva Harr’s paintings, along with various knitted garments, books and locally produced crafts and designs. A small café is also open during the summer months. Studio apartments will soon be available for both short and long-term hire, which Lilian Dijkema, manager of Reine Kultursenter, hopes will further enhance the art centre.

Eva Harr’s paintings are a constant feature in the gallery.

Reine Kultursenter’s season stretches from May to the end of August, but will open throughout the year to mark special occasions, such as the traditional Christmas market and workshop which starts on the 27 November. Those arriving outside of the season, however, need not worry. The centre will open upon request

“Our goal is to make Reine Kultursenter an arena for culture, art, music, theatre, architecture and literature. Our diverse displays offer something for everyone, amidst the lovely surroundings of the Lofoten Islands.” For more information, please visit: www.reinekultursenter.no

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 39

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Lofoten & Vesterålen

Experience the Northern Lights at Holmvik Brygge in Vesterålen, north of Lofoten

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Holmvik Brygge

While small boutique hotels and hostels across northern Norway are closing down after the summer season, the family who owns hostel Holmvik Brygge is preparing to attract visitors seeking to experience the Northern Lights in Lofoten's natural surroundings, the way the local people lived over a hundred years ago. The couple from Düsseldorf running the hostel renovated it 11 years ago, turning it into a local hostel, decorating it with effects reminding visitors what the house and what life was like all those years ago. The décor is a result of thorough research into the house itself as well as Vesterålen. Following 1,500 overnight stays (half of them Norwegians and the other half mostly Germans, Dutch and French) in the summer season, the owners want to show that Vesterålen can be enjoyed all year round. They also want to attract vis-

itors from Spain and Britain. The stable coastal climate and the warm Gulf Stream combined offer mild temperatures all year round, making the Northern Lights of the winter season a pleasant as well as majestic experience. Holmvik Brygge is close to Harstad/Narvik Airport and has standard rooms plus three rooms with kitchens. The owners also run a restaurant on site, offering historical dishes using the best local ingredients of the season.

Anyone wanting to secure the opportunity to enjoy the Northern Lights in natural and peaceful surroundings this winter needs to check out: www.nyksund.com

Tailor made holidays Tailor made holidays with the personal touch in rural Swedish Lapland. Snowmobiling, Husky dogs, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, Reindeer experience, Northern lights trips, accommodation.

Contact

www.arcticwildadventures.net

40 | Issue 34 | October 2011

SC AN SPEC D IN IA AV L TH IAN EM ED E: UC AT ION

Independent, innovative & international: Scandinavian education

By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Lars Kruse

Scandinavia is known worldwide as one of the leading regions in education, innovation and research. The excellent standard of schooling, from primary to higher education, assures students the best possible opportunities for their future. They are always encouraged to think independently and find solutions to problems on their own; internationalised teaching is also continuously emphasised. These are also some of the most important tools that they can capitalise on in their future careers. In this issue, Scan Magazine has taken a closer look at Norwegian schools and institutions of higher education, as well as high-quality Scandinavian education available in the UK and Finland. Choosing to continue your education in Norway is a great option for international

students, who want to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and the high quality of universities and other institutions of higher education. With a vast amount of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses on offer in English, foreign students will have no trouble in finding something suitable. Of course, there are also great international schooling options for younger pupils, from primary to high school, where children from expat and Norwegian families are taught in English. London-based Swedish and Norwegian families with children will have no problems regarding education either, as the Swedish School in London and the Norwegian School in London emphasise both English and the Scandinavian culture and languages in their curriculums.

Furthermore, we have taken a look at international schools and higher education options in Finland. Repeatedly ranking high on the PISA survey, the high quality of the Finnish school system is recognised worldwide, and accordingly, Finnish schools and universities (as well as universities of applied sciences) offering education in English are very popular with international students.

Please read on to find out more about the independent, innovative and international nature of Scandinavian education.

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 41

N TIO A UC

Y WA R NO

Why people from all over the world choose to study in Norway The magnificent nature, outstanding educational standards and high quality of living are some of the reasons approximately 14,000 foreign students choose to live and study in Norway every year. By Signe Hansen | Photos: SIU

However, while the above factors may attract many students to Norway, what makes a move practically possible for most is the wide variety of programmes offered in English. In total, 220 Master’s programmes and several thousand individual courses of varying length at undergraduate, graduate and PhD level are taught completely in English.

The survey shows that six out of ten exchange students consider the Norwegian nature and the possibilities created by it, such as skiing and hiking, important factors in their choice of destination. For most Master’s degree students the high quality of the education and Norway’s modern and technologically advanced society play a significant role.

“Everyone here is very friendly and welcoming; the countryside is amazing, the infrastructure solid and dependable, and the girls are gorgeous. It’s a bit expensive, but a great place to be,” writes a Master’s degree student from the USA in a recent survey made by the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).

Where to start

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A wide range of new opportunities is, of course, an advantage, but it might also make you feel a tad confused when trying to decide where to live, what course to study and how to apply. To answer all these questions and many more, SIU has set up the www.studyinnorway.no website.

“It is a web portal for potential international students; it should provide them with all the general information needed in the beginning: what to do and how to do it,” explains head of communication in SIU, Kristin Solheim. The most popular feature on the site is the Master’s course search page, where you can browse Norway’s 220 English programmes and sort them by institution or area. Norway is one of few countries offering free higher education for all students, including international students. But living costs, which are relatively high in Norway, should of course be planned for, and on the Study in Norway website, students can also find guidelines on expenses and scholarships. In addition to the website,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education

SIU has set up a Study in Norway Facebook site, where potential students can ask questions and communicate with current international students. Students from all over the world enjoying the Norwegian lifestyle You may come to Norway as a student through established exchange programmes like Erasmus, as a PhD student, or as a regular ‘free moving’ student on, for instance, an international Master’s. At the moment, students from more than 100 different nations study in Norway in one these ways; 85 per cent say they are happy or very happy with their experience.

tion than others. Management, Social Studies and Finance are among the most popular subjects for Norway’s international students. No matter what subject students choose, they will be taught in the relaxed and proficient atmosphere which characterizes Norwegian universities. This means that the contact between teachers and students is often much more informal than in other parts of the world. “Teachers are easily approachable and tuition often takes place in small groups,” explains Thowsen.

If this sounds like something for you, why not make the dream reality? You can start off the adventure by visiting: www.studyinnorway.no

What to study While you can study almost anything in Norway, some fields attract more atten-

Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic life/Innovation Norway

But their academic stay is not just of benefit to them but to Norwegian society as well, says Stian Hofslett Thowsen, senior advisor at SIU: “We believe that having

international students in Norway enhances the quality of Norwegian education, because they bring in new knowledge, ideas and perspectives. But we also believe that Norway, as a high-quality nation with high-quality education, high-quality living, and high-quality nature, can attract and advance international students from all over the world.” One of the factors adding to the high quality of the Norwegian style of life is the fact that the freedom of nature is never far away, even in the major cities. Students can explore the stunning areas of the fjords, ski on the mountains or even explore the amazing glaciers in Norway’s impressive north.

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 43

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education

University of Nordland – Innovation and research at the forefront With a high standard of education and research activity, University of Nordland is at the forefront of research within innovation and entrepreneurship. By Karin Modig | Photos: Svein-Arnt Adelsten Eriksen “What makes UiN exciting is that people have clear visions, and we very much encourage research projects that are not necessarily traditional,” says head of the international office, Monica Brobakk. “We are dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas. We are the biggest in Norway when it comes to cooperation with Russia, and our core values are openness, flexibility and being close to our students. We have gone and will continue to go full steam ahead, making a firm impact locally and internationally.” UiN is dedicated to expanding their international portfolio, and they already have 240 international students this year. “We offer several fulltime Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees taught in English,” says Brobakk. “In addition, we have semester-long placements that offer modules as part of a degree.” The benefits to international students are many. Firstly, Norwegian universities

44 | Issue 34 | October 2011

maintain a very high quality of teaching. Secondly, many degrees are taught in English in all three cycles. Thirdly, the infrastructure, facilities and systems of care are well developed and ensure that students are looked after in terms of welfare, housing and their studies.

the rugged nature of northern Norway, which is very exotic to many.” University of Nordland has three campuses; in Bodø, Mo i Rana (Helgeland) and Stokmarknes. Courses offered are varied, from aquaculture, social sciences, biology and business studies to energy management. The location of UiN is reflected throughout many of their courses that touch on issues relevant in northern Norway and within the High North area, such as natural resources, sustainable management, business, political sciences, social work, oil and energy, and fishing industries.

“We have a very safe campus, and there is an openness between students and faculty members that often comes as a surprise to students from abroad,” says Brobakk. “A period spent here will also give students the chance to experience

UiN currently has around 5,800 students.

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

All UNIS courses feature fieldwork, so that students can get a real Arctic hands-on research experience. Photo: Steve Coulson/UNIS

The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) bathed in magical blue light in February. Photo: Eva Therese Jenssen/UNIS

UNIS biology students on an excursion in front of the Hamberg glacier in Svalbard. Photo: Steve Coulson/UNIS

The University Centre in Svalbard – Where better to study the Arctic? As well as glaciers, rich wildlife and the midnight sun, the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard can boast the world’s northernmost institution for higher education and research. At 78°N, the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) attracts international students with an interest in arctic conditions and climate. By Karin Modig “Every year, we have between 350 and 400 students,” says information manager Eva Therese Jenssen. “Roughly half are Norwegian, while the rest are from countries all over the world. Last year we had people from 27 different nations studying with us.” UNIS is run as any other Norwegian university, which means there are no tuition fees. It is also the only Norwegian university where English is the sole teaching language. This is reflected in the staff, with only around half of the 25 permanent scientific staff and the 160 guest lecturers being Norwegian. “We have well-established relationships with a number of universities, but everyone is invited to apply for a place here,” says Jenssen. “The only pre-requisites are that you are studying a relevant course at an approved university, and that you

have the necessary approval to have a semester or a year away. Half of our courses are aimed at Master’s and PhD students, while the rest are areas of specialisation within a Bachelor’s degree.” UNIS offers courses in four fields on undergraduate and graduate level: Arctic Biology, Arctic Geology, Arctic Geophysics and Arctic Technology. Specialising in the natural sciences, all courses involve practical work experience in the form of field studies or excursions, and involve activities like exploring the marine life around Svalbard by boat or physically studying the many glaciers. Svalbard can be a challenging place to live, the weather conditions can be harsh, and snow, sea and glaciers can prove dangerous. Polar bears, though rarely attacking human beings, do roam wild there as well.

“Safety is always paramount to us,” says Jenssen, “so all new students and staff have to undergo a six-day safety training course when they arrive. The course includes training in dealing with avalanches and glaciers, safety at sea, and learning to handle a rifle.”

There are 3,000 polar bears and 2,500 humans living in Svalbard. Photo: Eva Therese Jenssen/UNIS

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 45

A beautiful campus provides a good framework for creative research.

UMB – Norway’s most international university The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) is one of eight accredited universities in Norway, and boasting students of 90 different nationalities, it also constitutes the most international and multicultural campus in Norway. Non-Norwegians make up 18 per cent of the university’s student population, creating an open and friendly international learning environment for anyone interested in pursuing a degree at the UMB. The university forms a hub of expertise within the life sciences, environmental sciences and sustainable development; and its main specialization areas include biology, food, environment, land use and natural resource management. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Håkon Sparre, UMB

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences is located in the municipality of Ås in southern Norway, only 40 kilometres from Oslo and 80 kilometres from Oslo Airport. The history of the institution spans all the way back to 1859, when it was initially established as an agricultural school. Later on in 1897, it then became a scientific university college (vitenskapelig høgskole), and from then onwards, it was known as the Agricultural University of Norway (NLH), all the way until 2005, when it re-

46 | Issue 34 | October 2011

ceived full university accreditation from NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education). Today, the UMB is recognised as a leading international centre of knowledge, focused on higher education and research within environmental and bio-sciences. With 13 Master’s and one Bachelor’s degree, together with various non-degree courses, offered fully in English, the university provides a lot of opportunities for

an international student; it is also an excellent place to make new friends and establish networks that will be beneficial in an international academic career. International links “An institution like the Norwegian University of Life Sciences should contribute to the international academic and research community. Participation in international research networks helps us improve our own performance, which has ripple effects,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education

improving the quality of everything we do,” explains Rector Hans Fredrik Hoen. Accordingly, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences has garnered several decades of experience with international institutional cooperation. Many institutional agreements with universities outside Norway have been active since the late 1960s.

with trees that date back to the founding years of the UMB. The park covers about 60 hectares (150 acres) and contains some 1,400 different varieties of plants. The international student community is also a big part of the university experience, and through an introduction programme for new international students as well as a buddy programme, everyone

can feel welcome and thoroughly initiated. Its international status is a great strength which the UMB, and all of the existing students, Norwegians and nonNorwegians, work towards creating in this ideal learning environment. For more information, please visit: www.umb.no

Ideal learning environment “The Norwegian University of Life Sciences aims to be an internationally renowned and innovative university for life sciences, environment and sustainable development. We offer high professional quality and a high degree of teacher-student interaction, and a pleasant social and physical environment characterises education at our campus,” says Hoen. Students can, for example, lose themselves in thought in the university park, probably the oldest arboretum in Norway,

Location: Ås, southern Norway; 30 minutes from Oslo Number of students: 4,300 Number of international courses (courses offered in English): approx. 330

Accommodation: Guaranteed accommodation on campus (contingent on timely application by the student). Minimum budget for one semester (five months) – NOK 12,500. According to government statistics the average student in Norway spends approx. NOK 8,000– 10,000 per month while studying.

Fees: Semester fee NOK 340 for all students

Foreign students get their first impressions of the campus in August 2011.

The most international and multicultural campus in Norway. Photo: Rune Gustavsen

From biomass to biogas. Photo: Bente Geving, UMB.

New students are trying out the equipment in the energy lab.

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 47

Caroline Hetzberg Hindersland from Lindesnes is a student at Globalskolen. She lives in Singapore with her parents and brother. Photo: Kate H. Hindersland.

Globalskolen – Norwegian teaching on a global scale Since 1998, Globalskolen, the Global School, has been teaching Norwegian children and teenagers abroad. Having started out as a small trial project with 15 students, today it has over 1,300 students from grades one through to ten. By Karin Modig

“The aim of the school is to make it easier for children and teenagers to return to Norway and the Norwegian school system after a period of time abroad,” says head teacher Lilli Brenne Røv. “Thus we try to have a clear focus on what is happening in Norwegian society and media as an important part of our teaching.” The schooling complements whatever local school children go to. Being 100% netbased, it is more or less available all over the world, making it easy for students to stay with the same school when moving countries. “One of the most important factors for learning is the interaction between

48 | Issue 34 | October 2011

teachers follow up the students very thoroughly.”

Lilli Brenne Røv, Head Teacher. Photo: Hilde Hurlen Ingebrigtsen.

Mainly an offer to Norwegian pupils abroad for more than six months at a time, Globalskolen teaches Norwegian, Social Studies and Religion & Ethics, using innovative web-based teaching methods. It is a member of OLC-EDEN, a network for schools that teach children online, using the net platform PedIT. In addition, the school also offers courses in Norwegian as a second language.

Second grade teacher Liv Sørbø and Ingebjørg Mikaelsen Lyster took part in May 17th celebrations in Shanghai in 2011. Photo: Liv Sørbø.

teacher and student, and our teachers have got very good relationships with their pupils,” says Røv. “As we teach online, this is even more important, and our

Globalskolen is an official Norwegian school; it follows the Norwegian curriculum and guidelines set by the Education Department and is free to attend. Certainly in Norway, if not in Europe, their approach to teaching children online is unique. The school employs just over 20 teachers. Based in various parts of Norway, they stay in touch with colleagues via Skype, Internet forums, e-mail, and telephone conferences, and meet twice a year for courses and seminars. Needless to say, they are all up-to-date when it comes to IT and new technology. Globalskolen currently has students in around 100 countries. From Albania to Botswana and Japan to Mexico, this is one school that really covers all corners of the world. For more information, please visit: Globalskolen: www.globalskolen.no OLC-EDEN: http://olc-eden.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education

Skagerak International School – The Skagerak Experience By Karin Modig

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Skagerak International School, High School in Sandefjord aims to treat each student as an individual. Their focus is on educating the whole person and helping students realise their full potential. “We get a lot of positive feedback on our approach to helping our students individually. We want our students to develop more sides of themselves, and we want them to fulfil their potential when it comes to the academic side, as well as on a personal level,” says high school principal Lars Ask. The Skagerak International School in Norway has students from the age of 4 to 18. The high school is an authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma school, providing students with a qualification that is increasingly acclaimed around the world. They are also autho-

rised to offer the Norwegian high school module VG1 studiespesialisering, taught in English. Through activities in the school environment, such as participating in humanitarian work, students are encouraged to be more creative, service minded and to take action. At present there are 160 students at the high school. “Our students wish to do something different. Many find that attending a smaller school is an advantage, as we know all our students,” says the principal. To help their students, Skagerak, for example, offers “open door learning” after school to give students extra tuition from subject teachers. Accordingly, 99% of students end up going into higher education. “The main advantage of attending an international school in Norway is that students are fluent in two languages, which prepares our students for further studies either here in Norway or abroad,” says Ask.

