DECEMBER 2016 ISSUE 95 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA
CHARLOTTE KALLA – SWEDEN’S QUEEN ON SKIS CRAFTS, COTTAGES AND INTERIOR DESIGN FROM NORWAY OUR BIG SWEDISH WINTER WONDERLAND GUIDE DANISH ENTERPRISES TO WATCH
Den lilla festivalen med det stora hjärtat
Dala-Floda Carmen med Huppleken
Dala-Floda Carmen
Paulina Pfeiffer, Mathias Zachariassen, Joa Helgesson, musiker ur Floda Spelmanslag, Flodakören, ork. Maria Lindal, arr. Jonas Dominique, regi Lotta Lindqvist, kostym Nils Harning.
Beatrice av V. Bellini / Operakonsert på ICA Nära Bollywoodopera och indisk mat på Dalafloda Värdshus Sång från Flosjön / Kurs för specialbegåvade Workshops / Barnopera / Operagalakonsert Från Cabaret till Bowie / OperaCafé
With traditional 10-14 augusti Hupp dance 0771-626262 Biljetter: visitsodradalarna.se
Bussresa från Stockholm 13-14 aug ”DalaFloda Carmen” och ”Carmen, Dalhalla” anmälan info@ dalaflodaoperafest.se – mer info på www.dalaflodaoperafest.se
The small festival with the big Heart
5-15 August Beatrice by V. Bellini Opera Concert at ICA food shop Italian Operadinner with arias at Dala Floda Inn Singing from the Flolake Workshops and performances for young artists with special gifts. Cabaret concert, Opera Café Tickets: visitsodradalarna.se • 0771-62 62 62 More information: www.dalaflodaoperafest.se
Scan Magazine | Contents
Contents COVER FEATURE 32 Charlotte Kalla – Sweden’s Queen on Skis She wrote skiing history in 2015 when she became the first Swedish woman to win individual goals in both the Olympic Games and the World Cup. Scan Magazine spoke to Charlotte Kalla about integrity, learning to trust herself and the madness of winning Tour de Ski.
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We continue our journey of discovery of handmade design and craft from Norway, including fascinating stories about fighting chronic illness with creativity and falling in love with a strange man from Norway who appeared on a doorstep in France.
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Festive Sparkles From perfect party outfits to festive interior decorations, we have compiled our favourite ways to decorate both homes and bodies for a season of relaxation, celebration and looking to the year ahead.
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Discover the Norwegian Cottage Dream If you want to experience life like a true Norwegian, get a cottage. Nowhere else in the world do so many people invest in a leisure home, or a second home, as in Norway. The history and the cottage carpenters explain why.
SPECIAL THEMES
BUSINESS
The Best Interior Shops in Norway
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To Praise or Not to Praise… Another new business columnist joins us this month. Lani Bannach, specialist risk and decisionmaking analyst, explores why the link between appraisals and performance are not always as we would have hoped, and columnist Steve Flinders joins in to share his two cents on giving and receiving feedback.
Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide Culture vultures, historians and extreme sports fans will all find something to love in our Swedish Winter Wonderland special. Go skiing, head up north to learn all about Sami life, or discover the classical music festival that rocks.
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This month’s feature section is packed full of mustsee places – whether you are a food snob, a spa enthusiast or a festival fan. For the keen student with a love of sports, we found just the school as well.
While Nordic interior design is perhaps mostly associated with Denmark and its design icons, or possibly Sweden and Finland, we discovered a number of highly passionate design lovers and shop owners who make great interior design available in Norway.
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Danish Enterprises to Watch With its strategic location right where Scandinavia meets the continent, Denmark has become a mecca for emerging and established businesses alike. We went to experience some of that innovative, corporate buzz.
SPECIAL FEATURES 22 Historic Hotels and Wellness Wisdom
Swedish Schools Abroad Some might say that you should move to Scandinavia if you want quality education for your children. Others leave Sweden behind but benefit from a network of Swedish schools abroad, allowing kids to keep on top of both language skills and cultural awareness.
DESIGN 6
Norwegian Handmade Delights
Made in Norway This month’s spotlight on products made in Norway boasts artful scarves, knitted wool garments and sequined cushions. What is there not to love?
CULTURE 116 Swear Like a Swede In his second Scan Magazine column, Joakim Andersson teaches our readers to swear using numbers, while the culture calendar outlines what looks set to be a very exciting start to the year in terms of Scandinavian art and live music in London and beyond.
REGULARS & COLUMNS 6 We Love This | 8 Fashion Diary | 98 Hotel of the Month | 100 Wellness Profile of the Month 102 Holiday Profile of the Month | 104 Restaurants of the Month | 110 Attractions of the Month 113 Wellness Product of the Month | 114 Experience of the Month | 115 Humour
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 3
Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note
Dear Reader, What a year we have had here at Scan Magazine. Back in February we ran one of our biggest food specials yet, in April we published a big panNordic design celebration, in August we explored Norwegian culture to an extent previously unmatched, and our October architecture special was as mind-blowingly beautiful as always. We have had stars including Pilou Asbæk, Ulrich Thomsen and Kristofer Hivju on the cover and I will remain inspired by chats with Annika Sörenstam and Laleh for a very long time. With our December issue, we wrap up 2016 in style, sampling our favourite exports and aspects of the Nordic region. On the cover is Sweden’s ski queen, Charlotte Kalla, who could perhaps be described as a bit un-Swedish in that she is not scared to go her own way, against the tide. Such determination and stubbornness are perhaps what most of this issue’s interviewees have in common. From a chronically ill Norwegian woman who found solace and sanity in designing and selling handmade jewellery, to locals in a northern Swedish village who saved the school that was threatened with closure and went on to create a peaceful, authentic tourist destination in the wilderness – there is no shortage of focus and perseverance here. Equally, the headteachers of Swedish schools abroad,
determined to allow Swedish children abroad to stay in touch with their roots; the mayors and business leaders of towns and cities across Denmark, working hard to make their local communities thrive; and the independent shop owners in Norway, selling unique design items in one-of-a-kind environments – they are all visionaries going their own way. As 2016 draws to a close, we look forward to yet another year of championing the Scandinavian values of openness, innovation, community spirit and unfailing creativity. And I, personally, am looking forward to a little bit of a break. My first batch of homemade glögg is ready, that Christmassy scent of cinnamon, cloves and cardamom is spreading throughout the house, and even here – far from the snowy hills of my native Sweden – a wintery sky calls for a fire. We wish you a festive season of warmth and rest, and a very Scandinavian 2017.
Linnea Dunne, Editor
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Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This
We love this… The most wonderful time of the year is all about those special moments shared with loved ones – preferably in a warmly decorated and festive room. These Christmas-inspired designs will get every inch of your house in the holiday spirit so that your home is ready once the jingle bells start to ring. By Charlotte van Hek | Press photos
It would not be Christmas without at least a day of sofa lounging. This Moroso chair provides the perfect setting to get some of that well-deserved rest watching Christmas films, without losing its design allure. Moroso Sushi Karmakoma armchair, approx. £4,100 via www.selectedpieces.se
Were you put in charge of the Christmas dessert this year? You have nothing to fear as these fun pastry shapers will surely unleash the culinary genius in you. Your dinner mates get a delicious baking creation, and you get to have some fun in the kitchen: a total win-win. Pastry cutter, set of two, £1.95 Baking cup, pack of 200, £1.75 www.ikea.com
This wonderful Moose design print by Danish designer By Nord allows you to curl up Nordic style. A huge moose print along with the pillowcase tells the story of this beautiful animal – on one side in English and on the other in Danish. By Nord bed linen, £84 via www.storynorth.com
For over 100 years, Georg Jensen has represented Danish values: the simplicity of life, Nordic living, clean water and fresh air. Its well-known quality craftsmanship shines through especially in the famous Christmas decorations. Holiday ornaments, starting from £15 Vase, £127 www.georgjensen.com
6 | Issue 95 | December 2016
The days when Christmas-inspired design equalled golden or red shiny frills are long gone; using white and minimalistic ornaments will contribute to a feeling of peace and style. The Nobili range from Scandinavian designer Kähler will spread warmth throughout your home in an elegant way. Tealight holder round, from approx. £34 Tealight holder snow white, from approx. £35 Window ornament, approx. £34 www.kahlerdesign.com
A PASSION FOR FOOD SINCE 1940 The Assistent Original kitchen machine is handmade and individually controlled by Eva, Mats, Ann, Britt-Marie and the other co-workers in our factory in Ankarsrum, Sweden.
WWW.ASSISTENT-ORIGINAL.SE
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
Fashion Diary… The party season is about to kick in, and with that the constant dilemma of what to wear. When it comes to fashion, few occasions are as festive and fun as the holiday season: in December, overdressed does not exist and no amount of sparkle is too much. From cosy Christmas dinners to funky New Year’s Eve soirées – with these merry-making outfits you will be party ready. By Charlotte van Hek | Press photos
Gentlemen prefer bowties over neckties. The funkier cousin of the traditional tie will perfectly complete the outfit of every dapper gentleman on his way to the next special occasion. SELECTED HOMME bow tie, £25 www.selected.com
Whoever invented the idea of wearing tight and fancy clothing during a Christmas dinner must have never experienced a proper feast. When done with the formal wear, throw on this cosy knit that will allow you to expand as much as you want. Because Christmas also equals comfort. Acne Studios jumper, £390 www.acnestudios.com
If you think this is just another shirt-andtie combination, think again. This Cheap Monday shirt stands out thanks to the satin strap detail, while the black and white colour palette maintains the classic look. Shirt, £60 Trousers, £70 www.cheapmonday.com
8 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Heaven appears in many forms, and one of them is a pink velvet blazer from Tiger of Sweden. This doublebreasted beauty will surpass all expectations at every Christmas party. Just be prepared to be the centre of attention. Tiger of Sweden blazer, £449 www.tigerofsweden.com
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
If you still need an excuse to purchase a silver dress, we hereby give you one. Rock the night away in this beautiful frock that gorgeously combines class with an edgy style. And because December is expensive enough, this dress pleases your wallet too. Dress, £50 Boots, £140 ww.cheapmonday.com
Definitely not just for December! Easy to combine and wearable in every season, this trendy yet timeless top deserves a prominent spot in every fashionista’s wardrobe. Additional advantage: the non-traditional Christmas colours will surely make you stand out from all the black, white and red. SELECTED FEMME top, £35 www.selected.com
The golden colour of these trousers perfectly complements the loose-fitting, high-waisted model, creating an effortless look with just the right amount of glamour. Its drawstring waist allows you to secretly loosen your trousers while Christmas dinner proceeds. Gestuz trousers, approx. £120 www.gestuz.com
The perfect pair of high heels can transform any mediocre outfit into a big statement. We instantly fell head over heels for these party shoes from Tiger of Sweden. Perfect for dancing – but probably even more so for sitting and enjoying that post-feast cocktail. Tiger of Sweden shoes, £249 www.tigerofsweden.com
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 9
Scan Magazine | Design | Street Style
Nordic Humans of Dubai Scan Magazine’s brilliant Sanna Halmekoski hit the streets of Dubai to find out what the Scandinavian fashion fanatics are wearing. Cool, sleek and full of statements, this is a little piece of Scandiland in the Middle East. Text and photos by Sanna Halmekoski | www.nordichumans.com
Annuska Arponen Finnish pre-owned luxury goods expert
Halvar Ensrud Norwegian property consultant at Engel & Völkers Dubai
(Instagram @courierdeluxe) “I buy good-quality clothes and nothing at full retail price or new. My style is minimalistic, practical and a bit rock ‘n’ roll. I wear a lot of black. My shoes are by Chanel, the bag by Hermès, the bracelet by Hermès, jeans by Juicy Couture, the jacket by Dolce & Gabbana and the shirt by Alexander McQueen.”
(www.engelvoelkers.com) “I like to shop in Scandinavia as I can easily find the right sizes for me there. For work I wear a suit, and a tie is mandatory. My shoes are tailor-made in Shanghai with my name at the bottom. My bag is by Dolce & Gabbana and the tie is by Sacoor Brothers.” Halvar Ensrud
Annuska Arponen
Anna Nielsen Danish photographer
Anna Nielsen
10 | Issue 95 | December 2016
(www.anna-nielsen.com) “When I work in Dubai I wear formal clothes, long jeans, no bare shoulders, and leather shoes. My gold necklace I bought from Gold Souk, and it represents my name in Arabic. My jeans are by Topshop, shoes by Superga and sunglasses by Ray-Ban.”
20-year anniversary
Foto: Exclusive design
Hello! My name is Pål Ross! Since1996 I have created hundreds of quality, life-affirming living environments. My award-winning, unique designs have lived up to my goal, which is to deliver and exceed the wishes and expectations of my clients. Most recently, in another first, I have become the first Swedish architect to receive the right to eco-label (SVAN) my projects; yet another step in securing one of the best investments you will ever make! celebra This year Ross is celebrating 20 years in business, and I have the honor of inviting you to make this year's most important phone call. It is about your new home! Book your appointment today at +46 8 84 84 82 or ross@ross.se.
Welcome home!
Awarded Sweden's most beautiful villa of 2009 Awarded best newbuilding in Jämtland in 2010 Gold winner at European Property Award 2013 Svanen Nordic Ecolabelling Licence 2015
Scan Magazine | Design | byBaydesign
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Rugged and elegant charms With a charismatic mix of Mediterranean elegance and windswept Swedish coastline, byBaydesign’s handmade pieces of jewellery are loved by both men and women. By Malin Norman | Photos: byBaydesign
Talented designer Lena Bay is the founder of byBaydesign. Based in Hällsvik outside Gothenburg, she creates rustic yet gorgeous jewellery by hand. With carefully selected materials such as high-quality leather, silver, steel, crystals and gems, her contemporary collections of androgynous bracelets and necklaces speak to both men and women. Bay has a long-term affection for beautiful things, colours and shapes. With a background in spa therapy and acupuncture, she moved into jewellery design five years ago. “My passion has always been jewellery and I feel blessed to be able to work with what I love,” she explains. In addition to her collections of jewellery, Bay creates unique pieces of furniture and interior decoration in concrete and is also a gifted painter. 12 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Inspiration for this creative mind is a mix of the windswept Swedish coastline, where Bay has her home, and trips abroad, in particular to Spain. “I travel a lot and always browse shops and markets for new ideas. And I try to attend a design fair in Madrid every year,” she says. The admiration is mutual, as one of Spain’s biggest newspapers, La Vanguardia, has recently featured byBaydesign. In her designs, Bay flirts with the rugged coastal nature and a stylish Mediterranean lifestyle, which come together beautifully in tough yet elegant pieces. The byBaydesign collections are all made by hand, with details and charms handpicked from suppliers in Sweden, Spain and Portugal. No item is exactly the same, making them into delightful pieces of craft. The bestseller is the Infinity
collection, which was Bay’s first creation. It displays the infinity symbol on bracelets and necklaces and can also be seen in the byBaydesign logo. Other popular designs are Peace and Yin & Yang, and customers around the Mediterranean are especially fond of the turquoise bracelets. New this season is a bracelet made to raise awareness of World Diabetes Day. With ‘diabetes’ engraved on a silver plate, the idea is that the wearer will be able to get medical help quickly if needed. For every bracelet sold, byBaydesign donates 50 SEK to diabetes research. The byBaydesign collections of bracelets and necklaces are available in the online shop and at selected stores in Stockholm and Gothenburg. For more information, please visit: www.bybaydesign.com and follow @bybay_design on Instagram.
Scan Magazine | Design | Roos Interior
Flirting with Art Deco glamour New and upcoming Swedish brand Roos Interior combines luxury and timeless glamour with functionality for modern homes. Its homeware and interior decorations consist of handmade, classic designs with a touch of Art Deco and Palm Beach. By Malin Norman | Photos: Roos Interior
Set up in the spring of 2015 by Annika Lindberg, Roos Interior has grown quickly and now houses a design team in Sweden and production partners in India. With her vast experience in interior design and purchasing, Lindberg was keen to set up her own brand. “As a purchaser I could see that everyone was more or less offering the same products. I wanted to do something different, to offer customers unique pieces in our online shop.” Inspired by international travels and meetings with far-away cultures, Roos Interior’s core is in its classic design and flavours of Art Deco and Palm Beach glamour from the US. Unlike the typical Scandinavian style, Roos Interior adds a touch of flair and allure. “There is a thirst for something different in interior style. We offer an
alternative for those who want more luxury in their lives, if only in a small interior detail. Design can be much more than sleek designs; it can be fun and full of flavour.” Bestsellers so far are the trivets, some with decorative patterns and others with quotes. “This was our first product idea. They are both functional and pretty,” says Lindberg. Other popular items include doorknobs, napkin rings and lanterns. For those in desperate need of last-minute Christmas gift ideas, why not try the exclusive gift set of brass coasters that come in a range of different looks? Roos Interior will present its new designs at Formex in Stockholm on 18-21 January. Products are also available at selected retailers in Sweden and the online shop.
For more information, please visit: www.roosinterior.com and follow @roosinterior on Instagram.
OR I h ER WAY lT T a i IN OR ec T Sp N S E N I B E PS H T HO S e:
em
Persian rugs for modern Nordic homes Sense of Style has gone from importing and selling Persian rugs to becoming a reliable supplier of complete interior design solutions for Norwegian offices and homes. The underlying passion for quality rugs is far from gone, but the assortment now includes everything you need to make the traditional textiles merge with your own style. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Sense of Style
“I’ve always wanted to work with the whole package – both Persian rugs and the modern design elements surrounding them,” says Sense of Style owner Ramin Iranpour. In the beginning, however, that was not the case. “In 1997, I quit my job in sports to open the rug shop Persia Interiør. There wasn’t much information available for Norwegians at the time, but for me it was a hobby. I had fallen in love with the art, history and tradition and saw a business opportunity,” Iranpour explains. Since then, Persia Interiør has changed its name to Sense of Style and grown to meet Norway’s diverse customer demands. While most rug retailers focus solely on traditional textiles, Sense of Style offers European design furniture, 14 | Issue 95 | December 2016
sun blinds, lighting and – perhaps most importantly – consulting. “We visit homes and offices to find out which rug will suit your style and space. In people’s homes, we try to find something personal. Having a large selection of furniture is essential in that process. Offices, on the other hand, face stricter regulations, mixed uses and daily wear and tear. Lighting is super important no matter what,” argues Iranpour. His pure passion for rugs is still the very foundation of the business. He regularly travels to the Middle East, where thousands of unknowing Norwegians have been ripped off, on a quest for quality. “The end product should always have a story. I’ve found most of the rugs in Iran, but
some were bought in India, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. I love to pick them out myself,” he says. Sometimes it can be hard to let go and sell the treasures. “I’m like an addict. The antique and semi-antique rugs are especially hard to sell. They’re like artworks. My wife sometimes tells me to decide whether I’m a rug collector or salesman,” Iranpour says, laughing. DID YOU KNOW... … that Persian rugs are often divided into three categories? “City rugs are the most elegant, with a focus on design. Nomadic rugs are a bit rougher and tied according to tradition. They often have symbols from nature. Village rugs are somewhere in between the two,” explains Sense of Style owner Ramin Iranpour.
For more information, please visit: www.sofs.no. Also find and follow them on social media. Facebook: Sense Of Style - home & office. Instagram: @senseofstylenorway
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Interior Shops in Norway
Left: Silje Røskar Rosvold has spent years cultivating relationships with carefully selected interior design and clothing brands. Follow her shop BOHEMIA on Instagram: @bohemiashop. Photo: Marian Strand. Middle: BOHEMIA offers plenty of Scandinavian design made in high quality from natural materials. Vitrines from Lindeberg Design are examples of the shop’s timeless and classic selection. Photo: Lindebjerg Design. Top right: BOHEMIA is full of exclusive interior design surprises that pop out, like this piece of furniture from Danish design firm &Tradition. Photo: Marian Strand. Right: Shop owner Silje Røskar Rosvold personally recommends Aesop’s skin, hair and body care products. Photo: Marian Strand.
Brands and soul at BOHEMIA If your flight is heading for Stavanger Airport, you will be landing right next to an interior design pearl. At BOHEMIA, you will find exclusive interior and clothing brands in a welcoming and inspiring environment, so that you can keep it fun and surprising at home. By Eirik Elvevold
Interior design boutique BOHEMIA is the perfect place to stop by if you need a special gift this holiday. At Sola in Norway, a mere five-minute drive from Stavanger Airport, the staff has made the store ready for Christmas with freshly painted walls for the occasion. “The atmosphere in the shop is super cosy right now. There’s Christmas everywhere,” says owner Silje Røskar Rosvold. BOHEMIA is one of those shops that has kept their soul – despite now doing much of their business online. Regardless of the time of year, the smell of soap and scented candles invites people into a beautifully decorated and welcoming space where they can freely ask for advice and be sure to find a gift out of the ordinary.
“People love that we constantly change and stay up to date on trends. Coming here gives them a much-needed burst of inspiration in everyday life and often results in a special touch to their homes, which is important in creating identity,” says Rosvold. It is, of course, hard to highlight only one product from a vast collection of carefully selected interior and clothing brands, but Rosvold gives an example from the top of her head. “I recommend Aesop,” she says. “They have excellent skin, hair and body care products, which can be hard to come by. In general, we have many quite exclusive brands – even more than you will see online – but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have affordable things.”
Rosvold has one piece of advice for her customers: keep it fun and surprising. “The rules shouldn’t be too strict. Many people come here to ask for advice, and they are afraid of failing, but you can do whatever you want. You’ll get bored if you lock down to one style,” she says. Even though social media is, without a doubt, a fun and easy source of inspiration, the Norwegian shop owner thinks that people should leave their phones a bit more to look for inspiration – especially when they are out travelling. “Look around you in the bathroom of your hotel, restaurant or airport. What kind of surprising details can you see? Let those little things inspire you, like we do at BOHEMIA,” Rosvold concludes.
For more information, please visit: www.bohemia.no or follow @bohemiashop on Instagram.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 15
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Interior Shops in Norway
Photo: Louise Roe Copenhagen
Photo: Louise Roe Copenhagen
The beauty of getting inspired For the last five years, Vakkert’s mix of minimal Scandinavian and more extravagant European design has brought colour to Stavanger’s urban landscape. Shop owner Evely Oras thinks that every modern city must support its niche boutiques so that people will have places to stop by for inspiration, ask for personal advice and discover their own creative voice.
easier to understand their needs and tastes. A home is a very personal thing – that’s why we need these sorts of places,” says Oras.
By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Vakkert AS
The name Vakkert means ‘beautiful’ in Norwegian, which represents what you will find in the shop: no specific style – just beautiful things. Scandinavian design inspired by calm nature is often blended with more flamboyant items from the rest of Europe.
“Vakkert is often the end station for many customers. They know what they want, and Vakkert’s products stand out,” says owner Evely Oras. Five years ago, Oras opened Vakkert in the city of Stavanger on Norway’s west coast where she had always missed an interior design shop with the right details and service. Ever since, the focus has been on atmosphere 16 | Issue 95 | December 2016
and variety, making sure that everyone can find exactly what they need to feel at home. “Since the very beginning we’ve been selling certain brands that are hard to find. After working here for some years, I’ve gotten to know many of the customers personally. That has made it much
Scandinavian with a twist
“The Scandinavian style is simple and clean, with bright, light colours. Here in the north, many people seek that cosy,
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Interior Shops in Norway
sheltered feeling. The products from the south generally have stronger colours and more extravagant details. The differences often come down to details,” explains Oras. In Stavanger, which plays an important role in the Norwegian economy, the past year has been unusually tough. Thousands of people have lost their jobs in the off-shore industry due to falling oil prices. According to Oras, the tough times have made homes even more important for locals. “The need for a cosy, safe space has grown. People pop by Vakkert just to talk, brainstorm or take their time to look for a moment of inspiration. Many customers say it’s like a treasure chamber full of details,” she says.
Saving the niche shop Vakkert is a symbol of a vulnerable culture – the niche shops that are under threat in a rapidly expanding industry. Oras firmly believes that cities such as Stavanger need physical shops to keep urban spaces livable. “Without them, cities and countries lose a big part of their atmosphere and charisma. People shop online and buy things on their travels, but they also crave that personal connection and place of inspiration in everyday life,” Oras argues enthusiastically. “The feeling you get when you enter an exciting physical environment full of like-minded people – to solve problems and discuss challenges together. It’s a lifestyle for us working here. If we’re not travelling around visiting fairs and searching for new input, we are here in the shop, ready to help people find their own style,” she says. “Many people underestimate their own creativity, and it’s a pleasure to help them express themselves through design.”
For more information, please visit: www.vakkert-as.no
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 17
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Interior Shops in Norway
Unikko – welcoming a conscious lifestyle Some customers simply care a bit more than others. They make greater demands on quality, and they are hardly ever afraid to ask questions. In Trondheim, these customers have been swearing by Unikko for decades, as they are welcomed with open arms and often leave with outstanding Nordic design. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Synlig.no
In 1972, with minimalist Scandinavian design on the rise, Randi Voll opened the shop Unikko in Trondheim. Named after what later became Marimekko’s most iconic print, the shop was part of the extended Marimekko family at an early stage, giving Norwegians rare access to the popular Finnish design. Current owner and manager Wibeke Krohn remembers clearly what it felt like having Unikko in town. “As a young student in Trondheim, I went to Unikko to get my hands on a special tricot sweater,” Krohn recalls and laughs. “I also remember meeting the founder, Randi, who’s still going strong in the shop having turned 70.” To keep up with the times, Unikko has changed a lot since the 1970s. The selection, for instance, has moved far beyond Marimekko. The shop remains one of the 18 | Issue 95 | December 2016
very few Marimekko retailers in Norway but is now also home to other interior items, furniture, carpets and clothes from a variety of Nordic design brands, making it a colourful oasis for quality-minded Norwegians and tourists alike. “We have the privilege of helping very conscious and often highly educated customers from all around the world. Many of them are understandably concerned with the environment and over-consumption and ask us about sustainable design. In addition to Marimekko, I often recommend brands like Oleana, Bitte Kai Rand, Ritva Falla and Nygårdsanna,” explains Krohn, whose list does not stop there. “Rørostweed, Muuto, Woodnotes and Yager & May are other brands we sell.” Unikko’s overall goal is to always exceed the customer’s expectations; to offer something more than just quality design
– to offer an experience, the opportunity to think a bit more before you buy something. The chance to listen to someone with expertise tell the story behind a product – and the feeling of being welcomed when you are looking for advice and inspiration. “Customer service is truly everything to us. We’re adapting to the online market but never want to lose that special relationship with our customers and suppliers. By trying to create warm face-toface meetings, we assure ourselves that the customer will select the right products,” Krohn concludes.
For more information, please visit: www.unikko.no
“ARCHITECTURE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS ....”
WORKING I Office building, Silkeborg
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In our efforts to transform and reshape the city, we ensure that history is traceable in our built environment. Årstiderne Arkitekter dedicate ourselves to the fine Scandinavian tradition of detailing and workmanship – finding our inspiration in nature and light, context, materiality and people. >> EXPERIENCE OUR ARCHITECTURE AT AARSTIDERNE.DK
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Interior Shops in Norway
Left: Step inside, and return home with a purple pot. Top right: The happy lamp Bourgie, from Kartell. Right: Want something special? You know you have found it when you reach Den Blå Krukke.
Window into a world of quality The magical shop Den Blå Krukke in Verdal, Norway, offers a view into a beautiful world. While not claiming to have everything, it certainly boasts the best, gathering impressions and experiences that are shared with the guests who walk through the doors of the 200-year-old building.
wegian kitchen brand Figgjo, and coffee and brewing equipment from the Norwegian line Solberg & Hansen that has been here since 1878.
