Scan Magazine, Issue 141, April 2022 by Scan Client Publishing

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GET READY FOR A SCANDINAVIAN SUMMER OF FESTIVALS SWEDISH FASHION BRANDS – OUR TOP PICKS UNIQUE EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP TO DENMARK TEN SCANDINAVIAN WORDS WE NEED IN ENGLISH

PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA ISSUE 141 APRIL 2022

M A G A Z I N E

ELEVATING THE MEANING OF HOSPITALITY The reason to travel to Stockholm Welcome At Six www.hotelatsix.com

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Contents

COVER FEATURE 50

A Bright and Peaceful Easter Scandinavian design is just too irresistible, so from now on, we’re making our regular design review bigger and better. This month’s design picks feature ways to make Easter that bit prettier and more Nordic, while our fashion diary looks at the latest ‘90s revival trend. Add jewellery that reminds you of what’s important in life and a Danish brand that makes sustainability stylish, and we’re sure you’ll agree that Easter is looking bright.

LIFESTYLE SECTION 40

From Woods to Sea What’s the story with the lifestyle concept of ‘friluftsliv’? This month’s lifestyle section features forest wisdom and hikes for a healthy mind, and sea delicacies for happy taste buds – along with a look at the biggest dental health brand in Norway, because happy gums matter too!

SPECIAL THEMES 20

Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway Whether you’re looking for jazz in the sun, adrenaline-fuelled extreme sports or a celebration of cross-border cultures up north, our Norwegian festival special has something for you. This is our list of the festivals in Norway you don’t want to miss this year.

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Contents

conversation that needs to be had – and no one does it better than the Swedes. From legendary Rodebjer and respectable Eton Shirts to bold newcomers like Marville Road, we find out about going green and, of course, all the latest trends.

Get Scandi Festival Ready Spring is here and it’s high time to plan the coming festival season. Music writer and festival lover Alyssa Nilsen reminisces about the Scandinavian festivals of her youth and reflects on what makes the festival scene of today in the Nordics so special, along with some tips, dos and don’ts for newbies.

Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks We continue the chat around sustainability in our fashion special this month, because it’s a

Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Finland The land of a thousand lakes knows a thing or two about festivals too, especially well-curated music festivals. From jazz to folk music and piano sounds, our selection will please both music fans and nature lovers.

Unique Experiences in Denmark in 2022 Are the Vikings the most misunderstood people of Scandinavian history? Head to Ribe Vikingecenter or Vejle Museerne to get the full picture. Our Danish travel guide this month features museums and destinations for art lovers, history buffs and culture vultures alike – places where no stone is left unturned and no mind uninspired.

CULTURE 100 Scandi Words We Need in English If you found ‘Vabruari’ tough, all ‘vobba’ and no ‘kos’, you might need an ‘utepils’ or two now that the sun is out, in order to ‘orka’. No idea what we’re talking about? Don’t fret – our list of handy Scandinavian words will explain all. Illustrator Gabi Froden, meanwhile, reflects on childhood memories and a silly wig…

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| Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, The museums are kicking their doors wide open, the festival line-ups are being announced and the cool winds are making way for warm rays of sun. We’re in the mood for spring, and this issue of Scan Magazine should get you into the mood, too. Our music reporter and festival lover Alyssa Nilsen reminisces about summers past and reflects on what makes Scandinavian festivals so unmistakably Scandinavian. Along with her top tips for explorers who want to try a new music festival in the Nordics this summer, we list some of the exciting events and line-ups that will take place in Norway and Finland this coming festival season. Take your pick from extreme sports, German beer, jazz, folk music and views of the Norwegian Riviera. To get you set for a summer of picnics, gigs and cultural exploration, our fashion diary takes a closer look at how to pull off the current ‘90s revival trend, and we present the perspectives

of some of the brightest, boldest minds on the Swedish fashion scene right now. What does it mean to be truly sustainable, and how can fashion that makes you look good help to make you feel good? From Rodebjer to Sandqvist, we’ve got the answers. If instead of spending your holiday in a mucky field or surrounded by sports geeks or music lovers you fancy peace and quiet, a history lesson and some inspiring art, don’t miss our picks of things to do and places to go in Denmark. And whatever takes your fancy, we hope that you’ll find the right time and place for a nice, cold ‘utepils’. If you don’t know what that is, make sure to read our list of Scandinavian words we feel the English language could do with. It might just complete your journey. Enjoy!

Linnea Dunne, Editor

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Design

Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary… A pair of worn-out jeans, a polo shirt, caps and sandals – the revival of the early 1990s trends continues into spring with easy essentials featuring sporty, minimalist, relaxed references. Skip into spring with styles suited to city leisure or active days in nature. By Åsa H. Aaberge

Press photos

A casual yet elegant white shirt is a seasonless wardrobe staple to wear and cherish forever. The Liv shirt from Norwegian brand Julie Josephine offers a feminine, classic silhouette. It looks nonchalant and chic tucked into jeans with rolled-up sleeves and paired with minimalist gold or silver jewellery. Julie Josephine, Liv shirt, €210 www.juliejosephine.com

Keep an oversized, comforting crewneck handy all spring – and summer too. The white and navy striped crewneck from Swedish Soft Goat, knitted in a delicate cotton and cashmere blend, looks smart thrown over the shoulders and tied around the neck. It is ideal for crisp spring days when it’s not warm enough to go without a sweater, yet not cold enough to keep it on all day. Soft Goat, striped crewneck, €250 www.softgoat.com

With miniskirts being one of the biggest trends for spring, opt for one with a washed denim look for a casual 1990s vibe. Pair with white trainers, tennis socks and a chunky sweater through spring. Sporty, cute and comfy. Rodebjer, denim skirt, €215 www.rodebjer.com

This is a two-in-one kind of jacket as it is reversible with forest green harlequin quilt on one side and soft, beige teddy material on the other. The Summer House Jacket from Danish H2O Fagerholt works as nicely with jeans, a shirt and wellies at the cabin as it does with a flowy dress for sunny café hangouts. H2O Fagerholt, New Summer House Jacket, €270 www.h2ofagerholt.com

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Athleisure is in fashion and with it comes the cap – for both leisure and movement. The Eli cap from WoodWood is a great option to add a pop of colour and comfort to your outfit, with a breathable cotton fabric and an adjustable back strap for a comfortable fit. Plus, with a cap, you are guaranteed no more bad hair days. WoodWood, Eli cap, €55 www.woodwood.com

| Design

| Fashion Diary

The versatile options of a shirtand-jeans combo are endless. Wear the shirt open and the jeans a size too big for an everyday look as suggested by Danish Samsøe & Samsøe. As for shoes, slip into leather sandals that take you through the upcoming warmer months with a casual, sporty ambience. Jeans, €129 Leather sandals, €119 Linen and cotton shirt, €129 www.samsoe.com

Knitted in a spring-appropriate mix of wool and cotton, this polo shirt from Swedish Filippa K is a key piece for numerous occasions onwards. Filippa K, knitted polo shirt, €150 www.filippa-k.com

A light cotton coat is a must-have for spring. It is perfect for layering when the temperatures swing between lingering winter and full-on summer. This dark olive Acne Studios coat has a relaxed fit with pleating at the back and a buckled belt for events that call for a more fitted silhouette. Acne Studios, relaxed fit coat, €770 www.acnestudios.com

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Design

We Love This

We Love This In Scandinavia, Easter is marked by a slew of charming but idiosyncratic customs. Norwegians go skiing, Greenlanders go to the fjord and Swedes go to the summer house. Finns decorate willow branches and Danes exchange anonymous, handmade greeting cards. Distilled, they come down to this: saying farewell to darkness, embracing spring’s new life, and feasting like a king. So, here are our design picks to bring light, greenery and dinner-table cheer to your Easter. By Lena Hunter

Press photos

Stockholm-based designer Kunsik Choi created the arresting Ihop Glass Vase as an homage to a ‘mystical’ glassblowing atelier he stumbled upon in southern Sweden. “The way the craftsmen handled the softened glass and shaped it with their breath was divine,” recalls Choi. ‘Ihop’ means ‘together’ in Swedish, and the vase accordingly marries two conflicting shapes and techniques: a cylindrical, moulded base and a ballooning, hand-blown neck. “Two forms become one, each emphasising the other,” says Choi. Ihop Glass Vase by Kunsik Choi, €195 www.kunsik.com

It is a Finnish custom to burn bonfires to ward off witches and evil spirits. Light your own mini bonfire with Swedish design studio Lith Lith Lundin’s exquisite Dawn tealight holder, made of charred birch wood. Its weighty look is both grounded and graceful, and every piece is unique. Lith Lith Lundin sources and manufactures every design within a 50-kilometre radius of Torsåker – a petite rural parish steeped in ancient Pagan history. Dawn Candleholder by Lith Lith Lundin, €62 www.lithlithlundin.se

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Design

We Love This

Finland’s Easter traditions are rooted in Russian Orthodox rituals, in which willow branches – the north’s answer to palm – are decorated on Palm Sunday. In her line of folk-chic pendant lamps, Finnish designer Maija Puoskari finds a playful, functional approach to bringing willow – and a little fantasy – into the home. The Hiippa lamp series, with lightshades of turned willow wood and a willow-root ‘stem’ that is pulled to switch the light on, is inspired by Finland’s “undisturbed forest and the tiny mushrooms that grow there”. Hiippa Lighting by Maija Puoskari, from €2,200 www.adorno.design

In Scandinavia, the Easter feast is punctuated by shots of fiery schnapps. They’re a mark of respect and camaraderie. Whether you prefer an ice-cold Danish akvavit or the Swedish brännvin or vodka, the stately Glass Leopard Bottle by Madam Stolz, crafted on the Danish island of Bornholm, will add finesse to the whole affair. The pattern and dark mahogany tones pay homage to mid-century Danish glassware, while the voluptuous form references art-deco. If you’re going to serve schnapps, do it with panache. Glass Leopard Bottle by Madam Stoltz, €43.50 www.madamstoltz.dk

Danish label Rosendahl believes the everyday can be beautiful. Easter brunch – which turns an ordinary ritual into a ceremony – is grounded in the same thought. Bring a little poetry to your brunch with the Hammerhøi Poppy series: the bonbonniere is perfect for hiding Easter eggs, while the matching eggcups complete the set. Watercolour artist Rikke Jacobsen painted the floral motifs in varying stages of bloom to capture the idea of ‘budding’ – “as when a new day starts at the breakfast table”. Rosendahl Hammerhøi Poppy bonbonniere, €47 Rosendahl Hammerhøi Poppy eggcups, two for €31 www.rosendahl.com

Inspired by the space where digital and physical artforms meet, Swedish atelier Wang & Söderström creates sculptural vases that double up as objets d’art. First, 3D designs are used to build models, which are then moulded in porcelain and stoneware at a local ceramic workshop. In an imaginative range of organiclooking designs and colours, they breathe fresh air into displaying spring’s first flora in any interior context. Vase by Wang & Söderström for Hay, from €79 www.hay.dk

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Section

Subject

DockATot baby pods marry fashion with function When Lisa Furuland Kotsianis founded her mother and baby care product brand in 2006, it offered just one product – pods. Today, DockATot has become a global brand, relied on by millions of parents, with an award-winning product range that includes everything from futons and baskets to play tents. By Linda A. Thompson

Photos: DockATot

It’s not uncommon for parents-to-be to feel overwhelmed by the transition into parenthood. Many new parents also feel forced into preconceptions of the products they need and what those should look like. Lisa Furuland Kotsianis felt the exact same way after the birth of her first son. Determined that fashion and function could make a happy marriage, she set out to make a change. The business she ended up creating from her home in Norrtälje, a town on Sweden’s east coast, offers new parents 10 |

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premium pods and loungers that balance aesthetics and functionality – a rare combination in the mother and baby care products market. “Whether someone comes to DockATot because they’re attracted to our aesthetics or because we were recommended to them as a ‘must-have’ for function, I think parents are surprised to find that we offer solutions that combine and balance both,” Furuland Kotsianis explains. “We subscribe to the quote by the celebrated British designer William Morris: ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’”

The DockATot pods provide safe and comfortable spaces for the supervised lounging, cuddling and playing of little ones, and at the same time have become industry leaders in design, testing and fashion. “We seek to develop products that create lasting memories and stay with families for generations, with safety, functionality and luxury at the forefront of everything we do,” explains Furuland Kotsianis, adding that all their docks are made from the highest-grade materials and that they undergo extensive testing before being brought to the market. Award-winning products in homes across the globe Over the years, the business that Furuland Kotsianis founded has developed into a global company, with the company’s team, supply chain and networks of suppliers today operating in multiple time zones across the world. The deci-

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Design Profile

DockATot

sion was also recently made to merge the brand’s name from SleepyHead of Sweden into that of its global sister company, DockATot. “By consolidating the two brands, we are better able to communicate with and bring together our community of parents and caregivers,” Kotsianis explains. The company’s award-winning product range has also expanded with time and today features a broad range of statement-making solutions for feeding, travel, playtime, rest and the home. This includes, for instance, futons, nursing and decorative pillows, baskets and play tents, with dreamy, playful names like Strawberry Thief, Brer Rabbit and Ginger Shibori. The available styles are equally varied, from William Morris to highly fashion-led, on-trend patterns. “What makes our brand truly unique is our approach to design and attention to detail,” Furuland Kotsianis explains. “Whether it’s achieving the most functional design of a dock or the prettiest tassel on a nursing pillow, every detail has been handcrafted and meticulously thought out.” All the company’s products – no matter their aesthetic or function – meet DockATot’s key ethos of being both family-friendly and parent-proud. Furu-

land Kotsianis explains: “This means they should spark creativity, joy and imagination, or answer a very real need. We are dedicated to making things that enrich everyday life and enhance spaces in which memories are created.” It’s an approach that has resonated with millions of new parents. Some products, like La Maman Wedge, for instance – a chic nursing pillow that also serves as a decorative cushion – have sold out numerous times. How does Furuland Kotsianis look at the path she has travelled so far? “It’s been an incredible journey,” she says. “What

started in Norrtälje as a solution for a frustrated parent has grown to be welcomed into families’ homes across the globe.” The road ahead promises to be equally exciting, with new products on the horizon for the company’s line of baby essentials and its home collection product range. Furuland Kotsianis will also be deepening the DockATot commitment to sustainability in the years and decades to come. “This is something our industry needs to provide more focus on as we think about the families we will serve in generations to come,” she says. Web: www.dockatot.com Facebook: Dockatoteurope Instagram: @dockatoteurope

Lisa Furuland Kotsianis founded DockATot after the birth of her first son.

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Design Profile

Ro Copenhagen

Ro Copenhagen: Reconnecting with inner peace Jewellery can be evocative and inspirational, and do much more than simply enhance a look, an outfit, or a certain style. At Ro Copenhagen, they have a passionate approach to creating beautiful and meaningful jewellery, and they want each piece to help lift your spirit, to remind you to stay in the moment, and to centre yourself in you. By Trine Jensen-Martin

Photos: Ro Copenhagen

Established in 2015, Ro Copenhagen (directly translated as ‘Calmness Copenhagen’) is a unique concept in jewellery making. The idea behind the name and the brand’s philosophy came from the designer finding a sense of inner peace in the very process of creating jewellery. “We truly believe in what we do,” explains Nanna Marie Lund from Ro Copenhagen. “We actively choose not to succumb to stress, and our designer only creates what feels right.” 12 |

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This is a company like no other, which at every stage of production and sales does things its own way, always with calm and a sense of purpose. The designer prefers not to take too much credit for her striking creations, and as a company they don’t yield to market demands; they don’t do ever-changing collections that follow the fashion calendar or trends, nor do they hold sales or succumb to mass production. They never compromise on their vision in order to fit with

the market, with seasons or demands, because what they create must always feel right. And this is the very core of Ro Copenhagen: the calm that comes with something that just feels right. Beautiful reminders of inner peace The jewellery made by Ro Copenhagen is created and crafted with the utmost care and attention to how the owner of each piece will feel when wearing it. “We hope that our customers will feel grounded by our pieces of jewellery,” says Lund, “that they will be reminded to just stop for a moment, to breathe in and to feel the calmness.” Their approach to jewellery goes beyond the materials and the designs them-

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selves; it is more about finding a sense of calm in the everyday, a place of peace inside. The focus for Ro Copenhagen is on creating pieces of jewellery that can help you reconnect with yourself. But the materials are hugely important too, as is the process of creation. There’s no rush at Ro Copenhagen – they wait for the right quality materials, and each piece of jewellery takes its time. They only use 18-carat yellow or white gold, as the longevity means that the pieces will last forever, and the stones and gems they use are all responsibly sourced. There’s no guilt attached, as each piece of jewellery is sustainable, durable and 100 per cent ethically obtained. It’s all in the name “We try to create a brand where the name itself is crucial,” Lund explains. “There really is calm in everything at Ro Copenhagen.” Lund exudes that very sense of calm herself, and it’s also evident in the working environment at Ro Copenhagen. It’s crucial to the designer, who founded the company, and it is encouraged in every part of the business: from the initial ideas stage to the sourcing of metals and stones, through to sales. “The name commits us to our vision and philosophy,” Lund elaborates. And this

dedication extends to the suppliers and stockists they deal with. Most businesses, however small or large, tend to have plans for future change and expansion, but at Ro Copenhagen there’s a different approach. “We believe in every part of the process, we believe in our products and how we share the sense of calm with our customers, and we plan to stay as we are,” says Lund, passionately yet calmly. With a very successful online shop and 46 stockists across Denmark, Norway, Spain, Germany and the UK, the team of only seven people at Ro Copenhagen remain calm and positive in the face of success, because they stick to their beliefs and live by them. Ro signature diamond All the pieces created by Ro Copenhagen are characterised by simple, clean design,

Design Profile

Ro Copenhagen

which is often seen as classically Danish. “The designer has a Danish minimalist approach to the design process,” Lund explains. The style is classic and timeless, and much like the materials will last a lifetime, the design of the pieces will never go out of fashion, as they’re not created in response to trends. Each piece of jewellery has a tiny Ro signature diamond, which is a discreet nod to those wearing the piece. It is a beautiful, sparkly reminder to stop and look, to appreciate the piece and the moment, and to take time to breathe in, to step away from stress, and to connect with the calmness inside. Web: rocopenhagen.com Facebook: Ro Copenhagen Instagram: @rocopenhagen

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Design Profile

Hedvig Stockholm

For the shape of you “How hard can it be to make clothes that fit real women?” That’s the hard-hitting question that led to the launch of clothing brand Hedvig Stockholm. Run solely by dynamic duo Hedvig Andér and Maria Ahnström, this brand is the definition of organic growth – and it fits great, too. By Emma Rodin |

Photos: Peter Knutsson

Let’s cast our minds back a decade or so. This is the time when Hedvig Stockholm’s founding pair met via mutual friends and colleagues, together noticing a gap in the market for well-fitting, high-quality clothes that fit real women, not just plastic mannequins – clothes for everyone to 14 |

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feel proud and comfortable in, regardless of age, style or size. Joining forces It seemed fitting for the duo to team up: Andér with her degree in costume design and considerable experience of

heading up the Swedish theatre mecca Dramaten’s costume atelier, not to mention TV stylist gigs and a book release; and Ahnström with her extensive knowledge of pattern design, having worked for a range of well-known brands, as well as teaching her craft to students. “We felt like form and function weren’t aligned in the clothes available,” explains Andér. “It seemed like a lot was just designed to look good on a hanger, with no or little thought given to how the piece would fit a living person,” she adds.

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Hence, one of Hedvig Stockholm’s main values is care, which can be seen – and felt – in each collection since the very first one back in 2012. Fit for spring Speaking of collections, Hedvig Stockholm’s S/S22 collection is now out, made up of wardrobe staples including tie dresses, versatile tops and flowy trousers. “As with all of our pieces, we’ve emphasised the fit and quality,” says Ahnström. “We’ve played around with flattering patterns and shapes, plus small but transformative details, like opting for a rounded hem instead of a straight one.” Another key characteristic of Hedvig Stockholm clothes is durability. Indeed, customers rave about this, showering the brand with love for creating clothes they can wear again and again. Great fit aside, there’s more that separates this brand from others on the fashion scene – mainly long-term thinking. It might not seem obvious, but this comes with a strong environmental awareness, which is breathed into each part of the business. Transparency is key and sustainable measures are there because they should be, not because it’s trendy. “Choosing more environmentally friendly materials, like those needing less water in production, is great. But that’s only a small part of the things we can do,” says Ahnström.

Hedvig Andér and Maria Ahnström, founders of Hedvig Stockholm.

“We pick materials with a lower order minimum to avoid excess fabric and over-production. We only sew as much as we need, never more.” Additionally, the brand works closely with a small factory in Riga and has done so since the start. The tight relationship gives the founding duo a good oversight of production, working conditions and salaries for factory employees. “Being in control of each step of the process is crucial to us,” Ahnström asserts. Thinking outside the box The brand also reuses existing samples from season to season, which allows for even less production and minimum waste. Another plus is the adjustable seams in each Hedvig Stockholm garment. This is ideal for anyone who moves up or down in size and doesn’t want to spend money on new clothes.

Design Profile

Hedvig Stockholm

But perhaps the most original environmental effort is the way the brand uses boxes for shipping. “We have never, ever bought a single cardboard box to ship items in, and we’re very proud of this. Instead, we ask factories for reused boxes or just grab some from home,” Andér explains. And the same thinking goes for printing materials, or rather the lack thereof. For instance, shipping notes get printed on the back of existing invoices. “It’s about playing your part and doing everything you can for the planet and people. Big or small, everything goes,” says Andér. A personal touch Shopping with Hedvig Stockholm can be a very personal experience, something much appreciated by customers. Via social media and email, Andér and Ahnström help shoppers find the right sizes to order by explaining the fit and more. This is also great from a sustainability point of view, as customers rarely need to order multiple sizes. Andér and Ahnström are confident that as soon as you start wearing the Hedvig Stockholm fit, you’ll realise how important it is for your well-being. So whether you’re shorter, taller, rounder or slimmer, trust this duo to sort you out. Web: www.hedvigstockholm.se Facebook: hedvigstockholm Instagram: @hedvigstockholm

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Design Profile

Van Deurs

30 years of passion for pleated fashion and upcycling Design brand van Deurs is based on a love of fabrics and pleating craftmanship. The unique accessories are made with a sustainable design process and upcycling in mind. By Malin Norman |

Photo: Magnus Skoglöf

Stockholm-based van Deurs came to life in 1992, when Susanne Beskow graduated from the renowned Beckman’s College of Design, where she won the prestigious H&M Scholarship for her graduation collection consisting of pleated garments. She later travelled to the UK and was blown away by the pleating craftsmanship, which became the focus of her brand. The award-winning designer has exhibited at fashion and design weeks around the world, in places like Tokyo, Paris and New York, as well as in Stockholm. For 30 years, Beskow has nurtured a passion for upcycling and a sustainable design process, transforming carefully selected fabrics and hand-picked vintage scarves from travels, into exclusive pleated accessories. “Design is an op-

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portunity for upcycling,” she says. “We don’t need to produce more; instead, we can use existing fabrics and recreate them into something new, something that can be brought to life and loved again. This is what I’m passionate about: true upcycling.” Over the years, van Deurs has collaborated with several brands and some designs can be seen in the collections at Nordiska Museet and Röhsska Museet. Beskow has used scarves from second-hand store Myrorna to make exclusive pleated bags sold at the luxury department store NK, a project that won her Formex Formidable in 2009. “This was upcycling deluxe!” she smiles. “By using waste fabrics, I managed to create something new and with an increased value.”

New designs are released a few times per year, all one-offs and numbered pieces. While the largest market is the US, where the brand has four boutiques, you can find the designs at selected stores in Sweden, as well as online.

