Health & Wellness Profile

Health & Wellness Profile of the Month, Finland Herbal infusions: Drinking to your health never tasted so good

It’s common knowledge that herbs are bursting with health benefits, from soothing digestion to aiding sleep. At online boutique Hrista’s Herbs, the natural teas and body soaps are made from botanicals of the highest quality, and every herb is specially selected for its outstanding flavour and aroma. Every tea comes with individual brewing instructions for a rich and restorative infusion, mindfully nurtured from the earth right to the cup.

For the body, mind and planet Meanwhile, the complementary range of handmade organic soaps nourish from the outside in. Just like the teas, the ingredients in the soaps are selected for their sensual qualities. The range includes Cocoa Goat Milk & Honey, Nettle & Yoghurt, and Lavender & Poppy Seed. “I love the Pumpkin, Cinnamon & Ginger soap. The scent is irresistible,” says Hrista.

The bars are wrapped in felted antibacterial and hypoallergenic wool for easy lathering, while ingredients such as shea and cocoa butter, olive oil and beeswax hydrate and protect dry winter skin. With a portion of Hrista’s Herbs profits going to non-governmental tree-planting projects in Finland and Bulgaria, this is true feel-good indulgence – good for the conscience and the planet, as well as the body.

By Lena Hunter | Photos: Melanie Rose

Hrista’s Herbs sources its botanicals from the fertile soils of Bulgaria, where the favourable climate results in plants with high concentrations of bio-active substances. “The health of the plants is where it all starts. We only use quality organic herbs. Then, we dry them naturally in the shade. It’s the best way to preserve their properties, colours and aromas,” explains Hrista’s Herbs founder Hrista Angelova. The herbs in the nine loose-leaf teas and the natural ingredients in the six soaps are selected first and foremost for their taste and scent. “Every tea has positive effects on wellness, but I don’t actively choose strong medicinal herbs. These are infusions you can drink daily, and which are specially chosen for their delicious flavours,” says Hrista.

Everyday mindful moments “The Mountain Tea is very popular. It’s an ancient infusion of a flowering plant called Sideritis. It has a beautiful flavour, and is a powerful immune-booster and anti-inflammatory,” says Hrista. “But my favourite is the Linden Blossom. I love its natural sweetness.”

Others in the collection include aromatic Pine Needle packed with vitamins and antibacterial essential oils, the distinctive and delicious Rose Tea, and premium classics like Mint and Lemon Balm. www.hristasherbs.com Instagram: @hristasherbs Facebook: hristasherbs

SWEDISH BLACK CAVIAR

THE ULTIMATE IN SUSTAINABLE LUXURY

Arctic Roe of Scandinavia is the pioneering producer of the world’s most unique delicacy, Black Caviar, produced without a single fish having to die. Sturgeons have become extinct and making Black Caviar without killing the fish aids in the recovery and survival of the world’s sturgeon population. A microchip is affixed to each sturgeon so its growth curve and harvests can be monitored over a decade or longer. Every second year, the females are milked for caviar, and on each caviar tin or jar sold, the name of the individual female sturgeon and the date of production are printed on a label. The female sturgeons occupy an abandoned paper mill in southern Sweden on the banks of the massive river Lagan that empties into the North Sea. The aqua system at Arctic Roe recycles more than 99% of the daily water consumption, and on-site wells provide water for the property.

Swedish Black Caviar can be found in several Guide Michelin restaurants, fish delicacies and retail stores. It can also be ordered directly from the company.

Best new Scandi music in January

By Karl Batterbee

Hailing from Sweden and now residing in Denmark, Lucky Lo is out with a fabulous new track that I’d heartily recommend you get acquainted with – I Will Always Be You. At first the song plays out unassumingly, bubbling with curious sonic eccentricities, which in themselves make for a wonderful listen. But then a gigantic pop chorus comes out of seemingly nowhere, which is where things really take off in spectacular fashion.

Icelandic duo Sycamore Tree have recently released their new album Colours – a beautiful record to lie back and luxuriate to. Amongst the soft, blissed-out moments, though, there is one standout track that is particularly enjoyable. Lately has a touch of the epic to it, despite being just over three minutes in length. The fact that the chorus and the verse sound like they’ve come from two different songs – and stunning songs, the pair of them – probably plays a large part in the bags of charm it exudes.

Swedish artist Sofia Vivere is out with a hot new tune. Hot in the sense that Loving You sounds like it’s going down a treat in the middle of a packed disco dancefloor at some point in the early ’90s. The sounds of yesterdecade we hear are intentional, according to the artist herself. And it’s obvious that she is truly passionate about that point of reference, as her vocals are splendidly in sync with the funk we all remember from that era.

Sweden’s Felicia Takman has got yet another utterly essential pop number of hers out right now. Her latest and greatest is called Dansa Fult, meaning to ‘dance ugly’. Despite its title, however, it’s most definitely got an attractive demeanour to it. And in turn, despite Felicia’s smooth tone, the song’s production offers a pounding soundscape of electronica with a touch of ’80s rock glamour. It’s taken from Felicia’s latest EP, also recommended – En Basic Bitch, Inget Nytt, Men Fan Ändå, Ganska Snygg!

www.scandipop.co.uk

Monthly Illustration The new cool

By Maria Smedstad

Growing up in Sweden in the ‘80s, it seemed that all cool and desirable things came from abroad. It’s not that we didn’t have clothes, toys and books, it’s that everything appeared so very sensible and samey. In other words, so very Swedish.