By Cathrine Løvaas | Photos: Den Blå Krukke
There is no online shop, but in addition to the classics there are also pieces that pick up on current tends – both expensive items and less expensive pieces. They will still last, just maybe not as long. They might be in the picture for a year, and then you go on – just as in life itself. We surround ourselves with changing styles, but the valuable pieces, the real treasures, go on. You will find them at Den Blå Krukke.
As you walk into the shop you are met with the scent of freshly ground coffee. This is not just a shop, but a state of mind: quality, design, and a peek into what the world of aesthetics has to offer. Christmas is Christmas, like in the old days, and summer is all about the garden. Altogether, it is all about colours – like the red and purple feast of winter, or the green and light pink of garden parties.
Books from Tricia Guild Kari Woll used to be a librarian. She was introduced to the books of Tricia Guild and entered the world of colours; no beige here to be found, simply life and energy. 20 | Issue 95 | December 2016
She went into a world of aesthetics. She picked pieces from Alessi, classic style and quality that survive the changing moods and trends. It has continued until this day with brands that have been here for decades, that are going to last. Woll is now accompanied by Bente Hjelde, who joined her eight years ago. Together they run the quirky shop where the house influences the shop and the shop influences the house.
A great collection Kitchenware, wallpaper, furniture – the place holds a great deal. It boasts fabrics, pillows and blankets from Designers Guild, famous Georg Jensen pieces, Nor-
For more information, please visit: www.blakrukke.no Follow them on Instagram: @denblakrukke Or search for Den blå krukke on Facebook.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Interior Shops in Norway
Timeless furniture design that lasts for generations Nestled in on a quiet street in Bergen, not far from the city’s theatre and buzzing town centre, you will find TiT Art & Design – a shop that is anything but your average furniture store. With a deep passion for design that defies trends and stands the test of time, this family-run business lives and breathes high-quality, timeless furniture.
designer, interior architect and interior consultant in-store.
By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen | Photos: Ane Bysheim
Celebrating 15 years this year, TiT Art & Design is one of few independent furniture shops in Bergen. With big furniture chains constantly popping up, TiT Art & Design takes a different approach. “For us the most important thing is to showcase and sell furniture that is timeless and rises above short-lived trends and fashion,” says co-owner Endre Dolata Gundersen. “We focus on high-quality products and materials that will live through generations. Every design in our shop is original and classic, demonstrating that it’s possible to find furniture you will love for the rest of your life.” When Dolata Gundersen’s mum, Tulla, opened the store in 2002 she had a clear vision: to sell designer furniture that had not
been represented in Bergen before – and to create a space furniture enthusiasts would be excited to visit. At TiT Art & Design you can find products from leading Norwegian and international designers, and walk amongst furniture icons from the past 100 years – from the 1920s tubular steel furniture and the daring shapes in plastic from the ‘50s and ‘60s, to today’s funky designs. “We are proud to sell originals only, meaning that every piece is made by the producer the architect or designer worked with under the development of the piece,” Dolata Gundersen says. Striving to give customers a complete service, TiT Art & Design also offers interior consulting, and has an experienced interior
Tips for avoiding the typical
For more information, please visit: www.titnett.no
By Eirik Elvevold
Tips Shop in Trondheim has become one of Norway’s hottest shops for interior design. Often leading the way with brand new and classic items from Scandinavia and beyond, Tips Shop guides both young and old towards their personal style. Tips Shop’s staff is constantly hunting for new interior design treasures both in Norway and abroad. They are simply hooked on furniture, ornaments and stylish knickknacks – and often go to great lengths to stay ahead on the latest trends. “We travel off the beaten track to get our hands on cool and rare things first. The trade fair 100% Design in London, for example, is a huge inspiration for us,” says shop owner Susanne Jenssen. That makes Tips Shop an exciting and different interior design store, filled with a mix of brands from all over the world. “We have products in all price ranges, so everyone will fall in love with something. There’s a lot of stylish Scandinavian design, of course, including our own line, but more playful, artistic design is also very trendy right now. One popular example is a
handcrafted sculpture called The Visitor by Belgian artist Guido Deleu,” says Jenssen. The enthusiastic store owner has one essential tip for readers. “Follow your gut feeling. There has been so much copying, especially since Instagram became big, that you can no longer see the difference between many homes. We help you discover your own style, but you have to stay true to it. The same thinking goes for Tips Shop. I only buy things for the store that I like myself,” she concludes. For more information, please visit: www.tipsshop.no or follow @tipsshopno on Instagram Top right: Tips Shop in Trondheim has plenty of minimal Scandinavian design, but also more playful elements from across the globe. Photo: Piece of Denmark. Bottom right: The Visitor by Belgian artist Guido Deleu is among the most popular items right now. Photo: Gardeco
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 21
Scan Magazine | Hotel Profile | Gamlebyen Hotell AS
Waking up inside Nordic history at Gamlebyen Hotell At the charming Gamlebyen Hotell, you can wake up right in the middle of the old town of Fredrikstad. The fortified town, which was founded almost 500 years ago during intense Scandinavian infighting, is today the region’s best preserved of its kind and still packed with culture and life – especially on the weekends. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Gamlebyen Hotell
During the Nordic Seven Years’ War, fought between 1563 and 1570, the Kingdom of Sweden clashed with a coalition consisting of Denmark and Norway, Lübeck and Poland. The brutal conflict sparked the creation of the city of Fredrikstad in 1567, named after the Danish king Frederik II, on the eastern banks of Norway’s largest river Glomma. In the centuries following the war, Fredrikstad grew to become Norway’s first renaissance city. Today, the old town, or ‘Gamlebyen’ as it is called in Norwegian, is the best-preserved fortified town in the Nordic region and among the most-visited tourist attractions in Norway. This year, Gamlebyen became even more famous nationally by playing the backdrop to the second season of the Norwegian reality show ANNO, where contestants travel back in time to compete against each other. 22 | Issue 95 | December 2016
“Right in the middle of it, you’ll find Gamlebyen Hotell. It’s a charming little hotel with 16 completely different rooms – ten double rooms, five single rooms and one apartment with a kitchen – which have all been recently refurbished in historic style,” says Gamlebyen Hotell’s daily manager, Marianne Hansen.
modern Fredrikstad, so you can go back and forth with ease,” Hansen explains. This combination makes Gamlebyen Hotell an ideal place for companies, wedding guests and other groups seeking an intimate stay that is one of a kind. “To wake up in the morning or finish a business meeting and stroll across the road, surrounded by almost half a millennium of history, to have breakfast at our trusted restaurant Majoren – it’s a very special atmosphere. It’s hard to explain. I think it must be experienced,” concludes Hansen.
The Norwegian hotel is located in the middle of a cultural hub. Gamlebyen offers proximity to cafés and restaurants, guided tours, a golf course, galleries, museums and shops. In December every year, a series of Christmas fairs will turn a visit into an unforgettable Norwegian holiday experience. “Everything is on your doorstep. On the weekends, the place is full of energy. On working days, however, it’s nice and calm. People like both. And the government offers free ferry transport to the
For more information, please visit: www.gamlebyenhotell.no
Scan Magazine | Festival Profile | All Ears
All ears for improvised music
Harsh noise artist Tralphaz from San Francisco.
In January, one of Scandinavia’s most celebrated festivals for improvised music will open its doors for the 16th time. All Ears has grown steadily since its inception in 2002, and today the festival draws performers – and visitors – from all corners of the world. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen | Photo: Courtesy of Tralphaz
Taking place on 12-15 January at several locations in Oslo, All Ears is a non-profit festival by music enthusiasts for music enthusiasts. Born out of Norwegian drummer Paal Nilssen-Love’s passion for improvised music, the festival runs with the goal of conveying innovative and vital music from known and unknown artists, from both Scandinavia and the rest of the world. “What is so special about All Ears is that it is exclusively run by musicians, who constantly have a finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the genre,” explains festival organiser Guro Moe. “The nature of improvised music, with its energy and presence, has a unique ability to bring the audience extremely close to the music and the musi-
cians. We wish to present improvised music in all its forms and offer a festival that is solely structured on musical terms.” Over four days, festival goers can listen to some of the most influential artists in improvised music, take part in workshops and engage in conversations with performers. A performance not to miss is Jealousy Party, an explosive, abstract RnB duo from Italy, blending noise and improvisation with funk, Avant rock, dub and electronic – a fusion they have named Punca. Worth mentioning is also the highprofile Swedish-Israeli saxophonist, composer, artist and peace activist Dror Feiler, who will hold a workshop centred around today’s political landscape.
All Ears will take place at some of the Norwegian capital’s most iconic stages, including BLÅ, Nasjonal Jazzscene, Henie Onstad Art Center and Cinemateket Oslo. ALL EARS 2016 LINE-UP: Muddersten, Psykisk Tortur, Jon Balke, Small Ears, Jealousy Party, JD Zazie, Tralphaz, Billy Roisz, Sofia Jernberg, Mariachi (Nina Garcia), Paal Nilssen-Love, Joel Grip, Sven-Åke Johansson, Black Spirituals, Leila Bordreuil, Dror Feiler, Utku Tavil, DJ Greg Pope, Gaëlle Rouard
For more information, please visit: www.all-ears.no
Trøndelag Teater gives Røst Teaterbistro a dramatic atmosphere, but a young, relaxed and genuine team balances the vibe.
Røst Teaterbistro – a hard act to follow Inside the 200-year-old Trøndelag Teater in Trondheim, a dedicated team of young Scandinavian chefs have brought heartfelt service to new heights at Røst Teaterbistro. Their authentic and unpretentious food, inspired by Norwegian mountains and fjords, set the stage for a great evening at the theatre – with or without a ticket for the show. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Ole Ekker
Winter has arrived in Norway, but Røst Teaterbistro’s head chef Mette Beate Evensen is well prepared. Together with her team, Evensen has spent countless hours in the forest during the summer to stock up on Norwegian ingredients for Røst’s diverse menu. “We have around 250 jars of pickled and fermented vegetables, mushrooms and berries. The Norwegian season only lasts for six months, 24 | Issue 95 | December 2016
so we have to preserve everything we can gather, pick and grow before it’s too late,” she says. The young chef has – to the delight of many locals – returned to Trondheim with years of experience from some of Norway’s finest restaurants. With the opening of Røst Teaterbistro, the city’s growing food scene has received a much-needed
professional boost from within Trøndelag Teater. “It’s evident that Røst is part of a dignified theatre. We even have a small stage for some of the pickle jars. The combination of white tablecloths, red velvet chairs, a large fountain and a high ceiling creates quite a dramatic atmosphere, but Røst is meant to be a down-toearth restaurant where guests can relax and be themselves,” Evensen promises.
Fine dining with low brows Theatre goers and dinner guests alike can choose between a three-course and a five-course menu – or embrace what Røst calls ‘the whole experience’. Regardless of the size and length of the
Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Røst Teaterbistro
meal, everyone will be served dishes inspired by fjords and mountains – or ‘fjord’ and ‘fjell’, as they say in Norwegian. “Real, honest food. That’s what we love, and that’s what we have on the menu. We try to give all the ingredients the respect and love they deserve, while avoiding any signs of high brows in the restaurant. Eating horse tartar in a crêpe with your hands is often a good ice breaker,” says Evensen and laughs. Since Røst’s staff takes the best from every season, the exact menu will remain a surprise but it will always include locally sourced Norwegian ingredients. Imagine, for instance, having halibut with Nordic style kimchi followed by a pasta with pickled pumpkin and wild black grouse prepared with blood sausage and heart before the theatre show has even begun. “You’ll find traces of this summer’s harvest in all our courses. Pickled
cucumber, for example, goes great together with the horse tartar. Norwegian game, like deer or grouse, is often best with mushrooms, fermented carrots and classic Scandinavian lingonberry jelly,” says the head chef.
Warm service and curious questions A quick online search reveals how Evensen and her young team have impressed the people of Trondheim. Not only is their food considered to be impressive, many guests also highlight their personal and genuine service as something out of the ordinary. “Customer service doesn’t have to be so complicated – especially if you love what you do. We have a fantastic team of young chefs who serve their own food at the tables and enjoy talking to people. Together with our cool and knowledgeable sommelier, Ida, they know how to explain the processes while keeping the guests in a good mood,” Evensen boasts.
Pasta with pickled pumpkin, puffed pumpkin seeds and mussel butter sauce.
Pan-fried sourdough bread with fermented potato, seed and malt, sour cream, chives and roe from lumpfish.
Sous-chef Martin Hovdal is another centrepiece of the puzzle. He is Evensen’s trusted confidante both at home and in the kitchen. “I have complete trust in Martin. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re quite good at communicating and learning from each other. Røst simply wouldn’t be the same without him,” admits Evensen, who remembers well when they met as apprentices at Britannia Hotel in Trondheim. “Back then, I wouldn’t imagine that I would be running my own restaurant with Martin here in Trondheim at this age. Now we suddenly have our own apprentices, who keep us on our toes with curious and funny questions. I would probably be bored without them, as I’m way too young to stop learning,” says Evensen. For more information, please visit: www.rostbistro.no
Røst Teaterbistro is headed up by head chef Mette Beate Evensen, sous chef Martin Hovdal and sommelier Ida Von Stoltz.
Horse tartar on crêpe, whitefish roe, estragon, horseradish and sour cucumber.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 25
Scan Magazine | Education Feature | Efterskoleforeningen
Enlightenment for life The ‘efterskole’ is a unique Danish independent and residential school for young people between 14 and 18 years of age. Currently, more than 27,000 students attend one of the approximately 245 schools spread across Denmark and the schools are open to students from abroad.
democratic citizenship. The efterskole has something to offer educationally as well as socially, because the students live together.
By Efterskoleforeningen | Photos: Faaborgegnens Efterskole
It can perhaps be said that the teachers who work at an efterskole are not entirely ordinary. They are prepared to involve aspects of themselves other than the professional, so that the pupils have a positive relationship with the teachers. The teacher is responsible for both teaching and supervision outside of school hours. This means that teachers and students are together all day from the time the students wake up until they go to bed. This often engenders a close, personal and non-formal relationship between students and teachers – something Grundtvig himself would most certainly approve of.
Historically and culturally, the efterskole is related to the Danish free school movement and is often regarded as a junior form of the Danish folkehøjskole (folk high school). It is closely related to the educational ideas of N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872), who wanted schools to provide enlightenment for life rather than formal vocational training. The first few efterskoler were founded about 150 years ago and, especially within the last 25 years, the number of students has increased considerably. Most efterskoler offer the same subjects and final examinations as state schools, but many focus on special subjects such as physical education, music or theatre, 26 | Issue 95 | December 2016
or offer various kinds of special education. Compared to a regular state school, the efterskole has substantial freedom in terms of, for example, the choice of subjects, the teaching methods and the educational approach. These vary in accordance with the school’s political, religious and pedagogical orientation. The freedom of the efterskole is assured by substantial state subsidies to both schools and students. Each efterskole is a self-governing independent institution, and they all deal with both the educational and personal development of the students. They embrace a common educational focus on enlightenment for life, general education and
For more information, please visit: www.efterskole.dk/english
Scan Magazine | Education Profile | Hellebjerg Idrætsefterskole
Learning about sport and life Hellebjerg Idrætsefterskole is a sports school with a Christian profile where focus is on character building in all students. Rather than focusing purely on an academic curriculum, the school targets all learning content around competencies.
scene creating new challenges, and students are encouraged to work closely with their sports mentors to contribute to the learning content.”
By Susan Hansen | Photos: Hellebjerg Idrætsefterskole
Character building also plays a part, and principal Sten Muff explains how: “It is about the students and their understanding of the world, their morals and selfperception. It is important that they develop to become complete individuals with inner discipline, resourcefulness and selfcontrol. We want them to become robust.” This is a useful quality for dealing with the challenges students are presented with in learning as well as in life outside of school. “We are interested in the idea of the larger community. It is about being with others and creating something together,” says Muff. Team sports are ideal for achieving such things and this is exactly what Hellebjerg offers in great abundance. Every year, 186
students are accepted and commence a new phase of their learning lives at Hellebjerg’s state-of-the-art sports facilities. Each line of study is designed to give the best experience tailored to the four disciplines offered, including football, handball, golf, and adventure and fitness. The latter entails a range of outdoor sports activities such as climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. The multi-disciplinary sports are ideal for students seeking a range of challenges, according to Muff. “It is about the entire fitness culture, where students are invited to participate. It is very popular and great for getting away on trips, domestically or abroad,” he says. “It is based on a constantly changing outdoor
Ambitions are high and each discipline is taught and mentored by some of the best teachers in the sector. Muff explains that great consideration is given to every aspect of school life and learning, with excellent facilities for sports practice and student accommodation consisting of contemporary, custom-built architectural studios in Juelsminde. “We believe in the importantance of integrating aesthetics and making it part of the everyday, and our facilities work well with the natural surroundings,” says Muff. “Beauty and aesthetics are positive influences as they make people feel good, and this can make a real difference.” For more information, please visit: www.hellebjerg.dk
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 27
Scan Magazine | Wellness Profile | Raunsborg ApS
Skin products for modern witches and wizards Picking the right skin care product can sometimes seem like a daunting task, especially when you are faced with thousands of products all claiming to rejuvenate, revitalise and repair your skin. Raunsborg has chosen to simplify skin care with a few excellent products that go back to basics. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Raunsborg ApS
“I worked in the fashion industry for 20 years, and getting someone ready for a shoot was always such a hassle with all the lotions and creams. The process was unnecessarily complicated and I wanted to do something about it,” says Jim Lyngvild, founder and co-owner of Raunsborg. 28 | Issue 95 | December 2016
A book from 1648 and technology The first thing Lyngvild did was buy Flora Danica, a book written in 1648. Flora Danica is an encyclopaedia of Danish flora and fauna, describing their healing and medicinal powers. “I always bring my Nordic cultural heritage to any project I
do, and this book provided the perfect foundation for the products,” he says. “The book is fantastic and is based on the knowledge that so-called witches had of their natural environment. It even mentions that you shouldn’t inhale the smoke from the tobacco plants. I wanted to use this ‘witchcraft’ in my products and go back to basics.” To create the products, Lyngvild entered into a partnership with Plum A/S, a company with over 45 years’ experience of creating skin care products. Lyngvild and
Scan Magazine | Wellness Profile | Raunsborg ApS
Plum brought the newest technologies and ancient wisdom together in 2011 to form Raunsborg, a completely unique company within the skin care market.
Creating products that really work Raunsborg does not bring out new products every season. Every product takes over two years to create and test before it is put on the market. “We start by thinking about the effect we want the product to have, then we look in Flora Danica to find the ingredients, and then we get started,” Lyngvild explains. “I think it was the 67th try on our shampoo that was the successful one,” he says. “It’s a hard process, but we never let a product hit the market without scoring at least four out of five in a consumer test of 100 women.” Lyngvild’s passion for his products is infectious, and he has recently spent weeks creating perfumes based on the smell of the Vikings by extracting the smells from a Viking necklace, as well as a perfume for men that reflects the smell of sailing in a Viking ship. “That perfume is 100 per cent me!” he says. “It has an amazing smell of leather, wood and tar.”
The three ranges Today Raunsborg has three ranges: WOMAN, MAN and SENSITIVE. Each
range includes products that are affordable, easy to use and effective. The women’s range is perfect for everyday use to protect the skin, while the men’s range considers the slightly thicker skin men have and the irritation that shaving can cause. The sensitive range is without perfume, so that even the most sensitive skin can be moisturised. “We’re not trying to create products that are fashionable; we’re trying to create real products for real people,” says Lyngvild. That strategy has been successful and currently a Raunsborg hand cream is sold every three minutes in Denmark. The same hand cream has won every prize possible and is even recommended by nurses, whose hands are constantly being used and abused. “The hand cream has become our signature product, but all our products are of the same calibre.”
Word of mouth Scrolling through Raunsborg’s Facebook page, there is a distinct sense that people swear by their products. The praise is extremely high, with people finally getting their psoriasis or eczema under control, or simply enjoying the fact that they only need one or two products rather than ten. “People really do enjoy the products and happily recommend them, and those rec-
ommendations have been the foundation of our success. People get good value for money, and I think they enjoy the fact that it’s a product that works and is created with them in mind, rather than profit.”
Transparency and love Raunsborg really focuses on its customers. There are no gimmicks; instead there is established knowledge, an extremely passionate man and an experienced company full of perfectionists. It is a trustworthy company that produces honest and transparent products, and every ingredient of every product can be found on their website. “It’s important to remember that beauty comes from within. The skin is a canvas, and we’re just trying to keep that canvas moisturised and looking good in the easiest way possible. It’s about using the best of nature, combined with modern technology, to create useful products for the modern man, woman and child,” concludes Lyngvild. Raunsborg products are available at numerous Danish retailers, as well as on their own website.
To see the full range, please visit: www.raunsborg.dk
Owner Jim Lyngvild.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 29
Scan Magazine | Wellness Profile | Helsinki Day Spa
An oasis of beauty in the middle of the city Founded in 2005, Helsinki Day Spa is one of the largest day spas in Finland and the country’s first urban spa. The relaxing setting, along with many beauty treatments, allows guests to nourish their mind, body and soul and leave their daily grind behind. By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Helsinki Day Spa
“The idea of the city spa is to bring a moment of peace and calm into customers’ busy daily lives. Our mission is to bring wellbeing to the mind and body,” says Toomas Uibu, managing director of Helsinki Day Spa. “It is important that customers are able to relax and leave their everyday stresses behind.” The spa lounge’s impressive-looking historical architecture, protected by Finland’s National Board of Antiquities, makes for a unique relaxation spot and the perfect setting for guests to calm their mind while enjoying a cup of tea. Helsinki Day Spa employs over 20 wellness professionals, including trained aestheticians and professional massage therapists providing a wide range of facial and body treatments. The spa combines 30 | Issue 95 | December 2016
modern, effective and safe skin therapies with pampering and relaxation. “As part of the Finnair loyalty programme, clients have the possibility of using their Finnair Plus points to enjoy the treatments,” Uibu says. Helsinki Day Spa works in partnership with Ihoakatemia, the leading clinic of aesthetic dermatology in Finland. “Collaborating with Ihoakatemia allows us to achieve great long-term results when working with customers with various needs and skin conditions, and we always work closely with dermatologists. The latest trend for us is not to run a medical spa but to schedule a comprehensive beauty programme, including some annual effective medical treatments performed in the medical facility, and separate regular
maintenance mesotherapy, IPL-light and peeling treatments in the spa,” says Uibu. “Our strength is in our exceptional expertise in skin care. Our highly qualified professional massage therapists and aestheticians are able to advise on the best treatments for each customer. Coupled with the spa’s luxurious setting, the experience is perfect for busy clients who would like to step away from the city’s bustle – we take them beyond the daily grind and warmly welcome all visitors!” Uibu concludes.
For more information, please visit: www.dayspa.fi or call +358-9-685 0630
CRAFTED IN SWEDEN SOLD IN ENGLAND
OUR BEST SELLING BEER IS A CRAFT LAGER THAT LIVES UP TO ITS NAME, WHICH MEANS “GOOD LAGER”, IN SWEDISH. THATS WHAT YOU GET WITH THIS DEVINE UNPASTUERISED BEER. A SMOOTH TASTING DORTMUNDER LAGER WITH MALTY BISCUITY CHARACTER, AND RESTRAINED CITRUS NOTES IN THE BACKGROUND WITH A LIGHT BITTERSWEET FINISH.
W W W. N I L S O S C A R . S E
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Charlotte Kalla
Charlotte Kalla Sweden’s queen of skis In 2015, she became the first Swedish woman to win individual goals in both the Olympic Games and the World Cup. As she gears up for yet another season in the cross-country skiing tracks, Scan Magazine speaks to Charlotte Kalla, 29, about integrity, learning to trust herself and the madness of winning Tour de Ski. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Nils Jakobsson
“Charlotte Kalla leaves the national team”, the Swedish sports headlines declared in April this year. The reports read like obituaries; it was as if the country was in shock, maybe even in mourning. Then the commentary began: was it really the right decision? Was it fair on her team? Worse: could it be the worst decision she had ever made? “It takes a lot of work and effort not to take people’s opinions personally, but it was important for me to be able to stand for what I was doing,” says the Swedish skier. “Of course it was hard to say no to spending all that time with the other girls in the team, who I got on with so well; it makes for a very special bond when you travel and spend so much time together. But I wanted to make sure that I’d tried everything, didn’t want to have to wonder how it would have been. I felt ready.” It seems Kalla knew her own mind from an early age. Her grandad brought her to her first ever ski training and she says she knew fairly quickly that skiing was her thing. “It was all very exciting in the beginning, having this world that was all my own, which my mum and dad didn’t know. It was my grandad who got to help me wax the skis and I remember really liking that thing of not having to rush anything, always being patient,” she recalls. “I think I was fairly driven from the get-go, but it was when I was around nine that I really knew. I started playing bas32 | Issue 93 95 | October December 2016 2016
ketball because all my friends did, but I knew there and then that I was going to be a skier – that was serious.”
Writing skiing history Indeed it was. Kalla made her World Cup debut in 2007 in Sapporo, Japan, aged 19, after competing internationally at a junior level. She finished as best Swede in the skiathlon in seventh place, and went on to grab fifth place in the ten-kilometre individual. The following year, she wrote skiing history during the final phase of Tour de Ski. 54.4 seconds behind Finnish Virpi Kuitunen at the bottom of a long, steep uphill finish, she started catching up slowly but surely. Live commentator and Swedish former skiing legend Gunde Svan could not contain his excitement as Kalla took the lead with less than a kilometre to go and outclassed her rival, winning Tour de Ski. “Nothing will ever seem as crazy as that,” she laughs. “I really surprised myself in the competition, but nothing could have prepared me for what followed. I remember the moment I arrived back at Arlanda after the tour. There were photographers, press everywhere – it was chaos.” She returned a hero, and that year she won the prestigious Jerringpriset, a prize awarded by popular vote for the best sports accomplishment every year, in addition to being nominated for Bragdguldet, a similar accolade awarded by the national newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Charlotte Kalla
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 33
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Charlotte Kalla
34 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Charlotte Kalla
In 2010, Kalla took her first Olympic gold, at her debut in the winter games, in the women’s ten-kilometre individual in Vancouver with a time of 24:58.4. During the same games, she also won a silver medal along with Anna Haag in the team sprint. At Idrottsgalan (Swedish Sports Awards) 2011, she took home the title of Female Athlete of the Year 2011, and at the Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014, she won two silver medals and made up a 25.7-second lag in the women’s relay to bring home the gold. When she won the gold medal in the ten-kilometre individual in the Falun World Cup the following year, she became the first Swedish woman to take individual goals in both the Olympics and the World Cup.