Photo: Charlotte Meszaros

Photo: Paul Carroll

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

British International School of Stavanger: Combining the best of Britain and Norway The British International School of Stavanger (BISS) was established in 1977 to meet the needs of expatriate families residing in the city. Since its establishment, the school has prided itself on providing high-quality education for children, not just from the UK, but from across the whole world. Currently the school teaches 500 pupils, ranging between the ages of 2 and 16, and caters for over 35 different nationalities. The independent education sector in the UK is world renowned, and as a part of it, BISS is regularly inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). BISS was last inspected in March 2010 and received excellent and outstanding judgements in every area. The school has earned a very solid reputation, which is based on the high standard of education

as well as the facilities that are both modern and engaging. The school also makes good use of the surrounding Norwegian natural area of forests and fjords.

Since August 2008, BISS has offered students aged 11 to 16 the opportunity to complete studies in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). The programme provides students with exciting challenges as well as a lot of support through the help of a broad cur-

By Nia Kajastie Photo: British International School of Stavanger

riculum that creates a truly Norwegian experience within the British educational system. In addition, all BISS students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award scheme. Taking responsibility for the planning and organising of overnight expeditions amid some of the wildest landscape Norway has to offer, means that the students are challenged to solve problems by themselves. Developing community awareness and taking responsibility means that students are encouraged to make a valuable contribution to society. For more information, please visit: www.cobis.org.uk/accredited/britishinternational-school-of-stavanger.html www.biss.no

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 49

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education

Kongsberg International School – creating life-long learners

By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Kongsberg International School

Jolly explains, “The system is more about holistic learning. Students are encouraged to be versatile, effective and responsible, and to learn how their actions affect the world around them. They are taught to reflect on real life from an international perspective, to gain so-called open mindedness, which is also at the core of the IB beliefs.” Being part of the IB world has many advantages: not only is the programme available in over 140 countries, but it is also recognised across the globe as a quality education of incomparable repute. Possessing an IB education undoubtedly opens many doors in the future. Students and alumni become citizens of the world, an indispensable quality in today’s society.

Providing an international education through the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, the Kongsberg International School (KIS) is the ideal choice for Norwegian pupils in the surrounding area as well as for children of expat families. “The children love to come to school,” says principal Catherine Jolly, “and they are very committed to learning.” Praise indeed for the students of this non-profit foundation which only opened in 2003. With classes taught in English and a student body boasting over 20 nationalities, KIS really does deliver. The accredited IB programme is offered to students aged 3-16 years (comprising the Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes), with the continuing IB Diploma Programme at the nearby Kongsberg Vidergående School. Attending an IB school makes it very easy

UK E H NT I N TIO A UC ED The Norwegian School in London offers students the opportunity to follow the Norwegian curriculum and traditions, while immersing themselves in English language and culture. It is an English independent school, with core Norwegian teaching methods, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in the spring. “We want to give a good education in both languages. The school follows the same programme as in Norway, but with classes

for students from other countries to transfer in and out.

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

The Norwegian School in London – experience the best of two worlds being taught in English where appropriate,” says head teacher Geir Johansen. “We adhere to the Norwegian way of schooling in that the pupils do not wear uniforms; they eat packed lunches, and are on a first name basis with their teachers.” The students, who are aged between 3 and 16, come from both resident Norwegian and expat families. They are taught in small classes by Norwegian as well as British teachers. Lessons in the arts and sports are instructed in English, with typ-

ically British pursuits such as cricket and rugby on the schedule. Outdoor activities are encouraged all year round. “The children learn English quite quickly, especially through practical activities and by talking to people around them. Cross-curricular projects, such as on the upcoming Olympics or a staged crime scene with retired police officers, are an excellent way of learning by doing,” Johansen continues. Even though the school is located in leafy Wimbledon, the proximity to London lends itself to countless excursions. Museums, theatres and other institutions relevant to the curriculum are visited regularly. By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Steve Mussell

For more information, please visit: www.norwegianschool.org.uk

50 | Issue 34 | October 2011

The natural choice for Swedish education in London The Swedish School in London delivers a high standard of education to 280 students. Here, the individual pupil is always in focus, and enthusiastic and well qualified teachers motivate students in an inspiring learning environment. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: The Swedish School in London

The school was founded in 1907 in Harcourt Street, central London, and relocated to Barnes, southwest London, in 1977. Over one hundred years of successful existence, the school has grown steadily and receives excellent Ofsted reports. The aim of the Swedish School is to provide a caring environment, affording pupils a sound academic platform while nurturing self-confidence and identity, as well as an international awareness. The school focuses on both Swedish and English language and culture, with the teachers representing both countries. The independent school follows the Swedish curriculum for education and incorporates this into an English framework. It consists of a nursery, primary school and sixth form college (“gymnasium” in Swedish), and has its facilities based in Richmond.

Anna Jägberg has recently been appointed as the new headmistress of the school, replacing the previous headmaster Jan Dackenberg in August. Jägberg previously worked at the International English School in Täby, Stockholm, and is excited about her new position and the challenges ahead. “The atmosphere is very intimate, and all the pupils care for each other; no one is left out. When new pupils arrive, they are warmly welcomed by everyone; there is also a close connection between our teachers and students, as our classes are very small, with only 10 to 15 pupils in each class compared to the standard 30 in Sweden,” says Jägberg. “Most students are from Scandinavian families living in London for a long or short period of time, including AngloSwedish families based in the British cap-

ital. Another large group is exchange students from Sweden, studying at the gymnasium for one year.” “The exchange programme is very popular: last year, we had 180 applicants but only 120 spaces,” says the headmistress. “A year in England is an excellent opportunity to experience English culture and increase fluency in the English language. We arrange and provide host families, which are also another great way of learning about cultural differences.” The Swedish School also offers evening courses in Swedish for beginners and advanced learners. In addition, a Saturday school for children aged 6-15 years takes place at the Swedish Church in Marylebone as well as at the school in Barnes. For more information, please visit: www.swedishschool.org.uk

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 51

N NI O I AT UC

D AN L N

Make a Cool Choice: study in Finland Finland is known for its investment in education, research and innovation. Education is also held in very high esteem. Accordingly, Finland’s successes are largely built on first-rate know-how and its practical applications. Lately, international surveys and assessments, such as the OECD’s PISA survey, have also brought wide international recognition for the Finnish system of education. By the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture Photos: Centre for International Mobility CIMO in Finland

Finnish universities and polytechnics (aka universities of applied sciences) provide international students, teachers and researchers with many career and study opportunities. Finnish higher education also offers plenty of teaching in English. Student and staff feedback shows that Finnish higher education possesses many strengths, including the flexibility of the system, fruitful interaction and an equal relationship between students and teachers, advanced technology and study-related welfare services.

By Jaanaliisa Kuoppa, International Communications Manager, CIMO

and Doctor’s (4 years, 240 ECTS) degrees. The universities provide over 200 Master’s degree programmes and 30 distinctive doctoral programmes in English.

Finnish higher education offers students a generous amount of choice. With 16 universities and 25 polytechnics (aka universities of applied sciences), we have an extensive network of institutions covering the whole country from the southern metropolitan area to the Arctic Circle.

The universities of applied sciences are multidisciplinary and regional institutions of professional higher education. They confer Bachelor’s (3.5–4 years, 210–240 ECTS) and Master’s (1–1.5 years, 60–90 ECTS) degrees and provide 100 Bachelor’s degree programmes and over 30 designated Master’s degree programmes.

Finland is an exotic yet peaceful destination of study: students can choose between large urban campuses and closeto-nature environs in a well-organised country where English is spoken widely. Excellent opportunities for sports and culture are available from swamp football to modern opera.

Finnish higher education offers over 500 English-language degree and non-degree programmes with internationally acclaimed expertise and know-how. Our key areas of expertise are ICT, biotechnology, forestry and environmental sciences, architecture, and arts and design.

The Finnish universities promote research and teaching based on research, conferring degrees at Bachelor’s (3 years, 180 ECTS) and Master’s (2 years, 120 ECTS) levels, and postgraduate Licentiate

Studying in Finland is generally relatively free and independent. The relationship between the students and teachers is relaxed and informal, and the teachers are easy to approach.

Important things you need to know about studying in Finland:

We invite you to find out more at www.studyinfinland.fi

52 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Further progress in Finnish education relies on the constant improvement of teaching and research, on providing equal opportunities and on internationalisation. International co-operation serves to raise the quality of higher education and research, which is why we seek to make Finnish institutions of higher education into genuinely international communities for study and work. This also entails increasing student and staff mobility and international interaction.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education

Environmental Engineering students Ville Myllynpää (left) and Aleksi Korhonen (right)

Tampere University of Applied Sciences: Finding solutions for tomorrow’s global issues today Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) is Finland’s second largest institution of its kind and known for its multicultural student community. With five Bachelor’s and one Master’s degree programme taught in English, TAMK is an apt choice for students wanting to prepare themselves for a career in the new global economy. The education focuses on technology, business and wellbeing services; with the Degree Programme in Environmental Engineering forming one of the most internationally significant and valuable study programmes available at TAMK. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Currently TAMK teaches around 400 international students in its five English degree programmes, and in addition, TAMK welcomes another 400 exchange students every year. The institution is also one of the most dynamic ones in Finland when it comes to international mobility, as students and staff can easily transfer abroad, as well as organising international intensive courses and theme weeks. “We are a genuinely international degree programme, with students representing more than 30 different nationalities from all over the world. Environmental issues are also inherently global issues, so there is a real demand for knowledge in that field,” explains Dr. Eeva-Liisa Viskari, principal lecturer and head of the Degree Programme of Environmental Engineering. “The programme is also going to be focusing more on acute current topics like renewable energy and water-related issues, such as the shortage of clean water that is facing us.”

TAMK students in the Environmental Engineering programme can look forward to great career prospects. There is a great need for individuals with knowledge in the subject, and possible work places include consulting agencies, the public sector and even international NGO’s like WWF. Aleksi Korhonen, who is in his fourth year of studying Environmental Engineering at TAMK, is hoping to continue his education after finishing his degree: “Graduating in an English degree programme opens up a

Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) 10,000 students 7 fields of study

English Bachelor’s degree programmes: • Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering • International Business, Bachelor of Business Administration • Media, Bachelor of Culture and Arts

lot of opportunities for further education for a Master’s degree abroad.” Fellow student Ville Myllynpää sees environmental expertise as something that will continue to become increasingly important, in both education and the workplace. Accordingly, he would like to continue his education in the field of energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction – both buzzwords for a greener future. For more information, please visit: www.tamk.fi

• Nursing, Bachelor of Health Care • Tourism, Bachelor of Hospitality Management

English Master’s degree programme: • Information Technology, Master of Engineering Application for studies in 2012 starts in January. Entrance exams will be held at different locations in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education

The International School of Helsinki – promoting diversity

By Inna Allen | Photos: The International School of Helsinki

Head of School Dr Allen Hughes. “Our mission is to provide excellence in education through a caring and diverse environment.” Founded in 1963, the school is now located in Ruoholahti, an urban seaside area two kilometres from Helsinki city centre. The five-story building contains over 30 classrooms, two science labs, two computer labs, an art suite with darkroom and kiln, a music centre, and a fully-equipped gymnasium, along with a cafeteria, media centre and a library. The school also provides a rich programme of extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, dance, art and drama, and an adjacent sports field and park are available.

The International School of Helsinki (ISH) is an independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering IB programmes to students aged four and above. The school focuses on maintaining an atmosphere where diversity is valued and viewed as a strength. The students represent approximately 40 different nationalities, and many have lived in a country and culture other than their own. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools, the school is divided into Lower School and Upper School. IB learners strive to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators and risk takers, as well as knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective. “These qualities inspire and motivate the work of teachers, students and the entire school community,” says

For more information, please visit: www.ish.edu.hel.fi

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Fall in love with Denmark this autumn Autumn is on its way, bringing with it a cascade of fallen leaves and offering rich opportunities for stunning outdoor experiences with plenty of fresh air, as well as a multitude of activities and cultural events for everyone to indulge in. By Kathrine Lind Gustavussen, VisitDenmark | Photo: DenmarkMediaCenter

Playing in the wind with the last rays of sunshine, the leaves are turning yellow as autumn sweeps over Denmark, decorating the landscape in blazing colours. The windswept North Sea beaches, Denmark’s breathtaking countryside and lush forests all provide perfect settings for long walks among a blaze of autumnal colours, followed by cosy evenings in front of the fireplace. Should the autumn weather get you heading under cover, there is still plenty to keep you entertained, as Denmark’s selection of exciting, indoor attractions makes it the perfect place for an autumn break – whatever the weather. Denmark has developed a strong reputation for providing a vast range of highquality cultural experiences. The impressive Louisiana Museum of Modern Art showcases international art exhibitions throughout the year. World-class exhibitions can also be found at Copenhagen’s National Museum, and the ARoS Art

Museum in Aarhus invites you on a spectacular 500-feet long rainbow-hued walk, at the outstanding rooftop installation by Olafur Eliasson, 160 feet above the city. A great time to visit Denmark’s cultural attractions is during the Night of Culture festivities on the 14 October, when a plethora of cultural events takes place across a number of cities. On this occasion, museums, churches, exhibition halls, galleries and libraries are transformed into stages for musical performances, poetry readings, art exhibitions and more. With mile upon mile of pristine coastline complemented by an unspoiled interior of forests, heaths, crystal-clear lakes and rolling farmland, the active holidaymaker will enjoy Denmark’s many designated touring routes, offering some of the most spectacular views of the country’s beauty, and ideal for exploring on foot, by bike or on an unhurried drive along picturesque country lanes.

Denmark also offers plenty of opportunities for other activities like canoeing, angling and the chance to encounter some incredible wildlife spectacles. From October, guided walks across the tidal flats in the Wadden Sea, on the Danish west coast, give visitors the chance to forage for fresh oysters, which can be harvested in large numbers all across the area. Autumn is also the time to witness the phenomenon of the Black Sun, when huge flocks of starlings swirl across the dusk sky with their amazing aerobatic displays, presenting a truly mesmerising sight. Whether walking, riding your bike or driving, Denmark’s numerous touring routes and trails offer the perfect path to a wonderful autumn holiday.

