SCANDINAVIAN Monthly Issue No.3 │August 2021
HOTEL SPECIAL:
HOTELS WITH FINE ART EXHIBITION LILLEHAMMER
Magnificent Mountain Hotel in Norway
REFSNES GODS
A Hotel With Fascinating History and Top-Class Food and Wine
Why you should avoid third-party travel booking sites
ARKEN
Swedish Spa Hotel Combining Art and Wellness
THE AUDO
New Boutique Hotel in Copenhagen
DESIGN ● BUSINESS ● DESTINATIONS ● HEALTH ● FOOD HISTORY ● ATTRACTIONS ● SOCIETY
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY CONTENT
Hotel Special: Hotels with Fine Art Exhibitions: Lillehammer.......................................................................................4 Refsnes Gods.................................................................................................8 Arken..............................................................................................................12 The Audo, Copenhagen..................................................................................13 Why you should avoid third-party travel booking sites..................................14 Design Iconic Norwegian Babystroller.......................................................................16 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need To Know..............................18 365 Norwegian Daily Spoons.........................................................................21 One of Sweden’s Most Prolific Designers......................................................23 Business New Norwegian Airline..................................................................................24 Swedish Life Paint........................................................................................26 Destinations Denmark’s Love Island...................................................................................27 The Adventure Capital of Norway..................................................................29 Health Honey............................................................................................................30 Food Scandinavian Celeriac...................................................................................33 Fine art/Music ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemic.............................................................36 History A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II...............................................39 Attractions Renting a Car in Scandinavia: Everuthing You Need To Know......................42 Four Swedish Underground Attractions.......................................................45 Society How Traveling to Europe and Scandinavia Will Change in 2022....................47
WE’RE GETTING ATTENTION We absolutely love when people love our content so we were beyond honored to be awarded the 2021 Global Choice Award as the most promising Travel & Tourist Magazine of the year by Xel Research, India. Almost simultaneously we go a call from England, announcing that we had won the prize Best Travel Guide of the Year from Corporate Live Wire. No doubt about it, after the launch in May, Scandinavian Monthly is indeed getting attention. The letter informing us that we will receive the Global Choice award has simply overwhelmed me. It is with deep gratitude that I accept the honor. We were also beyond honored to be contacted by Corporate Live Wire, announcing that we’ve been awarded the Prestige Award of the year. “The judges were impressed with your personal touch, consistency of reviews and community feel. The passion for what you do really comes across and I hope this achievement brings more success in 2021,” said Rocky Singh at CLW. We’re not going to hide it. We’re pretty excited about our new magazine. Our aim is to give our readers information on new travel destinations, the latest in fashion, music and food & drink etc. Columns emphasizing on business, people, design and much more will hopefully over time make SCANDINAVIAN monthly one of the most read Scandinavian magazines out there. “At first, I thought that this magazine would be like the other basic travel magazines. However, I was proved wrong when I read the magazine and realized how great they had covered aspects from providing advice on best hotels to the history of astonishing landscapes in Scandinavian countries,” wrote Richard Foster, one of our new subscribers. The Corporate LiveWire platform provides business professionals and individuals in the corporate sector with information on the latest news and developments from around the globe. The Prestige Awards celebrates small and medium-sized enterprises consisting of localized businesses and sole traders, excelling in their market. Due to the pandemic the award celebration will take place in Bristol later this year. Xel Research (A unit of Xel Research Media Pvt. Ltd.) is a Market Research and Brand Consultancy and one of the leading companies in India. As the name suggests, the company creates iconic brands by use of a unique blend of insights, innovation, market research strategy, design, and analytic skills. Apparently, we’re not the only ones excited about our new magazine. Watch for awards and notable mentions for both Daily Scandinavian and the Scandinavian Monthly Magazine. We promise to do our best to receive such acclaim by continuously sharing informative, entertaining and useful insights about Scandinavian destinations, attractions and issues A humble thank you to the above-mentioned research companies and our faithful readers. Not a subscriber yet? You can subscribe here. It’s FREE! Tor Kjolberg Editor-in-Chief
3
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | CATEGORY HERE
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
Hotel Special: Hotels with Fine Art Exhibitions Magnificent Mountain Hotel in Norway Text Tor Kjolberg
In 1923, 12 years after Lillehammer Tourist Hotel was built, hotel manager Birger Hansen from Bergen laid eyes on this building up in the hills behind Lillehammer town. The scene captivated his heart and from that moment, he dared to dream that one day he would build a world class hotel. He succeeded in making Lillehammer Tourist Hotel an attraction for travelers from all corners of Scandinavia. Through the years the hotel has gone through several renovations and extensions, and today Scandic Lillehammer Hotel appears as a magnificent mountain hotel in Norway.
Like an enchanting white castle In 2006 the hotel was sold from the Koppervik family to Pandox eiendom who rented out the property to various hotel operator companies until Pandox Operations took charge of the hotel in 2015. Pandox had the goal of renovating the hotel to highlight the symbiosis between the stylistically different architectural movements, as well as reveal the detachment
Lillehammer Hotel was built in 1912
In spite of all reconstructions over the years, the history of the hotel is still in the walls. In 1944, the lounge of the hotel used to be the office of the supreme commander of the occupying forces in Norway, General Franz Böhme. The Norwegian military intelligence (XU) planned to blowing up the hotel. Fortunately, the action was not realized. In 1969, Leif Koppervik and his family wished to bring the wooden building to life by renovation and expand its accommodation capacity by building an extension. Related: Norwegian Luxury Spa Hotel Directly on the Waterfront Hotel manager Birger Hansen from Bergen laid eyes on this building in 1923
4
5
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | HOTEL SPECIAL
Scandic Lillehammer Hotel rises proudly like an enchanting, white castle in a well-groomed park up on the bill behind Lillehammer town
The hotel pub will soon be restyled. It was once one of the most popular meeting points in the hotel.
From the bar
from the memory of the past. It was a considerable investment. Scandic Hotels became a tenant in May 2017. Today, Scandic Lillehammer Hotel rises proudly like an enchanting, white castle in a well-groomed park up on the bill behind Lillehammer town – just a stone’s throw from the ski jumps where Norwegian ski jumpers harvested medals during the Winter Olympics in 1994.
and a large private sculpture park surrounds the hotel which features a spa center with a sauna and heated indoor as well as outdoor pools. The beautiful garden with large lawns and birch trees features an idyllic, arched wooden bridge over a small lake. This bridge is a faithful copy of the wooden bridge in the Royal Castle Park in Oslo.
Related: Downtown Oslo Hotel Offers Quality Massage Art exhibition and sculpture park Hotel manager Mona Smestad tells us that Lillehammer was gently affected by the pandemic, and the hotel was only closed three months during the spring of 2020. The hotel is situated just 900 meters from the Lillehammer train station
Scandic Lillehammer Hotel offers a feeling of spaciousness and volume
Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo. The Miffy Fountain in front of the hotel is made by Tom Sachs from the USA. Related: The Significant Story of a Norwegian Beach Hotel
“We’re only four hours away from Paris,” says Smestad, and adds, “There’s a train station at Oslo Airport with trains leaving every hour for Lillehammer.” Christian Ringnes, who established the Ekeberg Sculpture Park in Oslo, owns the hotel and has placed eight sculptures there. One of these is Annasif Døhlen’s winning draft of “Joy of skiing” from 1982, depicting King Olav V skiing with his dog Troll. The original sculpture is on display at
A large private sculpture park surrounds the hotel
The wooden bridge is a faithful copy of the wooden bridge in the Royal Castle Park in Oslo
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
6
Hotel manager Mona Smestad tells us that Lillehammer was gently affected by the pandemic, and the hotel was only closed three months during the spring of 2020.
The Miffy Fountain in front of the hotel is made by Tom Sachs from the USA
Conferences & fine dining Scandic Lillehammer Hotel is one of Norway’s largest conference hotels with 303 guest rooms of which 3 are junior suites and 1 is the Champagne suite. Four fully equipped detached meeting cabins can be rented separately for weddings, anniversaries or conferences in addition to the 15 meeting rooms of different sizes. Two restaurants serve international and local cuisine. We really enjoyed our dinner by choosing creamed parsley root soup for starters, and for main dish, roasted reindeer tenderloin with green asparagus, kohlrabi, saltbaked potatoes and red wine sauce, cranberries. and grilled beef tenderloin
with eggplant, peppers, squash, fondant potato and chimicharri sauce respectively. Chef Rudi Gratzer has served guests at the hotel since the Winter Olympics.
“With trains leaving from Oslo Airport to Lillehammer every hour, Scandic Lillehammer Hotel is easily reachable from all corners of the worrld, says hotel manager Mona Smestad.
Scandic Lillehammer Hotel offers a feeling of spaciousness and volume not commonly found in hotels. Guests from all over the world come here to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the many attractions in and around Lillehammer, a town with a nineteenth-century concentration of wooden houses and a picturesque location overlooking the northern part of lake Mjøsa. Experience a totally different world at Scandic Lillehammer Hotel!
Annasif Døhlen’s winning draft of “Joy of skiing” from 1982, depicting King Olav V skiing with his dog Troll
Scandic Lillehammer Hotel is one of Norway’s largest conference hotels. Here from one of the 15 meeting rooms.
From one of the restaurants
Four fully equipped detached meeting cabins can be rented separately for weddings, anniversaries or conferences.
7
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | HOTEL SPECIAL
Creamed parsley root soup
Grilled beef tenderloin with eggplant, peppers, squash, fondant potato and chimicharri sauce
Roasted reindeer tenderloin with green asparagus, kohlrabi, salt-baked potatoes and red wine sauce, cranberries
Chef Rudi Gratzer has served guests at the hotel since the Winter Olympics
From the spa department
Indoor swimming pool Guests enjoying the outdoor jacuzzi
From the gym
It looks more like a professional downtown fitness center
One of the 303 guest rooms.
Experience a totally different world at Scandic Lillehammer Hotel!
