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ARNE DAHL SATISFIES OUR THIRST FOR NORDIC NOIR LARGE THEME: MADE IN FINLAND SOUTHERN NORWAY – THE NORWEGIAN RIVIERA THE BEST SPAS IN SWEDEN
PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA
ISSUE 56
SEPTEMBER 2013
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Enabling real
achievement Mannaz is an international frontrunner in customised executive and project leadership development. Adopting innovative and efficient learning methods, we empower people development and business success. With offices in Copenhagen, London and Hong Kong and an international network of over 375 associated facilitators we have global reach.
You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter M Knowledge and learn more at www.mannaz.com/intl
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Scan Magazine | Contents
Contents COVER FEATURE 8
Arne Dahl It’s no secret that the Brits have developed a penchant for Scandinavian crime writers. The latest is Arne Dahl, the novelist behind the bestselling Intercrime (A Unit) series, with more than 2.5 million copies sold. Scan Magazine caught up with the author at Nordicana, London’s first ever expo celebrating the best of Scandinavian crime fiction and film.
8 30
SPECIAL THEMES 23
In Sweden, the spa trend is bigger than ever. What was previously considered a rare luxury is now available to most people. We care about our well-being and indulge in more recreation at spas and wellness facilities, either in the company of friends and family or in connection with conferences and meetings.
42
Copenhagen Fashion Week The true essence of fashion is being able to reinvent yourself. This maxim not only applies to designers, stylists and style publications, but also to Copenhagen Fashion Week.
18
Veryday
79
Iris Hantverk Officially founded in 1953, but based on a tradition with over one hundred-year-old roots, Iris Hantverk is the brush-binding business that gives the word hand-made a whole new meaning.
76
Bornholm Biennial Every other year, hundreds of European artists flock to the small Danish island Bornholm to take part in the Bornholm Biennial for European contemporary glass and ceramics.
Health in Finland & Sweden The Nordic countries are known worldwide for the high standard of their health services. However, obesity and cardiovascular diseases are among the largest public health concerns. To combat these problems, Scandinavians have come up with numerous ways to educate people on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Scan Magazine talked to Swedish Veryday, a leading Design and Innovation agency that helps its clients improve from being good to being excellent.
20
Made in Finland Finnish design is still made in Finland though the harsh laws of business have outsourced parts of the manufacturing. Ecological and ethical reasons have become more and more important. Many a Finnish designer also uses local materials and craft skills as sources of inspiration and design – things that can't be imported from anywhere else.
DESIGN FEATURES 16
The Best Spas in Sweden
83
Southern Norway The southern part of Norway has been the number one summer holiday destination for Norwegians for decades, while remaining a hidden gem for many visitors. Southern Norway evokes strong emotions with its white wooden houses along the archipelago, together with beautiful islands, small cosy villages and its many beaches.
FEATURE 21
Kulturkirken JAKOB Twenty-eight years ago the Jakob Church was destined for demolition. Today it persists as a unique cultural pearl in the heart of Oslo, resurrected as Norway's only cultural church.
REGULARS & COLUMNS 12
We Love This | 14 Fashion Diary | 94 Hotels of the Month | 99 Attractions of the Month
103 Restaurants of the Month | 113 Humour | 114 Music & Culture | 118 Scandinavian Culture Calendar
70 90
Scan Business REGULARS & COLUMNS 108 Business Columns & News Key note, columns and news stories on Scandinavian businesses and business events.
110 Conference of the Month The best conference venues of the month.
112 Scandinavian Business Calendar
FEATURE 111 El Hotelito In the heart of Spain, 100 kilometres west of Madrid, El Hotelito welcomes guests with enchanting sceneries, home-cooked food and wonderful rooms. Scan Magazine visited the small boutique hotel and was blown away by its authentic charm and the owners’ genuine warmth.
Highlights of Scandinavian business events.
Issue 56 | September 2013 | 3
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Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note
Dear Reader, As summer turns to autumn, we start stowing our garden and barbecue equipment and fold away picnic blankets to focus on life indoors – and that’s not such a bad thing at all. We’ve had a pretty good summer, and even today, on the last day of August, the sun is shining brightly, and a quick glance at the weather forecast reveals that there is no sign of autumnal chill in the air just yet. But back to my original point: once the weather does cool down, there is plenty to look forward to, from autumn fashion (who doesn’t enjoy the feel of new leather boots?) to sipping red wine indoors (instead of white wine spritzers in the beer garden). And once the last of the summer’s festivals have petered out, we can get ready for the range of events taking place in autumn. One of these is, of course, the annual Scandinavia Show, which returns to us on 12-13 October. For 2013, the show is moving to the historic Tobacco Dock in Wapping, close to Tower Bridge and the City of London, but the emphasis on Scandinavian design and lifestyle, tourism, food and entertainment has stayed the same. Don’t miss out on reindeer, Vikings, music, food and travel presentations, and a long list of excellent exhibitors – for an up-todate programme visit: www.scandinaviashow.co.uk.
I’m writing this note feeling slightly heavy-hearted as it will be my last one for Scan Magazine. I’ve been on an exciting, almost four-year, journey with Scan, which has included close to 40 issues and three Scandinavia Shows. I’ve met and spoken to plenty of wonderful Scandies who are proud of what their home countries stand for, and many non-Scandies who appreciate the Nordic countries just as much. I will be succeeded by one of our own, freelance writer and sociable Swede Linnea Dunne. I’m very pleased to be able to leave Scan Magazine in such capable hands, and I wish her all the best in her new position. And to all my Scan Magazine colleagues: Thank you for everything!
Nia Kajastie Editor
Scan Magazine
Contributors
Helena Whitmore
Issue 56 | September 2013
Emelie Krugly Hill
Mette Lisby
Christina B. Poulsen
Maria Smedstad
Ian Morales
Karl Batterbee
Cecilia Varricchio
Sara Schedin
Published 06.09.2013 ISSN 1757-9589 Published by
Linnea Dunne
Scan Magazine Ltd
Magnus Nygren Syversen
Design & Print Liquid Graphic Ltd
Maria Malmros Inna Allen Karoliina Kantola
Executive Editor
Malin Wiander
Sales & Key Account Managers Mette Tonnessen
© All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Scan Magazine Ltd.
Johan Enelycke Jonna Klebom
Anna Taipale
Advertising
Creative Director
marketing@scanmagazine.co.uk
Mads E. Petersen
Thomas Bech Hansen
Nia Kajastie
Elin Berta
To receive our newsletter send an email to newsletter@scanmagazine.co.uk
Stian Sangvig
Graphic Designer
Anette Berve
To Subscribe
Svetlana Slizova
Didrik Ottesen
www.scanmagazine.co.uk/subscribe
Copy-editor Mark Rogers
4 | Issue 56 | September 2013
Stephanie Lovell Kjersti Westeng
Scan Magazine Ltd 4 Baden Place Crosby Row London SE1 1YW Phone +44 (0)870 933 0423 info@scanmagazine.co.uk www.scanmagazine.co.uk Next issue 6 October 2013
Signe Hansen
Editor
M A G A Z I N E
Emma Fabritius Nørregaard
Thomas Winther
Julie Lindén
SCAN
Scan Magazine® is a registered trademark of Scan Magazine Ltd. This magazine contains advertorials/promotional articles
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Discover real Private Banking At SEB Private Banking, we acknowledge that everyone has a unique set of challenges. It’s why we do not oer ready-made solutions, concentrating instead on developing meaningful, long-lasting ďŹ nancial relationships and making the eort to really understand you and your requirements. We look after all aspects of your personal and your family’s business ďŹ nances – from daily transactions to long-term investments. And we oer everything from in-depth ďŹ nancial management to specialist advice on legal and tax matters. As one of the world’s strongest banks and with more than 150 years of experience in private banking, we have just what it takes to ensure your future prosperity. To ďŹ nd out what SEB can do for your personal wealth, contact us in London: Christian A. Hvamstad +44 (0) 20 7246 4307 privatebanking@seb.co.uk
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Scan Magazine | Contributors
Regular Contributors Nia Kajastie (Editor) was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, and moved to London in 2005 to study writing. With a BA in Journalism & Creative Writing, she now describes herself as a fulltime writer and grammar stickler. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”. Thomas Bech Hansen has moved between England and Denmark, with London and now Copenhagen among the places called home. As well as covering everything Scandinavian from architecture to aquavit, he is mad about English music and football, works in PR and Communication. Swedish Sara Schedin is a freelance writer with a degree in journalism from City University London. She moved here in 2006 and is currently covering Scandinavian culture in the UK.
Linnea Dunne has been writing professionally for over 10 years. Having started out on a local paper in Sweden, she is passionate about Scandinavian music and culture, and currently works in London as a full-time writer and translator. Kjersti Westeng moved from Norway to London to study journalism. She now finds it impossible to leave, despite having finished university two years ago. From 9 to 5 she works in PR, but in the evenings she writes her blog and plans her next holiday. Helena Whitmore moved to the UK from Sweden in 1989. She joined SEB Private Banking in the UK as a wealth structuring specialist in January 2013 and has extensive experience in crossborder tax planning having previously worked at a law firm.
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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. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.
Magnus Nygren Syversen is a Norwegian freelance journalist, who graduated from Middlesex University with a BA in Journalism & Communication in 2010. Having left London and relocated to the other side of the world, he is currently doing his MA at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.
Karl Batterbee is devoted to Scandinavian music and knows exactly what is coming up in the UK. Apart from writing a monthly music update for Scan Magazine Karl has also started the Scandipop Club Night and its corresponding website: www.scandipop.co.uk.
Emelie Krugly Hill has worked on a number of Swedish newspapers. After travelling extensively, she has been based in London since 2006. Her particular interests are news and current affairs within Sweden and the export of Scandinavian culture to the UK.
Inna Allen is a freelance writer, translator and photographer whose passions lie in all things art and design. She moved to the UK from her native Finland in 2001 and has since developed a chronic yearning for sauna.
Elin Berta is a Swedish freelance journalist. After working as a news reporter for Swedish Radio, she decided to leave the motherland for a life in London in 2010. Now her focus is back on her first true love - writing - often combined with her love for music and writing reviews.
Having travelled much of the world, Signe Hansen, MA graduate in Journalism and previous editor at Scan Magazine, is now back freelancing in London, where she writes on everything Scandinavian and her main passions: culture, travel and health. Julie Lindén is half Swedish and half Norwegian, and came to London two years ago to pursue a degree in journalism and creative writing at Kingston University. When she’s not busy studying, she is travelling the globe, learning new languages and planning novels to be written. Karoliina Kantola is a Finnish journalist with a BA in Literature and an MA in Journalism. Currently, she lives in Helsinki, works for the Finnish Broadcasting Company and occasionally writes for various publications. She previously spent some precious years in Japan and the UK.
Anette Berve is a Norwegian freelance journalist based in London. She has previously worked in Buenos Aires for a cultural newspaper and is currently finishing her degree in journalism and Spanish.
Maria Malmros is a freelance writer from Sweden, with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in New York (USA). She enjoys painting, learning foreign languages, and rummaging through London, looking for any areas of the city yet to be uncovered. Norwegian Didrik Ottesen is back living in London after a carefree time travelling around the world. He is currently doing his MA Journalism degree while also working as a freelance journalist and trying to play as much football as possible.
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Business on the go
Mobile Business app
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• View accounts in real-time across Danske Bank’s markets • Check balances on accounts at other banks • Authorise all types of payments and payment files • Set up local payments across Danske Bank’s markets
Download the new app from App Store or Google Play You must be registered for Business Online to use Danske Bank Mobile Business app.
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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Arne Dahl
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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Arne Dahl
Arne Dahl - satisfies the UK’s thirst for Nordic noir It’s no secret that the Brits have developed a penchant for Scandinavian crime writers. The latest is Arne Dahl, the novelist behind the bestselling Intercrime (A Unit) series, with more than 2.5 million copies sold. Scan Magazine caught up with the author at Nordicana, London’s first ever expo celebrating the best of Scandinavian crime fiction and film. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Sara Arnald
Some of us would say that Arne Dahl, real name Jan Arnald, is one of the most important contemporary names in the crime genre today. He has become known as a genuine storyteller who persistently manages to relate pressing and contemporary issues within his work. During the last few years he has experienced an enormous breakthrough, receiving rave reviews from some of the most respected newspapers in Europe.
Nordicana, a showcase for Scandinavian TV shows, film and novels, took place at the Farmiloe Building in Clerkenwell in June. The two-day event delved deep into the worlds of Wallander, The Killing, Borgen, The Bridge, and our latest favourite, Arne Dahl. Here, on a rainy summer’s day, author Arne Dahl sat down with Scan Magazine to reflect on his career as a writer. A step into the world of crime fiction
During ten intensive weeks this spring, we followed the emotional and investigative journey of the A Unit on BBC4. Featuring a team of hand-picked Stockholm detectives, it made for compelling viewing and quickly hooked the British audience, who are now eagerly awaiting a further series and suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
“I’ve got one foot in the so-called world of ‘fine culture’ in Sweden, and to take the step into the world of crime fiction was naturally a big one,” explains Dahl, who was known as a literary novelist, academic and cultural critic before turning to crime fiction.
He made the choice to write under a pseudonym because he was looking for a fresh start, and inhabiting the roles of both an academic and crime writer did not seem possible in Sweden. “I needed to be born again as a writer, with new energy, seeking a new audience,” he reflects. “It was a long process that led me to the decision to start writing crime fiction. When I had children, I became interested in examining society, and with the economic downturn in the 90s, I wanted to try to study the effects of this crisis on people’s private lives in a thrilling way.” Dahl does not remember having read much children’s literature during his early years; instead, he would immerse himself
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to be published in the UK and Ireland, following The Blinded Man (Misterioso). The US, Australia and New Zealand are the next markets that Dahl is about to break into. “I have always known that my books could potentially do well over here, but it takes a lot to break through in the UK. It’s been a very long process to get my work translated into English, but once it became reality, it all moved quicker than I could have ever imagined. It’s absolutely remarkable and a dream come true.” Dahl explains that he feels at home in the UK, and that Scandinavians and Brits have a lot in common with their love of crime fiction and humour. He loves Shakespeare and believes that every crime fiction writer should read Macbeth. His all-time favourite British crime TV series is Prime Suspect. in his father’s bookshelves that were laden with classic crime novels. A seed was probably already planted at this point.
come good friends in real life, something the Nordicana audience clearly witnessed during the Q&A session as they joked and chatted in a relaxed manner.
Creating an ‘Anti-Wallander’ Arne Dahl describes how his intention was to create an ‘Anti-Wallander’, but immediately apologises to his respected colleague Henning Mankell. “I was personally tired of the portrayal of the lonesome and depressed police officer. I was curious to find out what would happen if you bring a group of policemen and policewomen together, what the dynamic would be like, while inventing a new kind of protagonist and creating relationships between the cops. “Thus the A Unit was born, a blend of seven very different yet charismatic detective characters. When it came to transferring the stories to the screen, it was a nerve-racking and bizarre moment to meet the A Unit in real life at the auditions,” he explains. These characters he had lived with for a substantial amount of his life were all of a sudden standing in front of him. But for Dahl it could not have been a better selection of actors. They have also all be-
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“I’ve obviously grown very fond of them all. When it was time to end the Intercrime series, I just had to keep some of the characters, which then followed through to my next journey, in the Opcop series, a quartet of free-standing novels about contemporary, international crime – and the controversial Europol unit that is formed to combat it,” Dahl explains. Dahl has close contact with his readers, which is something that he enjoys. He is very active on his Facebook page. In fact, he reached out to his fans for ideas for titles for his upcoming books in the Opcop series, which then gave him the idea to borrow names from children’s games. A dream comes true He openly admits that he, as well as the actors from the Arne Dahl series, is hugely overwhelmed by the enormous interest from the British audience. Due to the success of the show on BBC4, the publication date for Bad Blood was pushed forward from July to June. Bad Blood is the second Arne Dahl crime novel
“Sweden is a small country and can sometimes be a little claustrophobic, a little duck pond like,” Dahl reflects. “Everyone who works in the cultural industry more or less knows each other, and it can be a bit demanding at times. You do need to leave the country once in a while, to get some inspiration and fresh ideas and simply take a break from it all. My wife and I have a flat in Berlin which we visit on a regular basis. London would be even better, but the house prices over here are of course in a different league. We’re both dreaming of taking some time out to live in London for a while in the future,” he says. At the moment Arne Dahl is travelling around Europe promoting his books and taking part in various events, readings and international book festivals. “It’s a very exciting time in my life, but it’s taken some time to adjust from being a lonely writer at home to all of a sudden being in the public eye. But I’ve actually discovered that I love every moment of it.” For more information, please visit: www.arnedahl.net
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Ross designs Scandinavia's most beautiful villas! YouÕll never want to leave .... www.ross.se
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Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This
We love this... September is a month of change in Scandinavia: we swap raspberries for blackberries on our breakfast porridge, and we love the seasonal changes we can see and feel around us. September is one of Scandinavia’s finest months, and we celebrate it with sweet things and by adding colourful design objects to our minimalistic homes. By Christina B. Poulsen
Watch me wall clock adds a fun splash of colour to any hallway or kitchen. £35 www.normann-copenhagen.com
Lovely soft cosmetics purse from Danish Swedish designer Johan Lindstén has designed an amazing new lamp called Meltdown for Cappellini.
knitwear brand AIAYU. £89
Price: On request
mariannaboutique.co.uk
www.lindstenform.com
Two Swedish girls have opened a sweet shop in Covent Garden to the delight of many Scandies. Lovely glass jar filled with a mix of Swedish hard-boiled sweets. Great as Brilliant as drinking glasses but also for display on a dinner table or as vases. From £17
a different dinner party gift. £13
www.normann-copenhagen.com
sugarsin.co.uk
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RETHINKING ENERGY IS THE SHORT ANSWER The question is how to develop an energy system that is able to meet society’s growing demand while at the same time limiting climate change. Together with our clients we transform complex challenges into solutions by planning, designing and implementing energy systems that integrate renewable technologies with high-efficiency energy production facilities.
WWW.RAMBOLL.COM/ENERGY
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Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
Fashion Diary... Embrace the colours of late summer! The beauty of the changing seasons is a Nordic treasure - one to celebrate in plum colours, cool greys, and in one of the season’s biggest trends: the statement sweatshirt! Teamed with a pair of jeans and heels it’s a very wearable way to join the Scandi fashionistas. By Christina B. Poulsen
Cheeky Versace look-a-like print from Swedish sweatshirt masters 5preview. £90 www.brownsfashion.com
Scarf from brand Dagny in the loveliest aubergine colours – a great way to update an outfit going into autumn. £55 wild-swans.com
Stine Goya does great trousers with a point of difference – we love these navy blue trousers with tiny golden dots. £235 b56store.com
Danish brand Storm & Marie has launched a collaboration with one of the brightest stars of Danish Perfect half boots in a great on-trend plum
fashion, Anne Sofie Madsen. Very cool printed sweatshirts and T-shirts with Anne Sofie’s signature
colour that will work with any wardrobe as
shapes and prints – but at a fraction of the price.
well as the classic black boots. £180
Prices start at £60
wild-swans.com
shop.stormandmarie.com
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Working hard or hardly working? Does the space you work in, work for you or do you just work in a space? Workplace design and culture differs from country to country but the one thing they all have in common is the issue of acoustics. INTO the Nordic Silence concept was created to improve work comfort and flexibility in open plan offices. The concept is about privacy and flexibility, a modular acoustical product that can be used in different workplace environments. INTO product range offers room and furniture solutions for new or already existing offices. To meet the diverse office requirements, the concept contains different sized space and furniture modules ranging from completely sound proof modules to semi-open meeting spaces. Let your space work for you.
www.intoconcept.com Visit us at
Stockholm Furniture Fair 4.-8. February 2014
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Anne Sofie Madsen
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Brunns Bazaar
Mark Tan
Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014 highliths The true essence of fashion is being able to reinvent yourself. This maxim not only applies to designers, stylists and style publications, but also to Copenhagen Fashion Week. By Ian Morales | Photos: Copenhagen Fashion Week®
Fashionistas don’t sweat. But as the temperature outside City Hall hit a record 30°C many required more than one glass of champagne to keep cool. The other major surprise for visitors arriving on the opening day of Copenhagen Fashion Week SS14 was the truncated schedule: 22 shows, compared to an average of 40. This was partly due to increasing competition from emerging fashion weeks such as Stockholm, Oslo and Berlin, as well as a decision by the most acclaimed Danish labels to opt for an alternative to the traditional catwalk format. The event was officially opened by the Danish enfant terrible Asger Juel Larsen. The thirty-year-old London College of
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Fashion graduate earned his stripes showcasing two previous menswear collections that evoked his signature dark, edgy, urban style. For SS14, Larsen takes us to an asylum where the inmates escape, only to regret their action and return. Entitled “A Triple Distilled Dream” the show kicked off with white, oversized, medical-inspired mesh jackets and progressed into a series of sporty looks punctuated with forward-thinking tailoring. Clockwork digital prints occasionally emerged from a treasure chest of insanity. Larsen’s show went down a storm with the international press. But many Danish fans hooked on his first collections could not help notice a shift towards a more commercial approach.
Henrik Vibsov staged his SS14 collection in an empty warehouse on Paper Island, near the hippie commune Christiania. This season’s installation “The Bathtub Observer” featured models parading in a gigantic, catwalk-sized bathtub, complete with ubiquitous tufts of yellow and white hair. The observer, or audience, was introduced to a universe overloaded with visual disorders and dysfunctions that comprised oversized tops, baggy trousers, layered dresses and light knits with enlarged herringbone patterns, Cubist and African inspired prints, and hand printed dots. Unfortunately, Vibskov’s staging was not as compelling as in previous seasons where the models interacted with the installation and few had expected the avantgarde designer to present such a wearable collection. One of the most anticipated shows at Copenhagen Fashion Week was Anne So-
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Scan Magazine | Design | Copenhagen Fashion Week
phie Madsen. Growing from strength to strength each season, the new star of Danish fashion showcased her latest collection “Post-Human Speed” inspired by Kapser Hauser, Inochi and Rubber Johnny: three different stories of teenage boys from the Romantic and Millennium eras who never grow up. Influences of the teenage sport motocross can be seen in her oversized leather jackets and trousers. The collection featured a lot of leather – embossed and moulded – including several exquisitely crafted white mini leather dresses with whip stitching and open back. The monochrome palette was complemented by 90s Japanese pop art prints. By far the most inspiring show of the week. Princess Mary of Denmark was spotted on the front row of the Bruuns Bazaar show. Presented in the beautiful courtyard of the label’s headquarters in Copenhagen, the master minimalist unveiled a classic summer collection inspired by Baubotanic – a new technique advocated by a group of German architects of using living plants in
Asger Juel Larsen
building construction. It was a Scandinavian affair with clean lines and simple silhouettes. Delicate floral prints and models with wavy hair and round, oversized frame glasses added a touch of cool. Charlotte Eskildsen, co-founder of Designers Remix, never fails to impress with her choice of location. This season she showcased the label’s SS14 collection in the newly opened The Blue Planet aquarium on the outskirts of Copenhagen. The setting was breathtaking. The Shark Tunnel was converted into a catwalk with top models sashaying fearlessly alongside hammerheads, stingrays and other exotic fish, swimming an arm’s length away on all sides. Inspired by the 1980s Luc Besson film The Big Blue, the models appeared from the “sea” sporting a wet-look with body-hugging aquatic inspired silhouettes in black, white and power green. Special guests included Princess Marie of Denmark. The new boy on the block in Copenhagen is Mark Kenly Domino Tan. Fresh from com-
Designers Remix
peting as a finalist at the H&M Design Award 2013, the Kolding School of Design graduate presented his debut collection at the Nimb Hotel. Tan’s experimental mix of materials such as neoprene and silk and wool and foam were unveiled as cocoon style coats, pencil skirts, two-piece suits and bell-shaped skirts. Exaggerated rounded shoulders and a delightful palette of red, white, blue and black added a unique feminine touch. Tan is currently studying at the Royal College of Art in London. The event was marked by a noticeable absence of the most prominent brands on the main schedule as they opted to present their collections in alternative formats: Soulland presented his “Katastrophe” collection at an exclusive pop-up cafe; Malene Birger unveiled “Ladies of the World” at a dinner at the 5-star Hotel d'Angleterre; and Stine Goya used the occasion to open her small flagship boutique on Gothersgade. Things are changing in Copenhagen. Let’s hope next season’s schedule includes all.
Henrik Vibskov
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Design research - getting close to the user
Veryday headquarters
Design strategy work - Malin Orebäck in the middle
People-driven design – the new approach to reinventing business strategies Why do people love certain products and are willing to pay a premium price even though equal, cheaper ones are available? How can a company increase the value and profitability of its products and services in times when competition is getting harder than ever? To answer these questions, we decided to talk to Swedish Veryday, a leading Design and Innovation agency that helps its clients improve from being good to being excellent. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Veryday
Today’s business is not what it used to be a few years ago, and change is ramping up, driven by megatrends such as globalization, ageing populations, technology development and consumer adoption of new technology, to name a few. Companies need to adopt new strategies to satisfy more demanding clients who nowadays can choose from a wider selection of products, available at their fingertips through numerous online devices. Malin Orebäck, Director of Design Strategy and a Partner at Veryday in Sweden, tells us that companies need to understand the total expe-
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rience of their customers when using a product or service. When you truly understand why people buy your product or why they don’t, new opportunities will open up. Getting closer to the customers To be able to keep up, and lead developments, it is important that companies understand what customers and users will want tomorrow and how they change their behaviour and habits. They need to truly understand the needs, demands, aspirations and pain points of their customers. And it is not just about asking questions: they really have to get close to the customer, or they will not learn about the customer’s unmet needs. It has to be a rapid learning process, otherwise any company will soon be out of the game. An interesting fact that Orebäck tells us is that 80% of companies believe that they are offering a fantastic product, while just 8% of their customers agree with this view. Looking at
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Scan Magazine | Design | Veryday
these surprising numbers, anyone can infer that most companies need to increase their understanding of what clients really want, to meet diverse expectations. How design will change value Today, many brands refocus from customer acquisition through advertising, towards adding value for existing customers, increasing loyalty and thus earning market share by delivering a great customer experience. Veryday is expert in helping companies increase the value and attraction of their services and products, to secure bigger client groups, and, more importantly, to make customers more loyal and satisfied. They help companies to work systematically in being able to understand what kind of functions and features customers want and what they are attracted by, to create a superior customer experience, whether it is a product or service, digital or physical. Fail fast – fail cheap
require a new way of thinking and collaborating with stakeholders and customers. Organizations need to focus, drive savings, build new revenue, create differentiation and re-think business models. By tapping into unmet needs business opportunities will be revealed. This customer focused business strategy is also a great way of bringing departments closer together. Further, it mitigates the risk of failure as the new products and services are generated out of the true needs and demands of customers. By using the design methods of prototyping and testing new concepts at an early stage together with customers and company representatives, potential weaknesses can be discovered and adjusted rapidly and at a substantially lower cost. “Did you know that the rate of failure of new services is around 60%? Those companies should really have tested their offering before the launch. The benefits of design are definitely several,” finishes Malin Orebäck at Veryday.
Increased competitive pressure, technology convergence and market complexity
Aerocrine asthma treatment device
The November chair
FIVE KEY QUESTIONS FOR ALL ORGANIZATIONS To future-proof a business there are a few key questions that the company should always ask itself: 1. Do you really know why your customers choose your brand? Most companies know what their customers think, but not why. 2. Do you know what your customers’ true needs and aspirations are? How does your company use that knowledge to improve and differentiate? 3. How many layers do you have between your customers and R&D? Get as close as possible. 4. How will rapidly changing customer behaviour and preferences affect your business? 5. Fail fast and fail cheap – do you test and prototype new concepts at an early stage?