I was lucky enough to have an aunt in California, who spoiled us with exotic gifts. Every Christmas, my sister and I looked forward to impractical, matching velvet dresses, next-level pop-up books and magical, incomprehensible sweets. When I say incomprehensible, I mean that literally. One Halloween, she sent us a tray of fang-themed items that we assumed were sweets, but that were just too incredible to eat. So, we didn’t.

The pièce de resistance, however, was a pair of hats in the shape of cartoon-style dogs’ heads. We’d put them on and climb onto piles of snow to peer down at our neighbours, hoping that they’d be as impressed as we were – perhaps even confusing us for real dogs. Surprise, no one did.

Then we moved to England and things changed. Although by this point, I’d moved beyond toys and looking like a cartoon dog, I vividly remember my first New Look sale. Now I had access to all the cool and desirable things I’d always dreamed of. No longer was I a samey and sensible Swede. Then I grew up properly and bought my first Swedish wool garment in a UK outdoor shop. That was when I discovered that – ironically –sensible and samey Swedish had become my idea of a cool, foreign thing. And it’s warm, of course... which is greatly appreciated these days.

Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. Maria writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

Mindlessis the latest show from the Red Nose Company. Photo: Ekku Raikamo and Red Nose Company

Scandinavian Culture Calendar

–Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

By Hanna Heiskanen

An Evening with Bruce Dickinson (19 January) Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden fame is also a spoken-word artist. His one-man show, which touches on stand up, is inspired by his memoir What Does This Button Do? In the second part of the evening, Dickinson will answer questions from the audience. Kulttuuritalo, Sturenkatu 4, Helsinki www.livenation.fi

Helsinki Beatles Weekend 2023: Band Competition (21 January) Fans of the Fab Four must not miss the Helsinki Beatles Weekend Band Competition. Three tribute bands are com-

Copenhagen Fashion Week. Photo: Victor Jones

peting for the chance to perform at the famed Kulttuuritalo, which has hosted Jimi Hendrix among others, in May, at the largest Beatles event in the Nordics. Audience members will also get to vote for their favourite. Ala-Malmin tori 1, Helsinki www.beatlesweekend.fi

Red Nose Company: Mindless (26 January to 4 February) Red Nose Company combines theatre and clownery to tell stories from the moving to the hilarious. Their new show, titled Mindless, is about the journey of two characters, a tired mother and a meditating psychotherapist, towards enlightenment and a better life. Recommended for audiences aged 14 and above. Kanneltalo, Klaneettitie 5, Helsinki www.rednose.fi

Conditioned Movement (until 29 January) There is still time in January to catch Modeerna Museet Malmö’s 2022 collection exhibition Conditioned Movement, which creates new dialogues between artworks from the past 100-plus years. It’s a collaboration between curator Andreas Nilsson and the duo Gideonsson/ Londré, the latter having also contributed a new piece for the exhibition. Ola Billgrens plats 2–4, Malmö www.modernamuseet.se

The Modeerna Museet i Malmö. Photo: Moderna Museet / Åsa Lundén

Copenhagen Fashion Week (31 January to 3 February) Scandi folk are famous for their great sense of style, and Copenhagen Fashion Week, or CPHFW among the initiated, is an excellent opportunity to observe some of the most sartorially talented people in action. Venues around Copenhagen www.copenhagenfashionweek.com

Copenhagen Light Festival (4 to 27 February) The fifth edition of the Copenhagen Light Festival is a great opportunity to explore the city whilst checking out the large variety of light installations. There will also be an opportunity to join a guided tour by foot. Or, why not try by Segway or canal boat? Venues around Copenhagen www.copenhagenlightfestival.org

Light over Sea and Land: The Önningeby Colony on Åland (until 26 March) The Åland Islands, located in the Batic Sea between Finland and Sweden, celebrated 100 years of autonomy in 2022. The Waldemarsudde Art Museum in Stockholm has put up an exhibition showcasing works by a 19th-century group of artists living on the islands. The paintings feature landscapes depicting rural life, as well as portraits. Prins Eugensväg 6, Stockholm www.waldemarsudde.se

Copenhagen light festival. Photo: CLF, vnr.TV, Christoffer Askman

Scan Magazine Issue 150 January 2023

Published 01.2023 ISSN 1757-9589

Published by Scan Client Publishing

Print H2 Print

Executive Editor Thomas Winther

Creative Director Mads E. Petersen

Editor Lena Hunter

Copy-editor Karl Batterbee Graphic Designer Mercedes Moulia

Cover Photo Claes Bech-Poulsen

Contributors Alejandra Cerda Ojensa Andri Papanicolas Åsa Hedvig Aaberge Celina Tran Emma Rodin Eva-Kristin Urestad Pedersen Hanna Andersson Hanna Heiskanen Hanna Margrethe Enger Heidi Kokborg John Sempill Karl Batterbee Linda Thompson Malin Norman Mari Koskinen Maria Smedstad Molly McPharlin Ndéla Faye Nina Bressler Philip Denvir Silvia Colombo Synne Johnsson Tina Nielsen Trine Jensen-Martin Xander Brett

Sales & Key Account Managers Emma Fabritius Nørregaard Johan Enelycke Veronica Rafteseth

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To Subscribe scanmagazine.co.uk/subscribe Hanna Rönnberg: Åland(1900). Photo: Önningebymuseet

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