Scan Magazine | Issue 68 | September 2014 by Scan Client Publishing

SEPTEMBER 2014 ISSUE 68 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

EFVA ATTLING – DESIGNER WITH BALLS OUR FAVOURITE SWEDISH DESIGN AND FASHION BRANDS STAFFAN TOLLGÅRD – THE EYE BEHIND THE RED THREAD TOP AUTUMN AND WINTER EXPERIENCES IN NORWAY

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Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 8

8 24

Efva Attling – designer with balls Having conquered the music scene as well as the catwalk, Efva Attling could perhaps be described as a jack of all trades – but though most of us will know her as a celebrated jewellery designer, and for good reason, it seems what she really trades on and has a knack for is creative and honest expression. Scan Magazine talks to the Swedish design legend about making it in New York, Madonna wearing her jewellery, and following your dreams.

DESIGN 16

From renowned fair to pop-up shop In addition to our usual Scandinavian design brand finds, this issue brings you a piece about the renowned Habitare Show Finland as well as a heads up about an exciting London pop-up shop not to be missed by Nordic design fans.

Autumn and winter experiences in Norway Before you protest and reveal that you are not in fact that into skiing, fast-forward to this special Norwegian theme and we guarantee that you will discover not one but many activities to blow your mind this autumn and winter. From fishing and husky sledding to hiking and skiing, relaxing and unwinding, eating and drinking… If you need an excuse to go to Norway, you will find it here.

BUSINESS 92

Nordic house, Nordic angel Two special ventures are in the spotlight in this month’s business section, in addition to our usual keynote and networking highlights: a venue for arts, meetings and innovation in the Faroe Islands, and an online hub for sustainable fashion and yoga. Happiness and peace of mind are keywords.

CULTURE SPECIAL FEATURES 24

Tollgård and beyond Our special portrait this month is extra special: a four-page meeting with Swedish-born, London-based architectural interior designer Staffan Tollgård, penned by award-winning writer, photographer and design guru Barbara Chandler. Add extravagant music, a helpful travel app, and some super healthy Danish food, and our features section is complete.

100 Norwegian fiction, Finnish music This month, Scan Magazine presents reportages from two inspiring meetings: one with Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo, the 13th Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and one with Nordic Noir’s next big thing: Norwegian author Tore Renberg. Our culture section has something for all tastes – whether or not you agree that staying in is the new going out.

SPECIAL THEMES 32

52 83

Swedish style and design – our top brands We hardly need to remind anyone of Sweden’s position as a pioneer within sustainable fashion and classic design – but we could not help but kickstart the autumn by speaking to some of the most highly-regarded designers, tutors and creatives from the Swedish fashion, beauty and design scenes, including the principal of Beckmans College of Design, award-winning fashion designer Gudrun Sjödén, and glamour model turned jewellery designer Carolina Gynning. From earthy and organic to brave and groundbreaking, behold our top Swedish design and fashion brands.

Balls Bracelet (page 8). Photo: Eric Satten

REGULARS & COLUMNS 12 85

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, I love the changing of the seasons. Summer in all its glory – when autumn comes around, I am always surprisingly ready to don a woolly scarf and knitted jumper to head out into an explosion of colour and crisp air. This urge is never stronger than after stepping into a Gudrun Sjödén boutique: the vibrant, earthy colours and natural fabrics seem to strike a chord with the Scandinavian in me, and I always have to resist the urge to replace my entire wardrobe. A multi award-winning designer with roots in the Sami tradition as well as the Kola Peninsula, Sjödén is somewhat of a pioneer on a Swedish design scene that is conquering world markets over and over with simple lines and a no-bullshit approach to sustainability. Indeed, we have heard of the pride in the Swedish design heritage many times over the past few weeks, when interviewing Swedes for our special style and design theme. “I’m always bragging about being Swedish,” says our cover star, jewellery designer Efva Attling. “It’s a no-bullshit thing; if we say it, we mean it.” Entrepreneur and owner of The Nordic Angel online boutique, Sanna Hedman, agrees: “When Swedes say they’re going to do something, they’ll do it. There’s a credibility to Swedish brands that is easy to take for granted.” To say that the September issue of Scan Magazine is full to the brim with credibility, then, would be an understatement. We have got world-famous candle hold-

ers, high-quality long johns, a four-page interview with the lauded Staffan Tollgård – and a Gudrun Sjödén feature, of course! To go with your new autumn look, we present countless autumn and winter destinations in Norway, passing through fjords and climbing mountains, all the way to the Northern Lights and back, and experiencing serene fishing locations, perfect dog sledding opportunities and gourmet food along the way. If, like me, you enjoy a dose of crisp air and could trek for hours before relaxing in front of the fire, Norway is your go-to destination. I am not one to judge, though. Brave enough to admit that the whole outdoor thing is not your cup of tea? Pop by one of the Nielsen concerts in London conducted by Finn Sakari Oramo; pick up a copy of Norwegian Tore Renberg’s latest novel; or indulge in some organic Danish cuisine at one of our featured culinary destinations. Or, indeed, stay indoors and treat yourself to a piece from Efva Attling’s new Balls collection. After all, why cover it up with a bulky scarf?

Linnea Dunne Editor

Scan Magazine

Contributors

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Issue 68 | September 2014

Julie Guldbrandsen

Lene Bech

Published 12.09.2014 ISSN 1757-9589 Published by

Julie Lindén

Helene Toftner

Marjorie de los Angeles Mendieta

Helena Whitmore

Louise Older Steffensen

Mia Halonen

Barbara Chandler

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Thomas Bech Hansen

Maria Smedstad

Andrea Baerland

Lisa Gustafsson

Design & Print

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Karl Batterbee

Liquid Graphic Ltd

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Editor Linnea Dunne

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Scan Magazine | Contributors

This month’s featured contributors Dubbed ‘the sharpest eye in London’, Barbara Chandler is a best-selling photographer and specialist writer on design and the home, among other things contributing regularly to Homes & Property at the London Evening Standard for the past 20 years and more. Her signed, mounted and framed prints have been sold worldwide, from London to Paris and Japan, and Habitat produced a sold-out print series to complement her Love London show, which also resulted in the 2011 book LOVE LONDON. Chandler has won countless awards, including Contribution to the Design Industry, Furniture Writer of the Year, and Home Improvements Journalist of the Year, and she has written numerous books and sat as the chair of judges of many coveted designer awards. Her own work has been exhibited extensively, most recently in 2012 at Pitfield as the show CELEBRATION and as part of the JOY OF DESIGN showcase last September at the London Design Festival Designjunction event. This month, Scan Magazine has the pleasure of publishing a four-page interview feature about Swedish-born, Londonbased award-winning architectural interior designer Staffan Tollgård, written by Chandler after a recent meeting in the designer’s new Chelsea showroom.

Louise Older Steffensen recently became part of Scan Magazine’s first pair of sibling contributors after her younger sister Josefine, a fellow contributor, suggested she apply. Louise has spent almost exactly the same amount of time in Denmark and the UK, having moved to England at the tender-ish age of 12. She was lucky

6 | Issue 68 | September 2014

enough to receive her secondary education at the European School in Oxfordshire – a rather special place, made up of students and teachers from across the EU, and the only school in the UK to offer Danish as a subject. Later, Louise studied history and philosophy at the University of York, a subject choice she only half-regrets. She enjoyed living in beautiful York, and proudly turned up to the 2012 Viking festival as the only – it turned out – fully costumed spectator. She currently lives and works in Oxford, but is off to Dubai soon! In this issue of Scan Magazine, read her feature about Jutland’s oldest workshop for furniture classics: Design Classique.

Nina Lindqvist is a freelance journalist and fashion lover from Helsinki, Finland. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Helsinki in June, 2014. In September, Nina will start her Master’s degree studies in media and global communications in Helsinki. Besides writing for Scan Magazine, she also works part-time in an interior design shop and as a translator for a Finnish online jewellery shop. Nina grew up in a bilingual family and languages have always been a passion of hers. She has studied French, graduated from the English-language International Baccalaureate programme, and studied a semester abroad at City University in London. In her spare time, Nina enjoys Sunday brunches, playing board games with friends, reading her impressively long bookmarked list of lifestyle blogs, and exploring Helsinki’s Design District, an area full of antique shops and up-and-coming designers. In line with her interests, Nina contributes to this issue of Scan Magazine with a report from a very special Finnish gallery and a feature about one of Sweden’s most highly-regarded design colleges.

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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Efva Attling

Efva Attling Designer with balls Few creative industries in Sweden have managed to remain untouched by the nobullshit attitude of creative adventurer Efva Attling. From number-one hits and sought-after Orrefors best-sellers, she has enough to be proud of before you even begin to talk jewellery. And then of course there is the jewellery – but, as the designer insists, you do not have to be gay to sport her Homo Sapiens necklace. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Eric Satten

Efva Attling is sitting on a deckchair by the sea in Stockholm, painting her toenails. “In my mind, I’m already planning next summer. I never really have time off – my mind never stops working. That’s being a designer,” she says and talks about collecting memories throughout life and sharing them with the world through pieces of jewellery. And boy, does she have memories: of 12 years of modelling, number-one hits as a pop singer, high-profile fashion design jobs, and bringing two children into the world – just to sample her CV.

ondary school, when the boys were sent to learn sewing and the girls got to go all out on wood and metals. Not one to enjoy the nice and quiet reading of books and taking exams, the restless Stockholm teenager found that the banging and shaping suited her temper. She graduated from Swedish ninth grade, aged 16, and started as an apprentice with one of the foremost silversmiths in the country, Bengt Liljedahl.

got the courage – now go learn the technique from the guys.’ So I did.” Beauty with a thought In terms of design credentials, Attling certainly has plenty: she has been awarded an enterprise award by the Royal Patriotic Society, had the honour of designing both the Grammis award and the Polar Music Prize, and worked on assignments as varied as spectacles for Swedish brand Synsam and wine glasses for crystal legend Orrefors – that is in addition to being dubbed one of Scandinavia’s greatest jewellery designers. But more than just a knack for creating something visually pleasing, she has a talent for provoking deeper reactions and encouraging individuality.

Thank the Swedish insistence on gender equality for steering young Attling in the right direction, as she discovered her love of metals during woodworks class in sec-

27 years later, having travelled the world as a model and, as she puts it, really done the rock’n’roll thing, it was a sheer coincidence that she had an epiphany when she, in capacity of fashion editor of a magazine, chatted to a model who was off on a silversmithing course. “It just dawned on me: that’s what I was meant to be doing!” Attling recalls. From then on, it was easy: the skill came back to her like was it riding a bike, and when she saw that her designer idol, Torun Bülow-Hübe, was in town, she went to see her. “She knew Picasso, she was married to an AfricanAmerican painter who knew Billie Holiday and a lot of jazz musicians – she was so cool. I showed her my work, and she said, ‘Well you’ve got the shapes, and you’ve

Already popular amongst trend-conscious celebrities in the Swedish capital, Attling’s jewellery got a world-wide boost when, in 1999, Madonna was seen wearing the Homo Sapiens necklace, having her personal assistant call the designer to express how much she loved it. But reactions were mixed. “People called the shop asking if you had to be gay to wear the necklace,” says Attling. “Homo Sapiens means ‘wise man’, or ‘thinking human’ – it’s about our equal value as people. I always refer to my designs as ‘beauty with a thought’, and if people merely pick up on the beauty, that’s fine, but sometimes you reach the whole way and people really get it. With Madonna, who’s such a control

Balls Necklace

Balls Bracelet

Balls Earcuffs

“I found my way home after all those years,” she says of returning to silversmithing. “I’ve never had a lot of patience, but I’d had my own tv show, I’d written loads of stuff, given birth to two kids… it wouldn’t have worked if I hadn’t done all those things. I had to live life to the full and then put all this experience into my designs, and I think a lot of women feel that and connect with it.”

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 9

Her own way: to New York and back The words should be encouraging indeed, coming from Attling who, if anyone, most certainly knows all about going her own way. Her love life alone tells a tale, as she has lived with and dated rock stars in 1970s London, been married to Swedish singer Niklas Strömstedt, the father of her two children, and is now the wife of another famous musician, Eva Dahlgren. It comes as no surprise that she recently and to great success opened a flagship store in New York and that her pieces are due to hit a number of UK retailers soon. “Being in New York is the greatest challenge in the world – and I love London!” she enthuses.

Photo: Mattias Edwall

freak and who has such clearly defined values, it of course meant a lot.” The thought behind this autumn’s new collection is all about that characteristic courage of the designer, and though its name, Balls, is not exactly understated, it went down a storm at Couture in Las Vegas, America’s biggest jewellery trade show, recently – despite the jewellery industry being massively conservative. “I wanted to call it I’ve got balls, but my agent advised against it, suggesting it might sound a bit over the top in America,” laughs the designer.

The idea for jewellery to work as boosters is of course nothing new, as Attling points out: “Pieces of jewellery have worked as talismans since ancient times: this one for the harvest, and another one for lots of kids – I’ve just modernised the idea.” She mentions her Go your own way design as an example: two arrows, inspired by a small tattoo on the back of her ankle, encouraging its wearer to follow their gut no matter what other people say. “I want to push and boost people and encourage them to be brave,” she says. “You just have to go your own way – you’ll only end up unhappy and miserable if you don’t.”

Still, asked about her reputation as a prominent, celebrated Scandinavian designer, she is unequivocally proud. “When I was in London in the ’60s, being Swedish just meant being blonde and sexy. There’s a wholly different respect for Swedes and Danes now, with an incredibly positive wave for Scandinavian fashion and design,” she says. “I’m super proud! I’m always bragging about being Swedish – it’s a no-bullshit thing; if we say it, we mean it.” But when the Polar Music Prize was awarded at a ceremony in Stockholm last month, the award designer who took to the stage to present the first prize to the winner was someone who is not only riding a wave of positivity, but who has also given a lot back to her country: not primarily as Natasha, which was her model alias when she debuted on the Parisian catwalk, or as an H&M and Levi’s designer or a singer/songwriter and dancer, but as the brave, inspiring role model behind confidently cool collections such as Imagine Peace, marketed in collaboration with Yoko Ono, and Define Normal. The Americans may be too conservative to admit it, but we Scandinavians are not: Efva Attling has got balls.

For more information, please visit: www.efvaattling.com Homo Sapiens

10 | Issue 68 | September 2014

Homo Sapiens

Define Normal

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this... As we enter the first month of autumn – the season of delightfully changing leaves, shorter days and mellowness – we turn up the cosiness factor in our homes and spend a bit more time indoors. By Julie Guldbrandsen | Press photos

Modernist architect and designer, Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist, created this unique collection of upholstered pieces in 1956-57. They are now being relaunched by Gubi. Named ‘Paradiset’, Swedish for Eden or Paradise, the furniture exudes a soft and gracious simplicity. Sofa, £3,409.00. Chair, £1,479. www.thelollipopshoppe.co.uk.

What better way to enjoy the shorter days than slipping into bed with a good book, come early evening? This deluxe bed linen by Rosenberg Cph means luxurious sleep time guaranteed. £43-96. rosenbergcph.dk.

12 | Issue 68 | September 2014

The new Glow table lamp by Bolia will complement a dressing table or provide a dimmer corner with a chic lighting source. Made from marble and copper and available in three varieties. £150. www.bolia.com.

Drink coffee like the French from these beautiful handmade bowls by ceramicist Gurli Elbækgaard. £35. www.elbaekgaard.dk, www.stillebenshop.com.

In her reinterpretation of the crystal glass, Cecilie Sindum has brought new life to an old classic. Solid and elegant at the same time, the glasses can be used for water, wine, beer or brandy. From £34,90 for 2 pcs. inspireby.com.

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Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary... With chillier autumn winds gaining momentum by the day, it seems fitting – and this season, easy – to save a little bit of summer in your first autumnal looks. Play with textures, colours and inspirational fashion eras, and come up with your own, unique version of pre-autumn sartorial chic. We combined '60s retro with a Scandinavian take on bohemian luxe – and the result makes us long for that first chance to brighten up the moody weather! By Julie Lindén | Press photos

The epitome of a classy retro look? A pair of round sunnies, from übercool Norwegian Kaibosh, on the tip of your nose. For us optimists, that is. Kaibosh ‘Round and Round’ sunglasses: approx. £79, available at www.kaibosh.com

Say the thing By Malene Birger does not do with impeccable elegance and style, and we will be amazed. This structured leather must-have is perfect for early autumn, and it will no doubt last you forever. By Malene Birger leather jacket: approx. £600, available at www.bymalenebirger.com

This floor-length skirt can be dressed up with a blouse and blazer, or dressed down with a simple tee and leather jacket. Any way you choose to wear it, it is a perfect example of elegant bohemian luxe. By Malene Birger skirt: approx. £413, available at www.bymalenebirger.com

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If yellow does not brighten up your spirits, then what colour will? Bold in print but casual in fit, this Marimekko ensemble reinvents old-school chic and throws in a clear tie-dye reference to seal the retro deal. Wear with brogues or boots, depending on the temperature! Marimekko ‘Rama’ shirt and ‘Stokki’ trousers: approx. £138 per piece, available at www.marimekko.com

Continuing on the bright colours theme are these lace-ups from Stockholm brand Hope. Sturdy yet sleek, these are boots with an attitude! Hope ‘Mark’ boots: approx. £327, available at www.hope-sthlm.com

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Scan Magazine | Design | Scandinavian Pop-up Shop

Design by By Malina

Design by the Silk Vault

Designers represented:

Design by Ahlvar

Ahlvar

Promise

By Malina

Valerie

De Moy

Noir & Blanc

Calou

The Silk Vault

Anna Holtblad

Zetterberg Couture

Ida Sjöstedt

Säby

Charlotte Bonde

Greta

Design by By Malina

The shooting stars of Scandinavian fashion From 28 September until 27 October, London’s King’s Road will welcome a Scandinavian pop-up shop dedicated to recognised brands and newcomers alike. In anticipation of the shop opening, initiator and Swede Cecilia Johansson talks to Scan Magazine about the new edge of the Scandinavian fashion wonder. By Julie Lindén

While brands such as Ida Sjöstedt, By Malina and Zetterberg Couture might be well-known sartorial labels in Scandinavia, the UK fashion industry is understandably more acquainted with the omnipresent easy-to-wear Scandinavian clothing chains. Obvious examples include H&M, COS, &Other Stories and Monki, while more high-end brands such as House of Dagmar and Acne are clearing increasingly larger spaces at department stores such as Selfridges. Swedish-born Johansson, who has always kept a keen eye on the latest designs when visiting back home, says her four years in London have made her long for direct access to smaller designers – her primary reason for opening this autumn’s pop-up shop. “It’s exciting to be representing Scandinavian quality design on

16 | Issue 68 | September 2014

the UK market. Although the big chains have definitely established themselves in the country, Scandinavia has so much more to offer,” she says, continuing: “Several brands that are well known in Scandinavia are still relatively unknown here, and a pop-up like this is the perfect way to introduce and promote these smaller, exclusive brands to Londoners.” Although the Scandinavian look has always been known as minimalistic, Johansson explains that the style has also developed to include more continentally European elements. “Designers like Ida Sjöstedt and Zetterberg Couture work with more romantic looks, incorporating lace and details. Still, our Nordic simplicity shines through and the look feels ‘clean’ and not too affected.”

Despite mainland European influence, Johansson believes the core values of established Scandinavian design still stand – much due to a fondness of personality and versatility. “Scandinavians let their personal style shine through, even at their workplace, using items that work well in their everyday life as well as work. A simple dress can work just as well for both occasions, and can easily be dressed up with heels or dressed down with a leather jacket for a Saturday brunch.” So the obvious question is: what should we invest in this autumn? “Outerwear – a leather jacket, blazer or coat depending on your taste and lifestyle. A really good item of outerwear can lift your outfit to another level, as long as you make sure to go for the classic looks.” Scandinavian Fashion Pop-up Shop 340 King’s Road London SW3 5UR

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

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Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Dansk Smykkekunst

Knack for knacks In recent years, Dansk Smykkekunst – or simply DANSK – has evolved to become a force to be reckoned with in the world of international jewellery design. “The secret behind this silent revolution has been easily recognisable design based on the colours and shapes in vogue right now,” explains Malene Storm, partner and head designer of the company. By Marjorie de los Angeles Mendieta | Photos: DANSK

Storm travels extensively to fashion fairs all over Europe to grasp the trends and directions of the fashion of the near future. The concept of DANSK jewellery is to make it fit seamlessly with the everyday clothing and accessories of women. New trends on the Scandinavian fashion scene are mirrored in the jewellery, whose classical colour schemes also reflect the tones of the day in the tints of the plating. The family business that grew big

Christian and Malene Storm

18 | Issue 68 | September 2014

DANSK is rooted in more than 40 years of experience. The company was established by John Bengtsson in a basement in central Copenhagen. For many years, it catered almost exclusively to the Danish home market, and expansion was slow and steady. Many years on, the company is still family driven. Now, Bengtsson’s stepson, Christian Storm, has taken over and runs the business in joint ownership with

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Dansk Smykkekunst

his wife Malene. But recently, business has picked up quite a bit, as the company’s designs have all of a sudden sparked interest abroad and on the internet. DANSK has so far found its way onto the market in about 1,500 retailers in more than 15 countries, the largest being Germany and the United Kingdom. This year, the company has also established a foothold in Italy and looks set to enter Japan. In June of 2014, the company received royal attention when presented with King Frederik IX’s Prize of Honour for Excellence in Export by His Royal Highness Prince Henrik in a ceremony on board the royal yacht. The rare prize is awarded to Danish companies with an exceptional growth rate in export within recent years as well as companies that gain access to especially tough-to-break markets abroad. The expansion of DANSK has of course meant an increase in workload. Naturally, this has taken its toll on family life, but the Storm family insists that the company success must not completely overshadow family life and time for personal interests. “It has to be worth the while in terms of personal values,” says Malene Storm, who admits to letting business opportunities

pass her by in order to spend time with her family and engage in her passion as an avid horseback rider. Resilient and uncompromising design Malene Storm attributes much of the success to the resilience of the design. “I like to keep it raw and simple,” she puts it. This is likely the reason why DANSK jewellery strikes a common chord with women from all walks of life all over the world. Needless to say, cultural differences between the countries mean differences in taste, although consumption via the internet has begun to show convergence between the products in demand in the various countries. “Even when comparing such closely related countries as Great Britain and Denmark, we see that British women tend to prefer small silver necklaces with small trinkets, whereas the Danes prefer more dramatic designs and larger jewellery,” Storm reflects. Still, with about 750 new items of jewellery presented in the company’s biannual collections, there should be something for most tastes. A likely explanation for the popularity of DANSK design might also be its tailoring for every occasion and the endless possibilities for mixing the various earrings,

bracelets and necklaces. This pertains to the designer’s closeness with the community; Storm takes every response seriously. Occasionally, producers and retailers will point out new demands in materials and shapes, and sometimes, new ideas will even pop up on Facebook from an eager consumer suggesting subtle changes. The designer keeps every hint in mind when shaping the next collection. The recent success of DANSK has not come at the cost of the company values, which have remained unchanged from day one. From the onset in 1971, the concept of DANSK has been to deliver finery at a cost affordable to women of all ages and occupations: keeping prices low is a key company value. No piece of jewellery is offered at a price of more than roughly £35. As a must for the consumers of today, all trinkets are guaranteed free of allergens, and as a token that DANSK is at the forefront when it comes to experimenting with new materials and designs, a small line of accessories in DANSK’s collections is even made from recycled paper. No small accomplishment for DANSK, whose star is rapidly ascending on the international jewellery scene.

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

LEFT: With a close eye on the fashion scene, DANSK makes earrings, bracelets and necklaces to be combined in a multitude of ways, always perfectly suited to the garments and styles of the season.

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 19

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Rosemunde

Women’s luxury, then and now To give all women a luxury feeling – every day. That was the ambitious concept according to which Rosemunde launched its first basics in 2004. What it meant was to create a design line that was timeless and malleable so as to be clearly recognisable as a brand, exquisite in terms of design and material so as to be luxurious, and doing so without being overtly vociferous or articulate about it so as to give the luxuriousness its true everyday character. By Marjorie de los Angeles Mendieta | Photos: Rosemunde

What perhaps best defines everyday luxury is the gorgeous basics. It all started with Rosemunde’s hallmark laced silk camisole. This highly ingenious piece has been at the top of the chart of women’s wear basics ever since, and is the virtual epitome of the company. It combines the romantic feminine look with an urban look of city coolness. With the luxury concept established around a production line built on this immediate success, the company soon grew to become a household name of women’s wear basics without making much ado.

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Despite the undeniable success of its camisole and many of its other basics, the company was nevertheless on the verge of caving in 2011 due to the financial crisis. “The company’s apparent success with its products was not thoroughly backed up by a viable business strategy,” concludes Torben Olsen, who took to the company reins as creative and commercial director after a takeover in 2011. With Olsen at the helm, the company weathered the storm and widened its market abroad considerably. Today the brand is sold in more than 1,300 retailers in nearly every country in Europe

and on the grand markets in Asia, USA, Canada and Australia. Scandinavian values, universal look Becoming a world-wide lifestyle brand in 10 years is no mean feat; few Scandinavian brands make it to the Far East. According to Torben Olsen, the secret lies rooted deep within the company values. Functionality and long-lasting quality are a given for the company, whose collections are comprised of only silken fabric and fine Cashmere knitwear. The Rosemunde look, however, is not particularly Scandinavian, but rather universal. It is centred on the highly feminine silhouette, not shy of emphasising the waist. It is worn extensively by women all over the world, testifying to its popularity with women of all cultures. The company’s typical consumer is the independent, ambitious woman, highly

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Rosemunde

conscious of her femininity. The ‘Rosemunde woman’ knows what she wants, and does not settle for compromise. 10 years on from the onset in 2004, that woman still harbours the same intentions and fits the same description, but the world has changed, and so have its concepts of fashion. And in the meantime, her daughter has become a woman, too. It would seem like a hard task encompassing all the necessary adaptations to a trend to make it universally appealing to these women over time. According to Torben Olsen, the key is in the subtle changes. The camisole is the pivotal example of this: it is still the mainstay of the company’s quarterly collections, and it is still as vibrant. Changing the colour scheme and the intricacy of the lacing, and adding small semiprecious stone inlays to the lacework, are the variations that made this piece as special this season as it was yesteryear. ‘Now & Then’ Everyday luxury is special. As a token of that, every piece of the company’s collections bears an inscription of the collection year. Earlier this season, Rosemunde an-

nounced a special anniversary collection to mark its 10-year jubilee, presented as a richly illustrated review of the developments in the design line in the past decade. The collection is named ‘Now & Then’ and offers a profusion of romantic, feminine and sensual women’s wear basics, as well as more flashy blouses and jackets for work, partying or just spare time. Naturally, it also features a limited luxury edition of the camisole. Now and then is the time to assess the work already done and look to the future. The announcing of ‘Now & Then’ might mark just such an occasion. According to Olsen, Rosemunde is in steady development, and the plan for the future five years will be to consolidate the company on the markets where it has already gained a foothold and widening its consumer basis abroad. The future looks bright, and Olsen believes that the Rosemunde style can follow the trend for decades to come without compromising its recognisability. He also sees shoes and accessories as possible new product categories for the company’s design line. The company that seemingly with ease has established itself as a worldwide brand, has certainly come to stay.