Web: www.vandeurs.se Facebook: van-Deurs Instagram: @vandeurs_sthlm

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Design Profile

Danish Sustainable Design

Langsamt is sustainable slow clothing with passion Slow clothing may be a new concept to many. But for Langsamt, it is a way of reducing our footprint on this planet. By Robin Dixen Eggert

Photo: Johanne Kjærum

Slow clothing might well be a fresh approach to fashion to most of us. However, for owner of Langsamt, Johanne Kjærum, it has become both her way of life and livelihood. The idea behind slow clothing is to offer a direct alternative to a fastpaced fashion industry, where perfectly fine clothes are discarded to make room for the newest collections. It goes without saying that every piece of discarded clothing is a waste. Slow clothing is also a term that emphasises the need to produce lasting clothes – clothes that last more than just one summer, and clothes that you would want to wear until they are worn out. But there is much more to it than that, of course. Besides the fact that Langsamt helps to reduce the actual waste of ma-

terials, it is important for Kjærum that the entire supply chain is as sustainable as possible; for instance, by making sure that the people who produce the clothes are working under the right conditions. Another way to have a sustainable supply chain is for Langsamt to work with small, independent Danish brands and designers, whose impressive craftsmanship you can see for yourself in Langsamt’s stores in Roskilde and Copenhagen. It is a tremendous amount of work that goes into it all. If you visit Langsamt’s website, you’ll find no less than 11 certifications. Naturally, not all 11 are applied to every single piece of clothing, but the fact that Langsamt is at least making heavy strides towards this, shows just how much slow clothing means to them.

Web: www.langsamt.com Facebook (Langsamt Copenhagen): langsamtstore Facebook (Langsamt Roskilde): langsamtroskilde Instagram: @langsamtstore

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Danish Sustainable Design

Danish fashion label PAROL is making business-chic comfortable “Everything I do is inspired by women,” says Irina Berg, the founder and designer of Danish womenswear label PAROL. By Lena Hunter

Press photos

But the brand’s story begins outside the fashion industry. “I worked in finance – I was wearing a lot of stiff business jackets. During the day I had meetings, followed by dinners with clients in the evenings. I almost needed to wheel a suitcase of clothes around with me!” she jokes. “I had always dreamed that someone would make clothes for busy businesswomen, that are both smart and comfortable – so they can be worn from morning to evening.” So, in 2003, Berg launched PAROL to do just that. “When you feel well-dressed, your inner beauty blooms and you show the best of yourself,” she says. Chic and versatile “Aesthetically, I’m inspired by the female form, and designers like Chanel,” says Berg. The Chanel influence is clear in the 18 |

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ly alone. “I always wear it myself,” says Berg. “I’m so comfortable in PAROL, and my clients say the same.” Consciously produced

lightweight Florentina Bermuda shorts and blazer set, which nod to the fitted formal jackets of the storied Haute Couture maison. But with its summery floral motif, round neck and matching white piping and buttons, the jacket suits informal situations too. “The material is light,” explains Berg. “It’s soft and fully lined with breathable fabric.” The Elsa Dress Vest is another chameleon number. Wear open with a pair of trousers, and flash the glossy two-toned lining, or button up as a casual, French-style afternoon dress. “The lining is such a stylish detail: it’s inner beauty in a literal sense!” says Berg. The Patricia silk top is a bestseller. With a lace-embellished, sweetheart neckline and adjustable spaghetti straps, it works as an underlay but wears beautiful-

For Berg, natural, consciously sourced materials are crucial. The Anna pleated culottes are lined with bamboo fabric. “It’s so breathable – it’s like a second skin. Plus, bamboo is easy to grow and can be harvested multiple times,” she says. Production is based in Estonia – a move that reduces shipping distance and emissions. “It’s more expensive, but it’s an ethical decision that I’m proud to stand by,” says Berg. The newest addition to the family is PAROL Zero Waste – a line of keyrings and patterned hair scarves made from fabric offcuts. “It’s an expansion of our design world and actively reduces waste,” says Berg. Web: www.parol.dk Instagram: @parol.dk

N IO S H S K ia ec FA PIC p S SH OP I ED R T W S OU – em

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Photo: AAJIYA

Style and sustenance The Swedish Fashion Council sits at the forefront of change, guiding the global fashion industry as it enters a new era. Sustainability is no longer just a trendy cape to sport for spring, but is becoming fundamental for brands to earn respect and ensure long-lasting success. And leading the way is Swedish fashion.

cil’s vision of guiding the fashion industry into a new era and positioning Swedish fashion as something to look up to.

By Emma Rodin

The main thing to highlight under the organisation’s ‘promote’ umbrella is Swedish Fashion Talents. This is an incubator programme created to support newcomers on the Swedish fashion scene and

The Swedish Fashion Council strives to promote, educate and innovate within the Swedish fashion industry in order for it to become competitive. Established in 1979, the council leads research projects, provides industry reports and supports the next generation of fashion leaders through its incubation programme known as Swedish Fashion Talents. When the organisation was born, the industry need was for it to provide a global overview and report upcoming trends, as well as to supply a platform on which to showcase Swedish fashion. However, this 20 |

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need has changed in line with the industry’s natural growth. “As the industry has evolved over the years, including digitalisation, we’ve had to shift focus within the organisation in order to keep up,” explains Jennie Rosén, CEO of the Swedish Fashion Council. “Today, it’s our visionary and creative actions along with a strong community that make us a defining contributor to the overall industry shift.” As mentioned above, the Swedish Fashion Industry is based on three main pillars and works to promote, educate and innovate. Combined, these contribute to the coun-

Proud to promote

Jennie Rosén.

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provide them with guidance, making them fit for the future. “We see new emerging designers entering the market with a new agenda connected to sustainability, ecologically as well as socially and economically. This is at the core of the brands’ foundations, rather than just something that has been applied on top,” says Rosén. The programme itself was reconstructed and relaunched back in 2018 and saw the start of the collaboration with Rave Review. The brand is dedicated to upcycling and was back then completely new on the scene. Fast-forward to today and Rave Review is seen as a pioneer within upcycling, not only nationally but on an international level. The incubator programme is based on the ‘scaling up’ method and has, since the start, recruited 12 highly talented brands. Apart from Rave Review, these include HODAKOVA, AAJIYA, Selam Fessahaye, Jade Cropper and Popswap, among others. Dedicated to educate The Swedish Fashion Council is also an educator, providing the industry with a range of research reports. The purpose?

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To increase the knowledge around Swedish fashion, but also to cement it as an industry fit for the future. The most recent one released by the council is a sub report called Fashion Transformations. Presenting relevant industry statistics, the sub report also acts as an introduction to a report series set to launch later in 2022. “This series will provide a holistic perspective and be the first one to document and highlight the transformation in the fashion industry,” Rosén explains. Inspired to innovate The third and final pillar of the Swedish Fashion Council is to innovate, and it does this by initiating and running several research projects. “Sweden is strong when it comes to innovation, and we see it as our responsibility to administer and grow in the role of global leaders within textile and fashion innovation,” says Rosén. A good example is Challenge the Fabric, a collaborative project initiated by Ekman Group and organised by the Swedish Fashion Council. The idea of bringing together actors from the entire value chain to help shine a light on cellulose fibres proved very successful. Design talent from all over the world

Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

got to create pieces based on cellulose fibres and showcase them at London Fashion Week back in 2018. It gave them worldwide recognition, and the idea itself is still seen as ground-breaking. Later this year, Challenge the Fabric will return with a symposium at the Institut Suédios in Paris. The future of fashion The fashion industry is facing huge change, with the elephant in the room being mass production of clothes. The best solution to fight this is to review existing business models and produce less – something that is perhaps easier said than done, but the Swedish Fashion Council is here to help. “We’re in constant conversations with decision makers, making sure they have reports to help increase knowledge within the industry. This also helps brands to make decisions in line with the bigger industry shift,” explains Rosén. “There’s still a lot to be done, but the important thing is that we’re on the right track.” Web: www.swedishfashioncouncil.se Instagram: @swedishfashioncouncil

Photo: HODAKOVA

Photo: Rave Review

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Rodebjer’s S/S22 collection is available in stores now.

Grounded in green Dressing the modern woman on the move, Rodebjer has had a place on the international fashion scene for more than two decades – not only thanks to stunning yet functional designs, but also because of the brand’s strong sustainability values. By Emma Rodin |

Photos: Rodebjer

Borrowing its name from founder and creative director Carin Rodebjer, the award-winning fashion brand Rodebjer creates pieces with wit, heart and conscience. Comfortable garments such as slouchy suits, draped kaftans and iconic prints are part of the brand’s signature look, all respectfully designed with the modern woman’s day-to-day life in mind. Growing up on the barren Swedish island of Gotland, Carin Rodebjer was brought up to respect the nature and animals around her. She learnt the value of responsibility and resourcefulness from an early age, and eventually brought these beliefs through to Rodebjer as well. Indeed, sustainability is a core element of Rodebjer and a pillar of the brand’s sustainability strategy. 22 |

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Rodebjer has committed itself to fostering mindful consumption habits, presenting collections that are lasting in both quality and style. The S/S22 collection is over 60 per cent consciously produced, featuring sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, sustainable viscose and recycled leather, which align with the brand’s ambition for a more sustainable path within fashion. “We consider our efforts each step of the way, from focusing on European production locations and limiting our means of transport, to our brand packaging and using surplus and leftover fabrics in current and upcoming collections. However, we remain highly aware that sustainability improvement is an ongoing process that is never finished. Each and every part of the value chain is important and all steps,

small to big, have an impact on our planet,” explains Carin Rodebjer. Ambition aside, it’s fair to say that Rodebjer, in focusing its collections on long-lasting quality and style, is already a great inspiration for other brands in the industry. That includes the new S/S22 collection, which is now available online and in Rodebjer stores. It can also be spotted in top department stores and key boutiques in over 20 countries globally.

Web: www.rodebjer.com Instagram: @rodebjerofficial

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Sporty and elegant, with a purpose.

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Be the change. Wear a watch made of recycled ocean plastic.

You’re in time for a revolution Change is usually a good thing. It’s actually essential, if you ask the Swedish watchmaker TRIWA. Since their launch in the middle of the financial crisis in 2008, with a ‘Recession Proof’ watch, TRIWA has been clocking up success after success. By John Sempill

Photos: TRIWA

In the age of technology and smartphones, the classic watch as we know it arguably became redundant. “When we started out, we realised that the watch as a product had sort of lost its appeal,” says co-founder Ludvig Scheja. “It was typically connected to status and tradition.” A ‘Recession Proof’ watch, basically “an affordable Rolex in plastic”, got the brand going at the end of the noughties. Since then, they’ve continued to reinvent the business, managing to turn it into something with a deeper meaning. On the one hand, they’ve been able to stick out on a scene packed with watchmakers left, right and centre. And on the other hand – pardon the pun – they’ve managed to bring awareness to global crises such as ocean pollution and illegal gun use. Return to change After a few years in the traditional watch market in the early tens, the company regrouped and returned to its core. After all,

TRIWA is an abbreviation of Transforming the Industry of Watches. This led to the launch of their vision, Time for Change. “We felt that we weren’t being as ‘transformative’ as previously; we had almost become a dime a dozen with the rest,” recalls Scheja. “This led to Time for Peace in 2018, with watches made of recycled illegal firearms. Time for Change is our vision for a watch that is a ‘value bearer’ for change, for a better world.”

And there’s time for more. TRIWA’s latest collection, Time for Solar, offers solar-powered timekeeping – yet another way to revolutionise the business and create a product that tells more than just time. And later this year, they’ll be launching their next collection. What it’s about is still a secret, although Ludwig Scheja will tell us this much: “It’s Time for Power.”

Time for Oceans is the world’s first collection of watches made of recycled ocean plastic.

The subcategory Time for Peace was a huge success. Timepieces made of Humanium Metal – metal from destroyed and illegal weapons – proved that a watch can be more than just an accessory. The success from that led to Time for Oceans – the first watch made of recycled ocean plastic. With 150 million tonnes of plastic in our oceans, you’d wonder why no one has thought of this before. It is, without a doubt, Time for Change.

It’s all about the details.

Web: www.triwa.com Facebook: triwaofficial Instagram: @triwa

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Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

Timeless and Scandinavian in a sustainable fashion Dynamic, responsible and honest, with a strong ethos – to provide a positive change to the fashion industry in impeccable style. Flattered is the shoe and bag brand that was founded on the simple idea of creating comfortable indoor ballerina shoes, in time growing into a worldwide brand providing timeless fashion, sustainably wrapped. By Nina Bressler

Photos: Flattered

Founded in Sweden, quintessentially Scandinavian and with a French touch – meet Flattered, the shoe and bag brand that has gone from creating comfortable indoor ballerina shoes to becoming a global force providing hand-crafted, high-quality leather shoes and bags in multiple styles to a conscious audience, always on the lookout for the best on the market to wear. Birth and rebirth The brand was launched in 2013 with a firm focus: to increase the then limited choices of comfortable and stylish in24 |

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door ballerina shoes for women. Founders Hanna and Gustav Lidén noticed an opportunity while scouting the market and not finding any appetising options: “There was definitely an untapped market opportunity – the only indoor option for women was bulky woollen slippers. We decided to create something on our own, starting the company as a parttime venture while continuing to work full-time in our regular jobs. Evenings, weekends and any spare moment went towards developing our ideas, and despite being stressful at times, it gave us a great advantage: we could think longterm instead of chasing quick returns,” says Gustav Lidén. Hard work paid off: one of the most prestigious department stores in Sweden, NK, made a big order shortly after launch, and major department stores

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around the globe shortly followed suit. The brand quickly started to gain positive traction and the shoe collection grew incrementally. 2017 is known as the year when the company found its true identity, with the help of newly appointed creative director, Anna Johansson. “2017 was the birth of Flattered’s true persona – who we are, our vision and our communication. Flattered has always been a genuine and warm brand, but with the help of Anna and her indepth experience in the design and fashion industry, this became a distinct part of our branding,” says Lidén. Along with a sharpened persona, their shoe and bag collection was extended even further – Flattered 2.0 was born. Love made to last Flattered has quickly risen to become one of the main players on the international market for hand-crafted quality shoes. Their global reach is down to an early decision to focus on their digital presence rather than opening a multitude of physical shops, and using their retailers as a way to connect with customers on the ground. “The shoe business can be a traditional market to break into, but we have managed to pave our path by thinking differently and creating a strong brand that our audience easily identifies with. Our customer is a strong, modern woman who is aware, awake and knows what she wants. She believes that fashion is more than something to be worn and disposed of after one season – she knows that true

Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

“All decisions are conscious decisions, made for an outstanding, long-lasting product. Shoes and bags are made by hand, crafted with meticulous attention to detail to maintain the highest degree of quality and authenticity – aspects that would normally increase the price tag substantially, but thanks to our digital development, we can keep them lower than those competitors selling products made in similar ways,” says Lidén. A reliable companion

Anna Johansson and Gustav Lidén.

quality means something better,” says Johansson. Sustainability is not a word thrown around lightly to score points – sustainability has been an integral part of the business from day one. The shoes and bags are made in Portugal, Spain and Italy, reducing the transport distance and enabling tailored orders with a lower risk of waste. All products are made with certified leather, using the best practices to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and in addition to packaging being specifically designed to match the product in order to cut shipment volumes, all plastic used for this purpose is set to be phased out by the end of 2022.

“Flattered is about luxury in a nontraditional way, a subversion from the old perception of what luxury should entail. It’s the ability to buy a product that is timeless and sustainable, an item that will stay with you for a long time without losing its appeal. For us, for our customers, that’s abundance in a modern way,” says Johansson, and adds: “Taking pride in what you do and what you wear is more than fashion; it’s also a mindset. By encouraging our customers to take care of their shoes, we’re aiming to shape a new wave of sustainable design, where buying a new product means something more than just a seasonal item – it’s about investing in a companion that will keep you comfortable and confident for years.” Simply put, it’s about timeless style, at its best. Web: www.flattered.com Instagram: @flattered Pinterest: Flattered

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Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

Pushing the boundaries of shirt-making The white shirt is one of the most iconic garments in menswear. Eton’s classic and versatile shirts are suitable for any occasion, from casual button-down Sundays to formal business meetings, empowering the modern man with style and personality. By Malin Norman |

Photos: Eton Shirts

With nearly 100 years in business, Eton has a long heritage in premium shirt-making. This global brand still keeps modern luxury at its core, and the high level of quality is the result of dedication, time and expertise. Trends come and go, but some designs remain the very definition of style, like the Eton shirts. “The white shirt is the garment worn most often by men. It’s our core product,” says Sebastian Dollinger, creative director. “What’s interesting is that since society has opened up again after lockdown, there’s an increased demand for more formal clothing. When wearing an elegant shirt with a great cut, you walk 26 |

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Europe. Weaving is a key step in the making of a high-quality shirt and achieving an end product that looks and feels amazing.

April 2022

taller and feel more stylish. It seems like a lot of people have been missing that.” Best-in-class Signature Twill The design can be described as Swedish craftmanship and functionality mixed with an Italian sense of flair. Eton’s bestseller is Signature Twill, which has been perfected over several decades with small tweaks to the design and more sustainable materials. This is a classic, versatile shirt with a flattering shape, and it is crease-free for a sharp look. The devil is in the detail, and Eton creates its shirts together with some of the most highly skilled craftspeople in

Eton has a wide range of timeless wardrobe essentials for any occasion, from business meetings to casual holiday wear and formal evening events. And there is a variety of matching accessories such as ties, scarves, caps and hats. A few times a year, the brand complements the range with seasonal drops, such as this autumn’s collection From Bright to Night. From a kitchen table to the world Eton saw the light of day in the village of Gånghester, close to the textile hub of Borås, in 1928. It all began at Annie Pettersson’s kitchen table, where she made garments for friends and neighbours. Soon, she outgrew her kitchen

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Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

and founded Syfabriken Special with her husband David. On a search for quality fabrics in 1948, the founders’ sons Rune and Arne passed through the town of Eton in the UK. Inspired by the welldressed young men there, they created a new kind of shirt. ‘The Eton shirt’ became a success, and in 1950, the company changed its name to Eton. In 1992, Eton pioneered the world’s first crease-resistant cotton shirt together with Swiss experts. Today, the brand is a world-leader and known for perfectly sharp shirts and stylish worn-in looks. “Never hand over a shirt until you are completely satisfied with it,” said founder Annie Pettersson, and this is still true today. “When you work with the same product for such a long time, you will get really good at it,” says Dollinger. “Our secret is continuity in product development. Every year, we make small improvements and refine our products further to make them even better.” Everything from fabric to buttons, seams and collars is made with careful consideration. “Most important for us is that our products last as long as possible,” Dollinger concludes. “We are looking carefully at the environmental impact and are committed to using only organic or recycled cotton by 2025. Our

goal is to be climate neutral by 2035 and we’re constantly improving – we’re not just talking the talk, we’re walking the walk.”

Web: www.etonshirts.com Facebook: etonshirts Instagram: @etonshirts

Eton reaches customers in 50 markets worldwide, through its own official online store, brand stores in New York, London, Stockholm, Malmö, Copenhagen and Frankfurt, as well as some of the world’s most prestigious stores, including Harrods, Saks Fifth Avenue, Le Bon Marché, and KaDeWe. Next for Eton is expansion in Asia with a high demand for its products in Japan and South Korea, for example.

Sebastian Dollinger, creative director. Photo: Aron Pelcman

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Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

Sustainable fashion to empower women Mixing Scandinavian style and Parisian confidence, Aéryne is empowering women through sustainable fashion. By Malin Norman

Photos: Aéryne

Aéryne is a sustainable, affordable fashion brand from Scandinavia. The vision is to create wardrobe essentials with a twist, focusing on sustainability and affordable prices, as a tool to empower women. The design is contemporary and edgy, inspired by the effortless simplicity of Scandinavian style and the confident individualism of Paris. The brand was first set up in 2015, and two years ago it became part of Seezona, a digital marketplace for emerging luxury designers. “Aéryne’s values of sustainability and female empowerment resonated with our values at Seezona and we are committed to supporting new and upcoming designers, so it was a perfect match,” says Anna-Carina Helander, CEO of Seezona.

Thanks to Aéryne Academy, the brand contributes to the education of the next generation of women. From every purchase, five per cent is donated to a partner school in Mumbai, where girls can attend school in a safe environment. “Aéryne empowers women by giving back to society,” confirms Helander. “We believe in sisterhood, that empowered women empower other women in return, and that education is the key to independence and an equal society.” The brand also engages with its community on key topics around womanhood and shared experiences. Rather than just two-or-so seasonal collections per year, Aéryne releases small capsule collections more regularly with limited quantities. The spring 2022 collection, Sous le Ciel Bleu, is available

in selected stores and online now, and the summer collection will be released in May. Aéryne will also be available at NK Stockholm in April, as a part of Seezona’s new boutique.

Web: www.aeryne.com Facebook: aeryneparis Instagram: @aeryne_paris

Carry the future Classic and contemporary are two words largely considered opposites. However, Steele & Borough makes it look like they were always meant to join up. A maker of vegan bags with a timeless look, this brand shows how to carry the future – quite literally. By Emma Rodin |

Photos: Steele & Borough

Steele & Borough was created by Catherine Nilson and Niklas Bandobranski. Nilson ran a fashion distribution firm when she noticed a gap in the market for an innovative, long-lasting, vegan product. She re-kindled with childhood friend and industry designer Bandobranski, and together the pair set out to create something to fill the gap. “We knew from the start that we wanted our products to be 100 per cent vegan. Not only for reasons relating to the treatment of animals, but also because of the material’s amazing properties, like being lightweight and water repellent,” explains Nilson. “It felt exciting to combine a classic look with vegan 28 |

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properties, and creating something fit for the future,” she adds. After years of testing materials, shapes and functionality, the brand’s collection now holds six different models that are made to last. ‘The Weekenderbag’ is a bestseller with its clean look, handy size and beautiful detail, which is a trademark

for each Steele & Borough product. More designs will follow, but they won’t be rushed. Less is more – and couldn’t we all do with a little bit less? Vision aside, changing people’s understanding of what a non-leather bag can be in terms of quality and aesthetics has proved tricky. “Many have preconceptions and wouldn’t class a vegan bag as a ‘luxury’ item. We’re here to change that, and already have,” concludes Bandobranski. Web: www.steeleborough.com Instagram: @steeleboroughs

Vegan bags, fit for the future.

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A look at Vagabond’s S/S22 collection.

For every walk of life To say that Vagabond Shoemakers is only a shoemaker would be a lie. There’s a whole lot more to this well-respected brand, with quality at heart and a genuine love of creating. You could even say that Vagabond shoes are craftsmanship in its purest form, and it wouldn’t be a lie. By Emma Rodin |

transparency and are proud to control the entire production chain, from sourcing leather from Leather Working Groupcertified tanneries, to printing the logo on the finished shoe,” says Nilsson Peterzén.

Photos: Vagabond Shoemakers

Founded in 1993, this global shoe brand prides itself on making long-lasting, niceto-look-at and comfortable footwear. Classic yet forward-leaning and contemporary styles and patterns are always opted for, bringing customers products that can support a personal style over time. “Our shoes are made to be functional as well as stylish, to encourage a long lease of life. That’s why we wouldn’t make high stiletto heels, for instance,” explains co-founder Marie Nilsson Peterzén. The brand even encourages customers to think twice before purchasing a product – not only from Vagabond, but in general. “The best thing we can do for our planet is to buy less and use what we buy more. We talk about the saying ‘only buy what you really love’ as our guiding star,” says Nilsson Peterzén.

