Scan Magazine | Issue 37 | February 2012 by Scan Client Publishing

FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE 37 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

NIGHTWISH: FINNISH METAL MAGIC CULTURE IN DENMARK, SWEDEN & FINLAND 2012 BERGEN - THE GATEWAY TO THE FJORDS OF NORWAY NEW BOX SHOP BY MARIMEKKO

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Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 8

Nightwish Nightwish, the grandmasters of metal, are back with a vengeance. After a long break, they are now spoiling their fans with a new album, a fulllength film and a year-long world tour. Originally from Kitee, a small town in eastern Finland, Nightwish has become the most successful Finnish band abroad.

8 17

TRAVEL THEMES 17

Marimekko Boxpark Shoreditch is not your run-of-the-mill shopping centre; it is a vibrant collection of exciting fashion, art and lifestyle brands come together in the world’s first pop-up mall. Finnish textile and clothing design company Marimekko joins more than sixty carefully selected brands in this fun and funky retail experience.

Stressless If you are looking for something stylish, different and yet still contemporary, Stressless furniture designers at Ekornes in Norway have come up with the answer.

Culture in Sweden 2012 Sweden is rich in culture, in many ways that have been taken for granted. Being one of the oldest nations of Europe and not having been at war since 1814, its heritage is more accessible and welcoming to its citizens and foreign tourists than ever before.

DESIGN FEATURES 14

Culture in Denmark 2012 Denmark is a modern, highly dynamic and creative society with an international mind-set. The Danish love their nature and try their best to preserve it, but they also emphasize liveable cities with great biking lanes and lots of entertainment opportunities.

Culture in Finland 2012 Finland is often called the “Promised Land of Festivals”. This nation of some five million organises hundreds of festivals every year, catering for all tastes, themes ranging from jazz to circus.

Bergen As a European city of culture and world heritage, Bergen offers world-class experiences and culture. Being The Gateway to the Fjords of Norway, the Bergen region offers the ideal combination of nature, culture and interesting urban attractions.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 12 65 89

Scan Business

FEATURES 73

Northern Bank Northern Bank London offers day to day banking especially designed for the Nordic community in the UK.

DFDS Seaways Danish ferry operator DFDS Seaways operates the only ferry route from the UK to Scandinavia with their Harwich to Esbjerg route.

60 65 76

The Møller Centre

Wellness Denmark From timid beginnings, the spa and wellness sector in Denmark has, thanks to high-quality treatments, beautiful locations and an environmentally friendly approach, started to make its back rubs known at home and abroad.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 72

Bringing Norwegian Culture to the UK Key note by Geir Johansen, Head Teacher, The Norwegian School in London

The search for successful entrepreneurs Column by Annika Åman-Goodwille

The Møller Centre, the only dedicated residential management training centre in Cambridge, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2012

North European Logistics Institute

North European Logistics Institute, NELI, is leading the transregional ELLO project, which has been set up to significantly boost the international profile of the Southern Finland Transport Corridor.

Being good enough is enough Column by Rasmus Ankersen

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

Scandinavian Business Calendar & News Highlights of business events from the Scandinavian Chambers of Commerce.

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, It’s a new year, with new prospects ahead of us. I hope you’ve all had a positive and productive start to 2012. For us at Scan Magazine, it’s great to be back after our winter hiatus, and furthermore, it’s great to start off with an issue presenting such an overabundance of cultural attractions. From museums to festivals, we’ve chosen several Scandinavian cultural gems that are just waiting to be discovered by you. Our 2012 culture themes for Denmark, Sweden and Finland include places and happenings that promote Nordic music, indigenous culture, art and history. In addition, the introductions to each theme have been written by the respective countries’ ministers of culture, making it a great way to introduce Scandinavia, and its cultural heritage and future, to our readers. We have not forgotten about Norway either, as this month, we delve further into the fjords of Bergen, an international city packed with history and tradition. It is truly “The Gateway to the Fjords of Norway” and the place to be to discover a postcardperfect part of the country.

things, but more importantly, Nightwish is among the most popular and best-selling Finnish bands to date. Nightwish’s fans are spread all over the world, and with a new album out, their success story continues. Turn to our business section for the latest Scandinavian business news and events, and continue to the culture pages for more information on a renowned Swedish director, a nu-Nordic band, a Finnish play premiering in London as well as the year of the dragon. I hope you enjoy the first issue of 2012!

Nia Kajastie Editor

This month’s cover feature might seem a bit dark and heavy at first glance, and perhaps that is partly the Nordic way of doing

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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 fulltime writer and grammar stickler. Emelie Krugly Hill has worked on a number of Swedish newspapers. After travelling extensively, she has been based in London since 2006. Her particular interests are news and current affairs within Sweden and the export of Scandinavian culture to the UK. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”. Julie Guldbrandsen is Scan Magazine’s fashion and design expert; she has worked in the fashion industry for more than 10 years, and advised various Scandinavian design and fashion companies. Besides, Julie has a BA in business and philosophy and has lived in Copenhagen, Singapore and Beijing before settling down in London. Sven Riis Houston has lived in Edinburgh for six years, having graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BA in Journalism in 2009. He currently works as a freelance writer and media researcher, and has an unhealthy interest in football. Christina Cadogan is an Anglo-Swede based in London. A Cambridge art history graduate, she worked for several years in the auction business. She now works as an art consultant, runs cultural tours in Sweden and writes on art for Scan Magazine.

6 | Issue 37 | February 2012

Swedish Sara Schedin is a freelance writer with a degree in journalism from City University London. She moved here in 2006 and is currently covering Scandinavian culture in the UK. Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK. Karl Batterbee is devoted to Scandinavian music and knows exactly what is coming up in the UK. Apart from writing a monthly music update for Scan Magazine Karl has also started the Scandipop Club Night and its corresponding website: www.scandipop.co.uk. Danish Yane Christensen has lived in London half her life. She's a designer, illustrator and mother of twin girls. She also has an on-line shop www.fleamarketfloozy.com and writes to exercise her brain. Norwegian Karin Modig has lived in London since 1998: she arrived with the intention of staying just four months. She currently works as a freelance journalist and PR consultant, and is a keen handball player. Linnea Dunne has been writing professionally for over 10 years. Having started out on a local paper in Sweden, she is passionate about Scandinavian music and culture, and currently works in London as a full-time writer and translator. Based in Copenhagen, Kirstine Trauelsen contributes to Scan Magazine as a freelance writer. She loves travelling and is especially devoted to music and theatre. Kirstine has a Master’s degree in history and rhetoric from the University of Copenhagen and works in communication and PR.

Inna Allen is a freelance writer, translator and photographer whose passions lie in all things art and design. She moved to the UK from her native Finland in 2001 and has since developed a chronic yearning for sauna. Having travelled much of the world, Signe Hansen, MA graduate in Journalism and previous editor at Scan Magazine, is now back freelancing in London, where she writes on everything Scandinavian and her main passions: culture, travel and health. 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 multilinguist, 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. Margrete Dybbroe is Danish born and bred, but has a very soft spot for London. With an MA in English and music from the University of Aarhus, she has worked as a copywriter at an advertising agency for a great many years. Today, she is on her own, working as a freelance writer and translator from her own one-woman company, Text it!

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Nightwish

Nightwish – pure metal magic Nightwish, the grandmasters of metal, are back with a vengeance. After a long break, they are now spoiling their fans with a new album, a full-length film and a year-long world tour. Originally from Kitee, a small town in eastern Finland, Nightwish has become the most successful Finnish band abroad. Scan Magazine spoke to the band’s front man, songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen. By Inna Allen | Photos: Ville Juurikkala

Gaining critical acclaim and enjoying tremendous success both in Scandinavia and the rest of the world, Nightwish has become synonymous with symphonic metal. Established in 1996 by Tuomas Holopainen, the band became known for its epic, theatrical and classical approach to metal music. The operatic vocals of former lead singer Tarja Turunen and the use of keyboard and strings to create a gothic atmosphere gave Nightwish a unique edge. In 2007, however, after the public exit of former vocalist Turunen and the recruitment of new singer, Swedish Anette Olzon, the band left behind their signature operatic vocals and embarked on a fresher, cooler and more commercial sound. The band (consisting of guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, bassist and male vocalist Marco Hietala and drummer Jukka Nevalainen, along with Holopainen and Olzon) felt it was time to move on and wanted something different. In addition to the new songs, Anette’s voice has provided a different spin on the old material as well. “Landscape metal meets movie magic” These are the five words Holopainen would use to describe the band. Nightwish

has been labelled a symphonic metal band, a power metal band and a gothic metal band, but Holopainen is not keen on being pigeonholed – he wants to try out new elements and approaches on each album. When asked about how he thinks being Scandinavian comes through in his music, he says: “We get the Scandinavian side in us already from our mothers’ milk. It’s the melancholy, guts, creative craziness and a strong sense of self-irony that describe us, and all those things can be heard in our music, as well.”

The metal scene is very strong in Scandinavian countries, especially in Finland. Holopainen’s view on it is simple. “We have nothing else to do during the long

winters and darkness than stay in our basement and play metal. This kind of music or a way to express our feelings comes naturally to us; it’s deep in our roots and blood, just like reggae for Jamaicans or jazz and hip hop for Americans.” The Imaginaerum Concept Released at the end of last year, Imaginaerum is Nightwish’s seventh album. The making of it took almost four years, and according to the band, the process was jovial and relaxed. “Imaginaerum is a gospel for imagination, memories, beauty and unconditional love,” Holopainen explains. “It’s a 75-minute rollercoaster ride through wondrous and twisted landscapes, deep into human imagination and memories, and finally to the very core of everything.”

Imaginaerum continues the Nightwish saga rather naturally and is not radically different from the previous albums. “It is more theatrical, weird, dynamic and cinematic, and also holds a more uplifting overall atmosphere than the previous album Dark Passion Play,” says Holopainen.

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 9

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Nightwish

Nightwish, from left to right: Marco Hietala, Emppu Vuorinen, Anette Olzon, Tuomas Holopainen and Jukka Nevalainen

The band had an idea of adding another dimension, a visual one, to the musical experience – like making a music video of each of the songs and adding them together to create a thematic entity. Accompanying the Imaginaerum album is a full-length movie of the same title. All of the songs on the album are made for certain scenes in the movie. The film, out this year, is explained on the band’s official website as “a fictional story about a songwriter with an otherworldly imagination. He is an old man who still thinks he's a young boy. While asleep he travels into his distant past where his dreams of old come back to him mixed with the young boy's world of fantasy and music.” As well as the album and the film, the band has embarked on another stint around the world. The Imaginaerum World Tour began in Los Angeles in January and will last about a year. The Euro-

10 | Issue 37 | February 2012

pean leg will take place in March-May 2012. Through the years, the band has seen almost every corner of the world and sung before thousands of fans. But Holopainen’s ideal concert is “a nice and small club with a warm and intimate feeling, when the band is in a great groove and everything is working on the technical side of things. After the show, we give each other a hug, have a glass of fine Shiraz, have a chat with the fans and enter the bus for some good night’s sleep”. Feeding the creativity Life, people and all the different worlds imaginable are what inspire this creative songwriter. “The marriage of beauty and cruelty of this world and its inhabitants never ceases to amaze and inspire me,” Holopainen explains. With so much going on professionally, how does one relax and unwind? “Hiking in the wilderness is my ultimate relaxation. A strenuous 20-kilo-

metre hike, then sitting by the campfire until falling asleep under the stars. And next day, the same thing. That’s my paradise,” Holopainen enthuses. “Movies, books, fine dining or sports do the trick, too.” Now, after 16 years, seven albums, hundreds of concerts and thousands of hours spent in the recording studio, Holopainen looks back at Nightwish’s journey through the years with great fondness. Has anything changed? “The basic philosophy behind the band has remained the same, which is doing music from the depths of heart and imagination without any precalculation. That hasn’t changed. We have, however, matured as musicians and songwriters, hopefully as human beings as well.” For more information, please visit www.nightwish.com

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Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this... It is very difficult to pick out just a small selection of desirable Scandi design items, as the market is always brimming with fantastic decorative pieces, both new and old. Here is what we fell in love with this month. By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

MHY pendant lamp designed by Norway Says and produced by Muuto. Available in black, light green, purple, white and yellow. £159. www.nordicdesignforum.co.uk

Vintage sterling silver necklace designed by Anton Michelsen c. 1960. £600. grasilver.com

Stoneware is having a renaissance, and this teapot by Dorthe Hansen in grey-blue colours is a beautiful example of the trend. Handmade and available in six colours. £130. www.stillebenshop.com

Exuberantly painted image from 2008 by Danish artist Tal R; lithography from an edition of 24 (70 x 100 cm). £ 2,000. www.litografisk.dk

Wooden lion toy by Orskov. The series also includes an elephant, gorilla and dog. Every single one of these toys is unique, starting with the piece of wood they have been crafted from. £49.95. www.95percentshop.co.uk

12 | Issue 37 | February 2012

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

New Year - New fashion Delights Spring has not yet arrived, but that shouldn’t hold you back from having a go at some of the new season’s refreshing prints and colours. Embrace patterns and soft pastels and feel how spring is closing in. By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

Short leather jacket in the loveliest shades of grey by Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair. £770. www.vaveshoerepair.com

Silk screen print top by Bruuns Bazar in gorgeous colours. £119. shop.bruunsbazaar.com

Classically tailored knit sweaterdress by Rodebjer. Wear it with loose floral-printed trousers for an urban cool-girl look. £99. www.rodebjer.com

Print trousers are a big trend this spring. For maximum attention, combine with clashing print, or alternatively balance with a simple top or a cashmere sweater. £200. shop.acnestudios.com

You can never have enough beautiful scarves! They’re the perfect accessory to spruce up an outfit. This one by Designers Remix is in the softest silk with a cool print. £50. www.designersremix.com

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 13

Scan Magazine | Design | Marimekko

Marimekko represents Finnish design at Boxpark Shoreditch Boxpark Shoreditch is not your run-of-the-mill shopping centre; it is a vibrant collection of exciting fashion, art and lifestyle brands come together in the world’s first pop-up mall. Finnish textile and clothing design company Marimekko joins more than sixty carefully selected brands in this fun and funky retail experience. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Copyright Marimekko Corporation

Established in 1951, Marimekko barely needs an introduction as it is an internationally renowned brand, a household name in Finland and many other countries. The brand is known especially for its distinctive prints and colours, often instant classics that quickly find their way into design lovers’ homes. Marimekko manufactures high-quality clothing, interior decoration, textiles, bags and other accessories. On the 3 December 2011, Marimekko opened its second company-owned retail store in London; however, this is not your everyday boutique, as the new Marimekko Box Shop is part of the world’s first pop-

14 | Issue 37 | February 2012

up mall in East London’s ultra-fashionable and youthful Shoreditch district. The Boxpark mall is built on moveable shipping containers, creating unique, low cost box shops representing a mix of international brands, such as 55DSL, Calvin Klein, Vans, Bukowski and, of course, Marimekko. The Boxpark Shoreditch popup mall will initially stay open for up to five years. In the Marimekko Box Shop, a constantly varying range of items will focus on Marimekko’s spearhead products and experimental launches. “It’s natural for Marimekko to be part of this unique international pop-up mall of brands with a radical attitude. I think Lon-

don’s Shoreditch, as the creative heart of the global capital of street style, gives us a great opportunity to launch an inspiring conversation with the local tastemaker community. And this district of sparkling creativity definitely challenges us to try out new things and to break established norms in our line of business. The Marimekko Box Shop represents the special features of our design. With our glowing colours, bold patterns and strong design appreciation, we will bring a joyful and passionate flavour to the interesting combination of trailblazing brands and styles, thoughts and visions,” says Creative Director Minna Kemell-Kutvonen.

Find Marimekko at Boxpark Shoreditch: Container number 16 2–4 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6GY

For more information, please visit: www.boxpark.co.uk www.marimekko.com

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Scan Magazine | Design | Stressless

A voyage of discovery: with the latest new designs from Stressless An alternative new design is the Legend chair and sofa group which comes fully upholstered with high or low backs. This model is ideal for both corner and home cinema seating.

If you are looking for something stylish, different and yet still contemporary, Stressless furniture designers at Ekornes in Norway have come up with the answer. Launching this spring will be the Voyager recliner chair, here pictured in bold cerise pink, which is Stressless’s signature colour for 2012. The Voyager has a distinctive oval shape with nothing on the market currently like it. The brand’s designers had two briefs to meet: design a chair that is exciting and unique, and make it even more comfortable than last year’s Magic. They have definitely succeeded in both. This model comes in medium and large, and is available in bold, pastel and neutral leathers as well as a range of plain contemporary fabrics.

The Voyager

Wizard with Magic Chair

Also new is the Wizard sofa designed to match the Magic recliner. It has all the features, including attractive wooden detail synonymous with Scandinavian style. This design comes with high or low backs as a chair and as a two or three-seater sofa.

A new stylish Duo pedestal occasional table, with four stools that fit neatly under its glass top, is a clever and stylish finishing touch to the modern interior. The stools have neat wooden table tops which sit on their side and can be placed on top when needed. All models are available in leather or fabric upholstery including the stools. All new designs will be available starting spring. For more information, please visit: www.stressless.co.uk

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CU SPE LT CIA UR L E I TH N D EM EN E: MA RK

The Opera House in Copenhagen. Photo: Nicolai Perjesi / VisitDenmark

Culture in Denmark 2012:

Welcome! If the words "Denmark" and "the Danes" make you think about wild Vikings, I can assure you that we are well beyond that stage - although you will find many remnants of our proud heritage, for example at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde or at Jelling in Jutland, where our conversion to Christianity is etched into stone. Today, we are a modern, highly dynamic and creative society with an international mind-set, for example when it comes to finding green and socially fair solutions to our planet's many problems. We love our nature and try our best to preserve it, but we also emphasize liveable cities with great biking lanes and lots of entertainment opportunities. It is said that Danes are not always the politest people, but when you get to know us, I am sure you will find us a welcoming and gregarious bunch.

Minister for Culture Uffe Elbæk. Photo: Klaus Holsting

First of all: welcome to Denmark! We are very happy to meet you, and we look forward to sharing our cultural life with you. We think that you are in for a treat, and we hope that you will think the same.

By Uffe Elbæk, Minister for Culture, Denmark

We are proud of our architecture and Danish design, and you can see plenty of it in Copenhagen and cities like Aarhus and Aalborg. But we also have a lot more to offer: Danish cinema has been among the world's most celebrated for years, and Danish movies took most of the grand prizes at the European Film Awards in 2011. Danish and international fashion is

celebrated at the annual Copenhagen Fashion Week. Our popular music is both thoroughly modern and cutting edge and yet has a peculiar Scandinavian vibe to it (I recommend my favourite singer right now: Oh Land). The meteoric rise of Danish cuisine with its focus on Nordic food and local ingredients is embodied in chef René Redzepi and his famous restaurant Noma in Copenhagen. The Royal Danish Theatre presents both the classics interpreted for a modern audience, and modern plays sure to become classics. The Opera House, overlooking the revitalized Copenhagen harbour and the royal palace of Amalienborg, is among the finest in northern Europe. If you like museums, the National Gallery of Denmark in Copenhagen, and ARoS in my home city of Aarhus, are both must-sees. As Minister for Culture, I will put culture and the arts at the top of the agenda when we discuss the future of Denmark and Europe. For that discussion, we really need your input. So come, see and listen – and take part.

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 17

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

Left: The work of controversial Israeli video artist Yael Bartana is exhibited at Louisiana this spring. Top: The beautiful Louisiana Museum of Modern Art has a panoramic view across the Øresund (sound) and is enclosed by a beautiful sculpture park facing the sea.

Explore the power of spring at Louisiana With an amazing year behind it, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, North Zealand’s beautiful seaside museum, is ready to take on 2012 with a kaleidoscope of far-reaching exhibitions. American painter and sculptor Ellsworth Kelly, German photographer Andreas Gursky and Israeli video artist Yael Bartana are just a few of the artists whose work visitors can explore intimately in the spring and summer of 2012. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Louisiana

“We are looking forward to a powerful spring. It will be a bit edgier, more modern, twisted and thought-provoking for our audiences than usual,” says Louisiana’s head of communications Thomas Bendix. Expanding the field of art In 2011, Louisiana had more than 600,000 visitors. Bendix attributes this success not only to the museum’s variation of exhibitions, its international status and beautiful location, but also to its long opening hours (from Tuesday to Friday, Louisiana is open 11am10pm) and special atmosphere. “This all gives us a unique position, which means that Louisiana is much more than a museum, it is a house of culture - a living organism where something takes place all the time,” he says. “In the evenings, we have tours, lectures, concerts and lounge music, and we have a really good cafe. The idea is to keep the house alive; of course, the art is the essence, but it is important that it interacts with life.”

18 | Issue 37 | February 2012

A colourful spring Right now at Louisiana, guests can experience exhibitions by Andreas Gursky, and Ellsworth Kelly, one of America’s greatest living artists. “Gursky is one of our time’s most trendsetting photo artists. He works with gigantic formats, which are enormously detailed and technically on a incredibly high level,” explains Bendix. “Meanwhile Kelly’s work on paper constitutes a very beautiful and sensuous exhibition.” Spring at Louisiana also includes topical and political video art by Yael Bartana, as well as the design and gender relevant exhibition, Women of the Avantgarde, which for the first time highlights the importance of eight groundbreaking European female artists, who through painting, design, photography and fashion influenced the European art scene between the two world wars. Finally, Louisiana’s impressive collection of recent acquisitions is on show in the exhibition Pink Caviar, which, along with Nordic Authentic Architecture, runs throughout the summer.

Women of the Avant-garde is the first exhibition ever to present the wide-ranging work of eight female avantgarde artists as a unified totality.

For exhibition dates and more information, please visit: www.louisiana.dk

Carlsberg fans will recognize iconic features from Carlsberg’s beer labels like the elephants, which are part of the brewery’s original decoration and history.

Carlsberg don’t do museums, but if they did… Actually Carlsberg does do museums; they even have their very own. Carlsberg’s historic breweries in Copenhagen are visited by more than 250,000 beer enthusiasts every year, and they do not come just because of the two free beers included in the ticket price. Granted, beer is what Carlsberg is famous for, world famous actually, but a visit to Carlsberg is not just about the making and history of its legendary beer; it also provides a pertinent example of the kind of initiative which transformed Copenhagen into a buzzing 20th century capital. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Visit Carlsberg

The story of how a small brand went global Carlsberg brewery was founded outside Copenhagen in 1847, but today, it is in the middle of one of the city’s hippest boroughs. “In a way, the story of how Copenhagen went from being a small town to an international city, where people go to learn about green living and quality of life, is also the story of how Carlsberg went from being this small Danish brewery to a renowned international brand,” explains communications manager at Carlsberg Erik Mortensen. An essential part of the experience at Visit Carlsberg is a visit to the old horse stables and their resident draught horses and to the facilities where the first Carlsberg was brewed in November 1847. Still brewing Although Carlsberg has relocated most of its production to Jutland, it is still brew-

In Jacobsen’s Brewhouse and Bar guests can enjoy two free samples of Carlsberg’s famous brew.

ing in Jacobsen’s Brewhouse where guests end their tour. After sampling their favourite scents in the aroma room, visitors can enjoy the real deal in the Jacobsen Bar, which also serves a traditional Danish lunch. “The thing with beer is that it is produced very locally and very organically, so it follows naturally that when you sit down with a well-produced beer, you would also like something local to go with it,” explains Mortensen. After lunch, there is only one thing left to do - stock up on Carlsberg merchandise: a newly opened Carlsberg Brand Store offers everything from Carlsberg bottle openers to EURO 2012 t-shirts. Left: In the aroma room, visitors can try out the different aromas and thereby locate the beer best suited to their preferences. For more information, please visit: www.visitcarlsberg.dk

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 19

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

Sønderborg intensifies its efforts to become European Capital of Culture in 2017

Like many other outskirt regions in Denmark, Sønderborg has struggled to keep and attract young people to the region, but Redzepovic believes the nomination could change that. “We believe that if we have colourful culture and a diverse society, a positive development will follow people will grow interested in living here, building up businesses and working across cultures. We don’t see ourselves as being on the outskirts of Denmark, we see ourselves as being on the border of Europe.”