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

Above: The silk camisole that has become the epitome of Rosemunde.

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 21

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Habitare Show Finland

A showcase for Finnish design and interior decoration Habitare, Finland’s largest furniture, interior decoration and design event, will be held at Messukeskus in Helsinki 10-14 September this year. For five days, the event will bring together tens of thousands of people interested in design and interior decoration, to explore new trends. By Johanna Suni | Photos: Messukeskus/Markku Ojala

Habitare has been the showcase for design and interior decoration in Finland, and a must-see event for many enthusiasts, since 1970. Interesting for both con-

sumers and professionals, Habitare has an international reputation as a highquality event that features the latest trends in interior decoration and design for both homes and public spaces. The fair will showcase furniture, textiles, surface materials and interior decoration objects. Ahead! to present the future of design Nowhere else do you get as good and comprehensive an overview of Finnish and Scandinavian design as in Habitare’s Ahead! de-

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sign area. The Ahead! area’s annually changing theme is carried over into the exhibition architecture, special exhibitions, programme and exhibitors’ stands. With the 2014 theme, Claim Your Space, the idea is to explore how urban and domestic spaces are designed and claimed. Ahead! provides seminars, workshops and designer meetings for fair visitors to attend and participate in. Habitare will be held at Messukeskus in Helsinki, Finland’s largest fair and congress centre. The recently renovated facilities at Messukeskus will provide the perfect venue for the event. Indeed, Habitare is one of the largest events held at Messukeskus. To be held concurrently with Habitare are the ValoLight lighting industry event, the ArtHelsinki contemporary art fair and the antique event Antiikki. In 2013, Habitare and its related events attracted a total of 55,000 visitors.

For more information, please visit: www.habitare.fi www.facebook.com/habitare

Scan Magazine | Design Feature | Design Classique

investment, and having samples delivered to their door enables clients to try out lifelasting furniture or even entire room furnishings before committing to them. Clients come from all over Denmark and Germany, as well as from further afield – Design Classique just worked with the Danish Consulate in Dubai to refurbish their Illum Wikkelsøe chairs. New customers are often attracted by word of mouth, and Design Classique has plenty of returning clients, some of whom they have worked with for years.

Top: Design Classique returned these Børge Mogensen chairs to their former elegance for Viborg Town Hall.

Above: Restoring Hans J. Wegner classics such as this is a speciality of Design Classique’s.

First-class treatment for second-hand furniture

At the end of the conversation, Design Classique’s regard for both their trade and their customers inadvertently shines through. Wollesen talks excitedly about a recent customer whose 100-year-old chairs needed to be restored. “The chairs had little monetary or architectural value, but they were important to the customer. They had high nostalgic value, and that’s just as important, as long as the customer’s happy.”

“It’s the marriage between good design and quality craftsmanship,” says Tonny W. Wollesen thoughtfully when asked what interests him about his trade, selling and restoring classic Danish furniture. “Furniture is something physical, something artful – something you can really get excited about.” By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Wollesen

While working full-time in pensions consultancy in 2004, Wollesen founded the webshop Design Classique, spending his spare hours making a viable company out of his life-long passion. Success soon allowed him to take over the longestablished furniture dealer Stolen from a friend who was retiring. In a manner archetypal of the stoic Danish region of Jutland, however, Wollesen is averse to speaking about himself and his achievements, preferring instead to tell us all about his main interest: classic Danish furniture. Wollesen is particularly excited about the company’s large new shop in Rødding, mid-South Jutland – mainly because its location places it squarely between museums celebrating the centenaries of his two favourite designers: the

Børge Mogensen exhibition at Trap Holt Museum in Kolding, and Hans J. Wegner’s birthplace in Tønder. When restoring pieces, the company works closely with hand-picked specialists, and they are specialists in delivering original upholstery and spares, having worked with Getama furniture for over 20 years. “Our aim,” says Wollesen, “is always to restore the piece of furniture to the designer’s original specifications. It should be taken back to its origins, and seen as it was intended.” The company drives around Denmark and Germany in ‘møbelbusser’ (furniture buses) providing clients with straight-up samples of furniture, materials, and more. The company recognises that quality furniture is a big

Design Classique works closely with highly-skilled furniture restorers to bring back every last detail of Danish classics such as this original Arne Jacobsen chair, Ægget (the Egg chair).

A detailed webshop and the new spacious showroom allow Design Classique to bring together all of their products for the first time.

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

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 23

Staffan Tollgård - the eye behind the red thread I have come to London’s fashionable Chelsea, just a stone’s throw from the lush green grounds of the Royal Hospital and the upmarket antiques and interior design boutiques of Pimlico Road. By Barbara Chandler, design editor for the London Evening Standard | Photos: Richard Gooding

Outside, around an imposing newly-paved square with contemporary sculptures and linked by elegant walkways, is one of London’s most exclusive recent developments: the Grosvenor Waterside complex of 800 high-end apartments. There is the faint sound of rushing water from a dramatic weir alongside a private waterway that leads, via a series of locks, directly into the river itself. Inside, where I am sitting, is a doubleheight über-modern space on the ground floor of an otherwise residential building, the sun flooding in through tall windows.

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It is exquisitely furnished and has the relaxed, comfortable feeling of a luxury home – indeed, many passers-by think it is one. But everything I can see all around, from the dramatic chandeliers to the sofas, rugs, tables and chairs – even the artwork on the walls – is for sale. This superb showroom is the result of one man’s passion, vision and determination, and took Swedish-born, London-based interior architect Staffan Tollgård around two years to make happen. “Everyone wants a place in London” Tollgård, brought up in Stockholm and trained here in London at the prestigious Inchbald School of Design, has been practising as an interior designer since January 2005. Through skill, hard work and personal recommendations, he now has

Scan Magazine | Feature | Staffan Tollgård

an international clientele that includes financiers, entrepreneurs, politicians, doctors, lawyers, and people in the media and the arts, including a conductor of world renown. He has been named twice in House & Garden’s portfolio of 100 Leading Designers and was on the Sunday Times’ recent list of the Leading 30 UK Design Practices. Whilst Tollgård’s practice fulfils commissions worldwide – from a chalet in Switzerland to a Saudi palace and Portuguese villas – London homes for Londonbased international clients are the main thrust of his work: “Nowadays, it seems, everyone wants to have a place in London.” Tollgård, with his empathy, flair for originality and meticulous attention to detail, has built up a reputation for sourcing appropriate and interesting pieces for his clients, who benefit from his travels to trade fairs, factories and workshops worldwide in an ongoing quest for beautiful things. Over the past few years, he became aware that much of what he was tracking down was not available elsewhere in London, or was not being shown to best advantage. Domestic space of complete design So was born an audacious idea: to fill the most beautiful showroom he could find with beautiful, exclusive furnishings – and to use his skill as an interior designer to create the feeling of a home rather than shop: “Yes, above all, I wanted my space to be domestic… and a place where people can see complete design, all of a piece,

not lots of separate pieces standing on their own,” he says. Finding the right premises was a challenge, involving long searches on the internet and visits to around 20 disappointingly unsuitable units. Finally, success – a combination of luck and very shrewd judgment. The space in which we sit is conspicuous for its six-metre height, but was being used by the developers up to completion as a site office, with a lowered false ceiling, when Tollgård came to view it. He quickly realised the potential of the space up above and clinched the deal. Now, he not only has his beautiful, lofty showroom, but also a mezzanine for his 14-strong interior design team.

Left: A home rather than a shop: Tollgård’s Chelsea showroom has the feeling of a luxury home – indeed, many passers-by think it is one. Below: Dutch brand Linteloo, established 20 years ago and named after its founder, crafts elegant and striking design pieces. Photos: Linteloo

Thus, someone is always on hand to help with details of any piece of interest. “We believe that great design deserves to be sold by designers who can tell its story,” says Tollgård. Everything in his showroom is for sale or can be specified, from the architectural lighting and invisible wall speakers to the sleek, polished concrete floor and the sophisticated, textured silver grey timber cladding salvaged from Austrian barns. He adds: “And, of course, we greatly value the humans behind a piece: the designer and the maker.” Stories of treasured suppliers The better to tell his stories, Tollgård has travelled all over the world visiting the designers and makers behind the exclusive brands he represents – around 40 in all. He becomes increasingly animated as we chat about some of his most treasured suppliers. First, the background to the chair I am sitting in: with graceful tapered legs, its back is a slender arch of solid wood, made, I learn, by Porada, an old, established Italian firm. “This chair is virtually backless,” Tollgård points out, “so you can see right through it. This means that all the details of a table beyond are visible – and stops that closed-in look you can get with a line of solid chairs.” Back or no back, it was very comfortable.

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 25

Tollgård’s originality and meticulous attention to detail has earned him a reputation for sourcing appropriate and interesting pieces for his clients.

Other Italian brands which Tollgård represents are Porro (with a tradition of craftsmanship dating back to 1925) and Driade, with distinctive and often quirky signature provided by a huge stable of modern designers that includes many pieces by arguably the world’s best-known modern furniture designer, Philippe Starck from

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Paris. Also find Flos, a leader in technology for contemporary lighting, and the pioneers of great modern classics. Behind me are more chairs, each one set in its own boxed display, like a piece of art. Tollgård takes down another favourite in solid wood with a woven wicker seat by J.

L. Møller, founded in Denmark in 1944. He emphasises with a loving caress the lovely way the wood is shaped. “Each one arrives fully-assembled; it is literally impossible to take these chairs apart.” Another of his favourites is the charming My Chair, made by the Swedish firm of

Scan Magazine | Feature | Staffan Tollgård

Stolab, also with an impressive pedigree – they started making solid wood furniture in Smålandsstenar in 1907. Now the design studio of Space Copenhagen has brought them right up to date with a playful and poetic shape. Holland in recent times has become famous for its own brand of modern design, and new companies deliver a style that is light-hearted, witty – irreverent even. Moooi is a good example, founded by the maverick Marcel Wanders only in 2002. Moooi is the Dutch word for beauty: “We just added an extra o for extra beauty,” Wanders once remarked. Now his graceful yet bulbous white chandelier for Flos is suspended as an arresting feature of the showroom. Also from Holland is Linteloo, established 20 years ago and named after its founder. Now working with them is Piet Boon, famous for his signature furniture pieces, lending his name to the company he founded in 1983. Also from Europe comes Eggersmann, crafting tailor-made kitchens in Germany for more than a hundred years. Brokis glass lights come from the Czech Republic where master glassmakers can blow thin transparent shades for their Balloon range to an enormous size. These lamps can sit on the floor, or be adapted to wall or ceiling. De La Espada is a Portuguese company making edgy modern furniture by the likes of Turkish Autoban, and British designer Matthew Hilton. From Spain comes BD Barcelona with pieces by design greats such as Ross Lovegrove, Jaime Hayon, and Konstantin Grcic.

Above & far left bottom: Piet Boon, famous for his signature furniture pieces, has conceived many of the pieces shown at Tollgård’s showroom, many defined by their minimalist elegance. Photos: Piet Boon

tects whose furniture designs are made by De La Espada. Flooring here is as intriguing as the furniture. Tollgård tells me about Kasthall, with perhaps the oldest credentials of all, weaving rugs in Sweden since 1889. Yet the design of the Glimmer rug on display is cool and contemporary, with its silky shades of grey and distressed texture. Shortly, Tollgård will launch his own range of rugs for German JAB, significantly called Red Thread. ‘Röda tråden’ is a powerful Scandinavian metaphor to describe a unifying principle in any creative work, be it a colour repeated in a painting or a refrain in a piece of music. Certainly, walking round Tollgård’s showroom you can sense a red thread at work in the personal and creative edit, which uses natural materials, valued craftsmanship, and subtle down colours in a restful, neutral palette with shades of cream, beige and grey, enlivened with subtle textures. You cannot see the thread of course, and it would rather jar the eye if you could. But

Staffan Tollgård Grosvenor Waterside, Gatliff Road, London SW1W 8QN; 020 7952 6070 www.tollgard.co.uk

Dubbed ‘the sharpest eye in London’, Barbara Chandler is a best-selling photographer and specialist writer on design and the home, among other things contributing regularly to Homes & Property at the London Evening Standard for the past 20 years and more. Chandler has won countless awards, including Contribution to the Design Industry, Furniture Writer of the Year, and Home Improvements Journalist of the Year, and she has written numerous books and sat as the chair of judges of many coveted designer awards.

a unifying force there certainly is – and one to enjoy, admire and trust.

Below: Mark Albrecht, Credenza. Photo: Mark Albrecht

Further afield furniture and flooring Travelling further afield, Staffan has recently been to the States to discover Mark Albrecht, whose furniture is slender in the extreme: steel sections, latticed leather and solid wood. Also from the States is Chilewich, who has, a little improbably, made woven vinyl chic for rugs, tablemats and more. From Canada comes Bocci, with blown glass spheres grouped into a huge choice of chandeliers – a coloured one hangs in the entrance of the showroom. EOQ is a new brand from Hong Kong, and Neri & Hu are Chinese archi-

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 27

According to the head of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, classical music is the aural version of slow food – a welcome antidote to a fast-paced life of careermaking, smart phones and constant multi-tasking.

Tuning in to the next generation The Danish National Symphony Orchestra has gone from greyish institution to global trailblazer in just five years by forming a world-class ensemble around an inspiring concert hall, attracting broader and increasingly younger audiences. By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: Per Morten Abrahamsen

The general image of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra was, for some time, rather monochrome. While a cherished institution, it was largely associated with the black and white days of broadcast media’s state monopoly. Today, blue is the colour: the striking blue of DR Koncerthuset, to be specific. Home to the Symphony Orchestra since 2009, the venue has been central to the 89-yearold musical giant’s rebirth. “We have blossomed into this beautiful flower,” says Kim Bohr, director of music

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at Danish Radio and head of the orchestra, reflecting on the five years gone by since leaving Radiohuset, the orchestra’s home since 1945. “Moving meant we had to work harder to improve and adapt our sound to more sophisticated acoustics,” he adds. Among the world’s elite Hard facts prove the resurgence. Audiences are, on average, seven years younger and season ticket sales are up 25 per cent for 2014/15. “They have improved continuously and sound better than ever,” says Søren Schauser, music editor at

Danish national newspaper Berlingske. “You cannot underestimate the importance of a concert hall, which essentially is the orchestra’s instrument. In such an expertly crafted hall, there simply is no place to hide – if you make a mistake, everyone will notice.” An invitation from New York’s Carnegie Hall to perform alongside world-famous violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and potential performances at the BBC Proms underline the orchestra’s standing among the world’s best. And while DR Koncerthuset is important, the orchestra’s development is also widely attributed to the late Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, the orchestra’s conductor since 2011 who passed away in June 2014. “He leaves a great legacy as someone who really improved us and en-

Scan Magazine | Culture Profile | Koncerthuset

hanced our reputation internationally,” says Bohr. Søren Schauser agrees: “de Burgos moved them into the elite, which means they can attract top conductors,” he says, alluding to names like Vladimir Ashkenazy and New York Metropolitan Opera’s Fabio Luisi, who are among the superstar maestros sharing baton duties for upcoming concerts. The aural version of slow food Kim Bohr is especially proud of attracting younger audiences, not least because the likes of Beethoven, Carl Nielsen and Sibelius remain mainstays on the repertoire. Classical music, he says, has become the aural version of slow food – a welcome antidote to a fast-paced life of career-making, smart phones and constant multi-tasking. “They want to stand still for a while and absorb art. Sink into their seat for an hour and let the euphony flow over them. It is about immersion and opening yourself to the music. This space allows you to reflect and understand yourself better.” Classical music for everyone Not only has the audience become younger – it is also more diverse as DR

Koncerthuset’s effort to make classical music for everyone bears fruit. The challenge is to dispel the myth that listening to classical music requires savviness. As Kim Bohr puts it, “music is not academia, it is feelings.” Still, he says, classical music can be enjoyed even further with extra layers, although it is not a necessity. “We offer introductions by conductors and soloists to consecrate the audience into the art of performing in a symphony orchestra. We must be open to attract new audiences and give them a good experience.”

Again, the very existence of DR Koncerthuset is at the core of the positive development. For the musicians, it forces them to perform at the peak of their ability. For the audience, the edifice itself is part of the attraction. “This venue has become a national treasure,” says Schauser. “Pop concerts and other events contribute to the accessibility but, contrary to many other concert halls, DR Koncerthuset is not considered too high-end or esoteric. People from all generations and walks of life come here, and the average age going down seven years is astounding. You do not see this anywhere else.”

CONCERTS AT A GLANCE

TOP ORCHESTRA, TOP VENUE

4-5 September 2014: Mahler & Beethoven,

The Danish National Symphony Orchestra

DR Koncerthuset, conducted by Fabio Luisi

was established in 1925 under the motto,

25-26 September 2014: Petrenko, Romeo & Juliet, DR Koncerthuset, conducted by Vasily Petrenko

23 and 25 October 2014: Znaider & Nielsen’s Violin Concert, DR Koncerthuset, conducted by Osmo Vänskä

“The best, only the best,” and is known today as Denmark’s national symphony orchestra with 99 sublime orchestral musicians. In 2012, renowned British music magazine Gramophone named DR Koncerthuset among the world’s 10 best concert halls.

11 February 2015: Nielsen & Sibelius, Carnegie Hall, New York

29-30 May 2015: Mahler’s 3rd, DR Koncerthuset, conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy

Get the full programme and ticket information at: www.dr.dk/drso

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 29

Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | VisitFarmen

Explore the Danish countryside Denmark is not just sleek design, fashion and crime noir: there’s also a leisurely countryside worth exploring. A new app will guide you to the hidden country gems. By Ann Bille Simonsen | Photos: Henrik Bjerregrav Peter and Heidi Jeppesen

Fancy buying fresh local produce from a farm shop, popping into a gallery, or living on a farm for a few days? “The Danish countryside has so much to offer,” says Silke Lorenzen from the National Association for Agritourism, “and we’ve now made it easier to explore.” The app VisitFarmen gathers a wide range of hidden gems and activities of the Danish countryside. Using your smartphone’s GPS, the app will easily guide you to things to explore or places to eat or stay. “Many people use the app on biking trips. It’s a quick way to discover what’s out there when on the go.”

mer. “We’ve been met with such a warm and welcoming attitude, it feels very homely. There’s always something to do and explore for the children.” The farms included in the app vary in size, type and activities on offer – some have petting animals, such as horses or rabbits, while others have large herds of cows. You will also find

About the VisitFarmen app Download the app VisitFarmen for free from Google Play or App Store. Get the app in Danish or English.

Experience farm life One of many features in the app is the ‘farm holiday’. Peter and Heidi Jeppesen went on their first farm holiday last year with their children David and Sarah, and they found it so enjoyable that they went back again this sum-

fruit picking, fishing and mushroom picking activities. “But something they all have in common,” Lorenzen promises, “is their warm, ‘hyggelig’ and personal atmosphere.”

Most of the farm holiday hosts speak English. Things to explore: go-karting, horse riding, living like H. C. Andersen, treetop climbing, a Danish castle, a coffee roastery, a Bison farm, a paper gallery, and a pig farm.

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

Organic with appeal Discovering fun restaurants and delicious food is perhaps one of the best aspects of travelling – the only downside being that you cannot transport your new favourite eatery back home. Instead, you will just have to find lots of excuses to return to Denmark as often as possible.

plains Johansen. “There is nothing on our menu that we ourselves wouldn’t delight in eating. Everything we serve our guests is something we thoroughly enjoy.”

By Kathleen Newlove | Photo: BioM

The brunch menu is as hearty as it is healthy. Come in, sit down, and relax as the skilled waiters at BioM serve everything from savoury salmon and greens to mouth-watering mushroom perogies. The home-made bread is so good you cannot help but go for seconds.

Not far from the King’s Gardens in downtown Copenhagen lies an amazing restaurant, absolutely perfect for brunch. BioM opened in 2007 when chefs Brian Johansen and Søren Hansen decided that organic and eco-friendly dining needed a face-lift.

As Copenhagen’s first official state-regulated, organic-certified restaurant, BioM transformed healthy eating into a tasty dining experience. “The goal was to bring organic food forward to the modern restaurant scene and away from the dusty shelves of health-food stores,” ex-

Aiming to give organic, eco-friendly dining a face-lift, Brian Johansen and Søren Hansen opened up Copenhagen’s first official state-regulated, organic-certified restaurant, BioM.

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Though this is not a vegan or vegetarian restaurant, there are options to suit such strict diets, too. This is clean eating with a strong focus on natural, fair trade, and ethically-produced goods with environmentally-friendly delivery. And if you cannot finish your glass of water, worry not. The potted plants and herbs in the restaurant will drink it for you. Waste not, want not.

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

Photo: Hans Christian Jacobsen

Photo: Søren Gammelmark

Photo: Hans Christian Jacobsen

Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Fru Larsen

While the chefs at Fru Larsen do the bulk of the food preparations in-house, including everything from smoking their own salmon to curing their own ham, the dining experience is all about delicious simplicity.

A hidden gem in the forest Between Randers and Silkeborg in Denmark, less than an hour’s drive from the Aarhus airport, is a majestic forest town called Langå. There are countless outdoor activities here, such as tennis, golf, canoeing, fishing and hiking to name a few. At the end of your fun-filled day, rest your head on the amazingly comfortable beds at Fru Larsen. By Kathleen Newlove | Photos: Ib Sørensen

Since 1980, hotel and event venue Fru Larsen has been popular with business travellers and couples looking for a romantic weekend away. Her restaurant stands out as the pièce de résistance of this intimate establishment. Renowned chef Tommy Friis began his culinary internship here in 1999 and has now returned as executive chef. In the years he has been gone, Friis has improved his style with subtle nuances; his dishes are now simpler and more refined than they were when he was named Chef of the Year in 2010. He did not come back to Fru Larsen alone, however: he is joined by the commis chef from his Molskroen days, as well as by his wife, chef Birgitte Friis. With their two

small children, the couple has quite a task running a successful kitchen, home and partnership. Luckily, it is a family affair – their parents work at the hotel in accounting, gardening and floral décor while also helping taking care of the couple’s children. The restaurant itself has French influences with its brick floors, pewter candleholders, and open fireplace. The kitchen features a variety of dishes that can roughly be categorised as new Nordic cuisine. “We focus a lot on the ambience and how guests feel when they walk in the door. Our aim is to give them a very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere,” Friis explains, and his wife adds: “It’s a small, intimate environment where guests feel at home.”

The chefs rely heavily on local products but do the bulk of the preparations inhouse. They smoke their own salmon, cure their own ham, pickle their own vegetables and make their own vinegars. “The flavour is most important here,” insists Friis, “which is why people come to us – they’re hungry and they want a delicious, uncomplicated dining experience.” This theme of simplicity is seen everywhere in Friis’s unpretentious kitchen: he lets the delicious ingredients speak for themselves.

Chefs Birgitte and Tommy Friis.

For more information, please visit: frularsen.dk

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 31

: N ME SIG E E H L T E & D DS A I EC STYL BRAN P S H P DIS R TO E SW - OU

Trustworthy, sustainable fashion with an edge

Think the latest fashion trends are all about colours and cuts? Think again. “There’s only one big really important trend, and it is sustainability,” says Lotta Ahlvar, CEO of the Swedish Fashion Council, which works to promote and strengthen the Swedish fashion industry.

The Association of Friends of Textile Art was founded in 1874 with the goal of promoting Swedish handicraft traditions, and this year the organisation celebrates its 140th anniversary.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Peter Håkansson

Currently between two jobs – or, truth be told, juggling the two high-profile duties as CEO of the Swedish Fashion Council as well as of the Association of Friends of Textile Art – Lotta Ahlvar believes that the Scandinavian design wave of the ’50s and ’60s is still contributing to a strong industry that strikes the perfect balance of trustworthiness and commercial awareness with an edge. One of the highlights of her time at the Fashion Council is the Swedish Fashion Talents project. “It’s meant a lot to new designers and helped them grow. That’s our principal duty: to enable growth and regrowth, to help with reporting and market analysis in order to make sure that the industry remains healthy and sustainable.” Sustainability, after all, is what it is all about. “It takes many different expres-

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sions, such as the development of new textiles, and this is at the heart of our work,” says Ahlvar.

For more information about the Swedish Fashion Council and other Swedish Fashion Talents, please visit: www.swedishfashiontalents.com

ROOKIES – Swedish Fashion Talents Black Book

Ever Rêve

Lacking education, experience, contacts and

A fascination with her grandmother’s old wax

capital, then 18-year-old André Lorenz Stock

fabric tie dye dresses was what inspired

founded Black Book by making t-shirts in his

Michelle Urvall Nyrén to create this women’s

kitchen in Stockholm in 2009. A few years later,

brand where geometric motifs meet the fluidity

the designs were so hyped that the brand

and softness of watercolour paintings.

launched a global collaboration with H&M.

Isabell Yalda Hellysaz

Castor Pollux

A Swedish-Persian fashion designer, Isabell is a

Inspired by Castor and Pollux, the two stars in

consistent top student from the most renowned

his own starsign, Henric Dahl represents

fashion schools in Europe, having received

uncompromised design and craftsmanship for

international recognition since her graduation.

self-minded connoisseurs. The elegant, subtle

Aiming to explore a more human alternative,

gentleman’s look meets ’70s-inspired colours

Isabell produces comfortably-tailored garments

and patterns.

worn by among others Lady Gaga.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Style & Design - Our Top Brands

Left: Gudrun Sjödén Winter 14/15 collection (Photo: Mats Widen). Top middle: Gynning Design tablewear (Photo: Charlotte Strömwall). Middle: Half Past Seven collection from Vardagsbruk (Photo: Vardagsbruk). Right: Malin Westberg Collection (Photo: Malin Westberg).