Indeed, sustainability sits at the core of the business and manifests itself in each corner of the brand. Everything from big ideas to small design details is done at Vagabond’s headquarters in Varberg, Sweden. For each Vagabond shoe model, a first prototype has always been created in Varberg. In other words, a tonne of work goes into making each shoe, with hours spent on locking down that perfect fit, look and feel. When it comes to production, Vagabond works closely with a few factories and tanneries in Vietnam. These must all hold the correct certifications to exclude the use of certain chemicals and toxins, as well as follow Vagabond’s code of conduct. “We work closely with our suppliers to make sure that everything is done according to our standards. We believe in complete

In the future, Vagabond aims to have more concept stores in Europe and to collaborate with like-minded brands to host popup stores and other events. When asked to describe Vagabond with only three words, Peterzén Nilsson chooses inclusive, perceptive and independent. Pretending three means four, let’s add inspirational to that trio.

Web: www.vagabond.com Instagram: @vagabondshoemakers

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Seriously comfortable, jovially worn – in a sustainable fashion Understatement is the lingerie company where inclusivity, comfort and beauty go hand in hand with a sustainable delivery. A modern company founded in Sweden, made for modern women around the globe, its design is wholly focused on helping to unleash the intrinsic glow residing inside, regardless of size, shape or form. By Nina Bressler

Photos: Understatement

The company was founded by Maria Lager and Marie Stolt, who wanted to create sexy underwear made by women for all women, with a comfortable twist. “We want to de-dramatise the female body, while at the same time giving our women space to feel sexy on their own terms. All our collections are a celebration of femininity and based on the belief that every body is unique and beautiful,” says Lager.

plastic, and minimising packaging, are both high on Understatement’s agenda. “We don’t have a huge collection with lots of different models, but we’re rather focusing on extending and perfecting the models we know our customers appreciate. They’re all about empowering the body – to make the wearer feel comfortable in their own skin, from the first layer,” says Stolt.

With no previous design experience, the company was a leap into the unknown carried by the founders’ strong desire to make a difference in the lingerie business. Comfort is key: their bras come without underwires and padding to increase comfort and avoid chafing. All the collections are made in Europe, mainly in Latvia, Estonia and Turkey, in facilities led by women. Conscious production using mainly recycled materials such as ocean

Women’s health and wellbeing imbue all decisions the company makes. Driven by these values and a strong sense of community with their customers, all campaigns, collaborations and charities are chosen to promote and push women forward. Every year, they support and help raise money for breast cancer research, and last year they designed a prosthetic bralette for women who’ve recovered from the disease.

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“We’re simply aiming to become the best at what we’re doing all the time, to help create a profound appreciation of your body – whatever size or shape that may be. We’ve launched loungewear and swimwear in addition to our original collections, but we’ll never lose sight of who we are and what we’re trying to achieve – inclusive and beautiful underwear made for everyone,” says Stolt. Simply put, make a statement with Understatement through a comfortable expression of you, from the inside and out.

Web: www.shopunderstatement.com Instagram: @understatement_underwear

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A step ahead with perfectly handcrafted shoes Discover the refined feeling of handcrafted shoes from the fastest-growing footwear brand in Sweden. Myrqvist offers a range of timeless designs with a modern twist and an innovative touch from Scandinavia. By Malin Norman

Photos: Myrqvist

Founded in 2016, Stockholm-based footwear brand Myrqvist is known for its welted, elegant yet practically designed shoes. “It’s not just about a stylish design; functionality is important too, and our shoes are made to last for many years,” says Robin Karlsson, CMO at Myrqvist. The design team rediscovers classic models and applies an innovative mindset for a modern twist; for instance, by combining a more formal loafer with a sole typically used for trainers. Hence, you get the best of two worlds: the elegance in a loafer and the comfort in a casual trainer. While the design ideas come to life in Stockholm, the shoes are handcrafted in Portugal mainly with the renowned Goodyear Welted construction, which makes shoes more durable and more water resistant, to ensure longevity. Myrqvist’s

shoes are made to cope with the harsh Scandinavian climate, and most styles come with the option of a half-rubber sole. The winter shoes have an extra thick rubber sole for great grip on icy streets. Unlike most footwear brands, Myrqvist handles the whole process independently, from sourcing the finest materials from the best tanneries in the world to overseeing the construction and finally selling the products to consumers, without involving retailers or agents. “By cutting out middlemen, we can avoid a retail mark-up and can sell our handcrafted shoes directly to consumers at an affordable price,” confirms Karlsson. “So you get premium quality without the additional cost.” Named Sweden’s fastest-growing footwear brand in 2020, Myrqvist continues to move forward with yet more stylish

additions to the line-up, including new seasonal models and a range of accessories to match. This spring, for the first time, Myrqvist is launching a sandal, which comes with a sole made from cork and a criss-cross construction in leather or suede.

The range of Myrqvist designs is available in the flagship store in Stockholm and online.

Web: www.myrqvist.com Facebook: Myrqvist Instagram: @myrqvist

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Functional and long-lasting bags, inspired by Nordic landscapes Sandqvist stands for high-quality designs and uncompromising functionality. The brand’s stylish bags are perfectly suited to the work commute as well as the outdoors.

and gave us a lot of visibility. And when we launched the backpack, that was just when they had become trendy again.”

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Nordic landscapes, movement and stillness

Photos: Sandqvist

Founded in 2004, Sandqvist was initially an experimental design project by three childhood friends who grew up together in the small village of Glanshammar: brothers Anton and Daniel Sandqvist, and Sebastian Westin. They saw a lack of well-crafted, design-led, functional bags and decided to make their own. The demand for stylish bags proved to be high, and the trio managed to expand its range of briefcases, computer bags and 32 |

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messenger bags on the market. In 2009, Sandqvist launched its first backpack, Roald, which became a huge success and is still one of the best-selling products. “We challenge the role of functionality in design, without compromising on aesthetics,” says Sebastian Westin, creative director. “But our success has a lot to do with luck and timing, as well. When we started making bags in canvas and leather, it was what many people requested

Since the beginning, the inspiration has come from the vast Nordic landscapes, the wild rivers and deep forests, and this can be seen in colours, fabrics, quality and functionality. “We love spending time outdoors, and our bags should work equally well on a hike in the mountains and on the way to work in the big city,” smiles Westin. “Although most people use them as everyday bags, on the commute to work, when meeting friends at a restaurant and so on, the inspiration comes from nature.”

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Sandqvist looks at Nordic landscapes but also at movement and stillness. ‘Movement’, Westin explains, means physically moving around – but also being a conscious person, aware of the environment. ‘Stillness’ refers to the contrast to movement, to take a break and have a ‘fika’. “We strongly believe that people need both things in life – movement and stillness – and these are our main pillars together with inspiration from Nordic landscapes.”

smarter-looking running pack that will not only transport all your essentials to work and back, including your laptop, but will also not look out of place when you’re changed into more formal business attire.”

Core values and sustainability focus In the creative process, the team is driven by five core values: Scandinavian design, comfort and functionality, responsibility, inclusivity, and quality. “These values are embedded in everything we do and how we present ourselves,” argues Westin. “As entrepreneurs, we have a responsibility in how we conduct our business and for the people who work for us. We come from a small village in Sweden, and even though we have become a global company, in everything we do, from the choice of materials to how we shoot a campaign, we want to do good and have as little impact as possible on the planet.” Since a few years back, the company has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation. This independent organisation has high requirements and audits suppliers; for instance, it monitors workers’ rights, including fair salaries. Moreover, Sandqvist only uses leather from tanneries that are well-rated by the Leather Working Group, an organisation dedicated to environmentally friendly leather.

Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

The future in fusion, cabin and hiking Recently, Sandqvist released a small collection of running bags. Fusion Collection has been developed for people who are on the move and in need of a bag to suit their rhythm – a fusion between an everyday bag and a running bag, from work to workout. “These bags are super technical, with a pocket for a hydration pack to bring water, but also come with a laptop sleeve, a removable waist strap and adjustable shoulder straps,” says Westin. “They are modern and stylish, so you can bring them to a business meeting. This encompasses our beliefs, to have a great bag that works for many occasions.” Impressively, Sandqvist has been listed by Runner’s World as one of the best running backpacks. Sandqvist Noa is considered best for run commuting, with the following motivation: “The ideal

The brand will continue to experiment with materials and expand its range with new products; for example, with the new collection Cabin Standard, a range of accessories such as caps and socks, plus a travel tumbler, bottle and cup, perfect for days in the outdoors. Also new is Hike Collection, with anything for outdoor adventures yet which works with an inner-city urban lifestyle.

Sandqvist has six stores in Europe, including in London, Berlin and Paris, and retailers in more than 30 markets around the world carry the products.

Web: www.sandqvist.com Facebook: Sandqvist.Bags Instagram: @sandqvistbags

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Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

Cissi Centerwall, founder.

Colourful clothing to spread happiness In need of a splash of colour or a vibrant print to cheer you up? Cissi och Selma has a selection of colourful clothes that will bring life to your wardrobe. By Malin Norman |

Photos: Cissi och Selma

Set up in 2007 with a vision to bring more colour into women’s wardrobes, Cissi och Selma started off as a boutique with selected designs from other brands, and the first collection under its own name was eventually launched in 2013. “I have always loved colourful fashion and retro dresses from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, and I thought that others might like the same,” says Cissi Centerwall, founder. “Instead of following trends, I want to inspire women to wear more colour, to bring some happiness into their wardrobe and life, and for them to be seen.” This is still the inspiration for the design, as well as when selecting other brands for the boutique. Cissi och Selma garments are both comfortable and stylish. They come in sizes XS-XXL and different cuts and lengths, so that everyone can find well-fitting clothes regardless of size and shape. At the outset, the focus was on dresses, which still make up the main part of the collection, but now you can also find skirts, tops, 34 |

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trousers and coats, as well as a children’s line, Cissi och Selma MINI. The base collection consists of a number of designs but with different fabrics, and every season new colours and patterns are added. As the main variety is in the fabric, customers can buy their favourite model again but in new vibrant colours

and patterns. The theme for the spring collection is Swedish summer, and a majority of the clothes have been made with organic cotton. The brand has grown organically, little by little, and sustainability is at the core, explains Centerwall. “Our environment and commitment to sustainability are important to me. Both the design and the quality need to be good so that the clothes can live long and happy lives, season after season, with the same owner or perhaps multiple owners over the years.” The boutique is located on Bondegatan 12, Södermalm, in Stockholm. It carries the Cissi och Selma collection as well as selected clothing, shoes and accessories from other brands and designers. All designs are also available in the online shop. Opening hours Weekdays: 11.30am to 6pm Saturdays: 11am to 5pm Sundays: Closed

Web: www.cissiochselma.se Facebook: cissiochselma Instagram: @cissiochselma

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Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

Purposeful fashion with a timeless twist Wear & Smile is the clothing brand that intentionally does things a little differently. In an era of fast fashion, founder Marianna Berggren decided to take the opposite route, crafting clothes with meticulous attention to detail, while simultaneously creating a wholesome process benefiting the producers, customers and the planet all at once. By Nina Bressler

monthly streamed live shows showcasing new collections and explaining them in a personal way. So, without further ado, go ahead and rejoice in the perfectly guiltfree and trendy shopping alternative.

Photos: Wear & Smile

Flexible fashion, what is that? Marianna Berggren, founder of Wear & Smile, eagerly explains: “I coined the term when I started my fashion brand and wanted to give my customers greater flexibility by allowing all my designs to be tailored according to individual preference. My clothes are produced on a small scale and rather than increasing the orders, which would potentially increase waste, I allow customers to make requests on existing clothes to fit their taste. Make arms shorter, extend dress length, change colour – we can do that, thanks to our close connection with the producers.” Berggren started the company with a clear intent: to make beautiful, sensual and timeless fashion with truly sustainable methods. The high-quality, ecocertified fabrics are handpicked from family businesses in Italy, France and Denmark, all made using natural mate-

rials that also enable recycling and reuse on a greater scale. After a painstaking process of trying to source the right producer, she found the perfect seamstress facility in Riga, Latvia, a city with a rich textile history. The relatively short distance between production sites also benefits the brand’s sustainability goals. “I care passionately about making a positive impact with my business. I take beauty seriously, and my company is a reflection of that. The things you consume, the clothes you put on – where do they come from, who made them for you? I believe in being part of a shift into conscious consumption, by providing clothes made by hand, of the highest quality, in timeless fashion with that little extra,” says Berggren. Her clothes are sold online and in the beautiful showroom in Stockholm, with

Web: www.wearandsmile.com Instagram: @wearusmile

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Crease-proof fashion, tailored with a purpose Marville Road is more than just a clothes brand; it’s a way of life, too. The Swedish company grew out of a longing for smart, stylish and comfortable clothes designed for women with a busy lifestyle. Founder Jenny Holmén noticed a gap in the market and decided to purposefully start building a brand, with the sole focus being to empower women all over the world through clever outfits and sleek design. By Nina Bressler

Photos: Marville Road

While being a Swedish brand, Marville Road has strong roots in London, UK. The name was picked for a number of reasons: firstly, for being the street where Holmén lived on while embarking on her fashion journey; and secondly, for being the quintessential area of the people it’s inspired by – the hardworking women that embody female power at its finest. “Before I started the company I was a lawyer who needed comfortable, feminine and smart work outfits that not only saved me time in the morning but also gave me a power boost. I didn’t have any design experience; I only knew what I was missing on the market, and Marville Road is my response, my contribution to help bring out the female power that resides inside,” says Holmén. 36 |

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The clothes are designed to save time and be comfortable while providing a feminine and timeless look. They are specifically designed for machine wash rather than dry cleaning, a factor that not only saves

money and time, but also limits the environmental impact. Sustainability is a core focal point in the company, and every garment is created to last. “We see our clothes as Lego: you have a wardrobe consisting of various pieces, made to be matched together in different combinations, and when a new piece is being brought into the mix, it will fit seamlessly with the rest. It should be easy to feel powerful and to choose the outfit that matches that feeling,” says Holmén. All clothes are crease-proof, which makes them ideal for long journeys, whether they’re packed inside a bag or part of the travelling outfit. So, while your shirt is getting increasingly creased in that airport seat of yours, think about heading to Marville Road and have fun building your capsule wardrobe with power pieces that are made to last.

Founder Jenny Holmén.

Web: www.marvilleroad.com Instagram: @marvilleroad

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A clothing brand dedicated to the female form For Annette Branting, CEO and founder of Branting, fashion is not about trends. Instead, she believes that great clothes are made for the body, and that their purpose is to make you feel good as well as look beautiful. By Hanna Andersson

Photos: Branting

“Fashion for me isn’t about following every trend to a T; it’s about enhancing your personality and your body in the best possible way,” Branting explains. Her inspiration comes from women’s bodies, and one of her favourite things to do is studying people while sitting in cafés and taking notes on how women’s clothes could be altered for the better.

example, she encourages her customers to come into the shop to try on the clothes before buying. “I don’t like the thought of people ordering their clothes online at all. You have to be able to see the clothes and the way they make you feel before you buy them. If you are not 100 per cent sure about an item, you are not supposed to buy it.”

“I get inspired by everything from eye colours to skirt lengths. I often observe what women are wearing and make alterations in my head of how the clothes would fit better. The clothes I design also have to be versatile. You should be able to dress your clothes up or down with just a few changes. This makes your wardrobe both easier to use and more sustainable.”

She adds: “You should want to wear the clothes you buy over and over again. I always want my customers to come in and fall in love with the items before buying them.”

Love the clothes you wear For Branting, sustainability is always at the forefront of what she is doing. For

This method has been successful, and Branting’s customers keep coming back year after year. In fact, they come back for the same collections they did when the brand was created over 20 years ago. “My team has to pull me back sometimes,” Branting laughs. “I’m constantly on my

way towards a new design or a new project, but they know that our customers will be disappointed if we don’t continue producing their favourite shirts, skirts and dresses. So, they’ll tell me, ‘We can make it in another colour, Annette’, and I kind of nod and see their point.”

You can shop Branting’s collections from retailers around Sweden, including the flagship store at Adelsgatan 4 in Visby, as well as on the website: www.branting.se

For more inspiration, follow Branting on Instagram: @branting_store

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Comfortably sleek in premium quality Innovation, functionality and quality are fundamental pillars for Swedish clothes brand Snoot. The company has had a very clear mission since the beginning: to provide the perfect outerwear shaped by the Nordic climate, and inspired by Italian design. While an exciting future lies ahead with new collections underway, their ambition will never slip: to pioneer functional fashion that lasts a lifetime. By Nina Bressler

Photos: Snoot

Snoot was founded in 2009 by Peter Blom, also famous for founding the global brand Peak Performance. The brand’s first primary product was a functional, comfortable and technologically outstanding jacket released in a limited edition. After a successful launch, the clothing line was extended with softwear, shirts and hoodies for men, manufactured in Europe. Current CEO and owner Erik Johansson took over in 2018, having admired the brand from a distance for a long time. “I shared a fundamental vision with the company, where we believe that an everyday jacket deserves a high level of functionality, comfort, quality and even technological expertise. Snoot embodies timeless elegance combined with supreme comfort – values I could easily get behind. They’re created for men and women who need smart wear to enable a smooth day, be it 38 |

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should boost and enable you to do better, and that’s what Snoot is about. It’s classic design with a touch of Italian elegance, woven into a technologically outstanding product that provides a unique addition to the market,” says Johansson.

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a busy work day or a lazy day at home,” says Johansson. Timeless durability is a given throughout all Snoot’s collections, and jackets, hoodies, T-shirts and vests are created with a high level of versatility and sustainability to produce garments that will stand the test of time. Quality as well as unparalleled design are key to creating clothes made to last for years, while keeping their timeless appeal intact. In addition to using fabrics of the highest quality, they’re also taking the lead in using recycled materials for many of their products. The company is gearing up for exciting things to come, with new collections along with extended women’s collections on the drawing board, set to be released during 2022. “We believe in innovation to progress everyday life: fashion

As things are levelling up, staying true to their DNA is vital. Maintaining their original idea while innovating to reach new heights is how Snoot continuously stays at the forefront of outerwear.

Web: www.snoot.se Facebook: Snoot Instagram: @snootofficial

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Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

The Shoelace Brand Stockholm: By Hanna Andersson | Photos: The Shoelace Brand Personalised shoelaces that bring out the best in your sneakers Often, we find that our sneakers from last year still look good enough to wear for another season. However, trends change, and they might not be the right fit anymore. You can buy new shoes, but that would lead to the same situation the following year. Instead, the solution is to give your sneakers new life, every season. The Shoelace Brand Stockholm doesn’t just provide you with a new pair of shoelaces; it is your way to stay on trend, without spending a fortune, and without buying new shoes every time something new is trending. “Shoelaces can add that detail that changes an entire outfit,” says Jannike

Arpi, founder and CEO of The Shoelace Brand. “They can match your favourite dress or dress up a pair of sneakers if you don’t want to wear heels.”

to match your mood. They also make the perfect gift for those who already have everything. And they’re of course for both men and women!” Shoelaces might not be the first thing you think of when planning your outfit, but sometimes, they turn out to be the detail that matters the most.

Shoelaces for every occasion The Shoelace Brand offers laces for every occasion and outfit. There’s everything from teddy laces and animal prints to silk laces, faux leather, and laces in reflex, providing statement pieces as well as everyday accessories. “New shoelaces can really elevate your style, and it’s actually really hard to stop once you’ve started experimenting with them!” Jannike laughs. “You can change your laces with the seasons, or

Web: theshoelacebrand.com Instagram: @theshoelacebrand

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Columns

Scandinavian Lifestyle Amp up Easter with a historical beer style The historical beer style Gose, which is brewed with salt and coriander, has had a revival and is popular amongst Scandinavian craft breweries. It’s surprisingly easy-drinking, refreshing and tasty. Gose dates back to the Middle Ages. It was originally brewed in the town of Goslar in Germany, where it takes its name from the river Gose, and later became popular in Leipzig. Eventually, the beer style pretty much died out, but in the 1980s American craft breweries brought Gose back to life, and nowadays it’s brewed around the world. Have you tried Gose? It’s an unfiltered sour wheat beer, similar to Berliner Weisse but brewed with salt and coriander seeds. It might sound somewhat strange with salt in beer, but it’s actually a light and very refreshing beer with low bitterness and high carbonation. Also, this style

is usually around 4.2-4.8 per cent ABV, so sessionable too. Some Scandinavian examples include Stigbergets’ Buñuel, Poppels’ Margarita Salty Sour, and Brekeriet’s Whatever Gose. The coriander seeds add a citrusy quality, like a slice of lemon in ice tea, and the salt is more of a general freshness or a slight sea breeze. It’s like adding salt to a chocolate desert; it brings out sweetness and elevates flavours. Gose is also a great base for adding fruit, and many breweries use, for instance, mango, pineapple, passionfruit and guava, but also more Scandinavian ingredients such as raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. Gose works excellently on its own as an aperitif and pairs well with food too, thanks to the balance of saltiness and acidity. It’s delicious with a wide range of

By Malin Norman

dishes such as ceviche, salads and fish. Why not amp up your Easter meal with a tasty Gose?

Malin Norman is a certified beer sommelier, beer judge and member of the British Guild of Beer Writers. She writes about beer for Scan Magazine, beer magazines and beer suppliers.

Friluftsliv – a passing trend or the secret to mental well-being?

By Heidi Kokborg

Last year, Vogue, Daily Mail and Reader’s Digest all dubbed ‘friluftsliv’ (a concept loosely summarised as ‘open-air living’) as the next big Nordic lifestyle trend. So why hasn’t it taken off yet? It seems that concepts like ‘fika’ and ‘hygge’ are still having their moment, while ‘friluftsliv’ is lacking in glamour and appeal. But is it really only down to the lack of coffee, cake and candles? In a nutshell, ‘friluftsliv’ refers to the value of spending time outdoors, be it hiking, cycling, camping or simply enjoying your coffee in the open air. With 55 per cent of the world’s population living in urban areas, it’s no wonder most of us have lost our connection to nature. We’re taking walks in concrete jungles, working in skyscrapers and running side by side with other city folks on treadmills while blasting the same chart tunes to stay motivated. 40 |

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At the same time, stress and anxiety levels are skyrocketing. According to the WHO, mental health conditions are on the rise globally. Could ‘friluftsliv’ be a part of the solution? Perhaps it could. Several studies have shown that spending time in nature lowers cortisol levels (that’s the stress hormone). One demonstrated that daily exposure to nature can improve self-esteem. Crucially, exercising in nature has been shown to reduce the risk of mental health problems by 50 per cent. I recently relocated to the countryside. Instead of seeing construction sites when looking out my kitchen window, I now see lush, green fields. Instead of traffic noise, I hear birds chirping. There are no street lights to keep me awake at night, and whenever I need a break during the day, I just put on my wellies, grab the dog and take

a walk around the fields. I am calmer, less stressed, kinder, less worried, and overall just happier. Perhaps, after all, ‘friluftsliv’ is not just a trend, but absolutely vital to our mental well-being.

Heidi Kokborg is a journalist and health coach from Denmark. She runs her own online business and writes a column for Scan Magazine about health and wellness in Scandinavia. Web: www.heidikokborg.com

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Culinary Profile

Cherry wine beyond comparison Nestled into the coastline of southern Denmark on Lolland, you’ll find Frederiksdal. Here, they produce what might just be the world’s best cherry wine. Each bottle of cherry wine is made with great respect for history, nature and tradition. You’ll get an exceptional wine with a great taste, which can be served with chocolate, cheese, lamb and much more, depending on your choice of cherry wine.

“In the beginning, the wine is fruitier with hints of strawberry, plums and cranberries. As it gets older, its flavour changes to notes of raisins, figs and apricots,” explains Krabbe.