For further inspiration for a holiday in Denmark, please visit: www.visitdenmark.com

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 55

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn break in Denmark

Dragsholm Castle – a scrumptious weekend getaway By Signe Hansen | Photos: Dragsholm Castle

Surrounded by forest, fields and seaside, the beautiful 800-year-old Dragsholm Slot (Castle) offers stunning settings for a romantic and delicious autumn weekend getaway. The castle, which is one of the oldest in Denmark, is located in West Zealand, just an hour’s drive from Copenhagen. New Nordic Cuisine It is not just Dragsholm’s beauty but also its restaurants’ deliciousness which attracts guests. Head chef in the castle’s gourmet restaurant Slotskøkkenenet is Claus Henriksen, previous deputy head chef at the world’s best restaurant Noma. “Claus moved to Dragsholm three years ago and was especially thrilled at the castle’s herbal garden and surrounding vegetable fields. Every day, he goes into nature to harvest the produce he needs for the day,” explains Caroline Eckart, hotel manager at Dragsholm. While Slotskøkkenet has become one of the leading restaurants

within the new Nordic cuisine movement, the castle’s casual restaurant Spisehuset focuses on more traditional Danish dishes served in a relaxed atmosphere. Live like a king The castle’s 34 rooms are all individually decorated. Some, located in the castle’s old barn, have balconies overlooking the castle, while others, in the castle, have views of the park, moat or courtyard. “No two rooms here are the same, and all furniture is to some extent part of the history, but it is mixed with modern elements,” says Eckart. With Dragsholm’s special gourmet-stay package, you can book one or two nights together with a five-course dinner at Slotskøkkenenet and/or three courses at Spisehuset. For more information, please visit: www.dragsholm-slot.dk

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Skallerup Klit – Enjoy the Danish seaside all year round The sound of waves crashing on the shore and the fresh smell of the ocean accompany you everywhere at Skallerup Klit Holiday Centre in North Jutland. A wide range of activities and a safe environment for kids are why families flock here all year round. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Skallerup Klit

“A lot of people like to come here in the autumn when the wind is whistling and the ocean roaring. Nature here is really fascinating at that time of year,” says marketing director at Skallerup Klit Jonna Madsen. Activity or just relaxation Skallerup Klit offers comfortable accommodation in deluxe Danish holiday houses or apartments for 2-12 people spread around the sand dunes of Jutland’s popular west coast. Many houses have an ocean view and most have a spa, sauna and fireplace. “The standard of our accommodation is one of the reasons a lot of our guests keep coming back, another is the abundance of activities that parents and children can participate in together.” The price of the stay includes admission to

a long list of these activities such as the water park, the indoor play land and the activity centre, where the kids can make anything from boiled sweets to kites and jewellery. Most popular of all is probably Klithusegaarden Farm where kids can pet common farm animals, such as goats and cows, and try out their skills at milking, collecting eggs and horseback riding on Icelandic horses. “One of the reasons people come here all year round is because we have so many indoor activities, so even though it’s raining, you will never be bored,” explains Madsen.

is one of the reasons the centre is also popular with a lot of couples in their ‘golden years’. “Of course a major part of our guests are families with children, but our Roman baths and friendly staff also attract a lot of mature couples,” explains Madsen.

Roman baths and sightseeing Skallerup Klit’s location makes it an excellent base for exploring the popular towns of Skagen and Aalborg and the beautiful nature of Northern Jutland. This

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 57

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn break in Denmark

Explore the many layers of Denmark’s past at The Old Town in Århus As the only Danish attraction outside the capital to have been awarded three stars by the famous French Michelin guide, The Old Town (Den Gamle By) in Århus presents an extraordinary multilayered museum experience. Visitors are transported straight into a Danish market town from the mid-19th century, the time of Hans Christian Andersen, and, as everything has been faithfully recreated, it is indeed almost like stepping into a fairytale. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Den Gamle By

Among the autumn’s highlights are a major new town district that will take you back to 1974 and a beautiful silver collection.

Museum of Clocks & Watches, a large toy museum as well as the traditional tea garden.

Like a Chinese box

Back to the 70s

“It’s like walking into a Chinese box; there are so many layers and details to study, and everything is authentic and based on thorough research,” says director Thomas Bloch Ravn.

The new urban Modern Town is among the largest museum projects in Denmark in 50 years, and for the time being, The Old Town is the only museum in the world to take on this type of project. “It’s like walking into a time capsule,” explains Ravn. “It is a period that a lot of Danes can relate to. It’s a contemporary museum, where you can, for example, walk into a technological shop from the 70s. It makes you realise how much development has taken place in the last 37 years.”

Visitors can experience the ambience of an original old town first hand; they can walk into the houses and talk to their “inhabitants” from the different time periods. Altogether there are 75 historical houses, gardens, exhibitions, shops and workshops to discover. One of the highlights is the extensive collection of beautiful silver works, more than 50 pieces, produced by the famous Danish silversmith Svend Weihrauch, who pioneered functionalism in Denmark. Others are The Danish Poster Museum, The Danish

58 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Technology, fairy tales, handicraft and art: the museums certainly have something for everyone; maybe it is not a wonder after all that Hillman Wonders has listed The Old Town as one of the top 1,000 wonders of the world.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn break in Denmark

Visit Køge – Denmark’s best-preserved Renaissance town By Signe Hansen | Photos: Lars Nielsen

houses from the 16th century, including Denmark’s oldest timber framed-house from 1527. Moreover, the city plan and city centre are intact from the Middle Ages. “Nothing has been changed, and you can’t find that anywhere else in Denmark,” Nielsen points out. There are lots of stories to be told in Køge, and when you stroll through the town, you will find a lot of explanations and signs allowing you to fully appreciate what you see. “But it is not a museum, people live and work here. The houses are privately owned shops and family homes, and the town is very much alive,” stresses Nielsen.

A visit to Køge is a visit to Denmark’s best-preserved and most charming Renaissance town, but it is also more than that. With easy transportation links to the capital, beautiful nature, the seaside and a thriving town life, the reasons to visit are plenty. “A lot of families stay here with their children when they are visiting Copenhagen, because it is easy to get there by public transportation (45 minutes by S-train), and in Køge, you have the beach and safe surroundings for children,” explains Lars Nielsen, tourist manager at Visit Køge. Of course, just as many visitors choose Køge for their holiday destination because of the beautiful old town, interesting art museum and relaxed atmosphere.

Soak up history For history fans, Køge is a true haven. It boasts some of Denmark’s most beautiful

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

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn break in Denmark

Søgaards Bryghus – a tasteful mix of restaurant, pub and brewery When you enter Søgaards Bryghus, you are welcomed by two giant, steaming copper kettles and the heady aroma of hops. It is immediately evident that, here, beer is a serious matter. Søgaards Bryghus serve no less than 40 different types of beer, all brewed on the premises. There is beer to suit all tastes, from light and crisp to bitter and dark. By Yane Christensen | Photos: Søgaards Bryghus

The brewery has three brewers, a Dane, a German and an American, all drawing on their individual experiences and heritage. The brewery is capable of producing 1,000 litres in seven hours. The fermenting period then lasts 2-8 weeks, depending on the type of beer. It is a fascinating, completely computerised process, and the brewery offers guided tours, which include beer tasting and tapas.

The historic premises, located right in the heart of Ålborg, were extensively altered to accommodate the brewery and the brilliant layout of the building, which now emphasises the kettles as a central feature, almost like large sculptures of art. But Søgaards Bryghus offers more than just good beer: delicious brunch, lunch and dinner is served in the stylish restaurant, which has recently been renovated. The

ever-changing menu is based on both modern and traditional Danish cooking, using seasonal and predominantly locally produced ingredients. The waiters can suggest beers to suit your meal, much in the same way a sommelier would with wine. There is also a cosy pub, which has just been awarded the prestigious 'Pub of the Year' award, as well as a shop selling beer in beautiful bottles and kegs, along with juicy steaks, sausages and cold cuts of meat, produced by the brewery's own resident butcher. The brewery also has a meeting room, suitable for conferences. It has a capacity of 92 and up-to-date AV equipment. The room features close-up views of the brewing process, and guided tours and tastings can be organised as an interesting break - a truly unique angle to a conference! Keep an eye on the website for special events, such as concerts. During the winter, there is an ice rink just outside the building, providing an excellent opportunity to build up an appetite!

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

60 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn break in Denmark

Ballebro Færgekro – a romantic getaway full of history and sea breeze Located just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Als Fjord, Ballebro Færgekro, one of Denmark’s Historic Hotels, provides a fantastic setting for a romantic autumn weekend away. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Ballebro Færgekro

“We have a lot of couples in their mid-40s coming here for a romantic weekend away – we call it a sweetheart weekend, because no matter how many years you have been married, you can still be sweethearts,” explains Peter Phillip who, together with his wife Tina Phillip, runs the inn.

earth people, so we tried to create a relaxed and homely atmosphere here, and

Keeping history alive The history of the beautiful light, wooden structure which houses the inn, goes all the way back to 1729 when it was a farm. To accommodate passengers going on the beautiful ferry ride between Ballebro and Nordals, the farm was turned into an inn by the Lorenzen family in 1870. The ferry is still running, but in 1990, the last member of the Lorenzen family had to give up the inn. Luckily the old building landed safely in the hands of Hans Michael Jebsen, who has restored a number of historic buildings threatened by decay, and after a gentle restoration, Peter and Tina took over the inn in 1997. “We are both very down-to-

Fresh air and wholesome food Ballebro Færgekro’s 11 rooms are, just like the rest of the inn, decorated in a light and harmonious style; old paintings and furniture remind guests of the amazing history of the hotel and its surroundings. “A lot of people come here to explore the history of our area, because a lot of interesting things took place in Southern Jutland, especially during the wars,” explains Phillip. After a day of sightseeing, guests can enjoy a mesmerising view of the fjord and a delicious meal in the inn’s sunlit pavilion restaurant. “We have two different menus for our restaurant; one with all the classic Danish dishes and a more creative one - you might call it a gourmet menu. But the atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxed like we are,” says Phillip.

Peter & Tina Phillip

we made sure that the history of the place really shines through,” says Phillip.

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 61

: ME AVO E TH TH S L A R I EC & NO P S IO P UO

Finland Ice Marathon. Photo: Risto Antikainen

At the heart of the Lake District of Finland Top locations and conditions for all kinds of pursuits all year round await you right at the heart of the wonderfully scenic Lake District of Finland. Northern Savoniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central location in the middle of Finland and its excellent transport connections make the region an easy destination to reach from anywhere. Text by VisitLakeland Kuopio, one of the most popular tourist cities in Finland, is the capital city of Northern Savonia. There are three other major tourist regions in Northern Savonia: holiday resort Tahko, Varkaus region and Iisalmi region. The region is known for hosting unique summer and winter events such as the Wife Carrying World Championships, tour and marathon skating event Finland Ice Marathon and Kuopio Dance Festival. In the region you can also enjoy the great outdoors in peace. Unspoiled forests and lakes are yours to discover. In Northern Savonia, you will find hundreds of kilometres of cross-country ski trails, the best locations for tour skating in the whole country, several ski centres and ample opportunities for ice fishing. Snowmobile safaris, snowshoeing, husky rides, ice-track driving, ice-pool floating and

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snow golf complement the wide array of activities the region has to offer in the winter. Alternatives for accommodation range from cosy holiday cottages to holiday and spa hotels of a high level and hospitable countryside holiday resorts. Finland Ice Marathon In February, Kuopio opens up its ice-covered lakes for skating. The international Finland Ice Marathon skating event in February attracts thousands of skating enthusiasts, both for fitness and competition, on the ice of Lake Kallavesi. Finland Ice Marathon 2012 will be held on 22-25 February. The Kuopio winter sport week continues with a cross-country skiing trek Puijon Laturetki on 26 February at the same location. What a great opportunity to enjoy both events in one visit!

Be entertained, pampered and energised at Tahko Tahko is one of the biggest ski centres in Finland. At Tahko, the whole family can experience the snowy fun of winter. Guided and self-guided activities include, for example, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horse safaris, snowshoeing and ice-track driving. To top everything off, Tahko offers a wide range of accommodation facilities, restaurants and spa services. Tahko is a lively holiday resort, which embodies a perfect destination for an active holiday all year round.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Kuopio & North Savo

The Runni Spa – relax in a nostalgic setting By Inna Allen | Photos: The Runni Spa

uruvesi. “You can also take a dip in the Neulatammi stream and dam or enjoy a natural water massage,” says sales assistant Henna Yletyinen. “It’s a very authentic and unique experience for most of our visitors.” Families will also love the Adventure Forest, accessible by a suspended footbridge, or tasting Runni’s miracle spring water at the Drinking Hall. Containing lots of iron and minerals, the natural water has been used for healing purposes since the 1750s. Combining these activities with the pampering treatments of the spa make for an uplifting and joyous experience for both the mind and the body.

Located in the heart of the Savo region in Finland, the Runni Spa has been providing refreshing spa experiences since the early 1900s. Among the picturesque surroundings are the romantic Manor House Hotel and the comfortable Spa Hotel. Built in 1904 and renovated in 2001, the Manor House Hotel exudes the charm of bygone times with its 100year-old wooden walls and traditional décor. The Spa Hotel’s airy rooms are within easy reach of the spa and its revitalising treatments. Restaurant Mamselli serves delicious buffet style breakfasts and lunches along with an à la carte menu in the evenings, and live music can be enjoyed every Wednesday and Saturday. The scenic surroundings offer plenty to see. You can rent a canoe and enter the

historical Saarikoski Canal. Now fully restored, it enables waterborne traffic to cross from Lake Saimaa to the town of Ki-

BREWERY MUSEUM Traditions surrounding beer date back thousands of years and Iisalmi brewers have been brewing draughts of their own for 130 years. The oneof-a-kind Brewery Museum in Iisalmi presents on the enduring history of beer and brewing and the variant stages of beer production. Among the many museum gems, you will find a rare homebrew bottling machine and oak barrelsfrom the early 1900s used for storing beer. Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10.00 – 15.00 Free admission

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

Find the spring of your heart at Runni Spa! Wellbeing from traditional Finnish treatments in the Runni style Package includes accommodation, half-board meals, free use of the spa, entrance to the live orchestra dancing night and following treatments: Traditional Finnish bonesetting treatment, full-body peat treatment, full-body massage and a bath with natural herbs.

Traditional Vacation 4 nights • EUR 355 / person

Brewery Museum, Olvi Oluthalli (Beer Hall), Restaurant, Olvipuoti, Luuniemenkatu 4, 74100 IISALMI, tel. +358 (0)17 8385 232

Runnin Kylpylä Runnintie 407 A FI-74595 Runni, Finland

Reservations and further information tel. +358 (0)17 7687 524 or email myyntipalvelu@runni.fi. Price valid until 31.12.2011

www.runni.fi Issue 34 | October 2011 | 63

Hotel of the Month, Norway

First Hotel Alstor Stavanger – Rising like a phoenix from the ashes By Karin Modig | Photos: Kjetil Nordbø

Venerable, traditional and well known, First Hotel Alstor Stavanger is something of a landmark in the western Norwegian city. Following extensive renovation works, the hotel has just reopened, and is welcoming guests to brand new and improved facilities. “Hotel Alstor is considered one of the historic hotels in this area,” says general manager Kjetil Nordbø. “We are situated only about two kilometres from the city centre, while still surrounded by nature. There is a small lake not far from us, and there are many opportunities for walking trips on our doorstep.” The first guests arrived at Hotel Alstor in May 1950, and it has been run as a hotel since. It was family owned until the First group took over in 1998. Over time, it became apparent that parts of the hotel were getting somewhat tired. It was decided to spend both time and money on the hotel, and this October it reopened after a three-month renovation period.

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“It has been much more than a renovation,” says Nordbø. “We can literally present our guests with a brand new hotel with all-new facilities. We are very happy with the result, and we are convinced guests will be as well.”

It is not just the hotel that is new, Nordbø himself has also just arrived. With many years’ experience of hospitality in Asia, he is bringing with him a wealth of experience from countries known for their impeccable service.

In addition to its 81 rooms, the hotel has conference facilities as well. It can accommodate 320 conference guests at one time, with the largest room having capacity for 250. In addition to having nature on its doorstep, the hotel also has a large exhibition hall close by, making it an ideal choice for anyone attending business events. There are also opportunities to see live team handball and ice hockey in nearby arenas. “Our restaurant is worth mentioning for its fantastic selection of traditional Norwegian dishes,” says Nordbø. “And we keep getting very good feedback from guests on our breakfast buffet and the many options available.”

For online booking and further information, please visit: www.firsthotels.com/ Our-hotels/Hotels-in-Norway/ Stavanger/First-Hotel-Alstor

-5Â°

EXPERIENCE BAR LIFE WITH A TWIST AT Kristian IVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gate 12 - Tlf 22 42 66 61 - www.icebaroslo.no

Drive to Sweden with Stena Line Let Stena Line help you take the strain out of driving to Sweden. With a choice of short routes with frequent crossings and longer routes with overnight journeys we can help to make your journey more relaxing and convenient Onboard our ships you will find a range of facilities all designed to make your crossing as comfortable as possible. Remember to book early for our best fares. Welcome onboard!

www.stenaline.co.uk or call 08447 70 70 70

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

Princess Suite; guests who choose to stay in the hotel’s suites can enjoy one of the most luxurious and stylish hotel experiences in Copenhagen.