Some people, maybe even quite a lot, might never have heard of Sønderborg, a charming coastal municipality of 77,000 inhabitants by the border of Denmark and Germany. But as the town has made it through to the final round of the competition to become European Capital of Culture in 2017, that might very well change. The candidature of Sønderborg, which centres on a vision of a Countryside Metropolis, involves Sønderjylland-Schleswig, a region stretching across the DanishGerman border. Director of the candidature Else Christensen Redzepovic says: “We feel that this region, which despite its bloody past (the region has been the setting for several feuds, including the battle of Dybbøl, which saw Denmark lose great areas of land, including Sønderborg, to Germany in 1864) has national minorities on both sides of the border living in peace

By Signe Hansen Photos: Sønderborg 2017

The world-famous architect Frank Gehry has made a master plan for a creative centre at the old industrial harbour in Sønderborg.

and harmony, is an obvious choice for Culture Capital.”

Sønderborg’s competitor in the run to become European Capital of Culture in 2017 is Jutland’s largest city Aarhus. The final decision will be made August 24, 2012.

For more information, please visit: www.sonderborg2017.dk

Kulturhuset Islands Brygge thrives on life itself By Margrete Dybbroe | Photos: Kulturhuset Islands Brygge

At Kulturhuset Islands Brygge, culture is a big word. It stands for music, theatre and dancing; movies and workshops; teaching and learning; as well as a cup of coffee and a meal with friends. It is nourished by life and produces more life, like a neverending spiral that feeds itself. Kulturhuset Islands Brygge is a dynamic meeting place, where all kinds of performing arts are staged for everyone to enjoy. Kulturhuset is a municipal institution with a Nordic profile, as most of the performing artists come from the Nordic countries. The house is meant to pick up the energies and bridge the cultural grounds between professional businesses and creative entrepreneurs. It features a café with a full menu every day of the week, comprises meeting and conference facilities for up to 200 people, and has a rich and varied programme of cultural arrangements each and every week. Thursdays, Fridays and

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Saturdays are music nights, and Sundays are for the children, but keep an eye on the news, as unexpected events are constantly popping up. As for the location, Islands Brygge is totally IN. It is close to the metro, only eight minutes’ walk from City Hall, and right next to the new harbour bath that attracts thousands of people throughout the summer. It is a vibrant milieu, and to support it, Kulturhuset’s café moves its grilled food service outdoor during the summer. On top of this, Kulturhuset features the largest open-air stage used in the annual Copenhagen Jazz Festival, which this year takes place on the 6-15 July. Definitely an event to look forward to. For more information, please visit: www.k-i-b.dk

Walk the rainbow and discover world-class art When ARoS Aarhus Art Museum opened its doors in April 2004 after a 306 million DKK investment, it was marking a new era for the almost 150-year-old museum. Located in the heart of Aarhus and spread over nine floors, covering a total of 17,700 square metres, it had become one of northern Europe's largest and most impressive art museums. By Marie Sofie Schnoor

With a total of over 9,000 pieces of art, ARoS offers many things, including the country’s finest collection of Danish modernist work, from the first half of the

1900s, as well as the world’s biggest Per Kirkeby collection. It also displays work by prominent international contemporary artists such as Bill Viola, Pipilotti Rist, Tony Oursler, James Turrell, Carsten Höller, Mona Hatoum and Gilbert & George. Boy and ARoS Classic Measuring 5 metres in height and weighing 500 kilos, the Australian Londonbased artist Ron Mueck’s Boy is a landmark for ARoS, sitting crouched in its imposing life-like glory at the north of the museum’s exhibition foyer.

Poul Ib Henriksen ‘Boy’ © Ron Muecks

Upon visiting ARoS you, will not only notice the striking architecture but also the driving force behind this year’s record number of visitors to the museum. Above ARoS’s roof hovers the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson's permanent exhibition Your rainbow panorama, a 150-metre long and 3-metre wide circular tunnel made of glass in every colour imaginable. With a diameter of 52 metres, mounted on slender pillars 3.5 metres above the roof, this colourful masterpiece invites visitors to embark on a sensory journey through the circular space accompanied by panoramic views across the city and bay. “Deploying different techniques, it seeks to provoke reflections of the nature of light and colour and to suggest new ways of engaging with the urban landscape, as well as the museum architecture and its collection,” says Eliasson.

While focusing on the contemporary, ARoS also plans a series of exhibitions under the title ARoS Classic, and in October 2012, will be proudly presenting Edvard Munch – Angst/Anxiety. This will include a vast selection of Munch’s work, including several of his most well-known pieces, such as Evening on Karl Johan Street and Woman in Three Stages, shown together for the first time outside of Norway. As well as world-class art, ARoS ART Restaurant offers a unique dining experience with incredible views and beautiful seasonal Danish specialties. Offering a spectacular visual adventure for children and adults, ARoS is a playground for the inquisitive and for those who want to be informed, challenged and pleased. For more information, please visit: www.aros.dk

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 21

Audience in Odense Concert Hall’s Carl Nielsen Salen, where most of the orchestra’s concerts are held.

Moving with the times: the Odense Symphony Orchestra engages modern audiences With roots reaching as far back as 1800, and formally established in 1946, the Odense Symphony Orchestra has already made an impact in Demark and abroad, but more importantly it is continuously developing and looking ahead. Reaching out through modern media, partnerships with educational institutions and diverse events, the orchestra is more connected with its audiences than ever before. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: The Odense Symphony Orchestra

“We want to engage our audiences and introduce them to new music as well as our old repertoire,” explains Finn Schumacker, CEO of Odense Symphony Orchestra. “We listen to the feedback we get from the audience, which is a much more modern perspective compared to times when audiences had little say in what the

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orchestra would play. Nowadays, our programme is partly built around the feedback we get, and this is also why we do a lot of performances for children and young people, including both classical and popular music.”

music, integrated with visuals, which attracted a whole new kind of audience. We developed new pieces, where both the band and the orchestra played equal parts,” says Schumacker. Something for the little ones

Finn Scumacker, CEO

The Odense Symphony Orchestra is one of Denmark’s five regional orchestras, consisting of 73 permanent musicians from 17 different nations, and with Russian maestro Alexander Vedernikov as its chief conductor. With around 100 productions scheduled each year, the orchestra puts on a wide range of performances from varied genres, ranging from symphony concerts, light classical and opera to chamber music, children and youth concerts, and crossovers.

The Odense Symphony Orchestra has also taken part in crossover projects working with local venues and young, up-andcoming bands. “Last year, we did a big production that mixed rock and classical

The orchestra is highly engaged in projects with educational institutions in the area, including a local primary school, music academy and university. Through the collaboration with the primary school, the orchestra wants to introduce the children to music they might not hear that often otherwise. “We’ve adopted this primary school to make sure that the kids are exposed to live classical music on a daily basis,” says Schumacker. “The children don’t have to sign up for it, and it’s not just for children

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

with special talents or a specific background either. This is a new way of working, where the orchestra will be the orchestra of the school, and we hope that the kids will build a close relationship with the musicians and become interested in the music itself.” Active online and on the radio With modern audiences and their cultural consumption in mind, the Odense Symphony Orchestra has taken upon itself to promote classical music and communicate with music lovers both online and on the radio. The Odense Symphony Orchestra’s Facebook page is a great example of actively reaching out to people all over the world, and through its YouTube channel, you have access to concert recordings. The recently established Radio Klassisk, a Danish commercial radio channel exclusively dedicated to classical music, to which the Odense Symphony Orchestra contributes, offers another excellent way of more effectively reaching out to audiences. Furthermore, the extremely popular “Opera på Engen”, a free open-air summer concert taking place on 12 August 2012, attracts around 20,000 people every year and reaches out to a large part of the population. It is a must-see event, a large musical picnic with the Odense Symphony Orchestra, which does not concentrate solely on classical music. However, the Odense Symphony Orchestra’s main aim is to preserve and present classical music by the great composers to a broader audience. “Today’s audiences are looking for an exquisite and emotional experience. They might not necessarily come for a certain piece or conductor, but instead they want to be moved somehow. And we want to create this experience for the families and friends who come and see the orchestra,” says Schumacker. For more information, please visit: http://odensesymfoni.dk www.facebook.com/odensesymfoni www.youtube.com/user/Odensesymfoni

Top: Musicians on stage in Carl Nielsen Salen, a concert hall with excellent acoustics. Middle: A group of pupils from primary school Vestre Skole, Odense, which the orchestra works in close connection with. Bottom left: A group of musicians from the Odense Symphony Orchestra Bottom right: Ulrike Salter-Kipp, primo violin

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

An internationally renowned art institution turns 25 Whether you love portrait photography, want to take the kids to a sensory exhibition or are into the works of Swedish artist Leonard Forslund, you can have it all at Brandts on Funen, Denmark's first centre of art and culture, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. By Kirstine Trauelsen | Photos: Brandts

Brandts is Funen's biggest cultural institution and is located in the beautiful old factory buildings of Brandts Textile Mill, in the very heart of Odense. Today, the carefully renovated buildings house the three institutions Kunsthallen Brandts (The Art Hall at Brandts), Museet for Fotokunst (The Museum of Fine Art Photography) and Mediemuseet (The Media Museum). “The fact that we have three institutions in the same house makes Brandts an extremely vibrant place,” says Lars Grambye, director of the Art Hall. An internationally renowned art hall turns 25 Every year, the Art Hall shows six to eight cutting edge exhibitions of contemporary art, and they attract a wide range of guests, e.g. families, seniors, tourists from all over the world and an ever-growing number of young people from Odense's large student community. “The Art Hall has established itself as one of the most important art institutions in Denmark,” says Lars Grambye. “Our network

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all over the world has made us internationally renowned as a very serious co-operator.”

occasion. The anniversary will be celebrated in September with several events. Leonard Forslund's “Skog av Glass” During 2012, the Art Hall at Brandts will present a number of very different exhibitions, starting with Swedish artist Leonard Forslund's “Skog av Glass” (Forest of Glass), which opens on 27 January.

Twenty twelve is an exciting year for Brandts. In September, the Art Hall will celebrate its 25th anniversary. “Since we opened in 1987, we have had hundreds of exhibitions, and over the years, we have gained so much attention in the art world that we are now well known far beyond the Danish borders,” explains Lars Grambye. In other words, there is good reason to mark this special

Leonard Forslund works with paintings, but includes different elements, like wood or tin, and in the series “Stream Palisade”, Forslund discusses the human role and fragility in a world of glass. “Skog av Glass” shows Forslund’s works made in the period from 1999 until today, with some of the works being created especially for this exhibition. Skog av Glass: 27 January – 5 August 2012 For more information, please visit: www.brandts.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

Fyn’s Opera – where the audience has a say Fyn’s Opera (Den Fynske Opera) is a small opera company located in the heart of Odense. The company is renowned for its contemporary opera productions as well as chamber interpretations of classic operas. The audience can always expect a completely unique opera experience at Fyn's Theatre. The theatre works according to the “Black Box” concept, which means that stage, sets and props are not fixed; the space is completely flexible. In some performances, the audience might be seated within the set with the performers wandering among the audience. Fyn’s Opera uses young emerging talent mixed with more established singers and musicians. A recent recruit is Andy Pape, who has been employed as Composer in Residence. During his three-year residency, Pape and Fyn’s Opera will create an opera using an unorthodox process: Pape will write the opera and present his

By Yane Christensen Photo: Den Fynske Opera

work in progress at four to six “seminars”, where an audience will be invited to comment and thus be a part of the creative process. The residency will culminate in an almighty all-night performance. As always, Fyn’s Opera has a varied programme planned for 2012. In August, the opera relocates to Valdemar's Castle to perform Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea, and in March, the opera hosts the world premiere of the operatic thriller The Orchestra Pit (Orkestergraven) by the renowned Danish movie director Martin Schmidt. “We've just ordered 10 litres of fake blood,” says Jesper Buhl, CEO of Fyn’s Opera. The event promises to be very scary and of course in line with the opera's mission to always add a twist in order to keep classic music events both modern and fresh. For more information, please visit: www.denfynskeopera.dk

The whole family will enjoy the Women's Museum By Yane Christensen

meals, using only the best of Danish produce. Here, adults can relax while their children play. In fact, there is plenty to keep the little ones interested. They are guaranteed to be fascinated by the exhibition Girls and Boys, which shows just how different things were when their grandparents were children.

The Women's Museum (Kvindemuseet) houses a fascinating exhibition documenting just how much women's lives have changed, from prehistoric to present times. In the Women’s Museum, you can immerse yourself in the history of women. Recurrent themes in the exhibitions are birth, work, education, women's rights and everyday life, as well as power, or indeed, lack of power. There are historical portraits of distinct women and of the women’s movements, which have contributed to changing women's history and circumstances. There are also specific subjects, such as how the vote and birth control have influenced and improved women's lives.

events. Currently, there is an exhibition about women and hunting. You can follow the story of the Goddess of Hunting, meet queens of Denmark, take part in Karen Blixen’s adventures and be introduced to modern women who hunt.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are ever-changing temporary

The very popular museum cafe is well worth a visit. It serves home cooked

Photo: Tam Vibberstoft

The Women's Museum is situated right in the centre of Aarhus in the old town hall, which was used at a time when women were not allowed to vote or participate in politics. Now Denmark has its first female prime minister, a perfect testament to the extent of how far women have come.

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 25

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

Go to prison for a unique cultural experience “It is a dream coming true.” The enthusiasm is unmistakable, when Henning Nørbæk, cultural director in Horsens, Denmark, speaks about the opening in spring 2012 of Horsens’ new cultural centre, FÆNGSLET (a former state prison).

makes our prison museum so unique; it’s the fact that you can get such detailed information about life behind the walls. Also, the cells will be opened up for visitors, as will the church and much more.” Metallica in prison

Unique insight into everyday life in prison Horsens State Prison closed in 2006, and since then, the monumental building from 1853 has been standing there, empty. But a cooperation between Horsens Municipality and the foundation FÆNGSLET brought about the creation of a great cultural institution. When FÆNGSLET opens in spring, it will be hosting a museum, concert venue and conference facilities. Henning Nørbæk talks passionately about the new museum, which will be administrated by Horsens Museum: “Thanks to a former employee at the prison, we have a collection of 10,000-12,000 artefacts depicting everyday life in the prison. Together with the buildings, this is what

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Besides being a museum, FÆNGSLET will also host a brand new concert venue. “Imagine standing inside the prison yard watching Metallica play,” says Henning Nørbæk, referring to the fact that the Danish/American band will be playing at FÆNGSLET on June 6th 2012. And on 12 June, Tom Petty will be performing at the new venue, which holds 10,000-12,000 people. The goal is to get international bands with a strong profile to perform at FÆNGSLET. Horsens as a top attraction FÆNGSLET will also contribute to the city becoming a far more attractive conference destination, predicts Henning Nørbæk. “We know that these new facilities will at-

By Kirstine Trauelsen | Photos: FÆNGSLET

tract a lot of conferences, because it is surroundings like these you are looking for, when you want to find a different and interesting venue for a conference.” All in all, the goal is to make Horsens a fivestar tourist attraction, “and with FÆNGSLET, this is going to happen,” concludes Henning Nørbæk. “No doubt about it.”

For further information about FÆNGSLET in Horsens, please visit: www.faengslet.dk www.visithorsens.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

Koldinghus – Royal castle, ruins and museum

The collection is beautifully presented, with the lamps hovering like planets and UFOs under the soaring ceiling of the old ruins. The ground-breaking designs, some from as early as 1924, look very modern, particularly in contrast with the crumbling old bricks. Combined with a walk along the lake and a visit to the brilliant restaurant in the vaulted basement, a visit to Koldinghus truly is a great day out for the whole family. bition of lamps by the Danish designer Poul Henningsen (PH). Not only are his lamps beautiful objects in themselves, but the

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

Moesgård Museum brings history to life Currently located in the Moesgård manor, only 15 minutes’ drive from Aarhus, the Moesgård Museum specialises in archaeology and social anthropology, exhibiting archaeological collections mainly from Denmark. Construction of a new 15,000 square-metre museum building is currently underway, and it is set to open its doors in June 2014, when the museum will be “reinvented” as a more engaging and modern venue.

Visualization of the new museum

Photos: Koldinghus

way they diffuse and cast light was something PH constantly deliberated over in order to create perfect lighting. The collection includes his most popular lamps, but also prototypes and one-offs. His lamps are ubiquitous in Denmark, from private homes to official buildings.

Koldinghus originates from the mid-13th century, yet the building that exists today was built during the 15th to16th centuries. The building acquired its characteristic shape when King Christian IV built the large tower around 1600. Sadly, the building later burned down and was left as a ruin for many years. During the 1980s, the castle underwent an extensive, award-winning renovation, deliberately using materials different from the original. Today, the castle appears as an attraction of both historical and architectural interest. The castle houses a museum showing exhibitions of international standing. The permanent exhibitions include Danish arts and crafts and the country's largest collection of modern Danish silver. There are also temporary exhibitions, talks, workshops, Christmas markets and activities for children on offer. Currently (until 26 August), the main attraction is the impressive exhi-

By Yane Christensen

The stables of the manor house have housed the museum’s exhibitions for 40 years, but now there is need for more space and a whole new building. As a department from the University of Aarhus will be moving into the stables, Moesgård Museum will be temporarily closed, starting October 2012. However, the museum will definitely not be forgotten in the meantime, as there are a lot of activities planned for before and after the hiatus, and the new museum building will certainly get people talking. “The new building will be something quite different, a real international museum,” says museum curator Pauline Asingh. “There will be lots of exhibition space (including 3,100 square metres for the permanent exhibition and space for temporary exhibitions), as well as public areas, conference facilities, café and more.” A current exhibition named Seven Vikings has already given a taste of what’s

By Nia Kajastie Photos: Moesgård Museum

to come. It offers a unique opportunity for museum guests to follow the life stories of seven members of society from the year 900. Through new technology and theatrical set designs and effects, visitors play an active role while learning about history. “This is how modern people can identify with people of the past,” explains Asingh, “by being told stories of the people and artefacts. The permanent exhibition in the new building will show each time period in a different, engaging way.”

The exhibition Seven Vikings

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 27

The protected site Rebild Hills (Rebild Bakker) is the setting for two of the most significant cultural events of the year, the Rebild Festival and the Rebild Opera.

Rebild â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where Denmark is even more beautiful Rebild in the north of Jutland has it all, from culture to attractions, hotels and restaurants. But most importantly, it is situated in Denmark's most scenic national park, where it is surrounded by stunning nature. By Yane Christensen | Photos: Rebild Turistbureau

Highlights of the festival include speeches by Danish politicians and prominent representatives from the United States.

The area's characteristically hilly, heathercovered terrain includes deep forests, fairy-tale lakes and clear springs, so clean you can drink the water. Idyllic villages, castles, manor houses and historical dolmen and round barrows are scattered about this magnificent setting. It is a must for any nature lover, whether you fancy an active holiday or just want to enjoy the beautiful scenery. There is also a great selection of hotels, restaurants, inns and camping sites to suit any taste and budget. The stunning nature that surrounds Rebild is regularly utilised when cultural events are organised. The protected site Rebild Hills (Rebild Bakker) is the setting for two of the most significant cultural events of the year, the Rebild Festival and the Rebild Opera. Every year, on 4th of July, the Rebild Festival celebrates American Independence Day. It is the largest celebration held outside the United States, and this year, it is celebrating its 100th jubilee. The festival

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was originally intended to encourage cohesion with Danes who emigrated to America, offering them a chance to return and meet friends and family still living in Denmark. The site was bought with money donated by the emigrants, who wanted to uphold this wonderful tradition.

Rebild Opera takes place on 12 August. The opera attracts both international and Danish star soloists from the Royal Opera in London as well as other leading European opera houses. This year, the event promises a day of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Power, Trickery and Loveâ&#x20AC;?, with extracts from Tosca and The Marriage of Figaro, amongst others, sung by a selection of soloists and opera choruses. The performances take place on an outdoor stage, with the national park as a natural back drop. It is a great opportunity to arrange a picnic or just lie back in the grass and let the music take you away, enjoying nature and culture in perfect harmony. For more information, please visit: www.visitrebild.dk www.operairebild.dk www.rebildfesten.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

Ribe Museum of Art – a journey through time Ribe Museum of Art (Ribe Kunstmuseum) was recently reopened by Queen Margrethe II after extensive restoration, and it is now considered to be, not only one of the country’s oldest museums, but also one of the most exquisite, with an impressive collection of Danish art from the mid-18th century to the 20th century. While you make your way through the beautiful listed building, you are simultaneously moving through time, exploring masterpieces representing major periods in Danish painting such as the Golden Age, Realism, the Skagen painters and Modernism. As the oldest town in Denmark, with its Cathedral and hundreds of listed buildings, Ribe acts as a perfect backdrop to a museum; it is so full of cultural history. "What makes it even more special is how the old town buildings add to the feeling of being transported to the past," says museum director Dagmar Warming.

By Yane Christensen Photos: Ribe Kunstmuseum

Currently the museum is showing 66 pieces, borrowed from the famous Hirschsprung Collection in Copenhagen. The collection is an important piece of Danish cultural heritage, including works by Michael Ancher, L.A. Ring, H. SlottMøller, J. Rohde and Kr. Zahrtmann. The museum has just the right number of exhibits to give you an impression of the art during that golden period without feeling too exhausted. Once you have finished taking in this magnificent display, you absolutely must take a stroll through the romantic garden, complete with a Byzantine-style pavilion and a picturesque stream, followed by a treat in the museum cafe or coffee on the terrace.

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

Let the artist in you loose at Korsør Culture House By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Korsør Kulturhus

music, join a clay workshop or set up their own exhibitions. “We support our local artists and musicians by offering them to play and exhibit for free,” says Hannine. Having functioned as a social gathering point in the community for decades, it is also increasingly popular among tourists. “The highlights of the year are the open-air concerts at Festningen, an old castle dating back to the reign of King Christian IV. These are very popular and attract people from all over,” says Hannine. The castle also houses a museum, where you can indulge in the interesting history of Korsør.