All photographs © Tor Kjolberg / Daily Scandinavian, except feature image (on top), Scandic Hotels.
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
8
Majestic Luxury in Norway: A Hotel With Fascinating History and Top-Class Food and Wine Text Tor Kjolberg
Refsnes Gods, less than an hour’s drive from Oslo, the capital of Norway, is impressively well maintained and facilitated for conferences, weddings, small groups and couplesonly. The estate from the 1700s has been transformed into a hotel surrounded by a lush garden and a short walk down to the fjord with beach and moorings. At Refsnes Gods, you’ll experience majestic luxury, fascinating history and top-class food and wine.
(now Oslo) bought the manor and spent every summer there. His family wanted more space and they solved it in an inventive way by building a three floors’ tower on each side of the building. So, it got more the impression of being a holiday castle than a holiday manor.
Hotel manager Kim Nyheim was appointed director in 2019, only few months before the hotel had to shut down due to the corona virus. He came from one of Norway’s very best hotels, Hotel Continental in Oslo, where he had held various leading positions. Related: Magnificent Mountain Hotel in Norway He has his hotel management education from Swiss Hotel Management School and a certificate as a chef. He has worked throughout his career in the hotel and restaurant industry, both at home and abroad.
It was David and Sophie Chrystie who built Refsnes Estate as a holiday home around 1767. The holiday home Refsnes became a hospitable home. In 1853, Consul Lorenz Meyer from Kristiania
Nyheim tells us that guests as Hotel manager Kim Nyheim tells us that guests as well as employees have been very understanding during the pamdemic crises, and also after the reopening
9
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | HOTEL SPECIAL
Old photo of Refsnes Gods
Portrait of August Strindberg by Edvard Munch (lithography)
Refsnes gods early 1900
Andy Warholt’s intepretations of Munch’s Madonna and self portrait
well as employees have been very understanding during the pandemic crises, and also after the reopening. Several adjustments are still in the pipeline.
the 61 rooms, all decorated with contemporary paintings and fine art. As if your very own art gallery was not enough, there’s also a lush garden where two pentaque lanes are ready for use. There’s no better way to experience majestic luxury in Norway.
Related: Hotel With a Hamptons Atmosphere in Norway Want to experience majestic luxury in Norway, read on. Who for? Refsnes Gods (translated ‘estate’ into English) is best suited for business meetings, weddings or couples with a healthy budget looking to escape city life and enjoy the countryside and the abundant number of fine art displayed all over the place. Even your room will be decorated by fine original Norwegian artworks. We stayed in the Håkon Bleken Suite. Other suites contain contemporary paintings by Frans Widerberg, Jacob Weidemann and Therese Nortvedt, just to mention a few. “Restaurant Munch” is obviously dedicated to Edvard Munch (1863-1944) with 6 original works.
From Suite 101
From Suite 101
Related: The Oldest Hotel in Norway Accomodation Enjoy all the comfort of one of
The suites seen from the garden
Suite 101 – view to the garden
The first thing you encounter when looking out from the hotel towards the garden and the sea is Nina Sundby’s bronze sculpture «Nora dances Tarantella». This sculpture was on a world tour in 2006 celebrating that it was 100 years since the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) died. A few years ago, the hotel built its own pavilion in the garden, so that guests once again could experience sociability outside the main house itself. Today’s pavilion has no seasonal restrictions and is also used as the hotel’s breakfast restaurant. On pleasant summer days guests can enjoy their food and a glass under the open sky. Probably my favorite castle feature was the terrace outside our suite, where I could sprawl out and watch the colorful fjord sunset with a glass of fizz and a stonking good book.
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
All rooms have its unique interior and decorations.
One of the 61 rooms
Nina Sundby’s bronze sculpture «Nora dances Tarantella»
Enjoy the abundant number of fine art displayed all over the place
Waiter Gesila Perez serving us
From our menu – scallops
Enjoy the feeling of ‘class’
Fish of the day
Delicious cod
It’s all pure luxury
Delicious duck
The Opera cake
10
11
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | HOTEL SPECIAL
Refsnes gods entrance
Hotel manager Kim Nyheim showing us a bottle of Chateau Haut Brion 1916 in the wine cellar
Facilities “The Munch Restaurant” displays 6 original works by the iconic Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (1863-1944). The menu is based on fresh and seasonable ingredients. The philosophy is to make as much as possible from scratch. Juices, sauces, soups, bread, desserts and chocolate confectionery. The presentation of the meals is also important. It should be innovative, but at the same time recognizable.
vintage – a total of 56 vintages – which are now displayed behind a glass wall for the enjoyment of guests who taste wines in the cellar. The labels are adorned by artists such as Chagall, Picasso, Miro and Andy Warhol. If you want to experience majestic luxury in Norway, you’ve come to rhe right place!
During our stay we really enjoyed the scallops, fish of the season, duck and the hotel’s opera cake.
How much?
Both the surroundings and content make the wine cellar at Refsnes Gods unique in a Norwegian context. Here are thick brick walls and roof vaults from the 18th century, and a wine selection that is one of the largest in Norway. There you can also view the basement’s unique collection of Mouton-Rothshild wines. In 1945, the winery introduced artlabels to mark the liberation of France, a tradition that the world-famous wine producer fortunately has continued to this day. From 1945 to 2000, Refsnes Gods bought one bottle of each
Refsnes gods is a part of Classic Norway Hotels
From NOK 1,700 (USD 195) for a double room in peak season. What’s Nearby? Refsnes Gods is beautifully located on Jeløya in the Oslo fjord. Spend some time on the island of Jeløya, which is known as “the Pearl of the Oslo fjord” because of its beautiful landscape, beaches and tracks. Walk the Coastal trail (Kyststien) from Framnes to Alby and experience the breathtaking scenery. The coastal trail makes up 25 km of connected trails and rounds. Alby gård is the oldest farm in Jeløy and has roots all the way back to the
Viking age. The current building has been like this since a big fire in 1866. The farm has been open to the public since 1963. At the café you should taste the Alby Kringle (pretzel) which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Galleri F15 at Alby is a very interesting gallery exhibiting contemporary artists from around the world. Some of the artworks can be very bizarre and engaging. Galleri Varden is another gallery in Jeløy that exhibits well-known Norwegian visual artists like Ari Behn and Pushwagner. Gallery Varden is only open during the weekends. TIP: For a memorable summer evening with a twist, take a sunset dip at the Tronvik lake where there’s a diving club. Walk up the beautiful trail that leads you to Tronvik woods where you have a wonderful view of the Oslo fjord. You can see all the way to Oslo. All photographs © Daily Scandinavian / Tor Kjolberg
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
12
Swedish Spa Hotel Combining Art and Wellness Text Tor Kjolberg
The Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa in Gothenburg works with the five Chinese elements: plenty of space, comfortable day beds, dark therapy rooms, hot springs and classes along the lines of yoga and meditation. This Swedish spa hotel combining art and wellness in Gothenburg is well worth a visit. The Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa is located right on the edge of the rocks by Gothenburg Harbor and is a unique spa hotel with amazing conference facilities, where nature and art are ever-present. It’s only a 5-minute drive of Volvo Museum and Volvo Cars Torslanda Factory and 11.3 mi (18.1 km) from Liseberg Amusement Park and 7.2 mi (11.6 km) from Gothenburg University.
accordingly, so take time to pamper yourself with a visit to the full-service spa. You’re sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including a fitness center and bicycles to rent. Satisfy your appetite for lunch, dinner, or brunch at Main restaurant, a restaurant which specializes in international cuisine, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Related: Outstanding Swedish Spa Experience
Arken hotel is a place to meet where you can literally feel your stress levels dropping and your well-being and creativity increase The Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa is located right on the edge of the rocks by Gothenburg Harbor
Related: It’s All About Well-Being at Swedish Spa Hotel Changing seasons – changing elements With the changing of the seasons, the elements change at the spa and the treatments and produce are adapted
The concept of relaxation The concept of relaxation and wellbeing tends itself to an appreciation of all things beautiful, which is why there is an art exhibition by local artists at Arken hotel at all times, changing five times per year alongside the changing elements. In addition, the spa has its own mini exhibition, and the entire venue is full of sculptures and installations.
Arken hotel is a place to meet where you can literally feel your stress levels dropping and your well-being and creativity increase. In spite of being a city hotel, located only 12 kilometers or 15 minutes away from Gothenburg’s city center, this oasis offers the views and fresh air of a seaside location as well as healthy organic food. Related: An Extraordinary Swedish Spa Hotel Need to unwind? Take a break with a tasty beverage at one of the 2 bars/lounges. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily. Stay in one of 149 guestrooms. If art and nature might make up your road to peace of mind, you will be in your element here – whichever of the five elements that may be.
if art and nature might make up your road to peace of mind, you will be in your element here
All images © Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa
13
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | HOTEL SPECIAL
Related: Unusual Hotel in Copenhagen
New Boutique Hotel in Copenhagen Text Tor Kjolberg
The 40 years old Danish design brand Menu has moved into new headquarters which also serves as a boutique hotel for visitors- the Audo. Read more about the new boutique hotel in Copenhagen. In cooperation with architecture studio Norm Architects Menu have designed a boutique hotel with cozy earth-toned guest suites which double up as show spaces for new furniture and homeware. Founded in 1978 by Bjarne Hansen, whose family has successfully run the globally recognized brand since, MENU now builds on its mission to create humancentric, multi-functional environments centered on great design: MENU has relocated their headquarters and creative showroom to The Audo — a unique concept that reflects the rapidly changing intersection of home, work and hospitality in a single, communitybuilding universe.
