SCA Wood Magazine 2/2021, ENG by SCA Wood

SCA

Wood Magazine 2/2021

SOUNDS OF SCIENCE STAY ACTIVE IN THE FOREST FASHION HOUSE LOOKS TO WOOD

The King of Toronto The former Maple Leafs star Börje Salming is one of the greatest hockey players of all time. He is also a simple man, with Sami blood in his veins and an eternal love for the Swedish wilderness.

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Ice hockey legend Börje Salming discusses his Sami roots, career in the NHL and life in his 70s.

12 Fashion company House of Dagmar looks to wood.

18 Epidemiologist Emma Frans on source criticism in the wake of COVID-19.

A CHAMP IN HER NATURAL ELEMENT

THE JOY OF CARPENTRY

The biathlete Magdalena Forsberg draws energy

There is always a new project underway for

from the landscape of Sweden’s High Coast.

DIY guru Johanna Berglund.

TRADITIONAL WOODWORKING

30 HIGH PULSE, INNER CALM

Learn about Kigumi, the Japanese art of joining

Training inﬂuencer Joanna Swica prefers

wood without nails, screws or glue.

to run in the forest.

HOUSE OF DAGMAR

32 GRILL LIKE A CAVEMAN

Sisters opened fashion house with high

Ancient cooking methods

sustainability ambitions.

are on trend.

ACTIVITY AND REST IN THE FOREST Running, cycling or a relaxing stroll.

Discover the forest as an arena for activity.

THE KING OF TORONTO

34 HUNTER ON WATCH Join Louise Jonsson hunting for elk.

38 SOURCE CRITICISM AND TRUST

During his years in Toronto, they called

Epidemiologist Emma Frans on the

Börje Salming The King.

importance of science.

SCA

Wood Magazine 2 /2 0 2 1

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The new, and also familiar, normal

OME SAY THAT THE new year actually begins in autumn, that this is when we really renew our efforts, start over and set things in motion. Perhaps this is truer than ever in autumn 2021, as we hopefully begin to see back of the pandemic. Many of us are eager to return to the old, familiar but, at the same time, new reality – to galvanise ourselves privately and professionally with exercise, socialising and much else. Personally, I find that activity and engagement go hand in hand: if you are active, you will probably also be engaged. Conversely, when a person, group or society is engaged in some endeavour, great activity is often generated. The pandemic has caused people all over the world to devote more time to their homes. The subsequent boom in building and renovating has of cause increased demand for timber products. In this issue of SCA Wood Magazine, we present an inspiring example of do-it-yourself and snickarglädje, the joy of carpentry. We also meet former ice hockey player Börje Salming and biathlete Magdalena Forsberg, northern Swedish sporting icons who continue to live active lives after their careers. Both enjoy exercise and recreation in nature: Salming in his grandparents’ village Salmi in Lapland, and Forsberg in her childhood home in Ullånger on Höga Kusten, Sweden’s high coast. Both are also dedicated entrepreneurs and ambassadors for good causes. Epidemiologist Emma Frans reminds us that, in addition to the coronavirus, we also need to address the infodemic that inevitably accompanies a pandemic in our digital age. She underlines the importance of source criticism and, equally, source trust. Recently, I myself have been struck by what social creatures we are and how much easier it is to be active when we collaborate. Engagement is stimulated by contact with others and we are generally drawn to working in groups, a phenomenon noticeable not least at SCA. The group is bubbling with activity as we look forward to being able to meet more often to develop both ourselves and our organisation. So, the new normal is very much like the old normal always was: we want to achieve things – together.

JERRY LARSSON P R E S I D E N T, S C A W O O D

PHOTO THE BOLDER IYD

Floating cabins with spectacular views breathtaking views across Lysefjorden, near to Norway’s world famous natural viewing platform Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). The 22 m2 cabins, which are designed to blend into the magnificent landscape, have everything that might be required in terms of luxurious accommodation. Each one rests on load-bearing steel pillars anchored into the rock, while the buildings themselves are constructed from prefabricated timber elements. Aside from the large windows that provide guests with a sense of levitating in the middle of the wilderness, the facades are clad with naturally greying wood panels. The Bolder Sky Lodges is listed among influential business magazine Forbes’ 25 Surprising Places To Sleep Around The World.

THE BOLDER SK Y LODGES OFFER

PHOTO PRESS IMAGE

Construction nears for record-breaking bridge THE WORLD’S LONGEST wooden motorway bridge is planned in Norway. The bridge, which will form part of the new stretch of the E6 European motorway, will cross Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake and will be approximately 1.3 kilometres in length. Behind the construction is a research project designed to overcome the significant technical challenges. The developer is state-owned Nye Veier, while the design and project development contract went to the Belgian-Italian consortium Besix and Rizzani de Eccher. Their ambition is that the design concept should set a new standard for sustainability in everything from choice of materials and emissions to landscape adaption. The entire road project is due for completion in 2025.

The natural power of the northern coastline TEXT HÅKAN NORBERG

PHOTO KRISTOFER LÖNNÅ

Magdalena Forsberg is one of Sweden’s most popular athletes and television presenters. Throughout her life, she has drawn energy from Höga Kusten, the high coast of Sweden. And it seems that her reserves are endless. “When others unwind, I wind up,” she says.

in early June, nine o’clock: the sky is blue and it is already a balmy 19 degrees. One week of glorious sunshine is about to slip into the next. Summer has arrived in northern Sweden. Magdalena Forsberg greets us on the farmstead where she grew up, in Ullånger, between Härnösand and Örnsköldsvik, where composer Wilhelm Peterson-Berger was born 100 years before her, when the farmhouse was an inn. Today, this the Forsberg family’s second home, with everything Höga Kusten has to offer on the doorstep. The former biathlete maintains a high tempo as she prepares lunch, watering the vegetable garden and speaking to husband Henrik Forsberg on the phone. Compared to her, the rest of us appear to be moving in slow motion. “We don’t live here permanently and I like to get a lot done while I’m here! Henrik is the same, he does a lot of work in the forest. We have decided that we aren’t allowed to do any more work after six o’clock; by then we should be showered and ready for dinner or enjoying a glass of wine on the balcony,” says Magdalena. She walks around the side of the house. “Our woodland begins up there, behind the red house,” she says, pointing, and goes on: “It’s a part of me. I love to be out and about in nature, especially around here. Höga Kusten boasts fantastic countryside!” Cava, the Swedish elkhound, barks from the kennels. During autumn and winter the dog will join in with the annual elk hunt. Magdalena herself has been hunting elk for over 20 years and as a child she accompanied her father on hunts. As the family owns woodland, it comes naturally. In a couple of weeks, Magdalena, Henrik and their two teenage sons will set sail along the high coast on their annual boating holiday.

FRIDAY MORNING

“We might stop in a bay where it is warm, or head out to sea where it is cooler. Ulvön, Trysunda, Mjältön – there are so many lovely places. We live on the boat, cook for ourselves or eat at one of the restaurants along the coast,” says Magdalena. The sea, the forest and the vegetable garden; the importance of nature in her life is a recurring theme. “It’s so energizing! Walking the dog in the woods. Getting up early, jogging up the mountain and enjoying the view. Growing our own beets, berries and spices. Skiing in the winter. I’m a country person, not a city one. But I do appreciate the contrasts!” The day before our meeting, Magdalena was in Stockholm working on one of her many assignments: as a presenter on the programme Postcode Lottery. She also appears on television as an expert commentator on the biathlon, as well as garnering acclaim on shows such as På spåret and Mästarnas mästare. In winter she competes in Sweden against Norway, where ski stars from the neighbouring countries meet in team competitions. “And I also give lectures, which is quite like competitive sport. It’s very much in the moment, with a certain amount of tension, preparation and delivery and, afterwards, you’re a little exhausted,” she says. Her lectures are about creating opportunities to reach goals, finding motivation and energy, something one of the world’s greatest ever biathletes should know plenty about. “Set goals, divide them into interim targets, evaluate what you’ve accomplished, learn from experience and move on. Focus on the next assignment! Dwelling on your failures does no good,” says Magdalena Forsberg, before disappearing once again around the corner of the house.

