SCANDINAVIAN monthly │ Issue No.10 │ March 2022 by Tor

SCANDINAVIAN Monthly FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Issue No.10 │March 2022

ATTRACTIONS Special

21 BELGIAN BATTERY-ELECTRIC TRAMBUSES FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN SWEDEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH THE HUNGARIAN AMBASSADOR TO NORWAY ROYAL MAIL IS TESTING NORWEGIAN ELECTRIC PARCEL DELIVERY VEHICLE DOMESTIC FOSSIL FUEL FREE FLIGHTS IN DENMARK

ACCOMODATION ● PHOTOGRAPHY ● FOOD/DRINK ● SOCIETY BUSINESS ● FINE ART/MUSIC ● DESIGN ● SPORTS

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY CONTENT

Attractions Special The Norwegian Wild Reindeer Center .................................................. 4 Climbing Norwegian Mountains - Step by Step .................................... 6 Business & Pleasure in Kristiansand - Norway .................................... 10 To The Three Most Beautiful Islands in Central Denmark .................... 11 Sweden’s Famous Icehotel 2021 Has Been Decorated By 32 Artists From 13 Different Countries ................................................ 12 Four Swedish Underground Attractions ............................................. 14 Top Natural Attractions in Norway ...................................................... 16 Accomodation New Concealed Gem Resort in Oslo .................................................... 18 Photography Norwegian Ski-jumps ......................................................................... 21 Food/Drink Scandinavian Lovage ......................................................................... 23 Norwegian Friends Of Aquavit ............................................................ 24 Society Styles of Handwriting in Denmark ...................................................... 27 The Danish Library In Which You Can Borrow A Person ...................... 30 Common Expenses When Moving To Scandinavia ............................. 32 Business Swedish Acoustic Felt Is A Next Generation Textile ............................ 33 How & Why to Startup a Business in Sweden ..................................... 35 Fine Art/Music The Immensely Popular Masked Norwegian YouTuber ....................... 37 Labradorite From Norway: A True Scandinavian Treasure ................. 39 Design Danish Rhythm Of A Heartbeat ........................................................... 41 Sports The Norwegian Rock-Climbing Star ................................................... 43

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear reader, By picking up this magazine you asked for a Scandinavian injection. So here it is! This month we speak to an extremely cool Swedish guy, Christian Eriksson, at a new country club, Lily, in the outskirts of Oslo, some enthusiastic people involved in Norwegian Friends of Aquavit (Akevittens venner), the Norwegian rock-climbing star Magnus Midtbø and the immensely popular masked Norwegian YouTuber Alan Walker. We also visit the three most beautiful islands in central Denmark and we visit Sweden’s famous Ice hotel – it is important that you relax, put your feet up and enjoy your time in our company. Of particular interest to our expat readership, we look at some of the common expenses when moving to Scandinavia (Page 32). For several months now, many people have experienced stress and anxiety because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, Scandinavia has plenty of open-air retreats, and we have had the possibility to enjoy the most important aspects of being outside in all the nature we are surrounded by. Being in nature has turned out to be more effective than most people realize. People who spend a large amount of time in nature have proven to experience less stress and tend to be in better moods than people who spend more time indoors. “Climbing Norwegian mountains – step by step” is an article we hope you will enjoy. Elsewhere in this issue we visit four Swedish underground attractions. The secret airbase in Gothenburg, built in the start of the cold war, is one of them. Hidden near Gothenburg’s City Airport, it covers 22,000 square meters. Read also our fascinating article on the Danish library in which you can borrow a person. If you are looking to showcase groundbreaking Scandinavian entrepreneurship and innovation – then it won’t be difficult to find. My assertion is: it is out there in abundance! Welcome to the February issue of Scandinavian Monthly Magazine.

Tor

Tor Kjolberg

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Business Special In Conversation With the Hungarian Ambassador to Norway Text Tor Kjolberg

When the Embassy of Hungary in Oslo organized the open air exhibition “Natural Treasures of the Viserad Group”, we were invited to a conversation with the Hungarian ambassador to Norway, Mrs. Eszter Sándorfi. The ambitious project “Natural Treasures of the Visegrad Group” was an impressive initiative from the Embassy of Hungary. The exhibition was organized and coordinated by the Hungarian nature Art, the Association of the Hungarian Nature photographers and realized in close cooperation with the largest nature photographers’ association of the Visegrad countries.

“There’s a lot of potential and possibilities. Our countries are getting closer and closer, and we also have to find joint answers to upcoming new challenges, like climate change, energy security, the future of Europe,” says Ambassador Mrs. Eszter Sándorfi

We were honored to be invited to a conversation with the Hungarian ambassador Mrs. Eszter Sándorfi. Her Excellency handed over her credentials to HM the King Harald V of Norway on May 6, 2021.

In the period December-January, 40 of the nature photographers’ impressive works were exhibited along the fence outside the Hungarian Embassy building in Oslo to the delight of both ordinary passers-by and visitors to the Embassy – a view certainly worth a stroll.

“The development of our economic and trade relations and the growth of mutual interest are shown by the Norwegian companies present in Hungary or the Hungarian companies appearing in Norway. At the same time, there are still plenty of undiscovered opportunities in many areas of trade and tourism in our countries. Together with the HungarianNorwegian Chamber of Commerce (HNCC), established in 2016, one of my important objectives is to facilitate that Norwegian and Hungarian companies find each other in order to implement successful business projects,” the Ambassador underlined at the beginning of our conversation.

Related: On Being An Ambassador to Norway

During our meeting with the ambassador, she tells us that she

studied in the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna after the fall of the Iron Curtain. She used to work in Brussels between 1994-1999 dealing with the Partnership for Peace Program, a member of the team preparing Hungary’s accession to NATO in 1999. During her carrier she also served as special advisor to NATO relations with Eastern Europe then became security policy director before she was appointed ambassador to Greece. In the period before she was appointed Ambassador to Norway and Iceland, she served as Director for the North American Department. What knowledge did you have about Norway before arriving in our country? From the professional point of view we are both members of NATO so I naturally followed our relations related in the context of our security policy cooperation. Although Norway is not a member of the EU but part of the European Economic Area. I actually

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Photo from the exhibition: Steppe cattle, by Laszlo Meszaros

remember the disappointment of some Norwegian friends in Brussels because of the outcome on the referendum. As for the country, I knew of course, that Norway offers a beautiful landscape with breathtaking nature. Besides, I am very fond of the music of Edvard Grieg, and Henrik Ibsen is probably the most famous author in the world after Shakespeare. I also watched several Norwegian films and TV series, like «State of Happiness» (Lykkeland) and Lillyhammer. A book I really appreciate is “Out Stealing Horses” by Per Petterson. Now, I don’t have the time to such pleasant activities anymore.

and change. Most small countries are only able to employ specialists to a limited extent, so you must be able to successively focus on new challenges. The Hungarian Norwegian Chamber of Commerce is an important association and B2B meetings are important. I also want more people to visit Hungary, as tourists as well as to do business or to study. I am happy that in spite of the Covid difficulties we managed to realize a very interesting cultural project. The

Director of the Hungarian National Széchenyi Library visited Norway last September. Apart from having consultations with the Director of the National Library and the Deichmann Library in Oslo, we travelled up to Svalbard to deposit for the first time electronic copies of significant documents of Hungarian culture and history in the Arctic World Archive, based on the collection of the National Széchényi Library. Located in one of the closed coal mines in Longyearbyen, the northernmost

What would you say are the most important characteristics for a diplomat? First of all, I would say a talent for networking and a willingness to engage with people. However, the Covid-19, which has been the reality most of my time as the Ambassador to Norway, has prevented me from a lot of activities I otherwise would have liked to take part in or initiate. So, when working as a diplomat, you must always have a willingness to redefine 40 of the nature photographers’ impressive works were exhibited along the fence outside the Hungarian Embassy building in Oslo

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“We travelled up to Svalbard to deposit for the first time electronic copies of significant documents of Hungarian culture and history in the Arctic World Archive,” says the Ambassado. Photo from Svalbard. AWA Sebastian Moss

inhabited settlement in the world, the facility aims to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of different nations for posterity. Related: Norway Won Seat On UN Security Council What are the biggest challenges for a diplomat in Norway or Scandinavia? What used to be called consular assistance that was considered more an “administrative routine” became increasingly central during the Coronavirus pandemic. Embassies had to be able to organize repatriation, bringing people home, to their families and or back into their jobs. We received and still receive plenty of questions related to the pandemics. As for the business relations, although Norway is part of the EEA, one could not characterize it as a completely open market, like the EU-members. In addition, there are some ideological issues, which is more reflected in the

media. Does a conflict area like Hungary formally loosing access to over €200 million in grants from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein last year amid growing concerns about the country’s democratic backsliding affect your role as the Hungarian ambassador to Norway? Your question is interesting as our Norwegian partners never argued with the wording of “democratic backsliding” in this context, a wording used by the media and some politicians, and which I absolutely refuse with regards to my country. The Norway Fund Financial Mechanism is an important tool to strengthen cohesion within the EEA community. To put an ideological pressure and conditionality on this process is very controversial, and serves the opposite purpose what it was originally meant to be: deepen division instead of helping cohesion. Flexibility and compromise might have been the key

here because it is a pragmatic issue that has now a negative impact on a lot of good projects, like helping green economy, disadvantageous regions, people-to people contact, with the participation of companies and different organizations of Norway and Hungary. What do you think about the relationship between Hungary and Norway? There’s a lot of potential and possibilities. Our countries are getting closer and closer, and we also have to find joint answers to upcoming new challenges, like climate change, energy security, the future of Europe. I think it is important to concentrate on those issues which strengthens cooperation, the positive agenda. We already have many common interests, like business, tourism, culture and education. I am also open for the media and public relations; it is very important to understand each-others’ history and

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From the exhibition: The Danube Island, photo by Katalin Nagy

culture better. Is there something an ambassador must pay more attention to today than before? This is a complex question. A lot has changed. Today, communication is so much faster than before. Now, you have to act very fast but you cannot compete with new agencies and it is not your job as a diplomat. Highlevel meetings can be organized very quickly and – apart from COVID – take part quite frequently in different formats, so an ambassador has definitely a different role than 50 years ago. I think that diplomacy in practice has become more similar to other “business like” international activities. Has digitalization changed diplomacy

– what are your views on that? With digitalization, work processes have certainly changed very substantially, even for the most senior diplomats. I think also that social media and other new forms of communication, as well as the additional time pressure this creates, have affected the job profoundly. And I think that our most recent – forced – experience with videoconferencing will also lead to very substantive changes in the way we work. However, diplomacy is very much about developing personal relations and building personal trust, and a lot of that can only be done in person. What does diplomacy mean to you? This is a very intricate question.