‘I want people to like me’ “Success early on in your career forces you to ask yourself questions and make decisions about how you want to prioritise – you learn a lot about yourself early on,” says Kalla. “But there’s a bit of pressure that comes with it as well, that I want people to like me and think I’m good and a nice person who shows up and all that – and then it’s easier to say yes, like with everything in society. So I think sometimes I’ve said yes to things that perhaps I didn’t really have time for, at times at the expense of my wellbeing.” She talks about Jerringpriset as the finest prize around for sports men and women, but insists that it was more of an opportunity to look back than something she aspired to in advance. “You don’t go to a pre-season training session thinking ‘this year I’m going to do something to make sure I’m shortlisted for the award’, you know. It’s more like a bonus. But it also allows you, after the fuss and madness of it all, to look in retrospect at the events and what it meant. The award ceremony is at the end of the year so you’re remembering this thing that happened ten months ago as you’re knee-deep in preparations for the next season. With sports, you’re never quite happy, you’re always just looking at the next thing – so it’s a nice chance to pause and reflect.” Loved by the Swedish people not just for her success in the skiing trails but also
for her sincere, relatable personality, she comes across as quite a comfortably public person, but she denies wearing her heart on her sleeve at all times. “I did write a few reasonably long diary-style posts a while back but I’m generally a bit torn when it comes to social media and how much to share. It’s important for me to be honest and genuine, and when you’re wrapped up in the moment of the competition it’s very hard to hide your feelings – when you’re being interviewed minutes after crossing the finishing line. But I’ve become more mindful of my integrity in recent years,” she says. “At the same time what I do is covered in a very different way now than it was when I was 20. I’m asked more critical questions now and interviews are more likely to touch on stuff like doping – and that’s not what you want to talk about, you want to talk sport. Anyway, I’ve got a rule not to do at-home-with features, but I actually don’t really know where to draw the line between personal and private. I think it can vary from day to day.”
Feeling strong Seven months since her controversial decision was announced, Kalla has no doubt that it has been a good thing. “It’s been amazing, it really has – I’m so full of energy after going away training with my coaches, doing what I believe in,” she says. At the same time, she adds, continuously reminding herself that other people’s opinions are not truths can be tiring. “Things that aren’t problems to me become problems because people say so. You have to be really patient to keep pushing away those thoughts and learn to really listen to yourself. You end up asking yourself why you’re doing this – for yourself or for others. It can be quite an inconvenient question sometimes.” After missing the season premiere and World Cup selection at Bruksvallarna last month due to illness, she now has her mind set on the Lahti World Cup, which will kick off at the end of February. “The tests show that I’m in good shape, and it feels good to look back at my fifth year and feel happy with it, to know that I’ve done great training,” she says calmly. “I feel strong.” Issue 95 | December 2016 | 35
SH ND I ED RLA lT a i W E ec S Sp G ND I B O E R W ID U O TER GU IN W e:
m he
Photo: Henrik Trygg
A winter wonderland of sports, culture and cosiness Go north or south, to a city or the wilderness. Sweden boasts cold, stunning winters and knows how to make the most of them. Here is our guide to the best things to do and most amazing places to see during your next winter trip to Sweden. Photos: imagebank.sweden.se
Sweden is exceptionally beautiful in winter. Woods appear to be covered in mini crystals as the sunshine breaks through the branches of snow-covered trees, and fields get a soft, thick, powdery white duvet. Add cosy cafés with candles aplenty and beautiful lighting in every window, and you will see why a visit to Sweden in the winter can be not just different but incredibly soothing for the soul. But the Swedish winter is about more than first meets the eye. The week-long mid-term school break in February is not called ‘sports break’ for nothing. Whether you are looking for a traditional skiing holiday or hoping for something a bit more unusual, you will find it in Sweden: 36 | Issue 95 | December 2016
think ice fishing, dog sledding and some of the most advanced and comfortable ski resorts around. Go north and add some fascinating history and culture to your winter adventure. Perhaps you have always been curious of the Sami lifestyle or want to learn more about reindeer husbandry? Did you know that Sweden also boasts an entire mining town that is in the process of being moved? From gorgeous culinary traditions to interesting stories, the people up north will show you a winter holiday with a difference. Whether you opt for traditional hotel accommodation, a self-catering cottage or
something as odd as an eco-certified tree house, one thing is certain: in Sweden you can expect the highest standard in every sense – from design and comfort to environmental consciousness. Add people who might seem reserved at first but will look after you as if you were family, and your next Swedish holiday may well be the most amazing winter wonderland experience you will ever have. Photo: Lola Akinmade Åkerström
For more information, please visit: www.visitsweden.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
Karin Lekteus, flute, Víkingur Ólafsson, piano, and Jan-Erik Gustafsson, cello. Älvdalen Church, 2016. Photo: Martin Litens
Dalasinfoniettan and conductor Daniel Blendulf from the 2016 opening concert in Mora Church. Photo: Martin Litens
Forbidden Music at Vinterfest 2017, with artistic director Víkingur Ólafsson. Photo: Ryan Garrison
Forbidden music at a winter festival With first-class musical performances in the middle of Dalarna’s stunning countryside, this year’s Vinterfest presents a creative platform to explore the dynamics of music, politics and power. By Malin Norman
The international chamber music festival Vinterfest takes place 16-19 February in Mora, Orsa and Älvdalen. Born from a collaboration with Music in Dalarna and local cultural administrations, and hosted by the orchestra Dalasinfoniettan, it has been described by BBC Magazine as “one of Europe’s most enjoyable festivals” and praised by The Times as “a classical music festival that rocks”. Iceland’s rising star pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is artistic director and explains this year’s theme, Forbidden Music, which is a tribute to freedom of expression. “The idea of forbidden music has grown with me for a few years, as we have seen politics go into the extreme with nationalistic tendencies both left and right. Freedom of democracy and expression should not to be taken for granted, and I
wanted the festival to examine the theme of music as a political tool.” For over ten years, the festival has continued to provide inspiration through its innovative performances and intimate atmosphere. Ólafsson first played at the festival in 2011 and is now artistic director for the second year, again challenging the music scene with his creative visions. “Classical seems to imply something ancient, but music does not exist only in the past,” he says. “If you play a piece by Bach today with your own convictions, it’s completely new and fresh.” Visitors can expect a festival that is different from any other, set in a stunning winter landscape and with world-class musicians coming together for a few days to create magic. Concerts range
from Fanny or Felix, a tribute to the musical genius of women who fought for the right to make music, to Diabolus in Musica which celebrates the expressive powers of religion and the devil in music. Other highlights include the bittersweet pleasures of Forbidden Love and Forbidden Tango, and Triptyk Relay Concert x 3 with the controversial Swingjugend in Hitler’s Germany. Ólafsson recommends the opening concert Tabula Rasa with a mix of music, politics and power from Mozart’s struggle with the aristocracy of his time to Arvo Pärt’s eight-year self-imposed silence in the Soviet Union. “All our performances are very interesting with different aspects on the same theme, told through a number of stories,” says Ólafsson. “Come to the opening show to see how great it is, and you will want to see all the rest!”
For more information, please visit: www.vinterfest.se
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 37
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
Photo: Patrick Trägårdh
A village worth fighting for That two electricians, a farmer, a journalist, a career advisor and a blacksmith would go on to create a nature experience destination with an award-winning restaurant, treehouse-style birds’ nests and an eco-hotel might sound unlikely. But that is exactly what happened in the case of Granö Beckasin. By Linnea Dunne
“Jan-Erik Sjöblom was an old man who lived in a tiny little house down by the river and had dedicated his entire life to the conservation of birds and animals. He didn’t like killing animals, but he went rummaging through the woods to find dead animals and people would bring him birds that had flown into windows and so on,” says Annika Rydman. “He had a big swan in the kitchen and the basement was chock-a-block with animals. His favourite was the snipe (‘beckasin’) – so that’s where our name comes from.” The story behind Granö Beckasin is nothing short of extraordinary. It started 38 | Issue 95 | December 2016
with the threatened closure of the village school in Granö, a northern village of about 350 inhabitants and a beautiful setting right by the river with a backdrop of mountains and farmland. “This was happening all over Sweden at the time, but we realised that if the school closed down the whole village would die,” Rydman says. So the locals decided to take action. They developed a proposal for how to save the school, invited local politicians round for coffee and buns, and their mission was successful.
A lifestyle close to nature The event gave the locals a taste for citizenship action, and they set out on a mis-
sion to preserve the village life they all cherished. “It was about a lifestyle – living close to nature, never having to lock your door. And that’s when we thought of tourism,” Rydman explains. Inspired by the late Sjöblom and his decision to donate his entire collection of stuffed birds and animals to the municipality, the group decided to make Granö into a destination with a bird museum at its heart. Rydman, who worked as a journalist at the time, had an office in the nearby city of Umeå that she happened to be sharing with an architect. He developed a proposal for a building shaped like a bird with its wings spread, counting 58 metres between the tips, and the dream to teach visitors all about birds, nature and the local traditions grew stronger by the day. The financial crash in 2009 meant that the group behind what was to become Granö Beckasin, of which Rydman is now the CEO, had to start at the other end;
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
the already existing natural experiences and cultural heritage became the primary attractions. But today the destination is as well regarded as it is peculiar, complete with accommodation options ranging from an old camping site to a super-modern eco-hotel and six tree houses, referred to as birds’ nests. The nests are of high-quality eco-hotel standard – also referred to as hotel rooms in pine trees – with magical views across the Ume River, the mountains and the village. “People arrive here by transfer from Umeå late at night, their eyes wandering, and as they cross the little wooden bridge and spot the birds’ nests high up in the pine trees on the boulder ridge they’re just amazed,” says Rydman. “Slowly but surely, the working day washes off them, they start to relax and the women start wearing less make-up. You can stay in bed staring through the skylight out onto the northern lights; it’s perfectly quiet, you can see the stars –
and we’re renowned for our food, including organic elk, reindeer and lamb from the farmer down the road and local beer.”
Endorphins over adrenaline While some winter destinations are all about adrenaline and extreme sports, Granö Beckasin opts instead for endorphins and real nature experiences. Locals offer activities ranging from dog sledding and cross-country skiing to guided tours where you learn to make a fire and experience Sami life along with storytelling and ice fishing. “We’ve got experiences for all seasons, but in the winter you really do get that winter wonderland. People who haven’t experienced it before are stunned; it’s like someone’s covered the trees with cotton wool,” Rydman enthuses. “In the summer you can go on an elk safari, where you’ll always spot the king of the forest at least once, or build your own timber raft and go on an adventure on the river. With the Photo: Thea Holmqvist
Photo: Patrick Trägårdh
midnight sun, it’s bright day and night during the summer, something guests from further south tend to find immensely fascinating! You don’t need to go bungee jumping to get your kicks – people really do enjoy themselves here.” Come for a small conference with the most amazing of views, take a romantic weekend with a difference, or bring the whole family for a back-to-nature adventure. Just a one-hour flight from Arlanda and a further hour from Umeå, this village does not just boast untouched nature and local traditions; it has people willing to fight for its future. “It’s about finding greatness in the little things,” says Rydman. “Like Jan-Erik’s attitude to birds and other animals – we take a lot of inspiration from him.” For more information, please visit: www.granobeckasin.com
Photo: Thea Holmqvist
Photo: Granö Beckasin
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 39
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
Skiing made easy – with smooth sailing both to and down the slopes With modern accommodation options and everything laid out to suit families with children, Kungsberget is a small and safe ski resort just two hours from Stockholm. Forget endless driving, freezing children and clothes that never dry – Branäsgruppen has thought of everything to make skiing easy. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Kungsberget
“Everything’s close. You never have to drive on the resort; all accommodation is close to the pistes, you just have to walk out the door and you can start skiing,” says Mikael Elford, head of sales and marketing at Branäsgruppen, the group that owns and runs Kungsberget. “Moreover, everything’s modern, everything’s easy. There’s Wi-Fi pretty much everywhere, all accommodation has drying cabinets, kiddie beds and highchairs. There should never be any fuss or hassle – everything should just be smooth sailing.” 40 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Kungsberget’s positioning is crystal clear: it is all about skiing the easy, uncomplicated way. Located just two hours from Stockholm, the resort was previously a daytime facility but has been developed to boast modern, comfortable accommodation with around 850 beds. There are quality restaurants and plenty of places to warm up and rest. With all slopes meeting in just two locations, handy is an understatement. “There’s so much that should fit into that idea of spare time these days: golf,
running, football training… everyone’s stressed all the time, so why would you spend six hours in a car to go skiing?” Elford says. “You can just spin up after work on a Thursday, do a bit of work on the laptop on the Friday, then ski and relax all weekend. It’s not something you have to spend half a year planning.” Elford spent his early career in the entertainment industry and eventually moved to Canada. One day he got a call from his former boss, who asked whether he wanted to join the ski industry. “In the past almost everyone in the field started out as a skiing instructor and moved up from there, which meant that everyone was really into extreme skiing and niche stuff like that. But Branäsgruppen is very much about family entertainment – which is exactly what it is, when you think
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
about it,” he explains. “What it’s meant for us is that we’ve had an injection of new ideas, a chance to avoid simply continuing on the same path. So for example, we’ve come up with a way of booking your skiing equipment using an app and just collecting it when you arrive, ready to go. We can be a bit creative and come up with new solutions, which is less likely to happen if everyone comes from the same background.” Kungsberget opens on 10 December and stays open until after Easter, the last day of skiing being 17 April. An additional benefit of how close and handy everything is, Elford suggests, is that you can go skiing no matter how cold it is – because it is always easy to take a break and warm up with a hot drink. Saying that, his favourite time of year for skiing is towards the end of the season after the mid-term break called the ‘sports break’ in Sweden. “It’s
usually quite warm and very sunny – skiing then is just wonderful.” New for this season is an eight-chair lift – one example of, according to Elford, the benefit of having a parent company to pitch in. “Some years are great and others are more difficult with insufficient snow and so on, but let’s just say we’d need to sell quite a lot of ski passes to pay for that eight-seater,” he says. “Having the main group ready to step in and support a small resort like Kungsberget is a real strength.” Backing him up is the fact that Branäs, the group’s main resort further west towards Norway, has been named the best ski resort for families with kids nine years in a row. In addition to the new lift, Elford lists the Ski Lodge bar amongst the not-to-miss experiences. This is the perfect spot not just for parents and other adults to relax
over a nice beer but also for little legs to rest and stock up on energy with a muffin and a hot chocolate. Conference guests, who mostly visit the resort during the weeks, will also enjoy an after work here. While handiness and safety are key – with everything joined up and designed to suit families you simply cannot get lost – that winter wonderland feeling is of course a very important cherry on top. “It’s such a fresh feeling, the air completely crisp, the beauty of all the snow… Everyone’s there to have a good time so no one is irritable – everyone’s helping each other out,” says Elford. “People are off and have time. It is a lovely, positive atmosphere.”
For more information, please visit: www.kungsberget.se
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 41
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
Watch the northern lights or the midnight sun from the tree tops
By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Treehotel
The spectacular Treehotel introduces a new, highly anticipated ‘room’ to its collection of tree houses. This seventh room brings you higher up and boasts more space, and you can even lie in a net watching the magical starry sky of Lapland. Just an hour’s flight from Stockholm, Sweden, is the small village of Harads. Harads is home to the ever popular Treehotel, which attracts guests from all over the world. Each tree house has its own unique design created by leading Scandinavian architects. A new, seventh room is currently being built and will be ready for guests from 20 January 2017. “We are always fully booked during peak season, so it was time to add more room,” explains Kent Lindvall, who created the Treehotel together with his wife Britta. The new tree house, which accommodates up to five people in total, is located ten metres up in the pine trees and features large panoramic windows facing north,
allowing guests to watch the magnificent northern lights. An impressive terrace made of net is bound to create exhilarating experiences. “Guests can either lie face down and gaze into the forest or lie looking up at the starry sky,” says Lindvall. The Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta is behind the design of the seventh room, which aims to bring visitors up off the ground. “Our guests usually say that their stay is like a fairy tale and we hope this new room won’t leave anyone disappointed,” Lindvall concludes. For more information, please visit: www.treehotel.se/en
Explore Sápmi by reindeer sled How does whistling along the snowy landscape of Swedish Lapland driving your own reindeer sled sound? The peak season is here for Nutti Sámi Siida – an ecotourism company offering insights into the indigenous Sami culture with reindeer and nature in focus. “No one drives reindeer this way anymore. It is old knowledge that is about to disappear, but we preserve it and let our guests experience it,” says Katja Bechtloff, sales and booking manager at Nutti Sámi Siida in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. It all started during the icy winter of 199697, when Nils Torbjörn Nutti’s reindeer could not access their natural food, reindeer lichen, in the wild. Instead they had to be kept in an enclosure and fed there during wintertime, which eventually became the start of Nutti Sámi Siida – an ecotourism company today holding the Swedish Ecotourism Society’s label Nature’s Best.
traditional food, sauna and an array of exciting day trips. The most popular option is Vouján – a day trip where you get to handle and drive your own reindeer sled in a convoy across the winter wonderland. “The reindeer excursion is the coolest option. Afterwards you also get to sample and learn more about Sami food and enjoy the northern lights,” says Bechtloff. The winter season lasts from November to mid-April, but guests can also visit during
Sami culture and reindeer Guests can stay overnight in one of the five cabins at Reindeer Lodge and enjoy nature, 42 | Issue 95 | December 2016
In the new ‘room’ a natural pine tree grows through the terrace made of net.
Reindeer feeding. Photo: Asaf Kliger.
By Ellinor Thunberg
the summer to explore local Sami handicraft and food.
Photo: Lola Akinmade Åkerström.
Vouján daytrip with a guide and leader reindeer. Photo: Johan Adermalm.
For more information, please visit: www.nutti.se
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
Culinary experience on the slope Buustamons hotel and restaurant sits in the middle of the ski slope. At the highest located hotel in Åre, guests can enjoy delicious food in a genuine and charming environment and taste what the tiny in-house distillery has to offer. By Malin Norman | Photos: Buustamons Fjällgård
The history of Buustamons dates back to the 18th century when it was used as a site for resting when herding cattle. In 1954, the charming old timber cottage was moved from a nearby village to an altitude of 732 metres and quickly became known as the best place to enjoy coffee and waffles when exploring the beautiful surroundings. Visitors can either stop by on their way down the piste or get picked up with a tracked vehicle where the mountain road ends, to enjoy the gastronomic experience at Buustamons. “We put a lot of care into choosing the best local produce in Jämtland,” says hotel manager Lotta Florin. “Our staff has excellent culinary experience and a passion for what they do.” The menu includes local delights such as moose and reindeer, as well as tasty vegetarian options.
Since 2000, Buustamons also has a licence for an in-house distillery. At 40 square metres, this is probably Sweden’s smallest distillery with a production of around 1,000 litres of vodka per year, to be enjoyed in the restaurant as spiced snaps or mixed in cocktails and matched with different dishes. Curious guests are welcome to take a look at the distillery and learn about the old Swedish tradition of distilling vodka. The hotel itself is small with 12 double rooms and a couple of cottages of simple but genuine mountain standard. Many guests come for the peace and quiet offered, and they can relax after a day on the slopes in the spa with a sauna and outdoor hot tubs. “It feels like coming home,” says Florin. “With our personal service and peaceful environment, guests feel comfortable right away.”
Buustamons is open every day from the middle of December to the end of April, during summer and autumn holidays, and for pre-bookings of special occasions such as weddings and conferences. In December, visitors can also book a table for the popular Christmas buffet with this season’s spiced snaps and homemade glögg (Swedish mulled wine) to complement the delicious food.
For more information, please visit: www.buustamonsfjallgard.se
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 43
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
Photo: Jonas Sundberg
A little piece of Kiruna Just outside a mining town that is on the move, in the heart of a region full of traditions and rich culture, Camp Ripan is taking on the mission of providing authentic, ecofriendly nature and wilderness experiences with a modern camp feeling – all in the name of bringing Kiruna to you. By Linnea Dunne
“We know Kiruna, we know the history and we know all about the moving of the city. We want you to really feel that you’re in Kiruna,” says Frida Lind-Oja, owner and marketing director of Camp Ripan. The site just outside Kiruna was previously owned by the local municipality and quite undeveloped when, in 2002, the Lind family decided to invest and develop. Steeped in the rich cultures of the Sami, the Tornedalian Finns and of course the Swedish, introduced to the area with the navvies and much due to the local mine, 44 | Issue 95 | December 2016
the area has a great deal to explore – especially now that a greater part of Kiruna is being moved east due to ground deformations as a result of the mining work. “We decided to make the three cultures central to everything we do, from the food we serve to the way we decorate the cottages and the activities we offer,” Lind-Oja explains. “So the result was a hotel – but a very unusual hotel. Our hotel rooms are cottages – modern and fully equipped, but cottages nonetheless.
And the cottages are dotted out around the heart of the camp, which is the main building with the central fireplace where we all meet after a day out and talk about what we’ve done. Last year we had 65 different nationalities here, so it’s very much a gathering of different people, very much recreating that camp atmosphere.” She laughs. “We’ve got so much space up here in Kiruna, so we don’t have to build vertically – we can go wide and spread out.” Still, they are incredibly conscientious of the camp’s use of natural resources, and the main building with its state-ofthe-art spa and conference facilities was eco-certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel in 2015. The destination has also been awarded the Nature’s Best certification,
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
with the motivation that it takes on “the principles of ecotourism with respect and sincerity”. The Aurora Spa makes the most of nature’s gifts both inside and out, boasting panoramic windows to allow you to enjoy the serenity of the white, fluffy snow from the comfort of the pool inside, and a heated outdoor pool to get the blood circulation going with the contrasting temperatures. Stone, wood and water – representing the cool, the warmth and the essential – are the guiding principles of the spa, and lucky guests get to enjoy a colourful display of auroras across the sky outside while relaxing after a treatment. “The three cultures are found in everything at Camp Ripan, including at the spa,” says Lind-Oja. “The birch tree is central up here, for example, so we have
a birch leaf scrub as well as plenty of juniper and a face mask based on stimulating coffee grounds. It’s all close to nature and locally sourced but of course very much refined.” The same principle applies in the kitchen, where all recipes are inspired by old Sami and Tornedalian dishes and prepared using seasonal produce. From birch-smoked meat to plenty of wild berries alongside reindeer and char, you are guaranteed to leave the table feeling both satisfied and healthy.
proach to experiencing Kiruna is central to the concept at Camp Ripan. Visitors can join a Sami activity day, learning all about the culture, how to look after the reindeer and how to bake the Sami bread ‘gáhkku’. Others choose to go on a dog sledding trip or a snowmobile adventure, while the northern lights tours are extremely popular, especially combined with the opportunity to learn how to capture the dancing lights on camera in order to bring a memory – and evidence – back home.
“We try to incorporate stories as well – like the brooms, for example. Guests usually ask us why there are brooms outside the doors of each cottage. It’s because that way, you’ll know that no one’s in; we don’t lock our doors up here, so it’s a way to let people know not to bother to stop by,” Lind-Oja smiles. The authentic ap-
The family business is of Kiruna, in Kiruna, and very much all about Kiruna. When asked what guests tend to take away from a visit, the owner insists that it is exactly that simple. “We want them to feel at home, as part of our family,” she says. “And we hope that they take with them a little piece of Kiruna.”
Photo: Björn Wanhatalo
Camp Ripan is located just outside of the city of Kiruna. Get here by flight from Arlanda, which takes approximately one and a half hours, or by night train. The winter season lasts from the middle of November until the middle of April, but guests who want to experience the Swedish north during the summer will also have plenty to do, including enjoying the midnight sun.
For more information on accommodation, activities, spa packages and conferencing options, please visit: www.ripan.se
Photo: Björn Wanhatalo
Photo: Björn Tesch
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 45
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
Do not forget the beachwear Paradiset is one of Sweden’s best combinations of spas and water parks. Make sure not to miss this piece of tropical heaven for splashes of fun, energising activities and relaxing treatments. It is pure paradise bliss for those cold winter days coming up. By Malin Norman | Photos: Paradiset
Located in the centre of Örnsköldsvik in Västernorrland, Paradiset offers a broad range of sports and water activities as well as renowned spa treatments in a peaceful environment. Opened in 1992, Paradiset has developed over the years and the 12,000-square-metre venue now attracts around 220,000 visitors per year from near and far, all looking for a moment in tropical paradise. Sweden’s longest water slide, Magic Eye, is an experience for brave young and old alike with 180 metres of twists and turns. The little ones have fun at their very own tropical island complete with a sandy beach and pirate adventures. For those who want more water-filled excitement, there are plenty more fun activities such as funballz, slides, streams and whirlpools. 46 | Issue 95 | December 2016
The modern spa offers a combination of relaxing treats such as purifying rituals in the steam saunas, meditation in a special light sauna, star gazing in the infinity pool or floating in the salt water cave, hot yoga and lush massage treatments. The signature aufguss ritual is led by a spa host who pours scented essential oils and water over hot stones before circulating the air in the sauna for calming or energising effects. “Our visitors are positively surprised by the innovative water park with unexpected features such as pirate actors and interactive treasure hunts for the children during school holidays,” says director David Berglund. “And in the spa, we have a wide range of much appreciated relaxing activities as well as the fantastic aufguss ritual with its mix of light, sound and scents.”
Visitors can also explore the new winter garden or walk along Tao Sensa, a ten-metre path with stones placed in different patterns, which is claimed to stimulate zones in the feet similar to zone therapy. Hungry guests can head to Bistro Spa, inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, for a tasty meal of Mediterranean flavours or Swedish delicacies. All that bathing brings out the appetite like nothing else.
OPENING HOURS Paradiset water park Monday-Friday: 10am to 8pm Saturday-Sunday: 10am to 5.30pm Paradiset spa Monday-Thursday: 10am to 8.30pm Friday: 10am to 10pm Saturday-Sunday: 10am to 5.30pm
For more information, please visit: www.paradisetornskoldsvik.se
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Our Big Swedish Winter Wonderland Guide
Mii Gullo Spa. Photo: Roland Persson
Experience the eight seasons at Sweden’s oldest mountain hotel In northern Sweden a year used to be divided into eight seasons, each of which had its own special signals and signs. A must for survival was to read and handle the vagaries of nature and approaching changes. “We follow these seasons at Fjällnäs and the activities, spa treatments and food menu change accordingly,” explains Henrik Bertmar, CEO at the oldest mountain hotel in Sweden.
cross-country skiing trails and countless footpaths guarantee that no one has to take the same route twice. Early next year, the hotel will extend their programme of outdoor events even further when Fjällnäs Explore launches.
By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Mikael Bertmar
Fjällnäs mountain hotel is located in the western part of the Härjedalen region in Sweden. It was established in 1882 by merchant Jonas Åslund who had fallen in love with the picturesque view of Lake Malmagen surrounded by towering mountains. Just like the old merchant, the Bertmar family fell for the place 25 years ago when they first visited the area. In 2008, after a full renovation, Fjällnäs reopened – now with the Bertmar family as owners.
our guests to visit us only for the sake of the clean and fresh air,” says Bertmar.
A hotel that is alive throughout the year Inspired by the eight Sámi seasons, the offerings at the hotel change all year around. The spa adapts its treatments using components such as herbs, snow, seaweed and the warmth of lava stones. The locally sourced food in the restaurant varies depending on season, as do the activities. Over 300 kilometres of
Bertmar himself loves all the seasons and is fascinated by the many changes in the nature surrounding Fjällnäs. “But if I had to pick one it would be Yuletide – Christmas time. Families get together, fires and outdoor torches create the cosiest ambience at the hotel and, as the days are shorter, it is the season for relaxation and reflection, which I value a lot.”