Related: Luxury Spa Hotel in Copenhagen New Boutique Hotel in Copenhagen The revamp of the 1918 building, a Neo-Baroque residence, originally built to house the headquarters of the Russian Trading Co. Ltd., takes us to the Århusgade district of Nordhavn, an industrial part of Copenhagen that’s home to the city’s port and cruise docks. The Audo consists of a boutique hotel with 10 guest suites that are all dressed with the brand’s range of furniture, lighting and home accessories, a café and co-working space as well as a concept store. The Audo Residence is a 10-room hotel that offers understated and intimate loft-style retreats tucked away on the top floor Headed by former CEO and founder, Bjarne Hansen, and conceived in partnership with Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects, The Audo is a testimony to the future of design. “We wanted Menu to take a new approach to running a design business through openness, knowledge-sharing and collaboration,” explained Joachim Hansen, director of Menu.
The boutique hotel features an inspiring mix of original features and thoughtful new accompaniments from an eclectic mix of premium brands
A modernized concept Creative director Nathan Williams, from publication Kinfolk, was brought on board to ensure the design effectively delivered the Audo’s message. «This was once a trading post for fishing,” he mused at the opening. “The modernized concept for this space hasn’t deviated from that. We are not pulling up in boats, not crating fish, but we are trading ideas, designs and sparking conversation in this space. Audo is bringing global perspective to the space.” The boutique hotel features an inspiring mix of original features and thoughtful new accompaniments from an eclectic mix of premium brands— not least MENU’s comprehensive range of furniture, lighting and accessories, which are put to test, together with a curated selection of products from premium global brands. Related: Floating Hotel in Copenhagen Art and interior A gallery of works fills the lounge, including wooden sculptures by designer Nicholas Shurey, that sit on coffee tables, and bespoke paintings by Portland-based artist Benjamin Ewing. However, Audo is not a one-time experience. The room designs will be evolving, the concept store will be a gallery space with rotating shows, and the brand is still cooking up the gastronomical direction of the restaurant.
Audo Hotel features MENU’s comprehensive range of furniture, lighting and accessories
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
14
Why You Should Avoid Third-Party Travel Booking Sites Text Tor Kjolberg
The spread of the coronavirus has taught us something: Avoid thirdparty booking sites. Their cancellation policies simply seem nonexistent. Online travel agencies like booking. com, expedia.com, hotels.com and others pretend they have no responsibility regarding cancellations. Read why you should avoid third-party travel booking sites. Even if you’re looking for an email address to customer service, it’s nonexistent – or at least very well hidden. When Maria from Norway purchased a week-long hotel stay in Greece using the booking site hotels. com to participate in a conference there, global pandemic was the last
thing on her mind. Related: After the Coronavirus: Norway for Norwegians Wild West conditions Due to the corona outbreak the conference was cancelled and Maria contacted the hotel directly and asked for a refund. The hotel replied that she had to make the claim to booking.com. So, she did, and the answer was, she had to contact the hotel. This policy reminds us of the old Wild West times of hotel distribution and the early years of unruly online travel agencies, before rate parity and best rate guarantees. Online travel booking
Even if you’re looking for an email address to customer service, it’s no existent – or at least very well hidden. Photo: Taylor Simpson/Unsplash
15
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | HOTEL SPECIAL
Their policy reminds us of the old Wild West times of hotel distribution and the early years of unruly online travel agencies. Photo: Nolan Krattinger/Unsplash
agents have exploded in popularity in recent years and there’s been a tendency to extorting money out of local hotels. We have spoken to a dozen independent hotel owners from across Scandinavia who believe these online services are damaging their businesses, ripping off consumers and effectively forcing them into unfair agreements. An unprecedented number of cancellation requests Now, booking sites are scrambling to handle an unprecedented number of cancellation requests, and many customers say they are falling short. Related: How is Scandinavia Solving the Economic Corona-Crisis? The Consumer Council in Norway sent the following questions to all the major online booking sites: «What consumer rights do you give customers who book a hotel through you in cases where the mediated hotel does not provide accommodation at an agreed price and / or standard? Do you want to compensate the customer in such cases? ”.
None of the respondents took this responsibility, as they are only web-based intermediaries between hotels and customers, and the same seems to apply for refunds even if the hotels typically provide online booking services with discounted rates between 20% and 40% with the caveat that these rates cannot be offered to customers who are booking directly. Related: Coronavirus in Sweden: Business as Usual Why you shouuld avoid third-party travel booking sites Online travel agencies Now, booking sites are scrambling to handle an unprecedented are dependent on the number of cancellation requests. Photo: Frank V/Unsplash decisions of their hotel, so they can’t preemptively a refund, maybe you should consider to issue a refund to someone without book directly next time you’re making someone at the hotel signing off on a reservation. You cannot lose. If that refund. But taken into account all something happens, it might be easier the time and trouble involved in getting – and cheaper.
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
16
Design
The Iconic Norwegian Baby Stroller Text Tor Kjolberg
Awarded the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” design award 2021, the Norwegian Stokke® Xplory® X is the perfect choice for conscious parents who want the best for their baby. The iconic Norwegian baby stroller is back in the limelight. This brand-new version of the Xplory pushchair has a unique design made to bring you and your baby closer by raising your baby higher to promote eye contact and connection. Xplory has been THE “it-stroller for over a
decade and this new model, developed in collaboration with Norwegian EGGS design, proves that the classic look now has been future-proofed through trend analysis, product strategy and insights. Related: In Love With a Norwegian Furniture Maker The Stokke® Xplory® X offers quality, safety and style in spades, providing you and your child with everything you need to explore the world together.
Combining the Scandinavian design Stokke is famous for, with brilliant style and a long list of useful features, the new model is the perfect pushchair for parents who want it all. Stokke in partnership with the professional team at EGGS have set a new industry standard and made a WOW product that really resonates with their key customers. With its style and functionality the Stokke® Xplory® X is made for big city strolls and restaurant stops, thanks to effortless
17
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | DESIGN
The height-adjustable seat ensures the perfect height for café tables
maneuverability and 360º swivel wheels. It is made for comfort for both parents and their precious passenger, not least when going for a lunch on the go and the height-adjustable seat ensures the perfect height for café tables. You may also like to read: When do Scandinavian Babies Sleep in Their Own Bed? The protective hard shell bucket seat with active rest and sleep positions gives your child ultimate comfort every step of the way. Stokke also uses extra soft premium fabrics with UPF 50+ sun protection. The exclusive, scratchproof matte chassis houses a huge detachable shopping bag, so you can travel about town with complete ease. The Stokke Xplory X is suitable from birth up to a weight limit of 22kg. The stroller offers parents perfect versatility with the ability to use a carrycot and car-seat for newborns, then you can switch to the seat unit which can be parent or forward facing.
Stokke also uses extra soft premium fabrics with UPF 50+ sun protection.
entries, the Red Dot Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. In 1955, a jury convened for the first time to assess the best designs of the day. In the 1990s, Red Dot CEO Professor Dr. Peter Zec developed the name and brand of the award. Ever since, the sought-
after distinction “Red Dot” has been the revered international seal of outstanding design quality. The award winners are presented in the yearbooks, museums and online. More information is available at www.reddot.org.
You may also like to read: Norwegian Invention Automatically Rocks the Cradle The Red Dot Design Award breaks down into the three disciplines of Red Dot Award: Product Design, Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design and Red Dot Award: Design Concept. With more than 18,000 The Stokke® Xplory® X offers quality, safety and style in spades, providing you and your child with everything you need to explore the world together All images © STOKKE
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
18
2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know Text Beau Peters
Over the last year, homeowners around the world have been spending more time indoors as we practice social distancing while fighting off COVID-19. While it is not the ideal situation, it has resulted in many people looking around their houses with an eye on updating the decor. Whether you are purchasing a new home or you are just looking to spruce up your existing space, here are the 2021 Scandinavian interior design trends you need to know. Popular Scandinavian designs include minimalist but functional spaces, neutral colors that bring out the brightness of any room, and a focus on lighting for those darker days. Below we will discuss some of these trends to give you a better idea of how you may improve your own home in the new year.
Start with Neutral Colors Before we get into the trends, it is important to mention that you don’t have to go big by redecorating or remodeling your home all at once, especially if money is a concern. Instead, you can go room by room and make adjustments as time and funds allow. To make the process easier, it is recommended that you create a budget that takes into account all potential costs, including materials and labor. Once you know for sure that you have the funds to continue, do your research about how to best go about the project and bring in friends to help if possible. As with previous years, the color trends of Scandinavian design continue to be earthy and neutral tones. In fact, earthy tones are a trend around the globe right now because
they mimic the feeling of being outdoors while you are in your cozy home, which is especially important for those working from home. Neutral colors have many other benefits as well, including creating the illusion of a larger space and providing a wider appeal to buyers, so if you ever plan to sell your home, you will be ahead of the curve.