As I have said before, diplomacy has become very similar to other international activities. However I am a Hungarian diplomat so I work primarily for Hungary. On the other hand, we are part of regional cooperation as the Visegrad Four, NATO, the European Union, OSCE, UN etc. Modern technology and communication, farreaching economic relation produced a very strong interlink in the globe. I think the most important role of diplomacy is to work for a more stable, secure and livable world for the next generations. Thank you so much, Mrs. Ambassador. The Hungarian ambassador to Norway, Mrs. Eszter Sándorfi, was interviewed by Tor Kjolberg

All images © Tor Kjolberg/Daily Scandinavian, except where otherwise noted

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Climbing Norwegian Mountains – Step by Step Text Tor Kjolberg

Norway is a country of outstanding natural beauty, but did you know that the country has been called the world capital of outdoor stairways? Here’s our twist on climbing Norwegian mountains – step by step. It’s easier and safer to reach the top if you can hike on man-made mountain stairways – this is something the Norwegian authorities have taken note of and engineered wood and stone steps that lead to the country’s most breathtaking viewpoints.

Pulpit rock. Photo: Fjord Norway

The Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) near Stavanger in south-west Norway is visited by more than 300,000 natureloving hikers every year. Towering 604 meters above the Lysefjord,

the trek is one of Norway’s most famous mountain hikes. The hike up is an expertly engineered and wellmaintained stone staircase that is as much of a marvel as the final viewpoint itself. However, there was a time when Norway’s mountain paths would only see a handful of local visitors. Over the past decade, social media has changed all that. A company called Stibyggjaren (The trail builder) hires Sherpas from Nepal to construct mountain steps and has so far been responsible for more than 300 projects in Norway in recent years. Here we’re exploring some of the longest and most spectacular steps Norway has to offer. The Flørli stairs in Lysefjord The stairways leading to the Pulpit

Rock is not the only one above Lysefjord near Stavanger. The Flørli stairs is one of the longest wooden stairways in the world with 4,444 steps all the way from the tiny village of Flørli up to Lake Ternevatnet 740 meters above sea level. Flørli is a roadless hamlet serviced by four ferries per day.

The Flørli stairs. Photo: Flørli

Helgeland-steps in Northern Norway The town of Mosjøen is home to

Feature image (on top) © Fjord Norway

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The Helgeland steps. Photo: Visit Norway

Helgelandstrappa, Norway’s longest stone staircase with 3,000 steps sculpted into the highlands. It takes you up to the 818-meter-high Øyfjellet mountain. If you don’t feel like walking back, you can fly down Nordland’s longest zip line across the salmon river Vefsna. The Helgeland-steps are ranked on the top-5-list of the best mountain steps in the entire country. Each step is two meters wide which gives the possibility of three people walking side-by-side. Resting areas are placed along the way, all of them blending perfectly into the nature around. On July 6th 2019 the Queen of Norway was there to mark the opening of the steps. In areas with many visitors, staircases, made by wood or stone, can lower the threshold for many to experience nature. Helgeland-steps in Northern Norway The town of Mosjøen is home to Helgelandstrappa, Norway’s longest stone staircase with 3,000 steps sculpted into the highlands. It takes

Miidsundtrappene. Photo: Norwegian Fjords

you up to the 818-meter-high Øyfjellet mountain. If you don’t feel like walking back, you can fly down Nordland’s longest zip line across the salmon river Vefsna.

If you want a slightly easier hike, you can walk up the neighboring mountain Digergubben (527 metres above sea level), where you “only” have to climb 1,400 steps to reach the summit.

The Helgeland-steps are ranked on the top-5-list of the best mountain steps in the entire country. Each step is two meters wide which gives the possibility of three people walking side-by-side. Resting areas are placed along the way, all of them blending perfectly into the nature around.

Monks’ stairway, Hardanger. Photo: Visit Bergen

On July 6th 2019 the Queen of Norway was there to mark the opening of the steps. Midsundtrappene in the Northwest On the Otrøya island, you find the longest continuous stairway in stone in Norway, made by Sherpas from Nepal. 2,200 stone steps take you up to Rørsethornet, 659 meters above sea level. The climb has a panoramic view of the sea and the archipelago all the way, but if you are afraid of heights, beware that some sections are pretty steep. However, getting to the top, you will have an amazing 360-degree view to the ocean as well as the fjord and other mountains. The sunset from Rørsethornet is also worth the experience, and so is the sunrise. From Rørsethornet you can walk a marked route to Ræstadhornet.

The Monks’ Steps in Hardanger The oldest stone stairs in Norway were created by English Cistercian monks at the beginning of the 13th century. The monks built the 616 steps in order to improve the road between the fjord and the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. They also laid the foundations for the fruit production that characterizes the idyllic village of Lofthus to this day. Its starting point is at Røte in Kinsarvik and ends at Lofthus, making it a total of 16 kilometers long. The 6-8 hour long hike is heavy and steep, so it is recommended for more experienced hikers. There are however, multiple view points along the way, so an option for less experienced hikers would be to hike only a part of the trail. Whether you hike the whole trail or not, you can

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expect stunning, paranomic views of the Hardangerfjord. Oppstemten to Mount Ulriken in Bergen If you take the stairs instead of the gondola to the top of the city mountain Ulriken in Bergen, you’ll climb 290 meters in 1,300 steps. The consolation is that you can take the gondola – or a zipline – back down. The stone path up Stoltzekleiven to Mount Sandviksfjellet is a slightly easier alternative, with only 800 steps.

Oppstemten, Bergen. Photo: Visit Bergen

popular hiking route.

Ravnfloget Via Ferrata. Photo: Stig Sæther/Visit Helgeland Prestholstien trail. Photo: Emile Holba/Geilolia

The Prestholtstien trail in Geilo The Hallingskarvet mountains near Geilo rise like a giant petrified wave on the enormous Hardangervidda, which is one of Norway’s largest mountain plateaus. From the idyllic Prestholtsetra mountain farm, you have to climb around 2,500 stone steps in one sweaty kilometer to enjoy the scenic view from the top. However, the stone steps make the summit trip a pure joy. Follow the same trail back down, or continue on the 6.5 kilometers long Prestholtet hike. The most fit can start the trip from the center of Geilo. Follow the Pilvegen Road up to Geilohovda and further on westward past Gullsteinhovda and Urundberget. In Eggedal, less than two hours away, you can climb the stairs along the beautiful Madonnastien trail, which has been named Norway’s most

Ravnfloget Via Ferrata The locals at Vega have built a beautiful wooden staircase on the UNESCO island Vega. After almost 2,000 steps and an elevation of 450 meters, you can catch your breath at the top of Mount Ravnfloget, which has panoramic views of the sea and the islands on the Helgeland coast. The rugged mountain was once a lofty playground accessible only to sea eagles and ravens, hence the name. Today, the Ravnfloget Via Ferrata, a spectacular climbing trail, will take you to the summit of Ravnfloget. The mountain is situated on the western side of the island of Vega. Reinebringen in Lofoten This demanding trip up to the true gem of Reine, located at the southern end of Lofoten, is not for those who suffer from a fear of heights. After climbing hundreds of steep steps between wild mountain peaks, the view of the Vestfjord and the tiny fishing villages

of Reine and Hamnøy are sure to make your heart beat faster. Only make the trip in good weather, and make sure that you stay safe at all times.

Reinebringen. Photo: YouTube

However, Reinebringen is far from one of the highest peaks on the Lofoten islands. Yet this is more than made up for by the iconic view from the summit. The view, combined with the easy access from Reine, makes Reinebringen one of the most popular hikes in Lofoten, with hundreds of people making the ascent each day during the summer season. The construction on a stone stairway on the mountain was started in 2016 due to the increased erosion and danger of rockfall from the high amount of visitation. As of July 2019, the Nepali Sherpa team completed all but the final 50 meters at the top of the mountain. So now the route is little more than a 1560 step stone staircase. Ruiplassen in Dalen, Telemark From Dalen in Telemark you can climb a steep stone staircase of 810 steps up to the old cotter’s farm Rui. This is a route with historical roots, and along

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beaches. Unforgettable in the midnight sun! The first 200 metres of the path is quite steep with a set of stairs, but soon you are rewarded with the great view. Ruiplassen. Photo: Visit Telemark

the way, you can learn more about the two unusual sisters who lived there their whole life. Only once did they leave Telemark – to visit the King in Oslo! The hike from the start of the staircase up to Rui is 1 km long, 810 steps, 200 metres hight difference, about 20-30 minute-hike one way. To get to Rui, you follow in the Rui girls’ footsteps from Dalen on a stone staircase made by Sherpas from Nepal. “Beintsteberg” is the path called locally, which means the shortest path up the mountain. A lot of work is laid down in building the staircase, and the experience of first walking on the beautiful stairs that swirl up the mountain, and then ascending to the height of beautiful Rui is quite unique.

The Sherpa steps in Tromsø

The Sherpa Steps, Tromsæ. Photo: YouTube

In Tromsø, 1,300 stone steps connect Fløyvegen, 85 meters above sea level, with the Fjellheisen Cable Car’s upper station at 421 meters – so you can go up, or down, or both up and down, through birch forest and past the tree line. From the top you have panoramic view over Tromsø Island with the “Ersfjord traverse” in the background. The walk up the Sherpa steps is suitable for everyone. The steps make the terrain easy to walk in, and you find several breaks. In one year, over 100 000 people walked up or down the Sherpa stairs in Tromsø. The Cable Car is one of Tromsø municipality’s most popular tourist destinations, and a fantastic perspective to see Tromsø from, so this is really an attraction one should visit when spending time in Tromsø.

Rødøy Lion. Photo: Stefan Barth / Helgeland reiseluv, Rødøy

Rødøy Lion at the Helgeland coast The hike up the majestic Mount Rødøyløva at Rødøy is one of the most beautiful trips along the Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten. More than 1,000 steps get you to the top, 440 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy scenic views of thousands of small islands, reefs, and white sandy

The Vøringfossen bridge Vøringsfossen is perhaps the bestknown waterfall in Norway, with vast quantities of water plunging 182 meters (597 ft) down from the Hardangervidda plateau to the Måbødalen valley. The waterfall and the dramatic transition between fjord and mountain plateau make for a majestic impression. The Vøringfossen bridge is designed

by architect Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk, and the construction represents a long tradition of exploring the fields between architecture, technology, infrastructure and nature. The bridge has a range of 47 meters (154 ft) and has 99 steps. The development of the tourist icon Vøringsfossen has happened step by step over several years to make sure that visitors and the local tourism industry can enjoy the project as it is being finished. The step bridge consists of two tripods founded on rock that carry the centre span. The structure is made up of seven parts, of which five make up the flight of steps and the final two serve as supports. The seven bridge components have been hoisted in place by a crane and assembled on site. The entire step bridge is built in steel and secured with long rock bolts drilled into the rock.