Inspired design that cares Defining Swedish design is not as easy as it used to be. Designers today are not tied down to a particular country or style, but work around the world, sharing international references. Our citizens come from various origins that are reflected in a vital diversity when it comes to food, fashion and music. By Ewa Kumlin, Svensk Form

At a slower pace, this trend is spreading to other design areas, such as furniture and industrial design, while the modernist heritage and forceful engineering-led industry of the 20th century still has a strong hold on the production and style. The dedication to innovative design in Sweden is deeply rooted in a tradition based on functionality and social aspects.

own generation. The prices generally lie somewhere in between those of IKEA and luxury brands, for furniture and fashion, affordable but cool. It goes without saying that big brands such as IKEA and H&M have been at the core of creating the image of Swedish design internationally, built on the democratic principles of the past 100-or-so years.

In terms of style, Scandinavian design is well known internationally for its clean simplicity. This has been the prevailing perception since the ’50s. In recent years, several young Nordic companies have become hugely successful by reviving the very same modernist approach, with accessible prices for a contemporary and trendy urban lifestyle. Their concept is to create desirable objects for friends of their

Simultaneously, small design-led businesses with unique identities are enjoying a renaissance, telling their own stories and producing locally on a small scale. The craft movement is returning, boasting devices such as “the future is handmade” and “new makers and doers,” with designers striving for their independence and acting as their own producers, using new technology for production and communication.

In conclusion, Swedish design today is simply everything created in Sweden, with countless expressions flourishing side by side. What we all have in common is the surrounding society, the care for the everyday life quality, the informal and nonhierarchical values, and usually quite a practical approach. In a global context, design that cares about the real needs of the end user becomes even more relevant, considering the massive challenges we are facing. Svensk Form is the oldest society of design in the world, founded in 1845 as the Swedish Society of Craft and Design. Svensk Form has always been working at the forefront of new ideas, while initiating several groundbreaking movements and milestone exhibitions throughout its time. Svensk Form publishes FORM Magazine and produces the podcast FormRadion in English. It also produces the National Design Awards, Design S, and Ung Svensk Form – Young Swedish Design.

For more information, please visit: www.svenskform.se www.formmagazine.com www.design-s.se www.ungsvenskform.se

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 33

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Style & Design - Our Top Brands

the opening of a Gudrun Sjödén London boutique on Monmouth Street in the aptly charming Seven Dials district. Her roots may be decidedly local, but Sjödén’s designs are bringing colourful beauty to all the corners of the globe. “I want to spread happiness and make life a little bit more beautiful,” she says, and a look at the website or Facebook page shows that inspiration and communication are central to her work. Her own most important source of inspiration, unsurprisingly, is Mother Nature herself. “It’s been said that after eight minutes out in nature, we humans find peace and harmony.” Step into one of the designer’s own shops, and we bet you will be both inspired and right at home much quicker than that. Left: Inspired by nature, the autumn 2014 collection presents a multitude of animal prints and patterns, representing everything from leopards to elephants and celebrating organic, autumnal colours (Photo: Jimmy Hansen). Right: The winter 14/15 collection.

An explosion of colour – with a green soul Bubbling with inspiration, impressions and a love of nature and people, Gudrun Sjödén has taken the sensibility for fabrics and respect for nature from her northern Nordic childhood and turned it into a global, multi award-winning fashion brand full of life. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Mats Widén

Brought up in a family of farmers, with strong roots in the Sami tradition and a heritage from the Kola Peninsula, Gudrun Sjödén was immersed in folklore and handicraft from an early age. And there is no mistaking it when you look at what she has created today: an internationallycelebrated design brand characterised by sustainability, vibrant colours and a clear Nordic design heritage. Colourful with a green soul, as the brand strapline goes.

Indeed, making long-lasting garments that never go out of fashion is key to the brand’s sustainability DNA. Monica Ekervik Hedman, director of communications at Gudrun Sjödén AB, explains: “The environmental consciousness has been there since Gudrun started out in 1976. She wants the clothes to be durable and encourage customers to consume less. Today, almost 70 per cent of the collection is made of organic cotton.”

“I love contrasts and surprising combinations,” says the designer. “Colourful stripes and pattern combinations, clothes that can be endlessly combined regardless of the season, functional and unique garments that never look dated, suitable for all ages and shapes – all in natural materials and with an emphasis on a sustainable, Nordic design expression.”

Local passion, global reach

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Two years ago, Sjödén was given ELLE magazine’s Sustainability Award, just one in a long line of quality, business woman and entrepreneur accolades. Already in 2010, the brand topped the export league among Swedish fashion brands, and a year later its global presence equalled a turnover of half a billion SEK. 2012 saw

Take sustainable thinking and a green soul with deep Scandinavian roots and add a good splash of colour, and there is the recipe behind the success of multi award-winning designer Gudrun Sjödén.

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

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Bold – and remembered for it With a penchant for colour coordination and a strong strategic intuition, Maria Lovisa Dahlberg is the brain behind the candle holder so popular that it is now approaching international design icon status. Represented in 400 interior decoration shops worldwide, including The Conran Shop and Skandium, her company Freemover has reached an eight million SEK turnover since its inception a decade ago, and now a collaboration with the Lamino maker, Swedese, has the design world bubbling over with excitement. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Freemover

“It seems a lot of people think that you’re either a creative or a business person, but I’ve had the chance to combine the two,” says the entrepreneur who has studied both design and economics, lived in seven countries to date, and did a work placement at Australian department store David Jones at the tender age of 16, learning all about marketing, photo shoots and fancy magazines. “In some ways I’ve been lucky, but I’ve also always been hungry for knowledge and keen to test what I’ve learnt to see if it works. And most often, it did.” Determination and focus are present throughout the Freemover story, the entire venture being self-funded from the get-go and the growth carefully managed by accepting plenty of help from both

mother and sisters. And sure enough, it has worked a treat – but being businessminded in a world of creatives can be tough, says Dahlberg, who prefers the entrepreneur label to calling herself an artist: “It’s almost taboo to talk money in design and art circles in Sweden, but I can’t pay rent with gratitude alone!” The Rolf series of candle holders, a modern interpretation of an old ’50s classic, made sure that paying rent would not be an issue. Initially launched at DesignTorget in 2004, the simple yet striking design became a huge hit, and with its three heights and countless colours it is now somewhat of a collectable. “I like the movement the combination of different heights creates, and the modern yet clas-

sic colours have been key to the concept’s success,” says Dahlberg, adding that her penchant for colours is a time-consuming vice as much as an invaluable skill. As Freemover prepares to launch a collaboration with Swedese, dressing its classic Lamino armchair in graphic textiles, a Dahlberg hallmark starts to emerge. Descriptions such as ‘graphically sculptural’ and ‘confidently playful’ spring to mind. “I’d rather be a bit bold and remembered for it than create something bland,” she says. “I love fun, strong and clear colours and patterns.”

Above left: Maria Lovisa Dahlberg. Right: Swedese's Lamino in the Prisma print.

For more information, please visit: freemover.viewbook.com

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 35

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Style & Design - Our Top Brands

The winged creature is now the centre of the Butterfly Messenger collection, featuring gold and silver bracelets and necklaces loved by everyone including Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria, who wore the Mira necklace during Paris Fashion Week.

Gynning Design’s Butterfly Messenger stems from Gynning’s desire to pass happiness on to the wearer.

It is no coincidence that some pieces even allow the wearer to include a personal message. “I put a lot of faith into affirmation and that you can achieve what you wish for in life. If you see yourself being successful, then you can be,” she says, and we feel as though we have been let in on one of life’s big secrets.

Butterfly messenger: in pursuit of happiness “Sometimes the wrong choices bring us to the right places.” The quote on Carolina Gynning’s Instagram feed stands out like a prophecy on a timeline filled with images of powerful paintings, sunset selfies and gorgeous Scandi landscapes. Few sayings more adequately describe her journey. By Bella Qvist | Photos: Charlotte Strömwall

The Swedish artist, author and jewellery designer has a wild and very public past behind her, including stints on Swedish Big Brother and glamour modelling, but after years of soul-searching, this young rebel turned successful entrepreneur seems to have found her inner peace. Today her many admirers, women of all ages, look to her for inspiration at life’s many crossroads. “My ambition with this celebrity status is to inspire women to be able to do something positive,” she says. Gynning spent much of her childhood in her mother’s atelier. When we speak to her, she is taking a short break from the everyday stresses of motherhood by stepping into her own studio to work on another highly anticipated painting.

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Strong female faces painted in bold colours have become Gynning’s hallmark, and her striking images adorn walls, interior design items and glass across the globe. However, there is one other symbol that has followed her from day one. “My mother gave me a butterfly to put in my hair when I was little, and I remember that whenever I wore it, I would have fun. I immediately started associating it with happiness, and that has just carried on throughout my life,” she explains. This symbol of reincarnation, happiness and freedom has been a recurring motif throughout Gynning’s work, and 18 months ago she decided to let her spirit animal take a more physical form. She teamed up with jewellery industry professional Camilla Falgén, and together they developed a new arm of the business: Gynning Design Jewellery.

Tables, pillows, blankets, glass and more artwork with Gynning’s striking imagery are available via the web shop at webbshop.gynning.net.

Carolina Gynning is a source of inspiration for many female entrepreneurs across Scandinavia.

For more information, please visit: www.gynningdesign.se www.gynning.net Instagram: misscarolinagynning

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Photo: Marc O Polo

Photos (above): Tomas Möller

Beating the drum for society’s creative revolution As one of the most sought-after art colleges in Sweden, with alumni including fashion designers Ann-Sofie Back, Bea Szenfeldt and Pär Engsheden, Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm has reason to be confident. But principal Cilla Robach is not interested in bragging. She is on one very focused no-bullshit mission: “I want to talk about the importance of creative design education in society today.” By Linnea Dunne

Sweden has a long educational tradition, but the focus has, according to Robach, often been on profession-specific qualifications. This may have suited the structure of the industrial society, but today, insists the principal, we must face the future in a more pragmatic, flexible way. According to the U.S. Labor Department, 65 per cent of those currently in education will work in jobs that do not yet exist. “Society’s focus in general is all on results, immediate payback and deliverables,” argues Robach. “But to meet the challenges faced by mankind, we need to embrace creative processes as a valuable method to solve problems, partly letting go of the control of quarterly economic

reports, and assenting to the unexpected.” With only 45 students accepted per year – out of hundreds of applicants who submit portfolios, respond to challenging briefs, and attend interviews – Beckmans’ three disciplines of Visual Communication, Fashion and Product Design offer its students an inspirational environment in the centre of Stockholm. Here, people of different backgrounds and contrasting opinions work day and night to develop ideas. However, that is not enough. “Anyone can have a brilliant idea, but at Beckmans you also learn how to realise it,” Robach insists. The teachers are all successful practising designers and communicators, working

Photo (top): Jens Löfgren. Photo (above): Beckmans College of Design

part-time at Beckmans in order to have time to develop their own practice. Former students have gone on to work for organisations including Google Creative, Balenciaga, IKEA, H&M and Victor & Rolf. An art historian and curator, Robach only took over as principal at Beckmans last summer, but her commitment and passion are contagious. Beating the drum for creative citizenship, collective consciousness and responsible creative industries, she brings to the table questions not just about education philosophy and our school system, but also about the future of society: “150 years ago, Western society changed with the industrial revolution. Today, we are facing another equally disruptive transformation, which we might call the creative revolution. We don’t know exactly where we’re going, but we need an open mind and a humanist vision of what kind of society we want to create together. At Beckmans, we want to educate citizens that make relevant contributions to this new society.” For more information, please visit: www.beckmans.se

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 37

Springhill makes everything from household linens to underwear and beyond.

Swedish textiles for all The textile industry has a proud legacy in Sweden, and Springhill dates back to the 1970s. Today, the company represents six different brands, bringing everything from underwear to home décor to the Nordic region.

agrees: “We want everyone to be able to afford nice home décor and renew their home. We offer good quality at affordable prices.”

By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Springhill

The south-Swedish city of Helsingborg is the home of textile company Springhill, with just over 100 employees. The head office is the base for self-developed brands Noble House, Time, Gutz and Crossbow as well as Topeco and Gripsholm, two established brands that came on board in 2005 and 2013 respectively.

that you get the very best value – a great product at a good price.” Saba Martinsen, business area manager for Gripsholm,

Both brands have enjoyed great success since joining Springhill, with new products and strengthened concepts – and Topeco even doubled its turnover.

Saba Martinsen is the business area manager for Gripsholm.

Sales manager Peter Florén, Topeco.

Quality and great value Gripsholm and Topeco are both successful brands, but different in product range and style. However, great value and quality binds them together. Or, as sales manager Peter Florén at Topeco puts it: “When you buy a Topeco product, you should feel

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Style & Design - Our Top Brands

Royal stripes meet New England Gripsholm is focusing on textile products for bed, bath and interior. It started with a classic New England theme, known for chequered patterns and stripes. The marine inspiration comes from the transatlantic liner M/S Gripsholm and the classic style refers to the royal castle of Gripsholm in Sweden. The founder, Bengt Pettersson, laid out the groundwork in the late ’90s, but the brand was not officially registered until 2004. When deciding on a name, Pettersson found himself at a restaurant with a view of Gripsholm Castle and had an idea. “They looked out across the castle and said: let’s call it Gripsholm: it is classic and simple. That’s where the journey began,” says Martinsen. Fashion as a source of inspiration Two seasonal collections add to the basic Gripsholm product line twice a year. Inspiration is quite often found in the fashion industry. “We find a lot of inspiration in other beautiful textile brands, but a lot from shirts and fashion patterns too. Classic things, like chequered men’s shirts for example,” says Martinsen, adding: “Just because we work with home décor, that doesn’t mean we can’t find in-

spiration in other fields. We recently launched a new logotype in leather, which was heavily influenced by inspiration from a bag.” Gripsholm also makes the occasional regional collection, such as the recent limited edition for the village of Byxelkrok on the island of Öland on the Swedish east coast. Previous collections also took inspiration from Dala horses, explains Martinsen, and upcoming ones will feature the west coast. A young man’s dream In the late 1940s, a young Swede wrote a letter to his father from America, saying that he wanted to start his own sock factory. The old man’s initial response was ‘slow down, son’. But in 1948, the young man, named Nils Tholén, came home and started up Topeco in Ulricehamn, a town located in a region with a proud textile tradition. The idea proved successful, and today, more than 60 years later, the company works across a range of product groups featuring everything from ladies’ and men’s socks and underwear to leggings and belts.

High standards Florén insists that quality influences everything they do, but admits that the word might have different meanings for different people. At Springhill, it means that everything they do should be of highest possible standard and quality. Florén includes everything from answering the phone to keeping things tidy in the office or at the shops, and taking care of customers and retailers. “You should get good treatment and something back,” he adds. This also applies to working conditions in the production chain; Springhill is a member of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) since 2007 and works actively to take responsibility in this regard. The company works closely with customers and clients, Florén explains. “The product is not sold until the consumer has purchased it. We want to be there every step of the way and take our responsibility.”

For more information, please visit: www.springhill.se www.topeco.se www.gripsholm.se

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Style & Design - Our Top Brands

The fashion mecca of the north All eyes are on Umeå right now. The city in northern Sweden is the European Capital of Culture 2014, and Umeå Fashion Week is coming up. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Matt Bourillon

start of autumn, tjaktja, one of six seasons in the indigenous Sami culture. Umeå loves DIY The city has a vibrant music scene and plenty of local fashion designers, and Lindgren believes that this is thanks to an encouraging DIY spirit. “Designers never see each other as competition, they collaborate instead,” she explains, adding that quite a few big names hail from Umeå, including Acne Studios’ Jonny Johans-

Photo: Laura Dovi

It is all about fashion when the sixth edition of Umeå Fashion Week kicks off in October. The event is open to the public, creating a buzz all over town. “This is an opportunity for every fashionista to visit glamorous events, like fashion shows. This is different from other fashion weeks targeting only the industry,” says Nadja Lindgren, project manager at Umeå Fashion Week. One of this year’s highlights is a fashion show dedicated to Sami design, celebrating the

son and Sandra Backlund, for example. The new Umeå Fashion Week pop-up Fashion Gallery is a way for new designers to showcase their work, and for the second year they are also invited to compete for a 25,000 SEK grant in Umeå Fashion Week Award. “The very purpose of Umeå Fashion Week is to highlight and support talented local designers, who might be struggling to reach out to a wider audience,” Lindgren says. Explore Swedish and international fashion, sustainable collections, storytelling with clothes and much more when Umeå Fashion Week takes place on 7-11 October 2014.

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

Nadja Lindgren, project manager at Umeå Fashion Week. Photo: Matthew Phillips

Scandinavian colourful and graphic homeware essentials The Malin Westberg Collection carries homeware that will brighten up your everyday life. Her pieces have a distinct retro yet classic feel and are easy to match due to their graphic purity. The collection is full of useful products for your home and perfect gifts for anyone interested in Scandinavian design. By Anita Karlsson | Photo: Malin Westberg for Malin Westberg Collection

The designer Malin Westberg often draws inspiration for her work from her childhood home in the 1970s and from the outdoors, turning shadows cast by trees or the shape of leaves into new patterns for her line. An interesting fact about the brand is that most of the assortment is produced in Sweden. “Our ambition is to keep as much of the production as local as we can. It eases our control of the environmental aspects and the product quality. In addition, we believe that it’s important to support local knowledge about handicraft,” says Kristina Frech Irgum, managing diDesigner Malin Westberg

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rector at Malin Westberg Collection. The brand makes everything from decorative cupcake forms to woven carpets in geometrical patterns. Malin Westberg enjoys working with different materials to bring dynamism to the collection. The line consists of beloved patterns such as graphic dots, stripes and flowers that recur in the different product categories. Further, there is a consistency in colour choice with typical colours being red, green, grey and black in combination with white. The pure graphics and two-tone colour choice make the products timeless and modern while having a bright impact on your mood. The items are easily combined with each other as well as your existing home. With Malin Westberg Collection, it is easy to inject Scandinavian style into your world.

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

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Natural beauty for body and mind Swedish-born Kerstin Florian started her skincare business in 1978, opening her first spa in California based on the concept ‘outer beauty, inner health’. By Malin Norman | Photos: Kerstin Florian International

Almost 40 years later, Florian is considered an international spa guru and her business is present in more than 30 countries. Her global spa brand offers exclusive and authentic natural products and treatments, based on traditional concepts and with inspiration from, for example, the far East. With the four cornerstones of diet and nutrition, exercise, mental well-being, and treatments, this is more than a skincare brand. It is focused on energies and what is beneficial for the body and mind, and works extensively with the choice of ingredients as well as knowledge of how to get customers to relax and enjoy the treatments more. “Incorporating spa principles and skincare wellness into our daily lives is an important lifestyle choice which leads to a longer, more relaxed and happy life! That is why I do what I do. This is my passion in life,” explains the founder.

Authentic treatments and products High-quality products are developed with emphasis on harmony of ingredients, results, texture and feel. The range consists of over 100 natural products, each targeted to a particular condition or skin type and made from hand-harvested, solar-dried mineral salts, organic essential oils and wild-crafted mud. There is also a menu of exclusive facials, baths, body scrubs, body wraps, and foot and hand treatments. Florian’s curiosity about foreign cultures has often resulted in new additions, such as the Sami Zen treatment, the Russian sauna treatment, Banya, and the Mineral Wellness Soak, a health product from South Africa. “When a new product or treatment is launched, I always see my Swedish heritage in the final touch coupled with my global research and experiences,” she says.

Celebrating 25 years in Scandinavia The products were first introduced into Scandinavia 25 years ago, which will be celebrated at the annual reseller event in September, as well as with events and competitions for customers in the brand’s partner spas. Continuing its international expansion, the team is also constantly on the lookout for inspiration and researching new ingredients, healing techniques and ancient therapies. Florian explains: “Our goal is to continue to inspire people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, experience beautiful, vibrant skin, and to feel a deep sense of happiness.” Swedish-born founder and international spa guru Kerstin Florian.

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

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Style & Design - Our Top Brands

strengthen their artistic voice, we provide them with the means to succeed, such as knowledge about techniques, materials, methods and processes. Artistic education is also essential in developing culture, perhaps the most fundamental part of society,” says Lantz.

Clockwise from left: Master’s student Moa Andersson’s final project, entitled Ceramic & Glass. Konstfack’s spring exhibition 2014. Master’s student Hannah Waldron’s final project, called Textile in the Expanded Field.

Creating the future stars in art and design Konstfack is a place for individual growth, self-reflection and strong artistic expression. The leading university college of arts, crafts and design gives students all the tools to succeed. By Nina Lindqvist | Photos: Ivar Johansson

Konstfack is the largest university college of arts, crafts and design in Sweden. Each year, almost 1,000 students are enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s programmes, teacher education programmes, and professional courses at the university located in Stockholm. “Our vision is to create new knowledge and play a leading role, nationally and internationally, in artistic education and research. We view our ambition to act as a forerunner in research in the arts as vital for both Sweden and the rest of the world,” says Maria Lantz, vice chancellor at Konstfack. The university college offers an impressive array of study fields within art and design. Furniture design, interior design, industrial design, jewellery design and textile design are just a few of the paths students can choose between at Konst-

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fack. The institution was founded as early as 1844, celebrating its 170th birthday this year. Its stellar reputation and longstanding popularity amongst students can be credited to many things, according to Lantz. “Our history, renowned teachers who are some of the best in their fields, excellent work spaces and international character and networks make us one-ofa-kind in Sweden.”

This autumn, Konstfack is introducing four new two-year master’s programmes: Craft, Design, Fine Art and Visual Communication. The aim is to encourage students to explore their surroundings with an open mind, to challenge their intellect and critical thinking and to develop and strengthen their practical skills. “We invest more in the student’s own projects, offer additional individual courses and opportunities to customise the programmes according to the student’s personal interests and needs,” Lantz explains. Konstfack is viewed by many as a role model in the educational world. Because of its reputation and broad choice of courses, the university college attracts many international students and guest lecturers. “Our international atmosphere creates an exchange of knowledge. In addition, it prepares our home students to view the world as their arena. Artists and designers are taught to think freely and to value original thought. Our graduates form an incredible resource, which I’m sure will be appreciated and utilised in new and unexpected fields in the future,” says the vice chancellor.

The world as your workspace The well-equipped work spaces, among the best in Europe, make up the core of the education at Konstfack. The students have access to facilities such as wood and metal workshops, screen-printing and textile printing facilities, a weaving room, photographic and TV studios, a ceramics workshop and studios for sculpture and painting. “Apart from helping students

Maria Lantz, vice chancellor at Konstfack. Photo: Hironori Tsukue

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

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Resteröds Original collection, photographed by Niklas Nyman and modelled by Alexander Östlund.

Heart, soul and experience by the Swedish original Popular Swedish fashion brand Resteröds is relaunching its Original collection, inspired by the company’s long legacy of simplicity, high quality and well-fitting tricot. By Malin Norman | Photos: Niklas Nyman

The Matsson brothers from the small village of Resteröd started their successful company back in 1935, and designed a collection of men’s and women’s underwear, long johns and linen. This collection has remained untouched for almost 80 years, and still plays a central role. “We are incredibly proud of our long history and keen to share this with the world,” explains managing director Karl Linder. “It is exciting to show our archive materials with old photos and garments, and to present how we did this at the start, how we work today, and how we will hopefully continue for another 80 years.”

collection based on classic and timeless pieces is a clear favourite for us, but also for other Resteröds ambassadors around the world,” says Linder. The campaign Original Never Dies was photographed by Niklas Nyman and modelled by retired football player Alexander Östlund, and incorporates images of the company’s historic locations, circular knitting machines and traditional craftsmanship methods. Together with the fashion line Trend and the basic line Classic, it will be available world-wide in Resteröds’ partner stores.

as well as recent export markets Spain, Croatia and Slovenia. The focus remains on straight-forward design, simplicity and fit, and excellent materials. Linder emphasises: “Quality is very much central to everything we do. The products must be of the best quality, and we believe that our customers and partners also feel secure in the long history and knowledge of the brand.” As the company’s vision has expanded beyond Sweden’s borders, Resteröds continues to offer its line of popular products, while keeping the original idea close at heart.

Quality without borders The original comeback Resteröds will relaunch its Original collection this autumn with a brand new campaign and brand book, inspired by the heritage of the company. “Our Original

Product development is still based in Sweden, although Resteröds is a true global brand with long-term international presence in countries such as Japan, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Germany,

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

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 43

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Style & Design - Our Top Brands

Overseas, Ocean and Rainy Days are all brand new autumn patterns by Brita Sweden.

Playful patterns for your home Brita Sweden is a family-run design company with a passion for timeless patterns in playful colours. The new autumn collection is inspired by the one thing Swedes talk about the most. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Brita Sweden

Take your pick from woven plastic rugs, blankets, pillows and bedding that will put a smile on your face – and give your home an unmistakably Swedish touch. The family behind the scenes are sisters Monica Harrie and Pia Gabrielsson and their mother Margaretha Eriksson. The passion for textile craft and design has been around for longer than they can remember. “Our family is very creative and has been weaving textiles, rugs and blankets for generations. We grew up with this and have made our own patterns to print since we were children,” says designer and coowner Gabrielsson. An ocean of raindrops Today it is mainly the sisters who work with pattern design, although everyone is involved in the process. Inspiration comes in various forms, often when travelling to new cities. The current autumn collection, driz-

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zled with raindrops and waves, started with a rainy summer in 2013. “The poor summer resulted in patterns we associate with weather and wind,” says designer and coowner Harrie, and adds that the designs often evolve over time. “In the end, the collection turned into something that makes a Nordic fairy tale spring to mind,” she says.

have many faces. “You can put our products in a very minimalistic setting, but at the same time they can suit someone who loves colour. They work just as well in a white modern home as in a ’60s-inspired or bohemian home,” Gabrielsson says. But the two sisters agree that it all starts with the long-running family passion for textiles: “We make designs that we want in our homes, something we have missed or desired. That is where it all begins.”

Sustainable design Long-lasting design and high quality are core values at Brita Sweden. The production takes place in Europe and the plastic rugs are woven locally, from materials made in Sweden. “Sustainable design and quality are very important ingredients. Our design is timeless and we also make highquality products to keep in your home for a long time,” says Gabrielsson. The design is colourful, yet clean and simple, but she explains that the products

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Style & Design - Our Top Brands

Swedish design for everyday use Timeless and functional stoneware is designer Gustav Kristensson’s cup of tea. In 2009 he founded Vardagsbruk, a Swedish design company with a name that translates as ‘everyday use’. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Vardagsbruk

The award-winning stoneware collection, Half Past Seven, started with a teapot but today has your whole tea or coffee break covered with mugs, milk jugs, breakfast bowls and more. “We hope that our products will get a special place in your home, to be used every day or on special occasions. We believe these things can contribute to joyful moments – the product becomes a companion that works just as well on its own as it does as part of a set,” says Kristensson.