Visit Korsør Culture House, and experience a focal point for a whole community, where history, arts and music come together. Korsør Culture House is the place to be whether your interest lies in music, art or hands-on art work, and makes a lovely day-trip, as it is situated only 45 minutes from Copenhagen. A focal point in the community The building was initially a school and still plays an important role in Korsør. “It dates back to 1923 and was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War, hence the bullet holes some places,” says culture and community leader Christina Hannine. “But we have a special staircase that is far older, and you can still see contours of fossils.”

Since Korsør Culture House was established, it has become an important place for people to socialise, whether to listen to

For more information, please visit: http://korsoer-medborgerhus.dk

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 29

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

Mad era comes to life at Danish museum

“We consider ourselves an unusual museum because we let visitors come in touch with everyday life. And the early sixties certainly puts you in a festive mood,” says Hage.

Sharply dressed men smoking cigars at work and upscale housewives with red lipstick and bouffant hair – Tidens Samling (Museum of Everyday Life in the last Century) brings it all to life in an exhibition about the early sixties. The inspiration? Hit TV series Mad Men. “One big cocktail party,” says museum director Cæcilie Ning Hage, about the era portrayed in the Odense-based museum’s exhibition Mad About Fashion. Inspired by American TV series Mad Men, the exhibition features a treasure trove of artefacts from a period characterised by affluence and optimism.

By Thomas B. Hansen Photos: Tidens Samling

The style of the early sixties comes alive at Tidens Samling.

Visitors can quite literally touch the past with Tidens Samling’s permanent exhibitions, which showcase eight decades from the 1910s to 1980s. Here, everyone is allowed to sit in the old sofas, open drawers and try on clothes. You can even add a bit of nostalgia to your own home from the museum shop, which stocks toys, literature and home decorations of yesteryear. Mad About Fashion runs until 21 April 2012.

Authentic atmosphere Mad About Fashion lets visitors take in the era first-hand with exact re-enactments of old-fashioned hotel rooms and vintage bars with jukeboxes playing the music of the time. Don Draper with a drink and his secretary in a glamorous pose seem easy to visualise in these surroundings.

Left: Museum Director Cæcilie Ning Hage in sixties outfit at the launch of Mad About Fashion. For more information, please visit: english.tidenssamling.dk

Concert house with a wide variety of cultural feasts By Inna Allen | Photos: Lars Sørensen, Dansk Fotolab

What started as a generating station and a bath house in the early 1900s is now home to a vibrant concert hall – Slagelse Musikhus (Slagelse Music House). A whole raft of famous names from the music, comedy and New Circus scene come to perform at this popular venue each year. Located about 100 kilometres southwest of Copenhagen, Slagelse, on the island of Zealand, is one of Denmark’s oldest towns. With an active cultural life that has a high priority in the local community, the town is an ideal backdrop for its impressive music hall. With theatres, music venues, outdoor concerts and festivals, to name just a few, Slagelse and its surrounding areas provide plenty to see and experience all year round.

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The OKIDOK clowns.

Heavy metal band Volbeat.

Slagelse Musikhus consists of three stages in two buildings. After respectful renovation, the concert house boasts a high ceiling turbine hall and other original features which create a warm and intimate atmosphere. The venue hosts around 100 concerts and performances each year with a wide variety of genres. Anything from children’s shows to stand-up comedy and heavy metal gigs to classical concerts – all with high quality and artistic flair in mind. “The atmosphere in smaller venues like ours is amazing. You can get closer to the artists and interact with them after the show,” says the house’s leader Anette Borg. “We are also privileged to get acts here that usually play in much larger arenas.” For more information, please visit: www.slagelse-musikhus.dk

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark

Trapholt: You will want to take all the exhibits home By Yane Christensen | Photos: Trapholt

Trapholt in Kolding is proof that some of the best design in the world is Danish, particularly when it comes to furniture. The museum houses an extensive collection of furniture designs, including Denmark's largest collection of modern chairs. In addition to the permanent exhibitions showing Danish art, crafts and design, there are also temporary events. Trapholt provides a holistic impression of modern Danish art and design. The current exhibition celebrating Finn Juhl's 100th jubilee shows some of his most iconic furniture. Finn Juhl trained as an architect, but his work was hugely influenced by art. Where most of his contemporaries were into simple, clean lines, Juhl's pieces were more sculptural with organic shapes. “His furniture really challenged the joiners' skills when working up the wood,” says director Karen Grøn. This only serves to make it more interesting.

The museum building from 1988 by Bøje Lundgaard is an integral part of the exhibitions with its clean lines and open rotunda used to display the exhibits to dramatic effect. The art continues in the garden, with a sculpture park set against a stunning sea view. On the grounds, you will also see the prototype of a Kube-flex summerhouse designed by Arne Jacobsen. It consists of flexible, habitable cubes that can be added or rearranged. The interiors include Arne Jacobsen's most iconic designs, and the ultimate result is an immersive experience with the work of the great master of Danish design.

A visit to Trapholt is a must for design aficionados. You will no doubt want to bring a piece home and fortunately there is an excellent shop selling a great selection of art, crafts, design and books.

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

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Foto: Elisabeth Gustavsson.

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S CU PEC LT UR IAL T E I HE N S ME WE : DE N

Walpurgis Eve at Skansen. Photo: Lola Akinmade Åkerström/imagebank.sweden.se

Riddarholmen Photo: Ildikó Lukács/imagebank.sweden.se

Culture in Sweden 2012 In a time that has brought hardship to many nations, it is essential to focus on values brought to us by culture. When society is tested in situations of crisis, culture comes to the fore. As Minister for Culture, I am glad that Sweden stands firm in the support of culture, and that we have been able to invest in culture and creativity. By Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, Minister for Culture, Sweden

The international arrival of Millennium, the Swedish film trilogy based on author Stieg Larsson’s posthumously published bestselling books, has recently been followed up by the release of the Americanproduced The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. But Swedish film has recently had several other, less well-known, successes, at international film festivals. Ruben Östlund’s Play, Alexandra-Therese Keining's With Every Heartbeat and several others were rewarded prestigious prizes.

It is a statistical fact that Swedish culture enjoys what are probably the world’s most engaged audience and amateurs. Museums have a growing attendance, with free entrance for children up to the age of 19. Contemporary art has more venues than ever before. At the same time, the art scene has been profoundly internationalized, and

Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth. Photo: Johan Ödmann

Sweden is rich in culture, in many ways that we have taken for granted. Being one of the oldest nations of Europe and not having been at war since 1814, our heritage is more accessible and welcoming to its citizens and foreign tourists than ever before. One of our most visited heritage institutions, Skansen, which lies in the heart of the capital, presents authentic regional traditions in the open air. Also in other parts of the country, there is a rich cultural heritage accessible. For example, visitors can take in the unique collection of “Picture stones” from the Viking era, as well as the world’s largest silver hoard, in the Visby regional museum. When doing so, you will also be able to experience Visby, the capital of the island of Gotland, and its special atmosphere of a walled medieval city, protected by UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

many of the more prominent Swedish artists are also represented in the major marketplaces abroad. The artist Klara Lidén, for example, was presented in Moderna museet in Stockholm, as well as in The Serpentine Gallery in London last year. This year, we remember and honour the deeds of Raoul Wallenberg, and how he saved tens of thousands of Jews in Bu-

dapest at the end of the Second World War. One hundred years after his birth, the memory of Wallenberg both reflects on the responsibility of the individual and what we today can do to prevent xenophobia and anti-Semitism. In the field of culture and literature, this year is devoted to our most known writer August Strindberg. One hundred years have passed since he last wandered through the streets of Stockholm. His productivity was enormous, not only in writing of all sorts. His paintings, photography, ethnographical, alchemist and occult studies today form an integral part of his life achievements. Strindberg was often at odds with what he felt was a hypocritical society but most famously with the feminist movement of his day. And yet few have written such tender words in my mother tongue about the love for a woman. This year, we will be able to know even more about one of our most complex and fulfilled artists of all times (www.strindberg2012.se). And speaking of literature, let’s not forget the pride we shared when Tomas Tranströmer was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature last year. This is poetry for all times and all sorts of people. And it presents a wonderful view of the country and culture I hope will be even more familiar to you, shortly.

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 33

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

A picture is worth a thousand words Situated in the old industrial art nouveau customs house near Stockholm's Slussen, with stunning views over the waters between Djurgården and Skeppsholmen, Fotografiska is a place of which Stockholmians are really proud. And with a mission to bring the best of photography to Stockholm, support and hone local talent, and to give photography the reputation it really deserves, so they should be. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Fotografiska

"If you want people to come out to something, you've got to be open when they have time off," says Per Broman, one of the two founders of the photography museum, Fotografiska. "There are all these ideas of how museums should be closed on Mondays and all that, but that's not what we're about. We want to create a platform for photographers and fans alike, and that's why we're open in the evenings and only closed two days of the year." Democratising photography This idea of making world-class photography accessible is at the heart of everything Broman and his partner in crime, brother Jan, do. With the gallery part of Fotografiska offering the opportunity to buy a piece from one of the exhibitions and bring it home with you, you could call it democratising photography: let's discover it, and let's appreciate it. In fact, let's learn how to do it. "We don't want it to be just about the pictures on the walls," Broman explains. "Our academy offers courses for beginners and professionals alike, and we've got fathers on paternity leave coming in

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with their kids, discussing issues of identity and the sort of pictures you want to see of yourself as a child. Young people come and learn about photography and meet like-minded people, and at the end of the day, it's all about bringing together people who are interested in photography."

"Fotografiska hopes to create an environment that can work as a springboard for future Swedish stars." The same goes for the club nights, where up-and-coming bands and songwriters showcase their music, and DJs keep the fun going, sometimes until as late as 3am in the morning. Fridays mean after work drinks, and every day the typically Swedish café, run by award-winning chef Paul Svensson, serves up salads and soups as well as more substantial meals. But whatever the event, there is the hope that visitors will spot something they like and

choose to return for some quality time with the exhibitions. Seventy years in the making Having opened in 2010, Fotografiska's story goes another 70 years back in time. The royal photographer Sundgren started talking about a photographic museum as early as 1940, but despite the idea being well-received among museum directors and photographers alike, the plan fell through. Broman describes how two separate developments led to the moment finally being right, two years ago. The brothers had been running Stockholm's photography fair together and discussed the idea of starting up a museum, and it was pure coincidence that one day they overheard someone mentioning that the plans of opening an ABBA museum in the old art nouveau customs house at Slussen had been abandoned. As it happened, the two photography enthusiasts had already tried out the idea with an exhibition in the suburb Nacka, with an overwhelming result of 15,000 visitors and raving media coverage. "Nacka isn't that far out, but Stockholmi-

ans kind of think it is. So you know when you get people to travel there for an exhibition that there's a real interest," he says. They decided to view the space at the old customs house, and things just fell into place. On May 21 2010, Fotografiska opened its doors for the first time, with Annie Leibovitz' A photographer's life among the opening exhibitions and over 750,000 visitors in the first 18 months. It was a resounding success, and Fotografiska was soon awarded Stora Turistpriset, marking its impressive contributions to Sweden's tourism industry.

The exhibitions this spring demonstrate very well just how broad the selection at Fotografiska really is. With Hungarianborn legend AndrĂŠ KertĂŠsz exhibiting alongside Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn, the man behind music videos for bands like Depeche Mode and U2, there is certainly something for fans of both the orthodox and the modern. Whether you come for a club night, for an exhibition of your favourite photographer or for a lecture or event, you are in for a treat. "I have to say, we're happy that the ABBA museum never materialised," says Broman. Well, not a bad word about ABBA, but so are we. For more information, please visit: http://fotografiska.eu

Anton Corbijn exhibition, portrait of Alexander McQueen, London, 2007.

By exhibiting the work of some of the greatest photographers of all time, Fotografiska hopes to create an environment that can work as a springboard for future Swedish stars. And it works: just ask Martin Bogren, who was discovered during Stockholm Photography Week and given an exhibition at Fotografiska, with the result that he won numerous awards as well as exhibitions all over the world. "It's quite hard even for established photographers to get to show their portfolios to people like, say, curators from MoMA in New York. Through Stockholm Photography Week, we make that happen," says Broman.

Andre Kertesz exhibition.

From old legends to future pioneers

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 35

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

Elisabeth reliquary. Photo: Bengt A Lundberg SHM

Photo: Ulf Bruxe SHM

The National Historical Museum - where history meets modernity Located on Narvavägen in Stockholm’s fashionable Östermalm district, the National Historical Museum is full of surprises, merging cutting-edge exhibitions and forward-thinking with the past. You can see the world´s largest Viking exhibition here and experience the history of Sweden. By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Magnus Aronson

The museum houses eleven permanent exhibitions with a varying number of temporary displays held throughout the year. Sophie Nyman, director of exhibitions and communication, says: “History is important in order to understand the past; the past is important in order to understand the present; and that understanding gives us the tools to make decisions about the future. We want history to mean more to more people.”

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With over 10 million objects in the collection, the focus is placed on archaeological materials and medieval art. Nyman continues: “The objects hold the key to different types of stories in history. Every story has differing viewpoints, depending on from what angle it is being observed. And for the first time ever, in the exhibition ‘History of Sweden’ that opened in 2010, Sweden’s history is represented equally

with stories about women. Our visitors appreciate the unexpected stories, and the modernity and topicality of the exhibits.” The Vikings Experience fascinating stories about the Viking raids but also the Vikings’ day-today lives as peaceful traders. Over 4,000 unique objects can be admired in this ex-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

hibition. Since the 1800s, the Viking has been portrayed as a rough, brutish seafaring robber. However, the objects in this exhibition demonstrate how the Vikings were mainly dedicated to peaceful trade as well as farming and crafting.Rarely did the men actually bear arms or sail on warrior ships, as is the modern image of the Viking. During this time, which was 1,000 years ago, Sweden did not yet exist and the so-called Vikings were of different heritages from the eastern Scandinavian area. Men and women held different roles in this society, and we know for sure that women had a more significant role than we thought before. Women were in charge of establishing and maintaining social relationships and also of running the farmyard, which was a very important aspect of society. The men, in turn, carried out more laborious tasks such as ploughing the fields and acting as the family overseer. A recent project, called the Birka Girl, has completely reconstructed a girl from this era who died when she was around six years old. Find out about her life story. Gold Room panorama. Photo: Christer Åhlin SHM

The Gold Room Experience Sweden’s most prominent gold and silver treasures. An impressive 52 kilos of pure gold and over 200 kilos of silver are on display in the Gold Room. The exhibition is set in Sweden’s most secure exhibit hall. There has been a law in force since the 1600s that any discovered object made out of gold, silver or copper which is over 100 years old must be turned in to the state. This explains why so many valuables have been retrieved.The oldest finds date back some 4,000 years, while the not-soold are from only 500 years ago. The biggest gold treasure ever found in Sweden contains a massive 7 kilos of 23-24 carat gold in the form of gold bars, chains and rings. They are believed to originally have been Roman coins that were molten and reshaped. Mysterious gold collars from the Migrating Period of 350-500 AD are also on show, each with its own engraved messages and depictions. Here, you can also learn why people today wear their engagement and wedding rings on the ring finger. A ring bearing three stones and worn as an amulet was believed to possess magical powers, especially when

worn on the ring finger, as it has a nerve which leads straight to the heart and encourages eternal love.

interactive display encourages learning and fun.

The History of Sweden

Come summertime, children and adults alike are invited to participate in outside activities inspired by the Viking Age. Archery, bread baking and games are practised in the museum’s courtyard. This is a popular event for the whole family. The National Historical Museum offers meaningful experiences for everyone inquisitive about history!

Viking Summer Starting off where the Viking Age finishes, the History of Sweden invites the visitor on a chronological journey from 1,000 years ago all the way to the present. For the first time, history is shown from the perspective of different members of society, from women to men, the rich to the poor, the young to the old, and the educated to the uneducated. Sweden itself acts as the backdrop to the stories that are unfolded as each century is unveiled with dramatic scenes and ever-changing landscapes. An

For more information, please visit: www.historiska.se/home

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 37

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

Gothenburg Natural History Museum

The heart of Gothenburg You could call it the heart of Gothenburg, and for more than one reason. Not only do the green spaces resemble the shape of a heart when spotted on a map, but the location is bang in the city centre; and Slottsskogen Park, the Botanical Gardens and the Natural History Museum allow you to discover a whole array of secrets from both past and present. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: VĂ¤starvet/Ian Schemper

As one of the largest urban parks in Europe, Slottsskogen Park borders on the city's Botanical Gardens and houses a wide range of wild animals like moose and birds. The Natural History Museum is the oldest museum in town and famous for its beautifully preserved African elephant. Considering it is at the heart of Sweden's second largest city, also known as Little London because of its climatic similarities, the area offers a lot. Some say it is the perfect spot for a family day out, and no wonder: there are endless discoveries for adults and children alike; the museum provides shelter on a rainy day, with plenty of space for prams; and a cafĂŠ serving up organic, wholesome food keeps the hunger at bay. "On a sunny day, the area is just stunning," says Eva Goffe, who works at the museum. "Still, it does help knowing that there's plenty to do even if the weather takes a turn for the worse. There's no end

38 | Issue 37 | February 2012

to the kids' fascination when they come face to face with a huge elephant." This is one of the things people tend to forget: in the past, in the days before fancy booths and technology, museums were a place where you really got to explore the items on display. At Gothenburg's Natural History Museum, that has not changed. "It's got a very special atmosphere, because we kept the interiors. The space is quite majestic, and you actually get to look the animals in the eyes." Whatever the exhibition, there is always something for the kids, be it the simple joys of a stuffed animal or a digital pond of Bolivian frogs that appear to jump as you walk on them. The surrounding green areas fill in the gaps to an astonishing degree: where else will you find over 16,000 species of flora alongside wild Nordic animals? It is the heart of Gothenburg: wild, exciting and beautiful.

Photo: Gothenburg Botanical Garden

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

The 17th century warship Vasa. Photo Åke E:son Lindman.

The ship that sank – and rose again A historical event is never just an event. A boat is not just a boat. Not that there is anything mediocre about the Vasa ship on display at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. On the contrary, the over 25 metre tall vessel is so overwhelmingly impressive that most people cannot help but stop and stare as they enter the museum. By Linnea Dunne

But there is a lot more than first meets the eye. The stories behind the ship tell us about the people who drowned when Vasa sank during her maiden voyage in 1628, and about the historical events that led to the commissioning of such a time-consuming, costly build. With exhibitions displaying belongings of some of the Vasa passengers and examining the many sculptures decorating the ship, you can

learn about all of the above and more at the Vasa Museum. It is quite fortunate that the tragic destiny of Vasa turned into such a success story, as information officer Martina Siegrist Larsson explains. "She only made it 1,300 metres before she sank, spending over 300 years at the bottom of the sea, but it is thanks to the brackish water of the Baltic

Sea that she is as well-preserved as she is today. The type of mussel that eats into the wood can only survive in salt water." Persistent wreck researcher Anders Franzén finally found the first piece of the ship in 1956, and after five years of preparation, she was salvaged. Vasa lived in the Wasa Shipyard for some 17 years before being moved to her current home on Djurgården. "It was a jigsaw to say the least," says Siegrist Larsson. "But she is now as complete as she will ever be, and a real treasure." This spring, the temporary exhibition Three sunken ships will look at Vasa from a different perspective by comparing her story with those of the slightly younger Kronan, which sank outside Öland, and the British Mary Rose, which faced its destiny just off the British coast. "Items from the three ships will be on display, so it'll be very interesting to discover these different tales with such similar destinies." The Vasa Museum is all about tirelessly exploring Vasa's deepest secrets and what they teach us about our civilisation. She may be an awe-inspiring beauty, but she is so much more than that.

Vasa’s discoverer Anders Franzén. Photo Archives,

The Vasa Museum in Stockholm. Photo: Karolina

Swedish National Maritime Museums.

Kristensson/Swedish National Maritime Museums.

For more information, please visit: vasamuseet.se

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 39

Classical music for head and heart – with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra Every year, a new record. 1,300 subscribers and counting. In a building from the 1930s that has only been refurbished once in over 70 years, 38 full-time musicians from the Swedish Chamber Orchestra are doing something remarkable: they are bringing worldclass classical music to the people of Örebro. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Ulla-Carin Ekblom

Örebro concert hall is alive and full of activity all the time. Every morning, the professional musicians in the Swedish Chamber Orchestra rehearse together, and every afternoon, they continue to practise each in their own room. 150 pensioners regularly attend study circles and workshops, and some events cater specifically for disabled people or those diagnosed with autism. Through workshops in schools and in the concert hall, thousands of children are being introduced to and familiarised with classical music every year. "We want to provide people with as varied a programme as possible," says Nina Glimvall, marketing director at the venue. "It's about giving people an experience that really inspires them." With a chamber orchestra that has recently toured Ger-

40 | Issue 37 | February 2012

"Music has an important role to play in providing space and time to really stop and reflect on things." many and has both Paris and New York in the diary for the 2012-13 season, inspiration is sure to exist in abundance. As if that was not enough, collaborations with the Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Choir will result in two very special concerts this spring, on 23 March and 5 May respectively. Sample the music at your convenience Yet making classical music accessible is perhaps not only about providing big

shows with big names. Indeed, Örebro concert hall offers plenty of opportunities to dip into a wide selection of events. Too busy in the evenings? Pop in for a lunch concert. Curious about the behind-thescenes process? Meet the chamber orchestra during a typical day at work. Those wishing to simply soak up the cultured air of the premises are more than welcome to enjoy an after work drink, and businesses can impress their clients with a more sophisticated kind of drinks reception with live music. "Then there's of course 'after dagis'," Glimvall continues. "The idea is to encourage parents to kick-start the weekend with their children by perhaps picking them up a little bit early from the nursery and doing something different together. Even grandparents who are already very familiar with

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

what we do might feel particularly comfortable bringing their grandchildren here." With an initial target of around 70 parents and kids, the event that gives families the chance to get a close-up experience of live music, while sat together on stage, became a huge success and now welcomes up to 250 guests every time. "The spring 'after dagis' programme kicks off with Alfons Ă&#x2026;berg, a show based on the popular Swedish children's books from the '70s," Glimvall explains. "It will be very exciting to see how it goes down!" But as much as the success is a much-appreciated reward for all the hard work, it does not come without putting pressure on the premises. "The house is old, and it's starting to look a little ramshackle. It really could do with some restoration, but the funds just aren't there just now." World-class piano concerts and a shopping concept Among the forthcoming highlights for the more mature audiences is a concert with

Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, who was recently hailed by the New York Times as one of the world's finest pianists. He will perform two of Beethoven's piano concertos, while the orchestra will be led by Katarina Andreasson through a couple of Mozart pieces. "Bringing Andsnes here is really very exciting," Glimvall enthuses. "He is such an astonishing personality, not just in terms of his technical ability, but in his whole relationship to classical music." Local classical music enthusiasts can subscribe to different series of concerts, depending on when they want to go and what they want to hear. The blue subscription, for example, offers a number of Friday evening shows with world-famous guest musicians. The Saturday series experiments with a shopping concept, where various shops and cafĂŠs take part in the tribute to classical music and people stroll down to the concert hall whenever they are done with their shopping. There, they get to listen to an inter-

esting public person, such as an author or popular musician, talking about their relationship with classical music and what it has meant to them. "Considering the spirit of the day, and how busy we are a lot of the time, music has an important role to play in providing space and time to really stop and reflect on things," says Glimvall who continues to describe the chamber orchestra, which has been going since 1995, as a force ensuring that the city's cultural life keeps on growing and developing. With a distinctive harmony, and collaborations that aim to unite inward as well as outward, on local, national and international levels, that sounds very promising indeed for the city of Ă&#x2013;rebro.