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

First Hotel Kong Frederik – where business travellers feel at home Located in the heart of Denmark’s charming capital, First Hotel Kong Frederik, with its homely atmosphere and efficient service, provides not only a convenient but also a memorable base for business in Copenhagen. By Signe Hansen | Photos: First Hotel Kong Frederik

The boutique hotel is located just two minutes from Tivoli and Copenhagen’s famous shopping street Strøget and thus offers both easy access to the city centre,

the Central Station and the airport; perfect if you have meetings around town. “We also offer special tailor-made services for our many business travellers, like

our business checkout, which enables you to check out quickly if you need to hurry to a meeting or the airport,” explains hotel manager Tania Klougart. Small but efficient The hotel’s 110 rooms are all individually decorated, and guests who choose to stay in one of the hotel’s two suites can enjoy one of the most luxurious and stylish hotel experiences in Copenhagen. The suites have separate bedroom and living areas, a mini-bar and espresso machine; most impressive, however, is probably the stun-

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

ning view of Copenhagen which meets guests at the suites’ private terraces. “For business travellers it is, of course, important that the hotel is efficient but also that they feel at home. People like the atmosphere here and like being recognized. That is the advantage of being a smaller hotel; people in the reception recognize our regular guests and make them feel more at home, which also means that they are comfortable asking for help with all kinds of things,” says Klougart. But although the hotel has the charm and size of a historic boutique hotel, the rooms all have modern facilities like Wi-Fi, free soft mini bar and cable TV. “We have free wireless internet all over the hotel; you just need to create an account, and it is not necessary to get a new code every day. Furthermore, the account is here when you come back which makes it easy for our many regular guests,” explains Klougart. The hotel also offers a range of meeting facilities for up to 60 people, and staff, Klougart says, take pride in making sure that everything works like clockwork. “It is very important to our business guests that they can stay here for their meetings, and we can take care of everything for them so they don’t have to think about anything else than having a productive meeting.” An English townhouse in Copenhagen With its English townhouse style, relaxed atmosphere and long history, Hotel Kong Frederik stands out from other typical business hotels. The hotel’s history goes back more than 100 years and so does its name, which refers to the Danish King Frederik VII. “It’s an old hotel; you can really feel the history, and people like that. We have had a lot of famous guests such as Marlene Dietrich, the Swedish King Karl Gustav and writer Faye Weldon,” explains Klougart. More recently George Michael enjoyed the comfort at First Hotel Kong Frederik, when he was in Denmark for a string of concerts in September. One of the characteristics that attracts business travellers, celebrities and tourists is the fact that no two of the hotel’s rooms are the same. They are all individually decorated. “It is a unique hotel;

The stunning rooftop and relaxing conference area at First Hotel Kong Frederik.

you won’t see anything like it anywhere else in the world,” stresses Klougart. An international outlook The hotel’s characteristic style attracts travellers from all over the world, but perhaps in particular from Britain. “We have a lot of Norwegian guests because First Hotels is a Norwegian brand, but perhaps almost just as many Britons. The hotel seems to appeal to British people – maybe because the style originates from the old days when it was fashionable to have a sort of classical English townhouse décor,” explains Klougart. For the international traveller, the hotel has a loyalty programme, First Member,

which enables members to earn points through their stay, which they can use for stays in any First Hotel. First Hotel Kong Frederik is also a member of the Global Hotel Alliance - a chain of 14 exclusive hotel chains all over the world. “This means that when you become a First Member, you automatically become a member of GHA, which grants you good rates and benefits at hotels on a much larger scale in Britain, the US, Asia and Australia,” says Klougart.

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 67

Lakes Course - 17th green. Photo: Staffan Andersson

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

Hotel of the Month, Sweden

PGA of Sweden National offers the whole package:

Sleep, eat, meet and golf in comfort and style Located in Bara, in the southern region of Sweden, the PGA of Sweden National is a high-quality golfing resort that truly offers it all: first-rate accommodation, delicious food, the perfect place for meetings, and world-class golf courses. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: PGA of Sweden National

The Professional Golfers’ Association of Sweden spent 13 years planning and developing their project to create one of the best golfing facilities in Scandinavia; and it finally took form as the PGA of Sweden National on 12 June 2009. The golfing facility now boasts two 18-hole championship courses with different characters: the Lakes and the Links; PGA National’s courses are designed by the worldrenowned golf architect Kyle Phillips. Attracting a mixture of business clients and golf enthusiasts, the PGA of Sweden

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National offers a great combination of services, whether you are visiting for work or pleasure. CEO Ove Sellberg assures us that all guests receive full professional service from the moment they book their stay until they are ready to leave. Of course, the resort’s expertise lies in golf, but it is also about the whole package; it has to come together successfully.

suites of the highest standard, which are around 45-100 square metres in size and can accommodate 2-4 people. No matter which room you choose, you can enjoy great views over the rolling landscape of the Links course or the lovely waterways of the Lakes course. For business meetings, you can book rooms with a maximum capacity of around 20 people.

At the heart of the golf club lies the clubhouse, which includes generous changing rooms, the pro shop, the resort’s restaurant, as well as 16 beautifully furnished

“Our business customers often bring their clients here, because they can get a lot of things done in our relaxed atmosphere,” explains Sellberg. “In one day, you can ef-

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

At the heart of the golf club lies the clubhouse, which includes generous changing rooms, the pro shop, the resort’s restaurant, as well as 16 beautifully furnished suites of the highest standard.

ficiently combine your meetings with one or two rounds of golf.” Before, in between or after the rounds of golf, you can gather some energy at the Clubhouse Restaurant, which is an international grill, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sourcing local suppliers for all their produce, the restaurant is able to add a special regional touch to almost any dish. During warm weather, you can enjoy the beautiful views and a great dining experience on the terrace, which overlooks the 18th holes of the Links and Lakes courses.

The parkland Lakes Course, on the other hand, was opened as recently as 29 May 2010. The design evokes traditional architecture from the early 20th century, with small greens with tightly mown chipping areas, large and formidable bunkers and water hazards defining the character of the Lakes. The three fierce finishing holes are a demanding test of strategy and nerves. An impressive lake comes into play on the 17th and guards the entire left side of the 18th hole. And at the PGA Golf Academy, you can book a course to tone that golf swing of

yours. “We have the game of golf at heart and do the utmost to make everyday a memorable golfing experience for our guests,” adds Sellberg. And the resort’s on-going relationship with the PGA of Sweden guarantees the high quality and standards of the golfing facilities and the teaching equipment. With the golf courses designed by one of the best golf architects of today, amazing natural surroundings, stylish and relaxed accommodation, good food and professional service, the PGA of Sweden National is a real golfer’s paradise.

World-class golf With 45 holes altogether, the PGA of Sweden National includes two18-hole courses and a fantastic 9-hole par three course. The first course to open was the Links, which draws its influence from 19th century golf course architecture, but is also built in accordance with modern standards. The large green areas, the undulations, the small bunkers and the grass specification provide playing characteristics typical of links courses.

The PGA of Sweden National is located in Bara, 15 minutes from Malmö City, offering an advantageous climate for golfing as well as great transport links, as it is only 20 minutes from Malmö airport and 30 minutes from Copenhagen airport.

Photo: Staffan Andersson

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 69

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Finland

Hotel of the Month, Finland

Stay in one of the hotel's club rooms or suites (junior suite shown above) to get access to the exclusive Club Floor.

Crowne Plaza Helsinki – Finland’s Leading Hotel In September 2011, for the fourth year running, the Crowne Plaza Helsinki received the title of Finland’s Leading Hotel at the annual World Travel Awards, considered to be the Oscars of the travel industry. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Crowne Plaza Helsinki

The hotel, located a 10-minute walk from central Helsinki, truly offers the full package for all travellers, with a wide selection of rooms, expert conference facilities as well as diverse services that will cover all your needs with great attention to detail. It also boasts an excellent location virtually opposite the National Opera and close to popular attractions such as the brand new Helsinki Music Centre, the Finlandia Hall and the Olympic stadium. The hotel was originally established in 1972 under a different name and ownership; it was closed in 2004 and went

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ish top-end accommodation, good value for money as well as modern amenities, facilities, the finest restaurants and professional customer service with 100% guest satisfaction. The Crowne Plaza Helsinki is also set in close proximity to some of some of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki as well as scenic Töölö Bay. through a major renovation process. A year later, now operated by Restel, it opened its doors under the name Crowne Plaza Helsinki. The Crowne Plaza brand is known worldwide for hotels that offer styl-

Club Floor luxury The Crowne Plaza Helsinki comprises 349 air-conditioned guest rooms, featuring high-speed internet, flat-screen TV and all the important essentials, from minibar

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Finland

Above: Crowne Plaza Helsinki's atmospheric gastro pub, Pub Fidel; top right: standard room; bottom right: The hotel's swimming pool is free of charge for all guests.

to luxurious bathroom amenities. The accommodation is divided into standard rooms, club rooms, junior suites and suites. A part of the Crowne Plaza concept is also the Club Floor, which offers additional services and comfort for travellers staying in club rooms or suites. The hotel’s top floor is exclusively reserved for Club Floor guests and includes the Club Lounge, which offers a great start to the day with continental breakfast, and a relaxing area for reading, watching television or enjoying some refreshments. The place to meet and eat The Crowne Plaza Helsinki is known as “the place to meet”, as the personalised banquet and meeting services can cover all your needs, whether you are hosting a small meeting, an international congress or a large dinner for a special event. Royal at Crowne Plaza can provide you with a tailor-made event that will tick all the right boxes. There is a large selection of meeting rooms with varying capacities on offer, so the size of your party should not be an issue.

Royal Restaurants will also keep your hunger in check with the help of Restaurant Macu, located on the lobby floor of the hotel and offering contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, and Pub Fidel, an atmospheric gastro pub. In addition, the hotel also includes a lobby bar and a banquette restaurant, with room for up to 1,500 people. Keep fit and healthy – Forever “The Crowne Plaza Helsinki provides highquality services that work well together. We have first-rate dining options, and a great spa and fitness club, which is among the best in Helsinki. The gym is not your usual small hotel addition either; it actually belongs to a private club and offers a lot of space and excellent equipment,” explains general manager Saija Savela-Palovaara. Forever Töölö is located on the ground floor of the hotel and consists of a health club and the Forever Day Spa. The sauna, swimming pool and gym are free of charge for all hotel guests. And for a relaxing break, the spa offers therapy pack-

ages in an environment based on the five Eastern elements, creating delightful sensations for all the senses. Everything under one roof The hotel is able to cover pretty much all of your needs: you can, for example, rent a car, get your hair cut, wash your car, do your laundry, set up a business meeting, and of course, exercise, eat, and sleep in total comfort. With Crowne Plaza’s Sleep Advantage programme, which includes luxuriously soft bedding and a range of complimentary tips and extras like aromatherapy oils and Quiet Zone, you will feel thoroughly rested. “The Crowne Plaza Helsinki stands for high quality and a well-rounded selection of services. Everything is available under one roof; you don’t even need to leave the hotel,” adds Savela-Palovaara.

For more information, please visit: www.crowneplaza-helsinki.fi

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 71

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Attraction of the Month, Iceland

Explore Iceland on horseback By Signe Hansen | Photos: Islenski Hesturinn

Her love of the Icelandic nature and the unique Icelandic horse is what drives Begga Rist, who runs Reykjavik’s only horseback tour agency Islenski Hesturinn (the Icelandic Horse) rated as the number one attraction in Reykjavik on TripAdvisor. “I love what I do and I do what I love, and a lot of the people joining my tours say that they can really feel that,” says Rist. Islenski Hesturinn offers prearranged 90minute morning rides through the outer areas of Reykjavik, individualised afternoon tours, and tailor-made horseback trips of two or more days with cabin or farm lodging. In safe hands (and hooves) Rist also loves working with people, and since founding Islenski Hesturinn seven months ago, she has continually done her best to create unique experiences for her guests. “The people who go on my tours, both the beginners and the more experienced, are always very, very excited when they come back and that is what matters to me - then I know that I am doing something right,” she says. But she does not

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want take all the credit for her tours’ popularity - the horses, of course, have to have their share. “Icelandic horses are known for their special gait called tölt. Tölt is very pleasant for the rider; it is very soft, so it’s like gliding through the landscape on a sofa; it’s quite amazing. Besides, Icelandic horses are very friendly and their good temper and small size make them perfect for everybody - especially inexperienced riders,” explains Rist.

plain everything about the unique Icelandic landscape. “On our tours, you will see fells and lava; it is like being in the countryside, and it’s the only place in Reykjavik where you are allowed to have sheep,” explains Rist. As her father was a hydrologist, she grew up in close contact with Icelandic nature. “I feel a strong connection to and respect for the Icelandic nature, and I like to share that feeling – the feeling of being one with Mother Nature,” she explains.

One with nature On the tours, Rist, who is a trained tour guide and speaks seven languages (Danish, French, English, Faroese, Icelandic, Norwegian and a little Swedish), will ex-

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

Attraction of the Month, Sweden

Nutti Sámi Siida: Authentic, award-winning eco-adventures at the heart of Sami culture

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Nutti Sámi Siida

As a day of reindeer sledding comes to an end, and you doze off in a wilderness cabin to the sound of a crackling fire, you will know that this is a once-in-alifetime experience. Nils Nutti of Nutti Sámi Siida tells Scan Magazine why. It all started in 1996, after a year of bad grazing for the reindeer. Sami couple Nils Torbjörn Nutti and Carina Pingi had to find a way to buy factory-made food for their herd, and the eco-adventure company Nutti Sámi Siida was born. Fast-forward 15 years and the company has won the Grand Travel Award ecotourism prize 2011 and had its tours approved by the Swedish eco-tourism body Nature’s Best. For Nutti, who has been a reindeer herder all his life, life may have changed a bit, but his passion remains the same. “I’m honoured to be an ambassador for Sami culture, and that people want to come here and learn about our culture,” he says. Based in Jukkasjärvi in the northernmost part of Sweden, Nutti Sámi Siida offers

outdoor adventures aplenty and a chance to experience Sami culture first hand. As the only place in the world where visitors can go reindeer sledding the traditional way, with their own reindeer and sleigh across the tundra, the area also provides the perfect opportunity to try out wildlife and moose spotting tours or a hiking tour in spectacular scenery.

Meet Nils of Nutti Sámi Siida!

Situated only a few kilometres from the world-famous Ice Hotel, Nutti Sámi Siida’s camp Reindeer Lodge offers the perfect finale after a long day of exciting outdoor activities. "You have to be just at the right distance to see the Northern Lights,” says Nutti. “Here, from the end of August if you’re lucky, you have a great view.”

Nils will be at The Scandinavia Show in London.

To top off the authentic experience, the wilderness cabins at Reindeer Lodge allow you to spend the night in comfort without leaving the camp. Surrounded by pine woods and reindeer pastures, a wood stove will keep you warm. As Nutti puts it, “our lodge doesn’t have the comfort of a hotel, but what’s not available in comfort you gain in cosiness.”

Come say hello, find out more, or book your very own Sami ecoadventure.

Scandinavia Show, 8-9 Oct Brompton Hall, Earls Court Stand 159 in the travel section With WEXAS & Best Served Scandinavia

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 73

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

Premier Outlets in Ringsted – the way shopping should be As Denmark’s only outlet village, Premier Outlets Center is the place to go if you are looking to spend an afternoon shopping high-quality brands at heavily discounted prices. The outlet’s 27 shops are located on the outskirts of the old town of Ringsted just 40 minutes from Copenhagen. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Dansk Fotografi

“Everyone likes a good bargain and with an impressive lineup of international outlets like Nike, Hugo Boss, G-star, Wolford and Levi’s side by side, this is the only purpose-built outlet village in Denmark,” explains centre manager Jeanette Jussing Amdal. “Ringsted Outlet is the only Danish outlet where you can experience the original concept of outlet shopping with high-quality flagship outlets run by the brands themselves.” Easy savings Premier Outlets was founded three years ago and has had to fight the financial cri-

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sis since its beginning, but its location in the heart of Zealand, its inviting shops and relaxed and friendly atmosphere have already made it popular with shoppers from near and far. “We have a lot of families coming from the outskirts of Copenhagen, a lot of regional customers, and in the summer, a lot of tourists come by as well,” explains Amdal. “We are a very big tourist attraction, especially for people driving through Denmark to Sweden or Norway or the other way, but we also have quite a lot of Chinese visitors.”