As with previous years, the color trends of Scandinavian design continue to be earthy and neutral tones. Photo: Jotun Norway
Feature image (on top): Photo by Røros Tweed
19
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | DESIGN
birch plywood and beech Some of the hottest neutral construction to be the gotones in style right now to. include the hues of India yellow and dead salmon. Simple style is important Gray is also making a big in the bedroom as well. comeback. Warm and rustic Bright white bedding is king colors like natural clay, right now, as are storage earthy brown, and even the compartments underneath muted desert pink are very for clothing and other popular. The trick is to work items you don’t want laying these colors together in the around. Big open windows walls, floors, and furniture. The central core behind most Scandinavian design is simplicity, both with the neutral tones and the furniture that fills the rooms are key here as well to bathe If you like a little more the room in that welcoming brightness, look for a natural morning light. White flooring blue, which is also a big hit this year. and light pinks. Thick cushions completes the bright appearance. provide absolute comfort but also Simple Style grace in design, as is the case in the Lighting is Key The central core behind most models shown here. While the trend is As 2021 surges along, strong and Scandinavian design is simplicity, simplicity, you don’t want to have an stylish lighting will continue to be a big both with the neutral tones and the empty room. Instead, go for a couple trend. There are only so many hours of furniture that fills the rooms. Going of seating options with a couch and daylight to play with, so smart design forward in 2021, this simplicity will chair and a side table and main table. choices will maximize the lighting be paired with function, especially For tables, the latest trends show for storage. The idea is to get rid of any filler so you only see what you use and clutter is virtually non-existent. To meet this trend, ottomans in neutral colors in the living room should store accessories like remote controls and magazines. In the bedroom, nightstands can store medication and other knickknacks. In the family room, simple furniture including couches, chairs, and loveseats should stay with the trend of neutral colors of creams, greens, Going forward in 2021, this simplicity will be paired with function, especially for storage. Photo: Kvik
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
20
during the day and keep your space wellilluminated during the darker hours. Large windows in all rooms continue to be the trend. Out are heavy drapes, and instead, undressed windows, or at most, light sheers are desired. To help that natural light illuminate your rooms, other design trends are seeing a resurgence. One is the use of ornament candle holders that are easily mounted on a wall in the living rooms and bedrooms, which make for a classy yet traditional As 2021 surges along, strong and stylish lighting will continue to be a big trend. Above: Balance wall landscape from Northern. look that is functional Photo: Chris Tønnesen and impressive to guests. The use of residence. Floor lamps of simplistic design is all about maximizing mirrors is also key to bounce both style provide great light and are natural light with strong fixtures natural and artificial light around made even better when paired with a partnered with neutral colors and the room. While hanging mirrors are dimmer. Bowed and arching lamps are simple furniture choices. The new always a given, mirrors that sit on the great choices as they are unobtrusive, trends discussed here will make for a floor and lean against the wall are also and they can be easily placed behind a wonderful and comfortable residence. seeing a resurgence. couch to provide general illumination or task lighting for reading. Standalone lighting is also popular these days, especially fixtures that In essence, Scandinavian interior create pools of light throughout the
2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Beau Peters. Beau is a creative professional with a lifetime of experience in service and care. As a manager, he has learned a slew of tricks of the trade that he enjoys sharing with others who have the same passion and dedication that he brings to his work. When he is not writing, he enjoys reading and trying new things. Check out his website Stories by Beau Peters.
21
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | DESIGN
365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons Text Tor Kjolberg
The young Oslo-based designer Stian Korntved Ruud (one half of the naturalist design duo Kneip) invested his energies for one whole year into a singular project – hand carving a wooden spoon each day – resulting in 365 daily Norwegian wooden spoons. Stian Korntved Ruud is an active part of Norway’s thriving design scene. He uses wood and various natural materials in his craft; his varied projects demonstrate what is undoubtedly an intuitive as well as learned understanding of materials and how they can be worked. Hailing from a family of wood lovers, he gets back to basics with a very Norwegian skill indeed; Norway is a country where people have carved in wood
Stian Korntved Ruud uses wood and various natural materials in his craft
and sculpted wooden objects for many generations. His project from 2014-15 consists of 365 unique hand carved spoons made from various types of wood gathered around the world. The Daily Spoon is a meditation in material – by adding functionality to a piece of wood, Ruud is exploring the boundaries of the material itself while refining his craft. Related: A Norwegian Artist Reviewing the Magic of Norwegian Stone Stian Korntved Ruud has ”always experimented [with], modified, repaired and destroyed the objects around him.” With a BA in Product Design (Akershus University College,
Norway), a MA in Industrial Design (Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Norway) and an internship at Tom Dixon in London, Ruud has a rather formidable academic grounding which he has used in building an assorted portfolio, manipulating materials by employing differing forms and concepts, including video, lighting, product exploration and woodworking along the way. “By repeating the production of a spoon every day for a longer period of time (365 days) I wanted to challenge and explore a spoon’s aesthetic and functional qualities,” he says. Related: The Classic Norwegian Sweater That Became a Fashion Hit
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
22
The Daily Spoon is a meditation in material
Anyone who has ever tried their hand at carving wood can appreciate the patience, dexterity and vision it takes to wrought a defined shape from an organic material full of knots, holes and disparities. For the duration of the project, Ruud was a one-man wooden spoon factory: “I make all the spoons in a traditional way with only hand tools. The point of this is to actively cooperate with the material, in this case wood. In a modern industrial production, the machines overwrite the wooden structures and natural growth pattern. When using manual hand tools my hands collaborate with the wood structure during the forming process. This underpins all the spoons’ unique qualities,” he explains.
mélange of wooden spoon implements consisting of different shapes and a number of potentially exotic uses. The project was purchased by KODE Art Museums, Bergen in 2015. A signed print (limited edition of 250) of the whole collection is available at the Kneip webshop. More recent works by Stian Korntved Ruud include his “resonating forks” (2019), candle holder (2020). “I make all the spoons in a traditional way with only hand tools,” says the artist.
Related: The Unknown Story of Norwegian Hardanger Flatware Every spoon begins life as an idea or sketch. Dependent upon the intricacy of a design, a spoon can take from half an hour to three hours to carve. The resulting forms are a dexterous and insightful
Candleholder (2020)
All photos © Stian Korntved Ruud
23
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | DESIGN
One of Sweden’s Most Prolific Designers
Lindberg’s design patterns characterized the Swedish folk home from 1940 to 1980 with, for example Prunus dinnerware with blue plums
Text Tor Kjolberg
Stig Lindberg (1916–1982) was one of Sweden’s most important postwar designers and was working with ceramics, glass, textile, illustrations, paintings as well as industrial design. Read more about one of Sweden’s most prolific designers. Stig Lindberg was active in a period in which segmentation and specialization within the design profession was less developed. His work can therefore be found in a variety of materials, from melamine to textiles and enameled steel, but also in a variety of forms, from ceramics to book illustrations and public fountains. Related: Swedish Designer Lisa Hilland’s Leather Magic Before a wood-cutting accident in his northern Swedish home, changed his mind the young Lindberg seriously considered a piano career, but after the incident he concentrated on drawing and studied with Helmer Osslund, a local artist. It is said that a young Stig Lindberg
Stig Lindberg achieved fame for his eccentric forms and whimsical decoration.
on a June day in 1937 appeared at the porcelain factory in Gustavsberg outside Stockholm to ask for a summer job. The factory did not go well, and since the boss could not even promise him a position as a summer trainee, Lindberg said: “If you hire me, I will make sure there will be enough to do at the factory.”
this period until he left Gustavsberg in 1980, he designed individual ceramic items, as well as factory produced ranges and lines of dinnerware. He achieved fame for his eccentric forms and whimsical decoration.
Related: Practical Swedish Aquarium for Small Homes
Lindberg’s design patterns characterized the Swedish folk home from 1940 to 1980 with, for example Adam, cup-ware with the dot pattern or Prunus with blue plums, or Berså with stylized green leaves. In the 2000s, several of the series were put into production again.
Gustavsberg, a three hundred years old factory at that time had just (1937) been sold to KF (Kooperativa Förbundet) The strongly socialist inspired cooperative culture was both instrumental in changing the status of designers by allowing Wilhelm Kåge to introduce the “studio” system, as well as in encouraging the young Stig Lindberg in studying in Paris and in Denmark. During a long career with the Gustavsberg pottery factory, Lindberg created whimsical studio ceramics and graceful tableware lines. Stig Lindberg studied painting at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design. In 1937, he went to work at Gustavsberg under Wilhelm Kåge. In 1949, he was named Kåge’s successor as art director. From
Related: Swedish Furniture Rooted in Nature
Stig Lundberg also designed faience, textiles, public art, graphic design, industrial design and enamel art. He died from a myocardial infarction in 1982.
During a long career with the Gustavsberg pottery factory, Lindberg created whimsical studio ceramics and graceful tableware lines.
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
24
Business
New Norwegian Airline Text Tor Kjolberg
A new Norwegian carrier founded in the midst of the global health crisis is set to enter the Norwegian and European market when air traffic opens again after the COVID-19. Read more about the new Norwegian airline. The startup airline Flyr (Flying in English) plans to operate its first passenger flight from Oslo to Tromsø late June and is set to take aim at the two low-price carriers Norwegian Air and Wizz Air. On its website Flyr states: “Flyr was created for the Norwegian market after the coronavirus pandemic. …Norway is dependent
on air travel – but perhaps a bit less than in previous years. Therefore, we built an airline from scratch, based on many years of experience, with a size, organization, and business model that is adapted to this future.”
program and subsequent re-bookings that will be unfortunate for customers, our start-up is adapted to the Government’s plan for the reopening of Norway.”
Related: New Flight Connections Between Scandinavia and Spain
Related: Will Norway Be The First Market For Electric Commercial Flights?
In a press release from the company ticket sales will begin in May, made possible with the Norwegian government providing a concrete plan for reopening the economy and explains:
Flyr is expected to operate a fleet of between 28-30 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in a 186 seat configuration. The aircraft is currently awaiting approval of its Air Operator’s Certificate which was submitted in October last year.
“In order not to get into a situation with significant changes in the route
According to the airline, employees and partners are “very eager to get
25
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | BUSINESS
Boeing-737-800 cockpit. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
started”. The carrier will also launch service to additional destinations in Norway “and well-known and beloved destinations in Europe,” says CEO Tonje Wikstrøm Frislid. These ‘beloved destinations will include Malaga and Alicante (Spain) and Nice (France). Flyr claims that the flying will be simplified, flexible and customerfriendly’ and will be based on passenger demand. “Flying is what we do best and that is the only thing we plan to be doing,” is the message. Related: Scandinavian Mountains Airport – Without Air Traffic Control Tower Flyr’s team consists of professionals that have worked extensively in the regional aviation sector, including at airlines like SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe, and Braathens. Flyr’s first pair of aircraft will be delivered in May, with more being delivered in June. Data from Planespotters.net indicates that these two initial aircraft will be Boeing 737-800s that have previously flown for Turkish budget airline Pegasus. Configured with an all-economy 189 seats, the average age of the jets is
about eight years. After the summer season, the fleet will be expanded through the autumn. Assuming the airline keeps with an all 737 fleet with an alleconomy layout, it appears that Flyr will be a Norwegian version of Ryanair. The route network will be expanded According to the airline, employees and partners are when they receive “very eager to get started” deliveries over the next couple of years. Seemingly, Flyr is well-staffed with a team of professionals who know the regional market and have extensive experience in Nordic aviation. Only time will show whether this impressive-looking start-up will succeed in undoubtedly tough years to come for aviation. Photo credits: Staff and aircraft: Flyr Cockpit: Wikipedia Commons CEO Tonje Wikstrøm Frislid © www.tourrenc.no CEO Tonje Wikstrøm Frislid. Photo: Nikolas Tourrence
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
Swedish Life Paint Conquers the World Text Tor Kjolberg
Swedish Albedo 100 produces spray paint with a number of application areas: The various spray paints can be applied to textiles, wood, plastic, metal – and fur, something that has created excitement in the North Calotte’s reindeer industry. Learn more about the Swedish life paint that conquers the world.