Timeless design meets modern function.

Clean Scandinavian design Kristensson carries a sketch pad everywhere and says that inspiration can come in any

The teapot is the queen of the collection.

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

Founder and designer Gustav Kristensson.

The award-winning collection Half Past Seven.

©Malin Westberg

It started at Grandma Ida’s The story began over 30 years ago, when Gustav and his brothers and sisters visited Grandma Ida Kristensson in the southern Swedish fishing

village of Barsebäckshamn. She had plenty of pottery of all shapes and colours, and this made an impression on the young designerto-be. Memories of family time and special moments grew into an idea of a design company.

shape, such as architecture, arts or music. But nature, with its colourful seasons, is always important. “To us, Scandinavian design is about getting close to the user with a simple and clear product, combined with inspiration from nature where the choice of materials and the handicraft tradition is reflected in the design,” he says. The next product to launch is a functional kitchen jar in stoneware and wood that will soon add to the range of products, all made in Sweden and Portugal.

want my designs to be practical and “ Itimeless. You should be able to enjoy

malinwestberg.com

them for a long period of time. Welcome to my world Malin Westberg

”

ES C : N E E EM ERI H T XP IAL ER E Y C A E T SP WIN ORW & NN I MN

Clockwise from left: Innerdalen Sunndal (photo: Mattias Fredriksson); Beitostolen (photo: Terje Rakke); Trolltunga (photo: Asgeir Helgestad).

Greet your autumn adventure in Norway Autumn paints the Norwegian landscape in golden colours, making it the perfect backdrop for some sparkling nature-based activities. Whether you are in the deep fjords or by the beautiful coast, you are never too far from the nearest autumn adventure and spectacular nature in Norway.

coastline, over 400 salmon-bearing rivers and countless other fishable rivers, streams and lakes, and little pressure on most fisheries, the fish thrive and grow large.

By Per-Arne Tuftin, executive vice president of travel and tourism, Innovation Norway

Autumn is the time for hiking in Norway. As the landscape is bathed in beautiful colours and temperatures remain mild, a hiking trip is a good way to make the most of the crisp autumn air. A varied landscape with deep fjords, high mountain peaks and rugged wilderness makes Norway an exciting hiking destination, only a couple of hours away from most European capitals. Once you arrive, you will find that the natural highlights are within easy reach, often practically on your doorstep. Norway is blessed with an abundance of natural wonders like fjords, mountains and waterfalls, including a number of formidable rock formations such as Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock), Trolltunga (the Troll’s Tongue) and Torghatten. The remarkably pristine environment with clean, refreshing air allows you to relax completely and return home fully recharged.

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If you prefer more speed, you can take in Norway’s famous fjord landscape by bike. Here, you can ride along the 82-kilometre long Rallarvegen to Sognefjord, or the UNESCO listed Geirangerfjord, where you can explore winding serpentine roads such as the Trollstigen Mountain Road and Ørnevegen (the Eagle Road).

Whatever you choose, Norway will make your autumn break a feast in colours and exciting experiences.

Norway also offers a lot of options for those who prefer to relax with their fishing rod. You will find everything needed for a great fishing holiday: a wide range of well-stocked waters, and a pristine environment offering plenty of opportunities to escape from the crowd. But if one thing makes Norway exceptional, it is a reputation for producing big fish. Per Arne Tuftin. Photo: VisitNorway

A trip to Norway offers a great chance to hook up with an outsized salmon, trout, pike, cod or halibut and many more species besides. With 83,281 kilometres of

For more information, please visit: visitnorway.com

A gatherer’s paradise

tool for those who hesitate to explore mother nature, off the beaten track. The app is available in App Store and Google Play – simply search for ’NJFF Rett Hjem’.

Vast mountains, endless forests, meandering fjords and gushing rivers with roaring waterfalls – the typical depiction of Norway, and a true one. But this only paints part of the picture. By NJFF, the Norwegian Association for Hunters and Anglers

Most visitors only explore a small percentage of the total experience by mere spectating from the roadside or ship’s deck. Everyone should spend at least one whole day hiking, fishing and drinking fresh water straight from the creek. Natural buffet and saloon Why? Because it is everyone’s right, under the Norwegian public right of access. This is the single most important right when you want to go on a hiking adventure, fishing for speckled brown trout or voracious cod, camping under the open sky when you feel weary, or just seek a night of peace. It also allows you to satisfy that sweet tooth by picking mouth-watering berries, and you can collect a fresh mushroom garnish for your bonfire-prepared supper.

fishing holidays and stay in lodges near the rivers or furnished and rustic boathouses along the coast. Dreams of big fish and screaming reels have only one remedy: go fishing. Harvest what nature can offer, but keep in mind that the weather changes fast in Norway. Without a compass and a map you might be lost before you know it. Find your way home

Harvest and stay safe

If you plan on venturing into the mountains or forests, there is a clever aid for your smartphone: an app that takes you back to your starting point, available in English, German, Polish, Russian as well as Norwegian. The app is just a simple compass arrow on your display, showing you the shortest route and distance in a straight line.

More and more tourists venture into the wild and experience more of what Norway has to offer. Some tourists visit for pure

The app was developed by the Norwegian Association for Hunters and Anglers as a

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

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 47

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Hemsedal – top hiking destination in the Norwegian mountains You do not have to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy the Norwegian mountains and scenery. Hemsedal has over several years developed more than 40 marked and graded hiking trails, suitable for beginners and experienced hikers alike.

mountains is an important part of Norwegian culture, and you can be a part of it too.

Text & photos: Hemsedal

Explore ‘The Top 20 hikes’, marked hiking paths to 20 different peaks in the area. This is the most popular activity here, with more than 20,000 registered visits every summer. In addition to these hikes, there are 11 other marked tracks for different levels.

especially if you are new to hiking. The local guides will take you safely up to the peak, also telling you a lot about the area and giving you tips for other hikes.

Hikes for every level

Hemsedal is located in the middle of southern Norway, a three-hour drive from Oslo and four hours by car to Bergen. By driving about an hour, you can also experience the famous Sognefjord, stave churches and the railway Flåmsbana.

The easiest peaks are great for beginners and families. For experienced hikers, they make the perfect short evening hike. The longer hikes are suitable for intermediate to experienced hikers. In common for all hikes and peaks is that they offer amazing views and beautiful scenery with waterfalls, mountains, rivers and lakes. You can also participate in guided hikes – a perfect way to get to know the system,

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Neighbour to the fjords and stave churches

Hiking – part of Norwegian culture To stand on a peak, more or less alone, enjoying beautiful views after a strenuous hike, gives you a simply amazing feeling of joy and mastery. Hiking in the

Read more about Hemsedal and book your mountain holiday at www.hemsedal.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Adventurous fishing holidays at Bakkan Wahl Bakkan Wahl is a holiday centre for adventurous holidays next to a farm 50 minutes by high-speed catamaran from Norway’s third-largest city, Trondheim. It is situated just 150 metres from Valsfjorden and 600 metres from the ocean, perfect for deep sea fishing, and in the surrounding landscape blueberries and mushrooms can be picked during the late summer and autumn. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Horst Schwarts

“Most visitors come to Bakkan Wahl to enjoy ocean fishing activities,” explains general manager Benn Wahl. Sales people stay a night while on the road, but most visitors are foreign tourists from northern and central Europe. “The key to success is to provide large boats

with solid engines,” suggests Wahl. A fleet of 20 boats at 17 or 19 feet with GPS, sonar and engines of 30 or 60 hp are available for tourists, and the centre also offers accommodation in nine houses with 58 beds, or three to 12 beds per house.

While the peak of the fishing season varies from breed to breed, April and May are usually good months to catch fish like cod, halibut, coalfish and haddock. “During spring, fish swim closer to shore than during the middle of the summer,” Wahl explains. Though the average fish caught weighs around two kilograms, last year’s records included a halibut of 40 kilograms, a cod weighing 24 kilograms, a coalfish of 13 kilograms and a 174-centimetre long ling weighing 28 kilograms. Bakkan Wahl is accessible by direct flights to Trondheim Airport from London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and other cities. For more information, please visit: www.bakkan-wahl.no

A Norwegian crab and lobster weekend While visiting the picturesque island of Smøla, the charming little hotel of Smøla Havstuer takes you fishing for seafood delicacies ranging from crab and lobster to cod and coalfish. At the end of the day, your catch is prepared for you by the staff. Enjoy a stay at Smøla Havstuer. By Ingvild Vetrhus | Photos: Smøla Havstuer

On Smøla, located just off the coast of western Norway near the cities of Trondheim and Kristiansund, you will find hotel Smøla Havstuer. Built in 2008, the hotel offers six high-standard rooms. Fishing and nature are the specialties of the hotel, which is located by the sea. Smøla thrives with wildlife and is the home of the white-tailed eagle, as well as hosting a beautiful archipelago consisting of more than 5,800 islands. The hotel’s fishing boat can take up to twelve keen fishermen and women on a guided fishing adventure. Your catch of the day will then be prepared according to local traditions by the hotel’s staff, providing guests with an exclusive culinary experience. Visitors usually fish for cod, coalfish and pollack. The hotel now focuses on a brand new

concept, namely exclusive crab and lobster weekend trips, where guests fish for the shellfish delicacies using lobster traps. Taking place during the autumn of 2014, the trips include spending two nights in comfortable double rooms, exploring brand new nature facilities on the scenic Svanøya island, and topping it all off with a gala dinner Saturday evening, enjoying your own catch of the day. Smøla Havstuer is an ideal place to relax for families and people who want a comfortable package deal. “Visitors tell us that they enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Our staff make sure that they get the experience they are looking for,” says owner Kjartan Stensønes. Smøla Havstue offers tailored package tours for small and large groups, and provides all the fishing gear needed.

For more information, please visit: havstuer.no

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 49

Øigardseter Fjellstue offers a cosy space for you and your family, while nature experiences outside the door abound. Photos: Arthur van Riet

Unmatchable nature encounters – threefold ”All good things come in threes,” is as famous a saying in English as in Norwegian, and it could not be more accurate for the three mountain lodges of Øigardseter Fjellstue, Putten Seter and Smuksjøseter. Located within hiking distance of each other and close by Norway’s first national park, Rondane National Park, the three lodges let you and your family enjoy untouched landscapes and authentically Norwegian nature experiences. By Julie Lindén

“We’re a family business with ties to this area going back to the 1920s,” Arne Hovengen, Manager of Øigardseter Fjellstue, tells me. “Being raised in this area does something to the connection you have with visitors, and I hope that our personal approach to service is noticed among them.” Øigardseter Fjellstue – authentic and family-oriented Little else could be believed about the quaint lodge of Øigardseter. Receiving guests for generations, the Hovengen

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family has learnt that emphasis on authenticity, tradition and impeccable service makes for a good recipe to keep customers returning. Offering apartments with patios, family rooms, standard rooms and cosy lounges with fireplaces, many of them decorated with antique Norwegian furniture embellished with the famous ‘rosemaling’ pattern, this lodge bears just the right atmosphere to keep every travelling party snug and comfortable during the entirety of their stay. Oh, and should you want to host a get-

together out of the ordinary, Øigardseter has its own newly renovated barn house where a multitude of concerts, exhibitions and celebrations can be arranged. After a day in Rondane National Park, Norway’s oldest such grounds, or perhaps a ski trip in the countless kilometres of picturesque ploughed tracks, Øigardseter Fjellstue lets you retreat to a table set with true, Norwegian delicacies. Hovengen’s tip is to try out the traditional ‘rømmegrøt’, a porridge made with sour cream, still made according to grandmother’s recipe. “We value real, unpretentious Norwegian food. This combined with our unbeatable location and a century-long tradition of receiving tourists makes us a good choice for a winter holiday.” Kari and Arne Hovengen welcome you to Øigardseter!

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Putten Seter – bring your kids! Not far from Øigardseter is Putten Seter, a lodge vested in quality outdoor experiences for grown-up adventurers, with a particular dedication to the younger ones. After listing muskox safari, bird and hare hunting, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and mountain climbing as possible and popular activity choices for many of the adult visitors, Manager Hans Svastuen is ecstatic to tell of activities for the many children who visit the three lodges. “It’s absolutely incredible, and so much fun!” he starts, pacing himself before continuing: “We use the long farm road as a tobogganing slope in the wintertime. I’ll start, with the kids sliding down the road after me, and when we all meet up at the bottom we’re invited in for some hot cocoa by the lady who runs the adjacent lodge.” Svastuen explains that while he loves the colourful autumn season at Putten Seter, the winter season offers a true fairy tale stay for the whole family. It was the children, he explains, who united his lodge with Øigardseter and Smuksjøseter. “We saw that we could offer families the chance to bring children under 12 for free, enabling many families with small kids to enjoy a holiday without compromise. When we go mountain climbing at nearby Formokampen, we

let each family decide their own pace. That way, everyone can participate!” At the end of a long day, Putten Seter’s guests can kick off their hiking boots and relish locally-produced foods and beers, before shutting their eyes in one of the timber cabins provided by the lodge. Smuksjøseter – traditional with a modern twist “Our location is definitely our strength,” says Roar Skaugen, manager of Smuksjøseter lodge, echoing his colleagues’ statements. “Not only are we situated in the middle of one of Norway’s most beautiful mountain terrains, with nearby access to the country’s oldest national park, but we also enjoy an unbeatable proximity to serene fishing waters and a completely traffic-free landscape.” As if this was not enough, Skaugen says that guests are usually surprised to find his lodge fully equipped with individual bathrooms, not to mention a spa. Adamant that authentic nature experiences need not get in the way of comfort, he explains his vision of the lodge as an enabler of a carefree stay. “People who come here love silence, and they love the wild outdoors. They love unpolluted nature

and coming home to a room free from outside traffic noise,” Skaugen says, adding: “That way, nature becomes a uniting force, something that belongs to everyone and can be used by everyone who wants to benefit from it.” Although the surroundings might be serene, Smuksjøseter can host a variety of happenings, and many choose to celebrate their wedding at the lodge. With Skaugen’s snowmobile used for transporting guests, a unique winter wonderland experience is almost guaranteed. “Oh, but I also own a 1930s veteran car that can I drive the bride and groom in,” he adds quickly. “I always try to make their day as special as possible.” Experience all three lodges and surrounding areas with the Jubilee Ski Trip, established to celebrate the 50th jubilee of Rondane National Park. The package trip includes full room and board at Øigardseter Fjellstue, Putten Seter and Smuksjøseter, maps and baggage transport. Children under 12 years of age stay for free.

For more information, please visit: www.oigardseter.no www.puttenseter.no www.smuksjoseter.no

LEFT: At Putten Seter it is all about the little ones – while making sure that mum and dad have some time to enjoy both calm surroundings and delicious cuisine. Photos: Putten Seter. ABOVE: Smuksjøseter is your carefree mountain lodge stay in one package, offering a spa, serene fishing waters during the autumn and a unique winter wonderland experience later in the year. Photos: Smuksjøseter

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 51

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

A ski touring adventure you will never forget If you wish to experience Norwegian nature at its finest, there is no place quite like the area around Sunnmøre, Stryn and Stranda, in the fjord region. By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Håvard Myklebust

“This area is unique in so many ways. Here you are surrounded by majestic mountains and beautiful fjords. It truly is Norwegian nature at its very best, and a perfect frame around an active holiday,” says Oscar Almgren, the man behind local ski tour company Uteguiden. Founded in 2007, Uteguiden specialises in providing you with ski touring experiences unlike anything you have ever encountered before. “Even experienced skiers who have ski toured Alps before are blown away by the solitude this area provides. You can go skiing for days without seeing a single person, other than those in your group,” says Almgren. Popular mountain skiing trips Although his company offers several breathtaking adventures, such as skiing

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and sailing trips around the fjords, freeskiing and avalanche safety courses as well as summer hiking, its most popular packages are undoubtedly the week-long skiing trips through the vast, snowy Norwegian mountain landscape. During these trips, typically ranging from five to seven days in duration, highly trained guides take smaller groups, of a maximum of six people, on tailor-made adventures they are likely never to forget. “We like to refer to it as ‘the great experience’. We have world-class skiers visiting from all over the world in order to explore this very special landscape,” says Almgren. Although world-class skiing abilities are not a prerequisite, Almgren notes that these trips may not be suited for everyone.

“You should have some skiing experience. I probably would not make this my first skiing trip, even if some of our guests do that with success. But more importantly, you need to be in fairly decent shape if you wish to enjoy these trips the most,” the founder suggests. A hot shower and good night’s sleep Partnering with a range of local hotels, Uteguiden offers accommodation of a high standard, perfect for taking a hot shower and getting a good night’s sleep after a day out in the mountains. “We will take care of everything for you. We pick you up at the airport and head straight out into the mountains. And a few days later, we drop you off at your hotel with a new and unforgettable experience in your backpack,” Almgren concludes.

For more information, please visit: www.uteguiden.com/en/

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

In Arctic awe If there is something called a comprehensive experience of northern Norway’s most spectacular nature surroundings, Huset på Yttersiden (Norwegian for “the house on the outer edge”) and its package trips are clear-cut candidates. Taking excellent care of visitors from all over the world, the destination and its team have quickly made a name for themselves as enablers of breathtaking encounters with northern splendour. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Huset på Yttersiden

“My favourite thing about the job I do is seeing how nature can change people forever,” Ann Karina Jakobsen, manager of the lodge and activity centre, enthuses. “There is a mental change that happens in close contact with an environment this spectacular. Here you can see the Northern Lights from August all throughout winter, for instance, and I cannot begin to count the people who have left here in complete awe of that kind of show.” Offering a range of autumnal travel and activity packages, including eagle safari tours and photography courses in the wild, Jakobsen and her Vesterålen-based team know the impact a truly majestic nature experience can have. Eagerly explaining how guests are picked up at the airport, taken to the lodge and provided full

room and board for their entire stay, Jakobsen underlines the importance of providing something extra to all visitors’ everyday lives. “It’s important to us that guests have a real chance to relax, enjoy locally produced foods and fresh fish in our rustic restaurant, learn about the nature and animal life up here, and simply enjoy the wonders of the north.” The local experience can be taken even further by participating in the Arctic Autumn programme, including visits to a Sami-run reindeer farm, an Arctic light photo safari, kayaking trips and much more. For more information, please visit: www.yttersiden.no

Great outdoors, great indoors When Iris Fivelstad bought Villa Norangdal in 1996, the main purpose was simply to get the elaborate villa in the ‘Sunnmøre Alps’ back in the family. Less than 20 years later, the villa is more than restored to its former glory, serving as a picturesquely located boutique hotel, steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. By Hannah Gillow Kloster | Photos: Villa Norangdal

As manager Ellen Fivelstad, sister of Iris, explains, the sisters’ great-great-grandparents ran Villa Norangdal in the 1880s, “when it was a hot-spot for jetsetting European royalty such as Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.” Since Iris bought it back, it has been restored from “a castle for bats full of broken windows,” as Ellen Fivelstad describes it, to a six-room boutique hotel focused on design history, with

each room decorated according to a different decade in the 20th century. Today, Villa Norangdal serves as the perfect starting point for hikers in summer and autumn, skiers in winter and spring, and enthusiasts of Norwegian design and local food during any season – truly ‘mountainpolitan’. “We have a commitment to local food: we get our meats from the local butcher and our beer

from a local brewer who happens to share the same great-grandparents,” Fivelstad explains. Not only awarded the Olavsrosa, or St. Olav’s Rose (the Norwegian cultural heritage hallmark), for its remarkable commitment to history, heritage and design history, Villa Norangdal is also a so-called ‘Miljøfyrtårnbedrift’ (an Eco Lighthouse Business), committed to protecting the nature that surrounds it on every side.

Villa Norangdal is hosting a Yoga Retreat in collaboration with Yoganorth in Bodø 11-14 September.

For more information, please visit: www.norangdal.com www.yoganorth.no

Yoga Instructor Helen Christensen

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Plenty of fish, and more If fishing is your game, Nothaugen Fiskecamping is the place to be. With sea, fjords and mountains as its closest neighbours, Nothaugen makes for a popular retreat into the heart of Norwegian nature. By Maya Acharya | Photos: Nothaugen Fiskecamping

Located between Trondheim and Kristiansund, Nothaugen Fiskecamping offers everything from economic cabins and service houses for campers to luxurious, 85 square metre holiday homes – all surrounded by spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and seafront. Needless to say, fishing is abundant, and visitors have the opportunity to rent high-quality aluminium boats with outboard motors, ranging from 17 to 19 feet and well-equipped for deep sea fishing. There are also nearby straits and fjords for those who prefer to snag their catch elsewhere. In addition, the large marina with concrete piers has amenities such as electricity, water and light. Freezers are also available on the campsite. “People catch all kinds of fish here,” says owner Hans Kristian Sæternes. “We had someone catch a 22-kilo halibut just the other day! The great thing about this place

is that you can go fishing even when it’s windy as you can visit straits like Imarsundet and Solemsundet. Many of our guests are regulars, or lads looking to get the big catch, but we also get a lot of people coming just to experience the beautiful nature, especially families with children. We aren’t just about fish!” In fact, the tranquil area around Nothaugen could not be more perfect for soaking up Norwegian nature on hiking trails, walks, berry picking in autumn and even swimming off nearby beaches. “The sunsets here are spectacular. It’s really a gem of a place,” says Sæternes.

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

A family-owned holiday retreat offering the best of both sea and nature Idyllically located by Spindsfjorden, almost as far south as it is possible to venture in Norway, Bjørnevåg Ferie is a quiet holiday resort complex utilising its seaside surroundings perfectly for the ideal family holiday or smaller work conference. By Didrik Ottesen | Photos: Bjørnevåg Ferie

Currently containing 15 holiday houses available for hire, with space for two to 10 visitors, the facilities that have been in constant development since the resort’s origin in 1994 can house over 100 guests and make a quintessential base when enjoying the spectacular nature of southern Norway. “We have developed the place as the interest increased and subsequently the need for more houses and improved

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facilities were needed as well. Most of the houses are for eight people, including saunas and two bathrooms,” says Jakob Oddvar Jakobsen, owner at Bjørnevåg Ferie. “Family holidays, combined with fishing, boating and general hiking around the area, are most common; however Lindesnes Lighthouse, the most southern point of Norway, and the Lista beaches are also popular excursions.”

With over 20 boats available for hire, including one for sea fishing, Bjørnevåg offers impeccable facilities for fishing, which, when not enjoying a one-day hike to Prekestolen, has become one of the most popular activities for its visitors. “The staff are available to help organise and participate with the groups too; as we are a family business, the role of the host is important to create a good relationship with the guests. We have noticed that many of them return to Bjørnevåg and become regular visitors,” Jakobsen says. “Whether it is fishing or other excursions on offer, they all have in common that they are optimal for building relations, particularly through generations.” For more information, please visit: www.bjornevaag-ferie.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Seter Brygge offers a serene retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle.

Calm, quiet and a passion for fishing With a passion for fishing and modern boats to explore the rich animal life in the area, Seter Brygge boasts the perfect conditions to qualify for a northern dream of a fishing trip. Proudly descending from the very area where he operates, manager Rune Sæther is keen to share a story or two with all his visitors – whether it is about northern Europe’s largest cave or the small islands nearby, where his ancestors used to fish.

“We are lucky to be this close to sea, because a few minutes from the shore you have these huge shoals of fish and pods of seals – animals you rarely see in such large quantities,” Sæther says.

By Julie Lindén | Photos: Seter Brygge

Finally, before retreating to the local inn for a well-deserved bite to eat, why not let Sæther show you northern Europe’s largest cave, Halvikhula? “Seals, fish, quiet time and imprints of nature – it’s the recipe for a good time,” he promises.

Keen fishers make up the majority of Seter Brygge’s clientele, and these visitors come a long way to experience the rare combination of serene waters, bountiful fish stocks and service-minded hosts that Sætervik offers. The rental boats are steady, 19-feet aluminium boats, with a power range of HP 40-60. Families also like it at Sætervik – the quay crab fishing is especially popular with children.

No matter how long you choose to stay, fishing luck is as close to guaranteed as possible. Combining modern equipment with an accident-free history and seas full of haddock, cod and pollack, Seter Brygge has for long shown true commitment to quality fishing experiences. And what could possibly be more desirable than a problem-free stay while enjoying one of the most calming of pastimes?

“Many of our guests are German, and some come from countries even further away,” Sæther says, adding: “I really enjoy meeting people from different cultures who have never seen the kind of landscapes we have up here – whether they come to stay with us for a while or are just passing through.”

Should a wildlife excursion be of interest, Sæther assures that both sea eagles and seals can be spotted in large quantities. On a lucky day, up to 50 seals can be seen – and if desired, photographed – all at once. The environment is also perfect for diving, and Seter Brygge provides a 300 BAR air compressor for divers.

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

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Malangen Resort offers a large variety of accommodation options. Hotel rooms are designed to accentuate the amazing view outside, while individual cabins range from standard to deluxe options – always ensuring a relaxed atmosphere.

Enabling dreams of the light Seeing the Northern Lights is commonly known to be the most popular request amongst tourists visiting northern Norway. As Tromsø is highlighted as one of the most ideal places to spot them, it is no wonder that Malangen Resort, located just south-west of the vibrant city, has proved such a popular choice among tourists wanting to combine inherent Norwegian serenity with once-in-a-lifetime viewings of nature’s most spectacular show. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Malangen Resort

“You can YouTube it,” resort manager Rudi Olsen says excitedly, explaining the ins and outs of Malangen’s Northern Light Watch. “If our watch spots the Northern Lights while the guests are asleep, or if he gets word that they’re visible in another place nearby, we wake the guests up by playing traditional Sami joik music in their rooms. Then everyone hurries into their winter gear and runs out to have a look, often for the first time in their lives.”

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Watching the lights It was when Olsen, routine outdoorsman with great ambitions, took his dog for a walk in the forests near Malangen at night that he saw the potential in employing a skilled watch to look for the Northern Lights when guests were not able to, a concept that was further developed by the Malangen team. “Before, our visitors could sit up until 5 am looking for the lights, and then the whole

next day would be ruined for them,” Olsen recalls, adding: “Now we have a system in place to enable guests to do more with their time here – more, and something new as well.” Clearly referring to the resort’s long list of outdoor activities, comprising elements such as dog sledding with huskies, usually giving each person the space of their own sled, and snowmobile safaris, Olsen points out the essence of showing visitors the boundless opportunities awaiting outside the door. “For me it’s that special kind of silence,” he says, “and then I mean the quietness you will only find when taking the sleds out at night in a wintery landscape, or setting off crosscountry skiing in the areas nearby. It’s something you rarely find anymore – no matter where you go.”