B I AT H L O N C A R E E R Magdalena Forsberg was overall winner of the Biathlon World Cup for six consecutive years between1997 and 2002. She finished on the podium 87 times and won 42 World Cup races. She also won six World Championship gold medals and two Olympic bronzes. Forsberg has more biathlon victories to her name than any other woman.

Ancient techniques hold sacred wood in place T E X T M AT S W I G A R D T

PHOTO HUGH MILLER

In Japan, wood has always been revered. The gods provided humankind with trees from which to build houses that would withstand both earthquakes and typhoons. In return, carpenters have shown their gratitude by treating the material with respect and developing a technique to join pieces of wood together without nails or glue.

ESPITE JAPAN’S IMAGE as a modern country focused on the very latest technology, traditions and methods dating back millennia still play a vital role in society. One area in which this is especially noticeable is house building and woodworking. Wood has always been Japan’s first choice of material for all types of building, home and temples alike. Aside from the facts that the country’s traditional religion, Shinto, considers trees to be a gift from the gods and that Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment while sitting beneath the Bodhi Tree, there are also more secular reasons behind this choice of building material. In Japan’s climate, with cold, dry winters and very humid summers, a load-bearing structure of timber, which shrinks and swells with the changing weather, is particular suitable. The land is also prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and typhoons , further amplifying the benefits of wood. A wooden house frame is light, laterally stable and able to absorb a great deal of energy. When disaster strikes, it often fares considerably better than heavier concrete buildings. This is a matter of equal urgency in Japan today as it was a thousand years ago. Over time, Japanese craftsmen have solved problems as and when they arise. Simple huts have evolved into load-bearing timber structures, erected and held together using complex, robust joints without nails, screws or glue.

Large pieces of wood can be joined to tenth-of-amillimetre tolerances and then disassembled with relative ease. A small wedge or plug is carefully hammered into place, forcing the parts together into a solid beam, the joint practically invisible. Unlike in the West, wood’s sensitivity to fire, moisture and storms is accepted and even welcomed in Japan. The pros of the material outweigh the cons by a considerable margin. Buildings that are destroyed are quite simply rebuilt. As a symbol of renewal, every 20 years the 1,900-year-old Shinto shrine, Ise Jingu, is therefore dismantled and rebuilt on a nearby site using traditional tools and methods. This ritual has been going on for a thousand years without much complaint. “There is something very different about the Japanese approach to wood,” confirms Hugh Miller. A furniture designer and carpenter with a studio in Liverpool city centre, Hugh has visited the country several times, meeting with experienced craftsmen and tradition bearers in an attempt to get to grips with the Japanese carpentry tradition and learn more about the ancient techniques that remain in use today. The results of his study trips have been compiled in a comprehensive report on the tools, techniques and philosophy that have shaped Japanese wood culture. “Respect for materials and tradition is manifestly higher in Japan compared to the United Kingdom or the rest of Europe,” Hugh Miller concludes.

PHOTO FORWARD STROKE INC.

Furthermore, he notes that in Japan, there is an appreciation of ancient methods of woodworking that sees them survive to be passed on to future generations. Materials and tools are handled with great delicacy. “For example,” says Miller, “the carpenter always draws the plane towards him, unlike in Europe where it is pushed away.” The same applies to the slender Japanese saws. Hand tools too are made of wood, preferably modified to the exact requirements of the individual craftsman. Sandpaper is uncommon; instead, they often rely on a plane to apply a finish. “As hand tools are so widely used, a more harmonious contact is achieved between the craftsmen, tool and material than would be possible using a machine,” argues Miller. Two fundamental principles of Japanese woodworking are minimalism and lightness of touch. The absence of visible joints makes it easier for the viewer to focus on the wood itself, its natural form and colour. And by using painstakingly selected raw materials and muted, simple detailing, it is possible to achieve a lightweight, tactile end product that treads lightly on its surroundings. “The Japanese way is ‘just enough’, no more, no less. This acts as a filter that allows for simple yet elegant solutions and individual expression,” says Miller. Historical roots and lightness of touch are also apparent in the work of Japanese architects Takaharu and Yui Tezuka. The couple’s commissions include a number of notable timber buildings.

After the original building was destroyed in the catastrophic tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011, they were commissioned by UNICEF to rebuild the Asahi Kindergarten in the town of Minamisanriku, north of Tokyo. The Tezuka’s love of wood came to the fore in the project. With its overhanging roof, sliding doors and wide veranda, the new kindergarten is clearly influenced by traditional Japanese temples and ancient building techniques. It is strikingly airy, with load-bearing beams, joists and floors crafted from 400-year-old cedar trees that once lined the road to the nearby Buddhist temple but that were severely damaged by saltwater during the tsunami. In the building process itself, the architects have drawn many ideas from traditional Japanese buildings, using methods that have survived for over 1,300 years. “Good enough for us,” comments Takaharu Tezuka. The entire building process has been like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle, with beams and joists extended and joined using tried and tested ancient methods, eschewing the use of steel fixings to make the structure flexible enough to cope with movement in the wood. This technique of wood joinery using intricate, strong joints is called kigumi and can be traced

PHOTO FORWARD STROKE INC.

PHOTO HUGH MILLER

LEARN MORE ABOUT JAPANESE JOINERY The Complete Japanese Joinery, by Hideo Sato and Yasua Nakahara The Art of Japanese Joinery, by Kiyosi Seike Japanese Wood Craftsmanship, by Hugh Miller

back to around 2,000 BCE. Hundreds of these traditional joints are still in use today, all highly complex, refined and strong. “The technique is still of great importance today for building houses, making furniture and renovating ancient shrines,” says Kazuo Tanikawa. The number of joiners who have mastered kigumi is however declining. When Kazuo Tanikawa retired after 40 years as a joiner at a company specialising in building and renovating shrines and other religious buildings using traditional methods, he took the initiative to open a small, self-funded museum on a Tokyo side street. He believes that, during his working life, knowledge of the traditional culture and techniques of woodworking has reached a critical point, with the number of experienced joiners declining and meagre regrowth in the craft. Kazuo Tanikawa was therefore keen to stimulate interest in Japanese wood culture by putting a small part of his own collection of kigumi on display for a younger generation. By touching, feeling and trying, visitors are provided with an interactive experience. “The Kigumi Museum has become a new kind of museum that speaks to all the senses, where visitors are offered many illustrative examples of the

old methods of joining pieces of wood,” he says. The modest exhibition space explains the development of the technique over thousands of years. The joints on display can be disassembled to reveal their workings and how the various elements of temples have been constructed using intricate, three-dimensional puzzles of wooden components. In another room, a number of woodworking hand tools are on display. One can also learn how to split a log using an axe and wedge. “And,” Kazuo Tanikawa assures us with satisfaction, “there is considerable interest.” The museum attracts both foreign visitors and many Tokyo schoolchildren. Ancient woodworking knowledge is thus passed on to a new generation of craftspeople, preparing them for the next time that the sacred Shinto shrine Ise Jingu is torn down and rebuilt. “Japan has a long tradition of fostering knowledge and experience,” says Hugh Miller. The techniques and tools of woodworking are unique and masters of the craft enjoy tangible respect in society. “And,” Miller continues, “for my part, time spent in Japan has left an indelible mark and equipped me with an airier, less bombastic, more subtle and muted design language.”

Fashion, fabrics and the forest TEXT HÅKAN NORBERG

PHOTO HOUSE OF DAGMAR

When House of Dagmar began working with sustainability, the term had barely been coined. The fashion house is currently studying the possibilities of making textiles from wood. “We are approaching the point of prototype production,” says company cofounder Kristina Tjäder.

Clothes from the 2021 autumn collection, in a series of sustainable materials called Good Choice.