By Heidi Kokborg

Depending on which cherry wine you choose, you can use it for different purposes. The sparkling wine named RØD is best served ice cold in the summer. Rancio is Frederiksdal’s signature cherry wine, and it pairs perfectly with veal, tenderloin, lamb, cheese, nuts and chocolate. “Wine is a bit like music: the more you know, the more fun it becomes. If you appreciate wine, our cherry wines will give you a richer life,” says Krabbe.

| Photos: Zen Production

Cherry wine should be a part of any wine collection, or you are really missing out. At the southern tip of Denmark on Lolland, Frederiksdal produces cherry wine beyond comparison. “At Frederiksdal, we grow the Stevns cherry, which is a sour cherry perfect for making cherry wine. The Stevns cherry has a high sugar and acid content, which makes it eminent for wine and liquor,” says Harald Krabbe, owner of Frederiksdal. Due to the mild climate on Lolland, the Stevns cherry has near perfect growth conditions here. It takes nine years from the time a cherry tree has been planted until you have a bottle of Frederiksdal cherry wine on the table. “Frederiksdal is a slow farm. Everything we do is done with great respect for history, nature and tradition, combined with

new ways of doing things. As a farmer, I care for the plants, the earth and the animals. Our philosophy is to not hurry anything, and to allow the plants to grow slowly,” says Krabbe. Frederiksdal uses wild yeast for the fermentation process. That way, the cherry wine develops a wider palate of flavour and aroma. This is what makes Frederiksdal’s cherry wine beyond comparison; it’s like an entirely new world of flavour. A symphony of flavours With its extraordinary taste, it is no wonder that the cherry wine from Frederiksdal has been awarded several prizes both in Denmark and internationally, and it is praised by foodies worldwide. You can store the wine for 200 years, and it will only get better with age.

Web: www.frederiksdal.com Facebook: Frederiksdal Kirsebærvin Instagram: @frederiksdalcherrywine

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Fresh seafood, live music and splendid surroundings What started as just one seafood restaurant in Skagen in 1970 has since grown to be a successful restaurant chain with four locations and a boutique hotel. At Skagen Fiskerestaurant, you’ll experience friendly and attentive service, live music, fantastic surroundings and, of course, seafood delights to please your taste buds. By Heidi Kokborg

Photos: Skagen Fiskerestaurant

If you love seafood, Skagen Fiskerestaurant will most definitely hit the spot. Here, you can gorge on dishes such as deepfried flatfish, pan-fried fish cakes with homemade onion compote, Norwegian lobster bisque, monkfish burger, steamed clams, fish and chips à la Skagen, marinated herring, and much more. “When I bought Skagen Fiskerestaurant in 2012, I thought there was a lack of focus on seafood in Denmark. Even though 42 |

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you can never be more than 50 kilometres away from the ocean in Denmark, most restaurants revolve around meat. That is why I wanted to focus on seafood instead,” explains Jesper C. Winter, owner of Skagen Fiskerestaurant. A couple of years after buying Skagen Fiskerestaurant, Jesper C. Winter thought it was time to expand the restaurant and allow other Danish people to get a taste of the delicious seafood they were serving

their guests in Skagen. In 2016, Skagen Fiskerestaurant opened their second restaurant, this time in Copenhagen, at Illum ROOFTOP. Shortly thereafter, the restaurant grew with two more locations in Aalborg and Copenhagen: one at Budolfi Plads in Aalborg, and one more on Esplanaden Copenhagen.

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“All four restaurants have extraordinary locations with amazing outdoor seating areas. In Skagen, the restaurant overlooks the marina, and in both Aalborg and Copenhagen you can get a feel of the big city life while enjoying a lovely meal,” says Jesper C. Winter. Skagen Fiskerestaurant also makes their own Skagen Bjesk, which is made from myrtle, sea buckthorn, cranberries and walnuts. This is an absolute must-try when dining at one of the restaurants. A restaurant for everyone Whether you visit the restaurant in Skagen, the one in Aalborg or one of the two restaurants in Copenhagen, the experience is the same. You will be served the same high-quality seafood, and you will be met by equally friendly staff. “We pay attention to detail, and we think about everything we do. It is important to us that the service is friendly and attentive, and we pride ourselves on giving our waiters and waitresses the proper knowledge to serve our guests exceptionally,” says Jesper C. Winter. “It is also very important to us that everyone feels welcome at the restaurant. Whether it’s a young couple, a family with young kids, tourists, or elderly people, our restaurants welcome everyone, and we wish for every person to have a lovely dining experience here.” While changes have been made since the beginning in 1970, the heart of the restaurant is very much the same. Some of the old recipes are still used today, and

they are just as big of a hit with guests now as they were in 1970. Inside each restaurant you’ll also find sand on the floor, which is a fun little gimmick that has been part of the restaurant concept since the beginning. Another characteristic of Skagen Fiskerestaurant is live music. On the weekends you can experience live music or stand-up comedy while enjoying a glass of wine and seafood. This is particularly lovely during summertime, when you can sit outside and soak up those long summer nights. Enjoy a well-deserved midday break While many people associate restaurants with dinner, Skagen Fiskerestaurant also offers a delicious lunch menu. In fact, what could be better than taking a midday break, enjoying a delightful meal, and just watching life unfold in the city? Wheth-

er you choose to visit the restaurant for lunch or dinner, one thing is guaranteed: your taste buds will be pleased. “We only serve high-quality food, and whenever possible we choose organic. Most of our ingredients are from Denmark, which also means that the menu may vary slightly from season to season. It is of great importance to us that our food is sourced in Denmark, as we wish to reduce our carbon footprint,” explains Jesper C. Winter. Sustainability is something Skagen Fiskerestaurant is constantly aware of – not just in getting the produce and seafood from Denmark, but also in terms of improving packaging and reducing the use of plastic. The full Skagen experience If you wish to visit Skagen Fiskerestaurant in its hometown of Skagen, don’t cheat yourself from getting the full Skagen experience. The town is one of the cosiest in Denmark, with a rich history and stunning nature. Jesper C. Winter and his wife also own Skagen Harbour hotel, a lovely boutique hotel that serves a tasty breakfast in collaboration with Skagen Fiskerestaurant. This truly is a wonderful way to get the full experience of Skagen. Web: www.skagenfiskerestaurant.dk Facebook: Skagen Fiskerestaurant Instagram: @skagenfiskerestaurant

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The best of two worlds – adventures and relaxation Where the road ends, resting among the beautiful mountains of Härjedalen, is Ramundberget. This destination is peaceful and quiet yet offers heaps of adventures such as mountain biking, trail running, hiking and canoeing. By Malin Norman |

Photos: Ramundberget

Located close to the Norwegian border in Härjedalen, the modern family-owned resort Ramundberget offers accommodation such as a hotel, apartments, cabins and camping, as well as cosy restaurants and cafes, and of course the mountains right outside the door. Ramundberget offers plenty of activities available all year around, and the area has easily-accessible trails for hiking, cycling and trail running, where visitors can follow marked-up routes while also experiencing fantastic nature. There are around 60 peaks over 1,000 metres, and adventurers who want to challenge themselves can climb the five peaks surrounding the valley: Helags, Skarsfjället, Mittåkläppen, 44 |

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Anåfjället and Storskarven. Those who manage to conquer all five in the same year can show off the Five Peaks badge – an achievement to be proud of. The cycling park is great for cyclists with varying degrees of experience. Here, you

can choose from lift-served mountain biking, trail cycling, or flow trail. Ramundberget is part of Funäsfjällen’s trail system with over 400 kilometres of accessible bike trails and paths. Check out the app ‘Spår och leder Funäsfjällen’, where you can find information on available tracks and trails. Not just the mountains are calling though; river Ljusnan has lots of activities, such as canoeing, where the whole family can join in, as well as plenty of fishing opportunities. Ramundberget’s adventure centre Last year, Ramundberget opened a new adventure centre with guided tours in response to a higher demand on outdoor activities and closeness to nature. The centre is centrally located in the village, next to the sports shop Topsport where visitors can rent or buy sports equipment, to give more curious people the opportunity to discover what the mountains have to offer.

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“Here you can find information and inspiration about our activities in and around the valley,” says Albin Lärnefjord, guide at the adventure centre. “There are fantastic mountains to explore and peaks to climb in close proximity to Ramundberget, both in summer and winter. We have easier and more difficult alternatives as well as guided tours for groups, and we offer private guides too.” All tours can be pre-booked online as well as at the centre. Recommendations from the guide “When visiting Ramundberget, you don’t need to choose between relaxation and adventures. You can have both – it’s the best of two worlds,” says Lärnefjord. He recommends Tvärån for an unforgettable tour in beautiful nature. “Going for a dip in one of the waterfalls is a must!” he smiles.

A hike around Röstvålen is also a great tip as you get the chance to see the mountains above the treeline. And why not challenge your fear of heights with a climb on the popular Via Ferrata, a fairly easy route for all levels of climbers, which only takes a few hours? When you reach the top, enjoy the fabulous views and a welldeserved break at the Toppstugan terrace. “For people with a bit more experience of the outdoors, I recommend getting a package with canoe and transport from Topsport to Rogen Nature Reserve, for a few days in the wilderness.” This is an unusual setting with a maze of small and large lakes between long winding ridges surrounded by mountains. The expression ‘Rogenmorän’ (‘Rogen moraine’) actually comes from here, and

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even though these types of moraines exist elsewhere in the world, they are more obvious here.

Albin Lärnefjord, guide at Ramundberget’s adventure centre. Photo: Louice Larsson

Web: www.ramundberget.se Facebook: ramundberget Instagram: @ramundberget

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Personal scents created with artificial intelligence The future in personal scents is here. With the help of AI technology, you can now create your own scent tied to a treasured memory. By Malin Norman |

Photos: No Ordinary Scent

Launched in 2020, Stockholm-based company No Ordinary Scent is the brainchild of Sandra Kinnmark and Amelie Saltin Thor. Kinnmark has a background in tech start-ups and Saltin Thor has vast experience from the fashion industry. Together, they realised the potential for a new type of scent experience and set up a digital perfumery with AI to help create personal scents. Personal scent through AI is a new product on the market. While traditional perfumeries use storytelling with the help of celebrities, No Ordinary Scent balances 46 |

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on the intersection between art, science and craft. It enables customers to create their own story, to capture a moment in life and relive it through their own personal scent. No Ordinary Scent has received plenty of attention in media and been featured in fashion magazines such as ELLE, Vogue Scandinavia and Plaza Kvinna. Just one month after launch, it was listed among the biggest trends to look out for in 2021 and named The Future of Scent by Damernas Värld. Not only fashion magazines have their eye on this start-up,

however; it was also included on Scandinavian MIND’s list of ground-breaking brains and entrepreneurs, with the comment: “It’s like Spotify, for your nose.” AI tool and the future of personal scent But how does it work? To create a personal scent, the customer uploads three photos to the Scent Creator, for instance from a trip or a special occasion. The AI tool analyses and highlights certain features in the photos, such as season, activities and colours, and then matches with a combination of scent ingredients, all sourced from the perfumery capital of Grasse, for a unique blend. The scent is named by the customer and made to order in the lab in Stockholm. Through a QR code on the scent label, customers can later access their photos and relive the memories.

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“Scent is our most personal and powerful sense,” explains Saltin Thor, co-founder and COO. “Our brains form a strong association between the scent we are wearing and the feelings we are experiencing. This allows us to use scents to evoke those feelings on demand, a bit like getting into a special mood by listening to a mood-boosting playlist, but way more powerful.” So far, the company has created around 5,000 perfumes, with an impressive 4,8 out of 5 in customer satisfaction. Many take the opportunity to create several scents from the same memory, for instance a birthday party or a hen do. Customers can also attend workshops in Stockholm, where they learn how to compose their own scent. “It’s fabulous to be able to meet people in person and build a community, co-create scents and get direct feedback on our blends,” says Saltin Thor. Partnerships and emotional connections The company also has strategic partnerships with selected brands. Ascaro Padel, a padel club located on the roof of department store NK in central Stockholm, uses AI for scent branding. And No Ordinary Scent has developed scents with the help of AI with, for instance, Form Us With Love, Cake and Skanno in Finland. Other partnerships include Fashion Week perfumes and give-aways, pop-up experiences, and customised scent educations. “Brands are starting to incorporate our most powerful sense – the sense of smell – into their marketing strategy,” says Saltin Thor. “Through the nose, we create a deeper connection between brands and their communities.” Next for these female tech entrepreneurs is upscaling and expansion. No Ordinary Scent currently ships to Sweden, Denmark and Finland, and is looking to expand operations internationally in the near future. Web: noordinaryscent.com Instagram: @noordinaryscent

Amelie Saltin Thor and Sandra Kinnmark, founders of No Ordinary Scent.

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Health Profile

The key to a perfect smile Colosseum Tannlege is dominating the Norwegian dental industry, with nearly 60 clinics operating across the country. With everything from specialised clinics to orthodontic and general dental health clinics, Colosseum offers a range of services using the most modern methods and equipment. By Celina Tran

Photos: Colosseum Tannlege

“Colosseum’s foundations are professional strength, service and quality,” says the CEO of Colosseum Norway, Mia Grundstrøm. They started their journey in 1986, when a Norwegian dentist opened the very first clinic. Since its establishment, Colosseum has gone on to dominate the field, offering a vast range of different services, from preventative to aesthetic dental care. As of today, they are the biggest within the Norwegian field. Entrepreneurial drive Since joining the Colosseum Tannlege team, Grundstrøm has witnessed the incredible growth of the business. When she 48 |

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started in 2020, they had 35 clinics across the country. Just under two years later, they have grown to almost 60 clinics. “Colosseum thrives on interdisciplinary specialisation and a broad professional network based on personal drive and enthusiasm. This means we’re always quick to introduce new and better technology and techniques, always ensuring the right treatment for the patient,” Grundstrøm says. Every single day, the Colosseum staff go to work with the intention of helping their patients. “Over 30 per cent of Norwegians have fears or anxieties about going to the dentist,” she says. ”Therefore,

we always do our utmost to make sure that the experience is as comfortable and good as possible.” Grundstrøm reflects on a growing trend of people investing more in their health, and explains what Colosseum offers patients in return. “We strive to provide a personalised and satisfactory journey for every customer. It’s about giving each patient the right treatment, which is why we focus on professional strength and service.”

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One of the trends in dental care is invisible aligners, such as Invisalign – an alternative to braces. These aligners allow patients to live as normally and comfortably as possible, even if their treatment spans over a long time. The fact that the aligners are almost invisible makes more adults seek out the treatment. Interdisciplinary academic cooperation and strength In 2017, Colosseum became a part of Colosseum Dental Group, the leading provider of dental services in Europe. The group boasts an impressive number of nearly 580 clinics across 11 different countries. Grundstrøm explains that Colosseum has a vast range of knowledgeable specialists, dentists, and dental nurses who cooperate to provide excellent care. “The core of Colosseum has always been professional strength, as well as high quality and service. Our large team consists of different dental professionals that have developed a culture of interdisci-

plinary specialisation. The cooperation and teamwork also stretch across country borders,” the Colosseum CEO says. “People here want to help each other improve; we cooperate. This is one of my favourite things about Colosseum.” Always striving towards more knowledge, the Colosseum Dental Group has established the Oslo-based Colosseum Academy, where they offer classes for specialists, dentists, dental nurses and support staff. The academy is dedicated to continuing the education of clinical workers, offering both remote and on-site courses. Modern technology and technique “Our customers and patients expect and deserve the very best, also in regards to technology,” asserts Grundstrøm. In utilising the newest and best technology on the market, Colosseum ensures their patients’ comfort. In the past, for example, it was normal to make a traditional mould of your teeth, which anyone who has done could easily describe as the

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worst 45 seconds of their lives. Now, technology allows the dental team to scan your teeth for various treatments, avoiding discomfort. “Previously, most people just assumed that whatever the dentist did to their teeth was right. Thanks to new technology and scans, the patient can see the root of their problems in their scans, giving them a better understanding of what treatments they need and why. It allows for full transparency,” Grundstrøm explains. Thanks to smartphones, patients can easily book and rebook their appointments, and Grundstrøm says that Colosseum is hoping to make scans, documents and online journal notes accessible to patients soon too. Web: colosseumtannlege.no Facebook: Colosseum Tannlege Instagram: @colosseumtannlege

Mia Grundstrøm.

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Get Scandi Festival Ready

Finally festival season As two long years of Covid, restrictions are finally coming to an end and long nights and frosty days turn to spring, Scandinavia is shaking off the cold hands of winter and gearing up for one of its favourite summer pastimes: the big Nordic festival season.

you back indoors. To a lot of people, festivals are the ultimate way of celebrating summers in the sun.

Text and photos: Alyssa Nilsen

As a teen, I heard all the legends and anecdotes about Roskilde in Denmark, a festival of a daunting size with the biggest stars entertaining the masses. I heard about the Norwegian Quart Festival where Haakon, Crown Prince of

Living in Scandinavia, where winter covers the lands for large parts of the year, you learn early on that summers are made for outdoor adventures and expe50 |

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riences. Whatever the weather, wherever you live, summer is all about meeting people and having as much fun as possible before winter once again forces

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Norway, met his now-wife, Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway. There was the Oslo festival Kalvøya, which later became the Øyafestival, and Sweden Rock, where all the cool people went. Years later, young, inexperienced and slightly terrified, I ventured to my first proper summer festivals and finally got to experience the magic first hand. Finding myself in a crowd of thousands in the warming sunshine with friends by my side, a cold drink in hand and my favourite band on stage, I was enthralled. Everywhere I looked, masses of beautiful people were dancing along to the indie rock, hip-hop and pop music blasting from the

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Get Scandi Festival Ready

massive stages. People of all ages were having picnics on the grass, getting fashion inspiration from passers-by, drinking ‘utepils’ (‘outside beer’) with friends; laughing, flirting and falling in love with each other and the bands on stage. Magical nights and friendly days It felt like a community – a temporary commune. We were all there for the same reasons, and the Nordic approach to strangers and proximity (which is essentially to always practice social distancing) vanished. Everyone talked to everyone, danced with everyone and hugged everyone. At the end of the day, people went home, to a hotel or the campsite, exhausted but happy, and slept – only to return to do it all again the next day. Adding to the magic were the bright Nordic summer nights, forever frustrating international bands bringing intricate light shows barely visible in the evening sun – but also giving the festivals a very different vibe than what you will experience in other places. Come 11pm, people take off their sunglasses, put on their woollen jumpers, and party on as if it were mid-afternoon, not letting a single second of the summer go to waste. I have since travelled the world as a music journalist, visiting large April 2022 |

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| Cover Feature | Get Scandi Festival Ready

and small festivals, but nowhere have I found the same vibe or approach to festivals as the one you’ll find in the Nordics. The focus on green and eco-friendly festivals is increasing internationally but has long been a staple in the Nordics. The Øyafestival in Oslo started powering its stages with 100 per cent renewable energy in 2010, sourcing electricity from a hydroelectric dam an hour’s drive from the festival site. Festivals are sorting through and recycling tonnes of rubbish each year, with the help of the festival punters who often get money back for the trash they return to recycling stations. Denmark’s Northside festival has ‘trash butlers’ and ‘trash maids’, who help sort your rubbish into six sections, and the food is plant-based and 100 per cent organic. Nordic festivals are often family-friendly too, with children roaming the grounds safely and freely, collecting beer cups in return for money. This way, rubbish never gathers at people’s feet; the ground stays

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tidy and inviting throughout the festival. In recent years, single-use plastic plates, cutlery and cups have been replaced by degradable or even edible versions, ensuring that the environmental footprints of the festivals are as small and green as possible.

Gourmet food and free lounges Scandinavian festivals can sometimes tend to be on the pricier side. This ties in with the general price level in the Nordics – but it also ensures a level of quality that is rare at other music festivals. Comfort is important. Free lounges to relax in are

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found throughout the grounds, and the food tends to range from ordinary fast food to gourmet options, based on local produce delivered by nearby restaurants. Vegetarian and vegan options also tend to be readily available. Overly intoxicated people are a rare sight, due both to the price of alcohol and to the vibe of the festivals, which are about chilling with friends and enjoying music, not drunkenly raving around. Hydration stations with free water can be found everywhere, helping punters rehydrate throughout the festival. If you need a break, buy some food and lounge on the grass on the periphery of the crowd at a concert. Or why not attend a poetry or book reading? Libraries often have their own tents or stages for alternative cultural experiences. Financial support, a lot of focus on culture and music, and economies allowing for large events are all reasons why Scandinavia has become a festival hotspot – and indeed why festivals have become such an integral part of Scan-

dinavian culture. They give us a chance to enjoy the summer season and shake off the shell we Scandinavians often find ourselves in; to dance with a stranger, hug the person you met two seconds

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ago, sing along with thousands of others to the songs that defined that particular summer, and fall in love. With each other, with music, and with Scandinavian summer nights.

DOS AND DON’TS FOR THE NORDIC FESTIVAL SEASON DO:

DON’T:

- Bring wool, rain gear and sunglasses. You might experience four seasons in one day.

- Litter.

- Recycle and return rubbish. You’ll keep the grounds nice and clean, and often get a small sum of money in return. - Talk to strangers. At festivals, it’s allowed. - Keep an open mind. Half the fun of festivals is falling in love with music you would never normally discover.

- Get overly intoxicated. Nordic festivals are about the experience, not the senseless party. - Worry about the weather. Sudden hail storm? Have a midsummer snowball fight! - Wear silly costumes. Nordic festivals are effortlessly chic affairs, not carnivals.

- Wear sunscreen.

- Make too rigid a plan of what to do and who to see; just go with the flow.

- Rehydrate. Water is available for free at most festivals.

- Wear white trainers or sandals. They won’t stay white for very long.

- Enjoy a picnic with your friends. It’s the perfect break between the many concerts.

- Forget to eat. You will need all the energy you can get, and the food is often delicious.

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T N’ O D lT U ISS ia c O e Y M Sp S L TO A V TI ANT S FE W e:

m he

Food samples at the festival.

Celebrating the culinary tradition of aquavit Aquavit is one of the most internationally recognised Nordic products. The spirit, distilled from potatoes or grain, is typically paired with traditional meals, often at Christmas and similar celebrations. Norwegian festival Akevittfestivalen aims to inspire, educate and broaden our horizons on the culture and traditions of aquavit and the many possible uses of the spirit. By Alyssa Nilsen

Photos: Frostrøyk

Aquavit, or ‘akevitt’ in Norwegian, is a spirit with a long and rich history. It remains unknown for just how long it has been distilled in Norway, but the first written records of the spirit date back to the 16th century. Norwegian annual festival Akevittfestivalen serves as a giant celebration of good drink, good food, culture and tradition, with aquavit as the centrepiece. Taking place from 29 September to 1 October in the Norwegian town Gjøvik, idyllically located by the shores of lake Mjøsa, Akevittfestivalen gathers more 54 |

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than 30,000 people each year, making it the biggest of its kind in Norway. The location of the festival is not random. Gjøvik, self-titled The Capital of Aquavit, is from where the recipe for the famous aquavit brand Gammel Oppland hails.

tunity to enjoy local cuisine made by some of the region’s best chefs. But the festival doesn’t only offer sustenance in the form of food and drink. There is also an educational and inspirational aspect to the experience, albeit a social, interactive and quite pleasant one. “One of the things we are passionate about is educating people on aquavit,” says festival director Marianne Aashaug. “We want to distance ourselves a bit from the tradition of keeping aquavit in the

Inspiring and educational experiences Through collaborations with local restaurants and bars, the festival offers visitors top-quality culinary experiences and the chance to experience the spirit in ways other than just the traditional meal-side schnapps. Tables at restaurants are booked months in advance for the oppor-

Aquavit bottle.

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freezer only to be used as a schnapps or shots on Christmas Eve. There’s so much more to it.”