For more information, please visit: www.fjallnas.se/en
Ever since then they have accommodated guests from all over the world with the aim of offering an exclusive hotel stay with nature and wildlife right on the doorstep. Back in the day, when coal was used to heat bigger cities, people came to Fjällnäs to breathe fresh air. “We have noticed that there is still a desire among Issue 95 | December 2016 | 47
The Ma Tilla philosophy is to design quality clothing and accessories for women of all ages
Ma Tilla use quality materials such as cashmere, merino wool, lambswool, silk and cotton, which are all natural. We produce high quality products with a good fit, that feels great on the skin You can find us on: FACEBOOK - Matilla INSTAGRAM - matillanorway WEB PAGE - www.matilla.no
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There is a saying in Norwegian that says there is no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing. Growing up in the Arctic north, where winters often see temperatures dropping to below minus 40 degrees Celsius, the right clothing is indeed important. However, for many of us it is equally important to look good – a combination Graveniid has taken to heart through their stylish yet warm clothing and accessories. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Ole Martin Halvorsen
Graveniid offers comfortable 100 per cent knitted wool products, ranging from mittens and hats to jumpers, skirts and cardigans. The products got a quick reputation as being exceptional for keeping the cold out, but equally their tasteful and lovely designs struck a chord among locals as well as the rest of Scandinavia where the products are now available. “We have combined two aspects of our Sami culture, namely respect for the cold and fantastic designs. This is at the heart of all of our products,” says owner Anja Guttorm Graven. Guttorm Graven runs Graveniid together with her sister and mother, and they are
proud to share their Sami background with the world through traditional designs and patterns. “Our customers appreciate that the products are honest, real and authentic. Our clothes make you stand out – in a good way,” Guttorm Graven says, adding that everything is made by themselves in Norway. Graveniid is available through the brand’s webshop and at a concept store in Alta, northern Norway. For inspiration and to buy, please visit www.graveniid.no and follow them on Instagram @graveniid
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Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway
Artist and founder Therese Enger Andersen.
The flowing fabric of Norwegian art Inspired by nature, Norwegian artist Therese Enger Andersen uses a variety of techniques to create colourful, harmonious paintings full of structure. She then turns carefully selected parts of her paintings into posters and handmade artistic scarves from the most natural, warm and exclusive fabrics. Her philosophy? If you do something – do it right. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Tom Sigurdsen
Therese Enger Andersen’s company ThereseART offers everyone a piece of the world’s natural beauty. The Norwegian artist’s colourful and abstract paintings are not only on display in galleries and homes, however, but also warmly drape cold, Nordic bodies in the form of elegant scarves. “When I finish a painting, I carefully select the parts that will make the most beautiful scarves. My trusted photographer then shoots the motif and sends the photo to a factory, where it’s turned into handmade scarves in wool, silk and cashmere,” explains Andersen. Since Andersen’s paintings are full of wide strokes and structure, the scarves 50 | Issue 95 | December 2016
come alive in the Norwegian breeze. “People often want to reach out and touch my paintings, and I think the scarves have some of the same depth. My aesthetic, which is both rough and feminine at the same time, comes from a complex set of techniques including paint, ink, spray, pastilles, glue and charcoal. And the trowel is my favourite tool,” she says. Each new piece of art is the result of a conversation between artist and canvas. With unique art as a foundation, ThereseART makes people stand out from the crowd. “My way of painting is actually quite intuitive. I’m looking for ways to find more harmony and peace – just like in life in general. Even though I start out with a plan, I end up somewhere
different,” says Andersen, pointing to the life change which led to her establishing ThereseART last year. “When you’ve worked with the same thing for many, many years, you can come to the point where you ask yourself: is this it? Or is there something more for me in life? Starting ThereseART was definitely a leap of faith, but choosing a life as an artist and entrepreneur kept me from dying inside,” Andersen affirms. When Andersen decides on something, she decides to do it the right way. “I love to think big, and I’m always looking to expand and cooperate with others. Once, Sting’s wife received two of my scarves because of my collaboration with PIL-Branding. Fun moments like that motivate me to put in the extra effort and show that cooperation is a key to success,” she ends. For more information, please visit: www.thereseart.no
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Made in Norway
A ‘casual cool’ style that will stand the test of time Senze of Joy lives up to its name by creating interior items and clothing that indeed bring joy. Originally winning over customers with its sophisticated sequin cushions, the brand has expanded into fashion and interiors, characterised by its neutral colours and timeless style. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Senze of Joy
The two sisters Hege Støkken and Gro Elin Svartdal started making sequined cushions in 2005 under the label Senze of Joy. They soon added a small and sophisticated clothing collection in natural textiles, with hand-knitted pullovers, cardigans and blankets made of 100 per cent Alpaca wool. In 2014 Gry Bergstrøm joined, and the three expanded the clothing collection with great success. “Our customers very much welcomed our new line of clothes,” says co-founder Svartdal. Famed for their sequin cushions, they emphasise that the style is “not too glam” but rather sophisticated with the exclusive metal sequined cushions. The style is described as ‘casual cool’, inspired by ethnic traditions, a bit of classic Scandinavian minimalism, and a hint of hippie. The company has made its mark through authentic qualities, good design and natural colours. Even though they mix it up with one or two brighter colours
in the clothing collection, the clothes and interior items match superbly. “We think that if you like a certain way of decorating your home, you often feel the same about what you like to wear,” says Svartdal. They have clearly struck a chord among customers who largely look for something more authentic and lasting. “Some of the customers come back for similar cushions they have had for many years,” Svartdal smiles and adds: “While we stick to our ideas and style, we always look for new ideas for designs and to make sure we develop. We want and need to feel proud of what we do.” Along with private customers, Senze of Joy has become a hit among architecture firms and designers and, impressively, five-star hotel The THIEF in Oslo, Norway’s only member of Design Hotels, a careful selection of boutique hotels around the world.
Senze of Joy has just opened a shop in Oslo in addition to being sold by nearly 70 retailers across Norway as well as through their website. For inspiration, please visit www.senzeofjoy.no and follow them @senzeofjoy on Instagram.
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Interior designer Alexia Lundgreen makes beautiful handmade pillows. The one she holds up, she has given the name Kismet, an old word meaning ‘destiny’. “I dreamt for years of creating my own textile patterns and products. When I moved to Norway, my dream finally came true,” she says.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights
Left: Alexia Lundgreen’s great-grandparents Olympia and Serafin used to have their own textile business. Their story has been a strong inspiration for Alexia’s Heritage Collection. Photo: private. Right: Alexia Lundgreen personally embroiders every single one of her special edition lumbar pillow cases.
‘Making textiles is part of my colourful family history’ She sees beautiful patterns everywhere she turns. Everything can be an inspiration for a new pillow – as long as it connects to her story. By Frode Sunde Didriksen | Photos: Frode Sunde Didriksen
On a beautiful day in October 2015, Alexia Lundgreen did something she had never done before: she bought a sewing machine. It was the first step in making a 20-year-old dream come true. “It’s in my blood to design patterns. Making textiles is part of my colourful family story,” says Lundgreen. From an early age, the Belgian-born interior designer was intrigued by her father’s stories about the family – especially about her great-grandmother Olympia. “She grew up in a Greek textile family in old Istanbul around a hundred years ago, when the city was still the heart of the Ottoman Empire. She met my great-grandfather, Serafin, who came from a family of Armenian weavers. They fell in love, married and ran a textile
business in the souks of the old town for many years. It feels as if I inherited their love of textiles,” says Lundgreen. She describes how her great-grandmother used to have her own design book, where she kept all of the patterns she used in the daily running of their business. “My father remembers this book from his childhood. Unfortunately, it was lost sometime in the 1960s, so I have never seen it. But I am making my own book, inspired by Olympia.” Lundgreen, who now lives just outside Norway’s capital city Oslo, feels great gratitude towards her parents who have always encouraged her creative projects. “I started making small pieces of furniture to decorate my doll houses when I
was six years old. I discovered my passion!” she explains. “Later it felt only natural to study interior design. I started with two years at the Vogue Academy in Amsterdam and then continued with four years at the Art Institute of California in Los Angeles.”
From Sunset Boulevard to the heart of France After her studies, she founded her own interior design agency in Los Angeles. It was an exciting time under the tall palm trees of Sunset Boulevard and the hot, golden California sun. However, the dream of starting her own textile and interior company was born a few years earlier – during a trip to Indonesia. “When I visited the island of Bali, I found myself ‘wrapped’ in a rainbow of colours and patterns. There and then I knew that one day I would make my own textiles and patterns. But I immediately had such doubts. I knew virtually nothing about textiles,” she recalls. Issue 95 | December 2016 | 53
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights
Left: Alexia Lundgreen is very thorough in her selection of colours. Every single one needs to match the others perfectly. Right: With a paintbrush and watercolours, Alexia Lundgreen loves to explore the energy and dynamics of her designs before they are turned into digital patterns. In her office, she surrounds herself with inspiring colours, materials and pictures, which she hangs up on her mood board.
The dream lay dormant for a while, but after eight years on the American west coast Lundgreen packed her suitcases and headed home to Europe. “It was a culture shock to leave the huge metropolis of Los Angeles and find myself in the calm, rural parts of France. It took some tough adjusting, but I learnt a lot about myself and my strength during that time.” She settled in Vichy, a picturesque city in the heart of France. “I loved it there. The town is full of amazing architecture, even if a lot of it is worn down. It must have been spectacular there back in its heyday!” Lundgreen says. “It inspired me to set up my own online interior design business, working with international clients from my big living room. It was a sweet time for me, dividing my time between designing and walking my little Yorkshire terrier around in the beautiful parks.” In late spring 2015, after five years in France, the time had come to embark on new adventures. This time it would take Lundgreen to where she absolutely did not expect – Norway. “One day I walked down the stairs of my apartment building in Vichy and outside my door stood this tall, blue-eyed Norwegian man. We talked our way through a sunny French afternoon, which turned into a late Champagne evening. And, as they say, the rest is history. I guess he fell in love with my dark Mediterranean hair,” 54 | Issue 95 | December 2016
she laughs out loud, her warm hazelcoloured eyes sparkling.
A collection that tells a story So what happened to the sewing machine? Lundgreen explains that after her first Norwegian summer – with the encouragement of her boyfriend – she decided to establish her new company. “I had nurtured the dream of having my own textile business since my trip to Bali, and now the time was right,” she smiles. By the new year she had full command of the sewing machine, and the first rolls of textiles arrived at the doorstep – perfectly coloured and printed in Sweden. “I was so happy I was jumping around… After about a year and a half here, I find a lot of my new inspiration in the beautiful Norwegian and Scandinavian nature, especially the magical light we have here throughout the year – or the lack of light. I dream about seeing the northern lights; I am almost a bit obsessed with it,” she laughs. When introduced to new faces, the English-French-German-Dutch speaking designer is often confronted with how Scandinavian her last name sounds. “I have been told numerous times that I have a typical Swedish name – Lundgreen. Unfortunately, I have no idea where it comes from, or more precisely how it ended up being my family name. Maybe it originates from a Swedish noble man,
soldier or adventurer who decided to explore the world. I really don’t know, but I would love to find out more about my Scandinavian heritage,” she says. The young designer is passionate about making unique textile products for her customers, a handmade range that tells the story of who she is and where she comes from. She plays and experiments with different types of materials, always keeping a close eye on the quality of the fabrics. “My goal is to offer my customers a sense of luxury when they buy an Alexia Lundgreen product – and that they get a story to go with it, something they can tell their family and friends. I hope my creations can make a small contribution to people’s memory book, a part of their story,” Lundgreen says. “I just love creating textile designs. It is my kismet – my destiny.” QUICK FACTS: Name: Alexia M. Lundgreen Profession: Interior & textile designer, manager of her own design agency and webshop From: Born in Eupen, Belgium, lives in Kolbotn, Norway Passionate about: Exciting patterns, fresh colours, exotic travels and literature Website & shop: www.alexialundgreen.com Social media: Facebook & Instagram: @alexialundgreendesign
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights
Fighting chronic illness with colours and creativity For Janne Riisnes, designing her own jewellery has become a survival technique in the face of chronic illness and isolation. The bedbound Norwegian artist now dreams of sustaining her small business JSM Design. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Janne Riisnes
Sickness sucks. There is just no other way to put it. But for most – especially young people – sickness is considered something temporary, something that comes and goes. Sure, you might have to stay in bed for a few days, but you are always counting on getting back on your feet quite quickly. But what if your illness never went away? What if you got stuck in bed indefinitely? What would you do then? Who would you be? How would you cope? For Norwegian Janne Riisnes, who has been struggling with chronic illness for half her life, these questions have become painfully real. During the last four years, Riisnes has been mostly stuck in her bed with exhaustion and pain, unable to leave the house and fighting to remain mentally sane. Luckily, she has found a source of comfort and motivation.
“I barely get to meet people and, naturally, I feel very lonely and isolated. Designing jewellery keeps me alive. Since I’ve always been an active and creative person, it has been very hard psychologically for me to accept my situation,” Riisnes admits. In the beginning, surfing the internet was her only hobby, until one day she came across some pearls in an online store. She ordered the pearls and discovered that she could make bracelets in bed without further exhausting herself. “I quickly got hooked. I entered a creative flow that made me forget about time and space. Within a short time, I had made a bag full of bracelets,” says Riisnes. When a good friend saw all the handmade bracelets, she advised Riisnes to start selling them to friends and family. That was the beginning of JSM Design.
“Selling has never been my priority, but of course I want to sell jewellery to develop and experiment with new designs. The customers love to wear something that is different from everything else, and JSM Design offers them something unique,” Riisnes affirms. The Norwegian artist serves as an inspiring example to those who are stuck in a similar situation. “There is hope. Many people around the world are struggling and feeling lost for different reasons, but there are ways of bringing positivity back into your life – no matter how hopeless and dark it may look. Change can come from very unexpected sources,” Riisnes concludes.
For more information, please visit: Facebook: Smykk deg med JSM Design Instagram: @jsm_design If you have questions, send an e-mail to jsm.design@outlook.com
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights
The sparkling shift Are you bored with all the mass-produced jewellery flooding the market? Browse through Dahl-Pedersen Jewellery’s handmade assortment, and you will soon be excited about accessories again. The Norwegian jeweller’s unique designs are skilfully crafted to outlive trends and give your minimal style that sparkling last touch, both at work and at parties. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Dahl-Pedersen Jewellery
Just like a dazzling necklace can lift an outfit, a single decision can make all the difference in a person’s life. Norwegian jeweller Lill Bente Dahl-Pedersen is a living example of just that. After working for several large companies as a strategic buyer for more than a decade, she grew tired of staring at Excel sheets and decided to embrace her true trade and passion: making jewellery the old-fashioned way. “I needed to follow my heart, so I quit my job and started Dahl-Pedersen Jewellery. I graduated as a jeweller with the best grade possible in 2000, but accepted several job offers during my career and suddenly found myself working with logistics – even outside my area. It was simply time to get honest and return to something more creative,” DahlPedersen explains. She now starts her mornings by heading out to the garage where her own 56 | Issue 95 | December 2016
workshop is waiting. In clear contrast to those who produce jewellery with casts, Dahl-Pedersen makes everything by hand using precious metals and a variety of tools and techniques. “My workshop has four work benches and plenty of tools like pliers, rollers, grinders and soldering irons. If I really want to do everything myself, I need all the right equipment. It takes both manual labour and technical finesse to turn designs into functional jewellery,” explains Dahl-Pedersen. By combining such practical skills with her first education in graphic design and years of logistical experience from the Scandinavian jewellery market, Dahl-Pedersen is convinced she can keep her designs both fresh and timeless. “My designs are stylish and simple, but at the same time solid and quite sizeable. I spent years scanning the Scandinavian market for the best jewellery suppliers, so I have a certain idea of what already
exists and what people like. And the reactions have been overwhelming,” she says. As in life, you sometimes must start over to make jewellery that feels right. Dahl-Pedersen therefore offers tailored remakes of old treasures. “When I do remakes, I listen carefully to figure out what the clients really want. Some of them wish to keep a certain feature, others want to melt the jewellery and start over from scratch,” says Dahl-Pedersen.
For more information, please visit: www.artform.no and follow @artform.no on Instagram. Or, send an e-mail to ldp@vikenfiber.no
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights
Time machine in a jewellery box
Sun necklace in oxidised silver.
Karianne Gundersen is Norwegian but started out as a student at Stenebyskolan in Dals Långed, Sweden. She learnt the art of jewellery making, based on old traditional Viking techniques that originate from the period between 800 and 1100 CE. By Cathrine Løvaas | Photos: Jeanette Carlsen
Gundersen’s jewellery is made in silver and bronze. The handmade rings that the pieces are made of are thread together, one by one, until they form an even pattern. For the jewellery to be correlated, there must be a correct relationship between the thread thickness, the ring size and the pattern. It takes time; everything is done by hand and she finds great pleasure in the meditative craft. The jewellery maker works with six different link types and, using the old techniques, she creates new types of earrings, bracelets and necklaces for both men and women. “The aim is to take the tradition into the future, to make new types of jewellery based on the old methods,” she says. The small pieces of art she creates certainly have a timeless feel.
You can find the pieces on Gundersen’s website and the jewellery has also been for sale at the Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy, Oslo, since the summer of 2013, with great success. The museum is one of the most visited museums in Norway, welcoming tourists from around the world. In December 2014, Gundersen had an idea to create a knitting pattern, inspired by what is called the kings braid link. The pattern became approved with design registration as an ornament – called ViKing by Karianne – in 2015 and is registered in the US, the EU, and Switzerland. For more information, please visit: www.karianneg.com
Silver rose – link and chainmail bracelet.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Handmade Delights
Making the ring that she wants Popping the question soon? Or perhaps the ring is on and you are looking for wedding bands? This is probably the most important piece of jewellery you will ever buy, so make sure to get it right. Celine Gulset is your go-to woman, with her custom-made jewellery of her own design for special occasions. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Aliona Pazdniakova
“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” goes one of the best-known and most-loved sayings in the business of ring picking. Just as Mr. or Mrs. Right should be special, so should the ring. Gulset is a brand specialising in engagement rings and wedding bands, with its own goldsmith and designer at hand. “The jewellery should be a part of you, to the point where you feel naked without it,” owner and founder Celine Gulset says. While rings are at the centre of attention, Gulset also makes earrings, cuff links and necklaces to mention some. “The style is elegant and classic, which encourages the wearer to use the pieces at work as well as at dinner parties,” she says. 58 | Issue 95 | December 2016
A typical customer is looking for something unique and personalised, far from the high street shops. “The customers are welcome to join me at the workshop where they can pick materials, designs and stones themselves,” says Gulset, but emphasises that she also makes collections. “The thing all my products have in
common is a focus on high quality, using solid gold and hand picking the gemstones.” Just a glimpse at the collections is enough to show that this brand is for appreciators of real jewellery who are willing to spend both time and budget to find the right piece. “I want to make items that can be passed down generations,” Gulset says. Gulset jewellery is available from the showroom in Asker just outside Oslo, as well as from a webshop. It is also available through three resellers, including the wedding department at the iconic Christiania Glasmagasin in Oslo.
For more information, please visit: www.gulset.no and follow them on Instagram at @gulset
Now opening. Let there be light. ltbl.se S N W. S E • P H O T O G R A P H Y : B L A K E R O B I N S
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Equal education for all – even abroad All Swedish children have a right to free education. But even if you move abroad, or if you are looking for a boarding school to support a special interest or academic goal, Skolverket (the Swedish National Agency for Education) likely monitors and supports a Swedish school for you. Photos: imagebank.sweden.se
The Swedish tradition of compulsory, free primary school education goes back to 1842, when the parliament voted through a proposal for a four-year so-called folk school. The initial four years were extended little by little and the idea of equal education for children of all classes and backgrounds was protected by law in 1905. Since 1972, all Swedish children must attend nine years of primary and secondary school, starting in August of the year they turn seven. Today, nursery school is also highly subsidised and available for all children from the age of one, and the huge majority of children attend a pre-school year 60 | Issue 95 | December 2016
before starting primary school. Play is central to the teaching environment at these early ages. The task of Skolverket is to support, evaluate and monitor local municipalities and their schools to improve the quality and results throughout. This is done with the aim of protecting the ideal of equal education as established at the turn of the last century and to ensure that all pupils have access to a good education in a safe environment. The education should not just see to the learning and knowledge acquisition of the students, but also provide the opportunity for sound personal development.
In addition to monitoring and supporting state schools and other institutions in Sweden, Skolverket works with Swedish schools abroad to provide an education for Swedish children abroad equivalent to what they would receive in their home country. At present, a total of 18 schools abroad receive state subsidies for preschool and primary school teaching, and some also for the secondary school years. Photo: Lena Granefelt
For more information, please visit: www.skolverket.se
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Schools Abroad
Ensuring big steps for the future Housed in a villa in the Austrian capital, Svenska Skolan i Wien provides a safe, friendly environment with plenty of opportunity for outdoor play as well as a strong academic future, welcoming Swedish expats and children of other backgrounds for a rich cultural experience. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Theresa Bentz
“When I go back to Sweden, it always feels like everyone’s stressed all the time. It’s not like that here,” says Susanne Hiort. She is the headteacher at Svenska Skolan i Wien (the Swedish School in Vienna), founded in 1973 to complement local state schools with Swedish language teaching. Since then, the school has grown to include a bilingual nursery for children aged two and up, a pre-school year that will also be available in English from next year, and a primary school for years one to six, following the Swedish curriculum. “We were more of a straight-down Swedish school before, but we’re now starting to profile ourselves as a Scandinavian school,” says Hiort. “We’ve already got children from a wide range of backgrounds, but moving forward we will offer native language classes for other Scandinavian children.” Earlier this year, Vienna was named the best city in the world in the Mercer Quality of Life study. Hiort mentions the good
weather, the stunning nature, a calm pace and safety among the reasons why the Austrian capital is such a great place to live – and the school’s strengths are quite similar. “We’ve got a villa that can take up to 60 pupils, so there’s a familial atmosphere, not like the big institutions,” Hiort explains. With small classes and parents on the board of management, the school often becomes like a second home to many. The school has four pillars underpinning all its work: knowledge, language, culture, and cooperation. The former is ensured thanks to small groups and strong pedagogical principles, as well as staff with relevant qualifications both in the nursery and in the primary school. The language aspect benefits from the school’s bilingual profile and teachers teaching in their native tongue, something evidenced by the fact that students go on to do very well in both Austrian and international secondary schools and that those who return to Sweden have a
smooth transition. Culture and cooperation go hand in hand: parents often bring in traditional food for the children to experience the different cultures of their friends. The school also enthusiastically enjoys all the city has to offer through study visits to research labs and exhibitions as well as outings to events and in the rich nature. “There’s a real sense of security for the children and parents at our school, and that’s also part of our motto: ‘safe children take great steps in life’,” says Hiort.
Svenska Skolan i Wien is approved by both the Swedish Skolverket and the Austrian authorities, so the education is compatible with a range of different options for further study.
For more information, please visit: www.svenskaskolan.at and www.lonneberga.at
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Schools Abroad
A safe oasis when exploring a new world For its students, the Scandinavian School in Maputo provides a safe environment in which they can keep in touch with their home countries and values while experiencing a new life in Mozambique. By Malin Norman | Photos: Skandinaviska Skolan Maputo
Dating back to the 1970s, the school in Maputo, Mozambique, is small with around 40 to 50 students in total of preschool and compulsory school age. Run as a Scandinavian school, it follows the Swedish curriculum but is also suitable for Danish and Norwegian pupils with native language lessons. “As our school is small, we have great opportunities to adapt the teaching to each pupil’s individual needs,” says headmaster Clara Björkhem. “We have mixedage classes that can be tailored with additional challenges to fit the required knowledge level.” For instance, some children have attended English-speaking schools in the past and will need a higher level of teaching. With smaller classes, the teachers can also dedicate more time to each pupil and the children tend to become more active in class.
Africa. The city of Maputo has over one million inhabitants and is a hot, bustling and charming contrast to life in Scandinavia. Björkhem explains: “Ultimately, we provide a safe environment where we give our pupils another perspective and acceptance to other ways of living.” As an example of its cultural initiatives, the school celebrates local traditions as well as Scandinavian festivities such as Lucia and public holidays, all popular amongst children, parents and staff alike.
An African adventure
In order to further facilitate the understanding of life in Mozambique, classes make regular study trips and visits to local museums, churches and workplaces such as the water treatment plant. Twice per year, the children have the opportunity to attend camp school in the region. “We try to get out as much as possible so that the children can see how people live here in Mozambique and the challenges they face,” says Björkhem.
Attending school abroad can be both an exciting adventure and challenging for the students, especially as far away as
The school works closely with the World’s Children’s Prize and its annual magazine
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The Globe to raise awareness of children’s rights. Another collaboration is with the organisation Amor (Associação Mocambicana de Reciclagem) for refuse sorting and recycling, with sustainability being a high priority at the school. “We want to work for a better and safer society, which also benefits our local environment.”
For more information, please visit: www.skandskol.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Schools Abroad
The Swedish School in Marbella is located in Nueva Andalucia and welcomes children aged three to 12 years old.
A Swedish school in the sun The Swedish School in Marbella is located in Nueva Andalucia, just outside the town of Marbella in Spain. “We have a lot of Swedes here so it’s a natural place to have a school for Swedish children,” says headmaster Fredrik Ternander. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Svenska skolan Marbella
The Swedish School in Marbella opened in 2003 and is today located in an urban area called La Alzambra, complete with a spacious garden, a pool, a football field and a playground. Here, everyone will know your name and every child can get what they need.
dress them, but here it never gets to that because we see each other daily.”
“Our smallness is our greatness. We have capacity for 150 children and today we have 120, but this spring we will likely fill the school,” Ternander says and continues: “We can follow every child individually. We know the parents and meet them every day, so we always have the possibility to talk to them. Small things have a tendency to grow unless you ad-
Swedish curriculum
The school also plays an important role as a meeting place for parents, and regular activities are arranged for them to get to know one another.
The school follows the Swedish curriculum and standards, but both the Spanish and English languages are taught from the age of seven. “What makes us different from a Swedish school is that all students have Spanish from the first grade. Everyone has three hours per week, divided into groups based on different
levels,” Ternander says. “We have no language profile, but we try to contribute to the Spanish community by having a lot of Spanish language classes, celebrate local holidays, do the occasional flamenco and serve Spanish food.” During a regular week, there might be four days of Swedish food and one with a Spanish dish such as paella or calamari. The area has many Swedes and Ternander, himself an expat, admits that it is easy to live almost like at home. “You can go a whole day speaking nothing but Swedish, reading Swedish books and doing your shopping at the Swedish shop. But the school really encourages the Spanish way of life and becoming integrated into the local community,” he says. For more information, please visit: www.svenskaskolanmarbella.com
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 63
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Schools Abroad
Students get the Swedish language and culture – and at the same time they learn French and meet friends from around the world.
Children are welcome to the nursery from the age of one.
Language is an important part of the school.
Swedish language and culture in an international context “School should be fun, safe and developing on all levels,” says Guri Miran, headmistress at the Swedish School of Geneva – a trilingual school currently focusing on pre-school and the early school years. Students come from around the world, but the pedagogy and curriculum are Swedish. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: The Swedish School of Geneva
“We are a trilingual school and compete with local and international schools, while many Swedish schools abroad are for Swedish students only. The school is 45 years old, but it has been running in its current guise since 2011. It means we run a Swedish school with Swedish teaching methods in an international environment,” Miran explains. At the Swedish School of Geneva, you can choose a Swedish-French or English-French path where the students will meet one teacher for each language to develop their skills in a natural way. “We see really good results. The two languages are developed in a very undramatic way because they are surrounded by them all the time,” the headmistress says. 64 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Nowadays, many families want an international experience for their children when they move abroad, a change over the years according to Miran. “I have been working in schools abroad for 15 years and I can see a significant change,” she says. “Back then, families moved abroad but still wanted the Swedish security, while today they tend to move out seeking to give their children an international experience, and that is when our school is a good alternative. They get the Swedish language and culture alongside the French at the same time as they meet friends from around the world.”