OUSE OF DAGMAR was founded in 2005 by sisters Karin Söderlind, Kristina Tjäder and Sofia Wallenstam. Inspired by grandmother Dagmar, a strong, determined and stylish seamstress, the three sisters set out to create a fashion house making clothes that last longer. “In the 1950s and ‘60s, people removed stains and aired clothes rather than washing them. People went to a seamstress to have them mended, or did it themselves. A wardrobe was something to be cared for, so that the clothes could be used for longer. This is the kind of environmental friendliness we want to inspire,” explains CEO Karin Söderlind. The vision is to maximise the working life and minimise the climate footprint, and to inspire us as consumers to plan our purchases based on what will complement our wardrobe in the long term, rather than simply buying something for our next dinner engagement. “Buy only garments that you will wear 200 times,” says Karin.

CLIMATE FOOTPRINT MADE PUBLIC

The fashion and clothing industry is responsible for almost 10 per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, and it is a complex industry. There may be 20 steps between raw material and finished garment and in many parts of the world there is no tradition of transparency. House of Dagmar’s high ambitions for sustainability therefore demand hard work and perseverance, not to mention systematic sustainability management. Since 2017, the

company has been measuring the climate footprint of its textile fibres and making the results public. “We work almost exclusively with certified materials with a third-party guarantee that the material is manufactured in the correct way. We use biodegradable materials such as lyocell, regenerated wool and cashmere, and GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard) cotton and denim,” says Kristina Tjäder. Non-toxic, organic materials. Clean, energyefficient production. And the smallest possible climate footprint in every aspect of the business. This is the level of ambition. Kristina holds out her empty hand. “So, when the garment returns to nature, so to speak, all you have left in your hand is a zip or a few buttons, which can then be recycled,” she says. CARING FOR ANIMALS, NATURE AND PEOPLE

The company is working towards a goal that Karin describes as almost unattainable, but one that must still remain as a guiding star: that House of Dagmar should be carbon neutral by 2025.

PHOTO TOBISA LUNDKVIST

Sisters Sofia Wallenstam, Kristina Tjäder and Karin Söderlind, founders of House of Dagmar.

HOUSE OF DAGMAR House of Dagmar was established in 2005. The company currently employs a staff of 17 and sells clothing all over the world. In addition to selling new garments, House of Dagmar has plans to launch both a vintage clothing and clothing rental business. Earlier this year, the company walked away from Copenhagen Fashion Week with the Zalando Sustainability Award. According to the jury, “House of Dagmar particularly impressed for its strong sustainable ambition which is implemented through many aspects of the brand’s supply chain.”

FOREST FABRICS PROJECT

“We want to safeguard resources at every stage and we prefer to speak in terms of protecting animals, nature and people rather than sustainability. We shall work ethically, not simply organically,” explains Karin. Lab-grown leathers, silk produced without killing the silkworm and algae that can be transformed into fibres, these are just some of the innovation areas that House of Dagmar has its eye on. The company is also participating in the Forest Fabrics research project at the University of Borås, which is examining the possibilities of manufacturing textiles from wood. “Textile fibres made from wood have been around for ages, but they have been too thick and hard for our purposes. Our hope is that projects like Forest Fabrics will allow us to identify environmentally friendly alternatives to fabrics such as denim,” says Kristina. The sisters describe their target group as aware women, well-read and loyal customers who value House of Dagmar’s sustainability ambitions highly. The same can be said of the company’s own staff. “We are all in agreement that sustainability must not be a side project. It must be integrated into all aspects of our work,” says Karin.

The ambition of the Forest Fabrics project is to take the next step in developing Swedish paper fabrics for use in fashion, interior design and technical textiles. The goal is to scale up and develop the technology and investigate which areas of use paper garments are best suited to, based on properties and markets. The likely application of the technology for House of Dagmar is as an alternative to heavier textiles such as denim. The project is being managed by the University of Borås. It was launched in autumn 2018 and will end in February 2022.

WANT TO FEEL ALIVE?

Off to the forest! TEXT JENNIE ZETTERQVIST

I L L U S T R AT I O N M I K A E L E J E M A R V I K S T R Ö M

A sprawling, beautiful gymnasium, uncrowded and free of charge, open 24/7 and with fresh challenges along every trail. An open-air pantry filled with ready-to-pick food. A paradise of silence, fresh air and serenity, inviting all who seek rejuvenation. The forest is an unbeatable arena for physical activity – and for rest.

TRAIL RUNNING

A gentle, re-energising run Meditative, cleansing and fun say the trail runners who have swapped the straight asphalt of the city for a new love: the hilly terrain of the forest. Beautiful landscapes enhance the experience at the same time as fitness and balance are put to the test and developed. The soft surface and natural obstacles offer the body an all-round, gentle running experience. Choose for yourself whether you prefer the company of a group or a much-needed solo run. Either way, you will be re-energised.

ORIENTEERING

Seeking control in unfamiliar terrain Armed with a map and compass, the orienteer finds their way across unfamiliar terrain. This sport, which involves finding the way between control points at speed over unfamiliar terrain, is suited to both elite athletes and families. The first public orienteering competition in Sweden was held in 1901. Today there are approximately 600 orienteering clubs in Sweden, with active members ranging from children to veterans. The latter can compete in age classes up to 90 years of age in the world’s largest orienteering competition, O-ringen, which is arranged annually in Sweden.

TRAIL CYCLING

Rising joy and sinking stomach along excellent trails To the trail cyclist, the path is the destination. Speed and results come second; it is more important navigate the natural conditions of the forest trail on two wheels with rising joy. Equipped with a mountain bike, steely focus and well-honed balance, the trail cyclist makes her way through the landscape with a wonderful sense of constantly overcoming new obstacles. That tingling in the pit of the stomach is an added bonus. Interest in the sport is growing, as is the number of facilities with excellent trails of varying degrees of difficulty.

PICKING BERRIES AND MUSHROOMS

An insatiable craving for the forest’s delicious treasures Blueberries, cloudberries, lingonberries: the colourful vitamin bombs waiting to be collected and refined. Allemansrätten, the Swedish right to roam, allows us to ramble freely in the countryside and pick berries, with due consideration for the natural surroundings, of course. Beware, though: picking can easily lead to a mild obsession on the part of the susceptible when faced with the boundless riches of the forest. Searching for mushrooms? Many people consider the bright yellow chanterelle to be the gold of the forest. The chanterelle-lovers best kept secret is the coordinates of the best places to find them.

FOREST BATHING

Hug the trees, let the trees hug you Many of us head to the forest when we don’t know what to do with ourselves. Even those who are do not know what they are looking for often find it, there in the stillness between the trees, in the soft, sun-dappled moss. The Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, has become popular in Sweden; quite simply, it means to allow oneself to be embraced without expectation by the forest in a form of eco-therapy.

A simple man TEXT HÅKAN NORBERG

PHOTO KRISTOFER LÖNNÅ

Börje Salming is one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time. Raised in Lapland in the far north of Sweden, he learned to appreciate nature at an early age. This is where he comes from, and where he intends to die. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. At 70 years of age, Salming’s Sami blood pumps with more vigour than ever through a heart that almost stopped beating a few years ago.

“I was born in the forest. We lived beside the sports ground in Kiruna, beyond which there is nothing but trees, and we were always there skiing with the family.”

reign in Kiruna in the far north of Sweden. Winter arrives in October and keeps its grip until May. The Polar night lasts for three weeks each year, during which the sun never appears over the horizon. Admittedly, in summer the region above the Arctic Circle enjoys the magical midnight sun, with 30 days of uninterrupted daylight; still, where it not for the Gulf Stream, this part of the world would barely be habitable. This is where Börje Salming was born and raised. As a child, he played hockey in Kiruna’s Matojärvi Ice Rink, but our story begins where Börje Salming’s career ended in 1993, at his final home arenas, Globen and Hovet in southern Stockholm. We walk the short distance from the hotel where we had arranged to meet to Hovet, where the photographer awaits. We discuss training and it is easy to fall a few steps behind as we walk. He sets quite a pace, does Salming. He is unsure which entrance we should use. “It’s been a while,” he says. Of course, it is the magazine that has booked the arena for the photo shoot, but Börje leads the way. He is first to reach the security guard on the gate, he greets the staff in the corridors and the youth players who are there to train. That’s the kind of guy he is: down-to-earth, friendly, generous. This despite his status in the nation’s hockey consciousness: royalty. During his years in Toronto with the Maple Leafs he was nicknamed “The King”, but this king opens doors himself, as he always has. So, we enter. ARKNESS AND COLD