Due to the compact layout of Gjøvik town, everything the festival has to offer is available on foot. Getting to Gjøvik and the festival is also easy. Trains and coaches run from all over Norway, and from Oslo central station there’s even a festival train specially chartered for the occasion. The so-called Aquavit Train brings festival guests from the Norwegian capital straight to Gjøvik, providing food and drinks along the way for an extra special experience.

With increasing national and international popularity, the use of the spirit is expanding. Aquavit can successfully be paired with cheese or chocolate, or even used in cooking and cocktails. “There are more than 300 different types of Norwegian aquavits available,” Aashaug says. “There’s a wide range of varieties, so it’s possible to find an aquavit to fit whatever purpose you want and need.” “Aquavit is a very versatile spirit,” bartender Stian Wehus adds. “Its uses in cocktails are infinite. It’s a world a lot of people are only now discovering. Visiting a great cocktail bar in New York and being served an amazing cocktail with Norwegian aquavit is a pure joy!” Trying new combinations and uses of the spirit with old and new friends is one of the many highlights of Akevittfestivalen. The festival, in addition to collaborating with the local culinary scene, offers a sampling tent located by the central train station. There, distillers and beer brewers from the local area, as well as the rest of the country, showcase their products and specialties, giving visitors the opportunity to sample and experience their products. In the evenings, the tent is converted into a concert venue, carrying on the celebrations into the early hours of the morning.

Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Locally sourced vegetables.

Festival food market Mætt Ta Mat lets visitors sample and purchase local products, as well as meet and learn from the producers themselves. Celebrating culinary culture in a social setting A celebration of culinary art and culture, Akevittfestivalen attracts visitors with an interest in food, drink and tradition. To provide the chance to learn even more about these topics, the festival conference Mersmak offers inspiration and competence, aiming to increase the public’s interest in and knowledge of culinary culture and the importance of local tradition and produce.

Lingon cocktail. Photo: Stian Wehus

Stian Wehus’ favourite aquavit-based cocktail: Lingon 40ml Lysholm No52 aquavit 20ml fresh lime juice 20ml simple syrup 1,5 tsp stirred lingonberries 15ml aquafaba or the egg white of 1/2 egg Put all the ingredients in a shaker and crush the berries at the bottom. Shake the ingredients well, without ice at first, to achieve a foam. Add ice and shake again. Double strain the drink into a cooled cocktail glass, using a fine-mesh strainer to keep the berries out. Use star anise for decoration.

To find out more about Akevittfestivalen, visit them online at: Web: www.akevittfestivalen.no Facebook: norskakevittfestival Instagram: @norskakevittfestival

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| Special Theme

Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Ekstremsportveko 2019, speed flying. Photo: Kristian Jøndal

A festival combining extreme sports, music and family-friendly fun Every last week of June, a small town in western Norway turns into the extreme sports capital of the world. Visitors to Ekstremsportveko can watch top athletes extreme kayak, mountain bike and skydive, but also enjoy a full music line-up and try out many sports and activities themselves. By Linda Thompson

Ekstremsportveko is a festival unlike any other in the world. It pairs around 30 extreme sports competitions – from skydiving, rafting, paragliding and longboarding, to cliff diving and climbing – with a music programme in the evenings. Ekstremsportveko’s live concert programme is spread out over the final three days of the event. This year, it features acts like rock phenomenon Turbonegro, hip-hop legend Grandmas56 |

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so that they can experience the vibe and take part at their level,” explains Aud Helen Singstad, the festival’s head of marketing. “You don’t need to throw yourself out of an airplane to be a part of the festival.”

ter Flash, rap prodigy Kjartan Lauritzen and the interdisciplinary music and dance collective Tacobitch. There is more to the largest extreme sports festival in the world – it is not just for watching stunning sports feats and enjoying great music. At Ekstremsportveko, visitors are invited and encouraged to try out the sports themselves. “We work tirelessly to include everyone

Ekstremsportveko 2015, Turbonegro concert. Photo: tommyfoto

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Ekstremsportveko 2019, Kjartan Lauritzen concert. Photo: Kristian Jøndal

Ekstremsportveko 2021, zipline and climbing. Photo: VossActive

“But,” she quips, “feel free to, if you have the certificate.” A family-friendly, laid-back vibe The festival, which takes place during the last week of June this year, also hosts a Pride parade and several talks and film screenings which visitors can join for free. Despite the scope of the event and the high-profile national and international athletes it draws, the festival has come to be known over the years for its familyfriendly, laid-back vibe. It offers low-key activities ranging from mini MTB downhill and wind-tunnel, to climbing. In the evenings, visitors and athletes gather in the main festival tent to celebrate that day’s sports achievements with a prize ceremony and watch the video highlights of the day on the big screen. “It’s the best feeling when we all come together and cheer each other on. April 2022 |

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Ekstremsportveko 2019, cliff diving. Photo: Carl Van den Boom

Ekstremsportveko 2019, Pride parade. Photo: Erica Clapp

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The stoke is high when we’re all watching the video of everything that’s gone down that day,” Singstad says, adding that the festival hosts so many simultaneous competitions that it is impossible to catch them all as a visitor.

An extreme sports El Dorado

Ekstremsportveko started out as a national extreme sports festival in 1998 with a modest programme of four sports disciplines – rafting, skydiving, paragliding and white-water kayaking. It is organised by the non-profit organisation Stiftinga Ekstreme Voss. The foundation has three people on staff year-round – Singstad being one of them – but otherwise relies completely on volunteers to make the festival a huge success year after year.

During the festival, the town – surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes and fast-flowing white-water rivers – turns into an extreme sports El Dorado for seven days. “The extraordinary thing about Voss is all the activities you can do within just a one-hour drive,” Singstad enthuses. “This makes it the perfect base for an active week or holiday. Here, you can skydive, mountain bike, climb, longboard, raft, hike, kayak, or chill out at the many bathing spots in the area.”

“That’s also a big part of Ekstremsportveko. We have amazing volunteers who genuinely care about the festival, and they contribute to the festival’s family atmosphere,” Singstad explains. “You step into this open and warm community.”

The festival is held in Voss in Vestland County in western Norway, and Ekstremsportveko has put the town of 15,000 people on the map as a destination for extreme sports.

This year’s edition will also host two major international events. The World Championship in Extreme Kayaking is a timed race that sees athletes kayak down challenging rapids and drops. “As an ath-

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Ekstremsportveko 2021, kayak sprint. Photo: Kaisa Tiivel

lete, you need a strong skill set for this and need to be able to choose the right lines to become the champion,” Singstad explains. The second marquee event is the iXS European Downhill Cup, a famous mountain biking race held in Norway for the first time. “We are pretty excited that we get to host it, and we are hoping a lot of people will come to watch and maybe even join in from all over Europe,” Singstad says.

selves to testing different skills. We work with the river how it is, rather than altering it with stones or rocks.” This year, sports visitors can try out: Longboarding Gliding Climbing Mountain biking Indoor skydiving Kayaking Plus much more

The 2022 edition in numbers: 1,500 athletes expected 50 countries represented 18,500 visitors expected 30 extreme sports competitions 800 volunteers 24th edition

Web: www.ekstremsportveko.com Facebook: Ekstremsportveko Instagram: @ekstremsportveko

Ekstremsportveko takes pride in being an eco-certified event and lives by the slogan ‘leave nothing but a footprint’. The festival has a unique approach to building and taking down venues for the different sports competitions. “We try to leave as little of a footprint as we can with our activities and try not to build things that we aren’t able to remove afterwards. That has been very important for us from the beginning,” Singstad asserts. “Play with nature, be bold, have fun, leave nothing but footprints, and always put safety first. For instance, we don’t build a ‘perfect’ section for extreme kayaking. Instead, we find sections that lend them-

Ekstremsportveko 2021, downhill mountain biking. Photo: Daniel Sapak

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Beer, bratwurst and Bavaria – experience the traditional German Oktoberfest in Oslo City centre Lederhosen, Dirndl and beer served in giant seidel mugs while ‘drinking songs’ are sung loudly, are things you would normally associate with Bavaria and Germany. But in Oslo, Norway, Oktoberfest is also quickly becoming a popular autumnal tradition. By Alyssa Nilsen

Photos: Johannes Andersen

Each October, two large tents filled to the brim with 3,000 happy people indulging in German beer, food and traditions grace the Youngstorget square in central Oslo. Taking place during the last three weekends of October, Oktoberfest Oslo, Norway’s biggest Oktoberfest, imports a little piece of Bavaria and Germany to the Nordics. Dating back to the 19th century, Oktoberfest initially started as a celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig – later King Ludwig I – to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Having celebrat60 |

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ed its 200th anniversary in 2010, it’s one of the most widely celebrated German festivals, as famed internationally as the Irish St Patrick’s Day or the Brazilian carnival parades.

In Oslo, Oktoberfest has been arranged since 2006, first in various smaller venues, before upgrading to the current large festival tents at Youngstorget in 2017. History, tradition and beer To get the perfect atmosphere at the festival, Tyrolean orchestra Ronald Schnipfelgrüber Tyrolerkapelle entertains the crowds with traditional singalong music and drinking songs. Everyone working the tents dons the Bavarian outfits of Dirndl and Lederhosen, and the tents are dressed up in black, red and yellow. “A clear trend among the visitors over the past few years is that more and more of them also choose to dress up for the occasion,” CEO Kalle Fostervoll says. “Women dress in the traditional Dirndl dress and men in Lederhosen, adding to the vibe

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

to salad and side dishes. Though tables can be reserved, more than one-third of the tables at the venue are available on a first-come first-served basis. VIP packages with drinks and serving platters included are also available for purchase. Oktoberfest Oslo takes place on 13-15, 20-22 and 28-29 October

For more information and to book tables, visit Oktoberfest Oslo at: Web: www.oktoberfestoslo.com Facebook: oktoberfestoslo Instagram: @oktoberfestoslo Snapchat: oktoberfestoslo

and the experience of the festival. People put a lot of time and effort into their costumes. They go all in to fit into what we associate with Munich and Oktoberfest.” The festival aims to keep as close to the traditional Oktoberfest as possible, giving people the opportunity to really experience what a German Oktoberfest is actually like. Part of that means importing beer straight from Bavaria, many types of which are traditional Oktoberfest brands and beers. Historically, only beer brewed within the City of Munich, from six traditional Munich-based breweries, was allowed to be served during Oktoberfest. The Oslo Oktoberfest expands the drinks menu with beers from the rest of the world, but guests hoping to sample German flavours will not be disappointed.

with meat delivered by Strøm-Larsen, including traditional sausages like Rostbratwurst, Currywurst and Cabbage Sausage. There are also dinner plates with burgers, various meats and plenty of sauerkraut, as well as an option of Mexican food delivered by Los Tacos. Vegetarian options are also available. Tables at the festival fit four or ten people. Pre-booked tables include festival tickets as well as the option of booking sharing platters featuring meat from StrømLarsen, such as pork knuckles, wurst, neck chops, chicken, sauerkraut, pota-

A little piece of Germany in Norway Oktoberfest Oslo’s efforts in making the festival as authentic as possible resulted in Germans travelling all the way from Germany to take part in last year’s festivities when the German festival was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. “We like to call ourselves an extended part of the Federal Republic of Germany,” Fostervoll laughs. But there’s more to Oktoberfest than just beer. German food is also on the menu, April 2022 |

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Historical theatre in a World Heritage setting Each summer, in the World Heritage Site town of Røros, Norway, historic events unfold among the remnants of the mining industry that once ran the place. Based on the 1718-1719 invasion by 10,000 Swedish soldiers commanded by General Carl Gustaf Armfeldt, the historical musical Elden is an annual reminder of Røros’ and Scandinavia’s dramatic past. By Alyssa Nilsen

Photos: Marthe A Vannebo

For centuries, there have been tensions and wars between the Scandinavian countries. One of the lesser-known battles took place in 1718-1719 at the end of The Great Northern War, when 10,000 Swedish soldiers, commanded by General Carl Gustaf Armfeldt on the orders of King Karl XII, headed towards Trondheim to take over Norway. Several hundred soldiers were sent to the town of Røros, south of Trondheim, to confiscate copper and other valuables. 62 |

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When King Karl XII was shot by Fredsrikshald fortress, the Swedish soldiers had to withdraw to Sweden. The march across the mountains by the border was so rough that 3,000 soldiers did not make it across. This, along with the events that took place in Røros, lay the foundation for the historical musical Elden, written by Arnfinn Strømmevold and Bertil Reithaug. Taking place at the turn of the month between July and August, among the slag

heaps of Elden in Røros, the Elden musical theatre attracts 12,000 visitors annually. Visitors not only get to see Elden with its slag heaps up close; they can also visit the museums and the surrounding national park, as well as experience the town of Røros with its historical buildings and unique appearance and vibe. In the evenings at the amphitheatre, an award-winning team of producers, actors and actresses make sure the audience get an experience out of the ordinary. Spectacular setting for a dramatic performance One of Norway’s biggest and most spectacular outdoor theatres, Elden is the perfect setting for dramatic performance. The large and dark slag heaps against the bright summer-night sky make an im-

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

pressive backdrop to the performances and music. An award-winning team produces the play, with more than 320 actors, musicians, crew and volunteers doing their part to give the audience a night to remember. Local food and drinks are sold before the performance as well as during the interval, and for those who want an extra special night, on-site Restaurant SLAGG serves a four-course meal based on local produce before the play. Performances and stories from the play are performed during the meal, which takes place in a ‘lávvu’ (a tent-like, temporary dwelling used by the Sami people). And though the play is performed in Norwegian and Swedish, this shouldn’t discourage those visiting the country from making the trip: “We all go to experience operas performed in Italian or German without necessarily knowing the languages,” CEO Siri B. Gellein notes. “It’s all about experiencing the music. The same thing happens at Elden. Even if you don’t speak Norwegian or Swedish, you will get a spectacular musical experience.” Foreign visitors also get a pamphlet, available in several languages, acting as a summary explaining what is happening on stage. And visually, the play itself is explanatory, even if the words aren’t recognisable to some.

Photo: Øyeblikket Foto

Sample local food prior to the play In 2022, Elden will be a certified Eco-Lighthouse event, ensuring compliance with one or more sets of governance and environmental criteria. Steps taken to preserve the environment, in addition to the locally sourced food, are making Elden plastic-free. Single-use cutlery is made from wood, while all packaging used is compostable and biodegradable. The size of Røros also makes it practically car-free. It is easy to get around by foot or bike. The Elden musical is suitable for anyone above the age of six. This is due to the time of the performance (from 9.30pm

to midnight), the dramatic nature of the story, and the visual and audio effects. As the play takes place outdoors, visitors are encouraged to dress in layers with plenty of wool, as even though the days can be warm, the nights tend to be cold. Elden also recommends bringing rain gear in case of showers. Any local Covid-19 restrictions at the time will be adhered to. For more information and to book tickets, visit Elden at: Web: www.elden-roros.no Facebook: EldenRoros Instagram: @eldenroros

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

BarentsKræsj, produced by DanseFestival Barents and Stellaris DansTeater. Photo: Kim S. Falck-Jørgensen

World-class dance experiences in an Arctic setting The world’s northernmost festival is a space that transcends borders, and where dance artists come to collaborate. Featuring eclectic performances from across the Barents Arctic region, the result is nothing short of magical. By Ndéla Faye

Ever since its inception, DanseFestival Barents has been attracting dance artists and visitors to Hammerfest in Norway. The festival was founded by Solveig Leinan-Hermo and Stellaris DansTeater, and the first festival was held in 2003. DanseFestival Barents was born out of a need to create a vibrant meeting place for dance artists living and working in the Barents region. It has since grown into one of the most notable networks of dance artists across the globe, marking its 20th jubilee next year.

has over five million inhabitants, and it is home to numerous people, cultures and languages. “It’s an incredibly vibrant and culturally rich region. Despite spanning across several state borders, the people have something in common: living in the Arctic region. DanseFestival Barents is a place where artists and audiences can come together and experience what happens when people meet and get to collaborate,” says Marie Hermo Jensen, who is the festival’s co-artistic director, alongside Solveig Leinan-Hermo.

The Barents Region consists of the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and North-West Russia. The area

The town of Hammerfest is the northernmost town in the world, with more than 10,000 inhabitants. As well as its dance

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scene, Hammerfest has plenty of other exciting experiences for visitors, too. There are numerous hiking trails and newly-designed hiking huts with stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Visitors can also take a ferry to visit Sørøya, where you can meet some of its most interesting inhabitants, Mongolian camels, and some tourists might even be lucky enough to spot the iconic northern lights. “Hammerfest and the nearby areas are well worth a visit – and what better way to explore life in the Arctic than combining it with the festival and seeing some of the best talent we have to offer?” poses Hermo Jensen. This year, from 9 to 13 November, the town of Hammerfest will host another festival with world-class talent from the Barents region, as well as from across the globe. “We are proud to be a place where voices from the region can come together.

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The festival aims to present work that is culturally relevant, and which represents the region’s diverse indigenous and linguistic populations,” Hermo Jensen adds. ‘The world looks very different now’ When the pandemic happened, the creation of art as we knew it came to a halt. But something good and powerful was also born out of it, according to Hermo Jensen: new approaches and kinds of artistic collaborations. As a response to the pandemic and the subsequent travel restrictions, a collaborative project, Out of Urgency, was initiated by Dansinitiativet and with Barents partners. It included a number of performances throughout 2020 in Russia, Norway, Finland and Sweden, shown simultaneously live and virtually in each country. “It was a way to share an artistic experience and explore how these places and their inhabitants had been affected by the global pandemic. It was about how Covid-19 has challenged, changed and created new exciting movements – movement out of urgency,” Hermo Jensen explains. Another project that challenged existing norms was a performance titled BarentsKræsj, produced by the festival alongside Stellaris DansTeater. In this 2017 performance, traditional Rus-

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

sian classical ballet and folk dance met Norwegian electronica music, film and light design. On stage were dancers from Murmansk, Arkhangelsk and Petrozavodsk. According to Hermo Jensen, the results were ground-breaking, and oneof-a-kind – and only made possible because of the festival’s long tradition of collaboration with Russia. “Decades have been dedicated to getting to where we are today, and it feels important not to lose this connection to the Russian people and artists now that we are facing a devastating war. It is important to distinguish between governance and independent artists and companies – many of whom we consider our collaborators and friends,” Hermo Jensen continues. The programme for the festival will be published in the summer, when the tickets will also go on sale. “We are always trying to expand, and to stay current. But world events are happening at such speed – and art always inevitably imitates life, so there is a lot to keep up with,” Hermo Jensen adds. There is something comforting about the fact that, in a world where many things seem uncertain and scary at the moment, there is something that brings people together and transcends borders. “I’ve

An Dran Drin Drekt, by Kartellet. Photo: Knut Aaserud

come to think of the region as almost like its own country. It challenges state borders as we know them. What we are doing feels very important – even more so at the moment,” says Hermo Jensen. “At DanseFestival Barents, people don’t need to understand each other’s languages; the bodies speak for themselves through movement. At times, the fact that our artists don’t always share a common language can also lead to funny and interesting misunderstandings. This is about building meaningful connections through networks,” the co-artistic director concludes. Web: www.dansefestivalbarents.no Visit Hammerfest: www.visithammerfest.net/en

Hiking cabin in Hammerfest. Photo: Tor Even Mathisen/Spinn Arkitekter

Utsikt, by KATMA/Nordland Visual Theatre. Photo: Mariell Amelié Lind-Hansen

Swans in stone, by Stellaris DansTeater. Photo: Andreas Ausland

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Celebrating summer with music and seafood Hot summer evenings with good friends, good food and good music set in the idyllic archipelago of southern Norway are what Kristiansand-based festival Sommerbris offers its guests as it gears up for the first restriction-free summer in two years. By Alyssa Nilsen

Photos: Shutterstock

Southern Norwegian festival Sommerbris should be celebrating its third anniversary in 2022. But due to two long years of heavy Covid restrictions, the festival, which was due to premiere in 2020, is only now gearing up to open its gates for the first time. Taking place on 17 and 18 June, the festival allows visitors to experience the beauty of the Norwegian midsummer, while providing both entertainment and local delicacies. Set at Odderøya in the centre of the idyllic town of Kristiansand, which is located in the very south of Norway, Sommerbris is 66 |

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continuing the area’s long legacy of festivals. This is where the legendary Norwegian festival, the Quart Festival, took place in the ‘90s and ‘00s, one of the festivals responsible for turning the nation into the festival-loving country it is today. Over the course of the festival’s two days, big, well-known Norwegian and Swedish bands and artists will take to the stage at Sommerbris. Crowdpleasers like Di Derre, Stavangerkameratene, Klovner i Kamp and Hellbillies are ready to get the singalongs started with music made for warm and lazy summer evenings.

They share the line-up with chart-topping artists like Dagny, Victor Leksell and Gabrielle, artists who have made a name for themselves both nationally and internationally. It is a varied line-up spanning several genres and generations, ensuring there is something for everyone. “A lot of festivals cater to the people who go out of their way to discover new bands,” Festival Director Heine Strømme says. “We want to offer people what they already know and love.” And to add to the familiar, German ‘90s hit-maker Scooter, known for hits like How Much Is The Fish and Hyper Hyper, will be performing at the festival. “The ‘90s icon will be doing his only concert in Norway,” Strømme says, “at what will essentially be the re-opening of Norway

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

at Sommerbris. Expect lots of nostalgia and guilty pleasures.” He adds: “We want to be an all-round lovely festival that’s not trying to be cool or hip. It’s just meant to be a good place where people can get together, be social, and enjoy themselves. Going to a festival is all about being with your friends and having fun.” Summer, sun and seafood Alongside the musical experiences, the festival aims for a relaxed setting where the audience can enjoy the many concerts with good friends and good food in the afternoon sun and bright summer nights. There will be a beach bar at Bendiksbukta featuring day beds, sun beds, lounges and a chilled atmosphere, where the guests can relax with a glass of rosé before and between the concerts. The festival will also have a food court offering up traditional festival food from the eateries Pizzabakeren, Los Tacos and Chang Noi. For those wanting an extra special weekend, and a chance to experience the essence of southern Norway, there is also an option of booking a table for ten, including the festival ticket, a perfect view of the stage, a shellfish buffet from Fiskesalg and drinks. The shellfish buffet offers up the very food items people associate with Kristiansand: prawns, mussels, crabs and more.

After two years of pandemic isolation, quarantines and lockdowns, with little to no social gatherings, events or happy memories to be made, a summer of social gatherings centred around music, friends and good food might just be exactly what is needed to get back into the swing of things. To read more about Sommerbris and book festival tickets and tables, visit: Web: www.sommerbris.com Facebook: sommerbris Instagram: @sommerbris

There are no camping sites at the festival, but Sommerbris has partnered up with Thon Hotel Norge to offer discounted hotel rooms to festival guests. Getting to Kristiansand is easy whether travelling by plane, train, coach or car. You can listen to the Sommerbris playlist on Spotify, featuring music from the festival’s line-up: livescene.sommerbr.is

Photo: Anders Martinsen

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

David Helbock.

Swing your way through spring! MaiJazz is one of most important and oldest cultural events of southern Norway, attracting passionate artists and music lovers from all over. With acts like Brad Mehldau and Mulatu Astatke, they’re one step closer to putting Stavanger on the cultural capital map. This year, they are celebrating 34 years of talent, fun, and most importantly, jazz. By Celina Tran

Photos: Maijazz

In the south of Norway, where the vast, glittering ocean stretches to meet a colourful port town filled with classic, wooden homes and friendly people, lies the city of Stavanger. Stavanger is home to many things, from the historic Stavanger Cathedral to some of the best restaurants in Norway, but it also holds glory as the birthplace of the annual festival, MaiJazz. “MaiJazz is a jazz festival that takes place in May every year,” the festival director, Per Hasse Andersen says. “This is our 34th festival, which is very exciting.” 68 |

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Following a pandemic that caged people inside, with nothing but screens for entertainment and communication, the MaiJazz crew is excited to reintroduce local and international audiences to the power of jazz again. Despite still putting on shows in 2020 and 2021, they were nowhere near as large as what they have got planned for this year’s festival. “We didn’t have international acts during the pandemic, which is something we’re looking forward to welcoming back,” Andersen says. “We have really invested in this year’s festival in order to guide people back into the cultural life. It’s important not only to us and them, but also to the artists and musicians on stage.” Jazz for all ages

Bill Evans + Mike Stern.