Located in the middle of Zealand, Ringsted and Premier Outlets are easily accessible by both car and public transport. By train Ringsted Station is only 40 minutes from Copenhagen Central Station and regular busses, three every hour, cover the ten-minute ride between the station and the outlet. A great day out More than 700,000 shoppers swing by Premier Outlets every year, but due to the spacious street and neat and bright shops, the atmosphere is still much more relaxed than that of similar outlets. “The

Among some of the brands present are Calvin Klein Underwear, Hugo Boss, Diesel, Mango and Le Creuset.

outlet is created after the same concept as we know from the rest of Europe but built in Scandinavian style and probably a bit less hectic and stressful,” explains Amdal.

when it is time for a break, the cosy Café Slabberas offers all kinds of delicious treats for the whole family as well.

Outlet shopping has become a widespread and diverse phenomenon, but in Ringsted, shoppers are guaranteed that the products they buy are genuine and original, and they do not have to dig around in cardboard boxes to find a bargain. “The stores are all hip and inviting, constantly get new deliveries, and their seasons follow the normal retail trade,” stresses Amdal. In the heart of the beautiful Danish countryside, the village offers a cosy and relaxed day out shopping, and this is also one of the reasons that a lot of families visit the outlet for a day out with the kids. “There are great savings to be made for small families, and with 30-70% off on everything from jeans and running shoes to Danish design icons, the village has something for everybody from grandparents to teenagers,” stresses Amdal. And

High quality at low prices At the moment the outlet presents 27 brands, but it is still in its development phase; originally built for 50 shops, it is expected that many more shops will join soon. Among some of the brands present are Calvin Klein Underwear, Hugo Boss, Diesel, Mango and Le Creuset. All shops offer a minimum of 30 per cent discount on their products and many items are re-

duced by much more - up to 70 per cent. This surely sounds tempting enough to get even the most reluctant ‘shopophobics’ out of their shell. “It is a very different shopping experience – and once smitten by its charm and offers, most outlet shoppers become dedicated fans,” says Amdal. The products sold at outlet prices are surplus stock directly from the place of production or the brand’s shops, or collection samples, and the quality is never in any way below that of products sold in normal shops. Sometimes shoppers will even be able to find exciting new items which have not been sold in Denmark before: great brands, great prices and plenty of opportunities for a good bargain hunt without the stress and chaos of regular outlets well that is what shopping should be all about, is it not?

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 75

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

ture Gallery, which adds a historical perspective to the museum’s otherwise contemporary selection. There is also a vast number of works by one of the region’s most famous contemporary artists, Kjell Nupen. “What is typical for our museum is that you can always find something interesting here, whether you are a child or an adult, a local or a tourist,” says press officer Ragna Marie Henden. “With exhibitions on historical and contemporary art, visitors are provided with something interesting, something challenging and something beautiful.” Upcoming art experiences Top: Kjell Nupen, The dream and the silence, 1984. Below: Sanna Kannisto, frog studies 2, 2001

Attraction of the Month, Norway

Sørlandets Kunstmuseum – a must for contemporary art lovers By Inna Allen | Photos: Leif Gabrielsen (SKMU)

Known for its harbours, wooden houses and rocky coasts, Kristiansand, the capital of southern Norway, provides beautiful surroundings for the Sørlandets Kunstmuseum (Sørlandet Art Museum). With large gallery spaces on three floors, the museum aims to be the leading space for Norwegian and international art. Both its programme and collection have an emphasis on contemporary art. Established in 1995, the Sørlandets Kunstmuseum moved into its new facilities at the heart of the Kristiansand city centre in 2000. The old school building that now houses the museum dates back to 1877 and is designed by architect Henrik ThrapMeyer, who also drew the nearby Kristiansand Cathedral. Fully restored and expanded, the building presents one of Norway’s newest and largest art museums. Conveniently located near a pedestrian street, only a 10-minute walk from the harbour, the museum is easy to find

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and provides a wonderful art experience for visitors. A cultural centre in southern Norway The museum covers the entire region of Agder and acts as a regional resource centre in the art field. It is engaged in a wide range of activities, from permanent and temporary exhibitions to travelling exhibitions for schools and kindergartens. It is also an arena for music concerts and other cultural events. The permanent collection includes works from the Kristiansand Pic-

On 15 October, the museum opens a large exhibition made up of three separate exhibitions, presenting Finnish artists Sanna Kannisto and Pilvi Takala along with Danish artist Jan Christensen. These three contemporary artists represent the fields of photography, video works and graffiti art, and are bound to attract both local and international visitors to the museum. Another upcoming exhibition to look forward to is the one by Danish artist Peter Callesen. Known for his intricate paper and cardboard cut-outs, Callesen’s work can be seen from 26 November. Along with launching a brand new website and a visual profile, Sørlandets Kunstmuseum has also invited one of Norway’s leading baristas to run its museum café. And with a versatile museum shop bursting with goodies from the art world, this place is a real must for all art, and coffee, lovers visiting the town.

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

Scan Magazine | Food | Column known as “Forest’s Gold”. The season for picking chantarelles runs from late July through to October. Pick the stem instead of the root, and you can return year after year to the same spot and harvest your loot. The best thing to do is to try and go harvesting before the fallen leaves change to golden colours, because it becomes very hard to spot the golden-coloured mushroom nuggets once the fallen leaves take on the same colour. One of the easiest mushrooms to forage for, there are few lookalikes, so it is a good starter mushroom to pick. It’s always good to choose a mushroom that doesn’t have a lookalike that could potentially kill you or, worse, turn you into a little frog (or something). Kantareller are best enjoyed lightly sautéed in butter, on a slice of toasted sourdough bread.

Before the darkness... Column by Bronte Aurell | Photo: Pia Britton Scandinavia is beautiful: the rolling hills, the midsummer sun, the lakes that glitter as if scattered with a thousand brilliant diamonds; little wooden houses, masses of Volvos; images of blonde people who dance around in the meadows, dressed in white flowing clothing with a tin of Abba’s herring in one hand and a bottle of aquavit in the other. In fact, most of what we see of Scandinavian nature is about the greenery and the fjords, of colours and happiness. The fact is, however, that the Scandinavian summer, although light and bright and full of life, is very, very short. By the time we’ve realised that spring is over, autumn has usually already set in, and we prepare ourselves for the long winter of hibernation once again. There are few people in Scandinavia who look forward to the numbing darkness of the long Nordic winters. It is dark when we go to work; it is dark when we leave; it is even dark for some when they are enjoying lunch. In some places, the darkness sets in in October and doesn’t finish till February: that kind of darkness takes a lot to handle (but it makes a great setting for Nordic crime dramas such as Wallander and The Killing). Then there’s the cold: you have to put on a balaclava and seven layers of clothing to pop out to the corner shop for a carton of milk. Still, autumn time across the Nordics brings a last blast of colour and fresh air; it’s the time to run around the forest kicking the leaves, Mother Nature’s last gifts before the slow winter mode sets in. Back in the day, when men where real men with beards and monobrows, and people sailed a

longboat to get to work, the autumn proved to be the time when the Vikings had to set up camp for the winter and prepare for the cold. It was all less about pillaging and more about drying and smoking meat and preserving as much of the summer’s produce as possible. The Vikings used various methods to prepare food for the winter, including drying, smoking, salting, fermenting and pickling – and freezing (obviously). The autumn time in Scandinavia provided a huge array of foods that were easily preserved to give the Vikings plenty of nutrients throughout the dark, cold months ahead. Our heritage today shows so many traces of the Viking methods of storing food and the roots from which our cultural food traditions stem that are still in use in some form or another today. The end of September sees the end of the Swedish and Finnish crayfish season. We’ve been round each other’s houses, drunk all the neighbour’s aquavit, eaten more of the little dill-cooked crayfish than we care to remember and depleted Vasterbotten cheese company of its entire stock. Then it’s time to head out to pick up the treasures that fall from right above our heads or grow in the bushes right in front of our very noses. Lingonberries are plentiful, the elderberries are almost begging to be made into the most beautiful dark cordial imaginable, and the last of the rosehips are strutting their stuff, teasing you to make a jam with the most potent natural vitamin C content possible. Autumn in Sweden also brings about one of the most treasured food gifts of the year: kantareller (chanterelle mushrooms). In Sweden, these are

Back in the garden, the apples are falling from the trees, and an army of mothers, aunts and grannies are preparing their own special recipe apple cake. At last count, there were around twenty-six thousand two hundred forty-three different versions of apple cakes across the Nordics. If you have a Scandinavian granny handy, she will have at least seven different ways to get rid of an abundance of apples. The one thing that links the Scandinavian apple cakes is that these are usually a sponge-type cake base with apples added, in some form or another. Don’t be surprised to find a pinch or two of cinnamon too somewhere in there. Several regional varieties exist – with the Danes sporting a fancy triple version using caramelised breadcrumbs and stewed apples, and the Finns favouring an apple tart with vanilla sauce. If you are lucky enough to be heading to one of the Scandinavian countries this autumn, don’t be fooled by the cities’ lack of colour and energy: allow yourself the time to head out of the city and enjoy a bit of the Nordic autumn, along with its foodie treasures of berries and fruits. It’s well worth the trip.

Bronte Aurell is the owner of Scandinavian Kitchen, the UK’s biggest Scandinavian food store and cafe. Check out the online shop on www.scandikitchen.co.uk or pop by the central London cafe (61 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7PP). Open 7 days a week. We have the best apple cake, like, ever.

We’re at stand 134 at The Scandinavia Show at Earls Court 8-9 October 2011.

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 77

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland

Restaurant of the Month, Finland

From Russia, with love: a culinary legacy in Helsinki Restaurant Bellevue is one of those establishments that possesses a rich history. Prior to 1917, and Finland’s independence from Russia, Grigori Pavloff’s wife worked in the canteen at Helsinki’s Russian naval club. Seven months before independence, the couple opened their own café, namely Café Bellevue on Uudenmaankatu, before expanding it to larger premises in a stone building some 500 metres from the imposing Russian Orthodox cathedral, which overlooks the city’s central harbour and the presidential palace.

By Eleonoora Kirk | Photos: Restaurant Bellevue

Then, as it became a restaurant, its proprietor Pavloff was an oft-seen figure in the produce market - set some few hundred metres away from Restaurant Bellevue’s location, in the Katajanokka district - sourcing the raw ingredients. Today’s market may be somewhat diminished (the market hall still houses fine food purveyors), so Bellevue sources much of its bear and elk meat, wild mushrooms, and caviar and fish roe from local hunter-gatherers and small-scale producers.

the restaurant has only had four proprietors in its lifetime; Rissanen took over in 1974. The current management’s strong collaboration undoubtedly contributes to the restaurant’s popularity, with business people patronizing it during the week and a younger crowd at the weekends, no doubt for its delicious buffet of zakuški hors d’oeuvres. The restaurant can serve 100 covers and also has cosy, private dining areas to accommodate parties from 2 up to 48 persons.

Keeping the authenticity and spirit of the Russian kitchen alive at Restaurant Bellevue today are proprietor Ragni Rissanen, chef Kari Pasonen and restaurant manager Merja Salonen. According to Salonen,

A glance at the menu confirms a concurrent commitment to the flavours and textures of Russian cooking: blinis with fish roe, red onion and sour cream for starters; followed by filet à la Novgorod,

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chicken Kiev or beef Stroganoff; and finished off with a baked Alaska à la Malakov. Vodka, the ubiquitous Russian spirit, is available under various brands to complement the well-balanced wine list, which is carefully selected by the restaurant management. The food and wine are complemented by the atmosphere generated by turn-of-thecentury Russian décor, paintings, long drapes, crystal chandeliers and candelabras dating back to 1850. The traditionally garbed staff and Russian folk music complete the picture of a truly original dining destination this side of Russia. Indeed, it is well-nigh indisputable that Restaurant Bellevue is the place to go for the most authentic Russian food anywhere in the world but Russia, if even there.

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

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Iceland

Perlan Restaurant’s glass dome gleaming in the sun.

Restaurant of the Month, Iceland

Visit Iceland’s gastronomic pearl: Perlan Restaurant From its hilltop location above Reykjavik, Perlan (the Pearl) Restaurant in Iceland presents you with one of the most stunning restaurant views in the world.

javik and beyond, while your taste buds delight in some of Iceland’s most superb cuisine. You can also move a floor up to enjoy a drink in the intimate Perlan Bar. Located at the top of the Pearl, this offers a view as equally stunning as the restaurant’s. The bar is managed by 66-yearold Þorfinnur Guttormsson, one of Iceland’s best cocktail waiters.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Thorlakur Ludviksson

But Perlan’s popularity and rave reviews are not just due to its views; guests are also treated to a stylish menu of creative and beautifully presented meals created by master chef Elmar Kristjansson, multiple winner of the chef of the year title in Iceland. “We have always had very high standards for the restaurant and divide the year into four categories. It starts with what we call ‘everything about steak’, which in Icelandic also means ‘everything gone wrong’, and in these months, we are one of the cheapest restaurant in our category in Reykjavik,” says one of the restaurant’s owners and founders Stefán Sigurdsson with a dry wit.

on the Qskjuhlid hill in 1991. But the idea goes all the way back to 1930, when master artist Johannes Kjarval had dreams for the site, writing: “The sides of the temple should be covered with mirrors, so the northern lights can approach the feet of men - the roof should be decorated with crystals of every colour and floodlights should be in the eaves to illuminate the whole area.” And the description is actually not that far from reality; the Pearl is indeed as striking as its view. Gleaming in the sun, its glass dome and walls stand upon the gigantic six aluminium-sided tanks, each of which can contain four million litres of hot water from Iceland’s underground. Drinks and fine dining under the skies

A roof of crystals Perlan restaurant opened on top of a 20,000-cubic-metre hot water reservoir

Every two hours, Perlan Restaurant completes a full rotation allowing you to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Reyk-

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 79

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Hotel Sabro Kro Restaurant – a taste of Jutland A mix of traditional inn hospitality, local ingredients and culinary innovativeness is what makes Montra Hotel Sabro Kro Restaurant worth a visit. Located in the countryside surrounding Århus, the restaurant presents a traditional yet innovative seasonal menu with high-quality produce from the local farms. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Montra Hotel Sabro Kro

The inn’s restaurant is run by Jakob and Britt Wätjen, who dreamt of running their own inn for years. Eight years ago, they were offered the director role at Hotel Sabro Kro, one of the five family-owned Montra hotels, and, as they admired the group´s quality ideals, they gladly accepted. A traditional inn in modern guise Despite Hotel Sabro Kro’s new buildings and modern facilities, the host couple takes great pride in honouring the traditional Danish inn practices. “There has

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been an inn in this location since 1855, but most of our buildings are completely new. We expanded in 2009, so all our rooms and meeting facilities are from then. In

that way it is not an old inn, but the way we work is inspired by the old inn model,” explains director Jakob Wätjen. One of the inn traditions which the couple strives to preserve is that of sourcing all their produce from local farmers and adjusting the menu to the seasonal changes. “We are very inspired by the local ingredients, and we have an extensive network of local farmers. Another funny tradition which we have kept is to include wild mushrooms gathered by locals in the nearby Frijsenborg Forest in our autumn menus,” says Wätjen. The different ingredients are

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Many of the restaurant’s patrons are guests at the inn as well, but the relaxed atmosphere, flexible menu and personalised service have also made Sabro Kro Restaurant popular with locals.

prepared in accordance with the classic Danish kitchen with a “traditional down to earth and honest” approach. But a twist of modern Danish catering adds an innovative side to the menu. This formula results in mouth-watering dishes such as home-smoked turbot with homemade pickles, baked and burnt garlic, and dill; and fillet of venison with pearl barley risotto, butter-fried chestnuts, sprouts, pickled cranberries and game gravy. Individualised service Many of the restaurant’s guests are, of course, guests at the inn, but the relaxed atmosphere, flexible menu and personalised service have also made Sabro Kro Restaurant popular with locals. “We don’t have any prototype guest; we want everybody to feel welcome and at home here whether it be a business traveller just looking for a quick dish, someone entertaining clients with a big dinner and wine, or locals out to celebrate a birthday or another special day,” stresses Wätjen. “We take pride in hosting all kinds of dif-

ferent people and train our staff in the different client types and service attitudes.” For those out for a festive evening, the restaurant offers a carefully selected wine menu, presented by the knowledgeable waiters, while a beer from the local brewery might be the thing for a more casual arrangement. An inn with character As the rest of the inn, which comprises 76 double rooms, 12 junior suites, 16 meeting rooms, a fitness centre and wine cellar, the restaurant has a friendly and traditional atmosphere. “It is a very characteristic restaurant with original and personalised interiors. The owner finds a lot of the antiquities here herself, and though it looks very modern from the outside, the inside is very distinctive with lots of art on the walls, for instance,” explains Wätjen. Though the view from the inn consists of beautiful countryside, its location is just ten minutes from the centre of Århus, and it is therefore popular with business travellers seeking a tranquil and

convenient base for meetings in Århus. “A lot of our business travellers, who visit during the week, come back at the weekend with their wives and families because they want to show them the place. Of course we are very happy about that; it’s nice that they don’t only come when they have to,” laughs Wätjen. Located just half an hour from Århus Airport, the inn also has a good share of international guests, about 20 per cent, and judging from the responses in the guest book, the Danish kitchen and inn hospitality are just as popular with international visitors. A couple from Malta writes: “The hotel is amazingly beautiful and the service is extraordinary,” while a couple from the US says: “Wonderful stay at your hotel, food was delicious and plenty.” If you want to check if they are right, swing by Hotel Sabro Kro next time you are in Århus.