Vøringfossen view bridge. Photo: Wikipedia

Exploring Norway – step by step. Conclusion Around 300 stone staircases have been built in Norway over the past two decades. The steps make it easier and safer to walk, and maybe most importantly – they protect the vulnerable nature. So, stick to the stairs and don’t drift off to the side even if your legs hurt. And please stop when you want to enjoy the view or take pictures, as you really don’t want to stumble.

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Scandic Hotel Sørlandet is one of Norway’s largest conference hotels – serving up to 550 people

Business & Pleasure in Kristiansand – Norway Text Tor Kjolberg

Whether you are visiting the south of Norway on a business trip or indulging in some family fun, Scandic Hotel Sørlandet presents you with something out of the ordinary. The 3-star accommodation is set in proximity to Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park, lies in vicinity of Sørlandssenteret and can be reached within a 17 minutes’ drive from Kristiansand Kjevik Airport. It’s the ideal location for business & pleasure in Kristiansand – Norway. With spacious conference facilities as well as events and shows for the whole family, the choice is obvious. The venue is just a-minute walk from Captain Sabeltann’s treasure chest. Scandic Hotel Sørlandet is one of Norway’s largest conference hotels – serving up to 550 people. Full packed event calendar Whatever the need might be, the

staff is there to make your stay an unforgettable experience. The event calendar is packed full with exciting opportunities, designed to color memories way beyond your expectations. One of the most treasured traditions has long been the annual Christmas parties, marrying superb entertainment with an exceptional dining experience. The venue invites guests to enjoy a drink at the cocktail bar and Gorines Pizza and Sørlandsstuene are 5 minutes’ walking distance from the hotel. Throughout the year, various kinds of events and kick offs are organized by the management, who is also very much in tune with what is going on around in the area.

from the city center in Kristiansand, and the hotel is also an ideal start for a day of shopping. Sørlandsparken is Norway’s largest shopping area with all kinds of shops and restaurants. Why not let a shopping trip inspire you? The hotel’s closest neighbor is one of the most visited attractions in Norway, Kristiansand Zoo & Amusement Park, that’s why many guests have nicknamed it The Children’s Hotel. Kristiansand is known as one of Norway’s most charming cities, with beautiful coastal landscapes to be admired. You may also like to read Holiday Heartland.

Short distance to some of Norway’s best attractions Scandic Hotel Sørlandet is located approximately a 10-15 minutes’ drive

Feature image (on top): Sørlandssenteret, Kristiansand

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To The Three Most Beautiful Islands in Central Denmark Text Tor Kjolberg

You could spend a lifetime trying to visit all the islands of the Funen archipelago and still missed a few. Only 19 are inhabited permanently, and even the largest hold no more than a few thousand people. Here we visit the three most beautiful islands in Central Denmark. You can take daytrips aboard wooden sailing ships or longer cruises through the archipelago. This is also an angler’s paradise. The most beautiful island of all From Fåborg, it is a short tip to the most beautiful island of all, Ærø. Hire a bike for the short ride from Søby to Æreskøbing, the main town of cobbled streets and brightly colored houses, and on the old naval port of Marstal. Cycling is easy, and the roads wind past fertile fields, thatched farm houses medieval churches and windmills. From Fåborg, ferries also run to the smaller islands of Avernakø and Ly, both have good inns. The Island of Täsinge Svendborg is the ferry port for the southern islands. The first island, reached by a narrow bridge, is Täsinge, with some 6,000 inhabitants. Valdemars Slot is one of Denmark’s oldest private owned castles, with a wonderful view over Svendborgsund.

It was built in 1640 by King Kristian IV for one of his sons, Prince Valdemar Kristian. Most interesting is the castle church, with an excellent restaurant beneath. Beyond the Tea Pavillion, mirrored in its own lake, is a tiny swimming beach beside Lunkebugten Bay. The loveliest village on Täsinge is Troense.

From Fåborg, it is a short tip to the most beautiful island of all, Ærø.

Watching the slim masts of the sailing boats gather in the harbor against a darkening sea is one of the most satisfying pleasures of a Funen summer. Related: Along The Danish West Coat of Funen The Island of Langeland Literally, Langeland translates to “Long Land”. The island is connected to Täsinge by a bridge. H. C. Ørsted, the discoverer of electromagnetism, was born in the main town of Rudkøbing. North at Tranekær lies TICKON, a peaceful wooded sculpture park. To the south is fascinating Langelands Fort, a Cold War listening station with cannons, bunkers, planes and a U.-boat. To the south, Ristinge and Bagenkop both have excellent bathing beaches.

Valdemars Slot is one of Denmark’s oldest private owned castles

Gåsetorvet at Brogade on Langeland

Feature image (on top): From Marstal

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Sweden’s Famous Icehotel 2021 Has Been Decorated By 32 Artists From 13 Different Countries Text Tor Kjolberg

The brand new Royal suite is designed by Prince Carl Philip Bernadotte of Sweden and his business partner Oscar Kylberg. Sweden’s Famous Icehotel 2021 has been decorated by 32 artists from 13 different countries. The world’s most unique hotel is made entirely from ice and snow. Swedish Lapland’s Icehotel is one of the most famous and innovative places you can ever dream of staying. In parallel with Icehotel 31 melting and returning to its origins in Torne River, the jury, led by the hotel’s creative director, Luca Roncoroni, selected the 16 artist teams that will have the opportunity to create their art in this season’s Icehotel. The 32nd incarnation has opened with a touch of royal magic. It is undoubtedly one of the coolest hotels in the world. Related: Icehotel Sweden – 30th Years Anniversary

Located 200km north of the Arctic Circle, in the village of Jukkasjarvi, this hotel has been reincarnated into new, breathtaking designs every winter for the last thirty-one years. The 2,870 m2 seasonal hotel consists of 12 art suites, 24 ice rooms and 1 ceremonial hall. Three teams have created suites inside the hotel’s year-round building, Icehotel 365. Open all year-round The deluxe “Midsummer Night’s Dream Suite” features floral elements and plants, a first for the iconic hotel. Bernadotte, the son of Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, founded design agency Bernadotte & Kylberg with his friend, designer Kylberg, in 2012. The 32nd Icehotel opened on the 10 December 2021. The Icehotel is now open all year-round, offering a variety of activities and experiences in both the winter and summer seasons. For

many though, the Icehotel is at its best during the winter months when it is blanketed in snow, the air outside is crisp and cold and the northern lights might make an appearance. Related: Sweden’s Ice Hotel Reopens For A New Season Challenge your perception of reality At Icehotel 32, guests will be able to experience playful rooms, challenge their perception of reality, jump back in time and even feel the power of moving snow and ice. The winter season starts in December until early April. During these months guests can stay in the new, hand carved art suites, or standard ice rooms before the ice melts away and returns to the Torne river. The seasonal art suites are individually designed; each year heralds more inventive and even quirkier designs by artists from all over the world, no two designs are ever the same.

Feature image (on top): Photo by Paulina Holmgren

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Related: The Coldest Hotel In Sweden Icehotel 32 Art and artists

GREAT GATSBY Tomasz Czajkowski, Artist and Designer, Poland | Tomasz Jastrzebski, Architect, Poland

TWELVE ART SUITES ROOM SERVICE Tjåsa Gusfors, Artist and sculptor, Sweden | Ulrika Tallving, Stylist and sculptor, Sweden SACRED GIANT AnnaSofia Mååg, Artist, Sweden | Emilia Elisson, Artist, Sweden | My Flink, Artist and sculptor, Sweden | Oscar Insulander, Sculptor, Sweden

STROBILUS LAND Linda Vagnelind, Artist, Sweden

DIFFERENT NATURES Robert Harding, Sculptor, Spain | Timsam Harding, Artist, Spain BLUE TUNDRA Elisabeth Kristensen, Sculptor, Norway UV Nicolas Triboulot, Artist and designer, France | Fernand Manzi, Designer, France

INOM Henkia, Artist, Chile

GINNUNGAGAP ONOMIAU – Noël Picaper, Architectural Designer, France | Louis Lair de La Motte, Craftsman, France

MOLECULES Anja Kilian, Interior and Textile Designer | Germany Wolfgang Lüchow, Product Designer, Germany

Scheller, Artist and designer, Germany

DICKENSIAN STREET Jonathan Green, Sculptor and Designer, UK | Marnie Green, Sculptor, UK

NO PRESSURE Carl Wellander, Sculptor, Sweden | Malena Wellander, Project manager in culture, Sweden

TO BED WITH THE CHICKENS Edith Van de Wetering, Artist, The Netherlands | Wilfred Stijger, Artist, The Netherlands

The Icehotel is open all year round

Icehotel is undoubtedly one of the coolest hotels in the world.

CEREMONY HALL Marjolein Vonk, Stylist and Art Director, The Netherlands | Maurizio Perron, Sculptor, Italy ART & DELUXES SUITES WANDERLUST Kristina Möckel, Designer and illustrator, Germany | Sebastion

The 32nd incarnation has opened with a touch of royal magic

All images © Icehotel, Sweden

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | ATTRACTIONS SPECIAL

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

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

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

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | ATTRACTIONS SPECIAL

Top Natural Attractions in Norway Text Tor Kjolberg

Hordaland county in Norway includes two of the top natural attractions in Norway, Hardangervidda and Hardanger fjord, Norway’s largest national park and the world’s third longest fjord, respectively. The central mountain plateau in Hardangervidda, Norway’s largest national park is 1,300 meters (4,500ft) above sea level. There are many fine hiking trails, one of which leads past the four giant Husedalen waterfalls which run from the Hardanger plateau down to Sørfjord, an arm of the Hardangerfjord. You can stay overnight in nearby Lofthus or Utne. Related: The Most Famous Waterfall in Norway

Hardangervidda is Norway’s largest national park. Photo: Hardangervidda.no

In days gone by, the fjords provided west Norway’s main transport arteries, and Utne was an important junction between east and west. Its economy once centered on the apple, pear and cherry orchards that still cover the slopes of the Sørfjord; but it was also kept afloat by fishing and its charming painted furniture production which you can still enjoy at the Utne Hotel in Norway. The open-air Hardanger Folk Museum sums up Hardanger life over the past centuries with historic houses, boats, shops and a school. A ferry service connects Utne with Kinsarvik on the east side of Sørfjord, or else Kvanndal, where you can

Utne Hotel. Photo: Hardanger.no

connect with Route 7 to Bergen. Heading northwest on Route 13, you’ll find a beautiful stretch of water,

Eidfjord. It cuts far into the dramatic landscape that includes the beautiful Sykkjedalsfossen waterfall.