Teaching with the individual at heart The Swedish School of Geneva is a place where everyone will know your name –
no matter if you are a parent or student. The children take pleasure in lifelong learning. Starting with the individual’s background, language and knowledge, they are supported in their continuous learning and knowledge development. Small groups make it possible to work with the individual child and adapt the education to specific circumstances and needs. “We work a lot with the children’s self-esteem to make them feel valued for who they are. We actively work with an open dialogue, where everybody’s opinion matters,” Miran says. Next summer, the school will move to new eco-friendly facilities with room for 120 children instead of the current capacity of 70. The premises are centrally located but also close to nature and will be ready in the summer of 2017.
For more information, please visit: www.svenskaskolan.ch
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Schools Abroad
Living the dream in Africa At the Swedish School in Nairobi, students can explore Kenyan society and wildlife without missing out on their Swedish education. During their big African adventure, they will get fantastic memories and experiences and make friends for life.
get the chance to explore a developing country,” says Lundgren. “It’s fantastic to see how the children get new perspectives and grow during their time here.”
By Malin Norman | Photos: Svenska Skolan i Nairobi
While Nairobi is a hectic city with more than three million inhabitants, the Swedish school is a peaceful sanctuary with 165 students this year, aged 18 months to 19 years old. It runs three educational programmes according to the Swedish curriculum: preschool, compulsory school and upper secondary school. Classes are in Swedish and taught by qualified teachers. This offers a safe base for the students to focus on their studies, explore the local culture, learn English and perhaps even some Swahili. In addition, the school also arranges exchange programmes with guest students from Sweden at upper secondary level. This is an opportunity to experience a year abroad and the students can either choose to stay with a host family or at the boarding house provided by the school, which has room for 82 students. “Many appreciate the chance to spend a year abroad, to be part of the school and what East Africa has to offer,” says headmas-
ter Rosie Lundgren. “For many this is a dream come true, and all students make friends for life.”
The Swedish School in Nairobi works closely with other Swedish schools abroad. If interested, make sure not to miss the regular information meetings in Sweden.
An important part of the education is emphasising democratic values, as well as integration with the local society, to help increase knowledge and give insights into life in another part of the world. For the upper secondary students, three different profile courses are available: East African development with focus on the economy and development, East African wildlife with in-depth studies about nature and sustainability, and East African model United Nations (UN). Students at all levels regularly go on study trips, day excursions in surrounding areas such as national parks, and longer excursion to for instance Mount Kenya, Mombasa and all the way to the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. “Living abroad changes the students. They leave a well-known environment in Europe and
For more information, please visit: www.ssn.or.ke
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 65
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Schools Abroad
110 years in the heart of Berlin Celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, the second oldest Swedish school abroad breathes tradition and history yet manages to create a dynamic environment and flourishing future for its young pupils. By Malin Norman | Photos: Svenska Skolan i Berlin
The Swedish school in Berlin, Germany, was founded in 1906 by the Swedish Victoria Congregation and has a long tradition of educating students at compulsory school age. Located on Landhausstrasse in the bright and leafy borough of Wilmersdorf in the centre of the city, the school operates as an independent unit on premises owned by the church. The site also hosts a preschool for younger children as well as the Norwegian parish. “Our small school has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, providing a social environment with tight bonds between parents, staff and children,” says headmaster Eva Gripenstad. “With small-size, mixedage classes run by our competent and qualified teachers, we are also in the great
position to give more attention to the pupils and their individual needs.” Following the Swedish curriculum, the school offers a high-quality educational programme for around 40 pupils from Sweden, Norway and Finland. While preserving its Scandinavian heritage and values, the school manages to integrate with modern German society. “When studying abroad, the children get a completely different outlook of the world,” Gripenstad says about the benefits of the international environment. “They get a global perspective and become more broad-minded when switching between languages and cultures.” As part of their education, the pupils at the Swedish school get the chance to see the exciting and bustling city of Berlin, with ad-
ditional study trips to historic locations such as Lützen. The children and their families can also enjoy a mix of German traditions and Scandinavian festivities such as Lucia and the popular Christmas market, which attracted more than 20,000 visitors this year.
For more information, please visit: www.svenskaskolan-berlin.de
Friendly school with rhythm The Scandinavian school of Madrid offers a dynamic mix with its many nationalities, high-quality educational programmes and popular music profile. The school also boasts a pioneering anti-bullying programme to support the students’ wellbeing. By Malin Norman | Photos: Scandinavian school of Madrid
The Scandinavian school of Madrid welcomes students of many nationalities. Half of them are of Nordic origin and 40 per cent have more than one nationality. The Scandinavian section, following the Swedish curriculum, and the international section, following the Cambridge programme, are both based on Scandinavian pedagogy and values and have an experienced team of qualified teachers at hand. The school is one of the first educational institutions in Spain to qualify as a KiVa school. In the KiVa anti-bullying programme originally set up in Finland, teachers emphasise the children’s wellbeing and initiate discussions about values, friendship and bullying. “Being a small school, we have a friendly and peaceful atmosphere,” 66 | Issue 95 | December 2016
says headmaster Jenny Dettmann. “With students of all ages in the same location we see that they help each other out, which also gives great results in their studies.” This is a Scandinavian school in an international environment, with the city of Madrid functioning as an additional classroom during regular visits to the many museums and sights. At upper secondary level, the school also welcomes some 40 students from Sweden. For one year, they study at the school and live in Spanish host families. “This is a great experience for our guest students,” says Dettmann. “In addition to learning the language, they get to really see the Spanish culture up close.” With a modern music profile, everyone has the chance to play an instrument and
sing in the school choir. “In Spain, people celebrate at every opportunity. We embrace this great tradition and encourage the children to perform during all the festivities at school.”
For more information, please visit: www.escandinavo.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Schools Abroad
Supportive and inclusive Swedish learning in Paris The Swedish School in Paris is not only for children from the Nordic countries. French kids have joined the pre-school since 2015, making the students benefit from cultural differences on a new level. By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Svenska Skolan Paris
“Our children will hopefully experience fewer culture clashes and be more tolerant when they grow up,” says Marina Rondeau, headmaster at the Swedish School in Paris, when she talks about the different nationalities at her school. The Swedish School in Paris teaches the standard Swedish curriculum from pre-school to upper secondary school. Swedish pedagogy and age integration, where the education is tailored around each pupil, is something Rondeau believes
attracts the French. “We see our kids as individuals as opposed to a big group, and our effort around the kids is positive, supportive and encouraging. We are attentive to every little accomplishment.” Using Paris as a way of learning The students at the Swedish School in Paris get a natural connection to France as the pre-school and primary school are located in central Paris near the Arc de Triomphe
and the secondary school at a French school they collaborate with. Paris is used as an authentic way of learning as the students get to do ‘homework downtown’, study visits and projects. The older students also get the chance to do a one-week internship at a French workplace. Interested families are welcome to schedule a visit at the school at any time.
For more information, please visit: www.svenskaskolanparis.com
Viking ships in Roskilde History for all the senses – year round
Experience five original Viking ships and see our impressive boat collection in the scenic Museum Harbour. Look, feel, smell - and try! The Viking Ship Museum focuses on the Vikings’ maritime craftsmanship and their impressive ships. Exciting exhibitions – Films about the Viking ships and Sea Stallion from Glendalough – Dress as a Viking Activities for children – Go on board Viking ships Boatyard – Museum Shop – New Nordic Viking Food Scenic harbour life with Viking ships and historical wooden boats. Go sailing on Roskilde Fjord: May 15 - September 30.
SPECIAL EXHIBITION 2014
The World in the Viking Age – Seafaring in the 9th century changed the world! vikingshipmuseum.dk Under the age of 18 admission free Open daily 10:00 - 16:00
(May 16 - Aug. 24: 10:00 - 17:00)
Transport:
Free car park. Train to Roskilde. From Roskilde Station bus route 203 or about 20 minutes’ walk.
Aalborg Århus
Roskilde
Odense
København
Vindeboder 12 • DK-4000 Roskilde • vikingshipmuseum.dk
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Boarding Schools in Sweden
Laying foundations for the future Grennaskolan lays the academic foundation for its students with first-class teaching, an international focus and a peaceful study environment in the idyllic small town of Gränna. Put simply, it is a great education for a brilliant future. By Malin Norman | Photos: Grennaskolan
The picturesque town of Gränna with its steep streets and rows of traditional wooden houses has a flourishing tourism industry and a creative atmosphere with plenty of entrepreneurs and retailers. Many are familiar with Gränna’s tradition of making irresistible red and white peppermint candy canes and may also know of Salomon August Andrée, who attempted to fly a hydrogen balloon over the North Pole. “The idyllic setting of Gränna is special, and our school with boarding houses feels exactly the same – small and familiar,” says headmaster Anders Brage. “As the school grows over the years, the familiar atmosphere and close bonds between students and teachers remain.” Grennaskolan was originally set up in 1963 by Stockholm University as Sweden’s first international upper-sec68 | Issue 95 | December 2016
ondary school. Nowadays, the school is owned by the municipality of Jönköping and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in English and two national programmes according to the Swedish curriculum: the Social Science Programme and the Business Management and Economics Programme. All lines of study are available for boarding as well as day students.
Popular pre-university programme The IB programme is appreciated by universities for challenging the students in their search for knowledge and preparing them for higher education. “The students have fewer subjects but with more in-depth focus. This is an intensive programme in preparation for successful academic studies,” explains Brage. The IB programme has an international focus with courses in modern languag-
es, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics. In addition, the aim of the IB learner profile is to develop internationally minded people who help to create a better and more peaceful world. With its reputation for providing highquality education and a supportive environment, the school attracts Swedish and international students from far-away countries including China. Many stay at the boarding houses, with the benefits of a wide range of recreational activities arranged by GRIFF, the school sports association, and opportunities to make long-term friendships. “The social side is important for our students, who build networks and make great contacts for the future.” The Alumni Association of Grennaskolan regularly organises reunions and meet-ups, attended by former students from all over the world who make sure to stay in touch over the years.
For more information, please visit: www.grennaskolan.se
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Boarding Schools in Sweden
At the forefront of education Renowned Lundsberg boarding school offers an impressive educational programme and support system, which help the students reach their academic goals and what they can see on the horizon – creating a world of opportunities. By Malin Norman | Photos: Lundsbergs Skola
Lundsberg boarding school is located in Storfors, north of Kristinehamn in Värmland. Founded in 1896 by William Olsson, the school takes inspiration from English-style boarding schools and offers first-class upper secondary education managed by Stiftelsen Lundsbergs Skola (the Lundsberg School Foundation). Although the students spend approximately 230 days per year at Lundsberg, life on campus never gets boring as they can take part in a fantastic range of sports such as rowing, athletics, football and horse riding, and plenty of cultural activities. “We have a full programme during the weeks as well as on the weekends with interesting guest lectures, fun sports challenges and exciting competitions between the boarding houses,” explains headmaster Johan Harryson. “This is a world in itself, unlike any other school in Sweden.” At Lundsberg, the around 200 students get support and encouragement in their daily studies and future plans. Since last semester, the school offers the help of
dedicated coaches in a form of mentorship. Through the initiative, teachers can focus on teaching and developing the students’ knowledge, while the coaches meet them on a regular basis and talk about the studies and life in general. “The study coaches assist our students here and now, in prioritising what’s on their plate and making the choices that are right for them,” says Harryson.
by university professors throughout the year with specific case studies that the students can prepare beforehand. According to Harryson, this is another step that aims to minimise the often difficult gap between upper secondary school and university. “We get great feedback from the university on how interested and proactive our students are, which bodes well for their future.”
Another new addition is university advisors, who have access to more than 100 universities worldwide and can support the students in achieving their academic dreams. By setting up long-term plans and specific goals, the students can maintain focus and hopefully later get accepted at a university that suits their special skills and interests. “This is incredibly important for our students’ motivation,” says Harryson. “They need to understand where their education is headed and be able to decide on the next step to get there.” The school also cooperates with Linköping University, offering many guest lectures
For more information, please visit: www.lundsbergsskola.se
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 69
You don’t need a big occasion to enjoy Jarlsberg®, the quality cheese from Norway. Its unique taste makes every moment special. Enjoy the autumn evenings with friends and loved ones with your favourite snack on the table. Did you know that the world famous Jarlsberg® cheese is celebrating 60 years in 2016? To find out more, visit: www.jarlsberg.com You’ll also find inspiration and some exciting recipes.
www.jarlsberg.com
Visit us at SIAL Paris, 16 - 20 October 2016. We are in the dairy section, stand 7 B 138
Scan Magazine | Business | Keynote
Scan Business Keynote 71 | Danish Enterprises to Watch 72 | Business Column 91 | Business Calendar 91
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Have annual performance appraisals passed their sell-by date? Thinking smarter can improve your team’s performance By Lani Bannach | Press photo
The commonly held view is that praise in the workplace is motivating and, while performance appraisals can be positive and include praise, they are by definition about improving performance. Suggestions about how to improve someone’s performance may require giving constructive criticism and even negative feedback, often by making a comparison with other employees. Research has shown that this type of negative feedback activates the brain’s threat response and releases stress hormones, perceiving it to be a threat to someone’s status and standing within a group. So-called constructive criticism often generates feelings of rejection and may even provoke a sense of distancing and exclusion from a group. It also releases neuro-chemicals into your brain that are similar to the experience of physical pain. However well-presented, for example using sandwich techniques and empathy, constructive criticism activates similar neural responses as being in danger, or
perceiving a threat. This neural response is a very mentally draining response, taking up large amounts of oxygen and glucose, otherwise best used for other brain activities such as problem solving and critical thinking. So apart from the process being very time-consuming it is no wonder that, despite well-planned performance reviews, organisations experience a decrease in group cohesion and therefore diminished performance and team efficiency, not to mention motivation and morale. Adopting an enlightened approach to organisational development, GE announced their new strategy of abolishing annual performance reviews. Employees across the organisation rejoiced, and many forward-thinking HR directors are looking at the GE strategy and alternative systems with interest. It is encouraging to see that the global giant that first introduced such stringent review processes all those years ago, has now moved forward and found new ways to motivate and develop their teams.
As businesses evolve in the digital and information age, there is also a need for a greater understanding of how the brain works and what genuinely motivates management and employees to deliver outstanding performances for the benefit of them and the organisation.
Lani Bannach, one of Denmark’s most successful international business women, has devoted her entire career to sizing up risk and researching decision making. She is a director of Essenta, lectures at Westminster University and Copenhagen Business School, and holds various other directorships. www.essenta.dk
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Life on the border between capital and countryside Located just 30 minutes from Copenhagen Airport, the Municipality of Ballerup has been associated with a thriving business community for decades. But the area is not just a haven for businesses; surrounded by nature and defined by strong local communities, it is also a great spot for their employees. Scan Magazine talks to mayor Jesper Würtzen about the advantages of life in the borderland between capital and countryside. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Ballerup Kommune
Whether you are driving or taking the S-train, it only takes 20 minutes to get to Copenhagen from Ballerup. Still, the municipality has a life and identity of its 72 | Issue 95 | December 2016
own. It is home to a string of cultural, sports and educational institutions as well as flourishing local communities and popular new residential areas. There
is, in other words, more to the municipality than a prolific business environment. “A lot of people know Ballerup as a powerful business hub, and we are. We are actually, alongside Billund, the municipality in Denmark that has the highest corporate income per citizen. But we are also a municipality that thrives on the border between city and country – we are the first place where you see the open countryside when you are driving out of Copenhagen. So though you are close to the city, you are also close to nature – no
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
matter where in the municipality you are, it doesn’t take more than five minutes on cycle to a green area,” says Würtzen.
Education and business One thing that characterises the municipality of Ballerup and its four residential areas – Ballerup, Måløv, Egebjerg and Skovlunde – is a strong focus on education for children, youngsters and adults. The municipality has 27 day-care institutions and five well-functioning state schools, which are continuously modernised and improved, and a brand-new nursery and day-care centre is set to open in August 2017. “The centre will be modern and designed to encourage active games. The heart of it will be a shared space, designed as a city square with road lanes, pedestrian crossings and a city skyline and the many square metres will also include a wood workshop, kitchen workshop and culture house,” explains Würtzen. Currently, the municipality is also working on a project to improve the indoor climate in all schools and institutions to improve learning and increase wellbeing.
in the world when it comes to valuecreating business collaborations, has a 42,000-square-metre division in Ballerup. The Ballerup Campus includes the university’s more businessorientated diploma programmes and is located in Ballerup because of the strong surrounding business community. “We have a lot of knowledge-based organisations and jobs here – as a matter of fact we are the municipality with the highest average salary and the second-most people employed within the pharmaceutical sector,” says Würtzen and adds: “With all the knowledge-based companies we have, we are obviously very pleased that DTU has their campus here as it helps us ensure that our companies can secure the work force they need.” The Ballerup Campus, which is currently being extended and transformed, will, when finished, accommodate 3,000 students – and an on-site college is also on the cards.
Ballerup is also home to a number of technical colleges, business colleges and three gymnasiums (Danish high school equivalent). Finally, the Technical University of Denmark, which has been nominated as the sixth-best university
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 73
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
Søndergaard is a new neighbourhood in Måløv, an area with an old, well-established local identity. The area is built up around a 600-metre-long artificial lake.
Safe and green Ballerup Municipality has an expansive network of pedestrian and bicycle paths ensuring that young and old can get around safely. Among the paths is a sixkilometre-long pilgrimage route, which is part of the European pilgrimage network. The route’s patron saint is Saint Jakob, who is historically connected to the Ballerup Church, one of two medieval churches in the municipality. “We are surrounded by green areas. To the north we have Jonstrup Vang and Hareskoven and to the south Vestskoven, and close to Skovlunde there’s the large recreational area Harrestrup Ådal, which has two golf courses, cycling and running tracks,” Würtzen says. Outdoor enthusiasts will also find eight free shelters spread across the municipality’s nature areas. The municipality is also home to several great sports intuitions include Ballerup 74 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Super Arena, a large velodrome that has become known for housing big events such as the World Championships in badminton and the Danish Eurovision Song Contest. During the week, the arena serves as the training grounds for the Danish Olympic medal-winning track cycling team. Finally, the municipality is one of 22 elite municipalities, cooperating with Team Denmark, the official organisation for elite sports in Denmark, to create the best settings for sports and talent development in Denmark.
that we, on top of good schools and institutions, can offer children and families plenty of extra activities,” says Würtzen and adds: “The other day, I was talking to a resident who moved to Ballerup a year ago. She came from Østrebro in Copenhagen but was very positive about the many great offers we have, especially for children. She was surprised because she found it much better than what many of her friends, who moved to more expensive areas north of Copenhagen, were experiencing.”
Culture and quality of life
Among Ballerup’s best-known cultural venues is Baltoppen LIVE, a popular concert hall, which was this year nominated as Denmark’s best concert hall by the Danish Music Awards Folk. Another prize-winning institution is the municipality’s music school, which is among the country’s biggest and last year earned Ballerup the nomination for Music
For those who prefer the indoors, Ballerup Municipality also has a wide range of cultural offers. The municipality supports a large, strong network of 250 sports and culture unions and organisations. “As a municipality we have a strong tradition for prioritising nature, sports and culture. We have large sports facilities so
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
School Municipality of the Year. Other prominent institutions include two modern culture houses and a large popular library hosting a string of literary events.
For people and businesses Having grown from a small station town of just 5,000 inhabitants in the 1950s to a flourishing municipality of 48,000 residents, there is no doubt that Ballerup is today one of the greatest business hubs in Denmark. With a new business park opening up and a string of city renewal projects, new residential areas and educational initiatives on their way, the municipality looks set to keep this position. “Ballerup is without doubt a good place to live but also to run a business and work. We have a unique composition in that we are a great municipality constituted by a number of smaller towns with their own identities and strong communities – people know each other,” says Würtzen and rounds off: “We have more than 40,000 jobs, and that makes us one of Denmark’s greatest municipalities for business. Our ambition is to continue to be so in the future.”
BALLERUP MUNICIPALITY IN NUMBERS: 48,200 residents 41,000 jobs 27 childcare institutions Five state schools Two S-train lines Five S-train stations 23 bus routes 16 city parks and green areas Average square-kilometre price: Ballerup: 25,024 DKK per square metre / Copenhagen: 40,896 DKK per square metre.
For more information, please visit: www.ballerup.dk
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 75
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
Pernille Beckmann, mayor of Greve.
Greve Municipality – one of Denmark’s most business-friendly municipalities Greve is a business-friendly municipality that is highly successful in attracting and retaining Danish and foreign companies. A common characteristic of the companies here is that they thrive, grow, and create jobs. Several surveys have shown this, including the Confederation of Danish Industries’ annual survey of business friendliness in the country’s municipalities and VækstVilkår Greve. By Birgit Schaldemose Norman | Photos: Greve Municipality
The companies’ growth and their excellent assessment of Greve’s business friendliness are wonderful news to Pernille Beckmann, mayor of Greve. Since becoming mayor in 2014, she has, together with the City Council, municipal officials and ErhvervsCentret, which serves as a link between the municipality and the local business community, focused on making Greve one of the best places to run a business. With an action-oriented growth policy, Greve Municipality has further boosted ambitions for an even stronger service culture, benefitting the growth and development of the local business community. Good dialogue, close cooperation and a solutionoriented approach to the companies’ needs are in focus. 76 | Issue 95 | December 2016
“A well-functioning business community is important to all of us in Greve. Companies generate growth and jobs and help the municipality create quality in its services to residents. That is why we do our utmost to meet with companies, see things from their perspective and go the extra mile to find solutions,” Beckmann says.
Meeting companies on their own terms Each week, Greve’s mayor makes company visits with a few partners to listen to the companies’ challenges. The aim is to meet the companies with humility and respect for the work they do, with the genuine desire to understand how the municipality can help them to create the best framework for growth. In addition to the company meetings and daily person-
al dialogue, Greve Municipality receives regular feedback from the companies at annual round table meetings with representatives from the business community. As general manager of ErhvervsCentret, Tina Charlotte Koeffoed, Greve’s business and tourism promotion director, is responsible for ensuring that the local companies have fast and easy access to information and help from Greve Municipality through ErhvervsCentret. “Our aim is to meet companies on their own terms. We are here for their sake and that is why we must maintain an active dialogue and close collaboration with them. We are always accessible and do everything we can to answer their questions and solve their problems, or direct them to the appropriate person,” Koeffoed explains. For more information, please visit: www.erhvervscentret.greve.dk www.greve.dk
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
Tina Charlotte Koeffoed, Greve’s business and tourism promotion director.
An attractive place to settle for international companies Greve Municipality is one of Denmark’s most business-friendly municipalities and a highly attractive place for international businesses looking for a large commercial space close to the motorway.
palities, at 99,040 DKK per capita. Greve’s entrepreneurs are good at creating jobs – not only for themselves, but also for other residents.
By Birgit Schaldemose Norman | Photos: Greve Municipality
Greve gives companies direct, fast access to the Scandinavian and northern European markets thanks to the town’s ideal geographic location in relation to the rest of Europe. The town is just a 20-minute drive from Copenhagen and the airport. Greve’s central location makes it one of Denmark’s most attractive business towns for both Danish and foreign companies, benefitting from three suburban railway stations, good public transport and an excellent network of cycling paths.
Multinational companies thrive in Greve Today Greve is a strong centre for transport and trade, and many Danish and foreign companies prefer to be based here over other places in the Nordic region. The town is already home to large, internationally renowned companies such as L’Oréal A/S, DHL, Hennes & Mauritz A/S, Top-Toy A/S, TIGER A/S, LEMAN International System Transport A/S, Blue Water Shipping A/S, and Movianto Nordic ApS.
“It is important for Greve Municipality to give companies the ideal setting for business and job growth. The interaction between the municipality and the local business community has huge significance for the municipality’s long-term development, and positive collaboration and close dialogue are important elements in such successful business development,” says Pernille Beckmann, mayor of Greve, who visits businesses weekly to get a good understanding of their needs. Surveys show that Greve’s business community is thriving. In the past six years, 200 to 300 new full-time jobs have been created annually. The transport industry created 406 new full-time jobs in 2014 and 2015, and in the construction industry employment has risen by 53 per cent since 2010. This corresponds to 500 new full-time positions. Retail trade in Greve is flourishing, with a per-capita turnover that is twice that of other Danish munici-
One of the big benefits for the business community in Greve is the easy access to qualified labour, as half of Denmark’s population lives within a 50-kilometre radius. “We have an entity in place, ready to listen to the special challenges that foreign companies face and guarantee fast and professional assistance from the authorities,” says business and tourism promotion director, Tina Charlotte Koeffoed, who in her capacity as general manager of ErhvervsCentret serves as a link between the business community and Greve Municipality.
For more information, contact Tina Charlotte Koeffoed at: tck@greve.dk or +45 36915004. For more information, please visit: www.erhvervscentret.greve.dk www.greve.dk
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 77
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
ErhvervsCentret
Tormod Torekoven, regional business manager, Snow Software ApS.
– ideal for foreign firms to run business operations ErhvervsCentret is located in one of Greve’s attractive green industrial areas alongside the Køge Bay motorway, just a 20-minute drive from Copenhagen and the airport. The modern business centre is home to 50 Danish and foreign companies of different sizes, some with subsidiaries around the globe. By Birgit Schaldemose Norman | Photos: Greve Municipality
Companies thrive in this attractive, dynamic full-service business centre, with its unique central location. They are housed in flexible leased offices that can be furnished as needed and adapted in size, from 14 to 120 square metres. The companies appreciate the positive atmosphere in the centre, the high level of service and the community, with the many interesting neighbouring companies. As tenants at ErhvervsCentret, the companies get access to free parking, an elevator, electronic access and a manned reception, which manages phone calls and mail and greets guests. The professional setting creates serenity, allowing the companies to concentrate on their core business.
Professional framework and excellent service One of the foreign firms that thrives in the leased offices and meeting rooms at ErhvervsCentret is the successful Swedish 78 | Issue 95 | December 2016
company Snow Software ApS, the world leader in the supply of local cloud-based solutions for software asset management (SAM). The company set up office in Denmark six years ago, when Snow Software ApS had grown on the Swedish and Norwegian markets and wanted to penetrate the Danish market. ErhvervsCentret in Greve was the natural choice, according to Tormod Torekoven, regional business manager. Today he shares an office with his four colleagues at ErhvervsCentret and would definitely recommend it to other foreign companies looking for centrally located, attractive offices for an international subsidiary in Denmark. “ErhvervsCentret is a wonderfully pleasant, light and peaceful place with good common areas and surroundings, and it is close to everything. Here we hold meetings, courses and conferences in a professional setting. You’ll find everything you need, and the prices are very reasonable,” says Torekoven. “It is a highly
efficient business centre. The excellent service with a cafeteria and a reception, which greets our guests with a smile and manages our calls and post, means that we can concentrate on strengthening our business.” At ErhvervsCentret you will also find Greve’s business and tourism promotion director Tina Charlotte Koeffoed, who is general manager of ErhvervsCentret and the business community’s link to the municipality.
Want to learn more about ErhvervsCentret’s available offices and meeting rooms? Contact Henriette Sindlev Andersen at: hsa@greve.dk or +45 36915009.
For more information, please visit: www.erhvervscentret.greve.dk www.greve.dk
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
Theologian Christina Busk founded Etikos to help companies execute value-based strategies.