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 41

Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

TEJP exhibition. Photo: Numen / For Use

Contemporary laboratory that sparks debate Färgfabriken is an art gallery that calls for attention. The ochre-coloured building in Stockholm's Liljeholmen and the beautifully simplistic interiors both add to the experience of a gallery that leaves no stone unturned, and that dares to ask questions. Come for hipster credit or art discovery, but whatever you do, do not expect to leave untouched. By Linnea Dunne

Färgfabriken is not entirely comfortable with the label art gallery. But then perhaps it depends on your definition of art. Forget paintings that you stare at before walking off wondering whether you really got it. Think instead of art as a trigger, as something that sparks debate, that cannot be ignored - and then, Färgfabriken is no doubt an art gallery. "We sometimes describe ourselves as a contemporary laboratory. This beautiful old paint factory is the hub, and in it, we display art and architecture and community planning projects; it's never just art for art's sake," says Pernilla Lesse, cofounder of the gallery. The exhibitions are produced in-house, sometimes by Färgfabriken themselves and other times by guest artists who come and produce something place-specific. "One of our current projects combines the making of a feature film with an exhibition by Croatian-Austrian art collective Numen, so their huge, tape-based installation also features in a film about an artist, shot here at Färgfabriken," Lesse explains. Talk about place-specific: the installation sure is worth

42 | Issue 37 | February 2012

seeing in itself, but here you also get to see what it is really like when a film is made. Next door is an exhibition by Swedish sculptor and painter Anna Persson, whose art deals with timeless questions of identity, and later on in the spring, an exhibition investigating the human mind will be showing. Not exactly still-life drawing, but then, as Lesse suggests, Färgfabriken is not your regular gallery: "We worked with democracy projects in the Middle East in the lead-up to the Arab Spring." Having curated projects where children's architectural visions were realised, and What's on at Färgfabriken 4.2 – 11.3: Installation/art exhibition: TEJP Stockholm / KIM

running numerous fairs, lectures and club nights, Färgfabriken is all about that spark: the unexpected, the unexplored, often the unconventional. The eye-catching building from the 1890s certainly makes it worth a visit, but the real reward is not in the beauty of the rooms, the hipster vibes or the good food in the restaurant: it is in the exchange. Or, if you like, in what happens in the laboratory.

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

19.4: Lecture with journalist and author Jon Ronson about his new book The Psychopath Test.

4.2 – 11.3: Art exhibition: Anna Persson Aberrationen kom som en frälsning för dem alla.

25.8 – 7.10: Hilda Hellwig - surrealist paintings by the theatre director.

25.2: Club night: Natten

exhibition about and platform for discussions on infrastructure and urban development, in collaboration with KTH (Royal Institute of Technology).

14.4 – 22.6: Psychosis part 2: project highlighting the human psyche through exhibitions, seminars and film screenings.

25.10 – 10.02: Stockholm on the move:

Photo: Jon Wallsten

Peace & Love festival: Making the world a better place The Borlänge Peace & Love festival started as an indoor event with only 900 visitors. Today, it is Sweden's biggest musical event, attracting 50,000 music lovers during four days in June. But what sets this festival apart from others is that is not just about great music and partying, it is about taking a stand and believing in a better world. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Malin Sydne

It began in 1999 with the intention of changing the image of Borlänge, a small industrial town in the county of Dalarna, notorious for its harsh climate, crime, drugs and street violence.

They also run their own record label, Peace & Love Artists, as well as a café in the centre of Borlänge. This year, the festival is also expanding by opening the doors to a two-day classical music festival on the 8-9 June called Peace & Love Strings. “We would like to attract a young audience, and the aim is to blur the genre boundaries of the music world. Classical music has more in common with rock music than you would think; they share the same depth and can also be dramatic,” explains Ronny Mattsson.

Peace & Love is Sweden’s fastest growing festival, with a clear message of diversity, equality and understanding. The festival offers debates and seminars on a chosen theme each year. It has attracted dynamic orators such as Bob Geldof and Jesse Jackson, and this year's theme is “A New World”. Peace & Love's press officer Ronny Mattsson, who was born and raised in the area, joined the team in 2007. “It has never been our aim to be the biggest festival in Sweden, but naturally it feels great to have evolved this way, and it’s a great testament to the work put in and the beliefs we hold when we see the loyalty and our popularity grow. Today, Borlänge is a town to be proud of; it wasn’t that way when I grew up,” says Mattsson.

setting up festivals abroad, for example in Chile, Texas and China, and most recently Cuba.

Peace & Love 2012 takes place from the 26-30 June. Bob Dylan, Jay-Z, Lily Allen, Mötley Crüe, M.I.A., Robyn, Ziggy Marley, Alice Cooper, Patti Smith and the Sex Pistols have all performed at the festival over the years. Peace & Love 2012 will feature more than 150 musical acts, both Swedish and International, encompassing several genres, and it is one of the most popular events in Sweden to visit.

Peace & Love is also collaborating with various organisations and record labels

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 43

Welcome to Sápmi: Let the Sámi introduce you to their land Spanning four countries and 15 regions, Sápmi is the land of the Sámi, a cradle of Arctic indigenous culture and home to traditional reindeer herders. Tourism organisation VisitSápmi’s aim is to finally bring together and promote quality Sámi service providers to offer tourists an authentic glimpse into the life, culture and nature of Sápmi, and all this in a sustainable and mutually respectful fashion. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Carl-Johan Utsi/cjutsiphoto.se

Lapland’s tourism industry has been booming for years, promoted often by colourful imagery of Santa Claus and snowy landscapes shimmering under the northern lights, but also with images of reindeer herding and the Sámi people. However, these Sámi associations have at times been endorsed without genuine knowledge of the Sámi culture or cooperation with the Sámi people. This is also the reason why there was need for an organisation like VisitSápmi, created by the Swedish Sámi Association. It also refers to the area as Sápmi, which is the actual Sámi name of the land. “We want to make sure that more of the money coming in through tourism goes back to the Sámi community,” explains

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project manager Lennart Pittja. “There used to be very few Sámi service providers who could make a living off tourism alone. And as the land here is used for reindeer herding, the ‘wrong’ kind of tourism can be an intrusion and cause real problems. We want to promote respectful and sustainable tourism that doesn’t destroy any herding possibilities. We also want to be involved in decision making in Swedish tourism.” Pittja has 15 years of experience in the tourism industry and knows exactly how recognisable Lapland has become all over the world. It would make work a lot simpler for VisitSápmi, if they had gone with the well-known Lapland branding, but they wanted to use the Sámi name and do it the Sámi way.

“I just don’t think the tourism industry has done Sámi culture justice. There is so much more we can offer our visitors, and accordingly, we want to develop the opportunities our own way and from our point of view. In Sámi culture, there is no difference between nature and culture; it’s all part of the same thing. It’s a very holistic way of looking at things, and through this we want to create our own brand. It’s also important to co-operate with partners in the tourism industry that share the same belief regarding sustainability, quality and ethics,” says Pittja. Do it the Sámi way If tourism is indeed planned and performed in collaboration and with respect for the lives and needs of the Sámi popu-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

lation, then the future does look bright for both the conservation of Sámi culture and tourists interested in authentic experiences. “We want to share Sámi knowledge and offer people the chance not just to see, but to taste, feel and thoroughly experience the Sámi way,” says Pittja. “This way the Sámi providers will also get to learn more about their own culture; it helps spread knowledge both ways.” Accordingly, with visitors interested in learning Sámi practices and hearing about their history, the Sámi themselves will continue learning more about their own traditions to quench the visitors’ thirst for information, and thus also preserve the knowledge for future generations. Sápmi Experience While VisitSápmi is actively promoting and creating interest for Sámi tourism through their website, they are also looking to create a quality label, namely Sápmi Experience. Companies with the label work with sustainable and responsible practices, and are extremely safe, ethical and beneficial for local development. Furthermore, they are the best Sámi service providers that can offer visitors fascinating insights into the Sámi world. VisitSápmi’s ambition is also to join forces with the Sámi in Norway, Finland and Russia to create a common indigenous organisation, and to offer tourists an unforgettable and authentic experience. “If you are interested in the stories and way of life of the Sámi, and you are interested in experiencing it with a Sámi guide, then you’re looking in the right place,” adds Pittja.

Suggested list of service providers, all approved Sápmi Experience: Fjällhästen – Sámi experiences on horseback in the Vindel Mountains (Gran Sámi Village) Njarka Sameläger – Living traditions at the Sámi camp in Åre (Kall Sámi Village)

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

Renbiten – Hiking, fishing and storytelling the Sámi way (Idre Sámi Village) Nutti Sámi Siida – Reindeer rides, trek and Sámi knowhow in Jukkasjärvi (Saarivuoma Sámi Village)

Ájtte Svenskt Fjäll och Samemuseum – A museum the Sámi way in Jokkmokk (Sirges Sámi Village)

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 45

Umeå: European Capital of Culture 2014 In September 2009,the whole of Umeå was cheering when it was appointed the European Capital of Culture for the year of 2014 by the EU Council of Ministers. The countdown has begun for the year of the most northerly Capital of Culture, as the city is gearing up for a big celebration. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Umeå 2014

Umeå, known as the city of contrasts, is the largest city in northern Sweden, and with its long warm summer nights with almost 24 hours of sunlight and the icy Nordic winters, it always amazes and astounds its visitors – and let’s not forget the famous northern lights. It is also home to one of Sweden’s biggest universities, with more than 30,000 students. Since 1980, Umeå has grown as a cultural centre, and, naturally, when the announcement came, a great sense of pride permeated the city. Now, Umeå is looking forward to a challenging and innovative year, with two years of preparations still ahead as well, and counting on a large number of visitors to arrive from all around Europe in 2014. “One of the justifications that the jury stated is Umeå's willingness to make not only the city but also northern Sweden more visible in Europe, using culture as a driving force,” says Fredrik Lindegren,

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head of the culture department at Umeå Council.

Fredrik Lindegren

The programme planned for 2014 is inspired by the eight Sámi seasons, Fredrik Lindegren explains. "The seasons have their own rhythm and have shaped Sámi cultural history, and for every season there will be a special showcase during the celebratory year.” Under the heading of “Curiosity and Passion — the art of co-creation”, Umeå's programme will feature symposiums, projects and festivals, and will showcase the world premiere of the multi-art work Rock Art in Sápmi, rock carvings and other forms of northern cultural traditions. The project contains several components, including a Sámi Theatre of rock art, art exhibitions, art performances and educational programmes for schools. Sápmi is a collective term for the area where the Sámi people traditionally settled in northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. The purpose of Rock Art in

Sápmi is for its audience to learn more about northern culture and traditions in ways that raise awareness in modern times. Lindegren and his team are naturally very proud, but also excited about what the future has to hold. The title will have a lasting impact and contribute to the longterm cultural, economic and social development of Umeå. “The nomination has naturally given Umeå and its surroundings a whole new dimension,” says Lindegren. “We’re building a new and impressive Cultural Centre, which will be completed in time for the inauguration. This stunning birch inspired building will be located on the river, and includes an indoor square for trade, restaurants, cafés and hotels. The building varies in height from 4-13 storeys.” Umeå is a place where different worlds meet; over half of the people who live here are from outside the region. More than 50 languages are spoken, with English widely used, and there is a thriving community of clubs and societies that represent people and cultures from across the globe.

“It is a young city with a do-it-yourself attitude, and equality has always been of great importance to us. We are a very open city when it comes to gay, lesbian and bisexual people; there is no prejudice, and the city has a feeling of openness and acceptance that few places in the world can boast,” says Lindegren. During the end of next year, Umeå 2014 will be conducting an “Icetour” around Europe in cooperation with the Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel. The plan is to visit as many European capitals as possible to attract attention and awareness, developing cultural exchanges. Other events include a European film festival and a rather unusual bird project, where the creatures will act as links between the different cultures in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Umeå shares the distinction with the Latvian city of Riga, and the two cities are naturally already collaborating.

For more information, please visit: www.umea2014.se

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 47

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

Ming Wong, Persona Performa, 2011.

Collage by Lisa Jonasson, 2012. Photo: Lisa Jonasson.

Bonniers Konsthall – a venue for new contemporary art Since it opened in 2006, Bonniers Konsthall has established itself as one of the leading institutions of contemporary art in Scandinavia. This spring, they will be exhibiting works of new inspiring Swedish and international artists. Lisa Jonasson is the next in line to be featured in the exhibition series In the Spetsen Gallery, and the gallery also investigates the century-long love affair between art and film in the group exhibition A Trip to the Moon. Before and after film. By Sara Schedin

The transparent triangular building on Torsgatan in Stockholm is the work of architects at Johan Celsing Arkitektkontor, who had the vision of creating a light, accessible gallery. Its impressive glass facade offers views of the city and reflects the gallery’s idea of being an open and inviting place for its visitors. ”You will always see something new and exciting at our gallery. We’re brave enough to support the emergence of and promote encounters with new contemporary art,” says director Sara Arrhenius. The gallery was founded by Jeanette Bonnier and is run on a non-profit basis by the Bonnier Group, one of Scandinavia’s biggest media concerns. In 1985, Jeanette Bonnier created the Maria Dahlin Bonnier Foundation in memory of her daughter, and every year, the foundation awards a grant to a young Swedish artist.

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Contemporary artist Lisa Jonasson, who received the grant in 2004, has been invited to decorate the glass walls of the Spetsen Gallery with her richly detailed and colourful collages, which almost have a cartoony feel to them. “Lisa is a fresh talent who is part of the new generation of artists. Her art is imbued with a warm sense of humour,” says Arrhenius. In A Trip to the Moon, a group of contemporary artists have worked with moving imagery to express the theme of the history and future of filmmaking. They will be screening a selection of historical feature films and shorter video installations, including Singaporean artist Ming Wong’s interpretation of Ingmar Bergman’s masterpiece Persona, Charlie Chaplin’s Behind the Screen and Georges Méliès’s A Trip to the Moon. Visual director Andreas Nilsson has added an extra dimension to the exhibition by designing a cool and unique gallery space.

A Trip to the Moon. Before and after film will be showcased until 8 April, and Lisa Jonasson’s work can be viewed at the Spetsen Gallery until 29 April. Bonniers Konsthall. Photo: Mattias Givell

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

Opening hours Konsthall Mon-Tue Closed Wed-Fri 12-19 Sat-Sun 11-17

Spetsen Mon-Tue 11-14 Wed-Fri 11-19 Sat-Sun 11-17

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

A visit to Lilla Hyttnäs – the home of Carl and Karin Larsson At Carl Larsson’s house in Sundborn in the county of Dalarna, visitors get the chance to travel back in time and wander through the artist and his wife Karin’s untouched home. The Larsson residence was already well known in Sweden at the beginning of the 20th century for its modern style and beautiful interior. “Carl and Karin were the celebrity couple of that time, famous for their impeccable taste and artistic home. They almost got the same media attention as the royal family,” says manager Chia Jonsson. Carl Larsson was born in 1853 and began his career as an artist during his teens. He spent several years in Paris trying to establish himself as a painter but never achieved any success. It was not until 1882 when he met Karin and swapped his oil paintings for watercolours that he finally went through an artistic transformation.

In 1888, Karin’s father gave them Lilla Hyttnäs in Sundborn, and the small house quickly became their mutual art project. Carl depicted the home that Karin decorated with her modern textiles and rustic furniture. Her artistic power was a very important component in his art. Carl’s paintings of Karin, their seven children and their home became what people all over the world would come to see as quintessentially Swedish. “I think that Carl’s art became so popular because of the warmth and homeliness it exudes. He painted the home that everyone wanted to have,” says Jonsson. Every year, around 50,000 people from around the world visit Sunborn and take part in the guided tours that Carl Larsson’s house offers its visitors. During the high season, it might be wise to book in advance if you wish to avoid waiting.

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

By Sara Schedin | Photos: Carl Larsson-gården

Glasriket – a kingdom of crystal, design and history By Linnea Dunne | Photos: AB Glasriket

Hand-blown glass has been produced in the Kingdom of Crystal in southern Sweden since 1742, when the first furnace was put in service at Kosta. "It was when glass was suddenly needed for windows for the castle in Stockholm that orders were given to turn some of the old ironworks into glassworks," says Stine Breum-Appelqvist. When, during the 20th century, designers started coming on board, sales skyrocketed. Today, there are 13 glassworks in the area. The lush scenery suddenly became beneficial not only in terms of its contributions to the industry, but also as a tourist attraction. "There's so much more than glass here. You can go fishing or canoeing, or head out on a moose safari the landscape is in itself a real experience," says Breum-Appelqvist, marketing manager at the Kingdom.

So is the Kosta Boda Art Hotel. Different parts of the hotel have been designed by different famous Kosta Boda designers, like the foyer by Bertil Vallien and the glass bar by Kjell Engman, and everything on display is for sale. Like the glass sink in the bathroom? Buy it and take it home! The hotel also makes the perfect starting point for discovering the rest of the Kingdom. Simply pick up a brochure and jump on a bike or into the car. Within minutes you will be watching glassblowers at work, and maybe even giving it a go yourself. "It looks pretty easy, but it really isn't!" says Breum-Appelqvist. Whether you want to go on your own little adventure or sign up for a package deal, there is lots to discover. This is not only a design stronghold, but also an area full of museums and landmarks, plotting out the history of Sweden.

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 49

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

Opera on tour, powered by passion What is intense, musical, and turns up at numerous castles in southern Sweden every summer? The answer is Skånska Operan. Expect opera with a difference: no grand set design or humongous brass sections. Skånska Operan brings the drama and the music to you. Simple. When Skånska Operan was founded in 1993 by Christian Fürst Myrup, it was 100 per cent enthusiasm and not a whole lot of organisation. Then Åsa Jensen joined as producer, and things have steadily picked up since. Now in its 19th year, celebrating the memory of Fürst Myrup, who passed away a few years back, Skånska Operan has a very clear goal: to make opera accessible to a wider audience. "You shouldn't have to know the opera before you get here," explains director Ola Hörling, who first came on board to complete the half-finished opera Fürst Myrup left behind. "Doing everything in Swedish,

By Linnea Dunne

and in settings which mean that you get close enough to the actors to see every move they make, even minor shifts in facial expressions, we make opera a different, incredibly intimate experience." With its headquarters in Malmö, Skånska Operan tours its home county every summer, with around 23 performances in a month across various castle grounds. This means that set design must be kept to a minimum, as must the orchestra. "We normally work with a string quartet and a piano, and sometimes a double bass," says Hörling. The summer of 2012 will see Verdi's well-known tragedy Rigoletto get a facelift in Swedish, with plenty of drama and human touch. Powered by the passion of people who love opera and are happy to sacrifice big pay cheques for an intense learning experience, Skånska Operan makes no fuss. It is awe-inspiring music, close to the skin.

Culture and art – the Smålandian way

50 | Issue 37 | February 2012

The Marriage of Figaro. Photo: Håkan Röjder

Photo: Viktor Korsgård Magnusson

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

meant to provoke but also to make us giggle. “She uses a lot of colour and patterns in her art,” says Månsson. “Her intention is to make daily life more fun.” Håkansson works a lot with screen-prints as well as with different embroidery techniques. Do not be surprised if you find that she has turned a dish cloth into art. Kulturparken Småland is one of three that will be competing in the final for Museum of the Year 2012.

Agneta Flock

“Since our start in 2009, we have turned the Museum Park in Växjö into something of a cultural hub. Kulturparken is based here together with the House of Emigrants and Småland’s Museum,” says the CEO of Kulturparken Småland, Erica Månsson. Artists Agneta Flock and Lena Håkansson each have their own individual way of approaching textile. Agneta Flock is showing her characteristic colourful silhouette cuttings and some textile works. Her art

has become very popular in Japan, and she has had several exhibitions there. “Flock is a perfectionist to the core, and her work is made with an incredible craftsmanship,” says Månsson. The core of Lena Håkansson’s art is humour. Her exhibition “I am happy” is

Lena Håkansson

The county of Småland in the south of Sweden is known for its beautiful glasswork and furniture design. In addition to its renowned design, it has a rich cultural life, which the organisation Kulturparken Småland has taken on to coordinate. It is currently showcasing the work of textile artists Agneta Flock and Lena Håkansson at Småland’s Museum, one of several museums included in the organisation.

By Sara Schedin Photos: Kulturparken Småland

La Traviata. Photo: Håkan Röjder

For more information about Kulturparken and the museums included in the organisation, please visit: www.kulturparkensmaland.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

Varbergs Konsthall ‘s opening exhibition Konst är Dyrbarare än Korv.

Varberg has put itself on the map of the Swedish art scene Varbergs Konsthall only opened last month but has already received national recognition for its opening show Konst är Dyrbarare än Korv (“Art is Dearer than Sausage”). This pop art exhibition features over 100 art pieces by 34 of Sweden’s foremost artists and has been praised by critics. “One journalist wrote that people from Helsingborg should now come to Varberg to look at art, which is rather funny since Varberg is a much smaller town,” says director Eva Eriksdotter. The gallery is situated on the second floor in the new culture centre Komedianten, a light and spacious building located on Engelbreksgatan in Varberg and designed by the architect Lars Gauffin. The gallery’s focus will be on Swedish and international contemporary art. “The whole idea of a proper art gallery in a town of only 58,000 residents feels very innovative; it is a nice change from the library-exhibitions small town people usually have to succumb to,” says Eriksdotter. “The fact that people appreciate these sort of initiatives became obvious on the opening day of the gallery when we had around 7,000 visitors.” The Konst är Dyrbarare än Korv exhibition was opened by artist Helene Billgren and

features works by artists such as MarieLouise Ekman, Ernst Billgren and Jan Håfström. The show’s title is borrowed from Carsten Regild and Rolf Björlind’s 1980s art piece but originally came from Francis Picabia’s Dada manifesto from 1920. “Regild and Björlind were mixing many different art forms and that sort of artistic boldness can be seen in all the works at the exhibition,” says Eriksdotter. Coming up after Konst är Dyrbarare än Korv is a solo show by internationally renowned Norwegian artist Olav Christopher Jenssen, who works both with painting and sculpture. Jenssen is based in Sweden and Germany and has been a Professor of Painting at Braunschweig University of Art since 2007. Korv är Dyrbarare än Konst will be showcased until 6 May, and Olav Christopher Jenssen’s show will start on 19 May and end on 9 September.