Andersen’s love for the jazz genre stems from its timelessness and status within

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both our local and international audiences to discover the local talent.”

the art of music. Through the festival, he wishes to share this with people, in particular the youth. “All good music comes from jazz. Without it, there would be no rock and roll,” Andersen says. “Jazz has already got a strong foundation in Norway. We have so many talented artists, such as Jan Garbarek.” It may come as a surprise to some, but jazz runs through the veins of Norway, stretching from coastal towns down south to the white mountains under the northern lights. This is partly due to the jazz education, which Andersen describes as legendary. Universities across the country, including the great NTNU in Trondheim and the University of Stavanger, offer outstanding courses in the genre. MaiJazz has long cooperated with the local ‘kulturskole’ (municipal schools teaching cultural knowledge, including instruments and art) and the University of Stavanger’s Faculty of Performing Arts. They wish to recruit, encourage, and boost the musical careers of young, local artists. “We’re investing in the future,” says Andersen. “Though jazz is timeless, we need to invest time and money into young, local musicians, as well as recruit new audiences to ensure its survival.” This year, MaiJazz is especially excited to show off the new talent. Along with Frode Alnæs. Photo: Mona Nordøy

Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Some of the big names on this year’s running order include Brad Mehldau, Kyle Eastwood, Mulatu Astatke and the incredible guitarist Bill Frisell, the latter of whom Andersen mentions with an excited grin. “It’ll be nice to invite the international community back to Stavanger and show them our amazing region. We want to show the world how Stavanger can be a cultural capital,” he says. Brad Mehldau. Photo: David Bazemore

Bjergsted’s Youth Talents and the Oslobased Kids in Jazz, they’re working towards finding and introducing more young people to the art of jazz, with a focus on young girls. Anderson notes the importance of giving girls the platform and representation they deserve. A future cultural jazz capital MaiJazz is one of the biggest and oldest festivals in the region, and they place great importance both on showing off Stavanger as an international city of jazz through their artists from all over the world, and on nurturing and cultivating the local area and talent. “We hope the festival and its big jazz legends can show our young ones what they can achieve one day,” Andersen says. “It’s also fun for

Maijazz also prides itself on collaboration with other local and national organisations and businesses, such as the Stavanger Symfoniorkester and Nordic Edge. “We wish to contribute to enrichening our region, especially within the cultural sector. We know it’ll take some time and effort to get people back out, but we’re willing to invest into it as it’s incredibly important to us.” MaiJazz will take place 7-18 May this year.

Web: maijazz.no Facebook: MaiJazz, Stavanger International Jazz Festival Instagram: @stavangerjazz Twitter: @stavangerjazz

Ellen Andrea Wang Closenesstrio. Photo: Oda Berby

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway Photo: Rune Godokken

Photo: BT Stokke

Start this summer on a high note Fancy a small getaway with wine, fine dining and world-class music? With this year’s programme, containing names such as Kåre Conradi and Anna Goryachova, Operafest Røykenvik provides nearly a full week of excellent entertainment, locally sourced delicacies and an incredible view. By Celina Tran

Photos: Operafest Røykenvik

In Røykenvik, where glistening water meets green land against a beautiful backsplash of classic Norwegian mountains, is what appears to be a floating stage. On it stands a wonderful opera singer, whose magical voice echoes into an atrium of over 1,000 people, all of whom enjoy the entertainment along with the fjord’s magnificent view in the background. Operafest Røykenvik is a festival that could well be described as a sight for sore eyes – and ears, of course! “I want to make opera more attractive and accessible to everyone. While others might suggest toning down the opera to attract new audiences, we raise its quality to the roof,” Operafest’s artistic leader

and founder, singer and soloist, Eli Kristin Hansveen, says. “We want to leave people utterly amazed.” The festival’s programme includes everything from an ecstatic Las Vegasthemed concert to family-friendly events and intimate fine-dining concerts. An international festival with local roots Though Operafest Røykenvik is an international music festival, hosting international singers such as Anna Goryachova, Hansveen explains that locality is an important part of the event. “Our entertainment is of world-class quality, but the event is very much locally rooted, with local food and culture. One of our long-term goals is to

introduce more culture to the area, making it an even better place to live.” As a part of its local engagement, the opera festival collaborates with culture organisations in order to provide free opera classes to young artists, all of whom will open the festival with their very own performances. Additionally, the festival will have a full day dedicated to families and their young ones, aiming to introduce children to opera in a fun and engaging way. “It’s very important to us that the festival, first and foremost, is fun. We hope to engage our audience so that they will want to return the following year,” says Hansveen. Many of the festival’s regular volunteers and festival-goers are from the local rock music club, as well as from various other community groups. Operafest Røykenvik wishes to welcome everybody and show them that opera truly is for everyone. Operafest Røykenvik takes place on 1–5 June.

Web: operafest.no Facebook: Operafest Røykenvik Instagram: @operafestroykenvik

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Welcome to Vengsøy Rorbuer

A quiet getaway, a place to breathe, think and to just exist. Perfect place to recharge your batteries and let yourmind relax. Only 1 hour in distance from Tromsø by car and ferry. Vengsøy, Tromsø, Norway Tel: (+47) 902 94 877 Email: maria@vengsoyrorbuer.com www.vengsoyrorbuer.com

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Finland

Flutist Livia Schweizer performing last year in Sodankylä old church.

Artistic director, conductor and pianist Aku Sorensen.

Myths and stories told with classical music in Finnish Lapland What happens if you combine Finnish nature and classical music? This is what the group of classical musicians and music lovers who established the Kuusikko soi association set out to discover. Their creation, the Sounds of Luosto festival, will take place for the second time on 27-31 July this summer. By Ester Laiho

Photos: Kalle Arsalo

The story of Sounds of Luosto dates back to 2018, when conductor and violinist Aku Sorensen was up in Lapland giving a recital. After his performance, he enjoyed dinner with some locals, discussing what a shame it was that another classical music festival had its last run, with no one to carry on the legacy. The group set out to organise a series of concerts in the area and to go from there, as Sorensen explains: “The idea of a future summer festival was brought up a few times, but it was very much just a twinkle in our eyes: we would start small.” Fast-forward to the spring of 2022, and Sorensen, now artistic director of the festival, is looking forward to the summer with a new theme and even more concerts and activities lined up. This year’s 72 |

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theme, Stories and Myths, will bring together works from over 40 composers, written on all six inhabited continents and representing tales from cultures all over the world in 17 concerts. The international assortment of acts is set in the beautiful nature of the region of Luosto and Sodankylä, where the festival will be held again this year. Concert venues include the Sodankylä old church and unique outdoor stages, most notably the natural auditorium on Ukko-Luosto. The setting earned rave reviews from the performers last year. Sorensen convinced the performers to join him to climb to the top of the Luosto fell the first night they arrived. “I will never forget one of our pianists turning to me at the top of the fell, declaring: ‘Well, this festival was already worth it’.” The audiences noted the unique surroundings, too: in the stands

of Ukko-Luosto, it is possible to pick blueberries while listening to concerts. Sorensen explains that locals speak of the Miracle of Luosto. The previous festival had an impeccable track record with good weather. It continued last year, as it will this year: “Last year’s concert started off overcast before the sun burst through the clouds at the peak of Sibelius’s 5th Symphony, accompanied by the poignant birdsong of Siberian jays, which serve as the mascots of our festival. The spirit of the fell looks out for us, and it definitely has a flair for the dramatic.”

Concert goers enjoying a performance in Ukko-Luosto.

Web: luostosoi.fi Facebook: luostosoi Instagram: @luostosoi

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Finland

Photo: Krista Järvelä The distinctive playing style and technique of the village of Kaustinen have existed for over 250 years.

A great festival in a small village Good things come in small packages… For the village of Kaustinen, that certainly rings true. With only 4,300 inhabitants, the village transforms itself every summer, as tens of thousands of visitors flock there to enjoy ‘the happiest days of summer’ at Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. By Ndéla Faye

Photos: Risto Savolainen

For over four centuries, the tunes of traditional folk music have flowed through the streets of Kaustinen, located in Finland’s central Ostrobothnia. The village is known for its longstanding fiddle tradition, and most of Kaustinen’s inhabitants and the neighbouring communities consider folk music an integral aspect of their identity. In December 2021, Kaustinen’s fiddle playing was inscribed into UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. “Our distinctive playing style and technique have existed for over 250 years. Music runs in our blood; it gets passed down through families,” says Kaustinen Folk Music Festival’s executive director, Valtteri Valo. From 11 to 17 July, the village of Kaustinen will go through a transformation –

as it has done every summer since 1968. The village has 4,300 inhabitants – but the festival draws in tens of thousands of visitors. “The buzz around the village is tangible. It’s an incredibly vibrant festival, with guests and performers from all around the globe. We see it as an immeasurable richness to our village,” says Valo. The festival is one of the most important folk music events in Europe. Among the performers are some big names, including world-renowned Sámi artist Mari Boine, as well as Finnish artists and local talent from Kaustinen. “Our festival treats everyone equally. The performers include seasoned professionals as well as hobbyists who spend all year practising to perform at the festival,” Valo explains.

The festival prides itself on being an event for the whole family. The performances include a special kids’ programme and several child performers, as well as a playground for those in need of additional entertainment. “The spirit of fiddling is still very much alive in our village today. We provide a fantastic setting and a great atmosphere for people to enjoy world-class entertainment. There’s plenty of time for jamming around the clock,” Valo concludes. Photo: Arto Kuorikoski

Web: www.kaustinen.net

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Finland

The four summery jazz festivals offer visitors a unique experience in the stunning setting of Finland’s western archipelago.

Soulful jazz sounds in the Finnish archipelago A newcomer on Finland’s summer festival scene, Archipelago Sea Jazz brings worldclass musicians and music lovers together in a unique setting, combining two new jazz festivals with two well-established ones under the banner of Archipelago Sea Jazz. By Ndéla Faye

Photos: Aleks Talve

“We have an exceptional combination of ambitious events programmes and memorable venues,” says Hanna Ikonen, marketing manager at Archipelago Sea Jazz. The festival series includes four summery jazz festivals, located around the charming south-western coast of Finland – and with world-class performances, music lovers will not be disappointed with these gems. Baltic Jazz Festival kickstarts the series in the ironworks surroundings of Dalsbruk on the Kimito island. Organised annually since 1987, the much-loved festival is a meeting place for internationally renowned musicians and local talent, who offer a balanced mix of different types of jazz. This summer, visitors can travel back in time to the Prohibition Era and experience the extravaganza of the Jazz Age and the thrills of archipelago bootlegging. Korpo Sea Jazz, on the other hand, is an edgy, modern – and at times experimental – jazz festival. It has been held since 74 |

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1989 and is located on Korpo’s islands. The festival invites visitors to leave the city behind and experience the rugged beauty of the archipelago, and to get in touch with nature while enjoying great performances.

and we bring these values to Archipelago Sea Jazz too,” says Ikonen. The festival series collaborates with the John Nurminen Foundation, whose mission is to save the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations. “The festivals are packed with top artists and boast an intriguing programme. All four festivals offer visitors a unique experience, and a new way to experience the magic that our archipelago has to offer,” Ikonen concludes.

At the end of July, the urban Turku Sea Jazz will be held by the Aura river, at the Forum Marinum Maritime Centre’s surroundings, with top international artists headlining the event. Visitors will get the chance to delve into amazing culinary experiences, as the festival has partnered up with Turku Food & Wine Festival. Organised for the second time, Åland Sea Jazz concludes the series of festivals in Mariehamn, Åland. The classy Scandinavian-style programme includes performances from piano virtuoso Vladimir ‘Vova’ Shafranov and one of the top Finnish singers, scat specialist Aili Ikonen. “Sustainability and the environment are two topics that are close to our hearts,

Baltic Jazz: 8-10 July 2022 Korpo Sea Jazz: 20-24 July 2022 Turku Sea Jazz: 29-30 July 2022 Åland Sea Jazz: 5-6 August 2022

Web: www.archipelagoseajazz.fi

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Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Finland

A unique event for classical piano music lovers

By Mari Koskinen

Mänttä Music Festival, the only annual classical piano music festival in Finland, attracts both well-established piano artists and young talents. Mänttä is a lively art town in central Finland, known for its cultural heritage and exceptional collections of Finnish art. The festival is held at the prestigious Serlachius Museum Gösta, home to a renowned art collection and many cultural events. “The museum’s concert hall offers the perfect surroundings for the festival with its good acoustics, and it hosts just over 200 spectators, which guarantees an intimate and exclusive experience for the visitors,” explains Anni Pokki, executive director of the festival. “We are proud to showcase young stars like Seong-Jin Cho and Yulianna Avdeeva, who perform in the finale of the festival,” Pokki continues. “This year, the festival has an emphasis on classical recitals, and we will see, for example, Ian Bostridge and Saskia Giorgini perform Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise.”

There are also returning artists, like Angela Hewitt and Olli Mustonen, coming back to this highly esteemed festival. “In addition to the well-known piano artists, we are proud to present rising Finnish stars, like David Munk-Nielsen and Ossi Tanner, both winners of the Tampere Piano Competition,” Pokki adds. It’s been a busy period at the ticket office since the start of the ticket sales last month. “It seems that people are craving live classical music after the pandemic, and we are happy to fulfil that wish,” Pokki concludes.

Web: www.mantanmusiikkijuhlat.fi Facebook: Mäntän Musiikkijuhlat – Mänttä Music Festival Instagram: @manttamusicfestival

Pianist Angela Hewitt. Photo: James Katz

Pianist Seong-Jin Cho. Photo: Christoph Köstlin

Serlachius Museum Gösta. Photo: Ville Hautakangas

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ES C em N Th IE 022 l R a i ec PE RK 2 X Sp E A E U NM Q I DE N U IN e:

Summer evening on the beach at Skagen, by P.S. Krøyer. The painter and his wife. 1899.

A piece of Danish art history The Hirschsprung Collection houses tobacco manufacturer and art collector Heinrich Hirschsprung and his wife Pauline’s private collection of Danish art. With its idyllic location in Østre Anlæg park, its cosy, home-like atmosphere and its impressive art collection, the museum should be on your list of cultural things to do when visiting Copenhagen. By Heidi Kokborg

| Photos: PR

Nestled in the beautiful Østre Anlæg park close to cafés, metro stations and the Botanical Garden, The Hirschsprung Collection couldn’t ask for a more perfect location. The museum opened its doors to the public in 1911 and houses the private art collection of Heinrich Hirschsprung (1836-1908) and his wife Pauline (1845-1912). “The couple donated their collection of Danish art to the Danish nation. Since day one, the museum has been decorat76 |

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was once the home of the Hirschsprung family; however, that is not the case. The couple had the museum built specifically to house their art collection,” explains Gertrud Oelsner, museum director at The Hirschsprung Collection.

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ed with furnishings from artists’ homes to create a cosy, almost home-like atmosphere. Many visitors think the museum

Heinrich and Pauline Hirschsprung were both art enthusiasts. Over the years they built a rather extraordinary collection of Danish art from the 19th and early 20th century – from the Danish Golden Age of art to the Skagen painters and the Symbolists. The collection contains major masterpieces by artists such as C.W. Eckersberg, Christen Købke, Anne Ancher, P.S. Krøyer and Vilhelm Hammershøi. “It is the biggest collection of Skagen art outside of Skagen. If you love P.S.

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Bertha Wegmann – an artist ahead of her time Until 29 May 2022, you can experience the special exhibition Bertha Wegmann: Painting in Many Languages. Wegmann (1847-1926) was an exceptionally talented artist who grew up in Denmark. She was a cosmopolitan figure who spent the vast majority of her adult life living and travelling to metropolises around Europe, such as Munich and Paris.

Krøyer’s paintings, then a visit to the museum is a must. The collection also includes 25,000 letters from artists written in the 19th century. In the collection, you’ll also find several art sketches and smaller paintings made for private homes. It’s a chance to get very close to the artists and almost get to know them,” says Oelsner. A museum that feels like home A second-generation immigrant and a tobacco manufacturer, Heinrich Hirschsprung’s family was of GermanJewish origin, and probably no one could have foreseen that this man would one day be the proud owner of an impressive collection of Danish art. His father opened a tobacconist’s shop in the end wall of the prestigious Hotel d’Angleterre in 1826, and in 1856, Heinrich Hirschsprung and his brother Bernard took over the company. During this time, Heinrich Hirschsprung fell in love with a Danish girl named Pauline Jacobsen. Born into a wealthy Jewish family, Pauline’s guardian refused to give the couple his blessings. However, when the Second Schleswig War broke out in 1864 and Pauline’s guardian got sent to the frontlines, the young couple seized the opportunity to get married. “Both Heinrich and Pauline Hirschsprung had a passion for art, and during their marriage their art collection grew steadily. They purchased their first piece of art in 1866. The collection is very much a reflection of Hirschsprungs’ own time. The family had many friends from the art and

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A nude woman doing her hair before a mirror, by C.W. Eckersberg. 1841.

music scene, and they were known for supporting both well-known and lesserknown artists,” says Oelsner. When the couple decided to donate their collection to the Danish nation in 1902, they already knew that they wanted a museum to house their collection. Hirschsprung didn’t want the museum to be a grand building, like so many of the other art museums at the time; he wanted it to feel like home. “The museum very much reflects Heinrich and Pauline Hirschsprung’s values. They wished for the museum to be open to the public and to have a home-like atmosphere. When setting foot inside the museum, it should feel like entering a private home with cosy furniture,” explains Oelsner.

“This exhibition tells the story of a female artist with an interesting story. Being a female artist during this time was not without its challenges. Ultimately, Wegmann had to move to Munich to take private lessons as women were not allowed to study at official art schools in Copenhagen,” explains Oelsner. The story of Wegmann is also the story of one of the best-kept secrets in Danish art. While the Hirschsprung family and a few other prominent families supported her, she never got a breakthrough in Denmark, despite her dazzling portraits and mesmerising landscapes paintings. “She was an extraordinary artist who mastered almost every artistic expression,” reflects Oelsner. Two thirds of the Bertha Wegmann exhibition are kindly lent to The Hirschsprung Collection by private owners. Web: www.hirschsprung.dk Facebook: Den Hirschsprungske Samling Instagram: @hirschsprungskesamling

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Signe Bøgh Tonnesen on an oyster safari by the Wadden Sea. Photo: Mads Tolstrup

Vadehavskysten: A treasure trove of nature and culture The southwestern corner of Jutland is home to one of Denmark’s most stunning national parks. With a wide selection of experiences on offer, there is something for everyone, from exploring the Wadden Sea and migrating birds, participating in highoctane beach activities or an oyster safari, to delving into the history and culture of the oldest town in Denmark. By Trine Jensen-Martin

Photos: Gitte Lindeborg

It is not only migrating birds that flock to the Wadden Sea; this is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. “Nature itself is one of the biggest attractions,” explains Katrine Jung, marketing manager at Vadehavskysten. “You can recharge here, like the migrating birds.” The Wadden Sea is the largest tidal flats system in the world. A visit to the area, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, makes for a unique experience 78 |

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of the relationship between the sea, the surrounding nature and wildlife. An air of history Medieval Ribe, Denmark’s oldest town, which dates back to around 710 AD, offers activities for all ages. Its history is evident everywhere, and a visit would not be complete without a stop at one of its many museums: Ribe Cathedral Museum, Ribe Vikingecenter, or the HEX! Museum of Witch Hunt to name but a few.

The town is also home to the largest playground in northern Europe, a huge area modelled on the historic buildings in Ribe itself, but in miniature playground format, managing to be both playful and educational at the same time. Opening in June 2022, it is guaranteed to please visitors from all over – and particularly the younger ones. Esbjerg means business Esbjerg, Denmark’s youngest city, is a real cultural melting pot. Business, commerce and artistic ventures all contribute to what is fast becoming one of the country’s most exciting cities to live and work in, and most certainly an interesting place to visit. “Esbjerg’s identity is developing, and the city is a leader in the field of green en-

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ergy,” says Jung. Esbjerg has undergone somewhat of a transformation in recent years and is a city full of diverse experiences, with a strong focus on developing business, tourism and sustainability. While certainly a young city in historical terms, this is a place offering a wealth of culture and activities, which will only continue to develop in years to come, making Esbjerg a relevant stop on a trip to Denmark. Fanø and Mandø Off the main coast, you can visit the islands of Fanø and Mandø, each with their own distinct character. Fanø is wellknown for its unique charm and incredible sandy beaches that are not to be missed, both for their natural beauty and for the activities on offer. At Rindby, you can land-board or fly along the beach in blokarts, or kite surf the waves, but if adrenaline-fuelled fun is not for you, the beach is also ideal for flying kites or walking on the wide stretches of sand that change with the weather. Alternatively, visit the island’s two historic maritime villages with cobbled streets and artisan shops and eateries. Mandø is altogether different. “You can only get there by driving on the seabed at low tide,” Jung explains. “And it is almost like a desert island!” There is no other way of reaching the island, which only has 28 inhabitants – not counting the abundant birdlife. It is a real must

Fanø.

Esbjerg.

for birdwatching enthusiasts and anyone wanting a truly peaceful experience in nature. The best for everyone “What is good for our visitors has to be good for the locals too,” poses Jung. “It is crucial for us to keep that balance.” The different industries and businesses in the area in and around the Wadden Sea work closely together to create a healthy and positive relationship between locals and tourists, ensuring a sustainable and mutually enjoyable experience of all they have to offer. There is a real sense of respect and appreciation between those who live there and those who visit. Everyone works towards the same goal of preserving the nature and its wildlife, as well as keeping the history and culture of this part of Denmark alive. The key is working together for the best outcome for everyone.

Black sun and migrating birds. Photo: Jens Jørgensen

Nature and culture It is easy to see the attraction of this area: it is steeped in history and culture, there are endless experiences and diverse activities on offer, and the excellent restaurants serve local delicacies, like freshly caught oysters and seafood. But the key factor that brings it all together is the fact that this is one of the most outstanding places of natural beauty in this part of Europe. This is the real USP of Vadekysten – the Wadden Sea; the stretches of wide, sandy beaches; the migrating birds, and the local flora and fauna. This symbiosis of nature and culture offers something unique and wonderful for everyone and is a real treasure trove of opportunities and experiences. Web: www.vadehavskysten.com Facebook: Vadehavskysten Instagram: @vadehavskysten

Ribe.

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Reconstruction of Ansgar’s church, the first church in Denmark, which was built around 860 AD.