Albedo100! a series of sprays with light-reflective properties that make objects and clothing visible in low-light conditions. Albedo is in fact a measure of how reflective an object, usually a planet or moon, is – how much of the incident light is reflected by the object. Despite how bright they are, the earth’s albedo is only about 0.3, meaning 30% of light is reflected, and our moon when full is only about 0.5, or 50% of light reflected. Related: Doing Business in Sweden
Related: Red Cottages in Sweden
The first viral sharing of the products created a buzz around the globe – it The Albedo 100 promise is “Be was about Safe Be Seen” reflective reindeer. In 2014, the products were produced in USA to support the demand in Americas and spread through distribution in 13 countries.
Reflecting reindeer The second store was opened in Uppsala in 2006, and in 2012, the range of spray-pant was broadened to art supplies and clothes. In 2013, a small group of inventors got together to create a spray on reflector – now called
The cycling and reflective market In 2015, Volvo Life Paint was released in UK and caused an international stir in the cycling and reflective market. Same year, Albedo 100 was nominated as one of the 30 best innovations in the world.
The Albedo 100 promise is “Be Safe Be Seen”. The story begins at the end of the 1990s when spray-pant was sold by the founders to family and friends from a small storage in Uppsala, north of Stockholm. The first store opened in the fall of 2001. In order to reach out to the rest of Sweden, the first webstore was released in 2003.
26
The first viral sharing of the products created a buzz around the globe – it was about reflective reindeer. Here’s a horse sprayed with Albedo 100.
Related: Hand-Made Brushes From Sweden Albedo100’s spray is a “permanent formula that dries a matte gray and can last up to three months, defying wind, rain, and UV rays.” It’s intended for use on hard surfaces, and it works best on concrete, metal, stones, and wood. Spray it directly on your bike frame, walking stick, sports equipment, shoes, or helmet to greatly increase your visibility and safety outdoors at night. In 2016 distribution expanded to 23 more countries and since then Albedo 100 has conquered the world.
In 2015, Albedo 100 was nominated as one of the 30 best innovations in the world.
All images © Albedo 100
27
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | DESTINATIONS
Destinations
Denmark’s Love Island Text Tor Kjolberg
A sleepy little island on the southern edge of Denmark called Ærø is one of Europe’s most popular romantic destination for weddings and honeymoons. Learn more about Denmark’s love island. Ærø measures roughly 20 km from northwest to southeast and varies in width from around 4 to 8 km. There are three small towns on the island. in 2020, the largest is Marstal with a population of 2,111. Ærøskøbing has 942 inhabitants and Søby 438. Fourteen villages and a number of farms complete the island’s pattern of settlement. Lovers from all over the world The island consists of approximately
7,000 residents, 350 deer, no crosswalks, seven pastors, three police officers – and a pervasive passion for the environment. Ærø has one of the world’s largest solar power plants. Related: 8 Reasons Why You Should Date a Scandinavian
Lovers from all over the world flock to this tiny Danish island every year to get married. Photo: Visit Denmark
Lovers from all over the world flock to this tiny Danish island every year to get married, and the place is Ærøskøbing, a most romantic town most people
never has heard about. Ærøskøbing, with its narrow lanes and picturesque 18th-century houses was historically Ærø’s chief town, and remains the primary port for ferry connections. Marstal, also known as the “skipper village”, from its being the home of so many sailors and captains, is the island’s largest town today and is its principal commercial and shopping center. Loved-up tourists Ærøskøbing plays host to loved-up tourists year-round, but particularly in summer when its dainty shores give way to blue horizons where Skjoldnæs Lighthouse twinkles from the northern tip of the island and the ferries chug the calm, one-hour journey to mainland Svendborg. Related: The Ultimate Jaw-Dropping Scandinavian Wedding Destinations Colorful houses set the scene for
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
28
also find design-conscious boutique hotels and untouched 70s gas stations. I think best of all, there are no chain stores here! Romantic and oldfashioned The post office dates to 1749 and each evening in the dark season cast-iron gaslights create a feeling of being set centuries back in time. Ærø is also favored by particularly fine weather. It enjoys a higher number of sunshine hours than the average for the rest of Denmark, and the year-round temperature is also a few degrees above the national average. Related: Love and Relationships in Scandinavia ceremonies and rituals while smooth, moss-covered rocks peep through the water’s surface out across the waves. There is a several kilometer long stretch of 33 meter-high cliffs at Voderup Klint on the west coast. Ærø is a popular destination for hikers and bikers, and the beaches attracts anglers and artists.
Typical for Ærø are also the many U-shaped farmhouses. The three sides block the wind to create a sheltered little courtyard. Near the center of the island, at Olde Mølle, one of Denmark’s sculptor’s, Erik Brandt, has created a “peace bench” which should invite people to think about world peace while looking over the island and the sea.
Nørregade in Ærøskøbing. Photo: Wikimedia
softened by blush-pink, powder-blue and taupe fabrics, not to mention Arne Jacobsen swan chairs, tapestries and lamps. The hotel’s rooms are situated up creaky wooden stairs. In this darling little hotel you can stay overnight in the heart of it all and embrace the concept of slow living. Just a ferry ride from the “real world” Throughout the island you’ll notice the century old churches. But for lovers coming to the island to get married they have probably arranged it all through Louise Badino Moloney’s wedding-planning agency Danish Island Weddings established in 2008. On her webside you can read: “Denmark is the easiest place in Europe to get married – and Ærø island is without a doubt the most charming! Only a one hour ferry ride from the “real world”, it is the perfect getaway with its gentle rolling countryside, the historic town of Ærøskøbing, and spectacular sea views in every direction.
Aeroøping beachhouses. From Marstal, Ærø. Photo: Wikipedia
Picturesque Ærøskøbing is also often called the “fairytale town” with its artisanal grocery shops and boutiques alongside pubs with roaring hearths, ark-wood dining rooms, whitewashed walls and tall taper candles. You’ll
While on Ærø, don’t miss the gingerbread-like house in which you find the Arnfeldt Hotel & Restaurant, run by Copenhagen transplants Katrine and Morten Arnfeldt. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is enhanced by stark white walls
We are honoured to have helped nearly 2900 couples from 177 different countries get married in Denmark». On Ærø, small is beautiful, sustainability just common sense – and love is in the air.
Feature image (on top): Photo: Married in Denmark
29
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | DESTINATIONS
The Adventure Capital of Norway Text Tor Kjolberg
The village of Voss lies next to Lake Vangsvatnet and is the administrative center of the municipality. The 2,042-square-kilometer (788 sq ml) municipality is the 35th largest by area of Norway’s 356 municipalities with a population of 15,740, which is 8 inhabitants per square kilometer (21 sq ml). Throughout the whole year, Voss offers a large assortment of activities that you can choose from, consequently it has been nicknamed the adventure capital of Norway. Voss is just about an hour’s drive from Bergen, and situated in the middle between the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord, prepare to be amazed by the contrasts. One moment it`s all about the adrenaline and amazing activities, the next about relaxing in the finest of natural landscapes. Related: Extreme Sports Week in Norway The Voss district makes full use of its surroundings to attract visitors, who
come in summer for fjord excursions, mountain walking, parachuting, hang-gliding and paragliding from Hangurfjell, and fishing and watersports on Vangsvatnet.
Voss climbing park. Photo: Erik Østli
Related: Indoor Skydiving in Norway In winter, everything changes, and Voss becomes one of the best centers for Alpine and cross-country skiing. At 610 meters (2,000ft), the top station of the Hangurfjell cable can give one of the best prospects of Voss in its bowlshaped valley. Voss is globally known as the “estreme sports village”, and you’re invited to try everything from skydiving to rafting in safe conditions. In summer and autumn, you can spend a lifetime exploring the various hikes in the mountains. Voss has two ski resorts, and the brand-new Voss Gondol, that is located by the train station will take you to the top of Mount Hanguren all year round.
The brand-new Voss Gondol, that is located by the train station will take you to the top of Mount Hanguren all year round.
The Voss district makes full use of its surroundings to attract visitors
Feature image (on top): Rafting in Voss All images © Fjord Tours
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
30
Health Honey Text Molly Edwards
Honey has been a part of Scandinavian history since the time of the Vikings. It is thought that these Norsemen collected honey from wild bees in the forest during their travels. It was an excellent source of energy to fuel their long journeys. Learn how to use a historical Scandinavian favorite: Honey. The popular drink of the time, Mead is said to have been brewers with honey, water, and yeast. Some historians think it is the oldest alcoholic beverage in history. But honey is not just a food of the past. Today there are infinite ways to use honey. Whether it’s for health, beauty, or taste, Scandinavian honey could have a use, or many, in your life.
Feature image: © Dmitry Grigoriev / Unsplash
31
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | HEALTH
health benefits include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, honey contains a molecular structure that is easier for the stomach to digest. So, on top of cleaner teeth, your stomach will have a good time as well. Whether you’ve had a tough workout or you’re just feeling a bit sore, honey can help
Sore Muscles Whether you’ve had a tough workout or you’re just feeling a bit sore, honey can help. Honey has anti- inflammatory properties that can help with reducing swelling in the body. This swelling is what often causes the annoying soreness that just won’t go away. Putting a bit of raw honey in your tea or on top of your yogurt will do the trick! This treatment is best paired with other stretching and massaging practices for the ultimate pain relief.