A PIONEER IN A VIOLENT ERA

After 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), in 1996 Börje Salming became the first Swede to be indicted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. There, he is described as a “trailblazer” for

European players in the NHL. Only a handful of Swedish players preceded him in North America, where the general consensus was that European players lacked the necessary toughness. Börje Salming turned that image on its head. “They say I played more like a Canadian than the Canadians themselves,” he says. He arrived in Toronto in 1973, during a decade notorious as the most violent in NHL history, when foul play was rife, fistfights common and premeditated attacks designed to injure opponents were an accepted part of the game. “It was rough back then. These days, those players would be suspended and heavily fined for the kind of thing that happened in almost every shift,” says Börje. It took only a couple of seasons for Salming to become a key player in Toronto, spending between 35 and 40 minutes on the ice every match. A technical back, strong in both defence and attack, he still leads the Maple Leafs’ all-time assist table. Börje Salming became renowned for his willingness to put his body on the line. He would place himself in the path of slapshots like few others and stand his ground against the toughest players in the league. After pretty much every training session and match – from his earliest days in Kiruna AIF, via Brynäs IF in the Swedish Elite League and on to Toronto and the NHL – Börje would sit in the locker room with ice packs on his bruised and battered body: puck marks; gashes and stitches to his face, wrists and ankles; aching shoulders and ribs from the constant tackles, slashing and punches. He was constantly reminded of how tough he was, how much he could endure, and that this was a measure of success. So, he carried on, one shift after another, match after match, year after year, never revealing to anyone how much pain he was in.

BÖRJE SALMING Family: Wife Pia and adult children Anders, Teresa, Rasmus and Bianca. Siblings Stig, Carina and Laila – and mother Karin, 94 years of age. Surname: The original family name was Sarri, but Börje’s paternal grandfather took the name Salming in honour of his home village, Salmi. Clubs: Kiruna AIF, 1967–1970 Brynäs IF, 1970–1973 Toronto Maple Leafs, 1973–1989 Detroit Red Wings, 1989–1990 AIK, 1990–1993 Selected injuries: Five teeth knocked out, punctured lung, broken nose, broken fingers, broken ribs, fractured kneecap, heel and elbows, 50 per cent impaired vision in the right eye caused by the tip of a stick, as well as 600 stitches, 300 of which after being trampled across the face by a skate.

On fame: “Of course, I notice people looking up from time to time, but I’m so used to it by now. There was more fuss in Canada. I try to take the time for people who are interested. As a child, I got my first autograph from cross-country skier Sixten Jernberg at the ski arena in Kiruna. That was a big deal to me. And if he could do that for me, I can do it for others.” Upcoming TV series: Börje Salming’s career is to become a television series starring Valter Skarsgård. The series’ creator and director is Amir Chamdin, the man behind the series Partisan. Shooting will begin in 2022.

“I often stayed behind after training and matches to chat with the people who looked after the rink.”

GROWING UP ON THE TUNDRA

Börje Salming was five years of age when his father, Erland, died in a mining accident in Kiruna. His mother, Karin, had no choice but to go out to work to support the family, leaving Börje and brother Stig, four years his senior, to fend for themselves when she was not at home. “Not having a father to defend or comfort you. Not having a father to tie your skates when everyone else has their father with them. It was tough. I learned to suck it up, not to show my feelings,” says Börje. The brothers spent much of their school holidays with their father’s parents in the village of Salmi, on the shores of Torneträsk, the largest mountain lake in Scandinavia. “There is no road to Salmi, you can only reach it by boat in the summer and snowmobile in winter. The village consists of seven farmsteads and, beyond the houses, there is nothing but wilderness. It is incredibly beautiful,” says Börje. He describes his grandfather as hard and strict. Children and grandchildren were expected to help on the farm, without complaint or crying. It was simply a matter of sticking it out; after all, there was no alternative. Many years later, while playing for Brynäs in the Elite League, Börje’s coach Tommy Sandlin observed that he appeared to enjoy the pain.

Perhaps his upbringing had hardened him, made him more resilient than others. Resilient, but also loyal and willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. He still owns his grandparents’ farm and returns to Salmi a few times each year, either alone or with friends and family. While there, he spends his time skiing, ice fishing and hunting – or simply walking in the mountains. He describes the feeling of stopping his snowmobile, putting on his snowshoes and walking through the landscape on the same terms as the wildlife, of being the only human for many miles. “When you walk alone across the Lapland tundra, or among the birches in the valley, and all you see is bear and wolf tracks, there is nothing more serene. It makes me feel so good,” he says. His family has always leased woodland around Salmi, and still does today. In the winter, he collects firewood by snowmobile and in the summer he chops it. “That’s been the same all my life. You always need firewood because there is no electricity on the farm.” The environment he describes is very different from where we find ourselves today, Hovet in Stockholm. Börje Salming arrived at the interview on the Metro, having been to the gym in the city centre. He had made his way there by boat from

Nacka Strand, where he lives with wife Pia, to Djurgården and then into the city centre. “Thankfully there is a great deal of woodland around here too. I can walk in the woods and pick blueberries where we live. And it’s not far from Värmdö och Vaxholm, which are even more forested. In this regard, Sweden is fantastic.” UNRIVALLED TRIBUTES

His years as a professional ice hockey player were much more than simply a catalogue of struggle and pain; they also brought with them lifelong friendships and good memories. During the 1976 Canada Cup, something happened that Börje Salming would only understand the significance of many years later. At that time, North American ice hockey was not the international affair it is today. The majority of players where from the US and Canada, foreign media coverage was negligible and it was impossible to watch the matches on European television. The world’s best league, The National Hockey League, was just that: national. As yet, no overseas player had made a meaningful impression and the idea that the fans might come to love a player who was not from the US or Canada seemed outlandish. Sweden’s first match in the 1976 Canada Cup against the USA was played at Maple Leaf Gardens

in Toronto, Börje Salming’s home arena for the past three seasons. When his name was announced during the player presentation, a seemingly never-ending round of applause broke out, turning into a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. “It was not until I finished playing that I really understood it. It happened against the USA, and then again when we played Canada, which is quite incredible. The crowd rose for me, a Swede, while my Toronto teammates Lanny MacDonald and Darryl Sittler – in fact, not even Bobby Orr, who was also in the Canadian national team – were given the same reception.” Today, there is a statue of Börje Salming outside the Air Canada Centre, the Maple Leafs’ present-day arena in Toronto. From time to time, the living legend returns to the city and the club, which takes good care of its former players. “I had a great relationship with everyone in Toronto, not just the players and management. I often stayed behind after training and matches to chat with the people who looked after the rink, cleaned the ice and gave the place a lick of paint. And it’s always great to come back,” says Börje. He wells up when talking about Gerry McNamara, the Maple Leafs scout who came to Sweden to sign Inge Hammarström and went home with Salming into the bargain. It was with him that the adventure began.

FOTO BILDBYRÅN

Börje Salming presses Wayne Gretzky against the boards during the 1991 Canada Cup.

“In Salmi, I hunt grouse and capercaillie. I like to seek and run, not just sit still like when hunting elk.”