Visit the Vikings! An ancient Danish town is home to a reconstructed Viking settlement, where actors in costume help to bring the past to life. Inspired by local archaeological finds, Ribe Vikingecenter offers a glimpse of daily life over a thousand years ago, in houses, craft workshops and a marketplace. By Karen Gilmour Kristensen

Photos: Ribe Vikingecenter

Open every year from May until October, the centre organises lots of events and activities throughout the season. As spokesperson Diana Bertelsen puts it: “We’re not a museum – we’re an activity centre.” That’s because tourists and school groups are invited to get hands-on with the Viking Age. In the town of Ripa – the Viking name for Ribe – you can see the smith and other craftsmen working and “get your fingers in the bun dough”, Diana explains. Ribe is the oldest town not only in Denmark, but in the whole of Scandinavia. Founded in 700 AD, the town soon became a buzzing metropolis. “People came to Ribe from far and wide,” says Diana. “It was widely known as the place to be if you wished to trade your goods. Today, we have re-enactors from countries like Germany and the Netherlands, which adds to the authenticity. You’ll hear sev80 |

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eral languages walking around Ripa, just as the Vikings did more than a thousand years ago.” Each year, Ribe Vikingecenter welcomes visitors from all over Europe who are keen to learn more about these celebrated ancestors. However, some people find it hard to square their experiences at the centre with what they’ve learned in history lessons. “We focus on all the aspects of the Viking age – not just the raids,” Diana explains. “But some visitors are confused by this, since many only know about the violent warrior Vikings. The truth, however, is that very few of the Vikings left Scandinavia. The majority were farmers and stayed behind, taking care of the community.” Denmark has a lot of Viking attractions. However, Ribe Vikingecenter is the only

one focusing on the entire Viking age during the years 700-1000 AD; the others mostly focus on specific finds or shorter periods of time within the Viking era. But according to Diana, it’s important to explore the complexity of the entire timeline, in order to understand modern Denmark. “Those 300 years were defining for Danish culture,” she says. “The Vikings excelled in trading and ship-building, and Denmark became a unified kingdom during that time – all things that have laid the grounds for the society we have today.”

Web: www.ribevikingecenter.dk Facebook: Ribe VikingeCenter – the official site Instagram: @ribe_vikingecenter

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Photo: Tobias Valentin

The art of discovery In the heart of Copenhagen’s historical district, right by the canalside, lies GL Strand, an art institution focusing on modern and contemporary art. As well as inviting its visitors to enjoy a break in the charming Italian courtyard, GL Strand also offers exhibitions that might just change your perspective on art history. By Karen Gilmour Kristensen

GL Strand was founded in 1825, and since 1954, the art institution has resided in an 18th-century listed building with a courtyard, café and art shop in the Gammel Strand street, hence the name. “Due to the old-fashioned architecture of the building, the rooms at GL Strand aren’t traditional exhibition rooms,” explains Line Juul Greisen, head of communications. “The ceiling has stuccoes and it’s a bit like walking around in an old luxury flat with a modern twist.” GL Strand showcases six to eight exhibitions annually, focusing on new Danish talent, the international contemporary art scene and, for the past couple of years, also some overlooked artists from the modernist period. “There have been a lot of incredibly talented artists throughout time who have been forgotten, for various reasons,” Greisen says. “We hope that by exhibiting these lesser-known

artists, we will provide our visitors with a new perspective on art history.” One previously lesser-known artist is Konrad Mägi (1878-1925), an Estonian painter whose works are on display at GL Strand in the recently opened exhibition Konrad Mägi – The Enigma of Painting. Mägi, one of Estonia’s greatest modern artists, has been quite unknown on the international art scene – until now. “His 20-year-long career demonstrates an artist who adopted many of his contemporaries’ international artistic tendencies and styles in his lifetime,” Greisen explains. “The exhibition focuses on this remarkable colourist, bringing an unknown modernist artist out of the periphery and into the spotlight.” Another current exhibition is Walking Debt by young and upcoming Danish artist, Anna Stahn. Through the materials of

ceramics, textile, paper and drawings, she tells a story of different women’s lives in both past and present Copenhagen. This summer, GL Strand will open an exhibition by the internationally renowned South African contemporary artist, Zanele Muholi. Through photographs, the artist highlights the topics of gender and identity. Current exhibitions: Anette Harboe Flensburg – In Arcadia Too You Can Die, 7 May 2021 to 24 April 2022 Konrad Mägi – The Enigma of Painting, 12 March to 29 May 2022 Anna Stahn – Walking Debt, 12 March to 29 May 2022 Upcoming exhibitions: Zanele Muholi, 18 June to 4 September 2022 Lee Lozano, 16 September to 13 November 2022

Web: www.glstrand.dk Facebook: Kunstforeningen GL Strand Instagram: @kunstglstrand

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Vejle Museerne’s jaw-dropping cache of Viking gold, tales of trade and ancient alliances Giant sculptures, weaving workshops, an interactive digital museum and an entire Iron Age village: Vejle Museerne (The Vejle Museums) may be full of historical relics, but a visit is every bit the modern experience. Now, the hybrid museum organisation is lifting the curtain on its latest offering: a major exhibition of Viking artefacts, dubbed Magt og Guld. By Lena Hunter

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Magt og Guld (which means ‘Power and Gold’) presents the never-before-told story of Viking-Slavic ties forged via travel and trade between Denmark and Poland. The narrative traces the rule of Harald Bluetooth, the King of the Jelling dynasty, his cultural encounters and political alliances. A staggering one-kilogramme cache of Viking gold dating back to the 500s, named ‘Vindelevskatten’, will also make its museum debut, after being discovered – incredibly – by amateur metaldetectorists. It’s one of the largest ancient 82 |

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gold-hoards ever found in Denmark and grabbed headlines across the world when it was announced last summer. A fresh perspective “I’ve worked with the Viking museum for almost ten years. What’s exciting is that we’ve made Magt og Guld in collaboration with Moesgaard Musuem in Aarhus,” explains museum inspector Charlotta Lindblom. “Usually, Viking exhibitions are about razing and pillaging and the spoils of war. This one isn’t about that. It’s about how Vikings traded and built alliances, and this exhibition in Vejle focus-

es particularly on Bluetooth’s alliances in Poland. There has never been an exhibition about that before. It’s a new side of the Vikings – the political side.” Alongside the unique perspective on Bluetooth, Magt og Guld exhibits the latest archaeological knowledge of the fabled Jomsborg – a place described in Icelandic sagas, but whose true location has, until now, eluded historians. “We think we’ve found the place now,” says Lindblom. “The Wolin trading post, close to the current border between Germany and Poland, is a good bet. Exploring these regions has unearthed a trove of clues about the cultural exchange between the Vikings and their Slavic neighbours.” “Magt og Guld is about reaching a shared understanding of how the Vikings left footprints in Poland, and how the Slavic folk left footprints in

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from Aarhus and Copenhagen, and Vejle Museerne is one of the richest off-piste day trips that those who seek a taste of authentic Nordic history can make. “The area around Vejle is incredibly picturesque. Nearby are the remnants of ‘Ravbroen’ – a bridge that Bluetooth had built. Jelling – where Bluetooth’s fort and legendary ancient seat of power lay – is only ten kilometres from the museum,” says Lindblom. “To reach the bridge you drive through a forest, where you can have a picnic. It’s beautiful. You can see the exhibition, hear the story and then drive out to these authentic Viking locations and experience it for yourself.” Takeaway treasures Denmark – the connections between ordinary people, but also between kings and rulers,” Lindblom explains.

You’d be forgiven for wanting to take a little piece of Vejle and its mythic history with you. Vendelevskatten alone

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is jaw-dropping, while the rare amber, whalebone and iron artefacts are visibly steeped in Norse legend. Accompanying Magt og Guld is an eponymous coffee-table book, available at the museum and online in both Danish and English. So, while you’ll have to leave the gold behind, you can bring the stories home. Opening times: Tue to Sun, 11am to 5pm, free admission Address: Utzon-Salen, Vejle Kunstmuseum, Flegborg 16-18, Vejle Web: www.vejlemuseerne.dk Facebook: vejlemuseerne Guided tours: €7, various dates, available on website Buy the Magt og Guld book: www.turbine.dk

Whalebone tools and bone-splintering weapons Central to the many encounters and exchanges of the Vikings was sailing. While longships were crucial, early navigation tools were the real scientific breakthrough. “We’re exhibiting a very rare solar compass made of whalebone, found at the Truso trading post in Poland. It’s enormously exciting. It’s the oldest compass we’ve found. Another was discovered in Greenland from the 1200s or 1300s – but this is from the 800s,” enthuses Lindblom. But the compass won’t be the only whalebone artefact on display. Carved whalebone pieces from the Viking version of chess, called ‘hnefatafl’, discovered at a Polish harbour, will also be included. “It indicates that perhaps when merchants met and waited for their ships to be repaired, they stood and chatted down by the harbour and played a few games of hnefatafl,” says Lindblom. “I’m also incredibly excited to present our collection of ancient Scandinavian weapons – swords, spears, axes – and jewellery, on loan from Ostrow Lednicki Museum in Poland. They are unbelievably well-preserved.” A day-trip to the Viking era The little town of Vejle is nestled in the Danish countryside, a drive or train-ride April 2022 |

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Hofteatret: Discover the Baroque splendour of Denmark’s only court theatre Buried in the oldest part of Copenhagen’s grand Christiansborg Palace – the modern seat of the Danish parliament – is a forgotten 18th-century cultural gem. The historic Hofteatret (The Court Theatre) – once the private music and theatre venue, party locale and meeting point of King Christian VII – will be revealed in December, after a staggering two-year restoration to former glory. By Lena Hunter

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“Hofteatret is a national treasure. It’s the only court theatre in Denmark and has existed since 1767,” says Peter Christensen Teilmann, director of the Theatre Museum at the Court Theatre.

“Despite all of that, people forget that there was this incredibly beautiful theatre, hidden in the King’s stables and armoury,” says Christensen Teilmann.

The storied theatre has seen Kings and their councils rise and fall, and housed opera, drama, music and political debates. Incredibly, given its timber structure, Hofteatret even survived two great fires that consumed Christianborg Palace at the end of both the 1700s and the 1800s.

In resplendent tones of pearl, duck-egg blue and gold, the original Hofteatret was a neoclassical masterpiece – but the intervening centuries had not been kind. When the museum moved in in 1922, parts of the original interiors had already been sold or thrown away.

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“You could visit Hofteatret, but there were only reminiscences of the original interiors,” explains Christensen Teilmann. So, in March 2021, a 73.5 million DKK renovation began – due to be unveiled in December.

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Lost in the sands of time

The interior restoration will create a fully immersive historical time-warp, while state-of-the-art audio and lighting and modern guest facilities will breathe new life into the opulent venue. “It’ll be fantastic. We’re rebuilding a Baroque stage that’s been covered up for years and the exquisite original vestibule,” says Christensen Teilmann. “It’s about making the historical experience stronger than it ever has been. When you walk in to Hofteatret and look up at the stage, the experience will be the same as it would have been at the end of the 1700s.”

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If the walls could speak… When Hofteatret was built in 1766, it played a much larger role than contemporary theatres do in the socio-political landscape. In those pre-democratic years, King Christian VII wielded absolute power with the council of a close circle of royal advisors. Though there was no formal parliament in which to discuss matters of the state, there was Hofteatret. The King hosted masked balls for members of the royal court at the theatre. It was in these corridors that key political matters were discussed, argued and decided upon. “It was kind of a vault of power,” says Christensen Teilmann. “So this represents one of the earliest meeting places of power, before we got a formalised socio-political structure. These historic walls can tell many stories, and that’s what we want to bring forth.” For that reason, the history of Hofteatret encompasses more than Denmark’s dramatic past, but also its cultural and political roots. “At any point in its history, Hofteatret was the nucleus of theatre as an artform, city culture and royal decision-making. That’s why it’s so exciting to be able to preserve it,” says Christensen Teilmann.

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do you go about restoring history that is one-of-a-kind? Archives of the work of the French architect Nicolas-Henri Jardin, who designed Hofteatret in 1766, have informed certain stylistic and structural aspects of the refurbishment – but recreating the art inside the theatre presents a different challenge. “We’re doing it a little differently,” explains Christensen Teilmann. “The original painted scenes and backdrops have been lost, but we have the Drottningholm Palace Theatre in Stockholm, which is of the same era, as an aesthetic reference point.” With the collaboration of famed Danish scenic artist David Drachmann, Christensen Teilmann and his colleagues have commissioned new trompe l’oeil backdrops, with motifs and themes that would have been found in the original theatre. “We feel lucky to have David on board – he’s the best in Denmark,” says Christensen Teilmann. Typical scenography includes GrecoRoman squares, civic spaces, artful streets and meeting points inspired by the Baroque predilection for dramas of comedy and tragedy.

How to restore a one-of-a-kind

Get involved

Though theatres like Hofteatret were common in Europe in the 18th century, there are few surviving reference points for Scandinavian royal theatres. So how

While you wait for Hofteatret’s spectacular reopening in December, there are plenty of alternative ways to engage with the Theatre Museum.

Backstage at Hofteatret. Photo: Grete Ditlevsen

Unique Experiences in Denmark 2022

In collaboration with Aarhus Theatre and Køn Gender Museum Denmark, the exhibition Gender on the Stage, which opens on 1 April at Køn in Aarhus, will explore the performing arts’ forward-thinking presentation of the taboos and conventions of gender relations throughout the ages. In December, a like-minded exhibition will be launched at the Theatre Museum itself, to accompany the opening of Hofteatret. Teatre til Tiden will present the myriad of ways in which theatre has tapped the zeitgeist, or even trodden new ground in art, politics and culture. 2022 marks 300 years of Danish theatre. It’s a fantastic excuse to dive into the Theatre Museum’s living history of Denmark’s political system, the performing-arts culture and forgotten royal stories. Address: Christiansborg Ridebane 18, Copenhagen Web: www.hofteatret.dk Facebook: teatermuseet Instagram: @teatermuseet

Hofteatret with view of prompter box. Photo: Hofteatret press

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A true farm life experience Fredensfryd is not your average farm shop. Sure, you can get tasty coffee, exceptional tea, homemade honey and delicious chocolate. But you can also buy yarn that’s come from the farm’s own alpacas, pet bunnies and join Saturday brunches. You are also welcome to explore the surrounding nature or simply sit and soak it all up while enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee. By Heidi Kokborg

Photos: Fredensfryd

Three years ago, Carina Brix Jensen and her family moved to the countryside. Shortly thereafter, Carina found herself unemployed and ready for a new adventure. Inspiration struck, and she realised she wanted a farm shop. After a bit of renovation, Carina opened the doors to her farm shop in July 2020. “I knew from the beginning that I wanted the farm shop to feel cosy, and I wanted

to have a range of high-quality products you can’t get at the local supermarket. Many of the products are fair trade and some are organic,” says Carina, owner of Fredensfryd. At Fredensfryd, you’ll find coffee from a small Danish roastery, tea from Østerlandsk, aquavit from Bornholm, honey from Fredensfryd’s own beehives, beautiful ceramics from a local ceramicist, handmade candles, 14 flavours of authentic Italian ice cream, and much more.

love all the animals. It really is more of a farm life experience you get here, as opposed to simply visiting a farm shop,” says Carina. And if you have jumped on the knitting wagon, you can buy yarn that’s come from Fredensfryd’s own alpacas. Just imagine knitting a hat or a sweater and having petted the alpaca the yarn came from; it doesn’t get much more old-fashioned and authentic than that. Every Saturday, you can also join in for a lovely brunch, made in collaboration with a local inn. All you have to do is sign up on Thursdays and bring your appetite. Later this year, it will also be possible to book a picnic basket and enjoy it at Fredensfryd.

Immerse yourself in nature With seven acres of land, there is plenty to explore at Fredensfryd. You will be met by serene nature, and if you are an animal lover there are also plenty of animals to pet.

Each year, Fredensfryd arranges several markets. The next one will be held on 7-8 May. Here you can eat waffles, taste food and drinks from the farm shop, play games and much more.

“We have a rare breed of sheep here, bunnies and goats that you can pet, dogs, a cat, chickens, and six alpacas with more on the way. Especially kids

Web: www.fredensfryd.dk Facebook: Fredensfryd Instagram: @fredensfryd

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VR installation. Photo: Viborg Kunsthal

Contemporary art that makes you wonder Viborg Kunsthal aims to make art relevant to everyone by reflecting today’s society from a new perspective. By Nicolai Lisberg

Photos: Kurt Nielsen

The beautiful and historic building that houses Viborg Kunsthal is ideal as a venue for site-specific artwork made especially for the exhibition rooms. Since 1994, when it first opened its doors, Viborg Kunsthal has had the vision of exhibiting contemporary art that resonates with our present-day society. “We choose artists who in some way do projects on topics that matter, on something everyone can relate to. Our mission is to be the catalyst of living, dynamic art and to communicate it to everyone,” explains Bodil Johanne Monrad, head of exhibitions at Viborg Kunsthal.

For this reason, Viborg Kunsthal doesn’t have permanent exhibitions, but instead keeps changing its portfolio in order to be up to date with what’s going on in the world. They also make a virtue out of presenting art in various media. Wonderful wonders In 2019, Viborg was designated as UNESCO Creative City for its significant role in the Media Arts category, and Viborg Kunsthal aims to live up to the honour this entails for the entire city. “Later this year, SUPERFLEX is going to deliver work on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by using Virtual Reality for the first time

ever. We consider ourselves a laboratory, where our artists can experiment with not only the art, but also the way they project it,” says Monrad, and adds: “By looking at a topic differently, they provide the audience with a new perspective on the world we live in. Art shouldn’t just be something you see here at Viborg Kunsthal; it should be a feeling, an impulse you take home with you. All our exhibitions aim to make you wonder, and that’s exactly what contemporary art should do.” Current and upcoming exhibitions:

Paper drawing #35 / Marit Roland: Until 8 May 2022 Sunken Gardens / Helene Schmitz: Until 12 June 2022 Step back, step back please / Signe Guttormsen & Andrea Ostermeyer: 19 May to 11 Sep 2022 Limbo Rock / Søren Sejr: 16 June to 11 Sep 2022 PSYKOPLANKTON / SUPERFLEX: 22 Sep 2022 to 16 Jan 2023 Kummerform / Carl Emil Jacobsen: 22 Sep 2022 to 16 Jan 2023

Web: viborgkunsthal.viborg.dk Facebook: viborgkunsthal.viborg Instagram: @viborg_kunsthal

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Delightful moments in nostalgic surroundings Explore the historic market town of Varde anno 1866. The town is built in a miniature version in 1:10 scale. Each building is built with exceptional precision and millimetre accuracy by the so-called mini-masons, who are retired carpenters and masons. By Heidi Kokborg

| Photos: Varde Miniby

Varde Miniature Town is the world’s oldest historically accurate miniature town. What started as just one miniature building in 1966 has now grown to include over 300 miniature buildings. Walking around the miniature town is like taking a stroll through the historic streets of Varde in 1866. “Every building is a replica of the original. Our mini-masons meet daily to build the miniature versions of the town’s old buildings with the utmost precision and dedication,” says Gitte Røn Dalsgaard, tourism and event coordinator at Varde Miniature Town. Varde Miniature Town makes for an ideal family day out. Adults will feel the nostalgia sweeping over them as they

walk around. Kids can go on treasure hunts and have fun with games from the good old days, and they will be mesmerised by the tiny houses. You’ll also find a little kiosk where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and an ice cream. “Varde Miniature Town is a place for delightful moments. It’s a place where

you can put your phone away for a little while and take a step back in time,” says Dalsgaard. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays before noon, you can see how the miniature buildings are made at the workshop, which is situated a few hundred metres from Varde Miniature Town itself.

Web: www.vardeminiby.dk Facebook: Varde Miniby

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Norway

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Education Profile of the Month, Norway

Martha Thorsheim, founder of IoPT Norway. Photo: IoPT Norway

Living life to its fullest Trauma may prevent us from getting what we really want from life. At a Norwegian institute that trains trauma therapists, staff are dedicated to explaining what trauma really is, how it can affect our lives, and how we can learn to cope with it to unleash our true potential.

organises introductory evening seminars for everyone, patients included, interested in learning more about trauma and how to treat it.

By Eva-Kristin U. Pedersen

“It’s really important for us to explain what traumas are, because so many people think of them as very serious, high-impact events. In reality, traumas are all experiences that are subjectively perceived as more challenging than what an individual can cope with,” explains Geir Dale, one of the teachers at IoPT Norway.

A lot of us have experienced some degree of trauma in our lives, yet we may not necessarily be aware of it. The problem is that our bodies make us forget trauma through automatic survival processes put in place to help us survive. These same survival processes can prevent us from living full lives – they can complicate our relationships with others, be that our partners, our friends or our families, and they can even make us physically sick. Unwinding these processes and getting through to the experiences that might have given rise to trauma is, for those that embark on it, a challenging process. But there is good help to be found. Trauma can be treated “I should have retired a long time ago, but I really feel a desire to continue working to let people know that there is good treatment for trauma available,” says Marta Thorsheim, the soft-spoken founder of Institutt for Traumearbeid, or IoPT Norway. IoPT is short for Identity-oriented Psychotraumatheory and Therapy, an approach to working with trauma developed by Dr. 90 |

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Franz Ruppert, a German psychologist. Dr. Ruppert developed his theory through some 30 years of research and therapeutic practice. Dr. Ruppert explains the consequence of trauma in several models. He believes that the psyche of a person who has experienced trauma is split in three: a healthy part, a traumatised part, and a survival part. The latter two, in different ways, prevent us from getting in touch with our true selves and condition our feelings and behaviours in ways that we don’t always realise or understand. At IoPT Norway, students learn how to apply Dr. Ruppert’s theory in their daily work, be that as counsellors, therapists or other people-related jobs. Starting with basic courses and all the way through to specialised international training, IoPT offers complete educational cycles for professionals interested in learning more and adopting the IoPT approach. Evening introductory sessions for everyone While it’s not a centre for treatment, but for education of practitioners, the institute

“It is the mechanisms developed to cope with a trauma, to survive it, that prevent us from living life to the fullest, from truly enjoying and getting want we want from life,” stresses Dale. Taking desire or what we want to achieve as a starting point, IoPT therapy is a gentle but efficient way to help us unwind our mechanisms and reach and treat the trauma that spurred them in the first place. A liberating experience “It can be a really liberating experience to see patterns and mechanisms that have conditioned our lives, dissolve,” explains Thorsheim with a smile that reveals that she has seen it happen in patients through her years as a practitioner. Web: www.iopt.no

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Restaurant of the Month

Sweden

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden

A bistro and wine bar dedicated to both small and big moments Restaurang Hasselbo is a dynamic hub in central Stockholm with a focus on comfort, cosiness and great food paired with delicious wine. It is a bistro and wine bar, perfect for both a dinner with friends and family and a late-night drink, where you get to experience food inspired by cuisines from all over the world. By Hanna Andersson

Photos: Restaurang Hasselbo

The menu offers a selection of seasonal medium-sized dishes and small dishes, perfect for sharing. The dishes are inspired by seasonal local produce and techniques from all over the world, and the chefs are encouraged to create new and exciting recipes. The restaurant was opened in November 2019 by Filippa Dahlberg, Cooper Palmer and Martina Wallenberg. “Our goal is to provide a great atmosphere with good food and wine that people want to come back to. We are frequently changing our menu, so there is always something new,” says Palmer. “We aim to always have a menu consisting of both meat, fish and vegetarian options to suit everyone’s needs,” Dahlberg adds.

“For people who want a nice place to meet, we offer a comfortable space to share good food, wine and conversation. The best feedback we get is when our guests share our restaurant with family and friends. That’s proof that we are doing it right,” Wallenberg concludes.

The menu is complemented by an extensive wine list, which offers exclusive wines from small producers, mainly around Europe. “We want to be able to share a great selection of wine with our guests. You will be able to both discover new and exciting options and choose from great representations of classic grapes and styles. It’s easy to only buy from the big producers, but we are lucky to have found great smaller businesses that we can introduce on our menu,” says Palmer. The cosy atmosphere is inspired by a home environment, and the team sees the bistro as an extension of the living room. “We want our restaurant to be available for any occasion or celebration,” says Dahlberg.