For more information, please visit: veryday.com
Brio Go - stroller
Analyzing biometric data
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Scan Magazine | Design | Iris Hantverk
Brushes that give ‘handmade’ a new meaning Officially founded in 1953, but based on a tradition with over one hundred-year-old roots, Iris Hantverk is the brush-binding business that gives the word hand-made a whole new meaning. Not only are the brushes hand-drawn using refined techniques for exceptional durability and functionality – they are made by visually impaired artisans, proudly telling the story of how an isolated group reclaimed its right to active participation in society. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Iris Hantverk
“It started as industrialisation forced people to leave rural areas and move to the cities – the agrarian society was dissolving, and people had to start fending for themselves,” co-owner and vice president Sara Edhäll explains. “The brush-binding profession appeared well-suited to the visually impaired, and so the Manilla School, a workhouse for the blind, was set up.” In 1870, nine people lived and worked at the house, earning 75 per cent of the products’ retail value. A lot has happened since in the struggle for the right to employment, such as the foundation of the National Association for the Visually Impaired (Synskadades Riksförbund). But Iris Hantverk still proudly employs skilled, visually impaired craftsmen and women. “This is ab-
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solutely key, this right to self-sustainability,” stresses Edhäll. “This is why we exist.”
ible wire at the back of the brush is a reminder of a long tradition of hand-drawing brushes, while the wood feels nice in the hand and the materials used in every brush have been sourced specifically for the purpose of the product: tough materials handle heavy-duty cleaning; fine bristles like cereal roots make root vegetable cleaning a pleasure; and goat hair carefully cleanses the skin of your face. The distinct design and unquestionable functionality of the Iris Hantverk brush has made it popular across the globe. While half of the company’s turnover comes from its two Stockholm shops, the rest is spread evenly across other markets such as Taiwan, South Korea, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Everyday items that age beautifully Using natural materials and Swedish wood exclusively, Iris Hantverk produces brushes that are as beautiful to look at as they are enjoyable to use. The clearly vis-
Partnerships with a number of prominent designers, including more than a decade’s collaboration with Lovisa Wattman, whose designs can also be found at Höganäs Keramik and Design House Stockholm, make for a range of over 100 different products that are so much more than just household items. “Our brushes are everyday items that age beautifully,” says a proud Edhäll. For more information, please visit: www.irishantverk.se
The brush-binding house in 1927
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Scan Magazine | Feature | Kulturkirken JAKOB
Where culture and Christianity meet Twenty-eight years ago the Jakob Church was destined for demolition. Today it persists as a unique cultural pearl in the heart of Oslo, resurrected as Norway's only cultural church. By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Kulturkirken JAKOB
As Norway's only dedicated cultural church the Jakob Culture Church aims to showcase the qualities of the nave as a cultural arena. “We want to combine the feeling of a nave with the professionalism of a concert hall,” says events manager Kristin Folkvord Pedersen. Built in 1880, in what was then known as Kristiania, the Jakob Church served as a parish church for 105 years, up until 1985. By then, residents had abandoned the area, which was slowly turning into an office landscape, and the congregation had all but dispersed. With the church sitting unused, several prominent figures called for it to be demolished, but the people at Kirkelig Kulturverksted (KKV) decided to fight to give the church new life. On 18 February 2000, after 14 years of hard work, the church was resurrected and reopened in its new format; a professional cultural arena, still with strong ties to Lutheran Christianity, and with the best
sound and lighting system you are likely to find in any church. “We host a range of different events at the church, from art exhibits, theater and dance to concerts within all genres. I think people are amazed by how well we can adapt to different settings, and how flexible the nave is,” says Folkvord Pedersen. Depending on preferences, the church can provide anything from small, intimate settings to a grand, scenic concert hall housing as many as 530 guests. Every Sunday night from September through to April there is a special Jakob mass, where professional musicians collaborate to create a church service unlike any other. Sound and lighting play a big role in these services, which have run continuously since the church reopened 13 years ago. “In addition to cultural events we rent out our facilities for seminars, conferences, christmas parties and banquets, and we host funerals, christenings and weddings,” says Folkvord Pedersen.
For more information, please visit: www.jakob.no
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HALF P RIC TICKET E S
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The Scandinavia Show will be returning to London on 12-13 October 2013. This time at the historic TOBACCO DOCK in Wapping, London. The Scandinavia Show is the only UK show dedicated exclusively to showcase the best of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. The show incorporates Scandinavian design, travel, lifestyle, fashion, culture, music and food and all our exhibitors have well-stocked stalls – everything can be purchased at The Scandinavia Show.
DESIGN & LIFESTYLE If you love the bright and airy Scandinavian design, then The Scandinavia Show will be a can’t-miss event. The show will exhibit everything from top-end furniture, lighting, fabrics, carpets, interior design items, designer clothes and footwear, to timeless classics that will always embody the simple, yet stylish Scandinavian disposition.
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TRAVEL Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland are some of the greatest travel destinations in the world. And The Scandinavia Show will be the UK’s single most important showcase for Nordic tourism this year. FOOD All the most mouth-watering specialities from the Nordic culinary table will be handed out or sold at The Scandinavia Show.
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TH E B SPEC ES IAL TS PA THE S I ME NS : WE DE N
Sweden’s spa trend In Sweden, the spa trend is bigger than ever. What was previously considered a rare luxury is now available to most people. We care about our well-being and indulge in more recreation at spas and wellness facilities, either in the company of friends and family or in connection with conferences and meetings. More and more spas have opened. By Sara Hellgren, marketing manager for the Association of Swedish Spa Hotels, sara@svenskaspahotell.se | Photo: Svenska Spahotell
The task of the Association of Swedish Spa Hotels (Svenska Spahotell) is to ensure a positive development and to work for the industry in maintaining a certain level of quality. This is accomplished by ensuring that the association’s members provide a range of facilities based on the four cornerstones of motion, recreation, nutrition and salutary skincare, and that staff possess the right training and experience. In Sweden, there are 37 hotels that meet the criteria set by the board of Svenska Spahotell.
Generally we see two parallel trends in the market. One is “back to basics”. We refine ancient forms of treatment that we know show good results scientifically, such as different varieties of massage, scrub, detox and spa. There is a great interest in using organic skincare products that are as gentle as possible, for both body and nature. The second track is a development of visually rejuvenating treatments. Many focus on treatments with firming effects for the face and invest in the market's latest devices. The equipment uses
different types of energy to counteract the processes that affect skin aging. We also see an increase of interest in exercise, healthy food, and lifestyle analysis, which mixes various activities together, such as detox, tailor-made diets, exercise programmes with a PT, mindfulness and solution-focused counseling, and relaxation through yoga, qigong and massage to create a healthier life and achieve better harmony. The Association of Swedish Spa Hotels has very high standards for its members, which comprise 37 hotels that all include high-quality spas. Please visit www.svenskaspahotell.se/en/the_memb ers/members.aspx to see all of these members.
For more information, please visit: www.svenskaspahotell.se
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Award-winning spa hotel with focus on body and mind Varbergs Kurort is an historical health resort on the Swedish west coast and the only medical resort in Sweden. Here, they combine a long tradition of spa and wellness with medical knowledge. They work around the four cornerstones of the spa concept and have won several awards as a spa hotel as well as for their fabulous food. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Varbergs Kurort
What really makes the difference at Varbergs Kurort is that here everything is truly authentic. Customers can really feel the genuineness in every single detail. Here guests will find real seaweed, saltwater, and a true, genuine smell of the sea. This is the place where real people meet. The concept of a spa is so old that it has almost become new again, and Varbergs Kurort can pride itself on being, historically, one of the oldest spas in Sweden. With its long tradition and extensive expertise, it has always been and continues to always be a step ahead of its competitors. The four cornerstones of spa Every spa should work around the four cornerstones principles. These consist of
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Movement, Physical Contact, Mental Stimulation and Nutritional Diet. Spa Manager Carina Wallberg tells us that they have built the whole concept of Varbergs Kurort around these foundations. Such dedication to this objective has led them to win several awards, such as Best Served Food and Spa Star Award in 2012. For the Movement cornerstone, every week they offer their guests more than 70 classes. There is a wide variety of choice: indoor and outdoor activities, terrestrial or aquatic (spinning, aqua fitness and more). Most of the activities are actually aquatic as the spa concept itself has its roots in the water. They have several calming activities which help to strengthen body awareness. For Mental
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Spas in Sweden
ing with seaweed. They have 35 treatment rooms and practise more than 41,000 treatments yearly on their 110,000 guests. A mix of medicine and spa As mentioned, Varbergs Kurort is the only place in Sweden which can pride itself on being a medical resort. They have extensive experience and solid education in rehabilitation techniques. Their treatment approach is based on the latest research in rehabilitation, physical therapy and stress management. They have their own Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and customers can also have a massage on referral from their doctor. In this way, they blend medical knowledge with the wellness of a regular spa, allowing the achievement of the perfect mix of physical and psychological well-being. “It is important that all our patients and guests
feel good, this is why we have experts in every field of body health,” Wallberg says. Varbergs is also known as Sweden’s health resort city and is also famous for being one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. It is not a surprise that this spa hotel is always mentioned in various tourist guides. As a Thalasso spa they use local natural resources. At Varbergs Kurort all guests are guaranteed maximum pleasure and results thanks to the mix between the cornerstones principles and the outstanding staff expertise. This aspect, coupled with the passion of the staff, makes Varbergs Kurort the leading spa year after year.
For more information, please visit: www.varbergskurort.se
Stimulation, Varbergs Kurort offers hatha yoga, mediyoga, meditation, silent walk meditation by the sea, mental coaching and theory classes in fitness and dieting, to name a few. In their award-winning restaurant customers will only be served the best traditional Swedish food, made with the finest ingredients and vegetables, and guests will also find guidelines from the spa’s own dietician explaining how to make sure of getting all the vitamins and other essential elements that the body needs. The chefs at the restaurant work in close contact with the dietician to ensure that the food has a good taste but at the same time maintains healthiness. At Varbergs Kurort there is a strong focus on massage. 60% of the treatments are massages, and they specialise mostly in the world-renowned Swedish massage. Since 1992, they have massaged 10% of the Swedish population and the number is still growing. During summertime, guests can also enjoy a fantastic massage outdoors. The treatments are mainly focused on genuine Swedish cures such as wash-
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In the name of the vata, the pitta and the holy kapha Ask Svenska Spahotell, the membership organisation for high-quality Swedish spa establishments, where to go for the best spa experience in the country. Or, by all means, ask Reseguiden, the Swedish travel guide. If their awards are anything to go by, the answer will be the same: Sankt Jörgen Park Resort is the best spa in Sweden. In fact, it seems like most resorts across the country are in agreement about this one thing – why else would they all go and copy the spa ritual concept that originated here? By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Sankt Jörgen Park Resort
When opening five years ago, Sankt Jörgen Park Resort launched a brand new concept in terms of Swedish spa experiences. Inspired by the ayurvedic doshas, the vata, the pitta and the kapha, three spa rituals were developed to suit different
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moods and needs: Relax, Energy, and Purify. “Which one of the three rituals you’ll want to try depends on where you are in life. Perhaps you’ve had a hectic week and just need to switch off with Relax, or you have an important day ahead and need to
be energised,” says marketing manager Lisa Thorén. This holistic attitude is typical for the ayurvedic school of thought, a medical approach that is all about harmony and is just as respected and relied upon in India as western medicine. “There’s a deeper meaning, a level beyond the skin,” Thorén explains. “It’s about the whole body – a belief that good energy creates balance in our lives.” As ephemeral as it might sound, the concept spread like wildfire and is now used across the majority of Swedish spas. But the original experience, and the very best version of it, is only available at its home: Sankt Jörgen Park Resort. The awards and top reviews keep on coming, and there simply is no question that the venue is onto a winner.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Spas in Sweden
A modern country club But the spa is only one of many legs of Sankt Jörgen Park Resort’s, albeit a central, defining one. Providing something as sought-after as a true oasis of calm, bang in the middle of Gothenburg city, this selfstyled modern country club offers more than one way to relax: foodies will covet the four different food and drink venues, while hotel guests benefit from access to a gym complete with exercise classes as well as a top-of-the-range golf course with accompanying green areas. Everything has been done with panache, too; the juices are organic, there is a rawfood option, and you can choose from a scrumptious lunch buffet or traditional Swedish cuisine. Not to mention the golf course with its Park Golf Academy, three simulators with advanced Trackman technology, golf carts and equipment for hotel guests’ use, and a golf pro offering oneto-one tuition to perfect that swing. Sankt Jörgen Park Resort’s popularity amongst golfers is partly down to its boundless quality, as well as its efficiency, Thorén explains: “Wherever you are on the 18-hole golf course, you are never more than ten minutes away from the hotel, and the club house is only 150 meters away. Both Gothenburg Airport and the Central Station are within a 10-minute reach. Why waste time when what you really want to do is play golf?”
leisure activities without really having to decide what kind beforehand, knowing that you will be surrounded by an environment that is all about a healthy, active lifestyle. This year, that lifestyle gets some extra sparkle, figuratively as well as literally. Figuratively in that the spa facilities open anew this month after six weeks of refurbishment, adding a brand new kneipp pool alongside a long line of improved finishes and special surprises. And literally through the new Limited Edition Spa Ritual of the Year, kicking off in 2013, under the theme “Sparkling” and featuring the smells and products of the essential oils of grape, cassia and sandalwood.
A healthy, active lifestyle that sparkles Unsurprisingly, Sankt Jörgen Park Resort is a popular place for corporate conferences and staff away days. Modern, topnotch conference facilities are a given, but it also helps that you can get away without really having to travel far. Besides, you have the option to take a break for some
“Our spa rituals are everywhere at this stage, so this is a nice way for us to take back the baton and show that we are at the top of the game,” says Thorén. What will the special ritual for 2014 be? Book your slot and see.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES Spa Kitchen of the Year 2013 – SpaStar International Spa Hotel of the Year 2013 – Svenska Spahotell, industry award Best Conference Facilities 2013 – Congrex Spa of the Year 2012 – SpaStar International Spa Ritual of the Year 2013 – SpaStar International Spa of the Year 2012, Readers’ Choice – Reseguiden.se Fitness Spa of the Year 2011 – Amelia hälsa & skönhet Facilities of the Year 2009 – Gothenburg City Council Sweden’s Best Spa 2009 – Leva Magazine For more information, please visit: www.sanktjorgenpark.se
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Clear horizons across the Sea of Åland Let yourself relax in a traditional spa at Hotel Havsbaden while admiring the stunning view of the magnificent Sea of Åland. Here you will achieve complete relaxation and you will be able to rest and recover from hectic everyday life. After a stay at Havsbaden you will be completely regenerated and this sensation will last for a long time. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Hotel Havsbaden
The location of Hotel Havsbaden in Grisslehamn could not be better, at least not if you are thinking of the best place for a spa hotel. From the building customers can enjoy a magnificent view overlooking the Sea of Åland. The hotel is equipped with large panorama windows to fully benefit from, and provide enjoyment of, the fantastic view. Hotel Havsbaden is not a massive spa hotel, but has an intimate and personal vibe. Here customers can be assured of finding the peace and quiet that they were so much looking for during the year. Moreover, guests can benefit from the small size of the hotel and spa as they do not have to walk around in their robes through different buildings, but instead they have all the facilities under the same roof. Many guests report this as a
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great feature of the hotel. One of the specialities on the spa menu is the chocolate massage, which is incredibly good and effective both for body and mind. Good food and great activities At Havsbaden, food is something really special, very much influenced by proximity to the sea. Customers can take delight in their evenings with plenty of fresh seafood locally sourced. In fact, at Havsbaden a particular focus is given to the use of local ingredients both for freshness and environmental impact. In the dining room guests will enjoy fantastic dishes while admiring the view of the fishing harbour. Around the hotel there are also stunning walking trails where customers can stroll or cycle. Several nice
beaches and cliffs are located close to the hotel, representing the ideal spot for those who love sunbathing. Another popular activity that can be combined with a stay at Hotel Havsbaden is a trip to Åland which is just 4 ½ hours by boat. This spa hotel greets guests all year around with special offerings every season. For more information, please visit: www.hotellhavsbaden.se
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Special Theme | The Best Spas in Sweden
which are all part of the group “Scandinavian Resort”. Torekov Hotel is located just 15 minutes from Hotel Skansen and is also equipped with an amazing spa. This hotel is in the middle of nature, quiet and focused on health, and offering activities such as yoga. The other two hotels which are part of the group are Sälens Högfjällshotell and Gammelgården, both located in the north of Sweden, and ideal for skiing in winter and other outdoor activities in summer.
Get an overall feeling of wellness at a spa hotel with taste Hotel Skansen is not an ordinary hotel. In fact it is a resort which will make you feel relaxed at the exact moment that you enter the premises. Its comfortable spa and the professional staff will ensure that every customer receives particular care and service. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Hotel Skansen
Besides the sea and the alluring nature surrounding the hotel, what makes Hotel Skansen unique, is its cold bath (Kallbadhus). Walking along a 60-metre-long pier to two saunas and a warm outdoor pool, guests will get a really special and unique spa experience. Different elements create an exciting environment in the other spa inside the main building. It is strongly advisable to book one of the several spa packages which provide exceptional value. Everything at Hotel Skansen is about quality, and every room maintains a very high standard and great comfort. Hotel Skansen is also famous for its excellent food served in its restaurant which offers an extraordinary view. Here customers can end a perfect day enjoying a delicious dinner. Tennis and other activities Hotel Skansen is located in Båstad which is
world famous for hosting two international tennis tournaments. The centre tennis court which hosts the games during the tournaments is located at the resort. Besides tennis, which in Båstad is a very popular activity of course, there are many other sports that clients can engage in, such as jogging or cycling in the surrounding hills which, many say, resemble the Italian landscape. Guests can also combine their stay at the hotel with different experience packages such as “Smaka på Bjäre” (Taste Bjäre). These packages are tailor-made and inspire activities such as walking beautiful trails, visiting cosy coffee shops and charming farm shops. A part of Scandinavian Resort The very same genuine feeling that can be experienced at Hotel Skansen is also the main characteristic of their sister hotels
For more information, please visit: www.hotelskansen.se
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Top: Smögens Hafvsbad pool. Below: Vann Spa Hotel
Vann Spa Hotel
Treat yourself to an outstanding spa experience on the Swedish west coast The Swedish west coast is world renowned for its beautiful and amazing nature. Which other place could be better to visit if you want to take a break from frenetic city life? Luckily, we can recommend two magnificent places offering extraordinary spa treatments and maximum relaxation. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Vann and Smögens Hafvsbad
Enjoy some time off at Vann Spa Hotel and Conference Vann is located on the Swedish west coast, one hour north of Gothenburg. The hotel was opened only four years ago and is exclusively built with Scandinavian materials such as granite and wood. It is a huge facility hosting a 1,000-square-metre spa with six indoor pools, an outdoor pool, three saunas and a private beach. Moreover, at Vann customers can spoil themselves with a vast number of different treatments which will make them feel better than ever. Food plays a central role at Vann. Every single dish that customers enjoy during their visit is made from scratch and ingredients are all fresh and locally sourced. The menu is seasonal and is carefully designed in every single aspect. A unique option offered to guests is the possibility to cook their own dishes with the help and supervision of a first-class chef and to choose wine to combine with the help of professional sommeliers.
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Smögens Hafvsbad – A spa hotel with a history At Smögens Hafvsbad customers will enjoy deep contact with the sea, as the hotel is based on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge. Smögens Hafvsbad is an historical hotel opened back in 1900. At the time it had only 8 rooms, but since then it has been restructured and expanded and now the hotel consists of 73 rooms, a spa, a restaurant and conference facilities. Guests will enjoy a peaceful environment and will release stress in this magical place which is open all year around. The building is really special with the spectacular sea bath, bubble pool and sauna. Smögens Havfsbad also hosts occasional wedding ceremonies. There are several options for where to hold the ceremony such as in a chapel on Hållö, another island not far from the hotel and reachable by a short boat trip.
Make sure not to miss one of these west coast gems that will give you that warm feeling of well-being you have been seeking for so long.
For more information, please visit: www.vann.se www.smogenshafvsbad.se
Vann Spa Hotel
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Special Theme | The Best Spas in Sweden
It’s very easy to reach Orbaden as there is a direct train from Arlanda. Orbaden Conference & Spa offers 30 newly renovated rooms and 19 apartments for those willing to stay a bit longer. The spa-treatment rooms are completely new and brought to the highest standard. After a stay at Orbaden Conference & Spa, anyone is ensured to go home feeling younger, less stressed and more peaceful than ever.
A one-of-a-kind spa in lovely North Sweden If you are looking for a special place where you can relax in outstanding surroundings, then Orbaden Conference & Spa is the right place for you. Here you will enjoy beneficial relaxation and also discover interesting culture and fantastic nature. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Orbaden Conference & Spa
Orbaden Conference & Spa is located in Hälsingland, in the north part of Sweden, and the first thing to be noted, when someone visits this beautiful facility, is the fantastic view from the hotel: high mountains, deep valleys and the Lake Ljusnan, which also has a lovely beach in proximity to the hotel. This bucolic environment will make anyone’s heartbeat slow down and calm even the most stressed persons. Owner Helene Åkerström tells us that the mission of Orbaden Conference & Spa is to offer its customers a typical Scandinavian spa with bright colours, first-class Scandinavian food prepared in its exclusive restaurant and the best products from Kerstin Florian. The spa offers several spatreatments for customers’ well-being and is equipped with a small thermal salt pool
with water at a pleasant temperature of 35-36 degrees. The use of the pool is included in the daily rate of every room and apartment. The hotel also offers an amazing outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking the breathtaking lake. Customers staying at Orbaden Conference & Spa are assured that they will never get bored. In the vicinity of the hotel, there are so many outdoor and indoor activities to do all year around that many guests feel that they should have allowed more time for their stay at the hotel. Visitors will be able to enjoy concentrated bit of Sweden, with a focus on nature and typical Swedish culture, such as big farmhouses, handcrafts and, of course, the famous JärvZoo hosting Nordic animals.
For more information, please visit: www.orbaden.se
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Spas in Sweden
Where Asia meets Sweden and you find inner peace Varberg Asia Spa
One pushes Asian philosophy to its limits; the other prescribes relaxation amongst hot springs and beautiful art. But Varbergs Stadshotell & Asia Spa and Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa, the two establishments on the west coast of Sweden owned by the same parent company, both promise you this: an intimate, cosy environment where inner peace and great customer service are at the top of the list of priorities. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Varbergs Stadshotell & Asia Spa and Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa
Well-being the oriental way – at Varbergs Stadshotell & Asia Spa Back in 2001, when Asia Spa first opened, the Asian theme was a way for the establishment to distinguish itself from other spas opening up across the country at the time. Today, oriental influences in the form of ayurveda, Feng Shui and the five elements have been left free to roam, creating a spa experience characterised by calm and commitment – and the visitors
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keep coming back for more. “Many spas these days are inspired by eastern philosophy, but there’s a clarity in our concept, almost like a statement, which is hard to find elsewhere,” says hotel director Bo Samuelsson. “Let’s just say you won’t be swimming in seaweed here.” What you are more likely to be doing is attending a meditation class or be lucky enough to
get a place at a guest lecture, like last summer’s week-long yoga retreat with yoga master Alan Finger. As a result, a lot of Asia Spa’s regulars are very specific about what they want. “They know their philosophies and treatments, and they want the real deal,” the director continues. That is not to say that all visitors are spa pros. “We made the decision to apply an age limit to the spa to protect the calm and the silence, so there’s a real breadth in terms of our guests, but they all rate the peaceful environment.”
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Housed in a building from the turn of the century, the spa at Varbergs Stadshotell offers contrast as well as clarity. Its Swedish history is allowed to shine through and the hotel restaurant serves up traditional dishes made from local produce, but guests who want it Asian all the way can pop downstairs to the Japanese restaurant. Even conference guests can enjoy a Qi Gong or yoga session as part of their package without even having to leave their conference room.
If Asia Spa is a small piece of the orient inside an old yet modern piece of Sweden, Varbergs Stadshotell is an escape for inner peace with panoramic seaviews only 300 metres away from the train station. It is intimate and cosy yet free-spirited and spacious, offering a large Vitality Pool with massage stations, hot springs at a temperature of 40 degrees, dark and light therapy rooms, and suspended swings overlooking the sea. “Just like our cus-
tomers are dedicated to well-being and rest, we are dedicated in everything we do,” says Samuelsson. “To great service, great facilities, and a great spa experience that’s oriental all the way.”
For more information, please visit: www.varbergsstadshotell.com
Stop, rest, relax – at Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa Now hotel director of Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa, Christer Rådeström was previously headhunted for a job at another award-winning Swedish spa after years in the hotel industry, and slowly but surely a new catalyst developed. “You grow passionate about working with these issues: you want people to be happy, not just effective. We need the space to breathe.” Combining a love and appreciation of art with all nature’s benefits, Art Garden Spa works with the Chinese five elements to create that space: no high-impact aerobics or other cardiovascular exercise classes, just plenty of space, comfortable day beds, dark therapy rooms, hot springs and classes along the lines of yoga and meditation. With the changing of the seasons, so the elements change at the spa. “Different elements work well during different seasons, so we adapt our treatments and products accordingly,” Rådeström explains. With earth being the current theme, metal will soon take over before water gives a refreshing start to the New Year.
tures and installations. And speaking of beauty: this may be a city hotel, located only 12 kilometres outside Gothenburg’s city centre, but in line with the garden concept it also offers the views and fresh air of a seaside location, as well as healthy, organic food. “We’ve got a job to do. People don’t go to church these days the same way they used to, but they still need that inner peace,” says Rådeström. If art and nature might make up your road to that peace of mind, you will be in your element here – whichever of the five elements that may be. For more information, please visit: www.arkenhotel.com
Arken Art Garden Spa
The concept of relaxation and well-being lends itself to an appreciation of all things beautiful, which is why there is an art exhibition by local artists at Arken Hotel at all times, changing five times per year alongside the changing elements. In addition, the spa has its own mini exhibition, and the entire venue is full of sculp-
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days. This is a very smoothing treatment for the skin which can leave a long-lasting feeling of well-being. For anyone looking for an exciting group activity, this will be the perfect choice, as the fountain can host up to 35 people at one time. The spa is also offering several other kinds of treatments such as massages, and face treatments. All of these are performed by highly trained professionals to ensure customers the highest standards and effectiveness. In order to satisfy any request and to be able to offer to all guests exactly what they want, whenever they want it, Lundsbrunn Kurort is equipped with 44 treatment rooms representing the largest facility in Sweden. If you are a prospective customer you will never have to worry about a queue or waiting lists. Theme weekends
Sörbodal, a part of Lundsbrunns Kurort, is one of the oldest hotels still in operation. The first guests were welcomed at this stately Gustavian building already in 1811.
For the true feeling of Sweden
Another special feature of this spectacular place is that it offers theme weekends all year round, every weekend, but also during the main holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Easter and Midsummer. Among other themed offers, customers can find the Chocolate, Champagne or Romance weekend. During these themed weekends guests will enjoy massages with aroma oils, chocolate or champagne tastings. Also the food will be inspired by each theme. The romantic theme can include, for example, a piano bar, a picnic basket to enjoy outside in the countryside around the facility and, of course, a dinner with a romantic atmosphere. This is the perfect treat when you want to spoil yourself and your loved ones with something special and out of the ordinary. Royal visits
Lundsbrunns Kurort is a classic spa located in one of Sweden’s most beautiful areas, Västra Götaland, and has a strong connection with culture and nature. With a history of almost 300 years, it is one of the oldest spas in the world. At Lundsbrunns Kurort, you can treat yourself with the best pleasures that life can offer and enjoy beautiful surroundings that will take your breath away. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Lundsbrunns Kurort
Lundsbrunns Kurort is a special place offering a variety of treatments of all kinds. The concept is to offer a classic spa, with classic bathing rituals that will fully clean and heal you and help you recover from
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stress. One of the most exciting rituals offered at Lundsbrunns Kurort is a large fountain with warm running spring water. Customers can take the water with a jug to clean themselves, just like in the old
Lundsbrunns Kurort is a large spa hotel with 196 guest rooms and 39 conference rooms. In addition, it has 3 dining rooms
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so there is always plenty of space to host many guests at the same time. The large flexibility and capacity of the hotel has been very much appreciated by the crew of the “Arn” films. Indeed, they chose Lundsbrunns Kurort as their base during filming. Lundsbrunns Kurort is also perfect for “royal families”: in 2007 the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria chose to celebrate the Swedish national day in this lovely facility. Food made from scratch What makes the difference during a stay in a hotel is the quality of the food. Guests at Lundsbrunns Kurort will not be disappointed as every single dish is made to order with love and care. Dishes are influenced and inspired by the available products coming from the nearby forest and hunting activities (very popular in the surrounding area).
Brunnsbadet, with space for group treatments for up to 35 people.
In addition, to maximise guests’ pleasure, the hotel has its own bakery which produces the most incredible bread. It also has its own little shop, reserved for hotel guests, so that they can take home one of these fantastic products. The bakery also bakes crisp breads and pralines, whose incredible taste is beyond any expectations and will surprise and amaze also the most demanding. Lundsbrunns Kurort offers a large range of spa and beauty treatments.