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

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 81

Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour

IS IT JUST ME...

By Mette Lisby

Who wonders what self-centered, boastful people (no, I am not just referring to Americans, British people can be that annoying too!) did until Facebook provided them the opportunity to swamp the internet with self-appreciating “updates”? Did they really walk around, among the rest of us, being THAT annoying? I am not referring to occasional positive outbursts, little drops of joy and appreciation that sometimes sneak into Facebook updates like: “Great! It’s Friday”, “I got the job” or “Hooray! Beer!” No. I am talking about the Facebook users who more systematically than Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda, Goebbels, inundate the rest of us with updates about how amazingly fantastic their lives are in numerous bulletins every day. Their children are WONDERFUL! Always! Their career is FANTASTIC! Always! Everyone they meet is “SO INSPIRING”. They LOVE to work out. They are never hung-over, and all parties they ever at-

tend are simply “FAB!” Not once do they get a bad fish taco. They are simply THAT great! That leaves the rest of us to deal with the uninspiring, unglamorous events of everyday live, like waiting in line for a BT “service” person, being shortchanged for a tenner at Tesco (every little helps!), and taking out the trash bag that inevitably breaks on your doorstep. It can be nauseating to be faced with everybody else’s overly magnificent lives. A concept, specialists refer to as “Facebook-envy”, created deliberately by your “friends” and which quite honestly made me sick and tired of Facebook. But then I had a birthday and tons of people wrote really nice greetings on my Facebook

Saved by the wind break

My Swedish school was about as idyllic as a school can get, which made English school a bit of a shock. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great school for many reasons, but it was also a harsh place where bullying was rife. Worst of all were the girl bullies, a gang of substantially sized girls with fists like anvils, fifteen layers of foundation and the spring-

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wall. And I had a great day, thank you. My WONDERFUL husband made me a GREAT breakfast in bed, and I got the most AMAZING gifts from my AWESOME friends and FANTASTIC family. Maybe I should just check in on Facebook that one time a year, when I can keep up with everybody else’s glamorous life. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.

By Maria Smedstad

loaded mentality of an unbalanced Rottweiler with a bad itch. My Swedish hair caused offense, but after I completely failed to understand that they were starting on me, they wrote me off as ‘too weird to mess with’. I was temporarily left alone. That was until the wind incident. For those of you who attended nice schools, you may be unaware that school toilets can be a very dangerous place, which should be avoided at all costs unless you want to be thrashed by large-fisted girl bullies. I therefore thought myself safe when on one occasion I managed to get excused during class. Thinking that I’d be alone in the toilets I allowed a tiny burst of flatulence to escape. As I was washing my hands, disaster struck. The girl bullies, bunking off class, burst through the doors. I was trapped in a room that I HAD MADE SMELL. Sweat broke out underneath my nylon uniform. I knew I was dead. And then inspiration came to me. ‘Uuuurgh!’ I

squealed. ‘What’s that horrible smell?’ The head bully looked at me. There was a moment. And then – a miracle. ‘UUUUURGHH!’ she bellowed. ‘You’re RIGHT! What IS that horrible smell?’ The other girls joined in. ‘UUUUUURGH!’ And so, strangely, I formed a bond with the bullies, a weird sort of shared disgust. No one bothered me again. My wind had saved me. Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

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“It’s a great relief to be in control of inheritance planning – we set up a family trust that will secure the wealth for future generations” John, 65, retired Doctor, International Private Banking client

Needs beyond the ordinary? International Private Banking is a service for clients with high income or wealth, who have chosen to live outside the Nordic countries. You and your family are assigned an Executive Wealth Manager – a financial specialist – who can guide you on your overall private finances.

We can tailor solutions to bridge your worlds, wherever you are. We call this solutions beyond the ordinary. To become an International Private Banking client, visit our web site www.danskebank.lu or call us in Luxembourg at telephone +352 46 12 751.

Your Executive Wealth Manager is available for meetings outside normal opening hours and can draw upon experts within the Group or our network of external specialists on areas such as domiciliation, insurances and audit.

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Have you booked your christmas Party? Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG, www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-london

Scan Business | Key Note | DUCC at The Scandinavia Show

Scan Business Treston 86 | Hilton Malta - effortless luxury 87 | Conferences of the Month 89 | The Scandinavian Chambers of Commerce 92

DUCC at The Scandinavia Show By Gunnar P Larsen, Managing Director, the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce

Exhibitions are important to any company wishing to promote itself and explore new networks. To us, The Scandinavia Show not only provides an excellent opportunity to showcase The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce (DUCC); it is also a forum which allows us to promote some of our members. This year, Bang & Olufsen and Carlsberg UK have been generous enough to support our stand. Furthermore, we have the pleasure of co-exhibiting with four active members: ATP, Berjaya Eden Park Hotel London, The Møller Centre and Magnus Olesen. Each of these members will be present at our stand, ready to introduce themselves and their businesses. They will also act as representatives of the broad selection of companies which are members of the DUCC, while DUCC staff and council members will be present to discuss any membership queries. The members are what shape the DUCC. We have always been welcoming companies of various sizes and nationalities, and I believe our stand will be a good example of this. During 2011 we had a 40% increase in membership registrations and experienced the crucial need for companies to

share know-how in order to endure in this ruthless market. It is our aim to maintain and constantly improve the DUCC as a platform for experience-sharing. I very much look forward to meeting new people and introducing them to the opportunities and benefits which membership of the DUCC holds. However, the best recommendation is one which comes from the members themselves. As expressed by Isaac Sheps, CEO, Carlsberg UK: “What really matters is what you learn after you know everything.” (John Wood) “The networking opportunity provided by DUCC is fulfilling this need of continuous learning and gathering of information. Sometimes it may be just small talk, but by meeting colleagues from other businesses and understanding their business, valuable openings can occur.”

For further information, please visit: www.ducc.co.uk

Gunnar P Larsen, Managing Director, the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 85

Scan Magazine | Scan Business | Treston

Treston: The Finnish suppliers of technical furniture with an eye for design and awareness of ergonomics By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Treston

company’s headquarters are still set in Turku, Finland, and, uniquely, all of its products are still manufactured in Finland as well, generating beneficial shorter delivery times and the good quality expected of a Finnish product. In addition, Treston has sales subsidiaries in Poland, Germany, Sweden, Norway and the UK as well as sales offices in the Netherlands and China.

The Nordic countries are known around the world as frontrunners in design and innovation, and this appreciation of beautiful form often extends into diverse areas of business, even when it comes to industrial furniture and storage systems. Treston, one of the leading technical furniture suppliers in Europe, has gained 40 years of experience in developing products that are not only functional and high in quality, but also designed to please the eye. Working in collaboration with top-end furniture designers, while also garnering a great reputation for offering attentive customer service in the B2B sector, Treston is looking to further solidify its position as a predominant supplier of reliable industrial furniture. It all began with a design revolution called ‘Palaset’: plastic storage cubes that famed Finnish designer Ristomatti Ratia created for Treston. However, when the price of plastic soared, Treston had to expand their product range and shift their focus from plastics more to industrial furniture. “Design and ergonomics are always our selling points. We cater to clients who don’t just want a basic workbench, when

86 | Issue 34 | October 2011

While a large portion of Treston’s clients belong to the electronics industry, their range of work chairs has also been popular for non-industrial office use. Created in collaboration with designer Yrjö Kukkapuro, the range epitomises stylish Scandinavian shapes as well as ergonomics. there are products of higher quality and design also available,” explains UK operations director Tapani Pöytäniemi. “For example, we offer height adjustment on all of our workbenches, either manually or electrically, which adds usability as another key selling point.” Treston has been operating in the UK for over 25 years, and currently sells directly to businesses as well as through distributors and mail order catalogues. The

Treston is sponsoring the Electronics Competition at WorldSkills London 2011. This autumn, Treston is also launching a modern desk-mounted task light based on LED-technology.

For further information, please visit: www.trestonltd.co.uk

Scan Magazine | Scan Business | Hilton Malta

Stay at the Hilton Malta hotel for effortless luxury and relaxation Discerning Scandinavian and UK travellers looking for their perfect holiday destination in the sun should turn their gaze towards Malta, and especially the luxurious Hilton Malta hotel. With comfortable first-class accommodation, reputable service, great leisure and conference facilities, as well as a permeating tranquillity throughout the premises, the Hilton Malta hotel will create a holiday experience to remember. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Hilton Malta

Situated by the beautiful Portomaso waterfront in St. Julian’s, the hotel boasts an ideal location, as part of a complex that includes a small shopping mall and plenty of restaurants to choose from. An entertainment centre is also located close by, and it only takes 15 minutes to arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage City of Valletta.

The Hilton Malta hotel originally comprised 294 classically designed rooms, but a couple of years ago, a new extension was built, making the total 410 guest room, with a contemporary feel in the new ones. Accordingly, there are rooms available for all preferences and needs. On the lower level of the hotel, you will find six one-bedroom studios that are very much in demand. Including a master bedroom, beautiful living room, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen and separate guest toilet, these are offered for long-term rental. Surrounded by shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities, you will never get bored at the Hilton Malta. You can make

use of the indoor and four outdoor pools, and no matter how many people are lounging by the pool, you can always find a place for yourself to relax. For further harmony and tranquillity, retire to the Myoka Spa for pampering treatments, and if you relax best while zoning out at the gym, you should make your way to the hotel’s LivingWell Health Club or take advantage of the outdoor tennis courts. At the Merkanti Beach Club, located on the beach below the hotel, feel free to sit by the poolside with a drink in hand or have a bite to eat, and you can also book snorkelling, scuba diving and other exciting water sports at the hotel. A new children’s playground is also now available. Even if you are not in Malta for leisure, the Executive Club lounge, 24-hour Executive Business lounge and state-of-the-art conference facilities will make your stay run smoothly. And when you get peckish, the three all-year-round restaurants Oceana, Bottega del Vino and Blue Elephant offer a delicious mix of Mediterranean, Maltese and Italian, and Thai cuisine, respectively. In the summer season, you have even more choices on offer; one of the highlights being the Gazebo Restaurant located outside under the olive grove. “We deliver everything with passion and love,” says general manager Clement Hassid. “The hotel, regardless of its magnitude, still feels private to our guests. And people’s first impression is always ‘wow’, as they walk in and see the sea and pools in front of them.” For further information, please visit: www.hiltonmaltahotel.com

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 87

Scan Business | Paul Corren | Dealing with the big boys....

Dealing with the big boys, part 3.... Paul Corren, managing partner and head of the corporate team at Corren Troen, talks about the concept of a ‘Locked Box’ approach to corporate acquisitions following the sale of an owner/managed business to a FTSE 100 company. One of the interesting things about being a corporate lawyer is that the world is always changing. The law is constantly in a state of flux, reflecting not only the government’s stance on law enforcement but also the courts’ view on how the law is to be interpreted. One such market practice that has grown recently is that of the ‘Locked Box’ approach. We came across this concept in the sale of a Danish private company to BAE Systems Plc. The buyers had carried out an extensive due diligence exercise lasting many months. This covered both the commercial aspects of the business and the financial elements; however, the last set of audited accounts ended in June 2010. We were contemplating signing the sale agreement in March 2011, some three months prior to the financial year end. In years gone past, we would have built into the purchase agreement a mechanism for Completion Accounts; a set of accounts would have been drawn up after Completion, agreed

between the parties, and then the purchase price adjusted up or down depending on how the real audited numbers compared to the Net Asset Value of the Company estimated at Completion. This is, however, fraught with difficulties. The auditors often change post completion, and the way in which accounting practices applied can also differ. From the Buyers’ perspective, the risk profile is higher: this is a post completion event. Even if the adjustment provisions work as they should, there is an investigation cost, an agreement and often a negotiation as to the final adjustment. Not the type of feel-good factor you are looking for in the first six months following the acquisition of the century. The logic behind the Locked Box approach is that you are dealing with numbers and financials that are known. In our case, the parties agreed to lock the financial position of the Company at June 2010. This was known and audited and agreed. This was what the Buyer was expecting to buy and the price was fixed in relation to the value of the Company at that date. The challenge then for the lawyers is to ensure that there is a mechanism in place that captures any ‘leakages’ of value following that date and to the extent that they are ordinary

Bubbly Aberdeen! Some colleagues and I visited the “Offshore Europe” Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition in Aberdeen last week. What an experience! With 1,500 exhibitors, 25,000 square metres of exhibition and 48,000 visitors, it demonstrated what it means to be Europe's energy capital. It may not sound like the sexiest spot on earth – apart from pretty girls in high heels representing some of the companies – but if you like to do business in a vibrant environment, this is the industry to be in and this is the place. After a summer of economic doom and gloom this was a real energy boost. Here, there was no talk of recession, and you could feel the up-beat atmosphere wherever you went. Asking around if business was good, the answer was invariably “yes”. And we’re not talking small machines here! Of course investments surge when oil prices are at an all-time high. At such times more inaccessible reserves become economic to 88 | Issue 34 | October 2011

exploit: when ever more sophisticated and expensive equipment gets developed. A Menon report, from June 2010 for the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, to chart the international activities of offshore supply companies, found that the Norwegian petroleum related offshore industry alone increased its turnover by nearly 25% – from NOK 195 billion in 2007 to NOK 244 billion in 2009. Between 2011 and 2014, Norway is expected to have the largest capital expenditure in the world’s largest offshore markets, followed by the USA and Brazil with the UKCS (UK Continental Shelf) at number four. The sentiment is that oil will be around as a prime energy source for a long time before the world can rely on renewable sources. If you have any worries about your company’s future, then the oil and gas industry could certainly be an interesting option to investigate. Who would have thought a few years ago that Stavanger and Aberdeen would be in the same league as Houston? But don’t worry,

By Paul Corren, Corren Troen Law Firm

course activities to have a mechanism whereby these are agreed by both parties. Similarly credits coming in to the company need to be accounted for so that effectively there is a netting off of debit and credit balances from the locked box date until completion. With careful thought and very detailed information on all movements on the profit and loss account and balance sheet, it actually works! Corren Troen is an Anglo-Nordic Law Firm with an excellent team of commercial, corporate, property, litigation and wealth management lawyers ready to assist you with your legal work. For more information please contact Paul Corren 0207 592 8900. Corren Troen has a number of Scandinavian clients with businesses in the UK and regularly advises on employment related issues. For more information please contact Paul Corren on 020 7592 8900

By Annika Åman-Goodwille

you needn’t turn up in a hard-hat and boiler suit – high heels and a short skirt will do just as well! Blog: godigitalordie.blogspot.com Twitter: @agoodwille Email: annikaa@goodwille.co.uk LinkedIn: Annika Aman-Goodwille Facebook: Annika Åman Goodwille

Scan Magazine | Conference of the month | Denmark

Conference of the Month, Denmark

Saltoftehus – raising the standards A beautiful old manor, inspirational countryside surroundings and the professional yet personal service of owner Birgitte Boserup are at the heart of Saltoftehus Conference Centre’s success. Saltoftehus is located in West Zealand an hour from Copenhagen. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Saltoftehus

The conference business was founded by Birgitte Boserup six years ago; today, she counts some of Scandinavia’s largest companies such as Novozymes, Novo Nordisk, Statoil and Dong among her regular clients.

manor is, however, also still an active modern farm; this part is run by Boserup’s husband Niels Boserup whose grandfather bought the manor in 1913.