“We have fine memories together; in fact, the last time we met we cried,” recalls Börje. He also has a wealth of memories of the matches themselves, such as his encounters with the player they call The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, who has described Salming as one of the best players he ever met. When Toronto played Edmonton at home, the coach brought Börje Salming in whenever Gretzky was on the ice, pitting his best back against the opponents best forward. In ice hockey, the home team is permitted to make the final substitution before a face-off, allowing them to match a given player against a particular member of the opposition. This improved Gretzky’s chances of avoiding the Swede when Edmonton played at home. “Before the face-off, Gretzky went onto the ice and I followed. Then he would return to his bench and I to mine. He would lean on the boards and I would do the same. As soon as the referee lifted his arm to signal that the away team could no longer make a substitution, Gretzky would look at me, shrug, smile and go onto the ice, while I was forced to stay on the bench.” THE HEART AND THE SAMI BLOOD

Börje celebrated his 70th birthday this spring. Over recent years he has reduced his working

commitments to the Salming brand, which sells underwear, running shoes and ice hockey and floorball sticks under his name. “Others have had to take up the slack. These days I limit my participation to inaugurations and the like,” says Börje with a grin. Instead, he spends more time with wife Pia and their four adult children from previous relationships, and his grandchildren. He is also a dedicated ambassador for organ donation, a blood donor and ambassador for the Swedish Heart Lung Foundation. Heart problems run in the family and a few years ago Börje himself suffered from an acute heart condition. While our running he experienced a sore throat, like heartburn. Over the following days he took tablets for acid reflux but when the problem persisted he called his doctor. “He told me to go to straight to the emergency room, not to wait but right away, so I did so and that’s a decision I’m happy about today.” An examination revealed an almost completely blocked coronary artery, so doctors decided to perform an angioplasty, which involves opening the artery by inserting and inflating a balloon. The insertion was made through the wrist and Börje was conscious throughout the procedure. “I watched everything on a screen as they were doing it. It was pretty cool. And without the treatment I would probably have had a heart attack

P H O T O M AT S E R I K S O N

FACTS ABOUT THE SAMI The Sami are a national minority and recognised indigenous people of Sweden, Norway and Finland. There is a long history of conflict over land rights, often related to reindeer husbandry, between the Sami, landowners and the state in Sápmi, including in northern Sweden. The Sami were long considered an inferior race and until the 1950s the Swedish State Institute for Racial Biology conducted studies including taking skull measurements of Sami.

and perhaps a stroke as well, so you have to be grateful for research.” Over the years, Börje has also become increasingly grateful for, and interested in, his Sami roots. He is proud to be part of such a rich history, with its values and traditions but also its difficulties. When Swedish colonial abuses against the country’s indigenous people are mentioned, he is furious. “It’s absolutely terrible what the Sami have been subjected to,” he laments. We make our way into the stands to take the last few photographs. The steps are high and we return to the topic of training and motivation. How does a former team sportsman keep going once the competitive element is removed? “It’s all about setting goals,” says Börje. Once his career was over, he ran marathons and shorter fun runs, which in itself gave him targets to aim for in training. Afterwards, he would want to achieve a better result the following year, and so on. These days, he no longer runs as much: his heart, osteoarthritis and other ailments from his career in hockey prevent it, but the septuagenarian still walks a great deal and goes to the gym several times a week. While nothing seems to be able to stop the King from Kiruna, when the time does come for the final rest, he has a clear image in mind. “If I have to die somewhere, then let it be in the countryside around Salmi in Lapland. My roots are there. That’s where I belong.

DIY IS BOOMING

T H E J O Y O F C A R P E N T R Y TEXT JENNIE ZETTERQVIST

PHOTO JOHANNA BERGLUND

The demand for timber from DIY enthusiasts has increased enormously during the pandemic. There is a constant stream of building projects underway at the home of influencer Johanna Berglund and she loves to encourage her followers to be bold in creating their own homes, their own place on earth. “Just get started! And ask for advice from those who know more. You will learn an incredible amount along the way,” she says.

HEN JOHANNA WAS TEN YE ARS OLD ,

she built her own playhouse. “It might not have been the prettiest playhouse, but still! I liked it,” she says. Raised in the countryside by a carpenter father, constantly surrounded by planks, tools, machines and construction dust, it was always a given for Johanna that wood is meant for creating. Want something? Then you simply have to build it. In 2010, in the fearless spirit of do-it-yourself, she and her husband purchased a functional house close to the cottage in which they were living. Today, the building has been transformed into the embodiment of a fin-de-siècle dream home. While many might not have considered such a transformation possible, Johanna has the ability to visualise the end result from the very beginning. She is therefore always ready for the next challenge as soon as the latest one has been conquered. “Personally, I find the process of building itself most enjoyable. As I already have a clear image in my head, in a way [the end result] is no surprise. It’s just a good feeling to get there. My husband, on the other hand, is much better at stopping to enjoy the moment. I’m working on that!” Johanna’s Instagram account, @snickargladjen [The Joy of Carpentry], has almost 90,000 followers, many of whom are inspired to create by the beautiful, vivid inspirational images she posts. The name of the account and Johanna’s website refers to her own feeling on taking on the task of creating the house’s delicate wooden ornamentation on what she thought was a somewhat plain balcony. Chasing inspiration, she sketched the basic form in pencil before putting the saw to the cross-laminated plywood. “I got through a few jigsaws and blades before I got the hang of it”, laughs Johanna and continues: “But in the end I completed some 20 panels for the house, filling the voids just as I wanted.” When she published her photographs of the end result, hysteria broke out! Interest in the snickarglädje, a form of decorative carpentry popular in Sweden and Norway in the late nineteenth century, was certainly enormous among those who had never considered the possibility of applying it to their own homes. The sale of panels with Johanna’s design took off and they are still selling today, although they are now being sawn CNC milling machine in a nearby workshop.

FACTS AT A GLANCE Name: Johanna Berglund Lives: Near Falköping in southwest Sweden. Occupation: Influencer, creative and accomplished DIY expert. Learn more at snickargladjensveranda.se.

Influencer Johanna Berglund’s beautiful fin-de-siècle-style home has undergone a fascinating transformation. She designed and sawed the intricate decoration herself, in a style known as snickarglädje, literally ‘joy of carpentry’.

Interest in do-it-yourself has clearly increased during the pandemic and Johanna welcomes the extra effort that increasing numbers of people are willing to put into their own nests, to find greater satisfaction there and, as an environmental bonus, reduce their travel. Personally, she always invests in quality, both in execution and choice of materials. “It’s a matter of sustainability and, for us, it has come naturally to choose good materials, preferably wood, and then solid, Swedishproduced timber. Naturally, this is more expensive, but we want things done in a certain way and to be able to stand there satisfied with the end result.” Recycling is another cause close to Johanna’s heart and her home is filled with furniture with a history of its own. She feels that every room needs one item of wooden furniture as a centrepiece, after which she adds contrasting pieces in other materials and carefully selected ornaments that create a very personal style – something else that her followers love.

“As people, we are designed to be in nature and, by bringing living materials into the home, it seems to me that we build a bridge between the exterior and interior. Personally, I find furniture with a natural patina most beautiful. One useful tip is to arrange the furniture and let it stand for a while, to mature in the space. You might find that it fits well where it is, with no rearrangement,” says Johanna. The couple’s feel for renovating old houses is now being put to use in a new project, a large rectory where they run an interior design shop, café, florist with self-pick flower garden and accommodation. The main building is a traditional log cabin that has presented a number of wood-based challenges from floor to ceiling, which they have completely replaced in order to expose the roof beams. It was their intention to preserve the lovely wooden floor discovered beneath the linoleum; however, a closer inspection revealed that it was not tongue and groove and was resting on old, compressed insulation, the odour of which was

Johanna’s own snickarglädje designs are very popular and are available for sale. Customers without a house of their own to ornament can make themselves a rustic clothes rack instead.

Standing back to enjoy the fruits of her labour is something Johanna needs to practice. As soon as one project is completed, she is ready to move onto the next.

anything but pleasant. So, everything had to go! “We went considerably over budget and there was a great deal more work to do than excepted. But we chose a really lovely solid wood floor and now we’re extremely pleased with the result. And, above all, one learns from the challenges. There is always a solution!” The mature garden with its large, leafy, shielding trees was one important reason that Johanna fell in love with the rectory, which has already been fully booked with overnight guests during the sneak opening this first summer. “I love trees! And I love nature and how good it makes us feel. I really try to get out and about in my free time, especially with the kids. We camp, pick mushrooms and berries – or simply take it easy. When I was less busy job-wise, I liked to take my computer and sit under a tree working. I’d love to do that again!”

SNICKARGLÄDJEN’S BEST TIPS FOR WOULD-BE DIYERS: Make a start! Take the plunge and give it a go. Even if you fail and have to do it all again, it may still be cheaper than hiring someone else to do the job. Don’t be afraid to ask! Ask those who can for advice and read useful pages online. Begin with the simplest steps yourself and get help when things get more complicated. Help a friend! Get involved in other people’s building projects: watch and learn with an open mind and curiosity.