The typical Swedish mood At Lundsbrunns Kurort you can enjoy the simplicity of life, with its old values and traditions. The outstanding service and the beauty of the facility make this hotel the ideal and perfect match for those who are looking for a place to relax and appreciate typical Swedish culture and nature. Lundsbrunns Kurort is a family run business; speaking with one of the owners and Managing Director Kamran Redjamand, makes you realise how important the authenticity and attachment to its roots is for the character of the hotel. A true feeling of freedom, in a very genuine part of Sweden, makes this spa hotel one of the best in Scandinavia. For more information, please visit: www.lundsbrunn.se Enjoy golf at a high level - suitable for both experienced golfers and novices.
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Value for money at a spa focusing on results Strömstad Spa is the spa hotel which has found its niche in adapting to any possible request from its guests. This, of course, makes this the perfect place for anyone who wants a relaxing and intimate stay at a spa hotel that is still big and can satisfy any possible desire. Do not miss the chance to visit a place that has something special for everyone. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Strömstad Spa
Even though Strömstad Spa is a big and relatively new spa hotel, it has been ex-
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tremely successful in managing to keep an incredibly intimate and cosy feeling. It has 262 fantastic new rooms where guests will feel immediately at home. Such a result has been obtained thanks to the huge investment in the development of the hotel and its spa and to the great passion and cordiality of the staff. It is immediately apparent that the personnel love their jobs and that they are all great team players. Every sector of the hotel knows what the other sectors can offer, so customers are always offered the best service. The hotel is only six years old and built with a particular architecture. The
building consists of three main bodies to allow as many rooms as possible to have a beautiful sea view. Strömstad Spa takes advantage of what the town of Strömstad (from which the hotel takes its name) has to offer. The hotel is strategically located just 160km from Gothenburg and 130km from Oslo, putting it close to four airports. Being placed between two countries and two big cities, makes it extremely easy for anyone to reach the facility, even guests coming from outside Scandinavia. Taking care of each and every guest in an individual way A red line through the concept of Strömstad Spa is that every guest needs to be taken care of with warmth and their individual needs fulfilled. The hotel welcomes large and small conference groups as well as private guests. Since the premises were constructed in three different buildings, it is very easy, even when hosting large groups, to maintain quiet and privacy for every guest. The hotel always gets positive feedback from customers on the level of privacy and quiet. As this is so important for the hotel, guests can be sure
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about getting something extra in terms of value for their money. Flagship spa for Decléor Strömstad Spa is the flagship spa for the famous French brand Decléor and it works exclusively with their treatments and products. Working with an internationally recognised brand helps to achieve optimal results as well as a guaranteed feeling of luxury and well-being. Massaging is one of the hotel’s niches and they offer customers a wide selection of different kinds of massage. All treatments start with a massage and guests are ensured they are never left alone by the staff, not even during a facemask, during which they will receive a hand massage, just to use all available time effectively. The spa is built as a labyrinth, so even though it is 2,000 sqm, it feels small and intimate. In total they have 19 treatment rooms, so there is plenty of space to take care of all guests. Recently a new spa shop was opened which now makes two in total. Many opportunities for exciting activities
Worl-class spa and world-class food The restaurant at Strömstad Spa is best in class. It is called ABC which stands for Asia, Bohuslän (the region where Strömstad is located), and California. It serves food that is typical of these parts of the world including sushi, traditional local food and American food such as Hawaiian burgers. Every guest will find in the menu a dish he/she loves. The red line through
the whole concept of this amazing spa hotel is that they can offer anything to anyone.
For more information, please visit: www.stromstadspa.se
Photos: Decléor
The town of Strömstad has a long history of cold baths, sea weed baths and spa, so building a spa hotel has been a natural development. As Strömstad Spa is located just beside the coast there are many fun and exotic activities that can be offered to customers, such as lobster fishing. There are also plenty of physical activities that can be practised such as a pentathlon.
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Come ‘sparty’ at Sweden’s best yachtified sports club Stenungsbaden Yacht Club is the right place for anyone looking for well-being in combination with fun and glamour. Here, the goal is to recover energy with a mix of activities, sports, music, and spa treatments. All you need to get your energy at maximum level again is Stenungsbaden. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Lisa Nestorson
At Stenungsbaden Yacht Club customers will always have fun. There are of course plenty of opportunities to relax, but the main focus of the Yacht Club is to give its guests the opportunity to recover energy through sports and entertainment. The Bluewater Sports & Health Club at Stenungsbaden is the ideal place to achieve this objective. The character of this spa hotel is much sportier than regular spas and naturally inspires guests to take part in many different activities to get a proper workout. Sport is a natural element of the resort. The hotel has a large gym, and offers a range of different classes such as zumba, spinning, and military fitness, seven days a week. Of course, as a Yacht
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Club, sailing is one of the main activities and is practiced all year around. Very often a team from the hotel takes part in various sailing competitions. The activities are practised and organised in the interests of the environment, nature, and well-
being. The resort is located just in front of the shore and customers can choose and enjoy all kinds of water sports, such as jet-skis and canoes, in addition to sailing. Stenungsbaden is ideally located at the Hakefjorden beach, just 45 km from Gothenburg, making it easily reachable from all of Sweden and abroad. Enjoy a spa in a different way Stenungsbaden’s Bluewater Sports & Health Club is definitely a unique spa. Every epicurean will love a place like Stenungsbaden. Here you are met by the unmistakable air of the American East Coast where relaxed elegance and bracing outdoor pastimes complement a wide-ranging assortment of treatments. But the good life would not be good enough withPatric Eriksson Österström
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phere at weekends. Those looking for a peaceful and quiet place will not be disappointed as weekdays are extremely calm and relaxing and more focused on personal care than on entertainment. The spa itself is traditional and can offer almost any treatment that one can desire and think of. Stenungsbaden also offers, of course, a bubble pool as well as relax and activity areas.
different kinds of people. During the summer, the Yacht Club becomes a lovely luxury resort with its own marina. The marina can host about 100 boats. This gives the hotel a lively and chic summer feeling, like the one enjoyed on the American East Coast. Even though Stenungsbaden is a Yacht Club, it is not snobby or pretentious in any way, but has a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere. Anyone will receive a great welcome, and will feel comfortable.
Built for spontaneous meetings Treat yourself with amazing offers At Stenungsbaden customers can have a yachtified stay with one of the packages that provides incredible value for money. There are plenty of packages to choose from, such as spa packages and dance packages. For those who just want to spend a day at the spa there is the possibility of buying a daily entrance. If you are looking for a place which will help you and your team to connect and meet people, or if you just want to have fun and enjoy a luxury resort, then Stenungsbaden Yacht Club is the right place for you.
Photo: Cajsa Svensdotter
For more information, please visit: www.stenungsbaden.se
Photo: Cajsa Svensdotter
out a glass of champagne together with good friends. We call it ‘spartying’. But it simply means there’s more to enjoying life than cucumber eye treatments. Also the dining rooms have a fun party atmos-
The whole facility is built to easily host meetings and this is why so many companies and groups choose this place for teambuilding and networking events. The hotel has the capacity to host conferences with up to five hundred participants. It is equipped with 13 conference rooms and 11 group rooms, and can accommodate 450 guests in the 215 rooms. For anyone looking to create a mingling event, the capacity of the hotel can be increased to 1,500 people. Even if Stenungsbaden is great for couples and people who travel alone, it is really optimal for big groups as its ambience make it the perfect place to socialize. The fact that there are so many diverse groups which attend the hotel creates a magical atmosphere as there are so many
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ing the day, while they can eat finely in the restaurant and relax completely during the evening. Endless choice of activities For those who also want to try fun activities there are plenty of options. The hotel has its own adventure golf, which is very popular also among those who have never played before. Other activities in the surrounding area include skiing on artificially frozen ski slopes, with a fun park, 2.516km cross-country skiing trails that are used as walking trails during the summer, several outdoor swimming pools, and Skara Sommarland. They all contribute to making First Hotel Billingehus not only the ideal place for companies, but also for families with children of all ages.
100% focus on well-being for the whole body First Hotel Billingehus is more than just a classic spa. Here they focus 100% on wellbeing for the whole body, which means that sport is also a very important component of their range of offerings. This facility can offer customers a real boost of healthiness. If you are looking for something extra, make a visit to lovely Billingehus. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: First Hotel Billingehus
This hotel was opened in 1970 after a major investment by Arne Sandberg, the owner of the successful gas-station chain Uno X. Already since inception, the vision of the founders was to create a place with a deep focus on taking care of the body with a 360 degree spectrum. This vision led to paying lot of attention on sports and to building, at the time, one of Sweden’s biggest spas, with a 32 degree warm pool, saunas and several different treatments, so that guests could enjoy taking care of themselves and relief from stress. The idea was to inspire health, relaxation and entertainment, all in the same place. The building is located on the mountain Billingen. Fitness activities play a central role in
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the hotel and they are placed in the best part of the property. For example, the gym is placed on the side overlooking the beautiful town SkĂśvde, giving guests who train a spectacular view. Pleasant working environment during the day, total relaxation at night Another fantastic feature of First Hotel Billingehus is that they have outstanding conference facilities. There are 25 conference rooms, and the largest hall has a capacity of 1,300 people. Together with their 241 rooms, this is the ideal place to host big company events or trade shows. Billingehus is the ideal place to host fairs as it motivates workers to work hard dur-
For more information, please visit: www.firsthotels.se/Vara-Hotell/Hotell-iSverige/Billingehus/First-Hotel-Billingehus
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Luxury as Mother Nature would have it Tucked away in the Swedish landscape of Halland, in the midst of looming beech forests, lakes, and vast farmlands, Ästad Gård offers much more than a hotel, and has become a haven for domestic and foreign visitors alike. By Maria Malmros | Photos: Ästad Gård
It has been passed down through three generations, and today Linda Petersson runs it alongside her two brothers, Daniel Carlsson, and Mattias Carlsson. Petersson says Ästad Gård is a way of life for them, rather than a business. Having grown up on the premises, the siblings have made it their mission to carry on the family legacy. Linda Pettersson says: “We wanted to create something completely original, and poured all of our passion into making the impossible happen.” The result is the world’s first underwater sauna, and the biggest vineyard in Sweden,
spearheaded by critically acclaimed wine connoisseur Lars Torstensson. The owners are determined to put Sweden on the map with its vineyard, and guests are invited to take part in guided wine tours. Visitors enjoy the stunning vision of fifteen thousand vines sprawled across the surrounding landscape; vast fields with spectacular, emerald green rolling hills extending as far as the eye can see. Surrounded by a leafy garden, the sauna sits at the bottom of a pond, with fish coming right up to the glass to take a peek
at visitors. Making full use of the nearby ponds, visitors are welcome to bathe in the crystal clear waters. Crowds flock to Ästad Gård for both leisure and business. Business conferences make up a big chunk of the clientele, and the hotel routinely caters to groups of up to 150 participants. Out of office hours, participants can choose from a range of adventure activities, all in the name of teambuilding and healthy competition. Ästad Gård’s restaurant is known for its locally grown, ecological delicacies; the Swedish Christmas tradition “julbord” is especially popular with guests. The hotel offers affordable luxury with a range of accommodation options, all featuring Mother Nature within immediate reach as soon as you step outside. Expect quaint log cabins with grass on the rooftops. The interior design offers plenty of rustic charm, Scandinavian style; refined chandeliers mix with rough-looking walls, and stone clad floors. This family-run hotel makes guests feel right at home; the range of memorable activities and the mesmerising landscape make a visit to the siblings’ family home a truly unforgettable experience. For more information, please visit: www.astadgard.se
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IA IN EC IN F P S DE
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Arabia production 2009. Fiskars HQ. Photo: www.fiskarsgroup.com
MA
It's made in Finland! One of the biggest design companies in Finland is Fiskars. You might know its orange-coloured scissors, a design classic from the 1960s and still in production. Today Fiskars also owns Iittala with its subsidiary companies Arabia and Hackman, among others. By Anne Veinola, Communications Manager, Editor-in-Chief, Design Forum Finland
Fiskars was founded in 1649 as an ironworks and it manufactured cast iron and forged products such as knives, nails and horseshoes. During the centuries it has produced household items from iron, copper and steel, and spades, axes and knives are still made, along with more modern cutlery and gardening tools, in this small eponymous village in south-western Finland. The world-famous Aalto vases are produced a bit further northwards in Iittala where the glassworks were founded in 1881. (The Arabia porcelain factory is not, however, situated in Arabia but in Helsinki, in a place that was called Arabia as it was so far from the city.) Finnish design is still made in Finland though the harsh laws of business have outsourced parts of the manufacturing. Ecological and ethical reasons have become more and more important and it is also much easier to maintain the quality when you can just pop up at the factory any time. Many a Finnish designer also uses local materials and craft skills as sources of inspiration and design – things that can't be imported from anywhere else. The Association for Finnish Work grants Finnish products and services two symbols of origin, the Key Flag and the Design from Finland trademark. These two symbols indicate the origins of design and manufacturing – an official proof of Finnishness. Another way to ensure buying Finnish is to visit a craftsperson or workshop where you might have an opportunity to see how the products are actually made. Or just visit Design Forum Shop in Helsinki, with the world's largest selection of Finnish design in one place.
Design Forum Shop, Erottajankatu 7, Helsinki www.designforumshop.fi
For more information, please visit: www.designforum.fi
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Lasismi members showcasing their pieces. From left to right: glassblower Joonas Laakso with glass designers Maria Jutila and Helmi Remes.
Blown away by glass
the zeal to work with our hands and the desire to learn new skills.”
Lasismi is a co-operative of eight glassblowers and glass designers. Working in what can, today, be classed as a very small industry, Lasismi maintains the practice of ambitious glassblowing and honours the traditions of the handicraft. Passionate about glass they proudly promote the Finnish glass industry. By Inna Allen | Photos: Lasismi
The members of the co-operative – Maria Jutila, Toni Kokkila, Joonas Laakso, Kaappo Lähdesmäki, Maarit Lähdesmäki, Kimmo Reinikka, Helmi Remes and Erno Takala – with their individual, bold design styles make various types of glass items
using different methods. “High quality and expert know-how are absolutely crucial in anything we do,” says glass designer Helmi Remes, one-eighth of the studio. In addition to commission work, the Lasismi members also have collections of their own – ranging from art glass to small batch productions – and actively participate in exhibitions and presentations within the glass industry. “Our skills are versatile as we make bespoke and customised items, and not just our own pieces. We are innovative, broadminded and collaborative, breaking rules and honouring traditions,” says Remes and continues. “We all share
Groove by Helmi Remes
über by Joonas Laakso
Lasismi manufactures unique, high-quality glassworks for well-known Finnish designers and artists and makes customised pieces for companies and private customers. Using traditional manufacturing methods and high-class materials, Lasismi provides elegant design gifts and bespoke works of art that stand the test of time.
Glassblower Joonas Laakso at work.
Following century-old glassblowing traditions, Lasismi’s studio is located in an old glass factory in the glassworks town of Riihimäki, some 70 kilometres north of Helsinki. The studio contains a shop-gallery and a hot shop where Lasismi also organises workshops and experience evenings. With the events always tailor-made to customers’ needs, Lasismi provides atmospheric evenings with glassblowing performances and memorable moments with molten glass. Visitors will also get the chance to create a bowl of their own with the help of one of the expert glassblowers. “Our doors are open to everyone – anyone can pop in to explore our work and try out glassblowing,” Remes says. “We are happy to spread information – glass is our passion.” For more information, please visit: www.lasismi.fi
Tulipa by Kimmo Reinikka
Veska by Maarit Lähdesmäki
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Together-vase. Photo: Jani Kaila
Glass innovation through product design and art Designer and artist Markku Salo began his career working on glass in 1983 when he joined the Nuutajärvi glassworks, the oldest glass factory in Finland still in operation. Today, Salo has his own workshop and gallery at the Nuutajärvi Glass Village, where all his work, from art to serial production, is still made by handicraft glassblowing techniques. By Nia Kajastie
After finishing his industrial design degree, Salo began working for Finnish electronics company Salora, designing televisions and hi-fi equipment. But once a design position opened up at Nuutajärvi glassworks, he began his enduring relationship with glass, a path he has yet to stray from.
“You can actually detect these influences in my current work. I do serial production, as well as art and unique pieces,” explains Salo. “It all comes down to my basic phi-
losophy, a certain survival technique, where I alternate between industrial design and art. While applied art is made for people with the end user in focus, and with plenty of conditions brought about by ergonomic and production-related matters; with art, on the other hand, you cannot think about anybody else. You won’t be able to make so-called good art if you’re bowing to the wishes of others. Basically I have to be clear in my mind what I am aiming to make: art, design or a product.”
“The factory was still run according to the discipline of Kaj Franck [a leading figure in Finnish design], and we worked on glass
Crown Jewels. Photo: Muotohuone Oy
Maiden Dancing on Water. Photo: Muotohuone Oy
Inari-bottles. Photo: Timo Kauppila
Markku Salo’s design roots lie in a free form of art, which he began developing at the Art Institute of Kankaanpää. Soon afterwards he moved on to study industrial design at the University of Art and Design Helsinki (current Aalto University), a course that also touched upon applied art.
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Stars, Stars. Photo: Muotohuone Oy
It Winds. Photo: Timo Kauppila
DIIVA-series, champagne glass (hollow). Photo: Timo Kauppila
through serial production. It was a great way of being introduced to glass the hard way as there are plenty of boundary conditions, technical limitations and challenges within product design. I became well acquainted with glass as a material,” Salo says.
From serial production to art projects Salo’s work available for sale at Gallery Markku Salo includes both unique pieces, as well as serial work under the Markku Salo Design trademark. In addition to the creation of a larger series of products, he also makes small batches of some of his work, including his Dogs collection. The Dogs, a theme he has returned to time and again, are now made of glass and metal and produced in a limited, signed 100-piece series.
running Diiva glassware series will also be supplemented with a new size, a dessert cup, this autumn.
Later on he returned to his artistic roots by designing as part of a small work group, and ten years ago he was among the founders of Lasikomppania (Glasscompany) and a designers and glass blowers’ workshop at Nuutajärvi; he has continued on a similar path ever since. While the well-known Iittala factory at Nuutajärvi will be closing at the beginning of next year, the 220-year-old glassworks will continue to thrive as a lively glass village, with the help of the Glasscompany and the workshops.
Net Bottles. Photo: Timo Kauppila
Markku Salo was also recently chosen to create a two-storey artwork for the lobby of Tampere University Hospital’s new building. In this large two-year project, he will be working together with the architect to create the best possible piece for the space available. While Salo is concentrating more on his artistic projects, his long-
Red Dog. Photo: Timo Kauppila
Galleria Markku Salo Nuutajärvi Glass Village Pruukinraitti 31160 Nuutajärvi The gallery is open upon agreement, as well as publicly for a couple of days yearly, and the dates are announced on Markku Salo’s web page.
For more information and details for retailers, please visit: www.markkusalo.com Also visit Nuutajärvi Glass Village’s own website: www.nuutajarvi.fi
Danger of Frost. Photo: Timo Kauppila
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The new headquarters of the media corporation Alma Media were completed in 2013 in the centre of Helsinki. GI designed the interior of the 8,500 m² office for around 450 employees.
Designing for the purpose of the space or the building, not only for the joy of designing
worked in an office that have all been designed by Gullstén-Inkinen (GI).
has GI created? “I quit counting many years ago. But the other day, I calculated that we have designed working places for altogether 75,000 people in Nordic countries,” says Inkinen and adds that some 500,000 people have studied, worked or spent their leisure time in a place created by GI.
Everywhere, for everyone The Helsinki-based company was founded by young architect couple, Hanna Gullstén and Jari Inkinen, 25 years ago. Today, the company has a subsidiary in St. Petersburg, an exceptional résumé, and a row of award trophies. So, how many buildings or interiors
Nevertheless, like myself, many out of those half a million people are not knowledgeable of the fact that they have visited or passed a building by GI. They will remember the place itself though, since it most likely has been convenient for its purpose and probably still exists. The building does not have a brand
Gullstén-Inkinen Design & Architecture gives new life to old buildings. Whether the work involves a snow castle or luxury hotel, it is always perfectly suited to its purpose. By Karoliina Kantola | Photos: Gullstén-Inkinen Design & Architecture
Entering the beautifully renovated and redesigned office building, a former bus repair hall, you cannot help but be impressed. Talking with Jari Inkinen, the director of Gullstén-Inkinen Design & Architecture, I soon realise that this is not the first time I have been in a building created by this company. Not at all: I have already studied in a university library, eaten in a restaurant, slept in a hotel and
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tag – except the quality. “Unlike many other architecture companies, we do not have a certain continuous style. Our projects look like what the customer wants and needs. We convey the message which the client wants to convey,” Inkinen describes. Improving and developing The work of Gullstén-Inkinen can be anything from a doghouse to a kindergarten; from an aquarium to a media corporation building. The company concentrates on three sectors: improving buildings, workplace development and the design and hospitality sector. “We challenge the whole organization to think what kind of environment really supports the different processes. What kind of office space solutions help and what stand in the way of efficient work?” Inkinen asks.
of a functional interior: an activity based office, which is now used in various companies, designed by various architects. Now, together, the 30 team members of GI can continue the excellent work because they put together their versatile knowhow. The backgrounds of the people working for GI vary, from the fields of architecture, advertising, photography to industrial and graphic design or other creative industries. The result, in any case, must support the ideology of the owners: sustainable development. “It is important to ask, is it really worth building a totally new building? If the answer is yes, then we will build it. But sometimes the answer is to heal an old building for a totally new purpose,” says Inkinen. What the creator loves, the client loves
Those are also the questions that led Inkinen, twenty years ago, to create a format
Resently Gullstén-Inkinen wanted to ask clients what they think about what they or-
dered. In the enquiry, GI found out that 97 per cent of all clients over 25 years were satisfied and would recommend the work of the company. “In addition, more than 80 per cent of clients said the place that we had designed was still used as it was originally planned to be used,” Inkinen adds. That speaks of good planning, good quality, and therefore sustainable development. That also speaks of another important detail: during the interview, Inkinen smiles all the time when talking about his work. The reason is simple. “We love this job. Every day,” he laughs.
For more information, please visit: www.gullsten-inkinen.com
GI gave a contemporary and fresh look to the 750 m² office of the Russian SIAB Bank. The project received the first prize for best lighting at the Russian Best Office competition in May.
Sokos Hotel Villa, located in the premises of a granary built in 1890 in Tampere, was renovated completely and reopened in 2011. The hotel was also granted the Nordic Swan ecolabel.
The Finnish railway company VR’s former workshop from 1889 is being renovated into sporting equipment manufacturer Amer Sports Oyj’s headquarters. GI is in charge of the principal, architectural and interior design.
It all started in 1991 with a 1,900m² studio for cleaning company SOL. This concept of an innovative work space brought new customers to SOL, provided more projects for GI and received plenty of international attention.
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rit mill continues to create skilfully woven and durable fabrics from the best possible organic materials. Lapuan Kankurit is the only Finnish weaving mill whose linen textiles have been granted the Masters of Linen hallmark, while its half-linen fabrics and linen terry are made of long-staple linen and cotton that comply with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. The wool products are made using pure new wool and mohair. Their newest product development is a mix of cotton and Tencel, creating a soft and absorbent textile that adds luxury to their line of bath products.
Weaving Finnish quality and design There is a lot in a name, especially in the case of Lapuan Kankurit (Lapua’s Weavers). The family business stands for many things, including nearly 100 years of Finnish quality and design, but the name also tells us who has always been at the centre of its operation: the weavers. Lapuan Kankurit’s beautiful table, bath and other interior textiles are made at the Lapua textile factory in western Finland, all the way from the first thread to the final product. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Lapuan Kankurit
“We are weavers,” asserts sales manager Jaana Hjelt, who runs the factory with her husband and fourth generation weaver Esko Hjelt. “While design and the appearance of our products is very important to us, we, above all, make things. We know each step of production, from thread to the finished article, and our values are woven into our products. The materials, our respect for the environment, our designers’ ideas, the people who make the products – the whole chain speaks volumes about our ideals.” The first wool and felt boot factory in the family was founded by Esko Hjelt’s greatgrandfather in 1917, the year of Finland’s independence. Today the Lapuan Kanku-
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Twice annually, Lapuan Kankurit presents new products at European design fairs, including Maison & Objet in Paris and Formex in Stockholm. “While our designers keep on top of trends, they also aim to create timeless designs; and we naturally have a selection of classic patterns that continue to be popular,” explains Jaana Hjelt. The designers behind the Lapuan Kankurit products draw their inspiration from nature, an inherent Finnishness and Scandinavian design heritage. And while they all share a vision for timeless, functional and beautiful textiles, each designer is able to add something interesting and exciting to the Lapuan Kankurit textiles and linens, which are perfect for everyday use as well as more luxurious moments and events.
Helsinki Shop Govinius House Katariinankatu 1 00170 Helsinki
Find your closest retailer or visit the web store for customers in Finland and Sweden: www.lapuankankurit.fi
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LED8 Powerkiss
LED1
A feel for light Combining a traditional building material, wood, with the latest cutting-edge technology, Tunto Design creates innovative and award-winning lighting concepts with a difference. By Inna Allen | Photos: Tunto Design
Established in 2004 by designer Mikko Kärkkäinen, Tunto Design specialises in designing, developing and producing innovative lamps that combine modern technology, wood and timeless design. With a background in both design and artisan carpentry, Kärkkäinen has a special relationship with wood, and all Tunto Design products are manufactured from wooden materials such as oak, walnut and birch. True to the company name (Tunto is Finnish for sense or feeling) Kärkkäinen begins each design process by getting a feel for the material and drawing designs on paper. Located in Järvenpää, some 35km north of Helsinki, Tunto Design offices are run by Kärkkäinen and his partner Sini Zannoni. “We put emphasis on environmental issues in every production phase and maintain an ecological approach in all design and packaging,” Zannoni says. “All Tunto products are handmade at our own workshop here in Finland.”
The company’s LED-series with its touchsensitive switch feature has been praised for its distinctive design and innovative technology. LED1, LED2 and LED4 have all won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for product design, along with several other international prizes and nominations. The subtle, touch-sensitive switch technology gives a true feel of the material and provides eye-catching, sophisticated illumination for all kinds of spaces. “Our LED8 model provides stateof-the-art wireless charging. Ideal for public spaces, such as hotels and offices, the lamp's surface can be used to charge all types of mobile devices without any cables,” Zannoni explains. The company’s Butterfly lamp is equipped with the allnew OLED technology, the next step into the future from traditional LED lights. “Development in high-tech lighting is fast and we want to stay on top of it,” Zannoni stresses.
Tunto Design products are already sold in several European countries and, this autumn, the company is extending to American markets. “We will also be launching new products in the spring at the Light&Building trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany. You can expect something brand new, both from a design and technology perspective, but that’s all I can say at the moment,” Zannoni laughs.
For more information, please visit: www.tunto.com
Tunto Design owners Sini Zannoni and Mikko Kärkkäinen
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Something’s brewing in Helsinki From Mikkeli in the Finnish lake district to the capital city, a family business has brought its beer brewing expertise into the very heart of Helsinki. At Bruuveri, a beerhouse and restaurant with its own small brewery attached, customers are introduced to the wonderful world of craft beer, the Marsalkka products of Saimaan Juomatehdas and other quality tipples. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Bruuveri
Since 2006 Bruuveri has been attracting beer devotees and epicures, as well as those simply looking for a relaxed place to meet friends and colleagues. At the brewery restaurant, patrons can choose from 40 different types of beer and a wide selection of other drinks, including quality wines and whiskies, not forgetting about non-alcoholic refreshments. “Our starting point has always been to offer something for everyone,” confirms development director Jussi Laukkanen. The small corner brewery on the premises can be glimpsed through windows at the back of the restaurant – you might even get to witness brewmaster Ilkka Sysilä hard at work. Here, craft beer is created from Finnish barley malt and hops from countries such as Great
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Bruuveri is also a great choice as a venue for both private events and business meetings. The upstairs Malt cabinet can fit 12 people and is equipped with a video projector and laptop, whereas the downstairs Fireplace cabinet is suitable for larger events with capacity for 100 guests.
Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic and the US. The result is a seasonally changing selection of beers, from lagers and bitters to porters and stouts. Bruuveri also sells the Marsalkka products of Saimaan Juomatehdas and other quality beers and ciders from Finland and around the world. The restaurant’s menus have naturally been created to fill small and big appetites, as well as to complement the choice of beers on offer. Dig into a plate of vendace fried in rye flour, a Wiener schnitzel or an elk burger for some simple yet satisfying flavours. On weekdays, the lunch buffet includes salad, soup, two meat dishes and a vegetarian one, and fruit for dessert.