Opening hours Mon Closed Tue 12-18 Wed 12-20 Thu-Fri 12-18 Sat-Sun 12-16

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

By Sara Schedin | Photos: Varbergs Konsthall

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 51

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Sweden

Discover an important part of Swedish cultural heritage By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Vallonbruken i Uppland

The Walloon ironworks in the county of Uppland consist of twenty fascinating villages established by mining communities in Sweden during the 1600s. The fascinating legacy and the lives of the Belgian immigrants who worked here have been documented and preserved in the most remarkable way. It is an important part of Swedish cultural heritage, attracting roughly 200,000 visitors per year, and its creation is an intriguing tale. During the early 17th century Sweden was forced to pay a substantial ransom to Denmark. A keen industrialist, Louis de Geer, came to the rescue and lent a large sum to the Swedish state, and in return de Geer was then able to import blacksmiths and craftsmen from Wallonia to revolutionize the iron industry. The Walloon ironworks village became

Lövstabruks Herrgård

a world leader in the industry and the owners of the mines extremely wealthy. The largest mills all have their own unique character, and tour guides will reveal their stories. There are forges and blast furnaces as well as the most astounding manors and castles where you can stay. "The villages have been authentically restored; it’s like travelling back in time,” says Eva Wrede, from the non-profit organization Vallonbruken i Uppland. Eva and her colleagues are celebrating their 15th anniversary this year with a special week at the end of August. “We will offer an attractive programme with extended opening hours, showcasing the villages and the mills, in short, a smorgasbord of activities,” Ewa Wrede explains. The Walloon ironworks are situated 115 kilometres north of Stockholm and easily accessible from the motorway E4.

For more information, please visit: www.vallonbruken.nu Strömsbergs Bruk

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Classical instruments played to a modern beat by Apocalyptica. Photo: Terhi Ylimäinen

Culture in Finland 2012 By Paavo Arhinmäki, Minister of Culture and Sport, Finland

Not surprisingly, Finland is often called the “Promised Land of Festivals”. This nation of some five million organises hundreds of festivals every year, catering for all tastes: chamber music, jazz, opera, folk, blues, rock, rap, theatre, ballet, dance, films and circus - just to name a few. With two million visits recorded last year, the Finns' interest in cultural festivals is impressive. Finnish culture is marked by contrasts. We may dance to a happy modern beat from the West, but spiced with tradition and melancholy tunes from the East. And how about heavy metal played on cellos, films with virtually no dialogue or art museums collaborating with skateboarders! This unique culture attracts visitors. For today's world citizens, cultural tourism is a great means to an understanding of other traditions, customs and history. Most of our festivals are rooted in the passion of artists. The origin of the Kuhmo

Chamber Music Festival 40 years ago was cellist Seppo Kimanen's vision of a peaceful setting combining a scenic venue with world-class chamber music. Or the Midnight Sun Film Festival, created by the now world-famous Kaurismäki brothers in Sodankylä, a village in the heart of Lapland, 120 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Other cultural events have similar stories to tell about passionate talents and their art and performances that will leave a lasting impression. This year will be no exception. Finland offers a wide range of festivals to choose from. You might want to visit Helsinki - the World Design Capital by the sea - or enjoy opera in a mediaeval castle on a rocky islet in Lake Saimaa, where the Savonlinna Opera Festival will celebrate its centenary with a programme offering an interesting mix of the new and the traditional. And, no doubt, one or two exciting experimental festivals will spring up somewhere this year as well.

Paavo Arhinmäki, Minister of Culture and Sport, Finland

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Finland

Providing Turku with pure jazz goodness since 1969 Turku Jazz, Finland’s second oldest jazz happening, offers an exciting start to the country’s jazz festival season in March. A new free and experimental jazz concert series is one of the highlights of the 2012 event; however, there is plenty more to enjoy on top of that, with over 100 musicians playing in 21 ensembles over 4 days. Turku Jazz is a jazz festival through and through, with perhaps a few blues artists sprinkled in between, but the line-up mainly consists of straight-up jazz soloists and bands.

mental and free jazz concert series, tku_jazz_goes_free. The concerts take place in the art and activity centre Vimma (“Frenzy”), and you can purchase a ticket to cover all three nights for just 50 euros.

“We stick to quite a strict jazz programme, but we also try to keep on top of the times with a mix of both experienced and young artists,” explains Kimmo Hyyppä, chair of the Turku Jazz Association. “Over the years, the festival has witnessed plenty of performances by foreign jazz icons as well as pretty much all the significant Finnish jazz ensembles. Big names have included Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, the George Adams/Don Pullen Quartet, Dexter Gordon Quartet and many more.” This year, the festival is proud to present its experi-

The Turku Jazz concerts are spread out over multiple venues in the city, including the magnificent Logomo concert hall that was used as a cultural hub during Turku’s Capital of Culture year, and there are also several events that you can enjoy free of charge. From 15.3 – 18.3.2012, visit Turku for some jazz goodness, with artists such as Berryhill Gang feat. Axl Smith, Nina Van Horn, Pentti Lasanen Big Swing and Nat Newborn Big Time.

Left: Nina Van Horn. Photo: DocMac. Right: Nat Newborn Text by Nia Kajastie | Photos: Turku Jazz

For more information, including the full festival programme, please visit: www.turkujazz.fi

Tapiola Sinfonietta continues to develop and delight The Espoo City Orchestra, the Tapiola Sinfonietta, was founded in 1987, when the city eagerly sought to create its very own world-class orchestra. Enthusiastically embraced from the moment of its inception, today the orchestra represents uncompromising quality that is recognised in Finland as well as abroad. Composed of 41 musicians, the Tapiola Sinfonietta specialises in music of the Viennese-Classical era, however, their repertoire also includes music from the 20th century as well as premieres of contemporary music. In addition, children’s and youth concerts and workshops are essential components of the orchestra’s activities. In the early days of the orchestra, renowned Finnish conductors Jorma Panula and Osmo Vänskä were among its artistic directors, and between 1993-2006, Jean-Jacques Kantorow had a great impact on the current highly-acclaimed

54 | Issue 37 | February 2012

Top left: Central European tour violin soloist Alina Pogostkina. Photo: Felix Broede. Top right: General Manager Hanna Kosonen. Below: The orchestra. Photos: Sami Perttilä

sound of the orchestra. In the current season, Tapiola Sinfonietta’s artistic partners include violinist Pekka Kuusisto as well as conductors Mario Venzago, Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Stefan Asbury.

The way in which Tapiola Sinfonietta manages itself reflects the orchestra’s youthful spirit. Since the 2000s, the orchestra´s artistic responsibility has lain with the musicians themselves together with the general manager. “The orchestra is continuously developing, and thus we’ve been able to attract many world-class conductors and soloists,” says Tapiola Sinfonietta’s general manager Hanna Kosonen. “The quality of the orchestra and its musicians is very high, and we get a lot of praise for that, even from abroad.” In mid-February, together with Mario Venzago, the Tapiola Sinfonietta will embark on an extensive tour of Central Europe, with concert dates in Germany, Austria and Italy, among others. The orchestra will also give two more concerts at the new Helsinki Music Centre this season. By Nia Kajastie

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Finland

Ceramics and naïve art in Kouvola

By Inna Allen | Photos: Johannes Wiehn

Kouvola Art Museum, Poikilo, provides visual feasts both inside and out. The modern art museum, designed by Erkki Valovirta in 1987, contains 86 angles and is considered one of the most beautiful postmodernist buildings in Finland. Kouvola, a city in south-eastern Finland, is located about 130 kilometres from Helsinki. Easily accessible, the Poikilo Museum is within walking distance from the Kouvola bus and railway stations. Situated in a beautiful museum quarter and surrounded by quaint handicraft shops, Poikilo provides plenty to see and experience. The museum has more than 1,000 square metres of exhibition space on two floors, along with a museum shop and café-restaurant. The upcoming summer exhibition is a must for all lovers of pottery and ceramic art. “For the first time ever, the works of ceramic artists Anu Pentik and Suku Park are showcased in a joint exhibition,” says

Fer

Left: Black Magic Panther by Catherine Musnier. Middle: Suku Park. Right: Anu Pentik.

museum director Johanna Vuolasto. Finnish Pentik is renowned in Finland for her merits as an artist and the artistic director of design company Pentik, whilst South Korean Park is an internationally acclaimed artist and a member of IAC (International Academy of Ceramics), whose works are displayed in several famous collections. This gala exhibition can be seen 5.5.-2.9.2012.

Alongside the ceramics exhibition runs the exhibition on international naïve art. Colourful Europe brings together around thirty naïve artists from across Europe. The artworks, which range from the naturalistic to the dreamlike fantasy, also fill the museum’s art gallery and some of the shop windows of the nearby pedestrian street. For more information, please visit: www.poikilo.fi

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Bergen – The Gateway to the Fjords of Norway As a European city of culture and world heritage, Bergen offers world-class experiences and culture. Being The Gateway to the Fjords of Norway, the Bergen region offers the ideal combination of nature, culture and interesting urban attractions – all year round. Bergen is an international city packed with history and tradition, a big city with small-town charm and atmosphere. Bergen likes visitors, and Bergen is worth a visit. By: Visit Bergen | Photo: BTB/Robin Strand

Bergen is surrounded by one of the most popular attractions in the world, the Norwegian fjords, which have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and voted the world’s most unspoiled tourist destination by National Geographic. The city is a great starting point if you wish to explore the fjords. There are many organised sightseeing and fjord tours of varying length that you are guaranteed to find memorable. The Bergen region has a unique breadth of culture and experiences to offer. Every day, it is possible to choose between re-

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vues and theatre, dance performances, shows and international concerts, featuring top-class international performers. The city offers year-round entertainment for young and old alike – from small clubs to outdoor arenas and the region’s flagship concert venue, the Grieg Hall. Together with 60 other festivals and topflight concerts by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Black Sabbath in 2012, the highly-reputed Bergen International Festival, held every year in May and June, puts the Bergen region firmly on the world’s musical map.

The fact that Bergen is located in one of the world’s most scenic areas means that there are lots of opportunities for active experiences for adults and children. The city’s seven mountains are the local people’s most popular recreation area. If you take the Fløibanen funicular or the Ulriken cable car up to the mountains, you can walk for hours on marked trails while enjoying panoramic views of the city. Bergen has all that is required for active experiences, and for a real challenge, join one of the popular mountain races, Ulriken Opp or Stoltzekleiven Opp. We hear the same thing every year; visitors from all over the world have just one complaint when they leave: that their stay didn’t last longer.

Welcome!

Get a taste of Bergen and “what’s on in 2012” at www.visitbergen.com.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Bergen

Charming guest house nestled in Bergen’s quaint and traditional centre Situated among Bergen city centre’s charming cobbled streets and alleyways are the “Two Sisters”. This family-run guesthouse offers an elegant interior, a fabulous traditional breakfast and a perfect location from which to explore the beautiful city centre. The city’s waterfront and UNESCO World Heritage Site, “Bryggen”, is just a minute’s walk away from the house, which boasts two double bedrooms with a shared bathroom and a spacious loft suite featuring a private bathroom and balcony. A good night’s sleep is capped by a musthave traditional breakfast, featuring homemade bread, jams, cheese and local delights, such as smoked salmon and a variety of marinated fish. As manager Yvonne Robberstad explains, it is the perfect way to start a day of sightseeing. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for Norwegians, and you’ll soon see why. Our breakfasts are very popular

with our guests, featuring a wide range of excellent local produce as well as fresh, homemade bread and fillings.” Yvonne runs the guesthouse with her sister Renate, both of whom were born and raised in Bergen. Their local knowledge is of great help to guests looking to explore the city’s beauty spots, such as the panoramic views from Mount Ulrikken, which can be reached by a cable car. February will also see the opening of a new, self-catered basement apartment, available for short and long term rental, at “Two Sisters”. Booking details can be found on the website.

Take to the sea in a fleet of vessels suitable for any occasion The surrounding mountains and alluring waterfront make Bergen a wonderful city to explore, but to fully appreciate the beauty of the western coastline, one must take to the sea. Maritime Tours offers a fleet of ships and boats for hire, ideal for tourist groups and companies seeking an excursion to remember. Maritime Tours is a tour operator specialising in chartering boats to both the surrounding coastal areas and the fjords. With over fifty vessels on its books, including high-speed ferries, yachts and fishing boats, with capacities ranging from 11 to

nearly 300 passengers, it is sure to cater for every need. Popular with businesses looking to arrange company outings, the tour operator also offers services to larger private groups and

By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: To Søstre Guesthouse

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

tourists. The so-called “party boats” are ideal for corporate events, catering to large numbers of people and featuring conference rooms and bars. In terms of destinations, the possibilities are endless. From a small tour around Bergen harbour to a two hour trip up to the Hardangerfjord, Maritime Tours can do it all. For a truly memorable tour, why not arrange for a tailor-made trip. Maritime Tours will cater for your every need, including journey routes, activities, restaurant stopovers and overnight accommodation. The service is available throughout the year, with a list of vessels and booking information available from the website. By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: Maritime Tours

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 57

Feel at home in fabulous and historical surroundings Stay at the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret, and indulge in elegant interiors, rich history and with immediate access to all the best attractions Bergen has to offer. By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret

Have a quick online search for Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret, and you will come across numerous reviews describing the hotel as “beautiful chic” and “lovely in prime location”. Even the renowned New York Times popped by the hotel and affirmed the notion of an elegant first-class hotel. “The hotel has a ‘wow’ effect on many of our guests,” confirms general manager Hilde Berentsen. “Fashionable elegance in an informal setting with the best location in town” “We are mainly a hotel for people who travel extensively, and therefore often stay at hotels,” says Berentsen. The splendid location and promise of a hotel out of the ordinary also tempt many international tourists throughout the year. “Tourists and business travellers alike enjoy the impressive surroundings and yet informal setting, and they appreciate our compli-

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mentary midday snack of waffles or pancakes, and a simple evening meal,” explains Berentsen. Situated on Bryggen, the iconic port in Bergen which can be found on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the hotel offers you the best of Bergen within walking distance. However, you do not have to leave the hotel to experience a spectacular view of the city, as well as an interesting snap shot of the history of Bergen, the hotel and Bryggen. “We recommend all our guests to visit the Tower, where you can read about our history on the way to the top, before experiencing Bergen with a 360 degree view,” says Berentsen.

Halvorsen before it was sold to the Bergen Port Authority. Having played an important role in Bergen, there were many restrictions before the hotel opened its doors in 2006. “The antiquary demanded that we keep the original neoclassical look, as well as a beautiful fresco painting on the ceiling,” says Berentsen. Moreover, she attributes the hotel’s popularity to the friendly personnel. “Happy and content personnel is the key, and they need to shine just as much as the chandelier,” says Berentsen and welcomes guests to a stay at the hotel, which recently won the award for Clarion Collection Hotel of the Year 2011.

On historical ground The history of the hotel is largely integrated with the history of Bergen, as the neoclassical building from 1920 belonged to the shipping magnate Thoralv

For more information, please visit: www.clarionhotel.com/ hotel-bergen-norway-NO097

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Bergen

Norway at its most beautiful The fjords of western Norway, world famous for their unique and stunning scenery, are popular with visitors from all over the world. Helping you get the most out of your fjord experience is Fjord Tours. With 30 years’ experience, and a range of packages on offer, this is the place to go for your tailormade trip. The emphasis is on fjord cruises, but packages are flexible and a host of other activities can be added. “We offer package tours in Norway with an emphasis on the fjord region,” says product manager Anne Randi Gjerstad, “and we cover all fjords from Lysefjorden in the south to UNESCO World Heritage site Geiranger further north.” “What makes us unique is that people can buy a trip that is flexible. All trips can easily be combined with overnight stays either in Oslo or Bergen or at smaller places

along the route. We also offer activities such as skiing or kayaking as part of our packages.” “Our Norway in a nutshell® tour is extremely popular, and is a trip we offer year-round,” says Gjerstad. “You can do the tour as a seven-hour round trip, or really take your time and spend a few days enjoying the beautiful scenery.” The trip promises to be an experience, giving you the chance to see sights such as northern Europe’s steepest road, the breathtaking Flåm Railway, and the narrow Nærøyfjord - another Norwegian fjord included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. All tours are suitable for both individuals and groups, and are easily bookable through the company’s website or through many international agents.

Top: The Nærøyfjord. Below left: The Aurlandsfjord. Right: The Flåm Railway

By Karin Modig Photos: Fjord Tours/Paal Audestad.

For further information and to book tickets, please visit: www.fjordtours.com

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

Hotel of the Month, Sweden

A modern country club for health, relaxation and business If less is more, Sankt Jörgen Park Resort is breaking all the rules. As one of the largest, most complete spa resorts in Sweden, built four years ago and extended further last year, they do things big and they do it well. "We're a modern country club," says Lisa Thorén, the resort's marketing manager. "Simply come and spend the night, or play some golf, use the gym or have a relaxing spa treatment. It's all about that active, healthy lifestyle." By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Sankt Jörgen Park Resort

You could say that the facilities have two guises: one for conferences and business trips during the week, and one for relaxation and health breaks during weekends and holiday seasons. Or, as Thorén puts it: "On Fridays the suit comes off and the bathrobe comes on." But far from exclusive to business people and spa fanatics from afar, Sankt Jörgen Park Resort doubles up as a normal, albeit luxurious, sports club for locals.

and dance step, providing an effective cardio workout by combining dance moves with a step box, to Zumba and Yogilates. Your mental wellbeing will be considered just as much as your physical health, and there to help you are close to 30 professional instructors. Naturally, you can get your own personal trainer to help you reach your goals. Oh, and did we mention the Golf Academy and its 18-hole golf course?

Wellbeing taken seriously

With all this space, you might think the resort is situated miles away from civilisation, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. But in line with the more-is-

more concept, Sankt Jörgen Park Resort is only 10 minutes from Gothenburg's central station and the same distance from Gothenburg City Airport. "We're close to everything, which of course makes it incredibly handy," says Thorén. "Still, this is not a place people visit to experience the town. On the contrary, people come here to get away. It's an oasis of calm bang in the middle of the city." The three spa rituals

In terms of keeping on top of your health regime, you really could not wish for more. The classes on offer range from spinning

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The concept of the oasis has been thought through in detail, and the resort has developed its own unique spa ritual concept along with a range of spa products. When

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

you arrive at the spa, you choose between three rituals: relaxing, energising or purifying. "For example, the energising concept switches between water of different temperatures to really get the blood circulation going, while the relaxing ritual is a lot more consistent throughout to create a calming environment. That way, you always get the most out of your spa experience," Thorén explains. Each of the rituals comes with a bag of products to be used throughout the treatment, and for anyone wishing to bring a little bit of the ritual back home with them, all the products, packed full of Nordic natural goodness, can be purchased in the spa shop. This year, the skin care section of the spa is being given an extra push, and there is an impressive range of facials on offer, including Ayurvedic treatments.

come here to “getPeople away. It's an oasis of calm bang in the middle of the city.

”

Eat yourself healthy No resort is complete without a good restaurant. Unsurprisingly, Sankt Jörgen Park Resort has four - well, if you count the modern cocktail lounge, Bula Bar, and the raw food-inspired Jos Bar, serving organic salads and juices. The lunch buffet on offer at the golf complex restaurant Greenhouse is immensely popular, while the Garden Café is all about local produce, atmosphere and the celebration of Swedish culinary heritage. This is also where the comfortable terrace is located, perfect for an aperitif or morning coffee. This great selection of food options certainly helps to create a flexible approach to conferencing, where your needs are the driving force. Likewise, at Sankt Jörgen Park Resort, there is no such thing as a standard room. Everybody is different, and so it is up to you whether you want to emphasise interiors, extra space or a private terrace - or all of the above. Celebrating a special occasion? Just say the word, and a bottle of champagne will be on its way to your room. "We are the leading ritual spa in the Nordic countries," says Thorén. "We've really put a lot of effort into making these spaces work, and I think our guests can tell the difference." Certainly, with

Ayurvedic treatments, a Golf Academy, a range of healthy food options, aerobics classes, conferencing facilities and spa manicures all under one roof, surrounded by beautiful green spaces, that sounds just about right. It seems fair to say that less is not more. Truth be told, as far as

health and relaxation is concerned, why would you ever want to compromise?

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 61

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

A luxurious stay in Herning By Kirstine Trauelsen | Photos: BEST WESTERN Hotel Eyde

In 1839, there were three houses in the future town of Herning, Jutland; one of them was a hotel. It still is, and as the town has grown, the hotel has grown with it. Today, BEST WESTERN Hotel Eyde is a four-star hotel, and in January 2012, it opened the doors to five new luxury suites made for guests who are looking for an extraordinary hotel experience combining Danish design and history. Arne Jacobsen and Bang & Olufsen The creation of the five luxury suites at BEST WESTERN Hotel Eyde was a direct result of the need for extraordinary hotel suites in the city. Herning has become one of the biggest cultural and conference cities in Denmark, “and in Herning

we cooperate,” says hotel chief Lone Nissen. “So of course we wanted to meet the growing need for luxury hotel facilities.” The suites are furnished with chairs by the world renowned Danish designer Arne Jacobsen, and the TVs are from Bang & Olufsen. The design from the Danish top brands contributes to making the suites exquisite in an overall Danish retro style.

sen, while she stresses the importance of respecting the atmosphere of the historical hotel. “We follow the development of Herning, but it is very important for us to respect the hotel's history,” she says. “We are proud to offer our guests state-of-the-art facilities, while at the same time honouring the charming building we live in.”

Respecting history Besides the new suites, BEST WESTERN Hotel Eyde is working on several other projects. When the huge cycling event Giro d'Italia comes to Herning in May 2012, the hotel will be ready to host the many extra guests. “We are building a new wing to the hotel with 27 brand new rooms, which will be ready for Giro d'Italia,” says Lone Nis-

On top of the luxury suites and the new wing, BEST WESTERN Hotel Eyde is having a new reception and a lounge made, and future guests at the hotel can enjoy the new fitness facilities, an atrium and much more. With all its new facilities, BEST WESTERN Hotel Eyde is looking forward to welcoming even more guests, be it for conferences, concerts or just for a weekend of luxury in one of Herning's most beautiful buildings.

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

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Finland

Hotel of the Month, Finland

Tampere’s premium business hotel By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Mainos Lehmus

The lively cultural and academic city of Tampere is known for hosting first-class conferences and events at great venues, such as the Tampere Hall concert and congress centre. Close by, in downtown Tampere, but neatly tucked away from the hubbub of the city, you will find Holiday Inn Tampere, a top-notch business hotel with modern, comfortable facilities, and service that always goes the extra mile. A part of the Holiday INN hotel group since 2006, Holiday Inn Tampere comprises 135 air-conditioned rooms, including five executive rooms, five standard rooms with saunas and three suites with their own saunas. All guests can also log on to the complimentary high-speed internet. For something extra special, why not relax in the hotel’s rooftop sauna and Jacuzzi to admire spectacular views of the vibrant city. Furthermore, the hotel includes fullyequipped meeting rooms for up to 100 people as well as the atrium-style Brasserie Opera restaurant, known for its traditional local dishes, with a capacity for 150 diners. There are 70 parking spaces available, on top of a special carwash service. And due to its central location, you are never far away from restaurants, entertainment venues, cultural attractions or shopping opportunities. For

example, three kilometres from the hotel, you will find Pyynikki Observation Tower, which grants a wonderful view over the Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi lakes. In the summer, you can make your way to Tammelantori market square for some local delicacies. Other specialities at the hotel include the pillow menu, which lets you choose between five different pillow styles. Your pillow preference is then marked into the system, so when you return, the same type of pillow will be waiting for you automatically. And why not check out during breakfast, as the bill can be brought straight to your table without hassle (available from Tuesday to Friday). “We work according to high international standards, and our priority is to guarantee a good night’s stay for all our guests,” says General Manager Timo Haapanen.