Honey has been used for many years as a replacement for cough syrup. Photo: iStock
Cough Syrup If you’re feeling sick and over-thecounter medications aren’t your thing, there is still hope. Honey has been used for many years as a replacement for cough syrup. Whether it’s mixed with a tea or taken by the spoonful, it’s soothing properties can cause some much-needed relief. One study shows that honey can relieve coughing better than medications with dextromethorphan (DM), a popular ingredient in over-the-counter cough suppressants.
Some dentists recommend swapping honey for traditional sugar to make your foods sweeter
Oral Health We all know that sugar is bad for our teeth. It can cause plaque build-up, rotting, tooth-rotting, and enamel breakdown. But not to fear, there are sugar replacements that can taste just as good. Some dentists recommend swapping honey for traditional sugar to make your foods sweeter. Certain types of honey are said to actually help your teeth. Some of its oral
honey may be your saving grace. As honey is a natural antioxidant, it promotes scalp health and hair growth. It has properties that stimulate the hair follicle resulting in longer and stronger hair. Many people advocate for honey as a hair conditioner. Its moisturizing effects help soften strands. As a humectant, a substance that reduces moisture loss, honey can protect hair from drying out. Its clarifying effects work to thoroughly clean the hair. It gets rid of any gunk that may have built up, leaving your hair shiny and luscious.
If you struggle with dry or brittle hair, honey may be your saving grace. Photo: Schwarzkopf.no
Hair If you struggle with dry or brittle hair,
While it isn’t the miracle cure for acne, honey can help inflamed and irritated skin. Photo: Volvat.no
Acne While it isn’t the miracle cure for acne, honey can help inflamed and irritated skin. Raw honey has antibacterial properties which can help sooth blemishes and reduce skin inflammation. It contains hydrogen peroxide which works to remove any bad bacteria that could be furthering the redness and irritation. It is important that when using honey as an acne fighter, you opt for the raw variety. While nearly all honey produced in the Scandinavian region is raw, there are some processed kinds out there. Raw honey is natural and unhated, which allows it to keep all of its incredible benefits. Related: 6 Scandinavian Health Philosophies We Should All Embrace
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
First Aid Aside from cosmetic purposes, honey is a useful substance in first aid. Honey has an acidic pH between 2.2 and 4.5 which helps aid in the healing process. Acidic pHs work promotes the release of oxygen through the blood which speeds up healing. Its acidity also reduces the presence of substances that could impair healing. Its high sugar content draws water out of wounds, which helps in reducing swelling. It encourages the lymphatic system to flow to the wounded area, allowing for a more holistic method of healing. Its ability to fight bacteria that builds up in wounds helps keep the injured area clean and reduces the risk of infection. Its antibacterial properties have helped fight dangerous bacterias like methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).
32
Honey has an acidic pH between 2.2 and 4.5 which helps aid in the healing process. Photo: Honningcentralen-no
How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey Bottom Line Honey is an incredibly diverse tool that has beneficial properties in many different areas. For centuries, Scandinavian people have turned to
the sweet substance for cosmetic, cooking, and healing purposes. The average person most likely has this elixir sitting in their pantry. Give it a try and see what it can do for you!
How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Molly Edwards. Molly is a devoted mom, passionate writer, and budding solopreneur. As a mother of two boys, she hopes to inspire parents to stress less and enjoy the big, beautiful world a little more.
33
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FOOD
Food
Scandinavian Celeriac Text Tor Kjolberg
Celeriac has been known in Scandinavia for centuries, but has been used sparingly, mostly as a flavoring for soups and stews. The root is not widely eaten anywhere else, except in France. Read more about Scandinavian celeriac. Celeriac is too strong-flavored to become a universal favorite, and it is rarely eaten on its own, bit for those who love it, celeriac is a marvel, and do not mind if it is served as the main vegetable. However, many don’t love it, particularly children. Adults share childhood memories of how celeriac floating among the diced carrots and leeks was the scare of the week. The carrot and leek were acceptable, end
edible, but the celeriac was considered nothing but a punishment. Even worse were the celeriac ‘steaks’, a slab of boiled, breaded and fried celeriac that health-conscious housewives believed to be good for you. Related: Scandinavian vegetables How it grows In other parts of the world, a similar taste is achieved by celery, or the herb parsley-celery, or par-cel, which is actually the ancestor of them both. They are all biennials and umbellifers, like carrots, and will flower in their second year. The celeriac has been selected for its swollen roots, over
millennia, and looks very much like celery when growing, except that part of the root above the ground and most growers will mulch the roots to keep them pale. The leaves of celeriac taste like celery, only much stronger, and are very useful as pot-herb, or chopped like parsley and scattered over winterdishes. Celeriac is a greedy feeder, and must be sown indoor in February, as it grows extremely slowly. Related: Scandinavian Poor Man’s Asparagus Appearance and taste The taste of celeriac is so
Feature image (on top) Photo by coop.no
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
34
The easiest way to clean a celeriac is to cut it into thick slices and peel the slices individually. Photo: coop.no
overwhelming that it is often used more like a herb than a root. Its flavor, a cross between that of celery and a parsley root, with overtones of parsley leaves and lovage. The root can be used in any size, from tennis-ball to monumental football, like other roots, a very young, small celeriac is the most delicious and tender. The roots have a tendency to become spongy in the middle, due to a lack of minerals while growing, so choose one that is very firm and heavy, with no soft spots. They keep forever wrapped in plastic in the fridge. Culinary uses Celeriac is used as flavoring in stews, soups and braises; celery adds a similar, but milder flavor, though celery is seldom used in Scandinavia. Celeriac can also be mashed and made into fries and gratins, because of its starchy nature. Try a 50/50 potatoceleriac mash, or include it as part of a mixed root bake. When raw celeriac has a delicate nutty taste and, if very finely diced, it’s beautiful in a salad. Even children seem to like it raw, or made into chips as an alternative to the more usual
potato. These will never become crisp but the frying brings out the sweetness and a caramelized melting quality that children love. They are very good with game, Coarsely grated, raw celeriac, coated in a vinegary homemade mayonnaise or crème fraiche, spiked with mustard, is a delicious accompaniment for venison, and very good in sandwiches with all kinds of cold cuts. When very young, in late summer, and only the size of a tennis-ball, celeriac can be braised whole in butter, or simmered in stock and served as a very interesting accompaniment for fish and beef, or in their own as a starter. A whole large celeriac is difficult to handle and clean. The roots make up a tangle at the bottom, and if you cut them all off, there is not always much left. The easiest way to clean a celeriac is to cut it into thick slices and peel the slices individually. Related: Scandinavian Beetroot The celeriac has been selected for its swollen roots, over millennia, and looks very much like celery when growing. Photo: REMA 1000
35
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FOOD
Celeriac soup. Photo: REMA 1000
Celeriac soup with cardamon In this soup you get the full advantage of celeriac’s spectacular taste. The topping makes a good spicy contrast to the velvety soup. 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds, picked from whole green pods 2 medium celeriac 2 leeks 2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon of salted butter 3 heaped tablespoons Madras currypowder 1 liter very strong chicken or fish stock. Salt and coarsely ground black pepper
for the topping 200ml whipping cream 50g fresh ginger, finely grated
Finely grated zest of 1 orange Juice of 1 lime
Serves 6 First, whip the cream for the topping in a bowl. Press the juice from the grated ginger by wringing it through a handkerchief, add this with the other seasonings to the cream, which will thicken and be soured by the seasonings. Set aside. Grind the cardamom seeds to a fine powder. Rinse the celeriac and leeks and cut into large chunks Fry the leeks and garlic gently without browning in the butter: when they become translucent and fragrant, add the curry powder and cardamom, and fry a little more. Add the celeriac and stock and season sparingly with salt and pepper. Add water just to cover the vegetables. If necessary, simmer until the vegetables are very tender. whizz in a food processor until smooth Adjust the seasoning, then eat while really hot with the cream on top.
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
36
Fine Art/Music ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics Text Tor Kjolberg
After having been closed since November last year, the ABBA Museum in Stockholm reopens on today. The planned ABBA Hologram Tour has also been postponed, but it has now been decided: ABBA goes live after the pandemics this year! “After being closed for almost 200 days we are now getting ready to reopen and we are really looking forward to welcoming visitors again. We can´t wait to be able to exceed our visitors’ expectations and let them enjoy the music, the magic and the memories of ABBA, to have them once again. We will open in a responsible way and have adapted the museum, due to the pandemic. A visit to ABBA The Museum is safe and secure for both our visitors and our staff,» says Caroline Fagerlind, Museum Director ABBA The Museum. Related: Thank You For The Music, Abba She continues: “I´m also glad to share
the good news that we have prolonged our popular temporary exhibition MAMMA MIA! Behind The Movie Magic, an exhibition that takes the visitors behind the scenes of movie making, until December this year.» Related: ABBA – The Museum ABBA The Museum have a new ticketing system that gives visitors the possibility to cancel their tickets, by themselves, up to 24 hours before their visit, to encourage visitors to stay home if they have any symptoms. To ensure the maximum visitors allowed and keep an even flow in the exhibition the museum uses slot-times and only allow pre-booked tickets online.
Related: Scandinavian Pop Music To Enjoy ABBA The Museum has installed new hand sanitizer stands that are placed in strategic locations around the museum, plexiglass protection between staff and visitors in the cashiers and visitors will be helped to think about distance and caution by the museum’s staff, markings on the floor and clear signage throughout the museum. Walk In. Dance Out. The ABBA 2021 Hologram Tour ABBA fans can now look forward to the ABBA Hologram Tour releasing 5 new
37
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FINE ART/MUSIC
“A visit to ABBA The Museum is safe and secure for both our visitors and our staff,» says Caroline Fagerlind, Museum Director ABBA The Museum.
songs. In 2017, it was announced that the band would reunite in digital form in 2019. The group should perform as “Abbatars” for the first time since they split in 1982. As a reward to fans waiting for the reunion due to the COVID-related delays, the group will release 5 new tracks. It will be the first new ABBA music in 35 years!