Find Bruuveri at Helsinki’s Kamppi shopping centre. Fredrikinkatu 63AB, 00100 Helsinki
For more information, please visit: bruuveri.fi
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Award-winning beers at Tampere’s only brewery pub In the style of the beer halls and cellars of central Europe, restaurant Plevna offers an authentic, historic atmosphere, in which patrons can sample beer and cider made at the Koskipanimo brewery at the heart of the premises. Serving Finland’s beer of the year 2012 along with a wide selection of other great tipples, Plevna is sure to delight both beer aficionados and novices looking for a great taste experience. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Plevna
Plevna, Tampere’s only genuine brewery pub and restaurant, opened its doors in October 1994 in the old Finlayson cotton mills. Koskipanimo brewery, run by brewmaster Sam Viitaniemi, is located on the premises and currently produces 16 different products, including dark and light lager, stout and cider. With German, American, Czech and American style beers on offer, Viitaniemi is constantly developing new types of brews, and the brewery produces several smaller batches of seasonal and speciality beers. Among the house beers are several award-winning brews, including Plevna’s dark lager, Plevna’s Bock (lager), Plevna’s stout, Severin Extra IPA, and the Siperia
popular bockwurst served in Plevna’s original tomato, curry and green pepper sauce. Naturally, you can also skip the heavy meat options and go for a fresh salad or vegetarian dish. Following its many German influences, Plevna will also be celebrating Okotberfest between 27/9 and 5/.10. During the festivities, customers can order a special Okotoberfest beer and food off an Oktoberfest-themed menu. There will also be live music every evening, and as Viitaniemi notes, “a great atmosphere all around”.
Stout that was featured in the book 1001 Beers You Must Try Before You Die and voted as the Finnish beer of the year 2012 by olutopas.info. “Our beer selection should offer something for every palate. We definitely recommend sampling a few as all of the 16 beers currently in production are quite different,” says Viitaniemi. Plevna’s varied food menu includes plenty of dishes that will not leave you hungry, including the best-selling sausage pan made with bratwurst, Thüringer sausage, herb and cheese sausage, and small sausages filled with pearl barley served with a bacon-onion-potato mix; and the
For more information, please visit: www.plevna.fi
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Children’s knitwear with heart Based in Tampere, Finland, the family-owned company Agtuvi Ky has been producing children’s knitwear for over 20 years now. Their popular Kivat brand is a favourite among many families, where the items are handed down from one sibling to the next. With their quality headwear, clothing and accessories made from natural materials, all the products are durable, functional, comfortable and really made with children in mind. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Kivat
Established in 1974 by Jukka Puskala, Agtuvi created Kivat, its best-known brand, after recognising a gap in the market for children’s headwear and knitwear made from high-quality natural materials. “My father, who started the company, was surprised to find that only acrylic children’s gloves were easily available in shops, which meant my mother had to hand-knit cotton ones for my brother who had allergic skin. After a few twists and turns along the way, the company started making these themselves, and later on added a selection of cotton hats and collars as the demand grew,” explains designer and export manager Katri Halme. Today, the Kivat product range is still made at Agtuvi’s production facilities in Tampere, and it includes cotton and wool items
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that will keep your children warm from head to toe. In 2011, the company also started using organic cotton in their products, and their newest material is a mix of silk and merino wool. The natural raw materials used in the products are sourced from well-known, reliable suppliers in Europe, while all the knitwear is created on the premises in Tampere with no chemicals added in production. The final process of cutting, seaming and finalising is completed in Tampere and the local area. “The current ecological thinking and trends support our ideologies, which have always been to use natural materials and production methods that will not harm our environment. We recycle everything, from cardboard to fabric waste, and we try to minimise all types of transport costs,” says Halme.
Kivat products are all made with the wearer in mind. “Finnish and Scandinavian children spend a lot of time outdoors in cold weather, and we aim to make the items as comfortable as possible. Quality is also of high importance, from the raw materials to the final products, as we want to make long-lasting clothes. We can now already speak of the products being handed down from one generation to the next,” Halme adds. Kivat products are available at wellstocked department stores and children’s clothing retailers all over Finland.
Left to right: Janne Puskala, Katri Halme, Jukka Puskala, Auli Puskala and Krista Puskala.
For more information, please visit: www.kivat.fi
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Special Theme | Made in Finland
All Lahtiset footwear is made from pure lambswool, which is the best material for making felt boots. “Pure wool materials are environmentally friendly, and wool felt feels both soft and warm on the feet, yet light and breathable at the same time,” Lahtinen says. There are currently three available collections. The long-standing and ever-popular Original by Lahtiset consists of classic felt slippers, calf-high felt boots and thick felt socks. Representing a more modern style of felt products, the Aki Choklat for Lahtiset collection contains highend designer footwear and bags. Created by designer Aki Choklat, the contemporary, cheery and colourful collection is widely popular in countries across the globe. Original by Lahtiset
Jonas Hakaniemi for Lahtiset
Feeling the felt When Finns hear the name Lahtiset, they think of felt. Lovingly made by hand from 100% pure lambswool, the company’s timeless felt slippers, boots and socks have been warming Finnish feet for decades. By Inna Allen | Photos: Lahtiset
People have felted wool for centuries. Felt boots found their way to Finland from Russia during the late 19th century, and the birthplace of the Lahtiset company – the Jämsä region – has been one of the main centres of the Finnish felt industry. The family-run factory has been manufacturing felt boots since 1921 and has won numerous awards along the way. Producing innovative products whilst maintaining traditional
methods, Lahtiset and its felt products proudly represent the family Lahtinen’s long heritage. “Even today, although the production has expanded to thousands of pairs of boots a year, each boot is made carefully, step-by-step by hand, as machinery is not able to carry out most of the working phases accurately enough,” explains Jukka Lahtinen, managing director and third-generation owner of the company.
Lahtiset’s latest collaboration venture has resulted in a collection of felt bags and backpacks by designer Jonas Hakaniemi. The Jonas Hakaniemi for Lahtiset collection is created for an urban lifestyle and provides a suitable and practical model for any occasion. The sturdiness of felt as a material, combined with real leather, gives the collection a clear graphic look. In addition to classic black and grey, available colours include pink, red, yellow, blue and green. Lahtiset will be exhibiting at the Micam – the leading international footwear fair – in Milan, Italy on 15-18.9.2013.
For more information, please visit: www.lahtiset.fi
Below: Aki Choklat for Lahtiset
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The Power of Light With autumn here and winter approaching, many of us feel less energetic than usual and would rather hit the snooze button than get out of bed. Is this you? If so, the Valkee bright light headset can help you beat the winter blues. By Malin Wiander | Photos: Valkee
Light therapy has long been known to help fight the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs at certain times of the year. Most common during autumn and winter, the symptoms include anxiety, tiredness and craving for food rich in carbohydrates. Traditionally, light therapy is administered through the use of bright lamps that shine artificial light through the eyes and part of the skull into the photo-sensitive cells, making up for lost sunlight and synchronizing the circadian rhythm – the body’s internal clock. “People don’t need to feel tired and depressed just because the days grow darker,” says Pekka Somerto, CEO at Valkee. “Using our headset helps boost energy levels and lift the mood that otherwise sinks every autumn.” The Valkee device uses the same principle as traditional light therapy but channels the light through the ear canal directly to
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the areas of the brain that need it the most. Small and stylish, it is portable and can be used anywhere – in the office, on your daily commute or relaxing on the sofa. The device has been clinically tested for effectiveness against SAD and has the European CE Class II(a) medical device certification.
ing a study of the effects of Valkee on people flying between the Nordic countries and the US. Whether it is fighting the winter blues or making your travel experience more enjoyable, the Valkee bright light head set can give you that much needed boost of energy. “We offer people the change to take charge of their well-being without resorting to pharmaceutical medication,” Somerto explains.
The scarcity of daylight and the ensuing extent of SAD are particularly evident in northern regions, but affect many people regardless of where they live. Office workers, people doing shift work or who commute long distances often do not get their vital dose of natural sunlight. Long distance travel can also affect the body’s internal clock. Since the launch of Valkee, customers have regularly given feedback about how their jet lag has decreased when using the device while travelling. The company is currently conduct-
For more information, please visit: www.valkee.com
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Light tones & graphic lines
unique, made to order jewellery. “When I design bespoke pieces, the main basis for the design always comes from the customer’s personality. It is also important to take usability, durability and materials into consideration,” Junkkaala explains. Currently Junkkaala is preparing for the busy Christmas season and planning the Pioni Design collection for next spring. “I am happy with my work as long as the passion and love for my profession comes across in the finished product.”
Individual and multidimensional jewels with a hint of Scandinavian simplicity – that about sums up Pioni Design. The Helsinki-based company, established by jewellery designer Jaana Junkkaala, specialises in jewellery design and small precious metal objects. By Inna Allen | Photos: Pioni Design
Voice Earrings
Taite Necklace
spired by the city and people around me, easy living and vibrant spirit.” A certain unified look of graphic lines and minimalistic style is characteristic of Pioni Design jewellery, but pieces still vary greatly in appearance, even within the same collection. Although the majority are designed for women, there is also some jewellery aimed at men and children. In addition to the main collections, Pioni Design also designs and manufactures
Diamond Necklace
Clutchbag Necklace
Photo: Hanna Linnakko
With regard to both design and quality, Pioni Design jewellery is made to stand the test of time. Designed and manufactured in Finland, the main material of the collections is silver. The metal’s pure and light tones and great malleability provide the perfect base for Junkkaala’s designs. “Pioni Design jewellery is not born out of some artistic anguish but purely from life’s meaningful and even meaningless matters,” laughs Junkkaala. “I am in-
Jaana Junkkaala Photo: Hanna Linnakko
For more information, please visit: www.pionidesign.com
Safety can be beautiful Smoke alarms – used in every household, essential for safety but not that nice to look at? Well think again, because Jalo Helsinki will change your preconceptions about lifesaving devices. By Malin Wiander | Photos: Jalo Helsinki
In 2009, four business partners united by a passion for entrepreneurship and the will to create something unique came up with the idea of developing smoke alarms that were not only essential for safety, but beautiful to look at. After a careful development process they launched their products at the beginning of 2012. “The design side to smoke alarms is extremely neglected,” says Mikko Järvenpää, CCO of Jalo Helsinki. “We saw a gap in the market and decided to go for it.” It was an opportunity worth taking – 18 months later the company has acquired 15% of the domestic market share. With distributors around Europe, they sell their products in countries ranging from the Middle East to Australia and now have the capacity to provide large quantities to buyers worldwide. Jalo Helsinki currently has two very different models of smoke alarm on the market. One is sleek and stylish with a fabric cover –
giving an appearance of softness that would not normally be associated with the product. The other is quirky and different, takes the shape of a moth and comes in four colour patterns. Despite being created by two top Finnish designers, Paola Suhonen and Harri Koskinen, the products are surprisingly affordable. “We want to offer our customers beautiful design items at consumer prices,” Järvenpää explains.
For more information, please visit: jalohelsinki.fi
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Helsinki. Aside from the vases, the visionary owner aspired to sell different lines of the unique design. Thus began their custom design business for dinnerware and tableware. Now Elinno’s tableware adds a special touch to fine-dining restaurants, idyllic cafés and teashops and family tables worldwide. Elinno's Custom Design Service also offers fully personalised dinner and tableware for those looking for something truly unique to commemorate their wedding or other special event.
Bite of Beauty
Elinno’s New Willow and Blue Peony Collections mixed & matched
Elinno’s Trends 2013 selection, Pure Blossom, customized with calligraphy
Elinno Finland sets world’s tableware trends
Morning Flirt
Elegant and classic, yet surprisingly modern, sums up Elinno's design ethos. Butterflies and nightingales painted in delicate water colours flit between soft flower patterns, whilst the award-winning designers have given them new hues which adorn plates, cups and serving trays. The skilfully drawn designs are carefully in-glazed to ensure a durable finish. Elinno's latest award-winner, the Pure Blossom Collection, presents yet more excitement as its asymmetrical relief lines disappear into an incredibly smooth, translucent white surface for a look that’s simply timeless.
New Willow
By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Elinno
Created by Chinese-born designer Liang Liang, the word “Elinno” is an amalgamation of “elegant” and “innovative”. Liang was introduced to both Western and Eastern art and culture from an early age. However, it was her fascination with Finnish design that lured her into coming to Helsinki, (where she and her family settled) in order to learn more about it at the Aalto University of Art and Design. Liang recounts: “I felt a powerful pull to Finland with an idea to recreate the fantastic Scandinavian style and make it appeal to a wider global audience. The freedom of modern Finnish design allows me to express this in a completely new and innovative way.”
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Rose Garden
In 2004, the award-winning Liang Liang exhibited her fabulous and unique Galaxy vases at the annual Aalto University Design fair and sold out very quickly. According to the designer it was this moment that made her realise that she had something very special. Only two years after, she founded Elinno. Joining forces with other likeminded individuals such as Finnish designer and artist Anni Paunila, they collectively shared the same passion for combining the best of the East and West to create something incredibly unique. Elinno corporation was born. The first customer was Casuarina, a luxurious lifestyle boutique in the heart of
- Elinno Collections sell in 33 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. - Elinno designers, Liang Liang and Anni Paunila, won the Muoto2011 award for the best Finnish tableware design of the year for all nine Elinno design collections. - Between 2010 and 2013 all of Elinno’s 10 bone china collections received TRENDS awards in the Prestige tableware segment at the Frankfurt Ambiente, Germany.
For more information, please visit: www.elinno.com Facebook: elinnodesign E-mail: info@elinno.com Phone: +358 9 2316 1668
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Special Theme | Made in Finland
Reinventing the wooden swing The wooden swing. It has been around for 3,500 years, and is not going out of fashion any time soon. Put a child in front of a swing, and he or she will spontaneously get on it. Present it to an adult, and many of us are tempted to give it a try, remembering our childhood days and how much fun you could have on this simple yet irresistible toy. By Malin Wiander | Photos: Lillagunga
The Lillagunga story started when founder Anton Stenfors was looking for a goodquality swing for his children. Unable to find exactly what he wanted, he bought a plastic swing which broke after only a few weeks of use. Left with the ropes, he attached a wooden plank to the loops, and the idea of Lillagunga was born. “There were no high-quality, functional and beautiful wooden swings on the market, and I quickly realised that I was onto something,” Stenfors explains. The product has come a long way since the idea was first formed in 2010. Using only high-quality wood, first-grade
braided rope and a patented mechanism for assembling and adjusting the swing and ropes, Lillagunga now has five wholesalers in Finland and the company sells its products around Europe and beyond. The original model, Lillagunga Classic, is designed for children aged three to 14. Complementing the natural qualities of the wood, it is painted in a snow-white colour or coated only with a layer of oilbased transparent varnish. The ropes come in eight standard colours, but a total of 26 colours is available. With the two different types of wood, this means a great variety of combinations that enable Lilla-
gunga's customers to choose and pick exactly what suits them. The company is working on two new designs in addition to the classic Lillagunga swing: one designed for the use of adults and the other, the Lillagunga Toddler swing, for children under the age of three. Stenfors has an ambitious goal: to make the best wooden swings in the world. “We want to make stylish and durable swings for all ages and all occasions,” he says. With a quality product focused on functionality and beautiful diversity – and based on the feedback from customers – Lillagunga is well on its way to achieving that goal.
For more information, please visit: www.lillagunga.com
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The WAVE shoe
A Finnish design icon in the making Beauty, comfort and functionality are the key words behind Marita Huurinainen’s designs. Passionate about all the raw materials found in Finnish nature, Huurinainen wants to offer the world something lasting and truly valuable. Her unique WAVE shoe design and ethical and responsible WILD fur collection have already caught the eye of many fashion and design lovers, and this is only the beginning.
WAVE is refreshingly different. The “highheeled” shoe has no heel to speak of; instead the wood curves underneath the heel in a wave-like shape, lending the shoe its quirky name.
By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Marita Huurinainen
Applying this design to wood as the raw material was not simple. Initially, experts said that the production of such a shoe would be technically impossible. Only after persistent testing was it possible to correctly apply the traditional Finnish wood bending technique, pioneered by the famous Finnish designer Alvar Aalto, to the shoe.
“WAVE is such a great and unique product, and I truly believe that it has the potential to become a Finnish design icon and be successful globally,” gushes Andreas Jank, the managing director of Designium Brand Group, the company behind Marita Huurinainen’s brand, established at the beginning of 2013. Jank has every reason to be excited about the product as the elegant design of the light wooden shoe is unique, memorable, and very Finnish in many ways. While wooden shoes have been popular for a long time, with different styles going in and out of fashion over the years, the
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allows you to enjoy fur “WILD with a good conscience ”
Marita Huurinainen
Birth of the WAVE Marita Huurinainen had an itch to design clothing from a very young age, but her practical side briefly got the upper hand when she decided to pursue studies in international politics. However, her creative streak could not be silenced, and soon she had enrolled at the University of Arts and
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Design, from where she graduated in 2006. Huurinainen started her career by designing collections for Marimekko and a few other design labels, but she was always developing her own products on the side. She finished the first version of the WAVE shoe during her studies while experimenting with basic shapes and different materials. She created a few designs with simple and functional features, and the WAVE was something that stuck with her. She continued the project in 2009, which is when she won the prestigious Ornamo Design Award for the best design product in Finland. At the beginning of 2013, with the help of Andreas Jank, Huurinainen was finally able to dedicate all her time to her own brand. “Now is the right time for me to concentrate on my own products,” Huurinainen confirms. A second WAVE model, with a lower “heel” and tighter strap, was brought out in spring, and Huurinainen will continue working on further products using wood as the defining material. Into the WILD Marita Huurinainen’s WILD, an ethical and ecological fur accessories collection, sprang from a desire to redefine fur clothing. The idea was to make sure that the
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fur of the animals that are hunted for conservation reasons – to maintain a balanced eco-system – would not go to waste. Accordingly, WILD offers a responsible alternative for wearing fur, something that appeals to not only traditional fur wearers but also those who would not have considered it otherwise. The collection focuses on fur items, such as gloves, hats, scarves, vests and capes, which are noticeably different from conventional fur fashion. “Fur is such a lovely material, and I really want to bring out its special features that make it so much more than just a luxurious adornment,” Huurinainen comments. The WILD accessories are beautiful and elegant pieces with the primary aim to look and feel good. The idea behind most pieces is that they are an accessory to other clothing items and give the entire outfit, as well as the person wearing it, a distinct character. For example, there is a small black mink collar which goes perfectly with a little black dress. WILD is unique in combining beautiful fur items with cherishing and respecting natural wildlife. Or, as Huurinainen puts it: “WILD allows you to enjoy fur with a good conscience.”
Marita Huurinainen’s brand currently consists of the two collections WAVE and WILD, but she is constantly developing new additions to her brand, including a men’s shirt collection, a womenswear collection and a WAVE handbag made of wood.
Marita Huurinainen’s boutique in Helsinki’s design district can be found at: Albertinkatu 28 00120 Helsinki Finland
For more information and the web shop, please visit: www.maritahuurinainen.com
WICKED Men’s shirt WILD - an ethical and ecological fur accessories collection
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Finland
Marja Kurki silk fashion boutique on Pohjoisesplanadi, Helsinki, is one of Studio Arcibella’s latest projects.
The atmosphere that makes people return South and north meet at interior design office Studio Arcibella. The places designed by the company provide visitors with an unforgettable feeling and a desire to experience it again. By Karoliina Kantola | Photos: Studio Arcibella
Italian sun and spirit combined with Scandinavian soul and sincerity – beautiful, is it not? The background and interests of Kristiina Michelsson, the owner of the company, can be seen in the company’s work. Michelsson is a Finnish third-generation architect, who graduated as an interior architect in Milan. “I think the style of Studio Arcibella is unique partly because of that combination,” she says. Founded in 1994 and based in Helsinki, Studio Arcibella has become known especially in Finland but also internationally. The main industry the design office works in is hospitality. The references of Studio
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roundings so well that it seems as if they have always been there,” Michelsson describes. Most importantly, the interior design has been praised both by the buyers and end users. “The visitors have come again and again to the hotels and restaurants, raising their revenue remarkably,” Michelsson says. You certainly cannot get much better evidence of the quality of Studio Arcibella’s work.
Arcibella include the Glo Hotels chain in Helsinki, Långvik Congress Wellness Hotel, and recently opened Marja Kurki silk fashion boutique on Pohjoisesplanadi, Helsinki – just to mention a few. “The other growing sector is property development. It means that we plan the entirety together with the client company,” Michelsson adds. The common denominators in the hotels and other properties are sustainability, consumer-friendliness and the harmony between environment and the target. “Some people have said, for example, that the buildings or interiors suit the sur-
Långvik Congress Wellness Hotel
For more information, please visit: www.arcibella.com
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Finland
Spreading joy with playful and functional designs Kotonadesign, which translates as “design at home”, is a Finnish interior design brand with a focus on colourful noticeboards and magnets, great for both home and office settings. The products, which are handmade in Finland from surplus materials, are a fun and functional way of communicating with others, as well as beautiful design objects. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Kotonadesign
Established in 2004, Kotonadesign is the brainchild of Mia Battilana, who came across the idea of creating wooden chalk noticeboards by chance while visiting a carpenter’s workshop. “I was a busy stay-at-home mum, and I’d just drawn a design for a kids’ table. While visiting the carpenter, I noticed these large plywood boxes full of leftover wood pieces, and I was permitted to take as many of them with me as I could carry. I went a bit nuts and dragged them all to my car,” Battilana recalls. “My first idea was to create wooden noticeboards and magnets. With three children, I always have a lot to remember, so writing things down and pinning things with a magnet is something very practical for me. I began creating these boards as a hobby, but then one design store after another started showing interest.”
Today, the idea of beautiful magnetised chalk boards has been developed further, with new colours and patterns added to the collection. Kotonadesign now also makes clock, letter, stone and alphabet magnets. Battilana’s latest creation is a large moon noticeboard with a LED nightlight behind it; she will be presenting it at Maison&Objet on 6-10 September in Paris.
For more information and a list of retailers, as well as the online shop for customers in Finland, please visit: www.kotonadesign.fi
Award-winning design from recycled materials Private Case is an internationally renowned Finnish design company that creates products from recycled and renewable materials. Its range includes bags, calendars, notebooks and other office supplies created for professional use and designed in a minimalistic style. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Private Case
The success story behind Private Case started quite organically when architect and industrial designer Ari Korolainen began visiting clients, bringing with him all necessary documents and drawings. While other architects continued
dragging along heavy cases, Korolainen decided to design something more practical, a lighter briefcase made solely of recycled cardboard. “I brought the prototype with me to client meetings, and once I set it on the table, all eyes turned to it, and designers were asking where they could get their hands on something similar,” Korolainen recounts. This was back in 1985, and today Private Case has been selling products made from recycled cardboard and other environmentally friendly materials for almost 30 years. While the design and production of the products is still all done in Finland, the Private Case brand has also been recognised on an international level, starting from the very beginning when the products were noticed in Japan and the U.S. Private Case has also received multiple honours for its different collections, including three Red Dot Design Awards (2011-2013),
a Good Design recognition and a Pro Finnish Design honourable mention. Aki Korolainen has also made a name for himself as a furniture designer for his Adessin brand, which was recently praised by the press for its Divine Light, a large pot that consists of two parts placed around a growing tree. The light illuminates the pot and tree, and even larger trees look like flowers in a pot.
For more information, please visit: www.privatecase.com For more information, please visit: www.adessin.fi www.agencyleroy.com
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Finland
Snow White 4 handbag; colanders, aluminium, brass.
Top: Flying Saucer - eggcup; birch. Below: Plural shelf for eggs; maple.
Demand more from design Quality, not quantity. That is the philosophy Tuulia Penttilä designs and lives by. As a designer and cabinetmaker, Penttilä has always been fascinated by objects. Wood was also a natural choice of material for her as a Finnish designer and because of its ecological qualities. Today, she creates “partners for life” instead of loud, trendy items that fast lose their appeal.
Top: BAU 3 unique series of cases; oak, black waxing. Below: Snow White 1 handbag; birch, stainless steel, aluminium.
thing else. But art can also be an object that forms a functional part of our environment. Among other things, I’ve designed several small sculptures with a hidden box function. They’re ultimately practical items, but the actual function is hidden, often only known to the owner,” Penttilä says.
By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Sade Kahra
Tuulia Penttilä designs functional solidwood objects, inspired by modern architecture, minimalist art, handicraft traditions and everyday insights. “I want to make objects that have a long life cycle, and a simplistic design language fits this concept best. You could describe my design style as ‘quiet’ and timeless,” she muses. From her studio at Fiskars, Penttilä works on unique items, custom-made designs, as well as products available in small batches, including her Monikko (Plural) shelf for eggs that has garnered great interest from design magazines and even popped up in the Helsinki World Design Capital 2012 promotional video. “I find eggs unbelievably beautiful; I use them every day, thus I wanted to create an egg rack of sorts that doesn’t take much
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space and is lovely to behold,” Penttilä explains. Her Lumikki (Snow White) series of handbags made from wood and steel offers a modern take on a fairy tale. Lumikki 1, for example, is, despite its severely minimalist aesthetic, almost soft due to the use of warm, light birch.
Image Cabinet; aspen or walnut wood, acrylic mounted photographs. www.imagecabinet.fi. Photo: Chikako Harada
Together with photographer Sade Kahra, Penttilä has created “image cabinets”, which are made from solid Finnish aspen and walnut wood and decorated with Kahra’s eye-catching, yet calming nature photographs.
Tuulia Penttilä is taking part in the Helsinki Design Open event on 18-21.9 2013. Find out more at: www.helsinkidesignopen.fi
Art as part of everyday life is something that Penttilä greatly values. “Art is often thought of as a two-dimensional picture or an item that stands apart from every-
For more information, please visit: www.tuuliapenttila.fi www.imagecabinet.fi
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Design from the backyard
The duo consider the years working for Arabia invaluable in terms of learning and perfecting their professional finesse in ceramic production. “The craftmanship we learned with the company dates back to the early 1900s – the tradition of produc-
The opportunity to offer their craftmanship for the use of other designers thrills the duo as much as the artistic freedom they now have. “We offer services for ceramic serial production for other designers and for the ceramics industry. This way we get to preserve the heritage of high standard ceramics manufacturing yet get to be playful with our own line.”
Jar Sirkus black
ing fine ceramics had been continuous since then,” Owren credits. The couple considers this craftmanship to be endangered as more and more of design manufacturing is being moved across the world to downshift the costs. “This is in contradiction to our idea of creating quality design that lasts,” Owren says.
Jug Sirkus red
Lamberg, designer, and Owren, model maker, met when both were working in Helsinki for Arabia Finland. In pursuit of finding a refuge from the hectic city life they bought a house in the small coastal town of Loviisa. “Moving there changed our lives. We had a yearning to create something of our own and with our new premises we suddenly had the opportunity to produce our own design. We jumped in and set up our own factory in a backyard shed,” Lamberg says.
Helmi and White
If you want to build a blooming industry of your own, sometimes all you need is a piece of clay and a playful mind. This is true for the Finnish duo Henna Lamberg and Fred Owren behind the brand VAJA Finland. By Anna Taipale | Photos: VAJA Finland
For more information, please visit: vaja.fi
Beautiful designs with beautiful stories Through the Finnish design company Mum’s mothers all over the world work to create progress and beautiful design. The company makes and sells unique fair-trade, ecofriendly items, based on Scandinavian design and traditional artisanship, from Bolivia, South Africa, Cambodia and India.
that was what drove me to create Mum’s. The aim is not just to import stuff from other countries but to collaborate with the people there; to combine Scandinavian design with their handicraft skills,” explains the founder of Mum’s.
By Signe Hansen | Photos: Mum’s
It all started in 2006 when Finnish sculptor and art teacher Outi Puro headed to South Africa to lead an art project involving 17 South African artisans. The artisans were all mothers working
from home and it was from this setup the idea for Mum’s arose. “Through the project I realised the potential of using design to help people in poorer parts of the world create progress, and
In Mum's collection you will find cuddly toys, flowery lights, furniture made by hand and brooches, one of which was recently worn by the Finnish First Lady, Mrs. Jenni Haukio. Every product is made from local, natural or recycled, and carefully chosen materials and is fairtrade. “People buy our products because they love them; the story and background just come as an extra crown on top of that,” stresses Puro adding: “We love design and all we want is to create beautiful things that are also made in a beautiful way.” Mum’s is sold by retailers in Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Japan and through their webshop: www.mums.fi/products
Carpets designed by Mum's and Susanna Vento, handmade in India.