TEXT JENNIE ZETTERQVIST

PHOTO JOANNA SWICA

“The immensity of nature gives me hope.” It is endless, mysterious and constantly offers new impressions. Celebrity coach, marathon runner and Robinson finalist Joanna Swica prefers running in the forest – and in the mountains. There, as her pulse rises, she is possessed by a sense of security and calm.

‘Y

of their own, as if eating up the ground and it were the most obvious thing in the world. Your gaze flits between stones, roots and duckboard. Your back is dark with sweat and your hair sticks beneath your cap. There is nothing, except you. Nothing except this: right here, right now.” Joanna Swica’s gift for putting her running experiences into words makes the reader long to swap places with her. Although she constantly seeks new challenges around the globe, she never gets tired of the Swedish forests and mountains. The higher the hills and deeper the valleys, the better. “I feel very safe in the forest and enjoy just being there alone. It’s like my playground, just as it was when I was a kid growing up on a horse farm in Skåne, always out in the forest riding, building jumps and huts,” she explains. OUR LEGS HAVE A MIND

RESPECT – BUT WITHOUT FEAR

Joanna coaches running and while she is well-aware that one must have complete respect for nature as a training facility, she sees no reason to be afraid. Her top tip for anyone thinking of venturing out into unfamiliar terrain is to run in one direction for half the time you intend to be out, and then turn back. It’s as simple as that. “Of course, you have to be a little vigilant in the terrain. Absorb information from others, don’t be naive and make sure you have your telephone with you. But if you worry too much, you’ll never get out

there. Sure, you might twist an ankle in the forest, but you could do the same in the laundry room,” she says. And does it matter if you get a bit lost? “Not a jot,” says Johanna, who shares her own missteps, detours and lost bearings with her followers on social media in as much colourful detail as she does her successes. So far, of course, she has always made it home! That includes from her appearance on the television show Robinson, the Swedish version of Survivor, which tests contestants physical and social survival skills. The show is normally recorded in the Caribbean but due to the pandemic it was moved to an island in an archipelago of the coast of Haparanda in northern Sweden. “That was one important reason why I agreed to take part. I realised that it would be a little harder, a little grislier, and that made me even more eager. Haparanda is much more hardcore that the Caribbean!” Joanna chortles. CLOSEST, BEST AND WORST

Respect for the forest and nature deepened in late August, as autumn storms swept in, tearing through the entire landscape with tremendous force. The thunder was so intense that the night sky was completely illuminated by lightning. “There and then, I realised just how small I am here on earth. Yet I felt that sense of security the forest has always given me, and the experience made me even more secure with myself.”

FACTS AT A GLANCE Name: Joanna Swica Lives: i Stockholm Occupation: creative consultant, motivational coach, personal trainer, health and running coach. Has run marathons in the desert and mountains. Finalist in reality TV show Robinson 2021. Learn more at joannaswica.se.

“It was so cool to spend 43 days in the forest like that. The forest became the closet, the best and the worst we had,” says Joanna. During one of the show’s challenges, she was forced to remain awake all night, from nine pm until six the next morning. Rather than being a torment, this turned out to be one of the finest memories she came away with. “The sun only went down for an hour or two and it was incredibly beautiful to observe as the evening shifted into summer night and then into morning,” says Joanna. Despite the tough conditions, with everything edible eventually becoming worm-eaten, her longing for woodland adventure remained as strong as ever. She is now harbouring new dreams of running in the wilderness. Joanna is based in Stockholm but it is contrast that drives her. Lifting heavy weights in the gym, free trail running. Gourmet meals in city-centre restaurants, homemade pasta and wine from a guksi in the mountains. “I’m keen to get back up to northern Sweden to run in Abisko. The landscape there is truly dreamlike. I also want to visit northern Norway. There are some absolutely enchanting environments up there. And I would love to visit Joshua Tree National Park in the United States, which has a completely different kind of forest to the one we have in the Nordic region.”

“It’s a special feeling to run in a forest, on a mountain, in a valley. The immensity of it gives me hope. The landscape is draped in mystery. I don’t know everything and that’s where I thrive.”

TV’S WILD CHEF FINDS

SERENITY IN THE FOREST TEXT JENNIE ZETTERQVIST

PHOTO SVEN BURMAN, VISIT SKELLEFTEÅ

Grilling organic produce from northern Sweden caveman-style, in the fire’s embers. TV chef Erik Brännström burning passion has always been ancient cooking methods – and now they are a hot trend. “I bring my deep respect for the forest into the way I cook,” he says.

HOLE GRILLED BE AVER

and coffee with cheese. When Erik Brännström leaves the television studio to cook in the wild, the menu includes some really wild dishes. Ideally with the flavours of the forest in which they are prepared. He calls himself the Wild Chef because that is where he is happiest – in the wild, cooking with wild ingredients. He is also happy to be a good example of daring to be wilder in the kitchen, of letting go and experimenting. “In my opinion, a lot of people would benefit from getting out of their comfort zone and taking a few more chances. In the average home, you might have nine dishes in the repertoire, coming back around time and again. Then you visit the pizzeria, thinking that just this once you’ll try something new. But then, you end up with a calzone anyway!” Growing up on a farm in Skellefteå, northern Sweden, the forest was Erik’s personal adventure movie; he loved to ramble, discovering new things, listening to the sounds and breathing in the serenity. It also went without saying that he would help with work in the forest, on the farm – and at the stove. “My grandmother and mother loved to cook and feed everyone and I was always welcome in their kitchens. For as long as I can remember, I was allowed to add the salt and pepper and stir the pot, and I always loved it,” says Erik.

TAIL

That said, the idea of working with food never entered his head. He was set on being a professional footballer. It was only after leaving upper-secondary school, when it began to dawn on him that he might need a plan-B to earn a living, that he found himself gravitating towards the restaurant kitchen. And there he remained, even if the restaurants were scattered around the world. While working in London he could rack up 90 hours a week in the kitchen, a physical challenge that might well surpass that of a professional footballer’s working week. “The only thing that matters if you want to be a good cook is to get our there and work. I was lucky enough to fit into good places where I could learn a great deal. It’s like being a forester, you have to go out and work with your hands to get into the routine,” says Erik. He has always found it restorative to cook around the campfire, what he calls caveman cooking, the exact opposite of fast food. “For a long time, cooking in the forest using primitive, natural methods was something I did for myself, to relax in my own bubble, it wasn’t something I taught. It never even occurred to me that people might think it was cool,” says Erik. But then came the pandemic and many of us found ourselves with a much less cluttered calendar. As more people found themselves with more free time, there was an explosion of interest in all sorts of activities, including outdoor cooking

FACTS Name: Erik “The Wild Chef” Brännström Occupation: Freelance chef, food consultant and author of several cookbooks, cooks on the television show Go’kväll, develops new concepts, menus and recipes for clients and holds courses on caveman cooking – the art of preparing food directly in the embers.

and grilling caveman style. Erik Brännström holds regular courses and is very magnanimous when it comes to sharing tips and inspiration, both on YouTube and podcasts. As far as he is concerned, the more people who realise the diverse value of the forest, the better. “Many people take the forest for granted; they seem to think that it will always be there for us to hunt in and harvest. But it’s important that we respect and cherish it for the unique resource it is. His own big eye-opener came when a fellow chef from London came to visit him in Skellefteå. His colleague was ecstatic to land in the middle of the forest and repeatedly demanded to stop on the drive back from the airport to photograph and feel the trees. “He was overjoyed: ‘There’s Christmas trees everywhere!’ he exclaimed, and it made me look at the environment with new eyes and a new appreciation that wasn’t always obvious to me,” explains Erik. For his part, caveman grilling is a holistic experience, the end result of which – the taste of game and the Norrland forest – surpasses all other dishes on Earth. “Take beaver meat, for example. It’s a fantastic product that can even have a subtle flavour of birch. It’s a magical experience for all the senses to cook over birch wood, in the very place where the beaver itself gnawed on birch, and to then cook the meat in the embers with only salt and pepper. You don’t need anything else,” he says.