‘Company values are more than a branding tool’ While values and strategies are essential to all organisations, it might not always be clear to everyone why and how they are best implemented. Danish company Etikos helps its clients identify divergences between proposed values and executed actions as well as disagreements between the viewpoints of employees and company strategies.
think of the management as the locomotive and the employees as the carriages, our job is to ensure that all the carriages are attached and the tracks solid so that nothing is left behind or falling off when the train hits high speeds.”
By Signe Hansen | Photos: Etikos
Why do we do what we do? Why are we here? Why is what we do important? The wish to help companies and public organisations answer those questions was what made theologian Christina Busk found Etikos in 2006. “Etikos is rooted in a desire to work with company values, not as a branding tool but as a profound ethical foundation for the actions of organisations,” says Busk, adding: “Our speciality is the DNA of the organisation. It’s the company culture, the values. Our aim is to ensure that the organisation and its employees know why they are acting the way they do.” Today, Busk heads a team of five consultants with backgrounds in anthropology, theology and conflict mediation. The team tailors the consulting process
to the specific ambitions, challenges and potentials of individual companies. If, for instance, a company is looking to create new job roles, Etikos can help unearth employee values and bridge possible gaps between these and their new roles. This is, says Busk, the only way to ensure that a strategy, role or change will be executed. “An organisation might have a good strategy, but if there is no correlation between the strategy and the existing company culture, it’s impossible to execute. The reason is that when it comes to values, people will always act in agreement with their own viewpoint and do what they think is right, unless encouraged to do otherwise,” she stresses. Busk rounds off by comparing her job to that of a railroad track worker. “If you
For more information, please visit: www.etikos.dk
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 79
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
An ideal location for business The municipality of Vordingborg is geographically well placed with easy access to the port, highway and railway. Since 2014, Business Vordingborg has helped Danish and foreign businesses get established and created the best conditions in terms of business growth in the area. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Vordingborg Business
For many years Vordingborg has been known for its tourism industry, but the area offers so much more. That is why Vordingborg Municipality and Vordingborg Business Association decided to found Business Vordingborg almost three years ago. “There was a wish to focus on other areas of business in the municipality and prioritise them a bit more, so we are doing what we can to meet that request. We are helping companies get started by offering them legal assistance, help with recruitment and much more. For companies that are already based here in the 80 | Issue 95 | December 2016
municipality we provide help to become more visible and aim to be the icebreaker, so to speak, to the municipality,” says Susanne Kruse Sørensen, CEO at Business Vordingborg. Besides helping local companies, Business Vordingborg also supports the municipality by selling industrial sites. The port, for instance, is undergoing interesting development with the new Storstrøm Bridge being established. Another place that Sørensen expects will play a vital part in the future growth of
business in the area is a Business Park located by Exit 41 on the South Motorway. “Geographically you can’t get a better location for your business, and with the fixed asset investments to be made I can’t really come up with a more ideal area to base your business. Vordingborg will become a logistical nexus that connects Scandinavia to the rest of Europe, and that will hopefully help us attract new business such as web companies who, with our infrastructure, have perfect conditions for transporting goods and cargo.”
Estonian Week Business Vordingborg is investing a great deal of time and money into improving the facilities in the area, but is also looking outside of Denmark in order to create growth for its companies. In May, the organisation arranged the so-called
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
Estonian Week, where business owners from Estonia came to Denmark in the hope of collaborating with business owners in Vordingborg. Delegates from the Estonian Embassy also participated in the event. “There was a local company that had a connection to an Estonian company, so we thought it could be interesting to stimulate collaboration between our two countries. In fact, it has already led to a couple of companies being founded, and hopefully it can lead to even more commerce in the future,” says Sørensen and adds that the Estonian Week will be a recurring event. “The barriers between our two countries are almost non-existent, and we share a history with King Valdemar and the flag falling down from the sky in Tallinn in 1219 – so in
many ways it makes sense to extend our partnership.”
Expanding the horizon Since the collaboration with Estonian companies has been such a success so far, Business Vordingborg is planning to copy that formula onto other countries. “We have companies here who work close together with companies in Finland, so that is something we are looking into,” says Sørensen. “Just as in the case of Estonia, the cultural barriers are almost non-existent and we know that the Finnish market is very attractive for some of our local companies. In the future we will try to create more opportunities for commerce for the companies in the municipality. We will do whatever we can to make life easier for new and existing companies in Vordingborg.”
FACTS ABOUT VORDINGBORG: Advantages of basing your business in Vordingborg: - The position of Vordingborg Municipality as a central business centre will be enforced in coming years, due to future capital investments. - Low prices on industrial sites, zero building tax and a reasonable tax rate reduces costs remarkably compared to other municipalities. - Businesses in Vordingborg Municipality have a good range of both skilled and unskilled labour, and good motorway and railway connections make it easy for employees to commute from other areas in Denmark. - Business Vordingborg offers sparring and guidance, free of charge, for both Danish and foreign businesses.
For more information, please visit: www.vordingborgerhverv.dk
Left: Left to right: CEO of Vordingborg Business, Susanne Kruse Sørensen, ambassador Søren Kelstrup, co-owner of Bryghuset Møn, Kasper Bøgedal, and business service manager at Vordingborg Business, Dan Holck-Hansen. Right: Opening at GlaSign Glaskunst. Owner Marianne Lynge (left) and CEO of Vordingborg Business, Susanne Kruse Sørensen. Bottom: Delegates from Vordingborg Business, Danish-Estonian Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Estonia, local Danes and Estonian company owners, the Estonian Embassy as well as the ambassador.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 81
A trip to prison – get in touch with the shadier side of Denmark On the outskirts of Horsens in Eastern Jutland sits the imposing old Horsens State Prison. Built between 1847 to 1853, the sturdy yellow brick buildings served as a prison for more than 150 years. Since closing down in 2006, the State Prison (FÆNGSLET) has become an all-round attraction drawing crowds of more than 150,000 visitors each year and earning it several prizes for its atmosphere and use of multimedia. In 2016, it was awarded Best Non-British Museum by Museums & Heritages in London. By Marjorie de los Angeles Mendieta | Photos: Horsens State Prison
The prison museum offers a new perspective on prison life, quite uncommon to more traditional prison museums. An entire cell block is left virtually untouched with its aura of authenticity, so that visitors may put themselves in the place of inmates. The original graffiti still lines the walls, while multimedia installations projecting shadows and sounds make one feel as if the inmates and guards still linger in the endless corridors. FÆNGSLET’s permanent exhibitions cover the grounds of every corner of the 82 | Issue 95 | December 2016
lives of the inmates and the staff. Prison clothing, working tools and escape tools are on display, but the museum also offers more involving experiences like the chance to perform inmate chores and work. After all, FÆNGSLET did see the coming and going of some of the most prominent criminals in Danish history. Carl August Lorentzen was a gentleman thief and a notorious escapologist whose colourful character is still legendary. On Christmas Eve in 1949, he performed one of the most daring and highly publicised escape acts by digging an 18-metre-long
tunnel underneath the prison wall. A replica of the tunnel will open for the public in May 2017 and will also serve as an exit from the premises. Peter Adler Alberti was perhaps FÆNGSLET’s most renowned inmate. From 1901 to 1908 he had been Minister of Justice in Denmark, but shortly after resigning as minister he turned himself in for embezzlement amounting to a staggering 15 million Danish kroner – a huge sum of money in those days. During his time in office he had reinstated corporal punishment in the Danish penal system and was, understandably, not well-liked in the prison milieu. He was released after eight years, two of which were served in Horsens State Prison, citing medical issues. The prison courtyard of FÆNGSLET served as the stage for the last peace time execution in Denmark in 1892. The museum exhibits the executioner’s authentic
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
tools of trade and houses a zone dedicated to debating capital punishment.
Why not spend the night?
comes to company outings. One of the old cell blocks of the prison now hosts business offices, and the prison itself has long garnered the attention of companies on account of its meeting facilities. FÆNGSLET’s restaurant itself is a thought-provoking setting for any company dinner.
Have you ever wondered what an inmate’s nights were like? The old infirmary of FÆNGSLET has been converted to a sleep-in. The old cells have been revamped with the original sparse furniture and now function as hostel rooms. True to their history, the cells boast no television, but the authentic radios still work and the rooms and the linen are neat and clean. The hostel accommodation ranges from one-man cells to family rooms, and there is even a bridal suite – indeed quite an unusual and different way to spend the night for tourists and backpackers, and an obvious choice for school camps.
Setting the stage
In business circles in Denmark and abroad, FÆNGSLET has been an esteemed novelty for some time when it
The premises of the old prison ground cover 10,000 square metres, and the austere prison courtyard with the prison buildings as its backdrop is rapidly be-
FÆNGSLET’s prison theme events are an option for larger parties. Dinner games are a popular pastime during any Christmas lunch, and FÆNGSLET’s offers in terms of various other puzzle-solving activities, or a guided tour around the prison building by a former employee or inmate, are sure to spice up meeting arrangements and team-building exercises.
coming an alternative and inspiring venue for concerts and theatrical plays. The prison ground itself has an audience capacity of roughly 35,000 and has already hosted several high-profile concerts. In 2014, rock bands Metallica and Aerosmith gave highly acclaimed performances in front of a full audience at FÆNGSLET. In 2017, FÆNGSLET is set to host various events in connection with the Aarhus 2017 European Capital of Culture project. Regardless of preferences, FÆNGSLET promises hours’ if not days’ worth of uncanny and unlikely experiences.
Fussingsvej 8 8700 Horsens Denmark www.faengslet.dk
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 83
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
Focusing on growth, sustainability and excellent products When Bjarne Lynddahl discovered that there was a demand for hoses and pipes used in milking machines in 1973, he decided to realise his dream of becoming selfemployed and LYNDDAHL A/S was born. Since then the Danish company has become one of northern Europe’s biggest and most trusted manufacturers of extruded hoses and profiles for all applications. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: LYNDDAHL A/S
building in Ribe, Denmark. More and more industries were added and today LYNDDAHL manufactures hoses and profiles for automotive, industry, building, garden, water treatment and offshore applications.
To meet the demands of the dairy farmers, Bjarne Lynddahl bought a machine that could develop the plastic tubes and profiles needed and placed it in his garage. From there, Bjarne and his wife, Jenny, ran the business in their spare time before it became their full-time job in 1976.
Generation change
It was also in 1976 that the business was moved away from the garage and into a new 650-square-metre manufacturing
In 2010, the Lynddahls’ son, Rasmus, took over the company after working there for five years. “I came in with some new ideas and my parents and I created
84 | Issue 95 | December 2016
a plan for a gradual generation change,” explains Lynddahl. “It was also incredible to have my parents on the sidelines as it made the transition very smooth.” Lynddahl took over at a difficult time, with the financial crisis spreading to every corner of the globe. “It did mean that we had to trim the business and make it as efficient as possible, but it also means that we are more efficient today than we’ve ever been.”
Custom-made products LYNDDAHL offers its customers the ultimate experience in product design and manufacturing. They can help to design the perfect hose or profile or manufacture directly from drawings, making the process simple and easy.
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
“We know that no two hoses and no two profiles are the same, even within the same industry. We’re focused on producing the best products for our customers to suit their exact needs. By working closely together and using our wide-ranging expertise we create high-quality, safe and sustainable products at the right price,” says Lynddahl.
year LYNDDAHL was awarded the sustainability award and acknowledged as an outstanding supplier. “Sustainability is high on our agenda and we’re constantly working towards developing better systems, producing less waste, reusing as much as we can and simply reducing the environmental impact we make,” Lynddahl explains.
Sustainability and efficiency
“We couldn’t do what we’re doing without the 65 fantastic people who work here. They’re the ones with the experience and knowledge needed to create our products. They’re definitely at the forefront of the company,” he says. “We pride ourselves on having staff that are satisfied and happy, as well as extremely competent in their fields. By using machines in the logistics department we’ve saved a lot of backs from chronic pain and created a more pleasant and healthy workplace. We’re also always looking at
LYNDDAHL has increased its focus on creating a more sustainable manufacturing process. By tightening the logistics process, buying machinery to make production more efficient and recycling their waste, the company has become a sustainable supplier. The sustainable methods that LYNDDAHL enforces were recently recognised by Husqvarna, who each year awards six of their 2,200 suppliers with an award. This
Rasmus Lynddahl
the newest technology and providing our staff with training and education, so that they continue to be experts in their field.”
Focusing on growth By constantly reassessing itself and its processes, LYNDDAHL has become a company that is efficient in all aspects of the business. Having done the groundwork, the focus is now on the growth of the business and there is no doubt that Lynddahl is ambitious. “We’re aiming to double our turnover and employ 15 to 20 more staff members both in production and in sales. It’s possible for us to do this because we’ve invested a lot in the company and given it the foundation it needs to be able to grow. It’s an exciting time for the company and we’re looking forward to seeing what happens in the future!”
For more information, please visit: www.lynddahl.dk
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 85
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
The new 1,200,000-square-metre Business Park Falster is located right next to the E47/E55 motorway.
‘We want to be the best place to do business in Greater Copenhagen’ Located on Lolland-Falster, in between Scandinavia and Germany, the municipality of Guldborgsund is a northern European sweet spot for businesses. Furthermore, the municipality is investing heavily in improved transport links, a new 1,200,000-squaremetre business park, and a fast and efficient case-handling process. The goal is for Lolland-Falster to be the best place to do business in Greater Copenhagen by 2020. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Guldborgsund Kommune
With more than 70 billion DKK to be invested in new transport links to and from Lolland-Falster, there is an array of changes underway in the municipality of Guldborgsund. The construction of a new bridge between Falster and Zealand will commence next year, the railway to Copenhagen is being electrified, and, most remarkably, the Danish and German governments are due to approve the Fehmarnbelt, an 18-kilometre-long immersed tunnel connecting Lolland in 86 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Denmark with Fehmarn in Germany. This means that, by 2020, Guldborgsund could be the best place to run a business in Greater Copenhagen. “I don’t believe in creating unrealistic goals, so we have set the 2020 goal based on the proven fact that what creates growth is improved infrastructure,” says mayor John Brædder. “We are right in the axis between Hamburg, Berlin and Copenhagen, and that means that as a company located in Business Park Falster you have access to
about 12 million people within a radius of 400 kilometres – that’s a very big earning potential.” As it stands, Lolland-Falster is connected to Germany via two ferry routes and is thus within two to three hours from Hamburg and Berlin and 70 minutes from Copenhagen by car. But the municipality’s location is not its only strength; companies are also loving the fast and smooth case processing. Kim Hvolbøl, regional director from BMS, an international crane company, says: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Guldborgsund municipality in connection with our site acquisition, planning permission application, partitioning of the site and so on. The tasks were solved with just two meetings, and then everything was ready
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
to be signed off. It’s an obvious advantage for us, running a crane business, to be able to keep our focus 100 per cent on our business also in the process of moving to Guldborgsund.”
In the sweet spot In 2024, when the new electrified railway connection is finished, Guldborgsund Municipality will be just 57 minutes from Copenhagen by train. When the Fehmarnbelt tunnel opens – estimated for completion in 2028 – it will be possible to reach Hamburg in just 90 minutes. This is good news for local businesses in more than one way. Firstly, the 40 billion DKK tunnel construction will mean an instant boost to the area’s economy and population. Secondly, when the project is done, companies will have unparalleled access to most of northern Europe. The unique location was also essential to BMS when choosing the location in the new Business Park Falster right next to the E47/E55 motorway. “One of our reasons for choosing this location was the infrastructure in connection to the motorway. All our cranes are transported as flatbed trucks, and for that reason they have to be transported on a load-bearing
road structure and on routes approved by the police,” says Hvolbøl and adds: “At the same time, this location gives us a much greater presence in both Southern Zealand and all of Lolland-Falster, where we already have a great number of jobs for regular clients. It might be servicing wind turbines, heavy transport, montage, and all the regular crane jobs that will arise in connection with the new Storstrøms Bridge and the infrastructure for the Fehmarn connection. Also, since establishing in Nørre Alslev, we’ve been able to recruit from a remarkably good, stable and qualified local workforce.”
One step ahead With approximately 30 companies and 800 employees in and around Business Park Falster, the steps taken by Guldborgsund Municipality have already resulted in visible changes. But more are to come stresses CEO Mikkel Wesselhoff of Business Lolland-Falster, which is a trade-orientated collaboration between the municipalities of Lolland and Guldborgsund. “The statistics show that we have a much higher rate of newly established companies than the national average. That is a very positive development, which we are working to expand
on. At the same time, we are in general experiencing a huge interest in doing business here at Lolland-Falster – and with the planned changes our location is future proof as well.” Christian Smith, Guldborgsund’s business and development manager, agrees: “We are directing our new initiatives at several different areas. But the very foundation for our work is an improved dialogue with our existing businesses to hear their thoughts on running a business in Guldborgsund. So we deliver a dialogue-based service, which means that we don’t just provide the right frames for today but are also one step ahead when it comes to meeting the demands of tomorrow.” For more information, please visit: www.businessparkfalster.dk Business Lolland-Falster: www.businesslf.dk Guldborgsund Municipality: www.guldborgsund.dk
Top right: Business Park Falster has transport links to a large part of northern Europe. Bottom right: Mayor of the municipality of Guldborgsund, John Brædder, believes that Lolland-Falster could in 2020 be the best place to do business in Greater Copenhagen.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 87
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
Spearheading floor creators of the north Any business, big or small, in need of flawless flooring must acquaint themselves with KubelCoating ApS. Founder Thorbjørn Kubel is recognised for his awardwinning innovative work, and his non-stop passion has the Danish company rule industry flooring in the north.
offices, underground carpark, production and research rooms,” he continues. “We make floors for all kinds of industries and shops.”
By Mette Nina Hindkjær Madsen | Photos: KubelCoating ApS
From vision to finished flooring
KubelCoating ApS is your go-to provider of wear-resistant and easy-to-clean floors that meet your every requirement. The Danish-based company works with businesses of any and every kind and size. And once a company has worked with KubelCoating their partnership tends to grow with the establishment’s expansion. “We have regular customers, like two guys who renovate tiny packaging houses in Copenhagen. Over the past two 88 | Issue 95 | December 2016
years we have helped them with flooring everything from 80 to 100-square-metre spaces in the beginning to most recently a 3,000-square-metre space,” Kubel says. “Our customer base spans the local fisherman selling fresh fish outside the supermarket, the farmer who has just built a new stable or wants to renovate an existing one, and the big companies like Novo Nordisk A/S, who we have worked for quite a lot – like earlier this year when we did their close to 6,000-square-metre
The floor creations of KubelCoating can be finished in as quickly as two to three days, and restaurants as well as clothing boutiques are also among KubelCoating’s clients, as they create coveted Nordic design within industrial floors. Kubel New Yorker is one of their special floors, which they have created for 12 of the clothing brand BERTONI’s shops. “It has a cool, raw style that turns into an amazing patina style over time,” says Kubel. A customer will contact KubelCoating ApS and, depending on the type of as-
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
signment, a team will pay the client a visit to evaluate the floor in question and listen to the client’s wishes and needs. With a considerable difference in pricing of the various types of floors, KubelCoating ensures that the clients get exactly what they want at the minimum cost to achieve a great result.
“The fitters use the app to monitor measurements of moist, add images from the site and control that everything is as it should be. This makes our customers feel very secure in the process, and they along with the fitter do a check in the end to make sure that the floor is up to par,” Kubel explains.
Kubel knows precisely what he is doing, as he has many years’ experience of constructing floors with his own two hands – experience he uses daily to advise his customers the best way possible. “In this business, you’ll quickly learn something new every day and we view our past and present experience as a whole. I take everything I’ve seen, done and learnt into my consultation of every client. It’s all about knowing the material we are working with,” says Kubel.
Award-winning entrepreneurship
KubelCoating developed their own app that stores all information they have retrieved about the client and the task at hand. This keeps every detail from the work process in one place: everything that has been done down to date and time. So if anything should happen to the floor after two or three years, they can easily figure out what went wrong and how it happened.
Kubel and his enterprise are constantly striving to be ahead of their competitors through quality assurance. They do this with their app, for which they received the ultimate stamp of approval with the Entrepreneur of the Year in Denmark award for the accomplishment of digitalising the business.
time to train new employees, creating daily, systemised routines that enable KubelCoating to be the gold standard within the flooring industry. Kubel’s ambition is to become the biggest entrepreneur in the north within flooring, and he knows how to get there. “I will always run my business on the basis of what I love doing. That way I think you can keep being innovative,” he ends. For more information, please visit: www.kubelcoating.dk
“The award is a great pat on the back amidst a hectic everyday life with long hours. It makes me incredibly proud of the hard work we do,” Kubel notes and adds: “We are working hard to deliver the finest service for our clientele and have to keep renewing ourselves constantly, listen to and take in any criticism to do something constructive and challenge ourselves.” Moving forward, KubelCoating ApS’s focus will be on a controlled growth within the corporation and on taking the
Thorbjørn Kubel
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 89
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Enterprises to Watch
The customer is king Leading by example, Dansk Overflade Teknik (DOT) offers the latest application techniques in hot-dip galvanisation and other types of corrosion protection products. The company is revolutionising the corporate service landscape in Denmark and, by establishing that the customer is key, demonstrating an exciting way forward. By Susan Hansen | Photos: Dansk Overflade Teknik
Henrik Steen-Jørgensen, managing director, has led the company for the past six years and overseen the transformation from manufacturing to clientfacing enterprise, delivering with a clear service-driven mindset. Steen-Jørgensen explains what DOT’s values are about. “It is about making sure that we move with the customer, adapt to their needs. Typically, the customer is unlikely to lower their standards, so we have to follow them every step of the way in order to deliver.” DOT’s level of success is evident; their annual turnover has risen and the company has recorded an increase in growth. Implementing a corporate business model and working to strategies is proving a success. Being strategy-driven and having the ability to work consistently involves set90 | Issue 95 | December 2016
ting time aside to provide staff training, so they can deliver to and maintain standards, says Steen-Jørgensen. “We place emphasis on the customer through our work and see benefits from using methods to achieve that. Our staff must get to grips with the concept of providing a service and communicate clearly with the customer in order to be part of our business,” he says. “We are changing the mindset of staff members who have contact with customers, right from sales executive and driver through to any production staff and goods receipt teams. The customer makes up the main part of our business process and needs to receive an excellent service, and we want to go the extra mile in order to give them a sublime experience.” The majority of their clients produce steel and wind turbines and are based in Denmark, Germany and Sweden. Customer feedback has been excellent so far.
“In our customer satisfaction surveys, we receive the type feedback we can expect based on the process that we apply,” says the managing director. “We communicate well, work efficiently, offer good solutions, build effective working relationships and deliver what is expected.” The customer is always right – but even when they might not be, the importance is to communicate this clearly. DOT has five offices at present, three in Denmark and two in Sweden. Going by the signs, we may well continue to see them popping up.
For more information, please visit: www.dot.dk
Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar
When receiving can be harder than giving Feedback is a powerful tool for building an effective team, and creating a feedback culture is one of the best ways of sustaining and supporting that team. By Steve Flinders
There are many different approaches to giving feedback, including the ‘feedback sandwich’ – starting and finishing with some praise, with the developmental stuff in the middle. Another is the 1-2-3 technique where you say: 1. This is what I saw or heard (fact). 2. This is the effect it had on me (opinion). 3. This is my advice to you (advice). Whichever way you do it, the core aim of feedback remains the same: to improve performance. Although it is nice to get praise, all I personally want from the person giving me feedback are ideas about how I can do it better next time.
However, the real challenge is not giving feedback but receiving it. When someone starts giving me feedback, the big temptation is to start interrupting in order to defend myself and justify what I did. Instead, I have to make an effort to remain silent and listen carefully to what I am being told. If I decide that the feedback is not useful to me, I can choose to ignore it, but I should take time first to think about what I want to do with it. I should also respect my colleague’s views and thank them when they have finished. Giving and receiving feedback are subjective processes and we all need to recognise that what we are told when we get feedback is just one person’s point of view. On the other hand, the more practice we
get at doing both, the better we get. If I ask someone for feedback, I am doing them a favour too by giving them an opportunity to hone their feedback-giving skills.
Thanks to Helen Strong for the 1-2-3 technique. Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.
Business Calendar Lucia in Birmingham Head to Birmingham Cathedral for this most Swedish – well, or Italian – of Swedish festive traditions. The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK co-promotes the free event, which will be jointly led by staff from the Swedish Church and the Cathedral. The Ex Cathedra Choir will be directed by Jeffrey Skidmore. Date: 12 December, 6pm (doors 5.30pm) Venue: Birmingham Cathedral, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QB www.scc.org.uk
Link Up Drinks Things start to slow down a good week or two before the actual holidays begin, but do make the effort to head down to 54 The Gallery for the last Link Up Drinks event this year. The Swedish Chamber presents the opportunity to enjoy a drink along with a pop-up exhibition by textile artist Charlotte Rosenberg Bosten who, together with photo artist Richard von Hofsten, has curated a collection of diverse artworks telling the story of the aurora borealis. There is no better way to socialise with the business scene before officially declaring the 2016 working year over.
Date: 14 December, 6pm Venue: 54 The Gallery, 54 Shepherd Market, London, W1J 7QX www.scc.org.uk Photo: DUCC
Christmas Lunch This annual Christmas gathering organised by the Finnish Chamber of Commerce provides the ultimate opportunity to network with your peers while enjoying delicious Finnish food, all at the beautiful Finnish Ambassador’s Residence. Be warned: there will be singing. Afterwards, drinks will be held at The Champion. Date: 15 December, 12pm Venue: The Finnish Ambassador’s Residence, 14 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QP www.fbcc.co.uk
Startup Stories Kickstart the New Year with success stories from the start-up world to get you inspired. There will be talks followed by an audience Q&A session, some nibbles and drinks and of course an opportunity for networking. Date: 12 January, 6pm
Venue: WeWork Moorgate, 1 Fore Street, London, EC2Y 9DT
Nordic Drinks The monthly Nordic Drinks session will be back at the end of January, starting at Bodo’s Schloss in west London. Get back into networking shape after a hopefully relaxing, head-clearing festive break and bring your friends and business cards along for a drink or two. A free welcome drink for the first 50 early birds! Date: 26 January, 6pm Venue: Bodo’s Schloss, 2a Kensington High Street, W8 4PT, London www.nbccuk.com
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 91
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HE T i ec ER IAN AM p V S O EG RE C W D S DI OR GE N TA T CO m he
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Buen Gruppen is constantly looking for improvements to their popular, traditional models. These cabins were developed for the period 2015-2017.
Reinventing the Norwegian cabin dream Buen Gruppen’s quality cabins have shaped Norwegian identities and expectations for almost 50 years. Ever since the entrepreneur Asbjørn Buen sketched his first designs, the company has been setting the standard while trying to listen to and learn from its own customers. For CEO Gunnar Aarhus, virtual reality is the natural next step. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Buen Gruppen
If you are not yet familiar with ‘the Norwegian cabin dream’, you still have much to learn about the country’s culture. Norwegians simply adore their cabins, and many see them as an important investment in the future. “Some Norwegians even invest more money in their cabin than in their own house,” explains Gunnar Aarhus, CEO at Buen Gruppen. Ever since the late 1960s, Buen Cabins have been offering trusted solutions for everyone dreaming of their own unique getaway close to nature. It all began when entrepreneur Asbjørn Buen started producing modern, functional cabins 92 | Issue 95 | December 2016
with design elements from the Viking Age and Norwegian fairy tales. “We still sell the popular model Storodde, which Asbjørn Buen sketched already in the early ‘70s. His iconic design was the first ever with ‘oppstue’ – a second-floor living room with balcony – which can now be seen all across Norway. If Buen had done the same research and development today, we would definitely call it innovation,” argues Aarhus.