BOKKIE and ZEBRA wall trophies. Designed in Finland, handmade in South Africa where artisans interpret the designs into unique wall figures.
For For more more information, information, please please visit: visit: mums.fi www.agencyleroy.com
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hand-crafted. When making products for children, the safety and longevity of the materials and colours used is extremely important. “Local and ecological production is essential for us and although it can sometimes be a real challenge, all the products are made locally. When you are producing locally, there is never a doubt about one’s ecological and ethical values not being respected, and it also eliminates unnecessary delivery costs. Producing locally makes it possible to react very quickly and to be flexible, and for example produce a small unique series,” Anniina explains.
Paa Pii Design – inspired by children’s joyful play Designer Anniina Isokangas has turned her favourite hobby into a successful business. PaaPii Design is all about original and colourful designs, and the current collection consists of fabric soft toys, do-it-yourself sewing kits, pouches and posters. All the products are made in Kokkola, Finland. In 2004, Anniina graduated from Kuopio Academy of Design with a BA in Ceramics and Glass Design, but quickly her interest shifted to fabric design. She had always been an admirer of the clean and bold lines of Maija Isola, as well as Kaj Franck's timeless and simple designs. Anniina started making toys for her children and keeping a blog that became
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quickly very popular. Through her blog she got more and more enquiries about where her creations could be bought, and she then decided to start her own business. Now you can find PaaPii's products in 10 different countries and more to come. The products are made with high-quality materials and the finishing touches are
“I wanted all of PaaPii's creatures to have a name and their own distinctive character. ‘Pu-Puu’ the owl for example spends a lot of its time wondering about life’s mysteries. ‘Vili’ the fawn is very ambitious and daydreams about conquering the world, and ‘Sisu’ the fox is completely carefree and playful! While designing I'm looking at the world from a child’s perspective and this creates a lot of freedom,” Anniina says. Most of PaaPii's creatures can be found near the home or in the forest, and the name PaaPii comes from the verb ‘paapia’ which means ‘to sleep’ in children's language. The products that have two sides, like the owl or the fox, have their eyes closed on one side (it’s sleeping) and open on the other side. PaaPii Design collaborates with various brands and designs fabrics, clothes and postcards and is always interested in working with new brands.
For more information, please visit: www.paapiidesign.com Contact: info@paapiidesign.com
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Special Theme | Made in Finland
Finnish urban design at its best With a genuine love for handcraft, Johanna Gullichsen has become one of the most important Finnish designers of woven textile. Her designs will never be out of fashion and she is now launching a complete new rug collection. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Johanna Gullichsen
Johanna Gullichsen tells us that a big part of her inspiration comes from urban landscapes because she likes cities and environments crowded with people. On the other hand, her inspiration can also have non-visual foundations, such as music or books. Her creations are modern; they often have bold, geometrical, and simple patterns, but are industrially made with sophisticated techniques. While speaking with Gullichsen, who is the founder of her own design brand, she tells us with great empathy how she loves to feel woven materials and handcrafts. Also, the difficulties and limits in working with woven textiles are a main source of her inspiration, as she tries as much as she can to break these limits. She is always trying to explore and improve new patterns and skills. New collection of rugs Excitingly, we will soon see more and new creations of Johanna Gullichsen as she is going to launch a complete new rug collection at Habitare Fair in Helsinki from 18 to 22 September. It will be presented as a mix
of both cotton and wool rugs, all made in India. These rugs, like all the products of Johanna Gullichsen, are made with the finest materials and the best production methods, ensuring a very high quality and incredible durability. Her design is never too trendy; instead she prefers to make classical pieces that the buyer will love for a lifetime. Constantly growing Customers love the amazing products and business is doing extremely well for the designer and she is expanding quickly. She already has two shops, one in Helsinki and one in Paris, but her products can also be found at retailers in many other countries such as Italy, Spain, Japan, Portugal and the USA. Almost all the production is performed in Finland, where she closely works with three different family-run weaving mills. Johanna Gullichsen’s design fits in both modern and traditional interiors. A piece of handcraft from Johanna Gullichsen is a piece with a history that will give pleasure in your home for years.
For more information, please visit: www.johannagullichsen.com
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FINN CRISP’s Original thin crisp bread is among the most popular of the company’s many healthy products.
Meet Finland’s most delicious guilt-free snack As a healthy snack on the go, a tasty appetiser or a crispy, fibre-rich alternative to bland, white slabs of bread, Finn Crisp has been a staple in the Finnish diet for decades. Today, the natural, healthy and pure rye crisp breads capture the essence of Scandinavian food for millions of health-conscious people worldwide. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Finn Crisp
In my household Sunday night is seriesnight and snacking is mandatory. Since my first introduction a couple of years ago, one of my munchies of choice has been Finn Crisp’s thin rye crisps. Why? Well, with only 20 calories per crisp bread they can be enjoyed en mass without the slightest guilt (if not without a few crumbs in the sofa) and their yummy crunchiness is simply addictive. My favourite combination is that of a solid layer of cream cheese and a topping of sweet vegetables, but the options are numerous. “In Finland crisp bread is a part of daily consumption, basically everyone from toddlers to old people eat it. But, thanks to the improved focus on healthy living, the growing cooking culture and the increased consumption of snacks on the go, our products’ popularity has also been
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spreading to other parts of the world. People want to eat something that’s healthy, tasty and natural. FINN CRISP’s thins are all of that,” says Finn Crisp Brand Manager Azaliya Sungatullina. Delicious and packed with goodness FINN CRISP breads are indeed all that. Most variations are made from 100 percent rye and 100 percent wholegrain, and with about 20 percent fibre and absolutely no additives they are likely to become your digestive system’s best friend. Traditional Finnish product sourdough rye bread has been baked in Finland for centuries. FINN CRISP brand was launched in Helsinki at the 1952 Olympics. Since then the crisp bread’s global popularity has grown steadily, especially in countries accustomed to rye bread consump-
tion such as Sweden, Norway, Germany and Russia. In recent years, however, the growth has gone into double digit numbers as the health benefits of the Nordic diet have become obvious to people all over the world. Today, FINN CRISP breads are sold in 40 countries and include a broad range of thin, classic and round crisp breads as well as rye snacks. Nowadays you can meet FINN CRISP products in the UK and Northern America, Australia and Iceland.
For more information, please visit: www.finncrisp.com Learn more at : www.facebook.com/THEFINNCRISP
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Special Theme | Made in Finland
Beautiful solutions to practical needs Habitek Furniture’s Kirsi Gullichsen strives to combine simplicity, functionality and elegance. Her coffee table success does just that with inspiration from an unexpected source.
made finishes and industrially produced components. Not only nature
By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: Original Habitek Works
The Morris. To fans of Finnish furniture it requires little more introduction. The idea behind the small, asymmetrically shaped rounded coffee tables came to Kirsi Gullichsen in 2005 and coincided with the arrival of her pet dog. Soft, playful shapes “Big sofa tables were trendy then. My pragmatic sense made me think ‘how practical is that?’ I decided to make a collection of smaller tables that could stand alone or together, depending on space and practical needs,” explains Kirsi Gullichsen. Finding the shape required involved her new four-legged friend. “Suddenly I had this living thing around me, moving in its soft, playful shapes but with perfect balance. Yes, my dog Morris inspired me.” Incidentally, the dog is named after William Morris, the English artist
and designer who, almost as an omen for the story, believed you should not keep things at your house that are not practical and beautiful. Pragmatism meets elegance This exemplifies architect-trained Kirsi Gullichsen’s ideas process and design ethos. “My approach is to analyse functional needs and use my surroundings for inspiration, whatever shape they have,” she says. Her aim is to produce simple yet elegant products to serve pragmatic purposes. “A well-made design is one you do not think about when it’s there in your room but appreciate more and more the longer you have it.” Habitek’s mission is to produce items locally, to high craftsmanship and design standards. The Helsinkibased company uses natural woods and synthetic materials, and unites hand-
Such a mission statement from a Finnish furniture maker often comes with the presumption that the nation’s vast and beautiful nature must be the main source of inspiration. While Habitek adheres to its principals passionately, this does not automatically make nature the sole source of inspiration. “It is a myth that I don’t buy into,” says Kirsi Gullichsen. “Yes, Finns are characterised by a still, simple lifestyle, and nature is a big factor. But for me it is more about observing our immediate environment. Look at streets, living rooms, schools. Wherever the furniture we make is used is where we should look for inspiration,” she argues. Somewhere might just be the inspiration for the next Morris.
For more information, please visit: www.habitek.fi
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Triple, designed by Tapio Anttila.
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Lisabell Group, designed by Elizabeth Salonen.
Dipol opal-orange, design Keraplast Interior.
Tip 60 hanging light, designed by Tapio Anttila.
New York table light, Old classic Orno.
Carefully selected design to create harmony Keraplast Interior, part of the famous Keragroup, is an innovative Finnish lamp manufacturer which exclusively collaborates with the best Finnish designers. With extensive experience, Keraplast Interior is always the leading lamp producer, with classic models and new products incorporating the hottest designs. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Keraplast Interior
Keraplast Interior is part of the third generation of the family business Keragroup, founded in Finland 42 years ago. Keraplast has been very successful since its inception in 1971, and won the prestigious National Entrepreneurship Award last year, which was delivered by the President himself. This award is given to the three companies that are the most successful and useful to the community in Finland. During last year’s economic crisis, Keraplast kept on achieving positive results, successfully escaping the recession.
the company is following the high-end trend developing many new and exclusive lamp models. Of course, Keraplast is still well known and appreciated for offering 1950s design classics that remain popular year after year and never go out of fashion. In addition to working with the most highend designers in Finland, it lets its employees design and try to launch new lamps on the market. This unusual but very effective practice has been an extremely fruitful concept and is a symbol
and exemplifying principle of the strong entrepreneurial spirit of the company. Focusing on export Peter Peltomaa, Project Engineer Export and Development, tells us that they are now focusing and expanding on export markets. The company is constantly growing and will be participating at Valo Light trade fair in Helsinki 18-22 September. Keraplast not only produces lamps for home and private clients, but they also deal with public lighting and offices. Their fundamental value proposition is that a lamp’s function should not only be to shed light, but also to be part of the interior design. This is why the appearance of a product matters so much to Keraplast and why it only works with the best, both materials and people.
Kera Group Oy Established: 1971 in Kerava, Finland Main office in Orimattila, Finland Turnover: 20.8 million Euros (2012) Employees: 135 (2012) Four business areas:
Finland’s best designers Keraplast only works with the best and most famous Finnish designers such as, for example, Tapio Anttila, Elizabeth Salonen, Heikki Turunen and Jonas Hakaniemi. They are chosen by Keraplast to ensure that the company is at the forefront of the latest trends and for their know-how in working with acrylic materials. Currently
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Keraplast Interior, Keraplast, Keraplast B2B, Keravent Operations in: Finland, Sweden, Russia, Estonia and Latvia
For more information, please visit: www.keraplast-interior.com www.keragroup.fi
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Finland
Home-knitted from organic wool – Finland’s beanies are one-of-a-kind By Signe Hansen | Photos: Myssyfarmi
The Myssy, a home-knitted, traditional wool beanie has become a favourite accessory among socially and environmentally conscious Finns. The beanies are produced from 100 per cent organic Finnish wool from Finnsheep, a Finnish landrace known for its soft and light wool. Located in the village of Vistola, in southwest Finland, Myssyfarmi (the beanie farm) was founded by former professional windsurfer Janne Rauhansuu and his wife Anna Rauhansuu, in 2008.The farm, and its two- and four-legged inhabitants, are the source of all Myssy beanies. Most are hand-knitted by Janne Rauhansuu, though in recent years the originator of the Myssy has had help from his wife and a handful of local grannies to keep up with
demand. “To us it is really important that the story behind our products is transparent. We want to know exactly where the wool comes from and how the sheep lived, and that is why we get all our wool from our own sheep and the sheep of our neighbouring farm. It is also organic, and I think our customers appreciate that,” says Anna Rauhansuu. While Myssy’s most popular beanies are those in the naturally wide colour spectrum of the soft Finnsheep wool, Anna Rauhansuu also designs more colourful designs for seasonal collections. Besides, Janne Rauhansuu has recently expanded his knitting repertoire with a versatile wool collar, as well as a unique, knitted wool tie.
Why the Finns love liquorice? They simply just do! Why the Finns love liquorice no-one really knows, not even Halva, one of the leading Nordic soft eating liquorice producers feeding the obsession. But that has not stopped the company, which produces 3,000 tons of liquorice a year, from spreading the liquorice love to all corners of the world. Founded by the Karavokyros family in 1931, Halva Ltd is today one of the world’s biggest liquorice exporters, and their market is continuously expanding. Thanks to liquorice’s natural qualities and Halva’s
By Signe Hansen | Photos: Halva Ltd
growing product range the preference for liquorice is spreading like wildfire. Managing Director Jean Karavokyros explains: “Liquorice is a rapidly growing segment; earlier it was a bit of a niche product but during recent years it has been growing much faster than other candy segments in many parts of the world. One of the reasons for that is that liquorice is a natural product compared to other sweets.”
Finnsheep are the happy suppliers of the soft wool used for the Myssy.
For more information and to buy your own Myssy visit: www.myssyfarmi.fi
soft filled liquorice products of different tastes, shapes and colours, including sugar free variations. “Liquorice’s popularity started in Finland but now it is spreading everywhere from Scandinavia to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – everyone is eating liquorice,” says Karavokyros. Annually Halva produces approximately 3,000 tons of liquorice at its two plants in Finland, more than half of which is exported to feed the world’s growing appetite for liquorice.
Halva, which in earlier decades gained popularity mainly for its quality soft, nonfilled liquorice, today produces an array of
For more information, please visit: www.halva.fi www.facebook.com/halvamakeiset
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Deer shelf for books or small items, also works as a piece of art. Made of solid oak.
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Top: Idefix pallet that was inspired by ancient Greek chairs. Soft pallet clothed in leather or fabric. Below: Lily bowl for jewellery, small items, fruits etc. Curved oak, available in two different sizes.
Top: Wave table that can be used in three different positions. Works also as a magazine rack. Curved acrylic. Below: Lume hanger. Material metal, available in two different sizes.
A start-up that stands out from the crowd Founded only recently, in October 2012, BEdesign has already managed to achieve incredible success. Their success lies in the fantastic teamwork and effort of the two Finnish sisters who created this up-and-coming start-up of Scandinavian design. Finnish BEdesign may be new in the furnishing market, but is already a name to count on in designing the classics of tomorrow. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: BEdesign
Bette and Cilla Eklund are a great example of how great teamwork leads to success. Bette, who is the creative designer, focuses on creating amazing furniture concepts, whereas her sister, Cilla, who is the expert in business strategy and marketing, takes care of running the business, knowing that she will get to market the amazing products designed by her sister. The fact that they master such different fields, and complement each other perfectly, has been the main reason for all the great achievements of BEdesign in less than a year.
will last for generations.” They mainly work with materials such as wood, metal and acrylics. The result is a collection of stylish, practical furniture that has already gained incredible interest in Scandinavia, the UK and the USA. Because things have moved so fast for the two sisters, they are already looking for retailers in the Scandinavian countries. The inspiration of their products
comes from nature, adapted by a personal creative touch. All furniture products are locally handmade in Finland so that all the production processes can be carefully controlled. Today, they are working on their online shop, and it will soon be possible to order and ship anywhere in the world. Bright future for BEdesign The two sisters are expected to have a bright future ahead of them. They are currently working on broadening their collection and they have made a lot of new interesting contacts during exhibitions and tradeshows in Stockholm, New York and Paris. Bette tells us that she has already plenty of great ideas for new designs and we are very curious to preview them. BEdesign is the new up-and-coming design team that we will all soon recognise as the makers of modern classics for countless homes.
Timeless design that lasts forever “Our vision is to bring joy to people’s homes for years to come. We aim to create timeless design and high-quality products that
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For more information, please visit: bedesign.fi Cilla & Bette
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Finland
top. Our bags have plastic feet at the bottom, making sure the bag is kept in an upright position,” Normi continues. “The essence really is that you don’t have to worry about keeping your things safe when using one of our bags.” Just as technology constantly changes, providing more and more gadgets, the bags from Normincies constantly evolve.
Graphics: Jussi Normi
Making business a pleasure
“We have a lot of ideas for our coming products, as we can see the need for more and different storage of electronics inside the bags. We take a lot of pride in our products. And when it comes to the future in general, our disruptive design will change the way people think about travelling,” Normi says.
With protection and function combined, designer Jussi Normi introduces premium business laptop bags. All presented in a classic, minimalistic Finnish design. By Elin Berta | Photos: Petteri Mäntysaari
Designer Jussi Normi founded Normincies in 2010, but the idea of creating the perfect bag was born long before that. “I have worked in many different industries and travelled quite a lot in my work and somehow I always found myself looking for the perfect bag that would make my travels easier. But I never found it,” he says.
tant to us that our products are stylish,” Normi continues. “We have achieved a bag that is perfect for someone who needs to travel a lot for work. If you always need to carry your laptop it is crucial to keep it safe, and with our bags you will never have to worry about the bag falling and damaging your lap-
For more information, please visit: www.normincies.com
The spirit of the brand lies in three things – protection, function and style combined. And according to Normi there is no room for compromising on any of the three. In order to maximise the protection and keep the content safe the bags have water repellant zippers and an aluminium frame. Normincies has an eye for the inside of the bags, where everything you might need on your travels has its place. And it all comes in a clean minimalistic Finnish design where the bags are available in black, light brown and dark brown leather. “Everyone wants to express something with their appearance. So even though the function is the most important thing with Normincies bags, it is almost as impor-
Photo: Jussi Normi
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Vessi with famous Finnish TV presenter Maria Veitola, on whose talk show he was a guest in 2009.
Photo: Mia Bergius
The Science of Sitting – how our daily work impacts on our health Why is sitting in the office uncomfortable? This question was engaging Veli-Jussi “Vessi” Jalkanen’s mind because, during his long hours of horse riding, he did not get tired. Vessi´s friend, a doctor, suggested he sit “as if riding” in the office. This hint led to a “revolution” in workplace sitting. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photo: Salli Systems
Vessi Jalkanen, a lifelong health enthusiast, decided to examine the sitting process. “Sitting is not a static state. Metabolic disturbances increase over the time spent sitting.” After studying physiology, he found that normal chairs are wrongly designed. Obviously many leading sitting-experts have not applied to their products the basic needs of human physiology: undisturbed micro-and macro circulation of blood and lymph. This consists of over 400,000 km of vessels, close to 20 litres of liquid and about 700 lymph nodes. Do we realise how dangerous regular sitting is? The main cause of SD (Sitting Disorders) is circulation, not immobility. We sleep without mobility, yet it is still healthy. Sit-
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ting can be very dangerous if it stops circulation as it does surprisingly frequently. There are numerous recent studies which prove this. One enlightening example: bus drivers have twice as many heart diseases as train conductors. Conventional sitting disturbs circulation by pressing large body areas against furniture, by tightening clothes, by causing muscle tension, by causing poor posture and by keeping breathing shallow. So how do we sit right? “The correct way to sit to avoid health problems and to fully benefit from our breathing capacity is to sit in the horse-riding position on a divided saddle chair with a swinging seat (a two-part seat with a 40 mm gap in the middle). In this way vessels
work fairly normally and a 135 degree thigh/trunk angle maintains a good natural posture automatically as in walking,” Jalkanen teaches us. The gap in the seat removes dangerous pressure from the pelvic floor (and from the internal pelvic organs ) and from the genitals as well. Salli Systems has a wide range of chairs, accessories for various professions, etables and even an “AutoSmart” table which optimizes office working by adjusting the table and monitoring heights automatically. The Salli team is committed to continuous sitting development with optimum furniture, adjustments, clothing, and increased work site physical activity consulting included.
For more information, please visit: www.salli.com
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Finland
Buena – ideas born from passion By Julie LindÊn | Photo: Buena
When Lena Bergendahl and five of her colleagues started noticing flaws in the process of conventional web development, they decided to take their knowledge to a new level. Enter Buena, a web design agency passionate about customer service, content marketing and agile thinking. “What makes us a good choice of agency is our wide-reaching competence that comes from years of experience within the field,� says Bergendahl, Managing Director of Buena. “We are inherently comprehensive as a bureau, working from the idea towards implementation, never forgetting what goal the client desires.� Bergendahl says that a key feature of reaching the goal of any business is to start off by defining its needs and financial parameters. Only then can appropriate and
effective solutions be created – solutions to fulfil a purpose. This notion is one of the reasons why Buena does not believe in a set model for web development. “You need to know your target audience. After that comes innovation – daring to brainstorm and develop ideas to their full potential while constantly keeping up a close dialogue with the client,� says Bergendahl. It never stops there. Buena strives to stay connected with clients for a good period after publishing. This is in order to follow through with the process and identify potential improvements to the solution. “Evaluation is a true passion with us, and part of the reason why the six of us decided to start Buena two years ago. We take responsibility for what we create by assessing results – all in order to stay current and do the best job we can possibly do,� says Bergendahl.
Valio is a great example of Content Marketing done well. For more information, please visit www.buena.fi
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You Y Yo ou kknow now w where here tto og go, o, we how guide w e kknow now h ow tto og uide yyou ou tthere here Too iidentify T dentify aand ndd pprioritise rioritise yyour our most most iimportant mportantt w wealth ealth m management anagementt goals, goals, bbrings rings its its own own sset et of of cchallenges. hallenges. Along Along w with ith ssecuring ecuring sufficient sufficientt iincome ncome ttoo maintain nc maintain the the wealth llifestyle ifest yle yyou ou wish wish ttoo eenjoy njoy aare re tthe he iissues ssues ooff w ealth pplanning, lanning, aallll ooff which which will will depend depend oonn the the jurisdiction jurisdiction iinn which which you you iintend ntend to to retire. retire. Our Our network network of ne of in-house in-house aadvisers dvisers aand nd eexternal xternal partners partners ccan an pprovide rovide you you w ith tthe he personalised personalised w ealth-planningg solutions solutions yyou ou need neeed ttoo take take to to pprepare repare ffor or rretirement. etirementt. with wealth-planning Visit V isit us us aatt w www.nordeaprivatebanking.com, ww.nordeaprivatebanking.com, or c call all + +352 352 4 43 38 88 87 77 7 77 77 tto o arrange arrange a meeting. meeting.
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Goods you can rely on Like a rock in the Baltic surf this fine new ride stands out on the streets of the northern capital Helsinki. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Pelago Bicycles.
point fingers, but there is certainly an underlying green agenda. Creating sustainability is about offering quality. But the green thing is not the whole story; the bicycle is just a practical, economical and healthy machine to take you to places to do what you do.”
By Anna Taipale | Photos: Pelago Bicycles
From early on the two brothers behind the company, Timo and Mikko Hyppönen, used to dig through recycling centres for discarded bikes to take apart into bits, fix them for themselves and their friends, and learn the craft at the local service shop. “We used to be impressed by the old bicycles because of their built quality and aesthetic,” Timo recalls. The brothers went on to work in the creative fields, but all along were aiming for something more fundamental than a mere poster job. They gained perspective by studying at the local university and through journeys to China, Africa and around Europe. In praise of beauty and utility Pelago Bicycles was born as a reflection and in honour of the city that inspired them, as the brothers decided to reorient their creative force. “The name is short for ‘archipelago’. It crystallises our plain aes-
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thetic vision and brings about a notion of a fresh breeze into a city,” Timo says. The bikes are stripped down to basics and the compact range of bicycles offers models that suit various needs from daily transportation to active cycling. “Ideally, you’re looking at a lightweight work horse that can eat the cobble-stoned streets and ride safe through the winter,” Timo describes. Their shop in Helsinki is known as “the hardware store of bicycles”, offering a full range of services from repairing bicycles to providing related accessories for their customers. During high season the company employs up to 12 people. Since its foundation in 2009, Pelago Bicycles has been given a seal of approval by retailers in Scandinavia, Germany, the UK and Spain. Theirs is a subtle ecological message. The frame of a Pelago Bicycle comes with a 10-year guarantee. “We don’t want to
For more information, please visit: pelagobicycles.com
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Scan Magazine | Feature | Bornholm Biennial
Simon Klenell (SE), Frigger tactics, 2011. Cut and hot worked clear glass, various sizes.
Jeannet Iskandar (DK), Between Fragment
Photo: Erik Wåhlström
and Whole, Ellipse, 2012. H:35, B:55, D 55 cm. Photo: Poul Ib Henriksen
A small island with big ambitions – Bornholm convenes Europe’s best glass and ceramic artists Every other year, hundreds of European artists flock to the small Danish island Bornholm to take part in the Bornholm Biennial for European contemporary glass and ceramics. The event, which is the only one of its kind in Europe, exhibits the works of 100 leading artists from 30 different countries and offers a string of workshops, master classes and other events. By Signe Hansen
Going back in time, Bornholm, an island of barely 42,000 inhabitants, has its rich clay deposits to thank for its prominence in the world of ceramics and glass. Already in the early 18th century the first ships exporting pottery took off from the island’s shores. The ceramic industry continued to flourish up until the mid-20th century when the focus shifted to a growing sector of skilled individual craftsmen and women. During the following years Bornholm’s artistic profile continued to grow as its rugged beauty attracted a string of artists including a number of international studio glass artists who settled on the island. Bornholm’s strong artist community is still at the core of the island’s identity. It is, explains Project Director Susanne Jøker Johnsen, the main reason the Biennial
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takes place on Bornholm and not mainland Denmark. “Some might wonder why the Biennial is not located in Copenhagen, but the reason is that the people who initiated it live and work here; they are part of the large creative community which Bornholm has always nourished. However, what we wanted to create was not a local event but an event with participants from all over Europe – a hub for modern European glass and ceramic art.” The Biennial comprises two comprehensive exhibitions: European Glass Art for work made by professional, established artists, and New Talent for emerging, professional glass artists under the age of 35. A prize of 10,000 EUR is awarded to one outstanding glass artist in each of the two exhibition categories.
Spreading ripples in the water In 1997, Bornholm became the home of the Glass and Ceramics School (now the Royal Danish Academy, School of Design, Bornholm). The school, which offers the only higher education in glass in Denmark, together with Bornholm Art Museum, initiated the first Bornholm Biennial in 2006. Four Biennials later the ambition is, says Jøker Johnsen, essentially the same as it was then: to be a European manifestation of what is happening on the glass and ceramics scene right now. “In addition to the exhibitions, the various other Biennale activities are synergising with one another and the event as a whole. They establish a platform where representatives of the various disciplines within glass art can meet to share ideas, do networking,
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Lene Bødker (DK), Evolution I, II, III, IV, V. H 170 x B 25 x D9 cm. Materials: Gold leaf, Glass, Lost Wax Casting. Photo: Anders Sune Berg
and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. The Biennial creates ripples in the water that spread in ever-widening circles and put things in motion,” Jøker Johnsen explains. Growing diversity In September last year the Bornholm Biennial attracted not only 600 of Europe’s best glass artists but also approximately 10,000 museum guests. The guests got the chance to observe some of the very newest trends within European glass art, which is becoming less and less orientated towards functionality and turning towards more artistically free forms. “There is a tendency for works to be more narrative and conceptual, instead of function-referring, podium-based
works. In some areas, I would venture to say that glass has distanced itself from handicraft and is increasingly exploring the world of free art forms,” explains Jøker Johnsen. Representing this diversity, the Biennial’s programme included a three-day master class by Architect James Carpenter as well as a performance by Cirkus i Glasriket, a group of performance artists showcasing the process of glass production rather than the resulting product as the object of art. The growing diversity which continues to strengthen and widen the profile of European glass and ceramics will next be showcased at the Bornholm Biennial’s European Ceramic Context in 2014.
Marta Klonowska. Venus and Adonis after Peter Paul Rubens, 2008. Glass on metal framework. H: 68 cm L: 120 cm W: 30 cm. The dog is taken from the painting “Venus and Adonis” by Peter Paul Rubens (1577 – 1640), which dates around 1615 (Düsseldorf, Museum Kunstpalast). Photo: Stephan Wieland
All 27 members of the European Union as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are invited to participate in the Bornholm Biennial for European contemporary glass and ceramics. National commissioners in each country, appointed by the organisers, nominate artists for participation. Bornholm Biennials for European contemporary glass and ceramics are jointly hosted and organised by The Royal Danish Academy, School of Design Bornholm, Bornholm Art Museum, Grønbechs Gård, Glasmuseet Ebeltoft and Bornholm.info. Bornholm is a Danish island of 588.5 km² located approximately 40km southeast of Sweden.