“We’ve learned to anticipate problems, so that they can be solved before they become an issue. We also strongly emphasise safety and professionalism in all that we do.”

Contact details: Holiday Inn Tampere Yliopistonkatu 44 33100 Tampere, Finland Tel. + 358 3 2455 111 tampere.holidayinn@restel.fi Distances: - City Centre 200 m - Bus station 1 km - Railway station 200 m - Airport 15 km - Harbour 1 km - Tampere Hall 200 m - Helsinki 170 km

For more information, please visit: www.restel.fi/holidayinn

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 63

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Hotel of the Month, Norway

Visit the pearl of the Sognefjord By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Hotel Midtnes

Enjoy a peaceful stay at Hotel Midtnes, and indulge in the spectacular beauty nature has to offer. Enjoy a panoramic view of the world-famous Sognefjord from your balcony, and delight in the trails in the nearby mountains as well as along the fjord. Hotel Midtnes dates back to the Second World War, when the family living at the house rented out rooms to visitors from Bergen. The building has since been through several renovations, and today it is one of the most popular tourist hotels in the area.”‘Most of our guests are international tourists, and they appreciate the wonderful location in between the mountains, fjords and glaciers, while we offer them a friendly service in a laidback environment,” says owner Jon Gjeraker. “Our guests tend to describe our hotel as a home abroad.” An ideal place for mountain and fjord excursions The hotel is located in Balestrand, a town on the north side of the Sognefjord, and is easily accessible by car, bus and ferry,

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and is thus a natural place to visit for tourists wanting to experience the fjord. “Many use our hotel as a base for day trips to the Jostedal Glacier and the Glacier Museum, while others appreciate the immediate nature and enjoy guided and unguided walks in the area,” says Gjeraker.

on Hotel Midtnes, you will find numerous reviews noting “fantastic view” and “great hospitality”, adding to the importance of the people and the location.

Popular among international tourists Hotel Midtnes has since its opening been a popular accommodation choice for guests from all over the world, and for the British in particular. “Around 60 per cent of our guests are British, and we cooperate with many tour operators there, such as Inghams, Taber Holidays and Norsc Holidays,” says Gjeraker and credits the popularity to a welcoming staff. “We are personal, and try to meet the guests’ requests as far as possible,” says Gjeraker and adds that there are quite a few regular guests coming back year after year. However, one cannot ignore the fantastic location of Hotel Midtnes, which provides an immediate access to what is by many regarded as the most beautiful place on Earth. If you do an online search

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

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Attraction of the Month, Iceland

The horses of Hekla will take you on a memorable ride By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Hekluhestar

Take in the unspoiled nature of Iceland and the dramatic scenery around the Hekla volcano on horseback, and experience something truly unforgettable with Hekluhestar, a small family business that has been leading riding tours for over 30 years. From their base at Austvaðsholt farm, which is located 100 kilometres east of Reykjavik and in the vicinity of Mt. Hekla, Hekluhestar offers tours ranging from one to eight-day rides. Jon Benediktsson and Nicole Chéné established Hekluhestar in 1981 and now their daughter Anita Jonsdottir is continuing the family tradition. Visitors taking part in the riding tours will be mesmerised by the amazing contrasts inherent in Icelandic nature, with the impressive scenery changing from green valleys and fields to huge volcanic craters, waterfalls, natural hot springs and rugged highlands. “The Icelandic horses are special in many ways, as each horse has its own individual character, and they’re all very friendly and

enjoy working with people,” says Anita Jonsdottir. “The Icelandic horse itself is uniquely well adapted to the varied and dramatic volcanic terrain. The horse has two additional gaits, the “tölt” and “pace”, compared to other horse breeds. These extra gaits allow the horses to make comfortable, fast yet sure-footed progress over long-distance riding tours, in both the fertile valleys and on the rugged hilltops.”

“Most of the horses used by Hekluhestar in the riding tours are born, bred and trained at Austvaðsholt. Guests are encouraged to share in this close relationship with all the horses, which is one of the key ingredients in making the Hek-

luhestar riding tours so special,” Anita adds. On the highland tours, small groups, with a maximum of 15 participants, are led by two very experienced guides who know all the historical paths and trails. A new addition to the tours this year is the fourday summer night ride that offers the opportunity to explore Iceland at night and enjoy the magnificent midnight sun. But remember to book soon, as the tours for next summer will fill up quickly. Also available is accommodation with or without full board for 18 people in a separate house located a short distance from the house of the family. Whatever your interests, the accommodation is suitable for overnight stays, riding vacations, sightseeing excursions, or longer breaks in conjunction with the activities on the farm.

For more information, please visit: hekluhestar.is

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 65

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Left: Director of Koncerthuset Leif Lønsmann describes the inside of the concert hall like “being inside a warm meteor”. Right: Copenhagen’s exceptional concert house, which was designed by the award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel, has just been nominated among the ten best concert halls in the world.

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

The five dimensions that make a world-class concert hall “The consciousness expanding concert hall” and “the musical Mecca” were just some of the exuberant phrases attached to Koncerthuset in Copenhagen when it opened in January 2009. Today, three years later, the praise is still coming; most recently Gramophone, one of the most recognised British magazines on classical music, placed Koncerthuset among the ten best concert halls not just in Scandinavia or Europe but in the world. Scan Magazine had the chance to explore the many exciting dimensions of DR’s, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s, new concert hall, with director Leif Lønsmann and artistic director Kim Bohr. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Per Morten Abrahamsen

Koncerthuset was created in cooperation with the award-winning French architect Jean Nouveland and Japanese acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota. Between them they managed to create a building that did not compromise on either aesthetics or acoustics. Of course this impressive construction came at a considerable cost; in 2009, The Financial Times wrote: “For now

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this is the most expensive concert hall in the world. Soon it will just be one of the best.” “Today, I think that the prediction has been proved right by the nomination in Gramophone,” says Leif Lønsmann. “The house represents the best within all dimensions. In other places, you have halls that look

fantastic but sound awful and the other way around, but here, we have an absolutely unrivalled cooperation between architect and acoustician, and that’s what makes the house unique.” The third and fourth dimension While the acoustic and aesthetic dimensions are initially the most discernible to

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

a concert audience, all halls do, says Lønsmann, have a third dimension: the artistic dimension. This is the dimension which defines the content and quality of the performances staged. In 1925, when DR started broadcasting from its first concert hall, the slogan “the best, only the best” was used to exclude entire genres from the repertoire. “I don’t want to do that; I want to include the best of the best within all genres,” says Lønsmann.“Of course we should have classical music, but only that which still has an artistic purpose, and we also include Danish pop, which we estimate has the strength to survive over time. No genres or forms of expression are too crazy or too big to be on the programme here.” The selection process, which includes not just the management’s own assessment but also that of performing artists and the audience, has paid off by the continuously mounting visitor numbers reaching 200,000 in 2011.“Our vision is to have an open, diverse and vibrant concert house, and the vibrancy is very much created by our audiences and artists in, what we call, the fourth dimension: the social dimension. We aim to create all kinds of different events where the audience can interact with the artists; sometimes, for instance, they will be greeted by the band playing in the foyer,” says Lønsmann. “We like to say that we are the only four dimensional concert hall in the world.” Pouring old wine into new bottles Connected to DR and Koncerthuset are six choirs, including the Danish National Vocal ensemble and the popular Danish National Girls Choir, as well as three orchestras, the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, the Danish National Big Band and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, all managed by music director Kim Bohr. The oldest orchestra, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, was founded in 1930, but nonetheless has an important role to play in modern society, says Bohr. “Classical music is ‘slowfood’ in the most literal meaning of the word. In our society, all music is, with the right equipment, accessible within seconds,

Above: Tina Dickow is one of the popular young artists who has played with the Danish National Chamber Orchestra. Photo: Bjarne Bergius Hermansen.

which means that the act of going into a concert hall and enjoying the music slowly and intently is something quite unusual but wonderful.” To attract more people to the traditional music experiences, Koncerthuset has developed various new ways of presenting it to the public, like, for instance, a show in which famous modern artists try their skills at conducting a symphony orchestra. “We must not end up like the steam engine, which kids see in a museum but no one uses anymore,” stresses Bohr.

reflected in the way the Danish media described it when it first opened. Phrases like ‘concert cathedral’ and ‘musical temple’ were used.” When I ask Lønsmann if in this spiritual character we have found the fifth dimension, a spiritual dimension, which might be even rarer than the fourth dimension, he pauses for a second and then laughs: “Yes... yes, actually you could say that.”

Like a meteor Koncerthuset consists of four halls, the biggest of which is the Concert Hall, which seats up to 1,800 people in warm red chairs arranged in bulky, split-level wooden terraces circling the stage. “Everybody loses their breath when they step into the hall. It is like being enclosed in a warm meteor, which has just come roaring down through the atmosphere,” describes Lønsmann. “There is something spiritual about it, which was also

For more information, please visit: www.dr.dk/koncerthuset

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 67

Photo: Peder Hildorson, Skönhetsfabrikens bildarkiv

Photo: Peder Hildor

Photo: Jinxy Productions

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Sweden

Johan and Amander Elmander

Attraction of the Month, Sweden

Skönhetsfabriken – the one-stop beauty shop By Ulrika Osterlund

Owner Amanda Elmander explains: “We do not have a set menu of treatments as such; rather every course is uniquely tailored to each specific individual. We also wish to promote male beauty care, as our facility welcomes both women and men alike.” With 1,250 square metres of space, encompassing skincare therapy rooms, a salon, makeup studios, a hair spa, a barber shop and even a relaxation section, Skönhetsfabriken aims to take care of every possible aesthetic desire. You can work up a sweat in an exercise class, with your personal trainer or on your own in the gym, which is also set under the same roof. Then spend some time relaxing in a sauna, steam room or hot tub.

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Environmentally-friendly products are a given, such as Kerstin Florian, Lernberger & Stafsing and Inika. A no-fuss approach to beauty is the standard. Health, wellbeing and beauty go hand in hand at Skönhetsfabriken. The salon is housed in an original 1920s building, which also serves as inspiration, merging the classic with the 21st century. Old design meets modern trends; even the reception area itself is listed. The actual building is the new home of the Clarion Hotel Post on Gothenburg’s centrally located Drottningtorget. The hotel lobby acts as a post office, hence the name, with various individual businesses within its locale. Both Skönhetsfabriken and the hotel had their grand opening on 26 January 2012. “Each individual should come in here, be pampered from head to toe, have their inner needs taken care of and leave with a

Clarion Hotel Post

In this day and age, a stylish place to cover all of your feel-good needs is truly heaven sent for the modern individual. The people at Skönhetsfabriken, which literally means “the beauty factory”, do the job for you, beautifully no less.

sense of quiet confidence,” adds Elmander, “and with a wish to return again and again.” Shopping, another therapeutic indulgence can also be satisfied at Skönhetsfabriken. Chocolates, ecological teas, and a jewellery collection, designed by Vintäng Jewelry in collaboration with Elmander, are on offer after all that pampering, as well as all the products they work with.

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

Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour

IS IT JUST ME...

By Mette Lisby

Who is supposed to be “warm” and “spontaneous” today? According to my daily horoscope, I should also “shine and tackle tasks that need some muscle now that I’m feeling proactive”. Now set aside the fact that I’m in bed due to a serious cold, it could almost be right. I mean, I’m warm from the fever – so there you go. Admittedly my faith in daily horoscopes in various papers and magazines has declined spectacularly since the day the universe’s message to me (delivered via the Daily Star horoscope-lady) was: “Today would be a good day to write a party-song celebrating friends or family.” Seriously! When did the alignment of stars and planets make celebratory songs a priority? And what are you supposed to do with a message like that? I’m pretty sure my editor wouldn’t approve of me informing him that “I’d be late on the article, be-

cause I’m gonna write a song instead”. Nor had any family or friends upcoming anniversaries or occasions that called for musical praise. All in all it seemed like a massive waste of party-song inspiration the universe had lined up for me. I have numerous friends who took their quest for horoscope-readings further and saw astrologists. One of them even claimed her money back after the reading, because the life the astrologist had laid out was no way near as exciting and glamorous as she had in mind. I don’t have the nerve for these things. I fear getting a negative reading like: “Well, life might suck now, but don’t worry, it’ll all be over soon.” Presumably fortunetellers would never tell you something bad (after all they’re not called misfortune-tellers). But we all know situations where we can’t find any-

Bilingual relationship

In Swedish schools, it is usually mandatory to learn either French or German, as well as English. But my school decided to create a fourth option that they sold as being a good choice for students ‘not so interested in languages’. They called this option Media Studies, and I made the decision to go for it. I was interested in languages, but I was more in-

thing positive to say and are left standing there, paralyzed, saying “Geee, thanks for the sweater Grandma… it’s a sweater.” What if my astrologist had THAT look in her eyes? Of course my skepticism towards astrology is not surprising. After all, I’m an Aries and that is a classic trait for us.

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

terested in media, and I also – in my infinite naivety – didn’t realise that by students ‘not so interested in languages’, the school meant students ‘too preoccupied with drinking ethanol and setting each other on fire to learn another language.’ Consequently, I only speak Swedish and English. My boyfriend has started taking Swedish lessons, something that I feel both happy and guilty about. Happy because his learning a language that is essentially pointless unless you live in Sweden surely must show a considerable level of commitment. And guilty because he’s learning a language that is essentially pointless unless you live in Sweden. I am now looking on in amazement as he struggles his way - slowly but surely through Swedish sentences, writes short, highly poetic essays on our dog and has started to know when I’m moaning about him to my sister over the phone. I’m having to face up to the fact that I will not have this obscure second language to myself any-

more. We might even move to Sweden at some point, at which point I’m sure he would swiftly become fluent. I am delighted but also strangely put out. No longer will I be the cleverly bilingual one, in exclusive possession of a language that he can’t speak, a bit like a secret weapon. In fact, I’ll be worse off language-wise than my boyfriend. At least he speaks French when he’s drunk. 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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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Søtt+Salt Restaurant

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

Sweet, savoury and everything in between: Enjoy contemporary Norwegian cuisine in Bergen Søtt+Salt Restaurant (Sweet+Salty), a multi-tasking gem of an establishment, is a must-visit in Bergen, especially if you are looking for a low-key dining experience that will entice you with top-end cuisine and fine wines. For a taste of contemporary Norwegian cuisine, prepared by experienced chefs and bursting with creativity, head to the Radisson Blu Hotel Norge and savour something sweet and salty. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Søtt+Salt

The business behind Søtt+Salt Restaurant started around seven years ago, and it was originally more dedicated to catering. At that time, a short walk from the restaurant’s current location, you could also find a shop selling cutlery, crockery, coffee machines, oils, vinegar and spices during the day, while in the evening it turned into an intimate restaurant, with room for only around 6-16 people. However, since Octo-

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ber 2009, Søtt+Salt Restaurant has been located at Radisson Blu Hotel Norge, now offering seating for 50 guests. Experimental cuisine that adds a twist to the classics Søtt+Salt might have all the markings of a gourmet restaurant, but manager Øystein Ellingsen would rather not label it as fine dining. “We definitely put great emphasis

on quality food and quality wines, but we try not to be too formal; we have no dress code, for example. We don’t want to exclude anyone,” he explains. The restaurant offers set menus of five or seven courses, and Ellingsen describes it as “a type of experimental cuisine”, with French cooking as the inspiration behind it. While focus is laid on seasonal pro-

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Søtt+Salt Restaurant

duce, it does not necessarily need to be sourced from the local area. “Some of the chefs working for us have worked for famous Norwegian chef Eyvind Hellstrøm at Bagatelle restaurant in Oslo. They’ve learned from what he did with his (then two Michelin-star) restaurant,” Ellingsen adds. Hellstrøm, who left Bagatelle in 2009, is often credited for introducing the Norwegians to the art of French cooking and for changing their perception of fine dining. With well-educated and highly experienced chefs on board, and around four to five chefs at hand to cater for 50 diners, quality cuisine is guaranteed. Another forte of Søtt+Salt is their impeccable skill for combining the right wines with different dishes and courses. “When it comes to feedback, a lot of the comments we get are to do with the food

being exceptional, but also that we do the best pairings of wine with food,” says Ellingsen. “The courses we create play around with well-known dishes by adding a new twist. It’s definitely not home cooking, and while you will recognise the ingredients on your plate, they’ve been prepared and put together in a different way.” Catering, private dining and “a chef for a day” While the restaurant is no longer situated at the small premises at Skostredet 14 near the hotel, you can still experience the intimate feeling of “private dining” in this unique space. With this concept, you can have the whole place to yourself (together with your closest 6-16 friends, coworkers or members of family), and you are basically sitting in a small kitchen talking to the chef while he prepares your meal. Another great option is to have one of the restaurant’s chefs cook for you at your own home.

The catering side of the business is also still up and running, delivering to both small and large occasions. And for a dining experience out of the ordinary, you could attempt to be “almost a chef for a day”, at a cooking course where you do not actually cook yourself, but you get to observe the chefs at their work and ask them questions. However, there is also an opportunity to be an actual “chef for a day”, if you would like to try creating some of the restaurant’s dishes yourself.

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 71

Scan Business | Key Note | The Norwegian School in London

Scan Business The Møller Centre 76 | Access via Finland 77 | Business Columns 78 | Conferences of the Month 79 | Business Calendar 87

Bringing Norwegian Culture to the UK By Geir Johansen, Head Teacher, The Norwegian School in London

Children without uniform walking happily up on Wimbledon Common while the morning mist turns into a light drizzle. Children eager to have a day out playing, climbing, running, exploring, getting muddy – and simply enjoying the great outdoors. What’s that all about? It’s the Norwegian School in London. And yes, it is an ordinary school day. Actually based on the curriculum. If you swap Wimbledon Common with a forest in Oslo, a park in Stavanger or the coastline above the Arctic Circle, the rainy weather and the children will still be the same. And it will still be a Norwegian school. Some distinctive cultural artefacts will be clearly recognisable: the wellies, the woollen sweaters, the sing-song accent and the backpacks with lunch boxes. If the children are lucky, the teacher will also allow them to practise whittling with sharp knives, chopping wood with an axe, and making a nice fire for the break. A cheese sandwich tastes far better when grilled on an open fire, no matter if the weather is freezing or the sun is shining. All children agree on that. Here in London, on the beautiful common, we need to skip the fire, even if it is prescribed in the curriculum. But otherwise it is more or less

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the same: the outdoors is a great place to be, a great place to learn. However, dressing these children up in school uniforms with proper shoes, tucked shirts and smart blazers definitely would make a difference.

tending a print workshop at Dulwich, engaging in a rugby tackle, or a stroll along the sights on the South Bank. London is the greatest and most amazing classroom one could possibly imagine. www.norwegianschool.org.uk

Bringing Norwegian culture to the UK is about art, music, cuisine, design, film and literature – and a grand Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square. But it is more than that; it is also about traditions and everyday life. It is the Norwegian and Scandinavian approach and attitude. It is about living and sharing. At the Norwegian School in London, we aim to give the children “the best of both worlds”. We aim to provide extensive language immersion and tuition to encourage and support pupils to achieve functional bilingualism. In the same way, we intend to give the children experiences and knowledge about both cultures, the British and the Norwegian. With London on the doorstep, we have excellent opportunities to immerse ourselves in British culture, whether it is a night at the Science Museum, a visit to the theatre following studies of literature, at-

Geir Johansen, Head Teacher, The Norwegian School in London Photo: Thor-Ivar Guldberg

Scan Business | Advertorial Feature | Northern Bank

Free cash transfers to and from the UK? In the UK, Danske Bank Group makes day to day banking available through Northern Bank Northern Bank London offers day to day banking especially designed for the Nordic community in the UK. When you are a customer of Danske Bank Group we give you free cash transfers between all of your accounts with the Group, even though the cash crosses borders. We think this is fair banking and it could save you a lot of money. Moving to the UK Banking with Northern Bank leaves you plenty of time to adjust to your new home - without having to deal with bureaucracy and difficulties in setting up a new bank account. You can gain access to a full range of solutions for your everyday banking, find the right mix of self-service products and cards and get the right support for your more complex needs, such as mortgages and investments.

If we know each other, it's quick As a customer of Danske Bank Group, it is straightforward to set up your new account and get your cards ready. Because we already know you, you will pass quickly through the “Know Your Customer Process” – sometimes a lengthy process with other banks. eBanking at your fingertips You can handle all your banking transactions online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with Northern eBanking, pay your bills, manage your direct debits, transfer funds and buy and sell shares. Our eBanking system is the same throughout the

Danske Bank Group, because we share the same cutting edge technology platform. Transfer cash in a flash With our new App for Android and iPhone, you can transfer cash in a flash, get an overview of your accounts, pay bills and check exchange rates. To find out more apply online at: northernbank.co.uk or email us: londonbranch@northernbank.co.uk

Straightforward banking at your fingertips

Make it straightforward

or for more information email londonbranch@northernbank.co.uk ondonbranch@northernbank.co.uk k You Y ou must be registered reg istered ffor or and have ve signed on tto o eBanking using yyour our access a ID secur security it y tto o be able tto o use Mobile M Banking. eBanking and Mobile Banking B ser services v ices may be ttemporarily emporar ily unavailable dur during ing per periods r iods of of routine rout ine maint maintenance. enance. Nort Northern hern ern Bank Limit Limited, ed, Reg Registered istered in Nort Northern h hern Ireland R568, Reg Registered istered Of fice: f ice:: Donegall Square W West, est, Belfast BT1 6JS. Nort Northern hern Bank Limit Limited mited is a member o off Danske Bank Gr Group. roup. nort northernbank.co.uk hernbank.co.uk C COM773 OM773

Scan Business | Advertorial Feature | DFDS Seaways

Sail to Scandinavia with DFDS Seaways Danish ferry operator DFDS Seaways operates the only ferry route from the UK to Scandinavia with their Harwich to Esbjerg route. Departing early evening, you will arrive in Denmark the following lunchtime, and from there, it is a scenic drive through Denmark, with Sweden and northern Germany within easy reach. You can also catch the DFDS Seaways’ Copenhagen to Oslo ferry for access into Norway and central Sweden. Cruise with your car Travel with your car, caravan or campervan, and enjoy a taste of cruising and the

onboard facilities, combined with the convenience of being able to take your own vehicle. Pack everything you need with you, even your pets for a small extra charge.