Location is key – also for cabins Today, almost half a century later, Buen Gruppen is well established in Norway
with a regional presence in all the most attractive destinations. “Location is often the number one factor, so we have to be available everywhere. People already know where they want the cabin. They feel a sense of social belonging in a certain area. Maybe they have friends or family there. Driving distance from home is essential. Our job is to make a good deal for them in that specific place,” says Aarhus. Buen Gruppen is also present in Sweden, which has a different market with distinct customer demand. “In the popular ski destination Branäs in Sweden, we wanted to offer a more cost-effective model without compromising on quality. The solution was a stroke of Swedish perfectionism,” says Aarhus, who thinks the right location is paramount for those seeking a solid investment object. “It really determines how much you can get back in the second-hand market. That’s
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Discover the Norwegian Cottage Dream
important information if you’re planning to invest your life savings,” he says.
Standardised quality with customised details If asking ‘where?’ often leads to an immediate answer from potential cabin buyers, there are a few other questions to which Buen Gruppen receives more mixed feedback. “Who are you? And what are you planning to do in your cabin? Those are the fundamentals,” says Aarhus, before giving some examples. “Are you single? A couple? A large family? Do you like outdoor or indoor activities? Are you planning to have a lot of visitors? We have to understand your specific needs before we start choosing the design.” No matter what your needs are, the core of your cabin will be based on trustworthy quality standards. With decades of first-hand experience in the company, Buen Gruppen knows what works. Plus, standardised parts are cheaper, giving you more value for the money you decide to invest. “On all Buen Cabins, you are free to choose between four different design packages, with various levels of details and ornaments, ranging from quite strict and clean, to showier and more exclusive. In the end, you can tailor the remaining
ten to 25 per cent or so of the space with the help from our architects to get your individual touch,” says Aarhus.
Listening in virtual reality Norwegians take their cabins seriously. They do not simply want a place to relax; they want the right place to relax. A cabin in the right place, surrounded by the right people, looking the right way. While Asbjørn Buen’s initial success came from listening to the actual cabin dreams out there, Buen Gruppen’s continued success comes from improved listening. To keep customer relations up to date, the company is currently testing a virtual reality software that will allow virtual showings beginning next year. “Technology will be our way of staying ahead in the business. We are developing a virtual reality solution with a partner in Estonia. I was over there testing it out – it’s a fantastic form of technology. Our customers can soon stand in their future kitchen online and take a walk out on the terrace. It will offer even more security to the customer and reach out to younger generations,” says Aarhus. For more information, please visit: www.buengruppen.no
Top right: In 2017, Buen Gruppen will enter the housing market with their new series Buen Hjem. Virtual reality technology will make it possible for potential buyers to enter the house online. The technology will also be made available for cabins. Middle right: For almost half a century, Buen Gruppen’s traditional cabin models have shaped the Norwegian cabin dream. Bottom right: The central leadership consists of Argo Sal (Nordic Houses), Arne Moen (Buen Original) and Gunnar Aarhus (Buen Gruppen).
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 93
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Discover the Norwegian Cottage Dream
Creating cabins for the quality-driven client Sometimes living the dream is indeed possible, particularly if it involves a stunningly beautiful, custom-made second home that will blow most people’s minds away. Laftekompaniet specialises in the high-end cabin market, delivering pioneering log cabins to customers across winter destinations in Norway.
and the customers all have a few things in common: they are very interested in architecture and interior, they want the best, and they want something that no one else has,” says owner Kai Korsen.
By Helene Toftner | Photos: Galleri Laftekompaniet
It is said that more than half of the Norwegian population has access to a holiday home, with around 5,000 new cabins being built each year. Of these, Laftekompaniet brings to life about two 94 | Issue 95 | December 2016
dozen. Make no mistake, their cabins are for those looking for something truly special and who want to choose from the top shelf. “Our cabins are found across all the large winter resorts in Norway,
The company is known as the biggest of its kind in Norway, specialising in the high-end market in winter resorts across southern Norway. Having been in the business for two decades, they cooperate with academic environments for the
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Discover the Norwegian Cottage Dream
nowned architects specialising in log architecture and interiors in the world. “We are constantly looking for new inspiration to be able to set the standard for log cabins of the future,” she comments. Both exterior architecture and interiors are heavily influenced by the winter resorts in Aspen and the Alps with their functional lodge style. “This style is groundbreaking in Norway, something many of our competitors have tried to copy,” Korsen points out.
Close collaboration with international interior hot shots
Inspired by the lodge style of the US and the Alps
In Laftekompaniet’s approach, exterior architecture and interiors go hand in hand. The interior is as important as the exterior, and Laftekompaniet collaborates with some of the top international interior designers as well as with quality furniture brands such as Slettvoll to set the perfect scene. “One customer had lived in the US and fallen completely in love with a fireplace from the mid-west somewhere,” Korsen says. “So we had it flown from the US to the cabin in southern Norway, making it the centrepiece of the living room.” As you may begin to understand, nothing is left to fate in these cabins.
The cabins are recognised for their impressive appearance, with floor-toceiling windows creating stunning timber frames with a view. “We are pioneers at combining tradition with modern expressions, and the large windows are excellent examples of this,” Korsen says. Laftekompaniet’s lead architect, Cathrin Berg-Heggenes, is one of the most re-
The combination of old and new inspires every aspect of the cabins, not least the use of materials. While the log traditions date back to the Norwegian Middle Ages, adding to a feeling of going back in time, the use of glass, steel and, somewhat surprisingly, crystal takes us straight back to the 21st century.
best possible log solutions, architects for innovative twists, and internationally acclaimed interior designers for the finishing touch.
There is no such thing as two similar cabins in Laftekompaniet’s repertoire, as every project is developed together with the individual client to suit their wishes. The style, functionality and materials all reflect the desires of the client, as they work as a team with the company throughout the entire process. “It is an interactive process where we get to know each other well so that we as a company can guide as much as possible while listening to the customer’s needs,” Korsen explains.
“We offer a complete service from start to end – all the way to ordering a new sofa,” says Laftekompaniet’s owner Kai Korsen. While the right look and feel is crucial, it does not hurt that Laftekompaniet also manages all the tedious paperwork and planning permission applications from the very start. “We offer a complete service from start to end – all the way to ordering a new sofa,” the owner notes. It seems obvious why the reviews and feedback are full of praise. “We have a 100 per cent client-centred philosophy, so while we take the lead on everything they get to be involved on every step of the road to a fully completed cabin,” says Korsen. For more information, please visit: www.laftekompaniet.no and follow @laftekompaniet on Instagram
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 95
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Discover the Norwegian Cottage Dream
Log cabins rooted in Norwegian folk tales Torkel Skinnes Myhre’s family farm has constructed traditional Norwegian log cabins of wood from his family farm in eastern Norway for almost two decades. By using timber dating back 200 years, his log cabin business, Hovin Laft, aims to provide quality steeped in history. By Ingvild Vetrhus | Photos: Hovin Laft AS
Famous 19th century author Peter Christen Asbjørnsen wrote his acknowledged A Grouse Hunt in Holleia after a stroll through the then young woods of Nedre Hovin. Today, the same trees are used in Hovin Laft’s log cabin production. Log houses have been built in Norway since the Viking Age, and log timbering was one of the main construction methods in the country until the mid-1800s. Myhre’s farm, Nedre Hovin, is located in the heart of Norway’s fifth-largest lake, Tyrifjorden, an hour’s drive from Oslo. Today, the farm is surrounded by 75 acres of cultivated land and grazing suckling cows. In 1998, Myhre saw the importance of utilising the valuable commodities of his forest area of 200 acres. By using the wood from its own farm, Hovin Laft is probably the only log cabin manufacturer in Norway that takes on the entire production process, “from the tree stump to the moment the cabin is ready for use”, as Myhre explains. 96 | Issue 95 | December 2016
By outsourcing part of the production to the Baltics, the business can deliver a range of different styles, both traditional and modern. “We are the only log cabin business in Norway that produces both locally and abroad. This means that we can also provide affordable cabins at different price levels,” says Myhre.
place, and emphasises the excellency of the business’s fireplace specialists and brick layers. Deciding not to take on too many projects at the same time, Hovin Laft ensures high quality and proper customer followup. “We build the cabins as we would have built them for ourselves. We take great pride in what we do,” says Myhre.
Availability is also a key factor in terms of customer relationships, which are highly valued by the business. “We engage personally in every project we encounter,” says Myhre, who has made his logging business into a lifestyle. To meet the needs of their customers, Myhre, together with co-owner Håvard Stave Kristiansen, is available for consultation around the clock. Hovin Laft specialises in hand-crafted log cabins and ‘stavlaft’, a technique that was used when constructing Norwegian stave churches. However, Myhre insists that the true jewel of a cabin is the fire-
For more information, please visit: www.hovinlaft.no
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Discover the Norwegian Cottage Dream
Log cabins from the heart of Norway From within the heartland of Norway, Flatdal Handlaft has specialised in building traditional log constructions in all shapes and sizes. The company’s focus on good craftsmanship, quality materials and strong work ethics has made it both a trusted business partner and a proud ambassador for Telemark’s cultural heritage.
mark. Not only do they preserve and spread tradition and stimulate local cooperation, but they show that it is possible to sustain business outside the larger Norwegian urban areas.
By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Une Susrud
The Norwegian county of Telemark, stretching from the Skagerak coast in the east to Europe’s greatest mountain plateau Hardanger in the west, holds a special place in Norway’s national consciousness and identity. Telemark is the birthplace of skiing, unique folk traditions, distinctive dialects and famous artists, which have all come to represent something uniquely Norwegian – protected from the outside world.
ditions its business. The company delivers all types of log constructions, ranging from small sheds to large houses, combining traditional Norwegian building techniques with modern standards for quality and comfort. Based on Flatdal Handlaft’s reputation as a serious and experienced supplier who follows the customer every step of the way, their finished log buildings are guaranteed to last.
“It’s weird to think that one century ago, when my great-grandfather was living here, many of these small villages were roadless. Nowadays, there are highly developed tourist destinations in every direction,” says Johan Angre, CEO of Flatdal Handlaft, which is based in the village of Flatdal.
“There are three important factors in making a solid log construction. First, you need good timber. Second, you need to dry the timber well. Third, you need skill and good craftsmanship. The result is rough, rustic and very cosy. And it’s very natural and fresh. The insulation we use between the logs is a natural product from Finland,” explains Angre.
Starting in 1992, Flatdal Handlaft has made one of Telemark’s many proud tra-
Successful local companies such as Flatdal Handlaft are important for Tele-
“In the beginning, it was all about the love for doing it – the feeling of building a beautiful cabin, looking at the shapes and proportions. We have grown a lot since then, but we never borrow money to build anything. Our secret to success is simple – hard work,” says Angre.
For more information, please visit: www.flatdalhandlaft.no
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 97
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway
The view from the hotel rooms at Thon Hotel Lofoten in Svolvær is spectacular.
Hotel of the Month, Norway
Eat, stay, love The nature is so breathtaking in Lofoten that some tourists decide to stay permanently. People from all around the world also come to taste the award-winning food.
fast competition, as well as a national prize for their local menu.
By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Thon Hotel Lofoten
“We love to try something new in the kitchen and to surprise our guests. We smoke our own salmon, our jam is homemade and we bake our own bread,” says chef at Paleo Arctic, Stian Haugnes.
With snowcapped mountains, panoramic sea views and magical northern lights, Lofoten has always been a popular destination. Now foreign visitors have also got a taste for the local cuisine. “About 350,000 tourists come here in a year. Lofoten is most popular among German, Norwegian, French and Swedish travellers. But the cruise ship Hurtigruten also brings a lot of other nationalities here,” says Caroline Hömke. Hömke is German herself and works at the local tourist information office in Svolvær – an idyllic small town in Lofoten with only 4,500 inhabitants. 98 | Issue 95 | December 2016
High season lasts from June to August when the midnight sun is up all night. But in 2016, restaurants opened four months earlier because photographers and tourists wanting to see the northern lights travelled to Lofoten as early as February.
Norway’s best breakfast Local specialties such as cod, halibut, reindeer meat, goat’s cheese and salted, dried white fish known as stock fish (tørrfisk) is served all over town. Paleo Arctic, the restaurant at Thon Hotel Lofoten in Svolvær, recently won first prize in Twinings’ annual Norway’s Best Break-
Business developer and motivational speaker Steinar Jøraandstad is originally from Oslo but has lived in Lofoten for the past ten years. He raves about Svolvær as a gastronomic mecca. “Svolvær is on the way to becoming the town you have to experience before you die. A lot has happened with the local cuisine here. Svolvær and Thon Hotel Lofoten have lifted the gastronomic level to new heights,” Jøraandstad explains.
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway
Local food Thon Hotel Lofoten also promotes local products and chef Stian Haugnes boasts a wide selection of cheese. “I love cheese, and we serve local cheese from Aalan Gård – which is produced by a family who lives on the island of Vestvågøy here in Lofoten,” Haugnes says. A family of 11, including in-laws and grandchildren, make their own cheese. At the farm, where Knut Åland was born, the family has 200 goats. “My wife and I started making cheese in 1996. At first we had our friends taste our cheese, and now we produce six to seven tonnes in a year. We sell our cheese to local restaurants and shops, but also to the rest of Norway, Svalbard and Denmark. I’ve even shipped our brown goat’s cheese to France,” says Åland.
New tourist trends “Tourism has gone from merely observing to experiencing. People used to sit
on a bus with a guide; now they get out of the bus and walk into nature. People want unique experiences and activities during their holiday in Lofoten,” says Jøraandstad. Fishing is also a popular activity among visitors, as well as hiking to the Svolværgeita mountain and boat trips to Trollfjorden – the picturesque fjord is a location in Matt Damon’s new movie Downsizing. “Tourists always ask about a particular beach, but there are so many to choose from here and they are all spectacular,” Hömke explains.
Room with a view At Thon Hotel Lofoten the view of the harbour and surrounding islands is so fantastic that almost all the rooms are equipped with a pair of binoculars. “Our guests love looking at the sea view, so most rooms have a set of binoculars. Our restaurant also has a spectacular view as it is situated on the dock, and
guests can actually see the fishing boat that delivers fish to our kitchen. Local food and Norwegian specialties give people a unique experience when they visit Lofoten,” says hotel director Erik Taraldsen. Now all eyes are on Thon Hotel Lofoten as the hotel has been nominated as Hotel of the Year at the annual Grand Travel Awards. The award means a great deal to the employees in the small town of Svolvær. “We are so happy to be nominated for this award. We love to serve our guests and to make sure they get the real Lofoten experience during their stay. That our hotel in Svolvær is nominated in the same category as larger hotels in Oslo makes us really proud,” says Taraldsen. For more information, please visit: www.paleoarctic.no www.thonhotels.com/lofoten
Top left: Local homemade Norwegian food, like this grilled monkfish with salmon roe, beets, parsnip and carrots, is popular among tourists. Below left: A chef at Paleo Arctic preparing bacalao with pickled Borettane onion and olives. Right: Guests can see the fishing boat that delivers the daily catch when they dine at Paleo Arctic. Bottom: The nature on Norway’s Lofoten Islands is stunning.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 99
Scan Magazine | Wellness Profile of the Month | Denmark
Wellness Profile of the Month, Denmark
Enjoy spa treatments in stunning surroundings Busy work schedules can make life seem hectic, but Kurbad Limfjorden offers a luxurious escape from the daily pressures. The exclusive spa menu offers baths, pampering and beauty treatments for immersive relaxation.
down to factors such as the high-quality treatments, the services, and the facilities.
By Susan Hansen | Photos: Kurbad Limfjorden
The attractive surroundings, the authentic harbour and the vibrancy of Struer town offer an enviable range of sights, and entertainment such as museums, a cinema, top-quality hotels and restaurants are all factors that add value when it comes to attracting and maintaining customers.
The state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities are located in the idyllic surroundings of inlet Limfjorden, and together the two provide a perfect setting for enjoying a range of elaborate health and beauty treatments. The spa and wellness centre has been serving customers for just under two years, but early on Kurbad Limfjorden established a strong reputation and delivered luxurious treatments of the highest quality. It now considers itself to be among the best spas in Denmark and 100 | Issue 95 | December 2016
right among the top three health resorts in the country.
Natural beauty Founded in January 2015, the seeds to Kurbad Limfjorden’s success might well have been sown as early as the design phase of the building. The natural beauty of Struer combined with the shape of Limfjorden were taken into consideration when architect Peter Bundgaard led the project. Ulrich Helledie, Kurbad Limfjorden’s general manager, believes a large part of the centre’s success comes
The health and beauty resort has built effective and profitable partnerships with local hotels and restaurants, and one of the best hotels in Struer sells overnight accommodation packages that include dinner and access to Kurbadet Limfjorden.
Scan Magazine | Wellness Profile of the Month | Denmark
“They sell three types of packages,” says Helledie. “Last year they had 1,800 guests, and they are looking to see that number double over the coming year. This is really excellent for us as it means we can expect to see an increase in visitor numbers.”
Tranquility and escapism Kurbadet Limfjorden offers single adhoc sessions as well as three different types of membership graded from bronze to platinum. Visitors range from couples of all ages and young as well as mature women, all keen to enjoy a treat and a bit of luxury, to buiness representatives and their clients. Each membership consists of 22 hours of free access to Kurbadet Limfjorden, a bathrobe, a pair of slippers and a towel, and a highergrade membership comes with wristbands that can be allocated to clients and business partners. Spa treatments include massages, aromatic baths, body peeling and Turkish-style hammam, and the beauty menu offers facial skin treatments, pedicure, and feet and leg treatments, all delivered in a tranquil and soothing ambiance. Sauna experiences are carefully adjusted at 90 degrees. “We offer
three different kinds of sauna,” explains Helledie. “They are all really popular and are great for muscles and joints.” Enhancing the sense of complete tranquility and escapism, highly attentive team members at Kurbad Limfjorden serve coffee, wine or Champagne to all visitors during or after treatments at regular intervals, so no one needs to lift a finger unnecessarily. The spa treatment department is run by five beauty therapists, and each treatment comes with a face mask consistent with the bath scent chosen by the vistor. All scents are exclusive and include chocolate, malt and salt. “Our Turkish hamman bath is large enough to accommodate two people and has therefore become popular with couples as well as girlfriends who want to share the experience,” says Helledie. Business is going well, and so far customer reviews are surpassing all expectations, but there is always room for improvement and growth. The resort also runs regular theme-based events on Mondays, open to a range of new and existing customer groups.
It is clear that art plays a key role at Kurbad Limfjorden, which also hosts photographic art by local highly acclaimed female photographer Kirsten Klein. Depicting the local surroundings, her subtle, haunting and dramatic style of photography is special to local residents and other Danes, and Kurbad Limfjorden is due to host a private view exhibiting some of the photographer’s finest works on 5 December this year. There would appear to be more than enough evidence to suggest that Kurbad Limfjorden is onto something very good and long lasting. Today’s world of work is becoming more complex as our workloads are increasing and constantly changing, adding more stress to daily lives, and Helledie believes that there will continue to be a great need for just getting away from it all every now and then. “We are all so busy during the week, and investing in a spa weekend stay can provide a perfect break from all that pressure,” he says. For more information, please visit: www.kurbadlimfjorden.dk
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 101
Scan Magazine | Holiday Profile of the Month | Denmark
Holiday Profile of the Month, Denmark
Making dreams come true Leading expert and supplier of specialist gear Kingfish Dive & Travel in Copenhagen is an acclaimed travel agent, who gives the best service to customers in all aspects of diving. By Susan Hansen | Photos: Kingfish Dive & Travel
The company has an impressive 15 years of experience and a track record in providing tailored travel arrangements, advice and methodically packaged trips to enthusiastic beginners and experienced divers alike. With an enviable position as one of Denmark’s leading agents, the company serves customers of all ages and experience levels.
Expertise and outstanding service Mads Odgaard, founder and partner, is knowledgeable when it comes to diving, and the same goes for the team at 102 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Kingfish Dive & Travel; it is a prerequisite to be considered for employment there. Expert knowledge, know-how and practical experience form the basis of the outstanding customer service given. Odgaard emphasises just how different their approach is: “We specialise in diving, and huge efforts go into choosing the right centres with high safety scores and customer service. We have visited all the destinations we offer and our service is based on that, and when customers come to us they get a sublime level of service. Our business is based on know-
how and experience, which we share with our customers.” Kingfish has a shop and an office located right at the heart of the city, a welldesigned website facilitating their online shop, a diving school and a travel agency. An extensive programme of group trips is run by the company. An instructor is a part of the package for these trips, bringing passion directly from the office into the water and back to the office again, making sure it remains up-to-date on the hottest, trending destinations around the world. Kingfish Dive & Travel caters to everyone with a passion for and interest in diving, from complete beginners to customers with many years of experience. Again, the
Scan Magazine | Holiday Profile of the Month | Denmark
challenge is identical: sourcing a destination that fits the diver’s experience, establishing the right diving season, and pinpointing the person’s underwater passion – and then there is, of course, the budget. But the highest level of service is always provided, regardless of experience and knowledge.
Worldwide destinations Destinations are wide-ranging and each location offers different possibilities, restrictions and solutions, which will give the customers ultimate fulfilment, increase their hunger, and make them return for more. Many factors are taken into consideration. For instance, customers might want to go to Mozambique in May to see whale sharks, and the agent will then get the ball rolling as Odgaard willingly demonstrates. “We might say, it is not a problem to go in May but the chance of seeing whale sharks is higher if you can postpone your trip to January-February, so I would recommend that. We can also recommend another destination where the dive season is just right, and therein lies the difference between booking with a company like ours, who really knows what’s going on below
the surface, or choosing a company without that same specialist insight.” Kingfish Dive & Travel offers diving advice and travel arrangements covering the entire world and has 100 exciting destinations set up. For those who are looking for bucket-list destinations and have the cash to match it, Galapagos and French Polynesia are the ultimate destinations. However, Egypt, the Maldives and the Caribbean make up most of the dive trips sold due to their geographical accessibility, affordability and beautiful underwater viewing.
Guided tours and hardcore adventures In addition to tailored dive travel for individuals, Kingfish has an extensive range of trips led by experienced tour guides and diving instructors to make sure that customers get the best possible holiday along with the optimal benefit from their diving. With worldwide destinations such as Indonesia, South Africa and the Bahamas, there is something for everyone. For those looking for more hardcore adventures, the company runs unique ex-
peditions with close-up wildlife encounters such as big animals like sharks, orcas, crocodiles and blue whales, just the way you might have seen them on the Discovery Channel or in National Geographic. Some customers are interested in seeing sharks, whales or orcas in Norway, while others are far more interested in looking at beautiful underwater coral landscapes or explore wrecks from World War II on their diving holidays. The company has a diving school offering a range of courses and events. Again, all teachers have extensive knowledge and experience. Odgaard and his team enjoy giving expert advice and sharing their passion and knowledge; some have dreamt of diving for years, and it is beyond doubt that the company and its employees all live and breathe diving. A recent customer survey questionnaire saw Kingfish score highly across the board and receive a great deal of praise, which is undoubtedly well deserved. For more information, please visit: www.kingfish.dk
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 103
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
Left: xxxxxxxxx
The Aker River in Oslo once powered Norwegian factories. One old industrial building, located in the riverside neighbourhood Lilleborg Torg, is now home to the brand new restaurant Astral.
Restaurant of the Month, Norway
Light enough for a late night out In a former factory, just east of Oslo’s Aker River, the newly opened restaurant Astral has already been named the 15th best restaurant in Norway by White Guide. You will never leave the place with an empty stomach, but always stay lively enough to keep going through the night. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Stian Broch / Originally taken for Norwegian magazine Appetitt
Everyday life in Oslo is gradually becoming more centred around the Aker River. Neighbourhoods to the east of the river such as Grünerløkka, Sagene, Bjølsen and Torshov, have never been so full of life. In an old factory building at Lilleborg Torg, where the Norwegian soap brand Lilleborg once produced its barrels and boxes, the new restaurant Astral has joined in on the cultural action. “Lilleborg Torg is still a hidden, green gem in Oslo. The location is very central, right next to the river, and there’s a great 104 | Issue 95 | December 2016
community here. It seems like everyone knows each other. What better place to create the restaurant of your dreams?” asks Astral’s sommelier Ragnhild Wright Ousland. That is probably what Astral’s owner and head chef Steffen Hansen thought before setting up shop this August. Put simply, the restaurant is the place he always wanted to visit. And he is not alone: according to White Guide, the leading restaurant guide in the Nordics, Astral is Norway’s 15th best restaurant.
Sommelier Ousland thinks it crucial that the staff like the place. “If our young team loves to hang out and work here, the guests will love it too. Astral has quality every step of the way, but you don’t have to feel stressed or listen to a waiter talk for hours. Instead, you can kick back to some Rolling Stones or Jimi Hendrix while you’re waiting for the food,” says Ousland.
Never hungry, but not too full They call it ten servings. In practice, however, that can sometimes be a bit of an understatement. Without revealing too much, you might be surprised when one delicious dish after the other starts leaving the open kitchen. Astral’s ingredients are seasonal and always changing. In Norway, that currently means root vegetables, truffles, lamb and sea food at their peak.
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
“Right now, root vegetables play a part in four different courses. Jerusalem artichoke, for example, is at its best, and the sea food is extra fresh because of the cold water. We use local and regional ingredients, but there’s no rigid neo-Nordic regime in Astral – only light Nordic food with tonnes of inspiration from abroad. The chefs cook what they think is best at any given time, so I can never really guarantee what I’ll be serving tomorrow,” admits Ousland. Two common mistakes, however, have been rooted out from the very beginning. “When we go to other restaurants, there are mainly two things we hate,” says Ousland. “The first thing is when you don’t get full enough and have to buy more food late in the night. The second thing, which is really quite common, is when you get way too full. You just want to go home to sleep instead of having fun.”
Interior for the industrial Astral aims to strike a balance between the two extremes – too hungry and too full – and serve food that inspires a night out. That does not mean you are supposed to finish up quickly and leave; the relaxing bar lounge, situated as an island in the middle of the restaurant, is ideal for a drink both before and after dinner.