For more information, please visit: www.europeanglasscontext.com www.europeanceramiccontext.com Silviano Signoretto and Katrina from Berengo Studios, Venice, working with Benandsebastian. Photo: Julia Robert
Issue 56 | September 2013 | 77
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HE AL TH MIN IN I FIN THE LA ME ND : &S WE DE N
Working towards a healthier tomorrow By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Sara Ingman/imagebank.sweden.se
The Nordic countries are known worldwide for the high standard of their health services. However, as in many Western countries, obesity and cardiovascular diseases are among the largest public health concerns. To combat these problems, Scandinavians have come up with numerous ingenious ways to educate people on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and moderate exercise. While “Nordic walking”, or pole walking, might look a bit strange to those who have never heard of this physical activity, it is in many ways intrinsically Scandinavian – perfect for people who are practical by nature. Once the snow has melted and skiing is out of the question, we grab the
poles and walk with them instead. (It must be noted that the real Nordic walking poles are actually shorter than those used for cross-country skiing.) Health initiatives in Finland and Sweden are endorsed from all sides – by schools, businesses and non-profit organisations, to name a few. The Finnish social exercise motivator HeiaHeia, for example, is used by many companies to inspire their employees to find new, fun ways of keeping fit and in touch with their colleagues at the same time.
on heart conditions, with the aim of offering men and women the same standard of health care. Now the organisation is ready to take on the world, and England is next in line.
Read on to find out more.
Swedish women’s rights organisation 1.6 and 2.6 million club, on the other hand, promotes female-centric medial research
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Health experts surprised by impact of social wellness platform Social exercise motivator HeiaHeia.com brings healthy buzz to workplaces By Nia Kajastie | Photos: HeiaHeia
As we all know, physical activity is good for you. But finding the motivation to exercise after a long day at work is not always easy. Employers looking after their personnel's wellbeing know that the energy you gain shaping up also shows in your work at the office. As a result, employers are seeking new ways to energize their employees. This new, proactive approach to wellbeing is also part of HeiaHeia's vision. This web service for individuals and workplaces offers a diverse tool for logging physical activities, sharing achievements and cheering each other on – making exercise more social and fun.
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Owned and operated by Finnish health technology company H2 Wellbeing Ltd, HeiaHeia was originally created to serve CEO Jussi Räisänen and his friends as a virtual exercise diary. “We used to exercise together in Finland, and as our jobs took us to different countries, we wanted to continue to stay active and share this with each other somehow. It was a fun idea, but there weren’t many simple options available for logging your activities, so we decided to create something ourselves – for our own use at first, but we soon realised there might be a need for this on a larger scale,” Räisänen recounts.
The fun and fairly laidback approach to sharing your physical activities with friends is something that has been part of the HeiaHeia concept from the beginning. As not everyone is motivated by a competitive environment, the founders realised that a broader definition of exercise and physical activity would open the service to a lot more users, not only seasoned exercise buffs. “Exercising together with others is something that interests many, but exercise itself can mean different things to different people, so the idea was to cheer others on rather than compete,” Räisänen adds.
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Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Health in Finland & Sweden
“We were slightly suspicious of using social media for an exercise campaign because our restaurant personnel do not have any e-mail addresses or computers provided by the employer,” Ailus says. They set an initial joint target of going “around the world”, expecting only a small number of participants. “Our objective was to exercise enough so that the distance we covered would go around the world, but we were able to clearly exceed this objective. With more than 500 participants, we were able to go around the globe twice in just the first week. Now that the campaign is over, we
have managed to go around the world nearly four times, 111,000 kilometres,” Ailus explains. Kirsi Ailus. Photo: Fazer / Veikko Somerpuro
Boosting team spirit Company wellness programmes can offer many real benefits and tangible results, including reduced healthcare costs, more engagement and higher productivity. But HeiaHeia also adds a social element to this. “While the online service is easy to use and flexible, and thus available to all types of users, the effects also spill over from the Internet into the break rooms. Each company that uses HeiaHeia has reported back not only how exercise habits have changed, but also how wellbeingrelated topics are discussed in hallways, during lunch and on coffee breaks. It’s added a new dimension to people’s work relationships. Previously you might have only known the professional profile of your colleague at the Stockholm office, whereas by using HeiaHeia you’ve also found out that you have a shared hobby, like kayaking or bowling,” says Räisänen. Today, HeiaHeia has users in 150 countries, with companies from 20 countries featuring it as part of their workplace wellness programmes.
Photo: Fazer
Walking around the world together Fazer Food Services is a company that arranges contract catering and personnel restaurant services in Scandinavia. Out of its 3,700 employees in Finland many work in physically demanding jobs and require plenty of energy every day, which is something the company’s chief occupational healthcare physician, Kirsi Ailus, knows first-hand. Fazer chose to use HeiaHeia’s services for their recent wellbeing campaign. The decision was not a straightforward one, although the campaign would prove to be a success.
For more information, please visit: www.heiaheia.com
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Top: A Woman in Red campaign event. Also pictured are politicians Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth and Maria Larsson. Below: Fashion show from Woman in Red.
Top: Seminars and debates during the political week in Almedalen, Gotland. Below: Health day.
The voice of millions When Alexandra Charles realised nearly all medical research was based on men, she knew she had to do something about it. Today, 15 years later, her organisation has spread over the world, and England is next in line. By Elin Berta | Photos: 1.6 and 2.6 miljoner klubben
“Most people don’t know that heart conditions are the most common cause of death in our country,” Alexandra Charles, founder and president of the 1.6 and 2.6 million club, says. “Women and men even react differently to heart attacks. So when I found out that medical research was based on men, I wanted to put a gender perspective into the research in order to give women the same possibilities of getting the best health care.” Today Alexandra’s initiative has become Sweden’s largest non-political nonprofit women’s rights organisation with over 35,000 active members. Run with a core of famous Swedish women and a group of medical experts, the organisation functions both as a lobbying organisation and as an educational organisation. Every spring the campain Woman in Red, aiming to raise funds for medical research
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on the female heart, is launched. As with the Pink Ribbon, supporters can proudly wear an awareness pin, but for this cause shaped as a red shoe. You can also download a free app that works as a pedometer. For every kilometre walked, one Swedish Krona will be given to research. “Our goal is to make it possible for every woman to have the best possible life quality and health,” Alexandra continues. “We
arrange events all year to inspire women with a healthy lifestyle.” On 12 October a night of celebrations will take place in Stockholm, to mark the organisations 15year anniversary, just days after the initial England introduction will have been held. “We are arranging an event in London on 8 October, and we hope our sister organisation in England will be up and running in 2014,” Alexandra continues. There are already clubs in Norway, Finland and Germany and networks in both St. Petersburg and Brussels. And after visiting a women’s health conference in South Africa, women from Botswana have contacted Alexandra showing their interest. Everyone, male or female, is welcome as a member, as long as you are over 18. And as far as the name goes, it has nothing to do with money. “When I first took this initiative the number of women over 45 years in Sweden was 1.6 million,” Alexandra says. For more information, please visit: www.1.6miljonerklubben.com www.26.7millionclub.com
Alexandra Charles and Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnusson
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SO EC UT IAL HE RN THE NO ME RW : AY
Left: Ulvøysund in Blindleia, Lillesand (Photo: Anders Martinsen©Visit Kristiansand AS). Right: Isbua in Hidra (Photo: Hanne Feyling©Visit Sørlandet). Below: Lyngør (Photo: Anders Martinsen©Visit Sørlandet).
Southern Norway – The Norwegian Riviera The southern part of Norway has been the number one summer holiday destination for Norwegians for decades, while remaining a hidden gem for many visitors. Southern Norway evokes strong emotions with its white wooden houses along the archipelago together with beautiful islands, small cosy villages and its many beaches. By Inger Lund Hutchinson, Visit Sørlandet
During the summer months, the towns and villages are teeming with happy summer guests from all over the world. The summer holiday can be spent in a picturesque white painted cabin along the coast or maybe in a boat along the Norwegian Riviera ready to jump in the sea in the morning and then sail along the coast line to visit historic locations like Merdø or Lyngør.
spread like a string of pearls along the coastline. These are former timber ports which grew when shipbuilding became an industry, and the seafarers brought home inspiration and knowledge from the main European ports. New for this summer is that you can enjoy these beautiful villages from the seat of a bike together with friends or family.
Southern Norway is also called the children’s holiday paradise! With long sandy beaches, Kristiansand Zoo, Sørlandsbadet in Lyngdal, Mineral Park in Evje, The Science Centre in Arendal, Aquarama in Kristiansand and a wide range of activities and attractions, I dare say it is!
Also part of this beautiful coastal region are towns like Flekkefjord, Farsund, Lyngdal and Kristiansand. These towns are popular for visitors with their narrow streets, low-rise wooden houses, abundance of flowers and various shops, cafés and fine restaurants.
The towns of Risør, Tvedestrand, Arendal, Grimstad, Lillesand and Mandal are
The Norwegian Riviera is quieter the rest of the year, but with merely a few hours
between the sea and the high mountains, many visitors choose to come at this time and enjoy the activities that are offered. Hiking along the coast or up to the mountain summits, fishing and cycling are all popular activities. In the wintertime the skiing possibilities are many with places like Hovden, Evje, Bortelid and Åseral.
Welcome to Southern Norway!
For more information, please visit: www.visitsorlandet.com
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Flying made easy and enjoyable On 25 April 2013 the first FlyNonstop flight took off from Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik, on the southern coast of Norway, heading for Paris. On the same day, the company’s 100-passenger Embraer 190 completed its second and third flights to Nice and London respectively. Promising fair pricing and “that little extra” when it comes to service, this start-up operator is aiming to make flying easy and enjoyable – and, above all, direct. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: FlyNonstop
The owner and marketing director of FlyNonstop, Espen Hennig-Olsen, might not have followed the most typical road into the airline business. Working for 32 years for his family’s ice cream factory in Kristiansand, including 15 years as the marketing director, Hennig-Olsen had already made a career for himself in a different industry. “My father (now 86) used to run the business, while my older brother is now the CEO. I had a great time working there,
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seeing the company grow and reach a 43 per cent market share in Norway,” Hennig-Olsen affirms. While arranging large sales meetings for the business in Europe, including everything from hiring an aircraft to hotel bookings, Espen Hennig-Olsen showcased an innate knack for travel organisation. “At first I thought that perhaps in a different life I could have done something in this
line of work. But when I realised that my daughter wasn’t going to go into the family business, unlike my nephews who were educated in marketing and economics, I had to think what would work best for the company, whether it made sense for me to hang on to my chair or do something else,” he explains. Hennig-Olsen ended up selling his part of the company and turning his attention to the airline industry. After several months of thorough market research, the potential and demand for a new airline flying from Kristiansand was confirmed. So with CEO Daniel Lundberg on board, who has 12 years of experience working on the operational side of an airline, the search for the right aircraft was set in motion. The focus was set on passenger comfort, and
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the 100-person Embraer 190, without middle seats, fits their bill. The brand new airplane was finally delivered on 16 April 2013.
Espen Hennig-Olsen, owner and marketing director of FlyNonstop
FlyNonstop’s routes from Kristiansand
From where you live to where you want to go FlyNonstop is based in Kristiansand and currently operates direct return flights from Kjevik to eight European destinations: Barcelona, Berlin, Dubrovnik, London, Nice, Palma, Paris and Parma. The company’s mission is to fly from airports where the general offers are inadequate, but where the demand is high and that show great potential. FlyNonstop’s next step is to plan their programme and routes for next year, and depending on their review of the current destinations, they might launch some interesting new routes. “Our concept is to fly nonstop from smaller areas into bigger cities. The Embraer 190 is excellent for this as it slots in somewhere between small and big aircraft, and we can fly to places where large planes and airlines wouldn’t necessarily go as there isn’t a big enough market there for them,” says Hennig-Olsen. That little extra FlyNonstop aims to be an operator that doesn’t just offer flights for fair prices but also invests in passenger comfort and that little bit extra when it comes to service.
They have put plenty of thought into the look of the plane and everything that can be found inside, including leather seats that offer plenty of leg room and iPad Minis for each passenger to use freely during the flight. The experienced and friendly crew is there to make your flight go as smoothly as possible. The on-board menu was developed by none other than Norwegian top chef Trond Moi, and Master of Wine Sebastian Bredal has chosen some exclusive wines for passengers’ enjoyment.
All the small details and a general emphasis on quality are reflected in the feedback they have received from both customers and the press. “They’ve been very happy with the concept, and journalists who have scrutinized everything quite thoroughly have given us full marks,” says Hennig-Olsen.
Book your flight or whole holiday, with hotel and car rental, at: www.flynonstop.no
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A culinary workshop in Mandal As the first Norwegian restaurant with its own distillery on the premises, Provianten aims to modernise and interpret traditional Norwegian beverages, food and flavours. By Anette Berve | Photos: Provianten
It is difficult to sum up Provianten in one word. Defining it as “a restaurant” or “a café” simply does not cut it. Yes, it is a restaurant, and a café, but also a bar, a bakery, a brewery, a distillery, a delicatessen and even a pottery. They make home-made ice cream, smoke their own meat, roast their own coffee, produce their own vinegar and churn their own butter. Let´s stop there. Provianten opened its doors in 2008 at the pier in the southern seaside town of Mandal. In their own words, they define them-
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selves as a culinary workshop. Culinary, because food and beverages play the main characters and workshop, because they work with quality produce to bring out authentic flavours. The culinary workshop is run by Danish baker Anders Christensen and Norwegian potter Mette Jensen, who draw on their talents and interests to create the complex concept that is Provianten. Christensen explains that he is passionate about bringing back traditional styles of cooking that let the authentic flavours shine though.
“Food loses its freshness, aroma and flavours when produced on an industrial level and sealed in plastic containers. We try and bring those flavours back to life with what we do here at Provianten.” It is fair to say that Provianten goes to great lengths to ensure they stay true to their concept. Their bakery produces sourdough bread, a traditional, time-consuming and complex style of baking using only flour, salt, water and natural sourdough bacteria as yeast. Just to add, they even grind their own flour. “When we bake we leave out any artificial ingredients. This is because we believe natural ingredients give the best result. This type of production demands knowledge and experience, but that’s what makes it exciting! This
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used to be knowledge that was passed between generations, but we who use these methods today are almost perceived as archaeologists.” Nothing is left to chance The concept was to have a place that was inviting at all hours of the day as well as throughout the seasons. Located at the pier, overlooking the river, in a popular summer town can have its challenges during the autumn and winter. However, the two have prepared for the challenges of a slow winter season. “I believe we have created a palette that is the key to our success,” Christensen explains. “We have different elements that are popular at different times. Nothing is left to chance and everything is intertwined. We could not be without any of the elements.” The menu changes according to season, but some specialities remain throughout the year. Provianten is known for serving coffee of top quality, as well as Danish inspired lunch treats, fresh bread and spareribs with a secret house recipe. “I think people notice that there is a thought and a purpose behind everything,” Christensen adds. In the summer, the outdoor deck attracts thirsty locals and tourists, while the indoor fireplace sets the ambiance when darkness falls. To add to the warm atmosphere they even have a wood fired oven where they bake their Italianstyle pizzas. It doesn’t get more rustic than that.
BAKING WITH SOURDOUGH For those interested in knowing more about the in-house production, Provianten arranges workshops for the following: - Coffee roasting - Beer brewing - Pottery classes - Baking with sour dough - Distillation - Cooking with the head chef
For more information, please visit: www.provianten.no
Developing new spirits Since its opening five years ago, Provianten has expanded and developed new elements to their restaurant concept. The latest addition is an in-house distillery where they plan to brew their own spirits based on traditional Scandinavian recipes and flavours. “The best part of our job is that we get to go into the details of every part of the production. I feel like a mixture of a scientist, an archaeologist and an alchemist. It satisfies my curious nature. I am extra fortunate that I get to share my successful experiments with our customers and experience the pleasure of presenting something so authentic and pure.”
Provianten has its own delicatessen where you can purchase products that have been produced on site as well as a selection of carefully chosen brands. Treats include cured meats, sausages, cheeses, juices and their home-made vinegar.
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Experience Henrik Ibsen at Grimstad Bys Museer Grimstad Bys Museer (Grimstad Town’s Museums) is a cultural and historical complex of museums conserving the history of Grimstad. The idyllic town is located a half hour’s drive east of Kristiansand on Norway’s southern coast. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Simen Samuelsen | Photo of the museum facade: Hanne Feyling
The museums concentrate on the following four pillars: maritime transport, horticulture, Knut Hamsun and Henrik Ibsen. The two first pillars played essential parts in the growth of Grimstad for centuries. Novelist Knut Hamsun spent 34 years of his life in Grimstad, and German visitors frequently explore Hamsun when visiting the town. The main attraction is considered to be the museum focusing on Norway’s most famous playwright Henrik Ibsen. “He probably arrived in Grimstad as a 15year-old around 1844 in order to start his education as a pharmaceutical assistant,” explains general manager Anita Estensen.
“Ibsen stayed in town until April 1850 when he was 22, and he wrote his first play Catilina in Grimstad.” At the Ibsen Museum the visitor will learn of his life prior to becoming famous, the harsh economic conditions in which he lived and the love stories. This summer and autumn the art exhibition “Henrik Ibsen for Dummies” by Anni Onsager will be on display. Books by and about Ibsen are also for sale in the museum shop. Thanks to frequent direct flights to Kristiansand’s Kjevik Airport from a number of European airports Grimstad is easily accessible for visitors from Scandinavia, Europe and further afield.
For more information, please visit: www.gbm.no
Lindesnes Havhotell – raw nature and Scandinavian elegance Located at the very southern tip of Norway, Lindesnes Havhotell offers relaxing getaways and an inspirational conference destination – all in effortless harmony with beautiful nature experiences. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Lindesnes Havhotell
“Our location makes us a natural choice for anyone wishing for an exciting visit to the very southern tip of Norway, both those who wish to be active during their stay, as well as kick back and relax,” says Kathrine Ubostad. Opened in 2010, the hotel and its 154 rooms bear a modern and soothingly
Scandinavian look. Spaces have been made open and light to interlace seamlessly with the distinctly raw south Norwegian nature, features which apply to bedrooms and conference spaces alike. “The communal spaces are elegant and airy, and can accommodate up to 200 people,” says Ubostad. “We understand
that many of our guests come from places far from where we are, so we strive to meet their every wish and need – everything from activities to fresh food.” Lindesnes’s coastal location makes it an ideal place to taste fresh seafood, and at Lindesnes Havhotell you can have it prepared by award-winning chefs. You may also book a traditional Norwegian Christmas party for your business. In addition to an abundant line-up of yuletide treats, the hotel can organise tastings at the local brewery and trips to the beautifully decorated Lindesnes lighthouse. “It’s a wonderful way of experiencing our coastal customs, all with a touch of Norwegian Christmas tradition,” says Ubostad. For more information, please visit: www.havhotellet.no
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25 minutter fra Dyreparken finner du Sørlandets eneste funkishotell, beliggende i havgapet mellom Arendal og Grimstad. Med nytt hotellbygg og doblet kapasitet, 90 lyse og innbydende rom/leiligheter/suiter, velværeavdeling, kortreist mat og Sørlandets mest spektakulære utsikt, er vi et naturlig førstevalg for kurs og konferanse, ferie og feiring. Velkommen! STRAND HOTEL FEVIK FAKS 37 25 00 01
ä
ä
4870 FEVIK TELEFON 37 25 00 00
EMAIL BOOKING@STRANDHOTELFEVIK.NO
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design: innoventi / foto: JP Lehne
KURS OG KONFERANSER PÅ IDYLLISKE STRAND HOTEL FEVIK
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Stay at the heart of experiences in Kristiansand Whether you are visiting the south of Norway on a business trip or indulging in some family fun, Quality Hotel & Resort Kristiansand presents you with something out of the ordinary. From spacious conference facilities to exciting events and shows for the whole family – the choice is obvious. Welcome to a hotel of experiences!
Quiet retreats and a whole new you
And why not let a shopping trip inspire a new you? For guests feeling grey or slightly dated, inspiration is coming their way in the shape of Norwegian TV style guru Jan Thomas Mørch Husby. On 18 September he will grace Quality Hotel & Resort Kristiansand with his fashionable presence and Jan Thomas Live tour, calling on all women to become their best selves. You may even win a makeover by this A-list Hollywood stylist, so the opportunity is not to be missed!
Located approximately 10-15 minutes from the city centre of Kristiansand, the hotel is also an ideal starting point for a day of shopping. Sørlandsparken, a spacious shopping centre that will be crowned Norway’s largest this autumn,
After a day of treating your looks there is nothing more relaxing than enjoying the great outdoors. Kristiansand is known as one of Norway’s most charming cities, with beautiful coastal landscapes to be
By Julie Lindén | Photos: Quality Hotel & Resort Kristiansand
“It’s a great advantage to be situated so close to the park, as well as the airport and local shopping hotspots,” says General Manager Erik Nordahl. “That allows us to focus even more on enthralling experiences for every single guest, always making sure we meet all needs and desires.” Whatever the need might be, the staff at Quality Hotel & Resort Kristiansand is there to make your stay an unforgettable one. The event calendar is packed full with exciting opportunities designed to colour memories way beyond your visit.
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guarantees a supreme shopping experience. Everything you need – or desire – is only a stop away.
“We organise various kinds of events and kick-offs throughout the year, and we are very much in tune with what is going on around us. The entertainment programme is always wide-ranging, offering everything from intriguing talks to celebrity happenings,” says Nordahl.
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admired. Why not hike in the hotel’s striking surroundings, enjoy some sand volleyball on the private course or take a trip to nearby Bjaavann golf course?
Jecko. Photo: John Resborn
Conferences and circus thrills While Quality Hotel & Resort Kristiansand has earned an array of honourable labels, one of the most distinct characterisations is that of versatility. Beyond the familyfriendly areas and vast outdoor spaces, the hotel is also southern Norway’s largest conference hotel – serving up to 550 people. “The aim is always to meet and hopefully exceed expectations, whether these come from a family of four or a business company of 200,” says Nordahl. “It’s important for us that our guests know what they will find when they come and stay with us.” One of the hotel’s most treasured traditions has long been the annual Christmas parties, marrying superb entertainment with an exceptional dining experience for you and your business. This year the hotel salons will welcome former Cirque du Soleil artists Jecko & Jessie, who have more than 18 years of experience of circus and variety performances. Joining them are the mesmerising Star-
workers, dancing their way through a night that will surely be remembered by every audience member as a remarkable experience. Pirates, princesses and the balloon city Whether your child is a princess, pirate or cowboy, Quality Hotel & Resort Kristiansand makes every effort to welcome families with open arms. The hotel’s closest neighbour is one of the most visited attractions in Norway – Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park – which naturally adds to the reasons Quality Hotel & Resort Kris-
tiansand is called “The Children’s Hotel”. “We organise numerous happenings for children of all ages: dress-up days, shows and a chance to join us in the kitchen at ‘Kokepunktet’ (the boiling point), where children can learn about cooking in an engaging way. We are also very excited to welcome families to Europe’s largest balloon city – a maze constructed by 50,000 balloons, where a real princess is to be found at the centre...” says Nordahl. As summer time is undoubtedly the prime time for a family hangout, “The Children’s Hotel” promises a fun day both indoors and outside. The backyard play area is a popular spot, and its large pool maintains a welcoming 26 degrees from May to October. Should the weather gods misbehave there is always the indoors playroom with an activity leader brightening the day, and when energy levels run low the popular family buffet boasts all the treats your little one could want. Enough said – it’s the children’s choice. For more information, please visit: www.nordicchoicehotels.com/ Quality-Resort/Quality-Hotel--ResortKristiansand and www.barnashotellkristiansand.no
Starworkers. Photo: John Resborn
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Above left: Plumbo. Top: Nazareth. Middle: deLillos. Right: Dum Dum Boys. Below: Ole Ivars
An autumn weekend of music in Kristiansand Dark Season is an annual music festival that is held in Norway’s fifth largest city, Kristiansand. It has been held during an autumn weekend in October every year since 1998. The original idea behind the festival was to give a musical experience to the inhabitants of the city and surrounding areas, as well as visitors wanting to enjoy a weekend of live music.
Kristiansand is easily accessible by air, road and rail from most of Norway. A growing number of direct international flights to Kristiansand Airport make the city increasingly accessible from major European cities too.
By Stian Sangvig | Press Photos
For more information, please visit:
The Dark Season music festival is organised by a team of passionate individuals involved with music. In order to attract as many visitors as possible the music genres are diverse. They include rock, country and western and also folk music. While most of the artists are Norwegian, including World Pop Idol winner Kurt Nilsen, rock band CC Cowboys, folk singer Ole Paus, country and western singer Bjøro Håland and jazz vocalist Silje Nergaard, classic UK rock bands have also performed at the festival in recent years. Typically the festival attracts between 3,500 and 4,000 visitors per year. Most visitors are local but the aim is to attract audiences from elsewhere in Norway and abroad.
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“This year’s festival will take place between Thursday 17 and Saturday 19 October,” explains festival manager Liv Håland. Artists will include Nazareth as well as Norwegian bands Ole Ivars, deLillos, Dum Dum Boys and Plumbo. “The festival will open in Kristiansand Cathedral, and additional concerts will take place on stages at the Caledonien Hotel, Kick and the more intimate stage ‘Hos Naboen’ (With The Neighbour) at the Clarion Hotel. Tickets are available for sale at www.billettservice.no,” says Håland. “We are proud and excited to be organising the Dark Season festival for the 16th year in a row, and we are grateful to all our sponsors, volunteers and visitors for their support in making the festival happen.”
For more information, please visit: www.darkseason.com Find Dark Season on Facebook by searching for Dark Season Musikkfestival
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New hotel on the beach in Kristiansand Hotel Scandic Kristiansand Bystranda (City Beach) is the newest hotel in Kristiansand and in southern Norway. “Since opening on 5 June it has been fully booked, and in July we had 16,000 guests enjoying the warmest summer in years,” explains general manager Håvard Solum.
customers on a regular basis. Spectacular views of the sea can be enjoyed from the hotel terrace.
By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Hotel Scandic Kristiansand Bystranda
“During the summer most of our guests are tourists,” explains Solum. “During the rest of the year we are looking to attract business clients visiting Kristiansand’s vibrant oil industry. The hotel also offers facilities for meetings and conferences.” Kristiansand is easily accessible by air, road and train from most of Norway. Thanks to a growing number of international direct flights from Kristiansand Airport, the city and region are increasingly accessible from the rest of Europe too.
Situated on the beach and 500 metres from the shopping street of Kristiansand (Norway’s fifth largest city), its location is certainly ideal. Another attraction next door is the Aquarama waterpark, spa and gym. Guests can use the gym for free and can get discounts on waterpark tickets.
The hotel also has a restaurant taking advantage of being right next to the beach by offering the finest local delicacies from the sea in tasteful dishes. While the hotel is looking to attract tourists and business people from around Norway and abroad, the restaurant is already attracting local
For more information, please visit: www.scandichotels.com/hotels/norway/ kristiansand/kristiansand-bystranda
Kayaking from lighthouse to lighthouse through idyllic Southern Norway Experience the beauty of Southern Norway’s coastline by joining Wannado on an exclusive and enjoyable kayaking adventure. By Didrik Ottesen | Photos: Wannado
Designed to take the participants from lighthouse to lighthouse through the idyllic archipelago, the kayak trips are a new cultural experience launched this summer, and Wannado are aiming to continue the successful project. “The route can be significantly varied as far as destinations are concerned, with trips from Lindesnes in the west and as far east as Tønsberg,” says Roar Laugerud, who is responsible for canoeing and kayaking at Wannado. “The coastline of Southern Norway is famous for its many lighthouses, and several of them are available as accommodation. The possibility of kayaking along the coastline and spending the night in one of the lighthouses is a spectacular cultural and nature-centric experience,” he adds.
Offering both single and double kayaks, Laugerud emphasises that the trips are not designed to be exhausting, and that Wannado, which is based in Arendal, presents several different trips based on experience. “The trips are in groups of three to ten people, lasting from three to ten days, and can be arranged from different locations, albeit the main route is from Kristiansand to Arendal. It’s even possible to do a part of one journey one year and come back the next year to continue it. “It is a very special feeling to spend a night in one of the unique lighthouses and then continue the journey along the spectacular and idyllic coastline the following day,” Laugerud says.