Feature image (on top): Husedalen waterfalls. Photo: Hardagervidda.no

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Accomodation

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | ACCOMODATION

New Concealed Gem Resort in Oslo Text Tor Kjolberg

Lily Country Club is a resort set among beautiful acres in rural surroundings 25 minutes’ drive from Oslo or 10 minutes from Oslo Airport Gardermoen. “With 507 spacious rooms and suites, everybody is welcome to our resort,” says Food & Beverage Director Christian Eriksson. The resort opened on the last day in May this year. Owned by Lily Hospitality Group, a division of Norwegian investment group Aker ASA, the estate is surrounded by a glorious 18-hole golf course offering a backdrop of the most magnificent sweeping rural views. Welcome to the new concealed gem resort in Oslo. The resort is the perfect location for both business and leisure stays, close to highway E6 and Oslo Airport Gardermoen. The hotel offers shuttle to and from the airport. The car parking area is fee-based. Business and leisure The business facilities cater from six to 1,000 people and are equally

valuable for weddings, anniversaries, celebrations, business conference meetings, team-building and corporate events. The largest conference hall has a capacity of up to 500 people seated by round tables. The main restaurant, Brasseriet, with beautiful views across the 18th hole at Miklagard golf course, is the perfect venue for lunch or dinner. It offers a formal á la carte menu as well as set menus. You might also like to read: Majestic Luxury in Norway: A Hotel With Fascinating History and TopClass Food and Wine Fine dining The hotel’s 36 chefs have used all their experience to bring home the classic and well-known French and Italian classical tastes that combine and refine quality ingredients from the abundant local areas. “The Brasseriet has also become a restaurant for locals,” says Eriksson and adds, “We’re now planning to extend our offers with more eateries and bars to cater for

guests staying for longer periods.” For lunch, we had juicy chicken tights followed by a light dessert. For dinner we had a tree course meal. For starters we had ecological salmon graved with Løiten Linje Aquavit, burned cucumber emulsion on herbs, aquavit and dill, unhomogenized milk from Røros and fried crumbs from rye bread. The main dish was deer tenderloin with creamed chantarelles, baked potatoes, Brussels sprouts, lingonberry, pommes dauphine and port wine reduction with beurre noisette. For dessert we were served hazelnut & mandarin parfait filled with caramel & oreo crumble. Delicious! However, nothing can beat the abundant breakfast menu where the chefs from time to time prepare their own favorites to give your day the best possible beginning. We enjoyed after drinks by the fireplace in Bar Lilibet. You might also like to read: Magnificent Mountain Hotel in Norway

Feature image (on top): Photo by Nordic Choice Hotels

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

The resort is the perfect location for both business and leisure stays

From the reception. The library in the background.

The largest conference hall has a capacity of up to 500 people seated by round tables

From the conference section

On Sundays in December there will be served traditional Norwegian Christmas food and on request guests will be offered sleigh rides. In summertime visitors can also enjoy the spectacular view over the golf course from the Greenfield Terrace and being served food from the outdoor restaurant. Outside the Library Lounge you will find Courtyard Terrace – a Bellini and Spritz bar where sunbeds and lounge areas invite guests to relax and experience the atmosphere. The Lily Spa When it comes to relax, Lily Country Club welcomes you to the Lily Spa, where you can experience waves of rituals, senses and mystery indoors as well as outdoors. Lily Spa offers a truly holistic approach to making you look and feel fantastic. The spa is the best place to unwind and relax. Whether you’re on a spa break or just want to book for a consultation, professional therapists will be talking to you about

the offerings that can be customized to your needs. Guest rooms The guest rooms at Lily Country Club feature an elevated, modern design that connects you to the energy of the surrounding community. Some rooms also offer a balcony, a private terrace or floor-to-ceiling windows with great views. It is possible to open up the window on all rooms for fresh air. We stayed at room 5036 on the top floor. It is a standard room, but located at a corner of the building, the room offered wonderful views in two directions. All rooms include robes, slippers, coffee machine from Nespresso and other amenities. You may also like to read: Hotel With a Hamptons Atmosphere in Norway Oslo’s new hidden resort gem The tradition of country clubs originated in Scotland, and first appeared in the US in the early 1880s. There they are often private,

closed clubs with golf facilities. Lily’s philosophy goes in the opposite direction and shows the world how to make a proper clubhouse – open, genuine and Norwegian – a sustainable meeting place for everyone. In former times, country clubs had a profound effect on expanding suburbanization and are considered to be the precursor to gated community development. Lily offers high quality content, impressions and comfort – but for everyone. You’ll have a break and find inspiration. Located right by hole 18 at Miklagard golf, an international championship course that has been named Norway’s best by Rolex Golf Guide, this is also an obvious choice for both old as well as new and curious golf enthusiasts. The field is perfect for walks, but don’t be surprised if you’re met by a crowd of alpacas from one of the neighboring farms.

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | ACCOMODATION

Ecological graved salmon

Deer tenderloin

Hazelnut & mandarin parfait

“We’re now planning to extend our offers with more eateries and bars to cater for guests staying for longer periods,” says Eriksson

The Hamma spa. Photo: Nordic Choice

Christmas at Lily Country Club Room 5036. Photo: Nordic Choice Hotels

36 chefs use all their experience to bring home the classic and well-known French and Italian classical tastes that combine and refine quality ingredients from the abundant local areas. Here are some of them on duty.

“The Brasseriet has also become a restaurant for locals,” says Food & Beverage Director Christian Eriksson

View from the room

Don’t be surprised if you’re met by a crowd of alpacas from one of the neighboring farms.w

All photos © Tor Kjolberg/Daily Scandinavian if not otherwise stated.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Photography

Norwegian Ski-jumps Text Tor Kjolberg

Ski-jumping used to be one of the most popular sports in Norway. As a little boy in the 1950s, the Norwegian photographer Espen Tveit (76) was interested in ski jumps – perhaps to a greater extent in the facilities themselves than in the sport that is practiced in them. The photo book Norwegian Skijumps was created after he read that a ski jump on Skiptvedt was to

be demolished. Curious, he traveled to look at it and discovered that the scaffolding looked like an exciting wooden sculpture. This is how Norwegian ski jumps became an art project. Related: The Legendary Norwegian Ski Race Today there are only 200 inrun towers left in the country, most of them on the

road to destruction. During a couple of years photographer Espen Tveit photographed most of them. His black and white photographs, printed in triotone, are mysterious and beautiful. “I have waited for cloudy weather, photographed in rain and climbed in rugged terrain. The old ski-jumps were steeper than the new ones and only few had stairs to climb. I had a standing joke during this period: if

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | PHOTOGRAPHY

anyone asked me how I was doing, I replied that my life had its ups and downs,” said Espen Tveit. Related: Portrait Of A Retired Norwegian Ski Racer He admits that the pictures of the abandoned ski jumps evoke a certain feeling of sadness. The sport of jumping does not have the same popular appeal as it once had. “Several of the jumps have also been demolished since I started the project,” says Tveit. Espen Tveit was born in Drammen in 1945. He grew up in an art and literature-oriented family, became a teacher and studied photography. He says he is an analog photographer who likes to work with series over a long period of time. Related: A Love Letter To Norway’s Winter Wonderland He has published six books: 80-talls runer (Runes from the 80s) 1989, Samtidsarkeologi (Contemporary archeology) 1997, Rite (2001), Fra siden/ Side-Lines (2011), Samtidsarkeologi 2 (2013) and Norwegian Ski-Jumps (2016). The latter published by Journal.

Norwegian ski-jumps. Book cover

Østby ski-jump

Son ski-jump

Skui ski-jump

All images © Espen Tveit, except feature image (on top): Olav Ulland, Gustav Raaum, Alf Engen, and Kjell Stordalen perform a four-person simultaneous ski jump at Sun Valley, Idaho, in December 1948. Credit: courtesy of National Nordic Museum

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Food/Drink Scandinavian Lovage Text Tor Kjolberg

Lovage (Levisticum officinale), although originally a Mediterranean plant, grows wild all over the north. It is a classic example of an old herb that has fallen into disuse among home cooks, though it is often the main flavor used in bouillon cubes. Lovage is not easy to buy, so your best option is to grow it. Learn more about Scandinavian lovage. How it grows Lovage, a huge umbellifer, is a hardy perennial, though short-lived. It can grow up to 2 meters in height, so plant its position in the garden carefully, ideally at the back of a border. Lovage prefers a rich, well-drained soil, but generally needs very little encouragement to grow whether in full sun or partial shade. It dies right back in winter. Related: Scandinavian Herbs Appearance and taste With its hollow stems, lovage bears a passing resemblance to celery, and its flavor is certainly similar, though perhaps celery on speed is the best way to describe its penetrating, slightly citrussy taste. The leaf and very young stalks are the parts used.

sensible kitchen literature tells us should be used sparingly, as it makes hostile takeovers on all other aromas. This is not true, it takes its place nicely beside the other flavors, but it does not hide itself. The taste is slightly

bitter, meaty and herby. It’s lovely if you put a leaf in the water for boiling potatoes, use it with other herbs for soup, or go all the way and make it into a powerful, northern pesto.

Loveage pesto This pesto is perfect as a dressing for new potatoes, as a sauce for grilled meat and fish, or on rye bread with sliced new potatoes – just top with a blob of pesto and scatter with salt flakes. A handful of lovage leaves 100 walnuts, toasted 1 tablespoon lemon juice 100ml extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper

a punch of sugar ½ smallish new garlic bulb I tablespoon capers 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 100g breadcrumbs, toasted

Related: Chervil in Scandinavia

Serves 6

Related: Tarragon in Scandinavia

Whiz everything except the breadcrumbs in a food processor, but not too much as you want a coarse, chunky consistency alternatively you can chop everything up by hand on a board.Simply mix with the crisp crumbs and it’s ready to use.