Exceptional eateries Come dinnertime, you are spoilt for choice. You can dine à la carte, feast on a delicious Scandinavian-style buffet or treat yourself to a mouth-watering steak.

Enjoy the entertainment

Big fun for little ones

On board, there is plenty to keep you occupied as you sail, and you will find a wealth of things to do once you have dropped your bags in your comfortable en suite cabin. How about a movie or some retail therapy? Then again, with a bar with great sea views and live entertainment, it is tempting to just unwind with a drink and watch the world, and the water, go by.

If you are travelling as a family, your little pirates will have lots of swashbuckling fun in their own play area, and in the school holidays, a free Pirates’ Club with children’s entertainer. Sleep tight And when it is time for bed, there are a variety of cabins to choose from, including inside or sea view options, all with en suite shower and WC, bed linen and towels. For a touch of luxury, upgrade to a Sirena cabin or Commodore de Luxe.

Text and photos by DFDS Seaways

For more information, please visit: www.dfds.co.uk or call 0871 522 9978

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THØR: T HØR: LÖVES LÖVES CRISPBREAD C RISP PBREAD HE H E JJUST US T D DÖESN’T ÖESN LIKE L IKE T TØ Ø SH SHØW Ø W IT. Crispbread: o Crispbread: one ne o off over over 600 600 delicious delicious Swedish, S wedish, Danish Danish and and Norwegian Norwegian foods foods aavailable vailable across across the the UK UK from from our our o nline online sshop hop and and in in our our London London store. store. SCANDIKITCHEN.CO.UK S CANDIKITCHEN.CO.UK GOOD G OOD FOOD FOOD W WITH ITH L LOVE OVE F FROM ROM SCANDINAVIA SCANDINAVIA 2

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

Creativity and content Locating venue and vendors Budget planning and development Negotiating rates Invitations Entertainment VIP assistance Arranging speakers Design and production of printed material AV and technical support On-line delegate registration

Our approach to successful conference planning is simple: we always put our clients in the front seat.

Scan Business | Feature | The Møller Centre

The Møller Centre celebrates 20 years of growth By Christine Hartshorne | Photos: The Møller Centre

The Møller Centre, the only dedicated residential management training centre in Cambridge, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2012. The Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Centre for Continuing Education was built with a gift of approximately £10 million to Churchill College in the University of Cambridge, UK. The money was donated by the A.P. Møller & Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation, a Danish charity, set up in 1953 by shipping magnate A. P. Møller. The foundation makes contributions to good causes, especially those involving national heritage, shipping, industry and science. Mr Møller felt that Denmark’s safety during the Second World War and prosperity afterwards had depended on Sir Winston Churchill’s personal involvement. When war broke out, Maersk ships were turned over to the British authorities to assist in the war effort, and Churchill was swift to ensure the company was paid compensa-

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tion at the end of the war. Over the years, the foundation has funded many projects in the name of Churchill. Mr Møller proposed the concept of a ‘Centre for Excellence’, which would include meeting rooms and bedrooms, and bring together commerce and education. He believed that with access to the full educational and research resources of Cambridge University, the centre would be able to offer the highest standard of continuing education to international businesses wishing to develop their managerial, executive, and research and development staff. The Møller Centre was formally opened by Her Majesty Queen Ingrid of Denmark on Friday, 2 October 1992. The Møller Centre is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Churchill College in the University of Cambridge, and last year provided Churchill College the equivalent of more than £1,000 each towards the education of every student (780 undergraduate and postgraduate students) in the college. The

centre’s success and growth over the last 20 years have been due largely to the exceptional service it provides for its clients, and its forward-thinking attitude towards business growth and diversification. This has won the centre numerous awards and accolades. Today, the Møller Centre has grown to offer three core areas of the business: providing a conferencing and management training facility, learning and strategic support to the professional service firms market, and executive education.

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

Scan Business | Feature | NELI

The driving force behind the Access via Finland Campaign North European Logistics Institute, NELI, is leading the transregional ELLO project, which has been set up to significantly boost the international profile of the Southern Finland Transport Corridor. Started up at the beginning of 2011, the Access via Finland campaign aims to develop the joint marketing of the region's logistics companies. The marketing campaign serves the entire logistics network in southern Finland and is geared towards organisations that decide on transport routes. The campaign has particularly focused on appealing to international business destined for the Russian market, as well as to industrial

companies and logistics operators. “The Access via Finland brand has been on prominent display at major trade events across the globe over the past year and has gained a huge amount of interest – showing that, even after a few years of economic decline, the Finnish trans-

portation route is still in demand,” says NELI’s project manager Teija Suoknuuti. “All in all, the campaign year has been a success, and the goal is now to continue the marketing campaign with the aid of a follow-up project.” ELLO is a project that is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund and which aims to develop the competitiveness of the Southern Finland Transport Corridor. The ELLO project is being carried out with North European Logistics Institute (NELI), Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, the Lappeenranta University of Technology, Northern Dimension Research Centre (NORDI), HAMK University of Applied Sciences, Turku Science Park and the University of Turku Centre for Maritime Studies (MKK).

For more information, please visit: www.neli.fi and www.viafinland.eu NELI’s Director Mervi Nurminen (left) and Project Manager Teija Suoknuuti

By Inna Allen | Photos: NELI

Scan Business | Column | Goodwille

The search for successful entrepreneurs There’s been much said about the government’s wish to encourage UK entrepreneurs. Clearly they see it as a good way to reduce unemployment and increase tax revenues. My own journey started 15 years ago when I established Goodwille. These have been years of overcoming challenges, new friendships and lots of fun; years I have never regretted. I always dreamed of running my own business. Born into an entrepreneurial family, I started my first small business aged only seven. I liked offering something that people appreciated: it was as simple as that. Having thought for years what my ‘grownup’ business could be, I finally noticed a market niche. I had a clear vision of how I could help Nordic companies entering the UK. I realised it wasn’t just the big corporates who were going global, there were

many medium to small businesses wanting to expand beyond Nordic markets. Yet I discovered they had a serious lack of knowledge about how to set up in the UK. Companies were having to engage a variety of internationally experienced, specialist companies – lawyers, accountants, financial and HR at least. I knew I could build a team to fill these needs under one roof, and I was confident I could attract good people to my company and inspire them to unleash their potential for change. Most people love to be in an environment where new things are happening. So Goodwille was launched.

Among many other things, I learned there’s one special piece of advice I’d always hand on: many people will tell you what can and what can’t be done, especially the latter; you’ll receive good advice from lots of people, so always listen – but in the end stick to your own vision, because for sure they won’t be able to see what you can see – otherwise they’d be doing it themselves. Column by Annika Åman-Goodwille www.goodwille.co.uk

It’s hard work building a business, and you need good health, boundless stamina and a great feeling for fun and laughter. I always found clients love doing business with enthusiastic, happy people. So, when the IT boom came, Goodwille was up and running – that was our big breakthrough.

Being good enough is enough Berlin, 16 August 2009 at 9.30 pm. The Berlin Wall falls for the second time. Usain Bolt runs the 100 metres in 9.58 seconds, tangential to his own world record from the Olympic Games in Beijing the year before. But Bolt's annihilation of the competition does not stand alone. He and his Jamaican compatriots brought home a total of seven gold medals from the World Cup - all of them won in the sprint. It naturally provokes a discussion about the reasons for their dominance. The most common explanation is that Jamaicans must be perfectly genetically predisposed to the sprint. There is just very little evidence for that explanation. As Yannis Pitsiladis, one of the world’s leading researchers in sport science, puts it: "There is no more evidence of a connection between specific races and specific top performance genes than there is of a connection between specific races and high intelligence. That is to say no correlation whatsoever.”

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This is not the same as to say that it makes no difference which genes we bring with us into this world. It certainly does. If, for instance, you are born with a lot of very slow muscle fibres and very few fast ones, you will never become a worldclass sprinter, no matter how hard you train. We can’t change slow muscle fibres to fast ones dramatically. It can be compared to height in basketball. If you are only 1.6 metres tall, you will never play basketball in the American NBA league. And a player who is 2.10 metres tall is not automatically better than someone 15 centimetres shorter. Michael Jordan is 1.98 metres and became the best player in history. The point is that the basketball player just needs to be tall enough. There seems to be a tipping point. In sprinting, people just need to possess enough fast muscle fibres to have the opportunity to achieve world class. Like many others, Usain Bolt and the other Jamaican gold medallists met the minimum demands.

What being “good enough” means exactly depends on the nature and the demands of the discipline. What is the tipping point to achieve world class in your field? Column by Rasmus Ankersen Bestselling author, motivational speaker and advisor for world-class athletes and businesses around the world. Read more: www.rasmusankersen.com

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Denmark

Conference of the Month, Denmark

A modern resort surrounded by history and beauty By Kirstine Trauelsen | Photos: Hotel Christiansminde

You do not just stay at Hotel Christiansminde. You “move in” and enjoy the peace and harmony of the historic hotel that has been situated on the shore of Svendborgsund since 1830. Based on the values of an old seaside hotel and modern educational culture, Hotel Christiansminde is a contemporary resort hotel that offers its guests fivestar conference facilities and four-star accommodation; and perhaps most importantly: an amazing location just by the water of Svendborgsund. This closeness to nature adds a special feeling of calm-

ness to the hotel and gives the guests a year-round opportunity to combine their stay at the hotel with visiting nearby castles, playing golf or sailing on the sea. At the same time, the city of Svendborg is close by, for those who want to go shopping or strolling through the streets of the old city. Danish design and fresh produce Having nature close by is of great importance to Hotel Christiansminde, because this means that the hotel can always get fresh produce. Funen is well known for its high-quality food and many specialties, a

luxury that the guests at Christiansminde can enjoy. Danish design is world renowned, and much of the designer furniture is created on Funen. This of course means that much of the furniture at the hotel is Danish design, and like in the rest of Denmark, focus on functionality, fresh produce and sustainability is of utmost importance at the hotel. Everybody should enjoy Christiansminde Staying at Christiansminde means having a unique venue for conferences, vacations, private parties and corporate events. The hotel has 98 big rooms, the majority of them with a view of the sea, 35 rooms for conference activities, and a restaurant that during the summertime is a huge attraction, not least because of the beautiful panoramic view from the restaurant's terrace. And the hotel's ideology is clear: “It is important that everybody here shares the responsibility of taking care of our guests, whether they are here on business or for pleasure. Everybody should enjoy their stay at this wonderful place,” says Holger Brodersen, general manager at Christiansminde.

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 79

Photos: Häckeberga Castle

Conference of the Month, Sweden

A visit to Sweden’s most southern region leaves you spoilt for choice Visually Häckeberga Castle and Karlaby Kro are very different. Häckeberga is a beautiful French Renaissance-style castle, and Karlaby Kro is a picturesque farmhouse, but what permeates both properties is the feeling that a lot of thought and care has been put into each one of them. This is noticeable in everything from the well-prepared food to the elegant interiors and friendly staff. Both hotels offer a tranquil retreat for business as well as leisure. By Sara Schedin

“Our guests get the chance to have some peace and quiet in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but since Skåne is such a small county, everything is still just a short car ride away,” says Gunilla Madsen, who runs the two hotels together with her husband Bo.

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They bought Häckeberga Castle in 2004 and Karlaby Kro in May last year. Gunilla, who is originally from Stockholm, has had management positions at hotels in both Sweden and abroad. Bo started out as a chef and did his training in his native Denmark and in France. Both of them studied hotel and restaurant management in

Switzerland and have several years of experience in the hotel industry. Starting out Their first project together was to take on Häckeberga Castle, which is situated on one of the Häckeberga Lake’s seven islets. Even though it is located in a nature reserve, the castle is still only 30 kilometres east of Malmö, a 15-minute car ride from Sturup Airport and 40 minutes from Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport. The castle was built in 1872 and became a hotel, restaurant and conference facility in 1997. It has 27 rooms, which sleep a total of 52 people. “The castle itself is owned by Wilhelm Tham, while the hotel and restaurant business is run by us. The remaining land is owned by the Henrik Tham family,” explains Gunilla. Conference There are six conference and meeting rooms at Häckeberga Castle, where the largest room seats a maximum of 85 people. Guests can choose between rooms

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Sweden

such as the Trofé Room, which is perfect for smaller meetings, or the Artist Hall, which is a grand banquet/conference hall filled with paintings from international artists. The slightly smaller Karlaby Kro is also a great place to hold a conference for a few days or to just have a meeting and a nice meal together. It has a total of 4 conference rooms, and the largest room fits about 40 guests. All conference rooms at both hotels are completely technically equipped. A new addition Karlaby Kro is situated about an hour further east in the magical Österlen, the south-eastern part of the county Skåne, which is known for its scenic beauty, farmland and picturesque coastal communities. Österlen is often referred to as the “Provence of Sweden” and has a special place in many Swedes’ hearts. ”Karlaby Kro was a fantastic little gem that we found and then bought in 2011,” says Gunilla. “It might be a bit further away from the bigger cities, but the fact that it is situated in Österlen makes up for those extra miles you have to travel.” The old farmhouse is surrounded by billowing fields and its own park. The main building, where the restaurant is located, was built in the early 19th century, and the wings, originally the stables, were built in 1898. Karlaby Kro’s 22 rooms, which sleep 46 people, are situated in the wings. Food for thought At Häckeberga Castle and Karlaby Kro’s restaurants, the chefs know their food. The meals are always of a high standard and their kitchens work with the latest trends as well as with local traditions. They try to use meat from nearby farms and as much locally-grown produce as possible. “It is important for us to mainly use local suppliers, which is quite easy in our region; Skåne is sometimes referred to as ‘Sweden’s granary’, thanks to its plentiful supply of quality natural ingredients,” says Gunilla.

Photos: Karlaby Kro

For those of you who feel they should get active after enjoying a delicious meal, the hotels have an array of activities on offer. At the castle, you can do anything from horse riding to golfing and fishing. The hotel also arranges wine and whisky tastings. At Karlaby Kro, the focus is mainly on having some peace and quiet. Guests can go for a stroll in the surrounding nature, enjoy a dip in the indoor pool or have

a variety of spa treatments for body and soul. You can also go for a trip to the sea or the town of Simrishamn, which is only a ten-minute car ride away.

For more information, please visit: www.karlabykro.se www.hackebergaslott.se

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Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Faroe Islands

Conference of the Month, Faroe Islands

Come prepared for the unusual With prominent guests like Bill Clinton and Al Gore among its fans, there is no knowing who you might bump into at a conference in the Nordic House in Tórshavn. By Signe Hansen | Photos: The Nordic House

The Nordic House is known for its spacious halls and magnificent architecture, and with the sweeping landscapes and amazing nature of the Faroe Islands just at your doorstep, tranquillity is guaranteed. As the grass-clad and rough exterior might reveal, the Nordic House, which was built in 1983, is not all about conferences. The house is also a forum for Faroese and Nordic art, with the programme encompassing everything from rock concerts to landscape paintings. The combination of art and business might be a bit unusual, but it works because, as they say in the Nordic House: “There is no

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business life without culture, and no cultural life without business.” A unique example of modern architecture The Nordic House is partly funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, and with room for up to 650 guests and in-house interpretation systems, it is the largest and best equipped conference centre in the Faroe Islands. But although befittingly equipped for high-quality events and conferences, what really impresses guests is the house’s very Faroese beauty. In a review of the conference centre, British government advisor and writer Simon Anholt wrote: “The Nordic House has got to be

one of the most spectacular conference and cultural spaces that I have ever visited… Seldom have I seen an example of modern architecture that sits so beautifully and sensitively in its natural environment. Anybody who fails to be inspired by an event in this extraordinary, world-class venue must be already dead." A different conference destination Built in stone, tree and glass materials on a hilltop above Tórshavn, all the Nordic House’s rooms offer astonishing views of the town and sea, almost as if enticing visitors to explore the Faroes’ captivating splendour.

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Faroe Islands

“The Faroe Islands are not a place where people would typically go, so taking your conference to Tórshavn is a unique opportunity; it is somewhere where you can totally focus on the conference,” says director of the Nordic House Niels Halm. “And, in any spare time, you can, of course, enjoy the beautiful nature and the fact that you are in what is, with only 22,000 inhabitants, probably the smallest capital in the world. It is very cosy, completely safe and has a great atmosphere.”

very skilled employees who are completely focused on doing the best they can for the participants. For instance, they help set up and operate all the equipment that is necessary today for a conference to be held in a professional atmosphere,” says Halm.

The small scale of Tórshavn means that everything, including restaurants, accommodation and free outdoor sport facilities and hiking treks, are within walking distance.

Professionalism, however, need not of course exclude that little extra which takes a conference one step further, from being a fully productive summit, and turns it into an enriching experience. With more than 200 events each year, the Nordic House can, for instance, put together tailor-made cultural programmes, and guests can, of course, also enjoy the continuous Nordic art exhibitions which the house hosts.

From professional to exceptional

Exploring the Faroese spring

With eight differently sized and equipped conference rooms, the Nordic House is well prepared to house any kind of conference, meeting or workshop. “We have

Although the weather in the Faroe Islands is, as Halm puts it, “as unique as everything else here”, spring and summer do offer amazing opportunities to explore the

islands’ rugged landscape. “Hiking here is astonishing. You have 18 islands, and when you hike around to some of the highest places, you can see six or seven of the other islands, it is extremely beautiful!” For those who feel like a real rush after a long day inside, there is also the possibility of exploring the landscape in more challenging ways, such as rock climbing and rappelling down the cliffs 200 metres above the sea. “But you do not need to go that far to find stimulation,” says Halm. “In the Faroe Islands, you can find it anywhere - even in the weather. In one day, we can have the most beautiful sunshine, wind and rain; the sudden shifts in the weather are very inspiring.” The weather, the architecture, the landscape - one thing is for sure; when visiting the Faroe Islands, come prepared for the unusual.

For more information, please visit: www.nlh.fo

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 83

Photo: Eva Brænd

Photo: Action Photo

Photo: Øystein Klakegg

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Norway

Conference of the Month, Norway

Let your inspiration loose in between astonishing mountains and fjords at Hotel Ullensvang Be inspired by the same surroundings as Edvard Grieg when he wrote To the Spring and have your next conference at Hotel Ullensvang. Situated by a branch of the world-famous Hardangerfjord, you can expect a modern conference hotel with a rich history and breathtaking surroundings. By Anne Line Kaxrud

Combine a productive conference with beautiful scenery at Hotel Ullensvang. Indulge in rich history at one of the few remaining family-run hotels in Norway, and experience first-class accommodation with a difference. The Utne family has run the hotel for five generations, and the hotel has retained its popularity due to a mix of tradition, innovation, warm hospitality and fabulous scenery. “We offer more than an ordinary hotel and can tempt tourists and conference guests alike with wonderful excursions and history both in and outdoors, in addition to

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very personalised service,” says managing director Barbara Zanoni Utne. “Check in. Breathe out.” Hotel Ullensvang is widely known for its modern facilities set in a fantastic location, so it is no wonder that Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway returns every year; whereas Henry Kissinger and Indira Ghandi are among other prominent guests who have entered through their doors. The thriving hotel in 2012 is a far cry from the two rooms Hans Utne opened with in 1846. However, despite

major renovations and innovation over the years, the hotel has retained its traditional charm, and the personal touch from the whole family continues to influence everyone who visits the hotel. It recently also became a member of the renowned organisation Historic Hotels and Restaurants, a unique membership organisation containing many of Norway’s most charming hotels and restaurants. “It has been important to us to preserve our traditions, while also keeping up to date in terms of facilities and offers,” says Utne and clarifies why the hotel continues

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Norway

Guests are influenced by the hotel’s motto “Check in. Breathe out”, which creates the perfect setting for a conference out of the ordinary. “Guests can just pop outside to indulge in the fantastic scenery, where artists and writers have been inspired for centuries; so I would be surprised if our guests cannot also find inspiration,” says Utne. The hotel is situated only two and a half hours’ drive from the respective airports in Bergen and Haugesund, and is easily reached by car, bus or boat. The hotel is happy to help organise transportation. The travelling time will go down to two hours from Bergen to Hotel Ullensvang once the “Hardanger Bridge” will open in early summer 2013. The bridge will be an attraction in itself as it is the seventh longest suspension bridge in the world.

some aspects in the Bridal Voyage in Hardanger, by Tiedemand and Gude from the breathtaking scenery around Ullensvang Church. Edvard Grieg needs no further introduction, and he also found inspiration in the area, whereupon composing several of his best-known works here, including To the Spring. Grieg was a regular guest at Hotel Ullensvang, and you may visit his cabin in the garden. Grieg did not appreciate people listening to his compositions until they were finished and occupied a cabin in order to ensure privacy. “We are proud that Grieg found inspiration here, among several other noteworthy Norwegian artists and

writers,” says Utne and emphasises that artists still recognise the inspirational environment around the area. The Hardanger Music Festival has taken place in Ullensvang since the start in 1996, as the initiator Stig Nilsson was searching for the same environment that inspired Grieg. Just as Grieg, Nilsson fell for the fabulous scenery, and Hotel Ullensvang provides both concert halls and accommodation during the festival year after year. Get inspired and leave the stress of everyday life behind! Check in. Breathe out. Welcome!

Photo: Morten Knudsen - Knudsens Fotosenter

to be popular among royals and tourists alike. “More and more guests are looking for that little bit extra that we can offer and that differentiates us from the more standardised chain hotels,” Barbara adds.

“A meeting between the fjords and mountains”

The picturesque nature surrounding Hotel Ullensvang has inspired several Norwegian artists, and you may recognise

Photo: Eva Brænd

Get inspired by the same surroundings as Grieg, Tiedemand and Gude

Photo: Øystein Klakegg

Let creativity and new thinking loose in between fjords and mountains, and experience a conference out of the ordinary. Hotel Ullensvang has vast experience in arranging meetings and conferences, and accommodates all requests whether big or small. “We are very flexible and arrange both small and large conferences, all dependending on the customers’ wishes,” says Utne. With a variety of facilities, including a golf simulator, swimming pool and saunas, there are plenty of activities on offer in case the weather puts a stop to outdoor excursions, such as hikes in the nearby fruit gardens, to the “Hardangervidda”, the largest mountain plateau in northern Europe or, for the more daring ones, climbing the Via Ferrata in Tyssedal.

For more information, please visit: www.hotel-ullensvang.no

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 85

Scan Business | News | Nordic Career Forum

Discover how to create a strong personal brand at Nordic Career Forum This year’s Nordic Career Forum, which provides professionals and companies a chance to meet and network, is just around the corner. The topic of the forum, taking place on 15 March, will be “Discover and Build your Personal Brand”. The Nordic Career Forum was first held four years ago due to the growing interest in Nordic employees. This year, it will be attended by around 20 companies with individual stands, enabling participants to browse around, create connections and discuss possible future job opportunities. The theme of the forum will be explored through an exciting line-up of speakers, aiming to create an understanding for what a personal brand is, and how each individual can benefit from it. Among the speakers will be Danish financier, entrepreneur and adventurer Per Wimmer, who owns and runs Wimmer Financial and Wimmer Space and has famously vowed to be the first Dane in space. Among the

other speakers are award-winning image advisor Mandy Lehto and online brand advisor Jorgen Sundberg. After the talks, there will be a more practical workshop on body language. Finally, there will, of course, be more time for networking and trying out the theories on personal branding first hand. The event takes place 15 March from 6.15pm to 10pm at Radisson BLU Portman Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London W1H7BG.