CAVEMAN GRILLING TIPS Fancy trying some caveman cooking? Her are four tips from the Wild Chef. Watch the temperature. The embers should be beginning to go white, at about 180–200°C, before you grill. Nor is it ever a good idea to put cold meat on a hot grill. Remove meat, fish and chicken from the fridge an appropriate amount of time in advance. Turn the produce constantly to ensure even cooking. Use natural seasoning. Salt and pepper are generally all you need with game. I prefer sea salt for anything that comes from the sea and rock salt for anything that lived in the forest. Take inspiration from the flavours of the forest; spruce shoots, for example. Lemon, thyme, rosemary and wild garlic are also a very suitable accompaniment. Cocoa, chili and cinnamon can be fun ingredients. Fat and soured milk will lift the dish. Fat is a flavour carrier that you can brush on while grilling. Out of respect for the animal and to make use of everything, I prefer to use the animal’s own melted fat. Soured milk is perfect in marinades instead of oil. It draws out something of the gameyness and both the bacterial culture and the lactose will tenderise the meat. Dry off before grilling. Make it smokier! Try alder, apple or sherry wood smoke shavings. Soak first or throw into the coals to create a smoke capsule towards the end of grilling. When you grill in the forest, there will be loads of dry, fine branches on the ground – or grass and herbs. Try new flavourings!

WAITING FOR

THE KING OF THE FOREST TEXT HÅKAN NORBERG

PHOTO RANIA RÖNNTOFT

Louise Jonsson loves nature and having her coffee in the forest, so sitting on watch for a passing elk is one of her favourite pastimes. She also describes herself as “by no means a morning person”, which might be something of a problem for an elk hunter. “But in the hunting season, I have no trouble at all getting out of bed at three in the morning,” she says.

starts on September 1st in northern Sweden and on October 8th in the south. At most, the season continues until the end of January. Louise Jonsson has been hunting for four years now. When she arrives to stand watch, she surveys her surroundings, measures distances and identifies suitable lines of fire. She prepares her rifle and unpacks her lunch. Then, she waits. “When I was little I lived in the country and longed for the city. Now, it’s the other way round. I find the forest and nature fascinating. That was where my interest in hunting began,” she explains. She describes herself as generally inquisitive and says that her life could have taken any turn, but instead of following her interest in nature by attending the agricultural sixth form college she chose an education, and eventually a career, in an entirely different field. These days, Louise runs her own beauty salon. Her interest in nature finds an outlet in her spare time. She obtained her hunting license at the same time as her husband took the examination, arranged by SCA. She enjoys the shooting range and the community of the hunting team. Louise and her hunting girlfriends have turned the traditional gender roles that still characterise hunting to their advantage. “As a woman, it’s fine to ask anything, so I learn quickly. I feel a little sorry for men who have just started hunting, as they are expected to know everything and people tend to take the mickey out of them if they ask too many questions.” So, how does it feel to catch an elk? “I haven’t shot one yet,” chuckles Louise. “I have so many experiences to look forward to!” HE ELK HUNTING SE ASON

FACTS Elk hunting is conducted in order to limit the growth of the elk population, thus reducing damage to forests and traffic accidents. The Swedish elk population is estimated at approximately 350,000 individuals. According to figures from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, som 90,000 elk are shot in Sweden each year. Landowners have the right to hunt on their property. They may also transfer or grant hunting rights to others. With hunting rights comes responsibility for game management and the hunt must be adapted to the available game. Elk is hunted on all of SCAs 2.6 million hectares of forest. In order to obtain a weapon license for a hunting rifle from the Swedish Police Authority, you must have passed the Swedish hunting examination.

PHOTO MAD ARKITEKTER

BERLIN BUILDS HIGH-RISE HOMES Mad Arkitekter are aiming high in Berlin. Once completed, the 98-metre, 29-storey skyscraper will be Europe’s tallest timber building. The project is being managed by UTB Projektmanagement, specialists in sustainable urban development. The name WoHo is short for Wohnhochhaus, or residential tower, in reference to its future filled with life and homes. While the complex will also house both commercial premises and public spaces, its primary function is to create new homes to meet a range of different needs. The design, functionality and sustainability of WoHo fulfils new state requirements to build high in Berlin (up to one and a half times higher than the general skyline).

WITH THEIR DESIGN FOR WOHO,

SOUNDS OF SCIENCE TEXT HÅKAN NORBERG

PHOTO NIKLAS NYMAN

The importance of knowledge and source criticism has been especially evident during the pandemic. And yet, despite having access to increasing quantities of information, social polarisation appears to be on the rise. People cling to their own attitudes, regardless of whether they fly in the face of the facts. In part, the solution may rest with the endless curiosity of the child. “Curiosity is a key and something one should try to maintain throughout life,” says Emma Frans, doctor in medical epidemiology.

MMA FR ANS IS AN AUTHOR , science communicator and doctor of medical epidemiology at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, one the world’s leading medical universities. She has become a well-known face in Sweden during the pandemic as an expert in newspapers and on television, but as early as 2017 she was named Enlightener of the Year. She has long worked actively with academia’s third mission alongside education and research: sharing knowledge. But first, of course, one must assimilate the knowledge. “I’ve always been inquisitive; as a child, I bombarded my parents with questions. Curiosity is important, as is the insight that it’s okay to be proved wrong; indeed, one should appreciate the opportunity to learn something new and thus take a step forwards.” As an expert and popular science educator, Emma Frans extends beyond her own field of epidemiology. Her scientific communication addresses issues such as medical disinformation and source criticism, both of which have become particularly pertinent during the pandemic.

EMMA FRANS ON: Source criticism. ”We must teach our children to be source-critical, but also adults. There are studies showing that older people share disinformation more often than young people. It’s also important to discuss source trust, trusting credible sources. We should listen to researchers who speak in unison about the benefits of, for example, vaccines, or the risks associated with climate change. We should also turn a critical gaze on ourselves from time to time. We must challenge ourselves and our opinions, realise that sometimes we are wrong and learn from it.” The post-pandemic era. “I think that we will return surprisingly quickly to something like life before the pandemic. Perhaps we’ll give more consideration to hand hygiene and maybe more people will want to work from home. We have also realised that we don’t need to travel halfway round the world to attend a conference or meeting. On the whole, however, I think that society will return to how it was.”

“While previously the role of educating the public was largely uncontroversial, since Sweden has been so conspicuous in its handling of the pandemic the issue has become highly charged,” she points out. Despite this, Frans welcomes the fact that public health has become such an important issue and perpetual headline news for the best part of two years. One thing that has been difficult to deal with as an expert during the pandemic is the demand for definitive answers, even when none exist. Experts and public authorities have arrived at different conclusions on questions such as wearing face masks, the importance of closing schools or locking down entire communities. “You begin from research into similar viruses, then it comes down to gut reactions and common sense – at which point even experts will make different judgements. It usually takes a great deal of time to achieve a scientific consensus,” say Emma Frans. Measures also need to be adapted to the varying

environments, possibilities and cultures of each country. The daily drip-feed of news from all over the world can sometimes leave us confused by the differences between countries. “We humans have difficulty accepting uncertainty and inconsistency.” The pandemic has focused attention on how much people’s opportunities are to protect themselves differ. In the West, overcrowded housing, the possibility to work from home and car ownership have all been major factors in the ability to isolate oneself and one’s family. Many lessons are there to be learned and Emma Frans welcomes society’s increased focus on public health and crisis preparedness. “As the pandemic gradually ceases to be our main topic of conversation, I look forward to continuing my work on these issues in a somewhat less chaotic manner. And in the long run, I’m sure we’ll find answers to at least some of the questions that we have been uncertain about during this period,” she says.