Culinary uses Lovage is a herb that all good old

Feature image (on top): Photo Store norske leksikon

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FOOD/DRINK

Norwegian Friends Of Aquavit Text Tor Kjolberg

Did you know there is an association of Norwegian Friends of Aquavit? Did you know that there’s an inn in Oslo offering 435 different brands of aquavit? Did you know that the Norwegian official Aquavit Day is on 13 April? These are not fake news, and we invited the president and general manager of the association to meet us at the popular aquavit bar Fyret in Oslo, which is often frequented by popular artists and locals who enjoy eating, drinking and chatting there. Learn more about the Norwegian Friends of Aquavit. According to general manager Lars Ole Ørjasæter, Friends of Norwegian Aquavits is a cultural organization aiming to develop knowledge about Norwegian aquavits, create synergy between Norwegian food and aquavit, and not least increase the number of good meetings around the table. The organization was founded in 1999 and has about 7,500 members, all of them more than average interested in food & drink. New members are welcome! Selected aquavits Elisabeth Gjestland was elected the organization’s president in 2020. She tells us that that there are 35 distilleries in Norway and that her favorite is Meir signed by Ivan Abrahamsen, which has a subdued taste but still is rich in spices. The caraway is creating lot of Christmas aromas. She considers it a very comfortable all-rounder which can be safely placed on the table for all types of Christmas food.

The most famous aquavit is Linie. In 1805 the Norwegian Lysholm family sent a shipment of their potato spirits to East Indies. There people were totally uninterested in buying it, so the aquavit was sailed back to Norway. On its return in 1807, it was discovered that the sea voyage had vastly improved the taste. The Norwegian aquavit has some key differences from the Danish and Swedish ones. To be named “Norwegian aquavit”, it must be made only from potato spirits. Norwegian distillers call potatoes the grapes of the north! It is always aged in wood, mainly sherry casks, and should never be served freezing cold but in room temperature.

Traditionally aquavit has been a men’s drink and in particular during the holiday season together with traditional Norwegian Christmas food. In later years, the aquavit is considered an all-year-round drink. “I never liked bacalao before I tasted aquavit,” says Kaja Moreite Nørholm Tinderholt, owner and manager of Fyret. “Now I enjoy both bacalao and the many new tastes of the spirit.” Her heart’s desire is to get more people to open their eyes to aquavit. There are a variety of brands and flavors out there, and many distilleries focus on flavors for summer – and ladies. We asked the trio about their favorite aquavits and they did not hesitate to answer: Bohemens jul (The Bohemian’s Christmas), Flåklypa Special,

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

The trio’s favorites: : Bohemens jul (The Bohemian’s Christmas), Flåklypa Special, Kjellermesterens Premium Reserve and Lysholm Linie Double Cask Sherry/Port.

6 Interesting facts about Norwegian Aquavit 1. Sustainable production Back in the days, shortage of grains prompted farmers to start growing potatoes instead.

convivial rollicking atmosphere. Kaja’s father is an educated chef – and a recognized musician and the menu at Welcome to Fyret (The ;Lighthouse) at Yongstorget Fyret is inspired from in Oslo. Photo: Fyret Danish smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches). There’s Kjellermesterens Premium Reserve and Lysholm Linie Double Cask Sherry/ live blues music last Monday of every Port.

This led to a sustainable practice where the potatoes themselves were used for food and the potato peels distilled for spirits, which in turn yielded a byproduct that were fed to the cows improving their milk production (no wonder aquavit and cheese go so well together). Modern aquavit production still uses ingredients that would otherwise be discarded: inedible potatoes, peels and other leftovers. 2. «Norwegian Aquavit» is a protected name “Norwegian aquavit” is a protected name, on par with the French Cognac. It must be made of potato spirits distilled in Norway from minimum 95% Norwegian potatoes, and aged in oak barrels for at least six months. It must

Personally, as a curiosity, I find this year’s Fandens korona (The Devil’s Corona) an appropriate drink during the present calamity. The scene at Fyret is dimly lit and looks a little like a scene from a Flemish painting. Kaja took over her father’s barkeep in 2016. Fyret was founded in 1997 (25 years anniversary next year!) At that time, the Youngstorget (Young’s Square) was slightly spookier than today; scarcely lighted with a different audience placed just below the Oslo Central Police station and prisons. Today, many of the regulars are radio celebrities, musicians and artists enjoying their beers, aquavits and the

Kaja has a lot of humor. The text says, ‘Remember, your body is not a temple only, but also an month. amusement park’

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FOOD/DRINK

General Manager Lars Ole Ørjasæter

Owner and manager of Fyret, Kaja Moreite Nørholm Tinderholt

Aquavit selection at Fyret. Photo: Fyret

meal or occasion. Fyret in Oslo is the leading aquavit bar in Norway, offering 435 different labels. President of Norwegian Friends of Aquavit, Elisabeth Gjestland

also contain caraway or dill seeds as the main spices. 3. Aquavit’s signature spice, caraway, can cure unfaithful husbands The spices used in aquavit distillation were originally chosen based on their medical effects on the body and to hide unwanted taste from bad distillation. People thought that red plants were good for the blood, heart-shaped leaves good for the heart and so forth. Carraway, though, was thought to exhibit a more interesting effect: It could purportedly cure unfaithful husbands. 4. Aquavit has become a trendy drink for all occasions Traditionally, aquavit was enjoyed icecold at Christmas time, but nowadays, it’s being served year-round. Bartenders both in Norway and abroad have taken an affinity to aquavit as a drink ingredient, and you can find aquavit that’s suitable for nearly any

5. Aquavit is only sold in Monopoly shops Over the course of the 19th century, people became increasingly aware of the damaging effects of alcohol, in particular the social problems of poverty and domestic violence that followed in its wake. In 1916, the sale of hard liquor was prohibited, except for medical use.

In 1923, no fewer than 1,8 million prescriptions for liquor were issued. After the prohibition era Norway still limits the sale of liquor, including aquavit, to a chain of specialist stores known as “Vinmonopolet” (‘the wine monopoly’). 6. The official Norwegian Aquavit Day is on 13 April. Aquavit is almost exclusively a Scandinavian thing, but is increasingly accepted as a worthy drink all over the world. Merry Christmas and Cheers – Skål!

Sign stating, ‘Next to immorality and dishonesty, the thing I hate the most is small dram glasses’. P. Sundnæs, Bishop. Photo: Fyret

text and photos by Tor Kjolberg (except where otherwise stated). Feature image (on top) photo by Fyret.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Society Styles of Handwriting in Denmark Text Rossana Yoder

Denmark is a wonderful Scandinavian country that has approximately 400 different islands in the North Sea. Denmark is considered a connection between the Scandinavian areas and European countries. This Scandinavian country is known for its simplicity, open-minded and outgoing people, rich culture, marvelous architecture, and complicated language. In Denmark do not hurry and take their time to live their best lives drinking a cup of coffee with their friends. Read why you should start learning Danish and learn more about styles of handwriting in Denmark. Danish people know what they want from life and love being on their own thinking about their life and planning the future. When you come to Denmark, you get into the worlds where modernity and ancient history are combined in architecture, language, culture, traditions, and so on. Traveling in Denmark and learning their native language and its history will take you on an exciting historical tour where you can explore the rich culture of the Danish people and what makes them so special. The history of the Danish language Generally, the Danish language has appeared at the beginning of the 8th century coming from the Germanic group of languages. Initially, all Scandinavian countries had a common language that was called Proto-Norse

that was later named Old Norse. With time, this language went through plenty of transformations and changes. The development of the language was so rapid so not all Scandinavian countries were reached with these changes that cause differences in Scandinavian languages now. As a result, two dialects were created – Old West and Old East Norse which currently are Danish and Swedish. If from the beginning the difference was not visible enough, then today there are about 6 million people speaking the Danish language and consider it to be their native. Currently, Danish is the official language of all territories that

are owned by the country. It is an interesting fact that many people living in Germany speak Danish as their primary language. Old East Norse and Runic Danish As we have already figured out, the Danish language is quite similar to Swedish but also has its peculiarities and dialects. If previously the languages were named Old East or West, then now people usually call it Runic Danish and Runic Swedish in the meaning of old, ancient. Danish Today Despite Denmark not being a huge country its language is vital and popular among students of different European countries. However, these days the Danish language is not considered to be official as the

Illustrations by rawpicles.com

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | SOCIETY

country is ready to adopt any of the languages that people want and know. Although, it is an official language from documents, courts, governmental facilities, banking, and so on. However, it is still not clear why Denmark has no official language, maybe because of the historical unity with the Swedish language. The History of Danish Writing Let’s dive into the history of the Danish language a little bit more. Old East Norse or Danish is usually called Runic because some letters and signs from the Danish language were included in the ancient Runic alphabet long ago. The Danish language has got lots of changes and transformations with the appearance of the Latin language. As a result, Runic letters were partially replaced by Latina and Denish became a combination of these two languages. Fraktur Types Fraktur is a group of fonts related to the Latin language that was gaining momentum in Danish in the 19th century. Fraktur includes lots of black letters which are also called gothic. Exactly these fon types were used in many books written in the Danish language, so we can surely say that these Franktur types are peculiar for Denmark and the Latin language as well. The Danish Spelling Reform As we have already figured out, the Danish language is based on the Latin language with some additional

Runic Danish. Illustration: Store norske leksikon

letters. 1948 was the year the spelling reform of the Danish language. This reform has introduced the letter å instead of “aa” from Swedish and Norwegian dialects. Currently, this letter is practically not used in Danish handwriting but you can still notice it in some documents and some cities’ names. Moreover, the Danish spelling reform has introduced new words into the language transforming these words from English, for example:

skulde – should vilde – would kunde – could As you could notice, the Danish language is a combination of several languages that influenced its handwriting and alphabet including German, Swedish, Norwegian. The Danish language is rather complicated and consists of simple and clear letters as well as complicated letters that are spelled differently to English and German. In addition, some letters are spelled

Despite Denmark not being a huge country its language is vital and popular among students of different European countries. Photo: dis.org

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

quality of education in Denmark shows great results and high-grade quality recognized by many European and other countries. Denmark is the country of opportunities where you can have unforgettable and valuable experiences and insights that you can use in your personal and professional life. By learning the Danish language, you are going to expand your network of friends and you can meet and communicate with new people, share your experience and listen to their stories. It is great when you can speak with your new friends in their native Danish language despite it not being an official language in Denmark. Fraktur is a group of fonts related to the Latin language that was gaining momentum in Danish in the 19th century

similarly so it is not always understood what the word means. Why should you start learning Danish? If you still hesitate if you need to start learning the Danish language, or not, then the answer will definitely be yes. Not many foreign people decide to start learning some of the Scandinavian difficult languages as it is confusing and partially hard. We would like to prove to you that this language is really special and unique. So many people speak the Danish language as their native or second language despite the place of their living. According to writing services company reviews, the number of these people reaches 6 million people all over the world showing the popularity and demand for the language.