For more information, please visit: www.wannado.no
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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway
Hotel of the Month, Norway
Deep in the heart of Sápmi Sit around the campfire, taste the local food and listen to some traditional Sami joik while the Northern Lights dance above your head. At Rica Hotel Karasjok you get to experience everything the Sami way of life has to offer. By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Rica Hotel Karasjok
Boasting a long and rich Sami history, the municipality of Karasjok, in the northern reaches of Norway, sees tourists come from all over the world to learn about the traditions and culture of Europe's northernmost indigenous people. Many choose to stay at the Rica Hotel Karasjok, a modern hotel known for its characteristic architecture and strong Sami influences. “Everything here is characterised by Sami culture, and Sami elements occur throughout the hotel,” says manager John Arne Mathiesen.
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Built 30 years ago, in 1983, Rica Hotel Karasjok has recently been renovated to meet all today’s expected standards. The hotel has 56 rooms, ranging from standard rooms to junior suites, as well as a range of meeting rooms and conference facilities. Located a 60 minute drive from Lakselv airport the hotel is easily accessible.
why would you when Norway's largest and most spectacular plateau, Finnmarksvidda, awaits you right outside your door, ready to be explored? “Finnmarksvidda is magical. To stand on the plateau, just gazing across the landscape, provides great moments of clarity, and time for reflection – it is incredible,” says Mathiesen. Having difficulties finding the right words to describe the grandeur of the vast, open landscape, he continues: “There is no end to it. There is just the endless tundra; mile upon mile of beautiful, untouched nature. It is something that needs to be experienced. It is simply breathtaking.”
The spectacular Finnmarksvidda Despite the comfort of the rooms, few people spend much time in them. And
Because of the arctic climate, weather conditions are incredibly stable in Karasjok,
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with cold, refreshing air and few rainy days. “Even when the weather is bad along the coast, it does not affect us because we are inland,” Mathiesen explains. At night, the clear weather provides great opportunities to see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky – whether you are enjoying a peaceful walk in the middle of Finnmarksvidda or standing just outside the hotel. “One of the best things about Karasjok is that you do not have to drive for hours to experience the Northern Lights. You can see them dancing just over the hotel roof,” says Mathiesen. Home of the Sami Parliament For those looking to delve further into Sami culture and history, Karasjok, as the capital of the Sami people, has a range of offers. The Sami Parliament of Norway is located about 4-500 metres from the hotel and between the two lies the Sápmi Park, a centre for Sami culture. “The important thing to know about Karasjok is that it is not a typical tourist spot. The culture here is not constructed for tourism, and we are not trying to adapt for tourists. What you get is an authentic experience of real Sami culture the way it has been for centuries,” stresses Mathiesen. Some of the things visitors can experience are rides with the reindeer, the traditional Sami style of song called joik, and of course, a traditional Sami meal next to the camp fire.
Above: Photo: Kjell Sæther. Below left: The Sami Parliament. Photo: Bård Løken. Below right: Exploring the Finnmarksvidda plateau.
sine centres around the reindeer,” says Mathiesen. “The Sami people have always lived in harmony with nature, and they process the reindeer in such a way that nothing goes to waste. Everything on the reindeer is used for crafts, art or food.” If you feel like learning more about the proud Sami people and experience their
harmony with nature, perhaps Karasjok is the next place you should escape to for a few days?
For more information, please visit: www.rica-hotels.com/hotels/karasjok/ rica-hotel-karasjok www.visitsapmi.no
A taste of Sápmi If the night is too cold to eat outside, even close to the fire, you can, of course, opt for a nice dinner in the hotel restaurant, Storgammen. The restaurant is built in the same manner as traditional Sami huts, providing an authentic and relaxed atmosphere. The food is an important part of the Sami experience when staying at Rica Hotel Karasjok. A team of skilled chefs prepare exquisite traditional Sami dishes, made from local ingredients. In 2012, the hotel won an award for best head chef within the Rica hotel chain. “We use the ingredients the Sami people use, and the cui-
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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark
Hotel of the Month, Denmark
A historic retreat in the green outskirts of Aalborg Located in the outskirts of Aalborg, the four-starred Best Western Hotel Scheelsminde offers guests a historic stay in one of Denmark’s beautiful old manors. The historic building, which has been in the hands of the same family for three generations, is a favourite location for weddings, conferences as well as weekend breaks.
are staying at a family owned hotel and not just another corporate chain hotel,” says 31-year-old hotel director Anemette Bühlmann.
By Signe Hansen | Photos: Best Western Hotel Scheelsminde
A peaceful base for exploring Aalborg
Built in 1808 by Christian Paul Scheel, a prominent member of the Judiciary, Scheelsminde manor was turned into a small motel by the current owner Anemette Bühlmann’s grandparents in 1960. Since then the hotel has been carefully extended, modernised, and renovated, most recently with the refurbishment of 32 double rooms. Today the hotel houses a total of 100 rooms as well as meeting rooms, conference and banquet
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facilities, swimming pool, spa and an international restaurant. Still, the manor’s special charm and atmosphere has been preserved. “What we try to do is create a small oasis in Aalborg with a quality-orientated service; we have a lot of regulars who tell us that they feel as if this is their second home and that’s exactly the feeling we try to create. We want them to feel that they
Though Hotel Scheelsminde, thanks to its large green estate, has a secluded feel to it, it is no more than a ten minute bus or car ride from the centre of Aalborg. “A lot of our weekend guests come here just to relax and enjoy Aalborg; what we offer is a green oasis within a short distance from the city and the shopping centre,” says Bühlmann. For the guests who fancy a bit of unwinding after exploring Aalborg’s many offers,
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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark
Hotel Scheelsminde, as the only hotel in Aalborg, offers an indoor pool as well as a sauna, steam room and spa treatment area. Back in their rooms guests can enjoy modern bathroom facilities and free internet. The suites, furthermore, offer an authentic manor house experience with traditional decor and bath tub. A big Scandinavian breakfast buffet is complimentary for all guests. A magical wedding venue The historic ambiance and beautiful location of the old manor has, not surprisingly, made it a popular wedding venue. During the summer season Scheelsminde’s big banquet hall, which is separate from the rest of the hotel, is booked up every weekend. “A lot of people choose to locate their celebrations here because of our beautiful, romantic surroundings,” explains Bühlmann adding: “Many newlyweds arrive by horse carriage, have the welcome drinks in the park and then go on to have their wedding photos taken in the beautiful park and dine in the large banquet hall.” Hotel Scheelsminde is also ideal for meetings, courses, and conferences. The conference facilities cater for meetings of 10 to 100 participants with a complete range of audio visual equipment. Hotel Scheelsminde’s international restaurant, which seats 80 guests and presents outstanding panoramic views of the large park, is one of the reasons the hotel has become a popular venue for conferences and business dinners. The kitchen, which is
Anemette and husband Danni Bühlmann with their children Victor and Isabella.
managed by Chef Dennis Sonberg, serves a menu of classic French food, which is adjusted to the different events and demands. A big responsibility Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, Hotel Scheelsminde continues to thrive in the devoted hands of the Bühlmann family. Though Anemette Bühlmann and her husband Danni Bühlmann, took over the management of the hotel just six years ago, the hotel, which is also Anemette Bühlmann’s childhood home, has always had an important role in her life.
“Taking over Scheelsminde I felt I had a lot to live up to. I’ve seen how much hard work and responsibility it is to run a hotel and quite early on I decided that it was not for me,” admits Bühlmann, then continues, “but then after high school I ended up on a course in hospitality management in Switzerland. Afterwards, on what I thought would be just a short stopover at Scheelsminde, I met my husband, who already worked there, so then things just sort of clicked and six years ago my parents called to tell me that they were ready to hand over the responsibility.” Just like the two current owners of Scheelsminde, Anemette Bühlmann’s parents and grandmother still live at the historic hotel.
Left: The restaurant, managed by Chef Dennis Sonberg, serves a menu of classic French food.
For more information, please visit: www.scheelsminde.dk
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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Finland
Hotel of the Month, Finland
Hotel Astor – an atmosphere of home A winning combination of personal service, an intriguing past, a laid-back feel and famed homemade breakfasts has inspired what guests of Hotel Astor Vaasa call “the Astor atmosphere”. Central and homey accommodation complete with a scent of freshly baked bread every morning? Yes, please. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Hotel Astor Vaasa
cal produce as possible, keeping good relations with local grocers. “We make sure to take in fresh and seasonal foods to present our guests with good, rustic tastes. No semi-fabricated meals to be found!”
“It’s something we hear again and again, that there is a very special feel to our hotel,” Manager Petra Gästgivars Lundberg says of this particular ambiance. “We are a small-scale hotel doing things our own way. I think that influences the relations we have with our guests – and it’s definitely a reason why they have voted us Finland’s third best hotel three years in a row.”
“The building has a long history that we are very proud to honour,” Lundberg says. “The façade is the same as it has always been, while our décor represents many different time periods – from Rococo to Gustavian. Rooms are individually decorated and traditional, many with a private sauna.”
With a sturdy breakfast to kick-start your day, who wouldn’t want to do some sightseeing? Vaasa is a cultural hotspot with plenty of museums, theatres and concerts to experience. Hotel Astor offers several packages to complement the interests of any guest, all put together with one single call to the reception.
Homemade simplicity and cultural discoveries
The hotel truly is special in its own right. Built in 1909, the house served as home to a local butter merchant for many years. With his house’s eight rooms he started the tradition of welcoming guests on their travels to Vaasa, a tradition that inspired the 1993 renovation of the guesthouse into the present day hotel.
A distinctive and much-appreciated feature of Hotel Astor is the delicious, homemade breakfasts and brunches. Everything is prepared from scratch – from wafers to strawberry marmalade – all spreading a welcoming, fresh scent throughout the house. Lundberg says the hotel makes an effort to use as much lo-
“Our services are chosen to be at hand to each guest on their own terms – from picking you up at the airport with our shuttle service to helping you discover Vaasa’s hidden gems. Simple, laid-back and homey – that’s us,” says Lundberg.
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For more information, please visit: www.astorvaasa.fi
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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark
Vejrhøj. Photo: Marianne Diers
Dragsholm Slot. Photo: Marianne Diers
Attraction of the Month, Denmark
Odsherred looks set to become Denmark’s first Geopark Thanks to its unique geological formations, rich cultural history and extraordinary agricultural qualities Odsherred looks set to become Denmark’s first Geopark. Located 80 km north of Copenhagen, the region boasts kilometres of pristine sand beaches and is one of Denmark’s most popular holiday destinations. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Visit Odsherred
More than 10,000 years have passed since the last glaciers withdrew from Danish shores, but the tracks they left are still evident and nowhere more so than in the beautiful, hilly landscape of Odsherred. This is one of the reasons the area looks set to become Denmark’s first Geopark. Tourist Director Hans-Jørgen Olsen explains: “When kids at Danish schools learn about landscape formation, they look at the maps of Odsherred – we have some of the most recognisable coastline moraines seen anywhere. But becoming a Geopark is not just about geology, it’s also about how the landscape has influenced the development of the region.”
Globally, the UNESCO-backed Global Geopark Network has recognised 90 Geoparks based on the past and present influence of the areas’ geological attributes. In Odsherred the special characteristics of the landscape have played a vital role in both ancient and modern life. As the area’s hills and accessible seaside wielded great attraction for prehistoric settlers, it is today littered with burial mounds, barrows and historic finds. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, Odsherred’s special light acted as a magnet on some of Denmark’s greatest artists sowing the seeds for a flourishing cre-
ative community. Today, the region boasts approximately 60 galleries. With long stretches of family friendly beaches Odsherred also became one of Denmark’s first popular holiday destinations. The first visitors started arriving in the late 19th century, and, today, the area has approximately 26,000 holiday homes, more than any other region in Denmark. Last, but not least, Odsherred has become the home of one of Denmark’s best gourmet restaurants: Dragsholm Slot. The restaurant’s head chef Claus Henriksen (former sous chef at NOMA) has become famous not least for his exclusive use of vegetables grown in Lammefjorden, a reclaimed fjord with an exceptionally favourable mineral composition for agriculture.
Odsherred’s status as Geopark will be decided upon next spring.
For more information, please visit: www.visitodsherred.dk
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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland
Left: Whale watching at Shaky Bay (Skjálfandi) (Photo: Northsailing Whale Watching). Middle: Húsavík Whale Museum (Photos: Einar Gíslason). Right: The bay and Húsavík harbour (Photos: Top: Einar Gíslason; Bottom: Hafþór Hreiðarsson).
Attraction of the Month, Iceland
Húsavík – Europe’s whale-watching capital Not only is Húsavík the place to come for whale watching, boasting the highest spotting rates in the country, it is also the ideal base for your holiday in the northeast of Iceland. You will not fail to be charmed by this delightful town in one of the most beautiful areas in the country.
Among them are the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss, and the beautiful and unique lake Mývatn.
By Stephanie Lovell
In Húsavík you can find two high-grade hotels and several guesthouses as well as a number of restaurants and cafes serving a range of both traditional Icelandic and international dishes. Some are open especially for the summer season.
More than 60 thousand tourists flock to Húsavík each year to go whale watching in Skjálfandi – or in English, Shaky Bay – one of the few places where you have a chance of spotting the mighty blue whale. "Whale watching in Húsavík is particularly special, because you can choose from a variety of boats: there are the renovated traditional oak fishing boats, the mighty schooners and, recently, rigid inflatable boats, known as ‘rhibs'. Some excursions also include a stop at Puffin Island, which is visisted by 250,000 puffins every summer," explains Einar Gislason, Manager at the Husavik tourism office. Once you are back on land, head to the fascinating Húsavík Whale Museum where you can learn all about whales and
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their habitat. The exhibition includes ten impressive whale skeletons. Next door is the University of Iceland's Research Centre where people from all over the world come to carry out research on the diverse wildlife in Skjálfandi Bay. "Húsavík is in one of the most beautiful places in the country and has a lovely scenic harbour," says Gíslason. "You can see how well the old and new times have blended here, with tourists walking about alongside traditional shipping companies." It is certainly also worth exploring the Northeast area beyond Húsavík. Embarking on the 200 km Diamond Circle will take you to many weird and wonderful sights in the Vatnajökull National Park.
Although the whale-watching season runs from the first of April until the end of October, there is a certain charm about being in Húsavík over the winter months. Restaurants and museums stay open and there is still plenty to do. In recent years the north of Iceland has become an increasingly popular winter holiday destination with tourists searching for the northern lights and Húsavík is the perfect spot for that. For more information, please visit: www.visithusavik.com
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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway
Left: Holmenkollen is the world's most modern ski jump. Bottom middle: The polar exhibitions follow the incredible adventures of Norwegian explorers Nansen and Amundsen. Top middle and right: The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through 4,000 years of skiing history.
Attraction of the Month, Norway
4,000 years of skiing Everyone knows that Norwegians are born with skis on their feet. Being good at skiing used to be a necessity as it was a major method of transportation in Scandinavia for centuries. Today it is a sport and a hobby for most Norwegians. At the Ski Museum in Oslo visitors can learn more about why skiing has been, and always will be, such a massive part of Norway’s culture and history. By Kjersti Westeng | Photos: Ski Museum
The Ski Museum is located under Holmenkollen Ski Jump, one of Norway’s most visited tourist attractions and a famous sporting arena. After it was rebuilt in 2010 it became the world’s most modern ski jump, attracting many visitors because of its design and history. Most visitors climb to the top of the ski jump to experience the incredible view of Oslo and the Oslofjord, often described as “the blue, the green and the city in between.” The Ski Museum first opened in 1923 at Frognerseteren, but was moved to its current location in 1952. As the world’s oldest skiing museum it has become a popular destination for tourists looking to gain a
deeper understanding of Norwegian’s favourite pastime. Operation Manager Jeanette Hansen has worked at the museum for almost six years and has always been fascinated by Norway’s relationship with skiing. “I think it’s interesting to learn about the history of skiing and how the use of skis has developed through time,” she says. The two floor museum is divided into several exhibitions covering 4,000 years of skiing history. The polar exhibitions are the most popular, featuring the expeditions of famous explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Hansen says: “It’s fascinating to learn about Amundsen and
Nansen and their expeditions. They are international heroes and looking at the equipment they used I am even more impressed by their accomplishments.” Another popular exhibition is Winter Joy, which looks into why the outdoor life has had such a massive impact on Norwegian culture. In the museum’s new building they have temporary exhibitions, the current one being “Is it Possible?” The exhibition is about the physically disabled on snow and skis, and how there are many individuals who overcome their difficulties and make the impossible possible. Hansen finishes: “Next year we are putting up a new interactive exhibition about snowboarding and modern winter activities in Norway, which I think will be very exciting.”
For more information, please visit: www.holmenkollen.com/Skimuseet
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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Finland
Left: Maija Närhinen, Rikkaruoho/ Weed, (detail) 2012, installation, mixed media, paper thread, pot. Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art , Swanljung Collection. Middle: Germán Gomez Gonzalez, Dibujado V/ Drawn 5, 2007, Mixed media: C-Print on paper, sewing and drawing, 193 x 100 cm, Unique piece. Photo: Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art, photo archive. Right: Flore Gardner, Chiasmus, 2013, 20 x 20cm, embroidered photograph.
Attraction of the Month, Finland
Explore the art legacy of Finland Just by the waterfront, in the beautiful setting of the Inner Harbour of Vaasa, lies a cultural treasure. In a former customs warehouse you will find one of Finland’s most important collections of modern and contemporary art. By Elin Berta
Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art opened to the public in 2007, but the story behind it starts long before that. Consul Simo Kuntsi, born in 1913, had a passion for art and was driven by the ambition to provide contemporary art to the public. After donating his art collection to his hometown Vaasa in the 1970s, with almost 40 years of collecting art behind him, he founded the Kuntsi Foundation that would later evolve into a museum. A museum that today holds nearly a century of art history. Apart from the base collection, the museum organises events, workshops and seminars all year around and hosts around six temporary exhibitions per year. This autumn two photography based exhibitions will open. “On the 12th of October two new photography based exhibitions will open at the museum,” Pamela Andersson, curator at the museum says.
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“Although they both involve photography they are still very different.” Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art
Thread and Paper is an international group exhibition where photographic images are combined with the element of thread. With artists from all over Europe, some from London, their work is not to be mistaken for textile art. “The way the artists express themselves is very poetic, and the artworks form a balance between fiction and real life experiences,” Andersson continues. “For instance, Su Blackwell, from the
United Kingdom, creates fantasy- and fairy tale-like miniature worlds by using paper and books as a starting point, and the Finnish artist Ulla Jokisalo, who is well known for her sewn photographs, creates three dimensional scenery by using photographs, paper cutting and thread.” On the same date another photography exhibition opens at the museum, Mia Damberg – Other Stories. “Mia Damberg is a local artist from Vaasa. Her work is very strong emotionally, and even though her pictures are collective portraits they can also be seen as self-portraits,” Andersson says. Once you have enjoyed the art you can relax with a nice cup of coffee at the lower level of the historical building, in the museum’s Cafe Simo. And if you still have not had enough of culture, there are more exciting artworks to be found just around the corner, at the Tikanoja Art Museum. For more information, please visit: kuntsi.vaasa.fi/index_eng and www.tikanojantaidekoti.fi
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
gredients. The pizza baker and his oven are always placed in a prominent position within the restaurants creating a lively atmosphere. The newly renovated Olivia Aker Brygge was inspired by Naples both in decor and menu and is the largest of the three restaurants. Guests can book private parties in the Sala Privata and those interested in Italian cooking can learn the fundamentals of the cuisine from the in-house chef.
Olivia Tjuvholmen. Photo: Erik Burås/Studio B13
Restaurant of the Month, Norway
Visit Italy in Oslo Summer is officially over and the start of autumn has left many of us longing for the warm summer nights filled with wine and good food. But thanks to the Olivia Italian restaurants you can now experience evenings just like these all year round – right in the middle of Oslo. By Kjersti Westeng | Photos: Olivia
Olivia opened its first restaurant at Aker Brygge in 2006, bringing a little piece of Italy to Oslo. Three years later, another Olivia restaurant in Hegdehaugsveien opened, closely followed by a third restaurant at Tjuvholmen in 2011. Each restaurant offers a different experience, but they all have one thing in common: authentic Italian food served in a lively, warm atmosphere.They all have large outdoor seating areas where guests can wrap up with blankets and heat lamps among olive trees during those colder winter months. CEO Tone WicklundHansen says: "We like to think that Olivia is not a chain, despite all three restaurants having the same name and similar menus. We put a lot of attention and effort into creating each restaurant, making it a little different with its own individual touch.”
Olivia Hegdehaugsveien is inspired by Rome and has a large outside seating area full of olive trees and fairy lights. The restaurant is famous for its wine bar serving glasses of wonderful Italian wines which are difficult to find elsewhere. The Venice-themed Olivia Tjuvholmen has adjacent to the restaurant a small deli which sells Olivia's homemade focaccia, aioli and cheese as well as a number of other Italian products. They also have the most delicious “al taglio” pizza, which is Italy’s answer to takeaway pizza. WicklundHansen finishes: "Olivia very quickly became a very popular place to be because of the warm and welcoming atmosphere. You never feel alone here and that makes people want to come back again and again.” Below right: Olivia Aker Brygge
Olivia is famous and much loved by locals for its authentic Italian pizzas, pasta and antipasti, all made from fresh Italian in-
For more information, please visit: oliviarestauranter.no
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
Kähler in Tivoli
Restaurant of the Month, Denmark
Another successful recipe by Kähler Design Take a 174-year-old ceramics brand, add an abundance of modern Danish design and spice with innovative Nordic cuisine, mix and serve. This recipe has proved so irresistible that when Kähler Design opened its fourth restaurant, Kähler in Tivoli, in July, it received a record-breaking 1,000 bookings on its opening day. Even more remarkable, this happened just five years after Kähler, one of Denmark’s oldest ceramic brands, was salvaged from bankruptcy by Danish architect Frantz Longhi. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kähler Design
When guests step into Copenhagen’s new design restaurant Kähler in Tivoli, they enter an extraordinary universe. The iconic Tivoli building today teems with Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and Poul Henningsen design classics, the tables are set with Kähler’s ceramics and the plates tempt with Chef Thorsten Schmidt’s interpretations of Danish classics. “The idea behind our restaurants is to create an all-inclusive experience, and that means that all the elements in the
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restaurant are inspired by each other; nothing stands alone. This leaves it to the guests to decide what they want to focus on: the history, the design, the food or the fantastic location. Hopefully, for some it will be it everything and they will leave with an experience they couldn’t have found anywhere else,” explains Longhi. Apart from innovative open sandwiches and a set dinner menu, the new restaurant, which is adjoined to Tivoli’s central
stage, also offers retail sale of the famous ceramic designs by Kähler. A new universe Opened in July 2013, Kähler in Tivoli was the fourth restaurant to be established under the Kähler brand, but the first one in the capital. Kähler’s three other restaurants: Kähler Spisesalon, Kähler Villa Dining and Nordisk Spisehus are situated in Aarhus, the location of Kähler’s new, large flagship store as well as Kähler Coffee Station. While Kähler’s first restaurant, Kähler Spisesalon, came about more or less by coincidence, the concept soon became a great success. Located in the same street as Kähler’s flagship store, the restaurant space was offered to Kähler by its previous owners and, though it had not occurred to
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
Longhi to combine Kähler design with a dining experience before, he was soon brimming with ideas. The result was a living design concept which provides visitors with an experience for all the senses and allows them to experience and live in the design. “What I wanted was to create an all-encompassing, new universe for the Kähler brand’s buyers, and a part of that universe is the restaurant. You can sit down, drink from our cups and experience our vases and candleholders within a live environment; it’s a completely different experience than when you just observe the design on the shop shelves.” Soon after the opening of Kähler Spisesalon, Longhi was offered the neighbouring restaurant for taking over, then owned by the well-known Danish chef Thorsten Schmidt. This led to Kähler opening not just that restaurant but also Kähler Villa Dining in cooperation with Schmidt and his wife. Schmidt, who is among Denmark’s most recognized chefs within the new Nordic cuisine, now heads Kähler in Tivoli’s kitchen. Both guests and food will thus be in safe hands as the restaurant will be managed by the winner of the Danish Championship for Waiters, 2013, Tabita Mortensen from Nordisk Spisehus in Aarhus. Historic consequences With two of Denmark’s largest and oldest design companies having recently shifted into foreign hands, the persistence of Kähler as a successful Danish company is remarkable. Founded in 1839, the pros-
Kähler Villa Dining
Frantz Longhi. Photo: Fals Simon
pects, however, looked bleak as the company that had just taken on the ownership of Kähler went bankrupt in 2008. When Longhi, upon hearing about the bankruptcy, made a bid for the company, it was mainly, he says, because of his architectural veneration for Danish design and, in particular, the long history of Kähler. That his bid was actually successful came as both an exhilarating and a slightly frightening surprise to him. “When I took over Kähler, there were only a small number of Denmark’s historic design companies left in Danish hands, and to me that seemed a great loss. I wanted to preserve the design brand and history; Kähler’s ceramics are exhibited in museums all over the world, from the US to Paris, and over time they have been acquired by kings and emperors. I found the idea of continuing this very exciting, but I’m also very humble towards the fact that this is a part of history,” stresses Longhi. Today, five years after Longhi took over the company, Kähler has multiplied its sales 20-fold and has become known all over the world for its successful combination of two of Denmark’s greatest strengths: food and design.
FACTS: Kähler was founded by the Danish potter Herman J. Kähler in Næstved in 1839. Up until 1974 the company was owned by the Kähler family but since then changed hands many times before landing in the safe hands of architect Frantz Longhi. Frantz Longhi is the director and owner of Danish Management Group, which works with sustainable energy planning in developing countries and employs 100 people. Kähler Design is sold in 30 countries and 600 stores. Kähler Design has four restaurants, Kähler Spisesalon, Kähler Villa Dining and Nordisk Spisehus in Aarhus and Kähler in Tivoli in Copenhagen.
For more information please see: Kähler in Tivoli: www.kahler-i-tivoli.com or call: +45 53 73 84 84 Kähler Villa Dining: www.villadining.dk or call: +45 86 17 70 88 Kähler Spisesalon: www.spisesalon.dk or call: +45 86 12 20 53 Nordisk Spisehus: www.nordiskspisehus.dk or call: +45 86 17 70 99 Kähler Design is on Facebook and Instagram.
www.kahlerdesign.com
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Sweden
Restaurant of the Month, Sweden
Great ingredients, great philosophy Proviant is the local restaurant that everyone would love to have close to their home. Talking to the founder Mattias Edlund is an inspiring experience as his passion for food is simply contagious. Even though Proviant is an internationally recognised restaurant, its concept is still to keep things simple and closer to the client. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Proviant
While it has not always been the case, today Stockholm is recognised internationally for its restaurant scene. One of the main reasons for the increased number of large restaurants in Stockholm is that the Swedes have acquired a real appetite for eating at restaurants and have also become more refined and mature in their tastes.
Protect the local farmers
Edlund had been Managing Director at Edsbacka Krog (the first restaurant in Sweden to obtain two Michelin stars in 2000) for nine years when he felt the urge to open a new venture by himself. The idea was clear: it would be a nice and cosy restaurant with good food and attention paid to the environment and, of course, to taste and presentation.
People start to appreciate the quality of food when they actually understand what they are eating. Very few Europeans missed the repercussions of the recent meat scandals. “For good food you need good ingredients and we have plenty of them in Sweden,” Edlund tells us. This is why it is important to protect and support local farmers, the ones who care about doing a great job and put all their effort
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into producing and providing their customers with a great product. You will notice a massive difference when something is grown and prepared with heart. Edlund also says that it’s important that the food we eat has a story behind; it is not just something that we use to survive. During our chat, he was in the archipelago of Stockholm fishing for fresh fish to bring back and offer to his customers at the restaurant. Restaurant and shop Proviant is based in the district of Östermalm in Stockholm. It is open for lunch Monday to Friday and for dinner 7 days a week. In the same building as the restaurant they have a shop from which they sell their own products. The shop also works as a pantry for the restaurant, so that guests can also bring a bit of Proviant home with them. For more information, please visit: www.proviant.se
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland
Restaurant of the Month, Finland
Wine, dine and party under one roof In the heart of the lively university city of Vaasa, on the western coast of Finland, you will find a popular hotspot that offers everything from Saturday brunch and à la carte dinner to late night drinks and entertainment. Fondis, the restaurant at the heart of it all, has formed a part of the city’s restaurant scene since 1964 and continues to attract a diverse clientele. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Fondis
The Hartman building by the market square in the centre of Vaasa houses the Fondis Restaurant, Cristal bar & bistro, El Gringo Music Saloon and Fontanaclub set over three floors. Over its 50-year lifespan, Fondis Restaurant has changed ownership and style several times, and moved from its cellar premises to its current ground floor setting. “Fondis Restaurant began its transformation into its current form in ’91, while the upstairs night club Fontana was established in ’92 and cellar pub El Gringo opened in ’93,” explains general manager Susanna Ristiluoma, whose family has owned the business since 1991.