In 1969, musicians Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson met singers Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Not only did the foursome pair off into couples (Fältskog and Ulvaeus wed in 1971, Lyngstad and Andersson in 1978), they also formed a musical group using the letters of their first names. In 1972, ABBA topped the charts in Sweden. ABBA released their statement regarding their excitement in their journey, saying: “The decision to go ahead with the exciting ABBA avatar tour project had an unexpected consequence. We all four felt that, after some 35 years, it could be fun to join forces
ABBA fans can now look forward to the ABBA Hologram Tour releasing 5 new songs
again and go into the recording studio.” By the mid-1970s, the band was one of the most popular musical groups in the world. Singles such as “Waterloo,” “Dancing Queen” and “Fernando” gained ABBA fans in the U.S., Europe, Australia and elsewhere. In an interview with The Times, Ulvaeus discussed how Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s vocals were now in a lower pitch – “about one tone lower, perhaps” – but promised that the sound fans would hear on the tour would still be “very much Abba.” ABBA, however, will appear as their younger selves. Bjorn Ulvaeus revealed how the process was done: “They photographed us from all possible angles, they made us grimace in front of cameras, they painted dots on
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
38
The group performs as “Abbatars”
our faces, they measured our heads. Apparently, a cranium doesn’t change with age the way the rest of your body falls apart.”
From the ABBA Museum
About the new songs, Ulvaeus says: “One of them is a pop tune, very danceable. The other is more timeless, more reflective, that is all I will say. It is Nordic sad, but happy at the same time.”
Bjorn Ulvaeus reveales how the process was done
After being closed for almost 200 days, The ABBA Museum in Stockholm is getting ready to reopen All photos (if not otherwise noted) © ABBA The Museum.
39
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FINE ART/MUSIC
A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II Text Tor Kjolberg
During World War II, Norway’s Crown Princess Märtha and her three children fled the Nazis and lived in exile in Bethesda, Maryland. The location was convenient to Washington and to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The crown princess, 39 years old at that time, travelled to USA at the invitation of the American president. The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation has made a television drama, “Atlantic Crossing”, which has created a massive public debate around artistic liberties, and indignant historians have branded it “fake news”. Read more about the Norwegian royal drama from World War II. The Crown Princess and the Crown Prince had become close friends with the US President and his wife during a comprehensive tour to the USA in the summer of 1939. The Crown Princess worked assiduously hard to promote Norwegian interests, and their friendship opened doors. Crown Princess Märtha was involved in a wide range of activities, from sending relief aid and participating in relief operations for refugees to paying official visits and giving lectures and speeches. Related: Scandinavian Royal Line
The US President was happy to welcome his Royal visitors In 1939, the Norwegian Storting (the parliament) had deep concerns for Norway’s safety and security against Germans on the march. Crown Prince Olav, a naval officer, became a secret emissary to the US, making several trips to meet with President Roosevelt. King Haakon, Crown Prince Olav and members of the Norwegian government never surrendered to Hitler. They won asylum in Great Britain and ran the country’s resistance from London, while Crown Princess Märtha and her three children were invited by the US President. FDR was happy to welcome his Royal visitors, and offer the hospitality of
‘Atlantic Crossing’ is “Inspired by true events”
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
40
president into entering the Second World War, freeing up food, arms and most importantly, soldiers, to join the Allied effort. In one scene, Märtha is seen guiding Roosevelt to declare war on Japan following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, something else that historians have cast heavy doubt on. Related: The Norwegian Royal Park in Oslo “NRK gives viewers a fundamentally untrue story,” wrote history professor Tom Kristensen and royal biographer Tore Rem. The newspaper Aftenposten published a merciless headline, “Atlantic Crossing puts NRK’s credibility in play”.
the White House, which became their “second home” in the US. Shortly after their arrival, the Norwegian government leased a suitable house (on 140 acres) at Pook Hills, in Bethesda, MD and purchased it outright in 1941. The house was built by Merle Thorpe, the founder and publisher of Nation’s Business magazine. Those behind the NRK’s seriesstaunchly defend their production, interpretation of events and artistic license The show suggests that the exact nature of the relationship between the Crown Princess and the US President is shown to be faintly romantic. Due to this relationship Märtha was single-handedly able to convince the
The Pooks Hill that viewers see in “Atlantic Crossing” is certainly impressive: cream-colored stone, a domed copper roof flanked by reclining figures. However, the actual Tudor design house at Pooks Hill is nothing like the neoclassic 1911 Chateau Kotera in the Czech Republic in which the Pork Hill segments were shot. Those behind the NRK’s series, which has been sold to scores of countries and due to be shown on PBS Masterpiece in the US next spring, staunchly defend their production, interpretation of events and artistic license. They claim that while Norwegians know how Crown Princess Märtha made a major contribution to the war effort, and kept spirits up from abroad, she seldom won widespread recognition for her efforts. The text that is shown at the beginning of each episode states that the ‘Atlantic Crossing’ is “Inspired by true events,” not “This is a documentary.” Märtha was just stateside, remending Americans of the war that was raging across the ocean.
Feature image (on top): US President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1944) and Crown Princess Märtha (1943). Leon Perskie/Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and David Burns/De kongelige samlinger
41
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FINE ART/MUSIC
LOOK TO NORWAY: Crown Princess Märtha in Washington with President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the President’s speech «Look to Norway». His wife Eleanor can be seen in the back to the right. The speech was a tribute to the Norwegian sailors and Little Norway. Photo: Jan Haug
and content to bask in the President’s limelight, it was the epitome. Märtha not only embodied all the above, but one additional plus: like FDR (who was twenty years her senior), she had a marvelous sense of humor, according to those who knew her.
Related: The ‘Forgotten Fiasco’ of Norway’, 1940 Märtha was the President’s guest at his home at Hyde Park, and also at Shangra-La, the presidential retreat in Maryland (now called Camp David.) He, in turn, was invited to visit her Bethesda home – particularly on those occasions when Crown Prince Olav had slipped quietly into the country for a brief visit. Whether or not there was a romantic relationship between the two has never been proven, but witnesses at the time have concluded that Roosevelt did have feelings for the royal, even if not returned. Roosevelt’s
son James once stated, ‘There was no question that Märtha was an important figure in father’s life during the war… there is a real possibility that a true romantic relationship developed between the president and the princess.’ Roald Dahl, who was an RAF pilot in Washington at the time wrote, ‘The President has it in his mind that he would like to sleep with her.’ An important time period in our history In the series, Crown Princess Märtha is played by Swedish actress Sofia Helin and the US President Franklin D Roosevelt is played by American actor Kyle MacLachlan. “It is wonderful to see such an important time period in our history on American television screens every week,” Anniken Krutnes, Norway’s ambassador to the United States, wrote in an email to Answer Man. “I notice a lot of engagement both locally and from people around the country! For me, it enforces what we know to be true, that our two countries were always close and that the experiences during World War II brought us even closer.” After the war, Märtha and her children (who include current monarch, King Harald) returned to their home, but Märtha sadly passed away from cancer in 1954 before her husband succeeded to the throne.
Crown Princess Märtha sadly passed away from cancer in 1954 before her husband succeeded to the throne.
A romantic relationship between the President and the Crown Princess has never been proven Franklin Roosevelt always enjoyed feminine company and companions. If they were young and attractive, so much the better. If they were intelligent – another plus. And if they were gentle tempered, non-demanding Søren Pilmark plays King Haakon in ‘Atlantic Crossing’
All images © NRK – Drama, except when otherwise stated.
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
Attractions Renting a car in Scandinavia: Everything you need to know Text Alesia Hundermort
The first thing you must do before renting a car in Scandinavia is to research the set rules and regulations. Do this well in advance of commencing your trip. Once you do that, you can start with the rental process of your vehicle. Learn more about renting a car in Scandinavia and learn everything you need to know. Plan well to give yourself ample time to secure the vehicle that you want. Your desired vehicle will not only provide you with peace of mind, but the process will also save you money. You will then have a choice between different types of vehicles from various rental companies. You will also be able to compare the different rental companies’ fine print with each other. If you do not plan and pitch up at the first rental company, they will overcharge you almost every time. Your vehicle choice might not be available, and after a long flight, you would not be interested in reading the fine print anymore.
42
43
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | ATTRACTIONS
Related: Spectacular Driving in Norway Parking and Tolls Scandinavian countries don’t have any toll highways. But when you’re driving in Copenhagen, you must show a one-hour parking disc (which you can find in petrol stations, banks, tourist information centers, etc.) on your dashboard if meters are not available. Parking is prohibited on major roads of Norway, however, there are numerous municipal lots. Parking meters are color-coded, with yellow meters allowing one hour of parking, gray meters two hours, and brown meters three hours. In most Swedish cities, they have both metered on-street parking and timed ticket machines from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m Plan well to give yourself ample time to secure the vehicle that you want. Photo: Why Kei / Unsplash
Go through the following checklist with care when you’re planning to rent a car in Scandinavian countries. Related: Car Rental Company in Norway Awarded International Prize Age restrictions Age restrictions vary depending on the country where you plan to rent the car and also the type of car. For instance, to rent a car in Sweden, you have to be at least 18 years old and you must have had your license for 2 years. While in Norway, you have to be 19 years old and have held your license for 1 year. In Denmark, you have to be 21 years old and also have held your license for 1 year. It would be best if you had your international driving permit. Getting an international driver’s permit allows you to easily get around in a foreign country.