Learning Danish immerses you into a huge and rich culture and history of Denmark, making you familiar with the foundation of its culture, language, and its development, tradition, and peculiarities that only Danish people have. The future stands for Scandinavian countries so learning the Danish language can be useful for your education and future career. Denmark is growing and developing rapidly being on the same page with innovations. The more languages you are proficient in, the more job opportunities you will get. Denmark is considered to be one of the best and most privileged countries to go for in exchange education programs there. As the

Styles of handwriting in Denmark, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Rossana Yoder. Rossana is a professional content writer, copywriter, content strategist, and communications consultant. She started young with her writing career from being a high school writer to a university editor, and now she is a writer in professional writing platforms— her years of expertise have honed her skills to create compelling and results-driven content every single time.

Styles of handwriting in Denmark – To sum up There are numerous ways you can start learning the Danish language and the peculiarities of its handwriting, especially its extensive rich history of the foundation. Essay writing company reviews show that you can visit educational offline and online courses, find native speakers on social media and get acquainted with them, take part in Danish scholarships and student exchange programs, and so on. However, the most effective way of learning a new language is to visit the country and live there for some time to have the opportunity to be in the place where this language was created, learn how it was created, and find out tips on how to easily learn the Danish language from the Danish people.

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | CATEGORY HERE

The Danish Library In Which You Can Borrow A Person Text Tor Kjolberg

Denmark’s Human Library is a unique social learning platform where the books are bodies and the tales are told by the real-life characters that lived them. Learn more about the Danish library in which you can borrow a person. The Human Library is a registered international not for profit organization with administrative headquarters located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The secretariat is open on all weekdays daily from 10 am to 4 pm and can be reached via phone or email.

lifestyle choices, etc. These judgements are most frequently made by people who do not try to understand the individual standing in front of them and what their story is. “I come to The Human Library because I want to give people awareness that behind my conditions, I’m a person,” explained Fransen, who has three titles in his human catalogue, including one called ’Special Handicap’. You might also like to read: Making and Circulation of Nordic Models, Ideas and Images

Dedicated to ensuring global implementation The Human Library Organization (HLO) is dedicated to ensuring a global implementation of the Human Library as a learning platform. HLO is currently operational on six continents and hosts or is involved in activities in more than 80 countries. HLO also has the privilege of working with some of the larger brands in the world, helping them with their diversity and inclusion efforts. The Human Library (Menneskebiblioteket) was created

A safe space for dialogue The library offers a safe space for dialogue, giving individuals the chance to ‘un-judge’ someone. Blind and hearing-impaired Andes Fransen also has a rare genetic condition that reduces his ability to sweat. “In my everyday life, it can be hard to connect with people,” said the 37-year-old. “I think they are afraid of things that are different from what they are used to.” Too often, people face discrimination and prejudice stemming from stereotypes and stigmas surrounding their beliefs, ethnic origins, diagnoses, Too often, people face discrimination and prejudice stemming from stereotypes and stigmas surrounding their beliefs, ethnic origins, diagnoses, lifestyle choices, etc.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Ronni Abergel

in Copenhagen by Ronni Abergel and his brother Dany and colleagues Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen. It was first staged at Denmark’s Roskilde music festival. Today, you can select a book (i.e. a person) and borrow it for thirty minutes. During this time, you can listen to the person’s story and ask them all types of questions. On its website, the library explains that it acts as a safe space for dialogue and people are thus encouraged to ask everything they want to know.

On 10 October, the Human Library Organization held an event in its Reading Garden in Copenhagen.

You might also like to read: The Swedish Women’s Lobby Wide selection of topics to choose from On 10 October, the Human Library Organization held an event in its Reading Garden in Copenhagen. There, it gave people a wide selection of books to choose from as the program consisted of the following titles: OCD, PTSD, Misophonia, Lonely, Victim of Incest, Sexually Abused, Deaf-Blind, Rare Handicap, Bisexual, Craving Human Touch, Early Retired, Recovered Alcoholic, Bullied, High IQ, and Giving Child Up for Adoption. “We looked for people that were homeless, unemployed, depressed,

In a period when face-to-face communication has been hard to come by, many will find The Human Library valuable as well as being educational.

had mental health issues, had certain disabilities, they could help educate us,” explained Ronni Abergel. You might also like to read: The Danish Way Events in over 80 countries In a period when face-to-face communication has been hard to come by, many will find this connectivity

valuable as well as being educational. To date, the Human Library has held events in over 80 countries in libraries, museums, festivals, conferences, schools, and universities. What is more, it offers diversity training for companies that seek to raise social and cultural awareness at the workplace.

All images (c) The Human Library

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | SOCIETY

Common Expenses When Moving To Scandinavia Text Tor Kjolberg

Moving always comes with expenses, but moving to, and getting situated in, a new country is a bit different. And while it’s good to come prepared when it comes to all the practical aspects of moving to a new country, it can be tricky to cover all your bases, because you are often not aware of what you might be missing. Regardless of the country in Scandinavia, you are moving to, there will both be expected and unexpected expenses. Learn more about common expenses when moving to Scandinavia, and let’s take moving to Norway as an example. Moving to a new country is always exciting, but there are certain expenses that you might not have accounted for, and we want to give you some inside information that might help you be better prepared.

Finding a place to live is one of the obvious expenses connected to a move. Photo: Francesca Tosolini/Unsplash

Buying and renting in Norway Finding a place to live is one of the obvious expenses connected to a move, but regardless of how much research you might have done, it’s not unlikely that you will be surprised not only by the rent in Norway but also the expenses! The deposit, the electricity bill, and heating are very expensive and

it’s not uncommon to be taken aback by this. Related: Doing Business in Norway One of the options to choose from when you need some help with unexpected costs of moving is consumer loans, and you can get an overview of cheap consumer loans online. And this is not just true for people relocating to Norway, lots of Norwegians also have consumer loans for various reasons. If you find the best option for you and are sure that you can afford the loan, this can be a good solution. Food prices One of the most outrageously expensive aspects of living in Norway is the cost of food. This is something that many think they are prepared for, as it’s something the country is known for internationally, but seeing just how expensive things are, is quite a shock for many people. So, come prepared with a shopping list and a weekly budget and you’ll be ready. Related: Tips for Buying a Home in Sweden Living expenses are in general very high in Norway, and the price of food is part of the reason why, so this is something to be aware of when you first move to Norway so that you can plan better. Health care Despite health care being technically

free in Norway, the country differs from both Denmark and Sweden in that you must pay for part of your treatments and doctor’s appointments. This means that you pay every time you see a doctor, have your blood drawn, need to go to the hospital, or in some other way is in need of assistance from the health care system. Related: Norway – World’s Best Democracy You only pay a maximum of a set amount that changes every year, but it’s good to have some extra money set aside for this, in case you need it. Being prepared is always the most important part when it comes to financial overview and the ability to pay what’s needed to access the services and products you need in life.

One of the most outrageously expensive aspects of living in Norway is the cost of food. Photo: Boxed >Water Is Better/Unsplash

It’s good to have some extra money set aside for health care in Norway, in case you need it. Photo: Online Marketing/Unsplash Feature image (on top) photo by Mathieu Stern / Unsplash

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Business

Swedish Acoustic Felt Is A Next Generation Textile Text Lisa Baumgartel

Made from upcycled and 100% traceable post-production textiles in partnership with The Loop Factory, Swedish BAUX Acoustic Felt is a next generation textile. As one of BAUX’s founding fathers and the creative director of an award-winning industrial design studio, John Löfgren knows a thing or two about pushing boundaries. Read the story written by Lisa Baumgartel.

into words, John describes it as ‘purpose driven with a twist and wit’. ‘The foundation has always been function,’ he explains. ‘But, if we can add to it with features that have never been applied before in a certain context, then we’re onto something.’ Related: Stockholm-based Design Studio Forms Us With Love

The design team at Form Us With Love is a linchpin at BAUX when it comes to driving the never- ending pursuit of new ways to create impact in the acoustics industry with forwardthinking materials and production techniques.

So, when we, at BAUX, set out to create our first ever felt product, in a market where felt is ubiquitous, our puzzle was clear: How can we offer something new, that pushes boundaries both in terms of greater levels of sustainability and features the market hasn’t seen before?

Purpose driven with a twist and wit. Asked to put BAUX’s design aesthetic

‘Felt has been on our radar since day two,’ says John. ‘Felt has great

absorptive qualities, lovely shaping properties and is aesthetically warm and appealing. But if we’re going to make products at all, they need to be future proof.’ To create a felt product in alignment with BAUX values, our design team would have to address one critical issue that was holding not only BAUX, but the entire acoustic industry back from creating a truly sustainable felt product. Related: Swedish Designers Change the Way Companies Think About Waste Traceable origin ‘The problem is that it’s often hard to locate the origin of recycled materials,’ explains John. ‘The market hasn’t put enough demands on businesses yet.’

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | BUSINESS

Felt for industrial applications has traditionally been made from a mix of synthetic material fibres. While it’s easy for acoustic product designers to simply select recycled materials, it’s difficult to pinpoint their origin. Without control over the stream of material components, they risk sourcing from a corrupt supply and, contrary to original intentions, can wind up producing more plastic and compromising circularity. Related: Exporting Trash To Stockholm Why? ‘We ultimately decided to come out with a felt product for two reasons,’ says John ‘The first is that we, together with our suppliers, have secured a completely traceable source from other industrial production facilities which would otherwise be discarded as waste and burnt at a power plant. We have control over what our recycled products contain and that is the first step in becoming circular, which is our long-term goal.’ ‘The second reason is that felt lets us tap into design possibilities we haven’t explored much before,’ he continues. ‘It enables us to offer a more flexible product range that can easily be manoeuvred to fit different kinds of acoustic landscapes.’ Alongside high sustainability ambitions, the BAUX Felt range places great emphasis on function. Flexible and easy to handle, each modular component has been designed as part of an efficient system that can be quickly scaled up or down. Everything connects together with a minimal number of hardware pieces which have been standardized to ensure effortless setup and less waste in production. Flexible and easy to handle Alongside high sustainability ambitions, the BAUX Felt range places

great emphasis on function. Flexible and easy to handle, each modular component has been designed as part of an efficient system that can be quickly scaled up or down. Everything connects together with a minimal number of hardware pieces which have been standardised to ensure effortless setup and less waste in production.

share our learnings along the way. A journey of cooperation “This is a journey that needs to be pushed by everybody involved—users, buyers, creators and the industrial sector. Instead of chasing short-term business goals, we need to learn from each other and push things forward for the greater good.”