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Warm beds and cool experiences Yet, Olsen is quick to underline that a sense of adventure will never be hard to come by at Malangen. Combining outdoor activities with excellent and rare learning opportunities, such as conversing about the science behind the Northern Lights together with a qualified expert or taking part in a safety course before heading out on that snowmobile, Malangen Resort is nothing short of a comprehensive experience of northern Norway. “We have everything we need just outside the door,” Olsen says. “Snowmobile rides start right here, and in other cases your chosen activity might involve hiking or skiing, which in itself is a beautiful way of discovering nature’s purity.” After a day of cool adventures – in every sense of the word – nothing is more treasured than a warm bed and comfortable lodging. Malangen Resort lets you choose what suits you best: an apartment stay, perhaps, or a sojourn in one of the impeccably decorated standard or superior hotel rooms? Or why not opt for a cabin deluxe experience, and indulge in luxurious complements to your already exceptional holiday setting? With 88 units of

housing, everything is possible – and in the eyes of the resort manager, everything should be. Endless possibilities “Our task here is to enable dreams. Located in a hotspot for numerous winter happenings, sports and activities, right under the sky where the Northern Lights are most easily seen, we’re in a prime position to make our guests’ wishes come true.”

ing their view of this place as unique – just as we see it too.” Closely linked to Tromsø airport and the city centre by bus, Malangen Resort has made itself more easily accessible for all visitors, no matter where they come from. This is yet another measure of the resort’s desire to enable dreams, Olsen concludes: “Who wants to fly all the way out here and then get in a taxi? We pick you up and take you all the way to our doorstep, simply because we want to.”

He stops for a moment: “You know, I’ve been doing this for a while now, and still today the most amazing thing I experience is walking up to the camp site behind our hotel, where we keep a lookout for the lights together with our guests, and sitting down with people who have come from all over the world to see this.” Fondly recalling how last winter’s watch nights proved successful in a vast number of cases, he continues: “I’ve met people up here from places as distant as Australia, and I know it’s a trip they will probably only make once in a lifetime. It’s a very strong and satisfying feeling sitting down with those people and understand-

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

LEFT: Enjoy a private husky sledding experience, a truly unique way to see Norwegian winter nature in its most exquisite suit. RIGHT: People from all over the world come to Malangen to take part in the Northern Lights Watch. The resort’s private campsite offers prime views of the phenomenon described as ‘nature’s finest’.

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Tucked in between two of Norway’s beautiful national parks, Geilo is a popular tourist destination boasting scenic landscapes, acclaimed restaurants, and all the winter sports activities imaginable.

A holiday that lasts and music that does not Arguably one of the most scenic destinations in Norway, Geilo is no stranger to visitors. During the colder months, experience pristine nature as a playground, hear magical music under the full moon, and support a local community that knows the value of its surroundings. By Maya Acharya | Photos: Emile Holba

Geilo is a place largely built on the influx of tourism to this patch of paradise, tucked into the midst of Hardangervidda National Park and Hallingskarvet National Park, between Bergen and Oslo. During busy seasons, the humble population of 4,500 residents can multiply up to four or five times. As tourism manager Pål Knutsson-Medhus puts it: “There are many things that exist in Geilo because people come to visit.” This may be one of the reasons why the inhabitants of this

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national park village seem to be so aware and appreciative of their encompassing nature and of finding ways to use it consciously. A walk in the park “Most people who live in Geilo have grown up skiing and hiking in the mountains, living close to nature,” explains Medhus. Nature is undoubtedly the main reason people come here. It is a small place, even by Norway’s standards, but

for visitors, the advantage is that there are a lot of very varied things to do within a relatively compact area. “Autumn is really when people start piling in, when there are the big changes in the weather,” says Medhus. During this period, you can walk the mountain trails and breathe in the crisp air, go horseback riding, foraging, or biking in the rolling and jagged terrains of the national parks. “I think the fact that we are wrapped in the midst of stunning national parks is perhaps a bit overlooked or overshadowed by other activities in Geilo,” Medhus considers. “Hardangervidda and Hallingskarvet are our closest allies, and contain some of the most untouched and incredible landscapes Norway has to offer.”

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

world to do something like this and are still the only ones. It’s a learning curve, but we are excited that more and more people are making their way to Geilo, some travelling huge distances to experience the festival. The idea behind the musical celebration is borrowing nature’s raw materials, and returning them back to nature year after year.” Friendly footprints The idea of using pure materials, renewal and having little or no environmental impact is something of an ethos for Medhus and his vision for Geilo. Rather than buying a fridge magnet and jetting off, it is about making a positive impact that lasts. “We are focusing more and more on promoting Geilo as a sustainable tourist destination and are working hard to realise our goals for the community,” Medhus states. “Apart from events such as the Ice Music Festival, one of the ways we are doing this is by encouraging and facilitating local food suppliers to learn more

about the nearby environment and obtaining food there. For example, we’ve arranged for chefs to go on culinary excursions to national parks. Basically, we would like more of what Geilo has to offer to be available to a greater number of people.” Food is no minor matter in Geilo, which boasts some of the best-known restaurants in the country, acclaimed for their traditional cuisine and quality wine. “Geilo has always had sort of a hosting role,” Medhus says. “We have some excellent hotels that are used to hosting visitors from all over the world. And that’s really what is exciting, I think, being a local in Geilo: being able to meet all these different people, contribute to their experience, and inspire them to try out new things in our unique village.” For more information, please visit: www.geilo.no

Melting music During the winter, Geilo might as well be taken straight from a snow-dusted fairy tale. With over 39 downhill slopes, 550 kilometres of cross-country tracks, dog sledding, ice fishing, snow shoeing and any other winter pastime imaginable, it is a winter enthusiast’s utopia. However, if you are not a sports enthusiast, or just looking for a less stereotypical experience of the arctic north, there is one event that is unparalleled: Geilo’s Ice Music Festival. Each February, for the last 10 years, gigantic blocks of ice have been sawed and transformed into musical instruments, played under the full moon in a hollowed-out cave made of ice. The sounds are like the material: fragile, haunting and completely inimitable from concert to concert. Slowly, the ice melts and the magical tones fade. Medhus has been managing the festival since its conception and is proud that it is still one of a kind. “We were the first in the

ABOVE: The idea behind Geilo’s Ice Music Festival, to borrow nature’s raw materials and return them back to nature year after year, carries a sentiment that echoes through the entire place, which more and more markets itself as a sustainable tourist destination.

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

A unique combination of sailing and skiing lets you see the country from several perspectives.

Explore North – ski and sail in northern Norway Experiencing Norway from the very insides of the fjord-strewn coastline is many an adventurer’s dream. However, a trip covering extensive bits of land can be difficult to plan, no matter how alluring the destinations are. Enter Explore North, who literally go above and beyond crafting their combined sailing and mountain skiing trips, and you have the perfect starting point of an adventure worth the name. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Explore North

The concept is simple: one company, two yachts and a world of experience. Using the area of Bergen to Spitsbergen as its playground, Explore North prides itself on being able to offer tailor-made activity trips suited to each individual, particularly based on each person’s level of athletic proficiency. Free-riding, skiing and climbing – it is all possible at the level that is right for you. “We know that everyone has different wants and skills when it comes to experiencing Norwegian nature,” says Sture Ellingsen of Explore North, “and that’s why it’s so important to adapt the trip so that the whole group can benefit from it.”

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Attracting clients from all over the world, including the US, France, UK and Italy, the Explore North team knows what it means to meet the needs of each individual client, often representing many different nationalities in the same group. Beyond this, Ellingsen points out eco-tourism as a substantial reason behind the company’s success, a concept embodied by their means of transportation and choice of culinary treats. “Coming home free and well in mind, body and soul is what it’s all about,” Ellingsen enthuses. “Eco-tourism means using the body and little else in order to make one’s own experience as authentic as possible, and the comfortable environment of the boats – fully catered with locallysourced food – definitely adds to this.”

Weather permitting, the Explore North trips are generally client-led but professionally supervised. This means that clients decide what places to see and where to drop anchor, while constantly enjoying the supervision and trained eye of experienced free-ride skiers and climbers where these sports take place – a concept mirrored by Explore North’s summer programme, sailing from Marseille, France. “No matter if it’s the Arctic Circle or the Mediterranean, my favourite part of what I get to do is meeting dedicated, inspired people from all kinds of cultures,” Ellingsen says.

Sture Ellingsen says that all trips can be adapted to each client’s level of athletic proficiency.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Exciting Lofoten fishing at its very best – in the winter Offersøy is a fishing holiday resort, beautifully situated on the southern tip of Norway’s largest island, Hinnøy. This is the gateway to the mountainous Lofoten Islands and an ideal setting for a memorable fishing holiday. Offersøy offers accommodation in motel rooms, cabins and the traditional ‘rorbu’ (fishermen’s shanties), and activities include deep sea fishing, bike and boat rental, diving and hiking.

during the winter months include moose and eagle safaris nearby.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Gunnar Fenes

A popular tourist destination in the summer, when tourists enjoy the midnight sun and fishing, Offersøy’s owner is keen to attract more visitors during the winter. “The fishing season peaks from February to April, as cod come from the cold Barents Sea further north, to the warmer waters around Lofoten, to spawn,” general manager Arnfinn Fenes explains. Stocks of cod are, thus, significantly larger at this time than during the summer. “The weather conditions in the mild and humid coastal climate are also ideal during March and April, with the sun bringing temperatures during the day up to about eight degrees. On a lucky night with clear skies, the Northern Lights might be spotted, too,” Fenes continues.

Another advantage is that spawning fish carry roe, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the classic local dish, ‘lofotmolja’. This traditional dish consists of boiled cod, potatoes, liver and roe, and is prepared by Offersøy’s chef in the on-site restaurant. How to get there

Experienced visitors may prefer to hire their own boat. Others can join the deep sea fishing tours, where a professional guide or retired fishermen ride the boats and provide guidance for cod fishing. During these peak months, quality, quantity and size are at their very best. Multiple hooks, Fenes boasts, tend to catch multiple fish of average individual weight from six to 10 kilograms! Additional activities

From Europe, fly with Norwegian or SAS via Oslo to Harstad / Narvik Airport, Evenes, which is a 90-minute drive away. Visitors can be picked up by minibus or hire a car at the airport.

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

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 61

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Enough winter for everyone, inside and out Karola Wenzel

There is something surprisingly satisfying about blushed cheeks after spending a day out in the crisp and frosty air. That winter feeling is easier to fall in love with than you think, especially when there is a four-course meal waiting for you once you get inside. By Stine Wannebo | Photos: Hindsæter Mountain Hotel

In the midst of Norway’s snow-covered mountains lays Hindsæter Mountain Hotel. The same traditional timber buildings have been there since 1898, although they have received a few updates since then. Owners Karola Wenzel and André Sundero aim to welcome guests the same way they always have done. “It was our joint appreciation of nature, the serenity and the winters that drew us in,” Wenzel says. In the stunning Jotunheimen National Park, there is enough winter for everyone and there are many ways to take on the white element, from snowshoes to alpine skies. But the most treasured attraction has nothing to do with snow. During the summer months, the river Sjoa is the ideal place for rafting, but come winter the action grinds to a halt. Instead, Sjoa turns into a magic kingdom made of ice in all colours, shapes

and sizes. Exploration of this frozen world is called ice canyoning, and is something of a forte at Hindsæter. “It’s spectacular but also very safe,” says Wenzel. “If you can walk on your own two feet, you are fit enough to join us on an ice safari in Sjoa.” With nature literally on its doorstep, Hindsæter is used to the frequent visits by both reindeer and moose. While one has become their home-cooked specialty, the other is usually watched from afar. Reindeer is one of the region’s traditional delicacies and, just like the rest of its locally-sourced food, something Hindsæter Mountain Hotel takes care only to serve the very best of. For more information, please visit: hindseter.no

A Nordic pearl in the Norwegian wilderness Explore the wilderness or simply let your thoughts drift by the open bonfire. At Storekorsnes Ferie & Fritid, nature is your closest neighbour, and you are almost guaranteed to see the Northern Lights. By Celine Normann | Photos: Storekorsnes

The family-run vacation spot of Storekorsnes is beautifully located by the cascading ocean near the northern city of Alta. It is a place to rewind and get in touch with nature, a place suitable for families as well as groups of friends. “Here, you can do whatever your heart desires. Storekorsnes is just as great for hiking, skiing or mountain climbing as it is for fishing, hunting and berry picking. You can also join us for guided trips either inland by snowmobile or by

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boat on the Alta fjord,” says manager Ellen Vekve. Northern lights near-guaranteed Storekorsnes is also an amazing place to just relax. It boasts modern cabins with panoramic views and saunas, and a maximum of 22 guests ensures a friendly atmosphere. “Nothing beats sitting by the bonfire, watching the ocean and letting your thoughts drift. The darkness al-

The Norwegian mountains have a lot more to offer than just snow. From food to indoor activities, Hindsæter Mountain Hotel provides activities both inside and outside.

lows for an incredible starry sky, or, if you are lucky, you can enjoy the sensational Northern Lights,” says Vekve, and specifies that the season runs from November to March. Although there are no guarantees when it comes to weather, not a single visitor left disappointed last season. “If the sky is not clear enough where we are, we will simply get in the car and chase the lights,” promises Vekve. Wild life Storekorsnes offers an opportunity to experience something truly different, and spotting wild animals such as reindeer, moose, eagles, and lynx is no rarity. Experience it for yourself at this true pearl of Norway. For more information, please visit: www.storekorsnes.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

smoking its own meat – basing its culinary approach on traditional, and primarily clean, produce. The lodge regularly hosts seasonal culinary nights, where the surrounding areas make up the entirety of the menu’s origin. Showing his excitement about the soon-to-start grouse hunting season, Bakke also explains that the nearby areas are popular for training of gun dogs. “What makes us special is the close contact we have with all our guests, whether they’re here for a quiet hiking weekend on their own or with a group of friends hunting,” Bakke says. Briksdal fills in the gap: “We’re passionate about what we do, and that’s why people keep returning.”

Hovden Fjellstoge offers a central location with strong ties to both western fjords and the eastern capital of Oslo.

Getting more from the great outdoors Adventurous, generous and real. That is how Hovden Fjellstoge’s managers Roy Bakke and Ann-Torill Briksdal describe their lodge’s leisurely philosophy – a philosophy that attracted the once city-loving couple to the serene landscapes just north of Hovden and a mission of making unique nature experiences available for everyone.

All food is made with local and seasonal produce, foods that also make up the basis of the lodge’s seasonal culinary nights. Managers Ann-Torill Briksdal and Roy Brekke.

By Julie Lindén | Photos: Hovden Fjellstoge

“We both come from hectic lives,” Briksdal says, “but we found a profound peace up here, a peace that’s highly connected to taking control of your own life.” Husband and colleague Bakke agrees: “That’s what gives us energy in doing our jobs – meeting our guests and showing them that it’s possible to tune out from the hectic everyday life in order to relax and become one with nature.” With intricate and scenic hiking trail networks nearby, as well as 160 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, family-friendly walks and a central location ideal for travel to the west coast fjords and the eastern capital of Oslo alike, Hovden Fjellstoge boasts more than a few reasons as to why you should visit. Although

the list of nearby nature experiences capable of taking your breath away is long, the lodge’s real and earned value lies in its commitment to creating unforgettable and tailored experiences for all. “That’s why our primary focus is not on ready-made trip packages, because they can never fully respect the guest’s wishes,” Bakke says, continuing: “We want the people who come here to experience more of what they can already see on our doorstep, like bringing dinner from the kitchen to a fire outside and enjoying local game under the stars.” Hovden Fjellstoge makes all its food completely from scratch – including foraging for seasonal treats in nearby areas, and

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

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

The more adventurous visitor will appreciate that Fjellkysten is also a noted and strategically-placed hub for ice climbers. Many internationally-known climbers make their way to the area to benefit from the multiple and challenging ice-covered waterfalls – the largest one measuring nearly 600 metres. Free-riding from mountain levels measuring the same altitude as the nearby Lyngen Alps down to the very shoreline is also a popular pastime.

Adventure sports such as ice climbing and free-riding are well-liked activities at Fjellkysten, boasting mountain tops at the same height as those of the Lyngen Alps.

Less physically challenging treks can be made cross-country skiing, or even visiting the Polar Park Arctic Wildlife Center, the world’s northernmost zoo with large natural enclosures and a noted focus on animal welfare. “Animal lovers may also want to note that our owl safari starts in May. This is a perfect place to feel calm and enriched all year round.”

Enjoy your winter holiday with all senses With a keen dedication to coastal Norwegian culture, combined with fine food and culture experiences, Fjellkysten offers a package unlike any other. With great chances to see the Northern Lights just over the adjacent treetops and a nationally-acclaimed New Year’s Eve concert back for the sixth year running, a visit to Fjellkysten equals a real-life winter fairy tale. A popular destination to go searching for the Northern Lights, Fjellkysten is a great place to meet like-minded adventurers.

By Julie Lindén | Photos: Fjellkysten

“It’s an absolutely exquisite experience,” says manager Tor Lyngmo about the yearly New Year’s Eve concert set to grace the Fjellkysten outdoor area for the sixth year in a row. “The landscapes and the special Nordic light create such a beautiful composition in themselves. High-quality classical music brings it to another level.” While many mountain hotels and lodges specialise in outdoor experiences alone, Fjellkysten has taken a wider approach to what it means to enjoy one’s holiday using all the senses. The New Year’s Eve concert is a good example of how to treat your auditory needs as well as your taste buds (only traditional Norwegian meals are served), and your visual wishes need not

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look much further. Located just north of Narvik in Troms County, Fjellkysten lodge is perfectly situated should you happen to desire a peek at those famous Northern Lights. “We’ve experienced a real surge in Northern Lights tourism in the past years,” Lyngmo states, continuing: “What I find inspiring is that many of these tourists come here alone searching for the lights, and end up meeting others on the same quest. It’s great seeing how people connect in relaxed environments such as ours.” The relaxed environment is also ideal for conference guests, Lyngmo explains, as the calm surroundings encourage full concentration on projects, meetings and team-building experiences at hand.

Fjellkysten combines nature with cultural experiences to create a memorable holiday package for all its visitors.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Experience the Northern Lights, try fatbikes and enjoy the outdoors With an 87 per cent probability of spotting the Northern Lights, GLØD Explorer’s excursions won this year’s TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award. The odds are due to the company’s experience in anticipating the phenomenon and finding the best location to watch it in the dry climate of its base in Alta, northern Norway.

Photo: Trygve Nygård

By Stian Sangvig

“Alta has less rain than the Sahara desert, with 400 millimetres of rain annually, compared to Sahara’s 420,” explains general manager Trygve Nygård of the Finnmark location. GLØD Explorer takes Northern Lights spotters in groups of two to 15 people in minibuses. “All guides are experienced photographers who help everyone with picture taking,” he adds. In addition, the award-winning excursion business offers a range of other nature-based, arctic adventures, activities and expeditions for individuals and groups, including fatbiking, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, kayaking, canoeing and mountain biking. New for this winter is the fatbike, which was developed in North America and makes cycling on

snow fun and manageable thanks to larger wheels and wider frames, making them balance on snow better. “With the short season for traditional bikes in northern Norway, the new fatbikes enable us to take better advantage of the winter season,” says Nygård. “We purchased several bikes for tours and rentals aiming to position ourselves as the leading provider of bike tours.” Alta is easily accessible by flights from Europe via Oslo directly to Alta with both Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines. For more information, please visit: www.glodexplorer.no

The peak of adventure Why look back on what you have done when there is so much excitement in store? So goes the rhetorical question posed by Bre og Fjell, a company that offers guided nature adventures in the Norwegian wilderness. By Maya Acharya | Photos: Einar Løken

Bre og Fjell (‘Glacier and Mountain’) was started in 2002 by a group of skiing and climbing enthusiasts keen to get people out into the mountains. Since then, the initial focus on glacier guiding and alpine skiing has expanded greatly. During the winter season, Bre og Fjell offers guided alpine ski tours, ice climbing and glacier trips. Some last less than a day, such as the glacier trip on the Haugabreen Glacier, while others, such as the 5 Days of Powder tour in

Photo: Per Arne Askeland

Sogndal, last longer. “We offer tours for individuals, companies and larger groups,” says managing tour guide Einar Løken. “Our key aim is to offer activities according to ability. We have everything from beginner’s trips to more challenging activities, allowing everyone to partake in something within their capability and having a truly enjoyable experience.” Bre og Fjell also offers avalanche and glacier courses teaching you to prepare for travel in avalanche and glacier terrain. “Knowing how

Photo: Morten Uglum/Aftenposten

to handle equipment properly helps when dealing with dangers. We ensure safety by doing thorough research and planning, and hiring guides that are competent, experienced and certified,” Løken assures. Another helpful Bre og Fjell perk is the offer of packages that include food and accommodation. One of the more spectacular varieties is the Ski and Sail adventure, which involves being transported by sailboat along the Hjørunfjord and straight to the snow-capped mountains. “The possibility of going straight from the water onto the peaks is something unique to Norway,” says Løken. “Our goal is to enable people to experience the beauty of Norwegian nature in a safe and companionable environment.” For more information, please visit: www.breogfjell.no

Guided nature adventure provider Bre og Fjell was set up in 2002 with the mission to get people out into the mountains.

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

A cosy stay at a Norwegian mountain peak At Aurdal Fjellpark, you have Norwegian mountainous nature right outside your door. The timber cabins and apartments cater to anyone with a dream to stay at a homelike place complete with a fireplace and private sauna. Situated on top of a mountain, at 1,034 metres, the destination’s serene surroundings will help you relax and unwind. By Anita Karlsson | Photos: Aurdal Fjellpark

Activities also abound in the area, as the friendly manager and owner, Marit Berger Akervold, explains. “We’re located just on top of Valdres Alpine Center with its 11 slopes. On the opposite side of our cabin area, there are 170 kilometres of groomed trails for crosscountry skiing. We have ski-in and ski-out, for both types of skiing.” In the wintertime, Aurdal Fjellpark can also arrange for sleigh rides and dog sledding, a marvellous way to enjoy the snow-covered landscape. During the autumn, the beautiful mountain nature can be explored on marked hiking trails, as well as by bike, and there are mountain lakes with plenty of fish and a golf course nearby. At the heart of Aurdal Fjellpark is the re-

ception cabin, which holds a café and is a meeting place for people on the mountain; after-ski is enjoyed here by people of all ages. Akervold takes pride in the fact that the personal service offered by her and colleague Mrs Granlund is highly appreciated, as they do everything inhouse, just the two of them, from cooking to cleaning as well as greeting and helping their guests. You can even leave your car to rest for your stay, as the hosts will purchase provisions for you if you wish. Is not that alone a reason to relax and unwind and enjoy the serenity of the mountain forest?

For more information, please visit: www.aurdal-fjellpark.no

An Arctic oasis with a wealth of stories It takes only a few minutes’ conversation with Geir Jon Aarskog, manager of Stabbursdalen Resort, to realise that his mountain lodge is a place which rejoices in good stories. Tales of outdoor weddings overseen by the Northern Lights are plentiful, as are accounts of fruitful salmon rivers and rafting experiences for young and old. Oh, and did we mention that the lodge’s newly built chapel has been blessed by not one, but two Popes? By Julie Lindén | Photos: Stabbursdalen

“Along with co-owner Stein Inge Gjertsen, I was invited to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis when starting work on our wooden chapel,” Aarskog says unaffectedly. “Also the previous Pope, Benedict XVI, blessed the chapel. It all happened when I met a man from Rome who decided to come to work with us,” he pauses, before adding: “He actually still works here, as a manager, when I’m away.”

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Apart from tales of Papal blessings, Stabbursdalen offers a wealth of experiences to take your breath away. Nearby areas are favoured as good sureties for both hunting and fishing luck, while Stabbursnes Nature Reserve is the one place in Norway taking in most registered bird species. No less than seven nearby rivers present unmatched rafting and salmon fishing opportunities, and surrounding woodlands house

some of the oldest trees in the country. Needless to say, a nature experience at Stabbursdalen will be difficult to repeat. Additionally, Stabbursdalen Resort and the adjacent Stabbursdalen National Park can offer timber cabin accommodation and conference room packages for businesses of up to 50 people. “The area is very good for combining activity, leisure and business, as we have the resources – natural and otherwise – to accommodate any wish you may have,” says Aarskog.

For more information, please visit: www.stabbursdalen.no Stabbursdalen’s wooden chapel has a story involving places far beyond the Norwegian borders.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Autumn sceneries are perfect for trekking, offering crisp air and colourful nature.

Top: Absence of light pollution makes the Northern Lights more easily visible from the sea. Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen

Sail all year round in northern Norway Sailing during the autumn and winter seasons at 70 degrees north is an unbelievable experience, including an impressive line-up of sailing and adventure opportunities along the northern Norwegian coastland. Boreal Yachting boasts the skillset, passion and means of transportation to help you make the most of your northern adventure. Its specialty lies in the possibility to combine activities as you please, also increasing your chances of spotting both whales and the Northern Lights. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Boreal Yachting

“Few people consider the fact that the Northern Lights are a lot more visible from the sea, where the sky is clear and free from light pollution often found over land,” Ivar Bertelsen, manager of Boreal Yachting, explains. “Combine this with our yacht’s comfort, heating and dining options, and of course the element of not having to board and de-board every night, and you’ve got an ideal holiday experience.” He adds that this experience is heightened by the opportunity to go whale watching while out at sea. “Sometimes the whales come close enough for you to reach out and touch them,” he says excitedly. “We once had an Australian couple

come visit. The husband was quite blasé about it all as he had seen whales before, and explained he was mainly here to let his wife see the creatures for herself. After 30 minutes he came back and asked me to forget all he said – he was just as amazed this time around!” During the winter season, Boreal Yachting offers all-inclusive group trips for time spans ranging from two to five days. Groups can be between four and eight people per yacht. Boreal Yachting also offers luxury cruises on Norway’s largest sail cruising catamaran. Bertelsen’s favourite time of year is the month of September, introducing tourists

to a colour-clad and crispy-aired Norway, perfect for trekking. November, December and the first half of January are ideal months for visitors to spot both whales and Northern Lights in combination, while February through April offer free-riding in the powdery Lyngen Alps and crosscountry skiing treks in ploughed terrain. While passionate about autumn and winter experiences, Boreal Yachting’s main season is the summertime, when it offers bareboat charter and skipper charter sailing in the Arctic seas.

Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen

For more information, please visit: www.boreal-yachting.com

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

All the well-trained 50 huskies are brought up around people and are consequently very social and obedient. “They are ideal creatures for this environment, as they are happiest when outside in the Arctic surroundings,” the general manager explains. “We have on several occasions seen that they remain outside despite the temperature being -30C and them having the opportunity to go inside.” Having travelled around most of Svalbard, during both winter and summer, Nilsen and Lian’s combined experience makes their tailored tours a very special way of exploring the astonishing island. “That is the ideal way of delving into it and exploring Svalbard when on holiday, leaving a wonderful sense of achievement as well, which only adds to the experience,” Nilsen ends. A feeling of achieving something remarkable and overcoming nature is at the heart of the satisfaction of exploring Svalbard by dog-driven sled, according to general manager of Svalbard Husky, Robert Nilsen.

An unforgettable experience with dog sledding tours in the Arctic wilderness Offering breathtaking tours travelling through thrilling and spectacular Svalbard on husky-driven sleds, Svalbard Husky aims to tailor the ideal excursions based on any desires and wishes the visitors might have. By Didrik Ottesen | Photos: Svalbard Husky

viding contacts and teaching the visitors about everything from glaciers to polar bears. Knowledge about the place is vital to go on tours like this, and that is knowledge that we can teach.”

With 50 well-behaved husky dogs, Svalbard Husky can offer several planned tours around the island. Moreover, with exceptional expertise and knowledge after several years in the business on the island, it can also provide tailored tours for all types of visitors, guaranteeing the optimal husky sled experience. “We have the competence and knowledge required of the area and for what is needed on an excursion to help provide the ideal tour, regardless of the sled driver’s experience. We also offer half-day trips for people who are curious and want to see what this is all about,” says Robert Nilsen, co-founder and general manager of Svalbard Husky.

Based in Svalbard’s largest town, Longyearbyen, the family-owned business was founded by Nilsen and Sissel Lian, both having gained vast experience through several years of dog sledding and excursions. “It can be dangerous embarking on dog sledding trips – after all, this is wilderness at its finest, which is also what makes it so exciting and something that makes Svalbard so special.”

“There are many who carry around with them an explorer dream, and we can help realise that dream and make it become a reality,” he continues. “This includes pro-

Nilsen summarises the experience: “It’s the feeling of achieving something remarkable and overcoming nature, when driving a dogdriven sled through the landscape here.”

Sissel and Robert Nilsen

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For more information, please visit: svalbardhusky.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

The ugliest, most delicious thing Most people only get a glimpse of Norway’s northernmost fjord before rushing south with the illustrious Hurtigruta. But there is so much more to Varangerfjorden than what can be seen from afar, and the waters are bursting with natural richness waiting to be discovered. By Stine Wannebo

If there is one person who will never tire of the remarkable landscape in and around Kirkenes, it must be Karl Magne Wille. Along with his team, he takes tourists out amongst the shallow waves every day, almost all year round, looking for one of the north’s most desired treasures. The king crab is one lucky creature. It lives in some of the purest waters on earth, surrounded by incredible nature, and it gets to look up at the red midnight sun during summer and the blue and green Northern Lights during winter. It is the world’s largest crab and the animal everyone wants to meet – and eat – when travelling to the north of Norway. Wille finds it astonishing that an animal as ugly as the king crab can taste so delicious. “It tastes like somewhere between prawns and crayfish, and it’s fantastic!”

Since Wille and his wife decided to expand their souvenir business and buy a boat in 2010, people from across the globe have travelled to their little dock to hear them tell tales about the 15kilo crab and its journey from the Russian Murmaskfjord over 50 years ago. “On board the boat, guests can see how the crab is caught, they can take pictures of it, hold it and taste it,” Wille says. After that, guests can enjoy as much as they want of the freshly-cooked delicacy while sipping a glass of white wine and looking out across the quiescent fjord. Sea, sun and salt is far from everything a fjord cruise in Verangerfjorden has to offer. Top photo: Helge Stærk. Bottom photo: Bernt Nilsen

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

Winter adventures in rustic settings Brekkeseter Resort is located between Oslo and Trondheim at Høvringen, at the border of Rondane National Park, offering a range of hiking tours for the family on marked and unmarked trails in the mountains. During winter, trails are made up of dual tracks for skiing. Additional activities include sports fishing, bicycling, horseback riding, white water rafting and canoeing, and spectacular arctic nature and wildlife are also on display for keen photographers. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Vendy

While the season for walking and biking continues until mid-October, plans for the winter season are underway, and from January, 130 kilometres of skiing tracks will be available for visitors. “The highest point of the skiing tracks is at 1,423 metres above sea level by the peak Formokampen,” says general manager

Kari Setsaas, continuing: “The scenery is typical for high mountains, being hilly but at the same time reasonably flat, thus ideal for crosscountry skiing.” The high altitude offers sunshine throughout the year and spectacular views over high mountains, deep valleys and forests.

At Brekkeseter, visitors can also experience the winter atmosphere inside the cosy 17th century timber buildings. Rooms and communal areas have fireplaces, and fires are lit every day using birch. The food served in the on-site Rondane Restaurant is prepared using the finest local and seasonal ingredients, including wild game and fresh-water trout, as well as wild berries and mushrooms picked locally. “The lights at Rondane National Park and Høvringen have inspired many Norwegian painters and writers,” says Setsaas. “Ibsen’s Peer Gynt is based on local folklore and Sigrid Undset wrote Kristin Lavransdatter here.”

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

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Northern Lights at the Arctic Circle If you wish to experience a true winter wonderland, then Hav og Fjell in northern Norway is for you. The camp is situated right at the waterfront with a peaceful view of the sea and the surrounding mountains – complete with Northern Lights, whale safari, sauna with winter swimming for the brave, and much more. By Anita Karlsson

Hav og Fjell (Arctic Sea and Mountain) consists of five spacious two-storey sea cabins, each with a balcony, sauna and fireplace – except for one, which is accessible for wheelchair users and without sauna. In addition, there is a restaurant cabin, an open-air jacuzzi, a wood-fired sauna and boats for hire. Owner and manager Marit Mydland is a trained and

appreciated cook, making traditional Norwegian dishes for the guests, including local lamb and arctic cod fresh from the sea. The serene location a day’s drive north of the Arctic Circle is perfect for experiencing the Northern Lights, with the most frequent sightings occurring in October through March. “The Northern Lights are often visible here because

Experience the Northern Lights at Hav og Fjell in northern Norway. Photo: Jan Arne Olsen

An old Norwegian saying claims that “if you make babies under the Northern Lights, they become strong children.” Perhaps that is one of the reasons why Northern Lights tourism has sky-rocketed over the past few years? By Anette Fondevik

ferie, a new and modern sea cottage and boat rental complex, located in Foldvik in Gratangen municipality in County Troms. Foldvik Bryggeferie has six cabins with direct access to the wharf from the living room and a fantastic view of the landscape with its fjords and mountains, and the complex also rents out different types of boats for fishing and diving.

Photo: Rune Jensen

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

Photo: Juan Fran Torres

In search of Aurora Borealis – the dawn of the north

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are collisions between electrically-charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere, creating a stunning green-ish light. They attract nearly 100,000 visitors from all over the world every year, hoping to catch a glimpse of this magical phenomena. A popular place to stay is Foldvik Brygge-

of our distance from city lights, making the backdrop dark and the lights especially clear,” Mydland explains. Hav og Fjell offers a wide range of activities, such as boat trips to watch the animal life including whales and sea birds, skiing and hiking in the mountains, ice fishing on mountain lakes, and trips to the town of Tromsø. At a roughly 45-minute drive’s distance, you can find activities such as reindeer and dog sledding, which is very popular. Whether you prefer an active or a peaceful vacation, this arctic retreat certainly has something special to offer.

The location makes it a perfect place to view the Northern Lights, with no disturbance from artificial light pollution, and you can either go to one of the vantage points nearby or enjoy the magic from the open-air hot tub, making it an even more extraordinary experience. In the fjords just outside the cottages, there are a number of shipwrecks from World War II, Queen Maud being the most famous one, making it a popular place for sports divers. Other activities on offer include dog sledding, snowshoeing, hiking and off-piste skiing. The facilities and range of activities make Foldvik Bryggeferie suitable for families as well as groups of friends and romantic trips. For more information, please visit: www.foldvik-bryggeferie.com

Photo: Foldvik Bryggferie

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

The skewed hotel With an intriguing architectural expression, counting more than 1,100 windows in an array of different angles, Brekkestranda Fjord Hotel has earned the nickname ‘the skewed hotel’. Offering a number of outdoor activities and indoor indulgences, there is, however, nothing skewed about the hotel’s approach to hospitality. Photo: Brekkestranda Fjordhotell

By Julie Lindén

“The hotel, drawn by acclaimed architect Bjørn Simonnæs, is completely free from straight angles,” says Ruth Dyrhovden of Brekkestranda Fjord Hotel. She adds: “This element gives the building a unique visual value, which is only improved by our magnificent view of the Sognefjord.” The connection with nature is apparent not only in the Viking-esque look of the hotel, but most certainly also in its selection of outdoor activities. Conference and seminar guests, who the hotel can accommodate in numbers reaching 50, can benefit from team-building activities in the wild before retreating to the hotel pub for a well-deserved drink. “We’re open all year round and welcome guests from all over the world. For conference visitors we arrange everything from pick-up at the airport to complete meals and activity plans – some including authentic Viking games and

entertainment,” Dyrhovden says. “We take care of everything for you, so that you can relax and immerse yourself in your own plans.” She explains that many guests visit the hotel for relaxation purposes alone. Fishing is immensely popular as a winding down activity, because of the salmon that thrive in local rivers. Day excursions with the hotel boat will also leave you in awe of this west coast gem, as the Sognefjord is considered to be one of the world’s most picturesque sounds. Add the abundant hiking routes in the hotel area, spectacular sunsets and crisp autumn air, and you’ll find your every cell replenished at Brekkestranda Fjord Hotel. For more information, please visit: www.brekkestranda.no

A taste of the Northern Lights Tromsø is located 360 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, offering fantastic opportunities to indulge in arctic nature experiences such as the spectacular Northern Lights. By Malin Norman | Photos: Tromsø Safari

Tromsø Safari is organising a wide range of day and night tours, embracing the natural beauty and culture of Tromsø and its surrounding areas. The main attraction is of course the Northern Lights – or, Aurora Borealis. Since 2002, Tromsø Safari’s owners have been offering guided Northern Lights tours, this season available from 5 September to 31 March. “With more than 13 years and over 2,000 aurora tours behind us, we have the most extensive experience in Norway, perhaps in

the whole world,” says managing director Ivar Haugen. A concept with four base stations located in different areas has been developed by Tromsø Safari, each of the camps with a dedicated host and warm shelters for the guests. On the day of the tour, the company will check the weather forecast, together with wind and weather reports from the base stations, to be able to choose the location with the best opportunity to see the awe-inspiring lights.

Photo: Rolf M Sørensen

Photo: Harald M. Valderhaug

More arctic adventures Amongst other exciting activities offered during the year are for example whale and killer whale safaris, Alaskan husky safaris, thrilling Sami reindeer raids, snow-shoe walking and glacier hiking, sea kayaking, stunning midnight sun adventures and more. All tours focus on the nature and history of the area, as well as home-grown food. Tromsø Safari offers guided tours every day of the week, and for most of them basic experience and fitness is sufficient. “With our love of nature and local food, we hope to give our guests an exclusive taste of our arctic surroundings,” says Haugen. For more information, please visit: www.tromsosafari.no

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Located right at the foot of a mountain, Myrkdalen Hotel is the perfect location for skiing-keen conference-goers.

Ski your way to a successful conference Tucked away in the heart of a picturesque valley, brand new Myrkdalen Hotel is the perfect place to experience the wonders of Norway this winter. With the comprehensive conference package, guests receive a ski pass, allowing them to make the most of the slopes located right on their doorstep and take inspiration from the stunning surrounding nature. By Stephanie Lovell | Photos: Nils Petter Dale

The only hotel of its kind in western Norway, Myrkdalen Hotel offers word-class facilities in an unbeatable setting. Although everything is gleaming new, the atmosphere remains cosy and intimate, thanks to the warm colour schemes, oak furnishing and intricate detailing. The hotel has received a great deal of recognition and been awarded several prizes for its stunning architecture and elegant design, which reflects the variation and contrast of the surrounding scenery.

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If you are organising a conference this winter, hold it at Myrkdalen Hotel and you will be sure to give your participants an event to remember. Boasting several meeting rooms of various sizes, all fully equipped with the very latest technology, the hotel will tailor-make a solution to suit your needs and ensure that your conference runs smoothly and efficiently. Everything you will need is conveniently located in one place on one floor: a large conference hall, meeting rooms of various

sizes, an area ideal for exhibitions, a great bar, and plenty of space for mingling. Hotel guests will live in luxury, staying in comfortable rooms and elegant suites of international standard, catering to every taste. There are 24 wheelchair-friendly rooms and families can book adjoining rooms. For those who prefer to self-cater, you can rent charming cabins and apartments right in the middle of nature. Some units even come with their own private sauna. From the boardroom to the ski slopes All conference-goers will receive a ski pass as part of the conference package, so they can take the express ski lift, hit the slopes and breathe in the fresh mountain air between meetings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The huge amount

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

of snow and our amazing ski resort make Myrkdalen Hotel the ideal location for your winter conference. Our brand new hotel is situated right at the foot of a mountain, so all your guests can go skiing on their doorstep,” says Kaia Finne, director of marketing at Myrkdalen Mountain Resort. “We have 112 rooms, so essentially you could end up getting the whole hotel to yourself. We are very flexible and can prepare the hotel exactly how you want it according to the needs of your conference.” For those who work offshore or have time off during the week, it is worth checking out the fantastic midweek offers. Myrkdalen gets the most snowfall in Norway, so it serves as a great off-peak resort. “You can start cross-country skiing as soon as you step out of the hotel,” says Finne. “Our sledging nights are also very popular. You stop off at an old farm house and then sledge back down to the hotel.” After a long day of meetings and burning off some energy on the slopes, it is time to relax and refuel. Start off with an aperitif at the après ski bar, before moving on to dinner at one of the hotel’s three restaurants, serving tasty food that is wild, fresh and

Photo: Sverre F. Hjørnevik Fjord Norway

pure like the landscape outside. If your thighs are feeling the burn, take advantage of the hotel’s wellness package, which includes yoga and massage. The licensed massage therapist will find you the perfect treatment to ease out those sore muscles.

dalen Hotel, returning later in the afternoon, you could be walking – or indeed skiing – in a winter wonderland in no time at all.

Paradise is just a stone’s throw away Once you have exhausted the many slopes at the mountain resort, why not take a daytrip to one of the idyllic fjords that are easily accessible from Myrkdalen? The hotel can arrange for conference-goers and guests to go on the best-selling ‘Norway in a nutshell’ tour, which starts in nearby Voss. The trip includes a spectacular train ride and a two-hour fjord cruise along Nærøyfjorden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Hardangerfjorden, also just a short drive away, you can admire spectacular waterfalls and the Folgefonna glacier while sipping on locally-brewed apple cider. “Winter is a fantastic time to experience the fjords, because the summer crowds are long gone and you get to have them almost to yourself,” says Finne. With regular flights into Bergen, only two hours away by car, and a free ski bus that departs every morning from Voss to Myrk-

The conference package at Myrkdalen Hotel includes: Meeting room with projector, video equipment and integrated sound and lighting solutions. Full board and two coffee breaks with fruit and a snack. Pass for the ski resort, which features eight lifts and 21 slopes. Wireless internet. Parking.

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

Photo: Silvano Zeiter

Make the most of the facilities at Myrkdalen Hotel by indulging in plenty of skiing and fresh air during the day, then refuelling with an après ski and hearty meal, and perhaps even a massage.

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Autumn & Winter Experiences in Norway

Deep, placid fjords and jagged, rocky peaks “Chilly, high-latitude islands form a ‘masterpiece’ of spectacular outcrops steeped in cherished tradition.” National Geographic Traveler By Anette Fondevik | Photos: Lofotferie

Ever since the age of the Vikings, fishing has been a crucial part of everyday life for the inhabitants of northern Norway. Over the past few years, Norwegian fishing has grown in popularity, and today fishing tourism is big business in Norway. A large proportion of the fishing tourists are heading to Lofoten Islands, known for excellent fishing, magnificent natural attractions and picturesque fishing villages as well as great diving adventures, magical Northern Light experiences and an impressive Viking Museum. The island group has been nominated by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top three island destinations in the world and described as “awe-inspiring” but with weather that is “often rotten.” Lofotferie was established in 2000 and consists of four different companies: Sandvika Fjord

and Sjøhuscamping, Statsbuene, Tyskhella Fishermen Cottages, and Rent a Boat. Rent a Boat is situated in Kabelvåg, which is one of the oldest fishing villages in Lofoten. The area is well adapted for fishermen, with gutting and a floating dock. Rent a Boat is the only company with this offer, and today they have seven boats suitable for groups of four to seven people. Visitors can also hire fishing equipment. Included in the fee are life jackets, safety equipment, depth sounder, compass and charts, and all boats have joined the Norwegian Rescue Company Coastal Patrol. The boats can be hired individually or as a group and if desired with a guide. For more information, please visit: www.lofotferie.no

A taste of the west coast Bekkjarvik Gjestegiveri in Austevoll, just south of Bergen, was first established by royal order of the Danish King Christian Quart in the 1600s. For the past 32 years, however, husband and wife Asta and Øystein Johannessen have been in charge. By Andrea Baerland | Photos: Bekkjarvik Gjestegiveri

“We want to offer our visitors an opportunity to experience the magic of the weather, a little bit of ocean spray,” says Asta Johannessen. The hotel can organise a variety of boating experiences, as well as walking tours and rental bikes for those who prefer to remain on dry land. Should the weather gods not be on your side, there is plenty to explore indoors too. The walls of both the guest rooms and the conference rooms ooze the hotel’s long history, and

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the works of local and regional artists are on display in their own gallery. Great seafood is the heart of the inn, with lobster, mussels and crab on the menu. The fish soup is particularly popular: “People from all over the world come to try our fish soup, and many return to taste it again,” says Johannessen. The tasting menu is popular with foodies, and the kitchen also offers cooking classes for

those who want to try their hand at Norwegian cuisine. The Johannessens’ twin sons, Arnt and Ørjan Johannessen, both high-profile chefs, run the kitchen. Ørjan Johannessen is currently preparing to compete in Bocuse d’Or 2015, where he also won fish dish of the year in 2013. “Arnt is head chef and holds the fort at home while Ørjan competes internationally – they work very well together,” says Johanessen, who is delighted to see her children take part in the family business. For more information, please visit: bekkjarvikgjestgiveri.no

Twin brothers Arnt (left) and Ørjan Johannessen run the kitchen at Bekkjarvik Gjestegiveri. The restaurant at Bekkjarvik Gjestegiveri serves fresh and seasonal seafood throughout the year.

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

The ingredients are always fresh, seasonal and local, and the menu takes its inspiration from French cuisine.

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

As local as it gets: between the forest and the beach At restaurant Lieffroy, ingredients are always fresh and seasonal – rendering the freezer redundant. By Lene Bech | Photos: Lieffroy

Restaurant Lieffroy does not just have an open-door policy but a no-door policy: guests in the restaurant can look directly into the kitchen. Owner Patrick Lieffroy insists that this creates a personal atmosphere: “It means that we have a good dialogue with our guests. Many come into the kitchen to say hello or are curious about how something was made.” The restaurant, which seats 50-60 guests, is named after its two co-owners, Patrick Lieffroy and his father, Jean-Louis Lieffroy. The name itself reflects that the owners want to keep things personal, says Lieffroy junior. But it is not the first time that the father-son duo works side by side in a kitchen; before opening their own place in 2010, the two worked in the same restaurant for over a decade, and many of the Lieffroys’ regulars have followed them here.

In the restaurant, the regulars enjoy a panoramic view of the Great Belt, side by side with a wide range of people, locals and visitors alike. It was important for the Lieffroys to create a menu that is a gourmet experience of a very high quality yet within a price range that allows for that diversity amongst the clientele. The menu consists of three courses – with the option of several add-ons – and changes every other week to ensure that the ingredients are always fresh and seasonal. “All ingredients are fresh – we don’t use the freezer for anything,” Lieffroy says, adding that the restaurant uses several small, local producers, and buys in small numbers. Local farmers provide everything from strawberries and raspberries to asparagus and pointed cabbage, while fish is always bought locally in

Nyborg. Every morning, Lieffroy calls up a local fisherman to ask him what he has available and when he will be at the harbor, “and then we’ll be waiting for him down there,” he says. Some ingredients are collected as locally as in the restaurant’s own back garden, where they grow herbs, while the idyllic location right between the forest and the beach is also put to good use. Wood sorrels are found among the trees, and beach cabbage in the sand. The wine menu changes along with the general menu, offering mainly European wines that go well with the Frenchinspired cuisine. Lieffroy describes a relationship with his wine vendors that appears typical for the restaurant: “We have visited a lot of the producers and know them personally.” For more information, please visit: www.lieffroy.dk

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 75

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

Feast on mouth-watering Mexican dishes at Mucho Mas in Oslo’s most vibrant area.

Mexican spice in Oslo’s east side Serving fresh Californian-style Mexican food that is bursting with flavour, Mucho Mas is the place to go for a reasonably-priced meal in Oslo’s trendy Grünerløkka district. By Stephanie Lovell | Photos: Jim Hensley

Back in 1996, Grünerløkka was not the gentrified neighbourhood it is today. But when Mucho Mas opened its doors and was named the best place to go out in Oslo by entertainment magazine Natt og Dag, people from all over town were tempted to head east and try out the exciting flavours on offer.

Diners can choose from a variety of fillings for their burritos, tacos and quesadillas, including freshly-caught halibut or braised pork, as well as tasty vegetarian options such as grilled aubergine and sautéed mushrooms. There is no danger of dipping into any processed salsa – everything is prepared from scratch on site.

Rocking the palate “The area exploded soon after we opened,” recalls owner Ned Leukhardt, who used to be a drummer in the Los Angeles-based band Wall of Voodoo in the ’80s. Funnily enough, their biggest hit was Mexican Radio – a good omen for things to come. “People were curious to see what a California rock refugee was doing in Oslo’s working-class east side,” he says.

“We’ve always made wholesome food from the ground up,” says Leukhardt. “When we started, it was difficult to find the proper ingredients for some dishes. These days, our suppliers have a greater selection: dried chillies, masa harina (corn flour), fresh herbs and vegetables like pozole and tomatillo... The menu has evolved over the years, reflecting the greater availability of goods.”

You can find many Mexican favourites on the menu – from tortilla chips and fresh guacamole to a classic chilli con carne.

Mucho Mas is currently involved in a pilot project under the Confederation of Nor-

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Food for thought

wegian Enterprise (NHO) to reduce its carbon footprint. “We’ll be coming out with a new alternative section on our menu soon. You can eat with a good conscience when dining here,” says Leukhardt. With its cosy, casual setting and refreshing cocktails, Mucho Mas is the perfect place to start your night out in Oslo’s hippest area. During the summer months, customers fill up the terrace and outdoor lounge area running alongside the restaurant, enjoying their meals and margaritas in the midnight sun. Thanks to the affordable and delicious menu options, you can never have too much of Mucho Mas.

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

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Iceland

Restaurant of the Month, Iceland

At Forréttabarinn, a buzzing restaurant and bar by Reykjavík’s old harbour, you can try classic Icelandic dishes in a whole new context.

Tasty tapas with an Icelandic twist Offering a new spin on traditional Icelandic cuisine and boasting an extensive selection of local beer, Forréttabarinn – or ‘the starters bar’ – is more than worth seeking out when you are in need of a bite to eat or a place to start your night out in Reykjavík. Whatever dish you choose from the refreshingly creative menu, your taste buds are in for a treat. By Stephanie Lovell | Photos: Forréttabarinn

On any given evening at Forréttabarinn, you are likely to find people lining the bar sipping on cocktails and locally-brewed beer, old friends catching up over dinner and tourists refuelling after enjoying an exhibition at one of the nearby galleries. With its high ceilings, buzzing open kitchen and walls adorned with work by contemporary artists, this joint could well be in downtown New York, rather than across the road from the harbour in central Reykjavík. “The idea was for people to be able to pick from a variety of dishes and experience lots of different flavours without having to pay too much,” says Róbert Ólafsson, the owner and head chef at Forréttabarinn. “You can try lots of different dishes in one evening or alternatively just

come and have a couple of glasses of wine and choose a few starters.” Unusual combinations that work

thing we can ourselves in the kitchen – from smoking the salmon and duck to making our own desserts – using fresh ingredients of the highest quality.” Rather than falling into a tourist trap when you find yourself in Reykjavík, head ever so slightly off the beaten track and venture to Forréttabarinn in the oldest, most charming part of town. With its vibrant atmosphere, warm service and tantalising menu, this is casual dining at its finest.

With classic numbers such as coq au vin and more experimental dishes including hot smoked salmon with potato rosti and wasabi yogurt, there is something on the menu to suit all tastes. If you are in need of some guidance, go with one of the set menus, which the chefs have compiled according to what they think works best together. As well as the delicious and diverse range of appetisers, there are also some tempting larger dishes to choose from, such as the toasted cod and pork belly with celery root puree and tomato compote. “You’ll taste flavours you’ve never tasted before,” promises Ólafsson. “We do every-

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

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 77

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Iceland

Hotel of the Month, Iceland

Small hotel with big character On the northern side of Hvalfjörður (Whale fjord) in western Iceland lies a unique and peaceful haven of a hotel. Set within serene surroundings, Hotel Glymur treats guests to bucketsful of charm, colourful décor and gorgeous views only 45 minutes from downtown Reykjavík. Whether on a family holiday, romantic break or nature adventure, the hotel ticks the box for all types of travellers.

and sleeping area. The junior and master suites consist of two rooms, include private patios and gardens, and are all decked out with massaging corner bath tubs.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Hotel Glymur

The six unique luxury villas were added to the hotel in 2010, each offering its unique theme and atmosphere. The villas, named Elegance, Creativity, Couture, Romance, Family, and Nature, come in two sizes, with either one or two bedrooms. Each consists of a living room, kitchenette, bathroom and a private hot tub in front.

“We enjoyed everything – the cosy room, our excellent dinner, the best breakfast buffet in Iceland, attentive service and the perfectly placed hot tubs.” So goes one of many shining reviews on the TripAdvisor website, and there are many more that praise Hotel Glymur’s quiet setting and the beautiful surroundings.

and the Golden Circle, a popular tourist route that covers some of Iceland’s most stunning sights. There are also plenty of opportunities for more active adventures in nature, including hiking, sailing, horse riding, snowmobiling and dog sledding, not forgetting the great fishing areas provided by close-by lakes and rivers.