I L L U S T R AT I O N M I K A E L E J E M A R V I K S T R Ö M

The pandemic, the infodemic and how to protect ourselves the rapid, widespread dissemination of false claims on social media have had a marked impact on the public discourse over recent years. We have acquainted ourselves with terms such as fake news, alternative facts and knowledge resistance. It is therefore hardly surprising that, having quickly grasped the problem of a pandemic taking place in the modern digital information society, the World Health Organization (WHO) wasted no time in declaring a parallel infodemic. Like the infection itself, inaccurate information spread quickly and widely. At first, much of this concerned the origin of the coronavirus. Some claimed it had been developed as a biological weapon, others that it had been deliberately spread by the vaccine industry. Later in the pandemic, inaccuracies spread regarding how infection could be prevented and cured. Certain sources recommended harmless but ineffectual foodstuffs, such as chilli and garlic. And even if eating garlic is harmless in itself, erroneous belief in its efficacy may reduce the inclination to seek adequate medical care. The risks associated with incorrect advice were made painfully clear when a rumour that ingesting bleach could protect against COVID-19 resulted in several poisonings. Now that we have effective vaccines, much of the disinformation concerns these. Rumours are being spread that serious side-effects are being covered up, or that the hidden purpose of vaccination is to inject us all with microchips. While the vaccine offers us the opportunity to fight the pandemic, how do we halt the infodemic? Once someone succumbs to the belief that something is not right, it is often difficult to change their minds. We can improve our chances by avoiding negativity and instead establishing communication based on respect and curiosity, but by far the best way to counter the infodemic is with preventive measures. As with the virus, we must vaccinate ourselves against disinformation before it infects us. So, in parallel with vaccinating ourselves against COVID-19, we should also attempt to increase our defence against false claims. We can become resistant by thinking critically and seeking out credible sources. And while we cannot always distinguish what is true or false with certainty, we can get surprisingly far by being just a little sceptical when faced with new claims and asking: how do you actually know that?

THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH

FA C T S Emma Frans is a doctor of medical epidemiology at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. Winner of the 2017 Swedish Grand Prize for Journalism in the category Voice of the Year. The jury awarded the prize for: “So entertainingly taking up the fight against fact resistance and, with scientific acuity, unmasking the Internet's persistent myths”. That same year, she was also named Enlightener of the Year by the Swedish Sceptics Association (VoF) for: “her ability to pedagogically and humorously disseminate knowledge and debunk myths and misunderstandings about science”. She is the author of three books: Alla tvättar händerna [Everyone Wash Your Hands] (2021), Sant, falskt eller mittemellan? [True, False or In Between?] (2018) och Larmrapporten [The Alarm Report] (2017).

EMMA FRANS DOCTOR OF MEDICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY

The forest is the kernel of SCA’s business. Around this unique resource, we have built a value chain based on renewable raw materials from our own and other’s forests. Our five business areas are forest, wood, pulp, containerboard and renewable energy, plus logistics. SCA Wood Magazine represents our wood business area.

SCA Smart Timber

The authentic feeling of wood – digitally Naturally, wood is best appreciated in real life. Before embarking on a building project, the next best thing is to see your panels or decking in the correct environment and the exact treatment or colour you want. This is a project being conducted within SCA Wood under the leadership of marketing communicator Vanessa Pihlström. for each of our 20 products and scanned them. The scanned planks can now be used to construct digital environments – i.e. computer-generated images with photorealistic wood – from our actual products.” The project has involved SCA staff at Bollsta, Stugun and Tunadal, where timber products are processed into decking and exterior cladding. Vanessa considers this an excellent example of what an organisation can achieve when different units work together to contribute to the business. “Everyone involved has put a great deal of work into this and the results are fantastic. We now have the possibility to really sell the experience and feel of wood – in any environment. This will make it easier for the end customer to see the result they can expect to achieve,” she says. The project has prepared product images, environmental images and videos, that SCA’s customers can use in their sales work.

“WE SELECTED 10 REPRESENTATIVE PL ANKS

A computer-generated image of decking and panelling based on real scanned planks from SCA. On the right, an early stage of production and, on the left, the finished article.

SCA Wood UK

Sustainable in the UK As the pandemic winds down, SCA Wood UK is focusing on two things for its business in sawn pine and spruce: security of supply and sustainability WHEN THE UNITED KINGDOM went into lockdown in March of last year, SCA decided to continue shipping wood to the UK, while a lot of competitors stopped. Construction would inevitably resume and people would want wood again, Managing Director SCA Products UK Stephen King and his colleagues reasoned. So SCA Wood UK stacked up its terminal in the Port of Hull, though there was almost no demand at the time. “We are very proud of what we did. It provided our customers security of supply once the wheels started turning again, and we helped in keeping the sawmills going in Sweden”, says Stephen King.

“This pandemic is a once in a lifetime event, he continues. First the market froze, then we have seen an unprecedented demand in our products. So we are happy to be able to be there for our customers”. SCA has been supplying wood to the UK since the 1920s, and to this day keeps a regular shipping service with the added bonus of the buffer that the terminal stock provides. SCA controls the supply chain from seed to sawn product, and the latest scorecard from business sustainability ratings firm EcoVadis shows that SCA is in the top two percent of evaluated companies. “Basically every company has a high level of due diligence in this matter, it’s a given nowadays, that you have to be able to talk about sustainability in detail. And SCA can answer to the strictest demands”, says Stephen King.

SCA Wood

Carbon footprint, from tree to you It should be easy to make sustainable choices, for both DIYers and professionals. That is why SCA Wood has launched reporting of the carbon footprint, which is a measure of the products' climate impact. to demonstrate actual, rather than generic, carbon footprint data is growing as the industries, home-building and renovation sectors move rapidly towards net zero emissions targets. “We will be providing the information electronically on invoices, which means our customers can potentially upload this information into their own lifecycle analysis tools, or include it as part of their environmental product data,” says Markus Henningsson, Marketing and Sales Director, SCA Wood. SCA Wood chooses to follow the international standards EN 15804 and ISO 14067. What is reported on the invoice is GWP Fossil, Global Warming Potential – Fossil, which means carbon footprint. The calculations that are already available is a cradle to gate calculation including the whole value chain from the raw material; trees in the forest to the saw mill gate. Climate impact for transport to customers in Scandinavia is also reported and the company aims to expand the service to customers in other countries as well.

PHOTO KRISTOFER LÖNNÅ

THE NEED TO BE ABLE

SCA Smart Timber

Build your own outdoor kitchen An outdoor kitchen is the perfect place to cook and eat together with friends and family during the warm part of the year. Here are a few things to think about before you start your project. GATHER INSPIR ATION FROM NEIGHBOURS ,

restaurants and social media. Design the outdoor kitchen based on how you and your family want to use it. Make sure it fits in with the surroundings and choose materials of high quality. Hire professionals or read up on construction before you start building. The outdoor kitchen picured is built of wood from SCA Smart Timber, coated with paint from Jotun, at the childhood home of Magdalena Forsberg. Read more about Magdalena on page 6.

PHOTO EXTENSA

NEW LIFE FOR CRUMBLING B R U S S E L S S TAT I O N THE ONCE DERELICT train station Gare Maritime in Brussels has been brought back to life as a new neighbourhood of Belgium’s capital. The historic cast iron frame has been given a completely new inner life with the aid of cross-laminated timber (CLT), as Neutelings Riedijk Architects has transformed the seven original station halls into a distinct covered urban district. The building is 280 metres long and 140 metres wide and the use of lightweight timber structure was vital to remaining within the buildings load-bearing capacity. A concrete internal structure, for example, would have been five times as heavy. Sustainability aspects have also been decisive in the choice of material, given that this wooden city of offices, shops and cafés was intended to have a distinct environmental profile. The building is Europe’s largest CLT project.

Carving living shapes in wood has been awarded to creatives, architects and designers for the past 15 years. This year, the lifestyle magazine’s Artwork of the Year Award went to fashion photographer Daniel Wester, who found new inspiration by carving wood. In the jury’s opinion, he “captures organic forms in motion” with a “language all his own” that is “original and imaginative”. Daniel Wester, who is self-taught, carves spoons and bowls with organic forms from green wood using an axe, chisel and knife.

RESIDENCE MAGA ZINE’S GR AND DESIGN PRIZE

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SUSTAINABLE WRAP AROUND PACKAGING FROM ARCWISE Round shaped corrugated board packaging, unlike anything you have seen before. Renewable, lightweight and sustainably wise.

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www.sca.com/en/containerboard/arcwise/

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UNIQUE SOLUTIONS