“We never wanted the style to be too industrial, so we’ve softened it with mellow, cosy colours like brown, grey and green. Low chairs and tables also create a chilled-out vibe, in which you can explore our wine list, which consists of carefully selected wine producers from Burgundy, Piemonte and California; taste Scandinavian craft beer; order some small dishes from the daily menu, and enjoy the fireplace,” suggests Ousland. The fireplace is one of many interior details designed by the Astral team itself. “Again, the vision was to create the place we always wanted. That means good food and drinks, but we also needed some unique items in the restaurant,” says Ousland. “One of the most eye-catching objects, which we designed ourselves, is the large chandelier in metal. It’s a statement piece. The process of finding all the right things has been a real treasure hunt, which has really improved our googling skills.”
have to go alone, but there will always be someone new you can get to know – just like at a dinner party. Some people think it’s some sort of ‘Tinder table’ for single people, but that’s not true,” Ousland affirms and laughs. Now that the Astral team has had a few months to warm up, they have launched a Saturday brunch. “The brunch is a smaller version of the five-course menu. I think it will make a nice addition to Oslo’s riverside,” says Ousland. For more information, please visit: www.astraloslo.com
Dine with strangers at Table X Another idea they wanted to try out in Oslo was social dining. After a research trip to Copenhagen, where they could see the concept up close, they created Table X. “Table X is designed for those who want to dine with strangers. You don’t
Left: Owner and head chef Steffen Hansen has done everything he can to create the place he always wanted to visit. Top right: Astral’s food was named the 15th best in Norway by White Guide. Right: Low tables and chairs create a relaxing vibe.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 105
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
Restaurant of the Month, Denmark
Honest food in royal surroundings With 32 years in the industry, chef and hotelier Henning Kohl knows what he is doing. Over the past 11 years he has been running Schackenborg Slotskro in Denmark, offering people a chance to unwind, relax and enjoy excellent food in the beautiful town of Møgeltønder. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Schackenborg Slotskro
“Whenever I drive into Møgeltønder I get the feeling that I’m rewinding 100 years or so,” says Kohl. With its cobbled streets, traditional houses and Schackenborg Castle from the 1660s, it is not hard to understand why. Schackenborg Slotskro is the restaurant and hotel found at the end of the high street with the castle as its backdrop. Møgeltønder is situated 12 minutes from the German border and approximately one hour from Flensburg. It is a town 106 | Issue 95 | December 2016
where you can unwind with your loved one, focus with your colleagues or simply get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “Everyone’s very relaxed here, as is the pace of life,” says Kohl.
Honest food that is full of flavour Having been classically trained, Kohl produces exquisite gourmet dishes where as much as possible is made from scratch and with passion. “We make dishes where the ingredients are the focus – everything has its place on the
plate. The flavours are slowly built up to produce a dish where every bite produces a new sensation,” he explains. Schackenborg Slotskro offers everything from two to seven-course menus as well as an à la carte menu to suit all tastes and desires. The food is made from locally sourced produce when possible, including deer from the castle grounds, mushroom and herbs from a local foraging woman, and cabbage from the local “cabbage geek”, as Kohl fondly calls him.
Making the most of your time “In this day and age, our most precious resource is time. So when someone’s travelled to stay the night here or to come for dinner, we know that we have to give them an experience in return,” explains Kohl.
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
“It’s important to us that as soon as our guests step over the threshold and walk through that door they know they’re in good hands and can relax. The menu is created to have an element of storytelling and the wine is paired to perfectly accompany it, to give you a complete dining experience. The rooms are also designed to reflect the story behind the building,” says the passionate Kohl.
Getting down to business Schackenborg Slotskro not only boasts a fantastic restaurant and beautiful rooms; it also has space for conferences. “Our business guests come here to brainstorm and to get an inspiring change of scenery. We develop a package with the client, so that when they’re here they can do their work and explore the area, of course all with great food, snacks and drinks,” says the chef. “We also tend to be able to offer more than they can in the big cities, meaning that you get more for your money in Møgeltønder.” There are numerous rooms available and if you are a group of more than 25 people you can rent out the whole hotel to have it all at your disposal. “What we find is that
our clients thoroughly enjoy it as it’s a relaxed business setting, but they actually get more done because the discussions can go on long into the night,” says Kohl.
A meeting point Schackenborg Slotskro has, for hundreds of years, been the meeting point for the local community and for people travelling through, and Kohl has managed to maintain the welcoming attitude. “We often get people who choose to stay an extra night or who come back,” he says, and with the hotel winning the Best Breakfast award it is easy to see why. “We take a lot of pride in our breakfast, which is served directly to your table and includes yoghurt, eggs and a spread with everything your heart desires. Everything is cooked and prepared when you sit down, so you know it’s as fresh as it can be.”
Schackenborg Slotskro furthermore offers a black sun package where you get to experience the magnificent sight of thousands of migrating starlings trying to escape the attacking birds of prey every spring and autumn. Schackenborg Slotskro is certainly worth travelling for. Whether you are looking for dinner, an overnight stay or a holiday, the team at Schackenborg Slotskro will ensure that you have the most amazing experience with fantastic food, beautiful scenery and memories to last a lifetime. For more information, please visit: www.slotskro.dk
The local area Kohl has not just created a successful restaurant and hotel; he is also an active member of the local community. “During the winter, when the evenings are long and quiet, I find projects to do,” says the chef, who has set up a lamb festival and a red deer festival.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 107
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland
Restaurant of the Month, Finland
Feast like a Viking If eating Nordic-inspired food served on medieval swords and shields and brought to your table by Lovely Ljúf or Smiley Sigrid sounds like your thing, then Viking Restaurant Harald is the place for you. Catering for romantic dinners and big feasts alike, the themed restaurant in Helsinki gives diners a unique way to switch off and dive into the Viking world.
fer, and we use good-quality ingredients and try to source our produce from local producers as much as possible,” says Raine Verho, development director and partner at Viking Restaurant Harald.
By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Viking Restaurant Harald
Getting into character
Inspired by Nordic forests, lakes, air and earth, Viking Restaurant Harald’s menu offers interesting taste combinations served in a unique way. From tar ice cream to a selection of meats skewered on a sword, the restaurant puts a new spin on everything it does. Founded in 1997, the company has restaurants in Helsinki, Turku, Lahti, Jyväskylä, Tampere, Kuopio and Oulu, and a new branch just opened in the Iso Omena shopping centre in Espoo. The restaurant 108 | Issue 95 | December 2016
prides itself on using fresh, seasonal Scandinavian and Finnish produce, and the team is constantly developing the menu to come up with new ideas. Titled Voyages, Viking Restaurant Harald’s menu takes customers on a culinary time travel. The menu draws inspiration from Nordic food and puts a unique twist on many traditional Scandinavian dishes. “We’ve created a selection of the best tastes northern forests and lakes can of-
A Viking theme is reflected throughout the restaurant’s décor and menu, down to every last detail: animal pelts and cave drawings adorn walls and cover the ceiling, and the interior of the restaurant is designed to look like a Viking village. In Helsinki, customers can even dine in a Viking boat. A Viking feast would not be complete without the full Viking costume: all kinds of props are at hand for diners who wish to immerse themselves fully into the Vi-
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland
king world. Ranging from animal pelts to horn helmets, every minute detail has been carefully thought of to add to this unique dining experience – and humorous limericks and Viking puns on the menus create a playful atmosphere. The Nordic theme does not stop at the décor and props, as waiters are dressed in full Viking costume. “Our staff members choose their own Viking name and come up with a backstory to their Viking character. We focus on providing great customer service, which is a big part of the Viking experience,” Verho explains. “We’re giving people a different kind of dining experience. It’s a great way for people to sit back, enjoy great food and have fun,” Verho continues.
Viking baptisms and village feasts Guests in the Viking village feast on meals designed to appeal to the senses: not only are the surroundings and décor adding to diners’ experience, but dishes
are served from shields, swords, and clay pots to give the dining experience an authentic feel. Catering for corporate parties and quiet romantic dinners alike, Viking Restaurant Harald has set menu packages for each occasion, aimed at customers being able to switch off and embrace their inner Viking. Harald and Helga’s Love Package is ideal for couples, including a Love Drink and a number of shared dishes served by candle light. The restaurant’s signature menu, the Chief’s Feast, is a dinner with a twist. Aimed at larger parties, the Chief’s Feast provides diners with their own Viking characters, all divided into clans. Diners are given all the props required to get into character, horn helmets and all, and have a number of tasks they have to complete during the dinner. The culmination of the feast includes Harald’s Viking Baptism, which involves eating a
piece of fermented shark meat, an Icelandic delicacy.
Leave your worries at the door In the spirit of true Viking-ness, Viking Restaurant Harald’s mission is to provide good-quality Nordic-inspired meals in a quirky, unique setting. “We’re giving customers the chance to relax and let loose for a while: our clients are able to switch off and leave their everyday lives at the door when they come in,” says Verho. “The focus is on ensuring that diners enjoy themselves and have fun.” For those wanting to let their hair down and enjoy a fun evening while trying exciting foods made from fresh local produce, Viking Restaurant Harald offers customers a thrilling journey into the world of Vikings. For more information, please visit: www.ravintolaharald.fi
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 109
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark
Stevns Klint is one of just three natural UNESCO heritage sites in Denmark. Photo: Tage Klee.
Attraction of the Month, Denmark
A stunning trip through the layers of history As one of just three natural UNESCO heritage sites in Denmark, Stevns Klint is not just about striking nature. A walk along the stunning white cliffs of chalk and limestone on the east coast of Zealand is also a walk through history, both prehistoric and recent. Most significantly, the landscape tells the story of the meteorite that, 66 million years ago, crashed into earth creating the most remarkable mass extinction ever. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Dorthe Pedersen
Stevns Klint is without doubt one of the most striking natural landscapes in Denmark. But it is not the external beauty of the cliffs, but the secrets it holds within it, which in 2014 caused UNESCO to place 15 kilometres of them among just three natural UNESCO heritage sites in Denmark. Dorthe Pedersen, geologist and world heritage guide at Stevns Klint, ex110 | Issue 95 | December 2016
plains: “The soft chalk, which makes up the bottom part of the cliff, was created through more than ten million years as the shells of microscopic deceased algae dropped onto the ocean floor. But the main reason that Stevns Klint became a UNESCO site is actually not the chalk or limestone, which render the cliffs their beautiful white colour, but the very thin
layer of fish clay separating the two. It is this clay that was key to unlocking the truth about the catastrophe that happened on earth about 66 million years ago.” Visitors can choose to investigate the magnitude of the cliffs on their own or join a guided tour, exploring all its secrets. A 20-kilometre-long coastal hiking trail runs along Stevns Klint. Along the trail, visitors will find several sights including the old Højerup church. The church, which is placed at the very edge of the cliff, is no longer in use but is definitely worth a visit with its beautiful frescos and east-facing terrace. Walkers will also see several Cold War remnants and old and new lighthouses, and at the oth-
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark
er end of the trail awaits the charming Rødvig Havn, a small buzzing port town with several eateries and a pristine white sandy beach.
The most exceptional of 500 While researchers have known for hundreds of years that something radically changed the world millions of years ago, it was only 38 years ago that they managed to extract the truth about what happened. The specific layer of fish clay that revealed the secret exists in many places all over the world, but UNESCO decided that Stevns Klint was, due to various factors, the most outstanding of them all. “After comparing more than 500 locations in places such as Morocco and the Antarctic, Stevns Klint won the honour,” says Pedersen. “Many criteria played in, but one of the most important was the accessibility. Stevns Klint is just one hour from Copenhagen and, unlike many of the other locations, is a place that is accessible for everyone – you can drive all the way. Besides, the layers of the cliff are constantly cleansed and exposed by the sea.”
Together with the layer of clay, the surrounding layers of chalk and limestone, which form Stevns Klint, record millions of years of history. It provides evidence of the fauna before the meteorite that survived the mass extinction event and the subsequent faunal recovery and increased biodiversity.
From Cold War to nature paradise Another unique feature of Stevns Klint is Stevnsfort, a secret underground nuclear-proofed military complex created during the Cold War. The fort and its long underground tunnels were taken out of use 16 years ago, but everything is left exactly the way it was during the war. Above ground, visitors can see the old tanks and missiles and on a guided tour of the fort they can experience what life must have been like for the soldiers living underground. “A visit to Stevns Klint is a bit of a trip through history. You can also take a guided tour through some of the old quarries which, 100 years ago, provided the stone for local houses as well as Absalon’s cas-
tle – the ruins of which can today be seen under the current Christiansborg castle in Copenhagen,” explains Pedersen and finishes: “Besides, the whole area is just wonderfully serene. It’s full of little peaceful pockets with amazing views and seasonal wild birds such as owls, peregrine falcons and swarms of European honey buzzards.”
FACTS: Stevns Klint is located one hour and ten minutes by car from Copenhagen. The surrounding area comprises a number of camp sites, B&Bs, inns and beach hotels. Stevnsfort Cold War Museum and Stevns Museum is open from April to October, but the cliff is worth a visit all year round. A new experience centre is to open on the site in the coming years.
For more information, please visit: www.kalklandet.dk
In between the chalk and limestone of Stevns Klint is the thin layer of fish clay, which helped scientists solve the mystery of what happened to cause the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 111
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway A warm ambiance is one of the many features that make you feel welcome at Vestkantbadet Spa.
Oxygen tank.
The details from the 1930s are abundantly present.
Attraction of the Month, Norway
The best kept secret in Oslo Vestkantbadet Spa is a humble, welcoming spa experience that offers a deep dive into Norwegian history as the location is a heritage site preserved by the Norwegian government. By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: Vestkantbadet Spa
Constructed in the late 1920s, it opened for business in 1932 and the original dressing rooms, tiles and layout are true to the time of construction. After decades under family ownership, Ole Magnus Kikut took over and started the meticulous process of enhancing and updating the spa without changing the layout or the core structure. And what a success it has been. Since the spa has been around for nearly 100 years, much of its clientele consists of families who have visited for generations and carry on the tradition of weekly visits. The setting and original structure make a more traditional alternative to what has become the standard modern spa experience, which is sometimes stale and constrained. Vestkantbadet Spa features a spa experience as it should be: a downto-earth experience focused on self-care and relaxation. The spa supplies towels, robes and slippers as well as organic 112 | Issue 95 | December 2016
beauty products; you can show up as you are without the need to bring anything. There are gender-specific days in the spa, with Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays being open to women only and Fridays and Sundays just for men. The two remaining days are open for all, but swimwear is required. During the holiday craze, Vestkantbadet Spa offers a Christmas special including 50 minutes of oxygen treatment, 50 minutes of floating and a 25-minute massage. The oxygen tank is the only one of its kind in Scandinavia, having been imported from Tokyo. It features concentrated oxygen in a pressurised chamber, and its mission to restore the body from the inside out can combat jetlag and general tiredness. You will feel incredibly refreshed afterwards at Vestkantbadet Spa. Every therapist and employee has a sense of calm
and care, making you feel serene and able to properly switch off for however long you spend at the spa. If you do not wish to indulge in a treatment you can enter the spa and enjoy the sauna, showers, cold-water pool and a private dressing room. Candles and fresh flowers are presented in abundance throughout, elevating the sense of care at Vestkantbadet Spa.
The heritage site provides a unique spa experience.
For more information, please visit: www.vkbspa.no
Scan Magazine | Wellness Product of the Month | Norway
Wellness Product of the Month, Norway
Japanese research benefits Scandinavian stomachs Probioform is one of the strongest vegan probiotic products on the market, with the technology stemming from Japan combined with 30 years of research. Mix Probioform in water and enjoy a whole host of benefits. The microbes balance and prevent undesired bacteria from establishing themselves in your digestive tract as well as increasing your colon’s ability to produce and absorb vitamins, enzymes and proteins.
ful to take after a course of antibiotics, which can sometimes affect the bacteria in the gut. It is plant based and free from milk, sugar, lactose, and insulin, so it is suitable for vegetarians, vegans and everyone in between.
By Pernille Johnsen | Photos: Probioform
Ole Magnus Kikut runs the Norwegian distribution of Probioform. The product was launched five years ago in wellness boutiques in Oslo such as Røtter, and its fan base grew organically by word of mouth and satisfied customers. It has now launched at the wellness chain Kinsarvik Naturkost and Sunkost in addition to its own website. As one of the most popular products on the Norwegian and Swedish markets, Probioform is getting ready to expand to Finland and Denmark. Probioform has a shelf life of up to a year after opening and can be stored at room
temperature. It is especially helpful in combating candida, a common yeast infection. The probiotic supplement can also be given to children and is a valuable asset in combating tourist diarrhea on family holidays abroad. Probioform is aimed at balancing your digestive tract and helps combat various intestinal ailments as well as general stress and infections. It is a supplementary product in helping your body’s ability to retain and restore nutrients and transport waste out of the system. Many customers report that they feel it is help-
Probioform is expanding and will soon be available in all Nordic countries.
For more information, please visit: www.probioform.no
Issue 95 | December 2016 | 113
Scan Magazine | Experience of the Month | Denmark
Experience of the Month, Denmark
The world is your oyster Oysters from Limfjorden are of a high quality and among the finest in Denmark and beyond, so how about joining a guided tour, or a seal or amber safari? JyllandsAkvariet offers interactive and unforgettable aquarium outdoor experiences for adults and children of all ages. By Susan Hansen | Photos: JyllandsAkvariet
During autumn and winter, the oyster safari reaches peak season and an incredible number of food lovers join the oyster picking and enjoy them either raw or grilled afterwards. Michael Madsen, owner and managing director, talks about the unique experiences JyllandsAkvariet provides all year round. Giving joy to many is one thing; providing good value for money is another. “Many people are happy to travel far for our experiences. Different people come here and enjoy the oyster safari trips and acknowledge what a great experience it is – it is a better deal than buying them separately, with no experience,” says Madsen. It is authentic, he explains. “Picking oysters is special – to dip your fingers in the water and pick them up touches on something deep inside us, relating to our collector gene. It is similar to picking mushrooms, hunting or fishing.” 114 | Issue 95 | December 2016
Madsen knows how important it is to enjoy the oysters afterwards and has made it part of the experience. “Everything just tastes much better – there’s a thrill in knowing that you found and picked it,” he says. The trips attract national and international crowds with enthusiastic visitors coming from Britain, the Netherlands, Poland and Germany in great numbers. The trips can be reserved ad-hoc or purchased as part of a full package with accommodation and other popular sights. JyllandsAkvariet works in partnership with Hotel Nørre Vinkel and Lemvig Turistforening, and some competitive packages are on offer to those who want a fully tailored experience. There is a high level of genuine expertise in use here. Communication skills and the ability to share information are huge-
ly important to the success, and the staff members need to be excellent communicators, Madsen notes. “Being good at communicating the specific subject area on the trips and do it well means a lot here as the education adds to the experience,” he explains. “It gives visitors a feeling of getting close to what they are seeing and increases their knowledge in the process.”
JyllandsAkvariet www.jyllandsakvariet.dk Tour and travel arrangements Phone: 0045-97832808 Other contact details: Hotel Nørre Vinkel www.norrevinkel.dk Phone: 0045-97822211 info@norrevinkel.dk Tourist information and bookings: www.visitnordvestjylland.dk Phone: 0045-97820077
Scan Magazine | Humour | Columns
IS IT JUST ME…
By Mette Lisby
Who gets nervous when my spouse makes announcements in the vein of: “What? The kitchen sink is clogged? Ha! I can easily fix that myself.” Statements like that fill me with horror. It’s right up there with: “And after dessert, our little Alex will play a concerto on his trombone!” My otherwise capable husband completely changes personality when things break around our house. He becomes the ‘I-can-fix-it’ guy from hell. Before the days of the internet, he would look at the sink, poke a couple of pipes underneath it, make me get the spanner, and say something like: “Well, it must be the outdoor pipes. We might need a plumber.” That was the old days. Now there’s a bloody YouTube video that promises to walk you through the ‘43 easy steps to unclog your sink’. While my husband watches the video, I prepare myself. I hate to crush people’s dreams, but as a wife I feel it’s my duty. I mean, it’s just one of those things married people do for each other. So I try to convince him to do what every sane person would do: let somebody else fix it. However, at this
point the video has filled my husband with encouragement and a ‘can-do’ attitude that is very unfortunate and – as it turns out – indestructible. And so it begins: armed with (not factchecked, I might add) YouTube instructions and the boundless optimism that only an amateur handyman possesses, my husband enthusiastically embarks on his ‘fixing the sink’ mission. After a couple of hours (boy, time flies when you’re having fun!) the optimism fades. I vaguely start suggesting that now is the right time to call someone. Not that my husband can’t fix it – of course he can! He watched a video! It’s just – he might be expected to show up at his real job within the next couple of months, which is the time it would take him to repair the sink. So we call a plumber who fixes the sink within minutes while my husband sulks in the corner. I taped a video of this part of the DIY adventure – and I’m putting it on You-
Bread sauce My mother-in-law is an extraordinarily hospitable woman. Never is she more hospitable than around the time of Christmas, and most of all where Christmas food is concerned. I am from a background of – I want to say meat and two veg, but this would not be accurate – it’s more like meat and one veg. Not so in my in-laws’ home, and never so at Christmas. My mother in law – Mrs. N – gets up at 3am on Christmas Day to put the turkey in the oven, which is no mean feat seeing as she has been up serving Prosecco and nibbles until insane o’clock on Christmas Eve. Then the rest of the preparation gets underway, which is where I tend to attempt to help. I’m not a good cook, but I can peel and by God is there peeling to be done. Every vegetable known to man, with the swedes offering an obligatory seasonal snigger (a Swede peeling swedes – funny). Mrs. N
Tube, so I can play that for my husband the next time something is out of order. Feel free to share with your loved one. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish version of Have I Got News For You and Room 101.
By Maria Smedstad
leaves me to it with vague instructions on how to make bread sauce. I Skype my sister in Sweden, asking her to google bread sauce and talk me through it. This causes her to pause over her cornflakes as she remembers it is Christmas. “Does bread sauce look like someone vomited in a pan…?” she asks, shaking her head at the strange, British tradition, while making a mental note to defrost some seasonal reindeer for later like a normal person.
shoots me the odd exasperated look (using a peeler and averaging at 30 seconds per spud, rather than a knife and two seconds) but kindly lets me get on with it and refills my breakfast glass with Cinzano. Come 11 o’clock I am drunk and bleeding. Mrs. N finds a last-minute panic and
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 95 | December 2016 | 115
Scan Magazine | Culture | Columns
Scandinavian music By Karl Batterbee
Swedish artist Elin Bergman has been releasing tune after tune steadily for well over a year now. But her latest single sounds like her official arrival as a popstar to watch. The engrossing Naked is a hugely upbeat and instantly infectious pop track with soulful undertones. And funnily enough, Naked was written and produced along with NEIKED, whom you will all know from their own redhot gem Sexual, which spent much of this autumn in the top ten of the UK charts. We got given a marvellous new addition to the Scandipop scene recently: brother and sister duo Sixten and Tova Strandell from Bromma in Sweden. They are calling themselves Strandels and have just released their debut EP, Chance of Rain. The duo’s sound and style are planted firmly in the folk-pop mould, with one foot in the countrypop mould. But they are most definitely on the pop side of both said spectrums. This is an unmissable first body of work with irresistibly upbeat and catchy songs.
Hailing from Pyhtää in Finland, Titta has followed up last year’s debut with brand new single Bikinit. It is a song that brings with it the feeling that were it in English, it could go on to become a global smash. It sounds like it has evolved from Selena Gomez’ Hands to Myself (itself produced by Swedes, I might add), and ticks a hell of a lot of boxes in terms of what makes a hit song in the age of streaming. Do not be put off by any limitations you might have with the Finnish language! Finally, two big reinventions have happened this year that you may not yet be aware of: two Swedish pop acts turning their hands (and very successfully at that) to electro-pop. First up is child star Amy Diamond. She has taken a few years out of the spotlight after multiple albums and a Greatest Hits collection, and has re-emerged under her own name – Amy Deasismont, now 24. Highlights are This Is How We Party and Forgive. Then there is
former Eurovision star, Eric Saade. Keeping the artist moniker we all know, he has released the EP Saade. From it, Wide Awake has become a massive hit in Russia and surrounding eastern European countries, and is now starting to make an impact in the south of Europe too. The whole EP is co-written and produced by darlings of the Swedish critics, State of Sound.
www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@gmail.com
Swedish survival guide:
Swear like a Swede By Joakim Andersson
Cursing is frowned upon by a lot of people, and it is easy to see why. It is just not fitting in certain contexts and situations. However, it is a significant part of a language and the culture using it. For instance, did you know that most cultures have their own unique way of cursing? This is of course reflected in their languages. For instance, Germans curse with a little help from excrements and Americans use intercourse in their interjections, while the Japanese do not use foul language in this manner at all. What do the Swedes do then? We use numbers and occasionally summon the devil. There are several levels to cursing in Swedish, and the expressions seen as less naughty are those made up by numbers. In Sweden, bad words mostly have a religious origin and in the past it was common to 116 | Issue 95 | December 2016
amplify them with numbers, such as ‘sjutton’ (17), ‘attans’ (an old word for 18), and ‘tusan’ (meaning 1,000). All the little devils and other bad things coming after those numerals have vanished over time, and the measurements are all that is left. ‘För tusan!’ ‘Sjutton också!’ ‘Attans!’ Religious curses are not particularly rare in Europe, and where Roman languages curse by the Madonna, in Sweden we summon the devil. The most common curse is ‘fan’. It is a name for the devil and is to cursing what ‘hej’ is to greetings. It is used all the time: when you hurt yourself, when something goes wrong, even as an intensifier. ‘Fan, vad snygg du är idag!’ (Damn, you look good today!) The Swedish word for devil is ‘djävul’, and that too is used like ‘fan’ but in the plural ‘djävlar’ or
‘jävlar’. A third name for the devil is ‘satan’, which is also used in this way, though less frequently. So next time you need to blow off some steam, swear like a Swede and do it with numerals!
Joakim Andersson is a Swedish musician, YouTuber, podcaster, and entrepeneur who calls himself an enjoyer of life. He is the founder of Say It In Swedish, which is a podcast, web and mobile app, and YouTube channel that teaches modern Swedish in a fun and easy-going way for free. Check it out at www.sayitinswedish.com
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
Meshuggah. Photo: Olle Carlsson
Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Putkinotko: Pauliina Pöllänen (Until 15 Dec) Catch the last few days of this exhibition at the Finnish Institute of London, where a new body of work by Finnish ceramist Pauliina Pöllänen is displayed. Also, keep an eye out for her upcoming exhibition at the Design Museum in Helsinki, due to start in January 2017. Tue-Fri 11am-5pm. Finnish Institute in London, 3 York Way, London, NC1 4AE. www.finnish-institute.org.uk
Stockholm Musikgymnasium Choir (15 Dec) Conductor Bengt Ollén directs the choir from Stockholm’s Musikgymnasium in a traditional Lucia performance as part of the Winter Festival at the Southbank
By Linnea Dunne
Centre. 4pm. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
O2 Forum Kentish Town, 9-17 Highgate Road, London NW5 1JY. www.academymusicgroup.com
Nordic Yulefest (Until 18 Dec)
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (20 Jan)
Explore a Scandinavian Christmas market with a hipster edge. Think Nordic food, a photo booth experience, cocktails and games. For those who want to go all in, there is a five-course menu ticket. Nordic Yulefest pop-up, 347 Old Street, London EC1V 9LP. www.londonpopups.com
Meshuggah (20 Jan) For some extreme Swedish metal with a back catalogue stretching back to 1987, head for Kentish Town this January. 7pm.
The Norwegian orchestra, conducted by Edward Gardner, visits Cadogan Hall to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra and Grieg Peer’s Suite No. 1. 7.30pm. Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ. www.cadoganhall.com
José González with The Gothenburg String Theory (24 Jan) The Argentinian-Swedish singersongwriter behind the hit Heartbeats Issue 95 | December 2016 | 117
Scan Magazine | Culture | Calendar
collaborates with The Gothenburg String Theory in a performance of beautiful indie originals by González. 7.30pm. Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Solala (27 Jan) As part of the London A Cappella Festival, the Swedish vocal power trio comes to Kings Place in London to perform their blend of Scandinavian folk songs and sea shanties and modern pop hits. 9.30pm. Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG www.kingsplace.co.uk
The Radio Dept. (31 Jan) The Swedish dream pop group comes to Scala in London after releasing their first album in six years, Running Out of Love. 7.30pm. Scala, 275 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9NL. www.scala.co.uk
Solala. Photo: Magnus Bergström
The Radio Dept. Photo: Per Vikström
118 | Issue 95 | December 2016
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