Today, the Cristal bar operates in conjunction with the restaurant on the street level. In addition to the restaurant and bars, the premises also include the 25person Nicolai cabinet that can be hired for all types of corporate or private use and sauna facilities for 15-20 people. Fondis Restaurant, which serves internationally flavoured, seasonal cuisine suited to the Scandinavian palate, is popular with local office workers at lunchtime as it serves a varied buffet and several different main courses on weekdays at 11am-2pm, while in the afternoons and evenings the à la carte menu attracts a wider range of customers. The Saturday brunch has also found its very own following over the last year.
After wining and dining in comfort at the restaurant, customers can retreat to the Cristal bar for some traditional and international cocktails, as well as delicious fruity concoctions, speciality beers and a good selection of wines. In the summer, you can also enjoy your food and drinks outside on the terrace. For a more rockflavoured vibe, many choose the pub-style El Gringo, and those looking for a real night out will feel right at home at Fontana, Vaasa’s largest night club, with several different rooms dedicated to different types of music, from modern tunes to old school and house. “We believe we can offer something for everyone. You could almost spend your whole day, from morning until the early hours, under the same roof eating, drinking and enjoying yourself,” adds Ristiluoma. For more information, please visit: www.fondis.fi
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Scan Business | Key Note | Nordea
Scan Business Key Note 108 | Column 109 | Conference of the Month 110 | Feature 111 | Business Calendar 112
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Nordea private banking in Singapore To serve the growing community of Nordic individuals in Asia, Nordea is now present with a private banking branch in Singapore. By Eric Pedersen, General Manager, Nordea Bank S.A. Singapore Branch
Nordic businesses are growing in Asia and are thereby attracting more Nordic professionals to live and work in the region. Nordic expatriates in Asia are also staying longer than they used to. Singapore is the centre for private banking in Asia, and Nordea offers private banking services to the growing community of wealthy individuals from its newly opened branch in Singapore. Asian time zone Asia-Pacific is an engine of growth for the world and at the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is well placed to serve many of the fast-growing emerging markets in the region. To present the growing number of Nordic individuals in the region with the same high-quality private banking service as we do in Europe, we have opened a branch in Singapore, thereby making their access to the financial markets easier, more efficient and more secure. Private banking clients are demanding more from their bank. They want value for money and real competence. The financial crisis has also increased clients’
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awareness of risk, revealing a preference for banks that they can trust their investments with. Strong Nordic brand For five consecutive years, Nordea was named the best provider of private banking services in the Nordic & Baltic region by the international financial magazine Euromoney. Nordea is the leading Nordic provider of international private banking services, and the Nordea Group is Northern Europe’s leading universal bank, with around 11 million customers, more than 1,000 branch offices and EUR 219 billion in assets under management. Nordea is one of the leading international banks in shipping, providing a diversified range of services for that sector. We have a dedicated team in Singapore with strong market knowledge and structuring capabilities to assist clients in several Asian countries. Besides our reputation for seeing things from the client’s point of view, Nordea’s financial strength and the retained AA-rat-
Eric Pedersen, General Manager, Nordea Bank S.A. Singapore Branch
ing is clearly an added attraction for wealthy clients looking for a safe and reliable private banking partner.
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Scan Business | Column | Helena Whitmore
New rules increasing the inheritance tax exemption for non-domiciled spouses and civil partners By Helena Whitmore, Senior Wealth Structuring Adviser, SEB Private Banking UK
The saying goes “the only things certain in life are death and taxes”, and when someone dies, a final inheritance tax bill may well land on the estate itself. In the UK, inheritance tax (“IHT”) may be payable if the deceased’s estate was valued above the nil rate band (currently £325,000). Certain transfers made within seven years before the date of death also need to be taken into account, so an unexpected tax bill may also arise for those who received gifts several years before the death. As with all taxes, IHT can be highly complex, and those who have wealth above the nil rate band should take professional advice, particularly if there are international aspects. In the UK, transfers between spouses and civil partners are usually exempt from IHT. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true if the donor spouse is UK domiciled or deemed domiciled, but the donee spouse is non-domiciled. People who are UK domiciled or deemed domiciled are subject to UK IHT on their worldwide assets, whereas those who are non-domiciled are only liable to UK IHT on assets which are located in the UK. If assets could be transferred without limitation, many couples would want the nondomiciled spouse to hold all their non-UK assets (and would keep cash and investments outside the UK IHT net). A gift to a non-domiciled spouse, either in lifetime or on death, could therefore potentially bring the assets outside the charge to IHT, so in those circumstances the spousal exemption is limited. The limitation does not apply if both spouses are non-domiciled, but if a couple who are both domiciled outside the UK came to the UK in different tax years, one of them may become deemed domiciled before the other, so that there is a period when the limitation applies. People who have been resident in the UK for 17 or more out of the past 20 tax years are treated as deemed domiciled for IHT purposes. This could be after
just over 15 years for those who arrived late in the first tax year. The deemed domicile rules only apply to IHT and not to other taxes. For many years, the spousal exemption from a UK domiciled to a non-domiciled spouse was limited to just £55,000. With effect from 6 April 2013, this has been increased to the level of the nil rate band, meaning that if the only beneficiary of the deceased is their non-domiciled spouse and no lifetime gifts have been made, no IHT would be due if the deceased’s estate is valued below £650,000 (the increased £325,000 spousal exemption plus the £325,000 nil rate band). This will be welcome news for many couples. If IHT is still a problem between the spouses, there is now also the possibility for the non-domiciled spouse to elect to be treated as domiciled in the UK for IHT
purposes, so that they can obtain the full spousal exemption. In return their own worldwide assets will become liable to IHT. It is important to take advice before deciding if it would be beneficial to make the election. Finally, remember to check if inheritance or gift taxes could also be payable on the same assets in another country (typically where the assets are located and/or in the country where the individual is a citizen or domiciled), because there is no guarantee that something which may be exempt in the UK would also be exempt elsewhere.
For more information, email privatebanking@seb.co.uk or call 020 7246 4307
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Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Iceland
Conference of the Month, Iceland
Synergy and sightseeing in the south of Iceland Situated on the mighty Ölfusá river in the south of Iceland, Hotel Selfoss offers the most technically advanced conference facilities outside Reykjavik. Closer to all the must-see attractions than the capital, it is the perfect location from which to explore all the spectacular sights the country has to offer. By Stephanie Lovell | Photos: Hotel Selfoss
Since making technical improvements in 2002, Hotel Selfoss has been hosting a wide variety of conferences in its firstclass facilities. You will really get to know fellow conference-goers during your stay, as you attend high-tech presentations together in the well-equipped function rooms and go on exciting excursions to admire the natural splendours to be found just moments from the hotel. Supporting all your individual requirements The spacious function rooms, equipped with all the latest technology, can accommodate up to 450 people. Last June the hotel was booked for the International
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Panoramic Photography Conference, which included photography talks and workshops, as well as scenic walks around Iceland. “People came from all over the world,” says hotel manager Ásbjörn Jónsson. “It was very technically demanding, but we managed to meet all their needs. We are very flexible and treat each conference individually. We provide world-class service, ensuring that participants get the most out of their experience here, meeting all demands 100%.” The hotel provides catering services and has even been known to put on Viking-
themed dinners. You can also indulge in artistic dishes made with the best available ingredients at the hotel’s Riverside Restaurant. After a busy day of events, you can relax in the geothermally heated steam room, sauna and hot pools at the Riverside Spa. Just a stone’s throw from all the natural gems “Selfoss is a fantastic place,” says Jónsson. “It takes no time to get to Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, Eyjafjallajökull glacier or the natural pearls along the south shore. Whatever you might want to do, be it skiing, snowmobiling or sightseeing, everything is nearer and more easily accessible than from Reykjavik.” You will be able get to know other members of the group even better on day trips to these stunning sights nearby. The intimate setting at Hotel Selfoss will also encourage team building during your conference. “The hotel is just outside of town, so the group is able to stick together and really bond,” says Jónsson.
For more information, please visit: www.selfosshotel.is
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Scan Business | Feature | El Hotelito
Authentic charm in the heart of Spain In the heart of Spain, 100 kilometres west of Madrid, El Hotelito welcomes guests with enchanting sceneries, home-cooked food and wonderful rooms. Scan Magazine visited the small boutique hotel and was blown away by its authentic charm and the owners’ genuine warmth. By Emma Fabritius Nørregaard /Signe Hansen | Photos: El Hotelito
Having slept nearly 12 hours per night, I left El Hotelito feeling completely recharged. Luckily, getting up late is not frowned upon at this laidback getaway where a freshly prepared breakfast is served from 9 am till noon. El Hotelito was founded two years ago by Danish Christina Aagesen and her Spanish husband Cándido Ruiz who until then had managed a stable in the area. The stable now adjoins the hotel offering horseback treks in the amazing landscape of the Alberche River valley. Though my partner was a novice on horseback Cándido managed to find a suitable horse for each of us and tailored a wonderful trek accommodating our different levels. El Hotelito also offers op-
portunities for golfing, sailing, fishing, hiking, and swimming (in the nearby brook); all in such stunning scenery that even my notoriously indoorsy travel partner was charmed. The area also accommodates a rich bird life and bird watching activities are arranged throughout the year. Situated just outside the village of Navaluenga, El Hotelito is within a short distance of a number of small eateries. But, as many locals do, we also tried out the hotel’s simple dinner menu consisting of one daily main course and a selection of tapas and found it very tasty indeed. After dinner nothing felt better than retreating to our spacious room with a film from the hotel’s free DVD library. With our private balcony, floor to ceiling win-
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dows, a relaxing hydro massage shower and amazingly soft beds we could not have asked for more. For more information, please visit: www.el-hotelito.es
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Danske Bank International S.A., R.C.S. Luxembourg, No. B. 14.101, Aut. 24859
“New job, new country, new culture. I’m confident knowing that my investments remain in good hands no matter where my career takes me next” Lisa, 37, CEO, International Private Banking client
Scandinavian Business Calendar – Highlights of Scandinavian business events Extraordinary Productivity for the 21st Century The Swedish Chamber of Commerce and FindCourses Global invite all Members to an interactive workshop with Franklin Covey, who will present trends in the training industry and provide a unique take on time management that has proved to help organisations boost productivity. Sign up at www.scc.org.uk Date: 12 September Link up drinks at Radisson Blu Portman Join the Chamber for relaxed after-work drinks and meet with fellow SCC members. You will also have the opportunity to meet newly introduced companies within the network. Sign up at www.scc.org.uk Date: 19 September Ways of financing your company and projects - London Stock Exchange event This year we focus on ways of financing your company and projects for companies operating in an international environment. We will be looking at ways of financing and what is realistically available and just as important what is not, and who can access what kind of finance. It is really a step back to reassess the opportunities, as much has happened over the last couple of years. Venue: London Stock Exchange, 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7LS Date: 23 September Tax Seminar with SEB London and Speechly Bircham This tax seminar will be hosted by the law firm Speechly Bircham LLP and SEB and, through practical case studies, will cover some developments in the UK tax regime introduced this summer by the UK’s Finance Act 2013. Sign up at www.scc.org.uk Date: 26 September
Investment Planning. A solution beyond the ordinary. Lisa’s career takes her and her family around the globe. It is important for her to have a proactive financial partner with a deep knowledge of the different investment markets. We have set up an individualised investment strategy that corresponds to Lisa’s risk profile while generating a satisfactory return, no matter where she is located. In Danske Bank International, we carry out regular wealth checks to ensure the most favourable investment plan for Lisa. If you want help planning your investments, Danske Bank International might have the solution for you. To obtain more information and to take our test, please visit our website www.danskebank.lu.
Nordic Thursday Drinks The Thursday Drinks is a perfect occasion to network with people from the Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and British business communities in an informal atmosphere. Canapés and welcome drinks are generously sponsored for the "early birds" with their names on the guest list. Venue: Radisson BLU Portman Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London, W1H 7BG Date: 26 September Members Luncheon with Carl-Henric Svanberg Join the SCC for this exclusive Members Luncheon with Carl-Henric Svanberg. Date: 2 October Sustainability by Sweden All Members are invited to join the Embassy of Sweden, Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK and Business Sweden on Friday 4 October for an exclusive executive conference at Mansion House in London. Date: 4 October
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Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour
IS IT JUST ME...
By Mette Lisby
Or are the royals breaking all kinds of records at the moment? There is the Danish Ironman Crown Prince Frederik. The baby-seat-installing Prince William. And the top ranking fashion icons Princess Mary and Duchess Kate. The press, from tabloids to CNN, are utterly flabbergasted by the achievements of the royals, and, don’t get fooled by my ironic tone, I am impressed as well… sort of. I mean, I am smitten with the love and admiration most glamour magazines and newspapers have for these royal “overachievers” - they are excelling at their jobs. BUT (yes, you knew that “but” was coming, didn’t you?) come on - not to belittle the princesses at all, but it does seem that all you have to do as a royal female to snatch the title “style icon” is to be younger than 45 and wear clothes. It struck me this week when the international press unanimously proclaimed
that Danish Princess Isabella was a “style icon”. The princess earned the title for wearing a nice and very normal outfit for her first day at school. She is six years old. Don’t get me wrong, Isabella really is cute, like almost every other child is before they turn into teenagers. But “style icon” is a bit much for even the cutest six-year-old, isn’t it? And isn’t our amazement over the baby-seat-installing Prince William a tad over the top? Same goes for our Danish Prince Frederik’s merits in Ironman. (Not the movie! The triathlon thingy.) William, Frederik, Kate and Mary master these things because they don’t have a job. Or rather because being presentable, cool and “with it” IS their job. They don’t have to buy groceries, pay mortgages, wash clothes, pick up dry
The B&B experience stairs loo to celebrate the safe landing of Apollo 11. These extraordinary establishments serve not only to put a roof over your head and a large portion of heart-arresting, fried goods on your breakfast plate, they also act as a portal into a time when it was rude not to cover your toilet roll in a crocheted rag.
If you’re visiting Britain and want to investigate some of the quirkier aspects of life on this great island, I would warmly recommend checking into a traditional B&B. I don’t mean one of the modern ones with WiFi and espresso machines in the rooms. I mean the kind where time has stood still since the landlady last splashed out on a new carpet in the down-
Expect to have your morals inspected. B&Bs are not hotels, they are the homes of landladies and landlords prone to questioning your marital status, diet, reason for visiting and – most importantly – what time you creep in at night after you’ve taken yourself off for a few glasses of wine to try to soften the effect of the severely sagging bed mattress. If you’re particularly late, don’t expect the hot water to be turned on as you crouch in the bathtub attempting to rinse your hair with a limescale-encrusted rubber hose the following morning.
cleaning or write articles for magazines (not that I am complaining, dear editor). I’m just saying that if I hadn’t had to write this article I could’ve completed an Ironman Triathlon! It is in fact probably the only thing holding me back from doing so. To prove my point I have entered the 2014 London Ironman and STILL plan to write articles. Beat that Will & Freddie! Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.
By Maria Smedstad
My other half doesn’t see it. To him, being able to sink his toes into thick shag pile, as he has a wee, really is the luxury it is supposed to be. Only once, when presented with a particularly unrelenting ducktheme did he briefly pause in wonder. This was only to assess the breed of the stuffed specimen mounted above the front door. Dust, moths and decades of sun-bleaching made it an impossible task and he left none-the-wiser.
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.
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Scan Magazine | Culture | Pekka Hiltunen
Pekka Hiltunen – creating intelligent and topical crime fiction Showered with awards and critical acclaim for his debut novel, Cold Courage, Pekka Hiltunen has been hailed as the new trendsetter in Finnish crime fiction. Adding global political and societal topics to a modern, urban setting in a thriller framework, he brings a new dimension to the hugely popular Scandi crime literature scene. Cold Courage is now out in English. By Inna Allen | Press photos
Following a twenty-year career in journalism, Helsinki-based Finnish author Pekka Hiltunen released his debut novel Cold Courage in 2011. The psychological thriller immediately became one of the most acclaimed debut novels in Finnish literature. It won three literary prizes in Finland, including the Clue Award for Best Detective Novel of the Year, and has been nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Prize for Best Debut of the Year as well as the Scandinavian Glass Key Award 2013. With critics calling it “a well-paced, intense and suspenseful psychological thriller”, Hiltunen has been said to have
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kick-started a new phase in Finnish crime literature. A self-proclaimed London-lover, Hiltunen sets his thriller – the first in a line of books called the Studio-series – in the bustling British capital. “I knew from day one that London would be the setting for the novels,” Hiltunen says. “It is my favourite city and one that felt natural for the story.” The novel follows two Finnish expats, Lia and Mari, and their mysterious operations within criminal and social milieus – combining terrifying crimes with peoples’ will to make a change in the world. “The pro-
tagonists are strong women, eager to make society a better place,” explains the author. Scandinavian crime fiction has been buzzing for some time now, but placing his novel outside of the Nordic countries and drilling into current issues, Hiltunen has managed to add a new element to the scene. “Readers have found it refreshing to see the slightly dark and deep Nordic characteristics in a different setting,” Hiltunen says. The sequel to Cold Courage has already been released in Finland to rave reviews, and Hiltunen will soon start work on the third instalment. Right now though, he is busy with the upcoming release of his latest book Big. Changing genre entirely, Big is a current social novel dealing with the problem of the global obesity epidemic.
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Scan Magazine | Culture | Tommy Franzén
One day a member of the cast was missing and Tommy was invited to fill in as he had seen the show around 25 times. This was his ticket into the industry with the musical Joseph in Malmö. He was then 14 and moved on to star in West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. Despite his success in Sweden he decided to undertake formal dance training and ended up in the British capital. To date he has toured with the renowned choreographer Russell Maliphant and The Rodin Project around the UK, Europe and New York and performed at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic handover ceremonies in 2008. Last year he was awarded the 2012 Oliver Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Dance’.
Creating a stir within London’s dance scene In the last decade Tommy Franzén has created a stir within London’s dance scene. Blending hip hop, modern and classical dance with limitless energy, the future looks bright for this hard-working Swedish dancer. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: MindStudio
Now aged 32, Tommy landed on British soil in 2000 when he was awarded a threeyear scholarship to study at the Urdang Academy in London. At 19 he was already an experienced dancer and a recognized name in Swedish show business. Perhaps best known for his role as Simeon Sun in Zoo Nation´s Some Like it Hip Hop at the Peacock Theatre in Holborn, Tommy also contributed to the choreography arrangement. The show is now closed. His biggest breakthrough was in 2010, when he became a finalist in the BBC production So You Think You Can Dance. "It was great fun, a once-in-alifetime experience. It gave a boost to my
career and elevated my image and really put me on the map,” Tommy reflects.
Tommy is now preparing for a new role as Wang Tang in The Five and the Prophecy of Prana produced by Boy Blue Entertainment at the Barbican, where he will perform against a backdrop of visual art by the Japanese manga artist Akio Tanaka. The story sees five troublemakers sent to a rehabilitation camp for young offenders run by Wang Tang, a Grand Master of the martial art Pih Poh Fu. Its visual identity and quirky characters stem from the manga comic book genre from which it is adapted. The premiere takes place on 22 October and Tommy reveals: “I’m very excited to be working with Boy Blue Entertainment for the first time and the role of a martial arts Grand Master is something I have dreamt of since I was a boy”
Tommy took hip hop lessons with the recognised Swedish dancer David Johnson at the age of 11. "David is a dancer who learned on the streets, he just picked things up and had no idea of the names of the steps, so therefore, I didn’t really have a clue technically what I was doing. It was just fun, and was how I developed my unique style,” he explains. His sister Elena was Tommy’s true inspiration and was already active as a musical artist. He would follow her to rehearsals, watching her perform in shows on stage.
For more information, please visit: www.tommyfranzen.com
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Scan Magazine | Culture | Pernilla Iggström
numerous shows and can be found in public and private collections in England and Sweden. Her work is also available at Saatchi online. She is also working at Studio 73 in Brixton Village as a curator and arts project manager. “I am in the process of setting up and curating a solo show with Ian Emes, the Pink Floyd animator of Dark Side of the Moon, which will be open on 10-29 September at Studio 73, with a preview on 13 September with the special feature of projected animation. Ian will do a Meet the Artist event and we will host one Artist’s Talk in conjunction with the solo show. This is all very exciting and I am thrilled to be working with such a talent and visionary,” she remarks.
Exploring notions of identity Pernilla Iggström is an emerging London-based Swedish artist who explores notions of identity. Using her own multicultural background as a focus, Pernilla creates thoughtful and dreamlike portraits blending her Asian roots and Swedish upbringing with her interest in sociocultural elements, separation and integration.
“At the moment I am also setting up an auction at Mary Ward House in Bloomsbury on 12 September in support of the Team GB horse jumper Emily Baldwin to secure her a good horse for a chance to be a part of the Rio games in 2016. The auction involves auctioneer James Braxton of Antiques Road show, Flog It! and Bargain Hunt and will feature around 50 artworks donated by over 37 artists. It is a very joyous project where communicating with artists and coordinating with people from other fields, is my main role.”
By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Courtesy of Pernilla Iggström
Pernilla made London her home in 2007 after having spent 16 years immersed in the corporate world in Singapore. A successful career as personal assistant and executive secretary in telecommunications meant she had travelled most of the world. But she longed to express herself artistically. “In 2007 I left the high life in Singapore to realize my dream of becoming an artist. After 16 years in the business world I moved to the other side of the globe, to undertake a Foundation and a BA in Fine Art Painting at City & Guilds of London Art School,” Pernilla explains. Pernilla was adopted from Korea and arrived in Sweden when she was eight months old. During her time at art school
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she began to explore her origins and cultural heritage through her art and discovered how strong her connections still were with Korea despite only having spent eight months there. “I have always been interested in anthropology and the nature/nurture concept. I've always been curious about my origins and wondered about the circumstances around my adoption; it was therefore natural to begin the creative process by looking through family albums from my childhood. Though I use photos of myself as a starting point I’m also seeking to create a more general platform for discussion on cultural identity.” Today Pernilla is busy building a name as an artist and her work has appeared in
Top left: Nebula (Cavity Series) 2012 Oil on canvas 145.5x122cm. Top right: Gissa Vem (The Future Looking Into The Present From The Past) 2013 Oil on canvas 35x27cm Below: Pernilla Iggström. Photo: Jay Shaw-Baker
For more information, please visit: www.pernillaiggstrom.com
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SUBSCRIBE TO SCAN MAGAZINE – and receive a FREE ticket to The Scandinavia Show 2013* Sign up to a year’s subscription and you will receive Scan Magazine through your letterbox every month. Subscribe online at www.scanmagazine.co.uk/subscribe The price for 12 issues is £40.00 (Outside UK £75.00)** * You will receive an e-ticket approximately two weeks before the show which is held on 12-13 October 2013. The ticket can not be exchanged for cash. T&C’s apply. **We currently send out Scan Magazine to the UK and Europe.
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Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Scandinavian Music
Scandinavian Music
There is a new pop star for you all to get excited about, especially given how good her debut single is: Marlene with Bon Voyage from Stockholm. As well as the tune itself being surprisingly catchy, despite appearing quite subtle, the intricacies in the production are a set of stunners themselves. The intro, the post-chorus thing after the first chorus, and then
By Karl Batterbee
the middle eight – all divine. And the final 45-second climax is brilliant. The perfect “bon voyage” to Bon Voyage. And this one’s already been picking up an extraordinary amount of international blog support to boot. Bjørnskov is a successful Danish songwriter who has now started releasing his own music. Vi Er Helte is his first big hit. One of those uplifting mid-tempo torch songs – which is appropriate given the title. Instantly feel-good and likable. Even if you don’t speak the language, you can tell that this is all for the greater good of man. That melody couldn’t be about anything downbeat. The radio stations in Denmark have been lapping this song up this summer. Beldina, of What Can I Say and Here We Go fame and fabulosity, has offered up a free download of a new song of hers, which is also pretty spiffing. It must be quite frustrating when not once, but twice, you end up with one of the most cruelly underrated pop gems of its given year – which is what happened with those afore-
mentioned two songs. But Pillow Fight sees her come out all guns blazing, once again, regardless. It’s a dark and downbeat dance track. Not so much peak time dance floor action on a Saturday night out though, more a fuming and unsatisfied taxi ride home alone. She swears a lot. But she’s Swedish, and you can get away with that on the radio over there. Mountains by Bjørn Olav Edvardsen is a song that has gone somewhat under the radar, even in his native Norway – which is an almighty shame. This is epic and melodic dubstep balladry in its finest form. The tune is almost akin to an 80s stadium rock number. Or maybe that’s just the heavy use of falsetto being put into play. And naturally, it’s those falsetto moments that are the best bits. The whole thing is brilliant though. Atmospheric to the max, and oh-so-beautiful along with it. A chiller from the fjords. www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com
Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! Junip on tour (Sept) Swedish folk/psychedelic rock trio Junip was formed in 1998 and is fronted by singer-songwriter José Gonzalez. This autumn the band is touring Europe and the US with their 2013 self-titled second album. For more info visit: www.junip.net Johnossi on tour (Sept/Oct) Swedish rock duo Johnossi, consisting of John Engelbert and Oskar “Ossi” Bonde, will be touring Europe with their 2013 album Transitions this autumn. For more info visit: www.johnossi.com Apulanta on tour (Sept/Oct) Finnish punk rock band Apulanta is tour-
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Junip. Photo: Kiara Andreasson
By Sara Schedin
ing Europe this month and next. For more info on tour dates visit: www.apulanta.fi Mad about Helsinki (Until 31 Dec) The Mad about Helsinki exhibition presents the places in Helsinki that are dearest to its residents and by giving them historical depth shed light on the city’s past in a new way. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Thu 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm. Helsinki City Museum, Sofiankatu 4, Helsinki. www.hel.fi/hki/Museo/en/Etusivu H.C. Andersen – a magical adventure show (1 Sept – 27 Oct) The world famous fairytales of Danish writer H.C. Andersen come to life in a
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Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar
spectacular and modern stage show. The show consists of a selection of Andersen’s most beloved tales, including: The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Tivoli, Vesterbrogade 3, Copenhagen. For more info visit: www.tivoli.dk Kronos Quartet, Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen - Uniko (18 Sept) Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen and sampling guru Samuli Kosminen join forces with Kronos Quartet in Uniko, an emotionally charged show centred on the concept of dreams. Uniko opens up a multidimensional field of experiences with lighting effects, surround sound and projections. Barbican Centre, London, EC2Y. www.barbican.org.uk Icona Pop on Germany tour (Oct) Swedish electro-poppers Icona Pop have taken the world by storm with their breakthrough single I Love It. For tour dates and more info visit: www.iconapop.com
Children of Bodom on UK tour (Oct) Leading Finnish death metal band Children of Bodom are headed to the UK this autumn. For more info visit: www.cobhc.com Tomorrow – Elmgreen & Dragset at the V&A (1 Oct – 2 Jan) Danish/Norwegian artist duo Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset will transform Victoria and Albert Museum’s former textile galleries into an apartment belonging to a fictional, elderly and disillusioned architect. The exhibition will appear like a set for an unrealised film. To accompany it, the artists have written a script, which will be available to visitors as a printed book. Visitors will act as uninvited guests, able to curl up in the architect’s bed, recline on his sofa, or rifle through books placed by the artists to hint at the imagined events that could have taken place here. Open daily 10am – 5:45pm and until 10pm every Friday. V&A, London, SW7. www.vam.ac.uk High Expectations, 2010, Elmgreen & Dragset, Mixed Media Courtesy of Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin. Photo: Fidelis Fuchs, ONUK
Discover Germany seeks Freelance Journalists We are currently looking for qualified journalists on a freelance basis for Discover Germany. We are looking for journalists with a German background who are also confident in English. To apply, please email your CV to Discover Germany at info@discovergermany.org.uk
Dance Umbrella (3 – 20 Oct) Dance Umbrella, London’s annual dance festival, celebrates 35 years of bringing new dance forms to the capital from around the globe. Swedish choreographer Gunilla Heilborn will present her duet This Is Not a Love Story about two reluctant heroes. For more info visit: www.danceumbrella.co.uk
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