Inspired by nature It was Boserup’s professional background, in particular her years as PR Executive at Haldor Topsøe A/S, which provided her with the motivation to set up Saltoftehus. “I travelled a lot and arranged conferences all over the world, and incredibly often I experienced that it was so difficult to find effective solutions,” she says. “Besides, the surroundings here are so beautiful; I instantly felt that that would give ground for some very inspiring meetings.” In 2005, the manor’s old storage and stable buildings were transformed into hightech meeting facilities with room for up to 80 people as well as 20 guest rooms. The

Hard work “It is nice to get new customers, but it is even better to get them to come back,” says Boserup, and that is why she works continuously to guarantee her guests the best possible experience. To do this she has ensured that Saltoftehus has all the newest technical equipment, superfast

wireless internet all over the manor’s grounds and, with water saving measures and straw-generated heat, a green profile – The Green Key. “You have to understand what companies really need and want and take it seriously, and you have to work a lot; it does not come on its own,” stresses Boserup. The gastronomic part of a visit is at the same detailed level – proudly using a lot of local products. To make sure everything is perfect, Boserup tailors exactly the meeting, teambuilding event, party or conference her clients want and takes care of as much as possible herself; this means visiting Saltoftehus is also visiting Birgitte Boserup.

For further information, please visit: www.saltoftehus.dk

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 89

Scan Magazine | Conference of the month | Sweden

Nico Nauta, head of conferencing & restaurant at Arenabolaget

Conference of the Month, Sweden

Arenabolaget: successful conferencing with a clean conscience Located in the heart of Linköping, with a brand new bistro and numerous concert and exhibition spaces, Arenabolaget is your eco-conscious friend in the conference space jungle. It is where pleasant gastronomic experiences and service that exceeds your expectations enable real meetings. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Arenabolaget "If I go to a conference, I take for granted that the technology and logistics will work perfectly. But what I remember when I leave is the food, the coffee, the social bit," says Nico Nauta, head of conferencing & restaurant at Arenabolaget in Linköping. He has a point, and it is one that permeates everything at the complex Konsert & Kongress. With a background as a chef and a passion for food and drink that goes back as long as he can remember, Nauta is convinced that it is over a cup of coffee or a bite to eat that the real meeting takes place. It is almost as if the food becomes an enabler – a means where the business contract or the cultural experience is the end. The renovated restaurant is located right at the heart of the building, between the two current concert halls. “You shouldn’t

90 | Issue 34 | October 2011

have to rush to go to a concert,” says Nauta. “Here, you can have a bite to eat on location, just outside the concert hall. Or you can sit down after the show and have a drink and talk about what you’ve just experienced.”

“It is over a cup of coffee or a bite to eat that the real meeting takes place.” But Nauta has another passion. “We served 250,000 portions of food last year. That’s a lot of environmental impact.” Arenabolaget’s aim is to use local produce whenever possible and ensure that nothing is imported unless absolutely necessary. The fish is organic, as is anything else that can be.

Moreover, as a customer at Konsert & Kongress, you get to do your share of cutting carbon footprints too. With the nearest airport only 15 minutes away and hotels and shops everywhere you look, handy does not even come close. Forget about taxis and frustrating public transport – in Linköping, you might as well walk it. As one of the largest conference and concert complexes in Sweden, with over 20 rooms and venues in one building and popular, public events taking place next door to trade shows, exhibitions and conferences, Arenabolaget promises to deliver, whatever your needs. If you are ready for a real meeting, that is.

For further information, please visit: www.arenabolaget.se

Scan Magazine | Conference of the month | Finland

Conference of the Month, Finland

Suomenlinna – a stunning backdrop for unforgettable events The historical Suomenlinna, an inhabited sea fortress built on a group of islands, forms part of Helsinki and is one of Finland’s most popular sights. Every year, more than 700 events are organised in the conference and banquet facilities managed by the Governing Body of Suomenlinna. By Inna Allen | Photos: Photo archive of the Governing Body of Suomenlinna

The central location in the heart of the capital city, only a 15-minute ferry ride from the Kauppatori market square, along with the island’s maritime surroundings create an attractive location for meetings and conferences of all sizes. The historical, atmospheric facilities and buildings, many dating back to the 1700s, offer modern conference technology with a unique environment. “We have versatile meeting spaces suitable for most business requirements,” says sales person Sari Mäkinen. “The unusual scenic setting provides an inspiring background for conferences and business meetings – something different instead of your average hotel cabinet.” The island is particularly popular with companies wishing to let their international guests experience something new. Offering a unique chance to see and photograph Helsinki from the sea, the ferry crossing is an exotic part of the visit, especially during winter. Even in freezing temperatures and with ice blocks hitting the sides, the public transport ferry runs like clockwork throughout the year. There are also additional services such as activity breaks and guided tours which can be added into the day’s programme. An hour’s walk on the old cobblestone streets provides fresh air and energy, and offers a chance to get to

know the historic sites of the island. A responsible workplace, Suomenlinna’s conference facilities have been granted the Green Office logo – a WWF initiative to reduce offices’ ecological footprint. Experience the unique beauty of the island A Unesco World Heritage site, Suomenlinna has something for everyone: walls, cannons, tunnels, a submarine, museums, cafés, restaurants and even a brewery. Although the fortress was built on virtually barren islands, today the nature in Suomenlinna is extremely diverse. There are parks and herb gardens, natural beaches, wild meadows and earth-filled sandbanks - all surrounded by the beautiful sea. In addition to being among the first landmarks when arriving at Helsinki by sea, the Suomenlinna Church is also one of the few churches in the world that doubles as a lighthouse. With such a fascinating church and the surrounding natural beauty, it is no wonder the island is one of the most popular wedding locations in Helsinki. “Local banqueting amenities cater for all types of family occasions, from weddings and christenings to crayfish parties and Christmas dos. All functions are tailor-made to fit the customers’ needs and the time of the year,” adds Mäkinen. The various locations such as the renovated gunpowder magazine, the granary, the mill and the barracks indeed offer an ideal setting for unforgettable events. For further information, please visit: www.suomenlinna.fi

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 91

Scan Business | News | Chambers of Commerce

Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce On 8-9 October, the DUCC will be present at The Scandinavia Show 2011 with a joint member stand. One of the exhibitors at the stand is ATP, the Danish pension scheme, which very recently announced it will be bringing its investment and pensions expertise to the UK market via a new independent multi-employer trust NOW:Pensions. Launched in anticipation of auto-enrolment in 2012, NOW:Pensions will focus on delivering greater retirement income for the UK population and will be open for business from early 2012. Morten Nilsson, up until now head of ATP International Operations and CEO elect at NOW:Pensions says: “Auto-enrolment is a very important development in pension provision in the UK. It is vital for it to be a success and offer both employers and employees alike a good pension outcome

based on cost efficiency, stable longterm investment returns and a strong and membercentric governance structure. We believe that by leverMorten Nilsson aging ATP’s unique experience in running a similar scheme and its strong investment capabilities, NOW:Pensions is well placed to offer a better deal to UK employees.” Other exhibiting members include: Magnus Olesen, The Møller Centre and Berjaya Eden Park Hotel London. The stand is supported by Carlsberg and Bang & Olufsen.

Please stop by stand no. 35 to meet DUCC members and staff. We look forward to seeing you! UPCOMING EVENTS 2011 8-9 Oct Scandinavia Show 2011 27 Oct Welcome Dinner The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce, along with The Anglo Danish Society, The Danish Club and The Danish Church are very pleased to welcome the new Danish Ambassador to London, Her Excellency Anne Steffensen, with a dinner at The Danish Club. 27 Oct Nordic Thursday Drinks at Radisson BLU Portman Hotel

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

Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce New website and logo Those of you who have visited the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce’s website lately will have noticed some big changes. Not only has the chamber got a new website, which contains a lot more relevant business information than previously, but the NBCC logo has also been completely revamped. NBCC Council member Sue Vincent explains that, “as the NBCC looked to the future, we wanted a logo to better reflect the aims and values of the organisation. We have utilised colours from both the British and Norwegian flags to create a clean and elegant new look. The simplistic globe represents both the world as a geographic area, and also the notion that business flows from Norway to the UK and vice versa.”

in the NBCC event calendar this autumn, so make sure you check out our new website for the latest updates!

Upcoming Events The NBCC has a great variety of events on offer this autumn. On 12 October, there will be a Financial evening with DnB NOR’s chief economist Øystein Dørum. The topic of the event will be ‘The Global Outlook: From Financial Crisis to Debt Crisis’. The event is open to both members and non-members of the NBCC. On 26 October, NBCC Corporate member Copthorne Hotel will host Networking drinks in Aberdeen and on the same date, NBCC Partner ‘Det Norske Veritas’ (DNV) will host a Sustainable Supply Chain event in London. There really is a lot to look forward to

UPCOMING EVENTS 2011 12 Oct Financial Evening with DnB NOR Private Banking Luxembourg & Øystein Dørum; In & Out Club 25 Oct Advisory Board dinner; Palace Green 26 Oct Aberdeen Networking Drink; Copthorne Hotel 26 Oct DNV Event; DNV 27 Oct Nordic Thursday Drinks; Radisson BLU Portman Hotel 2 Nov Joint Nordic Event on the future of the forestry/paper industry. Speaker: CEO Jouko Karvinen of Stora Enso; TBC 10 Nov Event with Oilcareers.com; TBC

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

92 | Issue 34 | October 2011

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Scan Business | News | Chambers of Commerce

Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK The Swedish Chamber of Commerce is bringing a variety of sectors and industries to the fore this autumn. On 5 October, PR guru and founder of the Holmes report, Paul Holmes, Editor-in-Chief of the Holmes Group will take part in a seminar on “Why PR?” It will be a great opportunity for people in media, communications and marketing to network with business leaders. On 13 October, the chamber, in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden, presents a seminar looking at the next generation of the Swedish fashion industry. The next generation series aims at providing insight into new industries, products and trends. The fashion seminar will include representatives from Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm, Filippa K, House of Dagmar and Swedish Hasbeens. The programme also includes a break-

to interact with us. According to a recent member survey, 96% of the Members would recommend the chamber to other business contacts. If you would like to know more, please contact the Secretariat.

fast event on 18 October with Peter Yngwe, President of the Swedish Export Credit Corporation, a must for anyone in finance or interested in exports, as well as a meeting with Bert Nordberg, CEO of telecoms giant Sony Ericsson, on 10 November. And there is much more. Membership of the Swedish Chamber offers a unique platform and foundation for interaction, networking, education and the exchange of ideas. We warmly welcome you, your company and colleagues

UPCOMING EVENTS 2011 5 Oct Why PR? Seminar with Paul Holmes 8 Oct The Swedish Chamber at the Scandinavia Show 13 Oct A look at the next generation of the Swedish fashion industry 18 Oct Peter Yngwe, President, Swedish Export Credit Corporation 20 Oct JCC Management Forum: Creative leadership More events will be listed on www.scc.org.uk

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

Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce The FBCC has experienced a busy start for the autumn season, as we have new staff running the show. When this issue comes out, we can all congratulate Rosa Thurman and her spouse Patrick on their first baby. All the best to you and good luck with your new challenges! Mr Jukka Jaaskelainen has started as the FBCC’s acting General Manager. Jukka has an extensive work history in business supporting functions, for example with Finpro and Culminatum Innovation. The FBCC’s new Marketing Coordinator Trainee is Ms Hanna Toivonen. Hanna is a marketing major from the Jyvaskyla University School of Business and Economics. FBCC organised two excellent events in September: first, we had the pleasure of hosting the Finnish Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb in

a morning briefing at the Ambassador’s Residence. Mr Stubb held an interesting update on the issues regarding the current economic situation and how Alexander Stubb it affects Finnish Photo: Pekka Mustonen companies. The participants enjoyed a lively Q&A session afterwards. At the end of September, we had a great opportunity to learn how KONE has developed its competitiveness and strengthened its position among the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry. KONE’s CEO Matti Alahuhta’s presentation was followed by a networking

gathering with drinks and canapés generously sponsored by our Patron Citibank. FBCC is striving to continue its active role on the Finnish-British business networking scene. For more information about our upcoming events, please browse our web site www.fbcc.co.uk or contact us info@fbcc.co.uk UPCOMING EVENTS 2011 6 Oct Pekka A. Viljakainen: NO FEAR – Leadership in the Age of Digital Cowboys 13 Oct Mandy Lehto: How to dress for success 2 Nov CEO of StoraEnso, Jouko Karvinen – Future of the Forest Industry 18 Nov The Annual Patrons’ Dinner

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

94 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Scan Magazine | News

IKEA makes record donation

originally designed for just 90,000 people.

The Swedish furniture giant IKEA has, through its IKEA Foundation, pledged a $62 million donation for the world’s biggest refugee complex in Dadaab, Kenya. The donation, which will benefit many of the 150,000 drought victims who have fled to Dadaab during the last months, is the largest private donation received by the UN refugee agency in its 60 year history. “This humanitarian gesture by the IKEA Foundation comes at a critical time,” said António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the head of UNHCR. “The crisis in the Horn of Africa continues to deepen with thousands of people fleeing Somalia every week. We are extremely grateful. Help like this can’t come a moment too soon."

By Signe Hansen | Photos: IKEA

IKEA Manchester

The $62 million are expected to help up to 120,000 of the 440,000 people who currently live at the refugee camp, which was

Per Heggenes, Chief Executive Officer of the IKEA Foundation, called the initiative bold, but said that it was a “natural extension of IKEA Foundation’s longstanding commitment to making a better everyday life for children and families in need throughout the developing world.” According to the UN, tens of thousands of people have already died in Somalia alone, and some 3.2m others are thought to be on the brink of starvation. “Supporting UNHCR, both immediately and over the long term, is one of the most effective ways to immediately make a difference in the lives of thousands of refugee children and their families,” stresses Heggenes.

“Mental Muscle” seminar with Rasmus Ankersen By Johanne Sofie Nygaard

For six intense months, the performance coach and author Rasmus Ankersen travelled around the world to live and train with the world's best athletes and their coaches. His experiences are put together in an informative, exclusive seminar called The Mental Muscle on the 26 October 2011 at the London South Bank University's Keyworth Centre. During the months away, he ran with the Kenyan world record holders; he discussed motivation with the coach of Usain Bolt, played football in the Brazilian favelas and much, much more. The four-hour seminar will give you concrete tools on how to use the secrets from the world´s best athletes to make an instant impact on your daily training. Ankersen will tear down conventional wisdom about what it takes to reach the top and reveal the successful regime of those at the top.

You will learn about: • The five misconceptions about high performance • How to ignite and re-ignite your motivation • The six rules of mastery • How to overcome mental obstacles • How to take these lessons and put them into an effective action plan • And much, much more... Rasmus Ankersen is referred to as the High Performance Anthropologist and is already a best-selling author at the age of 28. His book The Gold Mine Effect will be published in 2012 worldwide.

Book the seminar now to receive a 20% discount off the full price ticket. Visit www.thementalmuscle.com for further details or email info@thementalmuscle.com.

Rasmus Ankersen Bestselling author, motivational speaker and advisor for world-class athletes and businesses around the world. Read more: www.rasmusankersen.com

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 95

Scan Magazine | News

Anita Skorgan takes on the UK At 52 years, Skorgan has a remarkably colorful career behind her, ranging from pop and classical music to folk and, more

Anita Skorgan

One of Norway´s most famous artists, Anita Skorgan, is releasing her first UK album, Adventus, this month.

When Radio 2´s Jeremy Vine played Anita Skorgan’s single Is It True, the reaction from the audience was instant: Amazon recorded more than 500 orders of her new album. Adventus is Skorgan’s 14th album, reflecting her incredible talent in many genres.

recently, jazz. Known for her pure, clear voice, her growing audience in Norway has embraced this wonderful artist since her early years performing at the Eurovision Song Contest. Five times she has entered the eminent contest, even winning in 1977 with the track titled Casanova. Recently she sold out 92 gigs across Norway.

By Johanne Sofie Nygaard Photos: RepublicMedia

The new release sees Skorgan discover her “serious side”, an album that is close to her heart. Recorded in Helgerud Church, situated just outside Oslo, where "the acoustics are second to none", the album resonates with the spiritual elements Skorgan believes in. Each track has a strong message, but Skorgan believes the songs should be interpreted anyway the listener feels like. Now an idolized musician, she has carved her name among many aspiring pop stars, classical pianists and composers. Having spent most of her life performing and composing music, Adventus showcases the natural talent of an inspiring individual.

New TotallySwedish store in Barnes On 22 August 2011, TotallySwedish celebrated a very successful opening of their new store in Barnes, south London. The original store, located on Crawford Street in Marylebone, has become exceedingly popular with both expats and nonSwedes in London.