‘The BAUX Felt range solves most issues that an office needs to address today and tomorrow, and pushes boundaries in terms of what’s business-as-usual,’ says John. ‘And, just as with all BAUX collections, when you invest in a BAUX Felt system, you can be sure it’s going to ‘The BAUX Felt range solves most issues that an office needs to address today and tomorrow, and pushes boundaries in terms of what’s business-asusual,’ says John. ‘And, just as with all BAUX collections, when you invest in a BAUX Felt system, you can be sure it’s going to last. We’re making it easy to update, replace and extend all the components so the system keeps up with your needs over a vast period of time.’ But our ambitions don’t stop here. At BAUX, our long- term goal is to make the acoustic system 100% circular, and we plan to

A Stella McCartney store in Houston that uses BAUX sound solutions. Credit: Beaux

John Löfgren

Photo: Jonas Lindström

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

How & Why to Startup a Business in Sweden Text Ainsley Lawrence

The global marketplace is more accessible to entrepreneurs and their startups than ever before. This doesn’t just mean you’re limited to just gaining customers from different countries. It is also more practical to run your business in another country entirely. Sweden is among the most popular geographical targets for startups at the moment. Scandinavia may not have been at the forefront of your mind when considering locations. But placing your focus here can help inform the success of your burgeoning company. There are several elements to consider when deciding to take your startup abroad. Let’s run through why Sweden can be a positive choice alongside the practical actions you need to take to make the idea a reality. Why Choose Sweden? With a global marketplace to choose from, why is it a good idea to choose Sweden? Among the key incentives are: An Entrepreneurial Environment There have been changes in the country’s business infrastructure over the last few decades. This has created an environment that empowers startups to thrive. A process of deregulation following the financial crisis in the 1990s brought in a series

of measures designed to encourage private competition. Sweden has a low corporation tax rate of 22%. There is also legislation to block mergers of large corporations. This makes for a landscape in which small enterprises can not just function but have a good chance of growth. A Thriving Tech Scene Sweden has gained a reputation as the Silicon Valley of Europe. This is the result of a tech-positive approach within the culture. A government initiative in the 1990s committed to putting a computer in every Swedish home. There has also been a consistent focus on building fast and stable networks and encouraging citizens to learn to code. As such, this is a country of tech innovations. Skype, Minecraft, SoundCloud, and Spotify were all founded in Sweden. If yours is a tech startup, you’ll find a professional community that pushes one another to thrive. Related: Scandinavian High School Dropout Has Sold Online Tutoring for $360K Prepare the Basics In some ways, forming a startup in Sweden is much the same as anywhere else in the world. There are basic steps for getting your small business up and running and to lay solid foundations for growth. These include formulating

a well-researched business plan, securing funding, and outlining the resources you need in your first years. However, you may find some difficulties in how to adjust some details of these basics to be relevant in Sweden. As part of your business plan, it’s always important to gain perspectives on the markets and where you fit into them. While Sweden may be considered generally one of the best places in the world to form a startup, it’s still subject to market variances. You can certainly perform some of your research online. But you can get highquality up-to-date data by contacting the local “branschorganisation” (trade association) for your industry. Finances may also be problematic. Lenders in your home country are likely to be reluctant to provide funding for a venture abroad. The good news is if you’re choosing to move to Sweden to run your startup there are sources you may be able to utilize. Almi Företagspartner AB is a stateoperated organization that provides small to mid-sized company loans and microloans. Related: The Startup Kingdom: How Denmark Became an Entrepreneur’s Paradise Consider Remote Operations

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | BUSINESS

have rights to parental leave, holiday, and pension contributions from their employers too. You need to familiarize yourself with these so you don’t inadvertently fall afoul of regulations. It’s worth checking out the Swedish government’s translations of employment law to make a positive start here.

Sweden has gained a reputation as the Silicon Valley of Europe

Even before COVID-19, remote operations were popular in Sweden. In 2019, 30% of employees worked from home. This has risen in light of the pandemic and is expected to continue beyond it. As such, it’s worth considering how to make your startup fit for remote working processes. This approach can present various points of security vulnerability. You may find your small business is at risk of severe negative consequences if you overlook strict cybersecurity measures. Make certain there is an information technology (IT) professional on your staff. They must have experience in designing and implementing network security. Implement safe online behavior training for your remote staff through elearning modules. Even access to virtual private networks (VPNs) to keep your staff’s home networks secure can be effective. Adhere to Local Regulations Some of the most challenging aspects of starting any business are the legislative and regulatory aspects. This begins with some key legal documents most companies

need to possess whether you’re a small or global enterprise. A memorandum of association (known as a stiftelseurkund in Sweden) is one of the first you’ll have to draw up if your startup is a new limited company. Alongside ensuring these documents are legally compliant, you should make certain they are available in both your native language and translated accurately to Swedish. Sweden also requires business owners to possess certain permits. Some of these will be familiar safety inspections and certifications. Others are more unusual. For instance, in retail, you have to use a legallycompliant cash register. Some of these will be specific to the industry or profession you’re entering, so it’s important to do your research on which permits you’ll need. It’s also vital to remember Sweden takes its employee rights very seriously. The Employment Protection Act outlines regulations for the 4 acceptable types of fixed contract employment. This includes one about handling employees that are over the age of 67. Swedish employees

How & Why to Startup a Business in Sweden – Conclusion Sweden is considered one of the best places in the world to create a startup, particularly in tech fields. However, it’s important to understand how your basic planning needs to be adjusted to meet Swedish standards. With a growing demand for remote work, it’s worth adopting tools and professionals to make sure your business is fit for purpose. There are some complex local regulations to follow. But these are designed to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. With some preparation and commitment, you can join the thriving culture of successful small entrepreneurs in Sweden.

Sweden requires business owners to possess certain permits

How & Why to Startup a Business in Sweden, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Ainsley Lawrence. Ainsley is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. She is interested in better living through technology and education. She is frequently lost in a good book.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Fine Art/Music

The Immensely Popular Masked Norwegian YouTuber Text Tor Kjolberg

Norwegian-British Alan Walker is one of the most lucrative artists in Norway today. He has created his own unique gaming-inspired, future dystopian universe. He uses drones and solar storms and his followers call themselves Walkers. Now, the masked YouTuber has released a new album “World of Walkers. Alan Olav Walker was born in 1997, with Norwegian mother and British dad. From the very beginning Alan was interested in computers, and in particular programming and designing. In 2012, Walker was listening to a song by Italian DJ David Whistle (also known as DJ Ness) and reached out to him to find out how he produced his music.

Also inspired by film composers like Hans Zimmer and Steve Jablonsky, he started producing music on his laptop and started his career under the name DJ Walkzz. Related: World Music From Norway Learning music through YouTube tutorials Alan was new to music, so he started learning music through YouTube tutorials; eventually, he started uploading his music on SoundCloud and YouTube and improved his music based on listener feedback. After 2 years, in 2014, when he was 17 years old, he released his new song “Fade”. However, the song didn’t get popular

until it was re-released by NCS (No Copywrite Sounds) the following year, and this time it became the most popular video on NCS. “Faded” was certified platinum in 14 countries and his following songs attracted millions of views. The single also left him with a BRIT awards nomination for Song of the Year, as well as a Norwegian Grammy win in the same category. Now, he used his designing experience to create his own logo. Evil tongues spread the rumor that the high numbers were only due to Walker choosing to publish the music free of charge, that the song could be used for free, and thus spread on a much larger scale than it would otherwise

Feature image (on top): From Walker’s Aviation Tour.

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FINE ART/MUSIC

do. Walker replied that he only wanted to make something people liked to listen to. Related: Streaming Music Booming in Scandinavia Finishing his first trilogy In 2016, he performed his first live in Norway’s winter x game; till this time, he had released many songs, and again in 2016, he released a new song, Sing Me to Sleep, featuring female vocalist Iselin Solheim, the same vocalist as in “Faded”. The song topped iTunes charts in 7 countries. Its music video on YouTube has over 570 million views, and it also reached 250 million plays on Spotify. Another single titled “Alone” was also released same year, incorporating uncredited Swedish singer Noonie Bao. The music video on YouTube has over 1 billion views and the track also gained over 390 million plays on Spotify. The song was described as “the final piece of a trilogy consisting of ‘Faded’, ‘Sing Me To Sleep’ and ‘Alone’” by Gunnar Greeve, Walker’s manager and co-writer for the single. After building a massive socialfollowing and releasing a string of successful singles like Alone and Darkside, collaborating with artists like Ava Max, Noah Cyrus, Sia, Bruno Mars and Coldplay, the chart-topping debut album Different World arrived in late 2018, amassing over 3,2 billion streams on Spotify. Related: Meet Norwegian Electro Pop Star Jerry Folk The most subscribed channel in Norway At the beginning of 2017, Walker’s YouTube channel became the most subscribed channel registered in Norway, after passing about 4.5 million subscribers, and had the most

Alan was new to music, so he started learning music through YouTube tutorials. Photo: pm Studio

views among Norwegian YouTubers at around 7.7 billion views as of 25 January 2020. Between February and April, he toured around America, including attending the Euphoria Festival in Texas. In 2019, Alan’s music video ”Diamond Heart” received a nomination for Best Cinematography at the Berlin Music Video Awards. His music video for ”Heading Home” featuring Ruben appears on the festival’s 2021 Silver Screenings selection list.

has between 200 and 300 travel days a year, which has triggered Pandion membership with SAS / Star Alliance. The level is above the official memberships, and there is no information on what triggers it. Alan Walker does not know either.

A traveling artist Alan has played over 600 headlining shows and festivals to date, including Coachella and Tomorrowland, in addition to selling out his worldwide arena tours Aviation Tour. He

With over 115 million followers across his social platforms, 89.7 billion YouTube views, and a staggering 50 billion audio and video streams, the young artist from Bergen seems to have a bright future ahead of him.

Walker has almost secured himself a permanent position on the top 100 list on Spotify since he broke through, together with another Norwegian artist, Kygo, also from Bergen.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Labradorite From Norway: A True Scandinavian Treasure Text Ainsley Lawrence

The almost supernatural blue/violet/ green/golden tinge of labradorite is a quality that makes it popular among jewelry lovers and those into healing crystals and stones. Indeed, those who believe in the power of labradorite believe it can reduce blood pressure and help promote relaxation. Labradorite is also thought to boost lung health and aid in digestion, metabolism, and other processes. Learn more about Labradorite from Norway which is A True Scandinavian Treasure.