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By Signe Hansen | Photos: Press

The speakers will include (clockwise from the top left): Per Wimmer, Mandy Lehto, Martin Falck and Jorgen Sundberg

For more information, please visit: www.ducc.co.uk www.fbcc.co.uk www.nbccuk.com www.scc.org.uk

Scan Business | News | Business Calendar

Scandinavian Business Calendar Highlights of business events from the Scandinavian Chambers of Commerce Event: Finnair CEO Mika Vehviläinen Venue: TBC How does a small flag carrier based in a remote European capital chart a path toward profitability? For more than a decade, Finnair’s main focus has been in the Far East. Date: February/March www.fbcc.co.uk

Event: Nordic Thursday Drinks Venue: North Road Restaurant, 69-73 St John Street, London EC1M 4AN Bring your friends and colleagues to North Road Restaurant for the February Nordic Thursday drinks. Did you know that they have a Michelin star? Well, you do now, so why not

book a table and have some dinner after working up your appetite with all that networking. Participation is on a guest list only basis! Sign up at: www.nbccuk.com, www.ducc.co.uk, www.fbcc.co.uk Date: 23.02.2012 Event: Economic Update with Nordea Venue: TBC As the European Economy stumbles, can the whole Eurozone collapse? Come and hear what is going to happen in 2012. Date: Last week of February www.fbcc.co.uk Event: Aberdeen Wednesday Drinks with Paull & Williamsons LLP Venue: Paull & Williamsons LLP This time we have an extra treat for you, as there will be a Presentation on "Recent Developments in Employment Law" by Sean Saluja, Partner and Employment Law Specialist at Paull & Williamsons LLP. Date: 07.03.2012 Sign up on: www.nbccuk.com

Event: 4th Annual Nordic Career Forum Venue: Radisson BLU Portman Hotel, London The topic of this year’s Career Forum is Personal Branding. Come and meet the experts who will teach you all you need to know about how to stand out from the crowd. Date: 15.03.2012 Sign up at: www.nbccuk.com, www.ducc.co.uk, www.fbcc.co.uk, www.scc.org.uk Event: The Future of Digital Media (Anssi Vanjoki, ex-Nokia, & Petri Kokko, Google) Venue: TBC The future development of internet and social media affect our daily lives – at home, in the office, during free time. Date: 19.4.2012 www.fbcc.co.uk

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Wellness destinations in Denmark come in all shapes: rustic countryside resorts, modern boutique hotels and grand manor houses.

A wave of wellness has hit Danish shores By Signe Hansen | Photos: Wellness Denmark/Slotssøbadet

From timid beginnings, the spa and wellness sector in Denmark has, thanks to highquality treatments, beautiful locations and an environmentally friendly approach, started to make its back rubs known at home and abroad. With 27 destinations registered with Wellness Denmark, Danish wellness comes in all shapes and colours; you will find it at five-star camping sites, serene seaside resorts, boutique city hotels as well as beautiful historic castles. “It has taken us quite some years to get there - previously we had been a bit behind other European countries - but now we’ve reached our goal in regards to both locations and the quality of treatments,” explains chairman of Wellness Denmark Edvard Køhrsen, who has the enviable job of rating spas to make visitors’ choices easier. The rise of wellness Although popular with travellers from abroad, the rise of wellness services in Denmark is, of course, mainly due to a rise in demand within the country. But why is it, some might wonder, that we all suddenly feel so terribly attracted to warm baths, herbal oils and back rubs? Køhrsen has an explanation: “Wellness holidays are not a seasonal phenomenon – they are popular all year round. I think it’s be-

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cause people feel more under pressure and more stressed out in their everyday life than they used to; they feel they need a quick break. In the end, it is all about living the good and healthy life.”

tres with individual holiday cabins, create open and original alternatives to the traditional wellness hotels, resorts and historic retreats. But no matter what your choice, the quality will always be good, says Køhrsen. “The service level of all the destinations registered with us is really high; it is top quality. We have really worked to ensure that there are no outdated offers among them, and, of course, you also always get the unblemished Danish nature and fresh air.”

Where to go While you might still find more wellness destinations in other countries, Denmark undoubtedly provides one of the most diverse selections. Wellness campsites, and child-friendly wellness and holiday cen-

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

Scan Magazine | News

A little bit of Moomin is good for you Situated bang in the middle of one of London’s most popular shopping areas at 43 Covent Garden Market, the Moomin Shop brings all things Moomin to a whole new level – displaying a fabulous line-up of products in a magical Moomin setting. The experience starts the moment you enter the shop. Walking through Moomin Forest and Moomin Cave, you will enter the heart of the store, Moomin Valley – a beautifully designed space which offers a vast array of products within specially constructed Moomin houses. From the casual gift buyer to the serious collector, the shop has something for everyone: toys, books, stationery, home accessories and clothes, along with rare memorabilia and limited-edition items, such as prints of the original illustrations by the legendary creator Tove Jansson.

the Moomins over the years. “They may have the cares of the world on their shoulders, but when they see Moomin toys and books, they always smile. It’s a sort of ther-

The Moomin Shop Open 10am-8pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sundays. Address: 43 The Market Building, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RB.

apy! That’s why the Moomins are still loved after 65 years, and that’s why there just had to be a Moomin Shop,” Haddad enthuses. By Inna Allen | Photos: Adrian Pope

Open since 1 December 2011, the Moomin Shop was developed by Patrick Haddad, who has been a fan of the Finnish trolls for many years. He was inspired to set up the shop after watching peoples’ reactions to

Experience “The Landscape of Memory” at the NoFormat Gallery From 1-3 March 2012, the NoFormat Gallery in London plays host to “The Landscape of Memory”, the Memory Collective’s inaugural exhibition in London. The Memory Collective is a London-based group of UK, Scandinavian and other international artists, formed in 2009 by the artist and Courtauld-trained art historian Dr Angela Summerfield. Through film, installations, paintings, printmaking and sculptures, the group creates art works that engage with the themes of time, memory and identity. One of the main objectives is to promote international cultural discourse as a response to inter-

disciplinary theories on the aforementioned themes. "The subject of memory is a universal experience which offers artists a new public platform for their practices, and means of dialogue and engagement within the UK art world. Memory defines a sense of self and our individuality from which we build our ‘thinking’ landscape. It can also, in a mirror-like fashion, determine how an artist responds to landscape and the exte-

rior world in general; selects and stores visual images perceived; and subsequently how and why we make use of this vast storehouse of imagery. Our inaugural exhibition is an opportunity to view art works which reclaim the profound cultural value of the artist’s hand, authentic experiences, expression and imagination, and creative intelligence,” explains Dr Summerfield. “The Landscape of Memory” exhibition is supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Swiss Embassy in London. By Nia Kajastie

“The Landscape of Memory”,

Left: Hjørdis Dreschel 'Das Spielzeug/The Plaything' 2007, oil on canvas, 195 x 150cm

NoFormat Gallery, London SE18 (nearest station, North Greenwich, Jubilee Line): 1 March 11am-4pm, 2 March 11am-6pm, 3 March 11am-1pm. Free associated event: Saturday 3 March 2012 (2-6pm), ‘Curator’s Tour & Artists’ Tea’, led by Dr Angela Summerfield (to book contact: msummerfield@btinternet.com).

Right: Sara Lee 'Veil V' 2010 Monoprint, 27x 59cm

For more information, please visit: www.thememorycollective.co.uk www.noformat.co.uk

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 89

prominent nostrils. It features in bronzes, in paintings, carvings and on porcelain, little changed for hundreds, indeed thousands of years. One credible theory is that the Chinese dragon emerged from the ancient pool of the river crocodile. Since then the Chinese dragon has become the emperor of the twelve zodiacal animals, each giving its character to the next year in a repeated twelve-year cycle.

Børsen. Photo: Thomas Nykrog/VisitDenmark

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Originally intended as Copenhagen’s stock exchange, this mid-17th century architectural jewel comprises a long range of repeated Dutch-style gable ends facing the road along its entire length. At its centre, rising like the mast on a ship, is Børsen’s distinctive spire, once visible from all the busy quays of inner Copenhagen, a landmark and a symbol of trade. The barley-twist spire is formed by four upended crouching dragons, plaiting their tapering tails skywards, each dragon representing a quarter of the compass and thus worldwide trade, good auguries. Europeans regard dragons as maiden-devouring, fire-belching monsters, from the Nordic Fafnir to the beast vanquished by St George (in Danish Skt Jørgen) as depicted, for example, in the fabulous medieval wall frescoes in Bellinge Church, just south of Odense, where some of my own forefathers lie buried.

LT©

Right next to “Borgen” (i.e. Christiansborg, Copenhagen, seat of the Danish parliament and stage of the latest Danish TV drama) is a much older, red-brick building, Børsen.

We don’t know for how many years the Chinese have revered their mythical beast, one associated with water, with fertility, with the eastern direction, and with the persona of the emperor himself. For an animal that - let’s come clean - exists only in the imagination, its depiction in Chinese art is remarkably consistent: a long, four-legged scaly creature with a long snout and a hairy mane, with protruding eyes and

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With its barley-twist form, the Børsen spire is surely intended to recall this “unicorn” association, wittily springing from the shanks of the equally mythical dragon: Crouching Dragons, Hidden Unicorn. Wishing you a prosperous Year of the Dragon! Column by Lars Tharp

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).

But to the Chinese, dragons are benign. According to scholars of the 10th century, the noise they had been heard to make was “ming”. Not so very terrifying. The Børsen dragons surely belong to the “mingers”. Built under the aegis of Christian IV, Denmark’s Architect King, his Stock Exchange dragons were not intended to repel but to entice trade and prosperity from the four corners of the globe.

Another Chinese mythical beast (and not a member of The Twelve) is the one-horned kylin, similar in nature and rarity to the European unicorn. At the time of Christian IV (1577-1648) many believed in unicorns, and those wealthy enough bought from dealers what they believed to be its horn. Many such horns were traded by Danish/Scandinavian merchants who, being connected with the North Atlantic whaling fleets had a never-ending supply of what are in fact the tusks of the narwhal. Some of these measure over two metres in length. But why spoil a good story when there’s money in it? And there was. Don’t miss the king’s 1662 throne when next you visit Rosenborg Castle, a couple of miles away from Børsen. Bristling with narwhal tusks, it encapsulates the monarch’s maritime power; by the mid-17th century a power already in decline, the Stock Market building having been sold to meet the costs of war.

Lars Tharp

Scan Magazine | Culture | Colin Nutley

The 67-year-old director first visited Sweden during winter in the 1970s while scouting locations for a British TV drama called Annika about a Swedish au pair. “It was dark and very cold. Then I returned in the summer, and it was magical, with long days and bright nights; I simply fell in love with the country there and then.” On meeting Swedish actress Helena Bergström, he also fell in love, and she has been his wife for 20 years, famously starring in every film Nutley has made since 1990. His first major production Black Jack focused on Swedish dance band culture, a fascination Colin has had since moving to Sweden. In 1992, Änglagård (House of Angels) was released and became a Swedish classic, portraying life in a small village and the mixed emotions evoked by the arrival of two outsiders. But his road to success has not been a straightforward journey. “You need a lot of patience and resilience in this industry; acceptance was slow, but I now feel very privileged to have worked in Sweden with some of the best film crews and actors in the world." Nutley is currently working on two new movies, together with his wife, to be released in 2012, and also a stage play, the British classic Brief Encounter by Noel Coward, one of Nutley’s favourites

Colin Nutley in the foreground at a film set

A master in portraying Swedes on film Few Swedes missed Änglagård (House of Angels), one of the most loved Swedish films of all time. The man behind the successful trilogy, British director Colin Nutley, became a master in portraying Swedes on film. Scan Magazine caught up with Nutley to find out what life was like as a Brit in Scandinavia. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photo: Press Image

So how has British Nutley managed to become one of the most popular and accomplished film directors in Sweden? It seems no one has been able to capture the essence of Swedish life better than he. To date, he has received numerous awards, including Best Film and Best Di-

rector for Änglagård (House of Angels) at the Swedish Film (Guldbagge) Awards. Under solen (Under the Sun) was also nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film category, a moment he describes as one of the proudest in his career.

Nutley still misses the sausages and crumpets of his native England and returns five to six times per year. “I love London, but it’s always fantastic to come back to Sweden; I prefer the Swedish lifestyle and mentality. English people have this idea of Swedish people being cold and distant. It’s probably true that it's easier to chat to a Brit than a Swede at first. But it’s all about surface, and underneath the Swedish shyness, there is much more of a depth; they are much more loyal than we are and better at keeping their friends as the years go by. I don’t really miss the English ways.”

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

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 91

Nu-Nordic stars in good health Take old Scandinavian folk melodies with Celtic rhythms and a contemporary touch. Add beautifully pure vocals predominately in Norwegian, a willow flute, acoustic guitars and a Jew's harp, seasoned with experimental time signatures and some traditional cow calls. What you get is Fribo, one of the most exciting bands currently on the 'Nu-Nordic' scene. By Linnea Dunne | Photo: Fribo

Roughly speaking, the word Fribo translates as 'open house', which is particularly appropriate considering that the band members first met in a kitchen. Wanting to get more involved with the Celtic music scene, vocalist Anne Sofie Linge Valdal moved to Edinburgh, which is where she met Liverpudlian guitarist Ewan MacPherson. "There are a lot of musical links between Scandinavian and Celtic music, so we decided to try out some stuff together," MacPherson recalls. With the original fiddle player being replaced by Edinburgh-born Hannah Read and Swedish percussionist Magnus Lundmark joining, a lot has happened since. Last year, Fribo was nominated for a Scots Trad Music Award for Folk Band of

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the Year, and they are now up for the Best Group title in the Songlines 2012 Music Awards. Combining the drive of Celtic music with characteristically Norwegian harmonics and scales, Fribo is part of a growing musical movement, benefitting from a globalised world of low-cost airlines, yet firmly rooted in the heritage of influential genrecrossers like English accordionist Karen Tweed and Anglo-Swedish band Sw책p. Nu-Nordic, as the genre is loosely known, offers a haven for innovation and creativity, as some bands have done interpretations of Irish songs on the Hardanger fiddle, while others put Scandinavian words to old Celtic melodies. As for Fribo, there is no such thing as geographically-re-

stricted influences, as MacPherson explains: "Hannah spends a lot of time in America, so she brings that bluegrass, old-time element to the band." Things have, as MacPherson puts it, snowballed since 2005, and with all four band members involved in various side projects, it is no wonder that a lot of the song writing processes take place online. Touring together throughout the UK, Scandinavia and most big cities in Europe this spring, Fribo are on a roll, and it is tempting to say that naming their second album Happ, meaning 'in good health', was a stroke of genius. "We learn more and more about each other's cultures and music as the years go by," says MacPherson, who has discovered that these traditional music styles have more in common than first meets the eye. With Viking tales a distant memory, it seems Scando-Celtic relations have never been so healthy.

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

Scan Magazine | Culture | Purge

Purge Purge, the third novel by 35-year-old Finnish-Estonian author Sofi Oksanen has been a phenomenal international success. Not only is it the first novel to have won both of Finland’s most prestigious literary prizes, the Finlandia and the Runeberg, but it has also won numerous European awards, was Sunday Times book of the year in 2010, has been translated into 38 languages, and is set to become a film. At the end of this month, UK theatregoers will be able to enjoy the play that inspired the novel when it opens at the Arcola Theatre in East London. By Christina Cadogan | Photo: Toni Harkonen

Purge (Puhdistus in Finnish) was originally written as a play, commissioned by the Finnish National Theatre in 2007. The play, set against the backdrop of the Soviet occupation of Estonia, focuses on the harrowing past of two women of different generations, both of whom harbour dark secrets, which they are forced to confront. Oksanen is not shy to address any subject matter, confronting rape, sexual slavery, murder and torture with an unusual directness. Yet the story, while deeply disturbing in subject matter, is both utterly riveting and beautifully written. Purge has succeeded in gripping the continent; this year alone, there will be twelve independent productions of the play across Europe. The London production, directed by Elgivia Field (English translation Eva Buchwald), is the only English-language production to appear this year. I met up with Clara Andersson, the play’s producer, who is immensely excited to be bringing Purge to a London audience.

moments feels very personal, and the intimacy of the Arcola Theatre and the small cast of seven should serve to make the story feel very immediate. The staging of the play will be period with traditional sets and scenes. A New York production, performed last year, used minimalist scenery (white cubes and birch trees). Andersson and Field, however, do not feel the need for this kind of experimentation in a play new to the UK audience; they want to set the play firmly in its time. Nevertheless, Andersson is very keen that the history within the play will, in many ways, seem current. She sees

several aspects of the subject of the play as immensely relevant to what is taking place in parts of the world today. In Purge, circumstances force the key characters to make horrific choices; women undergo atrocities to enable their own survival. “Sexual slavery and sex trafficking are occurring daily in various countries today, and many contemporary parallels can be drawn.” Andersson is proud that the UK production of Purge is the only one taking place in Europe this year that Oksanen herself will be attending. This is quite extraordinary, given the author’s busy schedule and prestigious status in Finland and Estonia. Both the Finnish and Estonian embassies are supporting the London production, a tribute both to Oksanen and the Arcola team, and Purge will certainly be an exciting and refreshing addition to the UK theatre scene in 2012.

Purge runs at the Arcola Theatre from 22 February to 24 March. www.arcolatheatre.com

“I am very excited to be showing this powerful and gripping play in the UK. Estonia is a country that British people at large know little about, and this play reveals many aspects of the country’s history; Estonia is far more than a small country noteworthy only within the context of Soviet history.” The play, dealing with resistance and collaboration, will certainly educate the audience on Estonia’s recent history, while simultaneously relating an utterly gripping and poignant narrative, as we follow the story of the main protagonist Aliide. Purge, with its moving details and gentle

Sofi Oksanen

Issue 37 | February 2012 | 93

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Scandinavian Music

Scandinavian Music It's a new year in pop! And Scandinavia has already been churning it out in high quality.

Oh well, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour have beaten them to it. It’s the new single from their forthcoming second album Out Of Frequency - out in the US at the end of January and in Europe at the end of February.

Let's start with an utterly immense new tune from Denmark. It’s Heart Attack by The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. It’s a psychedelic electro gem with a chemical reliance on pop. Sounding like Britain’s Xenomania crossed with France’s Martin Solveig, but with a euphoric melody and an exciting post-chorus that brings it sonically right back to its native Scandinavia. It’s what we like to imagine a newly reformed Girls Aloud would make as a song.

Denmark’s freshest (and most freshfaced) pop squire has just released his second single. It's 19-year-old Christopher and Nothing In Common, which has already gone to number one on Danish iTunes. It follows on from his massive 2011 debut single Against The Odds and is another down-tempo tune from him. Soft in approach, but large on melody, and thus big on impact. His debut album, due out later this year, is expected to be huge. His melodic balladry should tug on the heartstrings of young girls and older ladies alike!

By Karl Batterbee

One of Norway’s most popular new artists, Gabrielle, has released her latest single Inn I Deg. Upon its release, it went straight to the Norwegian iTunes top 10 - joining her previous two singles, which hadn't left the top 20 yet, giving an idea of just how popular she is. Inn I Deg delves into dubstep in a big way. It’s not just a flirtation and a middle eight breakdown - she’s gone all for it, hell for leather. Such conviction means that the end result is a great tune. This one’s got an almighty punch to it. Quality wise, Gabrielle is ascending a slope with each single release each sounding better than the last. Let's hope this continues.

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

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! February 2012 Ilja Karilampi (Until 26 Feb) The Swedish artist Ilja Karilampi will host a solo show featuring work inspired by housing projects in Amsterdam and Gothenburg. The Wilkinson Gallery, London, E2 9DQ. www.wilkinsongallery.com Wondercool Copenhagen (Until 1 March) There will be more than 100 cultural events covering gastronomy, music, art, fashion, architecture and design at the Wondercool Winter festival in Copenhagen this month. The organizers want the whole city to come to life despite the cold weather. www.wondercoolcopenhagen.com Anders Zorn in Lübeck (Until 15 April) Zorn was in his time considered a genius,

94 | Issue 37 | February 2012

and he is still known as one of Sweden’s foremost artists. The Museum Behnhaus Drägerhaus in Lübeck is now showing a hundred of his high-quality paintings with motifs spanning from Nordic landscapes and everyday observations of Swedish villages to the artist’s famous nude paintings. Museum Behnhaus Drägerhaus, 23552, Lübeck. www.museum-behnhaus-draegerhaus.de Eija-Liisa Ahtila in Stockholm (Until 6 May) Eija-Liisa Ahtila is one the most internationally recognized Nordic contemporary artists and has been a constant pioneer in the development of multi-media art ever since her video and performance breakthrough in the 1990s. This spring her work will be showcased at Moderna Museet on Skeppsholmen in Stockholm. www.modernamuseet.se

By Sara Schedin

Shrovetide celebration for children (18 Feb) Join in when The Danish Church in London invites you to "fastelavnsfest". Dress up and take part in the Shrovetide traditions. The celebrations start at 2pm and tickets are £2. The Danish Church, London, NW1 4HH. www.danskekirke.org Purge by Sofi Oksanen (22 Feb-24 March) Finnish author Sofi Oksanen’s startling play and best-selling novel Purge reveals the fallout from the Soviet occupation of Estonia and the country’s independence in 1991 through a thrilling story of suspicion, betrayal, secrets and atonement. It’s a story of two women, each from different generations, and the dark unspoken history that binds them. Arcola Theatre, London, E8 3DL. www.arcolatheatre.com

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar Rusalka. From the 2008 Salzburg production Photo: A. E. Schaefer.

Oh Land (23 Feb) New York-based Danish Nanna Øland Fabricius is one-woman synth-pop band Oh Land. This month she will play at Heaven, London, WC2N 6NG. www.ohlandmusic.com The Lady from the Sea (23 Feb-17 March) Joely Richardson stars as Ellida in Ibsen’s elusive masterpiece about romantic strife in a small Norwegian town. Directed and in a new translation by Stephen Unwin. Rose Theatre Kingston, London, KT1 1HL. www.rosetheatrekingston.org Camilla Nylund in Rusalka (27 Feb-14 March) Finnish soprano Camilla Nylund sings the title role in Czech composer Dvořák’s Ruslaka, which tells the tragic story of a water nymph who longs to become human and experience true love. The Royal Opera House, London, WC2E 9DD. www.roh.org.uk

spring. His latest album Songs (2011) is a collection of his work from the last ten years. www.thomasdybdahl.com Philharmonia Orchestra: Music of Today (15 March) A spellbinding concert by young Finnish composer Perttu Haapanen and his Czech colleague Ondrej Adámek, featuring Finnish soprano Helena Juntunen. Free event. Southbank Centre, London, SE1. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Thomas Dybdahl Holland tour (8-11 March) Norwegian singer-songwriter Thomas Dybdahl will play four gigs in Holland this

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