On the opening day, TotallySwedish were serving a lovely kladdkaka from Fria (www.fria.se), who specialise in gluten-free products. Fria is an award-winning, familyowned bakery based in Sweden, and it has

By Johanne Sofie Nygaard Photos: Monika Agorelius

become the biggest and most successful gluten-free bakery in Scandinavia.

www.totallyswedish.com

The two principle Swedish centres in London are concentrated near the church in Marylebone and the school in Barnes, so it was only natural for an expansion to be located in the Barnes area. Even though the second shop is smaller than the original, they are still carrying the same goods. The opening was well received in both London and Sweden. The store made the front page of Dagens Industri and was featured in a full-page spread in Aftonbladet. The new store is open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday, but is closed on Sundays.

96 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Annethe Nathan, the owner of TotallySwedish.

TotallySwedish offer a large gluten-free selection.

Swedish visitors at the TotallySwedish store opening in Barnes.

Scan Magazine | Culture | The Killing - Hamlet style

The Killing – Hamlet style

paced the ramparts of Kronborg Castle, Elsinore (Dan. Helsingør), a castle on faraway Zealand first built in 1420, some five hundred years after the Gloomy Dane of legend.

There is a violent crunch in the actual sound of the Danish word forbrydelsen (pronounced “four-broo-thel-son”) - the sound of something being broken. But turned into English this muscular word goes flaccid, translating simply as “the crime”. So when the Danish TV series originally called Forbrydelsen was sold to an English-speaking audience they retitled it, putting some crunch back, and calling it The Killing. And boy, was it crunchy. Alongside all the other murderous stories to come out of Scandinavia over recent years, The Killing is merely the latest in a long tradition of gritty violence, stretching back over one thousand years into saga times. Most famous of all, perhaps, being the saga of Burnt Njal, whose remorseless body count of vendetta killings cuts a bloody swathe from Iceland to Wales and back. Top up the sagas with all those Saxon accusations of Viking rape and pillage, and daily life in the Scandinavian world looks pretty gruesome. William Shakespeare reproduces this pagan world in his The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (written circa 1599-1601), lifting the bones of the story traceable to Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus (c. 1150-1220) and to the chronicles of Icelandic lawyer Snorri Sturluson (c. 1179-1241), himself murdered by Arni the Bitter (there’s a clue in the name). Refining his story for the Elizabethan court and theatre, Shakespeare “decrunches” a few original details: you will recall the moment when, with the words “A rat! A rat!”, Hamlet stabs at the shadow eavesdropping, hiding behind an arras (tapestry). The dead “rat” turns out to be Polonius, Hamlet’s prospective father-inlaw. In the raw original – in a castle devoid of arrases - our proto-Polonius is skewered while hiding in straw on the floor of the queen’s bedchamber; the hero boils

By Lars Tharp

The Killing. Photo: dr.dk

and chops his victim into pieces and feeds the goujons to the pigs. No body: no crime. Those pre-Shakespeare versions tell the story of Amleth, son of the murdered ruler of Jutland, who, in order to avenge his father’s death, pretends to be insane. So, just to be pedantic, Hamlet’s student sidekick, Horatio (a Shakespearean creation), ought really to observe that “Something is rotten in the Peninsula of Jutland” though by now “the state of Denmark” welds poor old DK into proverbial rottenness wherever it is applied. Furthermore, Amleth and his cronies could not have

Lars Tharp

It was at Kronborg Castle – now famous for its regular (English) staging of Hamlet – that the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow first foreign foray was filmed. Among the treasures I recorded that day in 1989 was a group of four Chinese cloisonné figures of Old Testament prophets. Incredibly rare, perhaps unique, none of us had seen anything like them before, or since. Given to the owner’s father by a Jewish family grateful for his help in getting them away from the Nazis during the war, the little figures were eventually sold at auction in London and can today be seen on permanent exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Now there’s a Killing.

As for giving foreign movies a new name, how about the Spanish title for Alien which became The Eighth Passenger, condemning sequels to become Return of the Eighth Passenger and The Eighth Passenger Three. But my favourite travesty by far is the 2003 Bill Murray film Lost in Translation; in China, it became Lost in Tokyo. Now that’s a forbrydelse.

Lars Tharp is the BBC Antiques Roadshow’s only Dane. Lars was born in Copenhagen and educated in England. Emulating his Danish grandfather (Nordic Bronze Age Lur specialist H C Broholm), he studied the Old Stone Age at Cambridge University. But jobs for Palaeolithic archaeologists are scarce, so he joined Sotheby’s as a specialist in Chinese works of art, becoming a director and auctioneer with the firm and joining the Roadshow in 1986. Today, as well as broadcasting (and writing the occasional column for Scan Magazine), he runs his own art consultancy business (www.tharp.co.uk).

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 97

Scan Magazine | Culture | Frieze Art Fair

Galleri Nicolai Wallner

Frieze Art Fair

By Julie Guldbrandsen | Photos: Frieze Art Fair press office (2010)

Join artists, dealers, collectors, critics and other art enthusiasts, as they gather for one of the contemporary art events of the year in London's Regent's Park, on 13-16 October. Frieze Art Fair is a recurring event showcasing contemporary art from more than 170 international galleries. Some of the world’s most interesting and significant modern galleries and artists are each year presented at the fair. Last year’s fair saw Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eiliasson exhibited alongside fellow contemporary art icons Damien Hirst, Ai WeiWei, Jake & Dinos Chapman and George Baselitz. However, the fair is also an exciting meeting with an array of emerging artists. The fair is open to the public, and as both established and new artists are presented, you will be able to find artworks in different price ranges (expect prices to start at around £3,000 and go up to almost incomprehensible heights). Who knows, maybe you will discover the next Andy Warhol? Four Scandinavian galleries will be presenting a selection of homegrown and international artists this year. Galleri Nicolai Wallner (Copenhagen) will be showing works by Danish Jeppe Hein, together with artistic duo Ingar Dragset (Norway) and Michael Elmgreen (Denmark). The duo is no stranger to the London art scene; in 2010, they won the Fourth Plinth, a prestigious art price, and they will have their winning sculpture commissioned on Trafalgar Square next year. Consistently excelling at site-specific work, it will be in-

98 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Olafur Eiliasson, Introvert sun

Galleri Magnus Karlsson

teresting to see how the duo will occupy the Frieze gallery space. Stockholmbased Galleri Magnus Karlsson is showing work by emerging Swedish artists, and Standard (Oslo) is focused on promoting contemporary Norwegian artists. Andersen's Contemporary (Copenhagen), will be presenting new works by FOS, and by international artists Thomas Saraceno, Anselm Reyle and others. FOS, an alias for Thomas Poulsen, is a young artist with a history of making strong statements - he could be presenting something very politically charged at Frieze this year. A bespoke structure designed by architects Carmody Groarke has been built to house the fair, which includes an ambient cafe built around the park's trees. Sculptures by a mixture of emerging and wellknown artists can be enjoyed (or debated) in the Regent's Park autumn gardens.

Galleri Magnus Karlsson

You will also be able to experience a number of talks and debates by artists and writers, in addition to Frieze Film: five artists' films that premiere at the fair. Plus, do not miss out on the superb bookshop, which offers a magnificent selection of contemporary art books.

For more information and to book your tickets, please visit: www.frieze.com

Scan Magazine | Culture & Music | Stockholm Pride

Sanna Nielsen

Anna Book

Stockholm Pride The annual Stockholm Pride festival now really has two very different functions: of course one of them, its reason for existing, is that it is an opportunity once a year for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture to be celebrated, and a plea for equal rights to be demonstrated. But on top of that, given that it takes place in a country like Sweden and in the year 2011, when LGBT rights are more equal than they have ever been, it has also become a week-long party, where people come from all over the world to revel in a bubble of Stockholm clubland and Swedish music, in a liberal and accepting environment. Nowadays, Stockholm Pride has become synonymous with multiple evenings’ worth of live music and unmissable after parties. This year’s celebrations took place in the large Kungsträdgården area in central Stockholm. The park was filled with stalls offering Swedish food and drink, and soundtracked by the performances taking

place on the big stage at one end. Every night of the week boasts different entertainment on the stage, but the two most famous and popular nights take place on Thursday and Saturday. Thursday is the schlager evening! Past participants of the Eurovision Song Contest and Melodifestivalen are dolled up, wheeled out and asked to perform the signature hits that have made them famous. This year was particularly favourable to the older “schlager dröttning” of yesteryear, with appearances from Arja Saijonmaa, Towa Carson, Ann-Louise Hanson, Siw Malmkvist, Lotta Engberg, Kikki Danielsson and Anna Book. These were mixed up with some younger schlager stars of recent years, plus some utterly random names from a time gone by that even the most hardcore schlager fan would have trouble identifying (Austria’s Eurovision entry from 1989 anyone?). Still, for six hours the crowd stood and lapped everything up – even having saved

By Karl Batterbee | Photos: Stockholm Pride

some screams for the last act to trot out at 11.30pm. The main night though is the Saturday evening, the Pride closing party. That is when all of the straight people and families join in on the fun, coming to the park after the Pride parade has ended (entrance to Pride park is completely free). And that is when the organisers present appearances from some bigger names in Swedish pop music. All of this contributes to the best atmosphere of the week. This year in particular, the evening was closed by legendary Swedish pop pioneers Alcazar. They headlined the evening’s music and chose the date to be their final gig before they embark on an extended break – performing so well in the process that they made everyone realise exactly how much they were going to miss them on this aforementioned hiatus. And perhaps also how much they were going to miss everything that Stockholm Pride has to offer until next year!

Issue 34 | October 2011 | 99

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Scandinavian Music

Scandinavian Music Norway is buzzing right now with the arrival of the long-awaited debut single from former Briskeby front woman Lise Karlsnes. With Red Hot, she has carried forward the rock sensibilities of her old band and added an icy electro sheen - dressed up in 80s glamour, drenched in neon war paint, and shimmering in stage glitter. And it’s super catchy too. I fell for it on first listen and went straight back for several more plays. Another merging of rock and electro is taking place in Sweden just now. Elec-

tropop siren Tove Styrke has collaborated with indie band Caotico on a new single, Brains Out. Its lyrics are beyond filthy, but they’re delivered with all the attitude that they need to be. Given its experimental mix of genres, it’s not a million miles away from Tove’s current single Call My Name, actually. The dirtier older sister, if you will. Swedish clubland is rejoicing at the return of Velvet! The diva of dance music is back with a new single, Love Struck. It’s got a chorus euphoric enough to serve as peak time tunage on a weekend dance floor, and a melody strong enough to sound great on weekday radio. Hopefully an album of similar tracks is going to follow from her soon. Finally, half-Swedish and half-Congolese singer Mohombi is currently delivering super producer Red One’s best work since perhaps the first Lady Gaga album. Check

By Karl Batterbee

out In Your Bed and Maraca - both ridiculous and amazing at the same time. His guest vocal on Nayer’s Suave falls under the same category as well - tropical pop with an intrusive dance beat.

Lise Karlsnes. Photo: Jarle Vines (Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike 3.0)

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

TV-2: Celebrating their 30th anniversary in London By Camilla Waaden | Photo: TV-2

The Danish rock band TV-2 is celebrating 30 years in the business with a special concert in London on 11 November at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The group is composed of Steffen Brandt, on lead vocals, keyboards and guitar, Hans Erik Lerchenfeld, also on guitar, Georg Olesen, bass, and Sven Gaul, drums. The band started playing together in the early 80s and has brought out 20 albums throughout their career. Their style has its roots in rock that is both simple and sharp, with lyrics that have become more complex over the years. Their most popular albums are Rigtige mænd (Real men), Vi bli’r alligevel aldrig voksne (We’ll never grow up anyway) and

100 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Nærmest lykkelig (Almost happy), and they have been an important addition to Danish rock. As TV-2 became more and more popular, the industry did not fail to notice. Over the years, the band has worked with producers like Greg Walsh (Heaven 17, Tina Turner), Anders Glenmark, Thomas Helmig, Halfdan E., Nikolaj Steen and Peter Biker (Craig Davis).

“Special guests” will be attending their concert in London this November to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Tickets can be bought at www.ticketweb.co.uk for £28.

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar

Scandinavian Culture Calendar â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Where to go, what to see? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all happening here!

By Sara Schedin

October Jens Lekman on UK tour (Oct) Swedish musician and indie favourite Jens Lekman will tour the UK this month. www.jenslekman.com Lykke Li on tour (Oct & Nov) Swedish songbird Lykke Li is back in the UK and will play at venues in Glasgow, Manchester and London this autumn. www.lykkeli.com Trondheim Soloists on UK tour (Oct & Nov) The renowned Norwegian orchestra the Trondheim Soloists will take the stage in the UK on four different occasions this autumn. www.trondheimsolistene.no

Trondheim soloists. Photo: Jorn Adde

www.siida.fi

SĂ MI MUSEUM & NATURE CENTRE tel. +358 400 898 212

RESTAURANT SARRIT tel. +358 16 661 662

FI-99870 INARI

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*U n EU ÂĄGU H W RU Y Â&#x2021; .ÂĄEH QKD YQ . Â&#x2021; ZZZ SH GH U R[H V YL QND H O GH U GN Â&#x2021; L QI R#SH GH U R[H V YL QND H O GH U GN Issue 34 | October 2011 | 101

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar

David Roux-Fouillet at Andipa Contemporary (12 Oct–17 Nov) Andipa Contemporary presents a new exhibition by recently graduated recipient of the Conran Award and Theo Fennell Award for Overall Excellence from The Royal College of Art, David Roux-Fouillet. Andipa Gallery, SW3. www.andipa.com Norwegian film at the Discovery Film Festival (22 Oct–2 Nov) The two Norwegian films Twigson and The Liverpool Goalie have been selected to be part of Scotland’s International Film festival for Young Audiences. www.discoveryfilmfestival.org.uk Lost in Lace (29 Oct–19 Feb) In this exhibition artists from all over the world, including Finnish textile artist Outi Martikainen, will challenge our perception of what lace can be. Birmingham Museum and Art gallery, Birmingham, B3. www.craftscouncil.org.uk The Danish String Quartet in concert at the Danish Church (12 Oct) One of Denmark’s strongest classical ensembles visits St Katharine’s this month. The Danish String Quartet is well known around the world for their com-

102 | Issue 34 | October 2011

Autumn fair at The Danish Church (16 Oct) The Danish Church will be celebrating harvest and autumn this month. There will be stalls selling Danish design, books, groceries, arts and crafts, and there will also be singing, playing and dancing for children. Opening hours: 11am - 4pm. www.danskekirke.org Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (27 Oct) The young Finnish conductor Rouvali makes his Birminghamn debut with music by Prokofiev, Dvořák and Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel). Symphony Hall, Birmingham, B1. www.cbso.co.uk

Hall, London, SE1. www.southbankcentre.co.uk Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra (28 Oct) Oramo conducts the first concert in the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s Sibelius cycle. The concert also features Oramo’s compatriot the Finnish soprano Anu Komsi. Barbican, London, EC2. www.bbc.co.uk Mari Boine (4 Nov) Norwegian-Sámi artist Mari Boine will perform at the LIFEM Festival in London. Boine’s music is native yoik and folk mixed with jazz and rock. King’s Place, London, N1. www.kingsplace.co.uk

Mari Boine. Photo: Terje Krogh

London Film Festival (12–27 Oct) Several Scandinavian films will be screened at the London Film Festival this year, including Swedish director Peter Gerdehag’s Women with Cows and Norwegian director Ole Endresen’s King Curling. www.bfi.org.uk

mitted and gripping style and has won a number of awards. Book tickets online. St Katharine’s Church, London, NW1. www.danskekirke.org

Santtu-Matias Rouvali. Photo: Rami Toivonen

A taste of Svalbard in London (Until 13 Jan) The exhibition High Artic at the National Maritime Museum brings Svalbard to London. What will happen when the ice starts melting and the Artic landscape has changed forever? The exhibition encourages people to question and examine the world around them. The National Maritime Museum, London, SE10. Book tickets online. www.nmm.ac.uk

November Oh Land (10 Nov) Danish singer-songwriter and onewoman band Oh Land, aka Nanna Øland Fabricius, will headline at Heaven, London, WC2N. www.heaven-live.co.uk Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonic Orchestra (27 Oct & 3 Nov) Salonen will conduct two autumn concerts in London with music by Hungarian composer Bartók. Royal Festival

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