must wait until they have crossed the street before proceeding. Whether the weather is cloudy or clear, dipped headlights are required during the day. Renting a car in Scandinavia: Everything you need to know, continue reading
Speed limits Speed limits differ slightly in Scandinavian countries. The speed limit for driving in the city for all the countries is 31mph/50kph. While for driving on highways, Sweden and Denmark’s speed limit is: 68mph/110kph, while for Norway: 55mph/90kph
Best Car Rental Companies In Dubai Rules of the road In all Scandinavian countries, trolleys, buses, and passengers disembarking have the right of way. If a bus passenger exits at a crossing, you In all Scandinavian countries, trolleys, buses, and passengers disembarking have the right of way. Photo: Samuel Foster / Unsplash
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
44
Insurance Fire and third-party liability insurance are mandatory when renting a car in Scandinavian countries. Because the cost of car rental insurance varies greatly depending on the period of your rental and also the laws of the nation where you rent the car, you should choose carefully before making your reservation. Related: The Norwegian National Tourist Route Leading to the Arctic Ocean Before you sign the agreement Check the car carefully, and make sure any damage appears on the rental agreement. You may even take some photos of the damage. If something is not working in the car, or if there are switches or controls that you do not understand, ask for help and explanation. A good idea would be to keep fuel receipts if any issue appears later. And also take a picture of the fuel gauge when you leave the car. Accidents and breakdowns Everyone in most of Scandinavia is compelled by law to assist in the event of an accident, even if they were not engaged in the disaster. You can access emergency services in any Scandinavian country by dialing 112, the European Emergency Number. Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Avis, Thrifty, and Sunnycars are some of the most popular car rental brands in Sweden. Be alert and keep your eyes on the various road signs and drive safely. Ensure that you choose the right vehicle to hire Are you traveling with children or a lot of gear? Choose a large sedan or SUV. Remember, European cars are smaller. Be sure to order the size you need in case you do not get an upgrade. Looking to save money on rental rates and gas? Reserve the smallest available model. Make sure about any
Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Avis, Thrifty, and Sunnycars are some of the most popular car rental brands in Sweden
age restrictions regarding drivers of rental vehicles. In many countries, manual transmissions are the norm, and you’ll have to pay a premium for an automatic and reserve it in advance. Familiarize yourself with the local rules of the road long before you get there. Know which side of the road to drive on, who has the right of way in a traffic circle, and whether you’re permitted to turn right (or left, in some countries) on a red light. This information can be found in an up-to-date guidebook. Smartphone mapping apps can be expensive to use and hard to access, depending on your cell phone plan. Take a printed road map as a backup. Renting a GPS unit from your rental car company is another option; set it to English if you don’t know the local language. Having only one driver reduces the cost hugely, but you might want to consider adding a second driver. Make sure what your car hire company’s rules are.
Feature image: Aurlandsfjord viewpoint, Western Norway. © Innovation Norway
Renting a car in Scandinavia: Everything you need to know, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Alesia Hundermort. Alesia is working as a Construction Manager, She relocates to different locations and stays for several months to oversee a project. While being there for work she also takes this opportunity to explore the area. Alesia also likes to write and share her experience with the online audience.
45
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | ATTRACTIONS
Four Swedish Underground Attractions Text Tor Kjolberg
Go underground in Sweden and experience world-unique installations from war-time hangars and silver mines to contemporary art beneath a modern-day city to a mysterious underground church. Find out more about these four Swedish underground attractions. The secret airbase in Gothenburg Hidden near Gothenburg City’s Airport is a vast underground airbase, built in the start of the Cold War, extending over 22,000 square meters. The aboveground area covers 70,000 square meters. Once top secret, the site has been transformed into an interactive aviation museum, complete with simulators, a coffee shop and planes kids can scramble on. Since January 1st 2008, Aeroseum has been part of the SMHA (Sveriges Militärhistoriska Arv – Swedish Military Heritage) network, under the umbrella of Statens Försvarshistoriska Museum (SFHM – The National Swedish Museums of Military History). Today, the Aeroseum offers
experiences that have not previously been available to the general public, including flying in vintage aircraft and helicopters. You may also like to read: Holocaust Museum to be Built in Sweden A room without a view at Sala The old silver mine at Sala, 120km north-west of Stockholm has a suite hidden 155m beneath the surface. In the 1500s, King Gustav Vasa used to call the Sala Silver Mine “Sweden’s Treasure Chest.” Today, the mine is still a treasure chest—filled with history
and adventures, above and below ground. Temperatures in the tunnels hover just above freezing but the “mine suite”, said to be the world’s deepest hotel room in which you may be served a soup, is kept at a relatively balmy 18 degrees. You may also like to read: Norway’s Mining Past The underground church in Västerbotten Working deep beneath Västerbotten
Once top secret, the site has been transformed into an interactive aviation museum. Photo: Visit Stockholm
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
46
The church is open for worship complete with a replica of the Jesus-like image. Photo: Källan hotel
church of St. Anna was built 90m below ground in Kristineberg, close to the original spot. It’s still open for worship complete with a replica of the Jesus-like image.
The “mine suite” said to be the world’s deepest hotel room. Photo: Uniwue Hotels, Sweden
County in 1946, the miner Johan Olofsson discovered a 2m-high image on one of the walls resembling Christ – apparently caused by detonations in the mine. The news spread like wildfire and Norra Västerbotten published the picture in the newspaper. People flocked to Kristinebergsvägen to get down to the 120-meter level and climb 13 meters up on a vertical iron ladder
to admire the figure. The space was eventually filled in and the life in this small community continued and so did the mine. Until in year 1968 when a marble slab from the Co-op in Kristineberg was reversed and a dark image of Christ on a white background appeared. Christ had apparently appeared a second time. In 1986, the ecumenical underground
Stockholm’s Metro Art Gallery Travelling by subway in Stockholm is like being in a personal, mobile art gallery. It has often been described as ”the world’s longest art museum”. For the price of a Metro ticket, you can enjoy impressive works spanning from the 1950s to the 2000s. The Stockholm metro has more than one hundred stations, and at least ninety of them have elaborate art installations as part of their status quo decor. It evokes feelings of being part of a modern-day archeological expedition, full of undiscovered secrets and surprises. Feature image: The Metro in Stockholm. Photo: Visit Stockholm
47
SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | SOCIETY
Society
Schengen Area and reduce illegal immigration into the bloc. Since then, it has been enshrined in EU legislation and work carried out to make it a reality from 2022 onwards. As part of the passenger screening goals of the project, those visiting Europe without a visa for trips of under 90 days within a 180-day period will need to register with the system prior to arriving. This will be done via an electronic visa waiver. This will give authorities the chance to properly check passengers to ensure they don’t pose a threat to EU residents or have a history of overstaying on visas.
How Traveling to Europe and Scandinavia Will Change in 2022 Text ETIAS,The European Travel Information and Authorisation System
Travelers to Europe in 2022 will need to get an ETIAS visa waiver before entering the EU. Read How Traveling to Europe and Scandinavia Will Change in 2022 and find out what you will need to do to get ready for this change. 2022 will be a milestone year for traveling to Europe as it will mark the launch of the ETIAS visa waiver. Until now, entering the EU Schengen
Area has just involved a passport check and little else for travelers from the US, UK, or Canada. However, this will change next year and ETIAS will become a mandatory step from 2023 onwards for visitors from visa-exempt countries. However, getting an ETIAS waiver will be a fast and simple process and once you have it registered it can be used multiple times for up to 3 years. More importantly, it’s going to make travel to Europe more seamless and secure. Read on below to learn more about: • • • • •
Why ETIAS will be introduced next year Who needs it How to apply for your electronic visa waiver online The most important travel tips for 2022 What Is ETIAS and Why Is Travel to Europe Changing?
ETIAS (Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System) was first proposed in 2016 as a means to enhance the border security of the
To find out more check here for further information.
Getting an ETIAS waiver will be a fast and simple process and once you have it registered it can be used multiple times for up to 3 years
Who Needs an ETIAS Visa Waiver? Anyone traveling to Europe from one of 62 visa-free countries will need an ETIAS visa waiver to visit the 26-country Schengen Area. This will be a mandatory requirement from 2023 onwards. This includes nationals from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Visitors from these countries will need to hold a valid ETIAS authorization prior to visiting any Schengen countries. How to Apply for ETIAS The application for ETIAS can be
AUGUST 2021 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
48
accessed and completed fully online. It will only take 10-20 minutes to complete the form for most people applying. It is also expected that approval or denial will be given within 24 hours of submission. However, passengers are advised to apply at least 72 hours before departure in case mistakes or discrepancies occur on their form. When filling out the application you will be asked to provide data, such as your: Name Nationality Date of birth Passport information Arrival country in the EU Answers to background questions Once done, you will need to pay a small administration fee by debit or credit card and enter a working email address. The latter is especially important as it will be your primary source of contact with the EU authorities during the process. It is also how you will receive the approved visa once it is authorized. After you have received an approved visa waiver it is then electronically linked to the passport you registered during the application process. The waiver itself is valid for 3 years from its date of issue although you will need to
2022 will be a milestone year for traveling to Europe as it will mark the launch of the ETIAS visa waiver
The application for ETIAS can be accessed and completed fully online
reapply if your travel document expires or is replaced during this time. What to Know Before Traveling to Europe in 2022 If you want to visit the EU and countries such as Denmark, Norway or Sweden it will be possible to apply for ETIAS once the system goes online in late 2022. It will become mandatory for eligible passengers from 2023 onwards. Your visa waiver will be checked when you first arrive in the Schengen area. After you have passed through border security you will then be able to visit all 26 countries in the passport-free zone for up to 90 days with no further documentation checks. It isn’t necessary to print your ETIAS authorization although it’s advised to keep a physical or digital copy just in case. As the document is electronically linked to your passport the authorities
will be able to see whether visitors have the correct entry authorization during the immigration process. ETIAS is going to be an essential change to prepare for in 2022 and 2023. However, there are many benefits that the system will bring and travelers can expect a faster, more efficient, and more importantly, safer experience of visiting Europe in the future. How Traveling to Europe and Scandinavia Will Change in 2022, written for Daily Scandinavian by ETIAS, The European Travel Information and Authorisation System. All illustrations © ETIAS, except feature image (on top): Møllestien, Aarhus, Denmark. Photo by Steffen Muldbjerg / Unsplash .