Web: www.restauranghasselbo.se Instagram: @resturanghasselbo

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Restaurant of the Month

Denmark

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

A winning formula at the water’s edge This restaurant in Kerteminde on the island of Funen has the ingredients for an outstanding dining experience: a stunning waterfront setting, the atmosphere at the heart of a small working fishing harbour, super-friendly staff, and an exciting menu focused on freshly caught produce from the sea, and executed to absolute perfection. It is Danish seafood and service at its finest. By Trine Jensen-Martin

Photos:Rudolf Mathis

Puk Lyskjær Larsen opened Rudolf Mathis more than 36 years ago and still runs this well-established and much-loved restaurant with his wife, Ursula. “We exist because of our customers, but make a living out of them returning to us,” he says. This has become somewhat of a motto for them, and they continue to aim towards making their customers delighted, keeping them well-fed, yet hungry for more. 92 |

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and I to continue running the place as we have done all this time.” This is testament to both the relationship between the customers and the staff at Rudolf Mathis, and the exceptional menus and welcoming, attentive service, which is never fussy or stifling.

“The most important thing for us is that our customers are happy and satisfied.”

True teamwork behind the scenes

And most of their customers keep coming back; such is the pull of the food, the people, and the place itself. “We sold the restaurant at the beginning of the year,” Lyskjær Larsen says. “The new owners are regulars who have been coming here for years, and they want my wife

“We create our monthly menus together as a team,” says Lyskjær Larsen. “We gather in the kitchen and talk about the things that are inspiring to us at that moment in time, and then we create new dishes, or recreate old favourites. And we experiment with matching wines with the flavours of the food.”

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While the restaurant itself has an air of being unrushed and relaxed, a great deal of time, effort, heart and soul goes into every aspect of the constantly evolving and changing menus and wine lists. It is a real team effort, where all staff members are involved in the process, from waiters to chefs to sommeliers. They pride themselves not only on their outstanding menus, which they put together monthly, but also on the service and the experience they provide. The key is enjoyment and ‘hygge’, ensuring the optimum experience for their customers on every visit. ‘Like a night out at the theatre’ Lunch at the restaurant is usually a lighter and shorter affair, with most guests having less time to sit down for a prolonged meal. So while lunch is certainly an enjoyable event, it is the experience of an evening meal at Restaurant Rudolf Mathis that truly allows the place to shine. “We want it to be like a night out at the theatre, or a dinner at home,” reflects Lyskjær Larsen. “There’s no rush, and we want our customers to feel comfortable and to take their time, making the most of the evening with us.” This approach is one of the many things that increase the number of guests they welcome and then welcome back again – something truly wonderful to relish and revisit time and again.

Then and now Having been with the restaurant from the very beginning, Lyskjær Larsen reflects on how little has changed over the past 36 years in terms of the food his customers like. “The dishes we serve are less voluminous than they used to be, you might say,” he muses. “The ingredients and recipes are similar, with changes here and tweaks there, but the biggest difference is that the presentation of the food has become hugely important. The dishes must look appetising and the menus are more refined.” The cyclical nature of changing trends means that he has seen many things go in and out of fashion during his time at the helm of Rudolf Mathis. And it seems that what was popular before is also popular now, albeit in smaller portions. One visit might not be enough Restaurant Rudolf Mathis has become an institution in Kerteminde and has

Restaurant of the Month

Denmark

a firm place on the food map of Denmark as one of the country’s finest restaurants of its kind. They consistently create out-of-this-world menus using the freshest fish and seafood, some of it caught literally within a stone’s skim from the restaurant. “We don’t have any plans to change what we do,” Lyskjær Larsen says. And with their winning formula of high-quality food and wine, a beautiful, idyllic view, and exceptional service, it is easy to see why they don’t feel the need to change a thing. The returning customers speak for themselves: it is just too good not to come back for more. Address: Rudolf Mathis, Dosseringen 13, 5300 Kerteminde. Phone: +45 65 32 32 33 Web: rudolf-mathis.dk Facebook: Restaurant Rudolf Mathis Instagram: @rudolf_mathis

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Experience of the Month, Denmark

A captivating experience The prison in Horsens used to be a stain on the city, but after its reopening as a cultural institution in 2012, FÆNGSLET has become a recognised landmark attracting visitors from all over the world with its countless cultural opportunities. By Nicolai Lisberg

Photos: FÆNGSLET

Do you fancy spending a romantic weekend with your partner in a prison cell? How about having your work conference behind prison walls, solving a murder mystery or simply reliving the history of the prison in the award-winning museum? Since 2006, when the last inmate left the former Horsens State Penitentiary, a lot of work has been put into creating what is today known as FÆNGSLET (‘the prison’). It has become a cultural institution, where the aim is to offer extraordinary cultural experiences for everyone on a daily basis. “I can’t think of any other place with such a variety of events and experiences that we offer here at FÆNGSLET. A prison is 94 |

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usually closed to the public, but we’ve opened it up, giving insight into life in prison and creating plenty of cultural events. There is a lot of history here, which we combine with creating new experiences,” says Maria Emilie Levy, communications and marketing manager at FÆNGSLET. The stories from the past are both dark and impressive, and the museum tells all of them by offering experiences of the life behind walls through sound, film, photos and belongings. It was here, at these very premises, that the last beheading in Denmark took place in 1892, when inmates were forced to witness Jens Nielsen’s last breath. It was also here that the famous escape artist Carl August Lorentzen man-

aged to dig an 18-metre-long tunnel over the course of 11 months, then escaping to freedom. Both stories are told at the museum, and visitors can even experience a reconstruction of Lorentzen’s tunnel and his great escape. Sting and the prison guards Every year, FÆNGSLET welcomes more than 100,000 visitors from all over the world, and some of them choose to spend a night in a prison cell to get an even more unique experience.

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“Written on the walls in each cell is a story about a prisoner who once stayed there. Storytelling is a very important factor for us, and we want to leave our guests with an impression they couldn’t get anywhere else. It’s also possible to have a guided tour with a former prison guard, who can provide insider knowledge of life in the prison,” says Maria Emilie Levy. Throughout the years, FÆNGSLET has become known for its ability to attract some of the biggest bands, such as Metallica and Foo Fighters, and later this year they will welcome Sting. There is also an annual medieval festival, a big Christmas market with over 200 stalls and a beer festival, and Verdensballetten (‘the world ballet’) performs on the premises as well – so it is safe to say that there is something for everyone. Common for all of the events, different as they may be, is the fact

that they all take place in a unique setting with a unique story. One of the latest initiatives at FÆNGSLET is the new culture and conference hall, Vestsalen. Two floors have been removed from the 150-year-old building to open it up towards the prison yard with a glass facade, which helps to support the transformation of the former state prison from closed to open. “We now have a five-star conference hall, and we’ve experienced a growing interest from companies who want to host conferences here – also from abroad. The conference hall is an architectural and modern pearl, while still staying true to its history,” explains Maria Emilie Levy. Companies can combine their work conferences with several team-building op-

Experience of the Month

| Denmark

portunities – such as solving a murder mystery or learning how to abseil down a prison wall. FÆNGSLET is dedicated to creating synergy for their guests during their stay, says Maria Emilie Levy and adds: “When guests arrive for a conference, they are greeted by staff wearing traditional blue shirts and a large old set of keys, before they are escorted further to their venue. On occasion, we have actors walking around as prison guards to create a more authentic atmosphere. FÆNGSLET differs from most other venues and guests often express how it stands out as a special place because of its exceptional environment.” Web: www.faengslet.dk/en Facebook: faengslethorsens Instagram: @faengslet LinkedIn: faengslet

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Artist of the Month

Norway

Fiskerfamilie.

Allegori med kvinner.

Artist of the Month, Norway

Elling Reitan: Colours from New York to Shanghai The Norwegian artist Elling Reitan has had a booming career, with numerous exhibitions in major galleries everywhere from Shanghai to New York. Taking inspiration from his surroundings and literature, Reitain creates colourful pieces that have enchanted an international art community. By Celina Tran

All art courtesy of Elling Reitan

From early childhood, Elling Reitan’s uncles introduced him to painting, an activity that turned out to be his life’s calling. Later, while working as a lecturer, he spent the weekends with the famous Norwegian artist Odd Nerdrum, who mentored him for five years. When Reitan finally began exhibiting his own art, he received significant praise and attention, which in 1992 led him to quit his teaching job. “I wanted to fully emerge myself in the art,” he says. “On the day I quit my job, as I walked to the studio, I felt like I was flying.” Not every artist gets the opportunity to completely rely on their art for a living, but Reitan describes himself as one of the 96 |

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lucky few. His work has travelled to many countries, exhibiting everywhere from New York to Shanghai. The spellbinding art is characterised by bold colours harmonising across a canvas, as well as the hidden use of the stroke pair, yin and yang. “My work has begun to take a more abstract form. I like to try something new every two to four years or so, but the use of bold colours will remain the same.”

has allowed people to find solace in art, and artists like Elling Reitan are working harder than ever. “I’ve worked and sold more than I’ve ever done,” Reitan explains. “I’m happy that people are discovering a love of art. To me, art is everything. I need to create and have art around me in order to be content, whether that’s at home or when I’m travelling.”

Painting and the pandemic Two years ago, the world as we knew it ground to a halt and societies across the globe locked down. The cultural aspect of society suffered a major blow as city streets were emptied of their booming life, concerts were cancelled, and galleries closed down. Yet, the growing isolation

Svevere over Nidarosdomen.

Web: www.ellingreitan.com

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Design Studio of the Month |

Norway

Design Studio of the Month, Norway

Sustainability and humanity in an increasingly digital world With new technology, a constantly changing digital space, and a pandemic that forced many to work from home, some might argue that the world has taken a large step towards expanding digitalisation. Despite this, the digital agency Big Fish works on bringing humanity, ethics and sustainability into our ever-changing world. By Celina Tran

Photos: Big Fish

Big Fish is a Norway-based digital communication and design brand with 20 years of experience under its belt. Though they only consist of a tiny team of five, they are making big things happen with their wide range of skills. “We all have a background in graphic design,” says Trude Svardal, designer and CEO at Big Fish. “But all of us also have other areas of specialisation, such as animation and programming.” Communication, loyalty and honesty The brand provides everything from logo design to programming and marketing content. Despite covering a large area, they pride themselves on their ability to

Christine Arnesen.

Robin Ingebrigsten.

tailor and create genuine relationships with their customers, whether they’re large brands or individuals. “We love the challenges that personalisation and tailoring provide, and we always do our best to give the customers what they want,” explains Svardal. “And we’re proud of the trust and relationships we’ve built with our clients. By communicating and including the clients in the process, we’re able to provide them with solutions and results they not only want, but need.” The company believes their honesty, humanity and communication play a large part in their customer loyalty and success.

Trude Svardal.

Sustainability in a world going online Contrary to popular belief, the digital world and the internet also use a great deal of resources and release a hefty amount of CO2. One of Big Fish’s core values is sustainability. They always work actively towards a greener digital option, whether it’s by providing services that help towards a greener future or by promoting brands that do. “The communication industry undoubtedly has a huge impact and engagement, and we’ve always been passionate about promoting sustainability and ethical, human values. We always promote these solutions to our clients, and we try our best to create relationships with those who do the same.”

Web: bigfish.no

Magnus Moholdt.

Astrid Mathilde Andersen.

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Culture

Top Ten Scandi Words

Ten useful Scandinavian words we wish existed in English Inspired by Danish comedy extraordinaire Sofie Hagen’s skit about her native language’s superiority when it comes to communicating extended familial relationships, we list the Scandinavian words we miss most when speaking English. 1. Tanketorsk If you get your arguments in a twist or blurt out something awkward in a meeting, Danes might accuse you of having had a ‘tanketorsk’. ‘Tanke’ means ‘thought’ and ‘torsk’ means ‘cod’, so when you make an embarrassing mistake, you’ve had a thought cod. In Sweden, it’s called ‘tankevurpa’, describing a thought that’s collapsed and slapped onto the ground, sort of, but there’s something about the cod that’s more appealing… 2. Orka The Swedish word ‘orka’ – ‘orke’ in Danish – means to have energy or stamina for something, be it to cycle up the last bit of a very steep hill or do your homework. It’s most often used to express a lack of energy or motivation: ‘Jag orkar inte!’, loosely meaning ‘I don’t have the energy to do it!’, or simply that you’re not bothered. Recently, the word is also increasingly used as a highly sarcastic cheer. Swedes unimpressed with the country’s new policies might, upon reading more related news, exclaim: ‘Orka, Sverige!’, a way of saying ‘Get it together, Sweden!’

Cosiness isn’t all about ‘hygge’. The Nordic countries have ‘mys’ and ‘kos’ too. Photo: Stella Rose/Unsplash

3. Hygge / mys / kos Yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard of ‘hygge’ – but have you heard of the Swedish and Norwegian equivalents, ‘mys’ and ‘kos’? The crucial lesson here is as much about lifestyle as it is about linguistics, as these words are all about cosiness but far more important and commonly used than the English word. There’s the Swedish compulsory Friday activity of ‘fredagsmys’, while no trip to a Norwegian holiday cottage is complete without plenty of ‘kos’. Really, what’s life without cosiness? Admit that you need a verb in your vocabulary for being cosy. Have the Swedish ‘mysa’. 4. Arbejdsglæde / arbetsglädje

Zero ‘ork’. Photo: Christian Erfurt/Unsplash

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Google Translate will tell you that these words mean ‘job satisfaction’, but the Danish ‘glæde’ and Swedish ‘glädje’ don’t mean satisfaction – they mean joy. The joy of working, or work happiness – why is there no word for it in English?

There’s a philosophical discussion right there, waiting to be had. 5. Ildsjel / eldsjäl What do you call someone who’s deeply passionate about what they do, someone whose drive and spirit shine so brightly it’s just awe-inspiring? In Scandinavia, we call them a fire soul – ‘ildsjel’ in Norwegian, ‘eldsjäl’ in Swedish. Seriously, they’re so passionate their soul is on fire. Can you think of a better, more poetic way to put it? We’ll wait. 6. Vobba The Swedish VAB for ‘vård av barn’ – that’s when you stay at home to care for a sick child, but you still get paid – has inspired a number of linguistic inventions. The thing you do when you take VAB is ‘vabba’, and February, the month when there are so many bugs and viruses going around that parents are at home with sick kids more than they’re at work, is

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Culture

Top Ten Scandi Words

We all need an ‘utepils’ every now and then. Photo: Shutterstock

jokingly referred to as Vabruari. But what if you’re so ‘duktig’ (we’re cheating here, because the adjective ‘duktig’, for being that exceptional combination of skilled, responsible and hard-working, didn’t fit on the list) that you can’t just take the money and mind your child without feeling terrible about it? Take VAB, add ‘jobba’ for ‘working’, and you have ‘vobba’ – working while at home caring for a sick child (and, still, getting paid for it). 7. Dygn / døgn Less politically charged but an example of linguistic perfection is the Norwegian ‘døgn’, or ‘dygn’ in Swedish. A ‘døgn’ is 24 hours, both day and night – and when you have the word in your vocabulary, you miss it when it’s gone. How do you say that you need to do something for five ‘dygn’ in English? Add the Norwegian ‘døgnvill’ for when you’ve lost all sense of day and night, and you’ll see why, in a place of midnight sun and Polar darkness, you need this kind of terminology in your life.

‘orka’, it’s one of those words that’s more specific and efficient than any English translation. We all know that the Scandis are fond of all things minimalist and functional, and language is no exception.

paternal granny is ‘farmor’. An aunt on your mother’s side is your ‘moster’, and on your dad’s side she’s your ‘faster’. We bet you can figure out ‘morfar’, ‘farfar’, ‘morbror’ and ‘farbror’ yourself.

9. Mormor / morfar / farmor / farfar etc.

10. Utepils

Back to Sofie Hagen’s skit. The Scandinavian languages really are superior. Which granny are you talking about, or which uncle? The Scandinavian languages categorise all relatives not only according to their sex, but also according to which side of the family they’re from: maternal granny is ‘mormor’, whereas

You thought ‘friluftsliv’ was the latest lifestyle trend to come out of Norway? Try ‘utepils’, or ‘outdoor pilsner’ – a cold lager in the sun up the mountains or a hoppy brew in a vibey Oslo beer garden. How other languages don’t have a word for it is beyond us, but suffice to say, we’ll have an utepils, takk.

8. Hinna ‘Hinna’ is the Swedish verb for having time for something. Instead of saying ‘I don’t have time to’, say ‘jag hinner inte’. Like

What gives you that fire in the belly and awakens the ‘eldsjäl’ in you? Photo: Brunetto Ziosi/Unsplash

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| Columns

Scandinavian music By Karl Batterbee

This month, each of the ‘big five’ Nordic nations are putting forward their best pop prospects for your listening pleasure. After delivering what was arguably *the* hit of the year in Sweden in 2021, Lose My Mind, Myra Granberg is back with a brand-new single, Highlights. It’s another Myra pop classic in the making, but this time with the tempo turned down to medium and the bassline turned up to max. The funk is strong with this one. Norwegian super-duo Röyksopp have collaborated with another of Norway’s biggest pop exports on their latest tune – featuring Astrid S, they’re out with Breathe. An electronica epic plays out before you, hurtling from a semi-lucid start to a fullblown euphoric climax, gladly taking you along on the five-minute ride with it. The latest single from Finnish bopmaker, Titta, is Ihana Mies. Herein lies a

track that has seemingly all the best bits of modern influences from ‘80s pop, bundled together and with a particularly neon hue shone upon them. It’s a heady concoction that works splendidly. Icelandic artist Daniel Oliver is out with his first release of 2022, ahead of the launch of an album later in the year. First, Pop is the new single, a celebration of those blissful first flushes of romance – or, as turns out to be the case in this song, a bittersweet reflection on those very feelings that indeed once were, but are no longer. Fret not about the mood – it’s elevated by an infectiously dreamy chorus that takes a more pragmatic view on the situation. After debuting last year, Danish rockers Kalaset are back with a second single, Kaos Kan Være Smukt. They return with more of what made us all fall for them the

first time around: retro glam, incredible pop melodies (and harmonies), and synths that are pure joy. Web: www.scandipop.co.uk

Childhood memories and a silly wig By Gabi Froden

I recently found an old photograph of me as a three-year-old in our cabin by the lake. The wallpaper behind me is blue and flowery, and the coffee cups on the table are small and flowery too. I am wearing a silly wig. Next to me is my granddad, tanned and lean, and my great-granny in her orange ‘70s polyester number. Everyone is laughing. But not at me and my silly wig. We are laughing together. I look happy but unaware of how lucky I am to be sitting by a lake in the Swedish countryside, feasting on buns. I can almost hear the birds over the water and smell the petrol from the mower now – familiar senses from my childhood. Sometimes I forget that I was once surrounded by several generations of loving family. What a beautiful gift. When you don’t live where you grew up, you can feel a little rootless at times, a little lost. Sometimes I 102

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FaceTime a lot or celebrate every cultural highlight with fervor. This spring, I think I might just throw on a silly wig, drive out to a Scottish loch with a bag of buns and remember that my memories of family and childhood can live on here. And, most of all, that it is OK to sometimes wish you were still three years old and back in Sweden with your grandad.

envy people who live near their old haunts, memories present in their daily life. I am sure that can be claustrophobic too, but when you miss having family around you, it seems really lovely, and safe. I know my exile is a choice, and therefore a luxury in itself, but I don’t know what you do when you feel far away. Maybe you

Gabi Froden is a Swedish illustrator and writer, living in Glasgow with her husband and two children. Her children’s and YA books are published in Sweden by Bonnier Carlsen and Natur&Kultur. www.gabifroden.com

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Calendar

Artist Brimheim performs at SPOT Festival. Photo: Hey Jack

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! ARS22: Living encounters (8 April to 16 October) ARS22, a major exhibition of contemporary art, opens the extensively renovated Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma at the heart of Helsinki. The exhibition, which takes over the entire building designed by the American architect Steven Holl, showcases the latest trends in contemporary art as well as a number 104

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of pieces put together for this particular exhibition. Themes explored include nature and technology. Mannerheiminaukio 2, Helsinki kiasma.fi

SPOT festival (6 to 7 May) SPOT 2022 is taking over Aarhus, presenting a line-up of acts that is bound to

By Hanna Heiskanen

make you want to tap your feet and raise your arms in the air. Whether your jam is house, punk or hip-hop, you will find something to enjoy here. There will also be six bands from the Future Sound, a talent development project for young bands between the ages of 15 and 25, so keep your ears open for emerging talent! Locations around Aarhus spotfestival.dk

Piedra Quemada by Donna Huanca, whose work is exhibited as part of the ARS22: Living encounters exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Photo: Johannes Stoll and Elsa Kostic

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Calendar

Royal Pavilion by Barbro Östlihn. Photo: Hossein Sehatlou

Vinyl Café (5 and 19 May) There’s no cosier way to spend a Thursday evening than listening to vinyls together over a cup of coffee. Make your way to the Reykjavik City Library’s Grófin building and dive deep into its collection of vinyls with a group of other music enthusiasts — or bring your own records with you. Tryggvagata 15, Reykjavik borgarbokasafn.is

Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord. Photo: Sverre Hjornevik

Barbro Östlihn: New York Imprint (until 25 September)

The coloured truth – Art crime in Finland (until 16 December 2023)

Barbro Östlihn (1930-1995) was one of Sweden’s most interesting post-war artists. Spending time in 1960s New York, Östlihn was acquainted with and inspired by pop artists such as Roy Lichtenstein. Over 40 of her colourful, abstract paintings are on display at the Gothenburg Museum of Art. Götaplatsen, Gothenburg goteborgskonstmuseum.se

Combine culture and sleuthing by visiting the National Police Museum located in Tampere, Finland’s second city. The exhibition looks into the many aspects of art crime and includes genuine forged artworks that have been confiscated by the police. You will also get tips on how to spot a fake Picasso from the real deal. Vaajakatu 2, Tampere poliisimuseo.fi

Sustainably powered fjord cruise

From the exhibition The coloured truth. Photo: Jarkko Järvinen

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Sailing up and down Norwegian fjords on battery power? This is no longer a pipe dream. Step onboard the vessels Vision and Future of the Fjords, which are respectively hybrid and fully-electric, and let your eyes rest on the breathtaking

scenery of mountains, waterfalls and villages north-east of Bergen. The trip, between Flåm and Gudvangen, takes around two hours one way. norwaysbest.com

Holmenkollen Ski Museum It might be spring, but that doesn’t mean you must say goodbye to winter sports. Head to the iconic Holmenkollen, which has been at the heart of Norwegian skiing for more than a century: the first ski-jumping competition there took place in 1892. At 21.5 metres, its longest jump has since been overtaken by the current record of 144 metres. The museum features skis from 600 AD, a Polar exhibition and an interactive area for children. Kongeveien 5, Oslo visitoslo.com

Your secret MY COLLECTION G E N T LY G L I D E Y O U R F I N G E R O V E R T H E S M A L L D I A M O N D S O N T H E D E L I C AT E P L AT E O F G O L D. TO U C H T H E R A I S E D G E M S TO N E S TO F E E L W H AT I S W R I T T E N. A L E T T E R I N B R A I L L E. YO U R OW N L I T T L E S EC R E T T H AT O N LY A S E L E C T E D F E W U N D E R S TA N D . T H E N E W, E L E G A N T P E N D A N T S F E AT U R I N G T H E E N T I R E A L P H A B E T I N B R A I L L E I S M E T I C U L O U S LY C R A F T E D I N 1 8 K T Y E L L O W O R W H I T E G O L D.

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Articles inside

Scandi Words We Need in English

Unique Experiences in Denmark in 2022

From Woods to Sea

Get Scandi Festival Ready

Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway

Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Finland

Swedish Fashion – Our Top Picks

A Bright and Peaceful Easter