The location of the hotel is ideal in many ways, as it is easy to reach from both Reykjavík and the airport. You are also in the vicinity of Glymur, the highest waterfall in Iceland; Snæfellsnes peninsula, which includes the Snæfellsjökull volcano;

Hotel Glymur, which was established 11 years ago, today includes 22 executive rooms, three suites and six villas. Each executive room forms a mini suite covering two floors, divided into a sitting room

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Accommodation with wow factor

The villas have been designed with different types of visitors in mind, from couples looking for a romantic retreat to families wanting to spend time together. The colour schemes, beautiful décor and furniture reflect the six distinctive themes and offer guests truly unique experiences. All rooms, suites and villas include flat-

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Iceland

When staying at Hotel Glymur, you are in the vicinity of everything from the highest waterfall in Iceland to the Golden Circle, a popular tourist route that covers some of Iceland’s most stunning sights.

screen TVs, free wireless Internet and unique selections of art, and provide spectacular views of the sea or mountains. A welcoming environment Hotel manager Ragna and the staff at Hotel Glymur are also praised in the TripAdvisor reviews for giving “extremely good, detailed and personalised advice.” This is clearly what adds to the wonderfully welcoming atmosphere of the hotel: the staff are there to answer all questions and to attend to guests’ needs. If you wish, they will even wake you up when the Northern Lights appear in the wintery night sky. The whole hotel also serves as a gallery of art, crafts and historical artefacts, and there is plenty of space to just relax, including the popular bar area. At Hotel Glymur’s à la carte restaurant, you can taste delicious seafood dishes and tender lamb, among other things, and in the mornings, a sumptuous breakfast buffet is laid out for all guests.

With so many wonderful factors helping to create Hotel Glymur’s special atmosphere, what are the things the owners are most proud of? “It’s stylish and different. Nothing’s black and white. All our rooms, suites and villas have their very own character,” says Ragna. “It’s a small hotel with big character and great personal service, and all our guests are special in their own way.”

Hotel Glymur consists of 22 executive rooms, three suites and six villas. It is located a 90-minute drive from Keflavik International Airport.

For more information, please visit: hotelglymur.is

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Hotel of the Month, Norway

Panoramic views and a feel for personal service Proximity to untouched nature, unbeatable quality of rooms and catering as well as opportunities to arrange excursions and activities for a range of groups are strengths that make themselves apparent when looking at the offers of Panorama Conference Hotel. Dedicated to personal service, team-building and activity schedules out of the ordinary, this west coast pearl offers a stay that will not only ensure your pampering – it will broaden your horizons. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Panorama

“Fishing, hunting, taking part in a RIB boat excursion on the fjord, visiting the Marstein Lighthouse where you can even stay the night in adjoining accommodation…” says hotel sales and marketing manager Eli-Marie Tøgard, excitingly listing the activities you can take part in during a stay at Panorama. She continues: “There’s so much you can do here, so much nature to experience, and it’s all on

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the doorstep of the hotel… and the best part: you get to do it all completely undisturbed.” Calm and quiet Without a neighbour in sight, except the occasional sea eagle, Tøgard’s description of Panorama is absolutely correct. Less than one hour from the bustling, vibrant and historically-significant city port of Bergen, Panorama Hotel stretches out on a curved mountain ledge with unobstructed views of the north Atlantic. Here, Tøgard tells me, visitors get to meet and experience the sea in a way privileging the few. “When I think about Panorama, two words automatically come to mind,” she says proudly, “and those are ‘quality’ and ‘sea’.”

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

It might sound obvious for a four-star hotel situated right on the edge of Norway, but Tøgard is quick to deepen her trail of thought. “It’s the quiet sort of place, one you rarely find anywhere today, where people actually want to disconnect from the online world in order to tune in with each other and the environment. I often have visitors, Japanese and Chinese guests in particular, point this out to me,” she stops for a moment, “and I really understand them – they’re surrounded by the most peaceful element of all!” Lighthouse accommodation and cooking your catch Boasting 57 double bedrooms with eight new units in the making, constructed as fishing huts by the very shoreline, as well as access to 11 rooms by Marstein Lighthouse, Panorama can accommodate most groups of business or private travellers. During the autumn and winter seasons, Marstein is closed due to the famously changing climate, but Tøgard says that the lighthouse island can still be visited as part of an activity tour. “Either by boat or helicopter, the island can be reached in a short amount of time, and the trip is worth the trek!” she says. Boats and yachts of many sizes can also be hired as part of your stay, letting you make the most of the location and take in the panoramic views from a different point of reference. Oh, and should you catch a fish of any kind while you are out there, you are more than welcome to bring it back and cook it in the hotel kitchen. “Many hotels take guests out fishing, but then sadly it ends there. It’s very popular among our visitors to bring the catch back

Panorama Conference Hotel combines breath-taking views with personal service.

home and cook it yourself, something that adds that little bit extra to the experience, and can even be a great night to share with your group,” Tøgard points out. Top-quality culinary experiences – and that little extra for your wedding Where food is concerned, no visitor will go hungry at Panorama. Collaborating with a string of local high-quality producers, meals served are always the result of short transportation stretches and local culinary traditions. The lamb served during the autumn and winter seasons comes from nearby islands and islets, just like the fish you are invited to help put on the table. Tøgard explains that the high quality of Panorama’s food has put the venue in a top spot for many guests planning larger parties and weddings. “Where these events are concerned, we really want the guests to know that we

understand the weight of our responsibility, and value their trust,” she says, continuing: “It’s something quite special putting one of the biggest days of your life in someone else’s hands, so we always invite brides- and grooms-to-be, for instance, to try our tasting menu before the big day.” Contemplating the scenery outside her window, Tøgard underlines that location is everything. “The reason I enjoy doing what I do is partly because I get to do it here,” she says with a tone of certainty. “I really hope more visitors from countries unlike ours get to experience this spectacular nature.”

For more information, please visit: www.panoramahotell.no Below: Fully equipped with its own helipad, Panorama offers day flights to nearby locations.

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

The inn is only a short walk from the beach.

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

A feast for all your senses About halfway up the Eastern coast of Jutland, only 15 kilometres outside Aarhus, is an area that has been popular since the Early Stone Age for many different reasons, among them the quantity and variety of available food options. During the days of hunting and gathering, the people in the Norsminde and Kysing vicinity had their pick of flora and fauna from the lush nearby forests, and a myriad of fish and shellfish from the fjords and the neighbouring sea. In the Middle Ages, a bridge was built to join the two towns, and in the late 1600s, Norsminde Kro was established at its current location.

seaside venue: an amazing hotel, a conference centre, and a modern gourmet restaurant and brasserie with an authentic atmosphere that embodies the location’s history ripe with tradition. Culinary passion and a dazzling smile

By Kathleen Newlove | Photos: Lykke Rump and Jesper Rais

Pedersen, the seventh and current owner of Norsminde Kro, comes from a family of fishermen, but as he is plagued with sea-

Over ten years ago, Søren Pedersen visited Norsminde Kro with a sceptical friend. While Pedersen saw the incredible potential the location offered and began day dreaming about the improvements he could make, the friend advised him to walk quickly away from what could in his mind only be a spectacular failure. Luckily, Pedersen did not take his friend’s advice, and he is now the CEO of this idyllic

Fresh daily shellfish from the surrounding waters.

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Norsminde Kro is situated by the beautiful harbour.

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

sickness he was forced to find a different passion in life. He fell in love with the liveliness of hotel environments and became motivated and inspired by food once he began studying to be a chef. He loved it so much that when he arrived in Alsace, France, as a young man to work in a kitchen and was turned away once the owner realised that he had not yet completed his culinary training, Pedersen put on his most dazzling smile and struck up a bargain: he would work the first few months for free to prove his work ethic and talent. He was allowed to stay on and has been an unstoppable force ever since. “Our diverse style combines the old and the new, which means that our visitors get a chance to truly relax while they’re here,” says Pedersen. “There are only about 200 permanent residents in this beach town, so no matter how famous the guest, everyone has a chance to be anonymous.” Ample rooms and 19th century charm The hotel boasts heaps of comfortable rooms, each of them unique in its décor. The bridal suite, one of the most popular rooms, has its own terrace and an amazing view over the fjord. Regardless of your personal taste, you will find a room here that is perfect for you. If you choose to host a conference or event at Norsminde Kro, you can book any of the venue’s different meeting and party rooms. In one of them, you can sit at the original table from the late 1800s where the Alrøe family served up food and drink to waylaid sailors waiting for better weather. As they sat and enjoyed each other’s company, they looked up to check the status of the wind on a nautical instrument mounted on the ceiling. What they did not know was that Mr. Alrøe, not Mother Nature, controlled the wind meter. The arrow only pointed to the desired wind direction when the business-savvy Alrøe deemed the sailors had spent enough money at the bar. Ethical gourmet food Whether or not you spend the night here, the inn has a plethora of food options to

Top: Pedersen and his executive chef collaborate on every aspect of their elaborate menu. Bottom: Each of the inn’s rooms is decorated in its own unique style.

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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

suit any palate. The brasserie prides itself on its classic French culinary style, blended with Danish farm cuisine, and even offers a variety of traditional smørrebrød, the open sandwiches most Danes grow up eating. For real foodies, there is a gourmet restaurant at the inn as well. Pedersen is very hands-on in his kitchen but trusts his executive chef with the reigns after they collaborate together on the everevolving menu. Many of their ingredients are from local purveyors. They visit the farms in the area regularly not only to familiarise themselves with the specific taste of each ingredient, but also to ensure the ethical treatment of the animals whose products they serve. But while supporting local trade, they acknowledge the value of delicacies from afar and feature such delights from time to time. Pedersen and his executive chef pick their own herbs from the garden and have beehives on-site, so they are blessed with an abundance of honey. “I always like to say that we actually have about 65,000 employees in the summertime,” Pedersen jokes. For the love of wine The cosy basement room adjacent to the wine cellar is known for its inventive and scrumptious six-course meal complete with wine pairings, dessert and coffee for a price near-impossible to beat. “It’s the

Chef Søren Hansen minds the bees.

best bang for your buck in Denmark,” Pedersen asserts proudly. The house sommelier will not only pair your meal with the perfect grape and vintage, but he will also educate and surprise you with choices you may not have made yourself. “It’s quite a shame that we gain weight and get tipsy from enjoying wine, because it limits how much we can drink,” Pedersen sighs. The sommelier also heads up the Norsminde wine club and wine school, both of which are popular and open to the public. For serious lovers of wine from across the globe, you can have wine shipped to the inn and the sommelier will ensure that it is stored at exactly the right temperature

and atmosphere for the duration of your stay. You can then enjoy your wine in any area of the hotel or its restaurants for a modest corkage fee. Visit Norsminde Kro on your next trip to Denmark, and have Pedersen and his staff personally tell you amazing stories from their history – like the tale about the Australian pilot they briefly hid in their basement in 1943, whose Royal Airforce plane was gunned down during WWII.

Below left: Sommelier Pierre Roland shares his extensive knowledge of wine. Right: The cosy wine cellar offers a spectacular gourmet experience.

For more information about Pedersen, his cookbook, and Norsminde Kro, please visit: www.norsminde-kro.dk

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Finland

LEFT: Artist Adel Abidin sitting in the middle of his sound installation titled Court Room. Abidin, one of Finland’s most internationally-acclaimed visual artists, had an exhibition at Muu Gallery in August 2014. ABOVE RIGHT: Still image from a video performance titled Trambo, by Finnish artist Marja Helander. The piece from 2014 is a part of Performance Voyage 4, a series of international video performances. BELOW: Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920-1991), Untitled (From Mike “In the Park", Pt. 1), 1975, Pen & ink on paper, Tom of Finland Foundation Permanent Collection #75.01, ©1975 Tom of Finland Foundation.

Attraction of the Month, Finland

Art that dares to be different Artists with a bold, inventive, experimental and future-forward point of view make up the diverse artist collective that is Muu Gallery. The Helsinki-based gallery takes pride in presenting new visions and innovative artistry. By Nina Lindqvist | Photos: Courtesy of Muu Gallery

Muu, the artist association behind Muu Gallery, was founded in 1987 by a group of prominent Finnish forerunners working in the new fields of visual arts, who felt that an association representing their point of view was missing on the Finnish art scene. Today, the association and gallery have remained true to the founders’ vision, as Timo Soppela, executive director at Muu Gallery, explains. “The most important task of the gallery is to represent and promote new and experimental forms of art, such as installations, video art, audio pieces and performance exhibitions. The gallery hosts both new artists still unknown to the public and acclaimed representatives of experimental art.” The gallery, along with its sister gallery, Muu Kaapeli, also located in Helsinki, is the most visible part of the art association’s activities and one of the most renowned art venues in Helsinki. The name is a direct reflection of the nature of

the artists the gallery represents. ‘Muu’, which translated into English means ‘other’, refers to the artists that do not represent traditional forms of art, such as painting and sculpting. The heterogeneous blend of artistic expression is an essential part of the Muu philosophy. “Muu Gallery is the place for interesting and innovative contemporary art. Previous merits and commercial appeal are not the most important factors for us,” Soppela emphasises. Comics and performances take to the stage The exhibitions hosted at the gallery change frequently and offer a wide range of different artistic styles and forms. September is the month of comic art at the gallery, with the arrival of the much anticipated Dirty Frames exhibition by Tom of Finland. The homoerotic comics, created decades ago by the late Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen, will also grace a collec-

tion of stamps set to be released this month. “Tom of Finland fits our profile. We like to embrace different and bold approaches instead of going for the easily approachable art that you see in the mainstream galleries,” Soppela says. Performance art is an essential part of Muu Gallery and the artist association as a whole. The 2014 edition of Performance Voyage, an annually compiled thematic series of video performances, is touring internationally in 14 different countries this year. In October, the international performance art festival Amorph!14, organised by Muu, takes over the city of Helsinki.

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

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Attraction of the Month, Iceland

From one extreme to another Iceland is an island of extremes: extreme landscapes, extreme nature, extreme weather. Organise your action-packed trips around this breath-taking country with the help of the local experts at Extreme Iceland, and you will be taken on the adventure of your lifetime.

you can be alone in the world and, more often than not, you’ll end up having some kind of adventure.” Prepare to have your breath taken away

By Stephanie Lovell | Photos: Extreme Iceland

Tourism is booming in Iceland, with over one million people expected to pay a visit to this island of only 320,000 inhabitants in 2015. Hordes of tourists will no doubt continue to flock to the ever-popular spots on the Golden Circle – a classic tour that Extreme Iceland is more than happy to arrange for you. But why not take the plunge and venture on one of Extreme Iceland’s thrilling trips to lesser-known gems and really experience the country to its fullest? “This little island in the North Atlantic is extreme by nature,” says Björn Hróarsson,

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managing director at Extreme Iceland. “Most of the trips you can take around the country are extreme in one way or another. Extreme Iceland takes you to special places that not many people go to, so

With a huge variety of trips and activities to choose from, Extreme Iceland can make even your wildest dreams come true. Ever wondered what it might be like to visit an ice cave? Look no further than the three-day trip to the magical Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. This promises to be a truly mesmerising experience where you will not only hike the immense Vatnajökull glacier, but also get to explore the crystal ice caves lurking beneath it under the guidance of experienced caving specialists. Elsewhere in the country, you can explore the rare world of lava tube caves, also known as volcanic veins, on combination tours that include the Blue Lagoon, horse-riding or Northern Lights viewing.

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Reykjavik has long been a popular New Year’s Eve destination, but Extreme Iceland has a six-day tour to more than rival the festivities in the capital. See in the New Year surrounded by the lava fields in Hveravellir, a geothermal area in the country’s interior. Surely watching the Northern Lights as you soak in a geothermal spring with a snow storm swirling around you would top even the most spectacular of firework displays? No mountain too high Even in winter, Extreme Iceland manages to take you to seemingly inaccessible places. In fact, a little adversity will only serve to enhance your experience of this dramatic country. For instance, during the three-day tour to Landmannalaugar in the time of Northern Lights, you will face constant challenges owing to the unpredictable nature of the highlands, but as you overcome each obstacle, you will develop an unbreakable bond with your team. Since the havoc wrought by Eyjafjallajökull back in 2010, the world has been constantly wary of the slightest seismic activity around Iceland’s many active volcanoes. A little lava and ash doesn’t faze Extreme Iceland, however. They’re ready to take you right to the heart of the action

With Extreme Iceland, you will go right into the heart of the wilderness where adventures are bound to happen.

in the event of an eruption. Their highly trained geologists will provide you with all the latest information and in-depth explanations about what’s bubbling under the surface. Indeed, providing insider knowledge is key to the company. “With Extreme Iceland, you get so much more than on your average guided tour. You get to experience Iceland alongside native people, who are experts in their fields and have a real passion for adventure,” says Hróarsson. “We are without doubt a very special people in a very special place.” Experience it all While some of Extreme Iceland’s tours are not for the faint-hearted, there are many options that allow you to admire the beautiful landscape in peace and tranquillity. For those who do not fancy shacking up in

a mountain hut for several nights, you will be amazed at how much Extreme Iceland manages to pack into its day trips. On the Wonders of Snæfellsnes in Winter tour, you will see all the natural features for which the country is renowned: spectacular mountains, an enchanting glacier, black beaches, volcanic craters and weirdly wonderful rock formations. Whether you are travelling as an individual or as a group, Extreme Iceland is there to take care of all your needs during your stay in this endlessly fascinating country. By choosing from the most comprehensive selection of tours in Iceland, you are guaranteed to experience something you have never experienced before. For more information, please visit: www.extremeiceland.is

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Sweden

Top from left to right: Malmö Symphony Orchestra (Photo: Leif Johansson) and Malmö Opera with conductor Leif Segerstam (Photo: Malmö Opera). Bottom from left to right: Dancer and choreographer Virpi Pahkinen (Photo: Jose Figueroa), Conductor Marc Soustrot (Photo: Malmö Symphony Orchestra), Copenhagen Phil (Photo: Peter Boel) and Martin Martinsson, managing director at Musik i Syd (Photo: Musik i Syd).

Attraction of the Month, Sweden

Experience Igor Stravinsky, on both sides of the sound The Music Around festival is taking place 9-26 October, as a cross-country creative collaboration between Malmö and Helsingborg in Sweden and Copenhagen in Denmark.

One of the highlights of the programme is the opening concert with Malmö Symphony Orchestra on 9 October in Malmö, an exceptional show with conductor Marc Soustrot featuring Stravinsky in three parts: Dumbarton Oaks, Symphony of Psalms, and Petrusjka. Another muchanticipated event is the Furst Igor concert in Malmö on 12 October, with chamber musicians from Helsingborg performing pieces based on Stravinsky’s music, life and thoughts.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Courtesy of Music i Syd

Founded in 2002, Scandinavia’s biggest classical music festival has as its core the long tradition of symphony orchestras and chamber music in the Öresund area. Most other music festivals of this kind are centred in one location only, while Music Around offers events across the region and on both sides of the sound that separates Sweden and Denmark. Both countries have invested extensively in developing the cultural scene over the years, resulting in strong and exciting expressions, and have a history of cooperation in projects such as Music Around. The festival is organised by Musik i Syd together with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Phil, Helsingborg

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Symphony Orchestra and Malmö Opera. “It is a manifestation of culture in the area. Few places in the world have this many outstanding orchestras and beautiful stages,” explains Martin Martinsson, festival founder and managing director at Musik i Syd.

The spectacular collaboration of chamber orchestra Musica Vitae and dancer and choreographer Virpi Pahkinen on 14 October in Malmö is another not-to-miss show, and Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and DiamantEnsemblet have put together a very special treat combining big band and classic chamber music, taking place in Copenhagen on 21 October.

Russian composer in focus The theme for this year’s festival is Igor Stravinsky, one of the most important composers of the 20th century. “We chose Stravinsky as he is an incredible composer with a broad range of creative expressions and surprising variations in rhythm and harmony. This is a fun and exciting challenge for our orchestras, and also stimulating for our loyal audience,” says Martinsson.

With its extensive festival programme of nearly 50 concerts across the region, Music Around is indeed a cultural manifestation and proof of a well-ironed creative international partnership.

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

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

Left: Outside TKS, one of Telemark’s regional artists is always represented. This year it’s Philipp Dommen, and the work Ekkopp. Top middle: Klas Eriksson created the work LOLERZ (++) for the exhibition High on low-life in February 2014. Middle and right: The Nyblin Archive is one of TKS’s autumn initiatives, focusing on the aesthetics of earlier eras.

Attraction of the Month, Norway

Art as a discipline Through its focus on and curation of high-quality art, Telemark Kunstsenter has become one of Norway’s finest institutions for the elevation of contemporary artistic culture. Conveying complex meaning through various methods of visual expression, the centre aims to enlighten spectators within varied thematics. Focal points this autumn are two highly anticipated exhibitions, exploring variations in contemporary art projects. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Courtesy of TKS

“It’s important for us to convey an unreserved openness and also pass that forward to our visitors, so that they can experience the art with an open mind,” says Ida Bringedal, manager at Skien-based Telemark Kunstsenter. Telemark Kunstsenter (TKS), which is associated with around 100 artists and part of a national organisation for conservation of fine contemporary art, has strong ties with national art establishments. The characteristically high level of quality art that TKS offers stems from the work of nationally acclaimed curators as well as the institution’s in-house experts – the latter showing much of their work throughout Telemark in regional exhibitions.

“We offer guided tours of the centre to those who want one, and we often welcome school classes to benefit from the works we have on show. Not only is the TKS a serene and culturally enriching place to be, but our library and staff also add an educational value that we hold highly,” says Bringedal. She is excited to welcome visitors to two new exhibitions that will open this autumn. The first, Go! Figure!, is curated by Kjersti Solbakken, who has previously lent her expertise to the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art in Oslo. The exhibition explores the relationship between stylised art and sculpture in intriguing compositions, and presents regional and national artists alongside one another.

The second exhibition, The Nyblin Archive, is a collaboration between TKS and Telemark Museum, depicting portrait and industrial photos from the early 1900s as art. “These pictures are absolutely exquisite,” Bringedal says, continuing: “It’s amazing studying their lines and composition, imagining the time when they were taken. It’s a new direction for us as an art institution, and we’re very excited to present these treasured images in a new setting.” Setting is everything to TKS, Bringedal concludes, stressing the need for noiseless visual experiences – an inflection mirrored in the institution’s connecting link between art and spectators. “Today we’re constantly exposed to countless visual elements all at the same time. TKS offers a space free from that, with a redirected focus on qualitative art.”

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

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

With interactive playgrounds, a love of communications history, and a chance to post a letter to the Queen herself, The Danish Post & Tele Museum charms both kids and their parents.

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

The educational playground is winning the children’s attention and hearts The children themselves have voted The Danish Post & Tele Museum their favorite spot in Copenhagen – and no wonder when they get the chance to deliver post to the Queen herself, while diving into the world before Google and iPhones. By Helene Toftner | Photos: The Danish Post & Tele Museum

Earlier this summer, The Danish Post & Tele Museum won the prestigious Children’s Award 2014 as the most popular museum in Copenhagen for children. Having knocked out several big names, the museum no doubt has a lot on offer for the younger generation – not to mention their parents. “Many of our visitors come back every month,” acting director Martin Gerster Johansen says. A combined playground and exhibition Most parents will know that the concentration spans of their little ones are often rather limited, and what is cool one minute is lame the next. The Danish Post & Tele Museum has however nailed it with its interactive approach, by combining a

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playground with learning. Most popular is the Stamp Room, a playground made out of giant stamps, allowing children to send letters to famous Danes, including the Queen. “Everything is touchable and playable, and we have noticed that parents are also enjoying the dedicated children’s exhibitions,” explains Johansen.

Everyone has relevant memories, be it of their first phone call, their first mobile, a birthday card – and then of course there’s the youth of today, who have never experienced the world before Google,” Johansen says, revealing why people of all ages appear excited by the museum. “We tell a story that is nostalgic for the whole family, from the grandparents to the children.”

A nostalgic journey for all generations The museum is a walk through the history of communication, from the time the royal family controlled the postal system in 1624, to the times when a day without smartphones and internet is a day without meaning. “We represent a small world, but one that plays a very important part in people’s lives – and always has done.

FREE ENTRY Opening hours: seven days a week, 10am to 4pm. For more information, please visit: www.ptt-museum.dk/en

Nordfyns Museum The history of the town of Bogense and North Funen, in words, artifacts, paintings and pictures. Nordfyns Museum Vestergade 16, DK-5400 Bogense, Denmark Phone: +45 6481 1884 E-mail: nordmus@mail.tele.dk www.nordfynsmuseum.dk

Scan Magazine | Business | Key Note

Scan Business Key Note 92 | Business Profiles 93 | Conference of the Month 96 | Business Calendar 98

Tax relief on workdays outside the UK – beware of the small print By Helena Whitmore, senior wealth structuring adviser, SEB Private Banking UK

The UK tax system provides various incentives to encourage internationally mobile individuals to come to the UK. In some cases, this can result in very substantial tax savings for foreign expats, if they fit the criteria for the reliefs. For those who have been in the UK before or have taken advice on this in the past, it is important to note that many of the rules have changed fairly recently. Some of the changes are for the better, because they are intended to make it clearer who qualifies for the reliefs, and remove the need to look at the individual’s personal intentions (which are subjective and can of course be very difficult to prove, particularly if the intentions change along the way). Unfortunately however, the new rules also contain a huge amount of complexity, so even more than before it is essential to take proper advice to ensure that the expected relief is in fact available. One important such incentive is overseas workday relief (“OWR”), where the rules changed on 6 April 2013 (tax year 2013/14). The new OWR can apply for up to three tax years after becoming resident in the UK. For those first three years, employment earnings relating to workdays spent outside the UK can potentially be free of UK income tax, provided that they are paid abroad and not remitted to the UK. If there are a lot of overseas workdays and not all the income is needed in the UK, OWR can be very valuable, and it really pays to look into how the relief could be used.

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OWR is now only available to taxpayers who are non-UK domiciled, and who make a claim to be taxed on the remittance basis. There are a number of other detailed technical conditions and procedures that must be followed in order to get the full benefit of OWR, and these should be discussed with a qualified adviser. It is also important to bear in mind that the income, which is exempted from UK tax, could potentially be taxable somewhere else, so local advice elsewhere may also be necessary. On the practical side, those who want to claim OWR will also need to ensure that they have a suitable overseas bank account into which the overseas earnings can be paid. There are some very particular and detailed rules (“the special mixed fund rules”) which specify the type of account that should be used, and how the account should be operated in order to be a “qualifying account”. If these rules are not followed to the letter, claiming the relief becomes much more complicated. A new bank account should normally be opened specifically for the purpose of claiming the relief, and it may be advisable to start again each tax year with a new account. More information on the special mixed fund rules is available on the HM Revenue & Customs’ website, but this should not be taken as a substitute for professional advice. It is not always easy to open a bank account outside the country where the account holder is resident, so early contact should be made with the bank.