Labradorite abounds in Norwegian rocks in the southeast, in the area around Langesund. Photo: Mindfulsouls

Most labradorite is mined in Madagascar, but it is also found in a handful of additional countries, one of which is Norway. What is the history of this gemstone in Norway and what are its main uses today? Labradorite in Norway’s South Eastern Region Labradorite abounds in Norwegian rocks in the southeast, in the area around Langesund. This area is around 150km south of Oslo. Access to the mines is easy, which enables large amounts of this stone to be mined and sent abroad. Labradorite is sometimes mistaken for Larvikite, which is found primarily in the Larvik Fjord region. LarvIkite is a rock rather than a gemstone, though it can sometimes

Today, labradorite is used by fine and demi-fine jewelry designers alike. Photo: Suns Crystal Bead Supply

Feature image (on top): This pair of labradorites (32.64 carats total weight) exhibits the full range of spectral colors available to labradorite, from red though violet. In the stone on the left, you can see the lamellar structure that results in the changing colors of labradorite. Photo Mia Dixon, credit Pala International.

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | FINE ART/MUSIC

Labradorite abounds in Norway, especially in northeastern areas. Photo: Steinhaugen, Moss

look like labradorite, since light bounces off it and refracts around its surfaces. The multi-hued gemstone can also be found in Rogaland (which is home to an impressive nine Labradorite mines) and in the area close to Tromsø. The History of Labradorite Mining Labradorite can actually be found in various Nordic countries in Northern Europe. In Finland, the gemstone was discovered by soldiers who were planting explosives against the Russians. Some of these explosions unearthed the captivating unearthly gemstone, as well as a rare variety known as Spectrolite. The latter is a type of labradorite that has a high degree of ‘labradorescence’ (the flashes of iridescent color that

refract off the gemstone’s surface). Labradorescence is a quality emulated by gemstone cutters. Freeform cutters take years to perfect their craft so that they can deeply understand minerals and their character. The process of turning a raw gemstone into a fully polished one can take months, but the result is more than worth it when it comes to capturing the unique ‘fire’ of labradorite gemstones. The Uses of Labradorite Today, labradorite is used by fine and demi-fine jewelry designers alike. Its bluish hue is usually complemented by yellow or rose gold in items like rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Labradorite is also sold as individual crystals, with many having impressive sizes (as large as the palm of one’s hand or larger). Red, green, and watermelon are the

Labradorite From Norway: A True Scandinavian Treasure, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Karoline Gore. Karoline is a freelance writer from Stoke on Trent in the UK who left the corporate grind when she started a family and has never looked back. She enjoys contributing to a range of online publications on the topics that are important to her.

preferred hues for this stone since they are very rare. Its most common hue is champagne/gold though bluish-violet tones are also popular. Norwegian labradorite is used by top jewelers (such as international brand Monica Vinader) owing to its purity. Some gemstones obtained from China and Congo is under suspicion of being heated, diffused, or irradiated to obtain a red/orange or green color— as stated by the International Gem Society’s Jeff R. Graham. Labradorite abounds in Norway, especially in northeastern areas. This gem is famed for its stunning iridescence and multicolored hues. It can be found in various colors, including blue, violet, green, gold, red, watermelon, and more.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Design

Beosound A1 is the perfect portable speaker with loud and captivating bass rich sound, designed to be shared by everyone around

Danish Rhythm Of A Heartbeat text based on a press release from Bang & Olufsen

Luxury audio brand Bang & Olufsen and fashion brand CLOT collaborate to create a limited-edition Beosound A1 speaker. CLOT is a creative movement that injects life and character into the idea of bridging the East and West. Bang & Olufsen is an iconic brand with a proud heritage of innovative sound combined with unrivalled craftsmanship and design. Together, they bring a new beat that celebrates the vitality of life, music and Chinese culture. Danish rhythm of a heartbeat wrapped in Chinese fashion. “Bang & Olufsen and CLOT share a passion for modern craftsmanship and premium materials. CLOT’s goal of bridging cultures through experiences and sensations to a new

generation resonates with our own mission to design sound that sparks the senses for the ultimate listening experience”, says Christoffer Poulsen, SVP of Product Management & Brand Partnering at Bang & Olufsen.

culture arises as art, knowledge and music, evolving and radiating outwards like a pulsating heart.

Exciting partnership In this exciting partnership, the two brands have drawn creative inspiration from the origin and meaning behind the name CLOT, which was inspired by Jamaican reggae music. CLOT Founder and Creative Director, Edison Chen, was particularly drawn to the life force of blood for this creative concept. CLOT represents a movement that brings together brands, creativity and cultures. From these shared connections, a common

“The rhythm of a heartbeat is like music – it’s everyone’s beat, everyone’s being. Our heart pumps blood, and our blood runs our system. It’s like the making of music and the making of art, which is actually human nature. Being able to work with Bang & Olufsen and start a journey on product creation has been fun. This is the first step and hopefully we will have a lot more products to come.” says Edison Chen, Founder and Creative Director of CLOT.

Related: Listen To The Danish Future Of Sound

SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY | DESIGN

nearly a century, Bang & Olufsen has been pushing the boundaries of audio technology and the company continues to sit at the forefront of acoustic innovation.

CLOT Founder and Creative Director, Edison Chen, was particularly drawn to the life force of blood for this creative concept

Color red holds significance in traditional Chinese culture To realize this design concept, the aluminum grill surface of the limitededition Beosound A1 has been tinted in a bright metallic red to represent blood cells carrying the essentials for cultural creation as it channels music to our ears. The color red also holds significance in traditional Chinese culture and was chosen by CLOT to bring the rich Eastern heritage into the modern era. Referencing the brands signature style, the CLOT logo is printed onto the speaker grill to create a daring and visual impact whilst keeping the essence of Bang & Olufsen’s design esthetic. The black leather strap has a black anthracite aluminum tag with the Bang & Olufsen laser etched on one side, and CLOT’s logo on the other. Beosound A1 is the perfect portable speaker with loud and captivating bass rich sound, designed to be shared by everyone around – for hours on end. Fully dust and waterproof, Beosound A1 is primed for up to 18 hours of nonstop play. You may also like to read: Grammy To Norwegian Sound Engineer

True 360 omnidirectional sound makes this speaker the natural center of attention, while the Multipoint feature lets two devices connect and control the tunes. Beosound A1 provides crystal clear voice calls thanks to its speakerphone performance, Bluetooth 5.1 and three internal microphones give the best connection for online meetings and hands-free calls. To channel the creative concept for the limited edition Beosound A1, a fastpaced and immersive animation video inspired by blood clots incorporates musical frequencies and the color red to create a visual representation of experiencing music. The CLOT x Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 is now launched at JUICE and Bang & Olufsen stores, online at juicestore. com and bang-olufsen.com You may also like to read: Super Model Prince Nikolai of Denmark About Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen is a luxury audio brand founded in 1925 in Struer, Denmark, by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen whose devotion and vision remain the foundation for the company. For

Today, every Bang & Olufsen product is still characterized by the unique combination of beautiful sound, timeless design, and unrivalled craftsmanship. The company’s innovative and progressive products are sold worldwide in Bang & Olufsen stores, on bang-olufsen.com and in select retailers. The company employs approximately 900 people and operates in more than 70 markets. Bang & Olufsen’s shares are listed on NASDAQ Copenhagen A/S. About CLOT® CLOT was proudly established in 2003 as a fashion label from Hong Kong with the aim of bridging the East and the West through thoughtfully designed apparel and goods. Founded by Edison Chen and Kevin Poon, the brand takes its Chinese roots to a worldwide stage and has since partnered with the likes of Nike, visvim, fragment design, CocaCola, Stüssy, Medicom Toy and many more. Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2018, CLOT has solidified its international presence through its core seasonal collections sold through international retailers and our multibrand retailer JUICE. Expanding past just a fashion label, CLOT launched JUICE as a renowned fashion and lifestyle retailer, offering a range of curated apparel and goods. Located in major cities around the world, JUICE can be found in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Chengdu and Los Angeles.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY

Sports The Norwegian Rock-Climbing Star Text Tor Kjolberg

Magnus Midtbø is one of the world’s best sport climbers. He is also the first climber to reach 1 million subscribers on YouTube. Learn more about the Norwegian rock-climbing star. Magnus Midtbø (33) started climbing in 2000, 11 years old, after his mother signed him up for a climbing course. One year later, he won the Norwegian Youth Championship, and in 2005, he won the World Youth Championship in Beijing, China. Moving to Innsbruck Midtbø moved to Innsbruck in 2007 after finishing high school. At the time, Innsbruck was a place where many top international climbers were training together for competitions, such as David Lama, Jakob Schubert and Anna Stöhr. In an interview, Midtbø described David Lama as the most talented person he had ever climbed with, a climber he looked up to at the time Now, the climber from Bergen travels 250 days a year and competes in Southern Europe and Asia as well as in South America. “For me, it’s just about the desire to climb, about being as good as those I looked up to, and to disprove those who thought that no Norwegian could be as good at climbing,” says Midtbø. In the series “Min Idrett” (My Sport)

on NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), viewers experienced him on the move around Europe with a mattress in the trunk of his van. He wanted to meet his idols and see how they lived and traveled from rock to boulder in their motorhomes. He says that these are some of his best memories. Related: Climbing in the Lofoten Islands A daredevil Midtbø garnered negative media attention in 2016 after publishing an Instagram picture of himself hanging off the Trolltunga rock formation, a popular tourist attraction in Norway. Midtbø suspended himself from the overhanging rock wearing a safety harness, but local police officers were concerned that the stunt might encourage people without proper protection to risk their lives. Midtbø is one of only a handful of people to have redpointed 9a+ and onsighted 8c+ and after retiring from climbing competitions in 2017, the 11-times Norwegian champion started concentrating more seriously on running his own climbing walls and updating the YouTube channel he had started in 2011. Super YouTuber When he embarked on his very first

vlog the same year, Midtbø stated simply “The idea is to make video blogs as often as we can, as long as there is something interesting going on… and then just go with the flow…” On the 95th Vlog of Midtbø’s YouTube channel, he described his decision to retire as follows: “I still get motivated just by climbing. I think some people need a specific goal, but I’ve never felt like I needed one. It sounds really cheesy, I know. I just love climbing. I love being in the nature. I love the feeling of feeling free, but it is like that you know. I don’t know. I like the lifestyle, I like traveling, I like trying hard, and most of all, I like the feeling of feeling really fit, really strong, the feeling of being able to climb anything.” (Wikipedia) Related: Nocturnal Norwegian Ice Climbing This year, the Norwegian rock-climbing star has become the first climber to surpass the 1 million subscriber mark on his Youtube channel. The news is astounding, particularly for those who remember the early days of sport climbing when pretty much everyone who climbed knew each other, but the million benchmark testaments the fact that over the last 30 years this sport has transformed beyond recognition and into global sensation.

Feature image (on top): Photo by Michael Meisl / Archivo Mariacher.

SCANDINAVIAN monthly │ Issue No.10 │ March 2022

Articles inside

To The Three Most Beautiful Islands in Central Denmark