OWR is more complicated for individuals who arrived in the UK in tax year 2011/12 or 2012/13, and they may need to satisfy different conditions based on the old OWR rules, depending on their intentions when they first arrived. Both under the old and the new rules, detailed record keeping is also essential, as HMRC may request to see evidence that the days claimed were in fact spent actually working overseas.

Helena Whitmore, senior wealth structuring adviser at SEB Private Banking UK

For more information, email privatebanking@seb.co.uk or call 020 7246 4307

Photo: Froði Vestergaard

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | Nordens Hus

Photo: Olavur Frederikssen

When The Nordic House opened in the early 1980s, it not only changed the topography of Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands – it provided an inspiring venue for more than 400 events annually, including large conferences, countless concerts, and art installations.

Picturesque Nordic architecture at its finest Tucked away between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean lies Tórshavn, the capital and largest city of the Faroe Islands. In the early 1980s, the topography of Tórshavn changed dramatically with the opening of The Nordic House in the Faroe Islands. By Kathleen Newlove | Photos: Finnur Justinessen

Designed by Ola Steen of Norway and Kolbrún Ragnarsdóttir of Iceland, selected from 158 candidates vying for the job, The Nordic House, considered to be one of the most gorgeous buildings in all of Scandinavia, was built to resemble an enchanted hill of elves. This dynamic concert venue and exhibition hall with its popular café has become a major meeting place, thereby changing the social dynamic of this seaside town. “The building is remarkable,” says Fródi Vestergaard of The Nordic House. “When it was built in 1983, no expense was spared.” The structure has an extremely organic feel, incorporating materials from all over Scandinavia. The building’s exterior is made from Danish glass and steel, while the walkways

are of Norwegian slate. Inside, under ceilings of Danish ash, Finnish birch chairs rest on wooden flooring of Swedish pine. All of the doors are Finnish, with Danish brass fittings. The traditionally Icelandic roof is topped with grass, blowing in the Faroese wind. “You have quite an impressive view from our café with its mostly vegetarian menu. You can see the entire city, the harbour, the sea and even some neighbouring islands,” Vestergaard continues. The venue hosts many large conferences, countless concerts, and inspiring art installations – there are over 400 events every year! One of the most recent concerts was that of Robben Ford, the wellknown American blues guitarist. Dame

Kiri Te Kanawa, the famous opera singer from New Zealand, has also performed here. “There are concerts every week representing different genres,” says Vestergaard. “Faeroese people of all ages have made The Nordic House part of their identity, and they visit us daily.” Keynote speakers who have graced the stage include Bill Clinton and Al Gore. The spectacular location attracts many royal visitors as well, including Her Royal Majesty Queen Margaret of Denmark. Whether you are drawn to its architecture, art exhibitions, musical theatre or concerts, discovering Nordic and Faroese culture at The Nordic House should be at the top of your must-do list in Tórshavn.

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

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 93

Scan Magazine | Business Profile | The Nordic Angel

Left: Hedman has worked with yoga studios and other spaces intended for relaxation in the capacity of interior design and branding consultant. Middle: Shakti Wrap Cardigan and Shiva Leggings from Happy Buddha. Top right: Mule Zipper Tote in PU recyclable leather. Right: Namaste Necklace Amethyst. Photo: Sam Webb Photography.

Calm and conscious – the Nordic way Doing things properly and doing so the whole way – that motto is at the core of the entire yoga philosophy, if you ask yoga enthusiast and design entrepreneur Sanna Hedman. Interestingly, the sentiment carries through to her Scandinavian heritage too. “When Swedes say they’re going to do something, they’ll do it. There’s a credibility to Swedish brands that is easy to take for granted, but this means a lot to me.” By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Courtesy of The Nordic Angel

After 10 years working for Swedish design and textile brand Linum, Hedman is still committed to their strong sustainable ethos but also felt the urge to take ownership and create something of her own, taking sustainability and quality to a new level, all the way from idea to finished product. “Here in the UK it’s still a unique selling point if you can say that you care for the environment, whereas in Sweden it goes without saying – it’s a must,” she says. “I’ve been practising yoga for 10 years and it’s a part of my lifestyle, and

this idea of doing things properly and doing things right grew into what was to eventually become The Nordic Angel.”

Initially, Hedman set out to cater to other yogists who cared for yoga-friendly quality clothes but wanted designs that worked in other areas of life as well. Swedish brand Happy Buddha, which her online lifestyle boutique The Nordic Angel is the only UK stockist of, provided the perfect first step. “You’re dropping the kids off to school, doing a yoga session, popping by the bank, meeting a friend for lunch – and it’s not at that point where you need to have a shower, but you obviously don’t want to Left: Candles from The Nordic Angel (Photo: Sam Webb Photography). Right: Dip dye walk around wearcushion in grey. 100% linen, filled with feather from animal welfare certified farms. ing lycra all day.”

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Today, The Nordic Angel own-brand products have been added, alongside a range of other organic, environmentally-friendly items. Think cashmere wrap cardigans with matching dip-dyed scarves, bags, accessories and natural totally paraffin free rapeseed oil candles with essential oils. But going the whole way means bringing the balanced, eco-conscious lifestyle beyond the web shop and into private homes and treatment studios. Using natural materials and years of experience to create a calm, inspiring environment, Hedman has worked with yoga studios and other spaces intended for relaxation in the capacity of interior design and branding consultant. “The yoga philosophy is a lifestyle, and it goes hand in hand with sustainability,” she says. “My goal is to continue to develop this concept and perhaps start collaborating with more Swedish brands, but always with sustainability and Scandinavian values at the heart of it.”

For more information, please visit: thenordicangel.co.uk

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Scan Magazine | Conference of the Month | Norway

With 113 rooms inspired by the beautiful surrounding nature yet equipped with modern conferencing technology, you can be sure that an event at Tromsø Villmarkssenter will be both inspiring and efficient.

Conference of the Month, Norway

Room for adventure Lively Tromsø is the world’s second largest city north of the Arctic Circle. But just 25 minutes outside Tromsø you can experience the exotic arctic nature firsthand. At Tromsø Villmarkssenter you can have a conference with adventurous activities in breathtaking scenery. By Mia Halonen | Photos: Tromsø Villmarkssenter

The history of Tromsø is fascinating. The area has been inhabited since the end of the ice age. Archeological excavations just outside the city borders have revealed artefacts and remains of buildings estimated to be up to 10,000 years old. For centuries, Tromsø was an important town bordering on the Sámi region, and in the 1800s, it was also the centre of arctic hunting and trading. Great explorers such as Roald Amundsen sailed from here. Today, with the world’s northernmost university, a lively cultural scene, and more pubs per capita than anywhere else in Norway, Tromsø is still a very international place. But the location some 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle guarantees that the locals are still very much connected to nature.

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One of the outdoorsy Norwegians to meet is the founder and CEO of Tromsø Villmarkssenter, Tove Sørensen. She has competed in some of the longest dog sledding races in the world, and with 300 Alaskan huskies, her company is now one of the biggest adventure companies in Norway. In addition to dog sledding, hiking and skiing are natural activities here in the wintertime. A winter visit to Tromsø can certainly be appealing, and not only for the Northern Lights: during the polar night, from late November until late January, the sun does not rise above the horizon. The bluish twilight, reflected in the snow, has a strangely calming effect. On the other hand, the midnight sun, from late May until late July, is a real treat that

everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. And what better way to enjoy it than while kayaking or mountain hiking? But why separate business and pleasure? In Trømso Villmarkssenter’s extraordinary buildings, you can hold events and host conferences of different sizes. The rooms for up to 113 people are inspired by the raw natural beauty, yet equipped with modern comforts and technology. “We want this to be a space for opening the senses, giving inspiration and imbuing the body with good energy,” says Sørensen proudly. Agreed: there should always be plenty of room for adventure in life.

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

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Scan Magazine | Business | Calendar

Scandinavian Business Calendar LINK up drinks at the Royal Park Hotel This month’s LINK up drinks will take place at the charming Royal Park Hotel, a central London boutique hotel. Catch up with old acquaintances and make new, promising connections while enjoying a refreshing drink and some canapés. Date: 17 September

Nordic Thursday Drinks in South Kensington This month, like every month, the first 50 people to arrive at the Nordic Thursday Drinks will get a free welcome drink. Get your networking shoes on and head for The Rembrandt Hotel in South Kensington. Date: 25 September

Life after the European Offshore Safety Directive Published in June last year, the European Offshore Safety Directive was brought about to reduce the occurrence of major accidents related to offshore oil and gas operations. With speakers from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS, the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce guides you through the directive to help with the implementation. Date: 24 September

Sustaining success through open innovation Together with AstraZeneca, the Swedish Chamber invites its members to a forum on life science, an industry in which Sweden is a world leader. Learn about Sweden’s largest export industries, find out how open innovation is used in the Anglo-Swedish market, share thoughts on the strategies and approaches used in the industry, and see how it impacts on your business. Date: 02 October

DUCC

– Highlights of Scandinavian business events

Is the risk worth a financial centre? What would the cost of an international financial centre be, and is the risk worth it? What are the lessons learnt from countries that embraced the Euro, such as Finland, and countries that did not, such as Sweden? Take part in this evening of presentations on these somewhat controversial yet politically significant questions, exploring their impact on the Nordic markets. The event is part of a joint effort organised by several of the Nordic Chambers of Commerce, taking place at the London Stock Exchange. Date: 02 October

Hungry for great skin

By Lisa Gustafsson

Bloggers’ Corner: The very best of the Anglo-Scandinavian blogosphere: from films to fitness Great, glossy skin is not just down to good genetics. You can improve your complexion by feeding it from the inside with healthy, nutrient-rich foods. Radiant, glowing skin starts with what you put in your mouth – unfortunately, you can’t just take a magic pill and eat fast food: the skin is the largest organ of the body and a window reflecting what is going on inside the body. Nutrients go first to the organs that are crucial for survival, such as the heart and lungs, and after that other areas such as hair and nails get nutrients. To make sure that your skin is properly fed, aim for 7-10 portions of vegetables and fruit every day. This is when a juicer comes in handy! You also need to be a little bit patient; it takes between one and three months before you start to really notice the difference. Here are the beautifying foods that I rely on and eat daily: - Half an avocado, either in a smoothie or just

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as it is with lemon juice and a tiny pinch of Himalayan crystal salt. Avocados are full of healthy fats, keeping the skin supple and moisturised and preventing premature wrinkling. - Pumpkin seeds are a great source of vitamin B and fatty oils, which all contribute to glowing skin. They also contain zinc, which is really important for healthy skin. Zinc levels are often low in people who suffer from acne. - Green leafy veg and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and kale should be eaten every day to nourish and to support detoxification. - Sulphur-rich foods keep the skin clear of blemishes and make it glossy. Garlic, nuts, legumes, watercress, onion, asparagus, and cruciferous veg are good sources. - Hydration is super important – aim for at least eight glasses of water a day. A lack of water causes dehydration of the skin and can allow waste products to accumulate. Here’s to a healthy, glossy autumn!

Lisa Gustafsson came to London in the 90s as a news reader for TV3 and completely fell in love with London and a Londoner. She is studying holistic nutrition, blogging about health at lisagusto.com and vlogging on Youtube (search for lisagusto). She is also the continuity voice for Viasat Film and a proud mother of two boys.

Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns

IS IT JUST ME...

By Mette Lisby

Who feels that we need to change certain social etiquette rules? I am talking particularly about how to end phone conversations. I once heard a guest on David Letterman’s talk show reveal that David would end friendly phone conversations simply by saying: “Listen, I don’t want to talk any longer.” That is exactly how I secretly fantasise about ending conversations. And maybe it really IS just me, but I always feel restricted by certain expectations of how one should end phone conversations even with close friends. For instance, you cannot just quit the conversation. You have to make an excuse for why you cannot talk anymore. That is why having phone conversations on your way to work is brilliant, since you can simply say: “Oh, I’ve reached the office,” thus putting a natural ending to the conversation. But since I work from home, I am basically only ever going out to shop, and “Oh, gotta go. I’m at Tesco’s,” does not have the same authority. So I have to come up with some natural reasons to end the conversation, which is problematic for me since I suck at lying. I am the kind of bad liar who elaborates my lies to make

them seem more believable, so let me just say that an innocent lie as “Oh, I have to go to the bathroom,” is not an excuse that is viable for me. It ends up in details unwanted by everyone, including me. After that, there is the whole ‘getting out of the conversation’ routine, which seems as endless as it is pointless. I do not know why, in this day and age where everybody is within reach 24/7 on at least four different platforms, I (and 99 per cent of the people I talk to) feel the need to end conversations with a reassurance of when we will talk again. “Let’s touch base by the end of the week.” “Oh – but I’m in New York this weekend.” “Then let’s talk next week.” “Sure. Monday works for me.” “Oh. Monday is Jill’s birthday, so we’re probably heading out.” At this point, I am very tempted to yell at the top of my lungs: “FINE! WHATEVER! I’M SURE WE’LL BE IN TOUCH AND THAT ONE OF US WILL SPONTANEOUSLY REACH OUT TO THE OTHER! WE’RE SISTERS AFTER ALL.”

Flood

Our first house in the UK was at the bottom of a valley, next to a river. The river would sometimes swell and creep towards the front door – a few times it actually came inside it. We had been warned about this, but it seemed too strange to believe, like that time our neighbours told us about Guy Fawkes, or pickled eggs. Another falsely

Anyway – I really do not want to write anymore… 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

reassuring fact was the age of the house. Surely, if it had been prone to flooding, it would have drifted off down the river some hundred years ago? One rainy autumn night, a noise woke our dog, Lisa. Lisa, being a terrier, was prone to livid outbursts and ran barking down the stairs. The sound of her splashing head first into the river, which was now inside the dining room, woke everyone else up. Once the water retreated, months of repair work followed. The furniture and carpets on the ground floor were ruined; the house itself, however, was surprisingly unaffected. A while later, a man knocked on our door. His name was William, he was 95, and he asked if he could take a peek inside the house where he had grown up (ours). As dad showed him around, he asked about the floods. “They were a good thing,” William promised. During floods, all the

waste from the village privies would pool around the house. This, according to William, led to himself and his 12 siblings developing immune systems of steel. Every single one of them lived to be adults. This certainly put a different spin on the whole thing. Still, when mum and dad retired, they moved into a house at the top of a hill. Now when it rains, mum no longer wraps the family china in towels and chucks it into the attic.

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

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 99

Scan Magazine | Culture | Sakari Oramo

Finnish violinist-turned-conductor Sakari Oramo, now Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and 13th Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Master of the Proms The Last Night of the Proms is by many seen as something quintessentially British, set in South Kensington’s treasured Royal Albert Hall and presenting Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1 among many other classics. But as this year’s BBC Proms come to an end, on the second Saturday of September, it brings a Nordic touch, as conductor Sakari Oramo takes to the stage. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Benjamin Ealovega

Little over a year has passed since the Finn launched his tenure as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the First Night of the Proms last July, and

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this summer has seen him lead the orchestra in four Proms concerts as well as performing with fellow violinist Janine Jansen at the BBC Proms Chamber Mu-

sic 4 concert in Cadogan Hall. “The Last Night of the Proms is a remarkable institution,” says Oramo, and to the question of what the audience can expect he responds: “The audience is in a big role, so what they get will partly be created by themselves. The music is important, of course, but the atmosphere is what makes Last Night special.” Oramo’s Last Night debut brings a fascinating mix of works to the table, including

Scan Magazine | Culture | Sakari Oramo

conducting studies at the Sibelius Academy, Oramo has built up an illustrious resume, conducting orchestras ranging from the Avanti! ensemble and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Together with his wife, Finnish soprano Anu Komsi, and two other opera singers, he founded West Cost Kokkola Opera, aiming to bring opera to a very musical region in Finland and, in his own words, “demonumentalise Finnish opera culture.” In 2008, he was awarded the Elgar Medal for his efforts in advancing the composer’s music, and he was one of the pioneers behind the classical music manifesto ‘Building on Excellence: Orchestras for the 21st Century’, which aimed to increase the presence of classical music in the UK, giving free entry to a classical music concert for all British school children. Today, Oramo is Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and, since last year’s Proms season, the 13th Chief Conductor of the legendary BBC Symphony Orchestra. “Being able to perform the music of my choice with these musicians is a wonderful privilege,” he says about the assignments. “Working regularly with an orchestra leads to an instinctive mutual understanding and respect.”

a new piece by Gavin Higgins, a freshlycommissioned choral version of Malcolm Arnold’s Peterloo Overture, with words by Sir Tim Rice, and Richard Strauss’s ballad for soloists, choir and orchestra, Taillefer. “Because the Strauss piece requires huge forces and is only around 20 minutes long, it’s almost never performed today,” says the conductor. “But I love the idea of marking the composer’s 150th anniversary with this romantic work!”

Himself an esteemed violinist, the Finn believes that being able to play an instrument very well is of great help, if not a must, to any conductor. “Thinking about my Finnish colleagues, Esa-Pekka Salonen was a brilliant horn player, JukkaPekka Saraste a violonist; Osmo Vänskä still plays the clarinet very well…” he enumerates, much like an encyclopedia of Finnish classical music. Asked why Finland produces so many talented conductors, he says: “It’s about good chances to conduct professional orchestras early on. Education plays a part, too, but not the academic side of it – rather the practical one.”

Classical music and opera for the people

Nordic tribute

After standing in for a sick conductor with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1993, just one year after completing his

The Strauss tribute at Last Night of the Proms is not the only anniversary celebration in Oramo’s diary of upcoming

events. A self-confessed Carl Nielsen fan, he is excited to reveal the details of a sixconcert Nielsen season with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, named ‘Close Encounters of the Cultural Kind’ and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth later this year and into the New Year. “Nielsen is for me a very important composer,” Oramo enthuses. “His music is breezy, alive, and speaks to both intellect and emotion. Strong stuff!” In particular, he is looking forward to the Busoni Concerto for Piano in C major, performed on 12 December alongside baritone Igor Golovatenko and pianist Garrick Ohlsson. “Busoni was the dedicatee of Nielsen’s second symphony, and this is a monster of a piece: well over an hour long, exciting and uplifting.” With a Finn at the helm of the Last Night of the Proms, bringing an entire season of Danish classical music to the UK in the following months, it is perhaps a good time to be Scandinavian and a classical music fan – or London-based and a lover of Nordic classical music, for that matter. But the things Sakari Oramo loves the most about his country stand in peaceful contrast to the grandiose sounds he will conduct later this year. “There are very many things that I love about my country. The high-quality, totally free education that my children receive, from daycare through to university; the tranquility, the nature, the Baltic coast, our wooden houses.” He pauses. “The only thing I would happily give away are the dark winter months – but there can’t be a faultless place, can there?”

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 101

Promoting See You Tomorrow in a UK book store.

Crescendo of love, money and crime Renberg (42) is the latest addition to the Nordic Noir trend. ScanMagazine spoke to the author while in London as part of a UK-wide promotion tour for his latest novel, See You Tomorrow – his first in English. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Finn E. Våga, Stavanger Aftenblad

“It takes place over three September days in my oil-rich hometown of Stavanger,” Renberg says of the new book. Unlike several Nordic Noir novels, this contains eleven characters, and no lone private investigator or police officer who gets all

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the spotlight. In See You Tomorrow, we get to know a civil servant and divorced single father of two teenage daughters, struggling to make ends meet; a naïve teenage girl with wealthy parents; a troublesome teenage boy, frequently changing

foster homes; and four petty criminals with a teenage gang past. While the characters seem to have little in common, their lives and actions intertwine in an intense 600-page crescendo of love, money and crime peaking at climaxes with dramatic consequences. Renberg skillfully brings the reader into the characters’ lives, and through empathy he makes it hard to dislike them despite their flaws. “Empathy is an essential

Scan Magazine | Culture | Tore Renberg

skill for a writer to successfully create a credible character,” Renberg insists, adding: “I also enhanced their individuality by composing individual iTunes playlists of 50 songs each.” Moreover, the writer conducted research by visiting a prison and interviewing police officers, secondary school pupils and a former gang member. All in all, See You Tomorrow gives faces to people failing to flourish in a society with a generous welfare state financed by an oil-fuelled economy. As if that was not enough, the author’s description of how autumn embraces Stavanger provides a highly apt setting for an autumn read.

About Tore Renberg -

Debuted in 1995 with prose collection Sovende Floke (Sleeping Tangle), for which he received the Norwegian Debutant Award.

Built reputation by hosting a TV literature show and writing book reviews, in addition to four prose collections, six children’s books and 11 novels.

The five novels about Jarle Klepp are Renberg’s most successful and famous works, three of which were made into films and three of which are semi-autobiographical.

Renberg has been honoured with six awards and three additional nominations for his books.

“Inspired by Sue Townsend’s Adrian Mole in 1986, I decided to become a writer and started to write song lyrics, poems and short stories while reading Dickens, Dostoyevsky and Tolkien.”

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 103

Scan Magazine | Culture | Scandinavian Music

Scandinavian Music promise. And one to listen out for as intently as you did with Alphabeat.

Anders the singer of Alphabeat and Anders the guitarist of Alphabeat (the band is currently on a break) have put their creative juices together and spawned a new act. They are calling themselves Thanks and have just released the first fruits of their labour: a song called Comeback Girl. They have gone down the dancepop route – a bit of a 90s house music affair; an intriguing compilation of synths and sounds that make Thanks a new band with a lot of

The last time we heard from Tomine Harket (Morten’s daughter) she was trying to represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010. Now, after four years out of the limelight, she is back and could not sound any further away from Eurovision if she tried. New single Follow Me sees Tomine slot right into a Scandinavian soundscape that has the likes of Beatrice Eli, a more attitudeladen Frida Sundemo, and a more laidback MØ as her nearest contemporaries. So whether aiming for global blog love was her intention or not, that is certainly the direction she has headed in with Follow Me. Fans of Donkeyboy should check out what their fellow country-folk act Secret Sebastian have just come out with. The Norwegians have released We Don’t Need Nobody, a cheery slice of funked-up electronic disco that is distinctly Scandiflavoured. And it is just as infectiously upbeat as the stuff those Donkeyboy lot are renowned for producing.

By Karl Batterbee

Swedish pop princess Molly Sandén has scored a massive summer hit in her native Nordic land with her big comeback single Freak. The lyrics are written from the perspective of Molly’s 12-year-old self, lacking in self-confidence and plagued by selfdoubt, particularly in terms of her appearance. Freak is an over-the-top (in a good way), hugely dramatic and theatrical ballad, starting off as a delicate little thing, before blossoming into a sweeping, orchestral and beat-heavy beauty. More ghostly than freakish. Haunting stuff. And from a returning Swedish pop princess to a brand new one: 18-year-old Olivia has just released her debut single, Meet You Mother, a super catchy and supremely cute retro pop number. Modern Motown music with a youthful glow and an innocent charm – quite reminiscent of the recent UK number 1 single Ghost by Ella Henderson. www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com

Scandinavian Culture Calendar Magnus Betnér (15-17 Sep) Swedish comedy superstar Magnus Betnér is back in the UK for three nights only at Leicester Square Theatre, London, WC2H. leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com Jennie Abrahamson on tour (Sep/Oct) Swedish singer-songwriter Jennie Abrahamson is on a European tour with her new album, Gemini Gemini. jennieabrahamson.com

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Magnus Betnér. Photo: Mats Bäcker

– Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

By Sara Schedin

Goat on tour (Sep/Oct) Always dressed in colorful masks, Swedish experimental fusion music group, Goat, is touring Europe this autumn. www.subpop.com/artists/goat JA JA JA Nordic club (25 Sep) The Nordic club is back after its summer break, with music from Cancer (DK), Aurora Aksnes (NO) and NEØV (FI). The Lexington, London, N1. jajajamusic.com

Scan Magazine | Culture | Scandinavian Culture Calendar

Goat. Photo: Goat

Karl Ingar Røys: Burmese Days (Until 27 Sep) In Burmese Days, Norwegian artist Karl Ingar Røys looks at cultural production in Burma’s former capital Yangon and how it has managed to co-exist within the political regime. Tue-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-3pm. John Jones Project

Space, London, N4. www.johnjones.co.uk Northern Light (18 Sep-14 Nov) Sadler’s Wells presents a celebration of Nordic dance with a range of artists from the Nordic countries including Finland’s Maija Hirvanen and Danish Mette

Ingvartsen. For more information, please visit: www.sadlerswells.com Dahl and Friedrich (10 Oct-4 Jan) Norwegian painter Johan Christian Dahl and German painter Caspar David Friedrich both taught at the Academy of

Issue 68 | September 2014 | 105

Scan Magazine | Culture | Scandinavian Culture Calendar

Fine Art in Dresden and both in their own way added a new dimension to romantic landscape painting. This is the first time their works will be presented in the same exhibition. The spontaneity and realism of Dahl’s paintings stand in stark contrast to the more contemplative themes of Friedrich’s works, which often carry religious overtones. Tue, Wed & Fri 10am-6pm, Thu 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm. The National Gallery, Universitetsgata 13, Oslo. www.nasjonalmuseet.no Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra (11 Oct) An evening of music by Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Nielsen featuring violinist Augutin Hadelich. Barbican Hall, London, EC2Y. www.bbc.co.uk/events Lena Svedberg (Until 12 Oct) For the 1969 Biennal in Paris, Swedish artist Lena Svedberg created the work Mr Aldman – Superhero of the Universe. The story about Aldman is a remarkable analysis of the world in the form of a comic book about the Middle East as a local arena for global interests – political as well as economic and religious. The exhibition consists of 57 drawings and collages, making it Svedberg’s biggest and most complex work to date. Tue & Fri 10am-8pm, Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. Moderna Museet, Skeppsholmen, Stockholm. www.modernamuseet.se Sibelius and the world of art (17 Oct-22 Mar) Next year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. This exhibition explores the links between the composer’s work and the art scene of his time, both on a personal level and in the context of the art movements of the day. Tue & Fri 10am6pm, Wed-Thu 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Ateneum Art Museum, Kaivakatu 2, Helsinki. www.ateneum.fi Jennie Abrahamson. Photo: Paulina Persson

106 | Issue 68 | September 2014

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